Assessment of the exchange parameters of Amberlite IR-45 (OH) resin from its elution with saturated Na2SO4

Simple quantitative technique has been developed for assessing the exchange parameters of Amberlite IR – 45 (OH) using column  chromatographic techniques from the displacement of exchangeable hydroxyl ions of the resin by sulphate ions. The results obtained showed retention time of 33min, retention volume of 56.5cm3, void volume of 18cm3, and exchange capacity of 41mmole/g and exchange site density of 2.4682 x 1022sites /g

RECURRENT HYDATIDIFORM MOLE COMPLICATED BY TOXIC GOITRE.

Hyperthyroidism complicates few pregnancies, in many cases due to Graves' disease, Gestational trophoblastic disease is a rare cause of hyperthyroidism in which high levels of hCG causes activation of the thyrotrophin receptor to stimulate supraphysiological secretion of thyroid hormone with or without thyroid gland enlargement Molar pregnancies are usually not recurrent, however, women with a previous hydatidiform mole (HM) are at higher risk of having a second mole than women from the general population. After a prior molar pregnancy, the risk of having a second one is 540 times that of the general population, however familial molar pregnancies are exceedingly rare. Here we present a case of recurrent HM complicated by a toxic goiter in a patient with family history of molar pregnancy&nbsp

Effect of Neem Extracts (Azadirachta indica) on Bacteria Isolated from Adult Mouth

The antibacterial activity of the bark, Leaf, Seed and fruit extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem) on bacteria isolated from adult mouth was carried out using agar- well diffusion method. The test bacteria were isolated from patients attending Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto. The bark and leaf extracts showed antibacterial activity against all the test bacteria used. The zone of inhibition increased with increase in concentrations of the extracts. The seed and fruit extracts showed antibacterial activity only at higher concentrations. The results, therefore, confirm the traditional use of neem in maintaining oral hygiene

Microbiological Quality of some Expired Drugs in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria

Twenty eight samples of expired drugs were obtained from different medical stores including Sokoto State Medical Store in Sokoto Metropolis. The drugs included paracetamol, vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), Phenergan (promethazine), Chloroquine (A 4–aminoquinoline acid), flagyl (metronidazole), folic acid (Pteroylglutamic acid), tablets and vitamin A injection (Retinol). The tablets were ground into powder using sterile pestle and mortar. Powder of each tablet (0.2g) and 0.2ml vitamin A injection was dispensed into 9ml sterile nutrient broth. After incubation for 24 hours, a loopful from the growth was subcultured into nutrient agar and malt extract agar plates. The nutrient agar plates were incubated at 37oC for 24 hours and the Malt Extract plates were incubated at 26oC for 3-7 days After incubation, the organisms were identified using a combination of microscopy and biochemical tests. For each drug, the procedure was repeated four times. The frequency of occurrence of each organism was determined and found to be: Aspergillus niger 28(60%); Aspergillus flavus 28(32%); Penicillium spp. 28(14%); Scopulariopsis spp. 28(7%); Neurospora spp. 28(7%); Mucor sp. 28(4%); Enterococcus avium 28(35%); Staphylococcus aureus 28(29%); Enteococcus gallinarum 28(25%); Staphylococcus epidermidi, 28(17%); Enterococcus durans 28(14%) and Staphylococcus saccharolyticus 28(14%). The results demonstrated the involvement of pathogenic microorganisms; therefore, expired drugs should not be consumed no matter how neat they may appear

Risk in the "Red Zone": Outcomes for Children Admitted to Ebola Holding Units in Sierra Leone Without Ebola Virus Disease.

