Estudo in vitro e in vivo da eficácia anti leishmaniótica de terapêutica combinada de Diminazene e Artesunate contra Leishmania donovani em camundongos Balb/c

The in vitro and in vivo activity of diminazene (Dim), artesunate (Art) and combination of Dim and Art (Dim-Art) against Leishmania donovani was compared to reference drug; amphotericin B. IC50 of Dim-Art was found to be 2.28 ± 0.24 µg/mL while those of Dim and Art were 9.16 ± 0.3 µg/mL and 4.64 ± 0.48 µg/mL respectively. The IC50 for Amphot B was 0.16 ± 0.32 µg/mL against stationary-phase promastigotes. In vivo evaluation in the L. donovani BALB/c mice model indicated that treatments with the combined drug therapy at doses of 12.5 mg/kg for 28 consecutive days significantly (p < 0.001) reduced parasite burden in the spleen as compared to the single drug treatments given at the same dosages. Although parasite burden was slightly lower (p < 0.05) in the Amphot B group than in the Dim-Art treatment group, the present study demonstrates the positive advantage and the potential use of the combined therapy of Dim-Art over the constituent drugs, Dim or Art when used alone. Further evaluation is recommended to determine the most efficacious combination ratio of the two compounds.A atividade in vitro e in vivo de Diminazene (Dim), Artezunate (Art) e a combinação Dim e Art (Dim-Art) contra Leishmania donovani foi comparada com a droga de referência Anfotericina B. IC50 da Dim-Art foi 2,28 ± 0,24 µg/mL enquanto aquelas de Dim e Art foram 9,16 ± 0,3 µg/mL e 4,64 ± 0,48 µg/mL respectivamente. O IC50 da Anfotericina B foi 0,16 ± 0,32 µg/mL contra a fase estacionária de promastigotas. A avaliação in vivo do modelo de L. donovani em camundongos Balb/c indicou que os tratamentos com a terapêutica de drogas combinadas em doses de 12,5 mg/kg por 28 dias consecutivos significantemente (p < 0,001) reduziu a carga parasitária no baço quando comparada a tratamentos com uma única droga dada nas mesmas dosagens. Embora a carga parasitária tenha sido levemente mais baixa (p < 0.05) no grupo Anfotericina B quando comparada com o grupo tratado Dim-Art, o estudo presente demonstra a vantagem positiva do uso potencial da terapêutica combinada Dim-Art sobre drogas como Dim ou Art quando usadas isoladamente. Posterior avaliação é recomendada para determinar a média de combinação mais eficaz dos dois compostos

In vitro and in vivo antileishmanial efficacy of a combination therapy of diminazene and artesunate against Leishmania donovani in BALB /c mice

The in vitro and in vivo activity of diminazene (Dim), artesunate (Art) and combination of Dim and Art (Dim-Art) against Leishmania donovani was compared to reference drug; amphotericin B. IC50 of Dim-Art was found to be $2.28 \pm 0.24 \mu$ g/mL while those of Dim and Art were $9.16 \pm 0.3 \mu$ g/mL and $4.64 \pm 0.48 \mu$ g/mL respectively. The IC50 for Amphot B was $0.16 \pm 0.32 \mu$ g/mL against stationary-phase promastigotes. In vivo evaluation in the L. donovani BALB/c mice model indicated that treatments with the combined drug therapy at doses of 12.5 mg/kg for 28 consecutive days significantly ($p < 0.001$) reduced parasite burden in the spleen as compared to the single drug treatments given at the same dosages. Although parasite burden was slightly lower ($p < 0.05$) in the Amphot B group than in the Dim-Art treatment group, the present study demonstrates the positive advantage and the potential use of the combined therapy of Dim-Art over the constituent drugs, Dim or Art when used alone. Further evaluation is recommended to determine the most efficacious combination ratio of the two compounds.Comment: 4 Pages, 3 Figure

African Head and Neck Society Clinical Practice guidelines for thyroid nodules and cancer in developing countries and limited resource settings

