First report of MIRU-VNTR genotyping of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates from Egypt

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis [MAP] is the causative agent of Johne's disease, an economically important disease in ruminants worldwide. It was first isolated in Egypt in 2005. Since then, the pathogen has been detected in different Egyptian provinces. In order to trace the source of infection, genotyping using simple methods of high discriminatory power such as mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeats [MIRU-VNTR] were carried out in different countries. Until now there is no published information about MIRU-VNTR genotyping of MAP isolates in Egypt. To address that point, 100 faecal samples were collected and cultivated from 3 different suspected dairy farms. Fourteen isolates belonging to one farm were identified as MAP and subjected to genotyping using 8 different MIRU-VNTR loci PCRs. Two different genotypes were recognized based on size polymorphism observed in one locus [VNTR-7] that was confirmed by sequencing. Our work provides a preliminary basis of constructing a MIRU-VNTR genotyping database of MAP in Egypt

Knowledge of Saudi female university students regarding cervical cancer and acceptance of the human papilloma virus vaccine

To assess the level of knowledge regarding cervical cancer and the acceptance of the human papilloma virus [HPV] vaccine among Saudi female students in health colleges. This cross-sectional study of a convenient sample encompassed 1400 students in Health Colleges at Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was conducted between December 2013 and February 2014. A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed to all participants. Data collected included socio-demographic data, knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and clinical presentation, Pap smear, and HPV vaccine acceptance. The questionnaire reliability as tested by Cronbach's alpha was 0.82. The response rate was 89.9%, and data analysis revealed that 95.7% of students had poor knowledge level. The Pap smear was poorly recognized as a screening tool, with 46.7% of students having heard of the test. Senior and medical students had a significantly higher knowledge score. Father's health profession, high monthly income, and presence of cervical cancer among family members or friends increased the level of knowledge. Vaccine acceptance is influenced by its price, approximately 80% of students thought that an affordable vaccine price should not exceed 300 Saudi Riyals. Perceived barriers to the vaccine were fear of injections and vaccine side effects. There is a lack of knowledge and misinformation regarding cervical cancer, Pap smear, and HPV as a major risk factor for cancer of the cervix. These data can be used as a benchmark to formulate effective awareness programs

Pulmonary arterial hypertension in Saudi Arabia: patients' clinical and physiological characteristics and hemodynamic parameters. A single center experience

The main objective of this study is to describe patients' clinical characteristics and physiological and hemodynamic parameters at the time of diagnosis in a pulmonary hypertension center in Saudi Arabia. This study reports the results from a single pulmonary hypertension specialized center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, namely Prince Sultan Medical Military City/Cardiac Center [PSMMC and CC]. Both newly diagnosed [incidence] and referred [prevalence] cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension are included. All characteristics, including clinical, physiological, and hemodynamic parameters at the time of diagnosis are described. A total of 107 patients were identified as having pulmonary arterial hypertension as diagnosed by right heart catheterization. The mean age at diagnosis was 36 [ +/- 9] years, and there was a female preponderance of 62.6%. The mean duration between symptom onset and diagnosis was 27.8 [ +/- 9.0] months. At the time of enrollment, 56.1% of patients were in functional class III and 16.8% were in functional class IV. Fifty five patients [51.4%] were diagnosed as idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, 29 patients [27.1%] as congenital heart disease associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension, 16 patients [15.0%] as connective tissue diseases associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension, 4 patients [3.7%] as heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension, and 3 patients [2.8%] as portopulmonary hypertension. This data highlights the current situation of pulmonary arterial hypertension in Saudi Arabia. Our patients are much younger than patients described in other international registries but still detected as late in the course of the disease. A majority of patients displays severe functional and hemodynamic compromise

Transoesophageal doppler compared to central venous pressure for perioperative hemodynamic monitoring and fluid guidance in liver resection

