Hypoalbuminaemia as a Marker of Severity of Patients of Community Acquired Pneumonia.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common presentation with an acute infection of the pulmonary parenchyma occurring in the community level. Despite the availability of potent antibiotics, it remains as a serious illness with significant morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries. This study was undertaken to determine the relation between serum Albumin and severity of CAP. This was a cross sectional descriptive study which was carried out in the Department of Medicine of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH), Bangladesh from July 2019 to December 2019. The sample size was 67. Purposive sampling technique was employed. Patients of community acquired pneumonia (CAP), aged ≥14 years of both sex with recently developed radiological pulmonary shadowing with compatible clinical symptoms and signs were included. Patients who were chronically immunosuppressed, with chronic starvation, advanced liver disease or chronic kidney disease with or without receiving haemodialysis were excluded. Data analysis was done by SPSS software for Windows (version 23.0). The mean age 65.7±15.3 years, majority 13(19.4%) patients had chronic lung disease, 12(17.9%) had diabetes mellitus, 9(13.4%) had heart failure, 6(9.0%) had cerebrovascular disease, 6(9.0%) had neoplastic disease and 5(7.5%) had chronic renal failure. Majority 22(32.8%) patients had CURB-65 score 3, out of which 12(54.5%) had albumin level <20g/l, 9(40.9%) had albumin level 20.0-24.9g/l and 1(4.5%) had albumin level 25-29g/l. 17(25.4%) had score 4-5 out of which 10(58.8%) had albumin level <20g/l and 7(41.2%) had albumin level 20.0-24.9g/l, 15(22.4%) had score 2 and 13(19.4%) had score 0-1. Negative significant correction (r=-0.782; p=0.001) was found between CURB-65 score and albumin level. Significant number of patients with severe CAP show low serum albumin level at admission which is statistically significant when compared with CURB-65 score. Thus hypoalbuminaemia may be a good marker of severity of patients with CAP.

Bone markers and bone mineral density associates with periodontitis in females with poly-cystic ovarian syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Studies suggest an association between poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and chronic periodontitis (CP), both being inflammatory conditions. However, insufficient evidence assesses the impact of this inflammation on bone metabolism and bone turnover markers (BTMs). The present study aimed to determine the association between BTMs, bone mineral density (BMD), and clinical periodontal parameters in PCOS women with CP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three groups, each with 40 newly diagnosed (1) PCOS+CP, (2) PCOS alone, (3) CP alone, and fourth group (n = 20) systemically and periodontally healthy females aged 18-30 years were included in the study. Full mouth clinical periodontal parameters, C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (CTX), bone alkaline phosphatase (ALP), BMD and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (VD) were recorded for all. RESULTS: Low BMD (0.89 ± 0.11 g/cm2), increased CTX levels (2.76 ± 4.64 ng/ml), decreased bone ALP levels (11.09 ± 6.86 ng/ml), higher VD levels (289.02 ± 168.28 nmol/l) and poor clinical periodontal status were observed in PCOS + CP females. BMD-spine showed weak positive correlation with CTX, bone ALP, VD (r = 0.02, r = 0.07, r = 0.15, respectively) in PCOS + CP group. ANCOVA depicted covariates had no confounding effect. Multiple regression model explained 21.0% for BMD-spine and 12.7% for BMD-femur of total variability signifying association with all measured parameters among all groups. CONCLUSION: Enhanced inflammatory thrust by periodontitis increases CTX levels and decreases bone ALP and BMD levels in women with PCOS. Screening PCOS women for periodontal disease and vice versa may have a direct bearing on overall bone health.

