Clean Glass Slide Research Articles

POLYAMIDE FLEXIBLE DENTURES – A BETTER OR WORSE STRATEGY

Background: Polyamide dentures have added advantages over the acrylic dentures in terms of esthetics, comfort and versatility to adapt to the undercut areas. However, the effect of flexibility of these dentures from the view of residual ridge resorption has always been obscure. The aim of this study is to compare the type of denture base with the distribution of masticatory forces by examining the changes on the alveolar mucosa in the histological picture before and after insertion of two widely used dentures. Materials and methods: A total of 20 participants were included in the study, among which 10 patients were allocated for acrylic removable partial dentures and 10 patients were allocated for polyamide flexible removable partial dentures. The patients were asked to rinse their mouth and cement spatula was used to collect the epithelial mucous cells noninvasively by scraping the crest of the residual alveolar ridge with light pressure in premolar-molar area both before insertion and 2 weeks after insertion of the removable partial dentures. The said swab was then smeared on a clean glass slide and fixed in 95% ethyl alcohol and was stained by Papanicolaou (PAP) stain. The PAP-stained smear was analyzed for the presence of keratinized cells and the number of keratinocytes was counted for both acrylic and polyamide denture groups. Results: The results show that both types of denture bases altered the alveolar mucosal keratinization but there was a significant difference in number of keratinized cells between all the three groups. Polyamide flexible partial dentures showed more ortho-keratinized epithelium, which favours better occlusal load distribution. Conclusion: The results concluded that there was decreased masticatory load on the residual alveolar ridge under polyamide denture group due to the flexibility of the denture base material compared to that of the acrylic denture group.

Shedding more light on shedders

We report on testing 100 individuals for their shedder status with the aim of demonstrating whether the process of cell staining is reproducible when testing a large number of people. A previous report using the same method was based on 11 donors and indicated that there may be a continuum of shedder types within this small sample set. In this report we also expand the time points post-handwashing to 0, 15, 30, 60, and 180 min. Triplicate samples were collected from both the right and left thumbs. Samples were collected by donors placing a thumb on a clean glass slide and then adding a DNA binding dye. The number of cells were recorded within three separate square millimetre areas (cells/mm2) at 220x magnification. The experiments were conducted in triplicate on three different days, giving a total of 72 thumbprints per individual. Finally, there were 3438 observed frames in the entire dataset. Of the 100 donors, 98 gave consistent and reproducible cell number deposition. There was no difference between the cells deposited by the left and right thumbs in 13 of 15 tested. Males tended to deposit more cells than females. If applying arbitrary boundary to a cell count to definitively determine shedder status, then many of the donors fell within two categories. This study based on 100 individuals strongly suggests that shedder status is a continuum phenomenon.

Comparison of Intraoperative Imprint Cytology versus Frozen Section for Sentinel Lymph Node Evaluation in Breast Cancer. A study along with Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of literature.

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first lymph node to drain the lymph from a particular region involved by cancer. The commonly performed intraoperative methods for SLN evaluation are touch imprint cytology (TIC) and frozen section (FS). The present study aimed to determine the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of TIC and FS with histopathological diagnosis as gold standard. The nodes were bissected along their long axis and wet surface was imprinted on to clean glass slides followed by toluidine blue and rapid Papanicolaou staining. Subsequently the lymph node slices were cut at three levels using the cryostat machine and stained with Hematoxylin and eosin stain. The cytological and FS findings were compared and the specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of TIC and FS was evaluated taking histopathological diagnosis as gold standard. In addition, pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy for touch imprint cytology and frozen section were assessed for the studies included in the meta-analysis. The specificity, sensitivity, diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of touch imprint cytology were 100%, 88.2%, 90%, 100% and 60% respectively. The specificity, sensitivity, diagnostic accuracy, PPV and NPV of frozen section were 100%, 94.1%, 95%, 100% and 75% respectively. The sensitivity of TIC and FS for detection of micrometastasis was 60% and 80% respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for touch imprint cytology were 85.24% (95% CI, 83.46%-86.90%), and 98.99% (95% CI, 98.69%-99.23%) respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for frozen section examination were 90.45% (95% CI, 85.15%-94.34%), and 100% (95% CI, 99.24%-100%) respectively. Even though the sensitivity of FS was better than imprint cytology in detection of micrometastasis, TIC is a rapid inexpensive technique which can be utilized in remote areas in absence of cryostat machine. The sensitivity of the two techniques with respect to detection of macrometastasis was comparable. This meta-analysis highlights the accuracy of the touch imprint cytology and frozen section examination in the intra-operative detection of malignancy in breast cancer.

