International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN: 5414-9203 Vol. 1 (2), pp.013-019, November, 2014.© International Scholars Journals

Review

Enhanced discovery of disease genes and availability of DNA- based diagnostic methods

Nwafor D. Celine

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benin, Edo, Nigeria.

Email.[email protected]

Accepted 05 October, 2014

Abstract 

Contrary to the skepticism that characterized the planning stages of the human genome project, the technology and sequence data resulting from the project are set to revolutionize medical practice for good. The expected benefits include: improved discovery of disease genes, which will lead to improved knowledge on the genetic basis of diseases; availability of DNA- based diagnostic methods, which will find widespread application in preimplantation diagnosis, carrier screening, pre-symptomatic testing and population screening; the availability of more effective and more tolerant drugs, which will result in more effective therapies characterized by higher potency and reduced incidence of adverse reactions. However, there are still a number of technological, ethical, legal and social obstacles that must be addressed before these medical advances are incorporated into routine clinical practice. To justify the huge investments in the human genome project, the new advancements should be affordable by all, and must not result in a further widening of the gap between the quality of healthcare available in the resource-rich and the resource-poor countries.

Key words: Human genome, genomics, medicine, therapy, diagnosis, metabolise.

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN: 5414-9203 Vol. 1 (1), pp.007-012, October, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Analysis of traditional Chinese medicine based on microbial fermentation and transformation

^*1Dilmurat Hwang, ¹Zhang Chelen, Jinping H.E² and Yong Xiaobao²

¹College of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.

²School of Medical Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 28 September, 2014

Abstract 

Microbial fermentation and alteration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an important way to achieve a amalgamation of modern biotechnology and TCM’s research, and gaining an increasing worldwide popularity as a new type of traditional Chinese medicinal processing approach to develop pharmaceuticals in therapeutic applications. This new technology not only broadens the scope of TCM’s research and application, but also provides us a new idea and way to understand and use TCM scientifically and effectively. This paper reviews the current status of microbial fermentation and transformation of TCM at home and abroad, mainly from TCM’s ideas, principles, existed problems and significances of research. The focus is on medicinal fungi fermentation and transformation of TCM. In the discussion of specific microorganisms, the emphasis is placed on Grifola frondosa (G. frondosa or Maitake) and Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum), for which experimental work has been on-going actively in the authors' laboratories. Other selected microorganisms will be discussed only briefly, aiming primarily to illustrate the current status of research in this area.

Key words: Microbial fermentation, transformation, Grifola frondosa, microorganism, biotectnology.

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN: 5414-9203 Vol. 1 (1), pp.001-006, October, 2014.  © International Scholars Journals

Review

Re-energized Interest of medical and veterinary Biochemists to DNA technology

*¹Sokarji E. A, ¹Nwagboh A. O and Odugbo O. George²

¹Department of Veterinary Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calabar, Cross Rivers, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 09 September, 2014

Abstract

The illumination of the structure, function and metabolism of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has led to the current global revolution in the recombinant DNA technology, with the possibility to modify these molecules in many ways for the benefit of man and animals. In this review, we considered the basic principles of genetic engineering (gene cloning), bioinformatics, and its applications in medical and veterinary sciences. The issue of ethical questions and fears about biotechnology is also discussed. The ultimate goal of this paper is to re-energized the interest of medical and veterinary personnels, biochemists and related scientists to this technology, which is well able to have an effect on the way all the biosciences will be practiced in this new millennium.

Key words: Biotechnology, medical, veterinary research, DNA technology, biochemist.

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 4 (8), pp. 001-004, August, 2013. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Case Report

Open Flap Debridement in the Treatment of Periodontal Myiasis: A case report

Syed Ansar Ahamd¹ and Saif Khan²*

¹Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi, India.

²Department of Periodontics and Community Dentistry, Dr Z. A. Dental College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, U P, India.

