Prediction of severity of dengue infection in children based on hepatic involvement

Background and Aim

To assess the spectrum of hepatic involvement in children with dengue fever (DF) and prediction of severity of dengue infection by early detection of elevated liver enzymes.

Methods

This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital from June 2019 to September 2019. Children admitted with DF were included. Severity of DF was graded as dengue without warning sign (DNWS), with warning sign (DWS), and severe dengue fever (SDF) according to WHO criteria. Liver injury (LI) was defined as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) more than upper limit of normal irrespective of sex.

Results

Of 190 children (male, 109) with DF, 60 had DNWS, 49 had DWS, and 81 had SDF. A total of 100 children (52.6%) had LI. The distribution of hepatic involvement spectrum involves hepatomegaly (26.3%), hepatic tenderness (25.2%), features of acute liver failure (1.5%), raised level of ALT (52.6%), raised level of aspartateaminotransferase (AST) (65.8%), prolonged prothrombin time (7.3%), and reduced level of serum albumin (44.7%) in children. Of them, 5.8% and 6.8% of children had >tenfold increase in ALT and AST values. The degree of liver function derangement significantly (P < 0.05) increased with DF severity. In our study, ALT at 422 IU/L (10 times upper limit of normal [ULN]) and AST 689 IU/L (17 times ULN) had similar sensitivity and specificity as WHO recommended cutoff of 1000 IU/L (25 times of ULN) to detect SDF.

Conclusion

ALT ≥10 times and AST ≥17 times of ULN are as sensitive as ≥25 times (as recommended by WHO) to detect SDF.

The impact of diabetes mellitus on improvement of resting rate pressure product in patients with refractory angina undergone external counter pulsation

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

The management of coronary artery disease (CAD) has developed significantly in the last few decades. One of the therapeutic modalities that could be considered to patients with refractory angina caused by CAD is external counter pulsation (ECP). Rate pressure product (RPP) is a determinant of cardiac oxygen consumption and heart workload. It is a simple parameter that could be calculated easily by multiplying systolic blood pressure and heart rate. Increased resting RPP is associated with higher myocardial oxygen consumption and decreased cardiac efficiency. Studies that discuss factors that influence the decrease of resting RPP due to ECP procedure as a possible mechanism underlying the improvement of clinical symptoms in patients with refractory angina are still very limited.

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) as one of most common risk factors for complex CAD and refractory angina on the decremental of resting RPP in refractory angina patients who have undergone standard 35 sessions of ECP.

Methods

This is a cohort retrospective study that collected data from registry of all patients who have completed 35 sessions of ECP procedures from 2018 until 2021. We compared the improvement of resting RPP after program completion and evaluated the effect of DM and blood glucose levels on the difference in resting RPP. Statistical test was performed by SPSS software for windows.

Results

A total of 16 patients were enrolled in this study with mean age of 65.4 years old. Subjects in this study were predominantly male (87.5%) and most of the subjects (68.8%) were diagnosed with CAD/3-vessels disease (3VD). The main risk factors found in the subjects were hypertension (75%) and DM (62.5%). All subjects underwent random blood sugar examination before starting ECP procedure with mean 122.7 mg/dL. Paired samples T-test analysis found that there was a decrease in resting RPP in subjects after undergoing ECP compared to before the procedure (7046.1 ± 1515.3 vs 8572.5 ± 1915.7; p-value &lt;0.001). Independent samples T-test showed that the presence of DM reduced the mean decrease of resting RPP in study subjects (1034.8 ± 1122.2 vs 2345.7 ± 1167.5; p-value 0.043). Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was no significant correlation between blood sugar levels and decrease in resting RPP after ECP completion in study subjects (correlation coefficient -0.049; p-value: 0.869).

Conclusion

Standard 35 ECP sessions could decrease resting RPP in refractory angina patients. The improvements may contribute to the clinical benefit of ECP. However, the presence of DM can reduce the effectiveness of ECP in improving resting RPP, regardless of the blood sugar levels. These findings were probably related to cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy that were commonly found among diabetics. Further research is needed to elucidate the exact underlying mechanisms of these outcomes.