Automated Life Stage Classification of Malaria Using Deep Learning

INTRODUCTION: Malaria, an infectious illness spread by mosquitoes, is a serious hazard to humans and animals, with an increasing number of cases recorded yearly. Prompt and precise diagnosis, as well as preventative actions, are critical for effectively combating this condition. Malaria is now diagnosed using standard techniques. Microscopy of blood smears, which consists of small pictures, is used by trained specialists to identify diseased cells and define their life phases. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved this microscopy-based malaria diagnostic method. Drawing a blood sample from the finger, pricking it, spreading it onto a clean glass slide, and allowing it to dry naturally are all steps in the method. Thin blood smears were previously used to identify parasites under the microscope, but thick blood smears are utilized when parasite levels are low. OBJECTIVES: Due to its reliance on medical knowledge, high prices, time-consuming nature, and unsatisfactory outcomes, this technique has significant disadvantages. However, as deep learning algorithms progress, these activities may be completed more effectively and with fewer human resources. METHODS: This study demonstrates the usefulness of transfer learning, a type of deep learning, in categorizing microscopic pictures of parasitized versus uninfected malaria cells. Six models were evaluated using the publicly accessible NIH dataset, proving the usefulness of the suggested technique. RESULTS: VGG19 model fared better than its competitors, obtaining 95.05% accuracy, 92.83% precision, 96.88% sensitivity, 93.46% specificity, and 94.81% F1-score. CONCLUSION: This categorization of malaria cell photos will benefit microscopists in particular, as it will improve their workflow and provide a viable alternative for detecting malaria using microscopic cell images.

Pollen Morphological Studies on Selected Species of Family Dilleniaceae in Sri Lanka

Dilleniaceae is an angiosperm family including 11 genera and about 500 known species with a pantropical distribution extending into Australia. In Sri Lanka, four genera and 16 species including one introduced species have been reported in the family Dilleniaceae. Most of these species are endemic or native, while Schumacheria is an endemic genus. Morphological characters of the pollen grains are a significant taxonomic identification tool in the systematics of higher plants. The aim of the study is to provide detailed palynological descriptions of selected pollen species and maintain pollen reference collection. Four plant species, Dillenia retusa, Dillenia suffruticosa, Dillenia triquetra, and Schumacheria castaneifolia of the family Dilleniaceae (Genus Dillenia and Schumacheria) were collected from different localities in the wet zone including Nugegoda and Baduraliya during the period from September 2022 to November 2022. The voucher specimens were authenticated using revised handbook to the flora of Ceylon and deposited in the Herbarium of the Department of Botany, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. Fresh flowers or dried flowers were taken to collect pollen. Pollen grains were acetolysed and observed under Optika microscope (BG-Italy) after mounting on a clean glass slide using glycerin jelly with Basic fuchsin. Thirty pollen grains were used to determine the pollen size for each selected species. All measurements were taken within seven days of pollen preparation using OptikalSview (3.9.0.604) software. The shape, size, and surface features of pollen grains, as well as the length and width of the pollen and apertures and Polar/Equatorial ratios, were observed. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using Minitab 18 software for the quantitative variables related to measurements of pollen obtained with light microscope. The ranges of variation were 15-22 μm for polar axis, 16-26 μm for equatorial axis, 0.8-3.5 μm for colpus width and 5.0-12.5 μm for colpus length. The pollen grains of all the species are monad, isopolar, and radially symmetrical. Pollen grains were identified as suboblate to oblate spheroidal, small or medium-sized, tricolpate (Dillenia spp.) or tetra-colpate (Schumacheria castaneifolia), with the surface ornamentation punctate to reticulate. The longest and widest pollen grains were reported in Dillenia suffruticosa (22.0×26.4 μm), while the smallest were observed in Schumacheria castaneifolia (15.2×16.4 μm). Based on the length of the longest spore axis, except D. suffruticosa all other species are categorized into small-size pollen. According to the results, the distinction between species can be determined using palynological features such as shape, size, and aperture type. 
 Keywords: Pollen morphology, Dilleniaceae, Palynology, Reference collection

Enhancing the Efficiency of Ice-Resistant Materials in Asphalt Road Surfaces: A Comprehensive Performance Analysis

