Upwind responses of Anopheles stephensi to carbon dioxide and L-lactic acid: an olfactometer study

Excretion of carbon dioxide and L-lactic acid through exhalation and perspiration provides olfactory signals to mosquitoes which allow them to find and bite humans; however, mosquito species differ in this regard. This study investigated upwind responses of Anopheles stephensi, mysorensis form, an important malaria vector in Asia, to carbon dioxide and L-lactic acid under laboratory conditions. While a minimal dose of carbon dioxide [90 ppm] activated the mosquitoes, 10 times this amount suppressed them. L-lactic acid alone did not produce a significant effect by itself, but addition of 6 microg/min of L-lactic acid to a range of 90 to 410 ppm carbon dioxide resulted in attraction. The results provide further support for the hypothesis that CO2 plays an important role in the host-seeking behaviour of zoophilic mosquitoes, and suggests that L-lactic acid might play a more critical role than CO2 in the attraction of An. stephensi

Differential responses of anopheles stephensi [diptera: culicidae] to skin emanations of a man, a cow, and a guinea pig in the olfactometer

Biting habit of mosquitoes plays an important role in the epidemiology of mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquitoes use a set of elaborate sensory modalities to find their preferred hosts by exploiting cues emanating from a nearby host. It has been suggested that the chemical profile of skin can provide further support for anthropophilic mosquito species to find their suitable hosts. This study aimed at revealing the value of skin emanation for a zoophilic species like Anopheles stephensi as a model. Skin emanations of a man, a cow and a Guinea pig were collected by ethanol soaked cottons. Upwind responses of mosquitoes to 100 and 200 micro L of filtered skin materials were non-competitively explored in a dual-choice olfactometer. L-lactic acid and other chemical content of the skin samples were identified by an enzymatic kit and GC-MS, respectively. Unexpectedly, only human skin emanation was resulted in the statistically significant activation and attraction responses of Anopheles. stephensi in the wind tunnel. L-lactic acid content of this skin sample was 10 and 29 times more than the cow and the Guinea pig, respectively. The possible role of lactic acid and a few other identified compounds have been discussed here. An. stephensi showed higher and more specific upwind responses to human skin emanation in the olfactometer. Undoubtedly, the thorough explanation of this unexpected finding needs further investigation. But, if new data verify this result, then, it may be necessary to reconsider the role of skin emanation and thence the human blood index and vectorial capacity of this zoophilic mosquito

Qualitative approach on social problems in burned disfigurement individuals

The face the main channel through which the individual communicates. It is the site of beauty and attractiveness. Physical attractiveness has stereotyping nature. Because the precise content of the stereotype depends on cultural values. The aim of this study was described the range of psychosocial issues burned disfigurement people that psychosocial support programmes may need to address after hospitaization. Part of data from a larger study grounded theory approach was reported by this Paper. In this qualitative study, individual in depths interview performed with 21 participants. Interviews were analyzed using a content analysis. After data analyzed five axial category emerging from this qualitative study included social behaviors and beliefs [reproach, retirement, wrong thoughts and beliefs, stigmatize, pity] emotional problems [grief, shame, fear of expulsion, aversion, hopelessness] reactions assessment [positive assessment, Negative assessment] strategy [hidden, separation, self-presentation] and weariness. Findings indicated negative behaviors' and beliefs' of people cause emotional problems in disfigured people. Thise persons perform inappropriate strategy against behaviors' and beliefs' of people. Therefore This persons need to appropriate supportive programs for community, family and person instruction to knowledge, attitude and practice promotion

effect of different concentrations of topical vitamin E on cosmetic appearance of hypertrophic and keloid scars

There are a few clinical trials on human that show the effect of topical vitamin E on keloid and hypertrophic scars. In this investigation we try to study this effect and also show the effect of the concentrations which have not been considered yet in improving hypertrophic scar and keloid healing. In a double-blind randomized clinical trial, 32 patients who had hypertrophic scar from 12 weeks ago were given three ointments including placebo and ointments contaning injectional vitamin E [d-a tocopheryl] with different concentrations [300Iu/mg and 600Iu/mg]. The scars size, erythema and hardness were evaluated by patients and physicians after 1, 4 and 12 weeks. Data was analyzed using ANOVA and Kruskal Walis tests. After 12 weeks there were no signs or symptoms of dermatitis and rash. Comparison of the scar size after 1 week showed difference between the high concentrated ointment with the others and in the 12[th] week all of the ointments were different [p<0.001]. Evaluation of the scar erythema, in the 1[th], 4[th] and 12[th] week showed significant difference between vitamin ointments and placebo [p<0.001], also scar hardness in the 12[th] week was significantly different between groups [p<0.001], but in the first and 4[th] week no difference was detected in hardness. This study shows that topical vitamin E has good effects on keloid and hypertropic scars. Their effect in decreasing size and erythema is more considerable than scar hardness

