Antimicrobial efficacy of metapex (calcium hydroxide with iodoform formulation) at different concentrations against selected microorganisms--an in vitro study

The objective of this study was to assess, in vitro, the effectiveness of several concentrations of Metapex (0.22 gm/ml, 0.022 gm/ml, 0.0022 gm/ml) in the elimination of selected microorganisms. Different concentrations of Metapex were prepared by dissolving it in ethanol (99.9%) Pre-sterilized Whatman paper discs, 6 mm in diameter and soaked with the test solution, were prepared and placed onto the previously seeded agar Petri plates. Plates were incubated aerobically for Enterococcus faecalis (E. Faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans), anaerobically for Bacteroid fragilis (B. fragilis) and Propionibacterium acne respectivally. A zone of inhibition was recorded for each plate and the results were analysed statistically. There was significant reduction in the size of zone of inhibition against P. acne, as the concentration of metapex decreases. At lower concentrations of metapex there was no zone of inhibition observed against E. Faecalis, C. Albicans and B. Fragilis. The result of this study suggested that Metapex is a potent antimicrobial agent at higher concentration.

A novel study of screening and confirmation of modafinil, adrafinil and their metabolite modafinilic acid under EI-GC-MS and ESI-LC-MS-MS ionization

OBJECTIVE

Adrafinil and modafinil have received wide publicity and have become controversial in the sporting world when several athletes were discovered allegedly using these drugs as doping agents. By acknowledging the facts, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned these drugs in sports since 2004. The present study explores the possibility of differentiating adrafinil and modafinil and their major metabolites under electron impact ionization in gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MSD) and electrospray ionization in liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) by studying the fragmentation pattern of these drugs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adrafinil, modafinil and their major metabolite, modafinilic acid were analyzed on EI-GC-MSD and ESI-LC-MS/MS using various individual parameters on both the instruments. The analytical technique and equipment used in the analysis were an Agilent 6890N GC with 5973 mass selective detector for the GC-MSD analysis and an Agilent 1100 HPLC with API-3200 Triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for the LC-MS/MS analysis. Validation of both methods was performed using six replicates at different concentrations.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The results show that adrafinil, modafinil and their major metabolite modafinilic acid could be detected as a single artifact without differentiation under EI-GC-MSD analysis. However, all drugs could be detected and differentiated under ESI-LCMS/MS analysis without any artifaction. The GC-MSD analysis gives a single artifact for both the drugs without differentiation and thus can be used as a marker for screening purposes. Further, the Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) method developed under LC-MS/MS is fit for the purpose for confirmation of suspicious samples in routine sports testing and in forensic and clinical analysis.

Restricted dispersal and genetic diversity in populations of an endangered montane lizard (Eulamprus leuraensis, Scincidae)

Many alpine species are under threat from global climate change, as their geographic ranges become increasingly fragmented and unsuitable. Understanding rates and determinants of gene flow among such fragmented populations, over historical as well as recent timescales, can help to identify populations under threat. It is also important to clarify the degree to which loss of local populations reduces overall genetic diversity within the taxon. The endangered Blue Mountains Water Skink (Eulamprus leuraensis) is restricted to <40 small swamps in montane south-eastern Australia. Our analyses of seven microsatellite loci of 241 animals from 13 populations show strong geographic structure, with major genetic divergence even between populations separated by <0.5 km. Dispersal between populations is scarce, and appears to involve mostly males. Our analyses suggest potential recent bottleneck events in all the identified populations, and lower genetic diversity and population size parameter at lower-elevation sites than at higher-elevation sites. Management of this endangered taxon thus needs to treat most populations separately, because of their genetic distinctiveness and low rates of genetic exchange.

Differential transcriptional expression following thidiazuron-induced callus differentiation developmental shifts in rice

Very little is known about molecular events associated with callus differentiation in indica rice. The genes expressed differentially during shoot meristem initiation were identified on genomic arrays applied to efficiently regenerating rice calli. A thidiazuron (TDZ; N-phenyl-N-thiadiazol-1,2,3-5,ylurea)-dependent regeneration protocol was developed for efficient embryogenesis in indica rice. The regenerating embryogenic calli induced by TDZ for 10 days showed transcriptional modulation of a number of genes associated with photosynthesis, hormone metabolism, plant development, signal transduction, light response, and plant defense. Eighteen candidate miRNAs were predicted to target the genes expressed differentially in the embryogenic calli grown in TDZ-containing medium. The majority of the photosynthesis-related genes up-regulated in differentiating calli were not expressed or were down-regulated in developing seeds and inflorescences. Most of the genes down-regulated in differentiating calli were up-regulated in developing seeds. The transcriptome of differentiating callus most closely resembled that of the germinating whole seed.