Ratio of aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase to total bilirubin in Wilsonian acute liver failure in children

BACKGROUND

Acute liver failure (ALF) caused by Wilson disease (WD) is always fatal. Therefore, a quick diagnosis of WD is needed to start immediate management. This study aims to determine the ratio of aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) and the ratio of alkaline phosphatase to total bilirubin (ALP/TB) in diagnosing Wilsonian acute liver failure (WALF) in children.

METHODS

Sixty children with acute liver failure were included in this study, of whom 40 had WALF and 20 had a non-Wilsonian acute liver failure (non-WALF). The serum ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin of each blood sample were measured. We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of AST/ALT ratio and ALP/TB ratio in WALF diagnosis.

RESULTS

Consanguinity and Kayser-Fleischer (K-F) rings were found in 32.5% and 72.5% of WALF cases, respectively. The mean hemoglobin, median ALT, median alkaline phosphatase, and mean ceruloplasmin of children with WALF were lower than those in the non-WALF group. In WALF cases, the median AST/ALT ratio was higher than in non-WALF cases. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic accuracy of the ratio of AST to ALT were 70%, 95%, 96.5%, 61.3% and 78.3%, respectively. However, when the cutoff value is ≥ 1.85, the maximum sensitivity produced by the AST/ALT ratio is 77.5% and the specificity is 95%. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and diagnostic accuracy of the ratio of ALP/TB < 4 were 32.5%, 100%, 100%, 42.5%, and 55%, respectively. The overall mortality rate was 50%, while the WALF mortality was 60%.

CONCLUSION

A positive AST/ALT and ALP/TB ratio strongly suggest WALF, but a negative result does not exclude WALF. We cannot use these ratios as a diagnostic tool for children with WALF. In WALF cases, the mortality rate is remarkably high, and the high score of the new Wilson index predicts the mortality rate without liver transplantation.

Functional constipation in Bangladeshi school aged children: A hidden misty at community

BACKGROUND

Constipation is a common problem in children and a frequent cause of hospital visit in both primary & specialized care, which needs proper evaluation & management. Presentation of constipation is variable among children. In Bangladesh there has been no published data regarding constipation in community among school aged children.

AIM

To determine the magnitude of functional constipation and its risk factors in community among Bangladeshi school children.

METHODS

This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in different schools of Dhaka division, Bangladesh. All school aged children between 5-16 years of age who attended school were included in this study. Samples were collected randomly. Proper clinical history & physical examinations (without digital rectal examination) & available investigations (if done previously) were recorded. Diagnosis of functional constipation was done by Rome IV criteria and was compared with children without constipation. Children with any red flag sign, known chronic disease or any findings suggestive of organic disease and on treatment of constipation were excluded. Statistical analysis of the results was done by using Windows based software device with Statistical Packages for Social Science 20. For all statistical tests, P value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

Total study populations were 707 and male was 443 and female 264. Among them, 134 (19%) children had constipation. In constipated children, 78 children fulfilled the Rome IV criteria for functional constipation and it was 11% of total population. Mean age of children having functional constipation was 11.24 ± 3.54 years and Male female ratio was 1:1.78. Anorexia, nausea, abdominal pain, hard stool, blood with hard stool, alternate hard and loose stool and fecal mass in left iliac fossa were analyzed between two group and all were significantly higher in children with functional constipation group. Children of school, where toilet numbers were inadequate had 2.5 times more constipation risk in comparison to children of school with adequate toilet number (OR = 2.493, 95%CI: 1.214-5.120). Children who feel embarrassed to use toilet at school, had 3.6 times higher risk of constipation (OR = 3.552, 95%CI: 1.435-8.794). Here children with H/O affected sibs and parents/grandparents had 4 and 2.6 times more chance of constipation respectively in comparison to children without H/O affected sibs (OR = 3.977, 95%CI: 1.884–8.397) and parents/grandparents (OR = 2.569, 95%CI: 1.172-5.629). Children with inadequate fluid intake had 2 times more risk of constipation in comparison to children with adequate fluid intake (OR = 1.972, 95%CI: 1.135-3.426). Children who passed electronic screen time of > 2 h/d had 2 times more chance of constipation in comparison to children who passed electronic screen time < 2 h (OR = 2.138, 95%CI: 1.063-4.301).

