Surgical Outcome of Intradural Spinal Tumors.

Results of 63 surgically treated intradural spinal tumors between the period of October 2003 and December 2014 at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and in our private settings, Dhaka, were analyzed retrospectively. There were 33 males, 30 females with an average age of 52.4 years (13-70 years) and followed up for at least a year. The preoperative symptom with duration, tumors location and intradural space occupancy and the histopathological diagnosis were analyzed. Pain was evaluated by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the neurologic function was assessed by Nurick's grade. The tumors were located as, thoracic (n=32, 50.79%), lumbar (n=16, 25.39%), cervical (n=05, 07.93%), and junctional (n=10, 15.87%, CervicoThoracic-01, Thoracolumbar-09). The histopathological diagnosis included schwannoma (n=30, 47.7%), meningiomas (n=14, 22.3%), neurofibroma, arachnoid cyst and myxopapillary ependymoma (n=03, 04.76%) each and paraganglioma (n=01, 01.59%). Among the intramedullary tumors, ependymoma (n=03, 04.76%), astrocytoma and epidermoid cyst (n=02, 03.17%), haemangioblastoma, paraganglioma and cavernous haemangioma (n=01, 01.59%) each. The VAS score was reduced in all cases from 8.0±1.2 to 1.2±0.8 (p<0.003) and the Nurick's grade was improved in all cases from 3.0±1.3 to 1.0±0.0 (p<0.005). The preoperative neurological deficit improved within 8 postoperative weeks in most cases and within 1 postoperative year in all cases. Complications included cerebrospinal fluid leakage, parasthesia and further neurological deterioration (Astrocytoma) (n=02, 03.17%) and dependant bedsore and recurrence (Ependymoma) (n=01, 01.59%). Aggressive surgical excision potentially minimizes neurologic morbidity and improved outcome except intramedullary tumors where initial treatment consists of maximum safe surgical resection or biopsy.

Antibacterial Effect of Curcuma longa (Turmeric) Against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

This observational study was conducted during the period from July 2010 to June 2011 in the Department of Pharmacology in the collaboration of Department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh to determine the profile of antibacterial effect of Crude Turmeric paste aqueous turmeric extract, and standard antibiotic Amikacin against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Three separate experiments were done e.g. (Expt- I) Inhibitory effect of Crude Turmeric paste incorporated into nutrient agar (NA) media, (Expt- II) Minimum inhibitory concentration of (a) Aqueous Turmeric extract and (b) Amikacin by broth dilution technique and (Expt-III) their subculture study in nutrient agar (NA) media for confirmation of respective results of previous experiments. Inhibitory effects were observed against the growth of Staph Aureus and Esch coli at 10% and 30% respectively of Crude Turmeric paste incorporated into NA media. The broth dilution technique was followed to determine the MIC of Aqueous Turmeric extract and Amikacin. The MIC of Aqueous Turmeric extract was 800 µg/ml against Staph aureus and that against Esch coli was 2000 µg/ml and the MIC of Amikacin was 10 µg/ml for both the bacteria. The MIC of Amikacin was the lowest in comparison to MIC of Aqueous Turmeric extract for complete inhibition of growth of Staph aureus and Esch coli. The subculture study showed similar results with that of previous experiments in terms of inhibitory effects of Crude Turmeric paste and MIC of Aqueous Turmeric extract and Amikacin against all of the organisms studied.

Evaluation of the outcome of replacement hemiarthroplasty by uncemented bipolar prosthesis in displaced fracture neck femur.

Despite continued discussion regarding the treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures, controversies continue regarding their optimal treatment, including the choice of implant and fixation method. Hemiarthroplasty is one of the option which eliminate concerns about fixation failure, nonunion, and avascular necrosis and has become the choice of surgery among the aged >60. This prospective interventional study was carried out on 28 cases at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), from July 2009 to April 2012 to evaluate cementless, bipolar prosthesis among the active elderly patients. All subjects were evaluated with regard to postoperative clinical, functional and activity outcome (Modified Harris Hip Scoring and Hip Outcome Scoring), intra and post operative complications. One case was dropped from follow up and 22(81.48%) patients were considered to have satisfactory outcome after statistical analysis by chi-square test on at least 12 months follow up records. Although prosthetic stem valgus and periprosthetic fracture developed in 02 cases and 01 patient had sunken prosthesis, uncemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty can give significantly good functional outcomes with minimal complications for displaced intracapsular femoral neck fracture in active elderly patients.