This study addresses the critical issue of traffic safety in winter, particularly focusing on the challenges posed by ice and snow on roads. Traditional methods of snow and ice removal are often labor-intensive, inefficient, and environmentally harmful. The objective is to develop a more effective solution for asphalt pavement deicing. Inspired by the anti-icing coating technology used in high-voltage conductors, this research develops an ice-suppressing material designed to reduce the adhesion between snow, ice, and pavement surfaces. The material’s performance is evaluated in terms of deicing efficiency, durability, adhesive properties, and its impact on pavement performance. Test results demonstrate that the developed ice-suppressing material significantly reduces the adhesion between the ice layer and the pavement, facilitating easier removal. This study concludes that the developed ice-suppressing material significantly enhances deicing efficiency on asphalt pavements. It exhibits strong hydrophobic properties, as evidenced by increased water droplet contact angles on coated surfaces (99.5° to 83.3°) compared to clean glass slides (39.2° to 29°). This hydrophobicity effectively reduces ice adhesion, decreasing tensile and shear strength of the ice layer by 38.2% and 63.6%, respectively. Additionally, the material demonstrates superior ice-melting capabilities in sub-zero temperatures, with coated ice cubes showing a higher mass reduction rate than uncoated ones. Importantly, its slow-release nature ensures sustained deicing performance over multiple cycles, maintaining effectiveness after seven test cycles. This study introduces an innovative ice-suppressing material that not only improves the efficiency and environmental impact of deicing methods but also contributes to enhancing road safety in winter conditions. The material’s novel composition and sustained effectiveness present a significant advancement in the field of winter road maintenance.

AIR BUBBLE ENCAPSULATION OF EUKARYOTIC CELLS AND THERAPY FAILURES

Background: The purpose of this manuscript is to introduce a newly discovered potential dangers of air bubbles used for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes into the human body.At present, the injection of air bubbles into the human body for diagnostic purpose is viewed positively by the medical/scientific community. In Vitro experiments are presented whereby cells isolation by air bubbles could interfere with chemotherapy treatments.Methods: Author’s own saliva sample was spitted out onto the center of a clean 25X75x1mm glass slide. The sample was placed and focused on the viewing platform of a video microscope. A toothpick was used to harvest inner cheek cells and gently transfer onto the spitted out sample. After focusing, areas were selected showing floating cells and air bubbles. Different laminar levels were observed by cells migrating at different levels.While microscopically observing the sample, the glass slide was disturbed by finger tapping, the aim to induce bubble bursting.Results: Deformed cells were observed when adhering to the outer surface of air bubbles. Additionally, undeformed cells seen at two distinct perpendicular layers when trapped within the floating bubbles. Noticed was a selective attraction of cells by the outer edge of the floating bubbles. Cells attached to the bubble’s edge were being deformed and attracted to each other. Cells were also observed passing unattracted when in a separate laminar flow under the floating bubble. The provocative tapping causing air bubbles to cavitate and burst.Conclusions: The bursting of an air bubble is not the only factor in floating eukaryotic cells deformation. In this manuscript video microscopy and still images are introduced demonstrating a newly found horizontal flat parallel energy field in the periphery of the oxygen bubble. This energy is evident in the free-floating air bubble interface as cheek eukaryotic cells adhere only to the flat round edge of a bubble. Cells are attracted, adhered to each other, and deformed by their own intrinsic attraction. Once the bubble bursts, cells and debris are dispersed, with cells adherence partially disturbed. Cell deformations persisting. It could be hypothesized that cancer cells trapped at different laminar layers inside the bubble be refractory to external chemotherapy agents thus retaining their cancer characteristics.

Fabrication and characterization of CaF2 target for multi-nucleon transfer reaction studies

Thin CaF2 targets with carbon backing are fabricated for the first time using physical vapour deposition technique at the target laboratory of IUAC, New Delhi to perform a multi nucleon transfer reaction on 10,11B＋40Ca systems using General Purpose Scattering Chamber (GPSC) facility. Ca being an oxidizing material, we have used molecular CaF2 as the target material instead of Ca. Using turbo-molecular pump based coating unit (TMPU), carbon is deposited on cleaned glass slide and then CaF2 is deposited on diffusion pump based coating unit (DPU). We are successful in fabricating CaF2 targets of thickness ≈264.4μg/cm2 on carbon backing of thickness ≈21.5μg/cm2. The thickness and purity measured by the crystal thickness monitor equipped with the vacuum chamber is verified by different techniques like alpha energy loss, Rutherford Back Scattering (RBS), Electron Diffraction Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Small impurity level were smeared during the observation and the target is successfully used for nuclear reaction experiment. The fabrication of molecular Ca target is found to be more conducive to experimentation since they exhibit less oxidation and herewith we discuss about fabrication technique, experimentation and characterization.

