Characteristics and sputum conversion of tuberculosis (TB) patients in Kalutara,Sri Lanka

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious bacterial disease; remains as one of the important public health problem affecting every part of the world. Substantial number of TB cases are reported from Sri Lanka every year irrespective of its strong preventive health system. The aim of this analysis is to describe the characteristics of TB patients and to assess the factors associated with sputum conversion. This analysis was based on the data from the District Chest Clinic of Kalutara district, Sri Lanka.

Distribution pattern of cholinesterase enzymes in human tooth germs

The two distinct molecular forms of cholinesterase (ChE) are acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). Our previous studies have reported that ChE is involved in tooth development. However, further experiments are needed to understand the precise action of ChE in tooth development. This study aimed to localise types of ChE in human tooth germs, and identify their distribution pattern.ChE were localised in frozen sections of jaws which were prepared from dead fetuses, neonates and stillborns who were free from visible abnormalities by Karnovsky and Root method.AChE was identified in the inner and outer enamel epithelia including the cervical loop region, stratum intermedium and preameloblasts of tooth germs at bell stage. Secretory ameloblasts were free from staining. The bud and cap stages of permanent tooth germs showed AChE activity on the lingual aspect and top surface of the epithelial ingrowths, respectively. BuChE activity was localised in the degenerating dental lamina.Our study reported the first evidence of localisation of ChE in human tooth development and identified the possible molecular form of ChE in tooth germs as AChE. Also, our results have provided strong evidence to speculate the action of AChE is on the cells of enamel organ during tooth development.     

Differential cell-specific location of Cav-1 and Ca2+-ATPase in terminal Schwann cells and mechanoreceptive Ruffini endings in the periodontal ligament of the rat incisor

Caveolae are involved in clathrin-independent endocytosis, transcytosis, signal transduction, and tumor suppression – all of which depend on their main constituent protein caveolin families. The periodontal Ruffini ending has been reported to develop a caveola-like structure on the cell membrane of both the axon terminals and Schwann sheaths, suggesting the existence of an axon–Schwann cell interaction in the periodontal Ruffini endings. However, little information is available concerning the functional significance of these caveolae. The present study was undertaken to examine the immunolocalization of caveolin-1, -3 (Cav-1, Cav-3) and Ca²⁺-ATPase in the periodontal Ruffini endings of the rat incisor. Decalcified sections of the upper jaws were processed for immunocytochemistry at the levels of light and electron microscopy. Some immunostained sections were treated with histochemistry for nonspecific cholinesterase (nChE) activity. Observations showed the periodontal Ruffini endings were immunopositive for Cav-1, but not Cav-3. Immunoreactive products for Cav-1 were confined to caveola-like structures in the cell membranes of the cytoplasmic extensions and cell bodies of the terminal Schwann cells associated with the periodontal Ruffini endings. However, the axonal membranes of the terminals did not express any Cav-1 immunoreaction. Double staining with Ca²⁺-ATPase and either protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) or S-100 protein disclosed the co-localization of immunoreactions in the axonal branches of the periodontal Ruffini endings, but not in the terminal Schwann cells. As Ca²⁺ plays an important role in mechanotransduction, these characteristic immunolocalizations show Cav-1/Ca²⁺-ATPase might be involved in the quick elimination of intracellular Ca²⁺ in mechanotransduction.     

Abstracts of the 24th international isotope society (UK group) symposium: synthesis and applications of labelled compounds 2015

The 24th annual symposium of the International Isotope Society's United Kingdom Group took place at the Møller Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge, UK on Friday 6th November 2015. The meeting was attended by 77 delegates from academia and industry, the life sciences, chemical, radiochemical and scientific instrument suppliers. Delegates were welcomed by Dr Ken Lawrie (GlaxoSmithKline, UK, chair of the IIS UK group). The subsequent scientific programme consisted of oral presentations, short ‘flash’ presentations in association with particular posters and poster presentations. The scientific areas covered included isotopic synthesis, regulatory issues, applications of labelled compounds in imaging, isotopic separation and novel chemistry with potential implications for isotopic synthesis. Both short‐lived and long‐lived isotopes were represented, as were stable isotopes. The symposium was divided into a morning session chaired by Dr Rebekka Hueting (University of Oxford, UK) and afternoon sessions chaired by Dr Sofia Pascu (University of Bath, UK) and by Dr Alan Dowling (Syngenta, UK). The UK meeting concluded with remarks from Dr Ken Lawrie (GlaxoSmithKline, UK).     

Morphological analysis of cementoenamel junction in premolars of Sri Lankans

Anatomical Science International - Cementoenamel junction is an anatomical landmark which indicates the meeting point of enamel of the crown and the cementum of the root. It is an important...     

