Combination Of Momordica Charantia And Phyllanthus Amarus For Hepatoprotective Activity In Ethanol And Anti-Tubercular Drugs Induced Hepatotoxicity In Rats

Objective: To evaluate the synergistic protective effect of Momordica charantia and Phyllanthus amarus combination (MC+PA) of doses 200 and 400 mg/kg on the liver in different experimental models of hepatotoxicity. Methods: The hepatoprotective activity was evaluated in ethanol and anti-tubercular drugs (isoniazid-INH, rifampicin-RIF) induced hepatotoxicity models. Hepatotoxicity in both models was induced to all groups except the normal control. Intoxicated rats were treated with silymarin and various doses of MC+PA for 8 d in ethanol-induced and 21 d in INH+RIF induced hepatotoxicity models. At the completion of study, the biochemical markers and the anti-oxidant status (SOD and MDA) were measured and also the histopathological evaluation of the liver tissue was carried out. Results: Combination therapy remarkably reduced the elevated profile of the biochemical markers and thereby improved the anti-oxidant status, thus exhibiting the synergistic hepatoprotective effect when compared with the positive control group (p<0.001). Histopathological evaluation demonstrated that MC+PA decreased the liver damage significantly in comparison with the positive group. Conclusion: The current work suggests that the combined extract showed synergistic effects on ethanol and anti-tubercular drugs induced hepatotoxicity models by significantly decreasing the liver damage.

Grossesses et accouchements chez les femmes de 40 ans et plus au centre de sante de référence de la commune ii du district de Bamako, Mali

But : Le but de cette étude était de comparer le pronostic materno-fœtal des grossesses chez les patientes de 40 ans et plus à celui des grossesses conçues avant 40 ans dans le service de gynécologie obstétrique du centre de santé de référence de la commune II de Bamako. Matériels et Méthodes : Il s'agissait d'une étude prospective de Cohorte qui s'est déroulée à la maternité du Centre de Santé de Référence de la Commune II du 1er janvier au 31décembre 2012. Ont été incluses dans notre étude comme patientes exposées toutes les gestantes de 40 ans et plus et comme patientes non exposées les gestantes de 20-39 ans ayant accouchées dans notre service. N'ont pas été retenues dans cette étude, les grossesses chez les adolescentes. Les tests statistiques utilisés ont été le Khi2 de Pearson et le test de Fisher avec un seuil de significativité à 5%. Résultats : La fréquence de la grossesse chez les femmes de 40 ans et plus était de 1,68%. Il s'agissait de grandes multipares non scolarisées dans 60% des cas, présentant une HTA dans 6,7% des cas. La grossesse chez ces patientes a été associée à un taux élevé de césarienne dans 16,7% des cas, de dépassement de terme dans 6,7% des cas, de présentation du siège dans 6,7% des cas, de macrosomie dans 6,7% des cas et de malformation fœtale dans 1,7% des cas. Conclusion : Compte ténu de ses nombreuses complications materno-fœtales, les grossesses chez les femmes de 40 ans et plus méritent une attention particulière

Clustering of risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases in low-income, female adolescents

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the prevalence and clustering patterns of cardiometabolic risk factors among low-income, female adolescents. Materials and methods Cross-sectional study involving 196 students of public schools (11-19 years old). The following risk factors were considered in the analysis: excess weight, central obesity, dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, and high fasting glucose. The ratio between observed and expected prevalence and its confidence interval were used to identify clustering of risk factors that exceeded expected prevalence in the population. Results The most prevalent risk factors were dyslipidemia (70.9%), and central obesity (39.8%), followed by excess weight (29.6%), and high blood pressure (12.8%). A total of 42.9% of adolescents had two or more risk factors, and 24% had three or more. Excess weight, central obesity, and dyslipidemia were common risk factors in the clustering patterns that showed higher-than-expected prevalence. Conclusions Clustering of risk factors (≥ two factors) among the adolescents showed considerable prevalence, and there was a non-casual coexistence of excess weight, central obesity, and dyslipidemia (mainly low HDL-cholesterol).

Fotografia digital: análise do conhecimento de cirurgiões-dentistas de diferentes especialidades / Digital photography: analysis of knowledge of Dentists of different specialties

Objetivo: Avaliar o nível de conhecimento dos cirurgiões-dentistas especialistas de João Pessoasobre fotografia digital. Material e Métodos: Tratou-se de um estudo observacional e prospectivo com amostragem não probabilística. A amostra foi composta por 60 profissionais inscritos no Conselho Regional de Odontologia da Paraíba (CRO-PB), nas seguintes especialidades: Prótese, Ortodontia, Dentística e Periodontia. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de um questionário, com perguntas objetivas e subjetivas. Os dados foram tabulados em banco de dados e submetidos à análise estatística descritiva. Resultados: Foi possível verificar que a maior parte dos cirurgiões-dentistas são adeptos a utilização da fotografia digital (71,6%) para diversos fins. Dentre as especialidades, a ortodontia obteve o maior percentual (86,6%), seguido da prótese (73,3%), da periodontia (66,6%) e da dentística (60%). Conclusões: A maioria dos especialistas utiliza a fotografia digital como parte da documentação odontológica. Os ortodontistas têm destaque quanto à utilização e frequência das fotografias. Ainda são necessários estudos adicionais para maior aprofundamento sobre o tema em questão.

Objective: This research aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge of specialists dentists in João Pessoa on digital photography. Material and Methods: It was a prospective observational study with non-probability sampling. The sample was composed by 60 professionals enrolled in Regional Council of Dentistry of Paraiba (CRO-PB), in the following specialties: Prosthesis, Orthodontics, Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry. The data collection was performed by means of a questionnaire, with objective and subjective questions. The data were tabulated in a database and submitted to descriptive statistical analysis. Results: It was possible to verify that the greater parts of dentists are adherents to the use of digital photography (71.6 %) for various purposes. Among the specialties, Orthodontics has obtained the highest percentage (86.6 %), followed by Prosthodontics (73.3 %), Periodontics (66.6 %) and Restorative Dentistry (60 %). Conclusions: The majority of specialists use digital photography as part of the dentistry documentation, with orthodontists being the specialists that most commonly uses it. Although additional studies are necessary to further deepening on the topic in question.

Extracts of Caesalpinia ferrea and Trichoderma sp. on the control of Colletotrichum sp. transmission in Sideroxylon obtusifolium seeds / Extratos de Caesalpinia ferrea e Trichoderma spp. no controle da tramissibilidade de Colletotrichum sp. em sementes de Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Sapotaceae)

ABSTRACT Recent research reports the importance of preserving plants in Brazilian semiarid regions, in this context, the scientific literature has reported different pharmacological studies from plant extracts with an antifungal potential, coming from forest species that can contribute as a control and management strategy in the transmission of phytopathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of biotech treatments in controlling the transmission of Colletotrichum sp. in seeds of S. obtusifolium. In this study, 100 seeds were subjected to the following preventive treatments: fungicide Captan®, extract of Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. Ex. Tul., and biological control with Trichoderma spp. The biological control with Trichoderma spp. and the alternative control using C. ferrea extract provided a greater protection to seeds and seedlings of S. obtusifolium facing the transmissibility of Colletotrichum sp.The treatment based on plant extract is more efficient for this purpose only in large seeds and does not interfere on the germination percentage and speed. Therefore it is necessary to perform other studies with Trichoderma spp. and C. ferrea extract to test different doses of these products.

RESUMO Recentes pesquisas relatam a importância da preservação de plantas do semiárido brasileiro. Neste contexto, a literatura científica tem relatado diferentes estudos farmacológicos com extratos vegetais com potencial antifúngico proveniente de espécies florestais que podem contribuir como estratégia de controle e gerenciamento na transmissão de fitopatógenos. No presente estudo o objetivo foi avaliar o efeito de tratamentos biotecnológicos no controle da transmissibilidade de Colletotrichum sp. em sementes de S. obtusifolium. Neste estudo foram utilizadas 100 sementes submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos preventivos: fungicida Captan®, extrato de Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. Ex. Tul. e controle biológico com Trichoderma spp. O controle biológico com Trichoderma spp. e o alternativo com extrato de C. ferrea proporcionam maior proteção às sementes e plântulas S. obtusifolium quanto a transmissibilidade do Colletotrichum sp. O tratamento à base de extrato vegetal foi o mais eficiente para este fim, apenas em sementes de maior tamanho, por não interferir na porcentagem e velocidade de germinação. Portanto, faz-se necessário à realização de outros trabalhos com Trichoderma spp. e extrato de C. ferrea para testar doses diferentes desses produtos.

Radiological risk analysis of sediment from Kutubdia Island, Bangladesh due to natural and anthropogenic radionuclides

To assess the environmental radioactivity levels and hence to determine the population exposure in Kutubdia Island, Bangladesh the sediment samples were analyzed by using gamma ray spectrometry. In those sediment samples the average activity concentration of natural radionuclides [238]U, [232]Th and [40]K were found 15.39+/-1.67, 38.35+/-0.76 and 475.51+/-21.15 Bq/kg respectively. The activity concentration of [238]U and [232]Th were less than the world average. But the activity concentration of 40K was higher than the world average values. These results were used to calculate the radiological hazard parameters like radium equivalent activities [Ra[eq]], representative level index [I[gammar]]. Due to natural radionuclides in sediment, the effective annual outdoor dose in the study area was 0.07 mSv; which is within the accepted range of 0.07 mSv. The average value of radium equivalent activities [Ra[eq]] and representative level index [Igr] were found to be 128.03+/-12.08 Bq/Kg and 0.96+/-0.09 Bq/Kg which were greater than the world average. The anthropogenic radionuclide [137]Cs was also found in few samples. The average activity concentration of [137]Cs was 1.64+/-0.20 Bq/kg which is lower than the world average. The obtained experimental data of this research work would be useful to assess the population exposure from radionuclides in sediment as well as base line data of natural radioactivity in this island

A ação do óleo de pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) no processo cicatricial de lesões cutâneas em ratos / The effect of the Pequi oil (Caryocar brasiliense) in the healing of skin lesions in mice

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o efeito do óleo de pequi no processo cicatricial de lesões cutâneas em ratos. A pesquisa foi iniciada após a provação da CEUA- FACID sob o nº de protocolo 005/12 e obedeceu aos princípios éticos da experimentação animal de acordo com a Lei Federal nº 11.794/2008. Foram utilizados 20 ratos machos, Wistar (Rattusnorvegicus), peso corpóreo de 300-350g, divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos iguais: GI- controle (C); GII- tratado com óleo de pequi (T). Cada grupo foi dividido em dois subgrupos, de cinco animais cada, conforme os tempos experimentais estudados de 7(A) e 14(B) dias. Após anestesia e antissepsia foi produzida cirurgicamente ferida circular de 2,5 cm de diâmetro na região dorso lombar do animal. Os animais do Grupo II foram tratados com aplicação tópica diária de 1 ml do óleo de pequi, respeitando os tempos experimentais descritos. Concomitante à mensuração da área da lesão, os ratos foram eutanasiados para realização do processamento histológico e análise do percentual de regressão das lesões. No grupo GII nos diferentes tempos experimentais de 7 e 14 dias foi observado maior percentual de regressão das lesões em relação ao GI (p < 0,05). A partir da análise histológica foi possível detectar que no GII houve menor número de células inflamatórias e maior número de fibroblastos em relação ao GI nos diferentes tempos experimentais (p < 0,001). Conclui-se que o uso do óleo de pequi apresentou influência positiva no processo de reparo de lesões cutâneas em ratos, por promover maior velocidade do reparo tecidual, fato evidenciado pelo fechamento mais rápido das feridas e observação de características inflamatórias reduzidas no grupo tratado em relação ao grupo controle, sugerindo que a inflamação pode já ter regredido no grupo tratado.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of pequi oil in the healing process of skin lesions in rats. The research was initiated after the ordeal of CEUA- FACID with protocol No. 005/12 and following the ethical principles of animal experimentation according to the Federal Law No. 11,794 / 2008. 20 Wistar rats were used (Rattus norvegicus), with body weight ranging from 300-350g. They were randomly divided into two groups: GI control (C) and GII treated with pequi oil (T). Each group was divided into two subgroups of five animals each, according to the experimental study of 7 days (A) and 14 (B) days. After anesthesia and antisepsis, a circular wound of 2.5 cm of diameter was surgically inflicted in the lumbar dorsal region of the animal. The animals in Group II were treated with daily topical application of 1 ml of pequi oil, respecting the described experimental times. Concomitantly with the measurement of the injury area, the rats were euthanized so that a histological processing and a regression analysis of the percentage of injuries could be performed. In GII, at different experimental times of 7 and 14 days, there were a higher percentage of lesions regression compared to GI (p <0.05). From the histological examination it was possible to detect that, at GII, there were a lower number of inflammatory cells and increased number of fibroblasts compared to IM at different time of the trial (P <0.001). It is concluded that the use of pequi oil presented positive influence on the healing process of skin lesions in rats by promoting quicker tissue repair, as indicated by the faster closure of the wounds and the observation of reduced inflammatory characteristics in the group treated compared to the control group, suggesting that the inflammation could have already receded in the treated group.

Clinical and echocardiographic features of children with rheumatic carditis: correlation with high sensitivity C-reactive protein

Rheumatic fever [RF] and rheumatic heart disease [RHD] are leading causes of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in developing countries. To describe the clinical and echocardiographic features of children with RF and RHD and compare these features with their serum C-reactive protein in 2 pediatric cardiology centers in Khartoum. It was a prospective cross sectional study. Patients were examined clinically and by echocardiography. Serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP] was measured from children with Acute RF as well as from healthy age and sex matched controls selected from children attending the clinics. Statistical Analysis Used: Mean and standard deviation, P value using Fisher's exact test. Sixty six patients [45% males] were enrolled. Mitral regurgitation [MR] was found in 65 patients [98%], it was severe in 42 patients [64%], combined with aortic regurgitation [AR] in 27 patients [41%] and with Mitral stenosis [MS] in 3 patients [4.5%]. For patients with carditis, hsCRP ranged between 1.10 and 15 mg/1 [mean 8.0817, SD 4.47]. In the control group it was 0.6-1.3 mg/1 [mean 0.93 SD 0.23] P<0.0001.Patients with Acute RF had hsCRP mean of 12.35 mg/1 [SD 2.11] while those with chronic RHD had hsCRP mean of 7.34 mg/1 [SD 4.16], P<0.0001. RHD is manifested in our patients with severe valve damage dominated by MR and there is evidence of an ongoing inflammation during the chronic phase. RHD is manifested in a severe form in Sudan. High sensitivity CRP is elevated in acute phase as well as in the chronic phase

Pattern Of Different Eczema Among Outdoor Patients Attended Faridpur Medical College Hospital, Faridpur, Bangladesh.

Eczematous dermatitis is very common in our country and all over the world. The aim of current study was to assess the burden, frequency and pattern of different eczema at outpatient department of Faridpur Medical College Hospital in the year 2009. Retrospective data were collected from medical records of patient. Patients of all ages & both sexes attending at the dermatology outpatient department of Faridpur Medical College Hospital in the year 2009 suffering from different eczema were included in this study. The frequency of eczema among patients attending at outpatient department of Faridpur Medical College Hospital was 12.8%, and the male to female ratio was almost 1:1. The most affected age group among patients was 0-5 years. Of all cases of eczema, 77.05% were endogenous and 22.52% were exogenous. The most common type of eczema was seborrhoeic dermatitis (27.17% of all cases), followed by contact dermatitis (20.00%) and Hand eczema (14.18%). Seborrhoeic dermatitis is commonest in young adult (21- 45 yrs), whereas atopic dermatitis is common in infant and children (0-10 yrs). Eczema is a public health problem in Faridpur, Bangladesh, and this necessitates prospective studies to determine its incidence and prevalence.

Knowledge And Awareness About The Risk Of HIV/AIDS Among Truck Drivers Of A Selected Area.

This cross- sectional study was conducted among the truck drivers at Daulatdia Ghat, Goalanda, Rajbari district. The objective of this study was to find out the knowledge and awareness about the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission among the truck drivers .Out of 226 respondents, 37.3% were within the age group 25 to 35 years. Most of the respondents (74%) were married and 44% were educated up to primary level. Half of the respondents (50%) had monthly income from taka 10,000 to taka 15,000 per month. From this study, it was found that 97% respondents had heard the name of HIV/AIDS, 61.8% had known about HIV/AIDS from media and newspaper. In respect of the route of HIV transmission, 39.8% of respondents thought that HIV is transmitted by sexual activities and 58.7% thought the disease is transmitted by syringe, transfusion. About 47.8% respondents thought that HIV can be detected from blood and 76% knew the fate of HIV/AIDS is death. Majority (82.5%) of the respondents obtained correct knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission and 13.2% of them knew the place where test of HIV can be done.

Avaliação da atividade antibacteriana e prospecção fitoquímica de Solanum paniculatum Lam. e Operculina hamiltonii (G. Don) D. F. Austin & Staples, do semi-árido paraibano / Evaluation of antibacterial activity and phytochemical prospection of Solanum paniculatum Lam. and Operculina hamiltonii (G. Don) D. F. Austin & Staples from the semi-arid region of Paraíba State, Brazil

Devido ao aparecimento de populações de parasitos resistentes, as drogas farmacêuticas, alternativas de controle, estão sendo pesquisadas utilizando plantas medicinais. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade antibacteriana e realizar a análise fitoquímica do extrato etanólico de duas espécies do semi-árido paraibano, Solanum paniculatum Lam. e Operculina hamiltonii (G. Don) D. F. Austin & Staples. As referidas espécies são muito utilizadas pela população rural contra verminoses gastrintestinais de ovinos. A prospecção fitoquímica foi obtida a partir dos extratos etanólicos para análise dos constituintes químicos existentes nas duas espécies. As análises dos extratos indicaram a presença de taninos flobabênicos, flavononóis, flavononas e alcalóides em ambas as espécies. A atividade antibacteriana foi determinada inicialmente pelo método de difusão em cavidade. A espécie S. paniculatum apresentou atividade contra Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 12692), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) e Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), no entanto O. hamintonii não demonstrou atividade contra as linhagens bacterianas testadas.

The emergence of resistant parasite populations has led to the study of pharmaceutical drugs, which represent an alternative control. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity and to perform the phytochemical analysis of the ethanol extract from two species belonging to the semi-arid region of Paraíba State, Brazil: Solanum paniculatum Lam. and Operculina hamiltonii (G. Don) D. F. Austin & Staples. Such species have been largely used by the rural population against ovine gastrointestinal helminthes. Phytochemical prospection was obtained from ethanol extracts for analysis of chemical compounds present in both species. Extract analyses indicated the presence of condensed tannins, flavonols, flavanones, and alkaloids in both species. The antibacterial activity was initially determined by the cavity method. The species S. paniculatum had activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 12692), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442); however, O. hamintonii did not present activity against the tested bacterial strains.

Pattern Of Skin Diseases In Patients Attending OPD Of Dermatology Department At Faridpur Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh.