Major hepatic resections may result in hemodynamic changes. Aim is to study transesophageal Doppler [TED] monitoring and fluid management in comparison to central venous pressure [CVP] monitoring. A follow-up comparative hospital based study. 59 consecutive cirrhotic patients [CHILD A] undergoing major hepatotomy. CVP monitoring only [CVP group], [n=30] and TED [Doppler group], [n=29] with CVP transduced but not available on the monitor. Exclusion criteria include contra-indication for Doppler probe insertion or bleeding tendency. An attempt to reduce CVP during the resection in both groups with colloid restriction, but crystalloids infusion of 6 ml/kg/h was allowed to replace insensible loss. Post-resection colloids infusion were CVP guided in CVP group [5-10 mmHg] and corrected flow time [FTc] aortic guided in Doppler group [>0.4 s] blood products given according to the laboratory data. Using the FTc to guide Hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 significantly decreased intake in TED versus CVP [1.03 [0.49] versus 1.74 [0.41] Liter; P<0.05]. Nausea, vomiting, and chest infection were less in TED with a shorter hospital stay [P<0.05]. No correlation between FTc and CVP [r=0.24, P > 0.05]. Cardiac index and stroke volume of TED increased post-resection compared to baseline, 3.0 [0.9] versus 3.6 [0.9] L/min/m [2], P<0.05; 67.1 [14.5] versus 76 [13.2] ml, P<0.05, respectively, associated with a decrease in systemic vascular resistance [SVR] 1142.7 [511] versus 835.4 [190.9] dynes.s/cm[5], P<0.05. No significant difference in arterial pressure and CVP between groups at any stage. CVP during resection in TED 6.4 [3.06] mmHg versus 6.1 [1.4] in CVP group, P=0.6. TED placement consumed less time than CVP [7.3 [1.5] min versus 13.2 [2.9], P<0.05]. TED in comparison to the CVP monitoring was able to reduced colloids administration post-resection, lower morbidity and shorten hospital stay. TED consumed less time to insert and was also able to present significant hemodynamic changes. Advanced surgical techniques of resection play a key role in reducing blood loss despite CVP more than 5 cm H[2]O. TED fluid management protocols during resection need to be developed

Factors associated with successful induction of labor

To evaluate the prevalence, indications, and factors associated with successful induction of labor [IOL], and maternal and neonatal outcomes. All women booked for IOL at King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from April 2010 to March 2011 were included. The characteristics of women who had successful IOL were compared to those who delivered by cesarean section [CS]. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the factors associated with successful IOL. During the study period, 564 women had IOL. The prevalence rate of IOL was 16%. Vaginal delivery was achieved in 472 [84%] women. The most common indications for IOL were post-term pregnancy in 174 [31%], and diabetes mellitus in 131 [23.2%] of the participants. Maternal characteristics associated with risk of CS were nulliparity [odds ratio: 1.58; 95% confidence interval: 1.09-2.320; p=0.01], and high maternal body mass index [p=0.01]. Neonates of women with successful IOL had significantly higher APGAR scores [p=0.04], and more frequent pH ?7.1 at delivery [p=0.02]. There was no difference in the rate of post-partum hemorrhage, CS, or ruptured uterus between the women who had IOL, and those who went into spontaneous labor. Nulliparity and maternal weight are the main determinants of the outcome of IOL. Case selection for IOL is vital for achieving outcomes similar to spontaneous labor

Acaricidal activity of different extracts from Syzygium cumini L. Skeels (Pomposia) against Tetranychus urticae Koch

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the acaricidal activity of different extracts from Syzygium cumini (S. cumini) (Pomposia) againsst Tetranychus urticae Koch (T. urticae) and the biochemical changes in antioxidants enzymes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six extracts of S. cumini (Pomposia) at concentrations of 75, 150 and 300µg/mL were used to control T. urticae (Koch).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ethanol extract showed the most efficient acaricidal activity agent against T. urticae (98.5%) followed by hexane extract (94.0%), ether and ethyl acetate extract (90.0%). The LC50 values of the promising extract were 85.0, 101.0, 102.0 and 98.0µg/mL, respectively. The activities of enzymes including ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in susceptible mites were increased. The activities of all antioxidant enzymes reach the maximum value in mites at LC50 with ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The extract of S. cumini has acaricidal acivity against T. urticae, and the ethanol extract is the most efficient.</p>

