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Heartworm Treatment in Dogs

 

Heartworm disease in dogs is a serious and potentially fatal disease. Though effective heartworm preventive medications are readily available and easy to use, there are still many dogs which become infected with heartworms yearly. For these dogs, a decision of whether to treat the heartworm infection will need to be made.

Classes of Heartworm Disease in Dogs

Before making the decision to treat a heartworm infection, the severity of the disease must be evaluated. Heartworm disease is broken into three classes:

Class one - asymptomatic to mild heartworm disease symptoms

Class two - moderate heartworm disease symptoms

Class three - severe heartworm disease symptoms

Classes of heartworm disease are determined based on clinical signs and results from basic blood testing and chest radiographs.

Treatment Options for Heartworm Disease in Dogs

Once the decision to treat has been made, a treatment protocol must be determined. The only medication currently labeled to treat heartworm disease in dogs is Immiticide®. Immiticide® is an arsenic compound which must be injected into the lumbar muscle of the infected dog.

Two treatment protocols exist when using Immiticide® as a treatment for heartworm disease in dogs.

The first option is a series of two ivermectin injection of Immiticide® administered 24 hours apart.

The second option is a series of three ivermectin injections manufacturer, with one injection of Immiticide® given initially and then followed 30 days later with two injections of Immiticide® given 24 hours apart.

The second option offers a slower kill rate of heartworms, which often results in less damage to the lungs and less risk of complications resulting from treatment. Some veterinarians feel that the three ivermectin injection technique should be the standard of care but there is still disagreement within the veterinary community regarding this topic. In cases where finances are an issue, the two ivermectin injection supplier technique is sometimes chosen as a viable alternative if the infected dog is classed in group one and exhibiting few to no signs of heartworm disease.

Often, other medications are given concurrently with the Immiticide® ivermectin  injections as well. Some veterinarians prefer to start treatment with an ivermectin product such as Heartgard Plus® 2-3 months prior to treatment with Immiticide®. Some also prefer to medicate with doxycycline for 30-60 days prior to treatment with Immiticide®. This is an area where research is still ongoing and there is still a great deal of disagreement between veterinarians regarding the best protocol.

Risks of Heartworm Treatment in Dogs

Immiticide® is an arsenic compound and because it is injected into the body of the infected dog, the potential for toxicity exists. One of the major complicating factors with treating heartworm disease in dogs is the fact that as the adult heartworms in the heart begin to die off, they can cause emboli to the lungs, leading to damage within the lung tissue. This complication can be quite serious and even fatal. Severely restricted exercise is the primary technique used to combat this complication and usually means cage restriction for many weeks for the infected dog during the course of the treatment for heartworm disease.

Another risk involved with treating heartworms in dogs is the possibility that treatment may not successfully kill all adult heartworms living within the dog's heart. Some dogs remain positive for heartworms even after treatment. The decision between undergoing another round of Immiticide® ivermectin injections and simply waiting can be a difficult choice.

Other Alternatives to Heartworm Treatment in Dogs Infected with Heartworms

Some dogs exist which are not good candidates for heartworm treatment even though they may be infected. Often these are the dogs which are experiencing severe clinical signs of heartworm disease and Immiticid injections have been deemed to be too dangerous to the dog's health. For these dogs, a viable option is beginning a monthly routine with an ivermectin-based heartworm preventive medicine.

Ivermectin is chosen over other heartworm preventive medications because it has a lower risk for complications in heartworm infected dogs. However, heartworm positive dogs should be observed closely for at least 8-12 hours after administering the ivermectin heartworm preventive in case an adverse reaction occurrs.

Ivermectin-based monthly heartworm preventive medications kill the microfilaria form of the heartworm which circulates in the blood stream of infected dogs, making the dog non-infectious for other dogs in the immediate area.

Eventually, the adult worms living inside the dog's heart will die and disappear. However, this process can take months to years and the risk of further damage to the dog's heart exists while adult heartworms are still present.

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Solitary cysticercus granuloma-treatment with albendazole: What is the optimal duration?

 

Solitary cysticercus granuloma-treatment with albendazole: What is the optimal duration?

The era of antihelminthic treatment in neurocysticercosis (NCC) began in 1978 with the first use of praziquantel. Later in 1987, albendazole was introduced in the treatment of NCC. Treatment with albendazole for 1 month in 7 patients, who also served as historical controls, resulted in reduction of the cyst load by 25% at 1 month; and by another 14%, at 3 months. Albendazole  manufacturer was found to be as effective as praziquantel, but more economical and convenient to administer. Initially, the dose and duration of albendazole (15 mg/kg/d for 30 days) in NCC was based on the experience of a related parasitic disorder, human echinococcosis. Subsequent small controlled and uncontrolled trials have shown that shorter duration of treatment (15 days and 7 days) results in reduced active cyst burden by 3% to 25% at 3 months. A randomized, double-blind trial of albendazole manufacturer, 7 versus 14 days, found no difference in the efficacy as measured by the reduction in cyst load on computed tomography (CT) at 3 months after intervention. Subsequent to this study, 1 week of treatment has been purported to be effective, well tolerated and cost effective and the preferred duration of treatment in active parenchymal NCC (multiple lesions).

Intuitively, the argument in favor of longer duration of albendazole therapy in active parenchymal NCC is that sustained action over an extended period of time may lead to eradication of a greater number of lesions and thus higher cure-rates. The counter-intuitive argument against longer duration of albendazole supplier therapy is that drug-related adverse events may be more and certainly cost would be four times greater.

Subsequent to the earlier small trials of albendazole, more trials have been undertaken and there is now Class I evidence for the effectiveness of short-duration albendazole therapy for active parenchymal NCC. However, its efficacy in solitary cysticercus granuloma (degenerating forms) is uncertain. In analysis of antihelminthic treatment in cysticercus granuloma (1-2 in number), which included 5 controlled clinical trials, the pooled odds ratio was 1.18, with wide confidence intervals (CIs) (95% CI, 0.82 to 1.71) on either side of unity. This might imply a mild beneficial effect or lack thereof. Thus the efficacy of albendazole manufacturer in cysticercus granuloma remains to be established. There is need for a well-designed study with sufficient sample size to prove or disprove the efficacy of albendazole in cysticercus granuloma (1-2 in number).

