Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

505-510

Authors: Benjamin Jelle Visser

Dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) is a preventable waterborne parasitic disease that affects the poorest people living in remote rural areas in sub-Saharan African countries, who do not have access to safe drinking water. The Guinea Worm Eradication Program, a 25-year old campaign to rid the world of Guinea Worm disease has now reached its final stage accelerating to zero cases in all endemic countries. During the 19th and 20th centuries, dracunculiasis was common in much of Southern Asia and the African continent. The overall number of cases has been reduced tremendously by ≥99%, from the 3.32 million cases estimated to have occurred in 1986 in Africa to only 1 797 cases reported in 2010 reported in only five countries (Sudan, Mali, Ethiopia, Chad and Ghana) and Asia free of the disease. This achievement is unique in its kind – the only previously eradicated disease is smallpox, a viral infection for which vaccination was possible – and it has been achieved through primary community-based prevention and health education programs. Most efforts need to be taken in two countries, South Sudan (comprising 94% or 1 698 out of 1 797 of the cases reported world-wide in 2010) and Mali because of frequent movements of nomads in a vast area inside and outside Mali's borders. All factors favourable to dracunculiasis eradication are available including adequate financial resources, community and political support and high levels of advocacy. Thus there is no reason that this disabling parasitic disease cannot be eradicated soon before surprises arise such as new civil conflicts in currently endemic countries.

514-517

Authors: Koroush Azizi, Aboozar Soltani, Hamzeh Alipour

To investigate on patients leishmanial infections in Jask County. Methods Impression smears were prepared from patients in 2008, all, were chequed for leishmanial infection by microscopy and molecular assays. Whole DNA was extracted using Proteinase K and Phenol/Chloroform/Isoamyl alcohol method. The variable segment on minicircles of kinetoplast DNA was amplified via a Nested-PCR technique using species-specific primers (LIN R4-LIN 17 -Lin 19). Results A total of 40 smears were prepared from 20 patients, from which, eight samples (40%) were positive for leishman body by microscopic method, while, 18 samples (90%) were positive, molecularly. The parasite was identified as Leishmania major (L. major). Conclusion Zoonotic or Rural cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in Jask County whose pathogen is L. major. Molecular assays using specific primers are very accurate and more sensitive and specific than microscopy which is time consuming and needs master microscopists.

523-528

Authors: Vijay Kumar Bansal, Rajesh Kumar Goel

Objective To systematically evaluate antiulcer potential of Acacia nilotica in different ulcer models in rats. Methods Different extracts [ethanolic, 50% hydroethanolic (50:50), 70% hydroethanolic (70:30) and aqueous] of young seedless pods were examined in pylorus ligation induced gastric ulcers in rats. Various parameters like, volume of gastric acid secretion, pH, free acidity, total acidity, ulcer index, mucin content and antioxidant studies were determined and were compared between extract treated, standard and vehicle control following ulcer induction. The most active extract was also evaluated in swimming stress induced and NSAID induced gastric ulceration. Results Among different extracts of young seedless pods only hydroethanolic extracts showed significant antiulcer activity in pyloric ligation induced ulceration. Even more the 70% hydroethanolic extract showed better protection as compared to 50% hydroethanolic extract. Further 70 % hydroethanolic extract also showed significant mucoprotection in swimming stress induced and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs induced gastric ulceration. Conclusion The results of present study concluded that the hydroethanolic extract of young seedless pods of Acacia nilotica has antiulcer activity in pylorus ligation, swimming stress and NSAID induced rat ulcer models. The extract containing more amount of phenolic components show high antiulcer activity, indicating the phenolic component of the extract to be responsible for the activity of the extracts.

533-538

Authors: Abu Nasim Nizami, Md Atiar Rahman, Nazim Uddin Ahmed, Md Shahidul Islam

Objective To investigate the antilithiatic effect of the whole Leea macrophylla (L. macrophylla) Roxb (Leeaceae) ethanol extract in ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis model of rats. Methods Forty two seven weeks old male wistar albino rats were randomly divided into two major groups namely: preventive (n=18) and therapeutic (n=24). Preventive group was further subdivided into 3 groups of 6 rats namely: preventive control (PC), preventive lithiatic control (PLC) and preventive lithiatic L. macrophylla (PLLM). Similarly, therapeutic group was also subdivided into 4 groups of 6 rats namely: therapeutic control (TC), therapeutic lithiatic control (TLC), therapeutic lithitatic L. macrophylla (TLLM) and therapeutic lithiatic cystone (TLCYS). The lithiasis was induced by 0.75% (v/v) ethylene glycol in the drinking water of all groups except the PC and TC groups. The urinary ionic parameters such as calcium, inorganic phosphate, oxalate, magnesium & creatinine and renal morphology were altered by ethylene glycol, which were partially recovered by 14 d preventive and almost fully recovered by 28 d therapeutic intervention trials with L. macrophylla extract (500 mg/kg BW daily). Results Significant difference on recovery was observed between preventive and therapeutic interventional trials. Anti-urolithiatic effect of cystone was significantly (P<0.001) higher than extracts. L. macrophylla extract was found nontoxic in the acute toxicity test. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrated very promising anti-urolithiatic effect of L. macrophylla extract with preventive and therapeutic treatments in this experimental condition.

