Genetic variations among the isolates of Bipolaris Maydis based on phenotypic and molecular markers

Abstract Maydis leaf blight, caused by Bipolaris maydis, is an important disease of maize crop in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Pakistan. Fifteen isolates of the pathogen, collected across KP, were studied for variability based on phenotypic and molecular markers. Significant variability among the isolates was observed when assessed using phenotypic traits such as radial growth, spore concentration, fungicide sensitivity and virulence. The isolates were classified into six culture groups based on colour, texture and margins of the colony. Conidial morphology was also variable. These were either straight or slightly curved and light to dark brown in colour. Fungicide test showed significant variation in the degree of sensitivity against Carbendazim. Isolate Bm8 exhibited maximum radial growth on carbendazim spiked plates. Conversely, isolate Bm15 showed the lowest radial growth. Variations in virulence pattern of the isolates were evident when a susceptible maize variety Azam was inoculated with spores of B. maydis. Genetic variability amongst the isolates was also estimated by RAPD as well as sequencing of ITS region. The RAPD dendrogram grouped all the isolates into two major clusters. Average genetic distance ranged from 0.6% to 100%, indicating a diverse genetic gap among the isolates. Maximum genetic distance was found between isolates Bm9 and Bm10 as well as Bm2 and Bm8. Conversely, isolates Bm13 and Bm15 were at minimum genetic distance. Phylogenetic dendrogram based on sequencing of ITS region grouped all the isolates into a single major cluster. The clusters in both the dendrogram neither correlate to the geographical distribution nor to the morphological characteristics.

Resumo A ferrugem das folhas de maydis, causada por Bipolaris maydis, é uma doença importante da cultura do milho em Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Paquistão. Quinze isolados do patógeno, coletados em KP, foram estudados quanto à variabilidade com base em marcadores fenotípicos e moleculares. Variabilidade significativa entre os isolados foi observada quando avaliada por meio de características fenotípicas, como crescimento radial, concentração de esporos, sensibilidade a fungicida e virulência. Os isolados foram classificados em seis grupos de cultura com base na cor, textura e margens da colônia. A morfologia dos conídios também foi variável. Estes eram retos ou ligeiramente curvos e de cor marrom-claro a escuro. O teste de fungicida mostrou variação significativa no grau de sensibilidade ao carbendazim. O isolado Bm8 exibiu crescimento radial máximo em placas com adição de carbendazim. Por outro lado, o isolado Bm15 apresentou o menor crescimento radial. As variações no padrão de virulência dos isolados foram evidentes quando uma variedade de milho suscetível Azam foi inoculada com esporos de B. maydis. A variabilidade genética entre os isolados também foi estimada por RAPD, bem como sequenciamento da região ITS. O dendrograma RAPD agrupou todos os isolados em dois grupos principais. A distância genética média variou de 0,6% a 100%, indicando uma lacuna genética diversa entre os isolados. A distância genética máxima foi encontrada entre os isolados Bm9 e Bm10 e também entre Bm2 e Bm8. Por outro lado, os isolados Bm13 e Bm15 estavam a uma distância genética mínima. O dendrograma filogenético baseado no sequenciamento da região ITS agrupou todos os isolados em um único aglomerado principal. Os agrupamentos em ambos os dendrogramas não se correlacionam com a distribuição geográfica nem com as características morfológicas.

EVALUATION OF OUTCOME OF PROXIMAL HUMERUS FRACTURES MANAGED WITH PHILOS PLATE

INTRODUCTION: Proximal humeral fractures account for 4 to 5 percentage of all fractures.minimally displaced can be managed non-operatively in adults. Displaced and unstable fractures should be treated surgically to achieve painless shoulder and good range of movement. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: Our study Is to evaluate the clinical, functional and radiological result of operative proximal humerus fractures managed PHILOS Plating. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 26 patients with displaced proximal humeral fractures that were treated by PHILOS plating between June 2018 to December 2019 were included in this study. The Constant-Murley score (CMS) was used to evaluate the outcome. RESULT: Out of 26 patients 9 were male and 17 were female. The mean age was 52 years. The mean surgical time was 88 min. The mean fracture union time was 11.5 weeks. Outcome was excellent in 17 cases, Good in 6 and Fair in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: Fixation with PHILOS is associated with good to excellent outcomes. It gives high rate of union, good range of movement and has minimal complications.

