Showing papers by "Mahidol University published in 1985"
TL;DR: The clearance of quinine, mefloquine and pyrimethamine appears to be higher in children than in adults, and more information is required on their pharmacokinetics in malaria, pregnancy, and in young children.
Abstract: For the past 300 years antimalarial dosage regimens have not been based on pharmacokinetk information. However, now that this information is available, it is appropriate to examine current recommendations for prophylaxis and treatment.
243 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the results of an experimental study of territoriality among monogamous lar gibbons (Hylobates lar ), scoring vocal and movement responses to field playback of their loud calls.
188 citations
TL;DR: Findings suggest that hypoxia contributes to the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria and CSF lactate is an important prognostic indicator in cerebral malaria.
143 citations
TL;DR: During a prospective, 24-mo case-controlled study, 551 patients from northeastern Thailand were independently evaluated for Opisthorchis viverrini infection, hepatobiliary tract disease, and hepatic carcinoma to determine whether there was any association between hepatic cancer and O. viverRini infection.
101 citations
TL;DR: Mefloquine was well tolerated by patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency or heterozygous haemoglobin E, and was equally effective in the treatment of falciparum malaria.
68 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated unequivocally that reticuloendothelial and polymorphonuclear leukocytic functions are impaired in vitamin A deficiency in the absence of other dietary imbalances.
Abstract: The effect of vitamin A deficiency on the functional integrity of the reticuloendothelial system and the phagocytic capacity of circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes was evaluated in retinoate-cycled vitamin A-deficient rats under conditions such that secondary dietary imbalances were eliminated. Kinetics of blood clearance of 2 X 10(7) Escherichia coli injected intravenously was depressed within 8 days of the withdrawal of retinoic acid; all animals were profoundly affected by Day 12 of deficiency. In vitro, the phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes was similarly affected; by Day 12 of deficiency, phagocytic capacity in all deficient animals was less than 40% of the appropriate control values (P less than 0.01). Animals rendered vitamin A deficient by this procedure also displayed marked susceptibility to endogenous bacterial infection, as judged from the proportion of deficient rats that spontaneously developed bacteremia during the later stages of deficiency. These data together demonstrate unequivocally that reticuloendothelial and polymorphonuclear leukocytic functions are impaired in vitamin A deficiency in the absence of other dietary imbalances.
61 citations
TL;DR: Two largely independent studies of chromosomes from natural populations of anopheles maculatus provide evidence for several genetic species within the taxon, including two allopatric populations and heterochromatic variation occurs in both X and Y chromosomes.
Abstract: : Two largely independent studies of chromosomes from natural populations of anopheles maculatus provide evidence for several genetic species within the taxon. (1) Polytene chromosome variation shows four different rearrangements of arm 2 and three rearrangements of the X chromosome. There is strong evidence for three species. Two allopatric populations represent either dramatic geographic variation for two independent inversion systems within one of the genetic species, or represent two additional species. Their species status remains unresolved by this work. (2) Heterochromatic variation occurs in both X and Y chromosomes as revealed by Giemsa-banding of mitotic chromosomes from larval brains. The distribution and association of these various sex chromosomes give further evidence of a species complex. A preliminary correlation of these two kinds of chromosomal variation is given.
54 citations
TL;DR: The incidence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Shigella, Aeromonas, and Vibrio was determined in patients with diarrhea seen at a hospital in northeastern Thailand, and compared with the incidence of these bacteria in household contacts and their neighbors.
Abstract: The incidence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), Shigella, Aeromonas, and Vibrio was determined in patients with diarrhea seen at a hospital in northeastern Thailand, and compared with the incidence of these bacteria in household contacts and their neighbors. ETEC was identified in 17%, Shigella in 9%, Aeromonas in 9%, V. parahaemolyticus in 5%, and non-01 V. cholerae in 2% of 299 patients with diarrhea. These five species of bacteria were isolated more often from patients with diarrhea than persons without diarrhea (P less than 0.001). ETEC was found more often in household contacts (22/141) and neighbors (18/147) of index cases than in persons living in homes not associated with ETEC infections (32/1,318; P less than 0.001). While Shigella was isolated less often in family contacts (3/76) and neighbors (4/93) of patients with shigellosis, this enteric pathogen was also isolated more often from contacts than persons not associated with Shigella infection (13/1,437; P less than 0.001). Both Aeromonas and non-01 V. cholerae can also be enteric pathogens; further efforts should be made to define the enteropathogenicity of these bacteria.
