Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine

554–561

Authors: Assalif Demissew, Meshesha Balkew, Melaku Girma

Objective: To elucidate the larvicidal potency of neem, chinaberry and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) to larvae of Anopheles arabiensis under semi-field condition and adult susceptibility/resistance to the conventionally used insecticides in Tolay, Southwestern Ethiopia. Methods: Wild collected 3rd and 4th stage larvae were exposed to neem, and chinaberry seed powder dissolved in water and Bti in artificial containers at three treatment levels: 0.2, 0.1 and 0.05 g/m2 and controls were free of treatments. Larval and pupal mortalities were monitored daily and residual activities were determined. The experiments were replicated three times. The World Health Organization tube test for all classes of insecticides was conducted on adult Anopheles arabiensis reared from field collected larvae and pupae. Data were analyzed using STATA software version 11. Results: In the first application, neem powder caused 88.9%, 87.9% and 79.4% larval and pupal mortality at 0.2, 0.1 and 0.05 g/m2 after 4.3, 6.0 and 5.7 days, respectively. The corresponding killing effect of chinaberry was 80.3%, 62.1% and 30.3% after 7.0, 7.7 and 8.3 days respectively. Bti at all treatments killed 100% after 24 h except 2.7 days for 0.05 g/m2. Adult mosquitoes were susceptible only for fenitrothion and pirimiphos-methyl with 100% mortality while resistant to deltamethrin, alpha-cypermethrin, etofenprox and dichlorodiphenyl-tricgloroethane with only 9.0%, 3.0%, 5.1% and 2.0% mortalities respectively. Conclusions: Neem, chinaberry and Bti showed potent larvicidal and pupicidal activities. However, in the area, high level of mosquito resistance to pyrethroids and dichlorodiphenyl-tricgloroethane was seen which will pose serious challenge to vector control in the future. Therefore, using integrated approach including these botanical larvicides is warranted to manage insecticide resistance.

568–573

Authors: Md. Moklesur Rahman Sarker, Long Chiau Ming, Md. Zaidul Islam Sarker, M Shahabuddin Kabir Choudhuri

Objective: To assess the immunopotentiality of Ayurvedic polyherbal preparations, “Saribadi” and “Anantamul Salsa”. Methods: Freshly prepared BALB/c mice splenocytes were cultured with “Saribadi” or “Anantamul Salsa” treatment [doses of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%, 1.50%, 2.00%, 3.00% and 4.00% (v/v)] at 37
C for 5 days. The immunoglobulin M (IgM) production and lymphocytes proliferation were determined by ELISA and MTT methods, respectively. Endotoxin contamination was assessed by treating the preparations with polymyxin B. Results: The doses of “Saribadi” [0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.00% (v/v)] significantly increased IgM productions (0.966, 0.728, 0.695 and 0.615 mg/mL vs. control 0.265 mg/mL) and lymphocytes proliferation [absorbance 0.311, 0.394, 0.372 and 0.334 optical density (OD) vs. control 0.162 OD]. Similarly, the doses of “Anantamul Salsa” [0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00% and 1.50% (v/v)] promoted IgM productions (0.933, 0.919, 0.917 and 0.892 mg/mL vs. control 0.502 mg/mL) and the doses of “Anantamul Salsa” [0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%, 1.50%, 2.00%, and 3.00% (v/v)] stimulated lymphocytes proliferation (absorbance 0.395, 0.326, 0.440, 0.398, 0.452 and 0.355 OD vs. control 0.199 OD). The activity of “Saribadi” and “Anantamul Salsa” was not retarded by the treatment of preparations with polymyxin B. Conclusions: Immunomodulatory activity of “Saribadi” and “Anantamul Salsa” was unveiled for the first time. “Saribadi” and “Anantamul Salsa” possess immunostimulating potential acting through the induction of lymphocyte proliferation and IgM production. These preparations may be useful in strengthening immune responses. However, further cellular and in vivo studies are required.

580–585

Authors: Joo Hyun Nam, Hyo Won Jung, Young-Won Chin, Woo Kyung Kim, Hyo Sang Bae

Objective: To examine the effects of Tribulus terrestris L. (T. terrestris) extract on the modulation of calcium channels to evaluate its use in topical agents for treatment of atopic dermatitis. Methods: The 70% methanol extract of T. terrestris was prepared. Human HEK293T cells with over-expressed calcium release-activated calcium channel protein 1 (Orai1), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, or transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) were treated with T. terrestris extract. Modulation of ion channels was measured using a conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Results: T. terrestris extract (100 mg/mL) significantly inhibited Orai1 activity in Orai1- stromal interaction molecule 1 co-overexpressed HEK293T cells. In addition, T. terrestris extract significantly increased the TRPV3 activity compared with 2-Aminoethyl diphenylborinate (100 mmol/L), which induces the full activation of TRPV3. Conclusions: Our results suggest that T. terrestris extract may have a therapeutic potential for recovery of abnormal skin barrier pathologies in atopic dermatitis through modulating the activities of calcium ion channels, Orai1 and TRPV3. This is the first study to report the modulatory effect of a medicinal plant on the function of ion channels in skin barrier.