In this issue of the journal, Kaur et al. report results of a randomized, open-labeled prospective trial of 7 versus 28 days of albendazole manufacturer treatment in solitary cysticercus granuloma. The authors found no difference in the efficacy between the two regimens in terms of the proportion of subjects demonstrating complete resolution of the lesion on follow-up CT at 3 and 6 months, as well as the proportion of subjects with seizure recurrence in the follow-up at 6 months. The results of this study should be interpreted with caution. From the previously available controlled trials, it appears that the clinical benefit in terms of lesion resolution with albendazole is small. This requires a large sample size to demonstrate any significant differences in the efficacy between the 1-week (short duration) and 4-week (long duration) treatments. It is possible that the sample size was small and this might have accounted for the lack of benefit of the longer duration of treatment, if any, and that the comparative trial was not adequately powered to detect the differences in the efficacy of the antihelminthic agent given for different periods of time.

The authors of this study did not report any side effects in either group. In a previous comparative trial of 7 days versus 1 month of albendazole manufacturer therapy in active parenchymal NCC, 92% of the subjects complained of headache, 24% had seizures in addition to rare complications like significant deterioration in neurological condition. The absence of side effects in this study may be related to the fact that all the patients included had a single lesion.

In view of the purported advantages of shorter duration of treatment, novel regimens have been proposed and tried in clinical trials, albeit small. A single-day praziquantel-based regimen has been evaluated in both active parenchymal NCC and solitary cysticercus granuloma. The rationale for this regimen is that praziquantel has a half-life of 2 hours. Furthermore, the antihelminthic agent has on interaction with dexamethasone, which reduces praziquantel levels by about 50%. By administering 3 doses of praziquantel (25 mg/kg, q8) 2 hours apart, it was argued that a high drug level can be maintained for a longer time sufficient to initiate destruction of the cysts. Dexamethasone was administered on the following day to avoid any interactions with praziquantel and at the same time to be able to limit the inflammatory exacerbations associated with praziquantel administration. The regimen unfortunately did not show any dramatic results in the solitary cysticercus granuloma group.

Of the available randomized controlled trials of albendazole in solitary cysticercus granuloma, 4 trials followed a 28-day protocol; and only 1 trial used a 1-week protocol. The 1-week treatment trial failed to show efficacy of albendazole treatment; while of the 4 trials that followed 28-day protocol, 2 trials demonstrated significantly improved lesion resolution rates on follow-up imaging studies. These differences should not be attributed purely to the difference in the duration of albendazole manufacturer treatment and might well be due to the difference in the study population or the trial methodology. The evidence thus is in favor of 28-day albendazole treatment in solitary cysticercus granuloma (Class II). From the available evidence, till we have an adequately clear picture based on sufficiently powered trials, we recommend longer-duration albendazole treatment in patients with solitary cysticercus granuloma and also in patients with two granulomas.

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Procaine Penicillin G Injectable Solution

 

Procaine Penicillin G Injectable Suspension is used for Treating some types of infections caused by certain bacteria. Penicillin G Procaine Injectable Suspension is a penicillin antibiotic. It works by interfering with the formation of the bacteria’s cell wall while it is growing. This weakens the cell wall and kills the bacteria.

Product Description:

A sterile suspension of penicillin G procaine, a potent antibacterial especially effective against gram-positive bacteria. Used in cattle, sheep, swine and horses.

Drug Dosage:

3 cc per 100 pounds body weight intramuscularly every 24 hours for 2 to 3 days. Observe label warnings. Limit 3 bottles per customer. Brands may vary. ?

Penicillin G procaine manufacturer (also known as APPG, Aqueous Procaine Penicillin G, Benzylpenicillin Procaine, Procaine Penicillin G, Procaine Benzylpenicillin) is the pro­caine monohydrate salt of penicillin G. In vivo it is hydrolyzed to penicillin G and acts as a depot, or repository form of penicillin G. It occurs as white crystals or very fine, white crystalline powder. Approximately 4-4.5 mg are soluble in 1 ml of water and 3.3 mg are soluble in 1 ml of alcohol. Potency of penicillin G procaine is usually expressed in terms of Units. One mg of penicillin G procaine supplier is equivalent to 900-1050 USP Units. The commercially available suspension for injection is buffered with sodium citrate and has a pH of 5-7.5. It is preserved with methylparaben and propylparaben.

Penicillin G procaine should be stored at 2-8°C. Procaine penicillin G is slowly hydrolyzed to penicillin G after IM injection. Peak levels are much lower than with parenterally administered aqueous penicillin G sodium or potas­sium, but serum levels are more prolonged.

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Three Dairy Farms Get FDA Warning Letters

 

Dairy farms in Wisconsin and Washington state received warning letters in June about alleged abuse of animal drugs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has disclosed.

The first of three letters went out June 15 to Elmwood, WS dairy farmer John Skogen about misuse of the heat-stable antibiotic gentamicin.

In the letter, FDA said a dairy cow sold for slaughter as food last Sept. 9 by Skogen was subjected to tissue sampling by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).   Gentamicin was found in the edible tissue of the animal, and there is no tolerance level for this particular antibiotic in food.

"We also found that you adulterated the new animal drugs gentamicin sulfate solution, sulfadimethoxine injection, flunixin meglumine, penicillin G procaine injectable suspension, oxytetracycline hydrochloride injection, and penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injectable suspension," the letter continued. "Specifically, our investigation revealed that you did not use these drugs as directed by their approved labeling."

Keith and Patricia Haldiman own the other Wisconsin dairy farm receiving a warning letter from FDA. Theirs went out June 30.

They also sold a dairy cow for slaughter as food where FSIS testing found animal drugs remaining in edible tissues at higher than acceptable levels for the animal antibiotic drug sulfamethazine.

Samples from the cow from the Hibert, WS dairy farm came back at 37.280 parts per million (ppm) in the liver tissue, and 65.57 ppm in the muscle tissue.

The tolerance level for sulfamethazine is 0.1 ppm.

"However, this tolerance does not apply to sulfamethazine in lactating dairy cattle, the warning letter said. There is no acceptable level of sulfamethazine residue in lactating dairy cattle. There is also no acceptable level of phenylbutazone residue in lactating dairy cattle."

FDA said the presence of those drugs in edible tissue mean the meat is "adulterated" under federal laws and regulations.

"Our investigation also found that you hold animals under conditions that are so inadequate that medicated animals bearing potentially harmful drug residues are likely to enter the food supply," the warning said.

FDA said the dairy farm's treatment and inventory records are inadequate for taking care of medicated animals.

