Journal of Coastal Life Medicine

925-930

Authors: Miquel Planas, José Antonio Vázquez, Beatriz Novoa

Objective: To study the effect of species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from telluric origin on the growth of the microalgae Isochrysis galbana (I. galbana) in small and medium volume flasks. Methods: In the first experiment, 7 LAB species [Carnobacterium piscicola, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus casei ssp. casei, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactococcus lactis spp. lactis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides spp. mesenteroides (L. mesenteroides spp. mesenteroides) and Pediococcus acidilactici (P. acidilactici)] were inoculated in 250 mL flasks containing microalgae I. galbana (106 cells/mL). After fitting the growth data to two mathematical models, two LAB strains (L. mesenteroides spp. mesenteroides and P. acidilactici) were selected for the second experiment in which those strains were inoculated in medium size (5 L) volume cultures of I. galbana (1.2 × 105 –1.5 × 105 cells/mL). The bacterial load in cultures from the first experiment was analyzed by plating on marine agar, MRS agar and thiosulfate citrate bile saltssucrose media. Results: All strains of LAB tested enhanced the growth rate and the final biomass yield of I. galbana cultures, even in the absence of nutrients in the media. The best overall results and the maximal final cell densities in small flasks were achieved with strains L. mesenteroides spp. mesenteroides and P. acidilactici, respectively. These two strains also stimulated the growth (40% and 16% with respect to controls) of I. galbana in medium size volumes. For most strains, CFU values of LAB remained stable (105 –108 CFU/mL) for at least 4 days. A high variability was observed in bacteria strains among treatments, with Pseudomonas and Moraxella being the most abundant bacteria. Conclusions: The results of present study showed that the growth of I. galbana in both small and medium size volumes was enhanced by LAB, both in the absence and the presence of nutrients in the culture. The highest final biomass was achieved by adding P. acidilactici, whereas Carnobacterium piscicola and L. mesenteroides spp. mesenteroides provided maximal growth rates. The former also showed an inhibitory effect on Moraxella.

944-949

Authors: Thangaraj Ramasamy, Santhoshkumar Subramaniyam, Dhanasekaran Dharumadurai, Kala Karuppannan, Alharbi Naiyf Sultan, Arunachalam Chinnathambi, Ali Alharbi Sulaiman, Thajuddin Nooruddin

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized using phycobilins of Anabaena variabilis NTSS17. Methods: The cyanobacterial isolate was collected from paddy field and morphologically identified as Anabaena variabilis NTSS17, that produces a pigment i.e. phycobiliproteins. The biosynthesized zinc nanoparticles were characterized by different spectroscopic and analytical techniques such as UV-visible spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction which confirmed the formation of zinc nanoparticles. Results: Antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles was examined against Escherichia coli, Rhodococcus rhodochrous and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The maximum zone of inhibition occurred at 5 mg/1000 mL concentration of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Conclusions: Due to potent antimicrobial and intrinsic properties of zinc oxide, it can be actively used for biomedical applications.

956-961

Authors: Naglaa Farag Soliman, Samir Mahmoud Nasr

Objective: To conduct a health risk assessment of some heavy metals attributed to consumption of common edible fish species available for consumers. Methods: Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn were determined in muscles, gills, livers, bones and skins of six common edible fish species, namely Oreochromis niloticus, Mugil cephalus, Sardinella aurita, Mullus barbatus, Boops boops, Pagrus pagrus. Concentrations of heavy metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and expressed as µg/g of wet tissue. Results: Results showed that iron and zinc were the most abundant among all fish tissues under investigation. The data obtained in the present work were compared well with the counterpart data reported internationally. The estimated values of all metals in muscles of fish in this study were below the permissible limits. Moreover, the potential health risks of metals to human via consumption of seafood were assessed by estimating daily intake and target heath quotient. Generally, risk values for the measured metals do not pose unacceptable risks at mean ingestion rate for muscles. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the investigated metals in edible parts of the examined species have no health problems for consumers.

967-970

Authors: Gary Kim Kuan Low, Seng Chiew Gan, Shu Cheow Ho

Objective: To evaluate five biomarkers (neopterin, vascular endothelial growth factor-A, thrombomodulin, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and pentraxin 3) in differentiating clinical dengue cases. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted whereby the blood samples were obtained at day of presentation and the final diagnosis were obtained at the end of patients’ follow-up. All patients included in the study were 15 years old or older, not pregnant, not infected by dengue previously and did not have cancer, autoimmune or haematological disorder. Median test was performed to compare the biomarker levels. A subgroup Mann-Whitney U test was analysed between severe dengue and non-severe dengue cases. Monte Carlo method was used to estimate the 2-tailed probability (P) value for independent variables with unequal number of patients. Results: All biomarkers except thrombomodulin has P value < 0.001 in differentiating among the healthy subjects, non-dengue fever, dengue without warning signs and dengue with warning signs/severe dengue. Subgroup analysis for all the biomarkers between severe dengue and non-severe dengue cases was not statistically significant except vascular endothelial growth factor-A (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Certain biomarkers were able to differentiate the clinical dengue cases. This could be potentially useful in classifying and determining the severity of dengue infected patients in the hospital.

975-977

Authors: Oyetunde Oyeyemi, Ifeoluwani Adesanya, Bolaji Ogunnowo, Isaac Oyewole

Objective: To assess the association between urine pH and specific gravity (SG) and occurrence of urinary tract pathogens involved in urinary tract infection (UTI) in school pupils. Methods: Laboratory culture techniques and biochemical tests were carried out to identify the UTI-associated bacteria in school pupils’ urine of United Nursery and Primary School, IlaraRemo, in Ikenne Local Government area, Ogun State, Nigeria. Urine dip-stick tests were carried out on the samples to take pH and SG measurements. Results: The prevalence of urinary tract pathogens in the study population was 82.4%. This prevalence was not gender and age dependent (P > 0.05). Escherichia coli (E. coli ) (37.0%) and Klebsiella (0.9%) were the highest and least prevalent uropathogens. There was significant increase in proportion of subjects diagnosed with E. coli (37.5%), Staphylococcus aureus (32.0%), Klebsiella (57.1%) in pH 9, pH 6 and pH 8, respectively (P < 0.05). However, an increase in proportion of individuals diagnosed with Proteus occurred in pH 6 and 9 (31.3% each); these proportions were not significant compared with results in other pH categories (P > 0.05). There were significant increase in proportion of subjects diagnosed with E. coli (50.0%), Proteus (56.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (44.0%), Klebsiella (71.4%) in SG 1.010, 1.015, 1.015 and 1.010, respectively (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Therefore, the urine pH 9 and SG 1.010–1.015 are the best diagnostic indicators of UTI-associated uropathogens in school children.

