The Essential Oil of Perilla ocimoides: A Rich Source of Rosefuran

The essential oil of a strain of PERILLA OCIMOIDES from Bangladesh, cultivated at Lucknow, after GC-MS investigations afforded rosefuran ( 1) as the major constituent (58%) along with 17 others including beta-caryophyllene, perilla ketone ( 2), perillene, alpha-cedrene, germacrene-D, and isobis-abolene.     

Sperm binding to hyaluronan is an excellent predictor of Nili-Ravi buffalo bull fertility

This study reports the first evaluation of sperm hyaluronan binding assay (HBA) for predicting the fertility of Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls in relation to standard parameters of sperm quality. Cryopreserved semen doses of low (n = 6), medium (n = 3) and high fertility (n = 8) bulls based on their respective return rates were used. Significantly, more spermatozoa bound to hyaluronan from the most fertile bulls (57.15% ± 1.44) compared with medium (42.46% ± 1.08) and low fertility bulls (29.70% ± 0.78). A strongly positive correlation (r = .824, p < .01) was found between HBA and fertility that predicts a 67.9% variability (r² = .679, p < .01) in fertility. HBA was also strongly positively correlated with sperm viability (r = .679, p < .01) followed by their live/dead ratio (r = .637, p < .01), uncapacitated spermatozoa (r = .631, p < .01), normal apical ridge (r = .459, p < .01), motility (r = .434, p < .01), mature spermatozoa with low residual histones (r = .364, p < .01), high plasma membrane integrity (r = .316, p < .01) and nonfragmented DNA levels (r = .236, p < .05). It was negatively correlated with spermatozoa having reacted acrosome (r = −.654, p < .01). A fertility model built using a combination of sperm HBA and either sperm livability or viability predicts, respectively, 86.1% (r² = .861, p < .01) and 85.9% (r² = .859, p < .01) variability in buffalo bull fertility. In conclusion, sperm HBA may prove to be a single robust predictor of Nili-Ravi buffalo bull fertility.     

Subtype‐specific differences in transmission cluster dynamics of HIV‐1 B and CRF01_AE in New South Wales,Australia

IntroductionThe human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV‐1) pandemic is characterized by numerous distinct sub‐epidemics (clusters) that continually fuel local transmission. The aims of this study were to identify active growing clusters, to understand which factors most influence the transmission dynamics, how these vary between different subtypes and how this information might contribute to effective public health responses.MethodsWe used HIV‐1 genomic sequence data linked to demographic factors that accounted for approximately 70% of all new HIV‐1 notifications in New South Wales (NSW). We assessed differences in transmission cluster dynamics between subtype B and circulating recombinant form 01_AE (CRF01_AE). Separate phylogenetic trees were estimated using 2919 subtype B and 473 CRF01_AE sequences sampled between 2004 and 2018 in combination with global sequence data and NSW‐specific clades were classified as clusters, pairs or singletons. Significant differences in demographics between subtypes were assessed with Chi‐Square statistics.ResultsWe identified 104 subtype B and 11 CRF01_AE growing clusters containing a maximum of 29 and 11 sequences for subtype B and CRF01_AE respectively. We observed a > 2‐fold increase in the number of NSW‐specific CRF01_AE clades over time. Subtype B clusters were associated with individuals reporting men who have sex with men (MSM) as their transmission risk factor, being born in Australia, and being diagnosed during the early stage of infection (p < 0.01). CRF01_AE infections clusters were associated with infections among individuals diagnosed during the early stage of infection (p < 0.05) and CRF01_AE singletons were more likely to be from infections among individuals reporting heterosexual transmission (p < 0.05). We found six subtype B clusters with an above‐average growth rate (>1.5 sequences / 6‐months) and which consisted of a majority of infections among MSM. We also found four active growing CRF01_AE clusters containing only infections among MSM. Finally, we found 47 subtype B and seven CRF01_AE clusters that contained a large gap in time (>1 year) between infections and may be indicative of intermediate transmissions via undiagnosed individuals.ConclusionsThe large number of active and growing clusters among MSM are the driving force of the ongoing epidemic in NSW for subtype B and CRF01_AE.     

