Antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging activity and phenolic content of red cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata rubra), Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa pekinensis var cylindrica), green cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata), mustard cabbage (Brassica juncea var rugosa) and Chinese white cabbage (Brassica rapa var chinensis), grown in Malaysia, were evaluated. Red cabbage had the highest antioxidant activity and phenolic content compared to the other cruciferous vegetables studied (p < 0.05). The contributions of all cruciferous vegetables to the antioxidant activity was >79%. The radical scavenging activity was in the order of Chinese white cabbage > red cabbage > mustard cabbage > Chinese cabbage > green cabbage. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the means of scavenging activity observed between cabbage, Chinese cabbage and Chinese mustard. Phenolic content was significantly different (p < 0.05) among all the cruciferous vegetables studied, and was in the order of red cabbage > Chinese white cabbage > green cabbage > Chinese cabbage >mustard cabbage. The study indicated that red cabbage possessed the highest antioxidant capacity and phenolic compounds concentration among all the cruciferous vegetables studied.
Cabbage ; cruciferous vegetables ; Chinese cabbage ; Red color ; Chinese People

INTRODUCTIONInstitutional febrile neutropenia (FN) management protocols were changed following the finding of a high prevalence of ceftazidime-resistant Gram-negative bacteraemia (CR-GNB) among haematology patients with FN. Piperacillin/tazobactam replaced ceftazidime as the initial empirical antibiotic of choice, whereas carbapenems were prescribed empirically for patients with recent extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae colonisation/infection. An audit was conducted to determine the impact of these changes.

METHODSData from all FN episodes between October 2008 and December 2010 were collected prospectively, with mid-November 2009 demarking the transition between pre-intervention and intervention periods. Outcomes measured included 30-day mortality post-development of FN and the presence of CR-GNB.

RESULTSThere were 427 FN episodes (200 in the pre-intervention period) from 225 patients. The prevalence of CRGNB was 10.3%, while the 30-day mortality was 4.7%, with no difference between pre-intervention and intervention periods. Independent risk factors for 30-day mortality included the presence of active haematological disease, vancomycin prescription and older age. Independent factors associated with initial CR-GNB were profound neutropenia, the presence of severe sepsis and active haematological disease. Recent ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae colonisation/infection was not predictive of subsequent CR-GNB (positive predictive value 17.3%), whereas a model based on independent risk factors had better negative predictive value (95.4%) but similarly poor positive predictive value (21.4%), despite higher sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONA change in the FN protocol did not result in improved outcomes. Nonetheless, the audit highlighted that empirical carbapenem prescription may be unnecessary in FN episodes without evidence of severe sepsis or septic shock, regardless of previous microbiology results.

Academic Medical Centers ; Adult ; Bacteremia ; complications ; drug therapy ; Carbapenems ; therapeutic use ; Ceftazidime ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Febrile Neutropenia ; complications ; drug therapy ; Female ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penicillanic Acid ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Piperacillin ; administration & dosage ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis ; Singapore ; Treatment Outcome ; Universities

Hodgkin lymphoma is a form of malignant lymphoid neoplasm. It can have various clinical presentations such as prolonged fever, night sweats, weight loss and asymptomatic lymphadenopathy. It has a distinct fever pattern known as Pel Ebstein fever. However, in some instances, its clinical presentation can mimic some tropical infections. Here, we present a case of primary splenic lymphoma masquerading as splenic abscess in a 53-yearold man with underlying dyslipidemia.

Among the three subtypes of neurofibromatosis are type 1 and 2 neurofibromatosis and schwannomatosis, von Recklinghausen disease also known as type 1 neurofibromatosis has an autosomal dominant inheritance. It is the commonest form as and presents with numerous café-au-lait macules and neurofibromas. Giant congenital melanocytic nevus (CGMN) on the other hand is characterized by a melanocytic proliferation that present at birth. CGMN develops due to a defective embryonic pigment cell (melanocyte) precursors development and are often present at birth. Giant congenital melanocytic nevus (CGMN) and type 1 neurofibromatosis may occur together rarely. Clinicians should be aware of the rare presentation of both CGMN and type 1 neurofibromatosis in a patient.