Journal of Coastal Life Medicine

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.