Diagnostic Value of Serum Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT) for Early Diagnosis of Biliary Atresia.

Early differentiation of biliary atresia (BA) from idiopathic neonatal hepatitis (INH) is of important as outcome of Kasai portoenterostomy is directly related to the age of surgery. We need to have a simple and cheap biochemical test in resource poor countries like Bangladesh, to pick up BA early. Serum gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) has been shown to be a useful marker to differentiate BA from INH. Objective of the study was to find out the diagnostic value of gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in differentiating Biliary atresia (BA) from idiopathic neonatal hepatitis (INH). This observational cross section study was carried out at the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Study period was from January 2014 to June 2015. Consecutive infants with neonatal cholestasis (defined as conjugated bilirubin >1.0mg/dL when total bilirubin was ≤5.0 or >20.0% to total bilirubin) were included in this study. Clinical details and the results of laboratory tests were recorded in a proforma. BA was diagnosed on the basis of liver biopsy. Different biochemical parameters especially the results of serum GGT level (normal up to 60U/L), were compared between two groups (BA and INH). Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve for GGT was constructed to find out the best cut off value to discriminate BA from INH by using SPSS (version 20.0). After confirming cholestasis, a total of 165 cases were enrolled for study. Among them 86 cases were diagnosed as INH or BA. Among these 86 cases, 38(44.2%) cases were BA and 48(55.8%) cases were INH. On comparing 38(44.2%) cases of BA with 48(55.8%) cases of INH it was found that low birth weight (13.0% vs. 31.0%, p<0.05), persistently acholic stools (76.0% vs. 44.0%, p=0.002) and mean GGT values (921 vs. 264, p<0.001) were significantly different between them. At a cut off value of 524U/L (8.7 times upper limit of normal) the area under curve (AUC) for GGT was 0.81 with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy were 81.7%, 72.9%, 70.5%, 83.3% and 76.1% respectively for the diagnosis of Biliary atresia. Serum GGT value of >524 U/L or 8.7 times upper limit of normal value was fairly good in differentiating BA from INH and can be used as a screening investigation in developing countries.

Explore the antiproliferative phytocompounds from ethanolic extracts of Citrus paradisi against liver cancer cell line by chemical analysis using TLC and FT-IR spectroscopy.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antiproliferative activity of ethanolic extract of leaves and fruits Citrus paradisi plant on HepG-2 liver cell lines by MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-terazolium bromide) assay and to isolate and characterize the antiproliferative compounds by TLC (Thin layer chromatography) and FT-IR (Fourier transforms Infrared) spectroscopy. Qualitative phytochemical screening tests were performed to detect phytochemicals compounds from the crude extracts. Antioxidant activity of the plant extracts were characterized by using DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging method. The results showed that antioxidant activity using DPPH were found to be increased in a concentration dependent manner and decreased cell viability and cell growth inhibition in a dose dependent manner. The findings from this study indicated that fruit extract exhibited good antiproliferation and antioxidant potential. The seven functional groups of phytocompounds such as carboxylic acid, amine salt, aromatic compounds, cyclic alkene, aldehyde, fluoro compounds and alkene were detected by FT-IR which indicated that fruit extracts of Citrus paradisi possessed vast potential as a medicinal drug especially in liver cancer treatment.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Is it Rare in Children?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common and best studied disorders among the group of functional gastrointestinal disorders. It is a functional bowel disorder in which abdominal pain or discomfort is associated with defecation or a change in bowel habit. Visceral hypersensitivity and increased GIT motility are the main patho-physiological mechanism for developing IBS. IBS present with diarrhea and constipation or both. Investigation is least needed for diagnosis of IBS rather done to exclude differential diagnosis. Diagnosis is done on the basis of Rome-III criteria. Proper counseling, dietary management, anti-spasmotic and antidepressant are the mainstay of treatment.

