Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine

429-433

Authors: Hamidreza Alizadeh Otaghvar, Mostafa Hosseini, Adnan Tizmaghz, Ghazaal Shabestanipour, Hamid Noori

Metastatic breast cancer is a disease of early breast cancer that usually occurs several years after the early breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Iranian women. According to the new statistics in Iran 6 160 breast cancers are diagnosed in the country each year and 1 063 cases lead to death. In this paper, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment have been investigated. In this study, case-control clinical trials and open studies with adequate data were collected. Due to the higher risk of age group 40-49 years and the advent of advanced breast cancer in Iranian women, the early diagnosis and determination of the exact size of the tumor before surgery is important in choosing a therapy plan. The decision on the therapy of invasive breast cancer depends on several factors such as cancer stage, tumor size and type, pathological and cytological status of the tumor, the patient’s opinion, the presence or absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the cytoplasm of tumor cells and so on.

438-443

Authors: Omar Messaoudi, Mourad Bendahou, Ibrahim Benamar, Djamal-Elddine Abdelwouhid

Objective: To study the antimicrobial activity of actinomycetes isolated from sabkha of Kenadsa and identification of the isolate interesting. Methods: Eighteen strains were isolated, using four culture media from sebkha of Kenadsa (Bechar, Southwestern Algeria). Screening of antimicrobial activity consisted of two steps: in primary screening, antibacterial activity was determined by using the agar plug method against test strains; in secondary screening, better isolate which showed a good activity in the first screening was selected to extract antimicrobial substances. The antimicrobial activities of extracts were evaluated by using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Partial characterization of antimicrobial products was performed on the basis of chemical revelations, UV-vis spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy. The identification of isolate interesting was performed through morphological, chemical, biochemical and physiological characteristics. Results: All isolates showed antimicrobial activity against at least one microorganism test. One isolate, LAM143cG3, was selected for its broad spectrum and high antimicrobial activity. The isolate LAM143cG3 was identified as Spirillospora sp. The comparison between the species of this genus (Spirillospora rubra and Spirillospora albida) and our isolate indicated the existence of several physiological and biochemical differences which led us to suppose that this was a new member of this genus. Primary characterization of antimicrobial substances produced by the isolate LAM143cG3 indicated the presence of amines and phenols. The UV–vis spectrum suggested a non-polyenic nature of substances secreted by our isolate, while infrared confirmed the presence of amine groups. Conclusions: The result of the present study revealed that sebkha of Kenadsa was rich in rare actinomycetes, that secreted interesting antimicrobial substance.

449-455

Authors: Samah Mamdouh Mohamed Fathy, Ashraf Mohamed Mohamed Essa

Objective: To investigate the effect of intra-peritoneal injection of purified exudates of axenic Spirulina platensis on the mammalian endocrine and nervous systems. Methods: The intra-peritoneal injection of the cyanobacterial exudates in mice was applied. Sex hormonal levels of testosterone and progesterone were measured using radioimmunoassay while the follicular stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were evaluated by direct chemiluminescence. In addition, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were monitored in the hippocampus region using spectrophotometric method. The levels of the hippocampal monoamines, dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography while the acetyl choline neurotransmitter was measured by colorimetric method using choline/acetylcholine assay kit. Results: A sharp disruption in the sex hormones levels of testosterone, progesterone, follicular stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone was demonstrated in the serum of the treated mice. At the same time, a significant reduction in the endogenous antioxidant defense enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase was observed in the hippocampus region of the injected mice. Moreover, levels of dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin and acetyl choline neurotransmitter in the same region were significantly affected as a result of the treatment with Spirulina filtrate. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometer and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry analysis showed the presence of some sterol-like compounds in the cyanobacterial filtrate. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the capability of Spirulina to release detrimental bioactive metabolites into their surrounding that can disrupt the mammalian endocrine and nervous systems.

460-470

Authors: Sherien Kamal Hassan, Nermin Mohammed El-Sammad, Amria Mamdouh Mousa, Maha Hashim Mohammed, Abd el Razik Hussein Farrag, Amani Nassir Eldin Hashim, Victoria Werner, Ulrike Lindequist, Mahmoud Abd El-Moein Nawwar

Objective: To evaluate the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of aqueous ethanolic extract of Caesalpinia ferrea (C. ferrea) leaf in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into 6 groups of 6 rats each were assigned into diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced in rats by single intraperitoneal administration of STZ (65 mg/kg body weight). C. ferrea extract at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight was orally administered to both diabetic and non-diabetic animals for a period of 30 days. After completion of experimental duration serum, liver and pancreas were used for evaluating biochemical and histopathological changes. Results: Oral administration of C. ferrea leaf extract significantly reduced elevated serum glucose, α-amylase, liver function levels and significantly increased serum insulin, total protein and body weight as well as improved lipid profile due to diabetes. Furthermore, the treatment resulted in a marked increase in glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione, and diminished levels of lipid peroxidation in liver and pancreas of diabetic rats. Histopathological studies demonstrated the reduction in the pancreas and liver damage and confirmed the biochemical findings. Conclusions: From the present study, it can be concluded that the C. ferrea leaf extract effectively improved hyperglycaemia while inhibiting the progression of oxidative stress in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Hence, it can be used in the management of diabetes mellitus.

