Concentration and Localization of Fe and Zn in Wheat Grain as Affected by Its Application to Soil and Foliage.

Nutritional status of people can be improved by enhancing zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) content in cereals used as staple mainly in poor resource countries. Zinc and Fe were applied through soil and foliage in a study to biofortify wheat grains. Foliar application of both micronutrients increased the growth and grain vigor as compared to soil application and control. Also, foliar application significantly enhanced Zn and Fe concentration in grain pre-dominantly localized in aleurone layer. Exogeneous application of Fe and Zn was found beneficial for plant growth and enhanced Fe and Zn concentrations in grain, however aleurone layer and embryonic region of the grain showed higher accumulations than that in endosperm. Therefore, understanding of physiological and molecular pathways for uptake and localization of Fe and Zn in wheat grains need to be critically examined to improve their concentration in grain to achieve the biofortification targets.

Labial leiomyoma.

Extrauterine smooth muscle tumors are rare. Labial leiomyomas arise from dartos muscle of the genitalia. A 45 years old lady presented with a right labial swelling. It was clinically diagnosed as a Bartholin cyst. The gross appearance of the tissue was that of myoma so it was managed by surgical excision. The definitive diagnosis was confirmed on histopathology as labial leiomyoma.

Fetomaternal outcome in acute hepatitis e.

OBJECTIVE: To determine fetomaternal outcome in pregnant women with acute hepatitis E in terms of pregnancy outcome and perinatal mortality. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, from July 2012 to March 2013. METHODOLOGY: Serum samples of 38 patients who presented with jaundice in pregnancy were collected to detect hepatitis E IgM antibodies. Demographics, pregnancy outcome and perinatal mortality was noted in hepatitis E positive cases with cause of complications. Cases with jaundice due solely to any other cause were excluded. RESULTS: Twenty five patients had acute hepatitis E with coexistent acute hepatitis A in 1(4%) patient. Their mean age was 25 years and mean gravidity was 2. Among them, 10 (40%) patients were primigravida followed by gravida two in 7 (28%) cases. Twenty four (96%) patients presented in third trimester of pregnancy and in 1 (4%) pregnancy ended in second trimester missed miscarriage. The mean gestational age was 32 weeks. Twenty one (84%) babies were born alive, among them 18 (86%) were preterm. Perinatal mortality was 26%; contributed by intrauterine deaths and early neonatal deaths in 3 (14%) cases each. Total maternal deaths were 5 (20%), 4 (80%) in postpartum period and 1 (20%) in antepartum period due to fulminant hepatic failure in all cases. CONCLUSION: Prematurity in newborns and fulminant hepatic failure in mothers are major cause of poor fetomaternal outcome in acute hepatitis E in pregnancy.