BI-RADS 3 lesions in North Indian population: Their outcome and how to proceed for follow-up

Background: Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI?RADS) classification for breast lesions was proposed for uniformity in categorizing breast lesions. While BI?RADS 1, 2 and 4–6 categories are straightforward, BI?RADS 3 is an intermediate category lesion with significantly different meanings and findings for mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging and is diagnostically challenging. Our study aims to determine the frequency and the malignancy rate of BI?RADS category 3 lesions detected on ultrasound breast and digital X?ray mammography by doing follow?ups at 6, 12, and 24 months of imaging. Materials and Methods: This ambispective study was conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, from October 2020 to October 2022, which included 55 patients referred for digital X?ray and breast ultrasound. All BI?RADS category 3 in the initial sonomammography and digital X?ray mammography were included in the study and were followed up for final diagnosis and outcome either by pathological analysis or follow?up using sonomammography and digital X?ray mammography for a maximum of 24 months. Results: Fifty?five patients were categorized into the benign or malignant category from the results of tissue diagnosis or via follow?up. Fifty?four patients (98.18%) showed benign lesions, and one (1.82%) got malignant lesions. In the majority, 31 (56.36%) patients, the mean follow?up time was 6 months, followed by 12 months 10 (18.18%). Follow?up was 24 months in only 1 out of 55 patients (1.82%). The mean value of time to follow?up (months) of study subjects was 6 ± 4.6 with a median (25th–75th percentile) of 6. Conclusion: Short?term interval follow?up in BI?RADS category: three patients are enough to detect early breast malignancy, and this will avoid unnecessary tissue diagnosis (invasive procedure) in benign lesions. In our study, the malignancy yield in the follow?up of BI?RADS 3 was 1.82% (<2%).

Antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Curcuma longa and Syzygium aromaticum against multiple drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria

@#The present study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial potential of essential oils of Curcuma longa and Syzygium aromaticum against multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. Four identified bacterial isolates including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii were selected and their antibiotic sensitivity was checked by disc diffusion assay. C. longa and S. aromaticum were subjected to steam distillation to obtain their essential oils. The crude essential oils were fractioned by employing column chromatography. Crude essential oils and their fractions were evaluated for their antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentrations were calculated. All the selected bacterial isolates showed resistance to three or more than three antibiotic groups and were declared as multidrugresistant (MDRs). Crude essential oils of C. longa and S. aromaticum exhibited antimicrobial activity against all selected isolates but S. aromaticum activity was better than the C. longa with a maximum 19.3±1.50 mm zone of inhibition against A. baumannii at 1.04 µL/mL MIC. GC/MS analysis revealed the abundance of components including eugenol, eugenyl acetate, b- caryophyllene, and a- Humulene in both crude oil and fractions of S. aromaticum. While the main components of C. longa essential oil were Ar-tumerone, a–tumerone, b- Tumerone, I-Phellandrene, a-zingibirene, b- sesquiphellandrene, and p- Cymene. This study highlights that plant-based essential oils could be a promising alternative to antibiotics for which pathogens have developed resistance. C. longa and S. aromaticum carry compounds that have antimicrobial potential against multiple drug-resistant bacteria including MRSA. E. coli, K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii.

Glycemic Control and its Determinants among People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Ernakulam District, Kerala

