Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with schizophrenia

Background and Objectives: Schizophrenia is a complex chronic neuropsychiatric disease of the central nervous system, believed to have multiple etiologies. Toxoplasma gondii has emerged as an interesting candidate as a possible cause of some cases of schizophrenia. As there is scarce information about the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in psychiatric patients in Erbil; we investigated the seroprevalence of T. gondii in schizophrenic patients and compared with that obtained from control individuals in Erbil correlated with inflammatory marker C-reactive protein

Method: This case control study included 93 schizophrenic patients seeking medical advice at Hawler Psychiatric Hospital and private clinics with 93 non psychiatric control were screened for the presence of anti-toxoplasma IgG, IgM [by ELISA test] and C-reactive protein using qualitative methods. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and behavioral data among the respondents

Results: In chronic cases anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies were seropositive in 30/93 [32.3%] of the schizophrenic patients and 4/93[4.3%] of control [P <0.001]. The seropositive rate of IgM antibodies was 9.7% and 1.1% among schizophrenic patients and control, respectively [P = 0.006]. The result of C-reactive protein positivity among patients and control was 23.6% and 3.22%, respectively [P <0.001]

Conclusion: Our results delineate that association might exist between Toxoplasma gondii infection and schizophrenia etiology

UV Spectrophotometric Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Desloratidine and Pseudoephedrine HCl in Combined Dosage Form.

Aims: UV Spectrophotometric Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Desloratidine and Pseudoephedrine HCl in combined Dosage form. Study Design: A simple, rapid and specific UV spectroscopic method with good sensitivity was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of Desloratidine and Pseudoephedrine HCl in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form. Place and Duration of Study: Department of pharmaceutical Analysis & Quality Assurance, School of Pharmacy, Anurag Group of Institutions, Venkatapur, R.R Dist, Andhra Pradesh, India during February 2013 and April 2013. Methodology: Vierodt’s (Simultaneous equation) method was performed for Estimation of Desloratidine and Pseudoephedrine HCl in Pharmaceutical dosage form. Results: In Ethanol the max of Desloratidine and Pseudoephedrine HCl was fixed as 240 and 258 nm respectively using a Shimadzu UV-Visible spectrophotometer. In this proposed method both drugs obeyed linearity within the concentration range of 5-30 g/ml and 80-800 g/ml for Desloratidine and Pseudoephedrine HCl respectively. The low RSD values indicate good precision and high recovery values indicate accuracy of the proposed method. The proposed method has been applied to the determination of drugs in commercial formulations. Assay results were in good agreement with label claim. The method was validated as per ICH guidliness. Conclusion: The developed method was simple, accurate, precise, specific, sensitive and reproducible which can be efficiently and easily applied to pharmaceutical dosage forms.

Seroprevalence of pediatric malaria in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan

Malaria is one of the most devastating protozoal diseases in under developing countries like Pakistan where health facilities are scarce. It is the second most frequently reported disease with 4.5 million suspected cases in Pakistan. The current study was designed to determine the incidence of pediatric malaria in Quetta, Balochistan. The study was conducted at Children Hospital Quetta [CHQ] during July 2011march 2012. Blood samples were collected from 3418 clinically suspected and were evaluated using thin and thick blood films stained with Giemsa stain. Out of 3418 total of 230 [6.72%] children were found positive for any of the malarial parasitic infestation. Plasmodium vivax was observed to be more common 54.34% [n= 125/230] than P. falciparum 44.78% [n=103/230]. Male children were 65.21% [150/230] i.e. two times more commonly affected than female 34.78% [80/230] children. The prevalence among age groups was 7.41% [n=89/1200] in preschool-aged children aged 1-5 years, 7.11% [n=75/1054] in school-aged children aged 6-10 years while 6.78% [n=46/678] in 11-15 years-old children, and 6.66% [n=20/300] in >15 year-olds children. Peak prevalence was noted in summer and mild in winter. Mixed infection of [0.86%: 2/230] P. vivax and P. falciparum was also observed in two cases although no case of P. malariae or P. ovale infection was seen during entire study. The results reflect the higher prevalence of malaria in Quetta, Pakistan that poses a significant health threat and requires urgent attention of high-ups to launch programme to control the disease in the area.

Congenital hyperinsulinism in a neonate due to a novel homozygous mutation [ABCC8]: a case report

Congenital hyperinsulinism [CHI], a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disease, is the most common cause of persistent hypoglycemia in infancy. It is characterized by the unregulated secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta-cells in relation to blood glucose concentration. The most common form of CHI is associated with autosomal recessive mutations in genes ABCC8 and KCNJ11, encoding the two subunits of the pancreatic beta-cells ATP sensitive potassium channel [KATP]. When the disease presents in the neonatal period, early diagnosis and maintenance of normoglycaemia are essential to prevent adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Prenatal diagnosis of CHI with a know mutation is a promising new avenue which will ensure early and appropriate postnatal intervention and improved long term outcome. We report a case of neonatal CHI due to homozygous recessive mutation in the ABCC8 gene. The parents were asymptomatic carriers of ABCC8 gene. A review of literature and update on the genetics of the disease is presented in this article

