Energy Dynamics in the Brain: Contributions of Astrocytes to Metabolism and pH Homeostasis

Regulation of metabolism is complex and involves enzymes and membrane transporters, which form networks to support energy dynamics. Lactate, as a metabolic intermediate from glucose or glycogen breakdown, appears to play a major role as additional energetic substrate, which is shuttled between glycolytic and oxidative cells, both under hypoxic and normoxic conditions. Transport of lactate across the cell membrane is mediated by monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) in cotransport with H+, which is a substrate, a signal and a modulator of metabolic processes. MCTs form a "transport metabolon" with carbonic anhydrases (CAs), which not only provide a rapid equilibrium between CO2, HCO3- and H+, but, in addition, enhances lactate transport, as found in Xenopus oocytes, employed as heterologous expression system, as well as in astrocytes and cancer cells. Functional interactions between different CA isoforms and MCTs have been found to be isoform-specific, independent of the enzyme's catalytic activity, and they require physical interaction between the proteins. CAs mediate between different states of metabolic acidosis, induced by glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, and play a relay function in coupling pH regulation and metabolism. In the brain, metabolic processes in astrocytes appear to be linked to bicarbonate transport and to neuronal activity. Here, we focus on physiological processes of energy dynamics in astrocytes as well as on the transfer of energetic substrates to neurons

Ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of daphne mucronata (thymeleaceae)

Daphne mucronata is a shrub well known as a medicinal plant in different regions of Asia. Ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological studies have revealed strong anti-cancer potential of the plant. Literature reports the evaluation of the initial bioactivity profile and extraction of the plant followed by different chromatographic techniques to obtain fractions. As an outcome,  isolation and identification of coumarins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, lignin  cumarinolignans, glucosides, daphnecin, aquillochin, daphnine and umbelliferone from the plant have been reported. Of these compounds, a diterpene, named gnidilatimonoein, has shown promising anticancer potency in in vitro tests on various cancer cell lines. This review article is an effort to summarize literature published in recent years on the bioactivity of Daphne mucronata

Efikasi Bawang Putih (Allium sativum Linn), Rimpang Jahe (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) dan Rimpang Kunyit (Curcuma domestica Val) terhadap Bakteri Escherichia coli secara In Vitro dan In Vivo

Efikasi bakterisida dan bakteriostatik dari berbagai herbal dan ekstrak tanaman banyak diteliti sebagai alternatif pengganti antibiotika. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat efikasi serbuk bawang putih (Allium sativum Linn), rimpang jahe (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) dan rimpang kunyit (Curcuma domestica Val) terhadap bakteri Escherichia coli secara in vitro dan in vivo. Serbuk bawang putih, kunyit dan jahe diuji daya antibakteri secara in vitro dengan metode difusi kertas cakram dan metode dilusi, sedangkan uji efikasi herbal secara in vivo dilakukan pada 200 ekor ayam broiler (day old chicks). Rancangan penelitian yang digunakan dengan pola faktorial intime dengan dua faktor (pakan dan infeksi). Faktor infeksi terdiri dari infeksi dan non-infeksi; sedangkan faktor pakan terdiri dari pakan 1 (pakan tanpa herbal dan tanpa antibiotik); pakan 2 (pakan dengan herbal 8%); pakan 3 (pakan dengan herbal 6%); pakan 4 (pakan dengan herbal 4%); dan pakan 5 (pakan komersial). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa serbuk bawang putih mampu menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri E. coli secara in vitro, sedangkan serbuk jahe dan kunyit tidak mempunyai daya antibakteri terhadap E. coli. Akan tetapi campuran ketiga serbuk herbal tersebut dapat menghambat pertumbuhan E. coli. Pemberian campuran herbal konsentrasi 8% pada pakan ayam mampu mencegah penurunan bobot badan ayam namun hasil tersebut tidak berbeda nyata dengan pemberian pakan komersial. Pemberian pakan campuran herbal 8% belum menunjukkan kemampuannya untuk mencegah kerusakan organ yang disebabkan infeksi E. coli berdasarkan Wahyuwardani et al.: Efikasi Bawang Putih (Allium sativum Linn), Rimpang Jahe (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) 505 hasil pemeriksaan patologi anatomi dan histopatologi karena kemungkinan ayam telah terinfeksi sebelumnya dengan E coli sewaktu dalam penetasan

