Efficacy of current vaccines against recently isolated foot and mouth disease virus type A South America (Venezuela) in Egypt 2022

Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease that poses a significant economic threat to cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle and sheep. The emergence of a novel foot and mouth disease virus-A isolate, FMDV-A-Egy-AHRI-RL385-Ven-2022, in Egypt in 2022 has raised concerns about its potential impact on existing vaccination programs. Given that vaccination is a key strategy for foot and mouth disease virus control, the present study was aimed to assess the cross-protective efficacy of both local and imported inactivated vaccines against this new threat. Through challenge experiments and serum neutralization tests, we observed limited effectiveness of both vaccine types. The calculated r1-values at 28 days post-vaccination indicated a minimal immune response to FMDV-A-Egy-AHRI-RL385-Ven-2022 (0.176 and 0.175 for local and imported vaccines, respectively). Challenge experiments further confirmed these findings, revealing 0percent protection from the local vaccine and only 20percent rotection from imported vaccines by day 7 post-challenge. These results underscore the urgent need to update existing foot and mouth disease virus vaccines in Egypt by incorporating the newly circulating FMDV-A-Egy-AHRI-RL385-Ven-2022 strain. This proactive measure is crucial to prevent future outbreaks and ensure effective disease control(AU)

La fiebre aftosa es una enfermedad vírica muy contagiosa que supone una importante amenaza económica para los animales biungulados, entre ellos el ganado vacuno y ovino. La aparición de un nuevo aislado del virus A de la fiebre aftosa, el FMDV-A-Egy-AHRI-RL385-Ven-2022, en Egipto en 2022 ha suscitado preocupación por su posible impacto en los programas de vacunación existentes. Dado que la vacunación es una estrategia clave para el control del virus de la fiebre aftosa, el objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la eficacia protectora cruzada de las vacunas inactivadas locales e importadas frente a esta nueva amenaza. Mediante experimentos de desafío y pruebas de seroneutralización, observamos una eficacia limitada de ambos tipos de vacuna. Los valores r1 calculados a los 28 días posvacunación indicaron una respuesta inmunitaria mínima frente a FMDV-A-Egy-AHRI-RL385-Ven-2022 (0,176 y 0,175 para las vacunas local e importada, respectivamente). Los experimentos de provocación confirmaron aún más estos resultados, revelando un 0 por ciento de protección de la vacuna local y sólo un 20 por ciento de protección de las vacunas importadas al séptimo día después de la provocación. Estos resultados subrayan la urgente necesidad de actualizar las vacunas existentes contra el virus de la fiebre aftosa en Egipto incorporando la nueva cepa circulante FMDV-A-Egy-AHRI-RL385-Ven-2022. Esta medida proactiva es crucial para prevenir futuros brotes y garantizar un control eficaz de la enfermedad(AU)

Biomedical ethics survey of knowledge, attitude and practice among gynecologists and obstetricians in both Suez Canal University Hospital and Ismailia General Hospital

The increasing exposure of the medical professions in general and obstetricians in particular to claims for damages or negligence seeks to perform this descriptive cross-sectional study that was carried out to assess physician's knowledge, attitude and practice about bioethics related to the field of gynecology and obstetrics. Data were collected by using a pre-designed questionnaire. The target group was all physicians working in this field in both Suez Canal University Hospital and Ismailia General Hospital, their number were 66 physicians. The study demonstrated that physician's knowledge was not significantly affected by their place of work [P > 0.05], but was significantly affected by their scientific degree and by the duration of their clinical practice [P<0.05], physician's attitude wasn't significantly affected by any of those factors [P > 0.05] and physician's practice was significantly affected by their place of work, their scientific degree and the duration of their clinical practice [P<0.05]

Factors affecting the choice of health specialty by medical graduates

A specialty is the transition from the undifferentiated medical graduate phase to the final, fully-differentiated specialist who is almost restricted to one specialized area of medical work. The medical specialty chosen by the medical practitioner is important for both the practitioner and the society. It is an important determinant of the future supply of doctors in different specialties and the planning of the workforce for the health-care services. Many factors influence specialty choices of the medical student and medical practitioner. These range from individual characteristics to the features of the specialty itself including specialty-related lifestyle. This article explores factors influencing specialty choices of medical students and young practitioners. The article also suggests some general and practical principles that junior doctors should follow in selecting a specialty to suit their personality bearing in mind the health needs of the society

Body weight and its association with psychosocial health in secondary school female students: the importance of body satisfaction

This study was carried out on 552 secondary school female students to determine the association between body weight and psychosurgical health using a set of psychosomatic indicators; namely, depression, self-esteem, trouble in school, school connectedness, family connectedness, sense of community, autonomy, protective factors and grades. In conclusion, the study showed the importance of body satisfaction on self-esteem and depression among adolescent females with the possibility that both underweight and overweight adolescent females may suffer socially and psychologically. Steps should be taken to address these issues within the school health curriculum. Healthy body weight should be the ultimate goal and efforts should be directed to encourage and support the healthy eating patterns and physical activity, while encouraging the students to recognize that the personal strength is not related to the physical appearance

Seroepidemiological and virological studies on virus-induced tumors in chickens in Egypt

Extensive epidemiological studies were conducted over four years to investigate the real cause and prevalence of virus-induced tumors among commercial meat-and egg-type chicken breeds, as well as native varieties of different age-groups and localities. Criteria used to establish an etiological diagnosis in problem flocks included, besides flock history, gross, histopathological and cytological examinations, virus isolation in chicken embryo fibroblast cultures [Line O] and identification by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and/or indirect immunofluorescence [IFA], antigen detection in thin tissue sections by IFA, and reticuloendotheliosis virus [REV] proviral DNA detection in blood or tumor tissue by polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. Moreover, chicken flocks were examined for viral antigen and/or antibody in plasma, egg albumin or serum by ELIA. The results achieved indicated that Marek's disease virus [MDV], lymphoid leukosis virus [LLV], and REV were the common causes of neoplasms as single or mixed infections with variable incidence among the flocks. The sources of infection in the investigated flocks is discussed in the light of the obtained results

Prevalence of bullying behaviour and its association with health-related symptoms among preparatory school students in Mansoura city

This study was carried out in Mansoura city to assess the prevalence of bullying behaviour among preparatory school students and its association with health-related symptoms. A multistage random sampling was carried out to select 577 third grade students from four preparatory schools [two for girls and two for boys] in Mansoura city. A questionnaire was designed and used for self-reported bullying behaviour and health- related symptoms. Among the 541 responding students, 14.0% bullied others, 10.5% were bullied and 12.0% both bullied and were bullied. Bullying behaviour did not related to the socioeconomic level of the students and boys are nearly two-times more likely to experience or participate in bullying compared to girls. The students experienced or participated in bullying are more likely to report high frequency of health-related symptoms, feel unhappy and isolated, spend less time with friends, dislike school and think that it is not a nice place to be in. Among those who were bullied, 7.8% said they were bullied nearly every day, 28.4% frequently bullied, 47.5% were bullied at some time and 16.3% were rarely bullied. The reported most frequent types of bullying were bad words [33.3%], physical hurt [20.6%], both bad words and physical hurt [18.4%], threatening [8.5%], isolation [12.1%] and other combinations [7.1%]. Bully students were more likely to be boys, not to feel lonely, spend more time with friends after school, dislike school and think that it is not a nice place to be. Those who both were bullied and bullied others were more likely to be boys, experience high frequency of health-related symptoms, feel unhappy, lonely and isolated, less likely to spend time with friends after school, dislike school and think that it is not a nice place to be. Similarly, those who were bullied were more likely to experience high frequency of health-related symptoms, feel unhappy, lonely and isolated, less likely to spend time with friends after school However, these students were more likely to like school and think that it is a nice place to be. In conclusion, bullying behaviour seems to be widespread in preparatory schools in Mansoura and is associated with increased health-related symptoms. Health practitioners evaluating students with common health- related symptoms should consider bullying and the student's school environment as potential causes. Further research work is recommended in this area

Serum levels of interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist in patients with diabetes mellitus. Associations with microvascular complications

