Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

825-831

Authors: Mohammad Rahimi-Madiseh, Afsaneh Malekpour-Tehrani, Mahmoud Bahmani, Mahmoud Rafieian-Kopaei

Diabetes mellitus can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart. Microvascular and macrovascular disorders are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Hyperglycemia can increase the indicators of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in which free radicals have the main role in the pathogenesis of these complications. Therefore, antioxidants which combat oxidative stress should be able to prevent and repair free radicals induced damages. Although free radicals contribute to kidney damage, atherosclerosis, diabetes, heart disease, nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity; however, clinical trials do not uniquely confirm a substantial impact on diabetic damage. It seems that antioxidants in vegetables, fruits and grains help preventing diabetes complications; however, there is little evidence that taking single antioxidants such as vitamin E or vitamin C protect these complications. The findings about combination antioxidants are also complicated and not entirely clear. In this review paper we tried to present the role of oxidative stress on micro-vascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Other objective of this paper is to review the new findings about the role of various antioxidants on prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus as well as its complications including retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy.

839-843

Authors: Filippo Fratini, Giovanni Cilia, Barbara Turchi, Antonio Felicioli

Beeswax is the substance that forms the structure of a honeycomb; the bees secrete wax to build the honeycombs where to store honey. Thanks to its rich hydrophobic protective properties, the beeswax is in fact present within cosmetics and body products. Also, beeswax is used in the food industry: as a film to wrap cheese for maturing or as a food additive (E901) to give shine to the products. Exactly as the honey which it contains, beeswax is also characterized by several therapeutic properties of great interest to us; it is thought to be particularly effective in healing bruises, inflammation and burns. Recently, the interest of researchers has moved even on antimicrobial properties of beeswax although there are still few studies in the literature focused only on the action of beeswax. The few studies showed an antimicrobic effectiveness of beeswax against overall Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger; these inhibitory effects are enhanced synergistically with other natural products such as honey or olive oil. This minireview aims to be a collection of major scientific works that have considered the antimicrobial activity of beeswax alone or in combination with other natural products in recent years.

851-855

Authors: Jia B. Kangbai

Objective To explore and visualize the connectivity of suspected Ebola cases and surveillance callers who used cellphone technology in Moyamba District in Sierra Leone for Ebola surveillance, and to examine the demographic differences and characteristics of Ebola surveillance callers who make more calls as well as those callers who are more likely to make at least one positive Ebola call. Methods Surveillance data for 393 suspected Ebola cases (192 males, 201 females) were collected from October 23, 2014 to June 28, 2015 using cellphone technology. UCINET and NetDraw software were used to explore and visualize the social connectivity between callers and suspected Ebola cases. Poisson and logistic regression analyses were used to do multivariable analysis. Results The entire social network was comprised of 393 ties and 745 nodes. Women (AOR = 0.33, 95% CI [0.14, 0.81]) were associated with decreased odds of making at least one positive Ebola surveillance call compared to men. Women (IR = 0.63, 95% CI [0.49, 0.82]) were also associated with making fewer Ebola surveillance calls compared to men. Conclusion Social network visualization can analyze syndromic surveillance data for Ebola collected by cellphone technology with unique insights.

860-865

Authors: Áurea Regina Telles Pupulin, Lívia Bracht, Márcia Machado de Oliveira Dalalio, Francielli Maria de Souza Silva-Comar, Bruno Ambrósio da Rocha, Franciele Queiroz Ames, Roberto Kenji Nakamura Cuman, Ciomar Aparecida Bersani-Amado

Objective To identify whether Canova medication changes TNF-α and IL-10 serum levels in mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain. Methods Animals were divided into five groups: non-treated infected animals (I); benznidazole-treated infected animals (Bz; 100 mg/kg body weight, single daily dose by gavage); Canova medication (CM) treated infected animals (CM; 0.2 mL/animal, single daily dose by gavage); benznidazole- and Canova medication-treated infected animals with the above-mentioned dose (Bz+CM); and non-infected animals (C). TNF-α and IL-10 levels were determined in serum aliquots after 4, 7, 10, 13, and 29 days of infection. An ELISA technique was employed with R&D System Inc. antibody pairs. Results A high increase in TNF-α and IL-10 levels occurred in the infected and CM-treated groups within the treatment employed on the 10th day after infection, coupled with a IL-10 decrease on the 13th day after infection when compared with the other experimental groups. Conclusions CM may change the balance between plasma cytokine levels (TNF-α and IL-10) in mice infected with Y strain T. cruzi, with important consequences leading towards a more severe infection.

