Efficacy of wild medicinal plant extracts against predominant seed-borne fungi of broad bean cultivars

Seed samples of four Egyptian broad bean cultivars were tested for seed-borne fungi. The deep freezing method was used to isolate twelve seed-borne fungi viz., Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Botrytis fabae, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani,, Penicillium italicum, Rhizoctonia solani, Rhizopus stolonifer, Stemphylium globuliferum and Trichothecium roseum from the broad bean cultivars viz., Giza 3, Giza 429, Giza 843 and Misr 1. Aspergillus flavus, Botrytis fabae, Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium italicum were the most predominant fungal species. Aqueous extracts from five wild medicinal plants (Asclepias sinaica, Farsetia aegyptia, Hypericum sinaicum, Phagnalon sinaicum, and Salvia aegyptiaca) which were collected from the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt were tested against the predominant fungal pathogens. All the aqueous plant extracts significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of these fungi, but the extract of Asclepias sinaica exhibited the strongest antifungal activity. The maximum seed germination rate was observed in infested Giza 843 and minimum in Misr 1. Treating seeds with plant extract of Asclepias sinaica (10%) enhanced the percentage of seed germination of all cultivars in both laboratory and pot experiments. Maximum root and shoot lengths of seedlings were recorded in Giza 843 during fungal infestation or treatment by plant extract. In greenhouse experiment, the aqueous A. sinaica extract reduced disease severity and total pigments but increased total phenolics and fruit yield

STUDI PELAKSANAAN PROGRAM SUPLEMENTASI KAPSUL VITAMIN A PADA BALITA DI PUSKESMAS ANDALAS

Masalah Kurang Vitamin A (KVA) di Indonesia masih merupakan masalah gizi utama. Meskipun KVA tingkat berat (xerophthalmia) sudah jarang ditemui, akan tetapi KVA tingkat subklinis, yaitu tingkat yang belum menampakkan gejala nyata, masih menimpa masyarakat luas terutama kelompok balita. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui gambaran pelaksanaan program suplementasi kapsul vitamin A pada balita di Puskesmas Andalas. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan pengumpulan data menggunakan triangulasi metode yaitu wawancara mendalam, telaah dokumen dan observasi. Sumber informan ditentukan secara purposive sampling dengan jumlah informan 9 orang. Pengolahan dan analisis data menggunakan content analysis dan disajikan dalam bentuk teks naratif. Hasil penelitian tahap input, penentuan sasaran menggunakan data riil dan rumus proyeksi balita, sumber dana dari APBD dan BOK khusus untuk distribusi sweeping, ketersediaan vitamin A mencukupi jumlah sasaran, sedangkan tenaga pelaksana gizi masih kurang. Tahap process, mulai dari perencanaan, pelaksanaan program sampai pencatatan dan pelaporan berjalan sesuai standar. Tahap Output, program mencapai indikator keberhasilan tetapi sosialisasi tentang vitamin A masih kurang. Kesimpulan penelitian bahwa hampir semua indikator program berjalan sesuai prosedur

Ketepatan Penggunaan Obat Hipoglikemik Oral pada Pasien Diabetes Mellitus Tipe II di RSUD DR. Moewardi Surakarta Periode Januari – Juni 2013

Diabetes mellitus tipe 2 merupakan suatu penyakit menahun yang ditandai kadar gula darah yang melebihi nilai normal. Untuk itu diperlukan kesesuaian dan ketepatan pemilihan obat hipoglikemik oral. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui dan mengevaluasi ketepatan penggunaan obat hipoglikemik oral pada pasien diabetes mellitus tipe 2 rawat jalan di RSUD DR. Moewardi Surakarta periode Januari – Juni 2013 berdasarkan standar pedoman konsensus pengelolaan dan pencegahan diabetes mellitus tipe II di Indonesia yang disusun oleh perkumpulan endokrinologi Indonesia (PERKENI tahun 2011). Jenis penelitian yang dilakukan adalah penelitian bersifat observasional (non eksperimental) yang dilakukan secara retrospektif dan dianalisis dengan metode analisis deskriptif. Kriteria inklusi sampel meliputi diagnosis utama penyakit diabetes mellitus tipe 2. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan obat hipoglikemik oral yang digunakan adalah golongan biguanid yaitu metformin (32%) sedangkan golongan sulfonilurea yaitu glibenklamid (1%), glikazid (2%) dan glikuidon (8%), golongan tiazolidindion (2%), golongan penghambat glukosidase alfa (28%) dan kombinasi obat (27%), sedangkan hasil evaluasi ketepatan penggunaan obat hipoglikemik oral adalah 100% tepat indikasi, 100% tepat obat, 98,47% tepat dosis dan 98% tepat pasie

Biological control of the predominant seed-borne fungi of tomato by using plant extracts