A STUDY OF OUTCOMES OF DISTAL END RADIUS FRACTURES MANAGED BY EXTERNAL FIXATOR

BACKGROUND: Fractures of the distal radius continue to be the most common skeletalinjuries treated by the orthopedic surgeon. Unstable fractures of the distal part of the radiushave shown an inherent tendency towards loss of reduction after non-operative treatment.External skeletal fixation has been popular for the treatment of displaced, unstable fracturesof the distal part of the radius because it combines a minimally invasive procedure withreduction by ligamentotaxis.METHOD: A retrospective study of 70 patients of fracture of distal end radius treated withexternal fixator came to OPD at tertiary care hospital during the study period of 2 years fromJuly 2020 to June 2022, were included in the study after obtaining permission frominstitutional review board.RESULT: All 70 patients were assessed in the form of the functional and radiologicaloutcome based on Subjective evaluation by Modified Demerit Point System of Gartland andWerley (Functional) and Lidstorm and Frykman Criteria modified by Sarmiento(Anatomical). We obtained “excellent” results in 47.15%; “good” in 35.72% cases; “fair” in14.28% and “poor” in 2.85% cases with a mean G & W score of 6.35.CONCLUSION: Finding of this study shows that external fixator is an easy, cost effective,reliable and most suitable treatment in treating intraarticular and unstable extraarticular distalend radial fractures by the principle of ligamentotaxis.

Unilateral Presentation of Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disorder, in which lipoproteinaceous material accumulates within the alveoli. We report a case of a 27-year-old male patient with acute worsening of breathlessness over the last 7�months and cough with desaturation up to 79% on room air. Contrast-enhanced computerized tomography of the thorax revealed unilateral diffuse crazy-paving pattern likely PAP. Transbronchial lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of PAP. The present case highlights the unusual presentation of PAP with unilateral involvement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of unilateral PAP from India with a biopsy diagnosis and resolution with whole lung lavage.

EVALUATION OF SURGICAL OUTCOME OF DUAL MOBILITY TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT

INTRODUCTION;To reduce the incidence of instability anddislocation rate following primary Total Hip Replacement (THR)surgery, Dual Mobility Total Hip Replacement (DMTHR)component has been developed.AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ;This study is aimed to assess thefunctional result and complications following DMTHR.MATERIALS AND METHODS 26 patients who have undergoneDMTHR between June 2018 to February 2020 were included inthis retrospective study. Modified Harris Hip Score was used toevaluate surgical and functional outcome.RESULT ;Out of 26 patients in this study, 17 were males and 9were females. The mean age was 52 years (Range 21 to 81years). As per Modified Harris Hip Score functional outcome wasExcellent in 20 (77%), Good in 4 (15%), Fair in 1 (4%) and poorin 1 (4%), patients.CONCLUSION Dual mobility total hip replacement providesgood hip range of movement and stability and is also associatedwith lower dislocation rate.

Plant age, crop stage and surrounding habitats: their impact on sucking pests and predators complex in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) field plots in arid climate at district Layyah, Punjab, Pakistan / Idade da planta, estágio da cultura e habitats circundantes: seu impacto no complexo de pragas sugadoras e predadores em parcelas de algodão (Gossypium hirsutum L) em clima árido no distrito de Layyah, Punjab, Paquistão