Relationship between physical work load and lumbar disc herniation.

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a disabling problem. This retrospective case control study was done to evaluate the possible relevance of physical work load with Lumbar Disc Herniation. We have performed this study in the Spinal Surgery Unit of Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at BSMMU, Dhaka from July 2007 to June 2010 where 200 cases with Lumbar Disc Herniation and 200 control subjects matched by age, gender and area of residence were taken and analyzed. Chi-square test was computed for sex, area of residence, type of physical work and effort at work, whereas Odds ratio was computed for physical work load, stress at work and daily working period. The highest odds ratio (OR) was with the physical work load (OR: 03.48, CI: 01.84-06.59), hard work (OR: 03.14, CI: 01.74-05.65) and working period of >8 hours (OR: 01.34, CI: 0.75-02.38). Odds ratio for heavy load carrying at work was 03.48 and less job satisfaction or stress at work was 02.45. There was a statistically significant positive association between cumulative exposure of physical work load and lumbar disc herniation indicating an increased occurrence of herniation in heavy physical work load and occupation requiring harder efforts.

Geophysical imaging of ophiolite structure in the United Arab Emirates.

The Oman-United Arab Emirates ophiolite has been used extensively to document the geological processes that form oceanic crust. The geometry of the ophiolite, its extension into the Gulf of Oman, and the nature of the crust that underlies it are, however, unknown. Here, we show the ophiolite forms a high velocity, high density, >15 km thick east-dipping body that during emplacement flexed down a previously rifted continental margin thereby contributing to subsidence of flanking sedimentary basins. The western limit of the ophiolite is defined onshore by the Semail thrust while the eastern limit extends several km offshore, where it is defined seismically by a ~40-45°, east-dipping, normal fault. The fault is interpreted as the southwestern margin of an incipient suture zone that separates the Arabian plate from in situ Gulf of Oman oceanic crust and mantle presently subducting northwards beneath the Eurasian plate along the Makran trench.

Disease Pattern among Children attending Pediatric Outpatient Department in Community Based Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh.

Disease pattern is based on socio-demographic characteristics, comprehensive health care services, and environmental variables like water supply, basic sanitation and housing, illness behavior like quick decision to arrive at health care facility, and treatment behavior like the modality of treatment they receive. The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted during the period of January 2014 to December 2015. The study was carried out among 310 purposively selected children attended at Pediatric Outpatient department of Community Based Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh. Data were collected by face to face interview of the parents and clinical examination and anthropometric measurement of children using case record form. Mean age of the children was 4.11 years with a SD of 4.35 years, male-female ratio was 1.25:1 with predominance 201(64.84%) of under-five children. The common diseases were 121(39.03%) with Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI), while 43(13.87%) diarrheal diseases, 25(8.06%) each with bronchial asthma and helminthiasis. Other diseases 96(30.97%) include anemia 17(5.48%), urinary tract infection 15 (4.84%), peptic ulcer disease 9(2.90%), enteric fever, oral candidiasis, apthous ulcer of mouth, scabies and vulvovaginitis. Average number of children per family was 2.2 including 251(80.97%) children having sanitary latrine in the family, 297(95.81%) with safe drinking water facilities and 270(87.10%) were fully vaccinated under EPI. More than three fourth 76(24.52%) of the children were underweight, 114(36.77%) were from poor families and 136(43.87%) lived in Kancha house. With the improvement of safe water supply and use of sanitary latrine diseases like diarrhoeal disease and helminthiasis are showing a decreasing trend.