Aqueous extracts from five wild traditional medicinal plants (Achillea fragrantissima, Balanites aegyptiaca, Peganum harmala, Rumex vesicarius, and Urtica urens) which were collected from different locations in Egypt were tested against the predominant fungal pathogens (Alternaria alternata f. sp. lycopersici,  A.  solani, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and Rhizoctonia solani) infested tomato seeds . All the aqueous plant extracts significantly inhibited the mycelial growth and spore germination of these fungi, but the extract of A. fragrantissima exhibited the strongest antifungal activity. The maximum seed germination, plant emergence and seedling vigor was detected after the treatment of tomato seeds with 10% A. fragrantissima extract. Pathogenicity testing of tomato seeds by predominant fungi indicated positive infection of tomato seeds but A. solani had the most aggressive infection. In greenhouse experiment, the aqueous A. fragrantissima extract reduced disease severity but increased total pigments, total phenolics and fruit yield

Incorporating prior knowledge improves detection of differences in bacterial growth rate

BACKGROUND: Robust statistical detection of differences in the bacterial growth rate can be challenging, particularly when dealing with small differences or noisy data. The Bayesian approach provides a consistent framework for inferring model parameters and comparing hypotheses. The method captures the full uncertainty of parameter values, whilst making effective use of prior knowledge about a given system to improve estimation. RESULTS: We demonstrated the application of Bayesian analysis to bacterial growth curve comparison. Following extensive testing of the method, the analysis was applied to the large dataset of bacterial responses which are freely available at the web-resource, ComBase. Detection was found to be improved by using prior knowledge from clusters of previously analysed experimental results at similar environmental conditions. A comparison was also made to a more traditional statistical testing method, the F-test, and Bayesian analysis was found to perform more conclusively and to be capable of attributing significance to more subtle differences in growth rate. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that by making use of existing experimental knowledge, it is possible to significantly improve detection of differences in bacterial growth rate

Low-grade inflammation, diet composition and health: current research evidence and its translation

The importance of chronic low-grade inflammation in the pathology of numerous age-related chronic conditions is now clear. An unresolved inflammatory response is likely to be involved from the early stages of disease development. The present position paper is the most recent in a series produced by the International Life Sciences Institute's European Branch (ILSI Europe). It is co-authored by the speakers from a 2013 workshop led by the Obesity and Diabetes Task Force entitled ‘Low-grade inflammation, a high-grade challenge: biomarkers and modulation by dietary strategies’. The latest research in the areas of acute and chronic inflammation and cardiometabolic, gut and cognitive health is presented along with the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation–health/disease associations. The evidence relating diet composition and early-life nutrition to inflammatory status is reviewed. Human epidemiological and intervention data are thus far heavily reliant on the measurement of inflammatory markers in the circulation, and in particular cytokines in the fasting state, which are recognised as an insensitive and highly variable index of tissue inflammation. Potential novel kinetic and integrated approaches to capture inflammatory status in humans are discussed. Such approaches are likely to provide a more discriminating means of quantifying inflammation–health/disease associations, and the ability of diet to positively modulate inflammation and provide the much needed evidence to develop research portfolios that will inform new product development and associated health claims

Use of wild bird surveillance, human case data and GIS spatial analysis for predicting spatial distributions of West Nile Virus in Greece

West Nile Virus (WNV) is the causative agent of a vector-borne, zoonotic disease with a worldwide distribution. Recent expansion and introduction of WNV into new areas, including southern Europe, has been associated with severe disease in humans and equids, and has increased concerns regarding the need to prevent and control future WNV outbreaks. Since 2010, 524 confirmed human cases of the disease have been reported in Greece with greater than 10% mortality. Infected mosquitoes, wild birds, equids, and chickens have been detected and associated with human disease. The aim of our study was to establish a monitoring system with wild birds and reported human cases data using Geographical Information System (GIS). Potential distribution of WNV was modelled by combining wild bird serological surveillance data with environmental factors (e.g. elevation, slope, land use, vegetation density, temperature, precipitation indices, and population density). Local factors including areas of low altitude and proximity to water were important predictors of appearance of both human and wild bird cases (Odds Ratio = 1,001 95%CI = 0,723–1,386). Using GIS analysis, the identified risk factors were applied across Greece identifying the northern part of Greece (Macedonia, Thrace) western Greece and a number of Greek islands as being at highest risk of future outbreaks. The results of the analysis were evaluated and confirmed using the 161 reported human cases of the 2012 outbreak predicting correctly (Odds = 130/31 = 4,194 95%CI = 2,841–6,189) and more areas were identified for potential dispersion in the following years. Our approach verified that WNV risk can be modelled in a fast cost-effective way indicating high risk areas where prevention measures should be implemented in order to reduce the disease incidence

Caractérisation hydrochimique des aquifères fissurés de la région de San- Pedro (Sud-Ouest de la Côte d’Ivoire)

