Neurocysticercosis: Clinical Aspects, Immunopathology, Diagnosis, Treatment and Vaccine Development

There are two types of pathologies caused by Taenia solium infection. The first one is taeniosis, which is caused by the adult parasite that develops exclusively in human intestine. The second one, dealswith the infection caused by the larval form, named Cysticercosis (CC). 

Cysticerci develop in the skeletic muscle, the subcutaneous tissue, and mainly in the central nervous system (CNS), where they lead to a clinical pleomorphic disorder known as neurocysticercosis (NCC). This is the most frequent parasitic disease of the CNS, it also can infect the eyes (ophthalmic cysticercosis), where the larvae can lodge in the retina or in the vitreous humour. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated more than 2.5 million people are infected with T. solium around the world, and 50 thousand deaths a year can be attributed to NCC.  Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Detection of Classical Swine Fever Virus by a Surface Plasmon Resonance Assay

Classical swine fever disease, a major concern in the swine-related populations, is caused by classical swine fever virus (CSFV) which belongs to the same flavivirus family of other human pathogens, namely Dengue fever virus, Yellow fever virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, and Tick-borne encephalitis virus. CSFV is anenveloped RNA virus, with a diameter of 40-60 nm and consisting of 12.3 kb witha genome size poly protein coding for 3898 amino acids. 

CSFV causes classical swine fever (CSF) characterized by acute haemorrhagic thrombocytopenia and immunosuppression. In less virulent strains of CSFV long-term persistence and inherited disease to offspring can occur. Commonly CSFV antigens could be traced from crude or impure samples with low concentrations of viruses by fluorescent antibody and ELISA. For convenience Risatti and co-workers developed a portable real-time RT PCR assay for in situ CSFV detection. The development of multiplex real-time RT PCR (RT-MRT-PCR) offers dual purpose, CSFV detection and genotyping, and for the quantitative and also differential detection of wild-type viruses from C-strain of CSFV in vaccinated swine herds. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>

On the Origin of Syphilis and Contemporary Views of Disease Dynamics

Despite syphilis being a disease of antiquity, diagnosis and treatment remains problematic globally due to a complex biologic pathogen/host relationship and the spread of the disease embedded in human behavior. First documented as anindependent disease in 1495, the origin of syphilis has been ambiguous for over500 years.

In the past century, there have been several approaches to investigate the origins of syphilis, but without definitive outcome. A viable syphilis control option became available in the 20th century with the discovery of penicillin, leading to cost effective and safer treatment compared to prior use of mercury- and arsenic-containing compounds. However, despite the availability of antibiotics that can successfully treat syphilis, the disease waxes and wanes at various times and among certain social groups or settings, due in part to risky sexual behavior, a complex clinical presentation (multiple clinical stages including a latent stage where there are no clinical signs), diagnostic challenges and spontaneous healing or unnoticed lesions resulting in failure to seek clinical care or sexual partners not being referred for treatment.   Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Utilizing Nanotechnology to Combat Malaria

Malaria is a potentially fatal disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. In humans disease is due to Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, or P.knowlesi. Infection is spread through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. 

While person-to-person transmission is not described for malaria the life cycle of the parasite in the blood allows the pathogen to be transmitted from mother to child, and through blood transfusions and organ transplants. Malaria thrives in tropical and subtropical regions. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2013 there were almost 200 million cases malaria and more than 500,000 deaths. Most of these occurred among African children.  Read more>>>>>>>

Relation between temperature and malaria cause

A study was conducted to assess the relationship between temperature and malaria cause, by employing simple linear regression, correlation and multiple regressions analysis.  In addition,statistical analysis was done by using SPSS version 16.0. The results of this study reported that, temperature plays a role in malaria transmission and this indicates the presence of positive correlation between malaria and temperature.

