Phytochemical And Antioxidant Properties Of Various Extracts Of Michelia Champaca Leaves

Objective: To investigate and compare the phytochemicals, antioxidant activities of various crude extracts from fresh leaves of locally available plant Michelia champaca belonging to family Magnoliaceae. Methods: The present study was designed to perform preliminary phytochemical (qualitative and quantitative) analysis of various extracts. The crude extracts from the leaves of M. champaca were prepared using various organic solvents viz. Methanol (MCMET), Ethanol (MCETH), Hexane (MCHEX), and Chloroform (MCCHLO). In addition, total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) contents of various extracts were also measured along with the evaluation of the antioxidant capacities using most widely accepted in vitro chemical tests such as DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assay. Results: The methanolic extract of M. champaca showed the presence of maximum phytochemicals (12) when compared to other solvent extracts viz. Hexane (10), Ethanol (8) and Chloroform(7). The amount of phenolic and flavonoids present in solvents were in the order of Methanol>Hexane>Ethanol>Chloroform. The best antioxidant potential was found in the Methanol extract. The Methanolic extract exhibited an IC50 value of 72.03µg/ml (DPPH) and of 185.21µg/ml (ABTS), respectively for the two radical scavenging assays. Conclusion: Phytochemical analysis of M. champaca (leaves) various extracts showed good amounts of phenolic and flavonoid contents and also exhibited significant antioxidant activity. A positive linear correlation between the antioxidant activities and the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the plant extracts was observed. Study revealed variations in such reported activities due to different organic extraction solvents used. In overall conclusion, Michelia champaca has good potential as a source of natural antioxidant for animal health and food industry and further relevant studies on similar lines would be worthwhile.

The clinical profile and outcome of children with West syndrome in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa: A 10-year retrospective review

Background. West syndrome (WS) is a rare epileptic encephalopathy of infancy. There is currently no research on the incidence or prevalence of WS in Africa.Methods. We aimed to describe the outcome of children with WS at a quaternary-level hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (SA). This was a retrospective chart review conducted on patients diagnosed with WS over a 10-year period. Eight children (males, n=7; African, n=6; Asian, n=2) identified with WS out of 2 206 admitted with epilepsy. The median age (range) at diagnosis was 7.5 (1 - 9) months. The average time between onset of epileptic spasms and diagnosis was 3.1 months.Results. Six patients had abnormal neuroimaging (atrophy (n=2); corpus callosum agenesis (n=2); tuberous sclerosis (n=1); focal dysplasia (n=1)). Drug management included sodium valproate (n=8), topiramate (n=7) and levetiracetam (n=3). Subsequent definitive treatment was intramuscular adrenocorticotrophic hormone (n=3), vigabatrin (n=2) and oral prednisone (n=4). Four (50%) patients had complete seizure remission (neuromigratory disorder (n=2); tuberous sclerosis (n=1); and idiopathic (n=1)) and 4 had partial remission (neonatal complications (n=3); idiopathic (n=1).Discussion. Most of our patients had symptomatic WS, with 50% remission on treatment. Outcomes were poorer in our study when compared with those in published data.Conclusion. Further collaborative studies are still needed to evaluate the true impact and prevalence of WS in SA

How to change perceptions on feeding in neonatal care

The transmission of HIV through breastmilk; with the potential to infect the newborn; has had a major impact on child health worldwide. Although South African studies confirmed that exclusive breastfeeding reduced rates of mother-to-child transmission of HIV; the recommendation of formula feeding for HIV-exposed newborn infants; provided their mothers had the facilities for safe preparation of formula milk and complied with the AFASS criteria (formula feeding to be Acceptable; Feasible; Affordable; Sustainable; Safe); was introduced. Observations made by the nursing staff; fully aware of the risks of formula feeding; in the neonatal unit at King Edward VIII Hospital in 2009 showed that an increasing number of small; sick newborns were being formula fed.By conducting focus group discussions with nurses; mothers and counsellors and teasing out the confusions and misconceptions; relevant information was imparted to the groups to allow them to re-consider their misconceptions. Within a period of 2 months nurses were confident about re-counselling mothers with respect to appropriate feeding choices. HIV-positive mothers were trained to flash-heat their milk. Subsequently; policies for the unit were derived from the focus group discussions. In addition; regional hospitals in the Durban area (eThekweni) considered the introduction of flash-heating to their units. The South African Department of Health opted for infants to receive prophylaxis with daily nevirapine as long as they are breastfed; and the Nutrition Directorate decided to withdraw the issue of free replacement feeds in HIV-exposed babies. KZN was the first province to institute this policy. The Department of Health has recommended that neonatal units no longer encourage HIV-infected mothers to flash-heat their breastmilk unless the infant is not receiving ARV prophylaxis or the mother is not on treatment

Improved Survival of Non-Ventilated Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants at Madadeni Hospital; KwaZulu-Natal

Most reports of survival of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) babies focus on infants in tertiary care centres in large metropolitan areas.1-5 Extrapolating data from major centres to peripheral hospitals is problematic because of various factors; including poor socio-economic conditions; absence of intensive/special-care facilities and equipment; and limited number of staff with knowledge and skills in neonatal care in smaller hospitals.3 We were able to raise the survival rate (SR) from 21 to 40 following the use of low-cost measures between 2002 and 2005

The HIV-1 exposed neonate: outcome of intensive care management in the first week of life.

