This study was conducted to examine the effect of malathion on the development of Chrysomya megacephala. A total of 12 adult Sprague-Dawley rats was divided into 4 groups. Each animal in the 4 groups was given orally 0 (control), 10, 25 and 50ml/kg body weight of malathion, respectively. Chrysomya megacephala larvae were then allowed to grow on the liver of carcass. Larvae development was estimated by means of weight and length, time of adult emergence and survival rate. Results indicated that for the first 6 to 30 hours, larvae from control group developed more rapidly than larvae feeding on tissue containing malathion. However, the 3 doses of malathion did not exhibit significant impact on larvae length and weight. The time required for adult emergence was significantly greater for malathion-treated colony which was 10 days compared to 7 days in control colony. Control larvae of C. megacephala had higher survival rate compared to larvae exposed to the three different doses of malathion. Analysis of the tissues indicated that all rats and fly samples were positive for malathion. Malathion concentration was highest in liver. It was concluded that the presence of malathion altered the development rate of C. megacephala and thus disrupted normal postmortem interval estimation.
Malathion ; Chrysomya megacephala ; development aspects ; Adult ; Carbon ion

In primary care, chest X-rays are commonly performed to assess patients presenting with a prolonged cough. However, the extent to which the flms are accurately interpreted depends on the skill of the doctors. Doctors with insufcient experience may miss an exact diagnosis when evaluating a flm, especially in patients with nonspecifc symptoms, such as in the case discussed in this paper. Tis case involved a persistent dry cough with an underlying diagnosis that would have been missed if the fndings of the chest X-ray had not been properly analyzed.

Soluble HLA (sHLA) are potential tumour markers released in order to counter immune surveillance. sHLA-class II is less known especially in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). This study aimed to investigate soluble, surface and allelic expression of HLA Class II (sHLA-DR) in B-cell ALL patients and compare with soluble expression in normal individuals. A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to measure soluble HLA-DRB1 in plasma. Flow cytometric analysis was performed to determine median fluorescence intensity in HLA-DR surface expression. HLA-DNA typing by polymerase chain reaction, sequence specific oligonucleotides, PCRSSO was performed to determine HLA-DRB1 type in ALL samples. Results showed sHLA-DRB1 (mean+SEM) was significantly increased (p=0.001) in plasma of ALL patients (0.260±0.057 μg/mL; n=30) compared to healthy controls (0.051±0.007μg/mL; n=31) of Malay ethnicity. However, these levels did not correlate with percentage or median fluorescence intensity of HLA-DR expressed on leukemia blasts (CD19+CD34+/-CD45loHLA-DR+) or in the normal B cell population (CD19+CD34- CD45hiHLA-DR+) of patients. No significant difference was observed in gender (male/female) or age (paediatric/adult). Only a trend in reduced sHLA was observed in patients carrying HLA-DR04. These results have to be validated with a larger number of samples.

Soluble HLA (sHLA) are potential tumour markers released in order to counter immune surveillance. sHLA-class II is less known especially in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). This study aimed to investigate soluble, surface and allelic expression of HLA Class II (sHLA-DR) in B-cell ALL patients and compare with soluble expression in normal individuals. A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to measure soluble HLA-DRB1 in plasma. Flow cytometric analysis was performed to determine median fluorescence intensity in HLA-DR surface expression. HLA-DNA typing by polymerase chain reaction, sequence specific oligonucleotides, PCRSSO was performed to determine HLA-DRB1 type in ALL samples. Results showed sHLA-DRB1 (mean±SEM) was significantly increased (p=0.001) in plasma of ALL patients (0.260 ±0.057 μg/mL; n=30) compared to healthy controls (0.051 ± 0.007µg/mL; n=31) of Malay ethnicity. However, these levels did not correlate with percentage or median fluorescence intensity of HLA-DR expressed on leukemia blasts (CD19+CD34 ± CD45(lo)HLA-DR+) or in the normal B cell population (CD19+CD34- CD45(hi)HLA-DR+) of patients. No significant difference was observed in gender (male/female) or age (paediatric/adult). Only a trend in reduced sHLA was observed in patients carrying HLA-DR04. These results have to be validated with a larger number of samples.

BACKGROUND: The present study is designed to evaluate the reliability and cost effectiveness of cellulose acetate Hb electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the determination of HbA2 levels. METHODS: The test population comprised 160 individuals divided into four groups: normal individuals, beta-thalassemia trait (BTT) patients, iron deficiency anemia (IDA) patients, and co-morbid patients (BTT with IDA). HbA2 levels determined using cellulose acetate Hb electrophoresis and HPLC were compared. RESULTS: HbA2 levels were found to be diagnostic for classical BTT using either method. In co-morbid cases, both techniques failed to diagnose all cases of BTT. The sensitivity, specificity, and Youden's index for detection of the co-morbid condition was 69% and 66% for HPLC and cellulose acetate Hb electrophoresis, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that semi-automated cellulose acetate Hb electrophoresis is more suitable for use in beta-thalassemia prevention programs in low-income countries like Pakistan. This technique is easily available, simple and cost effective.
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; beta-Thalassemia ; Cellulose* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Liquid* ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Electrophoresis* ; Hemoglobin A2* ; Humans ; Pakistan ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Forensic entomology is defined as knowledge about insect and its relationship with a decomposed human body. With this knowledge, post-mortem interval (PMI) can be estimated. PMI can be determined by taking into consideration the insect species and the developmental stage of the insects. Identification of the insect species requires the insect to develop into adulthood. Since this will take a relatively long time, the objectives of this study were to optimize temperature and humidity for the growth of Chrysomya megacephala larvae to adults. C. megacephala larvae were transferred into a rearing container and put inside a special incubator with temperature adjusted to 27, 30, 33, 36 and 39°C separately. Once optimum temperature for larvae growth was determined, optimum relative humidity was determined then for the length of time taken for C. megacephala larvae to develop into adults. To achieve this, the larvae of C. megacephala were incubated in a special incubator and the relative humidity set at 54.2, 57.6, 76.0 and 67.5% (control) separately. The developmental stages of C. megacephala for both temperatures and humidity levels were recorded accordingly. Results obtained indicated that C. megacephala developmental stages grew much faster in 33oC than other temperatures. The optimum relative humidity level for the species was 76.0%. By utilizing the appropriate temperature and relative humidity the development of C. megacephala, from eggs to adults could be reduced from 8 to 9 days to 5 days.