PCR-RFLP Based genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax genotypes in district Mardan, Pakistan / Diversidade genética baseada em PCR-RFLP de genótipos de Plasmodium vivax no distrito de Mardan, Paquistão

Plasmodium vivax is the most common human malaria parasite in Asian countries including Pakistan. Present study was designed to explore the genetic diversity of plasmodium vivax genotypes based on Pvmsp-3α and Pvmsp-3ßgenes using allelic specific nested PCR and RFLP assays markers from field isolates in district Mardan, Pakistan. Blood samples of 200 P. vivax malarial patients were collected after taking their written informed consent. Genetic diversity in nested PCR products was determined by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) utilizing Alu1 and PstI restriction enzymes for alpha and beta gene products digestion, respectively. For analysis the genetic diversity of the sub allelic variants of Pvmsp3α and Pvmsp3ß genes, Chi-Square test was performed by utilizing Minitab programming software 18. The P value 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. For Pvmsp3α genes after gel electrophoresis of digested products, four distinct genotypes were obtained from total of 50 samples; type A: 35 (70%) (1.5-2.0 kb), 12 of type B (24%) (1.5-1.7 kb), 2 of type C (4%) (0.5-1.5) and one for type D (2%) (0.5-0.65 kb) which could be characterized into 9 allelic pattern (A1-A4, B1-B3, C1, D), in which A3 remained the most predominant. For Pvmsp-3ßgenes, three distinct genotypes were obtained from 50 samples; 40(80%) of type A (1.5-2.5 kb), 9 (18%) of type B (1.0-1.5kb) and 1(2%) of type C (0.65 kb) which could be characterized into 6 allelic patterns (A1-A3, B1-B2, and C1). Most dominant one in Type A was A1 alleles which were noted (46%), while in Type B, the most dominant were B1 (10%).This study is the first ever report of molecular epidemiology and genetic variation in Pvmsp-3α and Pvmsp-3ß genes of P. vivax isolates by using PCR/RFLP from District Mardan and showed a remarkable level of genetic diversity in the studied genes of circulating parasites in the study area. The results of this study will contribute in future studies about the genetic structure of parasite and vaccine development against the malaria.

O Plasmodium vivax é o parasita da malária humana mais comum nos países asiáticos, incluindo o Paquistão. O presente estudo foi desenhado para explorar a diversidade genética de genótipos de Plasmodium vivax baseados nos genes Pvmsp-3α e Pvmsp-3ß, usando marcadores de ensaios alélicos nested PCR e RFLP de isolados de campo no distrito de Mardan, Paquistão. Amostras de sangue de 200 pacientes com malária por P. vivax foram coletadas após assinatura do termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido. A diversidade genética em produtos de PCR nested foi determinada por polimorfismo de fragmento de restrição (RFLP) utilizando as enzimas de restrição Alu1 e PstI para a digestão dos produtos dos genes alfa e beta, respectivamente. Para análise da diversidade genética das variantes subalélicas dos genes Pvmsp3α e Pvmsp3ß, o teste Qui-quadrado foi realizado utilizando o software de programação Minitab 18. O valor P = 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Para os genes Pvmsp3α, após eletroforese em gel de produtos digeridos, quatro genótipos distintos foram obtidos de um total de 50 amostras; tipo A: 35 (70%) (1,5-2,0 kb), 12 do tipo B (24%) (1,5-1,7 kb), 2 do tipo C (4%) (0,5-1,5) e um para o tipo D (2%) (0,5-0,65 kb), que podem ser caracterizados em nove padrões alélicos (A1-A4, B1-B3, C1, D), em que A3 permaneceu como o mais predominante. Para Pvmsp-3ßgenes, três genótipos distintos foram obtidos a partir de 50 amostras; 40 (80%) do tipo A (1,5-2,5 kb), 9 (18%) do tipo B (1,0-1,5 kb) e 1 (2%) do tipo C (0,65 kb), que podem ser caracterizados em seis padrões alélicos (A1-A3, B1-B2 e C1). Os mais dominantes no tipo A foram o alelo A1, observados em 46%, enquanto, no tipo B, os mais dominantes foram B1 (10%). Este estudo é o primeiro relato de epidemiologia molecular e variação genética em Pvmsp-3α. Os genes Pvmsp-3ß de isolados de P. vivax utilizando PCR/RFLP do Distrito Mardan mostraram um nível notável de diversidade genética nos genes estudados de parasitas circulantes na área de estudo. Os resultados desse estudo contribuirão em estudos futuros sobre a estrutura genética do parasita e o desenvolvimento de vacinas contra a malária.

