Presence of Helicobacter pylori in drinking water of Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is an increasing problem in developing countries. Several environmental factors such as overcrowding, poverty, contaminated drinking water and food are considered to contribute toward transmission of infection; however, little is known about their definitive roles.

Narrow band imaging of squamous cell carcinoma tumors using topically delivered anti-EGFR antibody conjugated gold nanorods.

Background: Nanoparticles have recently gained interest as exogenous contrast agents in a variety of biomedical applications related to cancer detection and treatment. The objective of this study was to determine the potential of topically administered antibody conjugated gold nanorods (GNRs) for imaging squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the skin using near-infrared narrowband imaging (NBI). Near-infrared (NIR) NBI images narrow wavelength bands to enhance contrast from plasmonic particles in a wide field portable and noncontact device that is clinically compatible for real-time tumor imaging and tumor margin demarcation.

Efficacy and safety of quinine loading dose in patients with severe falciparum malaria at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of a loading dose regimen of quinine with a uniform dose regimen in patients with severe falciparum malaria.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 315 patients admitted with severe falciparum malaria and treated with quinine at a tertiary care teaching hospital of Karachi, Pakistan during 1999-2006 was conducted. Group A with 103 patients (32.

Fluoroquinolones inhibit HCV by targeting its helicase.

Background: HCV has infected >170 million individuals worldwide. Effective therapy against HCV is still lacking and there is a need to develop potent drugs against the virus. In the present study, we have employed two culture models to test the activity of fluoroquinolone drugs against HCV: a subgenomic replicon that is able to replicate independently in the cell line Huh-8 and the Huh-7 cell culture model that employs cells transfected with synthetic HCV RNA to produce the infectious HCV particles.

Combined two-photon luminescence microscopy and OCT for macrophage detection in the hypercholesterolemic rabbit aorta using plasmonic gold nanorose.

Background And Objectives: The macrophage is an important early cellular marker related to risk of future rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. Two-channel two-photon luminescence (TPL) microscopy combined with optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to detect, and further characterize the distribution of aorta-based macrophages using plasmonic gold nanorose as an imaging contrast agent.

Study Design/materials And Methods: Nanorose uptake by macrophages was identified by TPL microscopy in macrophage cell culture.

Comparative analysis of the biaxial mechanical behavior of carotid wall tissue and biological and synthetic materials used for carotid patch angioplasty.

Patch angioplasty is the most common technique used for the performance of carotid endarterectomy. A large number of patching materials are available for use while new materials are being continuously developed. Surprisingly little is known about the mechanical properties of these materials and how these properties compare with those of the carotid artery wall.

In vivo depth-resolved oxygen saturation by Dual-Wavelength Photothermal (DWP) OCT.

Microvasculature hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SaO2) is important in the progression of various pathologies. Non-invasive depth-resolved measurement of SaO2 levels in tissue microvasculature has the potential to provide early biomarkers and a better understanding of the pathophysiological processes allowing improved diagnostics and prediction of disease progression. We report proof-of-concept in vivo depth-resolved measurement of SaO(2) levels in selected 30 µm diameter arterioles in the murine brain using Dual-Wavelength Photothermal (DWP) Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) with 800 nm and 770 nm photothermal excitation wavelengths.

3,5-Diamino-4H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ium hydroxonium bis-(pyridine-2,6-di-carboxyl-ato)cobaltate(II) pyridine-2,6-dicarb-oxy-lic acid monohydrate.

The asymmetric unit of the title complex, (C(2)H(6)N(5))(H(3)O)[Co(C(7)H(3)NO(4))(2)]·C(7)H(5)NO(4)·H(2)O, contains a Co(II) ion coordin-ated by four O atoms and two N atoms from two dipicolinate ligands in a disorted octa-hedral environment, a protonated triazole mol-ecule, a neutral pyridine-2,6-dicarb-oxy-lic acid mol-ecule, a hydroxonium ion and a solvent water mol-ecule. In the crystal, the components are linked into a three-dimensional framework by inter-molecular O-H⋯O, N-H⋯O and N-H⋯N and weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. In addition, π-π stacking inter-actions with centroid-centroid distances in the range 3.

Teratoma with malignant transformation: a case report with pathological, cytogenetic, and immunohistochemistry analysis.

Background. Teratoma with malignant transformation (TMT) is rare and most commonly encountered in adult patient with germ cell tumor (GCT). Method.

3,5-Diamino-4H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ium (6-carb-oxy-pyridine-2-carboxyl-ato)(pyridine-2,6-dicarboxyl-ato)cuprate(II) trihydrate.

In the complex anion of the title compound, (C(2)H(6)N(5))[Cu(C(7)H(4)NO(4))(C(7)H(3)NO(4))]·3H(2)O, the Cu(II) atom is coordinated by tridentate 6-carb-oxy-pyridine-2-carboxyl-ate and pyridine-2,6-dicarboxyl-ate ligands and is surrounded by four O atoms in the equatorial plane and two N atoms in axial positions in a distorted octa-hedral geometry. In the crystal, the components are linked into a three dimensional network by O-H⋯O, N-H⋯O, N-H⋯N and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and a π-π inter-action with a centroid-centroid distance of 3.6080 (8) Å.