982-986

Authors: Md. Razibul Habib, Mohammad Mustakim Billah, Mohammad Mahfuz-E-Alam, Kashfia Nawrin, Md. Rakibul Hasan, Md. Mominur Rahman, Md. Anisul Islam, Irfan Newaz Khan

Objective: To evaluate the analgesic, neuropharmacological, cytotoxic and thrombolytic potentials of the aqueous, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Kalanchoe pinnata leaves. Methods: At the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight, the analgesic activity of the extracts were evaluated by the acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced persistent pain tests while neuropharmacological activity was evaluated by the open field, hole cross and elevated plus maze tests. The cytotoxic potential was observed by brine shrimp lethality bioassay and the thrombolytic potential was investigated by clot lysis test. Results: The aqueous extract significantly suppressed the number of writhing (96.78%) as well as the formalin-induced persistent pain on the early phase (46.92%) and on the late phase (40.98%). Again in case of hole cross and open field tests, the locomotor activity was decreased significantly (P < 0.001) mostly by the ethyl acetate extract. Furthermore, the sedative-anxiolytic activity was supported by the increased percent (P < 0.01) of frequency into the open arm on elevated plus maze test. Besides, the extracts showed moderate lethality and thrombolytic activity. Conclusions: The findings showed that activities are comparable to the standards and in some cases are stronger than the standards. Therefore, based on the results, it is evident that it has great analgesic and sedative-anxiolytic activity with moderate cytotoxic and thrombolytic potential.

992-995

Authors: Aisha Mohammad Ibrahim, Bashir Lawal, Ndababru Amos Tsado, Abubakar Awwal Yusuf, Adisa Mohammed Jimoh

Objective: To identify the active ingredients presented in methanol extract of Senna occidentalis (S. occidentalis). Methods: Dried powdered leaves of S. occidentalis were extracted with methanol by Soxhlet extraction and the extract was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening by using standard procedure and methods. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) analysis was performed by comprising a GC-MS (model: QP2010 Plus Shimadzu, Japan) comprising an AOC-20i auto-sampler and gas-chromatograph interfaced to a mass spectrometer. Results: The phytochemical study revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, glycoside, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, anthraquinones and phlobatannins while cardiac glycoside was not detected. GC-MS chromatogram showed nine peaks. A total of 31 compounds were identified when the mass spectra of the constituents was compared with the National Institute Standard and Technology library. The first compounds identified with less retention time (15.929 s) were n-hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid and pentadecanoic acid while decanoic acid, decyl ester, ether, octadecyl vinyl, oleic acid, hexyl ester, stearic acid, octadecyl ester and decyl fluoride took the longest retention time (20.600 s) for identification. Conclusions: The presence of these compounds in the plant extract may at least be responsible for one of the pharmacological properties of S. occidentalis and thus could be of considerable interest to the development of new drugs.

1000-1002

Authors: Pradeep Singh, Ratan Lal Khosa, Garima Mishra, Mohd Adil Tahseen

The Acanthaceae family is an important source of therapeutic drugs and the ethno pharmacological knowledge of this family requires urgent documentation as several of its species are near extinction. Justicia is the largest genus of Acanthaceae with approximately 600 species. Aim of the present review is to present literature for the traditional uses & pharmacological review of Justicia picta (Family: Acanthaceae) and to discuss further priorities of research yet to be discovered.

1006-1007

Authors: Lott Pooi Wah, Tan Boon Hooi, Leow Sue Ngein, Shuaibah Abdul Ghani, Visvaraja A/L Subrayan

A 52 year-old construction worker presented with progressive painful blurring of vision in the left eye associated with redness for past 1 month. There was a history of penetrating injury in the same eye 10 years ago and he underwent primary wound toilet and suturing, lens removal with intraocular lens implantation. Slit lamp examination revealed a corneal scar at 9’oclock, a large transilluminant iris cyst superotemporally and adherent to corneal endothelium. It was extended from angle of the pupil and obstructing the visual axis. The patient underwent excision of an iris cyst through superior limbal incision. Viscodissection was done to separate the cyst from the corneal endothelium and underlying iris stroma. Trypan blue ophthalmic solution was injected into the cyst to stain the cyst capsule. Post operatively 7 days, vision improved to 6/7.5 without complication. There was no recurrence up to 1 year postoperation. Histopathological finding revealed a benign cyst mass lined by simple cuboidal to nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium. We had achieved a good surgical outcome with no complication to date for our case study. We advocate this modified surgical method to completely remove iris cyst.

841-847

Authors: Sujith Sugathan, Tsegaye Tsalla, Tigist Gezmu, Behailu Merdekios, Shine Kadaikunnan, Akbar Idhayadhulla, Aseer Manilal, Joseph Selvin

Objective: To investigate the in vivo efficacy and immune-modulatory potential of antagonistic strain, Streptomyces sp. MAPS15 isolated from marine sponge in Penaeus monodon (P. monodon). Methods: In this study, culture of Streptomyces sp. was incorporated into a commercial feed. P. monodon was orally administered with MAPS15 diet for a period of 21 days followed by a challenge experiment and survival rate was calculated. In addition, the effect of MAPS15 diet on immunological parameters of the haemolymph of P. monodon was also assessed. Results: The overall results of the study showed that survival performance was prominent in MAPS15 treated group when compared with un-treated control groups. That could pertain to the ability of MAPS15 to produce antibiotic compounds to suppress the growth of invading pathogens and thereby increase the disease resistance potency and survival rate. From the results of the immunological studies, it can be envisaged that the immune responses were generally more pronounced with MAPS15 diet treated group. Conclusions: Based on the overall findings, it could be inferred that the health of P. monodon is improved when they are fed with MAPS15 diet for a period of 21 days.

852-856

Authors: Wondie Zelalem Amanu

Objective: To evaluate the difference in physico-chemical characteristics, composition and abundance of plankton communities owing to the supplementary feed added in fish ponds as compared to Lake Tana. Methods: Physico-chemical and biological data of plankton were collected from 3 studied sites from November 2008 to October 2009. Data were compared using One-way ANOVA to see the difference among sites. Diversity indices such as Margalef's index, Shannon-Wiener index, and evenness index were employed to describe the distribution of plankton community among the studied sites. Results: The pH value was remarkably higher in ponds water. However, conductivity and total dissolved solids were the highest in lake water. Nitrate concentration was relatively high in ponds. Zooplankton species richness was higher in lake water than ponds. The lake also had the highest mean value of both Shannon-Wiener index and evenness index in phytoplankton. Conclusions: The results revealed that the supplementary feed added to each pond had influence on nutrient content which enhanced algal biomass and productivity of the ponds. However, the pond water has to be regularly refreshed to control eutrophication.

