Comparative bio-efficacy of nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) and Spinosad against American bollwormm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)

ABSTRACT American bollworm (ABW), Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), is considered as a major pest of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum, all over the globe. Due to its destructive feeding nature and continuous consumption of the same chemicals, it devolved resistant against many insecticides. Therefore, a combined application of bio- and synthetic-pesticide need to evaluate against this pest. The entomopathogenic viruses like nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV), a member of baculoviruses, can be the potential candidates for better control against ABW. The present study was conducted to assess the comparative efficacy of NPV and Spinosad 240SC (with the concentration of 250 mL · ha-1) against ABW in the controlled environment. The ABW was treated with different concentrations of NPV and Spinosad separately and in a combination of NPV with 0.1% Spinosad. The results revealed that highest concentrations showed highest mortality (95%) followed by 95%, 92%, 84%, 82% and 78% mortality at 1 × 109, 1 × 108, 1 × 107, 1 × 106 and 1 × 105 POBs, respectively. Spinosad when mixed in diet give 100% mortality at 0.8% followed by 50.87%, 42.10%, 29.82%, 26.31% and 22.80% mortality at 0.4%, 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.5% and 0.025% respectively. The results of this study revealed that microbial control of ABW through NPV is an effective tool. The repeated use of synthetic pesticides caused the resurgence of many insect pests, and this study results would provide useful insight to build a framework for future investigations for the management of many major insect pests.

Yield of closed pleural biopsy and cytology in exudative pleural effusion

Objective: To determine diagnostic yield of Closed Pleural Biopsy [CPB] and Cytology in Exudative Pleural Effusion [PE]

Methods: This prospective comparative study was conducted at Chest Unit-II and Medical Unit-IV of Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi Pakistan from January 2011 till December 2014

Results: Ninety-four patients with exudative PE were finally included. The mean age [SD] was 44.0 [13.8] years. Overall Specific Diagnosis was reached in 76/94 patients; 46 Tuberculosis PE [TPE] and 30 Malignant PE [MPE]. CPB diagnosed all TPE patients alone and 28/30 of MPE. Cytology diagnosed only 10/30 patients of MPE with 8 patients having both CPB and Cytology positive for malignancy whereas in the remaining two cases only Cytology positive. The sensitivity of CPB in detecting TPE and MPE was 93.9% and 82.4% respectively whereas specificity for both was 100%. The diagnostic yield of cytology in detecting MPE is only [33.3%]. The diagnostic yield of CPB for TPE and MPE is 100% and 93.3% respectively. The overall specific diagnostic yield of CPB is 78.7%

Conclusion: CPB is better than pleural fluid cytology alone with the later adding little to diagnostic yield when both combined in distinguishing TPE from MPE, the two main differential of exudative PE in a TBEndemic country

Gfr estimation using 99mTc dtpa gates method for assessment of early diabetic nephropathy - a comparison with 24-hour creatinine clearance

To correlate Gates glomerular filtration rate [GGFR] using technetium-99m diethylene triaminepentacetic acid [99mTc DTPA] with 24-hour creatinine clearance [CRCL] and to establish relationship with duration of diabetes in patients with early diabetic nephropathy. A cross-sectional comparative study carried out in Nuclear Medical Centre from Aug 2009 to Jan 2010 at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology [AFIP], Rawalpindi, Pakistan. A total of eighty three subjects were enrolled, who were divided into three groups; group 1 comprised 31 normotensive diabetics, group 2 had 37 hypertensive diabetics while group 3 had 15 normal subjects. The DTPA GFR and creatinine clearance in healthy subjects as well as diabetic patients were compared using the unpaired student's t-test. The linear association between GFR, creatinine clearance and disease duration was expressed by Pearson's correlation coefficient V along with their significance levels. Gates GFR showed hyperfiltration in normotensive diabetics [96.6 +/- 3.3 ml/min/1.73 m[2]], significantly [p<0.05] higher than controls [85.5 +/- 5 ml/min/1.73 m[2]], whereas hypertensive diabetics had a significantly lower [p<0.05] Gates GFR [76.8 +/- 3.7] than that of controls. Significant degree of correlation existed between GGFR and CRCL in hypertensive diabetics [p<0.05, r=0.716] and controls [r=0.546]. Gates GFR also showed good correlation with duration of diabetes in both diabetic groups as compared to that of CRCL. GGFR also correlated well with duration of hypertension 0.37 [0.31-0.43] as compared to CRCL 0.155 [0.15-0.16] in all groups. The 99mTc-DTPA clearance correlates significantly with 24-hour creatinine clearance as well as with disease duration and can provide a simple and convenient index of kidney function in patients of early diabetic nephropathy

Monitoring of parasitic cysts in the brains of a flock of sheep in Egypt / Monitoramento de cistos parasitários no cérebro de um rebanho de ovinos no Egito