2D Amorphous GaOX Gate Dielectric for β-Ga2O3 Metal-Insulator-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors

Beta gallium oxide (β-Ga2O3) is an n-type ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor material with a reported bandgap from 4.5 eV to 4.9 eV. β-Ga2O3 is a frontrunner in the research for next-generation power devices owing to its numerous merits including the wide range of donor doping concentrations, large bandgap, high theroretical value of critical electric field (~8 MV/cm) leading to substantial Baliga’s figure of merit of ~1900, and the low production cost for crystalline wafers. The last is enabled by the commercial development of several bulk growth techniques, namely, melt growth methods including Czochralski and edge-defined film-fed growth, and epitaxial growth. The metal-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MISFETs) is the most widely used device structure since it often requires less complicated fabrication process and offers better device scaling and faster switching speed than their counterparts such as junction field-effect transistors or bipolar junction transistors. Various dielectric materials, such as silicon dioxide, hafnium oxide, and aluminium oxide, have been explored for incorporation into β-Ga2O3 MISFETs. However, many of the dielectrics require high-temperature and/or high-vacuum processes during fabrication. Recent studies have reported on the self-limiting formation of native oxide film on the surface of liquid gallium at room temperature and the application of the oxide film as a passivation or a dielectric layer in a nano-scale device. In this study, two-dimensional (2D) amorphous gallium oxide (a-Ga2O3) film is fabricated through the liquid gallium squeezing technique and is integrated with a β-Ga2O3 field-effect transistor (FET) to demonstrate an a-Ga2O3/β-Ga2O3 MISFET.In this work, β-Ga2O3 nano-flakes were obtained through mechanical exfoliation and were dry-transferred onto Si/SiO2 substrates. Electron-beam lithography and electron-beam evaporation were performed to define and deposit Ti/Au electrodes, respectively, where rapid thermal annealing was performed afterward to form Ohmic source and drain contacts. Polypropylene carbonate (PPC) solution was spin-coated and baked on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film, placed on a glass slide for mechanical support, to form a uniform PPC layer on the PDMS film. A liquid gallium droplet was placed on the PPC/PDMS film and was squeezed with a cleaned glass slide to form a uniform 2D a-Ga2O3 layer. The fabricated a-Ga2O3 layer was dry-transferred onto a β-Ga2O3 FET during which temperature of 90 °C was applied to the sample chuck to completely release the PPC layer with the a-Ga2O3 layer from the PDMS layer. The resulting a-Ga2O3/β-Ga2O3 FET was submerged in acetone to remove the PPC layer. The above dry-transfer process of the a-Ga2O3 layer was conducted twice to form double-layered a-Ga2O3 on the β-Ga2O3 FET, before performing electron-beam lithography and electron-beam evaporation to respectively define and deposit the Ni/Au top-gate electrode.The electrical properties of the fabricated device is characterized as a Ni/a-Ga2O3/β-Ga2O3 heterojunction and an a-Ga2O3/β-Ga2O3 MISFET at temperatures of 25 °C, 150 °C, and 250 °C. The Ni/a-Ga2O3/β-Ga2O3 heterojunction of the device shows a clear rectification characteristic with a wider operating voltage compared to those of standard Ni/β-Ga2O3 devices in literatures. The double-layered a-Ga2O3 The a-Ga2O3/β-Ga2O3 MISFET exhibits normally-on n-type conductivity with stable operation at temperatures from 25 °C to 250 °C, where the obtained on/off current ratio and mobility range from 5.3×108 to 4.8×107 and 4.7 cm2/V·s to 6.9 cm2/V·s, respectively. The subthreshold swing and the threshold voltage of the a-Ga2O3/β-Ga2O3 MISFET showed increases and negative shifts at higher temperatures, respectively. This work demonstrates the facile fabrication process of the a-Ga2O3/β-Ga2O3 MISFET and its high-temperature stability through the integration of the 2D amorphous Ga2O3 gate dielectrics with a β-Ga2O3 semiconductor.