864-868

Authors: Luis Jerez Puebla, Fidel A. Núñez, Alexey Brito García, Lázara Rojas Rivero, Irais Atencio Millán, Raúl Cordoví Prado

Objective: To determine the prevalence of sub-assemblages of Giardia duodenalis (G. duodenalis) causing infection in preschool children in a central region of Cuba. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 417 children from Sancti Spiritus from January to June 2013. A PCR amplification of the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) gene was performed for all positive samples in direct microscopic examination to enable sub-assemblages identification. Results: The prevalence of G. duodenalis in preschool children was 10.8%. DNA from 39 of 45 (86.7%) samples was successfully amplified by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the gdh gene. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis classified the 39 gdh amplicons in sub-assemblages BIII (11, 28.2%), AII (8, 20.5%) and BIV (4, 10.3%). Mixed infections accounted for 41%, with the pattern AII/BIII (12, 30.7%) being the predominant. Abdominal pain was statistically associated with infection with sub-assemblage BIII. Conclusions: Sub-assemblage BIII was the most commonly identified in the population of children studied, and significantly associated with abdominal pain in the symptomatic children. More defining tools to discriminate sub-assemblage and genotype levels to correlate with clinical data are needed in further studies. Large studies in endemic settings are required to elucidate the role that assemblage types play in G. duodenalis infections in vulnerable populations, such as children.

872-874

Authors: Shokoufeh Ahmadipour, Behzad Mohammadpour Ahranjani, Sara Daeichin, Zahra Mirbeig Sabzevari

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of congenital heart disease (CHD) among the patients who refferred to the heart clinic so as to make an early and correct diagnosis. Methods: In this descriptive-cross sectional study, all the patients admitted to the heart clinic who had symptoms or signs of CHD were included. The data were collected in one year based on the medical records. The main variables consisted of age, gender, history of folic acid consumption by the mother in pregnancy, clinical signs, symptoms and so on. Results: Among the 763 admitted patients, 498 were males and the rest were females. Infants were the most common group and teenagers were the least one. The most common findings for which the patients had been referred were chest pain and a murmur heard during a normal physical examination. Based on the echocardiography findings, ventricular and atrial septal defects were the most common ones. The history of folic acid consumption was negative in 168 mothers within their pregnancy. Conclusions: Since the causes and risk factors in the incidence of CHD in children are numerous, we recommended that the information about these diseases should be given to the community and strengthen the referral system, design registration system of CHD set up in the country round.

879-885

Authors: Aliya Ahmad, Vasudevan Mani, Kalavathy Ramasamy, Atish Prakash, Abu Bakar Abdul Majeed

Objective: To highlight the comparative studies between total isoflavone extracts from soybean and tempeh on the neuronal oxidative stress and antioxidant activities. Methods: The total isoflavones were administered orally for 15 days with 3 selected doses (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg). Piracetam (400 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as a standard drug while scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) was used as a drug that promoted amnesia in selected groups. The oxidative markers (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and nitric oxide) were measured in brain homogenate. The antioxidant activities evaluated were catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and glutathione. Results: Our results showed that soybean and tempeh isoflavones significantly improved the levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and glutathione while decreased levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and nitric oxide in both the brain of normal as well as scopolamine-induced animals. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that soybean and tempeh isoflavones could be useful in the management and prevention of age-related neurodegenerative changes including Alzheimer’s disease through its antioxidant activities.

890-894

Authors: Mohammad Shah Hafez Kabir, Mohammed Munawar Hossain, Md. Mominur Rahman, Shabbir Ahmad, Abul Hasanat, Tanvir Ahmad Chowdhury, Md. Akramul Hoque, Nishan Chakrabarty, Md. Shakhawat Hossain

Objective: To estimate the antidepressant, anxiolytic and antinociceptive activities of ethanol extract of Steudnera colocasiifolia K. Koch (S. colocasiifolia) leaves. Methods: Swiss albino mice treated with 1% Tween solution, standard drugs and ethanol extract of S. colocasiifolia, respectively, were subjected to the neurological and antinociceptive investigations. The tail suspension test and forced swimming test were used for testing antidepressant activity, where the parameter is the measurement of immobility time. Anxiolytic activity was evaluated by hole board model. Anti-nociceptive potential of the extract was also screened for centrally acting analgesic activity by using formalin induced licking response model and acetic acid induced writhing test was used for testing peripheral analgesic action. Results: Ethanol extract of S. colocasiifolia significantly decreased the period of immobility in both tested models (tail suspension and forced swimming models) of antidepressant activity. In the hole board model, there was a dose dependant (at 100 and 200 mg/kg) and a significant increase in the number of head dipping by comparing with control (1% Tween solution) (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001). In formalin induced licking model, a significant inhibition of pain compared to standard diclofenac sodium was observed (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001). In acetic acid induced test, there was a significant reduction of writhing response and pain in mice treated with leaves extract of S. colocasiifolia at 200 mg/kg body weight (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results proofed the prospective antidepressant, anxiolytic and antinociceptive activities of ethanol extract of S. colocasiifolia leaves.

901-905

Authors: Sushmita Choudhury, Manoranjan Prasad Sinha

Objective: To investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Murraya koenigii leaves on some haematological, hormonal and serum lipid parameters in rats. Methods: We evaluated whether oral administration of Murraya koenigii affected the haematological, hormonal and lipid parameters. After 7 days of oral administration of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight, other profiles were investigated. Results: The results showed that the extract administered significantly increased (P < 0.05) packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume and decreased the platelet count (P < 0.05) at the dose of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight when compared with control. The extract significantly increased (P < 0.05) white blood cell count at all doses administered when compared with control. Results showed that thyronine and thyroxine were increased, while thyroid stimulating hormone was decreased significantly (P < 0.05) at high doses compared. The recorded data in the present study showed that the testosterone value was reduced significantly (P < 0.05) from control value. Also the extract significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the total cholesterol concentration and low density lipoproteins cholesterol concentration in the serum while it had no significant effect on serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration at all doses administered. Conclusions: This study suggests that the extracts may have beneficial effect on serum cholesterol concentration, can act as a stimulant to thyroid functions as well as in anemia and immunity dependent disorders and also as a potent contraceptive.

