Anterior sacral meningomyelocele with sacrococcygeal teratoma

Anterior sacral meningocoele with sacrococcygeal teratoma is a rare entity. The cystic mass arising from anterior sacral and coccygeal defect, lies in the retrorectal space between the rectum and sacrum. It produces a variety of symptoms depending on its size and contents and constitutes a diagnostic problem. Such a rare association of two pathologies is presented, with review of literature, in an infant who had an anterior meningocoele with sacrococcygeal teratoma. Both the pathologies were surgically corrected individually, about a month apart.     

Prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in an urban hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh

The prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL)-producing organisms in an urban hospital in Dhaka City was assessed over a 10-month period. A double disk test was performed to detect ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. 43.2% and 39.5% of E. coli and K. pneumoniae had ESBL phenotypes, respectively. The combination of augmentin with ceftazidime detected the most ESBL-producing E. coli (39.5%) while augmentin with ceftriaxone was the best combination for the detection of ESBL (31.6%) in K. pneumoniae.     

Some physical and chemical properties of ambarella (Spondias cytherea Sonn.) at three different stages of maturity

Ambarella (Spondias cytherea Sonn.) belongs to Anacardiaceae family. The round or oval-shaped fruits were analysed for some physical and chemical changes at three different maturity stages. The maturity stages at which determinations were carried out are defined. The fruit length and width on average were 5.56 and 4.26 cm, respectively. The fruits were found to contain fat (0.34–0.53%), protein (1.76–2.33%) and ash (6.23–6.78%). The pH, soluble solids and insoluble matter increased with the maturity of the fruit. Ripe fruits were significantly less acidic than green and half-ripe ones. The total phenolic content decreased with maturity. Vitamin C content ranged from 4.65±0.27 to 5.86±0.73 mg/100 g. Water-soluble pectins (WSP) in ripe fruits contributed to the softening of the fruit, which causes fruit firmness to decrease with advanced maturity. The amount of P (3.93–4.52 g/100 g) was highest compared with the other minerals (Na, Mg, Ca and Zn), while total chlorophyll content decreased in ripe fruits, contributing to changes in fruit colour. Total dietary fibre content was lowest (17.20%±3.49, dry basis) in ripe fruits. The Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) method was used to identify the existing functional groups.     

Molecular heterogeneity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Malays in Malaysia

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using multiple tandem forward primers and a common reverse primer (MPTP) was recently established as a comprehensive screening method for mutations in X-linked recessive diseases. In the work reported here, MPTP was used to scan for mutations of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) gene. Mutations in exons 3,4,5,6,7,9, 11, and 12 of the G6PD gene were screened by MPTP in 93 unrelated Malaysian patients with G6PD deficiency. Of the 93 patients, 80 (86%) had identified mutations. Although all of these were missense mutations, identified nucleotide changes were heterogeneous, with 9 mutations involving various parts of the exons. These 9 mutations were G-to-A nucleotide changes at nucleotide 871 of the G6PD gene (G871A), corresponding to G6PD Viangchan, G6PD Mediterranean (C563T), G6PD Vanua Lava (T383C), G6PD Coimbra (C592T), G6PD Kaiping (G1388A), G6PD Orissa (C131G), G6PD Mahidol (G487A), G6PD Canton (G1376T), and G6PD Chatham (G1003A). Our results document heterogeneous mutations of the G6PD gene in the Malaysian population.     

New supramolecular trigonal prisms from zinc(II)- 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (cyclen) complexes and trithiocyanurate in aqueous solution

The multiple bonding between multinuclear zinc(II)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (cyclen, a 12-membered tetraamine) complexes and multidentate ligands is an effective method for constructing supramolecular complexes having well defined and distinct structures in aqueous solution. Herein we present examples of supramolecular D(3h) prisms formed by self-assembly of linearly dimeric or trimeric zinc(II)-cyclen complexes with a potentially trianionic C(3) subunit trithiocyanuric acid (TCA(3-)), wherein Zn(2+)-S(-) or Zn(2+)-N(-) coordination bonds and hydrogen bonds are responsible for stability of the multicomponent architectures in aqueous solution at neutral pH.     

Metoclopramide protection of cholinesterase from paraoxon inhibition

This study evaluated the protective effect of the benzamide compound metoclopramide (MCP) against inhibition by paraoxon (POX) as assessed by red blood cell acetylcholinesterase (RBC-AChE) activity. Three groups of 6 rats each were used. All substances were applied ip daily for 5 d, followed by a 2-d rest. The 7-d cycle was repeated 6 times. Group 1 received 100 nM POX, Group 2 received 50 microM MCP. Group 3 received 100 nM POX + 50 microM MCP. Red blood cell acetylcholinesterase measurements were performed at base line and then after each 7-d cycle. Enzyme activities were compared using the Mann-Whitney rank order test. Metoclopramide conferred significant in vivo protection from inhibition of RBC-AChE by POX.     

Flow cytometric analysis of aneuploidy and S-phase fraction in chronic myeloid leukemia patients: role in early detection of accelerated phase

We studied S-phase fraction (SPF) and aneuploidy in peripheral blood leucocytes of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase (CML-CP, n=41), accelerated phase (CML-AP, n=6), and control subjects (n=12) with an aim to find out their role in early detection of accelerated phase. The SPF and aneuploidy were studied through flow-cytometry using LT-Mod. Fit software. Mean SPF value in CML-AP (9.28+/-3.46%) and in CML-CP (4.76+/-2.30%) were significantly higher than in normal controls (0.28+/-0.21%), (P<0.005, P<0.001). CML-CP patients having higher SPF (>7%) converted to accelerated phase within 18 months of follow-up while those with lower SPF (<7%) did not. Aneuploidy was present in 34.14% of CML-CP and all patients of CML-AP whereas no control subjects showed aneuploidy. Among CML-CP patients having SPF >7%, 86% developed aneuploidy during follow-up as compared to 18.50% of CML-CP with less than 7% SPF. We conclude that peripheral blood SPF and aneuploidy could be important parameters for prediction of evolution to accelerated phase in CML patients.