We collected data on 1054 children admitted to Ebola Holding Units in Sierra Leone and describe outcomes of 697/1054 children testing negative for Ebola virus disease (EVD) and accompanying caregivers. Case-fatality was 9%; 3/630 (0.5%) children discharged testing negative were readmitted EVD-positive. Nosocomial EVD transmission risk may be lower than feared

CXCR4/CXCL12 expression and signalling in kidney cancer

CXCL12 (SDF-1), a CXC-chemokine, and its specific receptor, CXCR4, have recently been shown to be involved in tumourgenesis, proliferation and angiogenesis. Therefore, we analysed CXCL12α/CXCR4 expression and function in four human kidney cancer cell lines (A-498, CAKI-1, CAKI-2, HA-7), 10 freshly harvested human tumour samples and corresponding normal kidney tissue. While none of the analysed tumour cell lines expressed CXCL12α, A-498 cells were found to express CXCR4. More importantly, real-time RT–PCR analysis of 10 tumour samples and respective adjacent normal kidney tissue disclosed a distinct and divergent downregulation of CXCL12α and upregulation of CXCR4 in primary tumour tissue. To prove that the CXCR4 protein is functionally active, rhCXCL12α was investigated for its ability to induce changes of intracellular calcium levels in A-498 cells. Moreover, we used cDNA expression arrays to evaluate the biological influence of CXCL12α. Comparing gene expression profiles in rhCXCL12α stimulated vs unstimulated A-498 kidney cancer cells revealed specific regulation of 31 out of 1176 genes tested on a selected human cancer array, with a prominent stimulation of genes involved in cell-cycle regulation and apoptosis. The genetic changes reported here should provide new insights into the developmental paths leading to tumour progression and may also aid the design of new approaches to therapeutic intervention

Regional research priorities in brain and nervous system disorders

The characteristics of neurological, psychiatric, developmental and substance-use disorders in low-and middle-income countries are unique and the burden that they have will be different from country to country. Many of the differences are explained by the wide variation in population demographics and size, poverty, conflict, culture, land area and quality, and genetics. Neurological, psychiatric, developmental and substance-use disorders that result from, or are worsened by, a lack of adequate nutrition and infectious disease still afflict much of sub-Saharan Africa, although disorders related to increasing longevity, such as stroke, are on the rise. In the Middle East and North Africa, major depressive disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder are a primary concern because of the conflict-ridden environment. Consanguinity is a serious concern that leads to the high prevalence of recessive disorders in the Middle East and North Africa and possibly other regions. The burden of these disorders in Latin American and Asian countries largely surrounds stroke and vascular disease, dementia and lifestyle factors that are influenced by genetics. Although much knowledge has been gained over the past 10 years, the epidemiology of the conditions in low-and middle-income countries still needs more research. Prevention and treatments could be better informed with more longitudinal studies of risk factors. Challenges and opportunities for ameliorating nervous-system disorders can benefit from both local and regional research collaborations. The lack of resources and infrastructure for health-care and related research, both in terms of personnel and equipment, along with the stigma associated with the physical or behavioural manifestations of some disorders have hampered progress in understanding the disease burden and improving brain health. Individual countries, and regions within countries, have specific needs in terms of research priorities.Fil: Ravindranath, Vijayalakshmi. Indian Institute of Science; IndiaFil: Dang, Hoang Minh. Vietnam National University; VietnamFil: Goya, Rodolfo Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata ; ArgentinaFil: Mansour, Hader. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unidos. Mansoura University; EgiptoFil: Nimgaonkar, Vishwajit L.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Russell, Vivienne Ann. University of Cape Town; SudáfricaFil: Xin, Yu. Peking University; Chin

Cardiovascular disease and the role of oral bacteria

In terms of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) the focus has traditionally been on dyslipidemia. Over the decades our understanding of the pathogenesis of CVD has increased, and infections, including those caused by oral bacteria, are more likely involved in CVD progression than previously thought. While many studies have now shown an association between periodontal disease and CVD, the mechanisms underpinning this relationship remain unclear. This review gives a brief overview of the host-bacterial interactions in periodontal disease and virulence factors of oral bacteria before discussing the proposed mechanisms by which oral bacterial may facilitate the progression of CVD

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700