597–604

Authors: Ernieenor Faraliana Che Lah, Salmah Yaakop, Mariana Ahamad, Ernna George, Shukor Md Nor

Objective: To identify different stages of Ixodes granulatus (I. granulatus) based on morphological characters prior to molecular identification which is significant for confirming and identifying the nymphal stages of I. granulatus. Methods: A total of 14 individuals of adult, engorged and nymphal ticks collected from three different localities were examined morphologically using taxonomic keys, followed by PCR using cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). Clustering analysis based on COI sequences was carried out by constructing neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony tree to clarify the genetic variation and diversity of local I. granulatus. Results: Based on external morphological characterizations, nine individuals (64.3%) were successfully identified as I. granulatus, while five individuals were recognized only as Ixodes sp. due to lack of morphological characters visible and development during that stage. Molecular analysis of local I. granulatus using COI gene revealed 93%–94% sequence homology from available sequence in GenBank and was in concordance with the morphological identification. Furthermore, a low intraspecific variation was observed among the species of I. granulatus collected from different localities (0%–3.7%). Conclusions: These findings demonstrated for the first time the establishment of COI gene for identifying I. granulatus nymphal tick which is of paramount importance to the control of potential tick-borne infections in Malaysia. Moreover, this study provides evidence that a combination of morphology and molecular data was corroborated as an accurate tool for tick identification.

609–613

Authors: Ismail Jalil, Muhammad Arshad, Zara Rafaque, Fazle Raziq, Robina Wazir, Sajid Malik, Javid Iqbal Dasti

Objective: To study the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infections in patients visiting outpatient department of a major tertiary care hospital in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan. Methods: Blood samples were collected from non-hospitalized patients. Serological analysis was done by ELISA and viral DNA was amplified by PCR. The amplified DNA was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: Altogether, 946 blood samples were screened, overall percentage of HBsAgpositive patients remained 22.41% (prevalence: 224.10/1 000; CI: 0.197 5 ± 0.250 7) with the highest incidence rates among relatively younger age groups (20–29 years). The prevalence of HBV–HDV co-infection was found to be 46.75/1 000; CI: 0.031 8 ± 0.061 7. In HBsAg-positive patients, anti-HBc-total was detected in 86.79% while 25.00% were positive for anti-HBc-immunoglobulin M. Similarly, among these patients, HBV DNA was detected in 64.13% and 10.85% were co-infected with HDV. Different symptoms were associated with the prevailing infection, including malaise (62%), anorexia (66%) and fatigue (73%). The most commonly associated symptom was abdominal discomfort. Among these patients, certain risk factors, including surgery, visit to dentist and intravenus infusions were frequently associated with the infection (c2 = 95.23; df= 11; P < 0.000 1). Conclusions: Overall, this study confirmed higher prevalence of active HBV/HDV infection, among young patients from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region having no prior history of viral hepatitis.

620–624

Authors: Freddie Masaninga, Mary Katepa Bwalya, Sarai Malumo, Busiku Hamainza, Peter Songolo, Mulakwa Kamuliwo, Martin Meremikwu, Lawrence Kazembe, Jacob Mufunda, Olusegun Ayorinde Babaniyi

Objective: To assess potential determinants of uptake and highlight lessons learnt from the implementation of intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp), given to pregnant women as early as possible during the second trimester in Zambia. Methods: Data from four national malaria surveys (2006, 2008, 2010, 2012) were reviewed, and proportions of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics (ANCs) who received two or more doses of sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (IPTp2) were compared by place of residence, education level, and wealth status. Malaria cases and deaths in pregnant women, from Health Information Management System 2011–2013, were analyzed to determine malaria burden in pregnancy in Zambia. A multiple logistic regression model was applied to identify potential determinants of IPTp uptake. Results: The proportion of pregnant women who took IPTp at ANCs increased from near zero at inception in 2001 to 61.9% in 2006; and to 72% by 2012 (P < 0.001), and overall the uptake was 1.41 times higher in 2012 compared to 2006. From 2006 to 2012, IPTp2 uptake among women with no formal education increased from 51% to 68% (P < 0.1). Likewise, uptake among pregnant women with the lowest wealth index increased from 58.2% to 61.2%. By 2012, IPTp uptake among pregnant women within the lowest wealth index increased to a similar level as the women with high wealth index (P = 0.05). Incidence of malaria cases, hospital admissions and mortality during pregnancy decreased between 2011 and 2013. Overall, increased IPTp uptake was associated with being in urban areas (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.39–1.74), having college (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.25–2.75) or secondary education (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.44–1.96) or of being of higher wealth status (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.60–2.17). Conclusions: Zambia has increased IPTp uptake through ANC for all women. The malaria control program has contributed to increasing access to health services and reducing demographic and socioeconomic disparities.

630–632

Authors: Blerina Resuli, Roberto Lisi, Daniela Musio, Vincenzo Tombolini

On September 2013, a 62-year-old man with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung complained tenderness and pain of the first terminal phalange of his right hand. The biopsy confirmed metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung to the finger. A single 8-Gy fraction of palliative radiotherapy was delivered to the patient's right hand. The patient received magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery treatment to the phalange because he showed few improvement of clinical symptoms and persistence of moderate pain after radiotherapy. After magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery, the clinical symptoms improved significantly. No serious adverse effects were reported and the patient compliance was very high. Our patient showed improvement of clinical symptoms after combined treatment. The patient remains in good health conditions.