Impact of resveratrol and zinc on biomarkers of oxidative stress induced by Trichinella spiralis infection.

Trichinellosis is a re-emerging worldwide foodborne zoonosis. Oxidative stress is one of the most common detrimental effects caused by trichinellosis. In addition, Trichinella infection poses an infinite and major challenge to the host's immune system. Resistance and side effects limit the efficiency of the existing anti-trichinella medication. Given that concern, this work aimed to investigate the anti-helminthic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of resveratrol and zinc during both phases of Trichinella spiralis infection. Sixty-four Swiss albino mice were divided into four equal groups: non-infected control, infected control, infected and treated with resveratrol, and infected and treated with zinc. Animals were sacrificed on the 7th and 35th days post-infection for intestinal and muscular phase assessments. Drug efficacy was assessed by biochemical, parasitological, histopathological, immunological, and immunohistochemical assays. Resveratrol and zinc can be promising antiparasitic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory agents, as evidenced by the significant decrease in parasite burden, the significant improvement of liver and kidney function parameters, the increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), the reduction of malondialdehyde (MDA) level, the increase in nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like-2 factor expression, and the improvement in histopathological findings. Moreover, both drugs enhanced the immune system and restored the disturbed immune balance by increasing the interleukin 12 (IL-12) level. In conclusion, resveratrol and zinc provide protection for the host against oxidative harm and the detrimental effects produced by the host's defense response during Trichinella spiralis infection, making them promising natural alternatives for the treatment of trichinellosis.

Acetazolamide loaded-silver nanoparticles: A potential treatment for murine trichinellosis.

Trichinellosis is a global food-borne disease caused by viviparous parasitic nematodes of the genus Trichinella. Due to the lack of effective, safe therapy and the documented adverse effects of traditional therapy, this study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of acetazolamide-loaded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on murine trichinellosis. Fifty male Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups of ten mice each: Group I, normal control group; Group II, infected with T. spiralis and not treated; Group III, infected and given AgNPs; Group IV, infected and treated with acetazolamide; and Group V, infected and treated with acetazolamide-loaded AgNPs. Mice were infected orally with 250 larvae. The efficacy was assessed by counting T. spiralis adults and larvae, measuring serum total antioxidant capacity, and observing the histopathological and ultrastructural alterations. Acetazolamide-loaded AgNPs treatment exhibited the highest percentage of reduction (84.72% and 80.74%) for the intestinal adults and the muscular larvae of T. spiralis-infected animals, respectively. Furthermore, during the intestinal and muscular phases, the serum of the same group had the best free-radical scavenging capacity (antioxidant capacity), which reduced tissue damage induced by oxidative stress. Histopathologically, the normal intestinal and muscular architecture was restored in the group treated with acetazolamide-loaded AgNPs, in addition to the reduced inflammatory infiltrate that alleviated inflammation compared to infected animals. Our results confirmed the marked destruction of the ultrastructural features of T. spiralis adults and larvae. Acetazolamide-loaded AgNPs are a promising therapy against T. spiralis infection.

Mi-RNA-93 and Mi-RNA-152 in the Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy.

Background and Aim: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disorder with diabetic retinopathy (DR) as one of its main microvascular outcomes, being a prime cause of vision loss. Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been associated with some diabetic microvascular complications such as diabetic retinopathy. This hypothesised changes in the serum of miR-93 and miR-152 in diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Methods: The study cohort consisted of 80 healthy volunteers, 80 type 2 diabetic patients, and 80 diabetic retinopathy patients, of whom 40 had proliferative (PDR) and 40 non-proliferative retinopathy (NPDR). Serum fasting and 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPP), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR were evaluated by routine methods, miR-93 and miR-152 expression by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: FBG, 2hPP, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and miR-152 showed an increasing trend across groups while miR-93 showed a decreasing trend (all p < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis for prediction of DR found that the most significant were miR-152 (OR 1.37, 95% CI: 1.18-1.58, <0.001), BMI (1.13, [1.07-1.31], p = 0.004), duration of disease (1.29 [1.04-1.6] p = 0.018), and miR-152 (0.01, [0.0-0.47] p = 0.019). The most significant predictors of PDR were miR-152 (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.12-1.92, p = 0.005), HOMA-IR (2.66 [1.30-5.45] p = 0.007), and miR-93 (0.25 [0.07-0.86] p = 0.028). Conclusion: MiR-93 and miR-152 can differentiate patients with diabetes and those with DR. Both miRNAs might be potential biomarkers for diabetes and diabetic retinopathy, and specifically for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Serum Leptin Correlates with Obesity But Does Not Differ Between Gestational Diabetes and Normal Glucose Tolerance during 24-28 Weeks of Gestation.

