Immunohistochemical study of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in duckling liver fed with aflatoxin B1 and esterified glucomannan

The effect of esterified glucomannan on aflatoxin B₁ toxicity in ducklings was studied by immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in hepatic cells on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded liver samples. Cherry Valley ducklings were divided into five groups, 20 birds in each. One of the groups was fed with conventional feed, and the other groups were fed with diet containing 100 ppb aflatoxin B₁, that containing 0.05% esterified glucomannan, or that containing 100 ppb aflatoxin B₁ supplemented with 0.05 or 0.1% esterified glucomannan, from five days of age for one month, and subsequently all the groups were fed with conventional feed for 20 days. Four birds of each group were sacrificed on the 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th and 50th day of feeding, and PCNA on the liver tissue sections was quantitatively analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. The percentage of PCNA-positive hepatocytes was significantly higher in the group given diet containing aflatoxin B₁ than in the other groups, which were not significantly different from each other. The results demonstrate that supplementation of feed with esterified glucomannan is effective in reduction of aflatoxin B₁-induced hepatic injury in ducklings.     

Differential T-cell responses of semi-immune and susceptible malaria subjects to in silico predicted and synthetic peptides of Plasmodium falciparum

Malaria remains a public health hazard in tropical countries as a consequence of the rise and spread of drug and insecticide resistances; hence the need for a vaccine with widespread application. Protective immunity to malaria is known to be mediated by both antibody and cellular immune responses, though characterization of the latter has been less extensive. The aim of the present investigation was to identify novel T-cell epitopes that may contribute to naturally acquired immune responses against malaria. Using the Microsoft software, Epitome™ T-cell peptide epitopes on 19 Plasmodium falciparum proteins in the Plasmodium Database (www.plasmodb.org.PlasmoDB 9.0) were predicted in-silico. The peptides were synthesized and used to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in 14 semi-immune and 21 malaria susceptible subjects for interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production ex-vivo. The level of IFN-γ production, a marker of T-cell responses, was measured by ELISPOT assay in semi-immune subjects (SIS) and frequently sick subjects (FSS) from an endemic zone with perennial malaria transmission. Of the 19 proteins studied, 17 yielded 27 pools (189 peptides), which were reactive with the subjects’ PBMCs when tested for IFN-γ production, taking a stimulation index (SI) of ≥2 as a cutoff point for a positive response. There were 10 reactive peptide pools (constituting eight protein loci) with an SI of 10 or greater. Of the 19 proteins studied, two were known vaccine candidates (MSP-8 and SSP2/TRAP), which reacted both with SIS and FSS. Similarly the hypothetical proteins (PFF1030w, PFE0795c, PFD0880w, PFC0065c and PF10_0052) also reacted strongly with both SIS and FSS making them attractive for further characterization as mediators of protective immunity and/or pathogenesis.     

Nurses' knowledge of health literacy,communication techniques,and barriers to the implementation of health literacy programs: A cross‐sectional study

Nurses' health literacy knowledge and communication skills are essential for improving patients' health literacy. Yet, research on nurses' health literacy knowledge and perception is limited. The study aimed to evaluate nurses' health literacy knowledge, communication techniques, and barriers to the implementation of health literacy interventions. A cross‐sectional study was used, and a total of 1697 nurses in 104 community hospitals in Thailand completed self‐report measures. Approximately 55% of the participants had heard about the concept of health literacy; 9% had received formal training specific to interaction with patients with low health literacy. About 50% of the nurses were aware of their patients' low health literacy; therefore, they applied the recommended communication techniques for them. Delivery of effective health literacy training was hampered by a lack of assessment tools, health literacy training and specialists, educational materials, and health provider time. Hospital administrators, nurse managers, health leaders should develop strategies to create environments and resources supporting health literacy interventions.     

