Administration of Vaccine Preservative Thimerosal Produces Impairment in Rat Liver

Abstract The present research was planned to analyze the toxic effects of thimerosal on rat liver. Mercury and mercury compounds are universally known toxicants for animals and humans. Thimerosal is widely used in the vaccines as a preservative which contains 49.6% mercury. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were distributed into four groups (n=6). The first group was considered as a control group. While, second, third and fourth groups were intoxicated with 0.5, 10 and 50 µg/kg thimerosal (i.m.) respectively. After 30 days, rats were slaughtered to analyze the liver tissues. The results of the experiment exposed that thimerosal instigated significant (p<0.05) increase in alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aminotransferase (AST) levels. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) activities and Glutathione (GSH) and protein levels were significantly (p<0.05) reduced. Furthermore, significant increases in Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level and DNA damage was observed. Histopathological study revealed severe damages, e.g. fatty alterations, deterioration of lobular structure and degeneration of nuclei in hepatic tissues of thimerosal treated rats. Results of present investigation revealed that thimerosal induces hepatotoxicity at different levels.

Investigation of transmigrated mandibular canines

ABSTRACT Introduction: Canine transmigration is a rare orthodontic condition and it is relevant to perform the proper diagnose at an early age. Objective: The aim of the current study was to find out the frequency of transmigrated mandibular canines (TRC) in orthodontic patients obtained from South Asian population of Pakistan origin. Methods: Panoramic radiographs of 2,550 untreated orthodontic patients (1,248 males; 1,302 females) were included, to investigate the presence, site, and type of TRC. Any permanent mandibular canine that was found to be crossing the midline in panoramic radiographs was considered as TRC. Results: The frequency of TRC was found to be 0.98%. TRC were only found unilaterally. No significance regarding gender and side was found. Nineteen TRC displayed a type 1 transmigratory pattern, while type 2 and type 5 transmigratory patterns were encountered in three patients. Conclusion: Frequency of transmigrated mandibular canines in the studied sample was 0.98%.

RESUMO Introdução: a transmigração de caninos é uma condição ortodôntica rara, e é importante realizar seu adequado diagnóstico ainda em idade precoce. Objetivo: o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a frequência da transmigração de caninos inferiores (TCI) em pacientes ortodônticos de origem paquistanesa. Métodos: com o objetivo de analisar a presença, o local e o tipo de TCI, foram avaliadas 2.550 radiografias panorâmicas pré-tratamento (1.248 homens, 1.302 mulheres) de pacientes ortodônticos. Foram considerados como TCI os caninos inferiores permanentes que, na radiografia, estivessem cruzando a linha média. Resultados: a frequência de TCI foi de 0,98%. Os achados demonstraram a presença de apenas TCI unilaterais, sem diferenças significativas em relação ao sexo e ao lado da arcada. O tipo 1 de transmigração foi encontrado em 19 pacientes e os tipos 2 e 5, em três pacientes. Conclusão: na presente amostra de origem paquistanesa, a frequência da transmigração de caninos inferiores foi de 0,98%.

Etiology and Impact of Hepatic Steatosis in Pakistan: Role of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 3 Infection

Introduction: Hepatic steatosis has emerged as an important histological finding in patients with deranged liver function. It may be an important factor for the progression of hepatitis C virus-associated liver disease, particularly in genotype 3 infections. Aims: To determine the etiology and impact of hepatic steatosis in our patients presenting with chronic hepatitis. Methods: All liver biopsies performed at our hospital during 2010-2014 were analyzed by a single pathologist using histological activity index (HAI) scores and Brunt’s classification for steatosis. Patients were evaluated for factors reported to be associated with steatosis, including the prevalence of HCV. Results: Biopsies of 439 patients (284 male, mean ages 38.5 ± 11.2 years) were studied. Hepatic steatosis was present in 324 (73.8%) biopsies. It was mild in 190/439 (43.3%), moderate in 88/439 (20%) and severe in 46/439 (10.5%) cases. On univariate analysis, steatosis was associated with HCV infection (p=0.023), BMI >25 (p=0.008) and raised ALT (p=0.003), but not with diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, HBV infection or alcohol intake. On multiple logistic regression HCV and BMI >25 were independent risk factors for steatosis. There was a linear ascending association of hepatic steatosis with grade and stage of liver disease (p ≤ 0.001). Among 369 HCV patients, 280 (76%) had steatosis. It was mild in 159/369 (43%), moderate in 82/369 (22.2%) and severe in 39/369 (10.6%) cases. There were only 32 non-alcoholic, non-viral hepatitis patients and 8/32 (25%) had moderate or severe steatosis. Conclusions: Significant hepatic steatosis is present in 30.5% of our patients with chronic hepatitis. HCV genotype 3 infection is the predominant factor for hepatic steatosis in Pakistan. Steatosis has a linear ascending correlation with hepatic inflammation and fibrosis.

Effects of Replacement of Fishmeal with other Alternative Plant Sources in the Feed on Proximate Composition of Muscle, Liver and Ovary in Tilapia (Oreochromis nioloticus)

ABSTRACT The major objective of this experiment was to assess the effect of alternate plant protein sources as a replacement for fish meal in feed on the proximate composition of muscle, liver and tissue in Oreochromis niloticus. O. niloticus of average size (average Weight 45.00±1.25 g, total length 13.28±1.42 cm) were stocked in 100 L glass aquarium. Fish were fed with three experimental feeds (A, B and C) and reference commercial feed (D) for 16 weeks. Feed A, B and C was prepared from four different plant sources and fish meal (40 % crude protein). Fish were fed at the rate 3 % of body weight daily. It has been observed that tilapia fed with feed B in which 20 % fish meal was replaced compared to feed C with other plant sources of protein, had shown significantly higher total protein in their muscle compared to diet other experimental and commercial feeds. In O. niloticus minimum lipid content was recorded in fish fed with diet B compared to A, C and commercial feed. It has been concluded that 20-40% level of fish meal can be replaced in the diet of fish without having any impact on growth and chemical composition of muscle.

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma.

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) is a rare condition, affecting predominantly reproductive-age females with uterine leiomyomata and is most often associated with multiple benign-appearing smooth muscle tumors in lungs. We report herein a case of a 38-year-old woman who presented with multiple uterine fibroids for which hysterectomy was carried out on her. Postoperatively, she developed left-sided pleural effusion. Computed chest tomography (CT) scan revealed multiple nodules in both lungs and pleurae. Histopathology of one of the pleura-based nodules revealed a neoplasm composed of interlacing fascicles of spindle cells with uniform nuclei. The tumor cells were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and negative for CD34 immunohistochemical stain.