Cerebral parasitic cysts constitute a major problem for livestock. Among these, coenurosis and toxoplasmosis are predominant. Here, a total number of 60 sheep obtained from a private farm in Suez province, Egypt, were examined postmortem to detect visible parasitic cysts, and microscopically to detect small-sized entities. Necropsy revealed bladder-like cysts measuring 0.5-6.5 cm in diameter that were filled with a translucent fluid containing a large number of protoscolices. Accordingly, the cysts were identified as the metacestode Coenurus cerebralis. Among the sheep examined, 11 animals (7 males and 4 females) (18.3%) were infected. Most of the cysts were located in the cerebral hemispheres, with numbers ranging from one to three per infected animal. The effect of the presence of cysts in the brain tissue was evaluated. Histopathologically, pseudocysts of the apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii were found in two animals with no detectable inflammatory cell reactions. In conclusion, coenurosis and toxoplasmosis are serious parasitic problems that play a significant role in sheep management in Egypt, as a result of close contact between livestock and dogs and cats, which play a critical role in the life cycle of these parasites.

Cistos cerebrais parasitários constituem um grande problema para o gado. Entre estes, coenurosis e toxoplasmose são predominantes. Aqui, um número total de 60 ovelhas obtidas em uma fazenda particular na província Suez, Egito, foram examinadas post-mortem para a detecção de cistos parasitários visíveis e microscopicamente para detectar cistos de pequenas dimensões. A necropsia revelou cistos medindo entre 0,5-6,5 cm de diâmetro, preenchidos com um fluido transparente, contendo um grande número de protoscolices. Por conseguinte, os cistos foram identificados como o metacestóide Coenurus cerebralis. Entre as ovelhas examinadas, 11 animais (7 machos e 4 fêmeas) (18,3%) estavam infectados. A maior parte dos cistos estavam localizados nos hemisférios cerebrais, com números variando de um a três em ovinos infectados. O efeito da presença de cistos no tecido do cérebro foi avaliado. Histopatologicamente, pseudocistos de Toxoplasma gondii foram encontrados em dois animais sem reações inflamatórias detectáveis. Em conclusão, coenurosis e toxoplasmose são graves problemas parasitários que desempenham um papel significativo no manejo de ovelhas no Egito, como resultado do contacto íntimo dos animais com os cães e gatos, que desempenham um papel crítico no ciclo de vida desses parasitas.

B-natriuretic peptide, C- reactive protein and microalbuminuria in association with diastolic dysfunction, ankle brachial index and carotid duplex in type 2 diabetic female patients

Background: Cardiovascular diseases [CVD] is the leading cause of death in patients with type 2 diabetes accounting for 50-70% of all deaths [Berryet al., 2007] and it is believed that in 2020 CVD over-run infectious diseases and cancer to become the leading cause of death and disability, so the evidence is accumulating in favor of a wider use of several novel biomarkers in CVD [Dotsenko et al., 2007]

Aim of the work: 1- Evaluation of plasma BNP, hs-CRP and microalbuminuria as a risk biomarkers in detection of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction [LVDD], low ABI and increase in carotid intima- media thickness [CIMT] in asymptomatic type 2 diabetic female patients. 2- Detection of LVDD, peripheral arterial disease and carotid lesion in asymptomatic type 2 diabetic female patients in comparison to controls and their relation to cardiovascular risk biomarkers

Patients and methods: The study included 50 type 2 diabetic female patients [patient group] with duration of diabetes from 5-7 years and another age matched 40 female subjects were chosen as [control group]. Patients and controls were subjected to the following: history taking, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, electrocardiography, echocardiography, ankle brachial index [ABI] and carotid duplex and laboratory investigations including; blood glucose, lipogram, serum creatinine, hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c,], BNP, hs -CRP and microalbuminuria

Results: -BNP, CRP and ,microalhuminuria significantly increased [P=0. 000] in diabetic patients versus controls. -There was significant LVDD, low ABJ and significant increase in CIMT in diabetic patients versus controls - Significant increase in BNP, CRP and microalbuminuria in patients having LVDD, low and in patients having increase in CIMT There was a significant positive correlation between diastolic dysfunction and CIMT with BNP, also there was significant negative correlation between ABI and BNP as a cardiovascular predictor at [p<0.05] with [r-square] [0. 778, 0.350 and 0.282] respectively

Conclusions: BNP, CRP and microalbuminuria are significant cardiovascular biomarkers in type 2 diabetic finale patients. BNP is a significant cardiovascular predictor for LVDD, low ABI and increase in CIMT

Validation of modified estimated glomerular filtration rate in chronic kidney disease patients