46 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors found that concomitant inheritance of alpha-thalassemia can alleviate the severity of beta 0-thalassemia/Hb E disease by restriction endonuclease DNA mapping.
Abstract: Concomitant inheritance of alpha-thalassemia in patients with beta 0-thalassemia/hemoglobin (Hb) E disease was detected by restriction endonuclease DNA mapping. Among 42 patients with beta 0-thalassemia/Hb E disease, seven were found to have an alpha-thalassemia-2 haplotype. Of these, five belonged to the rightward or 3.7-kb type of alpha-thalassemia-2 and the remaining two the leftward or 4.2-kb type. All the seven patients with alpha-thalassemia-2 haplotype had hemoglobin levels of 7.4 g/dl or above; those without detectable alpha-thalassemia had hemoglobin levels both higher and lower than 7.4 g/dl. The latter attended the clinic regularly, the former did occasionally. These findings suggest that concomitant inheritance of alpha-thalassemia can alleviate the severity of beta 0-thalassemia/Hb E disease. Failure to find alpha-thalassemia-1 haplotype in these patients suggests that concomitant inheritance of alpha-thalassemia-1 with beta 0-thalassemia/Hb E might lead to so mild a condition that the individuals do not present clinically. The fact that many patients without a detectable alpha-thalassemia haplotype also had hemoglobin levels of 7.4 g/dl or higher suggests that there are additional factors responsible for the mildness of beta 0-thalassemia/Hb E disease.
44 citations
TL;DR: Why neighbours interact more by duet than do non-neighbours, and what may be the functions of avoiding overlap of duets are discussed.
Abstract: We report on long-range duet interactions among twelve wild groups of lar gibbons (Hylobates lar) in Thailand. Statistical analysis demonstrates that groups were more likely to respond with an answering duet to a duet sung by a neighbouring group than to one sung by a non-neighbouring group in the population. A distinctive pattern of response among neighbours was to wait until a neighbouring group had finished its duet before immediately answering with a duet, resulting in avoidance of overlap between the two duets. Non-neighbours did not exhibit this pattern. The effect is shown to be due solely to neighbour status and not to the degree of mutual audibility of the duets. There was no evidence that, when duets overlapped, the first group to sing modified the length of its duet in response to the second duet, whether given by a neighbour or by a non-neighbour. In general, among those groups which responded to one another's duets, there were no identifiable leaders and followers: the order of duetting groups was random. We discuss why neighbours interact more by duet than do non-neighbours, and consider what may be the functions of avoiding overlap of duets.
36 citations
TL;DR: The relationship between the hemoglobin levels and erythrocyte cytosol proteolytic activity in 15 beta(0) -Thalassemia/Hb E disease patients in whom a deletional type of alpha-thalassemia had been ruled out by DNA mapping is striking, suggesting that modulation of erythropoiesis proteolysis is another approach for treatment of thalassemi.
Abstract: beta (0)-Thalassemia/Hb E in Southeast Asia varies greatly in severity, with hemoglobin levels ranging from 2.5 to 13.5 g/dl, averaging 7.7 g/dl. Results of systematic investigations to find out what determines different levels of severity are reviewed. Concomitant inheritance of alpha-thalassemia significantly decreases the severity. Different degrees of severity in the majority of cases, however, is not due to alpha-thalassemia. Concordance of hemoglobin levels among patients who are sibs prevails, suggesting polygenic factor determinants. Potential factors ruled out as determinants for different levels of severity are discriminating fetal hemoglobin production, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity, reticulo-endothelial function, and failure of erythropoiesis compensation. Red cell survival and globin synthesis studies indicate that different degrees of excess of alpha-chains leading to different red cell pathology and survival are responsible for variable severity. Degrees of excess of alpha-chains in this circumstance are probably mainly determined by erythrocyte proteolytic activity. The relationship between the hemoglobin levels and erythrocyte cytosol proteolytic activity in 15 beta(0) -thalassemia/Hb E disease patients in whom a deletional type of alpha-thalassemia had been ruled out by DNA mapping is striking, with a correlation coefficient of 0.78. This finding suggests that modulation of erythrocyte proteolysis is another approach for treatment of thalassemia.
TL;DR: Although intragastric mefloquine cannot now be recommended as an alternative to intravenous quinine for the treatment of severe chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria, this situation could change if qu inine resistance increases further.
