Ethanolic extract of melgota (Macaranga postulata) for repellency, insecticidal activity against rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae)

Ethanolic extract of Melgota is used for repellency, insecticidal activity against rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae) with emphasis on chemical investigation. Fruits of Melgota (Macaranga postulata) wereextracted on different solvents as in ethanol, acetone, petroleum ether, distilled water and the extracts were concentrated and dried. The ethanol extracts of Melgota (M. postulata) of differentconcentrations were investigated for their repellency and insecticidal activity against S. oryzae. Average mortality percentage indicated that the extracts caused significant mortality and repellencyon the target insects and bioassays indicated that the toxic and repellent effect was proportional to the concentration and higher concentration has stronger effect. Observed mortality percentageincreased with increase in time intervals after treatment. Mortality percentage at 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.50 h after treatment (HAT) indicated that 4% solution showed the highest mortality (34.0%) in S.oryzae at 1.50 HAT compared to pediculus humanus. Mortality percentage showed parallel response to the level of concentration at different time intervals after treatment. 1% fruit extract of Melgota (M.postulata) showed the lowest repellency 9.84 % in case of rice weevil. On other side, 2% showed 12.76% and 4% showed 22.43% respectively. TLC of crude ethanol extract of Melgota (M. postulata)showed six distinct compounds at uv-visible light

Sequential ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET) scan findings in patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis during the course of treatment—a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND: Initial studies of tuberculosis (TB) in macaques and humans using ¹⁸F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET) imaging as a research tool suggest its usefulness in localising disease sites and as a clinical biomarker. Sequential serial scans in patients with extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) could inform on the value of PET-CT for monitoring response to treatment and defining cure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: HIV-negative adults with EPTB from eight sites across six countries had three ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans: (i) within 2 weeks of enrolment, (ii) at 2 months into TB treatment and (iii) at end of ATT treatment. Scanning was performed according to the EANM guidelines. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans were performed 60 ± 10 min after intravenous injection of 2.5–5.0 MBq/kg of ¹⁸F-FDG. FINDINGS: One hundred and forty-seven patients with EPTB underwent 3 sequential scans. A progressive reduction over time of both the number of active sites and the uptake level (SUVmax) at these sites was seen. At the end of WHO recommended treatment, 53/147 (36.0%) patients had negative PET/CT scans, and 94/147 (63.9%) patients remained PET/CT positive, of which 12 patients had developed MDR TB. One died of brain tuberculoma. INTERPRETATION: Current ⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging technology cannot be used clinically as a biomarker of treatment response, cure or for decision-making on when to stop EPTB treatment. PET/CT remains a research tool for TB and further development of PET/CT is required using new Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific radiopharmaceuticals targeting high-density surface epitopes, gene targets or metabolic pathways

PET/CT features of extrapulmonary tuberculosis at first clinical presentation: a cross-sectional observational ¹⁸F-FDG imaging study across six countries

BACKGROUND: A large proportion of the huge global burden of Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) are treated empirically without accurate definition of disease sites, and extent of multi-organ disease involvement. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using 18F-FDG in TB could be a useful imaging technique for localising disease sites and extent of disease. METHODS: We conducted a study of HIV-negative adult patients with a new clinical diagnosis of EPTB across 8 centres located in 6 countries: India, Pakistan, Thailand, South Africa, Serbia, and Bangladesh to assess the extent of disease and common sites involved at first presentation. 18F-FDG PET/CT scans were performed within 2 weeks of presentation. FINDINGS: A total of 358 patients with EPTB (189 females; 169 males) were recruited over 45 months. Age range 18-83 years (females: median 30 years; males: median 38 years). 350/358 (98%) patients (183 female, 167 male) had positive scan. 118/350 (33.7%) had a single extrapulmonary site and 232/350 (66.3%) had more than one site (organ) affected. Lymph nodes, skeletal, pleura and brain were common sites. 100/358 (28%) of EPTB patients had 18F-FDG PET/CT positive sites in the lung. 110 patients were 18F-FDG PET/CT positive in more body sites than were noted clinically at first presentation and 160 patients had the same number of positive body sites. INTERPRETATION: 18F-FDG PET/CT scan has potential for further elucidating the spectrum of disease, pathogenesis of EPTB, and monitoring the effects of treatment on active lesions over time, and requires longitudinal cohort studies, twinned with biopsy and molecular studies