Introduction: Alpha-Methyl Acyl-Co-enzyme Racemase (AMACR, EC 5.1.99.4, also known as P504S) is a mitochondrial and peroxisomal enzyme involved in branched fatty acids oxidation. High dietary intake of branched fatty acids may result in overproduction of AMACR, which is associated with the development of many cancers including prostate, kidney, breast, ovary, liver and gastrointestinal cancers. Several reports have also shown an association between consumption of fat and increased risk of gastric cancer, especially intestinal type gastric carcinomas. Aim: To determine and compare the expression of AMACR in clinical types and various histological grades of gastric carcinomas. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from November 2016 to May 2018 at Osmania Medical College/General Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The tissue cores of the included biopsied samples of 50 gastric carcinomas, with regions of interest were removed to prepare a tissue microarray and Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for AMACR was performed. The stained slides were graded based on the intensity of staining and results were evaluated using Chi-square test. Results: Of the 50 gastric carcinomas (32 males and 18 females; age range: 22-80 years) cases studied, 26 were intestinal type and 24 were diffuse type. According to cancer grade, 17 were well differentiated, nine were moderately differentiated and 24 were poorly differentiated. Abnormal AMACR staining was seen in 73.07% (19) cases of well and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and 33.33% (8) cases of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. The AMACR staining was found to be statistically significantly associated with the differentiation grading of the tumour (p-value 0.016). Abnormal staining for AMACR was seen more in well differentiated compared to moderately and poorly differentiated carcinomas. IHC expression of AMACR showed a statistically significant correlation with Lauren’s type of gastric cancer (p-value 0.005). Conclusion: The AMACR is a racemase present in the cytoplasm; cytoplasmic staining is observed in gastric carcinoma and also with histological grade. Abnormal staining for AMACR was seen more in well differentiated compared to moderately and poorly differentiated carcinomas. The expression of AMACR was significantly higher in intestinal type gastric carcinoma. Hence, the role of AMACR as a target for treating gastric cancer seems to be promising. Further studies are required to establish the role of AMACR as a diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic tool in gastric malignancies.

INTRODUCTION:- According to WHO, Oral cancer is one of the three most prevalent cancers in Asia, among which India accounts for approximately one third. Immunological markers E-cadherin, Vimentin and Ki-67 plays a major role in determining invasiveness, metastasis and prognosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. To study the expression of immunological AIM:- markers E-cadherin, Vimentin and Ki-67 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and evaluate their expression concerning clinicopathological prole. METHODS:-It is a hospital-based cross-sectional study of 60 cases of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma done for two years. Expression of immunological markers E-cadherin, Vimentin and Ki-67 were evaluated and correlated with its pathology. Majority of the patients RESULTS:- with Oral Carcinoma belonged to the 51 – 60 years age group with male predominance(2.3:1). 45% had on Tongue, 22% on the buccal mucosa, 12% on Hard palate, 8% on Lips, 5% on Soft palate and Uvula,3% on Anterior pillar and Retromolar trigone and 2% on Floor of mouth. Ecadherin was positive in 72% with 38% strong positivity. Vimentin was positive in 33% with 20% strong positivity. Ki-67 expression was high in 67% of the cases. Lymph node metastasis showing 13% E-cadherin positivity , 22% Vimentin positive, 30% Ki-67 positive. CONCLUSION:- OSCC cell proliferation research must be further extended as it can be helpful to forecast survival rates for a deeper understanding of protein expression and the interaction between biomarker and therapeutic aspects of these patients.

Perinatal asphyxia is a major cause of neonatal mortality and chronic neurologic disability amongst survivors. There is no single parameter to define perinatal asphyxia. Recent studies have established a correlation between cord blood nucleated red blood cell count and severity of perinatal asphyxia. AIMS AND OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the utility of cord blood nucleated red blood cell/100 WBC count in early identification of perinatal asphyxia and in predicting its severity. MATERIALS AND METHODThis is a case-control study with a total number of 100 subjects, out of which 50 are asphyxiated/case group and the other 50 are non-asphyxiated/control group, which include neonates born in Gandhi Hospital in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Immediately after birth, umbilical cord blood is collected and a thin blood smear slide is prepared which is stained with Leishman stain for NRBC count. The NRBC count of the case group and the control group is compared. The results were analyzed statistically. RESULTSThe mean NRBC count in case group was 38.3 and that in control group was 5.24 with significant rise in cord blood NRBC/100 WBC count in case group compared to controlled group with p value <0.001. Increase in NRBC/100 WBC count was also associated with increased severity of HIE in case group. CONCLUSIONIn conditions where blood gas analyzers are not easily available, cord blood NRBC count can be used as a cheaper and reliable alternative to predict perinatal asphyxia and to assess its severity.