Background: Diabetes is a public health problem of colossal proportions. The National Family Health Survey 5 (2019–2020) has found high blood sugar levels among 13.5% of women and 15.6% of men in India. The high morbidity and mortality in diabetes mellitus are due to uncontrolled hyperglycemia resulting in micro- and macrovascular changes affecting multiple organs in the body. The objectives of this study were to estimate glycemic control and its determinants among type 2 diabetics in the Ernakulam district. Methods: A community-based cross?sectional study was conducted among 364 type 2 diabetics who had the disease for at least 5 years duration in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. Probability proportional to size cluster sampling technique was adopted. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and behavioral profiles. Participants’ HbA1c levels were assessed to determine glycemic control. Results: The proportion of people with good glycemic control was 21.4%. Determinants such as female gender adjusted odds ratio (aOR = 2.36, P = 0.005), body mass index >23 kg/m² (aOR = 2.71, P = 0.002), combined drug treatment with Oral Hypoglycaemic agents (OHA) and insulin (aOR = 3.76, P = 0.004), and poor compliance with medications (aOR = 1.93, P = 0.030) were found to be significantly associated with poor glycemic control. Conclusions: Poor compliance with medications and unhealthy lifestyle choices has resulted in a high proportion of diabetics with poor glycemic control in the district. Women are particularly more vulnerable to uncontrolled hyperglycemia than males. Type 2 diabetes mellitus people should be encouraged to maintain strict glycemic control, which is an important measure for secondary prevention of complications.

Mapping the thickness of retinal layers using Spectralis spectral domain optical coherence tomography in Indian eyes

Purpose: This study aimed at establishing the normative data for the thickness of macular layers on Spectralis Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in healthy Indian eyes and testing the effects of age, gender, central corneal thickness (CCT), and intraocular pressure (IOP) on such values. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 308 eyes of 159 healthy subjects. OCT scans were obtained using the posterior pole asymmetry scan protocol. From the thickness map, data were grouped into nine Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) macular sectors. Correlation between retinal thickness and age/IOP/CCT was done using Pearson correlation. Correcting for age as a covariate, multivariate regression analysis was done to know which retinal layers showed significant differences in thickness between males and females. Results: The mean age was 46.06 ± 13.06 years (range: 20–75 years). Significant central subfield (CSF) thickening with age was noted in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), inner nuclear layer (IPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), and outer nuclear layer (ONL) (P < 0.04). The average thickness of the outer ring reduced with age in the ganglion cell layer (GCL)/IPL/INL (P = 0.001). Women had thinner inner and outer retinal thickness than men in all ETDRS rings (P < 0.001). There was no interocular asymmetry (P > 0.05) and no correlation between IOP/CCT and retinal layer thickness. Conclusion: In CSF, age-related thickening was noted in RNFL, IPL, INL, OPL, and ONL. The average inner ring thickness decreased with age in GCL and IPL and increased in the RPE layer. The average outer ring thickness decreased with age in GCL, IPL, and INL layers and increased in OPL. The average IR and OR thickness was significantly less in women compared to men in all sub-fields. There was no correlation between IOP/CCT and retinal layer thickness.

Cross sectional study of depression, anxiety and quality of life in glaucoma patients at a tertiary centre in North Kerala

Purpose: To determine the magnitude and direction of association of anxiety and depression and the quality of life (QoL) in persons with glaucoma. Methods: This prospective cross?sectional study in conducted in a tertiary eye center in north Kerala included glaucoma patients and normal subjects aged 40–80 years. The Patient Health Questionnaire?9 (PHQ?9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder?7 (GAD?7), Glaucoma Quality of Life (GQOL), and glaucoma evaluation were performed for all participants. One?way analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. Results: The study included 148 subjects with glaucoma and 150 subjects without glaucoma. The prevalence of depression (35.81%) and anxiety (25.0%) was significantly higher in glaucoma patients. In a multivariate regression model, PHQ?9 (adjusted OR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.31–4.38, P < 0.001), GAD?7 (adjusted OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.01–4.19, P = 0.01) and GQOL (coefficient: 6.92, 95% CI: 4.52–9.31, P = < 0.001) was significantly associated with glaucoma. The GAD?7 score was significantly higher (P = 0.02) in PACG compared to POAG in moderate and severe anxiety. ADL scores (one?way ANOVA, P = 0.001) and GQOL scores (one?way ANOVA, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with vision impairment and blindness. Conclusion: Depression and anxiety are common in glaucoma patients, indicating the need for screening protocols using PHQ and GAD scales to identify persons at risk. The lack of ophthalmic risk factors associated with depression and anxiety emphasizes the importance of psychological evaluation and combined management with a psychiatrist in glaucoma management.

