Expression of Chicken NK-Lysin and Its Role in Chicken Coccidiosis Induced by Eimeria necatrix

Coccidiosis in chickens is an intestinal parasitic disease caused by protozoan parasites named Eimeria spp. In some Eimeria infections, intestinal lymphocytes are known to highly express chicken NK-lysin (cNK-lysin), an antimicrobial peptide with anticoccidial activity. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the expression of cNK-lysin in E. necatrix-infected chickens and its role in E. necatrix infection. The expression of cNK-lysin transcript was significantly increased in E. necatrix sporozoites-treated lymphocytes. In E. necatrix infection, cNK-lysin transcript was induced in intestinal lymphocytes but not in the spleen. The recombinant cNK-lysin exhibited anticoccidial activity against E. necatrix sporozoites as well as immunomodulatory activity on macrophages by inducing proinflammatory cytokines. These results indicated that E. necatrix infection induces high local expression of cNK-lysin and the secreted cNK-lysin helps protect coccidiosis.

Anticoccidial Activity of Berberine against Eimeria-Infected Chickens

Avian coccidiosis has a major economic impact on the poultry industry, it is caused by 7 species of Eimeria, and has been primarily controlled using chemotherapeutic agents. Due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains, alternative control strategies are needed. We assessed anticoccidial effects of berberine-based diets in broiler chickens following oral infection with 5 Eimeria species (E. acervulina, E. maxima, E. tenella, E. mitis, and E. praecox). When 0.2% berberine, a concentration that does not affect weight gain, was added to the diet, the 4 groups infected with E. acervulina, E. tenella, E. mitis, or E. praecox showed significant reductions in fecal oocyst shedding (P<0.05) compared to their respective infected and untreated controls. In chickens treated 0.5% berberine instead of 0.2% and infected with E. maxima, fecal oocyst production was significantly reduced, but body weight deceased, indicating that berberine treatment was not useful for E. maxima infection. Taken together, these results illustrate the applicability of berberine for prophylactic use to control most Eimeria infections except E. maxima. Further studies on the mechanisms underlying the differences in anticoccidial susceptibility to berberine, particularly E. maxima, are remained.

Anticoccidial Activity of Berberine against Eimeria-Infected Chickens

Avian coccidiosis has a major economic impact on the poultry industry, it is caused by 7 species of Eimeria, and has been primarily controlled using chemotherapeutic agents. Due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains, alternative control strategies are needed. We assessed anticoccidial effects of berberine-based diets in broiler chickens following oral infection with 5 Eimeria species (E. acervulina, E. maxima, E. tenella, E. mitis, and E. praecox). When 0.2% berberine, a concentration that does not affect weight gain, was added to the diet, the 4 groups infected with E. acervulina, E. tenella, E. mitis, or E. praecox showed significant reductions in fecal oocyst shedding (P<0.05) compared to their respective infected and untreated controls. In chickens treated 0.5% berberine instead of 0.2% and infected with E. maxima, fecal oocyst production was significantly reduced, but body weight deceased, indicating that berberine treatment was not useful for E. maxima infection. Taken together, these results illustrate the applicability of berberine for prophylactic use to control most Eimeria infections except E. maxima. Further studies on the mechanisms underlying the differences in anticoccidial susceptibility to berberine, particularly E. maxima, are remained.

Preliminary evaluation of the role of biomarkers in diagnosing dementia

Background: Dementia is a common pathological condition that affects older people. Most causes of dementia are Alzheimer\u2019s disease and vascular dementia. Diagnosing these conditions mostly relied on clinical patterns, but some biomarkers have been mentioned as the indicators of this condition. Objectives: 1) To evaluate the alteration of some biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from Alzheimer\u2019s patients. 2) To compare the concentration of biomarkers in CSF samples from patients with vascular dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Subjects and method: Case group involved 41 patients who were diagnosed as AD and vascular dementia based on DSM-IV criteria. 31 matched healthy people were included in control group. All subjects were given neuro-psychological tests and thorough clinical examination. Brain CT scan and MRI were done for both groups. CSF samples were taken from patients in the study group to measure levels of some biomarkers. Results. The levels of total taurine (T-tau) and phosphorylated taurine (P-tau) 181 proteins are higher in the dementia group. The concentration of Abeta-42 is significantly different between case and control groups, but similar between vascular dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s disease patients. Conclusion: Changes in biomarkers are valuable in different diagnosis of Alzheimer\u2019s disease and other types of dementia. However, findings of CSF studies have to be considered with findings from imaging studies and clinical examination.

Autologous bone marrow transfusion to treat the tibia diaphyseal nonunions

Background: Bone marrow stem cells with their plasticity can be used to replace and repair the other damaged organs and tissues, so they can also be used to obtain bone healing of nonunions. Objective: to evaluate the results of percutaneous autologous bone marrow grafting to treat the tibia diaphyseal nonunions. Subjects and methods: 12 patients with noninfected nonunion of the tibia were diagnosed and treated in Viet Duc Hospital. About 250mL of marrow was aspirated, then separated and concentrated by density gradient centrifugation. The final mononuclear cell mass containing stem cells and progenitors was washed in 30ml of 0.9% NaCL and then injected into the damaged sites. Patients were evaluated by clinical and X-rays examinations with at least 6 months follow-up. Results: None of the patients had post - op complications. Bone union was obtained in eleven of the twelve patients (91,7%) at an average of 15,3 weeks (range, 9 - 30 weeks), the bone marrow grafts used for these patients who had bone union contained a mean of 5,65 \xb1 3,74 x 106 (0,95 - 11,73 x 106) CD34(+) stem cells in total. Conclusions: Percutaneous autologous bone - marrow grafting is a minimally invasive alternative and a simple, effective, safe method for the treatment of the tibia diaphyseal nonunions with the comparative bone healing rate. \r\n', u'\r\n', u'