Explore the antiproliferative phytocompounds from ethanolic extracts of Citrus paradisi against liver cancer cell line by chemical analysis using TLC and FT-IR spectroscopy / Explorar os fitocompostos antiproliferativos de extratos etanólicos de Citrus paradisi contra linhagem de células de câncer de fígado por análise química usando espectroscopia de TLC e FT-IR

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antiproliferative activity of ethanolic extract of leaves and fruits Citrus paradisi plant on HepG-2 liver cell lines by MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2Hterazolium bromide) assay and to isolate and characterize the antiproliferative compounds by TLC (Thin layer chromatography) and FT-IR (Fourier transforms Infrared) spectroscopy. Qualitative phytochemical screening tests were performed to detect phytochemicals compounds from the crude extracts. Antioxidant activity of the plant extracts were characterized by using DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging method. The results showed that antioxidant activity using DPPH were found to be increased in a concentration dependent manner and decreased cell viability and cell growth inhibition in a dose dependent manner. The findings from this study indicated that fruit extract exhibited good antiproliferation and antioxidant potential. The seven functional groups of phytocompounds such as carboxylic acid, amine salt, aromatic compounds, cyclic alkene, aldehyde, fluoro compounds and alkene were detected by FT-IR which indicated that fruit extracts of Citrus paradisi possessed vast potential as a medicinal drug especially in liver cancer treatment.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a atividade antiproliferativa in vitro do extrato etanólico de folhas e frutos da planta Citrus paradisi em linhagens de células hepáticas HepG-2 por MTT (3- (4, 5-dimetil-2-tiazolil) -2, Ensaio de brometo de 5-difenil-2H-terazólio) e isolar e caracterizar os compostos antiproliferativos por espectroscopia de TLC (cromatografia de camada fina) e FT-IR (infravermelho com transformadas de Fourier). Testes qualitativos de triagem fitoquímica foram realizados para detectar compostos fitoquímicos nos extratos brutos. A atividade antioxidante dos extratos vegetais foi caracterizada pelo método de eliminação de radicais livres DPPH (2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil). Os resultados mostraram que a atividade antioxidante usando DPPH aumentou de uma maneira dependente da concentração e diminuiu a viabilidade celular e a inibição do crescimento celular de uma maneira dependente da dose. Os resultados deste estudo indicaram que o extrato de fruta exibiu bom potencial antiproliferação e antioxidante. Os sete grupos funcionais de fitocompostos, como ácido carboxílico, sal de amina, compostos aromáticos, alceno cíclico, aldeído, compostos de flúor e alceno, foram detectados por FT-IR, o que indicou que extratos de frutas de Citrus paradisi possuíam vasto potencial como medicamento, especialmente no tratamento de câncer do fígado.

Explore the antiproliferative phytocompounds from ethanolic extracts of Citrus paradisi against liver cancer cell line by chemical analysis using TLC and FT-IR spectroscopy

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antiproliferative activity of ethanolic extract of leaves and fruits Citrus paradisi plant on HepG-2 liver cell lines by MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-terazolium bromide) assay and to isolate and characterize the antiproliferative compounds by TLC (Thin layer chromatography) and FT-IR (Fourier transforms Infrared) spectroscopy. Qualitative phytochemical screening tests were performed to detect phytochemicals compounds from the crude extracts. Antioxidant activity of the plant extracts were characterized by using DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging method. The results showed that antioxidant activity using DPPH were found to be increased in a concentration dependent manner and decreased cell viability and cell growth inhibition in a dose dependent manner. The findings from this study indicated that fruit extract exhibited good antiproliferation and antioxidant potential. The seven functional groups of phytocompounds such as carboxylic acid, amine salt, aromatic compounds, cyclic alkene, aldehyde, fluoro compounds and alkene were detected by FT-IR which indicated that fruit extracts of Citrus paradisi possessed vast potential as a medicinal drug especially in liver cancer treatment.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a atividade antiproliferativa in vitro do extrato etanólico de folhas e frutos da planta Citrus paradisi em linhagens de células hepáticas HepG-2 por MTT (3- (4, 5-dimetil-2-tiazolil) -2, Ensaio de brometo de 5-difenil-2H-terazólio) e isolar e caracterizar os compostos antiproliferativos por espectroscopia de TLC (cromatografia de camada fina) e FT-IR (infravermelho com transformadas de Fourier). Testes qualitativos de triagem fitoquímica foram realizados para detectar compostos fitoquímicos nos extratos brutos. A atividade antioxidante dos extratos vegetais foi caracterizada pelo método de eliminação de radicais livres DPPH (2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil). Os resultados mostraram que a atividade antioxidante usando DPPH aumentou de uma maneira dependente da concentração e diminuiu a viabilidade celular e a inibição do crescimento celular de uma maneira dependente da dose. Os resultados deste estudo indicaram que o extrato de fruta exibiu bom potencial antiproliferação e antioxidante. Os sete grupos funcionais de fitocompostos, como ácido carboxílico, sal de amina, compostos aromáticos, alceno cíclico, aldeído, compostos de flúor e alceno, foram detectados por FT-IR, o que indicou que extratos de frutas de Citrus paradisi possuíam vasto potencial como medicamento, especialmente no tratamento de câncer do fígado.

