Study on ascitic fluid complement 3 level in cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and without spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ascitic fluid Complement 3 (C3) concentration is the most important factor to offer local defense against infection of ascitic fluid. Hepatic synthesis of Complement 3 and its concentration in ascitic fluid is significantly reduced in patients with advanced cirrhosis. The aim of the study was to assess the level of Complement 3 in ascitic fluid in cirrhotic patients with and without spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and to identify the group of cirrhotic ascites at risk of developing METHODOLOGY: A prospective case control study was carried out to compare the level of ascitic fluid Complement 3 concentration in patients with SBP (case-group) and without SBP (control-group). Ascitic fluid Complement 3 level was estimated in 15 patients with SBP (case) and another 15 patients without SBP (control). RESULTS: In the study, ascitic fluid Complement 3 concentration was 7.3+/-4.3 mg/dL in patients with SBP and 16.4+/-11.3 mg/dL in patients who did not develop SBP. CONCLUSIONS: Ascitic fluid Complement 3 level is significantly (P=0.009) reduced in cirrhotic patients who develop SBP.     

Pakistani urban population demonstrates a poor knowledge about cancers: A pilot survey

Background. This cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the perceptions and level of knowledge of a Pakistani urban population regarding presentations, risk factors, and screening of cancers. Methods. From 4 tertiary care hospitals, 439 subjects were recruited through convenient sampling method and interviewed using a standard questionnaire. Results. More than 90% of subjects demonstrated poor knowledge. Good knowledge was associated with female gender, being married, higher socioeconomic status, and level of education. Conclusions. Our sample demonstrates an inadequate knowledge regarding the presentations, risk factors, and screening of cancers. Efforts aiming to correct these deficiencies might result in a successful and cost-effective model for primary and secondary prevention of major cancers in Pakistan.     

Associations Among Hypogonadism,C-Reactive Protein,Symptom Burden,and Survival in Male Cancer Patients with Cachexia: A Preliminary Report

ContextCachexia is characterized by muscle wasting, anorexia, and elevated inflammatory markers. In patients without cancer, hypogonadism is associated with lower lean body mass, increased symptom burden, and decreased survival. Hypogonadism in cancer cachexia could exacerbate symptoms, facilitate a proinflammatory state, and decrease survival.ObjectivesTo explore the relationships among these factors, a retrospective study of male cancer patients was conducted.MethodsThe charts of 98 consecutive male patients referred to a cachexia clinic at a comprehensive cancer center were reviewed. All patients reported weight loss of >5% within the preceding six months; the median age was 60 years. Fifty-seven (58%) had serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and 68 (69%) had total testosterone evaluated. Symptoms were evaluated by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale.ResultsMedian CRP was 20 mg/L, and median testosterone level was 185 ng/dL (6.42 nmol/L) (normal ≥240 ng/dL or 8.36 nmol/L). There was an inverse correlation between testosterone and CRP levels (P < 0.01). Lower testosterone was associated with increased dyspnea and insomnia (P < 0.05). Poor appetite and insomnia (P < 0.05) correlated with elevated CRP. Survival of patients with testosterone levels ≤185 ng/dL (6.42 nmol/L) was decreased compared with that of those with levels >185 ng/dL (13 vs. 62 weeks, P = 0.004). Patients with CRP levels >10 mg/L had decreased survival compared with those with levels ≤10 mg/L (15 vs. 46 weeks, P = 0.01). The combination of hypogonadism and elevated CRP was associated with poorer prognosis. Elevated CRP levels were associated with increased symptom burden and decreased survival. Low testosterone was associated with decreased survival and correlated inversely with CRP levels, dyspnea, and insomnia.ConclusionOur preliminary results suggest that testosterone and CRP may be additive or synergistic as markers for survival in male patients and could be useful in future prognostic models.     