872-876

Authors: Yun-Xia Zhang, Ya Su, Li Tang, Ze-Xing Yang, Dai-Feng Zhou, Yi-Min Qiu

Objective In this paper, we will discuss if the CETP polymorphism contributes to the centenarians in Hainan island. Methods We tested the TaqIB and I405V polymorphisms of CETP gene among 276 centenarians and 301 matched healthy individuals by AS-PCR and analyzed the data with SPSS software package (Version 19.0). Results Our data indicated that allele B1 and V have the significant differences between centenarians and healthy control groups with P < 0.001. Further analysis implied that genotypes B1B1 (P < 0.001, OR = 0.148, 95% CI = 0.095–0.230) and VV (P < 0.001 and OR = 0.353, 95% CI = 0.237–0.525) were significantly different between centenarians and matched controls. The combination of B and V, such as B1B1-II (P < 0.001, OR = 0.128, 95% CI = 0.049–0.329), B1B1-IV (P < 0.001, OR = 0.115, 95% CI = 0.056–0.237), B1B2-VV (P < 0.05, OR = 0.534, 95% CI = 0.310–0.920), and B2B2-VV (P < 0.001, OR = 0.198, 95% CI = 0.086–0.453) have significant differences between centenarians and matched healthy individuals from Hainan. Conclusion Our results implied that allele B1B1 and VV, as well as the combination B1B1-II, B1B1-IV, B1B2-VV and B2B2-VV may contribute to the longevity in centenarians of Hainan, south of China.

882-886

Authors: Ling Huang, Jun-Qing Zhang, You-Bin Li, Mi Liu, Hui-Ming Deng, Yu-Chao Luo, Yin-Feng Tan, Jie Hou, Gui-Wei Yao, Wei-Wei Guan

Objective To study the effect of Alpinia officinarum Hance (A. officinarum) 80% alcohol extract on the primary dysmenorrhea. Methods A. officinarum 80% alcohol extract were enriched by macroporous adsorption resins. Female mice of primary dysmenorrhea model were established by oxytocin induction; the effects of A. officinarum 80% alcohol extract on primary dysmenorrhea were observed by body twist method; and the homogenate level of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and Ca2+ in the uterus were observed in oxytocin-induced female mice. Results The writhing frequency of primary dysmenorrhea mice was significantly decreased after treatment of A. officinarum 80% alcohol extract and the level of PGF2α, PGE2 and Ca2+ in mice uterus was significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in groups of mice treated with middle and high dosage of A. officinarum 80% alcohol extract compared with that of model group. Conclusions These findings suggest that A. Officinarum 80% alcohol extract can significantly relieve primary dysmenorrhea.

893-897

Authors: Qiao-Min Wu, Hai-Xiang Ni, Xiao Lu

Objective To study the effect of sitagliptin on adipocytokines expression in diabetic rats and its molecular mechanism. Methods Male SD rats were chosen and randomly divided into NC group, T2DM group, SP group and SP + LY group. NC group received conventional breeding, T2DM group, SP group and SP + LY group received intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin after 12 weeks of high-fat diet to establish diabetes animal model, SP group received sitagliptin intervention and SP + LY group received sitagliptin combined with PI3K inhibitor LY294002 intervention. Six weeks after the intervention, serum was collected to determine the levels of biochemical indexes and adipocytokines, and visceral adipose tissue was collected to determine expression levels of adipocytokines. Results Serum TC, TG, LDL-C, FBG, FINS, Leptin and Chemerin levels as well as HOMA-IR of T2DM group were higher than those of NC group, and HDL-C, Adiponectin and Omentin-1 levels were significantly lower than those of NC group; serum TC, TG, LDL-C, FBG, FINS, Leptin and Chemerin levels as well as HOMA-IR of SP group were lower than those of T2DM group, and HDL-C, Adiponectin and Omentin-1 levels were significantly higher than those of T2DM group; Leptin and Chemerin levels in serum and visceral adipose tissue of SP + LY group were higher than those of SP group while Adiponectin and Omentin-1 levels were significantly lower than those of SP group. Conclusion Sitagliptin can regulate the expression of adipocytokines in adipose tissue of diabetic rats through PI3K-AKT pathway.

903-908

Authors: Ali Al Bshabshe, Martin R.P. Joseph, Ali Al Hussein, Waleed Haimour, Mohamed E. Hamid

