Juvenile hormone: Production, regulation, current application in vector control and its future applications

@#Juvenile hormone is an exclusive hormone found in insects which involves regulating various insect physiology. A total of eight juvenile hormones have been identified in insects which include JH 0, JH I, JH II, JH III, 4-methyl JH I (Iso- JH 0), JHB III, JHSB III, and MF. Corpora allata are the glands responsible for the production and synthesis of these hormones. They are involved in moulting, reproduction, polyethism, and behavioural regulations in different orders of insects. Factors such as diet temperatures, photoperiods, and plant compounds affect the biosynthesis and regulation of juvenile hormones. Juvenile hormones analogue is usually used to disrupt normal regulation of JH and this analogue is categorized as insect-growth regulators (IGRs) and is widely used in pest control as an alternative to chemical insecticides. Other applications of biosynthesis activities of this hormone have not been explored in the area of JHs. In this review, current applications of JHs with an addition of their future application will be discussed.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation for knee focal cartilage defects: 3 years' follow-up at the University Malaya Medical Centre

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a widely accepted procedure for the treatment of large, fullthickness chondral defects involving various joints, but its use in developing countries is limited because of high cost and failure rates due to limited resources and support systems. Five patients (age <45 years) with focal cartilage defects received ACI at University of Malaya from 2006 to 2007 and followed up for 36 months. The average presubjective Knee Evaluation Forms (IKDC) improved from 38.44±6.29 to 25.6±8.04 postoperatively, the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) went from 25.6±8.04 to 13.96±1.63 and the American Knee Society Score (AKSS) improved from 80±14.33 to 92.96±5.82 post-operatively. Thus improvements were seen in the IKDC and AKSS score but not in the OKS. Magnetic resonance images showed the presence of cartilage tissue filling in the lateral and medial patellar facet and medial femoral condyle in three patients. Failures were seen in two patients, both with patellar defects and over the age of 36 years. Treatment with autologous chondrocyte implantation for focal cartilage defect in lateral and medial patellar facet and medial femoral condyle showed early improvement which was maintained at 3 yrs follow-up. ACI provided satisfactory outcome in focal cartilage defects involving the femoral condyle.

A White Board Needle in the Trachea.

Foreign body aspiration often occurs amongst extreme age. Most of aspirated object are; nuts, nails, pins, coins, metal piece and dental appliances. Foreign body aspiration can be life threatening. Patients with foreign body aspiration may present with choking, coughing, wheezing, haemoptysis, asphyxia and even death. The symptoms and severity depend on the site of obstruction. This is a case of 9 year old boy provided the history of aspiration of white board needle. He had persistent cough but examination revealed normal vital signs. Radiological examination confirmed needle like radio opaque material in his trachea. This case report depicts the management and bronchoscope as diagnostic procedure of this case and role of X-ray and CT scan in dealing with foreign body in the tracheobronchial tree.

Enhancing head nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding time management

This study was carried out to determine the effect of time management training program on head nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding time management. A quasi- experimental design was used. Pre- post-follow up program assessment was used in carrying out the study. The present study was conducted at Benha University and Benha Teaching hospitals. The sample consisted of 55 head nurses. Four tools were used for data collection. The first tool of data collection was time management knowledge questionnaire used to assess the knowledge level that head nurses have regarding to time management, and assess knowledge gained after implementation of the designed program. The second tool, time management assessment questionnaire was used to measure attitude of head nurses toward managing their time. The third tool of data collection is delegation scale that was used to assess the head nurses attitude toward delegation skills. The fourth tool of data collection is time waster questionnaire was developed for the purpose of measuring factors affecting time management. The results of the present study revealed that, head nurses knowledge and attitude related to time management were deficient in the pre-test on the other hand, a statistically significant improvement in head nurses knowledge and attitude related to time management were noticed throughout the post and follow-up phases. According to these results the researcher recommended that In-service training programs about time management must be developed on regular basis and the hospital policies, rules, and regulations should be clear for head nurses to save time and prevent different methods of time wasters

Assessment of home self care for patient with renal failure undergoing hemodialysis

Home self-care management for hemodialysis patients is very important to be independent, as much as possible. The aim of this study was to assess home self-care for patients with renal failure. A descriptive research design was used. The study was carried out at the hemodialysis units in Benha University Hospital and Benha Educational Hospital, from beginning of January 2010 to beginning of June 2010. composed of 100 female patients with renal failure from the selected dialysis units. Tools of the study 1] Interviewing Questionnaire covering the general characteristics of the study subjects, and assesses their knowledge, and attitude regarding to their disease. 2] An Observational Checklist to observe patients' self care practices at home. The study results revealed that 40% were from Benha Educational Hospital and 60% from Benha University Hospital, 41% of patients were illiterate; the disease was more prevalent among the age group 48 to 57 years, 48% of patients had good knowledge about personal hygiene and 69% of them are not doing simple moving activity. There was highly statistically significant relations between patient's knowledge and self care practices with their age, residence, educational level, occupation, and income p<0.001. There was also a statistically significant relations between total patient knowledge and total self care practices [p<0.05]. There were significant relations between patients' socio-demographic characteristics for age, income, educational level, marital status occupation and residence with knowledge and also with their total self-care practices. Developing a health education program for new cases of renal failure about their health care management. A booklet containing information about renal failure and patient's self care should be available in all hemodialysis units

Relationship between therapeutic nursing modalities among cirrhotic patients and quality of life

