Acute and subchronic effects of petroleum on the freshwater fish Hoplias aff. malabaricus

Petroleum water soluble fraction (WSF) impairs organisms, but damages may vary among cell and tissue levels. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the acute (24 h, 48 h, 72 h) and subchronic effects (36 days) of WSF (0%, 25% and 100%) in juveniles of the Neotropical top predator fish Hoplias aff. malabaricus. The effects of WSF were evaluated at a molecular level using the comet assay and micronucleus test for genome damage; and at a morphological level through histological identification of liver pathologic lesions. In both acute and subchronic exposure we found low levels of DNA damage (< 10% of comet tail) and non-significant frequency of micronucleus in WSF exposed fish. The most significant liver lesions in WSF exposed fish were fatty vacuolization, hypertrophy and focal necrosis. Since these tissue injuries were progressive and persistent, their irreversibility may negatively affect fish recruitment, even in a such resistant top predator.

Lung Ultrasound B-lines as a Surrogate Marker for High Left Ventricular Diastolic Pressures; a bed-side Diagnostic tool

Background: We studied the diagnostic accuracy of B-lines (comet-tail sign) on bedside lung US, NT-proBNP, E/e` on ECHO in differentiation of the causes of acute dyspnea in the emergency setting. Major advantages include bedside availability, no radiation, high feasibility and reproducibility, and cost efficiency. Methods: Our prospective study was performed at the alazhar university hospital, Cairo, Egypt, between July 2019 and March 2020. All patients underwent lung ultrasound examinations, along with TTE, laboratory testing, including rapid NT-proBNP testing. Results: The median E/e’ levels in patients with B-profile were 18, compared with a median of 7.4 in the subjects with A-profile (P =< 0.0001 CI = -9.649 to -7.044). It was found that the sensitivity and the specificity of detecting B-profile on ultrasound is high when E/e’ > 15.5 (95.0% and 83.0% consecutively), which concluded the high correlation between finding B profile on U/S chest and elevated left ventricle filling pressure in a patient presenting with picture of suggestive of heart failure Conclusion: Chest ultrasound can be used as screening test for the evaluation of patients with suspicion of heart failure with excellent sensitivity and good specificity.

mDia1 Assembles a Linear F-Actin Coat at Membrane Invaginations To Drive Listeria monocytogenes Cell-to-Cell Spreading

Listeria monocytogenes spreads from one cell to another to colonize tissues. This cell-to-cell movement requires the propulsive force of an actin-rich comet tail behind the advancing bacterium, which ultimately distends the host plasma membrane into a slender bacterium-containing membrane protrusion.

Sonographic features of various dental materials and foreign bodies

Objective: To reveal the sonographic characteristics of various foreign bodies and dental materials to aid diagnosis. Methods and materials: 24 objects consisting of various dental materials and foreign bodies were included in the study. Objects were embedded in bovine gelatin. Images of the objects were obtained by conventional radiography and ultrasonography (USG). Opacities were evaluated by conventional radiography. Their visibility and posterior acoustic behaviors were examined by USG. In addition, the actual sizes of the objects and their dimensions measured by USG were compared. Results: All objects included in the study, including non-opaque ones, could be visualized by USG. When the posterior acoustic behavior of objects was examined, 15 of the objects (62.5%) caused posterior acoustic shadowing on USG. While 6 of the objects (25%) did not have any USG artifacts, 2 of them (8,3%) had comet tail artifact and 1 of them (4,2%) had reverberation artifact. There was no statistically significant difference between the actual dimensions of the objects and their dimensions measured by USG (p > 0,05). Conclusion: USG is a very useful technique for imaging foreign bodies and dental materials, it can even show objects that cannot be seen in X-rays on in-vitro environment.

Arsenic Induced Free Radicals Mediated Genotoxicity and Protective Features of Ocimum Gratissium L.

Arsenic toxicity is a worldwide geogenic problem for large number of populations. The major problem of arsenicosis is generation of free radicals and related genotoxicity, In the present study three plants species Ocimum gratissimum L., Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum basilicum, were examined by both in vivo and in vitro methods in Oryctolagus cuniculus L to know the free radical scavenging property in Sodium Arsenite induced oxidative stress and related genotoxicity. Oxidative stress was evaluated considering MDA, GSH, SOD, CAT & GPx, and genotoxicity was examined by comet assay and RAPD test. In the present study, Na3AsO3 was found to generate free radicals in lymphocytes of O. cuniculus and best recovery was reported (MDA-4.78 ± 0.05; GSH-2.87 ± 0.50;SOD-1.78 ± 0.03;CAT-2.72 ± 0.02;GPx-7.43 ± 0.01) under exposure of ethanolic leaf extract of O. gratissimum. Na3AsO3 was also found to cause polymorphic bands and increased comet tail in lymphocytes which was found significantly recovered by exposure of ethanolic leaf extract of O. gratissimum.