CONCLUSION

Constipation is not uncommon in Bangladeshi school aged children. Inadequate toilet number, family history of constipation, inadequate fluid intake, feeling embarrassed to use toilet at school, and electronic screen time for > 2 h/d were found as risk factors in the present study for functional constipation.

Efficacy of Different Diagnostic Test for Identifying Wilson's Disease

Wilson disease is an autosomal recessive disorder in which copper pathologically accumulates primarily within the liver, brain and other tissues. It can presents clinically as liver disease, as a progressive neurological disorder or as psychiatric illness. The wide array of clinical manifestations of WD can lead to misdiagnosis with subsequent greater risk of irreversible damage to liver and brain. Many tests can be used to investigate patients of Wilson disease, including serum free copper, 24 hours urine copper estimation, hepatic copper estimation and genetic mutation testing. But there is no single ideal diagnostic test that can exclude or confirm the disease with certainty. The aim of the study was to find out the efficacy of different diagnostic test for the diagnosis of Wilson disease. This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2016 through January 2018. A total of 56 cases of Wilson disease and 39 patients with a liver disease other than WD were studied. Wilson disease was diagnosed by Leipzig score. Along with other physical findings and laboratory investigations slit lamp eye examination for KF ring, serum ceruloplasmin and 24 hour urinary copper excretion were done. The mean age of WD patients was 9.69±2.37 years, male female ratio was 1:1. Serum ceruloplasmin level was significantly lower in WD patient (p<0.001). Median of 24 hour urinary copper in WD was 702.75μg/ 24 hr (range119-11210μg/24 hour) and in non WD group it was 77.41μg/24 hour (range 20.0-478μg/24 hour) and the difference between them is statistically significant (p=0.001). The sensitivity of KF ring was 82.1% and specificity was 100%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of serum ceruloplasmin were 98.2%, 92.3%, 94.8%, 97.2% and 95.7% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of 24 hour urinary copper were 100%, 63%, 80% and 85.1% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of KF ring, serum ceruloplasmin and basal 24 hour urinary copper excretion when combined together came out to be 70.4%, 100%, 100%, 59.3% and 79.3% respectively. This study result showed that serum ceruloplasmin and 24 hour urinary copper can be used as a screening test for the diagnosis of Wilson disease.

An 8½ year old girl presented with pain abdomen with hypertriglyceremia

<p><span>This article has no abstract. The first 100 words appear below:</span></p><p>A 8 ½ year old girl, 1^st issue of non-consanguineous parents, from Norshingdi immunized as per EPI  presented at the outpatient department with the history of abdominal pain for 5 days. The pain was located in the epigastric region and dull in nature. There was no aggravating or relieving factor and no radiation and persisted all the days. The pain had no relation with the food. She had also the history of vomiting for several times for the same  duration which occurred usually after feed and contained food particle and not mixed with blood or bile and it was not projectile.</p>

A 15 year old girl presented with rectal bleeding, growth failure, digital clubbing and mental retardation

No abstract

Alagille syndrome with moyamoya disease

<p>We report a 5 year old male child who presented with a history of progressive jaundice since infancy and generalized pruritus. He was also found to have typical triangular facies, posterior embryotoxon on both eyes, peripheral pulmonary stenosis and paucity of bile ducts in liver biopsy. Magnetic resonance angiography of brain showed typical features of moyamoya disease. The child was diagnosed as a case of Alagille syndrome. This particular syndrome with feature of moyamoya disease has been rarely reported.</p>

Association of NOTCH with different microRNAs in head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide with an alarming increase in Asian countries. Overwhelmingly increasing cell culture and preclinical studies are identifying wide ranging mechanisms which are instrumental in disease development, progression and resistance against different therapeutics. The scientists are unable to differentiate whether expressional mutation is a cause or a consequence of some other alterations occurring in the body. We partition this review into how NOTCH1 and p16 contribute in cancer development and how microRNAs quantitatively control NOTCH1 expression. Future studies must converge on identification of miRNAs which negatively regulate p16 and targeted inhibition of p16 targeting miRNAs will be helpful in inhibiting tumor growth, cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. Detailed mechanistic insights related to miRNA mediated Notch regulation will also be useful in delivery of tumor suppressor miRNAs or mimics to effectively inhibit cancer.