Effects of Smoking on Chest Expansion,Lung Function,and Respiratory Muscle Strength of Youths

[Purpose] Smoking has a direct effect on the respiratory system. The rate of cigarette smoking among young people has continued to increase steadily. The present study quantified and compared the respiratory function of smoking and non-smoking youths. [Subjects] Smoking and non-smoking male participants aged between 15 to 18 years were recruited (n=34 per group). [Methods] Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire relating to smoking habits and the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence questionnaire, and their respiratory function was tested (measurement of chest expansion, lung function test with a spirometer, and assessment of respiratory muscle strength). [Results] All respiratory function tests demonstrated significant differences between the smoking and non-smoking groups. Smokers initiated cigarette smoking between the ages of 15 to 18 years. The most common duration of cigarette smoking was 1-3 years and the degree of nicotine dependence among the youths was at a low level. [Conclusion] This study’s findings show that the early effects of cigarette smoking found in youths can lead to problems with the respiratory system. Such information can be used to illustrate the harm of smoking and should be used to encourage young people to quit or avoid cigarette smoking.Key words: Cigarette smoking, Youth, Respiratory function     

Herpesvirus hominis type 2 infection in Ibadan. Problem of non-venereal transmission.

Examination of sera from blood donors, from patients attending a special treatment clinic, a family planning clinic, and an antenatal clinic showed that the prevalence of herpes virus hominis type 2 antibodies among the adult population in Ibadan is similar to that in other parts of the world. The possibility of non-venereal transmission of herpes virus infection was confirmed by the finding that herpesvirus hominis type 2 could survive on cloth samples under humid tropical conditions for long enough to allow transmission of infection via fomites.     

Effect of varying the onset of exposure to DDT on its modulation of AFB1-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat

We have previously reported that p, p'-dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane(DDT) inhibited the hepatocarcinogenicity of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁)if given to rats 1 week prior to AFB₁ but could enhance thecarcinogenesis when given 1 week after the completion of AFB₁treatment. However, simultaneous administration of DDT withAFB₁ resulted in a slight reduction in the incidence of livertumours. In the present experiment in which the dose of AFB₁was reduced to about half of that used previously, we observedthat DDT markedly inhibited the hepatocarcinogenesis if givento animals starting at the same time with AFB₁. On the otherhand, giving DDT to animals starting in the middle of AFB₁ treatmentresulted in a significant enhancement of hepatocarcinogenesis.DDT exhibited a maximal tumour promoting effect when given either1 or 3 weeks after completion of AFB₁ treatment. It enhancedthe number of animals bearing liver carcinomas as well as thenumber of carcinomas per animal. Determination of gammaglutamyltranspeptidasein the serum revealed that the activity increased only in animalsbearing big and/or a number of carcinomas in the livers especiallyin those promoted by DDT. These results therefore demonstratedthat DDT will act as an inhibitor of AFB₁-induced hepatocarcinogenesisif it is given to animals starting either prior to or at thesame time as carcinogen. On the other hand, it will act as atumour promoter if given to animals starting either in the middleof or after the completion of AFB₁ treatment.     

Herpesvirus hominis antibodies among children and young adults in Ibadan.

A total of 422 sera collected from children and young adults living in Ibadan, Nigeria, has been examined for the presence of antibodies to type 1 and type 2 herpesvirus hominis. Type 1 antibodies were rapidly acquired from the age of 1 year onwards, reflecting the relatively poor living standards and the overcrowded accommodation among the population studied. Type 2 antibodies were acquired between the ages of 3 and 5 years. It is suggested that non-venereal spread of the virus must be responsible; prolonged survival of the virus on fomites, owing to the high environmental humidity, possibly accounts for this.     

An association of aplastic anaemia in Thailand with low socioeconomic status

summary. The relationship of socioeconomic status to the risk of aplastic anaemia was evaluated in a case-control study conducted in Bangkok and two rural regions of Thailand (Khonkaen and Songkla). Among 152 cases and 921 controls there were significant trends of increasing risk with decreasing years of education (P = O01) and total household income (P = 0–0001), after control for confounding. The relative risk estimate for those with monthly incomes of >1500 baht (about 60 U.S.) was 3–9 (95% confidence interval 2–1–7–3) compared to those with monthly incomes of at least 5000 baht (about 200). The pattern of increasing risk with decreasing income was observed in all three regions, with significant trends in Bangkok (P= 0–004) and Khonkaen (P = 0–003). This finding may partly explain the high incidence of aplastic anaemia in Thailand. Low socioeconomic status may be a surrogate for one or more environmental factors that could cause aplastic anaemia, such as infectious pathogens or toxic exposures.