Association of gene-linked SSR markers to seed glucosinolate content in oilseed rape (Brassica napus ssp. napus)

Breeding of oilseed rape (Brassica napus ssp. napus) has evoked a strong bottleneck selection towards double-low (00) seed quality with zero erucic acid and low seed glucosinolate content. The resulting reduction of genetic variability in elite 00-quality oilseed rape is particularly relevant with regard to the development of genetically diverse heterotic pools for hybrid breeding. In contrast, B. napus genotypes containing high levels of erucic acid and seed glucosinolates (++ quality) represent a comparatively genetically divergent source of germplasm. Seed glucosinolate content is a complex quantitative trait, however, meaning that the introgression of novel germplasm from this gene pool requires recurrent backcrossing to avoid linkage drag for high glucosinolate content. Molecular markers for key low-glucosinolate alleles could potentially improve the selection process. The aim of this study was to identify potentially gene-linked markers for important seed glucosinolate loci via structure-based allele-trait association studies in genetically diverse B. napus genotypes. The analyses included a set of new simple-sequence repeat (SSR) markers whose orthologs in Arabidopsis thaliana are physically closely linked to promising candidate genes for glucosinolate biosynthesis. We found evidence that four genes involved in the biosynthesis of indole, aliphatic and aromatic glucosinolates might be associated with known quantitative trait loci for total seed glucosinolate content in B. napus. Markers linked to homoeologous loci of these genes in the paleopolyploid B. napus genome were found to be associated with a significant effect on the seed glucosinolate content. This example shows the potential of Arabidopsis-Brassica comparative genome analysis for synteny-based identification of gene-linked SSR markers that can potentially be used in marker-assisted selection for an important trait in oilseed rape.

Direct in vivo assessment of microcirculatory dysfunction in severe falciparum malaria

BACKGROUND

This study sought to describe and quantify microcirculatory changes in the mucosal surfaces of patients with severe malaria, by direct in vivo observation using orthogonal polarization spectral (OPS) imaging.

METHODS

The microcirculation in the rectal mucosa of adult patients with severe malaria was assessed by use of OPS imaging, at admission and then daily. Comparison groups comprised patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria, patients with bacterial sepsis, and healthy individuals.

RESULTS

Erythrocyte velocities were measured directly in 43 adult patients with severe falciparum malaria, of whom 20 died. Microcirculatory blood flow was markedly disturbed, with heterogeneous obstruction that was proportional to severity of disease. Blocked capillaries were found in 29 patients (67%) and were associated with concurrent hyperdynamic blood flow (erythrocyte velocity, >750 mm/s) in adjacent vessels in 27 patients (93%). The proportion of blocked capillaries correlated with the base deficit in plasma and with the concentration of lactate. Abnormalities disappeared when the patients recovered. In healthy individuals and in patients with uncomplicated malaria or sepsis, no stagnant erythrocytes were detected, and, in patients with sepsis, hyperdynamic blood flow was prominent.

CONCLUSION

Patients with severe falciparum malaria show extensive microvascular obstruction that is proportional to the severity of the disease. This finding underscores the prominent role that microvascular obstruction plays in the pathophysiology of severe malaria and illustrates the fundamental difference between the microvascular pathophysiology of malaria and that of bacterial sepsis.

Tubercular splenic abscess

Splenic abscess is a rare clinical condition and yet rarer is a tubercular splenic abscess. Here we report a case of tubercular splenic abscess. A forty years old male patient was admitted in Medicine unit of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH) on 09-08-2006 with the complaints of Left upper quadrant abdominal pain and fever for 15 days and Respiratory difficulty for 2 days. Two days after admission he developed generalized abdominal pain and distension. Pain was not associated with vomiting. Patient was transferred to surgical unit for features of peritonitis. Ultrasonogram of whole abdomen revealed moderately enlarged spleen showing 8.8 x 9.7 cm semicystic mass, which may represent an abscess. There was mild free fluid collection in the lower abdomen. X-ray chest P/A view showed bilateral pleural effusion. On laparotomy huge amount of free pus was found in the peritoneal cavity and the spleen was hugely enlarged with a burst abscess cavity in it. Splenectomy and thorough peritoneal toileting was done. Postoperative recovery was uneventful except few stitch infections. Pus culture revealed no growth but histopathology of spleen confirmed Tubercular Splenic Abscess. Patient was given an antitubercular regimen with Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Ethambutol and Pyrazinamide for initial two month which to be followed by Rifampicin and Isoniazid for another ten months.