The third warning letter went to Coldstream Farm, LLC, located near Deming, WA on June 21. FDA said the farm offered animals for sale for slaughter as food that were adulterated. penicillin G procaine

FDA said Coldstream sold a dairy cow for slaughter for use as human food on July 8, 2009 that "analysis of tissue samples collected from this animal identified the presence of penicillin in the kidney at 0.39 parts per million (ppm). FDA has established a tolerance of 0.05 ppm for residues of penicillin in the uncooked edible tissues of cattle..."

Further results from cow sold last Nov. 19 returned, "USDA/FSIS analysis of tissue samples collected from this animal identified the presence of flunixin in the liver at 0.3279 ppm. FDA has established a tolerance of 0.125 ppm for residues of flunixin in the liver tissues of cattle, as codified in 21 C.F.R. 556.286. The presence of flunixin in the liver tissue from this animal in this amount causes the food to be adulterated..." penicillin G procaine

FDA said the dairy was using Penicillin Injection in a manner not consistent with label instructions.

All three dairy operations were asked to respond to FDA within 15 days of the receipt of their individual warning letters.

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Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic medication

Ivermectin (22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a + 22,23-dihydroavermectin B1b) is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic medication.It is traditionally used against worms.It is mainly used in humans in the treatment of onchocerciasis, but is also effective against other worm infestations (such as strongyloidiasis, ascariasis, trichuriasis, filariasis and enterobiasis).

Ivermectin injection , under the brand name Mectizan, is currently being used to help eliminate river blindness (onchocerciasis) in the Americas and stop transmission of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis around the world. Currently, large amounts of ivermectin are donated by Merck to fight river blindness in countries that are unable to afford the drug. The disease is endemic in 30 African countries, 6 Latin American countries and Yemen, according to studies conducted by the World Health Organization. The drug rapidly kills microfilariae, but not the adult worms. A single oral dose of Ivermectin Drench , taken annually for the 10-15 year life span of the adult worms, is all that is needed to protect the individual from onchocerciasis.[6]It is sold under brand names Stromectol in the United States, Mectizan in Canada by Merck and Ivexterm in Mexico by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International.

Ivermectin is also used in veterinary medicine, particularly for horses, dogs and cats. It is sometimes mixed with other medications to reach a wide spectrum of animal parasites. Some breeds (especially the Rough Collie, the Smooth Collie and the Australian Shepherd) are affected by a genetic defect, a mutation within the MDR1 gene. Affected dogs are very sensitive to some drugs, such as ivermectin injection supplier , as well as to some antibiotics, opioids and steroids – over 100 drugs in total. Kittens are also very sensitive and ivermectin should never be used on kittens less than 10-12 weeks of age, nor should it be used on any weak, dehydrated or debilitated animal except in dire situations.

 

source:blogigo ivermectin injection 

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Ivermectin and the avermectin family

Ivermectin, an antiparasitic agent which is insoluble and unstable in water, is solubilized by the formation of colloidal particles, called micelles, with surface active agents as solubilizers and stabilized by using cosolvents and/or appropriate substrates in the aqueous formulation. The liquid formulations are suitable for use as parenteral or oral administration for the treatment of parasitic infections.

Ivermectin and the avermectin family, of which Ivermectin Drench is a member, is a series of new and very potent antiparasitic agents which are useful against a broad spectrum of endoparasites and ectoparasites in mammals as well as having agricultural uses against various parasites found in and on crops and in soil. Ivermectin is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,569, issued Apr. 22, 1980 to Chabala and Fisher. Ivermectin is a mixture, in the ratio of approximately 80:20 of 22,23-dihydro C-076 Bla and Blb. In administering ivermectin injection to animals it is most convenient for parenteral formulations to use an aqueous solution. Non-aqueous solutions tend to cause irritation and tissue damage at the injection site; precipitate the active ingredient at the injection site, have higher viscosity and poorer syringability; and generally have a higher cost. Aqueous liquid formulations for oral use are also preferred over non-aqueous formulations because non-aqueous solvents tend to have an unacceptable taste.

Several medicines are available to treat parasite-borne diseases in pets. Among the most effective, according to Dr. Dawn Ruben in an article for Pet Place, is ivermectin -- the active ingredient in well-known products such as Heartgard and Iverhart.. Ivermectin injections are most often used by veterinarians to treat heart worm disease and mange. Some pet guardians choose to use an ivermectin injection as a heart worm preventative because it is generally less expensive than heart worm preventative pills. But this practice is generally discouraged because of several accompanying risk factors.

 

source:bloggum china-pharmaceutical-generic 

 
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Albendazole is rapidly converted in the liver to the primary metabolite

Albendazole sulfoxide is 70% bound to plasma protein and is widely distributed throughout the body; it has been detected in urine, bile, liver, cyst wall, cyst fluid, and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Concentrations in plasma were 3- to 10-fold and 2- to 4-fold higher than those simultaneously determined in cyst fluid and CSF, respectively. Limited in vitro and clinical data suggest that albendazole sulfoxide may be eliminated from cysts at a slower rate than observed in plasma.

Albendazole is rapidly converted in the liver to the primary metabolite, albendazole sulfoxide, which is further metabolized to albendazole sulfone and other primary oxidative metabolites that have been identified in human urine. Following oral administration, albendazole has not been detected in human urine. Urinary excretion of albendazole sulfoxide is a minor elimination pathway with less than 1% of the dose recovered in the urine. Biliary elimination presumably accounts for a portion of the elimination as evidenced by biliary concentrations of albendazole sulfoxide similar to those achieved in plasma.

The pharmacokinetics of albendazole suppliers in patients with impaired renal function have not been studied. However, since renal elimination of albendazole and its primary metabolite, albendazole sulfoxide, is negligible, it is unlikely that clearance of these compounds would be altered in these patients.In patients with evidence of extrahepatic obstruction (n = 5), the systemic availability of albendazole sulfoxide was increased, as indicated by a 2-fold increase in maximum serum concentration and a 7-fold increase in area under the curve. The rate of absorption/conversion and elimination of albendazole sulfoxide appeared to be prolonged with mean Tmax and serum elimination half-life values of 10 hours and 31.7 hours, respectively. Plasma concentrations of parent albendazole tablets were measurable in only 1 of 5 patients.