A prospective study was carried out to determine if the outcome in HIV-exposed neonates requiring intensive care (n=30) is different from that in HIV-unexposed neonates (n=40) requiring intensive care in the first week of postnatal life. It was noted that the outcome in terms of incidence of death and intensive care stay do not differ significantly in these two groups although some hematological parameters may be significantly different. Considering the fact that the outcome is not worse in HIV-exposed babies and that most of these babies ultimately turn out to be HIV-uninfected, these babies should not be deprived of intensive care, whenever necessary.

Comparison of the immunogenicity and safety of two different brands of Salmonella typhi Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccine.

BACKGROUND: The recent emergence of multi-drug-resistant Salmonella strains highlights the need for better preventive measures, including vaccination. Safe and immunologic vaccines have been developed based on purified Vi polysaccharide. OBJECTIVE: To compare the immune response elicited by two different brands of Salmonella Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccine (ViCPS). SETTING AND DESIGN: Double blind, randomized (3:1), controlled, parallel, phase III study was conducted at two centres in India to compare the safety and immunogenicity of Typbar, the investigational vaccine with an already marketed vaccine "X", in healthy subjects aged between 12 -25 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A sample size of 184 subjects was calculated. Subjects were randomly distributed in two groups, immunized with single dose of Typbar or Vaccine "X". Serum samples were taken before 7 days and 4 weeks after immunization for the determination of antibodies to Vi polysaccharide, by ELISA method. Safety was assessed by physical examination, laboratory parameters before and after vaccination and by monitoring adverse events. Statistics: The geometric mean antibody titre (GMT) 4 weeks after vaccination was compared from respective pre-vaccination values by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Geometric mean of antibody levels before and after immunization and the ratio between them (Mann-Whitney test), the Seroconversion rates (Z test of proportions) and the adverse events (Fisher's exact test and Chi square test), were compared between two groups. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. P values and 95% confidence intervals were estimated in two-tailed fashion. RESULTS: 153 subjects (Typbar =116 and Vaccine "X" =37) were studied. 71.6% (95% CI=63.4%-79.8%) and 75.7% (95% CI=64.9% - 89.5%) were the seroconversion rates with Typbar and vaccine "X" respectively. The GMT values for Vi antibodies induced after Typbar and vaccine "X" were 10.23 Typbar and 13.46 mg/mL respectively and these values showed high significance when compared to their respective pre-immunization GMT values (P<0.0001) at 95% CI (-10.49 to -7.19 mg/mL for Typbar and -14.69 to -8.86 mg/mL for Vaccine "X"). The induction of antibody response appeared to be slightly stronger (P=0.032) with vaccine "X" when compared to that of Typbar. This is justifiable as the same group also had high pre-immunization GMT values (P=0.021). CONCLUSION: The immunogenicity and safety of the investigational vaccine Typbar was found to be similar to that of already marketed brand of Vi CPS, Vaccine "X". The availability of a single dose of vaccine that is safe and effective enhances the prospective for control of typhoid fever.

Iodine content of various salt samples sold in Mangalore--a coastal city with endemic goitre.

OBJECTIVE: Iodine deficiency disorders continue to be high despite ban on sale of non-iodised salt. In order to assess the effectiveness of salt iodisation programme, a study was undertaken to assess the iodine content of salt samples sold in Mangalore. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred salt samples were randomly collected from shops in Mangalore and iodine content measured using MBI iodine testing kits. RESULTS: Only 39 samples had adequate iodine of 15 ppm or more. There was a statistically significant difference in the salt samples with adequate content in rural versus urban areas (46.6% and 27.5%, respectively, with p < 0.05). Branded samples had significantly higher iodine content than non-branded salt (p < 0.05). Salt sold at Rs.2/- per kg had significantly lower iodine content than the salt sold at Rs.3-4/- per kg (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Salt iodisation programme is poorly implemented in Mangalore probably due to improper iodisation, inadequate storage, hot and humid weather conditions and lack of public awareness. Public education and education of shop owners regarding their role in prevention of iodine deficiency disorders may be of value in this direction.