Clinical Characteristics and Short-Term Outcomes of Patients Presenting with Acute Myocardial Infarction having Multi-vessel disease - A Single Middle- eastern Tertiary-Care Center Experience

Objective: Patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease (MVD) compared to single-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) have more comorbidities and poor in-hospital outcomes. We aim to analyze MVDAMI patients regarding clinical data and short-term outcomes. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of the prospectively collected data registry, a single-center study reviewing the clinical details and hospital outcome measures of AMI patients referred to our center for early revascularization from 2016 to 2019. Result: Out of 3041 patients presented with AMI, 491 (16%) had MVD on coronary angiogram. MVD-AMI patients were older, had a higher prevalence of DM, HTN, and prior history of ischemic heart disease compared to the non- MVD -AMI group (p < 0.001 for all). However, they presented more with nonanterior myocardial infarction, showed higher rates of post-myocardial infarction LV dysfunction, and mortality (p < 0.001). Older MVD-AMI patients showed higher rates of in-hospital morbidities and mortality compared to younger ones (p < 0.001). MVD- AMI women and Middle Eastern patients were older and showed a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors compared to MVD-AMI men and South Asian patient population respectively. There were no significant differences recorded among the different subgroups of MVD-AMI patients regarding the hospital outcome measures. Conclusion: Our study highlighted the clinical characters and poor outcomes of a high-risk group of MVD-AMI with different demographic backgrounds. Although age was a strong predictor for in-hospital poor outcomes, neither gender nor ethnicity affected the outcomes in them.

Molecular characterization of mycotoxin-producing Aspergillus parasiticus and sensitivity pattern to different disinfectants

Aims@#The study was aimed to isolate and characterize the mycotoxin-producing filamentous Aspergillus parasiticus from the feed samples. The sensitivity pattern of the isolates was assessed against different disinfectants.@*Methodology and results@#Fifty different feed samples were screened for A. parasiticus isolation. Isolates were subjected to macroscopic and microscopic characterization. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to confirm the isolates at the genomic level. Mycotoxin producing potential of the isolates was assessed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). To quantify the toxins, high performance liquid (HPLC) was employed. The antifungal potential of disinfectants was determined by the well diffusion method followed by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) calculation. Out of twenty isolates of A. parasiticus, 11(55%) isolates were observed positive for toxin production. Three toxigenic isolates (AspP2, AspP4 and AspP8) were selected to evaluate their susceptibility against disinfectants by well diffusion method. AspP2 produced maximum (5.90 ng/mL) toxin, followed by AspP4 (3.11 ng/mL) and AspP8 (18.47 ng/mL). Terralin showed maximum fungicidal activity with 29.66 ± 8.08 mm zone of inhibition at 0.42 μg/mL MIC. Hypochlorite and Instru Star showed 99% disinfection with 30, 60 and 90 min contact time (6 mean log reduction) for all A. parasiticus isolates. Alpha Guard inhibited growth after 15 min contact time for all the isolates.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#This study provides data indicating the contamination of feed samples with mycotoxin-producing A. parasiticus isolates and their sensitivity against commercially available disinfectants. Use of these disinfectants in appropriate concentrations and time could help prevent the contamination of food, feed and healthcare settings with the fungal species.

Biofuel production potential of indigenous isolates of Scenedesmus sp. from lake water in Pakistan

