Tumour Marker Requisition Pattern in a Tertiary Care Centre of Eastern Nepal.

Background Tumor markers have been a valuable tool for decades to aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of oncological diseases. Objective To retrospectively analyze the requisition pattern of tumor marker requests at the largest tertiary care center in eastern Nepal. Method A retrospective hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted to obtain the data for 5 common tumor markers i.e., Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP), Cancer antigen125 (CA-125), Carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) analyzed in the Department of Biochemistry at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal for 5 years. Result A total of 8716 tests for tumor marker was conducted over 5 years. The most common tumor marker requested at our hospital was Prostate-specific antigen (48.77%) followed by Cancer antigen-125 (39.02%), Carcinoembryonic antigen (9.30%), Alpha-Fetoprotein (2.29%), and Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (0.63%) respectively. The majority of the tumor markers (Alpha-Fetoprotein, Cancer antigen-125, Carbohydrate antigen 19-9, and Carcinoembryonic antigen) were requested from in-patient wards while Prostate-specific antigen was majorly requisitioned from the out-patient department (OPD) [74%] respectively. Conclusion The finding from the present study suggest that though Nepal is one of the developing countries where the specialized health care services are limited only to cities and developed areas, the burden of oncological disease is high. Dharan is one of the small cities in the eastern part of Nepal and serves the majority of the population in the periphery. The number of tumor marker requisitions as per the laboratory data is significant (n=8716) over a period of 5 years where few tests like Alpha-Fetoprotein, Carcinoembryonic antigen, and Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 have just been initiated. Also, the findings delineate that the outpatient departments have requested more tumor markers which might/ might not be inconsistent with the preliminary diagnosis.

Relationship between endometritis and oxidative stress in the follicular fluid and luteal function in the buffalo.

In this study, alteration in the follicular fluid composition and luteal function was investigated in the buffalo with endometritis. Genitalia were classified into cytological and purulent endometritis on the basis of polymorphonuclear cell cut off while non-endometritis served as control (n = 10/group). In the follicular phase, the number of surface follicles was counted, diameter of the largest follicle was measured and the follicular fluid was assayed for total protein, cholesterol, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oestradiol (E2 ) and progesterone (P4 ). The P4 content of corpus luteum during mid-luteal phase was estimated by radioimmunoassay. Ovaries from the follicular phase of oestrous cycle showed no significant difference in the total number of surface follicles, size of the largest follicle and volume of follicular fluid in the buffaloes with and without endometritis (p > .05). However, the antral fluid of the largest follicle from the genitalia of buffalo with cytological and purulent endometritis showed a significant decrease in the concentration of total protein, cholesterol, TAC and E2 and a significant increase in the concentration of MDA and P4 (p < .05). The results indicated that there is an association between endometritis and decreased ovarian function.

Supplementation of Slow-Release Melatonin Improves Recovery of Ovarian Cyclicity and Conception in Summer Anoestrous Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

The role of melatonin as a protective neurohormone against restoring cyclicity in summer anoestrous animals in photoperiod species has gained wider acceptance. This study was designed to uncover the evidence the slow-release melatonin (MLT) has on initiation of ovarian cyclicity and conception rate (CR) in summer anoestrous buffaloes. Thus, buffaloes diagnosed as summer anoestrous (absence of overt signs of oestrus, concurrent rectal examination and radioimmunoassay for serum progesterone at 10 days interval) were grouped as untreated (Group I, sterilized corn oil, n = 8) and treated (Group II, single subcutaneous injection of MLT @18 mg/50 kg bwt in sterilized corn oil, n = 20). Animals treated and detected in oestrus were artificially inseminated (AI) followed by division into Group III (second dose of MLT on 5th day post-AI, n = 8) and Group IV (no melatonin administration, n = 10). Blood samples were collected at 4 days interval for estimation of serum MLT, progesterone and oestrogen using radioimmunoassay kit. Mean oestrous induction rate (OIR), oestrous induction interval (OII), interoestrous interval (IOI) and CR were estimated. Compared to control, concentration of melatonin was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in treated group ranging from 14.34 ± 1.72 to 412.31 ± 14.47 pg/ml whereas other two hormones did not show any concentration difference. Melatonin-administered buffaloes showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher (90%) OIR with OII of 18.06 ± 1.57 days. Results showed improvement in conception rate in buffaloes administered with post-insemination melatonin. It can be concluded from the study that slow-release melatonin supplementation restored cyclicity in summer anoestrous animals resulting in improvement in conception rate in buffaloes.

