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Introduction: Macrophages undergo fusion to form multinucleated giant cells (MGC) in several pathologic conditions. The exact mechanism of their generation is still unclear. MGC are a common feature of granulomas that develop during various inflammatory reactions. Aim: To study the histopathological features of giant cell lesions in lungs and correlate the characteristics of giant cells with other histopathological findings. Also, to determine the utility of morphometry to differentiate foreign body and Langhans MGC. Materials and Methods: Seven cases were analysed. Specimen of lungs was grossed, sectioned and processed. Routinely, tissue sections were stained by Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain. Polarizing microscopy and special stains were employed in selected cases. Granulomas and MGC were counted and measured. Several other parameters like location, distribution, type and number of MGC, associated predominant inflammatory component and nature of granulomas were analysed. Results: Five patterns of lesions were observed in seven cases. Aspiration pneumonia was seen in three cases (42.85%) and constituted the most common pattern. However, aspiration pneumonia as the only cause of MGC was seen in only one case (14.28%). Pulmonary tuberculosis and asteroid bodies constituted two cases (28.57%) each. Cryptococcal pneumonia and cholesterol clefts constituted one case (14.28%) each. Crypococci were demonstrated to be positively birefringent by polarized microscopy on Ziehl-Neelsen stained sections. Based on statistical analysis of morphometric data, a new index (NP index) was proposed to statistically categorize MGC into foreign body type and Langhans type. NP index value of =0.016 was found to be statistically significant (p<0.005) in foreign body MGC. It had high sensitivity and efficacy. Conclusion: MGC may not be always associated with granulomas. The mechanisms that lead to the occurrence of MGC, independent of granuloma needs to be elucidated. Morphometry may serve as a useful aid. But a pathologist has to rely on the morphological details to categorize MGC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To study the bone marrow changes in elderly patients (above 60 years of age). Material and methods: Bone marrow records from the pathology laboratory in the Department of Pathology, Bangalore Medical College, Bangalore, from March 2012 to June 2013, were searched, and cases from all patients at least 60 years old at the time of bone marrow study were retrospectively reviewed. Results: During the 16 months period, 164 bone marrow examinations were performed, and out of these, 50 patients were at least 60 years old. The age range of the patients was 60 to 82 years, 27 were males and 23 were females. 47 cases (94%) yielded specific diagnosis. 27 cases (54%) had nutritional anemia, 6 cases (12%) were diagnosed as myeloma, 3 cases (6%) had aplastic anemia, 3 cases (6%) had chronic lymphocytic leukemia! small lymphocytic leukemia infiltrating the bone marrow; 2 cases (4%) had acute myeloid leukemia, 2 cases (4%) had hypocellular marrow with myelofibrosis - grade 3, 2 cases were diagnosed to have monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (4%), 1 case (2%) had metastatic deposits from prostatic carcinoma and 1 case (2%) had metastatic deposits from renal cell carcinoma - clear cell variant; 1 case (2%) of myelodysplastic syndrome - refractory cytopenia with multi lineage dysplasia and ringed side roblasts was diagnosed. Conclusions: In this study we found that after nutritional anemia, plasma cell dyscrasias were the most common findings in bone marrow studies in elderly patients. Diagnosis of plasma cell dyscrasias prompt for early institution of treatment resulting in reduced morbidity and mortality in such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supramolecular assemblies formed from spontaneous self-assemblyof amphiphilic macromolecules are explored as biomimetic architecturesand for applications in areas such as sensing, drug delivery, anddiagnostics. Macromolecular assemblies are usually preferred, comparedwith their simpler small molecule counterparts, due to their low criticalaggregate concentrations (CAC) and high thermodynamic stability. ThisAccount focuses on the structural and functional aspects of assembliesformed from dendrimers, specifically facially amphiphilic dendronsthat form micelle or inverse micelle type supramolecular assembliesdepending on the nature of the solvent medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Coronary artery anomalies are uncommon and most are incidental findings. Double right coronary artery (RCA) is a very rare coronary artery anomaly. Case Report: We report two cases of double RCA incidentally found in electrocuted patients. Both cases showed double RCA arising from separate ostia. On microscopy, both right coronaries showed no significant pathology in the first case while in the second case, the posterior RCA showed features of obliterative arteritis. Conclusion: Although double coronary artery has been regarded as hemodynamically insignificant, it may be associated with atherosclerosis, acute coronary syndromes, and other anomalies. It is important to know the anatomic variants. Meticulous grossing and careful observation could unearth hidden anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptococcus has been increasingly seen as a pathogen with the growing incidence of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Cryptococcosis commonly presents with pulmonary, CNS or skin involvement. Bone marrow involvement of Cryptococci has been rarely reported. We are reporting a case of bone marrow Cryptococcosis in a 50-year-old Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) positive male, with review of literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant cell tumor of the skin is a rare entity showing gross and histological features similar to those of giant cell tumor of the bone. We report a case of malignant giant cell tumor of the thigh in a 55-year-old man. Histological features showed a biphasic population of mononuclear cells admixed with osteoclast-like giant cells. The nuclei of the giant cells were similar to those of the mononuclear cells. This tumor should be distinguished from a variety of cutaneous neoplasms that contain multinucleated giant cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carcinoma within a fibroadenoma is an extremely rare occurrence with a reported incidence of 0.1% and is most often diagnosed incidentally on post-operative examination of excision biopsy specimens. One such case is reported here for its rarity and also for stressing upon the need for compulsory excision of all breast masses clinically diagnosed as fibroadenoma and for highlighting the importance of histopathological evaluation of all breast masses irrespective of their clinical diagnosis as benign.

Giant cell tumor of the skin is a rare entity showing gross and histological features similar to those of giant cell tumor of the bone. We report a case of malignant giant cell tumor of the thigh in a 55-year-old man. Histological features showed a biphasic population of mononuclear cells admixed with osteoclast-like giant cells. The nuclei of the giant cells were similar to those of the mononuclear cells. This tumor should be distinguished from a variety of cutaneous neoplasms that contain multinucleated giant cells.