PCR-RFLP Based genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax genotypes in district Mardan, Pakistan

Abstract Plasmodium vivax is the most common human malaria parasite in Asian countries including Pakistan. Present study was designed to explore the genetic diversity of plasmodium vivax genotypes based on Pvmsp-3 and Pvmsp-3genes using allelic specific nested PCR and RFLP assays markers from field isolates in district Mardan, Pakistan. Blood samples of 200 P. vivax malarial patients were collected after taking their written informed consent. Genetic diversity in nested PCR products was determined by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) utilizing Alu1 and PstI restriction enzymes for alpha and beta gene products digestion, respectively. For analysis the genetic diversity of the sub allelic variants of Pvmsp3 and Pvmsp3 genes, Chi-Square test was performed by utilizing Minitab programming software 18. The P value 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. For Pvmsp-3 genes after gel electrophoresis of digested products, four distinct genotypes were obtained from total of 50 samples; type A: 35 (70%) (1.5-2.0 kb), 12 of type B (24%) (1.5-1.7 kb), 2 of type C (4%) (0.5-1.5) and one for type D (2%) (0.5-0.65 kb) which could be characterized into 9 allelic pattern (A1-A4, B1-B3, C1, D), in which A3 remained the most predominant. For Pvmsp-3genes, three distinct genotypes were obtained from 50 samples; 40(80%) of type A (1.5-2.5 kb), 9 (18%) of type B (1.0-1.5kb) and 1(2%) of type C (0.65 kb) which could be characterized into 6 allelic patterns (A1-A3, B1-B2, and C1). Most dominant one in Type A was A1 alleles which were noted (46%), while in Type B, the most dominant were B1 (10%).This study is the first ever report of molecular epidemiology and genetic variation in Pvmsp-3 and Pvmsp-3 genes of P. vivax isolates by using PCR/RFLP from District Mardan and showed a remarkable level of genetic diversity in the studied genes of circulating parasites in the study area. The results of this study will contribute in future studies about the genetic structure of parasite and vaccine development against the malaria.

Resumo O Plasmodium vivax é o parasita da malária humana mais comum nos países asiáticos, incluindo o Paquistão. O presente estudo foi desenhado para explorar a diversidade genética de genótipos de Plasmodium vivax baseados nos genes Pvmsp-3 e Pvmsp-3, usando marcadores de ensaios alélicos nested PCR e RFLP de isolados de campo no distrito de Mardan, Paquistão. Amostras de sangue de 200 pacientes com malária por P. vivax foram coletadas após assinatura do termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido. A diversidade genética em produtos de PCR nested foi determinada por polimorfismo de fragmento de restrição (RFLP) utilizando as enzimas de restrição Alu1 e PstI para a digestão dos produtos dos genes alfa e beta, respectivamente. Para análise da diversidade genética das variantes subalélicas dos genes Pvmsp3 e Pvmsp3, o teste Qui-quadrado foi realizado utilizando o software de programação Minitab 18. O valor P = 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Para os genes Pvmsp-3, após eletroforese em gel de produtos digeridos, quatro genótipos distintos foram obtidos de um total de 50 amostras; tipo A: 35 (70%) (1,5-2,0 kb), 12 do tipo B (24%) (1,5-1,7 kb), 2 do tipo C (4%) (0,5-1,5) e um para o tipo D (2%) (0,5-0,65 kb), que podem ser caracterizados em nove padrões alélicos (A1-A4, B1-B3, C1, D), em que A3 permaneceu como o mais predominante. Para Pvmsp-3genes, três genótipos distintos foram obtidos a partir de 50 amostras; 40 (80%) do tipo A (1,5-2,5 kb), 9 (18%) do tipo B (1,0-1,5 kb) e 1 (2%) do tipo C (0,65 kb), que podem ser caracterizados em seis padrões alélicos (A1-A3, B1-B2 e C1). Os mais dominantes no tipo A foram o alelo A1, observados em 46%, enquanto, no tipo B, os mais dominantes foram B1 (10%). Este estudo é o primeiro relato de epidemiologia molecular e variação genética em Pvmsp-3. Os genes Pvmsp-3 de isolados de P. vivax utilizando PCR/RFLP do Distrito Mardan mostraram um nível notável de diversidade genética nos genes estudados de parasitas circulantes na área de estudo. Os resultados desse estudo contribuirão em estudos futuros sobre a estrutura genética do parasita e o desenvolvimento de vacinas contra a malária.