Abstract: Mefloquine has proved effective in chloroquine- and quinine-resistant falciparum malaria, but it cannot be given parenterally. We have measured the absorption of mefloquine hydrochloride suspension (mean 15.6, range 9.7-28.6 mg/kg) given by nasogastric tube to 19 cerebral malaria patients already receiving intravenous quinine. Absorption was rapid with both dose schedules used; mean absorption half-times were 1.5 and 1.8 hr, and plasma mefloquine concentrations exceeded 200 ng/g within 3 hr of completing administration in all but one exceptionally ill patient who died 40 hr later. Steady state plasma concentrations over 7 days ranged from 300 to 1,050 (mean 561) ng/g. Bioavailability of mefloquine suspension in cerebral malaria therefore appears to be adequate for treatment in all but the most severely ill patients. Although intragastric mefloquine cannot now be recommended as an alternative to intravenous quinine for the treatment of severe chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria, this situation could change if quinine resistance increases further.
TL;DR: The possibility that dengue viruses were transmit- ted transovarially by Ardes aegpti and Aedes albopictus was stud- ied in urban and rural areas of Thailand but isolated viruses were not isolated from larvae, pupae, or 85 male Ae.
Abstract: The possibility that dengue viruses were transmit- ted transovarially by Ardes aegpti and Aedes albopictus was stud- ied in urban and rural areas of Thailand. Dengue viruses were not isolated from 5766 larvae, 39 pupae, or 85 male Ae. aegpti collected in 35 houses in Bangkok in which 1 or more persons had recent dengue virus infections. In addition, virus was not detected in suspensions prepared from 73 Ae. aegypti larvae originating from eggs laid by 3 field-collected, dengue-2 virus- infected mosquitoes. However, during the same period dengue- 2 virus was isolated from 14 of 268 female Ae. aegypti collected in 8 of the 35 houses. Dengue viruses were not isolated from 1459 male and 1740 female Ae. albopictus or from 187 male and 505 female Ae. aegypti reared from immatures collected in Ban Yang, a rural village in which dengue virus was endemic. These data suggest that transovarial transmission was not an important maintenance mechanism for dengue viruses during our study.
TL;DR: In this article, the nutrient composition of seventeen cooked dishes commonly consumed in the Arabian Gulf States was chemically examined and five dishes were analyzed for proximate constituents, vitamin and mineral compositions.
Abstract: The nutrient composition of seventeen cooked dishes commonly consumed in the Arabian Gulf States was chemically examined. Five dishes were analysed for proximate constituents, vitamin and mineral compositions. It was found that they contained little amounts of water soluble vitamins and iron. Twelve dishes were analyzed for proximate composition alone. Generally, most of the dishes analyzed here could supply an appropriate amount of protein and calories if consumed in sufficient quantity.
TL;DR: GTP cyclohydrolase (EC 3.5.16), the first enzyme in the pteridine pathway leading to the de novo formation of folic acid, has been identified and isolated from the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum.
TL;DR: An alcohol and chloroform extract of Citrus hystrix DC enhanced the uterotrophic effect of estradiol when both were simultaneously given and it is suggested that these two effects may be responsible for the interruption of pregnancy associated with the extract.
TL;DR: Two newly developed media, H4 and H7, were found to be highly suitable for culturing Bacillus thuringiensis subsp.
TL;DR: In this paper, a new synthesis of α,β-unsaturated γ- and δ-lactones involving the intramolecular acylation of α-sulfinyl carbanion followed by pyrolysis is described.
TL;DR: In this paper, the preparation of β-alkylsubstituted α,β-unsaturated aldehydes using a new d 3 -reagent is described.
TL;DR: Results suggested that accumulation of cholesterol observed in dystrophic muscle of vitamin E-deficient rabbits may be due to an increase in LDL and VLDL cholesterol, the plasma lipoproteins carrying cholesterol to peripheral tissue, and to a decrease in cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity, whose activity may have been affected by the reduced level of cytochrome P-450.
Abstract: Vitamin E-deficient rabbits with signs of muscular dystrophy showed accumulation of cholesterol in muscle as well as elevation of plasma cholesterol. The increase in plasma cholesterol was detected in low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) but not in high density lipoprotein (HDL) fractions of plasma lipoproteins. In liver, the activity of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, the key enzyme involved in degradation of cholesterol, was approximately one-fifth that of control rabbits. Cytochrome P-450 level of liver microsomes was also reduced significantly. These results suggested that accumulation of cholesterol observed in dystrophic muscle of vitamin E-deficient rabbits may be due to an increase in LDL and VLDL cholesterol, the plasma lipoproteins carrying cholesterol to peripheral tissue, and to a decrease in cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity, whose activity may have been affected by the reduced level of cytochrome P-450.