To derive the ethnic factor and validate the modified estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate [eGFR] by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease [MDRD] equation for Chronic Kidney Disease [CKD] patients of Rawalpindi. Cross- sectional study. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology [AFIP], Rawalpindi, from July 2011 to July 2012. A total of 140 patients with CKD reporting to AFIP for GFR measurement by [99m] Technetium diethylenethiaminepenta-acetic acid [[99m]Tc-DTPA] renal scan were consecutively inducted. Serum creatinine was measured by the Jaffe's assay on Beckman DxC 600 Analyzer prior to the renal scan. Ethnic factor for population of Rawalpindi with CKD was derived for the MDRD eGFR equation using [99m]Tc-DTPA renal scan by Gates method as the reference method. MDRD equation was modified by inclusion of the ethnic factor in it. Agreement between the reference GFR [rGFR] and the modified MDRD eGFR [mGFR] was assessed by applying paired samples t-test. Out of 140 patients of CKD, 99 [71%] were males and 41 [29%] females, with mean age of 55 +/- 13.42 years. The mean values were 32.91 +/- 14.96, 34.89 +/- 16.45, 0.971 +/- 0.20 and 33.87 +/- 15.97 for rGFR, original eGFR, ethnic factor and mGFR respectively. The mGFR with new ethnic factor of 0.971 showed improved performance as compared to original eGFR and showed a significant level of correlation with rGFR [r[2] = 0.817], at a p-value of 0.000. This study validates the mGFR equation by inclusion of newly derived ethnic factor of 0.971 in the population of Rawalpindi with CKD and it was found to be not significantly different from the rGFR.

Evaluation of different detection methods of biofilm formation in the clinical isolates

BACKGROUND: Microorganisms growing in a biofilm are associated with chronic and recurrent human infections and are highly resistant to antimicrobial agents. There are various methods to detect biofilm production like Tissue Culture Plate (TCP), Tube method (TM), Congo Red Agar method (CRA), bioluminescent assay, piezoelectric sensors, and fluorescent microscopic examination. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to compare three methods for the detection of biofilms. METHOD: The study was carried out at the Department of Microbiology, Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan, from January 2010 to June 2010. A total of 110 clinical isolates were subjected to biofilm detection methods. Isolates were identified by standard microbiological procedures. Biofilm detection was tested by TCP, TM and CRA. Antibiotic susceptibility test of biofilm producing bacteria was performed by using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique according to CLSI guidelines. RESULTS: The TCP method was considered to be superior to TM and CRA. From the total of 110 clinical isolates, TCP method detected 22.7 percent as high, 41 percent moderate and 36.3 percent as weak or non-biofilm producers. We have observed higher antibiotic resistance in biofilm producing bacteria than non-biofilm producers. CONCLUSION: We can conclude from our study that the TCP method is a more quantitative and reliable method for the detection of biofilm forming microorganisms as compared to TM and CRA methods, and it can be recommended as a general screening method for detection of biofilm producing bacteria in laboratories.

Cholescintigraphy of children with prolonged neonatal jaundice

To find the cause of neonatal jaundice in patients of up to 1 year of age, referred to Nuclear Medical Centre, AFIP Rawalpindi. Patients of jaundice up to 1 year of age referred by paediatricians from Military Hospitals were subjected to radionuclide cholescintigraphy at Nuclear Medical Centre, AFIP, Rawalpindi. The pattern noted was that 41% cases were scintigraphically positive for biliary atresia, 37% cases were found to be negative for it. Sixteen percent of the cases showed scintigraphic evidence of parenchymal liver disease and the possibility of biliary atresia could not be completely ruled out in these patients. Interestingly 6% of the cases were noted to be inconclusive though they were suffering from jaundice. The female to male ratio were 1:1.5, 1:6, and 1:1.6 for biliary atresia, negative for biliary atresia and parenchymal liver disease respectively. The cause of neonatal jaundice in most cases was biliary atresia and the frequency in males was higher as compared to female patients

Management of coarotation of the Aorta; the use of multi-slice CT Scan in case selection

Treatment options for native coarctation of the aorta [CoA] are catheter-based intervention [balloon angioplasty with or without stenting] or surgical repair. Selection of the appropriate treatment modality is crucial for safe management and is dictated by several factors including aortic anatomy and CoA morphology. Assessment of these factors is most commonly achieved using echocatfiography coupled with either conventional angiography or magnetic resonance angiography. Multidetector computed tomography [MDCT] or multi-slice CT scan, although commonly used for diagnosis and follow-up of CoA following definitive treatment, has not been previously evaluated as a tool for deciding the optimal treatment modality. Aim is to evaluate employment of MDCT for selection of the appropriate treatment modality in patients with native CoA. Between May 2004 and June 2007, 17 patients with a mean age of 10 years [1 month-16 years] were referred for management of echocardiographically- documented isolated native CoA. MDCT scans of the heart and aorta were obtained in all patients using a 16-row CT scanner. The choice of definitive management strategy, whether catheter-based or surgical, was decided based on aortic anatomy and CoA morphology depicted in the MDCT images. Four of the 17 patients included in the study were deemed unsuitable for catheter-based intervention based on the MDCT images. Of the four patients, one had dense annular calcification of the proximal descending aorta, two had aneurysms of the ascending or descending aorta related to the CoA site and one had a hypoplastic aortic arch. Findings were confirmed at surgery. Surgeries were successful and uncomplicated. Balloon angioplasty with/without stent placement was performed in the remaining 13 patients. In this group, the peak systolic gradient decreased from a mean of 77mmHg to a mean of 7mmHg and the CoA site diameter increased from a mean of 2.4mm to a mean of 13mm. There were no complications. MDCT readily delineates aortic and CoA site anatomic and morphologic features that may negate catheter-based intervention in favor of surgical repair. This may help avoid complications and enhance successful and safe management of patient, whether infants, children or adolescents with native CoA