Isolation of a cytolytic component from Naja nigricollis nigricollis [spitting cobra] venom

A cytolytic compound [Vlb] was isolated by fractionation of crude venom from Egyptian Cobra Snake, Naja nigricollis nigricollis using Sephadex G-75, followed by CM- Sephadex. The isolated protein has a cytolytic effect on red cells, stable at different temperatures [25 °C-100°C] and at different pH ranges [5-9]. It is partially pure as indicated by SDS-PAGE, with molecular weight approximately 10 kDa. It has no protease or phospholipase activity. It is a glycoprotein, with maximum absorbance at 280nm. It is non antigenic, with LD50 1.83 mg/ kg body weight. DNA extraction from mouse liver tissue and from hepatocellular carcinoma cell line [HEPG2] gave a single intact band after invitro incubation with Vlb, indicating that apoptosis is not involved in the cytotoxic mechanism. Small doses of Vlb induced lysis in breast, colon and hepatocellular carcinomas cell lines in tissue culture plates

accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of non thyroid neck masses: experience at Queen Alia Military Hospital

To assess the accuracy of cytological examination of non thyroid neck masses and to correlate the findings between cytology and subsequent histopathology examination at Queen Alia Military Hospital between 2001 and 2005. This study was carried out at Queen Alia Military Hospital between January 2001 and December 2005. The records of 104 adult patients, over a five-year period were reviewed. The definitive diagnosis of the palpable mass was determined by review of the patient's case notes. Sixty-four [61.5%] as malignant, and 10 [9.6%] as nondiagnostic. Histopathology of all the excised 104 specimens revealed that 70 [67.3%] had benign disease and 34 [32.7%] had malignant disease. The most common benign disease was pleomorphic adenoma with a sensitivity of 88.2%, a specificity of 98.1%, and an overall accuracy of 93.3%. The most common malignant pathology was squamous cell carcinoma with a sensitivity of 88.9%, a sensitivity, and accuracy were 86.9, 96.3% respectively. Fine needle aspiration biopsy in experienced hands is a good screening test with acceptable sensitivity and specificity in the assessment of non thyroid neck masses

Abdominal wall sinus as a result of spilled gallstone post laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case report

This is a case report of a 73 year old male patient who presented with a chronic discharging sinus from the right side of his abdominal wall almost three years after he underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy CAT scan showed a sinus tract leading to a radio-opaque foreign body located in a cavity just lateral to the right edge of the right lobe of the liver, highly suggestive of a gallstone being slipped during cholecystectomy .The patient underwent surgery where the sinus tract was excised and a gallstone was removed from a cavity sinus in the peritoneurn just lateral to the right edge of the right lobe of the liver. Both the laparotomy wound and sinus tract wound were completely healed three weeks post operatively. Gallstone abscess and sinus formation post laparoscopic cholecystectomy are becoming more common than expected due to the underestimation of many surgeons of the hazards that may result from gallbladder perforation and stone spillage intraperitonially during the procedure. This a rare and new complication post laparoscopic cholecystectomy and can be prevented by several simple precautions and manoeuvres. Increase of awareness about this type of complication will facilitate it prevention

Molecular cloning and sequencing of disintegrin like domain from Cerastes cerastes venom gland

Disintegrin-like domain was cloned and sequenced from Cerastes cerastes venom gland tissue. Nested RT-PCR was performed using initial primers designed based on the homology of disintegrins from Trimeresurus flavoviridis, Giodius halys, Agkistrodon halys and Trimeresurus macrosquamatus. The homology was reached using BLAST searching tool. The primers were selected using doprimers algorithm. Nested primers were those reported by Yamada et al [1999] for Trimeresurus flavoviridis. The nested PCR product was approximately 150 bP as determined by agarose gel electrophoresis Cloning of the PCR product was performed using Qiagen PCR cloning system. The construct in pDrive cloning vector was introduced into competent JM109 bacterial cells [Promega]. Plasmid DNA minipreps were prepared having the 150bp insert. Sequence analysis of the insert gave 124 bp which is in extensive sequence homology with many snake venoms disintegrin domain. Translation of the nucleotides sequence and searching the protein database revealed amino acid sequence of disintegrin with 70% consensus identity. Prosite motif search gave two phosphorylation sites [kinase c and casein kinase 1]. One myristoylation site was also identified. Four cysteines seems to form disulfide bonds