Isolating enterovirus and poliovirus isolated in patients with acute flaccid paralytic syndrome in 2005

Background: Paralysis has been eliminated in Vietnam in 2000. To maintain the achievement, Vietnam needs to have more than 90% of children under 1 age drinking 3 doses of OPV, controlling cases of acute flaccid paralysis and diagnosing for virology in laboratory to determine causes of the disease. Results of laboratory identifying Polio virus and enterovirus in patients with acute flaccid paralysis is evidence of successful in paralytic elimination annually in Vietnam.\r\n', u'Objectives: To of isolate polio virus and enterovirus in patients with acute flaccid paralysis suspected paralysis in 2005.\r\n', u'Subjects and methods: The study included 267 cases with acute flaccid paralysis from 29 provinces, cities in the North and six provinces in the Central of Vietnam during 2005.\r\n', u'Results:Results of surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis and indicators of samples tested in 2005 have reached the criteria regulated by the World Health Organization. 8 poliovirus strains and 56 other non-polio enterovirus strains were isolated from 538 stool specimens of above patients. All isolated poliovirus strains were confirmed as Sabin-like strains. 56 non-polio enterovirus strains included coxsaxkie A (3), conxsackieB (5), echoviruses (34), enterovirus 71 (1) and untyped enteroviruses (13). Wild polio virus was not isolated in 2005.\r\n', u'Conclusion: The result confirmed successfulness in maintaining of poliomyelitis free status in the North and 6 provinces of the Central of Vietnam in 2005.\r\n', u'\r\n', u'\r\n', u'

Study on the situation of using the traditional medication in publicity

A survey on 120 consumers who have been treated by traditional medicine in Hanoi. Results of the study showed that the average age of them is 48.8, the main of the consumers have gastrointestinal tract diseases, rheumatics, cough and flu with 16.7%, 24.2%, 23.3% respectively. The average cost of a treatment course by traditional medicine is about 7.5 USD, it is not reasonable price for people with low earning. The belief of the consumers in traditional remedies are more and more increasing. Most of them think that the traditional medicine have no poisoning and adverse drug reactions

Rational and safe use of traditional medicine

Most of countries developed and used the traditional medicine for primary health care. The promotion of integration of traditional medicine into the health systems is a mechanism to strengthen the rational and safe use and control of traditional medicine. The major point of program was to improve the country's potential in the legal aspect, quality assurance of the traditional medicine, development and research on the evidence of efficacy and safety of traditional medicine. In addition to, it should strengthen the practicable abilities of practitioner of traditional medicine

Realization of the regime of good pharmacy practice - a measure for rising the quality of medical practice in traditional medicine and pharmacies

A multi intervention approach to rational use of drug through private practitioners of traditional medicines. The education and enforcement of regulation interventions was designed to assist the pharmacy staff in choosing appropriate treatment option and comply with the other elements of Good Pharmacy Practice. Results from interventions will be used to provide policy-markers with a scientific basis for decisions relating to rational use of drug, which is one of main objectives in national drug policy in Vietnam.

Investigation on the rational and safe use of drugs in the municipal community of Hue

A study on buying drug of consumers at 30 randomly selected public and private drug outlets in Hue City had been conducted from February 1997 to May 1997. Results showed: 70.5% of consumers bought without prescription, in which 10% with at least one injection, 43.7% with antibiotics. 29.5% of consumers bought drugs with prescriptions, in which 55.0% with antibiotics, including 21.2% with at least two antibiotics. The average number and value of drug per prescription is 3.2 and about 4 USD, respectively. 36.1% drug are prescribed under generic names and 64.5% are in Essential drug list. Some recommendations had been cited.

Study on management of the practice of private traditional medicine and pharmacy in Hanoi

A study on private traditional medicine network in Ha Noi city was conducted from February 1998 to April 1998. Result showed that there are 396 private traditional medicine outlets to date in the urban area of Hanoi focusing in Hoankiem, Dongda, Haibatrung, Badinh districts with 31.4%, 27.3%, 19.2%, 12.9%, respectively. In the new established districts, the number of outlets is lower. Generally, The working time and the address of the outlets are not appropriated with the original application registered. Traditional medicine providers include good experienced traditional physician, consultations and prescribers, traditional medicine qualified doctors with 28.1%, 24.3%, 21.8% respectively, and the rest is roughly prepared traditional medicine wholesalers and retailers. Official regulations for traditional medicine are not uniform and systematical raising difficulties on control and administration.

Study on the quality of practice of traditional pharmacy

Stimulated Client Method (SCM) was used to measure services quality of private area of traditional medicine. Five females Hanoi College of Pharmacy staff members, the average 26 ages (range 23-31), were selected as simulated clients. They visited 30 traditional medicine stores in Hanoi with 147 encounters were conducted. The results showed that most practitioners in traditional medicine stores lack the communication skills to facilitate effective treatment taking by patients. The prescribing practice of them, as well as the issue and enforcement on regulation should be improved toward Good Pharmacy Practice