Hypocholesterolemic effects of bitter and sweet lupin seeds in male rats

This study was designed to test bitter and sweet lupin seeds as lipid-lowering and their antioxidative activities on hypercholesterolemic rats. The levels of plasma lipid, malondialdehyde [MDA] and whole blood reduced glutathione [GSH], as well as the activities of transaminases [ALT and AST], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] in plasma, superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GPx] in erythrocytes and plasma glutathione reductase [OR], glutathione-S-transferase [OST] and catalase [CAT] were examined. The hypercholesterolemia-induced diet was manifested in the elevation of total lipids [TL], total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TO], LDL-C and MDA levels, ALT, AST, LDH activities and depletion of OSH and enzymic antioxidants. Supplementation of hypercholesterolemia-indUced diet with bitter and sweet lupin seeds significantly lowered the plasma levels of TL, TC, TG and LDL-C. ALT, AST and LDH activities slightly decreased in treated groups compared with hypercholesterolemic group [HC]. Furthermore, the content of GSH significantly increased while MDA significantly decreased in treated groups compared with HC group. In addition, bitter lupin seeds group improved enzymic antioxidants compared with HC group. In general, the results indicated that, the bitter lupin seeds supplements are better than sweet lupin seeds. These results suggested that the hypocholesterolemic effect of bitter and sweet lupin seeds supplements might be due to their abilities to lower plasma cholesterol level as well as to slow down the lipid peroxidation process and to enhance the antioxidant enzyme activity

Glucose, insulin and adiponectin relationships in serum of type-2-Egyptian diabetic patients

Seventy six samples of blood were taken from 66 volunteers [38 male and 28 female] of type-2-diabetic patients and 10 samples from intact subjects. Serum samples were collected from the lab of French Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. The age of patients and control varied from 35 to 50 years. Serum glucose. insulin and adiponectin levels were measured at fasting and postprandial states. There were high serum glucose and insulin levels in diabetic patients comparing to control subjects. The serum adiponectin levels in all type-2-diabetic patients [10.57-15.47 micro g/ml] were significantly less than that present in control [23.35 micro g/ml]. Serum adiponectin level was significantly and negatively correlated with serum glucose. In male and female diabetic patients, the adiponectin levels varied from 13.45 to 15.05 micro g/ml and from 7.68 to 17.10 micro g/ml, respectively. A negatively significant correlation was present between serum insulin and adiponectin levels in male patients. At postprandial state, the glucose level was elevated with both insignificant increase in insulin level and decrease in adiponectin level. The data suggest that blood adiponectin must be determind and increased to the normal level by medicine before treatment of type-2-diabetic patients

Clinical and electrophysiological predictors of outcome in Guillain-Barre syndrome

To determine the clinical and electrophysiological predictors of outcome in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome [GBS]. This study was carried out on 24 patients [14 males and 10 females] with GBS. All patients were subjected to [1] history taking including informations about course of the disease, duration of illness and history of antecedent illness; [2] general clinical examination; [3] neurological examination including cranial nerves examination, muscle status and the degree of affection of the motor and sensory systems as well as the deep tendon reflexes. The muscle power was graded according to the Medical Research Council scale. Assessment of the functional ability by the functional ability score was done before and after treatment; [4] Electrophysiological studies including nerve conductions and electromyography. There was a significant correlation between the age of patients and the prognosis; the younger the patients, the better the prognosis. On the other hand, there was no significant correlation between the gender and the outcome. There was an inverse relationship between the time to maximal weakness and the outcome. Patients with respiratory muscle affection, sphincter disturbance, bradycardia or tachycardia, hypotension or hypertension, facial diplegia, and absent deep tendon reflexes in both upper and lower limbs had bad outcome. There was a significant correlation between the presence of muscle wasting, superficial and deep sensory affection as well as grade 2 muscle power and the bad outcome. Also, there was a significant correlation between initial functional ability score and the outcome. Electrophysiologically, there was a significant correlation between each of the distal motor latencies of the studied nerves [median, ulnar and common peroneal nerves], the mean amplitude of the compound muscle action potential on distal stimulation, and the motor conduction velocities of peripheral segments of the three studied nerves and the outcome. On the other side, there was a non-significant correlation between each of the sensory conduction velocities of peripheral segments of the studied nerves and the latencies of F-wave of both ulnar and common peroneal nerves and the outcome. Also, there was a non-significant correlation between distal motor latency, motor conduction velocity and the F-wave latency of the studied nerves. There was a significant improvement in the conduction studies in the studied nerves after 3 months of treatment. The clinical predictors of outcome in patients with GBS are the age, the mode of onset and the severity of clinical involvement. Manifest respiratory muscle affection, sphincter disturbance, marked autonomic disturbance, cranial nerve affection, marked degree of muscle wasting, severe degree of muscle weakness, absent deep tendon reflexes and the presence of sensory affection; all are associated with bad outcome. On the other hand, the electrophysiological findings can provide a prognostic value in patients with GBS. Delayed motor conduction velocity and reduced amplitude of cMAP on distal stimulation carry a bad outcome, but other measures including sensory conduction velocity, F-wave response and distal motor latency have no significant correlation with the outcome

