Biomedical subjects

M A Ansari

Publications and source records attributed to M A Ansari.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Personal protection from mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) by burning neem oil in kerosene.

The repellent action of neem oil (extracted from the seeds of Azadirachta indica A. Juss) was evaluated on mosquitoes at two villages near Delhi, India. Kerosene lamps containing neem oil were burned in the living rooms, and mosquitoes resting walls or attracted to human bait were collected inside rooms from 1800 to 0600 h. Neem oil (0.01-1%) mixed in kerosene reduced biting of human volunteers and catches of mosquitoes resting on walls in the rooms. Protection was more pronounced against Anopheles than against Culex. A 1% neem oil-kerosene mixture may provide economical personal protection from mosquito bites.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Field trial of esbiothrin-impregnated rope in Ramgarh village, Dadri PHC, District Ghaziabad (U.P.).

A village-scale field trial was carried out to assess the operational feasibility and efficacy of smouldering 250 ppm esbiothrin-impregnated rope in repelling mosquitoes and its impact on transmission of malaria. Entomological monitoring revealed that smoke from smouldering rope resulted in 67.2-97.9% reduction of An. culicifacies densities in human and mixed dwellings. The reduction was obviously due to diversion of An. culicifacies population to cattlesheds where ropes were not burnt. The impact was more pronounced when indoor mosquito landing rate on human bait was compared with that of experimental and control areas. This was also reflected in reduced anthropophilic index and curtailment of malaria transmission in experimental area.

Allethrins↗

PubMed1994

Repellent action of Cymbopogan martinii martinii Stapf var. sofia oil against mosquitoes.

Studies were carried out to evaluate the repellent action of Cymbopogan martinii martinii Stapf var. sofia (F. Gramineae) against mosquitoes under field conditions. Results revealed that the oil has strong repellent action and provided absolute protection for 12 h against Anopheles culicifacies, a principal vector of malaria in the country. Similar degree of protection was evident against An. annularis and An. subpictus. The protection against Culex quinquefasciatus, a pest mosquito was 96.3% for 12 h. Results of evaluation in captivity revealed complete protection against this species for 5 h.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Plasmodium vivax: immune responses in a cross-section of the population in the Delhi area of India.

The immune status of the individuals living in the Delhi area of northern India where Plasmodium vivax is predominant is described. The majority of the individuals who were acutely infected with P. vivax had antibodies against crude blood-stage antigen and the recombinant antigen, PV9. In contrast, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the majority of these individuals did not show proliferation in the presence of either of these antigens. There was no correlation between antibody levels and T cell proliferation. Such an immune status of individuals living in endemic areas should be taken into account in the future in developing P. vivax malaria vaccines.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Beta-adrenergic modulation of rat brain insulin receptor activity in normal and hyperglycaemic conditions.

The [125I]Insulin binding and receptor kinase activity were assessed in rat brain in the presence of 10 microM concentrations of the beta agonist isoproterenol. While insulin binding remained unaltered, beta agonist treatment enhanced significantly receptor kinase activity in control and hyperglycaemic conditions. Antihyperglycaemic effects of isoproterenol were discussed in relation to adrenergic effects on insulin action in brain.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Use of kerosene lamp containing synthetic pyrethroids to repel mosquitoes.

An indigenous and appropriate method of personal protection was developed and tested in rural areas. It consists of an ordinary kerosene lamp made of tin with a regulator to adjust the wick. Different concentrations of esbiothrin, a synthetic pyrethroid, were mixed in kerosene and allowed to burn in living rooms and cattlesheds from dusk to dawn to observe hourly entry of mosquitoes. The tin lamp (100 ml capacity) without chimney provided the most efficient protection from mosquito bites. The protection varied from 84.2 +/- 8.2 to 97.8 +/- 2.8. Maximum protection was observed against An. culicifacies. Esbiothrin kerosene lamp (0.01%) lighted in living room provided 99.7% protection to exposed human baits seated at a distance of 1 m from the lamp. The technique is simple, cost-effective and does not require electricity and can be used both for illumination and repelling mosquitoes in remote and inaccesible areas.

Allethrins↗

PubMed1993

Mosquito repellent action of neem (Azadirachta indica) oil.

Two percent neem oil mixed in coconut oil, when applied to the exposed body parts of human volunteers, provided complete protection for 12 h from the bites of all anopheline species. Application of neem oil is safe and can be used for protection from malaria in endemic countries.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Ageing erythrocytes and alloxan diabetes: I. A possible role of catalase, GSH, GSSG, and GSH-enzymes in decreasing defence system.