Empirical Modeling of Physiochemical Immune Response of Multilayer Zinc Oxide Nanomaterials under UV Exposure to Melanoma and Foreskin Fibroblasts.

Carcinogenesis is a complex molecular process starting with genetic and epigenetic alterations, mutation stimulation, and DNA modification, which leads to proteomic adaptation ending with an uncontrolled proliferation mechanism. The current research focused on the empirical modelling of the physiological response of human melanoma cells (FM55P) and human foreskin fibroblasts cells (AG01518) to the multilayer zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials under UV-A exposure. To validate this experimental scheme, multilayer ZnO nanomaterials were grown on a femtotip silver capillary and conjugated with protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). Furthermore, PpIX-conjugated ZnO nanomaterials grown on the probe were inserted into human melanoma (FM55P) and foreskin fibroblasts cells (AG01518) under UV-A light exposure. Interestingly, significant cell necrosis was observed because of a loss in mitochondrial membrane potential just after insertion of the femtotip tool. Intense reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorescence was observed after exposure to the ZnO NWs conjugated with PpIX femtotip model under UV exposure. Results were verified by applying several experimental techniques, e.g., ROS detection, MTT assay, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The present work reports experimental modelling of cell necrosis in normal human skin as well as a cancerous tissue. These obtained results pave the way for a more rational strategy for biomedical and clinical applications.

Encapsulation of probiotic bacteria with alginate-starch and evaluation of survival in simulated gastrointestinal conditions and in yoghurt.

A modified method using calcium alginate for the microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria is reported in this study. Incorporation of Hi-Maize starch (a prebiotic) improved encapsulation of viable bacteria as compared to when the bacteria were encapsulated without the starch. Inclusion of glycerol (a cryo-protectant) with alginate mix increased the survival of bacteria when frozen at -20 degrees C. The acidification kinetics of encapsulated bacteria showed that the rate of acid produced was lower than that of free cultures. The encapsulated bacteria, however, did not demonstrate a significant increase in survival when subjected to in vitro high acid and bile salt conditions. A preliminary study was carried out in order to monitor the effects of encapsulation on the survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp. in yoghurt over a period of 8 weeks. This study showed that the survival of encapsulated cultures of L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp. showed a decline in viable count of about 0.5 log over a period of 8 weeks while there was a decline of about 1 log in cultures which were incorporated as free cells in yoghurt. The encapsulation method used in this study did not result in uniform bead size, and hence additional experiments need to be designed using uniform bead size in order to assess the role of different encapsulation parameters, such as bead size and alginate concentration, in providing protection to the bacteria.

Blood lead levels in young children in Chakshahzad, Islamabad.

