Kumkum-induced allergic contact dermatitis: Are we missing the actual culprit?

Background

Kumkum, made with turmeric and slaked lime along with colour enhancing dyes is known to cause allergic contact dermatitis. The possible contact allergens in kumkum include turmeric, Sudan-1, 4-aminoazobenzene, brilliant lake red R and cananga oil. We report patch test results among patients with suspected contact hypersensitivity to kumkum.

Objective

To identify the allergen causing kumkum induced allergic contact dermatitis by patch testing and to advise patients about organic kumkum which doesnot contain colour enhancing dyes.

Methods

Eighteen patients with suspected contact hypersensitivity to kumkum were patch tested with undiluted kumkum, undiluted turmeric, Sudan-1 (95%), 4-aminoazobenzene and allergens of the Indian Standard Series.

Results

Of the 18 patients, 14 patients had patch test positivity to kumkum and 4 had a negative reaction to kumkum. Patch test with other suspected contact allergens showed positive reaction to turmeric in 4 patients, Sudan-1 in 3 patients and 4-aminoazobenzene in 2 patients. Among the allergens of the Indian Standard Series, positivity to nickel and fragrance mix was seen in 5 and 2 patients respectively. Positive reaction to PPD, chlorocresol and parthenium was seen in 1 patient each.

Limitation

Small sample size.

Conclusion

Allergic contact dermatitis to kumkum occurs both due to the dyes (added for enhancing the colour) and turmeric. All patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis should be patch tested with kumkum, turmeric and dyes, based on which alternative non-allergic material could be advised. Kumkum dermatitis can also occur due to various other allergens, for which too patch testing should be done.

Epoxyazadiradione Purified from the Azadirachta indica Seed Induced Mitochondrial Apoptosis and Inhibition of NFκB Nuclear Translocation in Human Cervical Cancer Cells

Epoxyazadiradione (EAD) is an important limonoid present in Neem (Azadirachta indica) plant. In the present study, we have purified EAD from Neem seed and studied its anticancer potential in human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. Cell proliferation inhibition studies indicated that the GI₅₀ value of EAD is 7.5 ± 0.0092 μM in HeLa cells, whereas up to 50 μM concentrations EAD did not affect the growth of normal H9C2 cells. The control drug cisplatin inhibited the growth of both HeLa and H9C2 cells with a GI₅₀ value of 2.92 ± 1.192 and 4.22 ± 1.568 μM, respectively. Nuclear DNA fragmentation, cell membrane blebbing, phosphatidylserine translocation, upregulation of Bax, caspase 3 activity and poly (ADP ribose) polymerase cleavage and downregulation of BCl2 in HeLa cells on treatment with EAD indicated the apoptotic cell death. Increase in caspase 9 activity and release of active cytochrome c to the cytoplasm on treatment with EAD confirmed that the apoptosis was mediated through the mitochondrial pathway. Epoxyazadiradione also inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB in HeLa cells. Thus, our studies demonstrated EAD as a potent and safe chemotherapeutic agent when compared with the standard drug cisplatin that is toxic to both cancer and normal cells equally. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Dark Matter Search Results from the PICO-60 C_{3}F_{8} Bubble Chamber

New results are reported from the operation of the PICO-60 dark matter detector, a bubble chamber filled with 52 kg of C_{3}F_{8} located in the SNOLAB underground laboratory. As in previous PICO bubble chambers, PICO-60 C_{3}F_{8} exhibits excellent electron recoil and alpha decay rejection, and the observed multiple-scattering neutron rate indicates a single-scatter neutron background of less than one event per month. A blind analysis of an efficiency-corrected 1167-kg day exposure at a 3.3-keV thermodynamic threshold reveals no single-scattering nuclear recoil candidates, consistent with the predicted background. These results set the most stringent direct-detection constraint to date on the weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP)-proton spin-dependent cross section at 3.4×10^{-41}  cm^{2} for a 30-GeV c^{-2} WIMP, more than 1 order of magnitude improvement from previous PICO results.

Study of Vitamin D Status in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy at a Teaching Hospital in North India

Background/Introduction:

Recent studies have indicated a much broader role to Vitamin D than simply the regulation of calcium metabolism alone. Vitamin D likely confers physiologically relevant pleiotropic functions that include cardioprotective and immunomodulatory effect, and its deficiency could lead to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and heart failure.

