Multinodular goiter as the initial presentation of systemic sarcoidosis: limitation of fine-needle biopsy.

Sarcoidosis is a chronic systemic disease characterized by noncaseating granulomas. Thyroid involvement is rare, with a prevalence of 1-4% in large series of autopsied patients with systemic sarcoid. We report a case of a 65-year-old woman with a nontoxic multinodular goiter, dyspnea in the supine position, and rightward tracheal deviation as the initial presentation of systemic sarcoidosis.

Synthesis, growth, crystal structure and characterization of a new organic material: glycine glutaric acid.

Glycine glutaric acid, a new organic compound has been synthesized and good quality single crystals were grown by slow evaporation technique. The structure of the grown crystal was elucidated by using single crystal XRD. The presence of the functional groups was confirmed by using FT-IR spectroscopy.

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies on the Schiff base ligand derived from condensation of 2-furaldehyde and 3,3'-diaminobenzidene, L and its complexes with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II): comparative DNA binding studies of L and its Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes.

The Schiff base ligand, N,N'-bis-(2-furancarboxaldimine)-3,3'-diaminobenzidene (L) obtained by condensation of 2-furaldehyde and 3,3'-diaminobenzidene, was used to synthesize the mononuclear complexes of the type, [M(L)](NO3)2 [M=Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)]. The newly synthesized ligand, (L) and its complexes have been characterized on the basis of the results of the elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements and spectroscopic studies viz, FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR, mass, UV-vis and EPR. EPR, UV-vis and magnetic moment data revealed a square planar geometry for the complexes with distortion in Cu(II) complex and conductivity data show a 1:2 electrolytic nature of the complexes.

Management of coexisting thyrotropin/growth-hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma: a therapeutic challenge.

Background: A thyrotropin (TSH)-secreting pituitary adenoma coexisting with differentiated thyroid carcinoma is rare. There have been only four previously reported cases; three were treated with thyroidectomy followed by pituitary resection and one was treated with thyroidectomy alone.

Methods: We hereby report the fifth case, in which a patient presented with a TSH/growth-hormone-secreting pituitary macroadenoma coexisting with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

A new technique for the diagnosis of mycetoma using fixed blocks of aspirated material.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the use of the cell block technique as a safe, accurate and quick tool for the cytodiagnosis of mycetoma. The study included 240 patients with suspected mycetoma. The suspected lesion was aspirated and the aspirated material was processed to form cell blocks.

Awareness of stroke risk factors, signs and treatment in a Pakistani population.

Objective: To assess the level of awareness in the general public on risk factors, symptomatology and immediate treatment of stroke.

Method: A cross sectional study was conducted in a sample of subjects visiting a tertiary care university hospital by means of a self-designed questionnaire. The study period extended between May and June, 2007.

The effect of clinical clerkship on students' attitudes toward psychiatry in Karachi, Pakistan.

Objective: Attitudes of medical students toward a specialty is strongly related to their future choice of specialty. In developing countries like Pakistan, where there is a shortage of psychiatrists, there is a need to assess the effect of exposure to psychiatry on medical students.

Methods: The authors conducted a survey of fourth-year medical students at Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan.

Synthesis and spectral characterization of 14- and 16-membered tetraazamacrocyclic Schiff base ligands and their transition metal complexes and a comparative study of interaction of calf thymus DNA with copper(II) complexes.

14 and 16 membered Schiff base macrocyclic ligands, 7,14-dimethyl-5,12-di(N-amino)-2-methylphenyl-1,4,8,11-tetraaza-cyclotetradecane-4,7,11,14-tetraene (L(1)) and 8,16-dimethyl-6,14-di(N-amino)-2-methylphenyl-1,5,9,13-tetraaza-cyclohexadecane-5,8,13,16-tetraene (L(2)) were synthesized by condensation reaction between 2'-methyleacetoacetanilide and aliphatic diamines. The metal complexes of the types, [ML(1)](NO(3))(2) and [ML(2)(NO(3))(2)] [M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)] were prepared by interaction of ligands, L(1) or L(2) with hydrated metal(II) nitrates. The ligands and their complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, (1)H and (13)C NMR, EPR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, conductivity measurements and ESI-mass spectral studies.