Intra- and inter-brand accuracy of four dental radiometers.

This study measured the accuracy and precision of four commercial dental radiometers. The intra-brand accuracy was also determined. The light outputs from 14 different curing lights were measured three times using four brands of dental radiometers and the results were compared to two laboratory-grade power meters that were used as the "gold standard".

Antibacterial activity in spices and local medicinal plants against clinical isolates of Karachi, Pakistan.

Context: Development of resistance in human pathogens against conventional antibiotic necessitates searching indigenous medicinal plants having antibacterial property. Twenty-seven medicinal plants used actively in folklore, ayurvedic and traditional system of medicine were selected for the evaluation of their antimicrobial activity for this study. Eleven plants chosen from these 27 are used as spices in local cuisine.

Quantitative imaging of ischemic stroke through thinned skull in mice with Multi Exposure Speckle Imaging.

Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) has become a widely used technique to image cerebral blood flow in vivo. However, the quantitative accuracy of blood flow changes measured through the thin skull has not been investigated thoroughly. We recently developed a new Multi Exposure Speckle Imaging (MESI) technique to image blood flow while accounting for the effect of scattering from static tissue elements.

Meta analysis algorithms for microarray gene expression data using gene regulatory networks.

Using microarrays, researchers are able to obtain a genome wide snapshot of a biological system under a given experimental context. Fortunately, a significant amount of gene regulation data is publicly available through various databases. We present a system that uses extra knowledge in published gene regulation relationships to examine findings in a microarray experiment and to aid biologists in generating hypotheses.

Current pattern of antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates and the emergence of vancomycin resistance.

Objective: To determine the pattern of antibiotic resistance in the clinical isolates of Staphylococcus (S.) aureus, Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and define the possible emergence of Vancomycin resistant S.

Spectrofluorometric study of iron removal from bovine lactoferrin by ethylenediamminetetraacetic acid.

The kinetics of iron removal from the two metal binding sites of the bovine lactoferrin by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was investigated at pH 7.5 and 33°C. Solutions were buffered at pH 7.

Microbial contamination of raw meat and its environment in retail shops in Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: This study was conducted to examine the frequency of contamination in retail meat available in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methodology: Raw meat samples (250) and surface swabs (90) from meat processing equipment and the surrounding environment were analyzed for microbiological contamination.

Results: Out of 340 samples, 84% were found to be contaminated with bacterial species, including Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis.

Phase II trial of high-dose topotecan, melphalan and CY with autologous stem cell support for multiple myeloma.

In spite of high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic SCT multiple myeloma (MM) eventually recurs, highlighting the need for more effective treatment approaches. Patients received topotecan 3.5 mg/m(2) intravenously on days -6 to -2, melphalan 70 mg/m(2) intravenously on days -3 and -2 and CY 1 g/m(2) intravenously on days -6, -5 and -4.

Seronegative naturally acquired West Nile virus encephalitis in a renal and pancreas transplant recipient.

West Nile virus (WNV), a single-stranded RNA flavivirus, has spread across the United States since arriving in 1999. While asymptomatic or self-limited in a majority of patients, WNV can cause a severe neuroinvasive disease, which occurs more often in transplant recipients with chronic immunosuppression. Diagnosis of acute WNV infection usually relies on serologic identification of immunoglobulin M (IgM) specific for the virus.

In vitro antituberculosis activities of the constituents isolated from Haloxylon salicornicum.

In vitro antituberculosis activities of fractions and pure compounds (1-20) including seven triterpenes, two alkaloids, two cycloheximide derivatives, two coumarins six sterol derivatives and a long chain alcohol, respectively, isolated from Haloxylon salicornicum were determined against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Actively growing cultures were tested by rapid colorimetric method while the stationary phase cultures were tested by drug exposure methods for bactericidal activity. The MIC values were found to be 50 microg/ml for compounds 15, 19 and 20 where as rest of the compounds invariably showed MIC value of 100 microg/ml against the logarithmic phase culture.

Structural determination of daphnecin, a new coumarinolignan from Daphne mucronata.

Daphnecin (1), a new coumarinolignan, has been isolated from the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of Daphne mucronata along with three known compounds, aquillochin (2), umbelliferone (3), and coumarin (4). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic studies.

Studies on the redox characteristics of ferrioxamine E.

Thermodynamic parameters for the reduction of ferrioxamine E as calculated from redox potentials determined at four different temperatures were found to be DeltaH( not equal)=7.1+/-3.4 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS( not equal)=-146 J mol(-1) K(-1).

Pro-inflammatory interleukins in patients operated on for proximal femur fracture.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to measure plasma IL 6 and IL 8 in patients with proximal femoral fracture (PFF) during the early phases of trauma and operation and to find out if there was any correlation between these ILs and the post-operative lower limb oedema.

Material And Methods: Thirty patients with a median age of 81 years were grouped into pertrochanteric fracture (PTF) (n = 16) and femoral cervical fracture (FCF) (n = 14). Plasma interleukin levels were determined on blood samples obtained from the common femoral vein, immediately after hospital admission, 1 h before operation, and post-operatively at 1, 6, 12, 24, 48 h and on the 7th day.