Was to assess the relationship between therapeutic nursing modalities among cirrhotic patients and quality of life. Methods: sixty adult male and female liver cirrhotic patients, were selected randomly, free from any associated comorbid diseases as hepatic encephalopathy, congestive heart failure. The patients were interviewed in the medical unit, and instructed about the importance of educational sessions, they were divided into groups, compromising 5 to 7 patients. Matching was done for subjects within each group in relation to age, duration of the disease and educational level, and one close patient's relative attended in the educational sessions. Cirrhotic therapeutic nursing modalities sessions were carried out for the patients in groups in four sessions of one hour twice weekly during two weeks. Cognition about the-disease was assessed and quality of life was evaluated through knowledge assessment sheet and health promotion lifestyle profile before and after the educational sessions. A booklet was prepared in Arabic for each patient containing the main guidelines of the program. Results revealed that more than half of the study subjects were females > 40 years, and most [93.3%] of them were married, non-educated and living in rural areas. Findings revealed also deterioration in knowledge assessment scores and in all quality of life dimensions; self actualization, social, psychological, physical, nutrition, health responsibility of patient with cirrhosis before program in both sexes without any statistical differences. There were significant positive correlations between total knowledge and quality of life dimensions among the study groups treated by different nursing modalities after one and 3 month post educational program. As well, there were significantly better score of all items of nutrition for cirrhotic patients at immediate post program, and at 3 month post program than pre program and better scores of all items of selfcare for cirrhotic patients in post program. It is recommended that assessment of cirrhotic patients health related quality of life [HRQL] should be an essential part of nursing practice and an annual community survey must be done for screening of people who have virus C. Further research should be done to determine effect of application of an educational program about liver cirrhosis upon their Quality of life

Biological evaluation and study of polysaccharides of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb growing in Egypt

The extracts of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb growing in Egypt, the polysaccharides prepared from leaves, stem and bark and the major constituent in the plant [biochanin A] were subjected to screening of anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic activities adopting new methodology. The anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, and antimicrobial activities of these substances were also examined. Since the polysaccharides prepared from different organs [leaves 2.5%, stem 2.2%, bark 1.2%] possessed anti-inflammatory activities, they were subjected to further phytochemical studies, using paper chromato-graphy and GC/MS analysis. The polysaccharides were heterogeneous in nature and lacked uronic acids. The use of GC/MS to study the monomeric composition of polysaccharides in the acid hydrolysate indicated that the leaf polysaccharides consist mainly of rhamnose [77%] in addition to glucose [23%]. The stem polysaccharide consists of rhamnose [47%], glycerol [46%] and galactose [7%]. The bark polysaccharide consists of rhamnose [18%], fructose [2.5%], glucose [74.5%] and galactose [6%]

Effect of PH changes on the action of PG E1 and PG E2 on the pregnant uterus in mice

The effect of pH changes on the action of Dinoprostone [PG E2] and Misoprostol [PG E1] was studied using the pregnant uterus of mice. Both drugs were capable of stimulating uterine activity and increasing resting uterine muscle tone in their original solution. A decrease in either drug's pH was associated with diminution of the response to both prostaglandins. Rise of pH mildly affected Misoprostol, while it had no ill effect on Dinoprostone. This indicated that when either one of the 2 prostaglandins needs to be inserted vaginally, local infections are better treated first in order to obtain a maximal response

Microbial transformation of emetine into o-methyl psychotrine

Several microorganisms [fungi and bacteria] were screened for their ability to biotransform emetine. Cunninghamella blackesleeana MR.-198 was selected for scale-up transformation, as it showed a major transformation product and a small amount of unidentified minor product, in addition to untransformed emetine. The major metabolite was characterized using one and two dimensional NMR techniques as O-methylpsychotrine. Further confirmation was carried out by direct comparison with a reference sample prepared by methylation of psychotrine

A study of prolonged pyrexia in Dhaka.

In a prospective study conducted in the Institute of Postgraduate Medicine & Research (IPGMR), Dhaka, 212 patients with prolonged pyrexia were thoroughly evaluated clinically and with the help of laboratory investigations with a view to reaching the diagnosis. Their clinical and laboratory data were recorded. Clinical features pertaining to a particular organ gave appropriate clue in 52% cases. Imaging techniques were instrumental in 24%, microbiological or serological investigations in 35%, invasive procedures were diagnostic in 42%, laparotomy had to be resorted to in five cases. Infectious diseases were the commonest causes of prolonged pyrexia accounting for about 63.21% of cases followed by neoplasms (12.74%) and connective tissue disorders (10.85%). Tuberculosis was the most common infection (24.53% of all cases) followed by enteric fever (12.74%) and visceral leishmaniasis (9.43%). Pleura was the commonest seat for tuberculosis followed by lymph nodes and abdomen. Leukemias were the commonest neoplasm and SLE the commonest connective tissue disorder presenting with prolonged fever. Several fundamental observations were made in the study. Infections are the commonest cause of prolonged fever in our community, neoplasms and connective tissue disorders are also not rare. Secondly, patients with temperature between 100 to 101 degrees F should not be denied evaluation with the apprehension of unnecessarily investigating for habitual hyperthermia, as the condition was distinctly rare in the series. Thirdly, analysis of materials from organs or systems suspected to be abnormal clinically or by simple imaging techniques had high diagnostic yield. Finally, usual causes of prolonged fever are illnesses ordinarily encountered in clinical practice, pyrexia becomes protracted either because the presentation is atypical or incomplete, or because we fail to make proper use of available clinical or paraclinical information.

Microbiological transformation of diclofenac

Microbiological transformation of diclofenac has been investigated using nineteen microbial species. The study showed that most organisms metabolized diclofenac sodium to different extents, to yield three metabolites that were identified by 2D NMR and MS analyses. The major metabolite was found to be 4hydroxydiclofenac while the other two were 5-hydroxydiclofenac and 4hydroxydiclofenac lactam. The three metabolites were also obtained as mammalian metabolites of diclofenac sodium, lending further support to the concept of microbial models of mammalian drug metabolism