It is generally agreed that the pattern of skin diseases differs in different countries, and within various regions of a country depending on social, economic, racial and environmental factors. Many workers have reported various patterns of skin diseases in different countries. So far, no such report is available in our country for Faridpur region. To fill the lacunae we decided to undertake a retrospective study of the skin disease pattern in this tertiary hospital of Faridpur, Bangladesh. All the newly diagnosed cases attending the OPD of Dermatology and Venereology, Faridpur Medical College Hospital, during the period of one year starting from 1st July 2007 to 30th June, 2008 were included in the study. Diagnosi s was done on clinical grounds and laboratory investigations were done whenever required. Eczema (19.2%), fungal infections (17.26%), scabies (15.16%) and pyodermas (7.59%) were the major skin diseases. STD's accounted for (0.73%) of the cases. Genodermatoses (0.01%) formed the minimal number of cases. Eczema was the commonest group of disorders. Out of the infective skin disorders fungal infections were the commonest group. Genodermatoses formed the least number of cases.

Cloning of a novel acidic phospholipase A2 from the venom gland of Crotalus durissus cascavella (Brazilian northeastern rattlesnake)

The phospholipase A2 superfamily encompasses 15 groups that are classified into: secreted PLA2 (sPLA2); cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2); Ca2+-independent intracellular PLA2 (iPLA2); platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH); and lysosomal PLA2. Currently, approximately 700 PLA2 sequences are known, of which 200 are obtained from the venom gland of Crotalinae snakes. However, thus far, little information is available on cloning, purification and structural characterization of PLA2 from Crotalus durisssus cascavela venom gland. In the present work, we report the molecular cloning of a novel svPLA2 from C. d. cascavella (Cdc), a predominant rattlesnake subspecies in northeastern Brazil. The Cdc svPLA2 cDNA precursor is 689 nucleotides long and encodes a protein of 138 amino acid residues, with a calculated molecular mass of approximately 13,847 Da and an estimated isoelectric point of 5.14. Phylogenetic analysis of Crotalinae PLA2 reveals that Cdc PLA2 clustered with other acidic type IIA PLA2 homologues is also present in the venom of North American rattlesnakes. Hitherto, this study presents a novel PLA2 cDNA precursor from C. d. cascavella and data reported herein will be useful for further steps in svPLA2 purification and analysis.

Síndrome de Kartagener: relato de caso / Kartagener Syndrome: a case report

A Síndrome de Kartagener é causada por uma doença autossômica recessiva rara, que apresenta uma tríade composta por pansinusite crônica, bronquiectasia e situs inversus com dextrocardia. A incidência desta desordem genética é estimada em 1/25.000. Nosso objetivo é, neste trabalho, aduzir dados novos àqueles que pesquisam o assunto, para que estejam atentos, acompanhando os pacientes e esperando o aparecimento eventual desta malformação. Foram realizadas tomografias computadorizadas do tórax, abdome e crânio, além da tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução do tórax, audiometria, imitanciometria e vídeo-naso-fibroscopia.

Effect of the contents and form of rabies glycoprotein on the potency of rabies vaccination in cattle

One of the methods used for controlling cattle rabies in Brazil consists of vaccination. Sometimes, however, rabies occurs in cattle supposedly protected. Since rabies vaccine batches are officially controlled by tests performed on laboratory animals, it is questionable whether the minimal mandatory requirements really correspond to immunogenicity in the target species. We have analyzed the association among potencies of rabies vaccines tested by the NIH test, the contents and form (free-soluble or virus-attached) of rabies glycoprotein (G) in the vaccine batches, and the virus-neutralizing antibodies (VNA) titers elicited in cattle. No correlation was found between G contents in the vaccine batches and the NIH values, whatever the presentation of G. There was no correlation either between NIH values and VNA titers elicited in cattle. There was, however, a positive correlation (r = 0.8681; p = 0.0001) between the amounts of virion-attached G present in the vaccine batches and VNA elicited in cattle. This was not observed when the same analysis was performed with total-glycoprotein or free-soluble glycoprotein. The study demonstrated that NIH values can not predict the effect of the immunogen in cattle. On the other hand, the quantification of virus-attached rabies glycoprotein has a strong correlation with VNA elicited in cattle