Impact of Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy on Final Outcome in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty: Our Experience and Technique in Pakistan

BackgroudDue to extensive fibrosis during revision surgery, adequate exposure is essential and it can be achieved with several extensile approach options, such as tibial tubercle osteotomy. Information regarding surgical exposure during revision arthroplasty is limited in developing countries, such as Pakistan, due to the lack of adequate data collection and follow-up. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of tibial tubercle osteotomy on final outcome of revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA).MethodsA total of 231 revision TKAs were performed between January 2008 and December 2017. Twenty-nine patients underwent tibial tubercle osteotomy for adequate exposure during revision surgery. Of these, 27 patients with complete follow-up were included in our study. Factors examined include age at the time of revision surgery, gender, comorbidities, arthroplasty site (right or left), body mass index (BMI), and primary indications for the tibial tubercle osteotomy during revision TKA. Functional outcome was measured by using Knee Society score (KSS) at 3 months and the final follow-up. All statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0 with a p-value < 0.05 considered significant.ResultsOut of 27 patients, 6 patients (22.2%) were men and 21 patients (77.7%) were women. Right knee revision arthroplasty was performed in 15 patients (55.5%), left knee revision arthroplasty was performed in 12 patients (44.4%), and bilateral revision surgery was performed in only 1 patient (3.7%). The mean BMI was 29.2 kg/m². We used a constrained condylar knee in 20 patients (74%), a rotating hinge knee in 5 patients (18.5%), and mobile bearing tray plus metaphyseal sleeves in 2 patients (7.4%). The KSS was 52.21 ± 4.05 preoperatively, and 79.42 ± 2.2 and 80.12 ± 1.33 at 3 months and 12 months, respectively. Radiological union was achieved in all patients at 3 months. Of 27 patients, only 1 patient (3.7%) had proximal migration of the osteotomy site at 6 months: the patient was asymptomatic and union was also achieved and, therefore, no surgical intervention was performed.ConclusionsTibial tubercle osteotomy during revision TKA can be a safe and reliable technique with superior outcomes and minimal complication rates.     

Interobserver variation in the diagnosis and grading of dyskaryosis in cervical smears: specialist cytopathologists compared with non-specialists.

AIMS--To compare the assessment of dyskaryosis in cervical smears made by specialist consultant cytopathologists and consultant general histopathologists. METHODS--One hundred and ten cervical smears were circulated to 10 observers from five district general hospital histopathology departments and five major departments of cytopathology. Their responses were analysed by five consultant general histopathologists and five consultant specialist cytopathologists. In 54 of the 110 cases, the histology of a corresponding cervical biopsy specimen was compared with the smear assessments. RESULTS--Specialist cytopathologists were more consistent than non-specialists when diagnosing and grading dyskaryosis. They chose the higher grades of dyskaryosis more frequently than the non-specialists. The cytopathologists recommended referral for colposcopy more frequently, but if they asked for a repeat smear, they wanted it done within three months more frequently than the histopathologists. The specialists were more frequently in agreement with the biopsy grade of intra-epithelial neoplasia than the non-specialists, whose smear diagnoses tended to underestimate the severity of the histopathological abnormality. CONCLUSIONS--This study has shown major differences between specialist and non-specialist cytopathologists in the diagnosis and grading of cervical smears and in the recommended management of patients with abnormal smears. These differences may result in uneven clinical management of women with smear abnormalities. It is therefore important to explore possible strategies for standardising the reporting of cervical smears, such as centralisation of screening services, accreditation in cytopathology for non-specialist consultants, and the value of participation in external quality assessment schemes.     

Neuro-ophthalmology of degenerative neurological disorders

A number of degenerative disorders of the nervous system are associated with visual or ocular motor disturbances. Over recent years, these problems have attracted a great deal of interest because they may aid diagnosis and also improve our understanding of pathophysiology. In this review, we discuss both of these aspects of the study of degenerative conditions and attempt to demonstrate the clinical significance of a number of new findings.     

Auditory brain stem evoked responses (ABRs) in children with delayed speech (DS)—A Diagnostic Problem

The results of analysis of auditory brain- stem evoked responses (ABRS) are reported in 173 patients with delayed speech (DS). The mean age of the patients is 4.6 years (age ranges from 1.4 years to 10 years). The patients were classified into 5 groups based on ABR findings:

Aneurysms complicating pulmonary autograft procedure for aortic valve replacement

Aneurysm formation in the left ventricular outflow tract related to the proximal end of the pulmonary autograft after the Ross procedure was present in 2 patients. Both occurred late after operation and were associated with prolapse of a leaflet of the autograft and significant regurgitation. Both were repaired with no immediate complications. There was no evidence of infection at time of operation. The probable mechanisms underlying this complication and the possibilities of avoiding it are discussed.