A case report of Synovial Sarcoma of the Esophagus

 Majority of esophageal malignancies are Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Other histologies such as melanoma, sarcoma, and lymphoma may exist. Among the sarcomas, synovial sarcomas are a rare entity of malignant mesenchymal tumors and less than ten cases of primary synovial sarcoma of the esophagus have been reported worldwide. We report a 28 year old man with primary synovial sarcoma of esophagus that underwent surgery and chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. He was disease - free for 4 months. He died soon afterwards due to lung metastasis. This case survived about 18 months

Determination of the Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Toasted Bread Using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

Concentration of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in eighteen baked bread samples using gas oven toasting were evaluated in this study. Samples were classified into the following categories: (1) bread baked from white wheat flour, (2) bread baked from brown wheat flour, and (3) sandwich bread baked from white wheat flour. Analysis was performed by GC-MS after Soxhlet extraction of the sample and clean up of the extract. The levels of B[a]P was not detected in ten of eighteen samples. In the rest of the samples, B[a]P are varied from 2.83 to 16.54 μg/kg. B[a]A, CHR, B[b]FA, B[k] FA, IP, DB[a,h]A, and B[ghi]P concentrations were found to be less than 10.0 μg/kg. However, B[a]P are not detected in original white and brown wheat flour. The total PAHs were varied in the range 1.06–44.24 μg/kg and 3.08–278.66 μg/kg for H-PAH and L-PAH, respectively. Reproducibility and repeatability of the proposed method was calculated and presented in terms of recovery and relative standard deviations (RSD, %). Recoveries were varied from 72.46% to 99.06% with RSD ± 0.28–15.01% and from 82.39% to 95.01% with RSD ±1.91–13.01% for repeatability and reproducibility, respectively. Different commercialized samples of toasted bread were collected and analyzed

Determination of nitric oxide metabolites, nitrate and nitrite, in Anopheles culicifacies mosquito midgut and haemolymph by anion exchange high-performance liquid chromatography: plausible mechanism of refractoriness

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The diverse physiological and pathological role of nitric oxide in innate immune defenses against many intra and extracellular pathogens, have led to the development of various methods for determining nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. NO metabolites, nitrite (NO₂^-) and nitrate (NO₃^-) are produced by the action of an inducible <it>Anopheles culicifacies </it>NO synthase (AcNOS) in mosquito mid-guts and may be central to anti-parasitic arsenal of these mosquitoes.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>While exploring a plausible mechanism of refractoriness based on nitric oxide synthase physiology among the sibling species of <it>An. culicifacies</it>, a sensitive, specific and cost effective high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed, which is not influenced by the presence of biogenic amines, for the determination of NO₂^-and NO₃^-from mosquito mid-guts and haemolymph.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This method is based on extraction, efficiency, assay reproducibility and contaminant minimization. It entails de-proteinization by centrifugal ultra filtration through ultracel 3 K filter and analysis by high performance anion exchange liquid chromatography (Sphereclone, 5 μ SAX column) with UV detection at 214 nm. The lower detection limit of the assay procedure is 50 pmoles in all midgut and haemolymph samples. Retention times for NO₂^-and NO₃^-in standards and in mid-gut samples were 3.42 and 4.53 min. respectively. Assay linearity for standards ranged between 50 n<it>M </it>and 1 m<it>M</it>. Recoveries of NO₂^-and NO₃^-from spiked samples (1–100 μ<it>M</it>) and from the extracted standards (1–100 μ<it>M</it>) were calculated to be 100%. Intra-assay and inter assay variations and relative standard deviations (RSDs) for NO₂^-and NO₃^-in spiked and un-spiked midgut samples were 5.7% or less. Increased levels NO₂^-and NO₃^-in midguts and haemolymph of <it>An. culicifacies </it>sibling species B in comparison to species A reflect towards a mechanism of refractoriness based on AcNOS physiology.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>HPLC is a sensitive and accurate technique for identification and quantifying pmole levels of NO metabolites in mosquito midguts and haemolymph samples that can be useful for clinical investigations of NO biochemistry, physiology and pharmacology in various biological samples.</p