The erythrocytes from control (C), diabetic (D) and insulin-treated diabetic (D+I) rats were separated into three ageing groups (TAG) i.e., light dense (young cells), intermediate-dense (middle-aged cells) and heavy-dense (old aged cells) samples. The activities of enzymes and metabolites changed from young to old cells in the following manner: (1) Increase of CAT in TAG and a lower level in D and D+I (2) Decrease of GPx in TAG but a low level in D (3) Increase of GR in TAG but a higher level in D, (4) Increase of GST in C and a decrease in D with a higher level in young cells and a lower level in middle-aged and old cells. The reversal of enzyme was more in young cells of D+I (5) Increase of GSH in TAG, a low level in D and a high level in D+I (6) Increase of GSSG in TAG, a high level found only in young cells of D. The results show that young red cells are affected more significantly in diabetes than other age cell types.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

In vitro effect of testosterone propionate on lactate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase in brain and gonads of Channa punctatus.

The activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), and protein levels were measured in vitro incubation of tissue homogenate of brain and gonads with testosterone propionate (TP) in Channa punctatus (teleost). The activities of LDH and MDH were found to be highest in the ovarian tissues in comparison to the testis and the brain in control fish. TP (2 micrograms-4 micrograms/ml) stimulated testicular tissue with increases in LDH by 10-fold and MDH by 15-fold approximately, the ovary with significant increase in LDH and a decrease in MDH and the brain showed only an increase in MDH.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Esbiothrin-impregnated ropes as mosquito repellent.

Esbiothrin [(+/-)-3-allyl-2-methyl-4-oxocylopent-2-enyl-(+)-trans- chrysanthemate] is an improved isomeric composition of allethrin series and consists essentially of esters of chrysanthemic acid and allethrolone. Jute rope was impregnated with esbiothrin and the smoke from smouldering ropes was evaluated as mosquito repellent in human dwellings and cattlesheds with open doors and windows at different dosages. Esbiothrin-impregranted (500 ppm) ropes prevented the entry of more than 95% An. culicifacles and other anophelines, 90.9-88.8% Culex quinquefasciatus and 96-95.1% total mosquitoes in open rooms of houses and cattlesheds respectively. The impact of ropes was more pronounced on the biting rate of mosquitoes. Indoors and outdoors human baits seated at a distance of about 3 m from smouldering esbiothrin ropes experienced no bite at all from An. culicifacies. An iron mesh around the rope prevents fire hazards.

Allethrins↗

PubMed1992

Effect of insulin and thyroxine on catalase, glutathione-s-transferase, GSH and GSSG in alloxan diabetic rat red cells.

The levels of catalase (CAT), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidised glutathione (GSSG) were measured in red blood cells from control (C) and diabetic rats (D). Diabetes was induced by alloxan administration and diabetic rats were treated with insulin (D+I) and thyroxine (D+T4). On the third day of insulin withdrawal the CAT activity increased significantly. The GST activity showed an increase in D and D+I for one week, thyroxine treatment to D rats resulted in maintaining the GST activity at control levels. The levels of GSH and GSSG increased in D red cells after one week of insulin withdrawal but later, the GSH level was below the control level while the GSSG was at its control level. Insulin treatment to D rats did not reverse GSH level to control initially but controlled it at a later stage. Thyroxine, though, reversed GSH levels but enhanced GSSG in D rat red cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Role of Azolla in controlling mosquito breeding in Ghaziabad district villages (U.P.).

A survey was carried out during post-monsoon period (1988-89) in villages of Dhaulana Primary Health Centre, Distt. Ghaziabad (U.P.) to evaluate the utility of Azolla pinnata for the control of mosquito breeding in different habitats. Results of the survey revealed that pools, ponds, wells, rice fields and drains were infested with Azolla. Infestation rate and intensity of infestation varied from habitat to habitat. Maximum infestation (36.5%) was observed in pools and minimum (3.7%) in rice fields. Anopheline breeding was almost completely suppressed (0-1.6/dip) in pools, wells and ponds completely covered with Azolla. The breeding of Culex spp. was not completely inhibited in any habitat, though reduction in immature density was observed in comparison to control. The role of Azolla in controlling mosquito breeding and its association with the blue green algae which fixes nitrogen is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Genetic markers in refractory and susceptible malaria patients in village Bhanera, Distt. Ghaziabad, U.P.

Malaria 'susceptible' and 'refractory' subjects from village Bhanera in District Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) were examined for various genetic markers, viz., ABO, haptoglobin, haemoglobin and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase polymorphism. One hundred and nine susceptible and 36 refractory subjects were studied. No significant differences with respect to distribution patterns of the genetic markers were observed in the two groups except for AB blood group. In general, a high incidence of ahaptoglobinaemia was observed in this population and incidence increased with the increase in malaria attacks, suggesting that repeated malaria attacks cause ahaptoglobinaemia.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

PubMed1991

Evaluation of juvenile hormone analogue JHM/S-31183 against immature stages of mosquitoes in natural habitats.

A study was carried out to evaluate the potentiality of Juvenile hormone compound JHM/S-31183 against immatures of mosquitoes in natural habitats. Of two formulations tested 1% emulsifiable formulation was marginally superior than the granule formulation. Adult emergence of An. stephensi was completely inhibited upto 12 weeks when 0.5% granule formulation was applied at 0.04 ppm in wells as against 50% inhibition upto 8 weeks in pools. However, in Culex quinquefasciatus the per cent inhibition of adult emergence varied from 52 to 90 per cent. 100% inhibition in pools upto one week at 0.04 ppm in An. stephensi was also obtained with 1% emulsifiable formulation but the effect was diluted in successive weeks. The impact of this formulation was not much pronounced against Culex quinquefasciatus.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Feeding behavior patterns of anophelines from Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat states of India.

Identification of host blood meals collected on filter paper in the field from fully fed female anophelines was carried out by a microdot-ELISA; field-caught mosquito species were simultaneously identified. The results indicate that the percentages of mixed feeds, i.e., mosquitoes feeding both on human and cattle hosts to complete a blood meal, was only 3-4%. Human and mixed feeds together accounted for nearly 10% of bloodmeals. Mosquitoes collected from human dwellings did not show a higher percentage of human feeding than cattle feeding. The human blood index was found to be related to the proportion of human and cattle population in an area.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Atrial natriuretic peptide, arginine vasopressin, aldosterone and plasma renin activity in carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis in rats.

The concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide, arginine vasopressin, aldosterone and the plasma renin activity were studied in male rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced compensated cirrhosis, and the results were compared to those of normal control animals. The rats with cirrhosis exhibited significantly higher plasma renin activity values when compared with the control group. However, plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide and arginine vasopressin were not significantly different in the two groups. Plasma aldosterone concentrations were significantly higher than those found in the normal control group in approximately 50% of the cirrhotic animals, and were equal to or less than the control values in the rest. This dissociation between plasma renin activity and aldosterone values in some of the cirrhotic animals is interesting and parallels observations made in humans with alcoholic cirrhosis. The results suggest that experimentally induced, apparently compensated cirrhosis may be associated with a perceived decrease in effective circulating volume, and that there is no absolute deficiency of atrial natriuretic peptide in this model of cirrhosis.

Aldosterone↗

PubMed1990

Evaluation of certain mosquito repellents marketed in India.

A study was carried out in certain villages of Distt. Ghaziabad (U.P.) to evaluate the efficacy of commercially available mosquito repellent preparations and devices. Results revealed that none of the repellents tested provided absolute protection against mosquito bites. The protection varied from 38 to 98% with different species of mosquitoes. In general, better protection was provided against Anopheles bite than against Culex. Of ten repellents evaluated. Mylol oil and Tortoise coils were marginally superior to Odomos cream and Rooster coils. Among electrical devices, Good Bye and Casper were marginally superior to Good Knight and Knight Queen.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Field evaluation of deltamethrin against resistant Anopheles culicifacies in Distt. Ghaziabad (U.P.) India.

A field study to evaluate the impact of deltamethrin spraying on DDT and HCH resistant A. culicifacies population was carried out in Razapur primary health centre (PHC), Distt. Ghaziabad (U.P.) India. The PHC comprising of about 0.14 million population was divided into 3 sections of equal size and sprayed with (i) 3 rounds at 12.5 mg/sq m at 6 weeks interval, and (ii) 2 rounds each at 20 mg/sq m and 25 mg/sq m at 8 weeks interval. One section in Dadri PHC located at a distance of about 22 kms was held as control. In this area 3 rounds of HCH were sprayed by the NMEP as was done to control malaria in this district. Deltamethrin spraying was carried out for 3 years. Results revealed that spraying at 12.5, 20 and 25 mg/sq m resulted in drastic reduction of DDT and HCH resistant A. culicifacies population and in the interruption of malaria transmission. In control area high vector densities and malaria transmission was encountered throughout the period of study. Spraying of deltamethrin resulted in build-up of Culex quinquefasciatus population due to resistance.

Animals↗