OBJECTIVETo analyze serum leptin levels in patients with malaria falciparum and compare them with healthy controls and correlate with development and outcome of malaria infection.

METHODSSixty cases of malaria falciparum were included in this study as patients. Thirty healthy individuals of comparable age, racial and body mass index were taken as controls. All patients were diagnosed by clinical picture and the presence of malaria parasites in blood film. Estimation of liver function test, kidney function test, complete blood count, fasting blood sugar, fasting serum insulin, pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin 1 (IL1), estimation of morning serum leptin and calculation of body mass index (kg/m(2)) were done in both groups on the day of admission, on discharge and 7 d after discharge.

RESULTSAt admission, leptin levels were significantly higher in patients group than in control while fasting serum insulin levels were not significantly different between the two groups. There were significant increases as regard to TNFα and IL1 in malaria patients. Significant differences were observed between the control and the patient group for leptin, TNFα and IL1 at the time of admission and discharge. After discharge for 7 d, a significant decline in serum leptin levels, TNFα and IL1 in the patients group was observed as compared with time of admission and time of discharge, a positive correlation between serum leptin levels and TNFα and IL1.

CONCLUSIONSLeptin hormone level might play an important role in development and outcome of malaria infection.

Objective: To analyze serum leptin levels in patients with malaria falciparum and compare them with healthy controls and correlate with development and outcome of malaria infection. Methods: Sixty cases of malaria falciparum were included in this study as patients. Thirty healthy individuals of comparable age, racial and body mass index were taken as controls. All patients were diagnosed by clinical picture and the presence of malaria parasites in blood film. Estimation of liver function test, kidney function test, complete blood count, fasting blood sugar, fasting serum insulin, pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin 1 (IL1), estimation of morning serum leptin and calculation of body mass index (kg/m

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to investigate the antihyperglycemic potential of miracle fruit (MF) as well as its hepatic safety as compared to aspartame in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. METHODS: MF extracts were prepared and screened for their phytochemical composition using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Total phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents and antioxidant potential were also determined. Additionally, MF was evaluated for its sensory attributes. For in vivo work, MF ethanol extract at high (MFH: 500 mg/kg body weight [BW]) and low (MFL: 250 mg/kg BW) doses as well as aspartame were injected intraperitoneally into alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Blood glucose levels were determined following acute and subchronic treatment. At the end of the study, animals were sacrificed, serum was collected for biochemical analysis and liver tissues were obtained for histopathological examination. RESULTS: MF ethanol extract contained more flavonoids and tannins, and had higher 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity (79.61%) compared to MF aqueous extract (P < 0.05). HPLC analysis of MF ethanol extract also revealed the presence of 10 antioxidants with quercetin comprising the major polyphenol. Additionally, sensory analysis of MF showed that its intake is effective in masking undesirable sourness. Subchronic administration of MFH proved amelioration of hyperglycemia in mice as compared to aspartame. Moreover, aspartame treatment significantly elevated (P < 0.05) the level of alanine aminotransferase and had destructive effects on the liver histopathology; however, hepatic architecture was restored by low and high doses of MF. CONCLUSION MF is an effective antihyperglycemic with hepatoprotective properties that can be used as a healthier alternative sweetening agent in place of aspartame for sour beverages.

Objective: To detect the presence of specific CTX-M class of extended spectyum β-lactamases (ESBLs) in a collection of cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates from Bahrain. Methods: A subset of 80 cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae collected from Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, were characterized further for the presence of specific genogroups of CTX-M β-lactamases by multiplex- and monoplex- PCRs. The primers used for the multiplex and monoplex PCRs were of genogroups- 1, 2, 8, 9 and 25. Sequencing of the representative isolates was performed to find the circulating CTX-M-types. Results: A total of 93.8% (75/80) isolates showed the amplicons corresponding to any of the genogroups (1, 2, 8, 9, 25) and the remaining 6.2% isolates turned out negative in multiplex PCR. Some of the isolates demonstrated multiple bands corresponding to the sizes of different genogroups. Further confirmation with respective monoplex PCR on these 75 isolates demonstrated that 93.3% (70/75) harbored CTX-M genogroup-1 and 6.7% (5/75) harbored genogroup-9. We did not find the presence of genogroups 2, 8, and 25 in these isolates by monoplex PCR. Sequencing results of genogroup-1 isolates demonstrated the presence of CTX-M-15-like ESBL, however, discrepant results were noticed in genogroup-9 isolates, sequencing showed them as CTX-M-55-like ESBL. Conclusions: This is the first report from Bahrain characterizing the CTX-M genogroups of ESBLs and reporting the emergence of bla