Regulation of vascular nitric oxide in vitro and in vivo; a new role for endogenous hydrogen sulphide?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of these experiments was to evaluate the significance of the chemical reaction between hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and nitric oxide (NO) for the control of vascular tone. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The effect of sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS; H2S donor) and a range of NO donors, such as sodium nitroprusside (SNP), either alone or together, was determined using phenylephrine (PE)-precontracted rat aortic rings and on the blood pressure of anaesthetised rats. KEY RESULTS: Mixing NaHS with NO donors inhibited the vasorelaxant effect of NO both in vitro and in vivo. Low concentrations of NaHS or H2S gas in solution reversed the relaxant effect of acetylcholine (ACh, 400 nM) and histamine (100 microM) but not isoprenaline (400 nM). The effect of NaHS on the ACh response was antagonized by CuSO(4) (200 nM) but was unaffected by glibenclamide (10 microM). In contrast, high concentrations of NaHS (200-1600 microM) relaxed aortic rings directly, an effect reduced by glibenclamide but unaffected by CuSO4. Intravenous infusion of a low concentration of NaHS (10 micromol kg(-1) min(-1)) into the anaesthetized rat significantly increased mean arterial blood pressure. L-NAME (25 mg kg(-1), i.v.) pretreatment reduced this effect. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These results suggest that H2S and NO react together to form a molecule (possibly a nitrosothiol) which exhibits little or no vasorelaxant activity either in vitro or in vivo. We propose that a crucial, and hitherto unappreciated, role of H2S in the vascular system is the regulation of the availability of NO.

Overexpression of sonic hedgehog in the triple negative breast cancer: clinicopathological characteristics of high burden breast cancer patients from Bangladesh.

Dysregulation of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has been documented in mammary gland development and breast cancer (BC) progression. Despite the remarkable progress in therapeutic interventions, BC related mortality in Bangladesh increased in the last decade. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) still presents a critical therapeutic challenge. Thus effective targeted therapy is urgently needed. In this study, we report the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of BC patients from Bangladesh. Routine immunohistochemical analysis and high throughput RNA-Seq data from the TCGA library were used to analyze the expression pattern and association of high and low level of Shh expression in a collection of BC patients with a long-term follow-up. High levels of Shh were observed in a subset of BC tumors with poor prognostic pathological features. Higher level of Shh expression correlated with a significantly poorer overall survival of patients compared with patients whose tumors expressed a low level of Shh. These data support the contention that Shh could be a novel biomarker for breast cancer that is involved in mediating the aggressive phenotype of BC. We propose that BC patients exhibiting a higher level of Shh expression, representing a subset of BC patients, would be amenable to Shh targeted therapy.

Molecular cloning and expression of the Caenorhabditis elegans klp-3, an ortholog of C terminus motor kinesins Kar3 and ncd.

Common to all eukaryotes, kinesins are cytoskeletal motor proteins that mediate intracellular transport on microtubule tracks, using ATP hydrolysis. A Caenorhabditis elegans cDNA clone corresponding to the klp-3 gene, encoding a novel kinesin, was isolated, and mapped on LGII. Northern blot analysis using the klp-3 cDNA probe reveals a 1.9 kb mRNA that is transcribed at a low level during development. Temporal and spatial expression of the klp-3::lacZ fusion gene is limited to the marginal cells in the pharynx, and a group of muscle cells in the posterior gut region. The nucleotide sequence of klp-3 has been deduced from the cDNA and nematode genome sequencing consortium data. Conceptual translation of the klp-3 gene reveals a kinesin-like protein with its conserved motor domain containing the ATP binding and microtubule binding sites located in the C terminus. KLP-3 shares extensive homology with the yeast Kar3 and Drosophila ncd kinesins, which have previously been shown to mediate chromosomal movement and segregation during meiosis and mitosis. Overexpression of the klp-3 gene partially rescues the lethal phenotype of the maternal lethal him-14 ts(it44) mutants at non-permissive temperatures, and reduces the incidence of males caused by non-disjunction of the X-chromosome. Similarly, expression of a klp-3 antisense RNA, under the control of a heat shock promoter, causes embryonic arrest, dead eggs and polyploid cells in transgenic lines, suggesting a critical role for the klp-3 function in chromosome segregation. Further analysis of the klp-3 gene in C. elegans may elucidate diverse functions of the C terminus mitotic motor proteins during development.

