Prevalence of Anti-Thyroid Antibodies in Patients with Primary Thyroid Disorders

Objective: To determine prevalence of thyroid antimicrosomal and antithyroglobulin antibodies among patients with primary thyroid disorders.Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital, July 2003 to August 2004.Results: Antimicrosomal antibodies (anti-TPOAbs) were detected in 51.4% of all the patients while 36.1% tested positive for the antithyroglobulin antibodies (anti- TgAbs). Among the hyperthyroid patients, anti-TPOAbs and anti-TgAbs were in 50.8% and 33% respectively while 53.3% and 46.7% of the hypothyroid patients tested positive for anti-TPOAbs and anti-TgAbs respectively. Most of the patients who showed positivity for anti-TgAbs (88.5%) also tested positive for anti-TPOAbs.Conclusion: More than half of the patients with primary thyroid disorders show presenceof autoimmune thyroid markers, with anti TPO antibodies being more prevalent

Characterization of Immunogenic Soluble Crude Proteins from Biomphalaria Pfeifferi Against Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent tropical disease in the world after malaria. Chemotherapy and molluscicides which are the main methods of control do not give lasting protection as the disease continues to spread to other new regions. Previous studies have demonstrated the immunogenic properties of the digestive gland (DG), foot parts (FT) and the rest of body tissue (RT) soluble protein of Biomphalaria pfeifferi against Schistosoma parasite and therefore possible candidates for vaccine development against the parasite. However, information about the chemical composition of the soluble proteins is scanty. The objective of this study was to characterize and determine chemical composition of the DG and FT soluble proteins from Biomphalaria pfeifferi. A total of twelve compounds were identified using GC-MS. N-tert-butyl methylamine and penicillamine were present in both DG and FT soluble proteins. Butylamine S, valine, amino heptanoic acid, 1,1-dimethylamino-1 butane and valienamine were present in the DG soluble protein but were missing in the FT extracts. Tert-butylamine, heptylamine, cycloheptane methylamine, erythro-O-methylthreonine and leucine were present in the FT soluble protein but missing in the DG extracts. FTIR analysis showed N-H stretch at 3100 cm-1, C=O stretch at 1700cm-1, N-H bending at 1600cm-1 and O-H peak at 3500 cm-1 while UV absorption occurred at 240-300 nm thus confirmed the presence of amino acids in the soluble protein extracts. Results from this study justifies medicinal activity of Biomphalaria pfeifferi soluble crude protein extracts. Further studies involving isolation of individual constituents in the crude soluble proteins and subjecting them to bioassay is highly recommended. Keywords: Schistosomiasis; Biomphalaria pfeifferi; Protein extracts; Chemical compounds DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-12-03 Publication date:June 30th 202

Characterization of Immunogenic Soluble Crude Proteins from Biomphalaria Pfeifferi Against Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent tropical disease in the world after malaria. Chemotherapy and molluscicides which are the main methods of control do not give lasting protection as the disease continues to spread to other new regions. Previous studies have demonstrated the immunogenic properties of the digestive gland (DG), foot parts (FT) and the rest of body tissue (RT) soluble protein of Biomphalaria pfeifferi against Schistosoma parasite and therefore possible candidates for vaccine development against the parasite. However, information about the chemical composition of the soluble proteins is scanty. The objective of this study was to characterize and determine chemical composition of the DG and FT soluble proteins from Biomphalaria pfeifferi. A total of twelve compounds were identified using GC-MS. N-tert-butyl methylamine and penicillamine were present in both DG and FT soluble proteins. Butylamine S, valine, amino heptanoic acid, 1,1-dimethylamino-1 butane and valienamine were present in the DG soluble protein but were missing in the FT extracts. Tert-butylamine, heptylamine, cycloheptane methylamine, erythro-O-methylthreonine and leucine were present in the FT soluble protein but missing in the DG extracts. FTIR analysis showed N-H stretch at 3100 cm-1, C=O stretch at 1700cm-1, N-H bending at 1600cm-1 and O-H peak at 3500 cm-1 while UV absorption occurred at 240-300 nm thus confirmed the presence of amino acids in the soluble protein extracts. Results from this study justifies medicinal activity of Biomphalaria pfeifferi soluble crude protein extracts. Further studies involving isolation of individual constituents in the crude soluble proteins and subjecting them to bioassay is highly recommended. Keywords: Schistosomiasis; Biomphalaria pfeifferi; Protein extracts; Chemical compounds DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-12-03 Publication date:June 30th 202

