Mosquito breeding water parameters are important determinants for Microsporidia MB in the aquatic stages of Anopheles species.

Background: Microsporidia MB disrupts Plasmodium development in Anopheles mosquitoes, making it a possible biocontrol tool for malaria. As a tool for vector/disease control, its ecological distribution and the factors that determine their occurrence must be defined. We investigated the frequency of Microsporidia MB in Anopheles mosquitoes across selected sites in northern and southern Ghana, as well as the physicochemical parameters of mosquito breeding water that are associated with the occurrence of the fungus, by fitting regression models.

Improved species assignments across the entire genus using targeted sequencing.

Accurate species identification of the mosquitoes in the genus is of crucial importance to implement malaria control measures and monitor their effectiveness. We use a previously developed amplicon panel (ANOSPP) that retrieves sequence data from multiple short nuclear loci for any species in the genus. Species assignment is based on comparison of samples to a reference index using -mer distance.

Stillbirth rate and associated factors at the Bamenda Regional hospital, North-West region, Cameroon, from 2018 to 2022: a case control study.

Background: Stillbirth is a common adverse pregnancy outcome worldwide, with an estimated 2.6 million stillbirths yearly. In Cameroon, the reported rate in 2015 was 19.

Comparative efficacy and safety of the artemisinin derivatives compared to quinine for treating severe malaria in children and adults: A systematic update of literature and network meta-analysis.

Background: The artemisinin derivatives are the preferred antimalaria drugs for treating severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria. However, their clinical effectiveness compared to each other is unknown. Our objective, therefore, was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the artemisinin derivatives and quinine for treating severe P.

The Potential Roles of Glial Cells in the Neuropathogenesis of Cerebral Malaria.

Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe neurological complication of malaria caused by the parasite. It is one of the leading causes of death in children under 5 years of age in Sub-Saharan Africa. CM is associated with blood-brain barrier disruption and long-term neurological sequelae in survivors of CM.

Ferritin 2 domain-containing protein found in lacquer tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum) sap has negative effects on laccase and peroxidase reactions.

Lacquer tree sap, a raw material of traditional paints in East Asia, is hardened through laccase-catalyzed oxidation and the following polymerization of phenolic compound urushiol. In the sap's water-insoluble fraction, we found two plantacyanins and a ferritin 2 domain-containing protein (TvFe2D, a homolog of Arabidopsis AT1G47980 and AT3G62730). The recombinant TvFe2D protein suppressed the accumulation of laccase-catalyzed oxidation products of a model substrate syringaldazine without decreasing oxygen consumption, the second substrate of laccase.

The short-term effects of various oral care methods in dependent elderly: comparison between toothbrushing, tongue cleaning with sponge brush and wiping on oral mucous membrane by chlorhexidine.

Objectives: To explore the short-term effects from toothbrushing, tongue cleaning with sponge brush and wiping on oral mucous membrane by chlorhexidine.

Background: Numerous reports have been seen in recent years proving the effectiveness of mouth cleaning with a toothbrush for the prevention of respiratory infections among the dependent elderly. However, the short-term effects from each oral care method have not yet been clarified.

[The role of the pharmacist to an inpatient in order to switch from inpatient treatment to a home-based care of an outpatient--the usefulness of a patient record notebook in cancer chemotherapy].

We have been successfully using a patient's record notebook in home-based outpatient cancer chemotherapy since 2003. Many of the patients expressed their satisfaction carrying a patient record notebook through our questionnaires designed to illicit details of their side effects during the chemotherapy. There are so many tasks the patient has to do by his own once he leaves the hospital and to become an outpatient.

Relationship between markers of inflammation and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in Japanese men.

The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between markers of inflammation, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), an indicator of arterial stiffness, in Japanese men. We studied 269 male subjects (mean age, 53 years) who entered our health check-up program. Subjects who were receiving any medication were excluded from the study.

Comparison of once-daily nifedipine controlled-release with twice-daily nifedipine retard in the treatment of essential hypertension.

Aims: Nifedipine is a short-acting calcium antagonist formulated into several different oral preparations, each of which may have different effects on haemodynamics and autonomic nervous function. We compared the effects of nifedipine controlled-release (CR) and nifedipine retard on 24-h blood pressure, heart rate, rate-pressure product, and power spectral measures of heart rate variability in patients with essential hypertension.

Methods: After 4 weeks of a drug-free period, 25 patients were randomized to receive either once-daily treatment with nifedipine CR (20-40 mg daily; 12 patients) or twice-daily treatment with nifedipine retard (20-40 mg daily; 13 patients) for 12 weeks.

Release property of progesterone from a mixed-base suppository consisting of Witepsol W35 and Witepsol E85.

The mechanism of drug release from progesterone suppositories that consist of two types of hard fat (Witepsol W35 and Witepsol E85) was investigated. The strength, the thermodynamic characteristics, the surface structures, the drug release property, methylene blue penetration into suppositories, and change of surface structure after the dissolution test were employed for detecting characteristics of progesterone suppositories. The formulation with a mixing ratio of Witepsol W35 and Witepsol E85 at a 1:1 ratio showed the maximum strength value.

Urocortin expression in the human central nervous system.

Objective And Study Design: Urocortin is a recently identified neuropeptide of the corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) family in the mammalian brain and has been demonstrated to stimulate ACTH secretion from pituitary cells, but its expression in human brain tissue including the hypothalamus has not been examined. In this study, we first examined urocortin expression in the hypothalamus (20 cases) and pituitary stalks (17 cases) of human brain obtained from autopsy using immunohistochemistry and mRNA in situ hybridization.