Effect of Exercise in the Prevention and Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Physical activity (PA) is a key element in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes but it is now well established that participation in regular PA improves blood glucose control and can prevent or delay the type 2 diabetes along with affecting lipids, blood pressure, cardiovascular events, mortality and quality of life. Structured interventions combining PA and modest weight loss have been shown to lower type 2 diabetes risks by up to 58% in high-risk populations. Most benefits of PA on diabetes management are realized through acute and chronic improvements in insulin action, gestational diabetes mellitus, and safe and effective practices for PA with diabetes-related complication. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v6i1-2.20346 Pulse Vol.6 January-December 2013 p.33-36

Maternal Iodine Status Reflects the Iodine Status of their Breast-Fed Infants

Background: Bangladesh is an iodine deficient region and the government of Bangladesh, with assistance of UNICEF had initiated a universal salt iodinization program to provide iodized salt by the middle of 1994. Breast milk is the only source of iodine for exclusively breast-fed infants. Iodine deficiency and iodine excess both have bad impact on infant’s health. Objectives: To assess the iodine status of lactating mothers and their breast-fed infants and to evaluate whether maternal iodine status reflects the iodine status of their breast-fed infants. Material and methods: This observational analytical study was carried out in the department of biochemistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka with active cooperation of Kumudini Women’s Medical College Hospital, Mirzapur, Tangail involving fifty lactating mothers and their exclusively breast-fed infants. Early morning urine and breast milk samples were collected in dry and clean plastic containers free from any chemical contamination. Urinary iodine was used as an indicator for assessing iodine status. All statistical analysis was done by using SPSS (Statistical Program for Social Science) 12 version software package for windows. Results: The median (range) urinary iodine concentration of lactating mothers and their breast-fed infants were 225.25 ?g/L (61.50-530.00) and 225.75?g/L (100.50-526.00). 96% (48) mothers had no biochemical iodine deficiency (UIE ?100?g/L), only 4% (2) mothers had mild biochemical iodine deficiency (UIE, 50-99?g/L). There was no biochemical iodine deficiency of breast-fed infants. The median breast-milk iodine concentration was 157?g/L which was more than three times of recommended minimum concentration (50?g/L). Iodine in breast milk of lactating mothers was positively correlated with their urinary iodine excretion (P<0.01). Infant’s urinary iodine was positively correlated with iodine concentration in breast milk (P<0.01) and also positively correlated with urinary iodine of lactating mothers (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Lactating mothers and their breast-fed infants in this study were iodine sufficient. Iodine status of exclusively breast-fed infants can be determined by the iodine status of their mothers. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v6i1-2.20283 Pulse Vol.6 January-December 2013 p.6-11

Unusual Presentation of Polyarteritis Nodosa

Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) is a multisystem, necrotizing vasculitis of small and medium-sized muscular arteries. Sometimes PAN is detected at cholecystectomy or appendectomy in the absence of other disease manifestations. In such cases, surgical removal of the involved organ may be curative. Here we presented a case of poly arteritis nodosa, the process of diagnosis and explained the pathophysiology of the disorder and currently available treatments DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v5i1.20188 Pulse Vol.5 January 2011 p.35-38

Dysregulated immunophenotypic attributes of plasmacytoid but not myeloid dendritic cells in HIV-1 infected individuals in the absence of highly active anti-retroviral therapy

Dendritic cells (DC) in HIV-1-infected individuals are decreased and their dysfunction has been implicated in HIV-1 immunopathogenesis. The mechanism of their dysfunction remains unclear, thus we analysed the expression of membrane molecules associated with immune regulation and DC activation in myeloid (mDC) and plasmacytoid DC (pDC) in therapy-naive and highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART)-treated HIV-1(+) patients. DC from healthy controls, untreated HIV-1(+) and HAART-treated patients were assessed by flow cytometry for expression of: anergy and apoptosis inducing molecules [programmed death (PD)-1 and its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2], inhibitory and regulatory T cell-inducing molecules [immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT)-3 and ILT-4], interferon (IFN)-α inhibitory receptor (ILT-7) and co-stimulatory molecules (CD80, CD83, and CD86). pDC from untreated HIV-1(+) patients expressed significantly lower levels of ILT-7 compared to healthy controls, while HAART-treated patients showed normal expression. pDC were also found to express moderately higher levels of PD-L1 and ILT-3 and lower levels of PD-L2 receptors in untreated patients compared to controls and HAART-treated patients. No significant changes were observed in mDC. There were no associations between the percentages and levels of expression of these molecules by pDC and viral load or CD4 T cell count. In conclusion, pDC but not mDC from HIV-1(+) patients with active viraemia display higher levels of apoptosis and T regulatory-inducing molecules and may be predisposed to chronically produce IFN-α through down-regulation of ILT-7. HAART restored normal expression levels of these receptors.