PCR-RFLP Based genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax genotypes in district Mardan, Pakistan / Diversidade genética baseada em PCR RFLP de genótipos de Plasmodium vivax no distrito de Mardan, Paquistão

Plasmodium vivax is the most common human malaria parasite in Asian countries including Pakistan. Present study was designed to explore the genetic diversity of plasmodium vivax genotypes based on Pvmsp-3α and Pvmsp-3βgenes using allelic specific nested PCR and RFLP assays markers from field isolates in district Mardan, Pakistan. Blood samples of 200 P. vivax malarial patients were collected after taking their written informed consent. Genetic diversity in nested PCR products was determined by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) utilizing Alu1 and PstI restriction enzymes for alpha and beta gene products digestion, respectively. For analysis the genetic diversity of the sub allelic variants of Pvmsp3α and Pvmsp3β genes, Chi-Square test was performed by utilizing Minitab programming software 18. The P value 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. For Pvmsp 3α genes after gel electrophoresis of digested products, four distinct genotypes were obtained from total of 50 samples; type A: 35 (70%) (1.5-2.0 kb), 12 of type B (24%) (1.5-1.7 kb), 2 of type C (4%) (0.5-1.5) and one for type D (2%) (0.5-0.65 kb) which could be characterized into 9 allelic pattern (A1-A4, B1-B3, C1, D), in which A3 remained the most predominant. For Pvmsp-3βgenes, three distinct genotypes were obtained from 50 samples; 40(80%) of type A (1.5-2.5 kb), 9 (18%) of type B (1.0-1.5kb) and 1(2%) of type C (0.65 kb) which could be characterized into 6 allelic patterns (A1-A3, B1-B2, and C1). Most dominant one in Type A was A1 alleles which were noted (46%), while in Type B, the most dominant were B1 (10%).This study is the first ever report of molecular epidemiology and genetic variation in Pvmsp-3α and Pvmsp-3β genes of P. vivax isolates by using PCR/RFLP from District Mardan and [...].

O Plasmodium vivax é o parasita da malária humana mais comum nos países asiáticos, incluindo o Paquistão. O presente estudo foi desenhado para explorar a diversidade genética de genótipos de Plasmodium vivax baseados nos genes Pvmsp-3α e Pvmsp-3β, usando marcadores de ensaios alélicos nested PCR e RFLP de isolados de campo no distrito de Mardan, Paquistão. Amostras de sangue de 200 pacientes com malária por P. vivax foram coletadas após assinatura do termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido. A diversidade genética em produtos de PCR nested foi determinada por polimorfismo de fragmento de restrição (RFLP) utilizando as enzimas de restrição Alu1 e PstI para a digestão dos produtos dos genes alfa e beta, respectivamente. Para análise da diversidade genética das variantes subalélicas dos genes Pvmsp3α e Pvmsp3β, o teste Qui-quadrado foi realizado utilizando o software de programação Minitab 18. O valor P = 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Para os genes Pvmsp 3α, após eletroforese em gel de produtos digeridos, quatro genótipos distintos foram obtidos de um total de 50 amostras; tipo A: 35 (70%) (1,5-2,0 kb), 12 do tipo B (24%) (1,5-1,7 kb), 2 do tipo C (4%) (0,5-1,5) e um para o tipo D (2%) (0,5-0,65 kb), que podem ser caracterizados em nove padrões alélicos (A1-A4, B1-B3, C1, D), em que A3 permaneceu como o mais predominante. Para Pvmsp-3βgenes, três genótipos distintos foram obtidos a partir de 50 amostras; 40 (80%) do tipo A (1,5-2,5 kb), 9 (18%) do tipo B (1,0-1,5 kb) e 1 (2%) do tipo C (0,65 kb), que podem ser caracterizados em seis padrões alélicos (A1-A3, B1-B2 e C1). Os mais dominantes no tipo A foram o alelo A1, observados em 46%, enquanto, no tipo B, os mais dominantes foram B1 (10%). Este estudo é o primeiro relato de epidemiologia molecular e variação genética em Pvmsp-3α. Os genes Pvmsp-3β de isolados de P. vivax utilizando PCR/RFLP do Distrito Mardan mostraram um nível notável de diversidade genética nos genes estudados [...].