The emergence of transnational terrorist safe havens: a comparative analysis of the federally administered tribal areas in Pakistan and Kabylia in Algeria

This thesis analyzes the similarities and unique conditions that have made the FATA and Kabylia safe havens for transnational terrorist groups. The thesis uses five variables to compare the cases geography, governance, society, security, and outside influences on both areas. The thesis finds that geography has a strong influence on the creation of safe havens, particularly terrain that is difficult to access, as does weak federal governance and strong tribal societies. Furthermore, both Kabylia and the FATA have suffered chronic instability, which has provided opportunities for terrorists to establish safe havens. External influences have also played an important role in both areas by creating competing loyalties that have weakened the legitimacy of the federal government in the area, thus helping to create favorable conditions for terrorist safe havens. Socioeconomic conditions were not a consistent cause of safe havens in this study, nor was the presence of international borders. These findings suggest that improving communications infrastructure in places like the FATA and Kabylia is an important first step in making these areas less hospitable to terrorist organizations, as is improved infrastructure, especially roads, that grant access to security forces in these areas.http://archive.org/details/theemergenceoftr1094527873Wing Commander, Pakistan Air ForceMajor, Algerian ArmyLieutenant Colonel, Royal Jordan ArmyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Kvicksilverhalter i fisk : riskbedömning av sjöar i Västmanlands län

High mercury levels in fish are one of the major environmental problems in Sweden. Mercury has many negative effects on human health with a specified limit found in the daughter directive (2008/105/EC). In accordance with the Water Management Act (SFS 2004:660), the chemical status of water bodies where mercury levels exceed limit values are deemed to be classified to have ‘poor status.' This study therefore aims to investigate possible links between water chemistry parameters and mercury levels in pike by collecting and compiling available data on mercury levels in fish. It also aims to find the relation between soil types in the lake's catchment area and the mercury concentration in pike. The study began with a literature review and a summary of results from previous studies with purpose of getting an understanding of results from previous studies as well as the laws and regulations related to mercury. Data concerning mercury levels in fish withinl 31lakes in Västmanland County, which were selected based on data availability. Comparisons were subsequently made between mercury levels in fish, the lake water’s chemistry and soil types in the area. Furthermore, the data collection showed that information about mercury levels in all lakes in the county of Västmanland is not complete and in many cases obsolete and no lakes in the county have mercury levels below the limit. That is, no lakes in the county are currently meeting the requirement and several lakes have concentrations of mercury in pike which exceed the limit for foodstuff. The statistical analysis of the chemical status showed a negative correlation between mercury concentration and alkalinity, and also a somewhat negative correlation between mercury concentration and pH levels which however was not significant. No effect of absorbance, oxygen, total carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus were found. The statistical analysis of soil property in the lake basins shows a positive correlation between the percentage prescribed in the catchment area and the concentration of mercury in fish and a negative correlation between the percentage of open land in the catchment area and the concentration of mercury