Leptin is an adipocytokine secreted by adipocytes which positively correlates with obesity. It is considered as a potential mediator for precipitating Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) which is more evident during 24-28 weeks of gestation. This study was conducted to see serum leptin level during 24-28 weeks of gestation in GDM at the Department of Endocrinology, BSMMU, Bangladesh from March 2019 to August 2020. Pregnant women (N=108) were challenged with 75gm oral glucose (OGTT) at 24-28 weeks of gestation and divided into GDM [n=45, age: 27.80±3.98 years, mean±SD; BMI: 27.88 (24.46-30.43) kg/m², median Interquartile range (IQR)] and normal glucose tolerance [NGT; n=62, age: 26.19±5.30 years, mean±SD; BMI: 25.80 (23.65-28.42) kg/m², median (IQR)] on basis of WHO-2013 diagnostic criteria. Fasting serum leptin and glucose were measured by ELISA and glucose oxidase method respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between GDM and NGT for leptin [26.05(16.92-50.55) vs. 23.50(14.95-38.30) median (IQR), p=0.360]. It was also not different statistically between GDM and NGT either for age groups (p=NS for all) or for Asian categories of BMI subgroups (p=NS for all). However, it was higher in subjects with BMI ≥23kg/m² than that with BMI ≤23kg/m² for both GDM [16.65 (6.39, 35.75) vs. 28.35 (19.60, 51.10) median (IQR), p=0.114] and NGT [14.65(9.19, 19.60) vs. 26.00 (17.30, 43.40) median (IQR), p=0.002]. It was also statistically similar in the GDM subgroups divided by Asian BMI cut-off (p=NS). BMI correlated with leptin in NGT (r=0.495, p<0.001) but not in GDM (r=0.177, p=0.251) and regression analysis revealed BMI (kg/m²) as predictor for high leptin (p=0.008). ROC curve analysis for leptin showed AUC for GDM was 0.553 (p=0.360) suggesting it as a poor predictor. It is concluded that fasting leptin in 24-28 weeks of gestation better relates with BMI but does not differ between GDM and NGT anddoes not seem to be a good predictor for GDM. Further study is required to make a comment on its prediction over GDM.

Association of GH polymorphisms with growth traits in buffaloes.

Members of the somatotrophic axis, especially GH and IGF1, are essential for growth. The association between GH polymorphisms and growth traits was numerously studied in cattle; however, no data are available for such association studies in buffalo. Therefore, this study was conducted to screen for polymorphisms in the GH gene and to study their putative association with growth traits in 200 Egyptian buffaloes. Polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism and sequencing were applied to look for polymorphisms in 3 loci spanning all exons and introns of buffalo GH. The C (MspI+) >T (MspI-) SNP in intron3, which is well known in cattle, was not detected in the examined buffaloes. However, 2 missense mutations were detected in exon5: one previously detected p.Leu153Val SNP, with very low frequencies for the mutant (Val) allele and one novel p.Asn174His SNP. At weaning age, the p.Leu153Val SNP was significantly associated with weaning body weight and gain with the positive effect of the wild allele (Leu) and higher GH serum, mRNA, and protein levels in animals with Leu/Asn and Leu/His haplotypes. At yearling age, the 2 SNPs associated with yearling weight and gain with positive effect for the mutant (Val and His) alleles with increased GH, and IGF1 serum, mRNA, and protein and GHR mRNA and protein levels in animals with Val/Asn haplotype. Therefore, the selection of Egyptian buffaloes with the Val/Asn haplotype could improve the growth traits of Egyptian buffaloes at yearling age which is the target age for perfect growing.