Clinicopathological Findings of Haematological Malignancies in Hospital Admitted Patients.

The global burden of cancer is gradually rising. In our context we are also facing the same problem. Hematological malignancies (HMs) are important component of cancer. Early diagnosis and proper treatment at right time, a good number of HMs patients can be cured or lengthening the survival period. For this purpose a proper diagnostic criteria should be developed in our settings. This research work is carried out to find out the clinicopathological findings of HMs in our population. This was a cross-sectional descriptive type of observational study conducted in the Department of Medicine and Hematology of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh from July 2016 to June 2017. Total 45 patients were purposively selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria with a view to observe the clinical and laboratory findings. Mean age of the patients was 44.5 years. Highest average age (70 years) was found in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and lowest (29 years) in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Majority of the respondents were male in all HMs except in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) where male-female ratio was 0.3:7. Among male most of them were farmers or day laborers and most of the females were housewife. Almost all patients were exposed to single or multiple exposures like smoking, betel nut, betel leaf, tobacco leaf, fertilizer or pesticides. Acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML) was the leading HMS with 31.11% representation followed by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) 20%, Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) 15.56%, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) 11.11%, chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) 11.11%, multiple myeloma (MM)6.67% and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) 4.44%. Duration of symptoms was vary from 2 days to 5 years. In acute leukaemia duration was short (average 2 months). Common clinical findings were anaemia (95.5%), fever (80.0%), hepatosplenomegaly (42.2%), lymphadenopathy (40.0%), bony tenderness (22.2%) and bleeding manifestations (15.5%). Some uncommon findings were also reported like menorrhagia, facial nerve palsy, arthritis and disorientation. Common laboratory abnormalities were high ESR, anaemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia and immature cell in PBF especially in acute leukaemia. Clinical suspicion along with history of positive exposure indicates strong possibilities of haematological malignancies. It should be kept in mind that haematological malignancies may also present with some isolated uncommon findings.

Rotating flow of Ag-CuO/H2O hybrid nanofluid with radiation and partial slip boundary effects.

The main object of the present paper is to examine and compare the improvement of flow and heat transfer characteristics between a rotating nanofluid and a newly discovered hybrid nanofluid in the presence of velocity slip and thermal slip. The influence of thermal radiation is also included in the present study. The system after applying the similarity transformations is solved numerically by using the bvp-4c scheme. Additionally, numerical calculations for the coefficient of skin friction and local Nusselt number are introduced and perused for germane parameters. The comparison between water, nanofluid and hybrid nanofluid on velocity and temperature is also visualized. It is observed that the velocity and temperature distributions are decreasing functions of the slip parameter. Temperature is boosted by thermal radiation and rotation. It is found that the heat transfer rate of the hybrid nanofluid is higher as compared to the traditional nanofluid.

Modified Blatchford Score for Risk Stratification in Adult Patient with Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage and Their Short Term Hospital Outcome.

Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH) is one of the most common and life-threatening gastrointestinal emergency. There are several risk scores for risk stratification in UGIB patients. The Modified Blatchford score, which relies only on clinical and laboratory parameters, is practical in the emergency setting The Modified Blatchford scoring system also known as Glasgow Blatchford Scoring (GBS) have been developed to stratify risk of non variceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage or need of medical or surgical intervention, endoscopic therapy. Objective of this study is to see risk stratification by The Modified Blatchford score and short term hospital outcome in non variceal upper GI hemorrhage patients. The observational study was carried out over a period of 6 months from October, 2014 to March, 2015 in Department of Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Surgery Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh. A total of 120 patients with non variceal UGIH were taken for the study during study period. Categorical variables were reported as percentage and Means and proportions were carried out using the Chi-square test (X2-test) of different variables by SPSS software version-18.0. Patients related variables age, sex; and main outcome variables the Modified Blatchford scoring system, Risk stratification, and short term hospital outcome were observed. Age frequency among total cases were 66(55%) <60 years, 50(41.67%) from 60-79 years and 4(3.3%) 80 years or above and sex distribution were 84(70%) were male and 36(30%) were female patients. Blatchford score of patients 1(0.83%) had score 0, 1(0.83%) had score 1, 2(1.67%) had score 2, 2(1.67%) had score 3, 2(1.67%) had score 4, 3(2.5%) had score 5, 12(10%) had score 6; 15(12.5%) had score 7, 16(13.33%) had score 8, 17(14.17%) had score 9, 16(13.33%) had score 10, 15(12.5%) had score 11, 10(8.33%) had score 12, 4(3.33% ) had score 13, 1(0.83%) had score 14, 2(1.67%) had score 15 and 1(0.83%) had score 16. Risk stratification showed 54(45%) had low risk (Mean GBS score 6.19±1.79), 66(55%) had high risk (Mean GBS score 11.03±1.83) Outcome of the patients were observed that 1(0.83%) died, 54(45%) was discharged without any medical or surgical intervention, and 65(54.17%) patients' needs medical or surgical intervention such as blood transfusion and endoscopy. Among total 120 patients with upper GI hemorrhage I have found that GBS score of three or less than three is predictive of low risk of adverse outcomes and can be discharged without any intervention.

Uniform and blinded cause of death verification of the NELSON lung cancer screening participants.

Primary outcome of the Dutch-Belgian lung cancer screening trial (NELSON) is lung cancer-specific mortality. Accurate assessment of the cause of death (CoD) is crucial. As death certificates regarding the CoD can be inaccurate, a clinical expert committee (CEC) was formed to assign the CoD. In this study, the medical files of deceased lung cancer patients were reviewed and the outcomes were compared with official death certificates. The first 266 completed medical files of Dutch deceased participants who were diagnosed with lung cancer during the study or of those with lung cancer on the death certificate were selected and blinded towards arms and patients identity. The end product of the review process consisted of six possible categories which defined the graduation of certainty that lung cancer was the primary CoD. The percentage agreement and the Cohen's kappa statistics between the two CEC-memberswere calculated. The sensitivity and specificity of the official death certificates were determined. The results indicated that, the overall concordance and the Cohen's kappa between the CEC-memberswere 86.1% and 0.57(0.45-0.69, p<0.001), respectively. This level increased with the numbers of cases evaluated. The sensitivity and the specificity of the official death certificate were 92.6% and 98.8%; 6.5% cases were reclassified to lung cancer specific death, which is lower than in the National Lung Screening trial(22.0%). Concluding, each death should be reviewed by at least two members. So far, in the NELSON trial, possible biases related to lung cancer death seem relatively small.

Validation of nomogram for disease free survival for colon cancer in UK population: A prospective cohort study.