TL;DR: Results of the experiments indicate differences in nutritional requirements between the two species of Plasmodium.
Abstract: Attempts to grow Plasmodium vivax in vitro were made on 43 isolates in three different culture media. Complete schizogony occurred in the new medium SCMI 612 in which 34 out of 43 isolates produced merozoites. The RPMI 1640 and Waymouth media suitable for the cultivation of P. falciparum were also used with markedly less success. Results of the experiments indicate differences in nutritional requirements between the two species of Plasmodium.
TL;DR: It was proposed that determination of anti-sporozoite antibody be made as a substitute for, or in addition to, anti-blood stage antibody for seroepidemiological study of malaria, especially in the monitoring of the success of the malaria control program.
Abstract: Serum samples from 95 patients with acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria (AM) and 95 patients with cerebral malaria (CM) were tested by the indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) for IgG and IgM antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax sporozoites. Forty-six (48%) CM patients were positive for antibodies against P. falciparum sporozoites whereas only 23 (24%) were positive for antibodies against P. vivax sporozoites (P < 0.002). A similar result was obtained in AM patients. However, CM patients had significantly lower mean IgG anti-sporozoite titer for P. falciparum than did AM patients (P < 0.05), especially when only anti-sporozoite antibody-positive CM and AM patients were compared (P < 0.0005), suggesting that CM patients had relatively less exposure and were probably less immune to malaria than were AM patients
The persistence of anti-sporozoite antibodies also was investigated in paired sera taken 63 days apart from 108 patients with acute falciparum malaria. There were significant decreases in the mean antibody titers in the follow-up sera during the period of stay in the malaria-free area. It was proposed that determination of anti-sporozoite antibody be made as a substitute for, or in addition to, anti-blood stage antibody for seroepidemiological study of malaria, especially in the monitoring of the success of the malaria control program.
TL;DR: A lectin specific for N-acetylgalactosamine was isolated from seed extract of Jack fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus ) by ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by affinity chromatography on a Affigel-galacto-samine-agarose column as mentioned in this paper.
TL;DR: In this article, the isolation of benzyl benzoates and o -hydroxybenzyl flavanones from Uvaria ferruginea, in addition to previously reported cyclohexene oxides, provides evidence in support of the proposed biogenetic route to these compounds via the common benzoate precursor.
TL;DR: The case of a 6-year-old girl who, 2 months after an unsuccessful repair of a ventricular septal defect, developed septicaemia with nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae is reported, which was finally achieved using cephalothin and gentamicin, followed by an additional course of ampicillin and amoxicillin.
Abstract: Corynebacterium diphtheriae usually produces an infection limited to the respiratory tract and the organisms rarely invade the blood stream. We report the case of a 6-year-old girl who, 2 months after an unsuccessful repair of a ventricular septal defect, developed septicaemia with nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae. The organism appeared resistant to penicillin in vitro and failed to respond to a course of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole to which it was susceptible in the laboratory. A cure was finally achieved using cephalothin and gentamicin, followed by an additional course of ampicillin and amoxicillin. Twelve previously recorded cases of diphtheritic sepsis and endocarditis are reviewed.
TL;DR: Five of 11 isolates of antibiotic-resistant enterotoxigenic E. coli isolates containing ST-b-coding DNA transferred a plasmid coding for both antibiotic resistance and ST- b to E. Escherichia coli K-12, suggesting that the widespread use of antibiotics could increase the distribution of genes coding forST-b.
Abstract: Plasmid DNAs obtained from 18 Escherichia coli isolates that hybridized with the heat-stable b (ST-b) enterotoxin gene probe were examined by Southern blot analysis for genes coding for heat-labile, ST-a, and ST-b enterotoxins with specific radiolabeled DNA probes. Four E. coli isolates contained plasmids coding for both heat-labile and ST-b enterotoxins, and one isolate contained a plasmid coding for ST-a and ST-b. Five of 11 isolates of antibiotic-resistant enterotoxigenic E. coli isolates containing ST-b-coding DNA transferred a plasmid coding for both antibiotic resistance and ST-b to E. coli K-12, suggesting that the widespread use of antibiotics could increase the distribution of genes coding for ST-b.
TL;DR: Sensitive immunoassays have been applied to WHO reference bank sera from fertile and infertile women in order to assess any naturally occurring antibody reactive with isolated human placental trophoblast membranes or two separate trophOBlast protein products.