Screening of hepatitis B- and C- viral markers in Iraqi patients with proteinuria

Viral hepatitis may lead to nephropathy as one of its multiple extra hepatic manifestations. Symptomatic proteinuria as detected by dipstick, and qualitative urine collection are simple tests in practice as well as useful cardinal test of underlying renal abnormalities. The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of hepatitis B virus [HBV] and/or hepatitis C virus [HCV] infections on the occurrence of symptomatic proteinuria amongst adults and pediatrics. A prospective study included [143] adult and pediatric Iraqi patients presented with symptomatic proteinuria, and 108 [age- and sex-matched] apparently healthy individuals [as control group] who were serologically screened for HBV and HCV markers using third generation Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] techniques, screening for HIV by ELISA and other related immunological and biochemical profile. It was found that the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg], anti hepatitis B core antibody [anti-HBc-IgM], anti hepatitis B surface antibody [anti-HBs] and anti hepatitis C antibody [anti-HCV] in the proteinuria group as compared to control group, were [7.0% vs. 0.9%, P<0.05] for HBsAg, [2.8% vs. 0%, P>0.05] for anti-HBc-IgM, [20.3% vs. 23.1%, P>0.05] for anti-HBs antibody, and [6.3% vs. 0%, P<0.01] for anti-HCV. Our study demonstrated a significant association between proteinuria and HCV, and HBV infection in the adult and pediatric population. The interpretation of serological patterns of viral hepatitis markers in patients with newly diagnosed proteinuria are important, it might suggest that detailed urinalysis and qualitative urine protein assessment is mandatory when managing patients with HCV or with HBV infections

Effect on the bond strength between composite resin and glass ionomer cement

Glass ionomer cements are tooth-coloured materials that bond chemically to dental hard tissues and release fluoride for a relatively long period. Glass ionomer is the ideal radiopaque liner for use under all types of composites. It bonds to dentin, reduces microleakage enhances the bond strength of composite

Effect of marginal leakage around class II composite resin restorations

The desire for improved esthetics have led to the appearance of "posterior composite resins" for occlusal restorations. Forty extracted permanent human molars and premolars of mesial or distal class II cavities were included. There was no leakage found at 58% and 89%. The lowest degree of leakage for all filling methods was found at the occlusal margin

Verticalaly root fracture in endodontically treated teeth: a review of 41 cases in civil hospital Quetta

We want to examine the various factors which caused vertical root fractures [VRF]. This a retrospective study in which we reviewed 41 case histories of vertical root fractures after canal treatment and various factors responsible for VRF. The average line to VRF was 5 years. this was not specifically affected by presence or absence of restoration but absence of restoration effects more on VRF. Teeth restored with amalgam significantly took longer period for VRF than restored with composite or bonded amalgam. Amalgam restorations are more prone to horizontal fractures or coronal fracture

Dentin-enamel bonding system to wet and dry dentin

[tokhalid321@yahoo.com] To evaluate the ability of dentin-enamel bonding system to bond to wet, as well as to dry, dentinal substrate. Dental Section, Bolan Medical College, Quetta. Sixty extracted human molars, free of obvious defects were selected for this study and divided equal in six groups. They were used within 2 weeks of harvest and stored in tap water at 4 degree C. For the experiment, the teeth were embedded in autopolymerizing acrylic resin in a stainless ring with an inside diameter of 1 inch. The matrices were removed from the teeth, and the teeth were stored for 24 hours in water at 37 degree C.-Group-1 had one cohesive dentinal failure. Group-3 exhibited cohesive dentinal failure nine times out of ten. Group-5 had four cohesive dentinal failures. All specimens in group-6 failed adhesively. Two-way analysis of variance showed that the mean shear bond strength of group 4 was significantly lower than those of groups-1 and 2. Mean bond strengths of groups-3, 5, and 6. Mean bond strengths of groups-3, 5, and 6 were not significantly different from one another. Mean bond strengths of groups 1 and 2 were not significantly different from one another, but both were significantly lower than those of groups-3, 5, and 6. Groups-3 and 5 also showed bond strengths with lower coefficients of variation than were found in groups in which the dentin was dried. The wet dentinal surfaces exhibited significantly higher bond strengths than the dry surfaces. It is suggested that the dentinal surface is adapted to much more thoroughly and intimately when the surface is wet

Comparative study between lamellar body counts and shake test for detection of fetal lung maturity