Methods:  The study was conducted in Gonji Kollela District which is located 70 km to the south east of Bihar Dar. The District has 26 kebeles (smallest units of district). Each kebeles health center report monthly malaria cases to the district health office. Ten years malaria cases were collected in the district health office; and monthly minimum and maximum temperature collected in meteorology office. Retrospective study design was done by using ten years monthly temperature and positive malaria cases. Read more>>>>>>>>>

Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are age-related chronic and progressive loss of neurons, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Huntington’s disease (HD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 

In clinical, patients suffered impaired memory and cognitive function, impaired motor coordination and irritability and aggression with neurodegenerative diseases. In the end, patients will gradually lose language and movement function. The burden of neurodegenerative diseases is heavy to patient’s families and the whole society. Although many basic and clinical studies have made a lot of efforts to ameliorate the clinical symptoms, it is still far from satisfaction to understand how the interaction of drugs and degenerative neurons. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>

Visceral Fat and Association with Metabolic Risk Factors

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Globally, more than one billion adults are overweight (BMI≥25 kg/m2). 

At least300 million are obese (BMI≥30 kg/m2). The visceral fat (VF) is a risk factor for multiple CVD risk factors, including endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, impaired glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome (MetS), liver insulin resistance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, increased predisposition to cancers of the colon, breast and prostate, and it is associated with prolonged hospital stays, increased incidence of infections and non-infectious complications, and increased mortality in hospital. Age, gender, genetics, and ethnicity are factors contributing to variation in visceral adipose tissue accumulation. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Predictors of Intention to Quit Cigarette Smoking among Jordanian Adults

Tobacco use causes approximately 443,000 premature deaths annually in the United States (US) and 5.4 million worldwide with annual economic losses to the US society estimated at $193 billion with$96 billion in direct medical costs.

It remains the leading preventable cause of premature death worldwide, and is expected to remain as such in both developed and developing countries in 2020 . Tobacco use in the Middle East is reported to be the highest worldwide  with smoking rates usually ranging from 40-60% for cigarettes and reaching rates of 77% for men and 35% in women, in some Arab countries. These rates continue to rise. Consequently, smoking habits have been cited as one of the major reasons for a 181% expected increase in cancer mortality by the year 2020, compared to a 26% increase in developed countries.  Read more>>>>>>>>>

HIV-1 Capsid as a Target for Antiviral Therapy

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the causative virus responsible for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), for which there is still no protective vaccine.

Since 1983, more than34 million people have been infected with HIV across the world, with 1.5million people dying as a result of complications from infection each year. HIV-1 virions mainly infect cells of the immune system and lead to a gradual reduction in the proportion of CD4+ T cells. This in turn causes a significant decrease in the patient’s ability to mount an immune response, and they die as a result of opportunistic infection. HIV-1 thus remains a major pathogenic threat to human health worldwide.  Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Steep decline in rabies is possible through vaccines

Rabies is viral disease and is life-threatening condition that causes 59,000 deaths worldwide every year. The rabies virus sheds in thesaliva of clinically ill animals and is transmitted to humans through bite. This disease can be prevented through vaccines, however the vaccines are available for both animals and humans and this led to steep decline in rabies cases in developing countries in Asia and Africa. 

 There is lack of information on rabies treatment and prevention both in humans and animals. People have clear understanding on the danger of the disease but believe to cure with different traditional and religious treatment rather than seeking effective post exposure prophylaxis. Most people use wide variety of traditional treatment in cases of bite by animals (mostly dogs) believed to be rabid. The significance of the disease is evident from the continued existence of traditional specialists in rabies treatment within the community.  Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Relation between socio-economic and nutritional status on children’s growth

The standard of the life depends upon the socio economic status of people. The educational opportunities and nutritional intakes all depends up the family income. A study conducted to assess the relation between socio-economic status and nutritional status. 