Following single-dose administration of 200 mg to 300 mg (approximately 10 mg/kg) albendazole to 3 fasted and 2 fed pediatric patients with hydatid cyst disease (age range 6 to 13 years), albendazole sulfoxide pharmacokinetics were similar to those observed in fed adults.Although no studies have investigated the effect of age on albendazole sulfoxide pharmacokinetics, data in 26 hydatid cyst patients (up to 79 years) suggest pharmacokinetics similar to those in young healthy subjects.The principal mode of action for albendazole manufacturer is by its inhibitory effect on tubulin polymerization which results in the loss of cytoplasmic microtubules.

source:news china-pharmaceutical-generic

Tags: ALBENDAZOLE  
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Maximal plasma concentrations of albendazole sulfoxide

ALBENZA (albendazole ) is an orally administered broad-spectrum anthelmintic. Chemically, it is methyl 5-(propylthio)-2-benzimidazolecarbamate. Its molecular formula is C12H15N3O2S. Its molecular weight is 265.34.Albendazole is a white to off-white powder. It is soluble in dimethylsulfoxide, strong acids, and strong bases. It is slightly soluble in methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and acetonitrile. Albendazole is practically insoluble in water. Each white to off-white, film-coated tablet contains 200 mg of albendazole tablets .
Inactive ingredients consist of: carnauba wax, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium saccharin, sodium starch glycolate, and starch.

Albendazole is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract due to its low aqueous solubility. Albendazole concentrations are negligible or undetectable in plasma as it is rapidly converted to the sulfoxide metabolite prior to reaching the systemic circulation. The systemic anthelmintic activity has been attributed to the primary metabolite, albendazole sulfoxide. Oral bioavailability appears to be enhanced when albendazole is coadministered with a fatty meal (estimated fat content 40 g) as evidenced by higher (up to 5-fold on average) plasma concentrations of albendazole sulfoxide as compared to the fasted state.

Maximal plasma concentrations of albendazole sulfoxide are typically achieved 2 to 5 hours after dosing and are on average 1.31 mcg/mL (range 0.46 to 1.58 mcg/mL) following oral doses of albendazole (400 mg) in 6 hydatid disease patients, when administered with a fatty meal. Plasma concentrations of albendazole sulfoxide increase in a dose-proportional manner over the therapeutic dose range following ingestion of a fatty meal (fat content 43.1 g). The mean apparent terminal elimination half-life of albendazole sulfoxide typically ranges from 8 to 12 hours in 25 normal subjects, as well as in 14 hydatid and 8 neurocysticercosis patients.
Following 4 weeks of treatment with albendazole manufacturer (200 mg three times daily), 12 patients’ plasma concentrations of albendazole sulfoxide were approximately 20% lower than those observed during the first half of the treatment period, suggesting that albendazole may induce its own metabolism.

source:news china-pharmaceutical-generic

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Parts of bottle filling machines

filling machines and bottle washing machine in accordance with the present invention comprises a rotating spoke assembly 2 mounted for rotation within a cylindrica.

A through passageway is provided through the lower portion of the cylindrical drum 4 at the six o'clock position. A conveyor line 10 extends through the passageway 8 on which bottles 12 are conveyed to the rotating spoke assembly 2, rotated therearound to washing, rinsing, drying and filling positions, and then when filled conveyed away from the washing and filling machine to the next processing station such as capping the bottles, applying labels and the like.

Modification of the invention provide additional improvements over the prior art, including one modification in which each bottle is rotated through two separate orbits. In one orbit, the bottles are washed with a detergent, and then filled during the second orbit.

In another modification, two side-by-side circular rows of bottles are carried around the cylindrical drum by the rotary spoke assembly, for rinsing, aerating and filling of two sets of bottles during each revolution.

Other improvements and advantages of the bottle filling machines in accordance with the present invention will become apparent from the more detailed description which follows and from an examination of the accompanying drawings.
A bottle filling machine as set forth, wherein said filling means includes a valve assembly, said valve assembly includes a first inlet port connected to a supply of selected fluid material with which said bottles are to be filled, outlet port means for discharging a portion of said selected fluid material to each of said bottles while being continuously moved through at least a part of said bottle filling portion of said rotational pathway, said fluid conduit means being connected between said outlet port means and each one of said bottles to continuously rotate with said bottles and carry respective portions of said selected fluid material to fill respective ones of said bottles while they are being rotated.

A bottle filling machine manufacturer as set forth in claim 3, wherein said valve plate includes a bearing surface to face and bear against said bearing surface of said rotatable valve member, said valve plate being secured in a fixed position on said bottle filling machine coaxially with said central axis of said rotatable assembly and with said rotational pathway in which said rotatable assembly is rotated, said first inlet aperture being located radially in line with said three o'clock position of said rotational pathway to feed selected fluid filling material to and through said first discharge apertures in said first circular pathway of said rotatable valve member for feeding into said bottles as they are continuously rotated past the said three o'clock position moving clockwise.

A bottle filling machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein said valve plate includes a bearing surface to face and bear against said bearing surface of said rotatable valve member, said valve plate being secured in a fixed position on said bottle filling machine china coaxially with said central axis of said rotatable assembly and with said rotational pathway in which said rotatable assembly is rotated, said first inlet aperture being located radially in line with said three o'clock position of said rotational pathway to feed selected fluid filling material to and through said second discharge apertures in said second circular pathway of said rotatable valve member for feeding into said bottles in said second orbit as they are rotated past the said three o'clock position moving clockwise, said fluid conduit means of said filling means including first orbit fluid conduit means connected between said first discharge apertures and said bottles in said first orbit, and second fluid orbit conduit means connected between said second discharge apertures and said bottles in said second orbit.

In a first modified form of the bottle washing and filling machines , the bottles are rotated through two revolutions around the drum by a modified dual spoke assembly. The dual spoke assembly includes a first spoke assembly comprising a plurality of spokes extending radially from the axle adjacent the downstream side of the rear wall  of the drum , with separator pads secured to the free ends of the spokes . The dual spoke assembly also includes a second spoke assembly comprising a plurality of spokes extending radially from the axle adjacent to the first spoke assembly and on the downstream side thereof, the second spoke assembly having separator pads secured to the free ends of its spokes .

In this modified form of the bottle washing and filling machine, each bottle is rotated through two complete revolutions, first carried around the spoke assembly of the modified dual spoke assembly wherein each bottle  is washed and rinsed with a detergent and then diverted by guide rail at the six o'clock position viewed from the front, into the path of the second spoke assembly for a second revolution around the drum 4 wherein each bottle is filled with a liquid material such as distilled water.