Template synthesis and physico-chemical characterization of 14-membered tetraimine macrocyclic complexes, [MLX(2)] [M=Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)]. DNA binding study on [CoLCl(2)] complex.

The template condensation reaction between glyoxal and 1,8-diaminonaphthalene resulted a few novel mononuclear 14-membered tetraimine macrocyclic complexes of the type, [MLX(2)] [M=Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II), for X=Cl or NO(3)]. The stoichiometry and the nature of the complexes have been deduced from the results of elemental analyses and conductance data. The formation of macrocyclic framework has been inferred from the appearance of imine upsilon(CN) and upsilon(MN) band in IR spectra and the resonance signals observed in (1)H and (13)C-NMR spectra.

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies on complexes of N,N'-bis-(2-pyridinecarboxaldimine)-1,8-diaminonaphthalene (L); DNA binding studies on Cu(II) complex.

The Schiff base ligand, N,N'-bis-(2-pyridinecarboxaldimine)-1,8-diaminonaphthalene (L), obtained by the condensation of 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde and 1,8-diaminonaphthalene, has been used to synthesize the mononuclear complexes of the type [MLCl(2)] [M=Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)]. The newly synthesized ligand (L) and its complexes have been characterized on the basis of results of elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, Job's method and spectroscopic studies viz., FT-IR, Mass, (1)H and (13)C NMR.

The Arp2/3 activators WAVE and WASP have distinct genetic interactions with Rac GTPases in Caenorhabditis elegans axon guidance.

In the developing nervous system, axons are guided to their targets by the growth cone. Lamellipodial and filopodial protrusions from the growth cone underlie motility and guidance. Many molecules that control lamellipodia and filopodia formation, actin organization, and axon guidance have been identified, but it remains unclear how these molecules act together to control these events.

Symptomatic hyponatremia in association with a low-iodine diet and levothyroxine withdrawal prior to I131 in patients with metastatic thyroid carcinoma.

Background: Strategies to improve I131 uptake in thyroid carcinoma include levothyroxine (LT4) withdrawal or thyrotropin (TSH) administration along with a low-iodine diet. We report five patients with papillary or follicular thyroid carcinoma who developed symptomatic hyponatremia during LT4 withdrawal and low-iodine diet.

Results: Four patients had pulmonary and/or brain metastases.

Synthesis, characterization of complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) with 12-membered Schiff base tetraazamacrocyclic ligand and the study of their antimicrobial and reducing power.

Schiff base tetraazamacrocyclic ligand, L (C(40)H(28)N(4)) and its complexes of types, [MLX(2)] and [CuL]X(2) (M=Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II); X=Cl(-), NO(3)(-)) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, mass, (1)H NMR, IR, UV-vis, magnetic susceptibility and molar conductance data. An octahedral geometry has been proposed for all the complexes except the copper(II) complexes which have a square planar environment. The reducing power of the Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes have been checked and compared.

Metal ion-directed synthesis of 16-membered tetraazamacrocyclic complexes and their physico-chemical studies.

Complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) containing macrocyclic tetradentate nitrogen donor (N4) ligand have been synthesized from the template condensation reaction between o-phthalaldehyde and o-phenylenediamine. The newly synthesized ligand and its complexes have been characterized on the basis of results of elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, FT-IR, electronic, 1H FT NMR spectral data and Job's method. Their thermal behaviour has been studied by the thermogravimetric analysis.

Cardiovascular health knowledge and behavior in patient attendants at four tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan--a cause for concern.

Background: Knowledge about coronary heart disease (CHD) and its risk factors is an important pre-requisite for an individual to implement behavioral changes leading towards CHD prevention. There is scant data on the status of knowledge about CHD in the general population of Pakistan. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge of CHD in a broad Pakistani population and identify the factors associated with knowledge.