Aims@#This paper presents the report on biodiesel and biogas production at a laboratory scale from Scenedesmus strain.@*Methodology and results@#Previously isolated and identified Scenedesmus were grown in 10 Liter flask using BG-11 media at 16 h light and 8 h dark cycle. Oven-dried biomass (20 g) from 16-day-old culture of Scenedesmus was finely grounded and subjected to lipids extraction by chloroform-methanol-NaCl mixture. Microalgal lipids (6 mL) were subjected to transesterification by using NaOH leading to the production of 5 mL biodiesel and 4 mL of glycerin. Biodiesel was rich in methyl esters of linoleic acid, phosphorothioc acid and dodecanoic acid, as shown by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Oven-dried microalgae (2 g) without lipid extraction and leftover biomass (2 g) after lipid extraction were subject to biogas production through anaerobic digestion. Biogas (34, 27 and 19 mL) were recorded respectively in oven-dried whole biomass; lipid extracted biomass and control over a period of 15 days of anaerobic digestion.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#It was concluded that water bodies are rich in diverse algae, especially Scenedesmus sp., and this algae can be cultured to produce biodiesel and biogas. But the lipid accumulation potential of microalgae requires special treatment and lipid extraction methods are not up to the mark, which is a major bottleneck in biofuel production from microalgae.

The state of emergency medical technician education in Ghana

Objective: The National Ambulance Service (NAS) provides emergency medical services throughout Ghana and trains emergency medical technicians (EMTs) at the NAS Prehospital Emergency Care Training School (PECTS). Currently the majority of EMT training occurs primarily in a traditional didactic format. Students and faculty were interviewed to better understand their views of the current curriculum. Additionally, any barriers to integration of simulation-based learning were assessed. Following the interviews, the faculty was trained to conduct obstetric and neonatal simulations. The faculty was then observed introducing the simulations to the EMT students. Methods: A standardized list of questions developed in consultation with an education expert was used to elicit student and faculty expression of opinion. Interviews were conducted in-person in small group settings. Training sessions were conducted in-person in large group settings. Results: Students and faculty alike expressed pride in their work and 14/25 groups felt that teaching efforts were high. However, students verbalized concern involving their lack of rest (12/18) and the high volume of lectures per day (11/18). Both students and faculty felt limited by the lack of simulation tools (17/25), library resources (14/25), internet access (17/25), and infrastructure (20/25). All groups felt favorably towards the integration of simulation-based learning (25/25). Conclusion: The faculty and students of PECTS support the transition from a curriculum based on traditional didactic learning to one based on simulation learning

Effect of solvent polarity on extraction yield and antioxidant properties of phytochemicals from bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seeds

The effect of solvent polarity on extraction yield and antioxidant properties of phytochemical compounds in bean seeds was studied. Seed flour of three varieties of bean was extracted in a series of organic solvents with increasing polarity (n-hexane, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, acetone and water). Preliminary screening of phytochemicals showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, anthocyanins, terpenoids, carotenoids, ascorbic acid and reducing compounds in all extracts. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) of results showed that extraction yield, phytochemical content and antioxidant properties were significantly influenced (p<0.05) by the polarity of extracting solvents. The regression analysis of data showed polarity-dependent second order polynomial variations in the extraction yield, phytochemical contents, antioxidant activity, reducing properties and free radical scavenging activity of each variety. Extraction in highly polar solvents resulted in high extract yield but low phenolic and flavonoid content as compared to non-polar ones. The polarity-dependent increase in total antioxidant activity and reducing properties indicates the extraction of strong antioxidant compounds in polar solvents. The study suggests the use of a combination of polar and nonpolar solvents to increase the extraction efficiency of phytochemicals with good antioxidant quality from the bean and other legume seeds.

Main pulmonary artery diameter assessment in a large sample of Indian population: a MDCT based study

Background:The gold standard for pulmonary artery pressure measurement is right heart catheterization but its invasive nature precludes its routine use. Main pulmonary arterial trunk calibreincrease is a strong indicator of underlying pulmonary arterial hypertension. MDCT can accurately measure the diameter of main pulmonary artery. The objective of the study was to establish the normative values of main pulmonary artery caliber using contrast enhanced CT and try to ascertain any significant difference in main pulmonary artery calibers between two genders and correlation of age and main pulmonary artery diameter. Methods:Contrast enhanced CT images of 462 subjects were analysed on a PACS workstation monitor and widest diameter perpendicular to long axis of the main pulmonary artery as seen on reformatted axial image was measured with electronic caliper tool at the level of the main pulmonary artery bifurcation.Results:The mean main pulmonary artery diameter in females was 22.54±2.19 mm and 23.34±3.06 mm in males. The mean pulmonary artery diameter in males was larger than females with statistically significant difference seen (p<0.05). The correlation coefficient between age of whole sample and their mean main pulmonary artery was found to be 0.1006 with no statistically significant difference.Conclusions:There is a statistically significant difference in the mean main pulmonary artery calibre between males and femaleswith no strong correlation between the age and mean main pulmonary artery calibre. Further studies are warranted to find the complex interaction between main pulmonary artery diameter and sex, age and body mass index