Background International thyroid nodule and cancer management guidelines generally fail to take into account potential limitations in diagnostic and treatment resources. Methods Thyroid cancer specialists from the African Head and Neck Society and American Head & Neck Society Endocrine Section developed guidelines for diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules and cancer in low resource settings. Recommendations were based on literature review and expert opinion, with level of evidence defined. Results Using the ADAPTE process, diagnostic and treatment algorithms were adapted from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Low resource settings were simulated by systematically removing elements such as availability of laboratory testing, hormone replacement, imaging, and cytopathology from NCCN guidelines. Conclusions Successful management of thyroid nodules and cancer in low resource settings requires adaptation of treatment methodologies. These guidelines define specific scenarios where either more or less aggressive intervention for thyroid pathology may be advisable based on limited available resources

Symphony Limited: Positioning in a Turbulent Information Technology Environment

Mike Eldon, the Executive Director of Symphony Limited in Nairobi, Kenya, had just come back from the Christmas holiday break on January 3rd 2000. On December 17th 1999, the Board of Directors of Symphony had approved the merger of six sister companies trading in different niches in the Information Technology (IT) industry, but a decision on the new core business focus had not been reached. Some of the companies had focused largely on low-end commodity IT markets; others were engaged in higher end solutions provision; while some were involved in a mixture of the two. For a long time, huge resources had been spent cultivating the high-volume, low margin IT re-seller market that ensured reasonable cash flows at low risk. This was the ‘trading’ type of business. However, substantial resources had also been invested in the human skills and technical infrastructure necessary for the provision of large, complex IT hardware and software solutions. Some of the top managers and some board members were comfortable with investing further in the low-end commodity re-sellers as the future for Symphony but Eldon was not convinced. The board had scheduled a meeting in early January at which the group’s strategy would be determined. It expected a definite recommendation from him. As he sat in his third floor office at Symphony Place that morning, with only 3 days to the board meeting, Eldon knew that the direction he chose for the company could make or break Symphony in Kenya’s turbulent IT industry

Leveraging health through the enhancement of information access using Mobile and service oriented technology

Kenya has a vision to create a globally competitive and prospective nation with a high quality of life by 2030. In order to achieve this, it developed a social pillar that aims at improving the quality of life through projects that are health related. We propose a project that aims at contributing to this vision by ensuring that health related information is accessible to all through an affordable and flexible solution. This study sets out to find a flexible, adaptable, and cost efficient, approach for storing and accessing information from the government portal. We draw these benefits from using the concept of cloud computing. However, cloud computing is not a new concept. The use of popular and readily available technology such as the Mobile phone can aid in leveraging information access through cloud computing. The innovative aspect of this study is the proposal of a solution that is flexible through the concept of runtime software adaptation in Service Orientated Architecture. An increasingly important requirement of software is ensuring that the system can adapt quickly and effectively to changing business and system needs. Several problem specific runtime adaptation techniques have been put forward. We propose a solution that is generic and hence can be used to address any challenge presented by information access on any information or sector represented on the government porta

Leveraging Health through the Enhancement of Information Access Using Mobile and Service Oriented Technology

IST-Africa 2014 Conference ProceedingsKenya has a vision to create a globally competitive and prospective nation with a high quality of life by 2030. In order to achieve this, it developed a social pillar that aims at improving the quality of life through projects that are health related. We propose a project that aims at contributing to this vision by ensuring that health related information is accessible to all through an affordable and flexible solution. This study sets out to find a flexible, adaptable, and cost efficient, approach for storing and accessing information from the government portal. We draw these benefits from using the concept of cloud computing. However, cloud computing is not a new concept. The use of popular and readily available technology such as the Mobile phone can aid in leveraging information access through cloud computing. The innovative aspect of this study is the proposal of a solution that is flexible through the concept of runtime software adaptation in Service Orientated Architecture. An increasingly important requirement of software is ensuring that the system can adapt quickly and effectively to changing business and system needs. Several problem specific runtime adaptation techniques have been put forward. We propose a solution that is generic and hence can be used to address any challenge presented by information access on any information or sector represented on the government porta