Prevalence of Dermatophytes and Other Keratinophilic Fungi in Soil and Dried Dung of the Premises of Buffalo Sheds. Die Verbreitung von Dermatophyten und anderen keratinophilen Pilzen im Boden und getrocknetem Dung in der Umgebung von Büffelställen

Summary: A total of 392 samples of soil, 284 of dried dung, 60 of concentrates, 38 of chopped straw and 17 of green fodder from the premises of buffalo sheds were examined. One hundred eighty one samples (46.2%) of soil and 80 (28.2%) samples of dried dung were found to be positive for dermatophytes and Chrysosporium spp. Other samples yielded no such fungus. The prevalence of fungi isolated are as follows: Soil: Chrysosporium spp. 28.6%, Microsporum gypseum 11.7%, Trichophyton mentagrophytes (granular) 3.1%, T. terrestre 1,5%, M. vanbreuseghemii 0.8%, Keratinomyces ajelloi 0.5%. Dried dung: Chrysosporium spp. 22.2%, M. gypseum 4.2%, T. mentagrophytes 1.4%. The fungi were found to be present throughout the year in soil and dung with a higher frequency during autumn and winter months. The isolation frequency of the fungi could not be related to pH reaction of the substrates, the values being alkaline in almost all samples of soil and dried dung. Zusammenfassung: Insgesamt 392 Bodenproben, 284 Proben von getrocknetem Dung, 60 Proben Futterkonzentrat, 38 Proben Strohhäcksel und 17 Proben Grünfutter von Grundstücken mit Büffelställen wurden auf keratinophile Pilze untersucht. Aus 181 Bodenproben (46.2%) und aus 80 Dungproben (28.2%) wurden Dermatophyten und Chrysosporium spp. isoliert. In den übrigen Proben waren Keratinophile nicht nachweisbar. Die Häufigkeit der Pilzisolate war wie folgt: Boden: Chrysosporium spp. 28.6%, Microsporum gypseum 11.7%, Trichophyton mentagrophytes (granulär) 3.1%, T. terrestre 1.5%, M. vanbreuseghemii 0.8%, Keratinomyces ajelioi 0.5%. Dung: Chrysosporium spp. 22.2%, M. gypseum 4.2%, T. mentagrophytes 1.4%. Die Pilze waren das ganze Jahr über nachweisbar, in größerer Häufigkeit während der Herbst- und Wintermonate. Die Häufigkeit der Pilzisolierungen hing nicht vom ph-Wert der Substrate ab, die in fast allen Boden- und Dungproben alkalische Werte aufwiesen.     

Preclinical evaluation and molecular docking of 4-phenyl-1-Napthyl phenyl acetamide (4P1NPA) from Streptomyces sp. DPTB16 as a potent antifungal compound

The incidence of fungal disease has increased dramatically over the past decades, mainly due to the emergence and transmission of antifungal resistance within the fungal pathogens. The present study investigates the use of novel antifungal compound 4-Phenyl-1-Napthyl Phenyl Acetamide (4P1NPA), isolated from marine Streptomyces sp. DPTB16 as a potent antifungal drug. The preclinical studies and molecular docking for 4P1NPA against Cytochrome P450 51 (CYP 51) were performed using in silico pharmacology and docking tools. The finding reveals the drug likeliness of 4P1NPA and satisfactory interaction of 4P1NPA with CYP 51. These results collectively evidence the use of 4P1NPA as a drug to treat fungal infections. On the whole, we highlight the findings of this research will be helpful to design 4P1NPA as novel antifungal drug to defend the emerging antifungal resistance.     

Morphological and genetic diversity of symbiotic cyanobacteria from cycads

The morphological and genetic diversity of cyanobacteria associated with cycads was examined using PCR amplification techniques and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Eighteen symbiotic cyanobacteria were isolated from different cycad species. One of the symbiotic isolates was a species of Calothrix, a genus not previously reported to form symbioses with Cycadaceae family, and the remainder were Nostoc spp. Axenic cyanobacterial strains were compared by DNA amplification using PCR with either short arbitrary primers or primers specific for the repetitive sequences. Based on fingerprint patterns and phenograms, it was revealed that cyanobacterial symbionts exhibit important genetic diversity among host plants, both within and between cycad populations. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that most of the symbiotic cyanobacterial isolates fell into well‐separated clades. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Salmonella paratyphi spondylitis: a case report

This is a case report of acute L3/4 vertebral osteomyelitis due to Salmonella paratyphi A confirmed by culture from vertebral needle biopsy. From a review of the literature this is the first reported case with bacteriological confirmation. The rarity of Salmonella paratyphi spondylitis and the options for treatment are discussed. An erratum to this article can be found at