This studyreported nearly 42.3% children of illiterate mothers and 20% children ofliterate mothers are facing malnutrition problem. Thus, socio-economic status affects living standard and nutritional intakes and indirectly it also affects the adolescent growth too.Subjects are adolescents girls aged 10-19 years belongs to Salboni Block which is one the of block of Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, Subjects are clients of counseling center of block level hospital of Salboni. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Progress in Treatment and Prevention of Trichinellosis

Trichinellosis is a foodborne parasitic zoonosis widely distributed all over the world in most climates, except for deserts, with a burden of approximately 10,000 people per year and a 0.2%mortality rate. It transmitted to humans by the consumption of raw or undercooked meat contaminated with nematodes of Trichinella species. 

 

Trichinellosis is a public health hazard by affecting human patients and represents an economic problem in porcine animal production and food safety. In the international ranking of foodborne parasites, Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis ) was among the top 10. T. spiralis is the most pathogenic and prevalent species causing trichinellosis in humans. Infection of humans occurs with the ingestion of Trichinella larvae that are encysted in muscle tissue of meat from domestic or wild animals. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The pros and cons associated with malaria drug to treat auto-immune diseases

Synthetic antimalarial drugs are employed in the treatment of different types of auto-immune diseases, especially for the systemic erythematosus lupus. However, they also reported some side effects, but are very rare.  

A 53 years old female, reported the hypothesis of a double toxicity, when treated chronically by Hydroquinidine and escitalopram for Bouverat disease. This case study reported that, chloroquine and hydroquinidine seems potentially more toxic on muscles. Hence, it is important for physicians to advice the patients about pros and cons of these drugs when treated. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Relationship between Geomagnetic Disturbances and Multiple Sclerosis at the Edge of the Auroral Zone

For decades, researchers have sought to understand the relationship between geographic latitude and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The key was to find factors associated with latitude that could affect human health. The theses of relationships between ultra-violet radiation and/or vitamin Dexposure to MS have been explored but results have not been conclusive.

Another line of investigation has been the relationship of geomagnetic latitude and MS. Geomagnetic latitude is analogous to geographic latitude with orientations to the magnetic north and south poles instead of the geographic poles. In the 1960s, Barlow suggested that the prevalence of MS was more closely related to geomagnetic latitude than geographic. The influence of the sun also varies with latitude. Solar flares produce a variety of influences on the earth, such as geomagnetic disturbances (GMDs). GMDs are magnetic field oscillations in our environment caused by the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth’s magnetic field. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>

Feto-Maternal Outcome of Placenta Praevia after Previous Cesarean Section in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Placenta praevia is a rare form of impaired placentation where placenta lies low in uterine cavity, covering completely or partially the internal cervical ostium. Thefrequency of placenta praevia at the time of delivery average 1/200 births i.e.0.5%. 

 Low implantation is observed in 28% of pregnancies before 24 weeks, 18% after 24 weeks but at term it is only 3%. The prevalence of placenta praevia is significantly over estimated due to practice of routine mid-pregnancy scan, and many women currently undergo a repeat scan in late pregnancy for placental localization. The prevalence of placenta praevia (2.58%) was seen in 3rd and higher gravida group. It also showed an increase with age; the highest number of the patient (38.8%) was between 31-36 years and the lowest between 26-29 years (16.7%). Endometrial trauma due to abortion followed by Dissection & Evacuation (D&E), diagnostic D & E, uterine scar from myomectomy, uterine adhesion, endometritis are predisposing factor to placenta praevia. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Air borne and industrial Allergies may cause irritation and Prickly patches on the skin

Dust, sprays and the pollen may induce air borne allergies among human. When the body parts are exposed to such allergens, it may lead to irritation and patchy prickles and inconvenience. Face, eyes, neck, forearms and the ‘V’ portion of the chest may generallydevelop such allergies. Upon examination,  the treatment modalities can be determined.

 The air borne allergens and irritant agents can enter the environment in many different ways like vapors etc. The most common allergens and irritants causing airborne dermatitis has been listed. In India, Parthenium hysterophorus is the most common Compositae weed responsible for causing airborne dermatitis. This plant is also known as Congress grass or feverfew. Parthenium is originally a species of Mexico, brought to India along with wheat shipments from USA. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>