910-913

Authors: Samuel Okwudili Onoja, Nkeiruka Emmanuela Udeh

Objective: To evaluate the antidiarrheal activity of the hydromethanolic extract of Combretum dolichopetalum (C. dolichopetalum) leaves. Methods: The antidiarrheal activity of the hydromethanolic extract of C. dolichopetalum leaves was evaluated by inducing diarrhea with castor oil, testing small intestinal motility and establishing enteropooling models in mice. Five groups of animals were used for each model and were treated as follows: Group A received 10 mL/kg of distilled water, and Group B received loperamide (5 mg/kg) while Groups C, D, E received 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of hydromethanolic C. dolichopetalum extract, respectively. Results: The pre-treatment of the mice with the extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) caused a significantly dose-dependent decrease in the mean percentage of wet faeces (P < 0.05), compared with the negative control in diarrhea induced by castor oil. The extract reduced the distance travelled by the charcoal meal in the small intestine in a dose-dependent manner in the treated groups, compared with the negative control. The charcoal meal travelled 64.71%, 49.13%, 55.21%, 51.75% and 32.95% of the small intestine length in the groups treated with distilled water, loperamide, 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of C. dolichopetalum extract, respectively. The extract treatment produced a dose-dependent decrease in the mean small intestinal fluid volume, but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05), compared with the negative control. Conclusions: The study shows that C. dolichopetalum leaves possess antidiarrheal activity and validate its use in ethnomedicine for that purpose.

924

Authors: Beuy Joob, Viroj Wiwanitkit

No

757-760

Authors: Hojatollah Jafariyan, Javad Sahandi, Mehdi Taati, Khalil Eslamloo

Objective: To evaluate the effects of four different concentrations of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) and Bacillus circulance (B. circulance) (1 × 104, 2 × 104, 3 × 104 and 4 × 104 CFU/g) on growth and resistance of three spot gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus) for a period of 30 days. Methods: During this study, experimental fish were fed with supplemented diets. Bacillus probiotics with concentrations of 1 × 104 to 4 × 104 CFU/g were administered to improve the growth performance and larval resistance to challenge tests containing acidic pH and basic pH, ammonia and salinity tests. Results: The addition of B. subtilis and B. circulance to the diet did not increase larval growth rate, but increased larval resistance against the challenge tests. Conclusions: The results of this study investigated the positive effects of B. subtilis and B. circulance on Trichopodus trichopterus resistance time to the challenge test.

766-775

Authors: Ayman Abd Elmoneim El-Gamal, Eman Mohamed Fakhry, Dahlia Mohamed El-Maghraby

Objective: To study Ulva linza (U. linza) as macro-alga exposed to different levels of ionizing radiation from the natural background of radioactivity. Methods: Samples of U. linza were collected from two different habitats at the two terminals of the rocky shore of Abu Qir Bay, Alexandria, Egypt. The western terminal at Abu Qir represented an area of normal background radiation while the eastern terminal at Rosetta represented an area of relatively high background radiation. Distinguishing between the algae grown in areas of relatively high and normal background radiation was investigated by using different indicators. Moreover, the ambient water quality was measured and the concentrations of natural radionuclides (238U, 232Th and 40K) bio-accumulated in the tested macro-alga were detected. Results: The algae naturally exposed to radionuclides (238U series, 232Th series and 40K) were investigated. Radiation dose rates in U. linza inhabiting in Rosetta and Abu Qir were calculated as 70.12 and 42.67 nGy/h, respectively. Chemical analysis of algal samples demonstrated that total pigment contents were 2.21 and 2.19 mg/g on a fresh weight basis for U. linza inhabiting in Rosetta and Abu Qir, respectively. Fatty acid compositions showed comparable profiles for both algal samples with saturated fatty acids as major component. The results of protein profiles confirmed slight differential expression in protein bands. Sequence-related randomly amplified polymorphic DNA provided evidence that both samples were strongly similar. By using transmission electron microscopy, no obvious ultra structural changes in the examined cells were observed. Conclusions: These experimental results demonstrate that radiation doses are not high enough to cause damage or manifest any significant variation in Ulva tissues.

787-790

Authors: Tashmin Afroz Binte Islam, S M Shamsuzzaman

Objective: To investigate the species prevalence of Enterococcus with their antimicrobial resistance pattern from patients of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Methods: Samples were cultured and Enterococcus species were identified by conventional biochemical tests as well as PCR by using species specific primers for Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) and Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium). For isolation of vancomycin resistant enterococci, minimum inhibitory concentration of vancomycin and PCR was done to detect vanA and vanB genes. Results: A total of 16 enterococci were isolated from 300 urine and 200 wound swab samples (15 from urine and 1 from wound swab) from July 2011 to June 2012. Enterococci were the third most common organism (8.47%) from urine after Escherichia coli (63.28%) and Enterobacter (11.87%). Out of 16 enterococci, 10 (62.5%) were E. faecalis, 4 (25%) were E. faecium and 2 (12.5%) were other species. All the enterococci (100%) were sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid. Most of the strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin and azithromycin (87.5%), gentamycin (81.25%), ceftriaxone (75%), amoxiclav (31.25%) and imipenem (25%). E. faecium was more resistant than E. faecalis to azithromycin (100%), ciprofloxacin (100%), amoxiclav (75%) and imipenem (50%). No vancomycin resistant enterococci were identified and the range of minimum inhibitory concentration for vancomycin was 1–4 μg/mL. None of the enterococci were positive for vanA and vanB genes. Conclusions: The presence of multidrug resistant enterococci should be considered as danger alarm for serious enterococcal infections and further study in large scale is needed.

797-800

Authors: Yassir Sulieman, Abdel-Aziz A. Ahmed, Azzam Afifi, Theerakamol Pengsakul

Objective: To investigate the predation efficacy of the freshwater leech, Limnatis nilotica (L. nilotica) as a potential biological control agent against different stages of the Bulinus truncatus (B. truncatus), the intermediate host of human Schistosoma haematobium, under laboratory conditions. Methods: The leech L. nilotica and the snail B. truncatus were collected from El Kiryab Agriculture Scheme, Sudan. Thereafter, the predatory activity of the leech was evaluated against eggs, neonates and adults of the snail in a series of different experiments under laboratory conditions. Results: The findings showed that the L. nilotica leech was a voracious predator towards the eggs and neonates of B. truncatus snails with a shell length of up to 3 mm, as well as of adult snails with an shell length greater than 3 mm. Conclusions: The results showed that L. nilotica had a significant impact on B. truncatus populations. However, long term studies under natural field conditions are needed to support these results.

805-808

Authors: Kanchan Lata Singh, D.K. Singh, Vinay Kumar Singh

Objective: To evaluate the effect of enzymatic activity in the nervous tissue of snail Lymnaea acuminata (L. acuminata) by Bauhinia variegata (B. variegata) and Mimusops elengi (M. elengi) and their active molluscicidal components quercetin and saponin. Methods: Treatment of sublethal concentration (40% and 80% of 96-h LC50) in vivo of column-purified fraction of B. variegata leaf and M. elengi bark and their molluscicidal agents quercetin and saponin inhibit the acetylcholinesterase (AChE), acid and alkaline phosphatase (ACP and ALP) activities in the nervous tissue of L. acuminata. Results: AChE activity was more inhibited than ACP and ALP in snail exposed to columnpurified fraction of M. elengi bark and saponin. Among all the treatments the highest inhibition in AChE activity (27.77% ) was noted in snail L. acuminata exposed to 80% of 96-h LC50 of saponin at 96-h exposure period. Conclusions: It can be concluded from the present study that inhibition of AChE, ACP and ALP by B. variegata leaf (quercetin) and M. elengi bark (saponin) in snail L. acuminata could be the cause of snail mortality.

815-820

Authors: Walimuni Kanchana Subhashini Mendis Abeysekera, Sirimal Premakumara Galbada Arachchige, Wanigasekara Daya Ratnasooriya, Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Kourosh Dalvandi, Naduviladath Vishvanath Chandrasekharan

Objective: To evaluate a range of anti-diabetic related properties and some consumer preferred physicochemical properties of selected Sri Lankan traditional rice varieties. Methods: Sudu Heeneti, Goda Heeneti, Masuran and Dik Wee varieties were used in this study. Anti-diabetic related properties of bran extracts of selected varieties were studied for methylglyoxal mediated protein glycation inhibition, acetyl and butyryl-cholinesterase inhibition in vitro and anti-hyperglycemic activity in vivo. Further, selected varieties were studied for starch hydrolysis rate in vitro. Physicochemical properties including grain color, size, shape, crude protein, crude fat, ash, dietary fiber and total carbohydrate contents were studied. Results: Brans of selected varieties had significant (P < 0.05) and dose dependent methylglyoxal mediated protein glycation inhibition [IC50: (174.77 ± 6.65) to (342.87 ± 0.43) μg/mL] and acetyl [(IC50: (37.00 ± 0.68) to (291.00 ± 3.54) μg/mL] and butyryl-cholinesterase [IC50: (18.50 ± 0.60) to (96.60 ± 0.56) μg/mL] inhibitory activities. Further, Sudu Heeneti, Masuran and Dik Wee had low starch digestion rate (52.40 ± 1.44 to 53.76 ± 1.19) indicating that these varieties may be low glycemic index rices. Brans of Masuran tested in rat model showed anti-hyperglycemic activity. Physicochemical properties studied showed that selected varieties were red in color and grain size and shape were mostly medium and bold respectively. Moisture, crude protein, crude fat, ash and total carbohydrate contents varied significantly (P < 0.05) among the varieties. Conclusions: It is concluded that selected varieties could be promoted as physicochemically sound rices with a range of anti-diabetic related properties in the management of diabetes and its complications.

826-833

Authors: Lubna Abidin, Aftab Ahmad, Shokat Rasool Mir, Mohd Mujeeb, Shah Alam Khan

In the past two decades, a shift in paradigm has been observed in the development of new drugs from the plants for the treatment of diseases. Many scientists are focusing on the evidence based use of medicinal plants to develop pharmacotherapy for various human ailments. An important medicinal plant that has caught the attention of researchers all over the globe is Vitex negundo Linn. This plant is commonly used in various traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Chinese, Siddha and Unani to treat various diseases and has been the subject of extensive research studies lately. Its roots and leaves are widely used in various disorders and illnesses such as skin eczema, ringworm, liver disorders, spleen enlargement, rheumatic pain, gout, abscess, backache etc. Seeds are also used as folklore medicine in bronchitis, eye disorders, female reproductive disorders, cold, dropsy, malarial fever and as demulcent. The current article is an effort to compile an updated review to disseminate knowledge and information among the scientific fraternity covering the progress made in the pharmacology and phytochemistry of this useful medicinal plant. This review on a very important traditional medicine, Vitex negundo L. can serve as a reference to the scientific community for their future research on this plant.

838-839

Authors: Lott Pooi Wah, Syed Shoeb Ahmad, Shuaibah Abdul Ghani, Visvaraja A/L Subrayan

Uveitis secondary to Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease is rare in children. To the best of our knowledge, this patient is the first reported case of uveitis attributed to VKH in a child in Malaysia. A 9-year-old girl complained of non-resolving painful red eyes bilaterally for 3 months. Anterior segment of right eye showed mutton fat keratic precipitates, posterior synechiae and moderate anterior chamber reaction. Anterior segment of left eye revealed mutton fat keratic precipitates, band keratopathy on peripheral 3 and 9 o' clock of the cornea, iris bombe, iris nodule and seclusio pupillae. Fundus examination of right eye revealed subretinal deposit at superior and inferior arcades with flat retina while left eye showed hazy view. Patient was then noted to have poliosis and vitiligo after 1 month from initial presentation. Mild cataract and widespread atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium accounting for the loss in vision remained. This case report is to highlight the importance of early recognition of paediatric Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada and treating it aggressively to prevent the irreversible destructive sequalae of the disease.

673-676

Authors: Manel Châari, Lassâd Neifar

Objective: To provide a current survey of parasitic infections in the Mediterranean needlefish Tylosurus acus imperialis (T. acus imperialis). The impact of host’s size and sex on some characteristics of the infection was also examined. Methods: Between 2004 and 2009, 126 specimens of T. acus imperialis were necropsied to study their parasites. Results: Fifteen species of metazoan parasites were collected including 3 monogeneans (Aspinatrium gallieni, Nudaciraxine imperium and Axinoides sp.), 4 digeneans (Lecithostaphylus tylosuri, Tetrochetus coryphaenae, Oesophagotrema mediterranea and Sclerodistomoides pacificus), 1 cestode (Ptychobothrium sp.), 3 copepods (Lernanthropus tylosuri, Caligodes laciniatus and Caligus sp.), 1 isopod (Irona nana), 1 acanthocephalan (Rhadinorhynchus sp.), 1 nematode (anisakid larvae) and 1 annelid (piscicolid). Cestoda Ptychobothrium sp. was the most frequent species (72%). Prevalence and abundance of infection with Ptychobothrium sp. and Rhadinorhynchus sp. were positively correlated with the total length of the host. Host’s sex did not seem to affect the infection parameters of parasites in T. acus imperialis. Conclusions: This study provides first information on parasitic infections in the Mediterranean needlefish T. acus imperialis off Tunisia. Parasites can be used to understand phylogeny, biology and ecology of fish host and also as bioindicators of water quality.