SUATU ANALISIS TENTANG CHINA-INDIA (CHINDIA) SEBAGAI NEGARA MAJU DI KAWASAN ASIA

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hal-hal yang mendasari kemajuan China ??? India. Pemilihan kedua negara tersebut dikarenakan dewasa ini China ??? India menjadi raksasa ekonomi Asia akibat dari pertumbuhan ekonominya yang pesat.\ud Metode penulisan yang digunakan adalah tipe penulisan deskriptif dengan penelitian kualitatif. Dalam penulisan ini penulis menggunakan data sekunder yang diperoleh dari sejumlah literatur dan dituliskan dengan menggunakan teknik penulisan deduktif.\ud Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa perkembangan ekonomi yang dicapai oleh China ??? India tidak lepas dari berbagai aspek yakni, strategi pembangunan berjangka dan mitra dagang yang dijalin dengan dunia internasional. Strategi pembangunan berjangka yang diterapkan oleh China sangat mengedepankan zona-zona industrinya dan India dengan pembangunan sumber daya manusia. Hal ini membuat perkembangan perekonomian kedua negara menjadi pusat perhatian dunia

Neuro-ophthalmologic manifestations of corona virus disease (COVID-19): A case series

Manifold neuro-ophthalmological signs & symptoms have been described in association with corona virus disease 19 (COVID-19). These presenting manifestations probably due to the result of a range of pathophysiological mechanisms throughout the course from acute illness to recovery phase & late recovery phase. Optic nerve dysfunction like optic neuropathy is associated with post COVID-19 infection. In this case series we want to highlight about the course, sequelae & association of optic neuropathy in COVID-19 patients. BSMMU J 2021; 14 (COVID -19 Supplement): 42-4

Kasus Kolibasilosis pada Peternakan Ayam Pedaging di Yogyakarta dan Bogor

Kolibasilosis adalah penyakit infeksi bakterial pada unggas yang disebabkan oleh Escherichia coli. Kolibasilosis pada ayam pedaging berdampak buruk pada kesehatan selama periode pemeliharaan yang menyebabkan berat badan rendah saat panen dan juga kematian. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui angka kejadian kolibasilosis pada peternakan ayam pedaging, dengan melihat gambaran patologi makroskopik dan serotipe E. coli yang menginfeksi. Sampel ayam yang digunakan adalah 49 ekor ayam pedaging asal Yogyakarta (Kulon Progo, Bantul dan Sleman) dan 25 ekor ayam asal Bogor. Sampel ayam di nekropsi (bedah bangkai) dan dilakukan swab dari air sac dan usus untuk isolasi bakteri E. coli. Hasil pemeriksaan patologi makroskopik menunjukkan 75,5% (37/49) sampel ayam asal Yogyakarta dan 100% (25/25) ayam asal Bogor positif kolibasilosis dengan perubahan patologi berupa omphalitis, air sacculitis, pericarditis, hepatitis dan enteritis. Hasil isolasi dan identifikasi bakteri diperoleh isolat E. coli pada 95,91% (47/49) sampel ayam asal Yogyakarta dan 88% (22/25) sampel ayam asal Bogor. Hasil serotiping 14 isolat E. coli diperoleh tujuh isolat teridentifikasi sebagai E. coli serotipe patogen dengan rincian tiga isolat asal Yogyakarta (serotipe O1, O2 dan O78) dan empat isolat asal Bogor (serotipe O1 dan O2)

Challenges in perioperative fluid management and anticoagulant therapy in a woman with cardio-pulmonary-renal disease diagnosed with preinvasive breast carcinoma

An elderly woman with preinvasive breast cancer, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery-pulmonary artery fistula, pulmonary hypertension and Stage 4 diabetic nephropathy underwent a mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy. Managing her perioperative fluid balance and anticoagulation treatment were challenging. Having a malignancy, atrial fibrillation plus underhydration will increase her risk of hypercoagulation. However, fluid overload will lead to pulmonary oedema which will decrease her oxygenation further in pulmonary hypertension. Cessation of anticoagulation also increased the risk of hypercoagulation. Anticoagulant therapy increases the risk of a perioperative wound haematoma, which may require another general anaesthesia for identification and arrest of the bleeding source and haematoma evacuation. A haematoma will also increase the risk of surgical site infection; especially as a diabetic. Her anticoagulant therapy (rivoroxaban) was stopped four days preoperatively. Her ejection fraction was 50%, with Grade II diastolic dysfunction and TAPSE 0.6 cm. Her CHA2DS2-VASc Score was 5. Perioperatively, intraarterial cannulation was connected to the FloTrac™ sensor and EV1000™ monitor. Her fluid management was monitored using goal directed (GD) fluid therapy. The patient underwent surgery successfully and her anticoagulant therapy was recommenced 14 days postoperatively

