Sonographic fetal biometry charts for a Pakistani cohort

This study aimed to develop growth centiles at different gestational weeks for fetal biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference, femur length and head circumference in a Pakistani cohort. Data were collected at a tertiary referral hospital from pregnant women at gestational ages 13-40 weeks referred for obstetric ultrasound as a part of routine antenatal care. A total of 1599 fetal sonographic biometric measurements were collected after screening for the inclusion criteria. For each measurement, separate regression models were derived to estimate the mean, standard deviation and reference percentiles at each week of gestational age for this cohort. The best fitting model for each variable was selected. These charts will help radiologists and clinicians in predicting dates of delivery, assessing fetal growth and identifying intrauterine fetal insufficiency in the Pakistani population

evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma with biphasic contrast enhanced helical CT scan

To evaluate the role of biphasic contrast-enhanced helical CT including Hepatic Arterial Phase [HAP] imaging with Portal Venous Phase [PVP] imaging, in the detection and characterization of hepatocellular carcinomas. The study included 40 patients [M=26, F=14] with histopathologically proven HCC. Age range was between 30-85 years [mean=55] by following consecutive patients with cirrhosis in whom Hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed or suspected either by raised serum a [alpha]-fetoprotein level or Ultrasound. Biphasic contrast-enhanced examination revealed a total of 85 lesions in these 40 patients, out of which 13 were unifocal, 12 showed a dominant mass with satellite lesions, 2 showed cluster of contiguous nodules and 13 were multifocal HCCs. Mean diameter was 3.1 cm, ranging from 0.8 to 14 cm. On HAP imaging 85% were detected. [hyperattenuating = 69, hypoattenuating = 3] while on PVP imaging detectibility was only 48% [hyperattenuating=2, hypoattenuating=39]. Hence detectibility was significantly [p=0.008] superior in HAP as compared to PVP imaging. In 7 patients [17%] tumor was visible only on HAP images. Venous invasion was present in 12 patients [30%] while arterio-portal shunting was seen in 5 patients [13%]. Biphasic contrast enhanced helical CT is a useful method in detection and characterization of HCC

Evaluation of thyroid disorders on the basis of SDS-page electrophoresis

SOS-Page electrophoresis identifies the various protein fractions under different conditions. This property of the process was utilized to see the pattern of protein fractions among patients suffering from thyroid disease. A group of 1170 subject, comprising of nearly equal proportions of euthyroid, hypothyroid and hyperthyroid individuals, was studied. Most of the subjects were out-patients of Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. Random blood samples were taken from the subjects usually in the morning between 0800 - 1200 hours and after processing, the serum was stored at -80[C]. These aliquots were used for thyroid profile, bio-chemical analysis and SDS-PAGE electrophoreses. The serum samples of healthy / euthyroid samples showed 13 major protein fractions ranging in molecular weight of 321 to 28 kDa whereas 12 major protein fractions were detected in patients suffering from thyroid diseases. The fractions were found to be enhanced due to increased capillary permeability and increased interstitial fluid. By contrast, markedly reduced fractions were found among hyperthyroids probably due to the factors of negative nitrogen balance, loss of weight, muscle wasting, weaknesses mild hypo-albuminemia and increased anabolism of protein. The findings presented in this study suggest that SDS-PAGE may be a useful tool in the diagnosis of thyroid disorders

Some properties of the extracellular, cell bound and intracellular protease of mucor hiemalis

This study was undertaken to provide some basic aspects of the extracellular, intracellular and cell-bound protease of M. Hiemalis. was also tested for the production of milk-clotting enzymes. It was found that the protease whether obtained extracellularly or intracellulary exhibited milk-clotting action, although it was very weak and took about 8 hours to clot the milk. Intracellular protease showed maximum activity when it was extracted with 7.8 pH phosphate buffer. It was most active when incubated at 35°C. The protease hydrolysed casein and the rate of hydrolysis increased with the increase in time. Similar results were obtained with the extracellular and cell-bound protease