Blood lead levels were estimated in one hundred and seventy school children, aged 13 to 19 years, residing in Chakshahzad area of Islamabad. The overall mean blood lead level was 2.38 ug/dl (range 0.2 to 8.6 ug/dl), 3.22 ug/dl in boys and 1.49 ug/dl in girls. A significant difference (p < 0.01) was found in mean blood lead concentrations between the two sexes. The highest mean levels for lead were found at the age of 13 years. Blood lead levels in adolescents reported here were relatively low. They reflect very little or no risk to the health of children in Chakshahzad and it also indicated that area of Chakshahzad is relatively free from any lead pollution.

Studies of the effects of Dexamethasone sodium phosphate on weight of bone (tibia) in mice.

Seventy two immature male and female mice were taken and divided into three groups, 24 mice remained untreated and 24 male and female mice were treated upto six weeks with daily dose of Dexamethasone phosphate. Twenty four similar mice were given injections of vehicle in which the drug, dexamethasone was suspended and this acted as placebo group. Dexamethasone treated mice group showed less tibia weight as compared to control and placebo group.

Primary hydatidosis of female genital tract: a case report.

Hydatid cysts are known to occur in most organs especially in the endemic areas. The diagnosis of primary hydatid cyst in female genital tract is rare and difficult. A high degree of clinical suspicion should be there for doing pre-operative investigations to exclude hydatid cyst of female pelvis. The patient presented with a lump in lower part of abdomen, which enlarged gradually over last 2 years. A provisional diagnosis of malignant ovarian cyst was made pre-operatively. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was done and whole of the specimen was sent for histopathological examination. On macroscopic examination, one cystic mass was present on the right side of uterus adherent to its anterior wall and second one was in the Douglas' pouch adherent to left adenexa and surrounding structures. The patient responded well to the surgical treatment followed by albendazole administration.

Identification of the bacteriophage Mu kil gene.

The kil gene encoded in bacteriophage Mu DNA was previously shown to reside between the end of the B gene at 4.3 kb and the EcoRI site at 5.1 kb from the left end. To precisely map the kil gene within this region, two series of BAL-31 deletion derivatives were created: one removed Mu DNA rightward from the Hpal site (4.2 kb) and the other removed Mu DNA leftward from the EcoRI site. The deleted Mu DNA was subcloned into the expression vector pUC19 under lac promoter control and tested for the expression of the killing function following IPTG induction. Using DNA sequencing analysis, the Mu DNA in Kil+ and Kil- clones was precisely determined, and the kil gene was mapped to the first open reading frame beyond the B gene. The expression of the kil gene was sufficient to induce dramatic morphological changes: cells became enlarged and predominantly spherical, reminiscent of the phenotype of certain cell mutants.

Differentiation of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua by 16S rRNA genes and intraspecies discrimination of Listeria monocytogenes strains by random amplified polymorphic DNA polymorphisms.

Differences in the 16S rRNA genes (16S rDNA) which can be used to discriminate Listeria monocytogenes from Listeria innocua have been detected. The 16S rDNA were amplified by polymerase chain reaction with a set of oligonucleotide primers which flank a 1.5-kb fragment. Sequence differences were observed in the V2 region of the 16S rDNA both between L. monocytogenes Scott A and L. innocua and between different L. monocytogenes serotypes. Although L. monocytogenes SLCC2371 had the same V2 region sequence as L. innocua, the two species were different within the V9 region at nucleotides 1259 and 1292, in agreement with previous studies (R.-F. Wang, W.-W. Cao, and M.G. Johnson, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 57:3666-3670, 1991). Intraspecies discrimination of L. monocytogenes strains was achieved by using the patterns generated by random amplified polymorphic DNA primers. Although some distinction can be made within the L. monocytogenes species by their 16S rDNA sequence, a far greater discrimination within species could be made by generating random amplified polymorphic DNA patterns from chromosomal DNA. By using a number of 10-bp primers, unique patterns for each isolate which in all cases examined differentiate between various L. monocytogenes serotypes, even though they may have the same 16S rRNA sequences, could be generated.