Comparison of lipoprotein and apolipoprotein levels in cord blood

Background: Hyperlipidemia is the primary risk factor for coronary artery disease and subsequently leading to morbidity and mortality in adulthood. It is a well-known fact that coronary artery disease can initiate in the fetal stage itself. The present study was planned to analyse cord blood lipoproteins and apolipoproteins levels and its association with gender and birth weight.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, in collaboration with Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at SKIMS Medical College and Hospital, Bemina, Srinagar. A total 200 pregnant women who delivered by normal vaginal delivery and caesarean section were included in the study. 10 ml of umbilical cord blood was collected in a plain vial from the placental end within five minutes of delivery and serum lipoprotein and Apo-lipoprotein levels were measured.Results: Out of 200 newborns102 were males and 98 were females. Statistically significant difference was seen in parameters Apo A1, Apo B, Atherogenic index (Apo B/Apo A1) and LDL between the genders rest of the parameters were statistically. Also 32 newborns (16.0%) had <2500, 152 (76.0%) new born had 2500-4000 and 16(8.0%) > 4000 grams birth weight. The mean lipoprotein and Apo-lipoprotein levels in these new born were compared between the groups. The mean serum levels of TC, TG, LDL and HDL were statistically significant (<0.05) between the three groups were as Apo A1, Apo B, Atherogenic index (Apo B/Apo A1) and VLDL was insignificant (>0.05) respectively.Conclusions: CVD being a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing countries, early screening of the at risk babies i.e. low birth weight newborns using cord blood lipoproteins and apolipoproteins levels helps in primordial and primary prevention of diseases.

Effects of ZJ0273 on barley and growth recovery of herbicide-stressed seedlings through application of branched-chain amino acids / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

In this study, we evaluated the effect of the herbicide propyl 4-(2-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yloxy)benzylamino) benzoate (ZJ0273) on barley growth and explored the potential to trigger growth recovery through the application of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Barley plants were foliar-sprayed with various concentrations of ZJ0273 (100, 500, or 1000 mg/L) at the four-leaf stage. Increasing either the herbicide concentration or measurement time after herbicide treatment significantly impaired plant morphological parameters such as plant height and biomass, and affected physiological indexes, i.e. maximal photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), quantum yield of photosystem II (ФPSII), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), and chlorophyll meter value (soil and plant analyzer development (SPAD)). Cellular injury of herbicide-treated plants was also evidenced by increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidative enzyme activity. Elevated levels of herbicide significantly reduced the activity of acetolactate synthase (ALS)-a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of BCAAs. In a separate experiment, growth recovery in herbicide-stressed barley plants was studied using various concentrations of BCAAs (10, 50, 100, and 200 mg/L). Increasing BCAA concentration in growth media significantly increased the biomass of herbicide-stressed barley seedlings, but had no significant effect on non-stressed plants. Further, BCAAs (100 mg/L) significantly down-regulated ROS and consequently antioxidant enzyme levels in herbicide-stressed plants. Our results showed that exogenous application of BCAAs could reverse the inhibitory effects of ZJ0273 by restoring protein biosynthesis in barley seedlings.