Aim:

The aim of our work was to evaluate the presence of hypovitaminosis D in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) and to study any correlation of echocardiographic parameters with Vitamin D deficiency.

Patients and Methods:

In an observational case–control hospital-based study, 56 patients diagnosed to have DCMP and 60 age-, gender-, and body mass index-matched controls who were patients of other medical illnesses were included in the study. Each subject underwent transthoracic two-dimensional guided M-mode echocardiography, and Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) were assessed.

Results:

Mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH) D3] levels were significantly lower (14.5 ± 7.4 ng/ml vs. 28.2 ± 12 ng/ml, P = 0.001), whereas PTH (90.5 ± 28.5 pg/ml vs. 57 ± 20.2 pg/ml, P = 0.02) and NT-proBNP levels were significantly greater in patients with DCMP than controls. In DCMP group, 24/56 patients had severe Vitamin D deficiency, whereas in control group, 10/60 patients had severe hypovitaminosis D. There was a significant negative correlation between 25(OH) D3 concentrations and left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic and LV end-systolic dimensions.

Conclusion:

Patients with DCMP had lower Vitamin D levels than controls, and Vitamin D deficiency had a significant correlation with cardiac function. Therefore, screening for Vitamin D deficiency along with prompt treatment is recommended in patients with DCMP.

Orthopedic application of spikenard herbal rhizome decorated microstructured polymer biocomposites and their in vitro cytotoxicity

The present study explores the synthesis of highly potential polymer biocomposite from Nardostachys jatamansi rhizome extract. The polymer biocomposites were synthesized from methyl methacrylate by free radical polymerization. ATR-IR enunciate the functional groups attributed at 956 cm-1 (aromatic), a peak appeared at 1685 cm-1 (-C[bond, double bond]O), 1186 cm-1 (-O-CH3), 1149 cm-1 (-C-O-C) framework and 1279 cm-1 (-C-O), which are good agreement for the formation composites. The quantitative evaluations of antimicrobial studies were analyzed by serial dilution method and also improved activity in orthopedic infection pathogens. Cytocompatibility was analyzed by keratinocyte cell lines and it may be used for various biomedical applications.

Growth, structure, spectral and optical properties of semiorganic crystal: Pyridine-1-ium-2-carboxylatehydrogenbromide

Pyridine-1-ium-2-carboxylatehydrogenbromide (PHBr) crystal was grown from aqueous solution by slow evaporation method. The calculated lattice parameters of single crystal X-ray diffraction have shown the triclinic crystal system with centrosymmetric space group of Pī. The interaction of functional groups and their importance in their application was identified by FTIR spectral analysis. The material is optically transparent and the grown crystal is having lower cut off wavelength as 294nm, thereby confirming the enhancement of non-linear optical (NLO) property and optical band gap of the PHBr have been determined as 2.49eV by UV-Vis-NIR studies. The (1)H NMR spectrum confirms the molecular structure and the presence of different kinds of protons.

A study of bladder dysfunction in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus has been associated with an earlier onset and increased severity of urologic diseases that often result in debilitating urologic complications. Diabetic bladder dysfunction refers to a group of bladder symptoms occurring in patients with diabetes mellitus ranging from bladder over activity to impaired bladder contractility.

AIM

Bladder dysfunction is an under evaluated issue in women with diabetes. Aim of our study was to investigate prevalence of bladder dysfunction and its relation with other chronic complications of diabetes in women with type 2 diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a hospital-based cross sectional study, a cohort of women with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were enrolled. We used the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUA-SI) to assess the severity of LUTS and the Indevus Urgency Severity Scale (IUSS) to assess presence of overactive bladder (OAB). Age-BMI- matched controls that did not have diabetes but had lower urinary tract symptoms were also studied and compared with women with type 2 diabetes. Urodynamic evaluation was done in willing patients.

RESULTS

LUTS attributable to bladder dysfunction were reported in 67% of women with type 2 diabetes after exclusion of other causes. Out of them, 36% had moderate to severe LUTS (total AUA-SI score >7). Prevalence of OAB was 53%. Urodynamic evaluation revealed presence of stress urinary incontinence in 48% patients and changes of detrusor over activity and detrusor under activity in 23% and 11% patients, respectively. Among the chronic complications of diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, nephropathy, and presence of metabolic syndrome were significantly associated with moderate to severe LUTS and OAB.