 

 

source:townhall|bottle filling machine

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Bottle filling machines in beverage production line

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a covered water dispensing probe and mechanism for uncovering the probe on insertion of an inverted filling machines into the dispenser;
FIG. 2 is a second embodiment of a covered water dispensing probe and uncovering mechanism;
FIG. 3 is an uncovered but sealed water dispensing probe;
FIG. 4 is an open water dispensing probe; and
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a closed water bottle and closed water dispensing probe which are automatically opened when joined.

Referring to FIG. 1, the neck of an inverted water bottle 10 is shown being lowered into a bottle guide 11 which is located in the top of the water dispenser. The water bottle usually contains approximately five gallons of water and is made of plastic or glass. An elongated plastic cap 13 covers the open mouth of the water bottle and also has a ridge or bead 15 along the side of the cap which forms a seal with the interior of bottle guide 11. Cap 13 is conventional on water bottles and is usually torn off before the water bottle is inverted and placed into the water dispenser. The opening of the water bottle, however, exposes the fresh water inside the bottle to ambient contaminants, even if only for a short time. It is preferred to leave the bottle closed at all times and to open the bottle in the water dispenser. U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,188 discloses a cap for a bottled water equipment which has an inwardly turned, recessed portion, extending backwardly into the neck of the bottle, which is closed by a displaceable cap. The device disclosed in this application will function with the aforementioned cap and will also function with a conventional plastic cap.

When the water bottle is inserted, the cap of the water bottle strikes the actuating rod 47 pushing camming surface 59 downwardly against cam surface 61 on cap 63 causing the cover to open. The continued downward motion of the water bottle forces platform 53 and supported tube 69 downwardly until the bottle comes to rest against annular stop 45. Before the bottle reaches stop 45, the sharpened end 19 of probe 17 will cut a flap 81 in cap 13 on the water bottle. In FIG. 1, flap 81 is shown cut before the water bottle reaches probe 17, for clarity. The bottle would normally be closed until probe 17 pierces the cap cutting flap 81. Since probe 19 is sharpened, the edge of the probe is relieved or angled inwardly which causes the probe to cut a hole in cap 13 slightly smaller than the outer diameter of probe 17. This smaller hole in the cap tightly grips the outer surface of probe 17 precluding any air or water leakage.

With the filling machines in place, dispensing valve 29 can be actuated to draw water from the bottle. The water will push open check valve 35 and flow outwardly through spigot 33. Any air needed to relieve the partial vacuum in the bottom of water bottle 10 will flow inwardly through tube 41 and check valve 43 and bubble upwardly through the water to the inverted bottom of the bottle. It can be seen that the system is completely sealed with the exception of the filtered air source. The filter used with the air source can be a single or compound filter designed to protect the water from the specific contaminants in the air surrounding the water dispenser. If biological materials are present, a microfilter can be used. If organic solvents are present, an activated charcoal filter can be used and if dust is present, a coarse paper or filberglass filter can be used. For mixed contaminants, the filter can be assembled with layers of different filter materials to protect the water.

As the water bottle enters bottle guide 11, it forces actuating rod 97 downwardly which, as previously described, causes cover 113 to open. The water bottle continues downwardly until probe 91 displaces the cap from the interior of the water bottle and the bottle comes to rest on the shoulders of bottle guide 11. A guide rod 123 is provided for controlling the motion of tubular member 103 as it is pushed downwardly. A coil spring 125 is positioned about probe 91 and urges the cover assembly upwardly. A flange 127 is attached to the side of tubular member 103 and has an aperture 129 therein for guiding flange 127 upon rod 123. A pin 131 projects through the end of rod 123 and prevents the cover assembly from being pushed beyond the end of probe 91.

Similar check valves and dispensing conduits can be attached to probe 91, as well as a filtered air source 41, to provide an enclosed and sealed water system. The cover of FIG. 2 is similar to the cover of FIG. 1 in that it protects the end of the probe from access to ambient contaminants when a filling machines is not in position.

In FIG. 3, a dispensing system is shown in which the end of the probe is not protected from ambient contaminants while the interior of the probe and the water conduit delivery system is sealed. A bottle guide 11 is again provided for centering an inverted water supply bottle 10 as it is inserted into the water dispenser. A plastic cap 13 closes the end or mouth of the water bottle. Cap 13 has a raised bead 15 for forming a seal against the interior of bottle guide 11. In this figure, as in FIG. 1, the cap of the water bottle is shown as cut while the bottle is separated from the probe. This has been done to facilitate the explanation of the invention. It is obvious that the cutting takes place after the cap is contacted and penetrated by the probe.

When a bottle using cap 181 of FIG. 5 is to be drained, a sealing member (not shown) can be pulled off the end of the collar exposing valve member 187. The bottle can then be inverted and lowered into bottle guide 11 which centers the neck of bottle 10 above tubular member 201. As the bottle descends, valve member 187 in cap 181 and valve member 217 in tubular member 201 are pushed backwardly, opening the fluid passage from the interior of water bottle 10 around the valve members and into tubular member 201 where the water can be distributed in the water dispensing system, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 1. Filtered air is again supplied from a source 41 into the side of tubular member 201. A flap check valve 43 is again used to close the source of filtered air. When water bottle 10 is emptied, it can be raised upwardly out of bottle guide 11 which causes valve member 187 in cap 191 to close the bottled water equipment , protecting the inside from contamination while valve member 217 closes the water dispensing system.

From the above description, it can be seen that a sealed water dispensing system is provided which no longer uses the conventional reservoir for containing water. The water is delivered directly from the water supply bottle to a water dispensing conduit or plumbing inside the water dispenser with the air needed to displace the partial vacuum in the bottom of the water supply bottle being supplied from a filtered source. By using the system of the present invention, the water is substantially protected from all airborne contaminants.

 

source:townhall|bottled water equipment

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Uses of Albendazole

Albendazole is the generic term for a prescription drug often used to treat various infections caused by worms such as pork tapeworm come and dog. The brand of this drug is Albenza. It is classified as anthelmintics, anti-worm. Albendazole works by birth to the insect larvae (or worms), which was only the multiplication and spread in the body. The medicine comes in tablet form.
The main use of albendazole is used to treat and control infections that result from the worms. It works by preventing the worm was able to absorb glucose (sugar), so it runs out of energy and therefore die.

are the common ailments albendazole used to treat infections of nervous system caused by pork tapeworm (also known neurocysticercosis caused) and called hydatidiform disease (also known as echinococcosis).

Albendazole is also used for various infections, including tapeworms, capillariasis, trichostrongyliasis, cutaneous larva migrans, whipworms, roundworms, hookworms, pinworms and treated.