AIMS: To externally validate the MSKCC nomogram in a UK population, and determine if it could be used in our practice here in the UK. METHODS: The colon cancer database from a district general hospital in England was used to extract all patients who had a curative colon cancer resection. Inclusion criteria were all patients who had curative elective colon cancer resection between 01/01/1998 and 31/12/2003. Patients were followed up for up to ten years. Five and ten year predictions were calculated for each patient, and plotted against the actual recurrence using a ROC curve, and AUC was calculated for both the five and ten year nomogram. RESULTS: 138 patients were included in the study. Overall five year recurrence rate was 26.8% with a mean follow up of 60.24 months (SD = 38.6). 118 patients were included in the five year nomogram validation, and 102 patients were included in the ten year nomogram validation. A ROC curve was plotted for both the five and ten year nomogram and AUC was calculated. For the five year nomogram AUC was 0.673, and for the ten year nomogram AUC was 0.687. Two cut off points were identified for each nomogram and this divided the cohort into low, medium and high risk groups for recurrence. Cox regression showed there was significant difference between all groups for both nomograms. CONCLUSION: The MSKCC colon cancer nomogram was validated in our cohort, but it is recommended to be used in conjunction with AJCC TNM staging system.

Solid pseudopapillary tumour of pancreas.

Solid pseudopapillary tumour of pancreas (SPT) is an extremely rare pancreatic tumour, which has a low malignant potential and occurs mainly in young women. Pathologic and imaging findings include a well defined encapsulated pancreatic mass with cystic and solid components with evidence of haemorrhage. This is a case of a 16 years old girl who presented with upper abdominal pain of long duration and epigastric mass on palpation. Computed Tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a large well defined heterogenous attenuation mass of solid enhancing and cystic non enhancing areas, arising from the head of the pancreas. Radiologically it was diagnosed as a case of pancreatic neoplasm. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and histopathology of the biopsy material diagnosed as solid pseudopapillary tumour of pancreas.

(99m)Tc-prulifloxacin in artificially infected animals. Radiosynthesis and biological evaluation.

AIM: The radiosynthesis of 99mTc-Prulifloxacin ((99m)Tc-PRN) was assessed in terms of stability, binding with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), biodistribution in rats (RT) and scintigraphic profile in rabbits (RB). ANIMALS, MATERIAL, METHODS: 99mTc-PRN was synthesized by mixing 25 µg of stannous fluoride (SnF2) with 18.5 MBq of sodium pertechnetate. Thereafter, 0.5 mg of the prufloxacin (PRN) was added to the reaction mixture and the pH was set at 5.1 with 0.01 mol/l HCl. The reaction mixture was incubated at room temperature. The same process was repeated by increasing the concentration of the stannous fluoride from 25 to 250 µg, sodium pertechnetate from 18,5 to 185 MBq and the PRN from 0.5 to 5 mg. The radiochemical stability of the 99mTc-PRN was investigated in higher concentration of the cystein. In-vitro binding investigation was performed using living and heat killed S. aureus to verify specificity of the 99mTc-PRN. Biodistribution was evaluated in artificially infected rats and scintigraphic precision in rabbits at different interval. RESULTS: The 99mTc-RPN prepared by mixing 2 mg of PRN, 74 MBq sodium pertechnetate, 100 µg stannous fluoride at pH 5.4, appeared to be more than 90% stable with a maximum radiochemical yield of 98.15 ± 0.25% at 30 min. The 99mTc-PRN showed higher stability in serum and satisfactory in-vitro binding to living as compared to heat killed S. aureus. 14.25 ± 0.15% of the injected dose was accumulated in the infected muscle of the model RT. Infected to normal muscle ratio was 5.12 and inflamed to normal muscle was 1.2. The biodistribution was validated by the scintigraphic localization of infection in rabbits. CONCLUSION: This investigation of 99mTc-PRN confirmed its momentous radiochemical immovability in saline, serum, preferential in-vitro binding to living bacteria, higher uptake in the infected muscle of model RT and precise localization in the infected muscle of model RB.

Loop ileostomy following anterior resection: is it really temporary?

