Alleviation of lead-induced physiological, metabolic, and ultramorphological changes in leaves of upland cotton through glutathione.

Plants face changes in leaves under lead (Pb) toxicity. Reduced glutathione (GSH) has several functions in plant metabolism, but its role in alleviating Pb toxicity in cotton leaves is still unknown. In the present study, cotton seedlings (28 days old) were exposed to 500 µM Pb and 50 µM GSH, both alone and in combination, for a period of 10 days, in the Hoagland solution under controlled growth conditions. Results revealed Pb-induced changes in cotton's leaf morphology, photosynthesis, and oxidative metabolism. However, exogenous application of GSH restored leaf growth. GSH triggered build up of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents and boosted fluorescence ratios (F v/F m and F v/F 0). Moreover, GSH reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and Pb contents in cotton leaves. Results further revealed that total soluble protein contents were decreased under Pb toxicity; however, exogenously applied GSH improved these contents in cotton leaves. Activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), glutathione reductase (GR), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)) were also increased by GSH application under Pb toxicity. Microscopic analysis showed that excess Pb shattered thylakoid membranes in chloroplasts. However, GSH stabilized ultrastructure of Pb-stressed cotton leaves. These findings suggested that exogenously applied GSH lessened the adverse effects of Pb and improved cotton's tolerance to oxidative stress.

Frequency of gall bladder carcinoma in patients with acute and chronic cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder carcinoma is a relatively uncommon neoplasm which is more common in the seventh decade of life compared to that of cholelithiasis which is in the fourth decade. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of carcinoma gall bladder in cases of acute and chronic cholecystitis particularly with reference to cholelithiasis. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was done in the department of Surgery at Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi from 1st January, 2009 till 3 1st October, 2011. All 310 cholecystectomies performed during this period were included in this study. The specimens collected were macroscopically examined and sent for histopathology. All the reports were reviewed and the results recorded. RESULTS: Out of 310 cases, 27 (8.7%) had acute cholecystitis and 280 (91.2%) were chronic cholecystitis. 3 specimens got autolysed and therefore excluded from the study. 290 cases had cholelithiasis. 2 out of 290 calculous cases were found to have coexistent carcinoma gall bladder proven on histopathology. CONCLUSION: Frequency of carcinoma gallbladder associated with cholelithiasis discovered incidentally after cholecystectomy is very low in our patients.

Comparative study of inverting sutureline versus over and over continuous suturing in hypospadias repair.

BACKGROUND: Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital anomalies of the male newborns affecting 1 in 300. Urethral meatus lies ectopically on the ventral surface of penis proximal to its normal position. There is defective development of urethral spongiosum and ventral prepuce. Various degrees of chordee may be associated. Objective of the study was to study the incidence of urethrocutaneous fistula formation after hypospadias repair employing two different suturing techniques. This Prospective Randomised Descriptive Clinical Trial was conducted in Department of Surgery, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi and Basharat Hospital, Rawalpindi, during a period of five years from January 2005 till December, 2009. METHODS: A prospective study of 100 patients of glanular/penile hypospadias requiring repair was completed from January, 2005 till December, 2009. Fifty of these patients had urethral tube reconstruction using conventional over and over continuous suturing technique (Group-1). In another group of fifty patients continuous inverting sutures (Connel technique) commonly used in intestinal anastomosis was employed (Group-2). Polyglycolic acid sutures 4/0 to 6/0 as appropriate were used for all the repairs in both the groups by the same surgeon. RESULTS: Six (12%) urethrocutaneous fistulas formed in the Group-1 of fifty patients with over and over continuous suturing as compared to 4 (8%) in Group-II with equal number of patients where inverting suture technique was used. CONCLUSION: Inverting sutures reduce the incidence of urethrocutaneous fistula formation in hypospadias repair.

Prevalence of malignancy in goitre--a review of 718 thyroidectomies.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid malignancies are a heterogeneous group oftumours which show considerable variability in biological behaviour, histological appearances and response to therapy. Thyroid cancer is uncommon and represents only 1% of all malignancies. Objective was to determine the prevalence of malignancy in patients presenting with goitre. This prospective, observational study was conducted at Department of Surgery, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi from January 1999 to December 2008. METHODS: All patients requiring surgery for goitre were included in the study. Postoperatively histopathologies of specimens were evaluated in all patients. RESULTS: 718 patients were operated and post operative histopathology specimens were reviewed. 2.92% of patients were found to have malignancy. Prevalence of papillary and follicular carcinoma was 33.33% each. Anaplastic carcinoma was found in 23.81% of patients followed by Hurthle cell carcinoma in 9.53% of patients. CONCLUSION: All postoperative thyroid specimens should be subjected to histopathology. Prevalence of follicular carcinoma and anaplastic carcinoma is relatively higher in our country due to high incidence of iodine deficiency goitre.