Diagnostic Performance of Direct Microscopic Techniques and Culture Media for Fungal Isolates from Hair Specimens

Objective: To compare the diagnostic performance of direct microscopic techniques and culture media for detecting fungal isolates in hair specimens.Study Design: Cross-sectional study.Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Karachi, Pakistan, from January 2021 to June 2021.Materials and Methods: A total of 207 hair specimens were collected from the patients with superficial mycoses of the scalp. The specimens were collected under aseptic techniques using clean glass slides and forceps which were processed for Potassium hydroxide mount and Calcofluor white staining. The mycological cultures were performed on a Dermatophyte test medium and Sabouraud Dextrose agar with and without antibiotics. The data was recorded and analyzed on SPSS version 21. The frequencies, percentages, means, and ratios were calculated using Descriptive statistics. The association between variables were analyzed by the Chi-square test and kappa index.Results: Potassium hydroxide mount revealed fungal spores and hyphae in 154(74.3%) specimens, while Calcofluor white staining showed fungal elements in 179(86.5%) specimens. Out of 207 specimens, 106(51.2%) were culture positive and 101(48.8%) were declared culture negative. Out of culture-positive specimens, dermatophytes were yielded in 61(57.5%) and non-dermatophytes in 45(42.5%) specimens. Among all culture media, the highest number of dermatophytes was yielded by plain Sabouraud dextrose agar (59; 96.5%), followed by dermatophyte test medium (55; 90%), and Sabouraud dextrose agar with antibiotics (54; 90.1%). On the contrary, the primary isolation of non-dermatophytes on the plain was Sabouraud dextrose agar s 32(71.1%), Sabouraud dextrose agar with antibiotics 31(68.2%), and dermatophyte test medium 13(28.8%).Conclusion: In our study, we found Calcofluor white staining technique as the most sensitive method to detect fungal elements from the given hair specimens. For mycological culture, all tested culture media were equally effective for the retrieval of dermatophytes. However, for non-dermatophytes, plain SDA and SDA with antibiotics were found to be better media for isolation.

Prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis Infection among Women of Reproductive Age in Anambra State, South Eastern, Nigeria

Aim: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection among women of reproductive age in some selected hospitals in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
 Methods: This study, conducted from October to December 2021, involved 200 women aged 20 years and above as participants. Prior to specimen collection, informed consent was obtained from each woman by qualified medical personnel. High vaginal swab sticks, labeled and sterile, were used to meticulously and aseptically collect specimens from the high vaginal area. A few drops of normal saline were added to each swab stick, and within 30 minutes of collection, a wet mount examination was performed to ensure optimal results. For the wet preparation of vaginal discharge, a drop from the sample was applied to a clean glass slide with a cover slip, avoiding the trapping of air bubbles. The wet smear was then examined under a microscope using a low-power objective (x10) followed by a high-power objective (x40) to detect motile T. vaginalis. The vaginal secretion was characterized by the presence of epithelial cells, white blood cells, and red blood cells. The T. vaginalis trophozoite was identified based on its oval shape, flagellation, and distinct jerky movement.
 Results: The study area had an overall prevalence rate of 11.0% for T. vaginalis infection. Among the selected hospitals, COOUTH had the highest prevalence at 13.24%, while Rock Foundation Hospital had the lowest at 6.67%. Prevalence varied across age groups, with the highest rate of 16.42% found in the 30-39 years age group, and the lowest rate of 5.0% in the 20-29 years age group. Divorced women had the highest prevalence at 60.0%, while singles had the lowest at 4.7% among the marital groups. Among different occupations, traders had the highest prevalence at 12.24%, whereas students and civil servants had the lowest rates at 4.0% and 7.72%, respectively. T. vaginalis infection was only observed in non-pregnant women, with a prevalence rate of 13.3%.
 Conclusion: T. vaginalis infection is prevalent among sexually active women of reproductive age in the study area. The findings highlight the importance of practicing good personal hygiene and being faithful to a single sexual partner. It is recommended to raise public awareness regarding the prevention and control of T. vaginalis in order to reduce its prevalence among women in the study area.