Albendazole should be taken by mouth (and accompanied by food) on a daily basis. It is usually taken once or twice a day (as prescribed by your doctor.) For people who have difficulty swallowing the tablet whole (including children) can be crushed and made with water. Albendazole dosage amounts are determined by various factors such as health, weight and response to treatment. You need the exact amount of the recommended dose of this medication.

For users of albendazole, there are several common side effects that may occur as a result of a drug. In general, these side effects are not considered as cause for alarm, because it adjusts to disappear quickly (as the body to the new drug) tend. If, however, none of these effects, especially long-term or even worse over time (instead of the improvement and subsidence), you should ask your doctor for advice.
These side effects are hair loss, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and headache.

Drug interactions, the efficacy of albendazole in danger. So it is important to your doctor about this, and tell all the medications and nutritional supplements you take. This is especially important for those of the following medicines: praziquantel, cimetidine and theophylline. People who should not be allergic to the drug albendazole. This also applies to people with allergies and related drugs, including mebendazole.

 

 

source:china-pharmaceutical-generic.com

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How does the penicillin work?

New penicillins and their salts and esters particularly active against Gram-negative organisms such as Pseudomonas spp., and their preparation and administration. The penicillins are active against clinically important organisms against which well-known broad spectrum penicillins are inactive and may generally be designated as aminoacyldipeptide Penicillin G Procaines of unusual structure and properties. This invention relates to penicillins which have, in general, a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity, being active against many species of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. They are thus useful as therapeutic (and, to a lesser extent, propylactic) agents in animals, including man and poultry. The invention further relates to methods for the preparations of these penicillins and to their use in therapy.

Although there are now available a number of semi-synthetic penicillins having what is known as broad-spectrum activity, no single penicillin is yet available which has a clinically useful level of antibacterial activity against all the pathogenic organisms encountered in clinical practice. The search thus continues for broad-spectrum penicillins which have advantages, either in improved antibacterial effectiveness or wider spectrum of activity, over the available penicillins. Penicillin is an antibiotic composed of Penicillium chrysogenum, a common fungal mold. Commonly found on food and in households, the penicillium mold produces a natural bacteria-killer known as Penicillin Procain . This production is not byproduct of a process, but an evolutionary advantage conferred to penicillium in competing against bacteria for food. Thus it is specifically targeted for the elimination of bacterial infections.

It will be noted that the above process essentially consists in generating the desired group R 2 from the free amino group in compound (VII). The reaction of amino compounds with cyanate ion and isocyanates to produce ureas and substituted ureas is well known. Likewise the formylation of amino compounds (e.g. using formic acid and acetic anhydride) is well known. Similarly, the acylation of amino compounds is extremely well known, and suitable N-acylating derivatives of acids have been discussed hereinbefore.

The compounds of this invention are broad spectrum penicillins, i.e. penicillins which not only have activity against Gram-positive bacteria, but also against a number of clinically important Gram-negative ORGANISMS. The preferred compounds of this invention are active against such important organisms as Pseudomonas spp. against which the most well known broad-spectrum Penicillin G Procaine manufacturer (6[(D)α-aminophenylacetamido]penicillanic acid . . . ampicillin) is normally inactive. Moreover the preferred compounds of this invention are about as active as 6[(D)α-carboxy-3-thienylacetamido] penicillanic acid against Pseudomonas spp., this latter compound being the most active of the known penicillins against those organisms.

Penicillin operates by dissolving the cell wall of bacteria, dispersing its cytoplasm and other cell systems. One essential component of the bacterial cell wall is transpeptidase, which accepts molecules of penicillin as a substrate attachment. The penicillin activates, preventing peptidoglycan reactions that strengthen links in the cell wall. This leads inevitably to cytolysis and cell death.Several of the preferred compounds of this invention have minimum inhibitory concentrations of from 5 - 12.5 μg/ml against some β-lactamase producing strains oof staphylococci, against which the majority of known broad spectrum penicillins are only marginally effective. The preferred compounds of this invention are not greatly serum-bound, and are not markedly inactivated by serum.

The penicillins of this invention show the characteristic lack of toxicity of penicillins generally. They may be administered by parenteral injection. The daily dose will depend on the identity of the penicillin and severity of infection. With the preferred compounds of this invention, a suitable average daily dose for an adult would be in the range of 100 to 5000mg. An average single dose for an adult would be from 20 to 500 mg.

While drug resistance, particularly strains increasingly immune to china Penicillin G Procaine , has become big news recently, the development is long in coming. Since penicillium uses penicillin for the same purposes as humans, bacteria has already developed a set of defenses. Many bacteria produce penicillinase, which rots away the penicillin clinging to transpeptidase. This evolutionary combat highlights another method through which penicillin and its derivatives operate. Because bacteria has developed such defenses including double cell-walls which can't be fully dissolved, penicillin has evolved to work in concert with other chemicals such as aminoglycosides. Thus penicillin operates on several levels. In conjunction with aminoglycosides penicillin disrupts protein synthesis and even the reproduction of organelles within the bacterium.
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Albendazole Important Safety Information

Benzimidazoles were originally developed as plant fungicides and later as veterinary and human anthelmintics. The family of benzimidazoles with anthelmintic activity includes thiazolyl benzimidazoles and benzimidazole carbamates. The benzimidazoles show a broad spectrum of activity against helminth parasites. Well known benzimidazoles with activity against helminths are for example thiabendazole; cambendazole; and benzimidazole carbamates, such as parbendazole (U.S. Pat. No. 3,480,642), mebendazole (U.S. Pat. No. 3,657,267), flubendazole (U.S. Pat. No. 3,657,267), fenbendazole (U.S. Pat. No. 3,954,791), oxfendazole (U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,821), oxibendazole (U.S. Pat. No. 3,574,845), albendazole (U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,986), ricobendazole ( albendazole sulfoxide) (U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,986) and luxabendazole (U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,463), all of which differ in the substituents on the parent benzimidazole nucleus.

Benzimidazoles are believed to owe their activity to the fact that they block the polymerization of beta-tubulin into microtubules. This affects the transport functions of cells within the parasite and ultimately kills the parasite.

Phenylguanidine prodrugs that are metabolically transformed into anthelmintic benzimidazoles have also been developed. Febantel (U.S. Pat. No. 3,993,682), for example, is a prodrug that is converted into fenbendazole, and netobimin (U.S. Pat. No. 4,406,893) yields albendazole. Albendazole is an anthelmintic medication used in the treatment of infections of the body caused by tapeworms. The medication works by preventing newly hatched worms from growing and multiplying from within the body. As with most anthelmintic medications, there are certain side effects associated with treatment.