Results: Neither urocortin immunoreactivity nor mRNA hybridization signals were detected in the hypothalami and pituitary stalks while CRF immunoreactivity was detected in the paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalami in 10/20 cases and in nerve fibres of the stalks in 17/17 cases.

Hyperprolactinemic recurrent miscarriage and results of randomized bromocriptine treatment trials.

Objective: To evaluate hyperprolactinemia in the pathogenesis of recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Design: Randomized trial.

Setting: Miscarriage clinic, Yokohama City University Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.

Expression of adrenomedullin and adrenomedullin mRNA in ectopic ACTH-secreting tumors.

Objective: To study the expression of adrenomedullin, a potent vasodilator peptide originally isolated from a pheochromocytoma, in ectopic ACTH-secreting tumors.

Methods: Tumor tissue concentrations of adrenomedullin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, neuropeptide Y, endothelin-1, corticotropin-releasing hormone and ACTH were measured in three ectopic ACTH-secreting tumors by RIA. The expression of adrenomedullin mRNA was examined by northern blot analysis of tissue from one of the tumors.

Inhibition by N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide and all-trans-retinoic acid of exogenous and endogenous development of putative preneoplastic, glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive lesions in the livers of rats.

The effects of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4-HPR) and all-trans-retinoic acid (tRA) on the exogenous and endogenous models of rat liver carcinogenesis respectively using diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet were studied. For the exogenous study, male Fischer 344 rats, 6 weeks old, were given a single i.p.

Urocortin expression in human pituitary gland and pituitary adenoma.

Urocortin is a recently identified neuropeptide of the CRF family in the mammalian brain, but its expression in human tissue has been little studied. In this study, we examined urocortin expression in human anterior pituitary gland and pituitary adenomas by RIA, high performance liquid chromatography, immunohistochemistry, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in situ hybridization, and reverse transcriptase-PCR. Immunoreactive urocortin concentrations in normal pituitary tissue extract were 103.

Leiomyoma of the mandible: a rapid growing case with immunohistochemical and electron microscopic observations.

A rare case of leiomyoma of the mandible is reported together with the conventional histologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic findings. On immunohistochemical evaluation the tumor cells were positive for vimentin, desmin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin but negative for neurogenic antigens and markers for vascular endothelial cells. Ultrastructural examination revealed smooth muscle cell differentiation.

Involvement of 8-hydroxyguanine formation in the initiation of rat liver carcinogenesis by low dose levels of N-nitrosodiethylamine.

The question of whether 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) formation is involved in initiation by low dose levels of N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) was addressed using a rat liver model. Male Fischer 344 rats, 6 weeks of age, were administered single i.p.

Immuno-inflammatory responses in the tissue adjacent to titanium miniplates used in the treatment of mandibular fractures.

The immuno-inflammatory responses to titanium miniplates used in the treatment of mandibular fractures were studied immunohistochemically at light and electron microscope levels. Titanium miniplates were stably situated on the cortical bone surface. In the soft tissue adjacent to the surface of titanium miniplates, double layered connective tissue was observed, which consisted of dense fibrous connective tissue, and relatively loos connective tissue contained proliferated blood vessels with hypertrophied endothelial cells.

Inhibitory effects of N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine on the early stage of the enhanced hepatocarcinogenesis caused by coadministration of ethionine and a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet in rats.

Effects of N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD), an antioxidant, on liver carcinogenesis caused by a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet containing ethionine were studied in Fischer 344 rats. Male animals, 6 weeks old, were fed a CDAA diet, a choline-supplemented L-amino acid-defined (CSAA) diet or a CDAA diet containing 0.05% ethionine with or without 0.

Expression of E- and P-selectins by vascular endothelial cells in human tonsils.

Selectins play an important role in the adhesion between vascular endothelial cells and leukocytes in immuno-inflammatory events. We investigated the immunohistochemical localization of E- and P-selectins in the human palatine tonsils at light and electron microscopic levels. E-selectin was expressed by high endothelial venules (HEV) in a linear pattern in heavily inflamed tonsils with focal infection and extensive neutrophilic infiltration, and much less in hypertrophic tonsils without focal infection.

Intraoral reconstruction with innervated forearm flap: a comparison of sensibility and reinnervation in innervated versus noninnervated forearm flap.

Objective: To evaluate the cutaneous sensibility and sensory reinnervation in patients who underwent intraoral reconstruction with an innervated or noninnervated forearm flap.

Study Design: Results of the use of innervated forearm flaps in oral reconstruction was compared with the use of noninnervated flaps. The evaluation of sensibility and reinnervation comprised clinical sensibility tests and immunohistochemical investigation of postoperative biopsy specimens against S-100 and neurofilament.

Prevention by methionine of enhancement of hepatocarcinogenesis by coadministration of a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet and ethionine in rats.

The effects of methionine on hepatocarcinogenesis induced by coadministration of a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet and ethionine were examined. F344 male rats were divided into 4 experimental groups. Groups 1 and 2 received the CDAA diet and a choline-supplemented L-amino acid-defined (CSAA)++ diet, respectively.

Expression of prostatic secretory protein (PSP)-like protein in porcine corpus luteum: isolation and characterization of a new gene encoding PSP94-like protein.

cDNA clones encoding stage-and/or space-specific genes in porcine ovarian follicles have been investigated by differential screening of cDNA libraries of granulosa cells and corpus luteum. A clone corresponding to mRNA preferentially expressed in the functional stage of corpus luteum was found to encode a protein similar to the human prostatic secretory protein, PSP94, which had been originally identified in male genital organs. The expression was detected widely in the functional corpora lutea by in situ hybridization histochemistry, but the signal was most prominent in the luteal cells surrounding blood vessels.