Critical Evaluation of the Role of Lycopene on Reproduction of Male Wistar Rats Exposed to Dimethoate

Aim: This study was aimed at evaluating the role of Lycopene on reproduction of male Wistar rats exposed to Dimethoate.
 Experimental Design: A completely randomized experimental design using standard methods for analysis. 
 Location and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Animal house, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology of Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo Port Harcourt, Nigeria. GPS 4o47'50''N 6o58'49''E. This study lasted for 21days. 
 Methodology: Thirty male rats were randomly selected into five (5) groups A-E (6 animals per group). Groups B, C and D were gavaged 10, 20, 30 mg/kg/bw/day of dimethoate respectively, and co-administered Lycopene at 10mg/animal daily. Group E were administered 30mg/kg/bw/day of dimethoate without Lycopene. All animals were allowed access to cool clean water and standard rat pellet ad libitum. Twenty-four hours to the termination of the experiment, feed was withdrawn from the animals. Blood samples were collected by ocular puncture into heparinized tubes for hormonal analysis. Hormones such as Testosterone, Progesterone, estradiol, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were analysed based on the manufacturer’s instruction using Randox Monza assay kit. For Histopathological analysis of the testis, 0.5g of the testis was fixed in 10% formalin and sectioned with a digital Microtome (AO spencer No. 820) at 5μm thick. Histological sections were mounted on clean glass slides and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E). The slides were viewed at X400 magnification (modified Orlu, 2014). Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and expressed as their respective units. Where significant differences were found, Pair-wise comparisons conducted with Tukey test using SPSS 22 software.
 Results: It was observed that the level of all hormone considered decreased significantly with an increase in Dimethoate exposure despite the administration of lycopene. However, administration of dimethoate only resulted in a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the concentration of all hormones compared with groups given lycopene. The massive cellular degeneration observed in the seminiferous epithelium of experimental animals exposed to higher concentrations (20 and 30mg/kg/bw/day) of Dimethoate is indicative of a targeted action of the pesticide on male reproductive organ. The antioxidant property of Lycopene is clearly visible in testicular cross section of animals in groups given lycopene as gradual regeneration of both mitotic and meiotic spermatogenic elements were evidence.

Microscopic Diagnosis of Malaria Parasitaemia in Pregnant Women

Malaria is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing countries in which Nigeria is one of them. Malaria during pregnancy is a major cause of maternal death globally. Microscopic analysis of Giemsa stained blood film is still the most suitable method of malaria diagnosis in most developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine malaria parasites number per 100 thick film fields in a Giemsa stained blood film. This is a cross sectional study involving 90 pregnant women within the ages of 19-45 years. Thick and thin smears were prepared on clean glass slide using venous blood. The thick blood smears were stained with 3% Giemsa working solution diluted in pH 7.2 phosphate buffer and examined for the presence of malaria parasites at 100 X oil immersion objective searching 100 fields in each thick smear. Blood smears were examined in the parasitology laboratory of Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital by an experienced microscopist. The level of parasitaemia was indicated in each positive case. The number of parasites in thick blood film was graded using the plus sign: + (1 to 10 parasites per 100 thick film fields); ++ (11 to 100 parasites per 100 thick film fields); +++ (1 to 10 parasites per one thick film field); ++++ (>10 parasites per one thick film field). Bar charts and pie charts were used in this study. Out of 90 pregnant women, 65 (72.2%) of the women had malaria parasite (MP). Out of the 65 pregnant women with MP 19 (21.1%) had one plus (1 to 10 parasites per 100 thick film fields) while 46 (51.1%) had two pluses (11 to 100 parasites per 100 thick film fields). Then 31 (67.4%) of those with two pluses were at age range of 26- 35 years, also 12 (26.1%) of them with two pluses were women that are less than 25 years. However, 25 (27.8%) had no malaria parasite (MP). The findings showed that higher number of the pregnant women had malaria parasites and higher number of individuals positive with malaria parasites had 11 to 100 parasites per 100 thick film fields. Also higher number of pregnant women that had 11 to 100 parasites per 100 thick film fields was at age range of 26- 35 years.

Foliar epidermal studies in the family Sapindaceae Juss. in South Western Nigeria

A comparative study of leaf epidermal features of selected species of the family Sapindaceae in Nigeria was undertaken with a view to obtain additional characters for the elucidation of taxonomic relationships, delimiting species and identification of the taxa. The epidermises were separated from the mesophyll by soaking in concentrated Nitric acid. Bubble appearance on the surfaces of the leaves indicated their readiness for separation. They were then rinsed in water thrice before the layers were separated with the aid of forceps and Camel hair brush, stained with Safranin O. It was then mounted in 25% glycerol on clean glass slides, covered with cover slips. The micro morphological characters of leaf were more or less uniform in all taxa in the family. The adaxial cuticle was striated in most species. The polygonal epidermal cells with straight anticlinal walls on the adaxial surface of Cardiosermum halicacabum separated it from the other species with irregular shaped epidermal cells. Undulated anticlinal walls were observed on both surfaces. The leaves were hypostomatic in most species except in C. halicacabum where amphistomaty was observed. Stomata types included anomocytic, tetracytic and staurocytic but the anomocytic stomata were the most predominant.