Municipal solid waste management through vermicomposting employing exotic species of earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae.

Majority of municipal (urban) solid waste (MSW) is disposed of in landfills (anaerobic composting). However, this disposal system is reported to produce hazardous environmental impacts and new policies are initiated to protect the environment from such impacts by discouraging the practice of disposal of solid waste in landfills. Eco-friendly disposal alternatives to landfills need to be explored. One of the technological options for treatment and disposal of organic solid wastes is vermicomposting. Commercial vermicomposting is reported to be practicable for treatment and disposal of many organic solids and byproducts in agricultural production and processing industries. However, this alternative has not been tried for MSW on large scale. This paper highlights the application of vermicomposting for treatment of organic solid waste, generated at urban residential area at Pune [organic component of this urban solid waste (MSW)]. Vermicomposting was tried on this segregated solid waste using exotic species of earthworm--Eudrilus eugeniae--commonly called 'African Night Crawler'. Bench scale reactor studies were carried out on organic solid waste under controlled optimum environmental conditions (moisture content: 48-52 percent, pH: 7.0-7.2, temperature: ambient), with variable vermi-loading [40-80 g of worms/kg of urban solid waste (MSW)]. Characteristics of solid waste were monitored through conventional parameters and additional environmental parameters like BOD5 and COD. The results of investigative studies are encouraging and indicate that organic solid waste can be treated in a reasonable period of 32-34 days through vermicomposting with around 60 percent reduction in the volume.

Gastric aspirate shake test for diagnosis of surfactant deficiency in neonates with respiratory distress.

UNLABELLED: The gastric aspirate shake test (GST) was evaluated in 77 newborns with respiratory distress for predicting hyaline membrane disease (HMD) at KEM Hospital, Pune, India. METHODS: Over 0.5 ml of gastric fluid was obtained within 30 min of birth and mixed with an equal volume of normal saline for 10 sec; 1 ml of 95% ethanol was then added and the mixture agitated for 10 sec. After standing for 15 min, the air-liquid interface was examined for bubbles. RESULTS: All 21 infants with a negative GST developed HMD. However, 12 infants with an intermediate and nine with a positive test also developed HMD. None of the infants with other respiratory disorders, e.g. transient tachypnoea and pneumonia, had a negative GST. A negative GST had a specificity of 100%, sensitivity of 70% and positive predictive value of 100% for developing HMD. CONCLUSION: GST is a useful test for predicting HMD and might be of particular value in developing countries.

Chemoselective hydrogenation of substituted nitroaromatics using novel water-soluble iron complex catalysts.

Chemoselective hydrogenation of substituted nitroaromatic compounds by water-soluble iron complex catalysts with molecular hydrogen has been reported for the first time. This biphasic catalyst presents an opportunity for a solvent-free hydrogenation. This catalyst system provides a low-cost, efficient alternative to the selective but environmentally unacceptable stoichiometric reductions as well as the supported noble metal catalysts used for hydrogenation. An efficient recycling strategy has resulted in a cumulative turnover number above 6000.

Processing and intracellular localization of the herpes simplex virus type 1 proteinase.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) capsid protein VP24 (encoded by UL26) was expressed as a GST-fusion protein and used to prepare a group of monoclonal antibodies. These were used to characterize the protein in capsids and virus infected cells and demonstrated that it exists as two polypeptide species. The nature of the relationship between these two species was investigated and found to be associated with disulphide bonding. Under non-reducing conditions a species corresponding to dimers of VP24 was identified in preparations of B capsids, the site of action of the proteinase. Biochemical subcellular fractionation studies suggested that only cleaved forms of UL26 and UL26.5 gene products could be detected in the nucleus of the infected cell at early times post-infection.

A simplified and efficient synthesis of 5,10-dideaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid (DDATHF).

A new and extremely efficient synthesis of DDATHF from 4-vinylbenzoic acid and bromomalondialdehyde as precursors has been developed which proceeds in 48% overall yield.

Unilateral renal hypoplasia as an incidental finding in a patient with a ruptured heel cord.

A report of unilateral renal hypoplasia in an 11-year-old patient, admitted to the hospital for surgical repair of a ruptured Achilles tendon, is presented. The condition was incidentally discovered because of an elevated blood pressure level. The case demonstrates that screening for hypertension, even in the pediatric population, should be an essential part of the routine podiatric physical examination.