682-685

Authors: Ramalingam Vijayakumar, Kuzhanthaivel Raja, Vijayapoopathi Singaravel, Ayyaru Gopalakrishnan

Objective: To identify fish tumour associated bacteria. Methods: The marine fish Sphyraena jello with odontoma was collected from in Tamil Nadu (Southeast India), and tumour associated bacteria were isolated. Then the isolated bacteria were identified based on molecular characters. Results: A total of 4 different bacterial species were isolated from tumour tissue. The bacterial species were Bacillus sp., Pontibacter sp., Burkholderia sp. and Macrococcus sp., and the sequences were submitted in DNA Data Bank of Japan with accession numbers of AB859240, AB859241, AB859242 and AB859243 respectively. Conclusions: Four different bacterial species were isolated from Sphyraena jello, but the role of bacteria within tumour needs to be further investigated.

691-695

Authors: Jayaraj Mohanraj, Gurusamy Chelladurai, Srinivasan Balakrishnan, Iruthayam Vijaya Kuamr

Objective: To study the spatial and temporal variations of the distribution and diversity pattern of coral reef associated gastropods assemblages in Gulf of Mannar Island and to clarify the relationship between gastropods and surrounding coral reef ecosystem. Methods: Gastropods were collected from three islands–Hare (Picnic spot), Vaan (Church Island) and Koswari (Karsuvar Island). The samples were taxonomically identified according to external structure of typical shells and classified according to their feeding habits. Statistical tool Primer (Ver. 6.1.11) was employed to find the species diversity, richness and evenness. Results: A total of forty species of gastropods from 19 families were identified. The gastropods population density varied differently at stations, 479 species from Vaan islands, 390 species from Koswari islands and 254 species from Hare island were recorded. The gastropods species diversity, richness and evenness indices also varied differently at stations. The highest species diversity indice was recorded at Vaan Island (2.968), while both the highest richness and evenness indices were recorded at Hare Island with 0.937 and 0.942 respectively. Conclusions: The results of present study provides useful informtation for biodiversity conservation as well as the management of coral reef habitat in India.

701-703

Authors: Samad Mosaferi, Reza Ghabouli Mehrabani, Mansoor Khakpoor, Nader Ghabouli Mehrabani, Amir Maleksabet, Faezeh Hamidi

Objective: To determine the prevalence of mastitis-causing bacteria in the dry period and its antibiotic sensitivity. Methods: In this study, 852 dry cows were examined. A total of 30 cows with clinical mastitis symptoms were detected and their milk samples were collected. In order to purify the bacteria, brain heart infusion and blood agar media were applied and single colonies were used for Gram staining, oxidase and catalase testing, cultivating in O-F medium to determine the genus and species of bacteria. Then, antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by the agar disk diffusion method. Results: The prevalence of isolated bacteria was 2.46%, in which coagulase positive Staphylococcus, coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, Bacillus and yeast were (9/99)%, (6/66)%, (13/32)%, (3/33%), (6/66)%, (13/32)%, (9/99)% and (6/66)%, respectively. After tests of antibiotic susceptibility, the most and the least sensitivity were reported to enrofloxacin and ampicillin respectively. Conclusions: This study indicated that Streptococcus dysgalactiae is the most commonly isolated bacteria with the greatest sensitivity to enrofloxacin and tetracycline which can be used to treat mastitis in the dry period in Tabriz.

708-712

Authors: Gary Low Kim Kuan, Yong Mun Hin, Isa Ridzuan Mohd

Objective: To develop and evaluate predictive models by quantifying warning signs prior to the development of severe dengue. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in which the total number of warning signs each day was compared between dengue with warning signs and severe dengue. Multivariate logistic regression with forward likelihood ratio method was employed to achieve the best fit models for the prediction of severe dengue. The models were also being explored by adding diarrhoea and removing lethargy. Receiver operating characteristics were then used in these best fit models to identify suitable cut-off probability values derived from the equation of the models. Results: Median age of patients was 26 years old (interquartile range was 15 years) and 65.3% (1 110) were males. Age with total number of warning signs at day one of illness (model T1) and age with total number of warning signs at day two of illness (model T2) were identified as the best fit models. The best probability cut-offs for model T1 was 0.050 6 with 10.1% positive predictive value, 96.4% negative predictive value, 99.4% sensitivity, 1.8% specificity; for model T2 was 0.050 3 with 10.2% positive predictive value, 96.4% negative predictive value, 99.4% sensitivity, 1.8% specificity. Conclusions: The models developed in this study might not reduce the burden effectively. Clinicians may use the models but the models must be re-validated in their clinical settings as the effect size might vary. Furthermore, the risk and benefit in selecting the cut-off values should be evaluated before implementing such models.

718-723

Authors: Shirin Fateh, Shaghayegh Pishkhan Dibazar, Saeed Daneshmandi

Objective: To investigate suppressive effects of barberry ingredients on macrophage. Methods: Barberry alcoholic and aqueous extracts were obtained and tested on macrophages and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages. Nitric oxide levels were determined using Griess method and MTT assay which were done for evaluation of macrophage viability. Supernatant tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) were measured by ELISA kits. Results: MTT reduction capability was the same in all groups, unless the group with higher doses of extracts (P < 0.05). Both extracts suppressed nitric oxide production (P < 0.05). TNF-α production were suppressed by low doses of both extracts and induced by aqueous extract (P < 0.05). IL-6 release was suppressed and IL-12 was induced (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed anti-inflammatory functions of barberry’s ingredients on macrophages, and at the same time displayed a low cytotoxic effect. Changes in cytokine production was various as data shows decrease in TNF-α and IL-6 levels and induction in IL-12 released by macrophages. These data propose diverse medical use of barberry in treatment of different disorders but with more precision.

728-732

Authors: Akuodor Godwin Christian, Udia Pius Monday, Akpan Joseph Linus, Ezeokpo Basil Chukwuma, Okezie Ogwuegbu Alozie, Ghasi Samuel Ikenna, Nwadike Kenneth Ikechukwu

Objective: To evaluate the antiulcer activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus, a plant used in herbal medicine for the management of various diseases in Nigeria. Methods: Ethanol-, acetylsalicylic acid-, histamine- and water immersion stress-induced gastric ulcers in rats were used to investigate the antiulcer activity of the leaf extract. Acute toxicity studies were also carried out. Results: The ethanolic leaf extract significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the ulcer index in all assays used with the maximal antiulcer activity recorded at 400 mg/kg. The LD50 values obtained were greater than 5 000 mg/kg in rats. Conclusions: The implication of this finding is that Byrsocarpus coccineus ethanolic leaf extract possesses potent antiulcer activity and the leaf of this plant can serve as a potential source of safe and affordable antiulcer agents.

