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Biomedical subjects

Isaac I Bogoch

Publications and source records attributed to Isaac I Bogoch.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Efficacy and side effects of praziquantel against Schistosoma mansoni in a community of western Côte d'Ivoire.

Praziquantel is efficacious against the adult stages of all human schistosome parasites, and has become the drug of choice for morbidity control of schistosomiasis. There is concern that resistance to praziquantel might develop or already exists, and could be further facilitated through new control initiatives relying on large-scale administration of praziquantel. Therefore, monitoring praziquantel efficacy in different epidemiological settings is required. We assessed the efficacy and side effects of praziquantel against Schistosoma mansoni in a rural community of western Côte d'Ivoire. Three consecutive stool specimens from 545 children and adults were examined by the Kato-Katz technique, revealing an overall prevalence of 40.9%. S. mansoni-infected individuals were treated with a single oral dose of praziquantel at 40 mg/kg. The most frequent side effects were abdominal pain, dizziness and diarrhoea. The overall cure rate, assessed 6 weeks post-treatment, was 60.9%. Moderate or heavy infections were only cleared in half or one-third of the individuals, respectively. The total egg count reduction was 61.4%. Infection intensity pre-treatment was significantly associated with age, cure rate, reported diarrhoea and dizziness. Our findings call for additional studies that rigorously evaluate the efficacy of praziquantel against different schistosome species in entire communities, using similarly sensitive diagnostic approaches as employed here.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2002

Enhanced epileptogenesis in S100B knockout mice.

S100B is a small calcium- and zinc-binding protein expressed by astrocytes in the central nervous system. Here, we examined the role of S100B in epileptogenesis using an amygdala kindling paradigm comparing S100B knockout mice with their wild-type counterparts. Astrocyte activation following kindling, assessed by glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in the hippocampus and amygdala, was similar in wild-type and knockout mice. In addition, wild-type and knockout mice did not have substantially different afterdischarge thresholds. However, knockout mice kindled more rapidly and exhibited more severe seizures. These results implicate normal levels of S100B in the attenuation of epileptogenesis.

Amygdala↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Perceptions about hearing protection and noise-induced hearing loss of attendees of rock concerts.

BACKGROUND: This study examines perceptions of rock concert attendees about risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and use of hearing protection at a busy Toronto rock concert venue. METHODS: Two hundred and four questionnaires were completed and returned (75% response rate) by attendees at four rock concerts. RESULTS: The respondents had an average age of 20.6 years and 55.4% were male. Thirty-four point three percent (34.3%) thought that it was somewhat likely and 39.8% thought it was very likely that noise levels at music concerts could damage their hearing, but 80.2% said that they never wore hearing protection at such events. Tinnitus and other hearing disturbances were experienced by 84.7% and 37.8% of attendees, respectively. Both experiencing hearing disturbances and concern about developing hearing loss were statistically significantly associated with concert attendees' use of hearing protection. Previous use of hearing protection, a higher score on a scale of readiness for behavioural change (Prochaska scale) and lack of concern about the appearance of ear plugs were statistically significantly associated with a reported willingness to use hearing protection in the future if it were provided for free at the door. CONCLUSION: Hearing protection is currently not worn by most attendees of rock concerts who are at risk of developing NIHL. Ear plugs and tactful NIHL education should be provided at the door, coupled with strategies to reduce music sound levels to safer listening levels.

Adolescent↗