Health care disparity: An analysis of breast, colon, and lung cancer

6579

Background: Lung cancer patients are associated with feeling of guilt about their disease (Schmidt ASCO 2006) and less likely to be referred to specialists (Wassenaar ASCO 2006). They are also commonly affected by smoking related comorbidities. A study was undertaken to evaluate whether treatment differences between lung and other cancers exist. Methods: Public access data for the year 2005 from the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was analyzed. Treatment data were categorized by institution (teaching/research [TR] versus community cancer center [CC]) and tumor type (non-small cell lung cancer-NSCLC, breast, colon cancer). Descriptive analysis was performed with student T tests for proportions. Results: The analysis included 18,960 NSCLC patients from a CC and 33,924 from a TR. More patients at TR than CC had surgery: Stage I 65% vs 52% (p < 0.001), Stage II 35% vs 22% (p < 0.001), respectively. The frequency of chemoradiation for stage I and II was higher in CC than TR: stage I 6% vs 3% (p = 0.10), stage II 19% vs 9% (p = 0.004). The frequency of no first course treatment at initial presentation at CC and TR were the following: stage I 15% vs 6%, stage II 18% vs 8%, stage III 21% vs 19%, stage IV 30% vs 24%. For breast and colon cancer, no major differences in no first course treatments were seen between TR and CC in a stage based analysis. More patients with NSCLC (21.2%) did not receive first course treatment in comparison to breast (3.4%, p < 0.001) or colon cancer (7.8%, p < 0.001). These differences were maintained in stage based analysis of the three tumor types. Conclusions: NSCLC patients are at higher risk of not receiving treatment as opposed to those with breast and colon cancer. While medical comorbidities in lung cancer patients may affect these treatment decisions, we noted a higher incidence of no first course treatment in CC than TR centers. For stage I and II, the frequency of no first course treatment in a CC was twice that of a TR. Such institution based differences were not noted in breast and colon cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Bronchospasm associated with anti-TNF treatment

The aetiology of breathing difficulties in patients with inflammatory arthritis being treated with anti-TNF agents can be multi-factorial. Exacerbation of fibrosing alveolitis in patients recently commencing Infliximab has been previously described. Bronchospasm, although reported in some study patients, has not been formally investigated so far. The objective of this study is to define the incidence of bronchospasm in patients treated with anti-TNF agents and investigate details of their respiratory problems. We retrospectively reviewed the notes for 421 patients with inflammatory arthritis being treated with anti-TNF agents at our centre to identify patients who had developed respiratory symptoms during the course of this treatment (cardiac or pleural disease, thromboembolic phenomena or infection were excluded). We identified 7 patients where bronchospasm was thought to be due to treatment with anti-TNF drugs (1.7%). Four of these had to discontinue anti-TNF treatment; two of these needed oral corticosteroid therapy. Two patients were stabilised with increased inhaled beta-2 agonist and steroid, while one patient did not need treatment. All patients had significant exposure to smoking. Bronchospasm is not an uncommon side-effect of anti-TNF treatment. The aetiology of this is probably multi-factorial, but current or previous smoking appears to be a predisposing factor. The frequency and severity of bronchospasm appears to be greater than previously anticipated, all three anti-TNF agents appear to be implicated.

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration using a rigid nephroscope

Background

Patients with cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis are increasingly managed with laparoscopic bile duct exploration and cholecystectomy. Large impacted bile duct stones continue to defy laparoscopic extraction. This study explored the feasibility of laparoscopic bile duct clearance using a rigid nephroscope, which is suited to extracting large stones.

Method

This prospective study recruited patients with large bile duct stones and a bile duct wider than 8 mm on ultrasonography. In addition to standard ports for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a custom-made 9-mm port was introduced in the epigastrium for the rigid nephroscope, which was negotiated into the bile duct through a choledochotomy. Rigid graspers and lithotripters were introduced through the nephroscope to fragment and remove the calculi.

Results

Between December 2005 and September 2008, 18 patients had nephroscope-guided bile duct exploration (mean(s.d.) age 49(13·9) years, bile duct diameter 11·3(2·3) mm). Three patients had solitary stones and 15 had multiple calculi. Most of the stones were removed with graspers, but the lithotripter was required in five patients. The mean(s.d.) hospital stay was 6(2·3) days. Two patients required postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography for residual stones.

Conclusion

The rigid nephroscope was useful for laparoscopic bile duct exploration, particularly for large impacted stones.