comparison between external versus internal lateral osteotomy in rhinoplasty

Lateral osteotomy is a major part of rhinoplasty for remodeling external facet of the nose and narrowing of nasal base and dorsum after removal of the hump. There are two techniques for lateral osteotomy known as external and internal. Each of these provide advantages and impose limitations. The purpose of our study was to compare the severity of postoperative edema and ecchymosis between internal and external osteotomy techniques. This study was designed as a clinical trial on 30 cases. With randomization, one side of the nasal bone was selected for internal approach, and the other side, for external approach. Then, on the 1st and 7th days after surgery, the patients were scored for the severity of edema and ecchymosis. On the first day after surgery, not only edema, but also ecchymosis was lower with the external osteotomy than with the internal approach [P = 0.037, P = 0.002, respectively]. The severity of ecchymosis, on the 7th postoperative day, was lower with the external approach, and the difference was significant [P = 0.011]. The severity of both edema and ecchymosis on the first postoperative day was evaluated higher in females, with statistically significant differences [P = 0.05 for edema and P = 0.003 for ecchymosis]. The extension of ecchymosis on the 7th postoperative day was higher in women [P = 0.05]. There were no significant differences between the two approaches in medialization of the involved bones and no apparent asymmetries either. According to the results of this study, external osteotomy seems to be the approach of choice, provided that the surgeon has enough experience in doing it

evaluation of sensory neural hearing loss in thalassaemic patients treated with desferrioxamine and its risk factors

In major thalassaemia patients who need blood transfusion, iron overload is a major therapeutic disadvantage that leads to heart failure which is the major cause of death in such patients. Desferrioxamine [DFO] is the most efficient factor for iron chelation, but it carries adverse effects such sensory-neural hearing loss. The study began in March 2002 and continued untill March 2003, on 160 cases of thalassaemia to determine the incidence of sensory - neural hearing loss and its risk factors in patients who received Desferrioxamine [DFO]. All cases underwent audiometric tests. Retrospectively, other needed information were either obtained through interview or extracted from the medical files. Results were analyzed with ANOVA, t-test and Chi-square tests. Seventy-six patients of the total 156 patients showed impairment in PTA [48.7%] with 24 of them suffering significant involvement [15.4%]. These abnormalities generally affected high frequencies including, 4000 and 8000 Hz. Male gender, increased serum billirubin level and fasting blood sugar were statistically correlated with hearing loss [p.v = 0.038, p.v = 0.38, p.v = 0.002 respectively]. There was no significant correlation between hearing loss and other factors. Mean DFO administration in patients, was 29.69 mg/kg/day and mean therapeutic index of DFO was 0.01 mg/kg/day/mg/lit. Both of them were below the critical level [<40mg/kg/day and <0.025mg/kg/day/mg/lit respectively],however hearing loss had developed. Controlling DFO dosage per se does not seem to be enough for decreasing ototoxicity rate. Periodic audiometric tests are highly recommended to detect hearing loss as soon as possible. There are some other factors such as male gender, increased billirubin and FBS, which contribute to DFO ototoxicity. Looking for these risk factors and controlling them, would help identifying susceptible patients and preventing this complication

Effet du regime hypercholesterolenique et vitamine D2 surle developpement de l'atherosclerose chez le rat [psammomys obesus] vivant au Maroc

Our study was performed on 32 sand rats living in Morocco [Psammomys obesus] a specimen which is predisposed to develop obesity type II when given a hypercaloric cholesterol enriched and diabetic diet. Some of these animals received vitamin D2 orally in a high dosage. Two [2] months later, we observed different types of injuries especially macroangiopathy in which the atheromatous lesions were enhanced by addition of vitamin D2. These results are correlated to the biochemical findings especially high levels of LDL cholesterol