Cobalt ferrite nanoparticle (CFN) has received attention in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a promising contrast agent due to its higher saturation magnetization and magneto-crystalline anisotropy. However, the in vitro cytotoxicity of CFN has raised concern for its biomedical application as a diagnostic agent. The coating of CFN by a biocompatible polymer such as chitosan (CH) might lessen the biocompatibility concern. Therefore, in this study, we examined the applicability of chitosan-coated cobalt ferrite nanoparticle (CCN) as an MRI contrast dye and investigated its biocompatibility in vivo. Phantom MRI images revealed that the relaxivity of CCN was 121 (±8) mM–1s–1, indicating the potential of CCN as a T 2-weighted contrast agent. A single intravenous (iv) administration of CCN (10 mg/kg) improved the contrast of magnetic-resonance-imaging-based angiography (MRA) and brain-MRI in male albino Wistar rats compared to the control. Furthermore, toxicity studies dependent on dose (1–20 mg/kg) and time (1–28 days) in male albino Wistar rats confirmed the in vivo biocompatibility of CCN. The physical, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological observation assured that a single iv injection of CCN up to 20 mg/kg was well adjusted with liver, kidney, heart, and brain functions. The findings of the current study consolidate CCN as a promising candidate for MRI contrast dye.

<p><span>This article has no abstract. The first 100 words appear below:</span></p><p>A 3 year old girl, 3^rd issue of consanguineous parents from the Feni District (south part of Bangladesh) immunized as per EPI schedule presented at the outpatient department with the history of progressive abdominal distension and not growing well since birth. She had also the history of developmental delay and recurrent respiratory tract infection. Still she can not stand without the support and unable to make a sentence completely. Her brother died at 5 months of age with abdominal distention with unknown cause. She had no history of jaundice, hematemesis, melena, convulsion and craving for food.</p>

Background Histoplasmosis is a rare infectious condition with mainly pulmonary involvement. Disseminated histoplasmosis may occur in immunocompromised condition. It can present in different ways but jaundice and ascites is very uncommon. Case presentation A 8- year old girl visited to department of pediatric gastroenterology & nutrition, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Child presented with fever, jaundice and abdominal distension for 2 ½ months. There was no history of contact with tuberculosis patient and travelling to kala-azar, malaria endemic zone and no history of previous jaundice, blood or blood product transfusion, history of sib death, family history of jaundice or neuropsychiatric disorder, significant weight loss. On general examination she was fretful, febrile, moderately icteric, mildly pale, vitally stable, severely wasted and moderately stunted, skin survey revealed infected scabies, BCG vaccine mark was absent, generalized lymphadenopathy, hepato-splenomegaly and ascites present. After evaluating the physical findings, several investigations was done including lymphnode biopsy, then the case was finally diagnosed as Disseminated histoplasmosis with portal hypertension. Child was treated with injectable Deoxycholate Amphotericin B for 28 days and improved on follow up. Conclusion We suggest that children presenting with fever, jaundice, lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly and portal hypertension, disseminated histoplasmosis can be one differential.

A 20‐year‐old man presented in the Department of Urology, with the complaint of left‐sided lower abdominal lump for past 9 months. The patient denied of having any constitutional symptoms including weight loss.

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