CONCLUSION

Bladder dysfunction is a highly prevalent complication in women with diabetes. Chronic complications of diabetes especially neuropathy, nephropathy, and presence of metabolic syndrome are important predictors of bladder dysfunction.

Parmotrema tinctorum exhibits antioxidant, antiglycation and inhibitory activities against aldose reductase and carbohydrate digestive enzymes: an in vitro study

This study evaluated the inhibitory potential of ethyl acetate extract of Parmotrema tinctorum (PTEE), an edible lichen, against aldose reductase (AR) and carbohydrate digestive enzymes such as α-glucosidase and α-amylase. It was also screened for antioxidant activities by using DPPH, ABTS, superoxide and hydroxyl radical-scavenging assays. PTEE exhibited α-glucosidase, α-amylase and AR inhibition along with significant antiglycation potential with an estimated IC50 value of 58.45 ± 1.24, 587.74 ± 3.27, 139.28 ± 2.6 and 285.78 ± 1.287 μg/mL, respectively. Antioxidant activity of PTEE against DPPH (IC50 396.83 ± 2.98 μg/mL), ABTS (151.34 ± 1.79 μg/mL), superoxide (30.29 ± 1.17 μg/mL) and hydroxyl (35.42 ± 1.22 μg/mL) radicals suggests the antioxidant potential of P. tinctorum. Significant antioxidant activity and inhibitory potential against carbohydrate digestive enzymes and AR suggest that P. tinctorum can be developed as functional food/nutraceuticals for diabetes after detailed study.

S-nitrosothiol tethered polymer hexagons: synthesis, characterisation and antibacterial effect

In this work, we portray a new controlled nitric oxide (NO) delivery platform by grafting S-nitrosothiol derived from cysteine into the polymeric backbone of poly(vinyl methyl ether-co-maleic anhydride). Nitrosothiols (RSNO's) are linked to the polymeric backbone through solvent displacement method. By adjusting solvent polarity, materials of different shapes and sizes varying between μm and nm are prepared. More often our method of preparation resulted in hexagonally shaped polymeric materials. The structure and RSNO conjugation analysis was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FT-IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Bactericidal efficacy of nitric oxide releasing polymer hexagons, a novel antibacterial agent is demonstrated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Confocal microscopic studies revealed the enhanced bactericidal effect of polymer hexagons via membrane destruction. Results suggest that this biocompatible NO releasing RSNO conjugated polymer hexagons could be potentially useful for antimicrobial applications.

Allergic contact dermatitis to superglue

Wigs are commonly used to cover baldness. A 28 year old male presented with itchy oozy eythematous lesions on the forehead where the wig was afixed to the scalp. Patch testing with indian standard seies and dental series revealed positivity to 2-hydroxy ethyl meta acrylate present in superglue. We report this case for its clinical rarity.

Synthesis, structural elucidation and spectroscopic analysis of 3a,8b-dihydroxy-4-oxo-1H,2H,3H,3aH,4H,8bH-indeno[1,2-d]imidazolidin-2-iminium chloride

Ninhydrin guanidinium chloride (3a,8b-dihydroxy-4-oxo-1H,2H,3H,3aH,4H,8bH-indeno [1,2-d]imidazolidin-2-iminium chloride) a semiorganic crystal was synthesized. The structure was determined using X-ray single crystal technique. Comparisons between the FT-IR spectrum of ninhydrin guanidinium chloride with ninhydrin were made. Melting point was found using thermal measurements. The molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies and Mulliken charges of the compound in the ground state have been calculated by the density functional theory (DFT) method with 3-21G(d,p) basis set and theoretical frequencies were compared with the experimental FT-IR spectrum. Besides, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) analysis, natural bond orbitals (NBO) and thermodynamic properties at various temperatures of the compound were investigated by theoretical calculations.

Inhibition of tissue factor pathway inhibitor by the aptamer BAX499 improves clotting of hemophilic blood and plasma

BACKGROUND

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is the major inhibitor of tissue factor-initiated coagulation, making it an interesting and novel therapeutic target in hemophilia treatment. The aptamer BAX499 (formerly ARC19499) is designed to improve hemostasis by specifically inhibiting TFPI.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to examine the concentration-dependent augmentation of clotting by BAX499.

METHODS

Whole blood clot formation was quantified by rotational thromboelastometry and thromboelastography, and thrombin generation in platelet-poor plasma was assessed with the calibrated automated thrombogram, in samples from patients with congenital hemophilia A (N=55) and B (N=11), patients with acquired hemophilia A (N=1), and healthy controls (N=37).