A potential mechanism associated with lead-induced testicular toxicity in rats.

This study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of lead (Pb)-induced testicular toxicity. We examined the impact of Pb toxicity on 17ß-oestradiol (E2), oestrogen receptors (ERs) and aromatase P450 which are key factors in spermatogenesis. Treatment of rats with Pb acetate (PbAc, 50 mg/L in drinking water) significantly reduced sperm count, motility, viability and increased sperm abnormalities along with degenerative changes in seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells. Additionally, administration of PbAc resulted in a significant reduction in serum testosterone, serum and testicular E2 as well as increased level of testicular testosterone. Pb also induced testicular oxidative stress as evidenced by a significant decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase antioxidant enzymes, and increased malondialdehyde level in the testis. At the molecular level, Pb treatment downregulated the mRNA expression of P450 arom (Cyp19) and ERα. In conclusion, Pb induces testicular oxidative damage and disrupts spermatogenesis, at least in part, via downregulation of Cyp19 and ERα expression, which further decrease E2 level. These data, therefore, provide insight into the mechanism of lead-induced testicular toxicity.

Efficacy of Vitamin C in Lowering Serum Uric Acid.

The objective of the study was to determine the efficacy of vitamin C in reducing serum uric acid (UA). This study was a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial conducted in the Department of Rheumatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2007 and August 2008. Study participants were included from out patient department (OPD) of Rheumatology of BSMMU suffering from various Rheumatological problems other than gouty arthritis. All of the participants were non-smokers, non-alcoholics, and randomized to take either placebo or vitamin C (500 mg/day) for 12 weeks. A total of 98 subjects were enrolled in the study; 71 completed the trial, with 34 in the placebo group and 37 receiving vitamin C. Serum uric acid levels were not significantly reduced in the experimental group and they increased in the placebo group. In the vitamin C group, the mean change was -0.32mg/dl [95% confidence interval -0.73, 0.77], whereas in the placebo group, the mean change was +0.12mg/dl [95% confidence interval was -0.22, 0.47]. Subgroups were defined by sex, body mass index, and quartiles of baseline serum uric acid levels. In a subgroup analysis, vitamin C lowered serum uric acid significantly in those who had comparatively higher baseline uric acid levels. Although vitamin C did not lower serum uric acid significantly, participants with higher baseline serum uric acid levels experienced a significant uric acid lowering effect, but as the sample size was very small, it is difficult to draw any definitive conclusion.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the performance of clinical risk assessment instruments for screening for osteoporosis or low bone density.

UNLABELLED: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the performance of clinical risk assessment instruments for screening for DXA-determined osteoporosis or low bone density. Commonly evaluated risk instruments showed high sensitivity approaching or exceeding 90% at particular thresholds within various populations but low specificity at thresholds required for high sensitivity. Simpler instruments, such as OST, generally performed as well as or better than more complex instruments. INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study is to systematically review the performance of clinical risk assessment instruments for screening for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-determined osteoporosis or low bone density. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. Multiple literature sources were searched, and data extracted and analyzed from included references. RESULTS: One hundred eight references met inclusion criteria. Studies assessed many instruments in 34 countries, most commonly the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool (OST), the Simple Calculated Osteoporosis Risk Estimation (SCORE) instrument, the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians (OSTA), the Osteoporosis Risk Assessment Instrument (ORAI), and body weight criteria. Meta-analyses of studies evaluating OST using a cutoff threshold of <1 to identify US postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at the femoral neck provided summary sensitivity and specificity estimates of 89% (95%CI 82-96%) and 41% (95%CI 23-59%), respectively. Meta-analyses of studies evaluating OST using a cutoff threshold of 3 to identify US men with osteoporosis at the femoral neck, total hip, or lumbar spine provided summary sensitivity and specificity estimates of 88% (95%CI 79-97%) and 55% (95%CI 42-68%), respectively. Frequently evaluated instruments each had thresholds and populations for which sensitivity for osteoporosis or low bone mass detection approached or exceeded 90% but always with a trade-off of relatively low specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Commonly evaluated clinical risk assessment instruments each showed high sensitivity approaching or exceeding 90% for identifying individuals with DXA-determined osteoporosis or low BMD at certain thresholds in different populations but low specificity at thresholds required for high sensitivity. Simpler instruments, such as OST, generally performed as well as or better than more complex instruments.