Ultrasound guided therapeutic excisional vacuum assisted biopsy in fibroadenoma [BIRAD3 lesions]

Background: Our study showed that ultrasound-guided, vacuum-assisted excision can play an efficient role in the diagnosis of benign breast lesions and is a safe and successful alternative treatment of fibroadenomas. Although the breast fibroadenoma is a common benign breast tumor, the treatment and follow-up of these lesions is still debatable. We suggest that UGVAB, which has a well-documented role in the diagnosis of breast lesions, may provide an option for the definitive treatment of breast fibroadenomas

Objective: The objective of our work was to evaluate ultrasound-guided, vacuum-assisted excision [UGVAE] as an alternative approach in the diagnosis of radiologically benign breast lesions

Patients and Methods: We prospectively evaluated breast lesions excised using VAB between April -October 2017 at Ain-Shams University /interventionl radiology unit at radiology department, which had a proven diagnosis of fibroadenoma. An informed consent form was obtained from each patient of a total of 25 cases ultrasound-guided VABB using biopsy system. All patients have been subjected to breast ultrasound examination

Results: Thirteen patients developed hematomas during UGVAE but none needed surgical intervention, while twelve patients pass with no significant hematomas, with 100% cure rate. None of the patients experienced significant enough pain to require the cessation of the procedure, although 22 [88%] patients reported mild pain and moderate pain [12%] during procedure. At the two week control, 3[12%] patients reported taking paracetamol for mild pain. In ten of them [40%] the pain was strong enough to interfere with sleep

Conclusion: Vacuum assisted Ultrasound-guided biopsy allows real-time imaging, could be performed without breast compression, and is the preferred method if the lesion is detectable with ultrasound

Rat as an animal model for studying glutaredoxin-5 gene

Glutaredoxin-5 [Grx5] is a mitochondrial monothiol, participating in iron-sulfur clusters' biogenesis. It directly maintains normal cytosolic and mitochondrial iron homeostasis, participates in erythropoiesis and oxidative stress sensing, and regulates the oxidative-stress-induced apoptosis. The current investigation involved various techniques to associate rat- and human-Grx5 genes. The rat Grx5 protein's 3D structure was predicted [C-score = 1.10] and its stereochemical qualities were validated, with 88.2% of amino-acid-residues in the favoured regions of "Ramachandran plot". Z-score [-5.93] also confirmed reliability of the model. Superimposition results demonstrated 93% resemblance, and COFACTOR server predicted 10 conserved ligand-binding-sites in rat- and human-Grx5. Upstream the ATG start site, 26 conserved and 26 aligned transcription factors' binding sites were identified, indicating resemblances in transcriptional regulation of the gene in two organisms. Rat liver also expressed Grx5, indicating Grx5's possible involvement in hepatic iron metabolism not only in housekeeping but in pathophysiological conditions as well. The investigation concluded that rat could logically be used to study the role of Grx5 during health and disease conditions, understanding of which might prove crucial for targeting Grx5 for managing various acute or chronic ironinduced oxidative stress conditions

Coping with drought: stress and adaptive mechanisms, and management through cultural and molecular alternatives in cotton as vital constituents for plant stress resilience and fitness

Increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and associated climatic variability is primarily responsible for inducing heat waves, flooding and drought stress. Among these, water scarcity is a major limitation to crop productivity. Water stress can severely reduce crop yield and both the severity and duration of the stress are critical. Water availability is a key driver for sustainable cotton production and its limitations can adversely affect physiological and biochemical processes of plants, leading towards lint yield reduction. Adaptation of crop husbandry techniques suitable for cotton crop requires a sound understanding of environmental factors, influencing cotton lint yield and fiber quality. Various defense mechanisms e.g. maintenance of membrane stability, carbon fixation rate, hormone regulation, generation of antioxidants and induction of stress proteins have been found play a vital role in plant survival under moisture stress. Plant molecular breeding plays a functional role to ascertain superior genes for important traits and can offer breeder ready markers for developing ideotypes. This review highlights drought-induced damage to cotton plants at structural, physiological and molecular levels. It also discusses the opportunities for increasing drought tolerance in cotton either through modern gene editing technology like clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR/Cas9), zinc finger nuclease, molecular breeding as well as through crop management, such as use of appropriate fertilization, growth regulator application and soil amendments.