Duplex ultrasound evaluation for dialysis access selection and maintenance: a practical guide

Detailed case directed history and examination is the mainstay of dialysis access modality selection, ie site and type of access, as well as for maintenance of dialysis access for longevity. As a logical step following history and physical examination, duplex ultrasound evaluation (DUE) is the most cost effective and non-invasive screening tool for evaluation for access placement and for assessment of an established access. Pre-operative vascular mapping allows selection of the optimal dialysis access modality and site. In established accesses, duplex ultrasound testing will diagnose the majority of vascular access complications and direct proper surgical or interventional radiology management. This review outlines a practical decision-making algorithm using DUE for choosing and managing the dialysis access.

Comparison of efficacy between Tamsulosin and Finasteride on symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

This prospective study was done to compare the efficacy of Tamsulosin and Finasteride for the medical treatment of symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) at the surgery and urology outpatient department of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital during the period from January 2003 to December 2004. Closely matched 70 patients in the age range of 50-80 years presented with lower urinary tract symptoms and clinically diagnosed as BPH were selected in the present study. Among them, 36 patients (Group I) and 34 patients (Group II) were treated with Tamsulosin (0.4 mg once daily) and Finasteride (5 mg once daily) for a duration of 06 months respectively. The efficacy of two drugs was compared on the basis of IPSS and Qmax. The base-line parameters of both groups were statistically insignificant. A significant improvement of IPSS and Qmax was found after 06 months of treatment in both groups (P<0.001). A significant improvement of IPSS Qmax was found in both groups (p<0.001) during follow-up at 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th month. It was also observed that Tamsulosin improved the IPSS and Qmax more quickly than Finasteride.

Comparative study of endoscopic band ligation and sclerotherapy for treatment of oesophageal varices in cirrhotic patients

A prospective randomized study was done comparing endoscopic band ligation and sclerotherapy for the treatment of oesophageal varices. Hundred fifty cirrhotic patients with history of bleeding from varices were included in the study. Seventy-five patients got sclerotherapy and 75 got band ligation of varices. Both sclerotherapy and band ligation were continued till obliteration of varices. Clinical as well as the biochemical parameters of the two groups of patients and the severity of the liver diseases were similar in both groups. The mean period of follow up was 337 days for sclerotherapy group and 376 days for band ligation group. The mean time to eradicate the varices was significantly shorter with banding (35+/-4.1 vs 75+/-6.5, p<0.001). The mean number of treatment sessions was significantly less with banding (2.3+/-3.1 vs 5.2+/-2.1, p<.001). Rebleeding was significantly more with sclerotherapy (20 vs. 8 with p<0.01). The variables significantly associated with rebleeding were hypoalbuminaemia (p<.01), and active bleeding at index endoscopy (p<0.001). Different complications like oesophageal ulcer, bleeding from ulcer and the symptoms of oesophageal stricture were more in the sclerotherapy group. There was no significant difference in survival between the two groups. Number of blood transfusions and duration of hospitalization were less in band ligation group. There was no difference in terms of recurrence between the two groups. From the study we suggest that band ligation has less local complications and causes earlier eradication of varices than sclerotherapy. Therefore, band ligation may be the first choice of therapy for oesophageal varices.

Serial quantitative diffusion tensor MRI of the term neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)

AIM

To determine the altered pattern of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) change in brain parenchyma in serially studied neonates with mild or moderate hypoxic ischemic injury (HIE) within 7 days after birth and again at the age of three months.

METHODS

Serial diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed at two-time points in term neonates with mild (n = 7) and moderate (n = 10) HIE and age/sex-matched controls (n = 7). Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed at the time of the 2nd study.

RESULTS

On comparing FA and MD changes over time using two-way analysis of variance between neonates with HIE and controls, we observed significant differences in age-related FA increase (p < 0.05) in anterior limb of internal capsule and periventricular white matter of parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes. Significant differences in age-related MD decrease (p < 0.05) was observed in the caudate nuclei, and temporal white matter among these groups. Significant positive correlation was observed between neurodevelopmental outcome and FA.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that abnormal FA and MD values help in early and more accurate assessment of microstructural damage in HIE that may have predictive value for long-term neurofunctional outcome in these neonates.

Diastolic and systolic right ventricular dysfunction precedes left ventricular dysfunction in patients paced from right ventricular apex

BACKGROUND

Cardiac dysfunction after right ventricular (RV) apical pacing is well known but its extent, time frame of appearance and individual effect on left ventricular (LV), RV systolic and diastolic parameters has not evaluated in a systematic fashion.

METHODS

Patients with symptomatic bradycardia and ACC-AHA Class I indication for permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) were implanted a single chamber (VVI) pacemaker. They were followed prospectively by echocardiographic examination which was done at baseline, 1 week, 1 month and 6 months after implantation. Parameters observed were chamber dimensions (M-line), chamber volumes, cardiac output (modified Simpson's method), systolic functions (ejection fraction, pre-ejection period, ejection time and ratio) and diastolic functions( isovolumic relaxation time & deceleration time) of left and right heart.

