Anti dermatophytic activity of Azardirachta indica (neem) by invitro study

The leaf and seed extracts of the Plant Azardirachta indica were tested for antidermatophytic activity against dermatophytes such as Trichophyton ruberum, Trichophyton, Mentagrophytes, Trichophyton violaceum, Microsporum nanum and Epidermophyton floccosum by tube dilution technique. The minimum Inhibitory concentration (MIC) of neem seed extract was found to be lower tan that of neem leaf when tested against different species of Dermatophytes.     

Larvicidal and adulticidal activities of some medicinal plants against the Malarial Vector, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anopheles stephensi</Emphasis> (Liston)

The present study was undertaken to test the efficacy of 11 commonly available medicinal plants and compare its efficacy in relation to larvicidal and mosquitocidal activities against larvae and adults of Anopheles stephensi (Liston). All the medicinal plants and the mixture were effective against larvae of A. stephensi as evidenced by low lethal concentration and lethal time. The lethality varied in adults and plant extracts of mixture; Eucalyptus globulus, Cymbopogan citratus, Artemisia annua, Justicia gendarussa, Myristica fragrans, Annona squamosa, and Centella asiatica were found to be most effective. Larval mortality between 80% and 100% was observed in mixture treatment, C. asiatica and E. globulus. The adults that emerged from all the treatments were malformed. Further, the treated larvae showed significant decrement in the levels of protein, carbohydrate, and lipids and affect negatively the presence of certain amino acids. The present findings have important implications in the practical control of mosquito larvae and adults in the aquatic ecosystem as the medicinal plants studied are commonly available in large quantities. These plant extracts are easy to prepare, inexpensive, and safe for mosquito control which might be used directly as larvicidal and mosquitocidal agents in small volume aquatic habitats or breeding sites of around human dwellings.     

Component therapy

The dramatic advances that have taken place in recent years in the care of sick and premature infants also have been matched by a similar increase in the use of blood transfusion therapy. Haematological features indicate that a newborn has a blood volume of 85–125 ml/kg the foetal haemoglobin is 60–85% and average Hb in full term infant is 18 gm/dl. By 2–3 months it falls to 11–12 g/dl the main cause of anemia are iron poor diet, weaning diets recurrent or chronic infections and hemolytic episodes in malarious areas. The red cells transfusions are usually top up transfusions, exchange transfusions, partial exchange transfusions. Top up-are for investigational losses and correction of mild degrees of anemias, upto to 5–15 ml/kg. They comprise 90% of all neonatal transfusions and are used in low birth babies in special care units for a maximum of 9–10 episodes. The walk in donor programs once popular are not much in vogue. The threshold for transfusion is 8–10 g/dl Hb for upto 5 weeks. Exchange transfusions are done for correction of anemia, removal of bitirubin, removal of antibodies and replacement of red cells. Ideally plasma reduced red cells that are not older than 5 days are used. It is prepared by removal of 120 ml of standard whole blood donation. The advantage of fresh cells is that hyperkalemia is avoided and good post transfusion survival acceptable red cell oxygen affinity. However it has to be screened for sickle cell disease and G6PD deficiency. Indications for exchange transfusion are kernicterus, neonatal hemolysis, G6PD deficiency, ARDS, neonatal sepsis, DIC and neonatal isoimmune thrombocytopaenia. Complications include over transfusion, perforation of major vessels, hypocalcaemia, citrate toxicity, hypothermia, hypoglycaemia, thrombocytopenia, necrotizing enterocolitis, GVHD, bacterial, viral infections. Partial exchange transfusions are done for symptomatic anemia, where Hb<10 g/dl, it is indicated in polycythemia and hyperviscosity syndromes. Exchange volume = Blood volume x (observed Hct-Desired HCt) divided observed Hct. Points to consider-there is weak expression of ABO antigens so particular care while grouping. Transfusing volumes should be 2–5 ml/kg/hour in paediatric bags of 50–100 ml with infusion devices. Platelet transfusion are indicated in neonatal throbocytopaenia, thromboevtopaenia due to sepsis, DIC, bacterial pathogens, CMV, TORCHS, Obstetric conditions such as pre eclampsia, intrauterine death abruption placenta birth injury hypoxia schock neonatal iso immune thrombocytopaenia and maternal ITP. Administration 1 RDE/pack per 2.5 kg single dose of fresh platelets less than 24hrs which contains 55 x 10⁹ cells. This also contributes fresh plasma so is useful for coagulation defects also, though there is a risk of CMV and GVHD due to leucocyte contamination. Granulocyte concentrate; Gravity leucopheresis-1 : 8 ratio of 60 ml of 6% HES made to stand for 1hr.     

NICU Admissions and Maternal Stress Levels

Objective

To determine the stress levels among mothers of babies admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and to identify demographic parameters that influence their stress levels.

Methods

Stress levels were assessed using Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS: NICU) questionnaire among 100 NICU mothers by doctors between 6 and 8 d of admission. Maternal stress was quantified using Likert scale as low (1–2.9), medium (3–3.9) and high (4–5). The data was analyzed using SPSS Ver.16.

Results

The mean scores for the subscales sights and sounds, looks and behaviour and alteration in the parental role were 2.55, 4.1 and 4.12 respectively. Increased maternal age, prematurity of baby, longer NICU stay and inability to directly breastfeed the baby were associated with higher stress levels.

Conclusions

NICU mothers are under significant stress and appropriate counseling targeted towards specific stressors is required.     

Comparative study of anti-PGL-1, anti-35 kDa and anti-lipoarabinomannan assays for serodiagnosis of leprosy

Three antibody assays (anti-PGL-1, anti-35 kDa and anti-LAM) were used to determine the levels of antibodies in the sera of untreated leprosy patients. All the three assays showed higher levels of antibodies in BL/LL patients as compared to I and TT/BT patients, as well as healthy controls. BL/LL patients showed positivity of 100%, 84.2% and 78.9% by anti-PGL-1, anti-35 kDa and anti-LAM assays respectively. All the three assays were negative for leprosy in healthy controls. Anti-PGL-1 assay was positive in 20% of TT/BT patients and 17.9% of I patients. Anti-35 kDa assay was negative in all the TT/BT patients and positive in 7.14% of I patients. Anti-LAM assay was positive in 13.3% of TT/BT patients and in 10.7% of I patients. Hence, while these assays are valuable in diagnosing BL/LL patients, their usefulness in diagnosing I, BT or TT leprosy is limited.