Phospho Tensin Homolog in Human and Lipid Peroxides in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Following Exposure to Flavonoids

Objectives: Studies have shown that human and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are mostly used for research purposes to study several biochemical endpoints. The effects of the flavonoids, genistein, kaempferol, and quercetin on phospho tensin homolog (PTEN) levels in cancer cells (i.e., breast [BT549], lung [A549]), human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293), and the levels of lipid peroxides (LP) in PBMCs were respectively investigated. Materials and methods: Cancer, kidney, and PBMCs from several donors were each exposed to each of the flavonoids at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 µM. Our hypotheses were that exposure of cancer and kidney cells to genistein, kaempferol, and quercetin can increase PTEN and decrease lipid peroxides in PBMCs levels respectively to better cope with oxidative stress. Results: The results indicate that the flavonoids increased total PTEN levels in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of quercetin was more pronounced followed by genistein and kaempferol. Furthermore, decreases in lipid peroxides were observed in the PBMCs for the flavonoid-treated samples compared to those exposed to flavonoids and with oxidative stress as described by Fenton’s chemistry. Levels of LP in quercetin-treated samples were lower compared to kaempferol and genistein. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the flavonoids play an important role in controlling oxidative stress in several human cells

Gametocyte carriage in Plasmodium falciparum-infected travellers.

BACKGROUND: Gametocytes are the sexual stage of Plasmodium parasites. The determinants of gametocyte carriage have been studied extensively in endemic areas, but have rarely been explored in travellers with malaria. The incidence of gametocytaemia, and factors associated with gametocyte emergence in adult travellers with Plasmodium falciparum malaria was investigated at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London. METHODS: Clinical, parasitological and demographic data for all patients presenting with P. falciparum malaria between January 2001 and December 2011 were extracted from a prospective database. These data were supplemented by manual searches of laboratory records and patient case notes. RESULTS: Seven hundred and seventy three adult patients with laboratory-confirmed P. falciparum malaria were identified. Four hundred and sixty five (60%) were born in a country where malaria is endemic. Patients presented to hospital a median of four days into their illness. The median maximum parasite count was 0.4%. One hundred and ninety six patients (25%) had gametocytes; 94 (12%) on admission, and 102 (13%) developing during treatment. Gametocytaemia on admission was associated with anaemia and a lower maximum parasitaemia. Patients with gametocytes at presentation were less likely to have thrombocytopenia or severe malaria. Patients who developed gametocytes during treatment were more likely to have had parasitaemia of long duration, a high maximum parasitaemia and to have had severe malaria. There was no apparent association between the appearance of gametocytes and treatment regimen. CONCLUSIONS: The development of gametocytaemia in travellers with P. falciparum is associated with factors similar to those reported among populations in endemic areas. These data suggest that acquired immunity to malaria is not the only determinant of patterns of gametocyte carriage among patients with the disease

Modeling the Relationship Between Risks and the Sustainability of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in Ghana

A number of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) both in Ghana and in other countries have had risk-related challenges that have affected their sustainability. In recent years, strategic decisions of risk have affected MFIs operations in Ghana significantly. This paper seeks to demonstrate the relationship between risk factors and MFIs sustainability in Ghana. The paper adopts a quantitative strategy for the data source with a deductive approach. The hypothesis carried out on various drivers of sustainability were upheld with a significant p-value of 0.000 < 0.01p and concluded that all the drivers of sustainability identified have a significant effect on MFIs sustainability in Ghana. The measurement model and structural model of the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) was used to measure the relationship between risk and MFIs sustainability. The path coefficient between risk factors and the drivers of MFIs sustainability was 0.582 with a significant p-value of 0.000 < 0.01. This establishes that risk factors have a significant effect on all drivers of microfinance institutions sustainability. Operators of microfinance in Ghana need to take an appreciable and well-managed level of risk to enhance their sustainability. Keywords: institutions, microfinance, risk, sustainability DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-12-11 Publication date:June 30th 201

Clinical Features of Imported Loiasis: A Case Series from the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London.

We retrospectively analyzed the background, clinical features, and treatment response of 50 cases of imported loiasis who presented between 2000 and 2014 to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD), London, United Kingdom. Of them, 29 were migrants from, and 21 were visitors to, countries where the disease is endemic. Clinical features differed between these groups. Migrants experienced fewer Calabar swellings (odds ratio [OR] = 0.12), more eye worm (OR = 3.4), more microfilaremia (OR = 3.5), lower filarial antibody levels, and lower eosinophil counts (P 3,000 microfilariae/mL and all those with an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) (≥ 5 mg/L) before treatment had reactions (P = 0.10 and P = 0.01, respectively). These data suggest that monotherapy with DEC may not be the optimal treatment for patients with loiasis, particularly for those with a high microfilarial load

The influence of encounter service quality on patient satisfaction : an empirical study in Chinese public hospitals

Purpose: This paper examined the association between perceived service quality and patient satisfaction of Chinese out-patients in the patronage of medical services. Design/Methodology/Approach: Utilizing by novelty specific departments in the hospital’s and logistics multiple regression investigation, the researchers tested and estimated the statistical effects of the department’s services (perceived service quality) as a predictor for out-patients satisfaction. Findings: The analysis shows that patients who exhibited content from the services of selected departments reported greater satisfaction, with it impacts suggesting a measurably noteworthy effect, even in a total medical seller market like China. Practical Implication: The study brings forth implications both for professionals and academics. It encourages more studies, and its findings and application can provide value as a management tool to consider and identify sources as linking the relationship between potential improvements in perceived service quality from as low as departmental levels and patient’s satisfaction to achieve advantage. Originality/Value: It encourages more studies, and its findings and application can provide value as a management tool to consider and identify sources as linking the relationship between potential improvements in perceived service quality.peer-reviewe

Trends in greenhouse gas emissions from dairy cattle in Mexico between 1970 and 2010

The objective of the present work was to estimate and assess trends in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), from dairy cows in Mexico from the base year of 1970 to 2010. Empirical and mechanistic models were used to estimate enteric methane emissions based on chemical composition of diets. Methane from manure was calculated using Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) and US Environmental Protection Agency recommended equations. N2O emission was calculated according to IPCC recommendations. Compared with the 1970s, current management practices using modern dairy cows increased feed conversion efficiency 32% and milk yield 62%. GHG emission intensity (i.e. emissions per unit of product) was reduced 30%, 25% and 30% for CH4, N2O and total emissions, respectively. The study showed that although GHG emissions in absolute terms increased in the past 40 years, emission intensity decreased due to higher level of production. This trend is likely to continue in the future, assuming milk production follows the same increasing trend as in other countries in North America. © 2014 CSIRO