Evaluation of Intraoperative Imprint Cytology and Frozen Section in Determination of Tumor and Tumor Margins

Intraoperative pathology consultation is often required for guiding immediate surgical decisions so as to limit the extent of surgery. Accurate intraoperative diagnosis is crucial. The present study evaluates the accuracy of imprint cytology and frozen section in intraoperative consultation for tumor and tumor margins. A total of 157 tissue specimens for type of lesion, tumor margins and lymphnode metastasis were included. Imprint was taken by holding the tissue bit with forceps and touching it onto a clean glass slide without undue pressure or lateral movements. They were stained with Papanicolaou, May-Grunwald Giemsa and Hematoxylin and Eosin [H&E] stains. The tissue bits taken were then embedded and frozen. Section cutting was done using cryostat and were stained using rapid Haematoxylin and Eosin stain, and examined under a light microscope. Later, the tissue was fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for routine histopathological processing then stained with H&E stain. Based on the histological diagnosis, the accuracy of intraoperative imprint cytology and frozen section were evaluated. A total of 157 tissue specimens were received during the study period, which were classified into specimens for type of tumor [145 specimens], tumor margins [54 specimens] and lymph node metastasis [7 specimens] for analysis. The overall diagnostic accuracy of imprint cytology in detection of type of tumor was 97.9% and that of frozen section was 98.6%. It can be concluded that imprint cytology typically provides the accurate diagnosis without the need for a sophisticated machine such as cryostat which is required for frozen section analysis.

Comparative Analytic Epidemiology of Plasmodium Parasitized Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women Attending Tertiary Health Care Facility in Port Harcourt, Niger Delta

Malaria remains a public health burden in Nigeria. This study compared and determined the prevalence of malaria parasites and other possible risk factors among pregnant and non-pregnant women in Port Harcourt. A total of 200 blood samples (capillary) were collected from 100 pregnant and 100 non-pregnant women as a control through convenience sampling technique research design. The subjects for the study were drawn from women attending antenatal clinic in Braithwaite Memorial Hospital Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Thick and thin films were made on clean grease free glass slide and stained after drying with 3% solution of Giemsa stain to detect and identify the species of malaria parasites. SPSS version 21 was used to estimate frequency and percentage outcome. The results showed that out of 100 slides examined for pregnant women, 68% had malaria infection while 32% were negative. There were high prevalence rate of malaria infection among pregnant women of 20-23 years and 32-35 years age group while those ≥ 40 years showed least rate of 33%. The control samples showed infection rate of 71% with 29% negative. Showing that, non-pregnant women have a high prevalence rate when compared to pregnant women. It was discovered that illiterate pregnant women showed high prevalence rate than their educated counterparts. The use of indigenous (drug) herbs by some pregnant women proved 100% sensitive to P. falciparum as none were positive for malaria infection as captured through the administration of well-structured questionnaire. Intermittent treatment is therefore, recommended and further robust research should be channelled towards indigenous (drug) herbs for malaria treatment, especially in the developing communities. There is also urgent need for more inclusive malaria public health education in the region, especially among the vulnerable groups.

Prevalenţa infecţiei cu Trichomonas vaginalis la femeile de vârstă reproductivă din Kosovo

Aim. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection in women of reproductive age from Kosovo. Methodology. The study was carried out in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristine, Kosovo, between April and July 2022. The study population consisted of a total of 207 women. Sexually active women aged at least 20 years old were included in the study. A semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to the participants to seek for information such as age, marital status, occupation and pregnancy status. Every woman’s informed consent was sought before the collection of specimens by qualified medical personnel. The specimens were carefully and aseptically collected from the high vaginal area using well-labeled, sterile, non-abrasive high vaginal swab sticks. A few drops of normal saline were added to each swab stick, and a wet mount examination was performed within less than half an hour of collection in order to get optimal results. The wet preparation of the vaginal discharge was made by applying a drop from the sample to a small area of a clean glass slide with a cover slip in order not to trap air bubbles. The wet smear was examined microscopically for motile T. vaginalis with a low-power objective (x10) and then with a high-power objective (x40). The vaginal secretion was characterized by the presence of epithelial cells, white blood cells and red blood cells. The T. vaginalis trophozoite was identified by its oval, flagellated and distinctive motility (jerky movement). Results. An overall prevalence rate of 12.56% was found in Kosovo. The prevalence of T. vaginalis infection differed from place to place. It varied as well among age groups, showing the highest prevalence in the age group of 30-39 years old (13.63%), and the lowest in the age group of 20-29 years old (5.70%). The prevalence varied with marital groups, being the highest in divorced women (30.76%) and the lowest among singles (6.74%). The prevalence rate was also observed to be highest among the employed (19.71%) and lowest among students (14.81%) and unemployed (7.33%). T. vaginalis infection was observed in non-pregnant women in a prevalence rate of 15.20%. Conclusions. T. vaginalis infection is prevalent in women of reproductive age, as evident in our country. The infection is common in sexually active female participants, especially in those with multiple sex partners. Proper personal hygiene, faithfulness to one sexual partner, and massive public awareness on the prevention and control of T. vaginalis are advised to reduce its prevalence among women of reproductive age in our country.