C. elegans KLP-11/OSM-3/KAP-1: orthologs of the sea urchin kinesin-II, and mouse KIF3A/KIFB/KAP3 kinesin complexes.

Kinesins are intracellular multimeric transport motor proteins that move cellular cargo on microtubule tracks. It has been shown that the sea urchin KRP85/95 holoenzyme associates with a KAP115 non-motor protein, forming a heterotrimeric complex in vitro, called the Kinesin-II. Here we describe isolation of a cDNA clone corresponding to the klp-11 kinesin in C. elegans. Our sequence analysis of the encoded KLP-11 shows that it shares high homology with the OSM-3 kinesin. We also describe a nematode cDNA encoding KAP-1 that shares extensive homology with the sea urchin KAP115 kinesin associated protein. Sequence-based structural analysis of the OSM-3, KLP-11, and KAP-1, presented here suggests that these may form a heterotrimeric complex. We also describe the presence of a Drosophila armadillo consensus motif in CeKAP-1, first found in spKAP115, that suggests a possible role for the KAP-1 in signal transduction.

A novel C-terminal kinesin subfamily may be involved in chromosomal movement in caenorhabditis elegans.

C-terminal kinesin motor proteins, such as the Drosophila NCD and yeast KAR3, are involved in chromosomal segregation. Previously we have described two orthologs of NCD in Caenorhabditis elegans, KLP-3 and KLP-17, which also participate in chromosome movement. Here we report cDNA cloning of klp-15 and klp-16, and the expression pattern of the genes encoding C-terminal motor kinesins including klp-15 and klp-16. Interestingly KLP-15 and KLP-16 form a unique class of C-terminal kinesins, distinct from the previously known C-terminal motors in other organisms. Using in situ hybridization and RNA interference assay, we show that although all of these motors mediate chromosome segregation, they do so in a combination of unique and overlapping manners, suggesting a complex hierarchy of kinesin motor function in metazoans.

Cobe Spectra is superior to Fenwal CS 3000 Plus for collection of hematopoietic stem cells.

One hundred and seventy-seven stem cell apheresis procedures performed on 91 patients using the Fenwal CS 3000 Plus cell separator and 61 procedures performed on 37 patients using the Cobe Spectra cell separator were studied to compare the CD34(+) cell collection efficiencies (CE; the proportion of the total CD34(+) cell content in the blood volumes processed that is harvested) of the two machines. The absolute peripheral blood CD34(+) cell count was comparable for the two groups (P = 0.27). A strong correlation was seen between the blood CD34(+) cell count and the total number of CD34(+) cells collected for the Spectra (r(2) = 0.59; P < 10(-6)) and for the CS 3000 Plus (r(2) = 0.60; P < 10(-6)). No significant correlation emerged between the peripheral blood CD34(+) cell count and the CE of either machine. The total number of CD34(+) cells collected per procedure was comparable (P = 0.51): median 113 x 10(6) for CS 3000 Plus and median 218 x 10(6)for Spectra. CE was significantly higher with the Spectra (median 45.7%, range 9.8-98.6%) than the CS 3000 Plus (median 30.3%, range 1.7-89.3%; P < 0.00001). We conclude that the CD34(+) cell CE of the Spectra is superior to that of the CS 3000 Plus. Therefore, under the usual clinical conditions, Cobe Spectra should be used preferentially for peripheral blood progentor cell collection to maximize the number of hematopoietic stem cells collected.

Reassessing the definition of myeloid engraftment after autotransplantation: it is not necessary to see 0.5 x 10(9)/l neutrophils on 3 consecutive days to define myeloid recovery.

The time to myeloid recovery after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is usually defined as the first of 3 consecutive days with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of >or=0.5 x 10(9)/l (ANC500). Universal documentation of ANC500 for 3 consecutive days, historically required to ensure robust myeloid recovery, has become difficult with a trend towards early discharge and outpatient HSCT. We studied 90 autografted patients to see how frequently ANC declined after having reached >or=0.5 x 10(9)/l. ANC500 was documented on 2 and 3 consecutive days in 14 and 63 patients, respectively. ANC increased by a median of 213% from the 1st to the 2nd day (rise in 75 and unchanged in two), and by a median of 142% from the 2nd day to the 3rd (rise in 60, unchanged in one, and decline in two; higher than the 1st day in the latter three). The increase from the 1st to the 3rd day was 13-3433% (median, 557%). Thus, in all 63 patients, no decline below ANC500 was seen, and the first day with ANC500 was also the first of 3 consecutive days with ANC500. The remaining 13 patients had repeat counts 2-7 days after the 1st day with ANC500 documenting further increase in ANC with no evidence of failed engraftment. These data show that the first day with ANC500 is also consistently the first of 3 consecutive days with ANC500 in autografted patients. Therefore, the traditional definition of myeloid engraftment should be changed to consider the first day with ANC500 as the day of engraftment without necessarily documenting ANC500 on the subsequent 1-2 days. This simple change in definition has significant implications for how data are reported to transplant registries and how peer-review organizations such as the Foundation for the Accreditation of Hematopoietic Cell Therapy (FAHCT) define completeness of data.