737-743

Authors: Muhammad Imran, Naresh Kumar, Ferozuddin Nohri, Dileep Kumar, Tayyuba Kousar, Muhammad Tauseef Sultan, Sajjad Ali Ilyas, Shabnam Shahida

The aim of this study is to assess the pharmacological and phytochemical aspects of the Pedalium murex (Linn) (P. murex) and its traditional medicinal uses of different parts of the plant. Flavonoids, phenolic compounds, glycosides, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, phytosterols, tannins, triterpenoids, alkaloids, xanthoproteins, aromatic oil, stable oil, saponins and resins are the main phytochemical groups that have been found in different chemical extracts of P. murex. Pharmacological activities of P. murex have proven its importance for medicinal uses. This review will be helpful to create interest to use P. murex for developing new formulation in therapeutic medicines.

752-755

Authors: Laxman Pokhrel

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, has been determined as an outcome of genetic as well as behavioral conditions. The complete understanding of its generation and progress is yet to be understood. However, there has been a significant progress in the diagnosis and identification of the associated risk factors of AD. Several of the risk factors were found connected with cholesterol. Scientists are mainly focusing on the reduction of amyloid β and stabilization of tau protein towards the development of its drugs. To modulate amyloid β, the key components of cholesterol metabolism have been attractive targets and the enzymes involved in the phosphorylation of tau have been tried to stabilize tau protein. This review article briefly highlights the symptoms, risk factors, and drug targets of AD.

589-591

Authors: Burcu Taylan, Bahar Bayhan

Objective: To determine the fecundity of Boops boops (B. boops) from Aegean Sea coast of Turkey. Methods: A total of 470 specimens of B. boops were collected monthly from November in 2008 to October of 2009 in Izmir Bay (central Aegean Sea). Total length and total weight of each fish were measured and the maturity stages of gonads were determined. About 30 mature ovariums were taken to determine fecundity and oocysts were counted by using gravimetric method. Results: About 210 were females (44.7%) and 226 males (48.1%) while 34 (7.2%) were hermafrodite in terms of sexuality with sex ratio (female: male) of 0.93:1.00. The fecundity of the bogue was assessed by the gravimetric method with 30 ovaries from females between the total length of 19.6 and 27.6 cm [(mean: 23.5 ± 2.1) cm]. Estimates of total fecundity varied between 33 072 and 66 123 oocytes (mean: 49 008 ± 8 826) and fecundity–total length, fecundity–weight relationships were expressed as :F = 8207.6e0.075TL, F = 30297e0.003TW respectively. Conclusions: The results of the study will contribute to the reproductive biology of B. boops and will be useful for management of fisheries.

596-599

Authors: Mounir Ben brahim, Morsi Feki, Abderahmene Bouain

Objective: To study the seasonal and monthly variability of the toxic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis ovata (O. ovata) in relation to environmental parameters in Kerkennah Island. Methods: Three water samples replicate of one-litter were taken daily for ten consecutive days on 12 months. All sampling water was kept in the dark at ambient temperature until their microscopic observation. Environmental variables such as salinity and temperature were measured in the field concomitantly as phytoplankton sampling. Nutrients (ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and silicate) were analysed in laboratory with Auto-analyser Luebbe type. Cell identification and enumeration in water samples were performed with an inverted microscope after the sedimentation. Results: The highest abundance of O. ovata was recorded in summer. Analysis of variance showed significant difference of abundance between seasons, whereas no significant difference for month was detected. Factorial analysis ordination showed a positive correlation of Ostreopsis mainly with temperature and low correlation with nitrite and nitrate whereas the second axis (with 26.30% of variance) showed that Ostreopsis was correlated with temperature and salinity. Conclusions: The maximum abundance of Ostreopsis was reached in summer when temperature was high and a low relationship between O. ovata and nutrient was detected.

607-611

Authors: Endang Purwaningsih, Mumpuni

Objective: To describe the morphological characteristics of some species of parasitic nematodes found in freshwater turtles from Sumatera (Amyda cartilaginea) and Kalimantan (Notochelys platynota). Methods: Specimens for light microscopy examination were fixed with warm 70% alcohol, cleared and mounted in lactophenol for stout specimens and glycerine for delicate specimens, prior to wet mounting. Drawings were made with the aid of a drawing tube attached to an Olympus compound microscope. Specimens for scanning electron microscope examination were fixed in cacodylate buffer and glutaraldehyde, dehydrated in alcohol concentration series, dried in vacuum dried and coated with gold in Eiko-IB2 Ion Coater. Measurements were given in micrometers as the mean followed by the range in parentheses, unless otherwise stated. Results: Four species of parasitic nematodes were found, namely, Monhysterides jambiensis sp. n. (M. jambiensis), Spiroxys sumatraensis sp. n. (S. sumatraensis), Cissophyllus laverani and Cissophyllus roseus. M. jambiensis differed from Monhysterides lissemydis in ratio of right-to-left spicule (1:3 in M. jambiensis vs. 1:3.8–5.6 in M. lissemydis) and had no gubernaculum. M. jambiensis also differed from Monhysterides testudinicola in longer spicule (11.2%–12.7% in M. jambiensis vs. 5.6%–6% of body length), ratio right-to-left spicule (1:3 in M. jambiensis vs. 1:2) and the numbers of caudal papillae and differed from Monhysterides testudinicola because of the lateral alae began from the half posterior of body, but that in M. jambiensis began from anterior part of body, behind the anterior end. S. sumatraensis differed from Spiroxys annulatus in having tooth at median lobe and having no well mark cuticular collar behind the based of lips and constriction at the base of pseudolabium was not pronounced. S. sumatraensis differed from Spiroxys transversalata in having no tooth at median lobes of each pseudolabium and differed from Spiroxys chelodinae in the unpaired position of median caudal papillae since it was more anterior than that of Spiroxys jambiensis. Additionally there was no adanal papillae in the male of Spiroxys chelodynae. S. sumatraensis also differed from Spiroxys ankarafantsika in having double papillae on each pseudolabium, more anterior of deirid and longer spicule (9.5%–12.4% vs. 6% of body length in Spiroxys ankarafantsika). Two species of Cissophyllus morphologically were agreed with its previous species. Conclusions: Monhysterides spp. are found in Oriental region turtle, suborder Cryptodira, and there is no report from others zoogeographical regions. S. sumatraensis belonging to Group 2 includes three other species. This group was found in Oriental, Australian and Ethiopian, Spiroxys presumably widespread amongst the species of turtle when Gondwanaland existed. Cissophyllus laverani is a new record in Indonesia.

