Stem cells have the ability to divide for indefinite periods in culture and to give rise to specialized cells. Cord blood as a source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) has several advantages as it is easily available, involves non-invasive collection procedure and is better tolerated across the HLA barrier. Since the first cord blood transplant in 1988, over 2500 cord blood HSC transplants have been done world wide. Since then, the advantages of cord blood as a source of hematopietic stem cells for transplantation have become clear. Firstly, the proliferative capacity of HSC in cord blood is superior to that of cells in bone marrow or blood from adults. A 100 ml unit of cord blood contains 1/10th the number of nucleated cells and progenitor cells (CD34+ cells) present in 1000 ml of bone marrow, but because they proliferate rapidly, the stem cell in a single unit of cord blood can reconstitute the entire haematopoietic system. Secondly, the use of cord blood reduces the risk of graft vs host disease. Cord Blood Stem Cell banks have been established in Europe and United States to supply HSC for related and unrelated donors. Currently, more than 65,000 units are available and more than 2500 patients have received transplants of cord blood. Results in children have clearly shown that the number of nucleated cells in the infused cord blood influences the speed of recovery of neutrophils and platelets after myeloablative chemotherapy. The optimal dose is about 2 x 10(7) nucleated cells/kg of body weight. The present study was carried out for collection, separation, enumeration and cryopreservation of cord blood HSC and establishing a Cord Blood HSC Bank. 172 samples of cord blood HSC were collected after delivery of infant prior to expulsion of placenta. The average cord blood volume collected was 101.20 ml. Mononuclear cell count ranged from 7.36 to 25.6 x 10(7)/ml. Viability count of mononuclear cells was 98.1%. After 1 year of cryopreservation, the viability count on revival was over 82.1%. Related cord blood stem cell transplantation was carried out in three cases at Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt.

Between 2006 and 2009, 74 cases of salivary gland neoplasms were analyzed retrospectively, of which 44 (60%) were benign and 30 (40%) malignant. 61 % percent of neoplasms were in the parotid gland, 22% in the minor salivary glands including sublingual salivary glands, and 17% in the submandibular glands. The most common benign neoplasm was pleomorphic adenoma (64%), and the most common malignant neoplasm were adenoid cystic carcinoma (17%) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (23%).We analyze the incidence and distribution of all types of salivary gland neoplasms in our series, and provide data for comparison with other epidemiological studies from different geographical sites and races. Demographic data from these studies help us to a better understanding of the biological and clinical characteristics of the disease. Further epidemiological surveys should be encouraged for better understanding of the disease and to provide early and better treatment of salivary gland neoplasms

Trichilemmoma is a hamartomatous proliferation arising from cells of hair follicle. Its desmoplastic variant simulates an invasive carcinoma. In this tumor, the cell of origin seems to be located in the superficial level of the hair follicle just below the basement membrane at the sebaceous gland level. We present a similar case which presented with an asymptomatic nodular lesion in the region above the upper lip on left side. Fine needle aspiration cytology raised the cytological possibility of a malignancy for which the lesion was excised. On histopathology the lesion was diagnosed as desmoplastic trichilemmoma. The case highlights the difficulty encountered in differentiating a benign adnexal tumor from malignant lesion based on cytology alone. Moreover, the extensive desmoplasia on histopathology raises the suspicion of invasive malignancy which requires to be carefully excluded. The superficial features of trichilemmoma and lack of cellular atypia is a useful diagnostic clue in such a situation. Positivity of CD34 can also be used to differentiate from basal cell carcinomas. The case reported here had a solitary lesion, but follow up is required for development of more lesions or multiple hamartomas in other organs as a part of Cowden's disease.

Cord blood as a source of haematopoietic stem cells (HSC) has several advantages as it is easily available, involves non-invasive collection procedure and is better tolerated across the HLA barrier. Since the first cord blood transplant in 1988, over 1000 cord blood HSC transplants have been done world wide. The present study was carried out for collection, separation, enumeration and cryopreservation of cord blood HSC. 30 samples of cord blood HSC were collected after delivery of infant prior to expulsion of placenta. The average cord blood volume collected was 101.33ml. Mononuclear cell count ranged from 7.36 to 25.6 X 10 7 ml. Viability count of mononuclear cells was 98.4%. After 6 months of cryopreservation, the viability count on revival was over 82.1%. MJAFI 2003; 59 : 298-301Key Words : Cord blood; Cryopreservation; Haematopoietic stem cell; Viability yield. Secondly, to separate and enumerate the HSC in the cord blood and study the effect of cryopreservation on stem cell count and viability. Material and Methods30 full term pregnant women undergoing full term vaginal deliveries were randomly selected at the time of admission for delivery. All volunteers were asked to sign informed consent forms prior to collection of cord blood. Women with known history of hepatitis, infectious diseases, diabetes mellitus, severe hypertension, abortions or bad obstetric history were excluded from the study. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) samples were obtained from normal full term vaginal deliveries as per the standard method [4,5]. The collections were made after delivery of the infant and ligation of the cord, prior to the expulsion of the placenta. The UCB was collected while the placenta was still in utero. Using strict aseptic techniques the umbilical vein was cleansed with alcohol followed by betadine. The umbilical vein was pierced and UCB collected in the standard blood collection bags containing citrate phosphate dextrose adenine-1 (CPDA-1) anticoagulant (approximately 25 ml) since total collection was approximately 100-120 ml. During collection the blood bag was shaken gently, so that the anticoagulant freely mixed with UCB. The blood bag with anticoagulant was weighed before and after collection blood to find out the volume collected. The details of the delivery and the new born were recorded and documentation carried out meticulously. UCB was transported immediately from maternity units carefully in a plastic box at 4°C without delay. UCB units were stored at 4°C and processed within 24 hours. Laminar flow cabinet was cleansed with 70% ethanol and volume of UCB was measured. A volume of 5 ml of UCB was kept in aliquots for routine testing of blood group, sterility and tests for HIV-1 and 2, HBsAg, HCV and Syphilis. Aerobic bacterial cultures

One of the most technique sensitive surgeries in the maxillofacial region is the parotid gland surgery owing to the close relation between the gland and the extra-cranial course of facial nerve. Facial nerve is generally located by means of a proximal surgical identification technique aimed at identifying the facial nerve at its point of exit from the stylomastoid foramen to its entry into the posteromedial surface of parotid gland. There are reports in the literature on distal nerve identification techniques, either as a choice or in cases where proximal nerve identification is difficult. The present report deals with personal clinical experience, describing both the techniques for detection of the facial nerve in 17 cases reported. The technique mainly chosen was conventional proximal nerve identification technique in 16 cases. Distal exploration of the buccal branch was undertaken only in one case, on account of difficulty in locating the main trunk intraoperatively, due to the presence of a post inflammatory fibrosis. The decision to resort to the identification of the buccal nerve is supported by the regular course and adequate size of this branch of facial nerve in its peripheral area co-located with stenson's duct, which enable it to be easily identified during surgery.