A preliminary report on the genetic variation in pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.) as assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA

Pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.) is an economically important cucurbit and is extensively propagated through vegetative means, viz vine and root cuttings. As the accessions are poorly characterized it is important at the beginning of a breeding programme to discriminate among available genotypes to establish the level of genetic diversity. The genetic diversity of 10 pointed gourd races, referred to as accessions was evaluated. DNA profiling was generated using 10 sequence independent RAPD markers. A total of 58 scorable loci were observed out of which 18 (31.03%) loci were considered polymorphic. Genetic diversity parameters [average and effective number of alleles, Shannon's index, percent polymorphism, Nei's gene diversity, polymorphic information content (PIC)] for RAPD along with UPGMA clustering based on Jaccard's coefficient were estimated. The UPGMA dendogram constructed based on RAPD analysis in 10 pointed gourd accessions were found to be grouped in a single cluster and may represent members of one heterotic group. RAPD analysis showed promise as an effective tool in estimating genetic polymorphism in different accessions of pointed gourd.

Primary amelanotic melanoma of the breast: combating a rare cancer

BACKGROUND

Malignant melanoma is the foremost cause of metastasis to the breast from extramammary solid neoplasm. However primary melanoma of the breast is a distinct rarity. Primary melanoma involves the skin and less commonly the glandular parenchyma of the breast.

METHOD

We herein describe a case of primary amelanotic melanoma of the breast parenchyma in a 32-year-old female managed with a combination of surgery, adjuvant radiotherapy and immunotherapy.

CONCLUSION

This case report aims to increase awareness of unusual neoplasms of the breast which might require a different surgical and adjuvant therapeutic approach.

Coagulation factor XIII deficiency. Diagnosis, prevalence and management of inherited and acquired forms

The plasma circulating zymogenic coagulation factor XIII (FXIII) is a protransglutaminase, which upon activation by thrombin and calcium cross-links preformed fibrin clots/fibrinolytic inhibitors making them mechanically stable and less susceptible to fibrinolysis. The zymogenic plasma FXIII molecule is a heterotetramer composed of two catalytic FXIII-A and two protective FXIII-B subunits. Factor XIII deficiency resulting from inherited or acquired causes can result in pathological bleeding episodes. A diverse spectrum of mutations have been reported in the F13A1 and F13B genes which cause inherited severe FXIII deficiency. The inherited severe FXIII deficiency, which is a rare coagulation disorder with a prevalence of 1 in 4 million has been the prime focus of clinical and genetic investigations owing to the severity of the bleeding phenotype associated with it. Recently however, with a growing understanding into the pleiotropic roles of FXIII, the fairly frequent milder form of FXIII deficiency caused by heterozygous mutations has become one of the subjects of investigative research. The acquired form of FXIII deficiency is usually caused by generation of autoantibodies or hyperconsumption in other disease states such as disseminated intravascular coagulation. Here, we update the knowledge about the pathophysiology of factor XIII deficiency and its therapeutic options.

Ascites, anemia and (intestinal) atresia

We report a neonate who presented antenatally with fetal ascites and fetal anemia. The cause of this remained uncertain until 2 weeks later when bowel dilatation was noted on antenatal ultrasound. Clinical signs of intestinal obstruction became evident after delivery, and ileal atresia was found at laparotomy, which was resected with primary anastomosis. Recent reports in the literature have suggested a possible connection between fetal ascites, anemia and dilated bowel with neonatal intestinal obstruction. In these cases and ours, the likely sequence of events was that of in utero midgut volvulus with bleeding into ischemic bowel, hemorrhagic ascites resulting in fetal anemia and progressive bowel dilatation occurring as a consequence of intestinal atresia. Early treatment in our patient with intrauterine blood transfusion may have altered the natural history of her condition, allowing pregnancy to progress to term with a subsequent improved outcome.

Observational assessment and correlates to blood pressure of future physicians of Bengal

INTRODUCTION

Hypertension is a modern day epidemic and growing public health problem. A sizable proportion of world populations suffer from prehypertension or hypertension.

OBJECTIVES

The present study was carried out to detect the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension among undergraduate medical students and to identify the associated risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was observational in nature and was done in medical colleges of Bengal. Study tool was a predesigned, pretested, validated, and semi-structured questionnaire containing both open-ended and close-ended questions. Data were collected through self-administration, clinical, and anthropometric examination. The data were then tabulated, analyzed and interpretation was done by using percentage and Chi-square test.

