Antiparasitic,nematicidal and antifouling constituents from Juniperus berries

A bioassay‐guided fractionation of Juniperus procera berries yielded antiparasitic, nematicidal and antifouling constituents, including a wide range of known abietane, pimarane and labdane diterpenes. Among these, abieta‐7,13‐diene (1) demonstrated in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum D6 and W2 strains (IC₅₀ = 1.9 and 2.0 µg/mL, respectively), while totarol (6), ferruginol (7) and 7β‐hydroxyabieta‐8,13‐diene‐11,12‐dione (8) inhibited Leishmania donovani promastigotes with IC₅₀ values of 3.5–4.6 µg/mL. In addition, totarol demonstrated nematicidal and antifouling activities against Caenorhabditis elegans and Artemia salina at a concentration of 80 µg/mL and 1 µg/mL, respectively. The resinous exudate of J. virginiana afforded known antibacterial E‐communic acid (4) and 4‐epi‐abietic acid (5), while the volatile oil from its trunk wood revealed large quantities of cedrol (9). Using GC/MS, the two known abietanes totarol (6) and ferruginol (7) were identified from the berries of J. procera, J. excelsa and J. phoenicea. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Visceral leishmaniasis in India: promises and pitfalls of a PCR-based blood test

Traditional methods of diagnosing visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in India suffer from a number of disadvantages. Amplification of multicopy nuclear genes and messenger ribonucleic acid of Leishmania by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was evaluated as an alternative assay under various clinical conditions. PCR of peripheral blood has the highest absolute sensitivity among all the available procedures, and is particularly useful for detecting parasites in early infections, post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis, concurrent infections and immunocompromised cases, but is not so reliable for late infections. PCR of immunopurified blood mononuclear cells indicated the association of parasites with monocytes as well as non-monocyte cell types.     

Measles vaccine effectiveness and risk factors for measles in Dhaka,Bangladesh

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate vaccine effectiveness and to assess risk factors for measles in Dhaka, Bangladesh. METHOD: A case-control study, involving 198 cases with 783 age-matched neighbourhood controls and 120 measles cases with 365 age-matched hospital controls, was conducted in 1995-96 in three large hospitals in Dhaka. FINDINGS: Measles vaccine effectiveness was estimated at 80% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 60-90%) using neighbourhood controls; very similar results were obtained using hospital controls. Visits to a health facility 7-21 days before onset of any symptoms were associated with increased risk of measles compared with neighbourhood (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 7.0, 95% CI = 4.2-11.6) or hospital (adjusted OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.01-2.8) controls. Cases were more likely than controls to come from a household where more than one child lived (adjusted OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1-2.5 versus neighbourhood controls; adjusted OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.02-3.0 versus hospital controls). CONCLUSIONS: To improve measles control in urban Dhaka missed immunization opportunities must be reduced in all health care facilities by following WHO guidelines. For measles elimination, more than one dose of vaccine would be required.     

Pruritic papular eruption in HIV seropositive patients: a cutaneous marker for immunosuppression

BACKGROUND: Previous reports have shown the correlation between certain skin disorders and immune status in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. Pruritic papular eruption (PPE) is the most common cutaneous manifestation in HIV infected patients. The purpose of this study is to define the relationship between the presentation of PPE and the immune status in HIV infection, as measured by the T-cell subset, and to establish the usefulness of this common eruption as a predictor of CD4 count. METHOD: In this cross-sectional study, 20 HIV-positive patients with characteristics of PPE were studied. Clinical data, skin biopsy, and immune status, evaluated by measuring CD4, CD8, and CD4/CD8, were investigated. RESULTS: Seventy-five per cent of patients already had antecedent skin disorders, so PPE is not a leading symptom in HIV infected patients; 81.25% of PPE patients had an advanced degree of immunosuppression with a CD4 count below 100/mm3 and 75% below 50/mm3. CONCLUSIONS: PPE can be regarded as a cutaneous marker of advanced HIV infection.     

