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Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus in Healthcare Workers - AIMS, B G Nagara
Vijaya Doddaiah,
Katta Janakiram,
Sathish Javagal
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, August 2013
Pages:
145-149
Received:
11 June 2013
Published:
10 July 2013
Abstract: Healthcare workers have an elevated risk of acquiring and transmitting parental infections. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV among the health care workers. One hundred and sixty eight HCWs (doctors-6, nurses-38, technicians-10, ward attenders-91, nursing students-23) were screened for HBsAg. These HCWs were not vaccinated against hepatitis B virus infection. Among them, two (1.19%) were positive for HBsAg. The positive persons were ward attenders (1 male, 1 female) who handle hospital waste. Four hundred and five HCWs (doctors-88, nurses-155, technicians-30, ward attenders-107, nursing student-25) were screened for HCV antibodies. None of the HCWs were positive for HCV antibodies. Health education, prophylaxis by vaccination, universal precautions and proper hospital waste management play a major role in the prevention of HBV and HCV infection. This is the first study undertaken from this hospital on the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among HCWs after of 27 years establishment of the hospital.
Abstract: Healthcare workers have an elevated risk of acquiring and transmitting parental infections. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV among the health care workers. One hundred and sixty eight HCWs (doctors-6, nurses-38, technicians-10, ward attenders-91, nursing students-23) were screened for HBsAg. These HCWs we...
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Effects of Container Types and Soil Organic Matter Proportions on the Culture of a Tropical Earthworm (Libyodrilus violaceus Beddard, 1891)
E. O. Dada,
K. L. Njoku,
A. A. Osuntoki,
M. O. Akinola
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, August 2013
Pages:
150-154
Abstract: Earthworms are becoming increasingly useful in solving human and environmental problems. In addition to biomonitoring and soil fertility renewing roles, they are now used as livestock feed, therapeutic agents and soil contaminants remover. It is therefore imperative to encourage more earthworm culture research. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which container types and soil amendments affect the breeding of Libyodrilus violaceus Beddard, 1891 in the laboratory. The earthworm species was cultured in loamy sandy soil amended with different proportions of cow dung inside earthenware, plastic and wooden pots for a period of twelve weeks in the laboratory. The data generated were subjected to multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) using the general linear model (GLM) multivariate tests. These tests indicated that both pot and soil types had significant influence on L. violaceus culture. The effects of pot type was more significant (Lambda = 0.114, p < 0.001) compared to soil type (Lambda = 0.302, p < 0.001). Follow-up univariate analysis of variance indicated that pot type had more significant influence on final earthworm number (F = 68.74, p < 0.001) than the final weight (F = 7.14, p < 0.005). While soil type had a strong significant influence on the final number of earthworms (F = 12.24, p < 0.001), its influence on the final weight was not significant (F = 2.20, p > 0.05). Wooden pot had the highest mean final earthworm number (76.50 ± 20.27), followed by earthenware pot (61.75 ± 16.43). Loamy soil amended with 25% cow dung had the highest mean final earthworm number in the three types of pot, 82.67 ± 11.93, 32.00 ± 7.00, and 94.00 ± 11.53 for earthenware, plastic and wooden pots respectively. These findings imply that if L. violaceus must be cultured ex situ, wooden pot should be preferred above earthenware and plastic, while loamy soil amended with 25% cow dung should be preferred over other soil amendments.
Abstract: Earthworms are becoming increasingly useful in solving human and environmental problems. In addition to biomonitoring and soil fertility renewing roles, they are now used as livestock feed, therapeutic agents and soil contaminants remover. It is therefore imperative to encourage more earthworm culture research. The aim of this study was to determin...
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Systematic Studies on Asteraceae in the Northern Region of Bangladesh
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, August 2013
Pages:
155-164
Received:
23 May 2013
Published:
30 July 2013
Abstract: Systematic investigation on the family Asteraceae (Compositae) growing throughout in the northern region of Bangladesh was carried out. A total of 36 species under 29 genera of the family Asteraceae were collected and identified. A complete taxonomic account of each species has been given along with their current name, local name, brief description, phenology, basic chromosome number, anatomy and voucher number. Among the recorded species, both anomocytic and anisocytic stomata were found in 21 species; anomocytic stomata in 10 species; anisocytic stomata in 3 species; anomocytic and paracytic stomata were found in 1 species; anomocytic, anisocytic and paracytic stomata were found in 1 species. Out of the 36 species, stomata were found to be present both on the upper and lower surface in 33 species and only on lower surface in 3 species. Three types of trichomes, i.e. non-glandular multicellular, non-glandular unicellular and glandular multicellular trichomes were recorded. Non-glandular multicellular trichome was found in 25 species, non-glandular unicellular in 1 species and glandular multicellular trichome was found in 1 species. Trichomes were absent in rest of the species. Finally, a new system of classification of the family Asteraceae has been proposed on the basis of morphological, anatomical, cytological and floral characters.
Abstract: Systematic investigation on the family Asteraceae (Compositae) growing throughout in the northern region of Bangladesh was carried out. A total of 36 species under 29 genera of the family Asteraceae were collected and identified. A complete taxonomic account of each species has been given along with their current name, local name, brief description...