Serum IgA, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF- alpha concentrations in patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy

The concept that the immune system plays a role in the epileptogenesis was first proposed more than 20 years ago. Since then, several laboratory and clinical studies have reported on the existence of a variety of immunological abnormalities in epileptic patients, on the observation of favourable responses of refractory epilepsy syndromes to immunomodulatory treatment, and on the association of epilepsy with certain well-known immunemediated disorders. In this study we try to verify if there is a link between pharmacoresistant epilepsy and immune system. We compared the serum levels of IgA, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-a, in 45 patients with pharmacoresponsive epilepsy, in 30 patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy and in 15 healthy reference subjects. Low serum levels of IgA were found in epileptic patients than reference subjects and in pharmacoresistance epilepsy group than pharmacoresponsive epileptic group .There were significant high serum levels of IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-a in epileptic patients than reference subjects and in pharmacoresistance group than pharmacoresponsive epileptic group. There was significant association between the serum levels of the IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-a and frequency of seizures and not the duration of the epilepsy or its type. These results give additional evidence for activation of the cytokine network and the magnitude of these changes is related to severity of seizures. Since this activation may promote important neuromodulatory functions and may serve as a link between excessive neuronal activity and various immunological changes that can lead to refractoriness of seizures

Diagnostic parameters of minimal hepatic encephalopathy: clinical, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging study

Cirrhotic patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy [MHE] have subtle cognitive deficits that can be detected by neuropsychometric tests, P300 event related potential, EEG, and increased signal on T1-weighted brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The present study was designed to assess the magnitude of cognitive dysfunction, a marker of minimal hepatic encephalopathy [MHE];to evaluate diagnostic usefulness of neuropsychological cognitive tests, EEG, P300 ERP latency, and MRI brain signs; and to investigate the clinical outcome of patients with MHE in terms of progression to overt encephalopathy. A total of 43 well-compensated cirrhotic patients without signs of encephalopathy were studied by neuropsychological cognitive test battery, P300 ERP latency, EEG, conventional MRI brain. The patients were followed-up for 2 yrs. to monitor subsequent episodes of overt encephalopathy. Child-Pugh classification was done throughout the study to assess severity of liver cirrhosis. Forty-six healthy subjects, age, sex, and education matched, served as a control group. Minimal HE was diagnosed in 21[48.8%], out of 43 cirrhotic patients. Inverted sleep rhythm was reported in 85.7%, of cirrhotic with MHE. Delayed P3ERP latency were seen in 38.1% of cirrhotic patients with MHE, while Number Connection Test [NCT-A and B] time were prolonged in 71.4% of the patients. EEG abnormality was detected in 47.6%, while MRI signs were reported in 80.9% of cirrhotic with MHE. Out of 43 patients, 18[41.8%] developed overt encephalopathy, 66.7% of the patients with MHE progressed to overt encephalopathy within a mean duration of 9 months, while only 13. 6% of the non-mHE patients did so. Of the patients who developed overt encephalopathy, 83.3% had abnormal EEG, 77. 8% had abnormal NCT, while 59. 3% had P3ERP latency prolongations. The results of the present study suggest that inverted sleep rhythm, abnormal NCT, slow EEG activity, and delayed P300 latency are valid tools for the screening of MHE in cirrhotic patients as there is a greater likelihood of overt encephalopathy development in patients with an abnormality detected by these tests than in patients without such abnormality. EEG is useful for follow-up screening and prediction of the development of overt hepatic encephalopathy