Identification of Legionella from clinically diagnosed pneumonia patients and environmental samples.

Legionnaires' disease is a multisystem disease with life-threatening acute and severe form of pneumonia which is responsible for 2-9% pneumonia with high mortality. Eighty six respiratory tract samples and urine were collected from clinically diagnosed pneumonia patients and 12 water samples were collected from different environment. Identification of Legionella was done by culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of respiratory tract samples and environmental samples and Legionella Antigen (Ag) in urine was detected by Immunochromatographic test (ICT). Legionella was identified from 4 (4.65%) clinically diagnosed pneumonia patients of which 1(1.16%) case was culture positive, 1(1.16%) case was urine ICT positive and PCR was positive in all four cases. Of the 12 water samples tested, 4 (33.33%) samples were Legionella positive by PCR but culture results of these samples were negative. Identification of Legionella should be done by PCR in parallel with culture and urine ICT. Detection of Legionella in environmental samples is also needed to explore possible links between the water sources and disease transmission in population.

Performance of risk assessment instruments for predicting osteoporotic fracture risk: a systematic review.

UNLABELLED: We systematically reviewed the literature on the performance of osteoporosis absolute fracture risk assessment instruments. Relatively few studies have evaluated the calibration of instruments in populations separate from their development cohorts, and findings are mixed. Many studies had methodological limitations making susceptibility to bias a concern. INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on the performance of osteoporosis clinical fracture risk assessment instruments for predicting absolute fracture risk, or calibration, in populations other than their derivation cohorts. METHODS: We performed a systematic review, and MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and multiple other literature sources were searched. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied and data extracted, including information about study participants, study design, potential sources of bias, and predicted and observed fracture probabilities. RESULTS: A total of 19,949 unique records were identified for review. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria. There was substantial heterogeneity among included studies. Six studies assessed the WHO's Fracture Risk Assessment (FRAX) instrument in five separate cohorts, and a variety of risk assessment instruments were evaluated in the remainder of the studies. Approximately half found good instrument calibration, with observed fracture probabilities being close to predicted probabilities for different risk categories. Studies that assessed the calibration of FRAX found mixed performance in different populations. A similar proportion of studies that evaluated simple risk assessment instruments (≤5 variables) found good calibration when compared with studies that assessed complex instruments (>5 variables). Many studies had methodological features making them susceptible to bias. CONCLUSIONS: Few studies have evaluated the performance or calibration of osteoporosis fracture risk assessment instruments in populations separate from their development cohorts. Findings are mixed, and many studies had methodological limitations making susceptibility to bias a possibility, raising concerns about use of these tools outside of the original derivation cohorts. Further studies are needed to assess the calibration of instruments in different populations prior to widespread use.

Antimicrobial resistance and in vitro biofilm-forming ability of Enterococci spp. isolated from urinary tract infection in a tertiary care hospital in Dhaka.

The biofilm mode of life conveys a survival advantage to the microorganism associated with it. Biofilm on an indwelling urinary catheter consists of adherent microorganisms, their extra cellular products, and host components deposited on the catheter and thus biofilm on urinary catheters results in persistent infections that are resistant to antimicrobial therapy. This study was done during the period of January 2010 to December 2010. Fifty nine enterococci isolated from 1203 urine samples were speciated by conventional microbiological methods and examined for their ability to form biofilm by microtitre plate assay and antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disc diffusion method for 10 clinically relevant antibiotics respectively. Biofilm producing Enterococci were more frequently found in catheterized than in non catheterized patient (p < 0.004). Enterococcus faecium showed increased resistantance to multiple antibiotic than Enterococcus faecalis. Significant relationship was found between biofilm production with antibiotic resistance to amoxicillin, co-trimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, gentamycin, cefotaxime, and cefuroxime. This study demonstrated a high propensity among the isolates of Enterococci to form biofilm and a significant association of biofilms with multiple drug resistance.