INTRODUCTION: A temporary loop ileostomy is often created to minimize the impact of peritoneal sepsis if anastomotic dehiscence occurs following low colorectal anastomosis. Although it has been suggested that a loop ileostomy should be reversed within 12 weeks of formation, this is often not the case. We set out to analyse the use of loop ileostomy following elective anterior resection in England and to identify factors associated with non and delayed reversal. METHOD: Hospital episode statistics for the years 2001-2006 were obtained from the Department of Health. Patients undergoing elective anterior resection with a loop ileostomy for a primary diagnosis of rectal or recto-sigmoid cancer between April 2001 and March 2003 were identified as the study cohort. This cohort was followed until March 2006 to identify patients undergoing reversal of an ileostomy in an English NHS Hospital. RESULTS: A total of 6582 patients had an elective anterior resection between April 2001 and March 2003, of which 964 (14.6%) also had an ileostomy. Seven hundred and two (75.1%) patients were reversed before March 2006. Advancing age and comorbidity were statistically related to nonreversal. Median time to reversal was 207 days (Interquartile range 119-321.5 days). Postoperative chemotherapy and comorbidity significantly delayed reversal. CONCLUSIONS: One in four loop ileostomies performed to defunction an elective anterior resection is not reversed, and in the presence of significant comorbidity one in three is not reversed. Only 12% is reversed within 12 weeks.

Cladribine in the treatment of advanced relapsed or refractory low and intermediate grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Cladribine (2-chlorodeoxyadenosine) is a purine nucleoside analog with cytotoxic activity against both resting and proliferating cells. Clinical studies with cladribine have reported antitumor activity against various hematologic malignancies. METHODS: The authors studied responses to cladribine among patients with low and intermediate grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that had been refractory to or relapsed after prior chemotherapy. Cladribine was given intravenously over 2 hours at a dose of 0.14 mg/kg daily for 5 consecutive days, repeated every 4 weeks. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (16 males, 12 females) with a median age of 58 years (range, 41-75 years) were accrued. Twenty-three patients had low grade and 5 had intermediate grade lymphoma. Stage IV disease was present in 22 (79%), and 17 (61%) had systemic B-symptoms. The majority (57%) had received 2 or more prior chemotherapy regimens (median, 2; range, 1-5); 6 had had prior fludarabine therapy. Major responses were documented in 32% (9 of 28 patients), with 4 complete remissions (CR) and 5 partial remissions (PR) after a median of 4 cycles (range, 1-9). One CR occurred in one patient with intermediate grade diffuse large cell lymphoma, and three of six patients who had had prior fludarabine therapy experienced CR or PR with cladribine. Severe hematologic toxicities included reversible neutropenia, protracted thrombocytopenia, and lymphopenia. Other reported adverse effects included mild-to-moderate fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS: Cladribine is an active single agent in the treatment of patients with refractory or relapsed advanced stage indolent lymphoma, with major responses in one third of patients.

Evaluation of prostate specific antigen as a tumor marker in cancer prostate.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the prostate specific antigen (PSA) alongwith other diagnostic methods as an application for a screening test, tumor marker and its relation to post surgical situation. The PSA has shown a sensitivity of 73.3% and specificity of 77.2%. The predictive value for positive PSA was 57% and for negative test was 66.6%. Local standards for PSA values in Pakistani community need to be established. The PSA test, inspite of its low specificity holds good promise for its contributory role as a tumor marker in prostate cancer.

Near fatal gas embolism during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been greeted with enthusiasm by surgeons and patients alike. However, with the passage of time reports of complications related to this new approach are being published. We report an unusual complication of gas embolism in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A high index of suspicion along with vigilant intraoperative monitoring will help in the early diagnosis and reduction of morbidity associated with gas embolism.

Singlet molecular oxygen evolution upon simple acidification of aqueous hypochlorite: application to studies on the deleterious health effects of chlorinated drinking water.

A study of the pH profile of the decomposition of aqueous hypochlorite has revealed the evolution (onset at pH 8) of single (1 delta g) molecular oxygen (singlet spin state dioxygen) detected spectroscopically (1268 nm), prior to the appearance of chlorine (onset at pH 5.5). The possible mechanism of the singlet state dioxygen evolution is presented, and the origin of its chloride ion dependence is discussed, especially in reference to chloride ion dependence of singlet molecular oxygen evolution in biological systems. Recent epidemiological analyses of the correlation of human cancer with chlorinated water supplies focus attention on the singlet oxygen mechanisms of DNA lesion formation.