616-620

Authors: Gary Low Kim Kuan, Yong Mun Hin, Ridzuan Mohd Isa

Objective: To compare the differences of vomiting and diarrhoea frequency between dengue with warning signs and severe dengue, and to describe the sites of mucosal bleeding among dengue-infected patients. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study which included patients with laboratory– confirmed dengue infection along with clinical diagnosis of dengue. Exclusion criteria were patients with haematological disorders or any other malignancy. The vomiting and diarrhoea frequency on each day (Day 1 to Day 5) between dengue with warning signs and severe dengue were compared by using Mann-Whitney U test. The different sites of mucosal bleeding were stratified according to the diagnoses and displayed by bar charts. Results: Out of 1 700 patients, 1 003 (59.0%) had vomiting and 587 (34.5%) had diarrhoea. Both vomiting and diarrhoea frequency were not statistically different between dengue with warning signs and severe dengue from Day 1 to Day 5. Gum bleeding, hematemesis and menorrhagia were the only sites of mucosal bleeding seen in severe dengue for the first three days of illness. Hematemesis was seen only in severe dengue during the first day of illness but not in dengue with warning signs. Conclusions: The frequency of vomiting and diarrhoea could not differentiate severe dengue from dengue with warning signs. Nevertheless, it is important to have high index of suspicion for dengue when patients are presented with diarrhoea. The different sites of mucosal bleeding could possibly predict severe dengue, especially hematemesis on the first three days of illness.

623-629

Authors: Saraswati Acharya, Dil Bahadur Gurung, Vinod Prakash Saxena

Objective: To deal the implication of metabolic reaction relying on dermal thicknesses of males and females for temperature distribution on the layers of dermal part at various atmospheric temperatures. Methods: The mathematical model involving bioheat equation has been solved using finite element method and Crank-Nicolson technique to numerically investigate two dimensional temperature distributions. Initially, human dermal region under consideration is divided into six parts: stratum corneum, stratum germinativum, papillary region, reticular region, fatty layer and muscle part of subcutaneous tissue. Pennes bioheat equation is used considering the suitable physical and physiological parameters that affect the heat regulation in the layers. Computer simulation has been used for numerical results and graph of the temperatures profiles. Results: Lower percentage of muscle mass and higher percentage of adipose tissue in subcutaneous part of females result lower metabolic rate compared to males. Metabolism is considered as a heat source within the body tissue. The study delineates that when the metabolic heat generation S increases, body temperature rises and when S decreases, it goes down. In higher ambient temperature T∞ effect of S is lower as compared to lower T∞. Conclusions: Males and females would differ in their physiological responses in temperature distribution due to differences in metabolic heat production between genders. The thinner layers of males lead to higher values of skin temperature than thicker layer of females. Thickness plays a significant role in temperature distributions in human males and females body. Current understanding of human thermoregulation is based on male patterns; studies on women are still relatively rare and involve only small number of subjects. So it is still necessary for micro level study for temperature distribution model on the dermal layers of males and females.

636-639

Authors: Talukdar Muhammad Waliullah, Akter Mst Yeasmin, Ashraful Md Alam, Wahedul Md Islam, Parvez Hassan

Objective: To learn a scientific and systematic knowledge of anticancer, antimicrobial and pharmacological activities of natural products and estimate cytotoxic potency by using ethanol and chloroform extracts of root, leaf and stem of Clerodendrum infortunatum (Verbenaceae) due to its random use in customary and traditional medicine to cure common ailments such as intestinal disorder, diarrhea, tuberculosis and respiratory problems etc. Methods: The in vitro application was carried out with the bench-top bioassay method by using brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Results: All of the crude extracts were found to be lethal and effective. The LC50 value of ethyl alcohol fraction of root was 20.845 mg/L compared to the standard drug tetracycline of 14.675 mg/L to brine shrimp nauplii, indicating that the extracts were biologically active. Conclusions: The cytotoxic study of LC50 value showed that a good correlation with the antibiotic tetracycline. From the comparative correlation error bars and percentage, we understood that ethyl alcohol fraction of root extract was very effective. This study serves as a basis for further research to lead compounds to be isolated so that it may be as a template for the implications of these results for bioactivity and drug discovery potential of herbal products.

645-647

Authors: Laxman Pokhrel, Bigyan Sharma, Gan B. Bajracharya

Objective: To determine the antibacterial efficacy and brine shrimp toxicity of extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water) obtained from the bark of Schleichera oleosa. Methods: The powdered bark sample was Soxhlet extracted sequentially in hexanes, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. Antibacterial evaluation was carried out by following the agar diffusion method and amoxicillin disc was used as a reference. Slightly modified Meyer’s method was used to determine the toxicity of the extracts in brine shrimps. Results: Among the nine bacterial strains tested, the methanolic and aqueous extracts showed promising antibacterial efficacy against Serratia marcescens, Escherarichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus luteus. None of the extracts were found significantly toxic to brine shrimps. Conclusions: Strong antibacterial activity and low brine shrimp toxicity of methanolic and aqueous extracts can provide new antibacterial compounds.

652-657

Authors: Tazeen Ifthikar Butt, Muhammad Shoaib Amjad

Podophyllum hexandrum is a perennial herb and a valuable medicinal plant. Its common name is mayapple and is native to the lower elevations in and surrounding the Himalayan area of Pakistan. It has been used through the ages and in modern time as an intestinal purgative, inhibitor of tumor growth and salve for necrotic and infected wounds. Many important secondary metabolites have been reported to be extracted from the plant among which the most important one is podophyllotoxin as it possesses antitumor property which is used for the treatment of testicular cancer as well as lung cancer. The plant is very badly overexploited which causes decline in the frequency of this species in the past few years. It needs immediate attention for conservation by improving propagation techniques. This article reviews briefly the medicinal, phytochemical, pharmacological and conservation-related aspects of the plant.

663-668

Authors: Zainab Tahir, Muhammad Arshad, Sunbal Khalil Chaudhari

Although oxidation reactions are crucial for life, they can also be damaging to cells and tissues, causing variety of chronic ailments like, aging, cancer, autoimmune problems, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders etc. Redox protective systems are present in body for general immunization against free radicals, which can be supported by antioxidants that we take in our daily diet. Natural antioxidants such as flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins, coumarins, xanthones, phenolics, terpenoids, ascorbic acid, carotenoids and proanthocyanins are found in various plant products, including fruits, leaves, seeds oils, and juices. This review gives a brief account of research reports on fruits and vegetables which provide free radical scavenging compounds to the body.

671-672

Authors: João Pedro Barreiros

A sub adult Caretta caretta was found on the 23rd August, 2014 ca. 16 nautical miles south off S. Miguel Island, Azores (Northeast Atlantic), with a large pelagic trawl hook inside its mouth. The individual was kept in a basin of sea water and sent by boat to Terceira Island following instructions by the Azores Regional Government via the Environmental Authority in order to be examined by the author and, if possible, undergo the necessary hook removal procedures. In this note, we describe the surgical procedures and how the turtle was evaluated both pre- and post-surgery.