RESULTS

BAX499 significantly improved clotting of samples from hemophilic patients in a concentration-dependent manner, resulting in clotting profiles in samples from patients with severe hemophilia that were similar to those of healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

BAX499 improved ex vivo clotting parameters in blood and plasma from patients with hemophilia A and B with different severity of disease, and also in a patient with acquired hemophilia. These results further support the contention that anti TFPI strategies may be an effective treatment for hemophilic patients.

4-[(E)-(Hydroxyimino)methyl]-N,N-dimethylanilinium chloride

In the title compound, C₉H₁₃N₂O⁺·Cl⁻, the cation, apart from the methyl groups, is almost planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.040 (1) Å; the methyl C atoms deviate by 0.389 (2) and −1.247 (1) Å, from the mean plane. In the crystal, cations and anions associate through C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, forming a helical arrangement. In addition, inter­molecular O—H⋯Cl, N—H⋯Cl and C—H⋯N inter­actions are observed.

Resorcinol ninhydrin complex: 1,5,9-trihy-droxy-8-oxatetra-cyclo-[7.7.0.0(2,7).0(10,15)]hexa-deca-2,4,6,10(15),11,13-hexaen-16-one

In the title compound, C₁₅H₁₀O₅, the cyclo­penta­none (r.m.s. deviation = 0.049 Å) and oxolane (r.m.s. deviation = 0.048 Å) rings make a dihedral angle of 67.91 (4)°. An intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bond is observed. In the crystal, mol­ecules associate via O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network.

1-[5-(4-Chloro-phen-yl)-3-(4-hy-droxy-phen-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-ethanone

In the title compound, C(17)H(15)ClN(2)O(2), the benzene rings form dihedral angles of 89.56 (5) and 5.87 (5)° with the mean plane of the pyrazoline ring (r.m.s. deviation = 0.084 Å). The dihedral angle between the two benzene rings is 87.57 (5)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by O-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a helical chain along the c axis. Between the chains weak C-H⋯N and C-H⋯O inter-actions are present. The crystal studied was an inversion twin with a domain ratio of 0.72 (4):0.28 (4).

Preliminary radiological safety assessment for decommissioning of thoria dissolver of the ²³³U pilot plant, Trombay

The thoria dissolver, used for separation of (233)U from reactor-irradiated thorium metal and thorium oxide rods, is no longer operational. It was decided to carry out assessment of the radiological status of the dissolver cell for planning of the future decommissioning/dismantling operations. The dissolver interiors are expected to be contaminated with the dissolution remains of irradiated thorium oxide rods in addition to some of the partially dissolved thoria pellets. Hence, (220)Rn, a daughter product of (228)Th is of major radiological concern. Airborne activity of thoron daughters (212)Pb (Th-B) and (212)Bi (Th-C) was estimated by air sampling followed by high-resolution gamma spectrometry of filter papers. By measuring the full-energy peaks counts in the energy windows of (212)Pb, (212)Bi and (208)Tl, concentrations of thoron progeny in the sampled air were estimated by applying the respective intrinsic peak efficiency factors and suitable correction factors for the equilibration effects of (212)Pb and (212)Bi in the filter paper during the delay between sampling and counting. Then the thoron working level (TWL) was evaluated using the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) methodology. Finally, the potential effective dose to the workers, due to inhalation of thoron and its progeny during dismantling operations was assessed by using dose conversion factors recommended by ICRP. Analysis of filter papers showed a maximum airborne thoron progeny concentration of 30 TWLs inside the dissolver.

Magnetic control of ferroelectric interfaces

We report the strong magnetic field dependence of ferroelectric PbZr(0.52)Ti(0.48)O(3) (PZT) films on half-metallic oxide La(0.67)Sr(0.33)MnO(3) (LSMO) electrodes. As the field H is increased, the hysteresis loop first broadens (becomes lossy) and then disappears at approximately H = 0.34 T and ambient temperatures. The data are compared with the theories of Pirč et al (2009 Phys. Rev. B 79 214114), Parish and Littlewood (2008 Phys. Rev. Lett. 101 166602) and Catalan (2006 Appl. Phys. Lett. 88 102902). The results are interpreted as due not to magnetocapacitance but to the sharp negative magnetoresistance in LSMO at low magnetic fields (Hwang et al 1996 Phys. Rev. Lett. 77 2041), which causes a dramatic increase in leakage current through the PZT.