Efforts regarding benzimidazole prodrugs were undertaken in the context of the use of the benzimidazoles in the combat of systemic infections, for example with the larval stage of the cestodes, Echinococcus multicularis and E. granulosis . In these cases plasma and tissue levels of the drugs are important since, in order to act systemically, the benzimidazoles have to be taken up into the bloodstream.

Certain albendazole prodrugs are described by Hernández-Luis et al. in Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 11, 1359-1362, 2001. Hernández-Luis et al. attempted to enhance the solubility of albendazole by synthesizing three N-acyl and two N-alkoxycarbonyl derivatives. These derivatives were developed mainly in the context of the use of albendazole products for some tissue dwelling infestations such as trichinellosis, hydrated disease (echinococcsis) and neurocysticerosis, where high doses and long treatment are required due to the poor solubility and absorption of albendazole. Before taking Albendazole, tell your doctor if you have ever suffered from liver disease or any type of liver condition as you may not be able to use this medication. This medication is classified as FDA pregnancy category C and it may cause harm to an unborn baby. It is also unknown whether or not the drug is secreted into breast milk, and it is recommended to use extreme caution if you are nursing while using this medication. Also, consult with your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of food or medication before using this drug.

Mannich bases of albendazole and fenbendazole were prepared by Dhaneshwar et al., Indian drugs, 28(1), 24-26, 1990, using various secondary amines such as dimethylamine, dipropylamine, pyrrolidine, piperazine, etc. Further Mannich bases are described in Garst et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,734). However, actual activity has not been demonstrated for the Mannich bases, and these derivative show very low stability in water.

A water soluble prodrug of albendazole manufacturer exists, namely netobimin. But although netobimin is water soluble, it has been reported to cause embryonal toxicity.

In WO9312124 another class of benzimidazoles is discussed, namely substituted 2-[[(3,4-dialkoxy-2-pyridinyl)-methyl]sulfonyl]-1(H)-benzimi dazole-1-yl compounds. These benzimidazoles are gastric acid secretion inhibitors (proton pump inhibitors) and structurally resemble well-known gastric acid secretion inhibitors like omeprazole and lansoprazole. In contrast to the benzimidazole carbamates, which are practically insoluble in water, the benzimidazole proton pump inhibitors are markedly more soluble in water. For example, omeprazole has a solubility of 500 μg/mL Unfortunately, there are a number of side effects associated with using albendazole. Some of these side effects include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, temporary hair loss, dizziness, headache, unusual weakness, easy bruising and bleeding, sore throat, fever, skin rash, body aches, flu-like symptoms and severe skin blistering. While these are considered the most common side effects associated with this drug, they only affect a small amount of users.

If you are allergic to albendazole or mebendazole, you should not use this medication as it can cause severe internal damage to some users. This medication has been known to lower the body's ability to fight infection and it is recommended that users stay away from anyone with an illness or disease until they have completed treatment. Regular blood tests will be required to ensure that your blood-cell levels remain at a healthy level throughout the course of your treatment, so consult with your doctor about an appropriate schedule.The compounds of the invention are highly soluble and stable in water. For example, a mixture of (5- and 6-phenylsulfanyl-1-phosphonooxymethyl-1(H)-benzoimidazol-2-y l)-carbamic acid methyl esters di-sodium salts has a solubility in water of 132 mM (67 g/L). Furthermore, other compounds according to the invention such as N-phosphonooxymethyl substituted albendazole, mebendazole, flubendazole and luxabendazole sodium salts have aqueous solubilities of at least 50 mM.

Always use albendazole tablets exactly as it was prescribed by your doctor and never in dosages larger than what has been recommended on the label. The medication is administered in tablet form and should be taken with food and a full glass of water. Alebendazole is sometimes used as a cycled medication, meaning that treatment may occur for four weeks followed directly by two weeks of non-treatment. Store this medication away from sources of moisture and at room temperature for the best results.If you experience any of the above side effects, contact your doctor immediately.

If an overdose is suspected, contact the poison control center at (800) 222-1222 and head directly to the nearest emergency room.

Albendazole is meant in the treatment of the above ailments only and should not be used for any other medical purpose unless specifically prescribed by a doctor.
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Contraceptive Method

Syphilis is perhaps the most famoυs of all sexually transmitted diseases. It i? c?used by Treponema pallidum, a spirochete bacterium. Like all bacteri?l infections, syph?lis i? treated w?th antibiotic?. Because this particυlar bacterium ?s quite difficult tο destrοy, treatment must be given as ?n in?ection or s?ries of injections. Penicillin G Procaine is the most effective and most commonly

The m?thod used tο cur? syphili? var?es depending on th? length of infection and e?tent of the dis?ase. A single intramuscul?r injection οf penicillin G is administered fo? patients with pri?ary οr secondary syphilis, or early latent syphili?. Som? doctors prefer tο ?nject the medi?ation in tωo different places to reduc? the ?isk οf a local reaction. Lat? lat?nt syphilis and syphilis ?n the tert?ary stage is usually tre?ted with one injection of penicillin G each week for th?ee weeks. If ?yphilis infection ?s ?o adνanced that ?t affects the nervous system o? eyes, penicillin G ?s administer?d intravenously over the ?ourse of 10 to 14 da?s. Alternately, procaine penicillin m?y be injected intramuscularly onc? ? day and ?ccompanied by pro?enecid tablets fo? 10 tο 14 days. Those who ?re HIV positive ?nd haνe ?yphilis usually require add?tional treatment to eliminate the di?ease.

 

 

 

 

 

People who haνe s?philis and a?e allergic to p?nicillin ma? ?e treated in on? of two ways. Other, less ?ffective antibiotics may be u?ed to attempt to cure th? dis?ase. This is usually, ?ut not always, successful. In the event that othe? antibiotics fail tο elimin?te the disease, the patient may have to undergo desensitization to ?enicillin and th?n receive treatment with penicillin G injection? . The desensitization proces? may take seve?al months, ?o this method οf treatment i? usually a last resort.
Syphilis treatment i? associated with several seriοus adverse reactions. A small percentage of people who h?ve nοt previously shown signs of penicillin allergy may ?till have ? life-threatening allergic reaction. Rarely, treatment with Penicillin G Procaine c?n lead to severe diarrhea that ?an be quite dangerous ?f medical attention ?s not sought promptly. Treatment of infection? caused ?y spiroch?tes, including syphilis, can lead to ? Jarisch-Herxheimer react?on. Th?s is ? ?ystemic react?on that typically causes flu-like symptoms fοr 12 to 24 hοurs, ?nd i? usually of little consequence. However, the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction ?an provoke misc?rriage in pregnant women whο are tr?ated for syphilis.