Separation and partial characterization of two of the extracellular endoglucanases of cellulomonas flavigena

Two extracellular endoglucanases of Cellulomonas flavigena were purified by acetone precipitation, gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography and preparative gradient PAGE and named as endoglucanases E1 and E2. Both of these were only active against carboxymethyl cellulose [CMC] and their Km values were determined to be 7.8 and 20 g/l, respectively. Each of the enzyme gave glucose along with cellobiose as end product. Both the endoglucanases were most active at pH 6.5 - 7.0 and at 45 - 50°C. Each of the enzyme was inhibited by 20 mM glucose and cellobiose. Heavy metal ion e.g. Ag+ and Fe++ and B-mercaptoethanol strongly inhibited both the enzymes whereas slight inhibition was observed with Ca++. The enzymes are stable in the pH range of 3 - 10 and below 30°C. Molecular weights as determined by SDS-PAGE are 75,000 for endoglucanase E1 and 60,000 for the endoglucanase E2

Lipid class and percentage of cotyledons and primary roots in zea mays [neelum]

An investigation was conducted to study the variation in the lipid class and fatty acid composition of the individual lipid fraction in Zea mays [Neelum] cotyledons and primary roots during germination to various root length. There was loss in both the dry weight and lipid content in the cotyledons, while in the roots the dry weight increased and decreased. During germination the relative amount of the neutral lipids were utilized at a faster rate than polar lipid in both the cotyledons and primary roots indicating that the seeds utilized the fat reserves to germinate. The resting seeds contained lesser amount of polar lipids as glycolipids and phosphatidyi ethanolamine and its lyso compound were absent. In the lipid class composition of the primary root significant changes indicated the function of neutral glycerides as a source of reserve energy while the glycolipids and phosphoglycerides played a role as component of the membrane systems in the growing root

Purification and partial characterization of extracellular lipases of mucor hiemalis

Extracellular lipases of Mucor hiemalis were purified from the culture grown in shake flasks for 96 hours. The broth was saturated with ammonium sulfate to 70%, the precipitates were dissolved and the solution desalted through a Sephadex G-25 column. The crude preparation was fractionated by chromatography with DEAE-Sephadex A-50 using a linear salt gradient. The two enzyme activities as obtained by pooling active fractions were purified further by passing each of these through a Sephadex G-l50 column. Each of the enzymes, F 1 and F 2, was found to be homogeneous by SDSPAGE. Enzyme actitives were also detected on polyacramide gel rods incorporated with 0.1% olive oil as substrate. Molecular weights of lipases F 1 and F 2 as determined by gel filteration with Sephadex G-150 were found to be 45, 710 and 19, 950, while their pH optima was 8.9 and 7.6, respectively. Lipase F 1 was purified 47.85 times with specific activity of 6.7 U/mg while lipase F2 showed 42.5 times purification with specific activity of 5.95 U/mg protein

Preparation and biological evaluation of Tc99m-Sn phosphate colloid for the study of reticuloendothelial system

A colloid of sodium dihydrogen phosphate and stannous chloride was prepared at pH 6.0 which could be instantly labellea with Tc [99m]. Labelling yield was over 96% as determined by paper chromatography, ultrafiltration and gel chromatography. Effect of heat, pH, electolytes and concentration on the stability of the colloid was studied by visual inspection. Particle size of the colloid was adjusted by observing agglomeration and comparing with other colloids like Tc [99m] Tin and Tc [99m] Sulphur. Biodistribution study performed in mice showed 70% of the colloid uptake in liver, 4% in spleen and 7% in bone marrow at one hour post-injection of Tc [99m]-Sn-PO4 colloid. Time-activity curve drawn showed maximum uptake in the liver area at 15 minutes post-injection. The radiocolloid showed a potential in the study of liver malfunctions in humans. No lung uptake was detected and no sign of toxicity was observed