Enkephalin-containing neurons in substantia gelatinosa of spinal trigeminal complex: Ultrastructure and synaptic interaction with primary sensory afferents

The ultrastructural morphology and synaptic associations between enkephalin-containing neurons and sensory afferents was examined in the caudalis portion of rat trigeminal complex, the region corresponding to Rexed's layer II of the dorsal horn^12,23. Specific antiserum to Met⁵-enkephalin was localized by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique in normal adult rats and in rats having electrolytic lesions of the trigeminal ganglia at 2, 4 and 6 days prior to sacrifice. In both normal and lesioned animals, the enkephalin-like immunoreactivity (ELI) was diffusely distributed throughout the cytoplasm of neuronal perikarya, dendrites, myelinated and unmyelinated axons, and axon terminals. The axons terminals were characterized by the presence of both small (40–60 nm) clear, and large (60–100 nm), dense-core vesicles and by the formation of predominantly axodendritic synapses.Optimal visualization of degenerating terminals occured at 4 days after lesions of the trigeminal ganglia. Approximately one-third of the degenerating afferents were in either direct contact or were separated from an enkephalin-containing process by an intervening unlabeled dendrite. The occurrence of a well defined membrane density between a degenerating and enkephalin-labeled bouton was rare. Most commonly, the processes showing ELI were either unassociated or formed a triad arrangement with the degenerating afferents. Within the triad, the degenerating bouton formed a junction with an unlabeled dendrite which in turn was synaptically connected at the same level to an enkephalin-labeled process, usually a dendrite. We conclude that an intermediary neuron may be involved in interaction between primary sensory afferents and enkephalin-containing neurons in spinal trigeminal complex.     

Immunocytochemical localization of enkephalin in the neostriatum of rat brain: A light and electron microscopic study

The peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) immunocytochemical technique was used to determine the light and electron microscopic localization of antisera directed against either methionine [Met⁵]- or leucine [Leu⁵]-enkephalin in the neostriatum of brains from untreated rats. By light microscopy, neuronal perikarya and processes showing enkephalin-like immunoreactivity (ELI) were unevently distributed throughout the neostriatum. The greatest accumulation of neuronal structures showing ELI was in the ventro- and caudo- lateral portions of the nucleus. The labeled perikarya measured 10–15 μm in diameter and constituted about 15–20% of the total neurons in the enostriatum. By electron microscopy, examination of three areas from horizontal and coronal sections revealed no regional differences in types of neurons showing ELI or in their synaptic organization. All labeled neurons showed a relatively low intensity reaction product which was diffusely distributed throughout the perikarya and dendrites. The cytoplasm contained relatively few organelles, which included mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and numerous “alveolate” vesicles. The dendrites had many spiny processes which formed asymmetric synapses with unlabeled axon terminals containing all small clear vesicles. In contrast to the perikarya and dendrites a dense accumulation of reaction product was present in a few myelinated and numerous unmyelinated axons and axonal varicosties. Approximately 75% of the labeled varicosities did not form a specialized synaptic junction in a single plane of section. The remaining 25% of the labeled terminals formed asymmetric junctions primarily with unlabeled dendrites and rerely with unlabeled perikarya or axons. The morphology and synaptic relations of the neurons showing ELI suggest that they may belong to the general group of medium-sized spiny cells characterized in Golgi studies by Kemp and Powell ('71a). At least some of the peptide-containing neurons may also have a myelinated efferent axon.     

Tricuspid atresia: Where are we now?

Tricuspid atresia (TA) is a complex congenital heart disease that presents with cyanosis in the neonatal period. It is invariably fatal if left untreated and requires multiple stages of palliation. Early recognition and timely surgical intervention are therefore pivotal in the management of these infants. This literature review considers the pathophysiology, presentation, investigations, and classification of TA. Moreover, it discusses the evidence upon which the latest medical and surgical treatments are based, as well as numerous recent case reports. Further work is needed to elucidate the etiology of TA, clarify the role of pharmacotherapy, and optimize the surgical management that these patients receive.     

Regional distribution of interglobular dentine in human teeth

Interglobular dentine (IGD) is an area of poorly mineralized dentine matrix. It has been reported that there is an association between the retraction of odontoblast processes (OP) and the formation of IGD. A variation of the extent of OP has been described depending on the region of the tooth and age. This study aimed to find out the regional distribution of IGD in human teeth to observe any association between the extent of OP and the pattern of distribution of IGD.Ground sections were prepared from 52 extracted permanent teeth and the presence of IGD was observed in different regions of the crown and the root.The highest occurrence of IGD was found in the cervical and middle thirds followed by intercuspal, and coronal third in the crown. Statistical analysis of data depicted that the occurrence of IGD differed according to the region of the tooth. In roots, the highest occurrence of IGD was seen in the cervical third followed by the middle third.Previous reports have shown that OP extend up to the dentine–enamel junction in the coronal region and to the inner one-third of the cervical region. The varied pattern of distribution of IGD in the crown and root observed in our results corresponds to the above findings. Therefore, it is reasonable to surmise that there is an association between the distribution of IGD and the extent of OP. This allows us to confer that IGD tends to form in areas where OP do not extend to the dentine–enamel junction.