Objective To identify and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) clinical isolates from ICU at Aseer Central Hospital. Methods The study was conducted in the Intensive Care Unit, Aseer Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia over 13 months period (2014–2015). Acinetobacter species (n = 105) were isolated from various clinical samples. Isolates were identified using selected phenotypic criteria and confirmed using the Vitek 2 automated system. This system was used to determine the susceptibilities of 21 antimicrobial agents. Patients, isolates and drug data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software package to determine some epidemiological and microbiological patterns. Results Of the 105 stains, A. baumannii accounted for 49 (46.67%), A. baumannii complex, 19 (18.09%), A. baumannii/haemolyticus 32 (30.47), Acinetobacter haemolyticus 4 (3.81%), Acinetobater lwoffii 1 (0.95%) and unidentified Acinetobater species 2 (1.3%). Of the 105 Acinetobacter strains, 103 (98.1%) were found multidrug resistant (MDR). A. baumannii strain were 100% sensitive to colistin and 74.5% to trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole. The remaining 19 antimicrobial agents revealed low or no sensitivities: amikacin 16.3%; ampicillin 7.7%; ceftazidime, 7.3%. Distribution of similar sensitivities was shown by other Acinetobacter species. Mean number of isolates from males and females indicates no statistical variation (P = 0.867) whereas age groups showed significant differences (P = 0.008) as it is clear from the high percentage of infected individuals more than 60 years followed by those aged 20–29 years old (19.05%). Upper respiratory tract (30.48%), lower respiratory tract (47.65%) and subcutaneous tissue (9.5%) were the main sources of Acinetobacter spp. but mean numbers of isolates from these specimens indicate no discrepancy between specimens (P = 0.731). Conclusions Acinetobacter species including A. baumannii were found MDR (98.1%) according to the current Acinetobacter spp. antimicrobial categorization. Approximately half of these strains were A. baumannii. All Acinetobacter species were 100% sensitive to colistin and to some extent to trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole (74.5%). ICU-acquired pneumonia among patients over 60 years of age who spend prolong times at artificial ventilations made up the majority of the cases.

913-915

Authors: Jun-Cheng Guo, Zhi-Liang Tian, Xiao-Dan Wang, Min Guo, Meng-Yong-Wei Li, Yun-Suo Gao, Xiang-Ling Jiang, Lin-Mei Fu, Tao Huang, Xiang Li, Shu-Feng Yu, Li You

Objective To investigate residents' psychological stress factors and research the correlation between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and platelet 5-HT concentrations so as to provide scientific bases for diagnosis and treatment of PTSD and psychological intervention for people in the disaster area. Methods A questionnaire survey of 5 500 residents who have accepted psychological help was conducted by the emphatic investigation method. While high performance liquid chromatography was used to detect the platelet serotonin concentration of 100 PTSD patients and 100 healthy people. Results (1) Of the 5 114 cases, 3 167 (61.93%) showed positive results in screening for psychological stress symptoms, and 399 (7.8%) were tested having apparent PTSD symptoms. Male and female prevalence showed no significant difference (χ2 = −0.380, P = 0.704). The differences of prevalence between different age groups were statistically significant (χ2 = 381.89, P = 0.000). (2) The differences in the level of platelet 5-HT between PTSD patients and normal control group were statistically significant. Conclusions The typhoon of Hainan Province caused relatively large psychological problems to the disaster victims. Compared with normal control group, the platelet 5-HT levels of PTSD patients in the disaster areas are lower. It may be related to incidents exposure levels, cultural background, religious ideas, social concerns and psychological rescue of the residents who live in the disaster areas of Hainan.

920-923

Authors: Hui-Lei Wan, Hui-Zhi Chen, Xiu-Qin Shi

Objective To study the effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jianpi Chushi decoction and ointment on chronic eczema. Methods DNCB acetone solution was used to sensitize the skin of back and ears of 36 rats in order to establish chronic eczema model. A total of 36 rats were divided into four groups of 9 randomly including oral medicine group, external inunctum group, combination therapy group, and model control group respectively. Besides, the blank group of 4 healthy rats were set. The oral medicine group was given Traditional Chinese Medicine Jianpi Chushi decoction [(Poria cocos, Chinese yam, Cortex dictamni, Zaocys dhumnade, Rhizoma atractylodis, Pericarpium citri reticulatae, Scutellaria baicalensis, Radix Sophorae Flavescentis, Raw Radix Paeoniae Alba, Licorice roots (Northwest Origin)] by gastric infusion (1.6 g/mL·5 mL/d); the external inunctum group was given Qingpeng ointment on the skin, the combination therapy group was given Jianpi Chushi decoction by gastric infusion and Qingpeng ointment combination therapy. The model control group was given normal saline (NS) of the same volume by gastric infusion and vaseline on skin. Continuous administration 15 d and stopped for 3 d. The thickness difference and weight difference of left and right ear of every group were measured and the degree of ear swelling were evaluated. The CD4+ and CD8+ content and the IL-2, IL-4 level of serum were detected, and the inflammatory cells counts of back skin were recorded. Results After treatment, the degree of ear swelling of oral medicine group, external inunctum group and combination therapy group significant decreased compared with model control group (P < 0.05). The CD4+, CD8+ cell content and IL-2 level of oral medicine group, external inunctum group, combination therapy group and model control group significant decreased compared with blank group, and IL-2 level and the inflammatory cells count increased. After 15 d of treatment, the CD4+, CD8+ cell content and IL-2 level of serum of oral medicine group, external inunctum group and combination therapy group raised and the IL-4 level and the inflammatory cells count had significant decreased compared with model control group, and the effect of combination therapy group was more obvious (P < 0.05). Conclusions Qral Jianpi Chushi decoction could treat chronic eczema effectively, and oral Chinese medicine combined with ointment could enhance and speed up the efficacy.