Effect of tonsillectomy on humoral immunity.

Tonsils are one of the important secondary lymphoid organ in immune system. It remains controversial whether tonsillectomy results in decreased serum immunoglobulin level. The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of tonsillectomy on humoral immunity parameters among the patients with tonsillar disease. Total group A 70 patients up to the age of 18 years, who were enrolled for tonsillectomy and 30 age matched children group B were included for comparative study. Serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels were measured in all 70 patients before tonsillectomy and in 56 patients who came for 1st follow-up after one month and 30 patients who came for 2nd follow up after three months of tonsillectomy. Serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels were also measured in group B children. Serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels in patients of group A did not show any significant difference in comparison to group B. One month after tonsillectomy the level of IgG was slightly decreased and IgM and IgA were increased compared to preoperative value but not statistically significant. All IgG, IgM and IgA were also not significantly altered in comparison to group B. Three months after tonsillectomy serum IgG, IgM and IgA level were found decreased in comparison to pre operative value and group B, among which difference of only IgG was significant. After tonsillectomy humoral parameters were found reduced but overall impact on humoral immune status was not significantly altered.

Disease Severity and Microsclerotium Properties of the Sorghum Sooty Stripe Pathogen, Ramulispora sorghi.

Ramulispora sorghi causes sooty stripe of sorghum. Disease severity in irrigated and dryland plots was measured for 25 susceptible sorghum genotypes during the 2007 and 2008 growing seasons using a rating scale based upon percent leaf area infected. Disease severity ratings were approximately 1.4 points higher (P < 0.0001) on the rating scale in the irrigated plots than dryland plots for 2007 and 2008. Sooty stripe lesions were collected from each sorghum genotype in irrigated plots and assessed for mean microsclerotium production within lesions, microsclerotium size, and sporogenic germination, with significant differences apparent between genotypes for microsclerotium size (P = 0.01) and sporogenic germination (P = 0.01). There was no relationship between disease severity and microsclerotium production within leaf lesions, microsclerotium size, or sporogenic germination; however, there was a positive and significant correlation between microsclerotia production within a lesion and microsclerotium size (R2 = 0.19, P < 0.0001). Although microsclerotia from sorghum lesions varied in structural characteristics and their ability to produce spore masses, these qualities were dependent upon the sorghum genotype from which the microsclerotia were derived, because the R. sorghi population was genetically uniform as determined by internal transcribed spacer sequences and random amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction.

Cutaneous sporotricosis.

Sporotrichosis, a deep fungal infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii, is a rare disease. Infection acquired by traumatic implantation of fungus to the skin. Our patient a 40 years old woman presented with multiple erythematous, ulcerated, crusted nodules of different size and shape situated over the right little finger to upper arm along the course of the lymphatic in a linear fashion. Microscopic examination and culture of the discharge from the skin lesion was done. Sporothrix schenckii was detected on microscopic examination (Yeast form) and on culture (Mycelial form). The patient was treated with Itraconazole at a dose of 100 mg twice in a day for 6 months. She was clinically cured of the disease by 6 months and then the treatment was stopped. We do not commonly encounter sporotrichosis in our practice. We are therefore, prompted to report the case.

Relatedness of Macrophomina phaseolina isolates from tallgrass prairie, maize, soybean and sorghum.