RESULTS

Forty eight consecutive patients (mean age 65.6+/-11.8 yrs, 66.7% males, mean EF 61.82+/-10.36%) implanted a VVI pacemaker were enrolled in this study. The first significant change to appear in cardiac function after VVI pacing was in diastolic properties of RV as shown by increase in RV isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) from 65.89+/-15.93 to 76.58+/-17.00 ms,(p<0.001) at 1week and RV deceleration time (DT) from 133.84+/-38.13 to 153.09+/-31.41 ms, (p=0.02) at 1 month. Increase in RV internal dimension (RVID) from 1.26+/-0.41 to 1.44+/-0.44, (p<0.05) was also noticed at 1 week. The LV diastolic parameters were significantly altered after 1 month with increase in LV-IVRT from 92.36+/-21.47 to 117.24+/-27.21ms, (p<0.001) and increase in LV DT from 147.56+/-31.84 to 189.27+/-28.49ms,(p<0.01). This was followed by LV systolic abnormality which appeared at 6 months with an increase in LVPEP from 100.33+/-14.43 to 118.41+/-21.34ms, (p<0.001) and increase in LVPEP/LVET ratio from 0.34+/-0.46 to 0.44+/-0.10, (p<0.001)]. The reduction in LV EF was manifested at 6 months falling from 61.82+/-10.36% to52.52+/-12.11%, (p<0.05) without any significant change in the resting cardiac output.

CONCLUSION

The present study shows that dysfunction of right ventricle is the first abnormality that occurs in VVI paced patients, which manifests by 1 week followed by LV dysfunction which starts appearing by 1 month and the diastolic dysfunctions precede the systolic dysfunction in both ventricles.

A case report of drinking glass in rectum

A fifty years old man was admitted in the Dept. of Surgery of Community Based Medical College, Bangladesh, Hospital with the history of pain and distension of lower abdomen for 4 days with obstipation for the same duration. He gave history of being assaulted and forceful introduction of some foreign body per-rectally 5 days back. History, clinical examination and abdominal X-rays diagnosed the case as impacted foreign body in rectum. He was undergone laparotomy and a big drinking glass was extracted from sigmoid colon. Patient developed subcutaneous stitch infection postoperatively and discharged from the hospital after controlling the infection.

Ergebnisse der konservativen Therapie beim frischen und alten ligamentären Mallet-Finger

BACKGROUND

In the treatment of the acute ligamentous mallet finger, conservative therapy with a Stack or Winterstein splint is an established approach, though there are many different conservative therapy regimes. There are even more therapy options for the chronic mallet finger (more than 4 weeks old) including different operation techniques.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In a retrospective study, 44 patients with an acute and 33 patients with a chronic ligamentous mallet finger treated with a Stack or Winterstein splint were investigated.

RESULTS

The results in both groups are satisfactory (SD <10 degrees : 70.5% in the acute, 87.9% in the chronic lesions). The subjective satisfaction (scale 1-6) was high in both groups. It was even significantly higher in the group with the chronic lesions (acute: 2.55+/-1.63, chronic: 1.82+/-1.38). In both groups there was no correlation between an initially high extension deficit and a bad therapy outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Also in chronic ligamentous mallet finger, conservative therapy should be attempted before an operation, irrespective of the initial extension deficit, especially because the stress and the therapy risk for the patient with this therapy is small.

Evaluation of 68 cases of chest injuries

During the period of January, 2003 to December 2004 a descriptive cross-sectional study was done to evaluate the variations in clinical pictures of chest injury, rural and urban distribution, weapons used commonly and finally the result of existing treatment facilities in a general surgical unit of a tertiary level hospital. Total number of patient was 68. All patients of chest injury with or without extra-thoracic other injuries admitted in this period was included non-randomly. Diagnosis was based on history, clinical examination and relevant investigation like radiography and ultrasonography. Penetrating injury predominates over blunt injury in this study. Associated extra thoracic injury was present in a good number of cases. Most of the weapons were made locally and were used in household purposes. Homicidal injury predominates over accidental and incidence is more in rural than in urban areas. Most of the cases were treated by general supportive measures with or without intercostal tube thoracostomy. The outcome of treatment was satisfactory. Only one patient developed empyema thoracis and two patients died.

Economic disparity and child nutrition in Bangladesh

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the economic difference in nutrition of under-five children.