Growth of ZnO nanowires using thermal oxidation process

Controlled thermal oxidation of thin zinc (Zn) films grown on glass substrate has been performed in an air ambient condition to achieve extremely long and uniform high quality ZnO nanowires. High purity Zn layers were thermally evaporated on ex situ chemically cleaned glass slides at room temperature using a vacuum coater unit under a base pressure < 10-5 mbar. Structural characterization and morphology studies of these thermally oxidized ZnO films using XRD and FESEM techniques. The chemical and optical properties of the ZnO nanostructures have also been tested using a Raman spectroscopy. All findings are complementary to each other and suggest that the oxidation starts at about 400 °C with a severe surface roughening of the Zn film. For lower oxidation temperature (<500 °C) lateral growth of ZnO film is preferred whereas at higher oxidation temperature (above 600 °C) asymmetric growth starts to dominates which finally leads to the formation of ZnO nano-wires of a very high aspect ratio of 1000.

Monitoring cell loss through repetitive deposition.

Touch DNA deposited on items can be visualised by using fluorescent nucleic acid staining dyes. It might be expected that if a person contacts items multiple times, then at each contact fewer cells should be transferred and deposited. Here we report on the use of Diamond Dye (DD) to monitor any reduction in cellular deposition during multiple contacts. A volunteer, who was assigned as a heavy shedder, was asked to deposit a thumbprint using both left and right thumbs for 15 s onto separate clean glass slides. Thumbprints were collected in triplicate with each mark made for 15 s. Immediately after deposition, a second and then third mark was made in the same way. The three consecutive depositions were repeated 30 times to create 90 tested thumbprints. The number of cells within each entire thumbprint was scored using a cell-counting program, developed in-house. The number of cells deposited by the second and third depositions showed a decrease in the cell number compared to the first deposition, by ~70% and ~85% respectively. There was no difference between the percentage of cell persistence from whole thumbprints (16 frames) compared to only scoring part of thumbprints (4 frames). The data obtained provide insight into how cells are deposited by touch and how many cells remain on the thumb for subsequent contact events. Such information may account for cell deposition when performing actions (e.g. loading a firearm or repetitively opening a closing zip-lock bag).

Cervical Pap smear: A retrospective study on symptomatic women in a tertiary care hospital.

Background: Cancer of the cervix is an increasing health problem and an important cause of mortality in womenworldwide. Cervical cancer ranks 2nd most common visceral cancer in females and stands 3rd in causing death in women inthe world. Pap smear is used as primary screening test for detection of early cervical epithelial changes, cervical epithelialneoplasia and early stage of invasive cervical cancer. Recommendations for Pap smear generally starts around 21 years ofage or within 3 years of onset of sexual activity and thereafter every 3 yearsMethods: This retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients to evaluate all previously reported cervical smearsin the Department of Pathology GMC Kathua, who came with different gynaecological complaints in GynaecologicalOPD at GMC Kathua, J&amp;K.Smears were obtained with the help of Ayre’s spatula and cytobrush to collect specimen fromtransformation zone. The cellular material is quickly spread on 2 clean glass slides and fixed immediately by immersingthem in copulin jar containing 95% ethyl alcohol. The smears were stained with Papanicolaou stain. After mounting theslides with DPX and examined under light microscope , they are reported by pathologists according to Revised BethesdaSystem.Conclusion: Pap smear test is a simple, inexpensive, non -invasive and an OPD performed to detect various premalignantand malignant lesions of cervix. By conducting health camps, increasing awareness programmes and performing Papsmears, the incidence of cervical cancer can be greatly reduced.