La région de San-Pedro est située dans le Sud-Ouest de la Côte d’Ivoire. Son substratum est constitué de roches cristallines et métamorphiques fracturées. L’objectif de la présente étude est de mieux connaître lespropriétés hydrochimiques et les mécanismes d’acquisition de la minéralisation des eaux souterraines de la région de San-Pedro. La base de données comporte les données des analyses physico-chimiques des eaux souterraines des aquifères fissurés et des fiches techniques des forages. L’approche hydrochimique et l’Analyse en Composantes Principales Normées ont été utilisées pour le traitement de ces données. Les résultats de cette étude montrent que les eaux souterraines de San-Pedro sont caractérisées par une faible minéralisation. Elles se subdivisent en deux principaux hydrofaciès : les eaux bicarbonatées et les eaux chlorurées. D’après le système calco-carbonique, on distingue trois familles d’eau dans la zone d’étude en fonction des indices de saturation vis-à-vis des carbonates : les eaux à circulation très lente, les eaux à circulation lente et les eaux à circulation rapide. L’ACPN a permis de mettre en évidence trois phénomènes principaux gouvernant la minéralisation des eaux souterraines : le temps de séjour de l’eau dans la roche aquifère, les apports superficiels et l’hydrolyse acide. Les eaux souterraines de la région de San-Pedro sont potables pour la consommation des populations humaines d’une manière générale. Ces résultats concourent à une meilleure connaissance des propriétés hydrochimiques des ressources en eaux souterraines du socle cristallin de Côte d’Ivoire

Alternative control of early blight of tomato using plant extracts from Acacia nilotica, Achillea fragrantissima and Calotropis procera

The in vitro and in vivo antifungal potential of extracts of three wild medicinal plants, (Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile, Achillea fragrantissima (Forssk.) Sch.Bip. and Calotropis procera (Aiton) W. T. Aiton) was examined against Alternaria solani, the causal agent of the early blight of tomato. Aqueous or ethanol extracts of all tested plants reduced the mycelial growth and conidium germination of A. solani in vitro. Ethanol extracts were more effective against the pathogen than the aqueous extracts. Extract of C. procera exhibited more antifungal potential against the pathogen than other plant extracts. Observations by scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed dramatic alterations in the morphology and ultrastructure of A. solani when treated with the ethanol extract of C. procera at a concentration of 20%. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of many bioactive constituents in the extracts which were in greater amounts in C. procera than the other two plants. In a plot experiment, both types of extracts from C. procera reduced disease severity. Tomato fruit yield was increased after the treatment with the plant extracts

Impact of Safety-Related Dose Reductions or Discontinuations on Sustained Virologic Response in HCV-Infected Patients: Results from the GUARD-C Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Despite the introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, peginterferon alfa/ribavirin remains relevant in many resource-constrained settings. The non-randomized GUARD-C cohort investigated baseline predictors of safety-related dose reductions or discontinuations (sr-RD) and their impact on sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients receiving peginterferon alfa/ribavirin in routine practice. METHODS: A total of 3181 HCV-mono-infected treatment-naive patients were assigned to 24 or 48 weeks of peginterferon alfa/ribavirin by their physician. Patients were categorized by time-to-first sr-RD (Week 4/12). Detailed analyses of the impact of sr-RD on SVR24 (HCV RNA <50 IU/mL) were conducted in 951 Caucasian, noncirrhotic genotype (G)1 patients assigned to peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin for 48 weeks. The probability of SVR24 was identified by a baseline scoring system (range: 0-9 points) on which scores of 5 to 9 and <5 represent high and low probability of SVR24, respectively. RESULTS: SVR24 rates were 46.1% (754/1634), 77.1% (279/362), 68.0% (514/756), and 51.3% (203/396), respectively, in G1, 2, 3, and 4 patients. Overall, 16.9% and 21.8% patients experienced ≥1 sr-RD for peginterferon alfa and ribavirin, respectively. Among Caucasian noncirrhotic G1 patients: female sex, lower body mass index, pre-existing cardiovascular/pulmonary disease, and low hematological indices were prognostic factors of sr-RD; SVR24 was lower in patients with ≥1 vs. no sr-RD by Week 4 (37.9% vs. 54.4%; P = 0.0046) and Week 12 (41.7% vs. 55.3%; P = 0.0016); sr-RD by Week 4/12 significantly reduced SVR24 in patients with scores <5 but not ≥5. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, sr-RD to peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin significantly impacts on SVR24 rates in treatment-naive G1 noncirrhotic Caucasian patients. Baseline characteristics can help select patients with a high probability of SVR24 and a low probability of sr-RD with peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin.This study was sponsored by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland. Support for third-party writing assistance for this manuscript, furnished by Blair Jarvis MSc, ELS, of Health Interactions, was provided by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland