RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B-cell malignancy characterized by the accumulation of clonal population of plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM). A variety of angiogenic factors, proteases, reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokines induce the formation of an extensive and suitable BM microenvironment. Previous studies have established the importance of angiogenic factors, inflammatory molecules and oxidative stress in MM but their interplay and effect on each other are not being taken together. METHODS: Circulatory levels of VEGF, angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), IL-6 and TNF-α along with the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were investigated in 112 subjects including 62 MM patients and 50 healthy controls. Inter-stage analysis was done to evaluate the association of these molecules with the severity of disease. Pearson correlation was determined to find interrelationship, if any, between these molecules. RESULTS: We have observed elevated levels of VEGF, Ang-2, IL-6, TNF-α and decreased activity of SOD, GPx in MM patients in comparison to controls. All these molecules also showed a trend with the severity of disease. We have found strong association between these factors upon their correlation and regression analysis. CONCLUSION: This study is a step toward understanding the indepth contribution of angiogenesis, inflammation and oxidative stress together in making BM microenvironment suitable for growth, survival and proliferation of malignant plasma cells in MM.
Assuntos
Inflamação/patologia , Mieloma Múltiplo/patologia , Neovascularização Patológica/patologia , Estresse Oxidativo/fisiologia , Microambiente Tumoral/fisiologia , Adulto , Idoso , Medula Óssea/patologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Feminino , Humanos , Índia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mieloma Múltiplo/irrigação sanguíneaRESUMO
The aim of the study was to comparatively evaluate the antibacterial activity of six Indian plant extracts and 0.2% chlorhexidine against clinical strains of Streptococcus mutans, which were isolated from the plaque samples of 45 pediatric patients. Six plant extracts were prepared in three different forms, namely aqueous extracts, organic solvent-based extracts and crude (raw) extracts. The antimicrobial sensitivity testing was done by agar well diffusion method. Antimicrobial activity of the extracts was determined by measuring the mean zones of inhibition (mm) produced against the bacterial isolates. Results showed that crude garlic extract exhibited greater antibacterial activity than chlorhexidine. Aqueous extract of amla and organic solvent-based extract of ginger showed the maximum antibacterial activity against S. mutans, whereas aqueous extract of tulsi and organic solvent based extract of amla showed the minimum antibacterial activity. This study suggests that plant extracts like garlic in crude form, amla as aqueous infusion and ginger as alcoholic tincture have potential for the control of S. mutans. These extracts can be used as an alternative remedy for dental caries prevention or in the form of mouthwash, which is safe and economical.
Assuntos
Placa Dentária/microbiologia , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Streptococcus mutans/efeitos dos fármacos , Adolescente , Aloe/química , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Clorexidina/farmacologia , Feminino , Alho/química , Zingiber officinale/química , Glicerídeos/química , Humanos , Índia , Masculino , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Ocimum/química , Phyllanthus emblica/química , Terpenos/químicaRESUMO
The aim of the study was to comparatively evaluate the antibacterial activity of six Indian plant extracts and 0.2% chlorhexidine against clinical strains of Streptococcus mutans, which were isolated from the plaque samples of 45 pediatric patients. Six plant extracts were prepared in three different forms, namely aqueous extracts, organic solvent-based extracts and crude (raw) extracts. The antimicrobial sensitivity testing was done by agar well diffusion method. Antimicrobial activity of the extracts was determined by measuring the mean zones of inhibition (mm) produced against the bacterial isolates. Results showed that crude garlic extract exhibited greater antibacterial activity than chlorhexidine. Aqueous extract of amla and organic solvent-based extract of ginger showed the maximum antibacterial activity against S. mutans, whereas aqueous extract of tulsi and organic solvent based extract of amla showed the minimum antibacterial activity. This study suggests that plant extracts like garlic in crude form, amla as aqueous infusion and ginger as alcoholic tincture have potential for the control of S. mutans. These extracts can be used as an alternative remedy for dental caries prevention or in the form of mouthwash, which is safe and economical.