Rate of seroconversion in repeat blood donors at the national blood centre, kuala lumpur

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that all donated blood are to be screened for at least three viral infections [human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV)]. The National Blood Centre, Kuala Lumpur (NBCKL) aims to reduce transfusion transmitted infections (TTI) as it still remains as one of the major risk for blood transfusion. A cross sectional study was conducted at the National Blood Centre, Kuala Lumpur from 1st January 2009 to 31st June 2010. Data from 581,020 donors were analyzed from year 2004 to 2008. All data were retrieved from NBCKL Blood Bank Information System (BBIS). A total of 201 repeat donors were included in the study based on the inclusion criteria but only 132 repeat donors agreed to participate. Information on sociodemographic, risk factors, knowledge of donors and high risk behavior were extracted from standardize questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 14.0. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of the seropositive infectivity among repeat blood donors at the NBCKL. The results showed Syphilis accounts for the highest and increasing seroconversion rate among other infections from 20.83 % in year 2004 to 44.6 % in year in year 2008. HIV and HCV infection also showed increasing seroconversion rate in 5 years' time from 6.41 % in year 2004 to 17.54 % in year 2008 and 4.8 % in year 2004 to 5.94 % in year 2008 respectively. However, HBV infection alone showed a decreasing seroconversion rate from 20.83 % in year 2004 to 10.4 % in year 2008. Level of donors' awareness regarding high risk factors (activities or behaviour) can lead to higher risk of TTI with significant p value in this predictors model(p < 0.05). Repeat blood donors with high risk activities are more likely to have seropositive results for HBV, HIV and Syphilis. This study found that the frequency of HCV seropositivity is higher among lapsed donor. Socio demographic factors such as male and working in the private sector predominates in all TTI markers. Majority of the respondents were aware about relation of high risk activities and risk of TTI.

Validated HPLC-RI Method for the Determination of Lactulose and its Process Related Impurities in Syrup

A simple, swift with good sensitivity and reproducibility, HPLC-RI method has been developed for the quantification of lactulose and related compounds (fructose, galactose, epilactose and lactose) in oral suspension formulation. The analysis was carried out by using mobile phase (water and acetonitrile 75:25) at the flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. on isocratic HPLC-RI system. After manipulating mobile phase composition and mobile phase flow rate a good separation of five components was achieved within 15 minutes of run time. This study is beneficial to determine the active ingredient as well as related compounds simultaneously, without using buffer in mobile phase which causes bad resolution and has limitation to analyze on other hyphenated techniques such as LC-MS.

Antioxidant protection of eicosapentaenoic acid and fish oil oxidation by polyphenolic-enriched apple skin extract

Two apple skin extracts (ASE) prepared from "Northern Spy" cultivar were examined for their antioxidant properties to inhibit lipid oxidation in aqueous eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) emulsions and bulk fish oil. The ASE were effective in reducing the oxidation induced by heat, UV light and peroxyl radical, when the extent of oxidation of the emulsions and bulk oil was measured by using the ferric thiocyanate test, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay and Rancimat. On the basis of total phenolic concentration of extracts, removal of sugars and organic acids (ASE 2) from crude ethanol extract of apple skins (ASE 1) enhanced the antioxidant properties in both the emulsion and bulk fish oil systems. The average induction times of accelerated oxidation at 50 to 80 degrees C of fish oil incorporated with ASE 2 (400 microg/mL) was similar to that of alpha-tocopherol (400 microg/mL) and butylated hydroxytoluene (200 microg/mL).

