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Efficacy of Plant-based Repellents Against Anopheles Mosquitoes: A Systematic Review
Laura Nyawira Wangai,
Kenny Kimani Kamau,
Godwil Munyekenye,
David Nderu,
Eva Maina,
William Gitau,
Mary Murigi,
Susan Kamau,
Mercy Njuguna,
Joseph Gichuki,
Fredrick Otieno
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 3, September 2020
Pages:
44-51
Received:
10 June 2020
Accepted:
20 June 2020
Published:
4 July 2020
Abstract: Mosquitoes are usually targeted using insecticides, insect growth regulators, and microbial agents. Indoor residual spraying and insecticide-treated bed nets. However, these strategies have negative effects on human health, the environment and induce resistance in a number of species. Eco-friendly tools have been recently implemented against mosquito vectors, including plant-based insecticides. To date few studies have adopted World Health Organization (WHO) Pesticide Evaluation Scheme guidelines for repellent testing against mosquitoes. This review presents a summary of recent information on development, and efficacy of plant-based repellents against Anopheles mosquitoes as well as promising new advances in the field. All eligible studies published up to April 2020 were systematically searched in several databases, namely PubMed/Medline, Scopus and Google scholar. The outcomes of interest were percentage repellency, protection time and additional properties identified in repellent compounds. A total of 27 trials met the inclusion criteria. The highest repellency effect against mosquitoes was conferred by citronella, followed by Ligusticum sinense extract, pine, Dalbergia sissoo, and Rhizophora mucronata oils with 100% protection for 8 to 14 hours. Furthermore, essential oils from plants such as lavender, camphor, catnip, geranium, jasmine, broad-leaved eucalyptus, lemongrass, lemon-scented eucalyptus, amyris, narrow-leaved eucalyptus, carotin, cedarwood, chamomile, cinnamon oil, juniper, cajeput, soya bean, rosemary, niaouli, olive, tagetes, violet, sandalwood, litsea, galbanum, and C. longa also showed >90% repellency within 8 hours against different species of Anopheles. Therefore, the review showed, essential oils and extracts of some plants could be formulated for the development of eco-friendly repellents against Anopheles species. Plant oils may serve as suitable alternatives to synthetic repellents in the future as they are relatively safe, inexpensive, and are readily available in many parts of the world.
Abstract: Mosquitoes are usually targeted using insecticides, insect growth regulators, and microbial agents. Indoor residual spraying and insecticide-treated bed nets. However, these strategies have negative effects on human health, the environment and induce resistance in a number of species. Eco-friendly tools have been recently implemented against mosqui...
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A Cross-Sectional Study on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Consumption Patterns and Nourish Status Among Students at Faculty of Medicine of Sarajevo University
Amra Catovic,
Mensura Besir
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 3, September 2020
Pages:
52-55
Received:
30 June 2020
Accepted:
15 July 2020
Published:
28 July 2020
Abstract: Emerging adulthood is typically defined as 18-25 years of age. It may be a particularly important time for establishing long-term health behavior patterns. The transition between adolescence and adulthood is a period of increased risk for excess weight gain, because of shifts in activity patterns as well as declines in overall-diet quality. Sugar-sweetened beverages, a great source of added sugar to the diet, contribute to energy imbalance. A small, persistent energy imbalance of 50 calories per day could result in a 5-pound weight gain over the course of one year. This study aimed to assess the nourish status in a sample of students from Faculty of Medicine of Sarajevo University and correlate it with student consumption pattern of sugar-sweetened beverages. A cross-sectional survey of 246 students was performed during May 2018, at the Sarajevo University. Verbal informed consent was obtained from all participants before completing the self-administered questionnaire that included questions on their frequency of consumption of SSBs eating habits and anthropometrics measures, weight and height. Body mass index was used to assess students nourish status. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (IBM, version 23.0). Results were expressed as percentages and means ± standard deviations. This study showed that the majority of the students (69.26%) were of normal weight. One quarter of sample (26.83%) had BMI > 24.9. Intake of soda was more common among students with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 than students with BMI ≤ 24.9 kg/m2 (78.79% vs. 63.89% respectively). Among students with BMI ≤ 24.9 kg/m2, 73.33% reported drinking energy drink never compared to 42.42% students with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. This study gives baseline information about weight status and consumption pattern of SSBs among a sample of university students. Regulating the intake of free sugars could be used as an approach for successful body weight control.