Accepted 2 December, 2012

Abstract

Myiasis is an infestation of live vertebrate by dipterous larva, which feeds on living and dead host tissue, host products and byproducts. Here, we report a case of a female aged 35 years old, mentally retarded presented with severe pain, swelling, crawling worms in the upper teeth and lip region. She was a chronic mouth breather with very poor hygiene. On clinical examination, a larvae was seen in the periodontal pocket with relation to teeth #21 and 22, which was later by entomological examination identified as Chrysomya bezziana. The patient was managed by mechanical removal of the larvae from pocket using turpentine oil and then by open flap debridement with removal of all maggots. This case report emphasizes the importance of oral hygiene instruction, motivation and education in mentally challenged patients. Controlling fly vector population, maintaining good oral and personal hygiene contributes in checking this infestation.

Key words: Myiasis, mouth breather, oral hygiene, Chrysomya bezziana.
 

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 4 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2013. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Rapid Viral Response Frequency in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Treated with Interferon and Ribavirin: A Comprehensive Analysis

Memon Sadiq¹, Shaikh Samiullah²*, Devrajani Bikha² Ram and Shaikh Khalid²

¹Department of Medicine, Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad, Pakistan.
²Department of Medicine, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro/Hyderabad, Pakistan.

Accepted 10 October, 2012

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of rapid viral response (RVR) and influence of various factors on the response rates in chronic hepatitis C infected patients treated with interferon and ribavirin combination therapy. This study was conducted in Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad-Pakistan and Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro/ Hyderabad, Pakistan, from July 2007 to December 2008. All consecutive adult patients aged between 18 and 65 years who were naïve to interferon-based therapy and fulfilled the following criteria were eligible for this study: anti-HCV antibody, HCV RNA positive, genotype 3, and with elevated ALT (alanine aminotransferase) levels. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical program for social sciences (SPSS 16.0 for window SPSS Inc: Chicago, IL).This descriptive case series study included 195 consecutive patients of which 113 (57.9%) were male and 82 (42.1%) female. The mean age of the patients was 37.3± 9.62 years. 150 (76.9%) patients were on conventional interferon. Rapid viral response was seen in 167 (85.6%) patients. In univariate analysis, only serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) quotient has shown a statistically significant difference as 96/107 (89.7%) patients with quotient < 2.3 went into RVR as compared to 71/88 (80.6%) patients with >2.3 quotient (p=0.03). In multivariate analysis, SGPT quotient has shown statistical significance with SGPT quotient < 2.3; this indicates that odds ratio of 0.40 (p=0.04) RVR is rapidly becoming a new tool for predicting treatment outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis C and represents a key opportunity to individualize therapy according to treatment-related viral kinetics

Key words: Hepatitis C, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), rapid viral response (RVR).

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 001-009, June, 2013. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Antibiotic Sensitivity Profiles of Enterococcus faecalis and an Emerging Planomicrobium Species in Bloodstream Infections

Munaff J. Abd Al-Abbas

Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq.

Accepted 14 January, 2013

Abstract

During nucleotide sequences of 16SrDNA gene, Enterococcus faecalis was predominant in 322 samples; 11 isolates (100%) were from outpatients' vaginal swabs and 3 isolates (75%) from inpatients' blood samples. The three isolates from the blood showed two frame shift mutations "Deletion" at sequence positions 21 and 1076 bp to be 100% similar with type strain OG1RF. The isolates totally showed no resistance to gentamycin, streptomycin and erythromycin whereas, there was high resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (71.4%), methicillin and vancomycin (92.8%, for each). All isolates from the blood were completely resistant to penicillin and ampicillin. The study also detected Planomicrobium mcmeekinii from an inpatients' blood case (containing Gene or Point mutation type Transversion at position 358 bp resulting to 99% sequence identity to ATCC 700539) as first reporting and revealing it to be a new subspecies or species.

Key words: Enterococcus faecalis, Planomicrobium mcmeekinii, 16SrDNA and sequencing.