Metal-ceramic laminate composite magnetoelectric gradiometer

Gradiometer resembles in functionality a magnetic field sensor where it measures the magnetic field gradient and its sensitivity is determined by the ability to quantify differential voltage change with respect to a reference value. Magnetoelectric (ME) gradiometer designed in this study is based upon the nickel (Ni)-Pb(Zr,Ti)O(3) (PZT) composites and utilizes the ring-dot piezoelectric transformer structure working near the resonance as the basis. The samples had the ring-dot electrode pattern printed on the top surface of PZT, where ring acts as the input while dot acts as the output. There is an insulation gap between the input and output section of 1.2 mm. The generated magnetic field due to converse ME effect interacts with the external applied magnetic field producing flux gradient, which is detected through the frequency shift and output voltage change in gradiometer structure. The measurements of output voltage dependence on applied magnetic field clearly illustrate that the proposed design can provide high sensitivity and bandwidth.

Curcumin-induced recovery from hepatic injury involves induction of apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) undergo activation and transdifferentiation to myofibroblast like cells in liver injury, leading to liver fibrosis. During recovery from injury, activated HSCs may either revert back to quiescent state or undergo apoptosis or both. In the present study, we have examined whether recovery from hepatic injury involves apoptosis of activated HSCs and tested whether curcumin (the yellow pigment from Curcuma longa Linn.) promotes recovery from hepatic injury by inducing apoptosis of these cells. Hepatic injury was induced by CCl4 and apoptosis was studied in HSCs isolated from liver by MTT assay, DNA fragmentation, and DAPI and annexin staining. Hepatic recovery was assessed by measuring hepatic marker activities, such as serum GOT, GPT and protein. Hepatic recovery occurred within 4 weeks after inducing injury in untreated control, whereas curcumin treatment caused hepatic recovery within 2 weeks, as evidenced by the reduction of hepatic marker activities to near normal levels. HSCs isolated from liver of animals treated with curcumin showed maximum apoptotic marker activities in 2nd week, whereas in HSCs from untreated control recovering from injury, maximum apoptosis was observed in 4th week. Induction of apoptosis in vivo during hepatic recovery was also suggested by increase in caspase-3 activity. Treatment of isolated HSCs in culture with curcumin caused apoptosis during later stages confirming that curcumin induced apoptosis of activated HSCs and not in unactivated quiescent HSCs. These results suggested that hepatoprotective effect of curcumin causing recovery from injury involved apoptosis of activated HSCs.

Estrogen-dependent cell signaling and apoptosis in BRCA1-blocked BG1 ovarian cancer cells in response to plumbagin and other chemotherapeutic agents

BACKGROUND

Cellular response to chemotherapeutic drugs in the absence of BRCA1 either completely or partially had drawn less attention. The present study evaluated whether there is a differential inhibition of cell growth by selected compounds with respect to BRCA1 status in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive ovarian cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The BG1 ovarian cancer cells used in the experiments were antisensely blocked with BRCA1 gene. Growth inhibition and apoptotic induction were analyzed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects. Small interfering RNA (SiRNA) transfection, western blot analysis, RT-PCR analysis and molecular modeling were carried out to analyze the estrogen-dependent action of plumbagin.

RESULTS

Although we found that all the compounds studied induce apoptosis, the induction was in the order of plumbagin > doxorubicin > tamoxifen > cisplatin. Plumbagin can bind to the active site of ER-alpha. Plumbagin, however, induced ER-alpha 46 kDa truncated isoform, which was found abundantly preempted in the cytoplasm compared with a 66-kDa full-length isoform. The truncated isoform is known to inhibit classical ER-alpha signaling pathways. SiRNA-transfected cells for ER-alpha exhibited lower cytotoxicity upon plumbagin treatment than the control-transfected cells.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, this study indicates that plumbagin has chemotherapeutic potential in BRCA1-mutated/defective ER-positive cancers.