547-551

Authors: Sachin Jain, Ankit Jain, Pritesh Paliwal, Shailendra Singh Solanki

Objective To investigate the antifertility effect of chronically administered Tabernaemontana divaricata (T. divaricata) leaf extract on male rats. Methods The effect of 50% ethanol extract of T. divaricata leaves on reproduction was studied on male rats. The study was divided into four groups of five animals each. The first groups (I) received vehicle alone to serve as control. The second, third and fourth groups (II, II and IV) of animals were administered the leaf extract daily at 50 mg/kg body weight, p.o.,100 mg/kg body weight, p.o., and 200 mg/kg body weight, p.o., respectively, for a period of 60 days. Results Significant decreases in the weight of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate were observed. A dose related reduction in the testicular sperm count, epididymal sperm count and motility, number of fertile male, ratio between delivered and inseminated females and numbers of pups were observed. The testis showed a clear correlation between the dose and severity of lesions of seminiferous epithelium. In general, the seminiferous tubules appear reduced in size with a frequently filled eosinophilic material. Spermatogenesis arrested at the secondary spermatocyte stage. Pachytene spermatocytes were undergoing degeneration. Disorganigation and sloughing of immature germ cell were visible. Leydinf cells were atrophied. No morphological changes were observed in Sertoli cells. Significant reduction in serum concentration of luteinizing hormone and testosterone were observed. No distinct change in serum FSH concentration was recorded. The final body weights of all groups were elevated markedly. No alterations were recorded in any hematologiocal parameters. Conclusion It is concluded that the 50% ethanol extract of T. divaricata leaf produced dose related effect on male reproduction without altering general body metabolism.

556-560

Authors: Patience O Osadebe, Chika C Abba, Matthias O Agbo

Objective To evaluate the antimotility activity of Eastern Nigerian mistletoe[Loranthus micranthus (L. micranthus) Linn] parasitic on six different host trees viz. Baphia nitida, Persia americana, Kola accuminata, Irvingia gabonensis, Citrus simensis and Pentacletra macrophylla (P. mycrophylla). Methods The antimotility of the methanol extracts and solvent fractions were evaluated in castor oil induced diarrheoa in rats. Results The methanol extracts (200 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibited defeacation significantly (P < 0.05) 4 h after administration (75.73% to 93.33%) more than that of atropine sulphate (2 mg/kg, i.p.) which inhibited defeacation by 80.0%. The methanol extract (200 mg/kg, i.p.) of L. micranthus parasitic on P. mycrophylla exhibited significant (P<0.05) inhibition in gastrointestinal transit (67.6%) more than that of atropine sulphate (2 mg/kg, i.p.) which inhibited gastrointestinal transit by 26.4%. The solvent fractions of L. micranthus parasitic on P. mycrophylla at dose levels of 150 mg/kg inhibited significantly the gastrointestinal transit of mice. Fraction F5 exhibited inhibitory activity which was comparable to loperamide (73.3%). Conclusion The methanol extract of L. micranthus parasitic on P. macrophylla exhibits higher antimotility activity that other extracts. The solvent fractions could serve as source of novel antimotility agents.

566-572

Authors: Singh Yashik, Mars Maurice

Objective To investigate the possibility of combining the interpretation of three gold standard interpretation algorithms using weighted heuristics in order to produce a single resistance measure. Methods The outputs of HIVdb, Rega, ANRS were combined to obtain a single resistance profile using the equally weighted voting algorithm, accuracy based weighing voting algorithm and the Bayesian based weighted voting algorithm techniques. Results The Bayesian based voting combination increased the accuracy of the resistance profile prediction compared to phenotype, from 58% to 69%. The equal weighted voting algorithm and the accuracy based algorithm both increased the prediction accuracy to 60%. Conclusion From the result obtained it is evident that combining the gold standard interpretation algorithms may increase the predictive ability of the individual interpretation algorithms.

577-581

Authors: Jian-Qiang Chen, Yin Guan, Gang Li, Xiao-Hua Li, Yue-Fu Zhan, Xiang-Yin Li, Liu Nie, Xiang-Jun Han

Objective To discuss the role of 3D-computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) technology in reducing injuries of large meningioma surgery. Methods 3D-CTA preoperative examinations were done in 473 patients with large meningioma (simulated group). The images were analyzed by 3D post-processing workstation. By observing the major intracranial blood vessels, venous sinus, and the compression and invasion pattern in the nerve region, assessing risk level of the surgery, simulating the surgical procedures, the surgical removal plan, surgical routes and tumor blood-supplying artery embolisation plan were performed. Two hundred and fifty seven large meningioma patients who didn't underwent 3D-CTA preoperative examination served as control group. The incidence of postoperative complications, intraoperative blood transfusion and the operation time were compared between these two groups. Results Compared with the control group, the Simpson's grade I and II resection rate was 80.3% (380/473), similar with that of the control (81.3%, 209/257). The incidence of postoperative complications in 3D-CTA simulated group was 37.0% which was significantly lower than that (48.2%) of the control (P<0.01). The intraoperative blood supply for simulated group and the control was (523.4±208.1) mL and (592.0±263.3) mL, respectively, with significant difference between two groups (P<0.01). And the operation time [(314.8±106.3)] min was significantly lower in simulated group than that in the control [(358.4±147.9) min] (P<0.01). Conclusion Application of 3D-CTA imaging technology in risk level assessment before large-scaled meningioma resection could assist in the rational planning of tumor resectin, surgical routes, and is helpful in reducing injuries and complications and enhancing the prognosis of the patients.