Abstract: Emerging adulthood is typically defined as 18-25 years of age. It may be a particularly important time for establishing long-term health behavior patterns. The transition between adolescence and adulthood is a period of increased risk for excess weight gain, because of shifts in activity patterns as well as declines in overall-diet quality. Sugar-s...
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Prevalence of Tuberculosis by GeneXpert Method in Karnali Academy of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Jumla, Nepal
Bibek Pun Magar,
Niresh Thapa,
Elisha Rana,
Keshav Raj Joshi,
Narayani Maharjan,
Binita Bista
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 3, September 2020
Pages:
56-60
Received:
27 July 2020
Accepted:
8 August 2020
Published:
20 August 2020
Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease that is a major public health problem and one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. Globally, an estimated 10 million people fell ill with TB in 2018. The population of Nepal accounts for 0.45% of the global TB cases. GeneXpert is a molecular test method for TB which detects the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as well as tests for resistance to drug rifampicin. The study aimed to find the prevalence of TB in the rural areas of Karnali province, Jumla. This retrospective cross-sectional study was done in Karnali Academy of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital (KAHS-TH), Jumla. Required data was retrieved from the Laboratory record and medical record section. The data was collected and analyzed by SPSS version 16. Altogether 805 individuals were screened from December 2017 to May 2020. Among them, 96 (11.9%) were infected with TB in which 4 (4.16%) were rifampicin-resistant. Out of the total, 457 males screened for TB where 67 (14.66%) were positive for TB in which 2 (2.98%) were rifampicin-resistant and among 348 females screened 29 (8.33%) were positive for TB in which 2 (6.89%) were rifampicin-resistant. The highest prevalence of 20.63% was observed in the age group of 21–30 years. The study suggests TB infection is lower in Jumla as compared to the overall prevalence of Nepal and helps to identify the high-risk group of TB infection. It also implies increasing the GeneXpert test for a large population, which may help in future TB control programs in Jumla and similar geographical area.
Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease that is a major public health problem and one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. Globally, an estimated 10 million people fell ill with TB in 2018. The population of Nepal accounts for 0.45% of the global TB cases. GeneXpert is a molecular test method for TB which detects the presence of Mycobacteri...
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Effect of Different Exercise Intensity Preconditioning on Global Ischemia-Induced Neuronal Death and Expression of Gadd45β and DNA-PKcs in Rats
Zhumei Sun,
Xu Zhao,
Jianmin Li,
Yaning Zhao,
Changxiang Chen
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 3, September 2020
Pages:
61-66
Received:
5 August 2020
Accepted:
21 August 2020
Published:
10 September 2020
Abstract: Background Acute ischemic stroke causes long-term neurological and neurobehavioral dysfunctions. With the development of clinical medicine, the importance of pre-ischemic exercise intervention has been gradually recognized, but its mechanism remains to be further explored. Objective This study investigates the effects of different exercise intensity preconditioning in changes of hippocampal neurons and the expression of Gadd45β and DNA-PKcs in the hippocampal region after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Method 160 SD rats were divided into control group (n=40), cerebral ischemia reperfusion group (I/R group, n=40), middle intensity exercise preconditioning group (EI 1+I/R group, n=40), high intense exercise preconditioning group (EI 2+I/R group, n=40). Stroke was induced by improved Pulsinelli four blood vessel blocking after exercise preconditioning. Morphological changes of neurons in the hippocampal region of rats were observed by HE staining at 6 h, 1d, 3d and 7d after ischemia in each group. Immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the expression of Gadd45β and DNA-PKcs in hippocampus CA1. The mRNA level of Gadd45β and DNA-PKcs in hippocampal CA1 was detected by Real Time PCR. Results Compared with I/R group, the neuronal cell necrosis of was alleviated in EI 1+I/R group, but more serious in EI 2+I/R group; The expression of Gadd45β and DNA-PKcs were significantly higher in the EI 1+ I/R group, but lower in EI 2+I/R group (P<0.01). Conclusion Moderate intensity exercise preconditioning can improve the survival of neurons after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. However, high-intensity motor preconditioning increased the damage and loss of neurons, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of Gadd45β and DNA-PKcs in the hippocampus of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats, thus protecting and promoting the function of DNA repair system.
Abstract: Background Acute ischemic stroke causes long-term neurological and neurobehavioral dysfunctions. With the development of clinical medicine, the importance of pre-ischemic exercise intervention has been gradually recognized, but its mechanism remains to be further explored. Objective This study investigates the effects of different exercise intensit...