Haematological parameters in different African populations: an experience from united nations level 3 hospital

Objective: To evaluate hematological parameters in African population to estimate normal reference intervals for these tests

Study Design: Cross sectional observational study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pathology, United Nations level 3 hospital, Nyala, Darfur from 1st Mar to 30th Dec 2014

Material and Methods: There were 396 healthy African male and female volunteers selected between 18-65 years of age, belonging to different countries. Fresh whole blood was used to measure haemoglobin [Hb] concentration, haematocrit [Hct], total red blood cell [TRBC] count, mean corpuscular volume [MCV], mean corpuscular haemoglobin [MCH], mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration [MCHC], platelet count, total leucocyte count [TLC] and differential white blood cells count. Data were analysed using SPSS version 19

Results: Mean Hb of study group was 13.81 +/- 1.99 g/dl. Mean TLC was 5.50 +/- 1.96 x 103/ul. Mean lymphocyte count was 2.58 +/- 0.95. Mean platelet count was 234 +/- 92 x103 /ul. Mean values for Hb Concentration, TRBC, Hct Ratio, MCV, MCH and MCHC were all higher for African Males than Females; this difference was statistically significant [p<0.05]

Conclusion: This multi-national African population based study confirms the variations in haematological parameters previously described in single nation African studies. The commonly observed variations in normal adults are low RBC indices, relative neutropenia and lymphocytosis

Knowledge of depressive Illness among non- psychiatrist doctors

Objective: To ascertain the knowledge of non-psychiatrist doctors to suspect and diagnose Depressive Illness presenting to them in garb of physical or somatic symptoms

Methodology: This Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at Social Security hospital in one year, from January 2016- January 2017. A simple questionnaire was developed, asking three basic diagnostic symptoms of depressive illness and the duration of illness needed for its diagnosis. Non-psychiatrist doctors from a tertiary care hospital were given five minutes to complete it in front of the research officer

Results: Three out of forty seven responding doctors knew about the three basic symptoms of depression with the required duration for diagnosis

Conclusions: A vast majority of the practising doctors or general practitioners are unaware of the characteristic features of Depressive Illness. Therefore, non-psychiatrist doctors are unable to suspect or diagnose Depressive illness

In vitro antimicrobial, antiprotozoal activities and heavy metals toxicity of different parts of Ballota pseudodictamnus [L.] Benth

The study was done to check the antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activity of different parts of Ballota pseudodictamnus [L.] Benth. These activities were then compared with the heavy metals toxicity of different parts, which plants accumulate in different concentrations in different parts. In in-vitro antileishmanial results ethanolic extract, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions in roots of Ballota pseudodictamnus [L.] Benth showed antileishmanial activity. The ethanol, w-butanol and ethyl acetate fraction in stem revealed inhibition of amastigote form of leishmania. The ethanolic extract, chloroform, and w-butanol fraction in leaves showed inhibition of leishmanial parasite. In heavy metals study, Chromium was above permissible value in all parts except in leaves. Nickel was above WHO limit in roots. Cadmium and lead were beyond permissible limits in entire plant parts. Results revealed that different parts of the plant have different inhibition properties. So each part of plant should be checked for antimicrobial and antiprotozoal assay separately. It is concluded that various metals accumulates with miscellaneous concentrations in different plant parts

Inguinal Herniation of Urinary Bladder on F-18 Sodium Fluoride (NaF) PET-CT / 대한핵의학회잡지

Inguinal herniation of urinary bladder is uncommon and usually an incidental finding in asymptomatic patients. In some of these patients, residual urine volume and consequently, urinary tracer activity can be higher in the herniated bladder than the native bladder, in which case interpretation can be challenging on conventional planar imaging.We describe an interesting case of physiological activity in a herniated bladder simulating a “tear-drop”. This case serves an important reminder that whilst F-18NaF PET-CT has a similar spectrum of urinary activity to conventional bone scintigraphy; morphological correlation on hybrid imaging is invaluable in ensuring the physiological nature of uptake.