We report a 21-year old female patient who presented with an 18-month history of a swelling in the distal phalanx of her right little finger. Although the history, clinical features and MRI were suggestive of a benign tumour or a tuberculous lesion, the histo-pathological examination of the swelling was reported as a conventional osteosarcoma. Osteosarcoma of the hand is very rare. This article highlights the possibility of a seemingly benign lesion seen in a routine clinic could well turn out to be malignant, and the need to maintain a high index of suspicion
Osteosarcoma

Aim: A preliminary investigation to assess the relationshipin the severity of periodontal disease in diabetics whencompared with non-diabetic subjects. Materials andMethods: A retrospective, comparative study usingperiodontal case notes of 40 subjects (20 Type 2 diabetics,20 non-diabetics) who were selected based on theinclusion and exclusion criteria. Severity of periodontaldisease was assessed through number of periodontalpocket ≥5mm. The results were compared betweensubjects whose age, gender and plaque scores are matchedwith the test group. Data obtained was then analyzed bySPSS Version 12. Results: When comparisons were madebetween test (Type 2 diabetic) and control (non-diabetic)groups, there were no significant difference (p>0.05) inthe severity of periodontal disease. However, there wasa clinically mean difference between the two groups.Conclusions: This preliminary investigation indicatedthat the severity of chronic periodontitis, as indicated inperiodontal pocketing, increased in diabetic patients whencompared to non-diabetics clinically, although it was notstatistically significant. The finding of this investigationwas thus not conclusive as it was only a retrospectivestudy using patients’ case notes. However, the resultsare now being further investigated with a proper clinicaltrial which examines periodontal parameters and diabeticstatus (HbA1c) of the subjects to determine the associationbetween periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus.

Managing chronic cough is diagnostically challenging especially in primary care. This case report highlights the difficulties experienced in approaching a case of chronic cough from a primary care perspective. The discussion also involves the clinical significance and treatment dilemma of M. fortuitum chelonae complex that was isolated from the sputum cultures of an elderly woman who presented with chronic cough for more than a year.
Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous ; Mycobacterium fortuitum ; Primary Health Care

Background: Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB, is responsible for one of the global epidemics. Thus, new drugs are needed that do not confer cross-resistance with currently administered front-line therapeutics. Quinoline-based natural products and synthetic derivatives have been extensively explored for antitubercular activity.
Objective: The main goal of this study was to prepare a collection of benzylated 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives through synthesis and assess their antitubercular activity along with a molecular docking study to clarify their biological mechanism of action.
Methodology: The benzylated 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives were synthesized using Williamson synthesis methods. Antitubercular activity was assessed against fast replicating M. tuberculosis H??Rv using Microplate Alamar Blue Assay (MABA) and non-replicating cultures using Low-Oxygen Recovery Assay (LORA). Molecular docking studies were carried out against enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA).
Results: Five benzylated 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives were synthesized in moderate yields and characterized using NMR spectroscopy. MABA and LORA assays indicate compounds 3-5 as the most inhibitory derivatives with MIC90's ranging from 6.38 to 54.28 ?M. Molecular docking against InhA showed modest 90 binding energies for compounds 4 (-8.5 kcal/mol) and 5 (-8.6 kcal/mol).
Conclusion: Findings suggest a rationale for the further evolution of this promising series of antitubercular quinoline small molecules. Structure-activity analysis shows that an 8-benzyl moiety with chlorine atom/s is important for improved activity against replicating and non-replicating M. tb. H??Rv. This is also supported by our in silico studies.