Bone marrow imaging: magnetic resonance studies related to age and sex

Measurements of T1 and T2 relaxation values and spin density of the lumbar vertebral bone marrow were performed in 212 patients, and the results were correlated with the patients' age and sex. T1 and T2 relaxation times for bone marrow in the lumbar vertebral bodies showed a progressive decrease with age for both sexes (except for the T2 relaxation values in female patients). The replacement of hematopoietic marrow by fatty marrow could explain the decrease in T1 and T2. The T1 and T2 values were in the same range for the first two age groups (age 1-10 years and age 21-40 years) and became slightly greater for the older female patients (age 51 years and older) than for the older males. This could be due to the loss of bone and mineral content, which is more rapid and significant for women. These normal T1 and T2 values may provide a baseline for future evaluation of diseases involving the lumbar spine.     

A Study of Cases of Hereditory Ectodermal Dysplasia - A Rare Dental Anomaly

Hereditary ectodermal dysplasia is a group of disorder running in the family where more than one manifestation occurs involving skin, nail, hair, glands and teeth In the present study, five cases were detected in district of Bangalore,Karnataka and studied in detail. Out of them three were girls and two boys showing manifestation dysplasia of teeth, skin & sweat glands between the age groups of 5 years to 14 years of age. There are three girls between 5 to 18 years showing oligodentia (0.13%) in 2 girls and anodentia in one girl (0.67%) associated with periorbital wrinkling and mild mid facial hypoplasia.The other 2 were boys between 8years and 15 years of age showed oligodentia, anhydosis brittle nails with vertical ridges, and 15 years old boy also showed periorbital wrinkling. The mothers of these five patients were also studied. Consanguity along with heredity and hypertension has played a vital role in the development of ectodermal dysplasia These 5 cases were compared and correlated with available literatures.     

Unusual developing sites of dengue vectors and potential epidemiological implications

Objective

To identify the unusual breeding sites of two dengue vectors, i.e. Aedes albopictus (Ae. albopictus) and Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti).

Methods

During the second half of 2010, we performed an occasional survey in rural (Teluk Tempoyak) and urban (Gelugor) areas of Penang Island, Malaysia, to identify cryptic breeding sites.

Results

In the rural area, we found heterogeneous immature stages of Ae. albopictus in the water bowl of an encaged bird. We also observed Ae. aegypti eggs deposited in the flush tank of a toilet in the urban area.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that both breeding patterns can increase contact with hosts (humans and birds) and presumably population densities of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti, thereby potentially boosting the risks for spread and transmission of arboviral diseases.