Screening of nematophagous-fungi from fresh faeces of grazing animals and soils

@#An investigation was undertaken for screening and isolating nematophagous-fungi from the faecal samples of various grazing animals and soils in Malaysia. Total of 111 faeces and 50 soil samples were collected and the samples were cultured on 2% water agar plates. The growth of nematophagous-fungi was stimulated by sprinkling-baiting technique. The conidia of suspected nematophagous-fungi were inoculated on 2% water agar plates. All isolated were maintained on 2% cornmeal agar plates. Verticillium spp., Fusarium spp. and Arthrobotrys spp. were identified from the faecal and soil samples. 62.5% of the faecal samples and 100% of the soil samples were shown to be positive with nematophagous-fungi. This study highlights the present of nematophagous-fungi population in faecal and soil samples. Much study remains to be done to better understanding some fungi especially their mode of action and their predatory behaviour against parasitic nematodes.

Avaliação neuropsicológica na doença Alzheimer e demência frontotemporal: critérios nosológicos / Neuropsychological assessment in Alzheimer disease and frontotemporal dementia: nosological criteria

A Doença de Alzheimer (DA) e a Demência Frontotemporal (DFT) são manifestações frequentemente observadas na prática clínica em avaliação neuropsicológica no idoso. Contudo, a similaridade dessas manifestações impõe uma dificuldade para estabelecer quais são os critérios diagnósticos diferenciais. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever os principais critérios nosológicos para a DA e para a DFT. A neurofisiopatologia é um marcador evidente nessa distinção. Uma plena compreensão nosológica nos distintos quadros demências é importante para a avaliação neuropsicológica

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) are clinical symptoms often observed in practice in neuropsychological assessment in the elderly. However, the similarity of these events represents a difficulty to establish which would be the differential diagnostic criteria. The purpose of this article is to describe the main nosologic criteria for AD and FTD. The neuropathophysiology is a clear marker of this distinction. The nosological understanding of the different characteristics of dementia subtypes is important for neuropsychological assessment

[A] massive tuberculosis abscess at the erector spinae muscles and subcutaneous tissues in a young man

Tuberculosis [TB] is a chronic granulomatous infection which can present in an atypical form. Isolated muscle involvement is very rare. We report a 25-year-old man who presented with a massive cystic swelling on the right side of his back, extending from the lower thoracic to the gluteal region. He had a history of contact with a friend who was suspected of having TB. Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] showed that the origin of the cyst was from the erector spinae muscles. The result of a fluid aspirate showed acid fast bacilli. The swelling disappeared after treatment with anti-tuberculous medications. Muscular involvement in TB is very rare. In our patient, the reports of an ultrasound and MRI confirmed isolated muscle and subcutaneous involvement without bony lesions. This case is reported to increase physician awareness regarding soft tissue TB. Although it is rare, similar cases may be seen in the future

Increasing frequency of Anti-HCV seropositivity in a cross-section of people in Karachi, Pakistan

To determine the current frequency of circulating anti-HCV antibody in a cross section of subjects in Karachi, Pakistan and compare it with previous observations. A total of 35,191 individuals of both sexes presenting at a private diagnostic lab and its branches in Karachi city were screened for Anti-HCV antibody during a two year period ending Dec 2010. Positive tests were detected using EVOLIS automated 4th generation analyzer and confirmed with COBAS e411 random access solid phase chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. Also, a retrospective scrutiny of 37,391 subjects tested in the same lab during 2002-07 suggested 5.9% anti-HCV seropositivity, and was considered for comparison. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 3170 [9.01%] of those assessed. The youngest positive subject was a 5-day-old male neonate, the eldest an 82-year-old male. The majority of carriers [48.0%] were aged 30-49 years and 53.1% of those tested positive in Karachi, Pakistan were female. Carrier rate of anti-HCV antibody was 5.9% during 2002-07 recorded in the same lab. HCV antibody frequency in our Karachi subjects have steadily increased from 5.9% in 2002-07 to 9.01% in 2009-10, encouraging awareness and enquiry of reasons for the increasing reach of a significant virus

A single nocturnal dose of famotidine for the treatment of duodenal ulcer: evaluation of efficacy and safety.

The efficacy and safety of a single nocturnal dose of famotidine (40 mg) was evaluated in 30 consecutive patients of duodenal ulcer (DU). Three patients were lost for follow-up and therefore were excluded. The mean age of remaining 27 patients was 34.3 (+/- 9.9) years and male to female ratio was 8:1. The mean size of the DU was 1.21 (+/- 0.79) cm. After a 4-week therapy all patients showed significant improvement and repeat endoscopy in 24 out of 27 patients (89%, 95% confidence interval; 78% to 100%) showed healed ulcer. Clinical assessment of pain relief at 4-week showed significant drop in the mean score of baseline daytime (from 1.85 to 0.13) and baseline nocturnal pain (from 1.70 to 0.10) (p less than 0.0001 and less than 0.0001, respectively). Also shown was the significant decrease in the mean gastrointestinal symptoms score from 5.89 at baseline to only 0.89 at 4-week (p less than 0.0001). Despite that all those who failed to show ulcer healing at 4-week were smokers, logistic regression analysis could not identify smoking or any other risk factors as adverse predictors of ulcer healing. None of the patients experienced significant side effects or adverse reactions. We conclude, that a single nocturnal dose of famotidine is a practical, highly effective and safe approach for the management of DU.