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Haematological Derrangement Due to P. falciparum Infection in Patients of Selected Health Centres in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, Taraba State
Elkanah Obadiah Sambo,
Obiorah Sylvester Chibuzor,
Onyeuku Okechukwu Chinwe,
Elkanah Deborah Sambo,
Egeonu Stephen Ugoeze
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 3, September 2020
Pages:
67-73
Received:
18 July 2020
Accepted:
19 August 2020
Published:
19 September 2020
Abstract: Malaria infection is one of the most common disease of public health importance afflicting millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated haematological derrangement among malaria infected and non-infected patients attending some Primary Health Centres in Ardo-Kola LGA, Taraba State, Nigeria. 585 blood samples were collected and examined for Plasmodium falciparum infection. Packed Cell Volume (PCV) was done by microhaematocrit and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) using Westergen methods. The overall result showed a prevalence of ESR by Westergern method. It was found that malaria with low intensity of parasitaemia infection, 217 (37.09%) was more than medium and high intensity of parasitaemia with no significant difference (χ2=9.34; P≥0.05). The mean value of haematological parameters of parasitized subjects were 0.29 for PCV and 124.3655 for platelets which were significantly lower than those of non-parasitized subjects, PCV=0.4577 and Platelets=198.7698 respectively. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) was higher (33.0852) in parasitized subjects than non-parasitized (20.0504). The result of this study could be useful in identification of high-risk malaria population. This will target intervention and assessment of impact based on changes in haematological parameters associated with P. falciparum infection. Futhermore, preventive strategies like chemoprophylaxis, provision of iron supplementation and insecticide treated nets could be employed in the study area to curb the upsurge in transmission.
Abstract: Malaria infection is one of the most common disease of public health importance afflicting millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated haematological derrangement among malaria infected and non-infected patients attending some Primary Health Centres in Ardo-Kola LGA, Taraba State, Nigeria. 585 blood samples were collected and ...
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Prevalence of Opportunistic Intestinal Protozoan Infection Among HIV/AIDS Patients in Jalingo Metropolis
Onyeuku Okechukwu Chinwe,
Elkanah Obadiah Sambo,
Obiorah Sylvester Chibuzor,
Elkanah Deborah Sambo,
Egeonu Stephen Ugoeze
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 3, September 2020
Pages:
74-78
Received:
18 July 2020
Accepted:
19 August 2020
Published:
19 September 2020
Abstract: Opportunistic protozoans parasitic infection occur frequently in individuals with weakened immune system including people with HIV/AIDS. The study sought to determine the prevalence of opportunistic intestinal protozoan infection in HIV/AIDS patients in Jalingo metropolis. The procedure of wet mount technique and faecal concentration techniques processed the faeces collected. The CD4+ count of patients were determined using the Partee Cyflow Counter, which determines the percentage of CD4+ cells of individuals. A total of eight hundred and fifty (850) faecal samples were collected from sero-positive and sero-negative HIV/AIDS persons in Jalingo metropolis. Out of the 850 subjects 650 (76.47%) were sero-positive while 200 (23.53%) were sero-negative (Control). The sero-positive subjects showed higher prevalence of 118 (18.15%) of opportunistic parasitic protozoan infection according to the following hospital locations: Government House, 12 (25.71%); Ummah Clinic, 8 (21.82%); Taraba State Specialist Hospital, 50 (18.18%) and Federal Medical Centre, 38 (15.20%). The prevalence was higher among female positives, 68 (l9.60%) than the male, 50 (16.50%) with no significant difference (p>0.05). The infection based on age groups revealed that the age group 10-15 years had the highest prevalence of 27 (48.21%) while the age group 41-45 years had the least prevalence of 2 (2.63%). Subjects involved in farming had higher prevalence 30 (46.15%) while the least was found among those of trading/business, 33 (13.86%) with no significant difference in infection (p>0.05). C. parvum had the highest prevalence, 46 (24.46%) among the sero-positive individuals while E. coli the highest among sero-negative, 9 (60.00%). It is recommended that clinicians caring for HIV/AIDS patients should request for routine stool examination for the specific diagnosis of opportunistic intestinal parasites infections.
Abstract: Opportunistic protozoans parasitic infection occur frequently in individuals with weakened immune system including people with HIV/AIDS. The study sought to determine the prevalence of opportunistic intestinal protozoan infection in HIV/AIDS patients in Jalingo metropolis. The procedure of wet mount technique and faecal concentration techniques pro...
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