Stenosing ureteritis in a child with necrotizing vasculitis

Summary Although vasculitidis may involve several organs and tissues, ureteral involvement is rare. The present report describes a case of a female child with ureteral stenosis in whom a diagnosis of necrotizing vasculitis was made.     

Antimicrobial properties of Phrygilanthus acutifolius

Ethanol extract of flowers of Phrygilanthus acutifolius (Ruiz & Pav.) Eichler (Loranthaceae) inhibited the growth of both Gram (+) bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram (-) bacteria (Serratia marcescens, Acinetobacter sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). This extract was bactericidal against Staphylococcus aureus and bacteriostatic against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Morphological evidence suggests that the extract causes the swelling of the bacterial body of Staphylococcus aureus, the disintegration of the cell surface and the cell death. Bactericidal activity was optimal at pH 7.5 and was not affected by different ionic strengths. The presence of Mg2+ in the culture medium of Phrygilanthus acutifolius diminished the sensitivity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain against the extract. Test results would tend to corroborate the folk belief that the flowers of this plant are efficacious against respiratory infections and would justify its further investigation.     

Launch and preliminary analysis of Hospital de La Princesa's inter-specialists biological therapies unit

We herein describe an inter-specialists unit for the monitoring and management of biological therapies and analyze the utilization of biological agents across specialties and diseases. Protocols and therapeutic objectives, as well as outcomes and protocol deviations, are shared and discussed periodically between specialists. All patients treated at one centre with any biological treatment from January 2000 by rheumatology, gastroenterology, dermatology, or neurology, regardless diagnosis, are identified by Clinical Pharmacy and included in an ongoing database that detects use and outcome. The drugs, survival, and reasons for discontinuation differ significantly across specialties. This approach has helped us recognizing the challenges and size of the problem of sharing expensive medications across specialties, and has served as a starting point to contribute to the better use of these compounds.     

Prevalence of non-vision-impairing conditions in a village in Chakwal district,Punjab, Pakistan

purpose To determine the prevalence of non-vision-impairing ocular conditions (NVIC) and estimate the number of primary eye care treatments per 1000 population per month. methods A cross-sectional study in a random sample of 1670 people was done to determine the load of NVIC in a village in Chakwal district. results The prevalence of NVIC was 30.6% (306 per 1000 population). NVIC with the exclusion of presbyopia accounted for 14.6%. The main NVIC were allergic conjunctivitis (3.7%), bacterial conjunctivitis (3.5%), pterygium/pinguicula (2.6%) and acute/chronic dacryocystitis (1%). The average Complaint Frequency (CF) per month/1000 population was 55, excluding complaints of near vision and watery eyes. conclusions The foundation of a comprehensive district eye care strategy in the light of VISION 2020 - the Right to Sight - remains an effective primary eye care service whose elements are treatment of NVIC, detection and referral of cataracts and refractive errors, and promotion of eye health.     

Association of annual hormonal profile with gonad maturity of mahseer (Tor tambroides) in captivity

Annual gonad hormonal profile of wild, matured mahseer (29 males and 23 female) averaging in weight between 0.95 ± 0.26 and 1.19 ± 0.23 kg for males and females, respectively, were investigated from November 2007 to November 2008 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Blood was collected from caudal vein, monthly and plasma separation by centrifugation was done to measure reproductive hormones: 17β-estradiol (E₂), testosterone (T), and 11-keto-testosterone (11KT). Gonads were sampled for histology processing to observe their maturity. Highest T level in females and males was recorded at 0.22 ± 0.016 and 0.88 ± 0.014 ng/ml, respectively. The 11KT showed several peaks and the highest value was noted at 0.7 ± 0.018 ng/ml in November 2008. The female E₂ initially was at 1.48 ± 0.16 ng/ml and significantly increased (P < 0.05) to 1.53 ± 0.39 ng/ml in November 2008. Ovaries were laden with oocytes in several stages in all the samples while testes gonad showed a high level of spermatids throughout the year. Changes in plasma level of the gonadal hormones were correlated with the ovarian and testes maturities. In conclusion, the study suggests that mahseer can be categorized as asynchronized and multiple spawner. The information gathered is important for appropriate breeding and conservation programs of the Malaysian mahseer.