Expression of Cyclin D1 in normal and hyperplastic endometrium

Background: Endometrial hyperplasia is characterised by increased gland to stroma ratio with varying degree of atypia. Cyclin D1 is a protein playing important role during the G1→S phase transition in the cell cycle. The present study evaluated the expression of Cyclin D1 in normal and hyperplastic endometrium.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted over a period of 1 year. We evaluated and compared the expression of Cyclin D1 in 56 endometrial samples including 24 cases of simple hyperplasia, 12 cases of complex hyperplasia and 10 cases each of secretory and proliferative endometrium.Results: A substantial increase in expression of Cyclin D1 was seen in hyperplastic endometrium compared to normal endometrium. Moreover, complex hyperplasia showed the maximum positivity for Cyclin D1.Conclusions: Cyclin D1 may play a stimulatory role in the proliferation of endometrial glands and hence may be involved in endometrial tumorigenesis.

Microbiological and physicochemical studies of soil near Bhokar of Maharashtra.

A field study was conducted at Bhokar for the soil and its various contents during the period of September 2010 to August 2011. A thorough survey was carried out to examine the quality of soil samples collected from agricultural farmlands around Bhokar city of Maharashtra state, India. The soil is mainly alluvial in nature. Data presentation revealed different values of physical and chemical characteristics of the soil. The objective of the study was to assess and compare the physicochemical properties of this soil. The study was carried on few selected physical, chemical and microbiological characterization and that to the quality soil and its nature. The standard analytical methods were applied for the analysis of soil under study.

Molecular description of plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamases among nosocomial isolates of Escherichia coli & Klebsiella pneumoniae from six different hospitals in India.

Background & objectives: Plasmid mediated AmpC β-lactamase (PMABL) resistance in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. is an emerging problem worldwide. Phenotypic methods are commonly used for detection of PMABL production in Gram-negative isolates, but molecular data about the prevalence of plasmid-mediated AmpC-type resistance at the national level are needed. Hence, a prospective study was undertaken to determine the occurrence of PMABL gene and its types among clinical isolates of E. coli and K. pneumoniae obtained from six different hospitals in India. Methods: A total of 241 nosocomial isolates of K. pneumoniae (n=109) and E.coli (n=132) from six geographically distant hospitals in India were included. These were screened for cefoxitin resistance. AmpC disk test and modified three dimensional extraction test were used for phenotypic detection of PMABL production. Molecular types were determined by a multiplex PCR. Results: Among the 241 isolates, 187 (77.5%) were found to be cefoxitin resistant (K. pneumoniae n=83, E. coli n=104). AmpC activity was detectable in 153 (63.4%) isolates, (K. pneumoniae n=69, E. coli n=84). By PCR, the plasmid encoded AmpC genes were found in 92 (38.1%) isolates and the molecular types of the genes detected predominantly were DHA, CIT followed by MOX and ACC types. Interpretation & conclusions: A high percentage of plasmid-encoded AmpC enzymes was noted in E. coli and K. pneumonia isolates obtained from different parts of the country. Phenotypic methods alone may not reflect the true number of PMABL producers. Genotypic methods need to be employed in national surveillance studies.

Detection of Uropathogens by Using Chromogenic Media (Hicrome UTI agar), CLED agar and other Conventional Media.

This study was undertaken to find media better than routinely used media in isolation of uropathogens.Three hundred urine samples having pus cells >_ 5/ HPF were enrolled for the study. Comparison of isolation and identification of uropathogens among HiCrome UTI Agar media, 5% Sheep Blood agar & MacConkey agar and CLED agar media were done. Among them 95(31.67%) samples showed single growth, 6 (2%) showed mixed growth and 199 (66.67%) showed no growth. Rate of presumptive identification of organisms in primary culture plate were high in HiCrome UTI agar media. For Escherichia coli, it was 94.20% whereas in CLED agar it was 79.71% and by Blood agar and MacConkey agar media in combination it was 82.61%. All the Enterococcus spp. were identified in HiCrome UTI agar media, 33.33% in CLED agar media but none in Blood agar and MacConkey agar media. Among the mixed growth, 100% organisms were identified on HiCrome UTI Agar media due to distinct colour produced by the different organisms, whereas in one (16.67%) sample (mixed Esch.coli and Pseudomonas spp.) organisms were identified on other three media.

Study on Time-related Changes in Aerobic Bacterial Pattern of Burn Wound Infection.