RESULTS

Most of the students (63%) were young adults, predominantly males (67%) and day scholars (71%). Almost one-third of them either suffered from hypertension or at risk of hypertension. Hypertension was found higher among male students. Family history of hypertension or diabetes mellitus was not associated with hypertension. Vegetarian or nonvegetarian diet or extra-salt consumption was also not associated with hypertension. Smoking was shown positively associated with hypertension but alcohol consumption was not. Higher per capita monthly income and overweight or obesity were shown positively associated with hypertension.

CONCLUSION

The overall prevalence of hypertension in this study was 13% and there were positive association of hypertension with multiple socio-demographic factors like age, sex, type of family, per capita monthly income, residence, BMI, smoking, etc.

Bleomycin induced flagellate erythema: Revisiting a unique complication

Bleomycin induced flagellate dermatitis is a rare and unique adverse effect. With the declining use of bleomycin, this complication is becoming increasingly infrequent in common clinical practice. We herein describe a case of a 22-year-old Indian male with Hodgkin's lymphoma, Ann Arbor stage IIBEX developing flagellate dermatitis following 1(st) cycle of chemotherapy with ABVD regimen. The diagnostic dilemma in the illustrative case underscores the importance of awareness and prompt identification and treatment of this dermatological toxicity in limiting morbidity in patients undergoing bleomycin based combination chemotherapy. In patients having severe rash, bleomycin should be expeditiously discontinued. Omission of bleomycin does not compromise the treatment outcome in the majority of patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Occult HBV infection among anti-HBc positive HIV-infected patients in apex referral centre, Eastern India

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of occult HBV, defined by the presence of HBV DNA in individuals with antibodies to HBV core antigen and with absence of HBV surface antigen, but its clinical significance and virological features in HIV-infected patients is still unclear.

AIM

To investigate the prevalence, clinical significance and molecular characterization of occult hepatitis B virus infection in ART-Naive HIV-positive individuals.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Among the 1077 HIV-infected patients with different risk factors for HIV infection, 297 were HBsAg-ve ART-naive, of them 112 was randomly selected for the study. HBV DNA was tested by in-house PCR and quantified by qPCR. Molecular characterization was performed by sequencing the envelope and overlapping polymerase genes.

RESULTS

We found the prevalence of occult HBV to be 10.7% among a randomly selected group of HBsAg-ve/antiHBc+ve HIV-infected patients. Overall 33.9% (38 of 112) of the patients were antiHBc positive indicating exposure to HBV infection. HBV DNA was detected in 12/38 (31.5%) antiHBc positive samples and 50% of them had CD4 T cell count < 200 cells/mm(3). HCV coinfection was low (2.7%). No surrogate marker for OBI could be identified. Presence of antiHBs antibodies did not rule out OBI. Liver biopsy in six cases showed varying stages of chronic hepatitis. Several mutations were detected but not the common immune escape mutant G145R.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion the prevalence of OBI was significantly high among HIV coinfected patients, which highlights the importance of HBV DNA testing in these patients and indicates need for further prospective studies in larger cohorts to assess its clinical significance.

Associations between pollen counts, pollutants, and asthma-related hospital admissions in a high-density Indian metropolis

BACKGROUND

The seasonal pattern of asthma-related hospitalization has often been correlated with ambient allergen/pollutant levels.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between asthma-related hospital admissions (ARHA) and outdoor pollen, spore, and pollutant levels for adult patients in a densely populated Indian megacity Kolkata.

METHODS

ARHA data were obtained from two major teaching hospitals of the city. Pollen and spores causing allergic sensitization were identified by skin prick tests (SPTs) among respiratory allergic subjects (N = 1353). Outdoor concentrations of aeroallergens were determined using a Burkard sampler for five consecutive years (2004-2009). Levels of NO(2), SO(2), suspended particulate matters (SPMs), and respirable particulate matters (RPMs) were made available by West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB, Government of West Bengal). Poisson multivariate Poisson regression (with adjustments for overdispersion) was used to model the data. Results. We found that ARHA in Kolkata increased with predictable regularity in March and September, while remaining low in January and July. SPT showed highly positive skin reactions with grass/weed and palm pollens in respiratory allergic patients, while Aspergilli spores also evoked good sensitivity. In our regression model, the airborne pollen types, Cheno-Amaranthaceae and Cyperaceae, and the inorganic pollutant, SO(2) and RPM, were significantly associated with ARHA (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

ARHA in the megacity of Kolkata shows two seasonal peaks that can be correlated with outdoor grass/weed pollen and RPM concentrations. In contrast, the city's ambient fungal spore counts were not found to be significantly associated.