This study aims to determine the level of origin, branching pattern and exits of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves in relation to the psoas major muscle. Additionally, this study confirms the presence and retroperitoneal courses of the double nerves. We dissected a total of 24 iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves (6 male and 6 female cadavers). The origin, branching, and exits in relation to the psoas major muscle, the absence of these nerves or the presence of double nerves, and their retroperitoneal course were carefully examined. All the images were recorded by photographing. In this study, we mainly observed variations in exits, branching patterns, and their retroperitoneal course. The iliohypogastric nerve was absent in 2 cases (8.3%). In the type I pattern, in 1 case (4.2%), the common trunk descends anteriorly to the iliac vessels from the iliolumbar vessels. In 4 cases (16.7%), the double ilioinguinal nerve with different branch patterns and retroperitoneal courses was observed. In 1 single nerve case (4.2%), the ilioinguinal nerve descends anterior to the iliac vessels from the iliolumbar vessels. To our knowledge, the branching pattern of the double ilioinguinal nerves and their retroperitoneal course have not been reported in any available data. Sound knowledge of the variations in the origin, branches, and retroperitoneal course of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves is very helpful for the improvement of peripheral nerve blocks and other various surgical procedures to avoid complications and nerve injuries.

This study aims to determine the level of origin, branching pattern and exits of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves in relation to the psoas major muscle. Additionally, this study confirms the presence and retroperitoneal courses of the double nerves. We dissected a total of 24 iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves (6 male and 6 female cadavers). The origin, branching, and exits in relation to the psoas major muscle, the absence of these nerves or the presence of double nerves, and their retroperitoneal course were carefully examined. All the images were recorded by photographing. In this study, we mainly observed variations in exits, branching patterns, and their retroperitoneal course. The iliohypogastric nerve was absent in 2 cases (8.3%). In the type I pattern, in 1 case (4.2%), the common trunk descends anteriorly to the iliac vessels from the iliolumbar vessels. In 4 cases (16.7%), the double ilioinguinal nerve with different branch patterns and retroperitoneal courses was observed. In 1 single nerve case (4.2%), the ilioinguinal nerve descends anterior to the iliac vessels from the iliolumbar vessels. To our knowledge, the branching pattern of the double ilioinguinal nerves and their retroperitoneal course have not been reported in any available data. Sound knowledge of the variations in the origin, branches, and retroperitoneal course of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves is very helpful for the improvement of peripheral nerve blocks and other various surgical procedures to avoid complications and nerve injuries.

This study aims to determine the level of origin, branching pattern and exits of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves in relation to the psoas major muscle. Additionally, this study confirms the presence and retroperitoneal courses of the double nerves. We dissected a total of 24 iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves (6 male and 6 female cadavers). The origin, branching, and exits in relation to the psoas major muscle, the absence of these nerves or the presence of double nerves, and their retroperitoneal course were carefully examined. All the images were recorded by photographing. In this study, we mainly observed variations in exits, branching patterns, and their retroperitoneal course. The iliohypogastric nerve was absent in 2 cases (8.3%). In the type I pattern, in 1 case (4.2%), the common trunk descends anteriorly to the iliac vessels from the iliolumbar vessels. In 4 cases (16.7%), the double ilioinguinal nerve with different branch patterns and retroperitoneal courses was observed. In 1 single nerve case (4.2%), the ilioinguinal nerve descends anterior to the iliac vessels from the iliolumbar vessels. To our knowledge, the branching pattern of the double ilioinguinal nerves and their retroperitoneal course have not been reported in any available data. Sound knowledge of the variations in the origin, branches, and retroperitoneal course of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves is very helpful for the improvement of peripheral nerve blocks and other various surgical procedures to avoid complications and nerve injuries.

This study aims to determine the level of origin, branching pattern and exits of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves in relation to the psoas major muscle. Additionally, this study confirms the presence and retroperitoneal courses of the double nerves. We dissected a total of 24 iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves (6 male and 6 female cadavers). The origin, branching, and exits in relation to the psoas major muscle, the absence of these nerves or the presence of double nerves, and their retroperitoneal course were carefully examined. All the images were recorded by photographing. In this study, we mainly observed variations in exits, branching patterns, and their retroperitoneal course. The iliohypogastric nerve was absent in 2 cases (8.3%). In the type I pattern, in 1 case (4.2%), the common trunk descends anteriorly to the iliac vessels from the iliolumbar vessels. In 4 cases (16.7%), the double ilioinguinal nerve with different branch patterns and retroperitoneal courses was observed. In 1 single nerve case (4.2%), the ilioinguinal nerve descends anterior to the iliac vessels from the iliolumbar vessels. To our knowledge, the branching pattern of the double ilioinguinal nerves and their retroperitoneal course have not been reported in any available data. Sound knowledge of the variations in the origin, branches, and retroperitoneal course of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves is very helpful for the improvement of peripheral nerve blocks and other various surgical procedures to avoid complications and nerve injuries.