Optimization of FTA technology for large scale plant DNA isolation for use in marker assisted selection

Conventional methods for DNA acquisition and storage require expensive reagents and equipments. Experimental fields located in remote areas and large sample size presents greater challenge to developing country institutions constrained financially. FTATM technology uses a single format utilizing basic tools found in laboratory. In this study, FTATM cards were used to collect over 3000 samples from a field located 130 km and used to screen progeny plants using PCR-marker-assisted selection. PCR product yields and quality are sufficient for reliable scoring, distinguishing heterozygous fromhomozygous plants using ABI 3730 sequencer. Results indicate that this method is faster, easier and in-expensive

Marker assisted introgression of opaque2 gene into herbicide resistant elite maize inbred lines

Marker assisted selection in combination with conventional breeding can greatly accelerate the introgression of modified opaque2 genotype into herbicide resistant maize. By combining these two approaches, time and costs are greatly minimized. The application of opaque2 allele specific SSR markers was done on materials already undergoing selection in a breeding program for converting herbicide resistant maize lines into quality protein maize (QPM) which is the equivalent of modified opaque2 phenotype. The breeder had selected QPM lines using the light table in the previous cycle and we used leaf samples to extract DNA for analysis of the presence of the opaque2 gene using SSR markers. Two co-dominant SSR markers phi057 and umc1066 and a dominant marker phi112 were used. Umc1216, a modifier marker was also tested in combination with the opaque2 markers with theobjective of using the marker to select for modifiers for the opaque2 phenotype. The modified FTA paper technology protocol was applied in field sampling. The results showed 97% of the lines wereopaque2 while 3% were non-opaque2. Both methods of conventional breeding using light table and marker assisted selection (MAS) were comparable. However, the application of SSR markers and theFTA technology offers the breeder a fast, time saving, reliable and less labour intensive method of screening QPM maize during the early growing stages instead of having to wait to screen the kernels onthe light table after harvesting. Moreover, the routine biochemical analysis for high lysine and tryptophan levels need not be carried out at each backcross since the presence of the opaque2 gene is confirmed with markers

Substance use literacy: Implications for HIV medication adherence and addiction severity among substance users

This cross sectional study examined the relationship between substance use literacy and HIV medication adherence and whether severity of addiction modified this relationship. 179 HIV infected substance users completed the Questionnaire Assessment of Literacy in Mental Health, Addiction Severity Test, and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Most respondents wrongly identified the alcohol use vignette problem as stress (50.3%). Not recognizing that there was a problem was significantly correlated with moderate adherence (P = 0.003). Preference was given to informal sources of help such as a close friend (83.2%, P = 0.050), as well as psychosocial forms of management like physical exercise (79.9%, P = 0.007) rather than professionals such as psychiatrists (58.1%) which was associated with moderate adherence and low addiction severity. Substance use literacy was found to be a significant variable in increasing HIV medication adherence and decreasing addiction severity.Keywords: Substance use literacy, Substance use, HIV medication adherence, Addiction severity modifie

Formulation of Furosemide Dispersible Tablets for Use in Paediatrics

Furosemide (4 mg) dispersible tablets tailored for paediatric patients were formulated by direct compression using granulated lactose as the filler. Combinations of superdisintergrants namely sodium starch glycolate-crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate-croscarmellose and croscarmellose-crospovidone were incorporated to form three tablet batches; with a total superdisintegrant concentration of 4% w/w per tablet. The quality of the resultant tablets was evaluated using pharmacopoeial physicochemical tests. Tablets prepared with sodium starch glycolate-crospovidone and croscarmellose-crospovidone as superdisintegrants were found to comply with all specifications for tablet quality, while those formulated with sodium starch glycolate-croscarmellose, failed both the uniformity of weight and friability tests. This study showed that low dose furosemide dispersible tablets for pediatric use can be formulated using 4% w/w combinations of sodium starch glycolate-crospovidone and croscarmellosecrospovidone as superdisintegrants.Keywords: Furosemide, dispersible tablet, pediatric, formulation, superdisintegrant