Sucking pests are major threat to cotton field crop which cause unbearable losses to the crop yield. Aim of the current study was to record seasonal dynamics of major sucking insect pests including whitefly, jassid, thrips and their natural arthropod predators i.e. green lacewings and spiders in cotton field plots. The effects of surrounding field crops on pests' density and predatory efficiency of predators were also recorded. For sampling and survey of insects, the visual counting was found to be the most efficient method for recording the abundance of insects, trailed by net sweeping and tapping. Whitefly was the most dominant sucking pest found on the vegetative stage of cotton, followed by jassid and thrips. Fluctuated populations of predatory arthropods, spiders and green lacewings were also recorded during whole cropping season however, the densities of pests and predators varied with crop phenology. Spiders' population was encouraging at both vegetative and flowering stage and also the same trend of jassid and whitefly were observed at both stages of the crop. Surrounding habitats showed non-significant effect on population densities of insect pests and predators. For abiotic factors, the spiders showed strong positive correlation with humidity and temperature. However, green lacewing was only positively correlated with humidity. On the other hand, the populations of whitefly, jassid and thrips showed non-significant correlation with both temperature and humidity. Overall densities of sucking insect pests were found above economic threshold level. The plant age, crop stage and surrounding habitats effect on the population fluctuation of pests as well as the predators' abundance. The future studies are also warranted to investigate the altered habitats and multiple trap cropping to find out their impact on unattended insect predators and parasitoids in cotton crop.

As pragas sugadoras são uma grande ameaça para a cultura do algodão, causando perdas insuportáveis no rendimento da cultura. O objetivo do estudo atual foi registrar a dinâmica sazonal das principais pragas de insetos sugadores, incluindo mosca-branca, jassid, tripes e seus artrópodes predadores naturais, ou seja, crisopídeos e aranhas verdes em parcelas de algodão. Os efeitos das plantações circundantes na densidade de pragas e na eficiência predatória de predadores também foram registrados. Para amostragem e pesquisa de insetos, a contagem visual foi considerada o método mais eficiente para registrar a abundância de insetos, seguido por varredura e batida de rede. A mosca-branca foi a praga sugadora mais dominante encontrada na fase vegetativa do algodoeiro, seguida pelo jassid e tripes. Populações flutuantes de artrópodes predadores, aranhas e crisálidas também foram registradas durante toda a safra, no entanto as densidades de pragas e predadores variaram com a fenologia da cultura. A população de aranhas foi encorajadora tanto na fase vegetativa como na floração e também a mesma tendência de jassid e mosca-branca foi observada em ambas as fases da cultura. Os habitats circundantes mostraram efeito não significativo nas densidades populacionais de insetos-praga e predadores. Para os fatores abióticos, as aranhas apresentaram forte correlação positiva com umidade e temperatura. No entanto, lacewing verde foi apenas positivamente correlacionado com a umidade. Por outro lado, as populações de mosca-branca, jassid e tripes apresentaram correlação não significativa com temperatura e umidade. As densidades gerais de pragas sugadoras de insetos foram encontradas acima do nível do limiar econômico. A idade da planta, o estágio da cultura e os habitats circundantes afetam a flutuação populacional de pragas, bem como a abundância de predadores. Os estudos futuros também são necessários para investigar os habitats alterados e cultivo com armadilhas múltiplas [...].

Plant age, crop stage and surrounding habitats: their impact on sucking pests and predators complex in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) field plots in arid climate at district Layyah, Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract Sucking pests are major threat to cotton field crop which cause unbearable losses to the crop yield. Aim of the current study was to record seasonal dynamics of major sucking insect pests including whitefly, jassid, thrips and their natural arthropod predators i.e. green lacewings and spiders in cotton field plots. The effects of surrounding field crops on pests density and predatory efficiency of predators were also recorded. For sampling and survey of insects, the visual counting was found to be the most efficient method for recording the abundance of insects, trailed by net sweeping and tapping. Whitefly was the most dominant sucking pest found on the vegetative stage of cotton, followed by jassid and thrips. Fluctuated populations of predatory arthropods, spiders and green lacewings were also recorded during whole cropping season however, the densities of pests and predators varied with crop phenology. Spiders population was encouraging at both vegetative and flowering stage and also the same trend of jassid and whitefly were observed at both stages of the crop. Surrounding habitats showed non-significant effect on population densities of insect pests and predators. For abiotic factors, the spiders showed strong positive correlation with humidity and temperature. However, green lacewing was only positively correlated with humidity. On the other hand, the populations of whitefly, jassid and thrips showed non-significant correlation with both temperature and humidity. Overall densities of sucking insect pests were found above economic threshold level. The plant age, crop stage and surrounding habitats effect on the population fluctuation of pests as well as the predators abundance. The future studies are also warranted to investigate the altered habitats and multiple trap cropping to find out their impact on unattended insect predators and parasitoids in cotton crop.

Resumo As pragas sugadoras são uma grande ameaça para a cultura do algodão, causando perdas insuportáveis no rendimento da cultura. O objetivo do estudo atual foi registrar a dinâmica sazonal das principais pragas de insetos sugadores, incluindo mosca-branca, jassid, tripes e seus artrópodes predadores naturais, ou seja, crisopídeos e aranhas verdes em parcelas de algodão. Os efeitos das plantações circundantes na densidade de pragas e na eficiência predatória de predadores também foram registrados. Para amostragem e pesquisa de insetos, a contagem visual foi considerada o método mais eficiente para registrar a abundância de insetos, seguido por varredura e batida de rede. A mosca-branca foi a praga sugadora mais dominante encontrada na fase vegetativa do algodoeiro, seguida pelo jassid e tripes. Populações flutuantes de artrópodes predadores, aranhas e crisálidas também foram registradas durante toda a safra, no entanto as densidades de pragas e predadores variaram com a fenologia da cultura. A população de aranhas foi encorajadora tanto na fase vegetativa como na floração e também a mesma tendência de jassid e mosca-branca foi observada em ambas as fases da cultura. Os habitats circundantes mostraram efeito não significativo nas densidades populacionais de insetos-praga e predadores. Para os fatores abióticos, as aranhas apresentaram forte correlação positiva com umidade e temperatura. No entanto, lacewing verde foi apenas positivamente correlacionado com a umidade. Por outro lado, as populações de mosca-branca, jassid e tripes apresentaram correlação não significativa com temperatura e umidade. As densidades gerais de pragas sugadoras de insetos foram encontradas acima do nível do limiar econômico. A idade da planta, o estágio da cultura e os habitats circundantes afetam a flutuação populacional de pragas, bem como a abundância de predadores. Os estudos futuros também são necessários para investigar os habitats alterados e cultivo com armadilhas múltiplas para descobrir seu impacto sobre predadores de insetos e parasitoides desacompanhados na cultura do algodão.

Plant age, crop stage and surrounding habitats: their impact on sucking pests and predators complex in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. ) field plots in arid climate at district Layyah, Punjab, Pakistan / Idade da planta, estágio da cultura e habitats circundantes: seu impacto no complexo de pragas sugadoras e predadores em parcelas de algodão (Gossypium hirsutum L. ) em clima árido no distrito de Layyah, Punjab, Paquistão

Sucking pests are major threat to cotton field crop which cause unbearable losses to the crop yield. Aim of the current study was to record seasonal dynamics of major sucking insect pests including whitefly, jassid, thrips and their natural arthropod predators i.e. green lacewings and spiders in cotton field plots. The effects of surrounding field crops on pests' density and predatory efficiency of predators were also recorded. For sampling and survey of insects, the visual counting was found to be the most efficient method for recording the abundance of insects, trailed by net sweeping and tapping. Whitefly was the most dominant sucking pest found on the vegetative stage of cotton, followed by jassid and thrips. Fluctuated populations of predatory arthropods, spiders and green lacewings were also recorded during whole cropping season however, the densities of pests and predators varied with crop phenology. Spiders' population was encouraging at both vegetative and flowering stage and also the same trend of jassid and whitefly were observed at both stages of the crop. Surrounding habitats showed non-significant effect on population densities of insect pests and predators. For abiotic factors, the spiders showed strong positive correlation with humidity and temperature. However, green lacewing was only positively correlated with humidity. On the other hand, the populations of whitefly, jassid and thrips showed non-significant correlation with both temperature and humidity. Overall densities of sucking insect pests were found above economic threshold level. The plant age, crop stage and surrounding habitats effect on the population fluctuation of pests as well as the predators' abundance. The future studies are also warranted to investigate the altered habitats and multiple trap cropping to find out their impact on unattended insect predators and parasitoids in cotton crop.

As pragas sugadoras são uma grande ameaça para a cultura do algodão, causando perdas insuportáveis no rendimento da cultura. O objetivo do estudo atual foi registrar a dinâmica sazonal das principais pragas de insetos sugadores, incluindo mosca-branca, jassid, tripes e seus artrópodes predadores naturais, ou seja, crisopídeos e aranhas verdes em parcelas de algodão. Os efeitos das plantações circundantes na densidade de pragas e na eficiência predatória de predadores também foram registrados. Para amostragem e pesquisa de insetos, a contagem visual foi considerada o método mais eficiente para registrar a abundância de insetos, seguido por varredura e batida de rede. A mosca-branca foi a praga sugadora mais dominante encontrada na fase vegetativa do algodoeiro, seguida pelo jassid e tripes. Populações flutuantes de artrópodes predadores, aranhas e crisálidas também foram registradas durante toda a safra, no entanto as densidades de pragas e predadores variaram com a fenologia da cultura. A população de aranhas foi encorajadora tanto na fase vegetativa como na floração e também a mesma tendência de jassid e mosca-branca foi observada em ambas as fases da cultura. Os habitats circundantes mostraram efeito não significativo nas densidades populacionais de insetos-praga e predadores. Para os fatores abióticos, as aranhas apresentaram forte correlação positiva com umidade e temperatura. No entanto, lacewing verde foi apenas positivamente correlacionado com a umidade. Por outro lado, as populações de mosca-branca, jassid e tripes apresentaram correlação não significativa com temperatura e umidade. As densidades gerais de pragas sugadoras de insetos foram encontradas acima do nível do limiar econômico. A idade da planta, o estágio da cultura e os habitats circundantes afetam a flutuação populacional de pragas, bem como a abundância de predadores. Os estudos futuros também são necessários para investigar os habitats alterados e cultivo com armadilhas múltiplas para descobrir seu impacto sobre predadores de insetos e parasitoides desacompanhados na cultura do algodão.

Percutaneous fixation of Calcaneum fractures.

Introduction : Displaced intra-articular calcaneum fractures require reduction and internal fixation for favourable long term results. Open procedures are more prone to complications regarding wound healing. Percutaneous fixation offers a middle pathway in treating simpler variety of displaced calcaneal fractures. Material and Methods : Over a two year period 22 cases of Essex-Lopresti tongue type displaced calcaneum fractures were treated using percutaneous screw fixation following closed reduction techniques were reviewed. Clinical outcome was evaluated by standardized physical examination using AOFAS ankle & hindfoot scores and radiographs of both injured and uninjured feet for comparative purposes. Results : Fall from height was the commonest cause of injury. The average time from injury to operation was 2 days. All patients went on to complete union. There was significant improvement of the Bohler and Gissane angles following reduction as well as maintenance of heel height and breadth. The mean AOFAS score was 84 indicating a good result. There was loss of reduction as evaluated on x-rays in follow-up in14 % patients. The rate of infection was 9% and rate of implant removal was 5%. No cases of peroneal tendon dysfunction were found. Conclusion : For simple displaced intra-articular Essex-Lopresti tongue type fractures of the calcaneum percutaneous fixation techniques give reliable good results without significant complications.

Results of Closed Intramedullary Nailing using Talwarkar Square Nail in Adult Forearm Fractures

The aim of the study was to evaluate results of closed intramedullary nailing using Talwarkar square nails in adult forearm fractures. We prospectively evaluated 34 patients with both bone forearm fractures. The average time to union was 12.8 (SD +3.2) weeks with cast support for a mean of 8.2 weeks. Union was achieved in 31 out of 34 patients. Using the Grace and Eversmann rating system, 17 patients were excellent, 10 were good, and 4 had an acceptable result. Three patients had non-unions, 2 for the radius and one for the ulna. There were two cases of superficial infection, one subject had olecranon bursitis, and one case of radio-ulnar synostosis. Complication rates associated with the use of square nails were lower compared to plate osteosynthesis and locked intramedullary nails. To control rotation postoperatively, there is a need for application of an above-elbow cast after nailing.

Patent law in dentistry: An overview.