Ideal or actual body weight to calculate CD34+ cell doses for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation?

The number of CD34+ cells infused influences the speed of hematologic recovery post-transplant. There are limited data on whether ideal (IBW) or actual (ABW) body weight should be used to calculate CD34+ cell dose. We compared the correlation between recovery to 0.5 x 10(9)/l neutrophils and the CD34+ cell dose based upon ABW as well as IBW in 87 patients autografted for cancer. ABW was >or=25% over IBW in 43% of patients. The median number of CD34+ cells administered was 3.6 x 10(6)/kg ABW and 4.2 x 10(6)/kg IBW. The time to neutrophil recovery was 8-15 days (median 10). There was a stronger inverse correlation between CD34+ cell dose/IBW and neutrophil recovery (r(2)=0.308; P<0.0001) than between CD34+ cell dose/ABW and neutrophil recovery (r(2)=0.267; P<0.0001). The median time to neutrophil recovery was comparable for those receiving >or=2 x 10(6)/kg CD34+ cells/kg IBW as well as ABW (10 days) and those receiving >or=2 x 10(6)/kg CD34+ cells/kg IBW but <2/kg ABW (10 days), but was significantly slower for those receiving <2 x 10(6)/kg CD34+ cells/kg IBW (12 days). These data show that the CD34+ cell dose based on IBW is a better predictor of neutrophil recovery after autotransplantation.

Effects of oral contraception on liver function tests and serum proteins in women with past viral hepatitis.

Forty-three women who had viral hepatitis one or more years ago and 35 healthy women who were age and parity matched were given an oral contraceptive containing 0.05mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.5mg levonorgestrel for six consecutive months. Liver function tests (serum bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT and serum alkaline phosphatase) and serum proteins (total, albumin, globulins, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin and alpha-1 antitrypsin) were measured before beginning treatment and after three and six months of use. Past hepatitis women experienced increased unconjugated bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT and alkaline phosphatase levels throughout the six months while the control women showed less pronounced changes during the first three months with tendency to reversion to normal during the subsequent three months; the group X time of test interactions were significantly different between the two groups. Serum haptoglobin decreased significantly in both groups but the past-hepatitis group showed a more persistent change with time. Changes also occurred in serum albumin, alpha-1 and beta globulins, ceruloplasmin but without group effect or group X time interactions.

Transient ionized hypocalcemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism accompanying acute adrenal insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the hitherto unrecognized occurrence of transient ionized hypocalcemia with acute adrenal insufficiency and its therapy. METHODS: We present three case reports with documented longitudinal laboratory findings. RESULTS: Transient ionized hypocalcemia of acute illness has been noted in children and adults and is associated with increased mortality. Precipitating illnesses include gram-positive and gram-negative sepsis and staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome. We encountered three patients with transient ionized hypocalcemia associated with acute adrenal insufficiency. Similar to severely ill, transiently hypocalcemic patients without adrenal insufficiency, one patient demonstrated 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency, a second had minimal magnesium deficiency, and a third had no identifiable underlying abnormality. All three patients exhibited a transient increase in levels of serum intact parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in response to ionized hypocalcemia, indicative of temporary secondary hyperparathyroidism. Two of the three patients were treated solely with glucocorticoids and intravenous administration of fluids, whereas the third received minimal intramuscularly administered magnesium and antibiotics in addition. All ultimately demonstrated a return to normal of serum total and ionized calcium, parathyroid hormone, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D with no further treatment, even though one patient remained deficient in 25-hydroxyvitamin D. CONCLUSION: On the basis of these cases, we conclude that acute adrenal insufficiency and its treatment must be added to the disorders associated with transient ionized hypocalcemia and that transient secondary hyperparathyroidism is characteristic of at least some of the patients.

Hypercalcemia associated with infection by Cryptococcus neoformans and Coccidioides immitis.

