ABSTRACT
Oncogenic potential of Blastocystis species have been predicted on reporting the enhanced proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells by the parasite solubilized antigen in vitro, and the enhanced drug-induced carcinogenesis by infection in vivo. The present study is the first to investigate some phenotypic characters, namely the surface ultrastructure, protein profiles and protease activity of Blastocystis sp. isolated from three different clinical groups: colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patients, symptomatic and asymptomatic infected persons. Under SEM, all CRC Blastocystis sp. isolates had a very rough intensely folded surface in comparison to the less rough and completely smooth surface of all symptomatic and asymptomatic Blastocystis sp. Non-CRC isolates, respectively. Under reducing conditions, the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis had shown a significant presence of 2 protein bands of 230 and 32 KDa in 42.9% of Blastocystis sp. CRC isolates with their complete absence from Non-CRC isolates. While using non-reducing condition with the incorporation of gelatin in the gel to study the protease activity of the parasite, no significant difference existed between isolates of the three groups. In conclusion, the significant difference in surface ultrastructure and in protein profiles exists between Blastocystis sp. of CRC and Non-CRC isolates. These differences might be either secondary to the altered gut environment in the presence of CRC or are indicators of a different pathogenic potential of the parasite isolates inducing malignancy.
ABSTRACT
The ampulla of Vater is commonly located in the posteromedial wall of the second portion of the duodenum. At times, the ampulla of Vater may be found at uncommon sites such as the third and fourth portions of the duodenum, the duodenal bulb and the stomach. We found the ampulla of Vater in the pyloric channel in a 44 year old patient who had undergone surgery for acute cholecystitis. An intra-operative T-tube cholangiography revealed distal narrowing. The major papilla was not found during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and a more accurate T-tube cholangiography revealed that the common bile duct opened in the distal stomach, probably in the pylorus. Finally the ampulla opening was located in the pylorus by methylene blue injection through the T-tube at endoscopy. This rather unusual location of the ampulla of Vater has implications for gastroenterologists performing ERCP.
ABSTRACT
A copper(II) ion-selective electrode based on a recently synthesized 2-quinolyl-2-phenylglyoxal-2-oxime (phenylglyoxal-alpha-monoxime) has been developed. The PVC-based membrane containing phenylglyoxal-alpha-monoxime, dibutyl phthalate as plasticizer, and sodium tetraphenylborate as anion excluder and membrane modifier, was directly coated on the surface of a platinum-wire electrode. The response of the electrode was linear with a near-Nernstian slope of 28.2 mV decade(-1) within the Cu2+ ion concentration range 1x10(-6)-1x10(-1) mol x L(-1). The response time for the proposed electrode to achieve a 95% steady potential for Cu2+ concentrations ranging from 1x10(-1) to 1x10(-6) mol x L(-1) is between 10 and 50 s, and the electrode is suitable for use within the pH range of 3 to 6.5. The electrode has a detection limit of 5x10(-7) mol x L(-1) Cu2+ and its selectivity relative to several alkali, alkaline earth, transition, and heavy metal ions was good. The coated-wire electrode could be used for at least two months without a considerable alteration of its potential. Applications of the electrode for determination of copper in milk powder samples and as an indicator electrode for potentiometric titration of Cu2+ ion using EDTA are reported.
