Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a class of carbon allotropes with interesting properties that make them productive materials for usage in various disciplines of nanotechnology such as in electronics equip-ments, optics and therapeutics. They exhibit distinguished properties viz., strength, and high electrical and heat conductivity. Their uniqueness can be attributed due to the bonding pattern present between the atoms which are very strong and also exhibit high extreme aspect ratios. CNTs are classified as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the basis of number of sidewalls present and the way they are arranged spatially. Application of CNTs to improve the performance of many products, especially in healthcare, has led to an occupational and public exposure to these nanomaterials. Hence, it becomes a major concern to analyze the issues pertaining to the toxicity of CNTs and find the best suitable ways to counter those challenges. This review summarizes the toxicity issues of CNTs in vitro and in vivo in different organ systems (bio interphases) of the body that result in cellular toxicity.

Various patterns of calcifications may be seen in thyroid cancers on ultrasonography (USG) of thyroid.1 Coarse calcifications seen in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) are generally associated with posterior shadowing on thyroid ultrasound.2 We briefly report this case of MTC with an emphasis on its radiological features.
Thyroid cancer, medullary

Primary growth hormone (GH) resistance or growth hormone insensitivity syndrome, also called Laron syndrome, is a hereditary disease caused by mutations in the GH receptor or in the post-receptor signaling pathway. This disorder is characterized by postnatal growth failure resembling GH deficiency. Differentiating the two conditions is necessary. We present the cases of two siblings, a 16-year-old female and a 9-year-old male, born from a consanguineous union. Both had normal birth weights with subsequent severe short stature and delayed teeth eruption, with no features suggestive of any systemic illness. Serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) were both low. Suspecting GH deficiency, provocative testing with clonidine was done revealing peak growth hormone >40 ng/mL in both patients. In view of low IGF1 and IGFBP3 and high GH on stimulation, IGF1 generation test was done for both siblings, with values supporting the diagnosis of GH insensitivity or Laron syndrome.
Laron Syndrome

We report three cases of Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) among which a young female and two siblings from a separate family, presented with common features of obesity, postaxial (ulnar) polydactyly, speech delay, developmental delay with learning difficulties and progressive deterioration of vision. Fundus examination revealed maculopathy and other remarkable findings in these patients. In this image of endocrinology, we describe the BBS phenotypes of these cases highlighting the fundus photography features with a plan for close follow up on obesity and endocrine complications.
Polydactyly ; Obesity ; Macular Degeneration ; Bardet-Biedl Syndrome

Complete gonadal dysgenesis with 46,XY karyotype is a clinical condition characterized by the absence of testicular tissue but typical Mullerian structures in a phenotypically female individual. The condition presents as primary amenorrhoea or delayed puberty. Eventually, malignant neoplasms may arise. We report a case of a 16-year-old patient with Swyer syndrome presenting with primary amenorrhoea and with previous diagnosis four years earlier of a malignant dysgerminoma in the right ovary.
Swyer syndrome ; dysgerminoma ; gonadal dysgenesis