BACKGROUND: Of the 13 reported cases of hypercalcemia associated with fungal infection, 1 was caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and probably mediated by increased levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D]. Eight others were associated with Coccidioides immitis, of which only 2 had measured 1,25(OH)2D levels; in both, they were diminished. We report a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection and simultaneous C. immitis and C. neoformans pneumonia and C. immitis fungemia associated with hypercalcemia. METHODS: Consecutive measurements of serum total and ionized calcium, phosphorous, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrp) and albumin were performed over a period of 46 months. RESULTS: While the patient was hypercalcemic, intact serum PTH and PTHrp were undetectable, serum 25(OH)D levels were normal, and serum 1,25(OH)2D levels were in the high normal range. Successful treatment of the C. immitis and C. neoformans infections resulted in resolution of the hypercalcemia and increase of PTH and PTHrp to the normal range. CONCLUSION: In some patients with HIV infection, coincident hypercalcemia, and severe fungal infection, the responsible factor may be 1,25(OH)2D. Although total serum levels of this compound may not be frankly elevated, they are inappropriately high for the circumstances. Free 1,25(OH)2D levels should be determined in this situation.

SFE-plus-C(18) lipid cleanup and selective extraction method for GC/MS quantitation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in smoked meat.

In biological matrixes lipid material often poses an interference problem for determinations of nonpolar compounds, e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A newly developed supercritical fluid extraction plus adsorbent method, "SFE-plus-C(18)", offers selective extraction of PAHs in lipid-rich biological matrixes without the need for supplementary cleanup. This method eliminates the use of large volumes of toxic solvent and lengthy lipid removal procedures. This study reports the first application of the SFE-plus-C(18) method to the analysis of a genuine food product, i.e., smoked meat (beef). The procedure employs the addition of C(18) adsorbent beads to the initial sample slurry of pureed smoked meat prior to supercritical CO(2) extraction and GC/MS quantitation. During SF extraction, indigenous lipids are preferentially retained on the beads, and PAHs are selectively extracted with supercritical CO(2). In a comparison of determinations of PAHs by SFE-plus-C(18) vs the conventional SFE method, only 11-17% of the indigenous lipids observed by the conventional SFE method were co-extracted using the SFE-plus-C(18) method. The PAHs in smoked meat could thus be determined efficiently in the presence of a reduced background of co-extracted lipids. Out of 10 targeted PAHs, seven were detected with a range of 10.0-26.0 ng/g in the smoked meat sample. The other three PAHs were not present above the detection limit of the instrument (2.5-4.1 pg). The recoveries of PAHs obtained using the conventional SFE method were 63-94% lower than those achieved by SFE-plus-C(18).

Glossina austeni (Diptera: Glossinidae) eradicated on the island of Unguja, Zanzibar, using the sterile insect technique.

An area-wide integrated tsetse eradication project was initiated in Zanzibar in 1994 by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the governments of Tanzania and Zanzibar, to eradicate Glossina austeni Newstead from Unguja Island (Zanzibar) using the sterile insect technique. Suppression of the tsetse population on Unguja was initiated in 1988 by applying residual pyrethroids as a pour-on formulation to livestock and by the deployment of insecticide impregnated screens in some of the forested areas. This was followed by sequential releases of gamma-sterilized male flies by light aircraft. The flies, packaged in carton release containers, were dispersed twice a week along specific flight lines separated by a distance of 1-2 km. More than 8.5 million sterile male flies were released by air from August 1994 to December 1997. A sterile to indigenous male ratio of >50:1 was obtained in mid-1995 and it increased to >100:1 by the end of 1995. As a consequence the proportion of sampled young females (1-2 ovulations), with an egg in utero in embryonic arrest or an uterus empty as a result of expulsion of a dead embryo, increased from <25% in the 1st quarter to >70% in the last quarter of 1995. In addition, the age structure of the female population became significantly distorted in favor of old flies (> or = 4 ovulations) by the end of 1995. The apparent density of the indigenous fly population declined rapidly in the last quarter of 1995, followed by a population crash in the beginning of 1996. The last trapped indigenous male and female flies were found in weeks 32 and 36, 1996, respectively. Time for 6 fly generations elapsed between the last catch of an indigenous fly and the end of the sterile male releases in December 1997.