Dentistry in recent years has developed interest in the field of intellectual property rights (IPR) and Patents due to extensive research in the fraternity and existing competition. There have been various patent applications and grants in the field of dentistry abroad due to better understanding of IPR but India still has very few patent grants and applications on the subject matter. This review article in particular deals with the understanding of IPR and Patents as a whole, especially for dental professionals involved in research and development. Hence, this would also act as an asset for dental researchers to explore and expand their scope of activities, with special privileges empowered for their work.

insight into the possible anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of pongamia pinnata leaves in mice

Ethanolic extract of Pongamia pinnata leaves was investigated for possible anticonvulsant activity against pentylenetetrazol [PTZ] and Maximum Electroshock [MES] - induced seizures in mice. Effect of the extract on spontaneous locomotor activity was assessed using Actophotometer. Any possible change in brain GABA content was also determined, in a trial, to correlate such change with the anticonvulsant activity. In PTZ-induced seizures, the extract delayed the onset of convulsions dose-dependently. The highest dose elicited complete protection against tonic hind leg extension together with remarkable reduction in mortality. In MES-induced convulsions, the extract produced significant increase in the current required to produce tonic hind leg extension. In Actophotometer the extract produced significant decrease in spontaneous locomotion compared with the control group. Brain GABA content was increased significantly by the extract in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, Investigation of ethanolic extract of P. pinnata leaves showed significant anticonvulsant activity comparable with the reference drug diazepam and such activity was accompanied with reduction in the locomotion and increase in brain GABA concentration

Antioxidant and hepatorprotective activity of cordia macleodii leaves

This Investigation was undertaken to evaluate ethanolic extract of C.macleodii leaves for possible antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential. Antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated by four established, in vitro methods viz. 1,1-diphenyl-2picryl hydrazyl [DPPH] radical scavenging method, nitric oxide [NO] radical scavenging method, iron chelation method and reducing power method. The extract demonstrated a significant dose dependent antioxidant activity comparable with ascorbic acid. The extract was also evaluated for hepatoprotective activity by carbon tetrachloride [CCl[4]] induced liver damage model in rats. CCl[4] produced a significant increase in levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase [GPT], serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase [GOT], Alkaline Phosphatase [ALP] and total bilirubin. Pretreatment of the rats with ethanolic extract of c. macleodii [100, 200 and 400 mg/kg po] inhibited the increase in levels of GPT, GOT, ALP and Total bilirubin and the inhibition was comparable with Silymarin [100mg/kg po]. The present study revealed that C. macleodii leaves have significant radical scavenging and hepatoprotective activities

Effect of vitamin E supplementation with standard treatment on oxidant-antioxidant status in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Chronic oxidant burden and depletion of endogenous antioxidants have been proposed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Exogenous antioxidants have potential therapeutic implications and their role has not been explored in COPD. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation of standard treatment (inhaled long-acting beta(2) agonists, anticholinergics and corticosteroids) with vitamin E on oxidant-antioxidant balance in patients with COPD. METHODS: The study was carried out in the outpatient setting. Patients were divided into two groups: group A- placebo group (n=14), receiving only standard therapy, and group B- vitamin E-supplemented group (n=10), receiving 400 IU of vitamin E capsules twice daily in addition to standard therapy. Spirometry and clinical assessment were carried out at the start and completion of 8 wk treatment along with measurements of several biochemical parameters of oxidant-antioxidant status in plasma, leukocytes and red cells separated from venous blood. RESULTS: Leukocyte superoxide generation was decreased in both the groups. Vitamin E-supplemented group had significantly increased levels of plasma sulphydryls and red cell catalase while the placebo group had decreased levels of plasma nitrates and nitrites. No significant differences were observed in red cell superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, total blood glutathione, and plasma total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxides and glutathione peroxidase activity in either group. There was a similar degree of lung function and clinical improvement in both the groups. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that an 8 wk supplementation of standard treatment with 400 IU twice daily of vitamin E did not provide any additional clinical benefit although it augmented certain endogenous antioxidants in patients with COPD.

Immunoglobulin heavy and light chain isotypes in multiple myeloma patients.

The frequency of expression of immunoglobulin (Ig) light and heavy chain isotypes was analyzed in myeloma proteins (M-proteins) from sera of 40 Indian patients with clinically established multiple myeloma. Patients samples were screened by a combination of electrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis (IEP) and ELISA techniques in this study. We found that majority of the myeloma proteins (58%) were of the IgG isotype followed by IgA (24%) and biclonal gammopathy associated with IgG and IgA (5%). Both kappa and lambda light chains were associated with the heavy chain isotypes. We recommend the triangular combination for detection of M-proteins and biclonal gammopathy of cancerous plasma cells as biomarkers for diagnosis of myeloma.