O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar comparativamente a atividade antibacteriana de seis plantas indianas contra linhagens clínicas de Streptococcus mutans, que foram isoladas das amostras de biofilme dental de 45 pacientes pediátricos, com 0,2% de clorexidina. Seis extratos vegetais foram preparados em três formas diferentes, a saber, extratos aquosos, extratos à base de solventes orgânicos e extratos brutos. Os testes de sensibilidade antimicrobiana foram realizados por método de difusão em agar. A atividade antimicrobiana dos extratos foi determinada através da medição da zona de inibição, em milímetros, produzida contra os isolados bacterianos. Os resultados mostraram que o extrato de alho cru apresentou maior atividade antibacteriana do que a clorexidina. O extrato aquoso de amla e o extrato à base de solventes orgânicos de gengibre mostraram a máxima atividade antibacteriana contra S. mutans, enquanto o extrato aquoso de tulsi (manjericão) e o extrato à base de solventes orgânicos de amla mostraram mínima atividades antibacteriana. Este estudo sugere que extratos de plantas como o alho em forma bruta, amla como infusão aquosa e gengibre como tintura alcoólica tem um potencial para o controle de S. mutans. Estes extratos podem ser utilizados como uma via alternativa para a prevenção de cáries dentárias ou sob a forma de bochechos, que são seguros e econômicos.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Pré-Escolar , Criança , Adolescente , Placa Dentária/diagnóstico , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Streptococcus mutans/efeitos dos fármacos , Aloe/química , Clorexidina/farmacologia , Alho/química , Zingiber officinale/química , Glicerídeos/química , Índia , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Ocimum/química , Phyllanthus emblica/química , Terpenos/químicaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Vitiligo, a common pigmentary disorder, is recognized to be associated with a high psychiatric morbidity, yet compared to other dermatological disorders like leprosy, psoriasis, etc., it has not been subjected to detailed evaluation of its psychological consequences. The data from the developing countries on this aspect in particular is meager. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen cases with vitiligo were evaluated along with 55 healthy controls comparable for sociodemographic profile and matched on attitude to appearance scale. Clinical details, impact of illness, associated dysfunction and psychological morbidity were additionally assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients with vitiligo were found to have psychiatric morbidity, a clinic prevalence rate of 25 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval 20.3-29.3per cent). The majority of the cases had a diagnosis of adjustment disorder. Psychiatric morbidity was significantly correlated with dysfunction arising out of illness. CONCLUSIONS: Vitiligo is associated with high psychiatric morbidity. There is a need to develop cross-cultural database on psychosocial aspects and psychiatric morbidity associated with vitiligo.
Assuntos
Masculino , Feminino , Humanos , Adulto , Comparação Transcultural , Morbidade , Prevalência , Transtornos de Adaptação/epidemiologia , Vitiligo/epidemiologia , Vitiligo/psicologia , Índia/epidemiologiaRESUMO
To estimate trends and determinants of sexual initiation and contraceptive use among adolescent women in Northeast Brazil, multivariate logistic hazard models are used that draw on data from three Demographic and Health Surveys conducted there between 1986 and 1996. Educational attainment is among the variables found to be associated most consistently with differential risk of engaging in first intercourse during adolescence, including premarital intercourse, and of contraceptive use during sexual initiation. Greater frequency of attending religious services and greater exposure to television are also associated with lower rates of sexual initiation and higher use of contraceptives. Seemingly diminishing returns of education on delayed sexual activity may help explain, in part, observed increases in the absolute level of adolescent sexual experience across survey periods, however. Multilevel modeling techniques pointing to the existence of cluster-level random variances underline the need for further research into community influences on individual sexual activity.
Assuntos
Comportamento do Adolescente , Anticoncepcionais/administração & dosagem , Comportamento Sexual , Adolescente , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Brasil , Criança , Coleta de Dados , Educação , Feminino , Humanos , Gravidez , Gravidez na Adolescência , Modelos de Riscos Proporcionais , Fatores Socioeconômicos , TelevisãoRESUMO
Mycobacterium leprae has been studied with the aid of the ordinary and phase microscopes, and the electron microscope. It has been found that treatment of M. leprae with distilled water or chloroform prior to examination produces artefacts. Fixation of material is the vapor of 2 per cent osmic acid solution gives the best results for the electron microscope study of the bacillus. The following forms representing the morphological variants of this mycobacterium have been established with certainty from this study: (a) a short, oval type of cells with one or two polar condensations; (b) elongate types with double polar condensations; (c) very long types with alternate light and dark zones; and (d) homogeneously dark, elongate types. The possible significance and relationships of these variants have been discussed.