Agricultural and wild ecosystems may interact through shared pathogens such as Macrophomina phaseolina, a generalist clonal fungus with more than 284 plant hosts that is likely to become more important under climate change scenarios of increased heat and drought stress. To evaluate the degree of subdivision in populations of M. phaseolina in Kansas agriculture and wildlands, we compared 143 isolates from maize fields adjacent to tallgrass prairie, nearby sorghum fields, widely dispersed soybean fields and isolates from eight plant species in tallgrass prairie. Isolate growth phenotypes were evaluated on a medium containing chlorate. Genetic characteristics were analysed based on amplified fragment length polymorphisms and the sequence of the rDNA-internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The average genetic similarity was 58% among isolates in the tallgrass prairie, 71% in the maize fields, 75% in the sorghum fields and 80% in the dispersed soybean fields. The isolates were divided into four clusters: one containing most of the isolates from maize and soybean, two others containing isolates from wild plants and sorghum, and a fourth containing a single isolate recovered from Solidago canadensis in the tallgrass prairie. Most of the sorghum isolates had the dense phenotype on media containing chlorate, while those from other hosts had either feathery or restricted phenotypes. These results suggest that the tallgrass prairie supports a more diverse population of M. phaseolina per area than do any of the crop species. Subpopulations show incomplete specialization by host. These results also suggest that inoculum produced in agriculture may influence tallgrass prairie communities, and conversely that different pathogen subpopulations in tallgrass prairie can interact there to generate 'hybrids' with novel genetic profiles and pathogenic capabilities.

Typhoid Fever.

Typhoid fever is one of the most common febrile illnesses encountered by the physicians in Bangladesh. Diagnosis is not difficult but has lately become a challenge due to changed clinical pattern of the disease, lack of adequate facilities for blood, stool, urine culture, excessive reliance on nonspecific Widal test and non availability of any reliable rapid diagnostic tests. Further, the indiscriminate and injudicious use of antibiotics for treating fever in undiagnosed febrile illnesses early has created problems to the physicians to reach to a diagnosis later on. This has also led to the emergence of high level resistance to many of the commonly used antibiotics in our country. Ciprofloxacin is often used empirically for treating the disease though there is already a high level resistance. In case the organism is in-vitro sensitive to ciprofloxacin but resistant to nalidixic acid, a much higher dose of drug is required to maintain the MIC which is 10 times higher than usual. Third generation cephalosporins (ceftriaxone and cefixime) are still the effective drugs for treating typhoid fever. The drug needs to be used in proper dose and duration to prevent emergence of resistance. Azithromycin though advocated by many as an alternative to ciprofloxacin in resistant cases, has recently lost its credibility due to emergence of resistance. We should not rely on Widal test in diagnosing typhoid fever. In a suspected case, the patient should not be prescribed any antibiotic without sending blood sample for culture sensitivity.

Comparison of PCR method with the culture method for identification of gonococci from endocervical swabs.

Gonococcal infection remains still a major cause of morbidity among sexually active individuals. Diagnosis of the infection in a female case is more difficult than that in a male. This was a prospective study among 269 female commercial sex workers (CSWs) to screen them for gonococcal infection, comparing the rapid method of identification of gonococci by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the selective culture method. A total of 92 (34.2%) CSWs were identified positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae by combination of the two methods. The PCR method identified 87 of the specimens to harbour cppB gene of N. gonorrhoeae, whereas culture method identified 83 specimens showing colonies of gonococci. Taking into consideration of the total positive cases (92), the PCR method showed a sensitivity of 94.57%, whereas sensitivity of culture method was 90.22%. The selective culture method appears to be the most applicable in the identification of gonococci from clinical specimens, particularly in the less resourceful countries like Bangladesh.

Primary drug resistance pattern of mycobacterium tuberculosis in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

One thousand two hundred and eighty one clinically suspected untreated patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were studied from an urban tuberculosis clinic in Dhaka. Majority of the 1281 patients (77.6%) were from the age group of 14 to 44 years. Sputum, 106 (8.3%) were found positive for mycobacteria (both by Ziehl-Neelsen smear staining and culture to consider those as confirmed cases of mycobacterial infection. Out of these 106 cases, 101 (95.3%) were identified as M. tuberculosis and the rest 5 (4.7%) as Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM). Among the 101 M. tuberculosis strains, 30 (29.7%) were resistant to at least one drug; 16 (15.8%); to isoniazid, 11 (10.9%) to rifampicin, 07 (6.9%) to streptomycin, 03 (2.9%) to ethambutol and 04 (3.9%) to pyrazinamide. Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) was found in 5 (4.95%) cases. 5 (4.95%) cases were resistant to two drugs and 3 (2.97%) cases to three drugs. Ciprofloxacin was tested against 30 strains of M. tuberculosis; 2 (6.67%) of which were resistant. This is the first report of ciprofloxacin resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Bangladesh. All the 5 strains of NTM tested for said 5 anti-tuberculous drugs, were found resistant to more than one.

Effect of endodontic irrigation solutions on microhardness of root canal dentine.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of several endodontic irrigation solutions on the microhardness of root canal dentine. METHODS: Eighteen freshly extracted maxillary incisors were used in this experiment. The crowns of teeth were sectioned at the cemento-enamel junction. The root canals were instrumented to an apical size #50 file, and irrigated with saline solution. The prepared roots were divided equally into two groups each of nine roots. Each root was sectioned transversely into cervical, middle and apical segments. The three sections of each root were separately mounted in a metal chuck with acrylic resin. The coronal dentine surfaces of the root segments were polished. The microhardness of the dentine was measured for the purposes of control data at 500 microns and 1 mm from the pulpo-dentinal interface. The canal portions in the root segments included in the first group were irrigated with 3% H2O2 and 5% NaOCl solutions used alternatively, while 17% EDTA solution was the irrigation used in the second group. One millilitre of each solution/segment was applied for 60 s exposure time. After irrigation, dentine microhardness was re-assessed and compared with the control values obtained before the irrigation treatment. Data were statistically analysed using ANOVA and Scheffe's test. RESULTS: The results showed that, irrigation with either H2O2/NaOCl or EDTA decreased the microhardness value of root dentine. Irrigation with EDTA gave more reduction of dentine hardness compared to H2O2/NaOCl irrigation. The reduction of KHN of dentine following the irrigation treatment was statistically significant (p < 0.05) at both levels of hardness measurement. CONCLUSIONS: Both H2O2/NaOCl and EDTA irrigating solutions significantly reduced the microhardness of root canal dentine.

Hormonal contraception and platelet function.

PIP: 73 healthy women (29 controls, 25 using OCs, and 19 using Norplant) were selected from the clinic population at North Oakland Medical Center for inclusion in this study after obtaining informed consent. Age, race, height, weight, blood pressure, and cigarette smoking were recorded for each subject. 12 patients were on monophasic OCs while 13 were on triphasic preparations. Both hormonal contraceptive groups had used their particular contraceptive for at least 3 months prior to blood drawing. Platelet tests were performed within 2 hours of sample collection: platelet counts (PLC) and mean platelet volume (MPV) were determined on an Automated Platelet Counter (Baker 810 Platelet Analyzer). Whole blood aggregation was performed on a platelet aggregometer (Chrono-Log, Model 550) using both ADP (ADP, 5 mM) and collagen (COLL, 2 mcg/ml) as inducing agents. Demographic differences were not significant (p 0.05) among the 3 treatment groups, whose average age was 25.3-25.8 years old. Furthermore, no significant differences (p 0.05) in platelet function were detected among controls or subjects receiving either oral contraceptives or Norplant, compared to control patients. The mean platelet counts (X 10/9/L) were 223 for OC users, 231 for Norplant users, and 232 for controls. The respective platelet aggregation (ADP, ohms) values were 12.5, 18.0, and 19.2 as well as (COLL, ohms) 35.6, 40.7, and 39.0. These results demonstrated that there is no evidence for altered platelet function, with the testing methods employed, in women using either Norplant or combination low dose oral contraceptives. To date, several studies have examined this issue, with contradictory reports about the effects of hormonal contraceptives in platelet function. After controlling for differences between various steroid preparations and other such confounding variables, some of these conflicting conclusions could be the result of a lack of uniformity among the methods used to evaluate platelet aggregation. The ability to draw conclusions regarding altered in vivo thrombotic potential from these studies is thus questionable.^ieng