Effekter av vanadin föreningar på fosfatas i olika celler

  Enligt tidigare undersökningar har vanadinföreningar visat sig ha insulinliknande effekter både in vitro och in vivo. Syftet med detta examensarbete var att prova ut en teknik för att testa effekten av vanadinföreningar på två olika celltyper: adherenta celler (AA-celler) och suspensionsceller (K562-celler). När insulinet binder till sin receptor på cellytan är det starten på en biologisk respons. Insulinreceptorn är ett tyrosinkinas som transporterar fosfatgrupper från ATP till tyrosin på sin egen peptidkedja. De aktiverade tyrosinkinasreceptorn kan aktivera ett antal signalmolekyler, bland annat proteinkinas B. Tyrosin som är fosfolyserat, defosfolyseras senare av proteinet tyrosinfosfatas (PTP). Insulinets signaleringsvägar är kontrollerade av omvändbar fosforylerings reaktioner. Patogenesis av insulinresistens i typ 2-diabetes och övervikt är sammanlänkade av den normala signaleringens responsen till insulin. I denna studie undersöktes effekten av vanadat och ett antal ligander som bildar komplex med vanadat. Den största vikten lades vid att undersöka vilka koncentrationer av ämnena som var icke-toxiska vid cellodling och därmed inte leder cellerna till apoptos. Först testades att föreningarna inte gav ändring i pH . Därefter testades deras effekter på celler. Med endast vanadat observerades celltoxina effekter vid koncentrationer över 1µM. I nästa steg behandlades AA-cellerna med fyra olika koncentrationer av vanadat tillsammans med olika ligander. K562-celler behandlades bara med vanadat och ligand 2. Resultaten visar att koncentrationer upp till och med 1µM vanadat inte hade några negativa effekter på cellerna. Varken apoptos eller onormal minskning i antal celler observerades. Slutligen testades effekter av vanadatföreningarna på PTP aktiviteten i odlade celler. I kitet som användes fanns detektorn ”Green Reagent” som kan identifiera fritt fosfat genom färgändring från gul till grön. Cellerna behandlades med vanadat och efter 24 timmar gjordes en cellextraktion. Cellextrakten späddas 10 gånger, sedan tillsattes detektorn Green Reagent efter 15 min. Analys gjordes med hjälp av en Elisa-läsare. Resultaten visar att med ökande koncentration av vanadat påverkades cellerna så att PTP 1B aktiviteten ökades. Detta är ett intressant resultat i ljuset av att vanadat rapporterats ha insulinliknande effekt. En tänkbar förklaring är att defosforyleringen av insulinreceptorn krävs för att aktivera insulin responsen i celler

Kvicksilverhalter i fisk : riskbedömning av sjöar i Västmanlands län

High mercury levels in fish are one of the major environmental problems in Sweden. Mercury has many negative effects on human health with a specified limit found in the daughter directive (2008/105/EC). In accordance with the Water Management Act (SFS 2004:660), the chemical status of water bodies where mercury levels exceed limit values are deemed to be classified to have ‘poor status.' This study therefore aims to investigate possible links between water chemistry parameters and mercury levels in pike by collecting and compiling available data on mercury levels in fish. It also aims to find the relation between soil types in the lake's catchment area and the mercury concentration in pike. The study began with a literature review and a summary of results from previous studies with purpose of getting an understanding of results from previous studies as well as the laws and regulations related to mercury. Data concerning mercury levels in fish withinl 31lakes in Västmanland County, which were selected based on data availability. Comparisons were subsequently made between mercury levels in fish, the lake water’s chemistry and soil types in the area. Furthermore, the data collection showed that information about mercury levels in all lakes in the county of Västmanland is not complete and in many cases obsolete and no lakes in the county have mercury levels below the limit. That is, no lakes in the county are currently meeting the requirement and several lakes have concentrations of mercury in pike which exceed the limit for foodstuff. The statistical analysis of the chemical status showed a negative correlation between mercury concentration and alkalinity, and also a somewhat negative correlation between mercury concentration and pH levels which however was not significant. No effect of absorbance, oxygen, total carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus were found. The statistical analysis of soil property in the lake basins shows a positive correlation between the percentage prescribed in the catchment area and the concentration of mercury in fish and a negative correlation between the percentage of open land in the catchment area and the concentration of mercury

