Bone marrow aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of hematologic and non-hematologic diseases in a multi-specialty hospital in Nepal

Background: Peripheral blood smear examination and other routine laboratory assays are not always sufficient to diagnose various diseases which affect the blood and bone marrow. A bone marrow aspirate examination is essential in most of the cases.Methods: This work was a hospital-based cross sectional analytical observational study carried out in the department of pathology at the Chitwan Medical College, Teaching Hospital, Nepal, over a period of 3 years from January, 2013 to December 2015. Bone marrow was aspirated from posterior superior iliac crest under local anesthesia; sternum was the alternative site in obese patients. Univariate analysis was performed for each variable using frequency distribution and means with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences 20.0 (SPSS 20.0) software.Results: One hundred and fifty-nine patients were included in the study. Eight cases of 'dry tap' were excluded, for whom bone marrow biopsy was advised. Anemia was the largest group followed by malignancy, infection and miscellaneous diseases. Among anemia, megaloblastic anemia was the most common, followed by aplastic anemia, dyserythropoietic anemia and myelopthisic anemia. The category 'malignancy' consisted of leukemia, multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndrome. Regarding individual diseases, megaloblastic anemia was the most common haematological disorder followed by immune thrombocytopenic purpura, leukemia and aplastic anemia.Conclusions: Bone marrow aspiration cytology is a mildly invasive technique which can diagnose many haematological and non-hematologic diseases that can be confirmed by more advanced investigations, if needed: serological, biochemical or molecular. However, bone marrow sample cannot be obtained (dry tap) in a proportion of cases. In such cases, a bone marrow biopsy needs to be performed

Theranostics Application of Graphene-Based Materials in Cancer Imaging, Targeting and Treatment

Recent advancements in graphene-based nanomaterials provide the opportunity that compliments the limitations of conventional drug delivery systems (DDSs) through simultaneous targeting of the anticancer drug to the cancer cell by reducing the side effects of other administration routes. Graphene with its extraordinary electronic properties like larger surface area, possibilities of surface modification, can efficiently target the tumor cell. At the same time, nanocarriers have the advantages of immune clearance adulteration of physicochemical properties of anticancer drug. The DDSs can be made by biodegradable nanocarriers such as proteins, peptides, biocompatible polymers, antibodies, polymer-drug conjugates, etc. Graphene-supported DDSs in cancer therapy also supports the co-delivery of therapeutic agents, antioxidants, SiRNA, shRNA, etc. as the co-delivery approach, which provide additive or synergistic therapeutic efficacy and can reduce toxic effects

Formulation and Evaluation of ACNE Gel using Metronidazole and Doxycycline

This research study focuses on the formulation and evaluation of an ACNE gel using Metronidazole (1%) and Doxycycline (0.5%) as active ingredients. Three types of polymers, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC), Carbopol 940, and Carbopol 934 were used for gel formation. The formulated gels were evaluated for their physical characteristics, in vitro drug release, and drug-polymer compatibility. The calibration curves for both Metronidazole and Doxycycline displayed strong linearity within the concentration range of 5 to 25 µg/mL, facilitating accurate drug quantification. The gel formulations exhibited pH values of 6.0 (HPMC), 5.8 (Carbopol 940), and 5.7 (Carbopol 934), which are within the skin's natural pH range. The mean viscosity values were recorded as 205 cP (HPMC), 220 cP (Carbopol 940), and 231 cP (Carbopol 934). Spreadability and extrudability tests also yielded favorable results, suggesting ease of application. The in vitro drug release study showed a time-dependent increase in drug release, with the highest cumulative release observed from the HPMC formulation (90% at 8 hours), followed by Carbopol 940 (80% at 8 hours), and Carbopol 934 (64% at 8 hours). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed no significant interaction between the drugs and the polymers, indicating their compatibility. This study offers a promising approach to the development of effective ACNE gel formulations with Metronidazole and Doxycycline, while emphasizing the influence of the type of polymer on the drug release profile

Ocular involvement in diabetic patients attending tertiary care centres of eastern U.P., India: a prospective study

Background: Diabetes mellitus is increasing day by day in developing countries especially in India. It is a main treatable cause of morbidity in eye. Diabetic cataract, neovascular glaucoma and retinopathy are important ocular complications due to diabetes mellitus. The objective was to study the variations in ocular complications in patients of diabetes mellitus.Methods: A prospective study from July 2012 to June 2013 was conducted in RMCH and RC, Kanpur & GSVM Medical College, Kanpur. One hundred one selected diabetic patients who are having abnormal slit lamp and fundus examination were included in this study.Results: In our study it was found that more the duration of diabetes, greater the severity of diabetes. Well controlled diabetics have lesser complications in eyes due to diabetes.Conclusion: Patient’s age, sex, duration and control of diabetes play important role in development and severity of complications in eye due to diabetes mellitus

Effect of Soil and Foliar Application of Nutrients on Growth and Yield in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of foliar feeding of water- soluble fertilizers in combination with soil-applied fertilizers on growth, yield and quality attributes in tomato cv. Pant T-3. The experiment was laid out during 2009-10 in a randomized block design with four replications and six treatments. Water-soluble fertilizers were sprayed along with different levels of soil-applied fertilizers. Results of the experiments revealed that among the treatments, 87.5% recommended dose of NPK + foliar spray of water-soluble fertilizers recorded tallest plants, higher number of primary and secondary branches, more fruits per cluster, fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit pericarp thickness, highest fruit yield per plant and fruit-yield per hectare. However, early flowering and fruiting were observed in the Control (100% recommended dose of fertilizer). Economically, 87.5% recommended dose of NPK + foliar spray of water-soluble fertilizers was recorded highest net return of, Rs.1,25,890.05 and highest benefit:cost ratio of 2.73, in our trial

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy