Effect of dihydroartemisinin on the antioxidant capacity of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes

Many lines of evidence reveal that artemisinin, an antimalarial containing endoperoxide, generates free radicals to kill malaria parasites. The present study re-evaluated the antioxidants of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes in the absence and presence of 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 ng/ml of dihydroartemisinin (DHA), the active metabolite of artemisinin. The ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were determined. The data indicated that malaria infection induced oxidative stress in erythrocytes that resulted in a significant lower GSH in parasitized cells compared to the non-parasitized. DHA showed no effect on the antioxidant levels of non-parasitized erythrocytes treated under similar conditions as P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes. However, significantly lower GSH as well as catalase and GPx activities in parasitized cells were seen at drug concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 ng/ml (p < 0.05). GSH is the most sensitive indicator of oxidative stress in malaria-infected erythrocytes both in the absence and in the presence of DHA. Parasite GPx might play a more important role than catalase in the elimination of peroxide. Parasite viabilities in the presence of DHA were analyzed simultaneously and were affected to a greater extent than the antioxidant levels. The present observation showed that although DHA killed malaria parasites by generating free radicals from the endoperoxide bridge causing the reduction of antioxidants, but the depletion of parasite antioxidants is not a prerequisite for the parasite death.     

Conserved neutralizing epitopes of HIV type 1 CRF01_AE against primary isolates in long-term nonprogressors

Linear conserved B cell epitopes in envelope glycoprotein of long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs) HIV-1 CRF01_AE were determined. The envelope sequences of HIV-1 subtype E from Thailand were aligned to define consensus sequences. Then the peptides corresponding to these predicted regions were synthesized as peptides represent C1, C2, C3, C5, V2, V3, and gp41 regions. After that, the neutralizing B cell epitopes were determined by neutralized competitive assay with pool sera of typical progressor and LTNP HIV-1 CRF01_AE patients against HIV-1 CRF01_AE 24 primary isolates (PI) and laboratory strains (TCLA). We found that the strength and breadth of neutralization were greater for sera from LTNPs compared with sera from typical progressors. Peptides C1E and C2E could inhibit primary isolates but not the TCLA strain in LTNP sera. The new B cell epitopes, which were located in the C1 and C2 regions of CRF01_AE against primary HIV-1 isolates, were identified in HIV-1 CRF01_AE LTNPs. This may be important in HIV-1 vaccine development and trial.     

Burkholderia pseudomallei Type G in Western Hemisphere

Burkholderia pseudomallei isolates from the Western Hemisphere are difficult to differentiate from those from regions in which melioidosis is traditionally endemic. We used internal transcribed spacer typing to determine that B. pseudomallei isolates from the Western Hemisphere are consistently type G. Knowledge of this relationship might be useful for epidemiologic investigations.     

Infected endometrioma in pregnancy masquerading as acute appendicitis

Background A pregnancy complicated by ovarian endometrioma is rare. Other complications of ovarian endometrioma in pregnancy, i.e., rupture and infection are also rare.Case A 35-year-old woman, gravida 2, para 0-0-1-0, at 35 weeks pregnancy, came to the hospital with a right abdominal pain. She also had a history of diarrhea. She had history of infertility and preexisting right endometrioma. The investigations revealed leukocytosis with neutrophils predominant. The preoperative diagnosis was acute appendicitis. Infected right ovarian endometrioma was demonstrated during exploratory laparotomy, opened and drainage of the right endometrioma and appendectomy were performed. The final diagnosis was infected ovarian endometrioma in pregnancy, later confirmed by a pathological report.Conclusion Although complication of ovarian endometrioma such as infected endometrioma during pregnancy is rare, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of pelvic pain during pregnancy, especially in the patient who has history of ovarian endometrioma.     

Single midline approach for permanent pacemaker implantation in children

Permanent pacemaker implantation was carried out in 12 children with a mean age of 1.4 years (range, 2 days to 4 years) and a mean weight of 8.6 kg (range, 2.4-13.6 kg), using a single midline approach for placement of both the epicardial lead and the pacemaker generator (intermuscular abdominal implantation). Platinized porous-tipped steroid-eluting epicardial leads were used in all patients. The pacemakers worked well, and there was no early postoperative complication. This technique was found to be rapid, simple, and safe in children, especially neonates and infants.     

Nutritional Support with Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Burn Patients: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: In burn patients, the profound effect of nutritional support on improved wound healing and a reduced rate of hospitalization and mortality has been documented. Fish oil as a primary source of omega-3 fatty acids in nutritional support may attenuate the inflammatory response and enhance immune function; however, unclear effects on the improvement of clinical outcomes in burn patients remain. Methods: The systematic literature review was conducted by searching the electronic databases: Cochrane Library, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus to assess the randomized controlled trials of nutritional support with omega-3 fatty acids compared to control diets in patients that presented with burns from any causes. Results: Seven trials were included in this meta-analysis. We found no significant differences in length of stay (LOS) (p = 0.59), mortality (p = 0.86), ventilation days (p = 0.16), gastrointestinal complications—e.g., constipation and diarrhea (p = 0.73)—or infectious complications—e.g., pneumonia and sepsis (p = 0.22)—between the omega-3-fatty-acid-receiving group and the control/other diets group. Conclusions: We did not find a benefit of omega-3 support in reducing the various complications, mortality and LOS in burn patients. Further studies are necessary to find the effect of nutritional support with omega-3 fatty acids over low-fat diets in this population.     

Serum levels of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin in patients with dengue virus infection

The purpose of this study was to measure the serum level of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin as markers for endothelial damage in patients with dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Twenty-nine patients with serologically-proven dengue virus infection (age 10.6 +/- 2.4 years, 55% male, DF = 13 and DHF = 16) were enrolled. Serum samples were collected from 25 healthy children (age 10.6 +/- 2.3 years, 40% male) as the control group. A follow-up was done at a mean interval of 15.9 +/- 1.6 days. The level of sICAM-1 at the toxic stage was significantly elevated compared to its level at the follow-up (494.1 +/- 107.4 versus 358.2 +/- 67.6 ng/ml, P = 0.001), but no difference was found between patients with DF and patients with DHF (444.1 +/- 158.0 versus 465.1 +/- 154.6 ng/ml, P = 0.74). The sICAM-1 level at the follow-up was similar to that of the control group (396.9 +/- 113.0 ng/ml, P = 0.56). The level of sE-selectin at the toxic stage was not different from its level at the follow-up (75.9 +/- 33.0 versus 75.5 +/- 31.7 ng/ml, P = 0.96), and no difference was found between the DF group and the DHF group (64.1 +/- 25.7 versus 78.8 +/- 39.9 ng/ml, P = 0.30). These levels were not elevated compared to the sE-selectin level that was determined in 8 patients in the control group (94.7 +/- 20.5 ng/ml, P = 0.12). In conclusion, there is evidence of endothelial activation by an increased sICAM-1 level in patients with dengue virus infection. However, the degree of endothelial activation alone may be similar for patients with DF and patients with DHF, and this fact by itself cannot explain the difference between the two clinical syndromes of dengue virus infection. The sE-selectin level was not elevated for patients included in this study.     

Whole-Genome Sequencing of Burkholderia pseudomallei Isolates from an Unusual Melioidosis Case Identifies a Polyclonal Infection with the Same Multilocus Sequence Type

Twelve Burkholderia pseudomallei isolates collected over a 32-month period from a patient with chronic melioidosis demonstrated identical multilocus sequence types (STs). However, whole-genome sequencing suggests a polyclonal infection. This study is the first to report a mixed infection with the same ST.     

Prevalence of foodborne microorganisms in retail foods in Thailand

Worldwide, foodborne illness is often associated with consumption of meats and poultry products sold at retail markets. A cross-sectional retail food study was conducted in Bangkok, Thailand to assess the prevalence of bacterial pathogens on retail food samples. Raw chicken, beef, pork, and chicken eggs were purchased from fresh markets and supermarkets and tested for Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Arcobacter spp., and Enterococcus spp. Suspect bacterial pathogens were isolated by differential culture and Salmonella species were serotyped. A total of 200 samples were collected from 50 markets between May and August 2003. Of the 200 samples tested, 121 (61%) were positive for at least one Salmonella spp. serogroup. A total of 175 Salmonella spp. were isolated. The most common serotype was Salmonella Anatum, followed by S. Corvallis and S. Derby. Campylobacter spp. were found in 31 (15.5%) of 200 samples. C. jejuni was isolated from 15% of fresh market chicken samples and 35% of supermarket chicken samples. Arcobacter spp. were isolated from 42 (21%) samples; fresh market chicken had significantly higher A. butzleri contamination than supermarket chicken. The presence of Enterococcus spp., an indication of fecal contamination, was detected in 188 (94%) samples, including 100% of the beef and pork sources. Few studies have examined retail food contamination in Thailand. In particular, the high prevalence of samples with Arcobacter spp. warrants further study to determine pathogenicity.