Optimering av FISH- teknik för detektion av Laktobaciller

Sammanfattning Syftet med den här studien var att utveckla och optimera FISH (Fluorescense In Situ Hybridisation) tekniken som en snabb och ganska billig metod för detektion av laktobaciller. Det vill säga att kunna på objektsglas använda FISH tekniken för att identifiera laktobaciller på artnivå med fluorescensmärkta prober mot 16S och 23S RNA. FISH är en allmän och användbar metod för att detektera och lokalisera mikroorganismer eller en specifik grupp av mikroorganismer i provet (1). Metoden detekterar DNA- eller RNA- sekvenser med hjälp av fluorescensmärkta prober som hybridiseras specifikt med komplementära målsekvenser i intakta celler (2). Detta innebär att man behåller cellmorfologin och tillför en lättdetekterad fluorescerande färg. I början av studien utvaldes två grupper av bakterier, gramnegativa bakterier som har tunnare cellvägg, vilket underlättar hybridiseringen och grampositiva laktobacillus med en tjockare cellvägg. Enligt tidigare undersökningar gav FISH tekniken bra resultat om rätt probe användes för rätt organism. Som anvisning till den här studien användes en tidigare studie på E.coli K12.(6). I början av den här studien användes samma prober som i studien med E.coli K12. Bakterierna i grupp 1 valdes utifrån homologi mellan probernas sekvens och målsekvensen hos bakterierna. De hade 100 % homologi med probe 1 och hög homologi, 83-100 %, med probe 2 ,vilket väl överensstämmer med resultatet för E. coli. Bakterierna odlades i lämpliga medier och prov togs från log-fas. Bakterierna behandlades med hybridiseringsbuffert och studerades under fluorescensmikroskop. Stark fluorescens iakttogs i flertalet av bakterierna i de fall som homologi mellan probe och målsekvens var hög. Effekten av tiden för förvaring i kyl efter skörd på fluorescensförmågan studerades också. Fluorescensen efter en dag jämfördes med fluorescensen efter 15 dagar och 30 dagar hos samma bakterie. Bakterierna fotograferades i fluorescensmikroskop samt ljusmikroskop och resultaten presenteras i respektive tabeller och/eller bilder. Resultaten visade en sänkning i fluorescensstyrka och i antal bakterier som lyste redan efter 15 dagar. Efter 30 dagar hade nästan alla bakterier upphört att reagera med proben, oavsett vilken art som studerades. Slutligen studerades kvaliteten på tvättningar. Fluorescensbilder togs av bakterierna efter en tvätt och jämfördes med bilder efter 2 och tre tvättar. Ingen stor skillnad observerades efter flera tvättningar jämförd med en tvätt. Studien visade att den teknik som utvecklades är användbar för att detektera specifika sekvenser både i grampositiva och gramnegativa bakterier

Kvicksilverhalter i fisk : riskbedömning av sjöar i Västmanlands län

High mercury levels in fish are one of the major environmental problems in Sweden. Mercury has many negative effects on human health with a specified limit found in the daughter directive (2008/105/EC). In accordance with the Water Management Act (SFS 2004:660), the chemical status of water bodies where mercury levels exceed limit values are deemed to be classified to have ‘poor status.' This study therefore aims to investigate possible links between water chemistry parameters and mercury levels in pike by collecting and compiling available data on mercury levels in fish. It also aims to find the relation between soil types in the lake's catchment area and the mercury concentration in pike. The study began with a literature review and a summary of results from previous studies with purpose of getting an understanding of results from previous studies as well as the laws and regulations related to mercury. Data concerning mercury levels in fish withinl 31lakes in Västmanland County, which were selected based on data availability. Comparisons were subsequently made between mercury levels in fish, the lake water’s chemistry and soil types in the area. Furthermore, the data collection showed that information about mercury levels in all lakes in the county of Västmanland is not complete and in many cases obsolete and no lakes in the county have mercury levels below the limit. That is, no lakes in the county are currently meeting the requirement and several lakes have concentrations of mercury in pike which exceed the limit for foodstuff. The statistical analysis of the chemical status showed a negative correlation between mercury concentration and alkalinity, and also a somewhat negative correlation between mercury concentration and pH levels which however was not significant. No effect of absorbance, oxygen, total carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus were found. The statistical analysis of soil property in the lake basins shows a positive correlation between the percentage prescribed in the catchment area and the concentration of mercury in fish and a negative correlation between the percentage of open land in the catchment area and the concentration of mercury