Syphilis is ? life-threatening disease. Left untreated, it can raνage the body, particularly the h?art and brain. It c?n ?lso caυse disfiguring tumors and ulcerations on the fa?e, eyes ?nd jοints. Although damage caυsed by syphil?s c?nnot be rever?ed, further damage ?an be p?evented by prompt treatment. Women who ?re pregnant and hav? syphilis should re?eive treatment ?s soon a? the diagnosis i? confirm?d. S?philis infection can be ?assed to the fetus dυring ?regnancy, leading tο stillbirth o? ? ?everely ill newborn. This ?ondition i? called congenital syphilis and c?n caυse bl?ndness, b?ain damage, malformed t?eth ?nd other sev?re problems ?n the ?hild.

Syphilis w?s a s?ourge in Euro?e, particularly in th? late 15th and early 16th centur?es. Many lives we?e lost to this dev?stating diseas? nume?ous treatments were attempted, some of which were barbaric by today’s st?ndards. The first cu?e for syphilis was fοund ?n 1910–a derivative οf arsenic branded Salvarsan. Although tr?atment with Salvar?an was usually successful, it caused dangerous side effect? and its use was abandon?d ?oon ?fter the discovery of penicillin Pharmaceutical Industries .


from:digghealth.com

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DNA barcoding of mosquito species deployed in bid to end elephantiasis

New biotechnologies that allow scientists to quickly and accurately distinguish species based on a simple DNA analysis are being creatively deployed for the first time in the war against a major global disease.

The University of Ghana, supported by the Philadelphia-based JRS Biodiversity Foundation, is pioneering the use of DNA “barcodes” to map menacing mosquito species in West Africa that spread lymphatic filariasis (LF), commonly known as elephantiasis. Using a short DNA sequence from a particular genome region, scientists can obtain a species’ ‘barcode’ identity. Barcodes are needed because closely-related species, with different capabilities to transmit LF, are otherwise hard to distinguish.

The ability to precisely identify mosquito species in this Albendazole tablets way is a promising advance in the battle against LF, an often disfiguring disease that today threatens 1 billion people across roughly 80 countries. Over 120 million people have the parasitic infection and more than 40 million have been permanently disabled or disfigured.

The research is identifying species spreading the worm larvae that clog the human lymph system, often causing grotesque swelling. By revealing the menace species’ habitat and range, it also aids understanding of environmental factors that influence their breeding and abundance.

“The scientific breakthrough of DNA barcoding, which grew explosively from a single Canadian research paper in 2003, is shedding new light on LF – a horrific and entirely preventable health scourge in developing countries,” says principal investigator Prof. Daniel Boakye of the University of Ghana.

“Beyond the immediate battle against this disease in West Africa, the value to human health of these important new tools will grow as the range and habitats of specific mosquito species shift due to climate change.”

LF is a leading cause of permanent and long-term disability worldwide and results from a microscopic, thread-like worm spread between humans through a mosquito’s bite. Living within a human’s blood, the worm larvae grow into adults which mate and produce other larvae, called microfilariae. Symptoms often appear years after infection. The disease can permanently damage the lymph system and kidneys, which results in fluid collecting and swelling in the arms, breasts, legs, and, for men, the genital area. The disease also makes it difficult for the body to fight germs and infections.

Poor sanitation and rapid growth in tropical and subtropical areas has created more places for mosquitoes to breed and thus to more LF infection.

World health authorities have earmarked the disease for eradication by 2020 through mass drug administration (MDA). Officials are identifying communities where LF is endemic and treating people at risk with annual doses of a combination drug therapy (albendazole / DEC or albendazole / ivermectin, freely donated by Merck and Co. and GSK respectively).

The drug reduces the density of worm larvae in humans. This LF elimination strategy relies on a belief that the region’s main LF vector, the Anopheles mosquito, is incapable of transmitting low-density worm larvae.

But the Anopheles family is highly diverse and contains hundreds of species. And the new molecular studies reveal that not all Anopheles species are created equal. Some can transmit the disease despite the drugs’ thinning of the worm larvae.

The research is pointing out places infested with the menace species and, therefore, where the drug strategy needs to be supplemented with insecticides to successfully eliminate LF.

Prof. Boakye also notes that blanket vector control using insecticides can have serious impact on non-target organisms, leading to biodiversity loss. The additional information and insights into specific mosquito species allows for those species and areas to be targeted, Pharmaceutical Industries reducing the level of spraying and its effect on other organisms.

“The expertise to create databases is in short supply in Africa; the JRS Foundation is assisting science in very meaningful ways,” he says.

The ground-breaking work of the Ghana-based institute is one of 17 JRS-supported projects to be showcased at the e-Biosphere 09 Conference in London June 1-3 (www.e-biosphere09.org), hosted by the Natural History Museum. Co-sponsored by the Encyclopedia of Life and 12 other leading institutions, the event is an exposition of the latest biology-related informatics tools and technologies, as well as their potential linkages and applications.

JRS Board President James L. Edwards, Executive Director of the Encyclopedia of Life, based at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, says biodiversity information is often compiled for diverse purposes and stored in unique databases using different formats, making the task of effectively using it cumbersome and time-consuming.

The JRS Foundation works to aggregate, digitize, synthesize and make easily available important biodiversity information from developing countries that is often inaccessible to potential users, including conservation managers, policy makers and the public.

“Earth’s plant and animal species are declining at an alarming rate. An Pharmaceutical Industries estimated 50,000 species disappear every year, mostly due to human impacts – population growth, industrial development, pollution and climate change,” says Dr. Edwards.

“Efforts to stabilize and reverse this trend are hampered by biodiversity knowledge banks that are incomplete, fragmented and not easily accessible to those who need them to set environmental priorities or create informed policies and decisions. In addition, biodiversity databases often cannot share information with each other due to incompatible formats.”

“Though endowed only in 2004, the JRS Foundation has already established itself as an important partner of developing-country scientists and organizations working in the new, rapidly growing field of biodiversity informatics,” says Dr. Edwards.

 

source:innovationafrica

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