Ebola virus disease: past, present and future

Ebola virus disease is one of the most deadly ailments known to mankind due to its high mortality rate(up to 90%) accompanying with the disease. Ebola haemorrhagic fever(EHF) is an infectious disease of animal that can be transmitted to both human and non-human primates. The first epidemic of EHF occurred in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The incubation period of ebola is less than 21 days. Ebola virus infections are depicted by immune suppression and a systemic inflammatory response that leads to damage of the vascular, coagulation and immune systems, causing multi-organ failure and shock. Five genetically distinct members of the Filoviridae family responsible for EHF are as follows: Zaire ebolavirus, Sudan ebolavirus, C?te d'Ivoire ebolavirus, Bundibugyo ebolavirus and Reston ebolavirus. The ongoing 2014 West Africa ebola epidemic has been considered as the most serious panic in the medical field with respect to both the number of human cases and death toll. The natural host for ebola virus is unknown, thus it is not possible to carry out programs to regulate or abolish virus from transmission to people. The ebola virus infection provides little chance to develop acquired immunity causing rapid progression of the disease. It is pertinent to mention that at present, there is no antiviral therapy or vaccine that is helpful against ebola virus infection in humans. The impediment of EHF necessitates much better understanding of the epidemiology of the disease, particularly the role of wildlife, as well as bats, in the spread of ebola virus to humans.

A novel series of 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-thiadiazoles as potential anticonvulsant agent

In pursuit for better antiepileptic drug and the importance of semicarbazones and 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-thiadiazoles as anticonvulsant pharmacophore, a series of novel N-（{5-[（6-methyl-l-benzofuran-3-yl）methyl]-l,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl}carba- mothioyl）-2/3/4-substitutedbenzamide were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their anticonvulsant activity. The findings of the present studies confirmed that the pharmacophore model with four binding sites is crucial for anticonvulsant activity. Structure-activity relationships among synthesized compounds were also established.

Effect of aqueous extract of Polygonum minus leaf on the immunity and survival of African catfish(Clarias gariepinus)

Objective:To establish immunomodulatory potential of aqueous extract of Polygonum minus(P.minus)leaves,the haematological effects and lysozyme activity of aqueous extract of P.minus leaf on Clarias gariepinus was studied.Methods:The fish were grouped and administered with the P.minus aqueous leaf extract intraperitoneally.Blood and serum samples were collected from each group and examined for various blood parameters.The turbidimetric assay for lysozyme activity using M.luteus and the survival rate of fish against A.hydrophila was carried out.Results:There was no significant impact(P>0.05)on white blood cell count,red blood cell count,mean corpuscular volume,mean corpuscular hemoglobin,mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and lysozyme activity was significantly(P<0.05)higher than control.The serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels were significantly lower than control(P<0.05).The highest dose group showed longest survival.Conclusions:From this study,it is considered that the aqueous extract of P.minus can be used as an immunostimulant in African catfish,but continuous administration may require maintaining the protection.