476-482

Authors: Faridah Yusof, Atheer Awad Mehde, Wesen Adel Mehdi, Hamid Ghazali, Azlina Abd Rahman

Objective: To verify possible associations between adenosine aminohydrolase (ADA) and AMP-aminohydrolase (AMPDA) to E3 SUMO-protein ligase NSE2 (NSMCE2) in patients with renal stones. And to isolate, purify and characterize ADA in patients with renal stones and healthy group. Methods: A total of 60 renal stones patients and 50 control were enrolled in a case-control study. The blood urea, creatinine, uric acid, protein, albumin, ADA and AMPDA were measured by colorimetric tests. The serum NSMCE2 was measured by ELISA. Results: Serum ADA, AMPDA and specific activity of enzymes showed significant decrease (P < 0.05) in patients with renal stones compared to control group, mean levels of sera NSMCE2 and uric acid had a significant increase (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) in patients compared to control group. Conclusions: The present study suggests that ADA, AMP deaminase and NSMCE2 can be used as a indicator to monitor the DNA damage and inflammation disorders in the patients with kidney stones.

486-490

Authors: Benjamin Amoani, Elvis Ofori Ameyaw, Du-Bois Asante, Francis Ackah Armah, James Prah, Collins Paa Kwesi Botchey, Johnson Nyarko Boampong

Objective: To investigate the effect of pre-existing Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) infection on malaria disease severity. Methods: The study involved the use of twenty-five imprinting control region mice, fifteen of which were initially infected with S. haematobium. Five of the remaining ten schistouninfected mice together with five schisto-infected mice were infected with Plasmodium berghei (P. berghei) after four weeks (acute stage) of schistosoma infection. The remaining five schisto-uninfected mice together with five schisto-infected mice were also infected with P. berghei after seven weeks (chronic stage) of schistosoma infection. The last five schistoinfected mice were used as control group. They were then monitored for changes in P. berghei parasitaemia on Days 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 post-infection. Records on their survivability were also taken. Results: The co-infected mice had significantly higher malaria parasitaemia, compared with the mono-infected mice during acute S. haematobium infection. In contrast, the co-infected mice had significantly lower malaria parasitaemia during chronic S. haematobium infection and a higher survival rate. Conclusions: Co-infection of mice with P. berghei during acute S. haematobium infection resulted in rapid P. berghei development and increased malaria parasitaemia. However, the co-infection resulted in slower P. berghei development and decreased malaria parasitaemia with enhanced survivability of the mice during chronic S. haematobium infection. Therefore, pre-existing chronic S. haematobium infection may provide some protection to the host by reducing parasitaemia.

494-500

Authors: Min Li, Douglas Bruce Lowrie, Cheng-Yu Huang, Xiang-Chan Lu,Ying-Chu Zhu, Xing-Hua Wu, Mayila Shayiti, Qiong-Zhen Tan, Hua-Ling Yang, Si-Yuan Chen, Pan Zhao, Sheng-Hua He, Xiu-Rong Wang, Hong-Zhou Lu

Objective: To investigate patients’ perception of service quality at hospitals in nine Chinese cities and propose some measures for improvement. Methods: The ServQual scale method was used in a survey involving patients at out-patient and in-patient facilities in Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu, Nanning, Guilin and Laibin of Guangxi, Honghezhou of Yunnan, Wulumuqi of Xinjiang and Zhongshan of Guangdong. The data collected were entered and analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, factor analyses, reliability analyses, product-moment correlations, independent-sample t-tests, One-way ANOVA and regression analyses. Results: The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value for the factor analysis of the scale was 0.979. The Cronbach's α for the reliability analysis was 0.978. All the Pearson correlation coefficients were positive and statistically significant. Visitors to out-patient facilities reported more positive perception than visitors to in-patient facilities on tangibles (t = 4.168, P < 0.001) and reliability (t = 1.979, P < 0.05). Patients of 60 years of age and above reported more positive perception than those between 40 and 49 on reliability (F = 3.311, P = 0.010), assurances (F = 2.751, P < 0.05) and empathy (F = 4.009, P = 0.003). For the five dimensions of the scale, patients in Laibin, Guangxi reported the most positive perceived service quality, followed by patients in Shanghai. On the other hand, patients in Chongqing and Nanning and Guilin of Guangxi reported relatively poor perceptions of service quality. Standardized regression coefficients showed statistically significant (P < 0.001) positive values for all ServQual dimensions. Empathy (β = 0.267) and reliability (β = 0.239) most strongly predicted perception of service quality. Conclusions: Chinese patients perceived service quality as satisfactory. Hospitals in various regions of China should enhance their awareness and ability to serve their patients.