Sebaceous glands in esophagus in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Sebaceous glands in the esophagus are very rare and have been reported mostly in autopsy studies. They have been considered to be of no clinical significance. We report a 50-year-old man with gastroesophageal reflux disease who had sebaceous glands in the esophagus on endoscopic biopsy.

Relation of body mass index with lipid profile and blood pressure in young healthy students at Ziauddin medical university

This study was conducted to assess serum lipids in healthy young subjects in relation with their BMI. Students of Ziauddin Medical University were assessed for anthropometric measures, blood pressure and lipid profile at the time of their admission for MBBS program. Out of 426 students all parameters were available for 301 students and they were selected for analysis in this study. Mean serum cholesterol in 301students was 149.3 +/- 31.3 mg/dl, mean LDL-C was 91.3 mg/dl +/- 27.7, mean HDL-C was 40.0 mg/dl +/- 42.2, mean triglycerides were 89.9 mg/dl +/- 42.2, mean systolic blood pressure was 113.1 mmHg +/- 13.5 and mean diastolic blood pressure was 74.0 mmHg +/- 8.1. The mean BMI of students was 21.6 Kg/m2 +/- 4.2. Among 301 students, 88 were underweight, 175 were normal and 38 were overweight according to their BMI. We found no significant difference in mean serum cholesterol and LDL-C while there were significant difference in mean serum HDL-C, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure among the three BMI groups. In our study, there are high numbers of at-risk individuals. Therefore, strategies should be designed for weight reduction in children and adults to prevent cardiovascular disease

Infectious complications of invasive blood pressure monitoring in open heart surgery patients

To analyze the incidence of infectious complications of invasive blood pressure monitoring. Study was conducted at the Anaesthesia Department of Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore. Design: Arterial catheter tip of 100 adult patient was sent for culture. Both right and left radial arteries were used for cannulation. Outcome Studied: Mean duration of arterial cannulation, any evidence of local or systemic infection, incidence of positive catheter tip culture and types of organism grown were noted. Positive arterial tip culture was seen in 31 patients. Staph epidermidis was the most common organism being seen in 17 patients. Mean duration of cannulation was 34.24 +/- 09.54 hours post operatively. None of these developed any local or systemic evidence of infection. Adherence to the aseptic technique during insertion and maintenance of arterial connulas is very important to prevent the infectious complications related to the procedure. Minimum handling of the whole monitoring system and limiting the duration of cannulation will certainly be helpful in this regard

Risk of developing right bundle branch block [R. B. B. B.] and complete heart block [C. H. B.] during pulmonary artery catheterization in open heart surgery patients

To analyze the incidence and associated haemodynamic disturbances of a new Right Bundle Branch Block [R.B.B.B] induced by Pulmonary Artery Catheter [P.A.C] with a particular emphasis in patients with preexisting Left Bundle Branch Block [L.B.B.B.] in a prospective manner. To establish whether prophylactic placement of a ventricular pacemaker in patients with pre existing L.B.B.B. during pulmonary artery cotheterization is necessary. The study was conducted at the department of Anaesthesiology and intensive care of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Pulmonary artery catheterization was performed in 125 adult patients who underwent various open heart surgical procedures. Outcome studied: Incidence of new R.B.B.B induced by P.A.C. and its associated haemodynamic disturbances with a particular emphasis in patients with a pre existing L.B.B.B. was recorded. New R.B.B.B. occurred in 13 [10.4%] patients while none of the 1 1 patients with a preexisting R.B.B.B. developed C.H.B. during the procedure. Development of new block was not associated with any haemodynamic disturbance. Prophylactic temporary pacing is recommended in patients having a pre-existing R.B.B.B. before placement of P.A.C. in previous studies. However, our study does not show that previous R.B.B.B. is at risk of developing complete heart block [C.H.B.] during the procedure. In view of grave consequences of C.H.B. It is recommended that facilities of pacing should be on board in case it happens