Inhibition of oxidation of aqueous emulsions of omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil by phloretin and phloridzin

The antioxidant properties of two apple dihydrochalcones, namely phloretin and phloridzin, were evaluated and compared with those of alpha-tocopherol and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The effects were studied in an oil-in-water emulsion system containing methyl linolenate (ML), methyl eicosapentaenoate (MEPA), and methyl docosahexaenoate (MDHA) in which oxidation was initiated by the peroxyl radical generator 2,2-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and in fish oil where oxidation was initiated thermally. In the emulsion system, phloretin (1 and 5 mM) completely inhibited the oxidation of ML tested as evidenced by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. Under the same conditions, phloridzin was less effective than phloretin, but still more effective than alpha-tocopherol. Both phloretin and phloridzin molecules had a marginal inhibitory effect against oxidation of fish oil induced by heating at 70 degrees C for 3 hours, when compared to BHT. These results indicate that phloretin and phloridzin have the potential to suppress lipid oxidation in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) containing foods.

A new nematode Spirocotyle otolithi n. gen, n.sp, (Camallanidae Railliet and Henry, 1915) from the fish Otolithus rubber (Schneider) of Karachi coast

A new genus and species of camallanid nematode Spirocotyle otolithi is described here from the fish Otolithus rubber (Schneider) of Karachi coast. This is a medium sized nematode, pointed to its posterior extremity in male and blunt in female, with a buccal capsule oval in shape in both the sexes and having a sucker like structure in its anterior extremity. The wall of the buccal capsule is provided with fifteen spiral thicknings. Two unequal spicules are present in male. Ten pairs of caudal papillae are present, including five pairs preanal, four pairs postanal and one adanal. Valva in female is prominent, post equatorial

Kinetics of enhanced ethanol productivity using raw starch hydrolyzing glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger mutant produced in solid state fermentation

AIMS

The present investigation deals with the effect of raw starch hydrolyzing glucoamylase by a derepressed mutant of Aspergillus niger on enhanced productivity of ethanol from uncooked starch under non-aseptic conditions.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The parental culture of Aspergillus niger was improved using gamma-ray treatment. One derepressed mutant was isolated after extensive screening and optimization and grown on corn cobs, maize starch, soluble starch and wheat bran solid media moistened with Vogel's salts solution and corn steep liquor. The mutant was 2.5-fold improved over its parent with respect to enzyme productivity, product yield and specific activity. The enzyme from mutated culture was also improved for enzyme properties and could effectively hydrolyze raw starch without the aid of alpha-amylase. Starch hydrolyzed with mutant-derived glucoamylase supported higher volumetric and product yields of ethanol than those of parental and other strains.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The results of the present study are of commercial value. Ethanol product yield coefficient, and volumetric productivity revealed the hyper-productivity of ethanol from raw starch hydrolyzate obtained with mutant-derived glucoamylase without addition of liquefying alpha-amylase under non-aseptic conditions.

The effects of lead-resistant pseudomonads on the growth of Triticum Aestivum seedlings under lead stress

Five Pseudomonad strains, SPb-1, SPb-2, SPb-3, (from a water sample), SPb-4, and SPb-5 (from rhizosphere), which could tolerate lead acetate up to 1000 microm ml(-1), were isolated from an industrially polluted area around Kasoor, Pakistan. Only SPb-5 harbours a lead-resistant plasmid. Triticum aestivum seeds inoculated with strains SPb-4 and SPb-5 were germinated and grown under different concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mM) of lead acetate for ten days. Germination and seedling growth were adversely affected. Poor growth was associated with increased lead content of seedlings. With bacterial inoculation, germination and seedling growth were improved, as compared with non-inoculated treatments. Stimulation in the growth of seedlings was accompanied by a decrease in lead content, as compared with non-inoculated treatments.

Abnormalities of chromosome 11Q in three cases of acute myeloid leukemia

The haematological findings and case history of 3 patients with the association of acute myeloid leukemia and translocation involving the long arm of chromosome no. 11 are presented. The recipient chromosome for the translocated material from chromosome 11 differs in all the three cases being namely chromosomes 1, 10 and 17.