A prospective study was carried out in 50 burn patients admitted in Burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital over a period of one year from January 2005 to December 2005 to evaluate time-related changes in aerobic bacterial colonization and their sensitivity pattern. Periodic swabs were taken from the burn wound on Day 0, Day 7, Day 14 and Day 21 to see the changing pattern of organisms during hospital stay of patients. In the present study burn injury was highest in the age group 11-20 yrs (34%). Male to female ratio was 1.38:1. The mean percentage of burn was 35.79% of total body surface area (TBSA). Fire was the major cause of burn (38%) followed by electric burn (20%). Among the 200 samples, single organism was isolated in 71% samples and mixed organism in 13.5% and no growth in 14.5%. Among single isolates Pseudomonas aeruginosa was leading (28%) followed by Escherichia coli (17.5%), Staphylococcus aureus (16%), coagulse negative Staphylococcus (4.5%) and Klebsiella (2%). Among mixed growth Pseudomonas aeruginosa was still leading (11%) follow by E. coli (9.5%) Staphylococcus (5.5%), Proteus (1%) and Klebsiella (0.5%).There were time -related changes in bacterial isolation from burn wound during hospital stay of patients. On admission 42% of the isolated organisms were Staphylococcus aureus and only 6% each Pseudomonas aerunginosa and E. coli were isolated. No growth was found in 28%. samples. These findings were gradually changing with time and on day 21 Staphylococcus aureus were only 4% whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 40% and E. coli 28%. Antimicrobial sensitivity test showed that pseudomonas aeruginosa was highly resistant to antimicrobial agents. It was most sensitive to Imipenem (98.72%) followed by Aztreonam (33.44%), Ceftazidime (38.32%) and Gentamicin (19.23%). E. coli was also found most sensitive to Imipenem (98.15%) followed by Gentamicin (38.95%), Chloramphenicol (37.1%), Ciprofloxacin (35.25%) and ceftraixone (29.70%). Staphylococcus aureus was 100% sensitive to Vancomycin followed by Amoxiclav and Oxacillin (53.43% each), Gentamicin (44.70%) and Cloxacillin (39.52%). It is crucial for every burn institution to determine the specific pattern of burn wound microbial colonization, the time-related changes in dominant flora, and the antimicrobial sensitivity profiles. This would enable early treatment of septic episodes with proper empirical systemic antibiotics without waiting for culture results, thus improving overall infection related morbidity and mortality.

AmpC beta lactamases among Gram negative clinical isolates from a tertiary hospital, South India

AmpC â-lactamases are cephalosporinases that hydrolyze cephamycins as well as other extended-spectrum cephalosporins and are poorly inhibited by clavulanic acid. Although reported with increasing frequency, the true rate of occurrence of AmpC â-lactamases in different organisms, including members of Enterobacteriaceae, remains unknown. The present study was designed to determine the occurrence of AmpC enzyme-harbouring Gram-negative clinical isolates in a tertiary care hospital in Pondicherry state, South India. A total of 235 Gram negative clinical isolates were tested for resistance to cefoxitin, third generation cephalosporin (3GC) antibiotics, ampicillin, amikacin, co-trimoxazole, gentamicin, meropenem and tetracycline by disc diffusion method. Isolates found resistant to 3GC and cefoxitin were tested for the production of AmpC â -lactamases by three dimensional extraction method and AmpC disc method. Isolates found to sensitive to 3GC were subjected to disc antagonism test for inducible AmpC production. One hundred and thirty four (57 percent) strains were resistant to 3GC, among which 63(47 percent) were positive for plasmid-mediated AmpC beta lactamases production. Among the 101 strains sensitive to 3GC, 23 (22.7 percent) revealed the presence of inducible AmpC beta lactamases by disc approximation test. A total of 80.9 percent (51/63) of screen positive isolates were detected by Amp C disc test and 93.6 percent (59/63) by three dimensional extraction method. Out of the 86 AmpC producers, 67 (77.9 percent) were cefoxitin resistant .Inducible AmpC was not found in Esch.coli and Klebsiella spp. The AmpC producers also concurrently showed multidrug resistance pattern. AmpC producers were found to be prevalent in our hospital and though three dimensional extraction test detects AmpC better, the disk test is easier to perform routinely and is user- friendly.

Kikuchi-fujimoto disease.

A 14 year-old Bangladeshi girl presented with high fever, painful swellings in the neck, anorexia, weight loss and night sweating. On examination she had multiple enlarged and tender cervical lymph nodes. Other systems were normal. Laboratory investigations for sepsis and autoimmune diseases were negative. Initial fine needle aspiration and cytology of affected lymph node was suggestive of tubercular lymphdenitis. But she did not respond to anti-tubercular treatment. Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease was diagnosed from the histopathological appearance of excised lymph node. She completely recovered with symptomatic treatment. Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, also called Kikuchi's disease or histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis is a rare, benign but enigmatic disease of unknown aetiology. The disease is self-limited and has an excellent prognosis. Its recognition is crucial because it can be mistaken for systemic lupus erythematosus, malignant lymphoma, tubercular lymphadenitis or even, for metastatic adenocarcinoma. Clinicians' and pathologists' awareness of this disease may help prevent misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

Updating of hereditary haemoglobin disorders.

Hereditary haemoglobin disorders (E-beta Thalassaemia & Thalassaemia) are inherited as recessive disorders so that the heterozygote subjects are generally healthy. They commonly present with progressive pallor, thalassaemic facies, splenohepatomegaly & growth retardation. Diagnosis of carriers & patients are usually confirmed by haemoglobin electrophoresis. Transfusion-chelation therapy is usually employed for their treatment. Allogenic bone marrow transplantation is the only definite cure. Gene therapy remains to be the major challenging goal of future curative therapy. During the last 10 years wit medical advances, the number of pregnancies in thalassaemia is increasing. Normal pregnancy can be maintained with regular packed blood cells transfusion given carefully. In Bangladesh, HHD can be prevented by I. carrier identification and marriage counseling, II. passing and enforcing laws against marriage between two carriers, III. introducing thalassaemia in school curriculum and IV. creating public awareness.