Why medical students are crucial to the future of research in South Asia.

One long-term strategy for promoting health research in developing countries is to target medical students early in their careers.

Interactions of UNC-34 Enabled with Rac GTPases and the NIK kinase MIG-15 in Caenorhabditis elegans axon pathfinding and neuronal migration.

Many genes that affect axon pathfinding and cell migration have been identified. Mechanisms by which these genes and the molecules they encode interact with one another in pathways and networks to control developmental events are unclear. Rac GTPases, the cytoskeletal signaling molecule Enabled, and NIK kinase have all been implicated in regulating axon pathfinding and cell migration.

Analysis of Cell Migration in Caenorhabditis elegans.

This chapter is concerned with a method of analysis and quantification of cell migration defects in mutants of the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans. The method takes advantage of transgenic expression of the green fluorescent protein to visualize migrating cells. By following these protocols, one will be able to analyze cell migration defects in new mutant strains for comparison to wild-type and to other mutants.

UNC-39, the C. elegans homolog of the human myotonic dystrophy-associated homeodomain protein Six5, regulates cell motility and differentiation.

Mutations in the unc-39 gene of C. elegans lead to migration and differentiation defects in a subset of mesodermal and ectodermal cells, including muscles and neurons. Defects include mesodermal specification and differentiation as well a neuronal migration and axon pathfinding defects.

C. elegans KLP-11/OSM-3/KAP-1: orthologs of the sea urchin kinesin-II, and mouse KIF3A/KIFB/KAP3 kinesin complexes.

Kinesins are intracellular multimeric transport motor proteins that move cellular cargo on microtubule tracks. It has been shown that the sea urchin KRP85/95 holoenzyme associates with a KAP115 non-motor protein, forming a heterotrimeric complex in vitro, called the Kinesin-II. Here we describe isolation of a cDNA clone corresponding to the klp-11 kinesin in C.

A role of ADF chemosensory neurones in dauer formation behaviour in C. elegans.

In Caenorhabditis elegans, mutants in osmotic avoidance behaviour (osm), which fail to avoid high concentrations of salts and sugars, have been previously identified. These osm mutants are also defective in dauer larva formation, and fail to take up fluorescein dye in six pairs of amphid neurones (ADF, ADL, ASH, ASI, ASJ, and ASK) and two pairs of phasmid neurones. Analysis of the FITC dye uptake by osm-3 mutants show that seven of the eight osm-3 alleles can take up FITC dyes in one pair of amphid neurones, ADF.

C. elegans osm-3 gene mediating osmotic avoidance behaviour encodes a kinesin-like protein.

In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, mutants in osm-3 gene are known to be defective in osmotic avoidance, chemotaxis and dauer formation behaviours. To study the molecular basis of these pleiotropic defects we have cloned the osm-3 gene by germline transformation of osm-3 (p802) mutants through microinjection of the wild type genomic DNA. Northern analysis reveals a 3.

Culturally competent occupational therapy in a diversely populated mental health setting.

Cultural sensitivity is a crucial component of health care provision, particularly in psychiatric settings. As society becomes more multicultural, it is essential for occupational therapists to continue to develop cultural competence, which is defined in this paper as an awareness of, sensitivity to, and knowledge of the meaning of culture. At San Francisco General Hospital, an innovative multicultural model consisting of special focus programs is used.

Thymic carcinoid in association with MEN syndromes.

Although carcinoid tumors in association with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome (MEN) has been well described, thymic carcinoid in association with MEN is extremely rare (only 23 cases in the world literature). A patient with thymic carcinoid and MEN-I was treated with surgical resection and postoperative radiation therapy, which was later followed by subtotal parathyroidectomy for hyperparathyroidism. Four years later, a symptomatic recurrence of his thymic carcinoid was resected from below his right clavicle.