Inequalities in maternal health care utilization in rural Bangladesh

The article examines the inequalities in utilization of maternal health care in rural areas of Bangladesh. It also attempts to identify the expenditure pattern for these services. Findings suggest that large disparities in the maternal health care utilization exist between the poorest and the richest population in Bangladesh. Two in three women in the highest wealth group receive antenatal care from qualified doctors as opposed to one in five women in the lowest wealth group. Almost all the deliveries occur at home among the lowest wealth group, whereas 16% of deliveries occur at health facilities among the highest wealth group. Wealth is also associated with the seeking of care for delivery-related complications. The practice of seeking services during post-natal period is not common and it varies positively with economic condition. Family savings is found to be the dominant source of paying the maternal health care services among the women in the highest wealth group. Cost has been found to be the most commonly cited reason for not seeking care for delivery complications. Eighty-four percent of women in the lowest wealth group compared to 13% of women in the highest wealth group did not seek treatment for delivery complications due to cost. Lack of perceived need of antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care is the most pressing reason for not seeking these services. The study findings contain a number of implications for policy purposes that could be useful in devising ways to increase the utilization of maternal health care services.     

Acid leachable trace metals in sediment cores from Sunderban Mangrove Wetland,India: an approach towards regular monitoring

The paper presents the first document to identify the enrichment pattern of acid leachable trace metals (ALTMs) such as Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Co, Mo, Ag, As and Ba and their relationship with sediment quality parameters (pH, organic carbon, carbonates and texture) in core sediments (<63 μm particle size) from Indian Sunderban mangrove wetland, formed at the estuarine phase of the river Hugli (Ganges). Textural analysis reveals an overall predominance of mud. The results indicate that the change in pH values causes coagulation and precipitation of ALTMs. Fe and Mn have fairly close distribution patterns of enrichment in surface layers which might be ascribed to early diagnetic processes. The most prominent feature of ALTMs is the enrichment of Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Ba in the surface–subsurface layers in the sediment cores, which is mainly attributed to the intense industrial and agricultural activities as well as drainage of untreated domestic sewage to this coastal region. The ALTMs also indicate their association with organic carbon and Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides. The enrichment is well—supported by the correlation, grouping and clustering of ALTMs in statistical analyses. Anthropogenic Factor values indicated ALTMs enrichment for all trace metals due to intense anthropogenic activities. Overall higher values of ALTMs in sediments in comparison to other Indian coastal regions indicate that they are mainly due to the uncontrolled anthropogenic activities in this mangrove estuarine complex. Statistical analyses suggest that five ALTMs (Cu, Pb, As, Mo, Ba) are attached to the organic particles and the clustering of elements separately also indicates that they are from external source. The result of the present study suggests the need for a regular monitoring program which will help to improve the quality of this potential wetland.     

Prevalence of cervical spondylosis and musculoskeletal symptoms among coolies in a city of Bangladesh

To assess the prevalence of cervical spondylosis and musculoskeletal symptoms among coolies a cross-sectional study was performed in Narayangonj City of Bangladesh on a random sample of 98 male coolies, using a questionnaire and the results of cervical spine X-rays. Statistical associations were investigated using the chi-square test. The results show a considerably higher prevalence of cervical spondylosis among the coolies (39.8%). More than half (51.3%) of the cases of cervical spondylosis were in subjects below the age of 40 yr, and a significant association was found between age group and prevalence of cervical spondylosis. The study also observed a significant association between duration of occupation and prevalence of cervical spondylosis. Coolies who had worked for 10 to 15 yr, or more than 15 yr, had higher rates of cervical spondylosis. In this study it was found that those who carried heavier loads suffered more from cervical spondylosis. Musculoskeletal symptoms in multiple body regions (two or more) were more prevalent (61.2%) than those in single body region (29.6%). Symptoms in the hands/fingers were the most frequent followed by the back and arms/forearms. In conclusion, the high prevalence of cervical spondylosis and musculoskeletal symptoms among professional coolies may be associated with the practice of carrying heavy loads on the head. Further study with a large sample of population is required to investigate this problem and to explore preventive measures.     

Self-reported asthma symptoms in children and adults of Bangladesh: findings of the National Asthma Prevalence Study

BACKGROUND: No population-based studies to determine the magnitude of the asthma problem have been carried out in Bangladesh. This study aimed to define the prevalence of asthma as well as to identify the risk factors of asthma in the general population of Bangladesh. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1999 to August 1999 on 5642 Bangladeshi people. Data were collected from randomly selected primary sampling units of 8 municipality blocks of 4 large metropolitan cities, 12 municipality blocks of 6 district towns and 12 villages of 6 districts chosen randomly from all 64 districts of the country. Face-to-face interviews were performed with the housewives or other guardians at the household level using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of asthma (wheeze in the last 12 months) was 6.9% (95% CI : 6.2-7.6). The prevalence of other asthma definitions were: ever wheeze (lifetime wheeze) 8.0% (95% CI : 7.3-8.7); perceived asthma (perception of having asthma) 7.6% (95% CI : 6.9-8.3); doctor diagnosed asthma (diagnosis of asthma by any category of doctor either qualified or unqualified) 4.4% (95% CI : 3.9-4.9). The prevalence of asthma in children (5-14 years) was higher than in adults (15-44 years) (7.3% versus 5.3%; odds ratio [OR] = 1.41, 95% CI : 1.09-1.82). Asthma in children was found to be significantly higher in households with 相似文献   

Auditory brain stem evoked responses (ABRs) in children with delayed speech (DS)—A Diagnostic Problem

The results of analysis of auditory brain- stem evoked responses (ABRS) are reported in 173 patients with delayed speech (DS). The mean age of the patients is 4.6 years (age ranges from 1.4 years to 10 years). The patients were classified into 5 groups based on ABR findings:

Group I (62 patients) had normal hearing threshold and peak- interpeak latencies. The mean amplitude of wave I was however, not significantly low (p < 0.03).

Group II (27 patients) had an increased hearing threshold (40 dB), mild delay in the mean absolute peak latency of wave I (p < 0.03), decreased I– IV interval (p < 0.03), but highly significant reduction of wave I amplitude (p < 0.004). There is also a significant latency delay (p < 0.001) and amplitude reduction (p < 0.05), when this wave is compared with that a Group I (as control). These observations are suggestive of mild degree of peripheral hearing deficit in this group.

Group III (49 patients) had gross ABR abnormalities of various nature and hence may be sub- grouped into (a) SNHL cochlear type (55%) (b) SNHL retrocochlear type (4%) and (c) severed degree of SNHL undecisive group (41%). Ten patients (2.7%) among the sub- group (a) had unilateral hearing loss and another 3 had Down’s syndrome.

Group IV (conductive deafness) had an increased hearing threshold and shifting of ABR waves towards right with normal I– V interval. Only 6 patients were found in this group. It may be that conductive deafness is less important as a cause.

Group V (29 patients) had no responses at repeated ABR studies even at higher intensity of 95 dB, the ABR studies of this group correlates with the clinical evaluation of profound deafness. The delayed speech development in 84 patients (from Groups III, IV and V) may be caused by severe degree of hearing deficit as indicated by marked ABR abnormalities. If the mild peripheral hearing loss in Group II is added to the above groups, ABRs could identify 64.6% of our patients with hearing deficit. Hence, ABR test is most reliable and sensitive diagnostic test in detecting hearing loss, a common cause of delayed speech development in children.

     

The spectrum and clinicopathological correlation of eyelid lesions: Twenty years’ experience at a tertiary eye care center in South India

Purpose:To study the epidemiological pattern and diagnostic accuracy of histopathologically proven eyelid lesions over a period of two decades.Methods:A retrospective study of all histopathologically proven eyelid lesions from April 1996 to March 2016 was conducted. The lesions were broadly categorized as benign or malignant. Inflammatory and infectious lesions were included under the benign category. The percentage and diagnostic accuracy of each lesion was calculated.Results:There were a total of 994 (M = 551, F = 443) cases. The mean age of the patients was 43.5 ± 19.9 years. There were 809 (81.4%) benign and 185 (18.6%) malignant lesions. Benign lesions were commonly seen in the fourth decade, while the malignant ones in the late fifth decade. The upper lid was the most common site in both groups (n = 481, 48.4%). The commonest benign lesion was chalazion (n = 484, 59.8%). Dermal nevus (n = 94, 11.6%) was the most common benign neoplasm, while Molluscum contagiosum (n = 25, 3.09%) was the most common infectious lesion. Sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) (n = 103, 55.7%) was the leading malignant lesion followed by basal cell carcinoma (n = 39, 21.1%). Eleven malignant cases were misdiagnosed as benign (5.9%). Chalazion (99.1%) and SGC (65%) had the highest diagnostic accuracy, while Molluscum (40%) and squamous cell carcinoma (40%) were the most misdiagnosed lesions in the respective groups.Conclusion:Benign eyelid lesions are far more common than malignant ones. Atypical and rare presentations may lead to misdiagnosis. Knowledge of epidemiological patterns and clinical features can help in achieving higher diagnostic accuracy.