ABSTRACT
Background: Despite technical, immunological, and therapeutic advances in the field of renal transplantation, infections remain a major barrier to successful outcome. Fungal infections (14%) after renal transplantation, despite a lower incidence than bacterial and viral infections, remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to assess the impact of invasive fungal infections in our renal transplant recipients. Aim: To study the clinical profile, risk factors for acquiring fungal infections, its outcome and the factors influencing outcome in living and deceased donor renal transplant recipients. Materials and methods: Renal transplant recipients both cadaveric and living-related during the time period between August 2008 and May 2011 admitted with systemic fungal infections in nephrology ward were included in the study. Data gathered included age, sex, date of transplantation, date of diagnosis, fungal pathogen, organs affected by infection, treatment and patient outcome. Microsoft excel 2007, Binomial and Student t tests were used for statistical analysis. Observation: Twenty two patients were diagnosed with systemic fungal infections during this period. The mean age of the study patients was 35.55 years. The male to female ratio was 1.75:1.Candida species (62%) are the commonest organisms causing fungal infection. Fungal infections commonly occurred in gastrointestinal tract (GIT), lung and urinary tract, each 22%. Fifty percent of patients with fungal infections expired. Graft loss occurred in 41% of patients. Conclusion: The mortality rate was 50%. Bone marrow suppression {Leukopenia (50%)} and hypoalbuminemia (59%) contributed to high mortality. Overall immunosuppression should be monitored periodically and kept at optimal level just enough to avoid rejection, thereby avoiding opportunistic infections.
ABSTRACT
The present work was undertaken with a view to study the effect of oral feeding of 2% Aloe vera gel extract (AGE) for 30 days on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced oxidative stress in rats. It was observed that AOM administration resulted in a significant increase in malondialdehyde and conjugated dienes, with reduction in hepatic glutathione (GSH), vitamin A and uric acid contents. AOM-induced reduction in hepatic GSH and uric acid was brought back to normal by AGE. There was a significant raise in hepatic catalase, superoxide dismutase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) activities as a result of feeding of the extract. Ingestion of the extract effected reduction in AOM-induced colonic GSH-peroxidase, G-6- PD and glutathione S-transferase and femur bone marrow micronuclei formation. Hence, it is suggested that Aloe vera gel extract possess the ability to reduce AOM- induced oxidative stress and toxicity in liver.
ABSTRACT
Predatory efficiency of Diplonychus rusticus (Fabricius) was recorded at different prey density with different salinity ranges. When the salinity level (ppt) was increased, the predation rate of the bug decreased. Fifth nymphal stage showed higher predation in the 2, 4 and 6 ppt levels of salinityin both 1 hr and 24 hr period of exposure at prey densities 50, 100, 150 and 200. At prey density 150, adult bugs killed more prey in the 2 ppt level of salinity in both lhr and 24 hr treatments.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Hemiptera/physiology , Male , Predatory Behavior , Sodium ChlorideABSTRACT
Bee's wax produced by honeybees is rich in polyphenols. As the polyphenols are thought to protect cell constituents against oxidative damage through scavenging of free radicals, the present work was undertaken to evaluate the effects of polyphenols extracted from bees wax on the oxidative stress induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. The polyphenols extracted by 80% methanol from bee wax (PBW) were fed to Wistar rats at 100 mg/kg body weight and 200 mg/kg body weight for 14 days in order to study its antioxidative and antihepatotoxic effects against CCl4 (1.5 ml/kg body weight)-induced stress. On 15th day all the rats were sacrificed, blood was collected for serum and organs/tissues were excised for biochemical analysis. The results showed a significant decrease in hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities viz. catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and a significant increase in glutathione S-transferase (GST) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) by CCl4, probably due to the peroxidative effects. The prophylactic use of PBW at 200 mg/kg level resulted in a significant increase in CCl4-induced reduction in catalase, G-6-PDH, GSSGR and SOD. The hepatic levels of lipid peroxides viz. malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes and lipid hydroperoxides, enhanced by the administration of CCl4 were brought down by the ingestion of PBW at a level of 200 mg/kg. The hepatotoxicity caused by the administration of CCl4 was reduced significantly. Hence, it is concluded that the polyphenols from bees wax exhibit hepatoprotective and antioxidative properties in