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Curcumin Inhibits Compound 48/80 Induced Systemic Anaphylaxis
Subhashini,
Preeti Singh Chauhan,
Sharda Kumari,
Debabrata Dash,
Rashmi Singh
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, August 2013
Pages:
165-170
Received:
19 June 2013
Published:
30 July 2013
Abstract: Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, is a polyphenolic phytochemical with anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-allergic properties. Mast cells participate in allergic inflammation by virtue of their ability of being activated to allergens and lead to the release of number of biologically active mediators including histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, various cytokines etc. In this report, we have investigated effects of curcumin on non-immunological stimulations like Compound 48/80 induced systemic anaphylaxis. In vitro experiments have confirmed non-toxicity of curcumin (50µM) as assessed by MTT test but 100µM dose was found toxic. Curcumin (50µM) inhibited Compound 48/80 induced mouse peritoneal mast cell (MPMC) degranulation and histamine release in dose-dependent manner. Therefore, it is worth to study effect of curcumin on non-immunological stimulations as most often it occurs without IgE involvement. Whether it has mast cell membrane stabilizing activity or some other signaling mechanisms are involved underlying its potential could be explored further.
Abstract: Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, is a polyphenolic phytochemical with anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-allergic properties. Mast cells participate in allergic inflammation by virtue of their ability of being activated to allergens and lead to the release of number of biologically active mediators including histamine...
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Dermatitis Paederus: About 06 Cases Occurred in Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo
Redouane Roukhsi,
Monsef Elabdi,
Taher Nebhani,
Abdelilah Mouhcine,
Elmehdi Atmane,
M’barek Mahfoudi,
Abdelghani El Fikri
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, August 2013
Pages:
171-173
Received:
11 July 2013
Published:
30 July 2013
Abstract: The dermatitis Paederus is a dermatitis contact caused by caustic and vesicant activity of pederin. It occurs after skin contact with beetles Paederus kind belonging to the family Staphylinidae. The geographical distribution of these insects is global. Diagnosis is primarily based on clinical evidence and the epidemiological context. We report below six cases of pederose to Paederus occurred among the Moroccan Level II hospital staff in Bunia deployed in the framework UN peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo(MONUSCO).
Abstract: The dermatitis Paederus is a dermatitis contact caused by caustic and vesicant activity of pederin. It occurs after skin contact with beetles Paederus kind belonging to the family Staphylinidae. The geographical distribution of these insects is global. Diagnosis is primarily based on clinical evidence and the epidemiological context. We report belo...
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Optimization, Niche and Neutral Mechanisms in the Formation of Biodiversity
Bukvareva Elena,
Aleshchenko Gleb
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, August 2013
Pages:
174-183
Received:
22 July 2013
Published:
20 August 2013
Abstract: Today the main scientific belief on the mechanisms for the formation of community structure is the concept of ecological niches and the “neutral theory”. We consider processes of diversity optimization at the levels of populations and ecological communities as an additional type of the mechanisms. Basing on the principle of optimal diversity a scheme for cooperative effect of different mechanisms of formation of the communities species structure is proposed: 1 ‒ number of species and their niches width is primarily determined by the processes of diversity optimization, according with an available resources levels and the degree of environmental stability; 2 – these parameters are modified by other mechanisms during the formation of the species composition, depending on the ratio of the environmental “richness” and stability: ‒ neutral mechanisms work primarily in very “rich” or very stable environments;‒ niche mechanisms work primarily in the environments with medium values of the “richness” and stability, rather when the number of niches with optimal width, which divide the available range of the resource parameter and the number of species that may exist on the available quantity of the resource, are approximately equal;‒ “abiotic filters” work primarily in poor, severe, or extremely unstable environments.
Abstract: Today the main scientific belief on the mechanisms for the formation of community structure is the concept of ecological niches and the “neutral theory”. We consider processes of diversity optimization at the levels of populations and ecological communities as an additional type of the mechanisms. Basing on the principle of optimal diversity a sche...
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A Study on Relapse Prevention in Cases of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, August 2013
Pages:
184-188
Received:
15 July 2013
Published:
30 August 2013
Abstract: Background- There have been few studies on relapse preventive strategies on people with alcohol dependence syndromes. There have been various factors for causes of relapse even after undergoing detoxification and other therapeutic measures. The use of anticraving medications and psychotherapy have been the common modalities used in the management of people dependent on alcohol.. Methods- 100 cases diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome were placed into two separate groups of fifty each. One group was placed on anticraving medication, Tab Acamprosate, and the other group was maintained on psychotherapy sessions. They were followed up at 0, 6 and 12 month period. Scales were used to screen alcohol dependence (ADS, Brief MAST) and a scale specifically designed for the Indian people were used to assess stressful life events (AFMC Life Events Scale). Results- Relapse rates were ascertained at the given time of follow up. Analysis revealed that a total of 09 cases relapsed in this one year period. The relapse rates were higher in the first six months after therapy than in the later follow up period. 06 cases that relapsed were from psychotherapy group and the remaining 03cases were from the group receiving anticraving medications. But the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. Various stressful events were highlighted using Marlatt’s taxonomy for causes of relapse. Conclusions- Relapse rate was commoner in the initial months after undergoing detoxification therapy. Anticraving medication was in no way superior to a structured psychotherapy sessions in relapse prevention.
Abstract: Background- There have been few studies on relapse preventive strategies on people with alcohol dependence syndromes. There have been various factors for causes of relapse even after undergoing detoxification and other therapeutic measures. The use of anticraving medications and psychotherapy have been the common modalities used in the management o...
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