METHODS

Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey data 1999-2000 were used for this study. In this study, quintiles were calculated on the basis of asset and wealth score by use of principal component analysis. To understand the nutrition status and health inequality concentration index was also calculated.

RESULTS

The ratio of poorest to the richest indicates that stunting and underweight of the rural under-five children was almost two times higher than that of the richest children. The negative concentration index shows that higher rate of malnutrition among the under-five children from the poorest class. This inequality in health situation of the children can be explained in terms of income inequality. In Bangladesh, about 40% wealth is concentrated to 10% of the families. The results are discussed in terms of policy consideration.

CONCLUSION

It is expected that the findings will lead to consider alternative program strategies for the reduction of poor nutritional status of the children and their mothers.

Macrophage level is not affected by monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in invasive ductal breast carcinoma

PURPOSE AND METHOD

Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) is a chemokine involved in the macrophage infiltration of tumor tissue. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a population of mononuclear phagocytic cells that can have a complex function in tumor biology. The aim of this study was to determine the possible correlation between parenchymal MCP-1 expression and TAM level by immunohistochemical analysis of 97 invasive ductal breast carcinomas, not otherwise specified (NOS), and to investigate their relation with tumor size, histological grade, mitotic activity index (MAI) and lymph node status. Secondly, the MCP-1 mRNA was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in eight samples of normal breast tissue and 27 samples of invasive breast carcinomas and compared with TAMs.

RESULTS

MCP-1 immunoreactivity was present in tumor cells (17/97), but also in TAMs, fibroblasts and endothelial cells. The statistical analysis did not show a significant correlation between MCP-1 expression in tumoral epithelium and tumor size, histological grade, MAI, lymph node status or TAMs. The results of RT-PCR showed that, in all cases of breast carcinomas (27/27) and the majority of normal breast tissues (7/8), the number of detected MCP-1 cDNA copies was above the detection limit. However, carcinomas showed higher levels of MCP-1 mRNA than normal breast tissue. Nevertheless, the statistical analysis did not find a significant correlation between MCP-1 expression and macrophage infiltrations.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that MCP-1 is probably not the only and/or crucial factor involved in macrophage attraction to tumor locus in breast carcinoma.

The accuracy of information on current drug therapy in geriatric out-patients' records

We have undertaken a survey to investigate the accuracy of the information about current drug therapy contained in the case notes of geriatric out-patients. One hundred patients (age range 68-92 years, mean age 72, 58F/42M) attending the geriatric out-patient department and taking three or more drugs were included in this study. The final version of drug treatment (established after seeing the drugs that were brought by the patients at their clinic visit) differed from the one based on the case notes review in 72 (72%) of the cases and the one produced after taking a drug history at an earlier clinic visit in 56 (56%) of the cases. In 54 (54%) of the cases the discrepancies resulted from patients taking one or more additional drugs. 16 (16%) were taking a different dosage of some drugs. There were some major errors or omissions in the treatment regimen in 20 (20%) of cases. The elderly out-patients are being placed at risk of toxicity by unnecessary and excessive prescribing and inadequate supervision of their treatment.

Comparative bioavailability of two cefadroxil products using serum and urine data in healthy human volunteers

1. The aim of the present study was to assess the bioequivalence of two cefadroxil products, namely Ultracef (a reference product) in the form of a 500 mg capsule (produced by Bristol-Myers Squibb Laboratories, Princeton, NJ, USA) and Roxil (a test product) in the form of a 500 mg capsule (produced by Tabuk Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia). 2. The study was performed under US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines (http://www.fda.gov/cder) on 24 healthy male subjects. Both products were administered orally as a single dose (1 x 500 mg capsule) separated by a 1 week washout period. Following oral administration, blood and urine samples were obtained and analysed for cefadroxil concentrations using a sensitive and specific HPLC assay. 3. There were no statistically significant differences between the two products in either the mean concentration-time profiles or the cumulative urinary excretion of cefadroxil at various times. Similarly, no statistical significance was observed in the pharmacokinetic parameters reflecting rate and extent of drug absorption. The relative extent of drug absorption, assessed by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) ratio for Roxil/Ultracef for 10 h and for infinity was 0.94 with 90% confidence limits (CL) of 0.91-0.98. In agreement with serum data, the average ratio (Roxil/Ultracef) of the cumulative amount of cefadroxil excreted in urine 10 h after the dose was found to be 0.97, with 90% CL of 0.88-1.05. The CL of the AUC and cumulative urinary excretion ratios are within the FDA accepted limits for bioequivalent products (0.80-1.25). 4. These findings show that serum and urine data of cefadroxil are in agreement and indicate that Roxil (the test product) and Ultracef (the reference product) are bioequivalent in terms of the rate and extent of drug absorption.