Recurrent orbital cellulitis secondary to the ‘forgotten’ scleral buckle: a case report

Scleral buckle placement is a well-established technique for the treatment of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Complications associated with scleral buckle are uncommon and its presentations can be vary. We report a case of recurrent orbital cellulitis with anterior segment ischemia following a forgotten episode of previous scleral buckling surgery, presenting with blurring of vision, redness and swelling of the lids. The presence of scleral buckle was detected by detailed examination and confirmed by orbital imaging. Orbital infection and rubeosis iridis were successfully treated with scleral buckle removal, intravenous antibiotics and intracameral ranibizumab. However, the retinal detachment recurred and the visual acuity deteriorated to light perception. There was no further intervention as the family declined in view of her old age. In cases of recurrent orbital infection, detailed clinical examination is important to look for evidence of ocular prostheses as a source of infection. Orbital imaging is an adjunct for making the diagnosis especially in cases where history is unreliable. Anterior segment ischemia due to scleral buckle responds well to buckle removal with ranibizumab injection

Evaluation of a national universal coverage campaign of long-lasting insecticidal nets in a rural district in north-west Tanzania.

\ud \ud Insecticide-treated nets (ITN) are one of the most effective measures for preventing malaria. Mass distribution campaigns are being used to rapidly increase net coverage in at-risk populations. This study had two purposes: to evaluate the impact of a universal coverage campaign (UCC) of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) on LLIN ownership and usage, and to identify factors that may be associated with inadequate coverage. In 2011 two cross-sectional household surveys were conducted in 50 clusters in Muleba district, north-west Tanzania. Prior to the UCC 3,246 households were surveyed and 2,499 afterwards. Data on bed net ownership and usage, demographics of household members and household characteristics including factors related to socio-economic status were gathered, using an adapted version of the standard Malaria Indicator Survey. Specific questions relating to the UCC process were asked. The proportion of households with at least one ITN increased from 62.6% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 60.9-64.2) before the UCC to 90.8% (95% CI = 89.0-92.3) afterwards. ITN usage in all residents rose from 40.8% to 55.7%. After the UCC 58.4% (95% CI = 54.7-62.1) of households had sufficient ITNs to cover all their sleeping places. Households with children under five years (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.9-2.9) and small households (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.5-2.4) were most likely to reach universal coverage. Poverty was not associated with net coverage. Eighty percent of households surveyed received LLINs from the campaign. The UCC in Muleba district of Tanzania was equitable, greatly improving LLIN ownership and, more moderately, usage. However, the goal of universal coverage in terms of the adequate provision of nets was not achieved. Multiple, continuous delivery systems and education activities are required to maintain and improve bed net ownership and usage.\ud \u

Spatial distribution of podoconiosis in relation to environmental factors in Ethiopia: a historical review

BACKGROUND An up-to-date and reliable map of podoconiosis is needed to design geographically targeted and cost-effective intervention in Ethiopia. Identifying the ecological correlates of the distribution of podoconiosis is the first step for distribution and risk maps. The objective of this study was to investigate the spatial distribution and ecological correlates of podoconiosis using historical and contemporary survey data. METHODS Data on the observed prevalence of podoconiosis were abstracted from published and unpublished literature into a standardized database, according to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. In total, 10 studies conducted between 1969 and 2012 were included, and data were available for 401,674 individuals older than 15 years of age from 229 locations. A range of high resolution environmental factors were investigated to determine their association with podoconiosis prevalence, using logistic regression. RESULTS The prevalence of podoconiosis in Ethiopia was estimated at 3.4% (95% CI 3.3%-3.4%) with marked regional variation. We identified significant associations between mean annual Land Surface Temperature (LST), mean annual precipitation, topography of the land and fine soil texture and high prevalence of podoconiosis. The derived maps indicate both widespread occurrence of podoconiosis and a marked variability in prevalence of podoconiosis, with prevalence typically highest at altitudes >1500 m above sea level (masl), with >1500 mm annual rainfall and mean annual LST of 19-21°C. No (or very little) podoconiosis occurred at altitudes 24°C. CONCLUSION Podoconiosis remains a public health problem in Ethiopia over considerable areas of the country, but exhibits marked geographical variation associated in part with key environmental factors. This is work in progress and the results presented here will be refined in future work