Adiponectin, insulin and nitric oxide levels in hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia in addition to streptozotocin-indined diabetes mellitus and normal rats intraperitonially injected with anthocyanin and epicatechin extracts

Normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were intraperitonially injected with hibiscus anthocyanin [90 mg/Kg bw] and green tea epicatechin [60 mg/Kg bw] extracts daily for two weeks. In addition, normal and diabetic rats were force fed on high-fat diet for two weeks. Rats suffering from hypercholesterolemia were used for induction of diabetes mellitus and fed on a hypercholesterolemic diet for two weeks using non-diabetic hypercholesterolemic rats as positive control. At the end of the experiment, serum glucose insulin, adiponectin, nitric oxide and lipid profile were measured. Anthocyanin and epicatechin extracts significantly decreased the elevated levels of glucose, nitric oxide, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-C in serum of diabetic rats, while adiponectin was slightly increased. The concentrations of serum glucose, nitric oxide, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-C were greatly increased, while adiponectin level was significantly decreased in diabetic rats fed high-fat or high-cholesterol diets. These results indicate that increased nitric oxide and [or] decreased adiponectin in serum may result in increasing the glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-C levels in diabetic, hyperlipidemic and hypercholesterolemic rats

Reappearance of lumpy skin disease [LSD] in Egypt [with one table and 11 figures]

During late summer and autumn, 2005, outbreaks of Lumpy skin disease [LSD] were observed in different Egyptian governorates. So, this study was carried out to explore some epidemiological and clinical aspects of the disease in these recent outbreaks. Three private farms at Salheia and Gharbia governorate in addition to 200 individual animals belonging to farmers in different villages at different governorate were used in this study. In the first farm out of the examined 833 Friesian cattle, 500 contracted the disease; 25 of them were died representing a morbidity rate 60.02%, mortality rate 3% and case fatality rate of 5%. In the second farm out of the examined 20 Friesian cattle, 10 contracted the disease; two of them were died representing a morbidity rate 50%, mortality rate 10% and case fatality rate of 20%. Whereas in the third farm out of the examined 70 Holstein cattle, 3 of them contracted the disease representing a morbidity rate of 4.28% whereas no fatality was recorded in this farm. The occurrence of the disease in late summer, 2005 indicating the role of biting insect in the disease transmission. The expansion of the outbreaks through autumn months suggest other modes of transmission rather than the insect as the needles that used in vaccination and medication in addition to the role of direct contact. Concerning the clinical findings that observed in these outbreaks, infected animals showed, pyrexia, anorexia, nasal discharge, salivation, depressions, external lymphadenopathy, dysgalactia, appearance of skin nodules of varying size which may cover the whole of the animal's body. These nodules might disappear spontaneously within 3 to 4 weeks or gathered to form large lumps that increase in the thickness of the skin at the coalesced lesions. Some lumps were opened and sloughed leaving ulcer in the detached area in some cases. Lesions are often found in the mouth and upper respiratory tract. Edema of legs, brisket, head regions and scrotum in males was observed. Lameness and recumbency was observed in cases with severe edema. It was complicated with respiratory manifestation, pneumonia, hemorrhagic enteritis, dehydration and later recumbency followed by death. Abortion was reported in one Holstein cattle in the fifth month. Postmortem findings observed in dead Friesian cattle were in the form of skin nodules in different part of skin; these nodules involve all skin thickness, subcutis and muscles in some cases, superficial lymph node enlargement. Similar nodules were observed in upper respiratory tract, lungs and digestive system

Effect of different durations of schistosoma mansoni infection on the levels of some antioxidents in mice

The levels of lipid peroxides, glutathione, vitamin C, vitamin E catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes were measured in the livers of Schistosoma mansoni infected mice [CD strain weighing 20-25g] at different durations post infection [1,2,4,6 and 8 weeks]. Moreover, the liver weight, body weight, liver to body weight and total protein were studied in the same animal groups. Control non-infected groups were run simultaneously with each infected mice group. The data obtained showed that lipid peroxides were elevated throughout the different durations of infection while glutathione decreased with infection. On the other hand, both vitamins C and E showed a reduction in the livers of mice during the different durations of infection. The activity of catalase showed an insignificant change after one and two weeks and a high significant decrease in the livers of four, six and eight weeks S.mansoni infected mice, while, superoxide dismutase significantly decreased one and two weeks post infection with a significant elevation four, six and eight weeks post infection. Moreover, a significant reduction was observed in body weight after four, six and eight weeks of infection accompanied with an elevation in liver weight only after six and eight weeks. Consequently, liver weight/body weight showed an elevation after four, six and eight weeks of infection. Finally, the protein content was significantly lower at one, six and eight weeks post infection with S.mansoni. It could thus be concluded that host-parasite association results in production of free radicals as a result of an oxidative stress where the parasites struggle to overcome the immune response of the host and changes in host liver antioxidants occur as a means to scavenge these radicals

Effect of acrylamide on the central nervous system of rates: histological, histochemical, and electron microscopy studies

The effect of acrylamide on the central nervous system of rats was studied in order to determine its neurotoxicity effect. Seventy rats were used in the present study which were divided into three groups. The rats of group one were used as control while rats of group two were given acrylamide by intramuscular injection with a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight, and the rats of group three were given 25 mg/kg acrylamide twice weekly for one month. The rats were sacrificed after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks of acrylamide injection and cervical spinal cord was removed and processed for histological, histochemical, and electron microscopical studies. Histological results showed mild degenerative changes of nerve fibers after one and two weeks of acrylamide injection while after three and four weeks severe changes were seen following both doses of acrylamide. Histochemical changes appeared in the decreased activities of cytochrome oxidase, RNA, and Nissl substances after one and two weeks of acrylamide injection and this decrease reached its minimal activity at the end of the experiment for the two doses while acetyl-cholinesterase and DNA were found to be increased. Electron microscopic study revealed irregular outline of nuclear envelop with some nuclear pores, vascular degeneration of cytoplasmic organelles, demyleinated and thinly myleinated axons, and many hypertrophied mitochondria. All these results indicated that acrylamide which is still used in the synthesis of polymers for a variety of industrial applications, is highly neurotoxic

Laporoscopic assisted orchiopexy for impalpable undescended tests

Multiple approaches exist for the management of impalpable undescended testicle. With the use of diagnostic laparoscopy widely accepted in the setting of the non-palpable testis, laparoscopic orchiopexy seemed to be a logical extension. We report our experience with laparoscopic orchiopexy in treating 36 impalpable testis in 32 children at Tanta University Hospital, three of them had undergone a negative groin exploration at other centers, Twelve children had an absent testis at the side under investigation [33.3%]. Twenty children with 24 intra-abdominal testes underwent laparoscopic assisted orchiopexy. Eighteen of them were submitted to a single - stage standard subdartos orchiopexy, and two-stage orchiopexy for the remaining six with a success rate reaching 87.5%. There were no technical failures or laparoscopy-related complications in all of these children. We concluded that laparoscopic assisted orchiopexy is a satisfactory and reliable technique which has the advantage of being accurate diagnostic and proper therapeutic in one setting

Pharmacological effect of diazepam on uterine smooth musciles in non-pregnant and pregnant rats

The effect of diazepam on spontaneous uterine contractility was studied in-situ in both non-pregnant rats and pregnant rats at days 20 of gestation [GD20]. The effect of these drugs were given 15 minutes after injection of diazepam. The uterine response was identified in terms of frequency [number of bursts/10 minutes] and amplitude [micro V/10 minutes] of uterine contraction. Diazepam [0.25-4 mg/kg i.v.] showed significant [P < 0.05], dose-dependent tocolytic effect in both non-regnant and pregnant rats with greater effect in pregnant rats as reflected by greater reduction of both frequency and amplitude of uterine contraction. The dose of diazepam that produced 50% reduction in the amplitude of uterine contraction [ID50] in non-pregnant rats was 1.9 mg/kg compared to 0.4 mg/kg in pregnant rats. The ID50 ratio for diazepam in non-pregnant and pregnant rats was about 4.75. In both non-pregnant and pregnant rats, diazepam [1 mg/kg] markedly antagonized the uterotonic effects of oxytocin [1 IU/kg] and PGF2alfa was found to be greater on the muscles of pregnant rats. However, such antagonism did not result in complete loss of the uterotonic activity of oxytocin and PGF2alfa as their [after diazepam] on both frequency and amplitude of uterine contraction were still significantly higher than just before oxytocin and PDSGF2alfa [effect of diazepam alone]. The effect of diazepam was also examined in-vitro on isolated non-pregnant rat uterus. It was found that diazepam in concentrations ranging from 0.125-16 microg/ml produced significant concentration-dependent reduction in the height of contraction elicited by either acetylcholine [1 micro g/ml] or KCl [2.2 mg/ml]. The concentration of diazepam that produced 50% reduction of acetylcholine and KCl responses [IC50] were 1.8 microg/ml and 0.75 micro g/ml respectively. In the presence of flumazenil, diazepam produced nearly the same relaxant effect on acetylcholine-induced contraction with an IC50 value of 2 microg/ml which was not significantly different from that obtained in the absence of flumazenil [1.8 micro g/ml]. In KCl depolarized uterine horns, diazepam [2 micro g/ml] with rightward shift of the concentration response curve of CaCl2, indicating a Ca2+ antagonistic activity for diazepam. It could be concluded that pretreatment with diazepam during near term pregnancy may lead to serious complications during the process of labour-induction by oxytocin or PGF2alfa

Inhibitory effect of frusemide on isolated guinea pig tracheal strips: possible mechanisms of action

This work was undertaken to study the effect of frusemide on isolated giunea pig. tracheal spiral strips and a trial to investigate the possible underlying mechanisms of action. The effect of frusemide was studied on tracheal strips contracted by the direct bronchoconstrictors [acetylcholine, histamine and potassium chloride] and the indirect bronchoconstrictor [sodium metabisulfite] .It was found that frusemide, incubated with the preparation for 60 minutes, significantly reduced the contractile responses to acetylcholine, histamine and potassium chloride with wrightward displacement of the concentration response curves, while the maximum responses were depressed. It was also demonstrated that sodium metabisulfite significantly increased the contractile response to acetylcholine with shift of the concentration response curve to the left. When the tissue was incubated with both frusemide and sodium metabisulfite it was found that frusemide not only abolished the potentiating effect of metabisulfite on acetylcholine - induced contraction, but it also elicited a rapid significant reduction of acetylcholine response with shift of the concentration response curve to the wright .The relation of frusemide to cyclooxygenase products was also investigated in this study. It was demonstrated that frusemide produced significant reduction of the contractile response elicited by prostaglandin F[2alpha] with wrightward shift of the concentration response curve without affecting the maximum response, indicating a sort of competitve antagonism. Also, when frusemide was applied concomitantly with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor "flurbiprofen", it was found that flurbiprofen did not alter the inhibitory effect of frusemide on acetylcholine - induced contraction of the preparation. In this work, frusemide was also found to exhibit a calcium antagonistic activity as revealed by its inhibitory action on Ca[2 +] entry in potassium - depolarized preparation

Motile aeromonas septicaemia and other aeromonad infection encountered in coloured fish

Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas sobria and Aeromonas salmonicida showed a percentage of infection 15.92%. 4.3% and 16.72% respectively in present study. The clinical signs and pathological alteration associated with these bacterial infection of fish, fin and tail rot, haemorrhagic septicemia and ulcerative disease were recorded. Induction of experimental infection by these isolates to determine their pathogenicity to Tilapia sp, Catfish, Angelfish, GuppyFish, Veiltailgoldfish and Swordtailfish were undertaken

Infection of coloured fish by staphylococcus epidermidis

Staphylococcus epidermidis showed 14.4% the percentage of infection in coloured fish. The clinical signs and pathological alteration associated with these bacterial infection were in form of ascitic fluid in abdominal muscle wall, eye damage-exophthalmia and ulcers. Induction of experimental infection by these isolates to determine their pathogenicity to Tilapia sp, Catfish, Guppyfish and Veiltailgoldfish were undertaken