This study was designed to quantify the amniotic fluid lamellar body counts during the third trimester of pregnancy and compare this count with the bubble stability test in prediction of fetal lung maturity and occurrence of respiratory distress syndrome [RDS]. The study was conducted on 25 pregnant women attending Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. The patients were in the third trimester and the gestational age ranged from 30 to 37 weeks.The gestational age was determined by the date of the last menstrual period and serial ultrasonography. New born Dubowitz assessment was also performed. Amniotic fluid samples were collected either by ultrasound guided amniocentesis or at the time of caesarean section. The present study showed that the choice of 30,000 particles/ul as a decision threshold for lamellar body counts gives the best prediction of respiratory distress syndrome. The sensitivity and specificity of lamellar body counting were 100%. It is more accurate in prediction of RDS than bubble stability test which have a sensitivity of 77.7% and a specificity of 93.4% at cut off point 2 test tubes positive bubble stability test. The present study showed a highly significant relation between lamellar body counts and bubble stability test, gestational age and birth weight. There was also a linear correlation between lamellar body counts and Apgar score at one and five minutes

Rhino-orbital and rhino-cerebral fungal disease: a potentially life threatening condition

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis and aspergilloma is a commonly fatal disease of immunocompromised patients which may also occur in otherwise healthy individuals. We report a series of six cases of fungal involvement of the air sinuses and orbits. Three patients also had intracranial extension. Two of our patients had an early fatal outcome in spite of intensive treatment with Amphotericin B. The importance of clinical suspicion in patients with rhino orbito cerebral mass lesions is emphasized. As four out of the six patients were not immunocompromised we recommend that the differential should be considered for all patients whether immunocompromised or not. Early CT Scanning, histological proof followed by radical surgery and antifungal drugs is recommended

Magnetic resonance imaging in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis causing thoracic myelopathy

We report a rare patient with Forestier-Rotes Disease and thoracic spinal extradural posterior compression where Magnetic Resonance Imaging was instrumental in confirming clinical impressions of the site of maximal cord compression. As Diffuse Idiopathic Interspinous Hyperostosis is usually widespread in the spine and may need extensive surgery. MRI represents a modality leading to reduced extent of surgery

Intramedullary lipoma of the cervical and thoracic spinal cord

We report the case of a patient with quadriparesis due to a cervicothoracic intramedullary lipoma unassociated with spinal dysraphism. Intraspinal lipomas are usually associated with spinal dysraphism but in rare cases this association does not exist. Once the symptoms develop surgery does not usually result in any improvement in the neurological symptoms. Early Magnetic Resonance Imaging in patients with symptoms is recommended so that the tumour may he removed before permanent neurological deficit develops

Primary intracranial tumors extramural spread to bone marrow: a report of two cases

Intracranial tumours metastasise rarely outside the central nervous system. Metastasis to the bone marrow in isolation from systemic metastasis elsewhere is even more uncommon, although more frequent than is generally thought. Our two cases and their favourable response to chemotherapy make us believe that bone marrow trephine aspiration should be part of the follow up protocol so as to initiate early treatment

histochemical study X-irradiation of the rabbit lens and its treatment

Na-K-ATPase and carbonic anhydrase [CA] activities in rabbit lens were studied histochemically at various times after exposure to a single dose of 2000 rads of X-ray, and were compared with their activities in the contralateral control lens. In the X-irradiated lenses, an increase in the Na-K-ATPase and CA activities was observed at the third and fourth weeks after exopsure, respectively. This was followed by a reduction in Na-K ATPase activites at the fourth week, and CA at the Twelfth week [prior to development of opacity at the thirteenth week]. The effect of topical applications of two proposed substances, horseradish peroxidase [HRP] as an antioxidant and honey as an anecdotal drug were studied clinically and histochemically in the X-irradiated rabbit lenses. Both drugs, particularly HRP. were able to delay or prevent changes due to X-irradiation. The histochemical verdict and the possible role of these substances are discussed in term combating the free radicals formed

Iatrogenic arterial injuries

This study includes 148 patients who sustained arterial injuries during various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Cardiac catheterization and angiography were responsible for the majority of cases [77%]. Surgical procedure came next and were responsible for 16.2% of cases. the commonly affected arteries were the brachial 48.7% and femoral 38.5% These injuries were managed surgically once diagnosed without the need of prior arteriography. The latter was reserved only to cases received late. The management depended upon the causative injury and the artery affected. Lateral suture was done in the majority of cases of injuries following diagnostic catheterization. On the other hand injuries following surgical procedures were managed by an interposition graft [saphenous vein or prosthetic] depending upon the size of the affected artery. Extra-anatomical by passes were reserved to cases with potential risks of infection. The results of management were satisfactory 12.2% morbidity and 1.3% mortality

Techniques of construction of a brachial basilic arteriovenous fistula

This study included 73 patients mainatined on regular hemodialysis and in whom the standard radial cephalic arteriovenous fistula cannot be constructed [26 cases] or failed [47 cases]. Two methods were used in these situations namely superficialization of the basilic vein [45 cases] and side to side brachial - basilic vein with valvulotomal destruction of the venous valves of the basilic vein in the forearm [28 cases]. The one year patency rates were 82.05% and 82.6% respectively. The overall complications of the two procedures were acceptable. Infections with aneurysmal dilatation and/or secondary hemorrhage occured in 4.1%, venous hypertension in 4.1% and distal ischemia in 1.36%. No cases of heart failure were observed in this series