Response of Proliferative Lupus Nephritis with Pulse Cyclophosphamide Therapy during Induction Period: A Single Centre Study in Bangladesh.

This prospective study was conducted to assess the response of proliferative lupus nephritis with pulse cyclophosphamide therapy during induction period in the department of Nephrology of Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh from December 2012 to November 2013. A total of 35 clinically diagnosed SLE patients of class III/IV lupus nephritis were included. But 3 patients were dropped out during follow-up, therefore finally 32 patients (class III = 4, class IV = 28) were studied. The patients were evaluated for response on the basis of proteinuria, serum creatinine & active sediment in urine after 6th cycle of cyclophosphamide and 62.5% patients achieved complete response, 25% patients achieved partial response & 12.5% patients achieved no response. The factors favored complete response was early clinical presentation (7 months duration), proteinuria ≤3gm/day& normal renal function during their initial presentation. And higher anti ds DNA titre was an independent predictor for partial response/no response.

Bioefficacy of some plant derivatives that protect grain against the pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus.

Experiments were conducted to study the bioefficacies of different plant/weed derivatives that affect the development of the pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculates F. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) fed on black gram, Vigna mungo, seeds. Plant extracts, powder, ash and oil from nishinda (Vitex negundo L.), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules Labill.), bankalmi (Ipomoea sepiaria K.), neem (Azadirachta indica L.), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and bablah (Acacia arabica L.) were evaluated for their oviposition inhibition, surface protectant, residual toxicity and direct toxicity effects on C. maculates. The results showed that plant oils were effective in checking insect infestation. The least number of F(1) adults emerged from black gram seeds treated with neem oil. The nishinda oil extract was the most toxic of three extracts tested (nishinda, eucalyptus and bankalmi). Bablah ash was the most effective compared to the powdered leaves of nishinda, eucalyptus and bankalmi. The powdered leaves and extracts of nishinda, eucalyptus and bankalmi, at a 3% mixture, provided good protection for black gram seeds by reducing insect oviposition, F(1) adult emergence, and grain infestation rates. The oil treatment did not show adverse effects on germination capability of seeds, even after three months of treatment.

Repellent, toxic, and food protectant effects of pithraj,Aphanamixis polystachya extracts against pulse beetle,Callosobruchus chinensis in storage.

Ground leaves, bark, seeds, and four seed extracts of pithraj,Aphanamixis polystachya (family Meliaceae), a locally grown plant in Bangladesh, were evaluated for their repellency, contact toxicity, and food protectant efficacy against adult pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis L.). The seed extracts showed poor repellent effects, but high contact toxicity to adults at 72 hr after application. The ground leaves, bark, and seeds provided good protection for mung beans against pulse beetles, and the seed powder greatly reduced the F1 progeny and seed damage rates.

Deterrent and insecticidal effects of extracts of pithraj,Aphanamixis polystachya (Meliaceae), againstTribolium castaneum in storage.

Laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate the efficacy of seed extracts of pithraj,Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall & Parker), a locally grown plant in Bangladesh, against the red flour beetle,Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.). Results of three different bioassays showed that crude extracts of pithraj seeds have strong repellent effects and moderate feeding deterrent and insecticidal (direct-contact) effects on adultTribolium castaneum.