Retained products of conception (POC) complicates nearly 1% of all pregnancies, occurring with greater frequency after termination of pregnancy than after vaginal or caesarean delivery. The presenting symptoms of retained products of conception are similar to those of gestational trophoblastic disease and hence accurate differentiation is difficult based on clinical history and physical examination alone. The distinction between these two entities is extremely important as the treatment differs dramatically. These patients often need to be further evaluated with either ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis. Hence, radiologists play a vital role in clinching the diagnosis although at times it may be challenging to differentiate between these two entities. Herein, we discuss a case of degenerated retained products of conception which was initially misdiagnosed as invasive trophoblastic disease in a 41-year-old woman whom last known pregnancy was 10 years ago.

Introduction:This paper describes the epidemiological, microbiological and environmental investigations conducted during an outbreak of Salmonella gastroenteritis in Singapore. Methods:A case-control study was undertaken to identify the vehicle of transmission. Microbiological testing was performed on faecal, food and environmental samples. Isolates of Salmonella were further characterized by phage typing and ribotyping. Results:There were 216 gastroenteritis cases reported from 20 November to 4 December 2007. The causative agent was identified as Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Enteritidis for 14 out of 20 cases tested. The vehicle of transmission was traced to cream cakes produced by a bakery and sold at its retail outlets ( P < 0.001, OR = 143.00, 95% Cl = 27.23–759.10). More than two-thirds of the 40 Salmonella strains isolated from hospitalized cases, food samples and asymptomatic food handlers were of phage type 1; the others reacted but did not conform to any phage type. The phage types correlated well with their unique antibiograms. The ribotype patterns of 22 selected isolates tested were highly similar, indicating genetic relatedness. The dendrogram of the strains from the outbreak showed distinct clustering and correlation compared to the non-outbreak strains, confirming a common source of infection. Discussion:The cream cakes were likely contaminated by one of the ingredients used in the icing. Cross-contamination down the production line and subsequent storage of cakes at ambient temperatures for a prolonged period before consumption could have resulted in the outbreak.

Choristoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Dermoid Cyst ; diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dissection ; methods ; Eyelids ; pathology ; Hemangioma ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Neuroglia ; pathology ; Orbit ; diagnostic imaging ; Orbital Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography ; methods

BACKGROUNDIn most colorectal carcinomas, the level of phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma 1 expression is greatly elevated. Increased expression of PLC-gamma 1 may play an important role in colon carcinogenesis, but the mechanism is not well known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of PLC-gamma 1 in colon carcinogenesis by using recombinant lentivirus that stably suppressed the PLC-gamma 1 expression in human colorectal carcinoma LoVo cells.

METHODSRecombinant lentivirus producing PLC-gamma 1 siRNA were prepared. After LoVo cells were transduced by each lentivirus, stably transduced cells were selected by Blasticidin. The protein and mRNA expression of PLC-gamma 1 were examined by Western-blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, and the effects of the lentivirus on the cell adhesion, migration and apoptosis were analyzed.

RESULTSStable LoVo cell line deficient in PLC-gamma 1, was established. Notably, PLC-gamma 1 was silenced without affecting the levels of other subtypes of PLC so that the role of PLC-gamma 1 in colon carcinogenesis could be examined. Silencing of endogenous PLC-gamma 1 resulted in efficient inhibition of the adhesion and migration of LoVo cells in vitro and a great increase of 5-fluorouracil induced apoptosis (30%-40%) of LoVo cells.

CONCLUSIONSPLC-gamma 1 may play an important role in metastasis and anti-apoptosis in human colorectal carcinomas.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Fluorouracil ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Laminin ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Phospholipase C gamma ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; physiology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; therapeutic use

To reveal the epidemiological and pathogenic characteristics of Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) in Hainan province in 2010, epidemiology data of HFMD reporting cases were analyzed, clinical specimens from 1346 HFMD cases were collected for enterovirus (EV) detection. Viral isolation was performed for EV nucleic acid positive samples. Complete VP1 encoding region of EV71 were sequenced and analyzed with Sequencher (version 5.0) and MEGA software (version 5.0). The epidemiology data showed that all 18 prefectures in Hainan had reporting cases during 2010, with higher incidence in the northeast; and the children less than 4 years old accounted for the majority of the suffered; the epidemic reached peak during September to October, which was different from other Provinces in China. The laboratory results indicated that EV71 and CA16 were identified as the major causative pathogens in Hainan in 2010, however, EV71 infection was absolutely dominant among severe and fatal cases. In addition, some HFMD cases were identified associated with other serotypes of EV infections. Molecular epidemiological analysis showed that all the EV71 strains belonged to C4a evolutionary branch, which is the dominant evolutionary branch in China in recent years, and at least three transmission chains existed. This study has an important information in clarifying the characteristics of epidemics and transmission of HFMD in Hainan, and to provide the guidance for HFMD prevention and control in the future.
Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Enterovirus A, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Seasons

Background: The public health issue of consuming groundwater is a major concern because people often extract groundwater directly from the aquifers either through wells or boreholes without treating it with any form of filtration system or chlorine disinfection. Based on the Malaysian National Drinking Water guidelines the current study was designed to provide a better understanding on the variable factors that are influencing the quality of well-water in an urbanised village in Malaysia. Well water quality assessment of heavy metals, chemicals, microbial and physical parameters were carried out for Sungai Buloh Village in the Klang Valley to ensure it was safe for human consumption. Materials and Methods: Water samples were collected from wells at four sites (Sites A,B,C,D), a river and a tap inside a house in Sungai Buloh village. Soil was sampled from the riverbed and area surrounding the wells. Samples were collected every two months over a one year duration from all sites. The water samples were processed and examined for viruses, coliforms and protozoa as well as for heavy metal contaminants. Results: The turbidity and colour ranged in the average of 0.57-0.13 Nephelometric Turbidity (NTU) and 4.16- 5.00 Total Conjunctive Use (TCU) respectively for all sites except Site C. At Site C the turbidity level was 2.56 ± 1.38 NTU. The well-water was polluted with coliforms (1.2 to 2.4 x 10 3 CFU/100 ml) in all sites, E. coli (0.12 - 4 x 10 2 CFU/100 ml CFU/ 100 ml) and Cryptosporidium oocysts (0.4 cysts/100 ml). All the heavy metals and chemical parameters were within the Malaysian Guidelines’ limits except manganese. The average pH ranged from 5.44 - 6.62 and the temperature was 28 ºC. Conclusion: In summary, the well water at Sungai Buloh is considered unsafe for consumption due to pollution. Therefore the major thrust will be to provide better quality of drinking water to the residents of the village.