Removal of Unusual Foreign Metal Object (Nail) from the Right Ventricle of Human Heart: A Case Report

Migration of foreign bodies (FB) with the blood flow to the heart is a rare, but very alarming condition as it may lead to life-threatening complications and death. Objects that are larger than 5 mm in diameter and/or irregular in shape are recommended for removal from extra- and intracardiac areas to prevent incurable embolization. Surgical extraction of intracardiac objects is a serious surgical challenge associated with difficulties to operate, during the continuous movement of the heart, and identify the exact FB location. Early diagnosis and timely removal of FBs are crucial treatment factors for this rare case resolution. We report a case of accidental migration of a metal FB object (nail) about 1.0*0.3 cm from the right neck area jugular vein to the right ventricle apex in the heart. The FB localization was accurately detected using Bi-plane transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) with a special comet-tail artifact. TEE provided valuable information before surgery, and the nail was successfully removed through open-heart surgical procedures and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Postoperative tests indicated no complications.

ANALISIS KERUSAKAN DNA PADA SEL LIMFOSIT PASIEN PASCA-RADIOTERAPI

Analyses of DNA Damage in the Patient’s Lymphocyte Cells Post-Radiotherapy Radiotherapy given in high doses to kill cancer cells can also induce DNA damage in surrounding normal cells. The radiation dose is divided into smaller doses called fractionation to decrease the effect of radiation on normal tissue. For this reason, it is necessary to monitor the peripheral blood lymphocytes to evaluate the patient's DNA damage. The alkaline comet test is a simple and sensitive technique for detecting DNA instability. This study involved 11 patients who underwent radiotherapy up to 20 Gy, and 11 healthy subjects as controls. This study aims to see how much DNA damage is caused by a 20 Gy fractionated radiation dose in patients with various cancers. The results showed that the mean frequency of damaged cells in patients was 80.54 ± 12.52% with a mean comet tail length of 49.98 ± 12.93 µm. There was a significant difference in both the frequency of damaged cells and the mean value of the comet tail length against the control group (p < 0.001). It was concluded that high doses of radiation can cause DNA damage to peripheral blood lymphocytes. Radioterapi yang diberikan dalam dosis tinggi untuk mematikan sel kanker juga dapat menginduksi kerusakan DNA pada sel normal di sekitarnya. Dosis radiasi dibagi menjadi dosis yang lebih kecil yang disebut fraksinasi untuk menurunkan efek radiasi pada jaringan normal. Untuk itu perlu pemantauan pada limfosit darah tepi untuk mengevaluasi kerusakan DNA pasien. Uji komet alkali merupakan teknik yang sederhana dan sensitif untuk mendeteksi ketidakstabilan DNA. Penelitian ini melibatkan 11 pasien yang menjalani radioterapi hingga 20 Gy, dan 11 subyek sehat sebagai kontrol. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat seberapa besar kerusakan DNA akibat dosis radiasi fraksinasi 20 Gy pada pasien dengan variasi kanker. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa rerata frekuensi sel yang rusak pada pasien 80,54 ± 12,52% dengan rerata panjang ekor komet 49,98 ± 12,93 µm terdapat perbedaan nyata baik pada frekuensi sel yang rusak maupun nilai rerata panjang ekor komet terhadap kelompok kontrol (p < 0,001). Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa radiasi dosis tinggi dapat menyebabkan kerusakan DNA sel limfosit darah tepi.

A study to compare clinico-histopathological and dermoscopic findings in patients of vitiligo

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Vitiligo is an acquired disorder; characterised by well-defined depigmented macules and patches. Its diagnosis is clinical but histopathology aids in doubtful cases, histopathological findings depend on the duration of clinical lesions. Dermoscopy serves as an auxiliary tool for diagnostic confirmation and additionally aids in the evaluation of disease activity. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>It’s the hospital based observational study of 50 vitiligo patients. After ethical committee approval and patient’s consenting, detailed history with clinical and dermatological examination was performed using a dermoscope (10X) and biopsy sample was sent for examination. The results were statistically analysed, discussed and their correlation with clinical diagnosis was established.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Generalised vitiligo was the most common presentation found, with koebnerization signifying progressive disease. Epidermal hyperkeratosis and absence of melanocytes were found to be significant in stable disease. Perilesional/marginal hyperpigmentation was observed in stable disease, while perifollicular depigmentation, trichrome pattern, comet tail appearance, micro koebner’s phenomenon and tapioca sago appearance were the findings significant in unstable disease.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Vitiligo is primarily a clinical diagnosis; additional modalities may be required either to confirm the diagnosis like histopathology or to assess the progression of disease with dermoscopy. Unstable disease display perifollicular depigmentation whereas stable disease display perifollicular pigmentation, and can be compared with epidermal hyperkeratosis and absence of melanocytes in the lesions of stable vitiligo on histopathology. Such studies with a greater number of cases are recommended for having better understanding of the findings.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"> </p>