Protective effect of picroliv against hydrazine-induced hyperlipidemia and hepatic steatosis in rats

The protective effect of picroliv (PIC) obtained from Picrorhiza kurroa (family: Scrophulariaceae) against hydrazine (Hz)-induced hyperlipidemia was evaluated in rats. Hz administration (50 mg/kg, i.p.) caused an increase in triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHO), free fatty acids (FFA), and total lipids (TL) in both the plasma and liver tissue of rats accompanied by a fall in phospholipids (PL) in the liver tissue 24 h after its administration, indicating its hyperlipidemic property. The above abnormality was prevented by simultaneous treatment of PIC (50 mg/kg, p.o.) with Hz. Hz treatment also caused an increase in the mobility of TG and TL from adipose tissue, and these results indicate that Hz administration could cause hepatic steatosis by nonhepatocellular factors (such as mobilization of depot fats). This effect was also prevented by simultaneous treatment of PIC with Hz. PIC-alone treatment, however, did not produce any change in the status of all the lipid parameters evaluated in plasma, liver, and adipose tissues. These results indicate that increased mobilization of depot fats from adipose tissue may contribute to the development of hepatic steatosis in addition to decreased lipoprotein secretion, increased hepatic TG biosynthesis, and increased hepatic uptake of FFA. These have been reported as the mechanism responsible for the development of Hz-induced hepatic steatosis. PIC prevents Hz-induced hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and mobilization of lipids from depot fats, but the mechanism behind the protective effect of PIC remains to be elucidated.

Non-resonance micro-Raman spectroscopic studies on crystalline domoic acid and its aqueous solutions

Domoic acid (DA) is a neurotoxin naturally present in the marine ecosystem. Since DA's toxicity has been explained by its molecular structure and particularly because of its ethylenic double bond, spectroscopic investigation of this molecule is of importance. We carried out Raman spectroscopy on crystalline DA and on DA in aqueous solutions (28,000-25 ng DA/mL) and assigned Raman modes in comparison with the Raman spectra of its substructures. Noise-free, clear Raman signal from the solutions containing low concentrations of DA were obtained by applying the drop coating deposition Raman (DCDR) technique. Raman spectra reveal that crystalline DA exists in the zwitterionic form. The Raman spectra of the DA aqueous solutions were analysed in the light of their pH whereas the variation in the spectra was attributed to the hydration, the degree of protonation and crystallinity of the solid film. We show that DCDR can be applied for the rapid detection of domoic acid down to 25 ng DA/mL (0.025 ppm).

Diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidoses: how to avoid false positives and false negatives

OBJECTIVE

This paper advocates a complete procedure, which includes both quantitative and qualitative analysis of urinary GAGs in the diagnosis of MPS in a clinically suspected population.

METHODS

Urine samples from 219 clinically suspected mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) patients and 91 controls were analysed using a combination of methods. Quantitation of isolated urinary glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were carried out using acid alcian blue complex formation method and qualitative urinary GAG analysis by multisolvent sequential thin layer chromatography

RESULTS

Of the 219 patients analysed, 131 were confirmed to be suffering from MPS. Quantitation of urinary GAGs alone would have missed 60 low GAG excreting MPS patients and misdiagnosed 26 high GAG excreting nonMPS as MPS patients. Further qualitative analysis and enzyme estimation were needed to identify these 60 low GAG excreting MPS patients and 26 high GAG excreting non MPS patients.

CONCLUSION

These results emphasize that quantitation of urinary GAGs alone cannot diagnose MPS patients, it should be coupled with qualitative analysis and enzyme estimations for differential/definitive diagnosis.

Discontinuous electrophoresis of glycosaminoglycans: a screening method for mucopolysaccharidoses

A modified discontinuous electrophoretic method for the separation of standard and urinary glycosaminoglycans has been reported. The merits of the method are the simple and easy to handle apparatus, non-requirement of elaborate cooling system, sensitivity and high reproducibility of the results and applicability of the method for the preliminary grouping of the MPS patients to reduce the number of enzyme assays to be done.

A study of the elasticity and tension of fetal membranes and of the relation of the area of the gestational sac to the area of the uterine cavity

The surface area of the uterine cavity before delivery was compared with that of the gestational sac after delivery and experiments were carried out to test the elasticity of membranes and the tension on them during labour. The results indicated that after 28 weeks of pregnancy the intact fetal membranes were under tension and were not a passive lining to the uterine cavity and that there was a significant decrease in the elasticity of those membranes which ruptured before labour irrespective of the maturity of the pregnancy. The results failed to support the suggestion that there was a deficiency in the area of the gestational sac in those cases where the membranes ruptured before labour.