To better understand the potential association of serum levels of interleukin- I beta [IL-1B] and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist [IL-1ra] with diabetic rnicroangiopathy, serum concentrations of IL-1B and IL-1ra were determined in 42 patients with diabetes mellitus [22 non Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM] and 20 insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM]] presenting with varying degrees of diabetic status and late complications. They were compared with 26 age and sex matched healthy subjects. Our results revealed that the concentrations of IL-1B and IL-1ra were elevated in diabetic patients versus control [Mean +/- SE 0.9 +/- 0.25pg /ml for IL-1B and 752.8 +/- 53.7pg / ml for IL-1ra in diabetics vs 0.08 +/- 0.04pg /ml for IL-1B and 446.6 +/- 40.5pg /ml for IL-1ra in the control, P = 0.01 and P< 0.0001 respectively]. Patients with diabetic retinopathy [n = 16] had the highest concentrations of serum IL-1B compared to those with neuropathy [n = 14] and to those with uncomplicated diabetes [n = 12] [Mean +/- SE 1.78 +/- 0.54pg /ml vs 0.37 +/- 0.32pg /ml and 0.35 +/- 0.16 pg /ml respectively, P = 0.05] IL-1ra levels were the highest In patients with diabetic neuropathy compared to those with retinopathy and uncomplicated diabetics [Mean +/- SE 905.9 +/- 95.2pg /ml vs 749.9 +/- 93.9pg /ml and 578.02 +/- 61.8pg/ml respectively. P<0.05]. Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy [n = 10] had significantly higher levels of IL-1B compared to those with non proliferative retinopathy [n= 6] [Mean +/- SE 2.7 +/- 0.71pg /ml vs 0.23 +/- 0.15pg /ml, P< 0.01]. IL-1ra / IL-1B ratio was lowest in patients with diabetic retinopathy especially the prolifertive type and highest in those with neuropathy with uncomplicated diabetics having intermediate values comparable to that of the control [P>0.01], Analyzing pooled data from diabetic patients, a weak negative correlation was found between IL-1B and IL-1ra [r = - 0.22, P> 0.05]. Interstirigly IL-lB was significantly correlated with HDL-cholesterol whereas IL-1ra was significantly correlated with serum triglycerides. IL-1ra/IL-1B ratio was significantly correlated with serum total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. [r= 0.36 r = 0.38, r = 0.35 and r =-0.34 respectively]. Serum levels of IL-B and IL-1ra are elevated in diabetic patients with and without microangiopathy reflecting ongoing inflammation and macrophage endothelial cell activation. Elevated levels of IL-1B and decreased IL-1ra/IL-1B ratio point more to proliferative retinopathy whereas high levels of IL-1ra and IL-1ra/IL-1B ratio may give an idea about the presence of neuropathy

Bacteriological and pathological studies on salmonellae in free-flying wild birds in faculty of veterinary medicine farm at Ismailia governorate

The occurrence of Salmonellae in a variety of free-flying wild birds was investigated. Of 57 intestinal content and reproductive organ samples examined, 10 yielded 3 different Salmonella serovars, which included 7 strains of S. typhimurium of Phage type 141, 2 of S. enteritidis of Phage type 4 and 1 of S. dublin. House sparrow [Passer domesticus], rock dove [Columba livia], swallow [Hirundo rustica] and crow [Corvus corone] were found positive for the presence of Salmonella. Antibiogram of the isolates was studied against 13 common chemotherapeutic agents. The gross lesions were the presence of hemorrhages in multiple organs. Necrotic focci in the liver and multifocal whitish firm nodules in kidney were noticed. Microscopically, the pronounced lesions were coagulative necrosis in liver and granulomatous nephritis

Platelet aggregation score: a new method for quantification of platelet aggregability in coronary heart disease

Platelets play a crucial role in cardiovascular disorders such as myocardial infarction and unstable angina, but the lack of a quantitative method for evaluation of platelet aggregability has prevented correlation of the result of in vitro studies to a defined clinical end point. To ddress this need, a case-control study was adopted to assess a numerically derived platelet aggregation [PA] score based on the aggregation patternand platelet count The study included 133 cardiac patients [24 with unstable angina, 44 with myocardial infarction, 31 with unstable angina under aspirin medication at a dose of 75 mg/day and 34 with myocardial infarction, also under aspirin therapy] and 24 healthy control individuals. All were subjected to complete history taking, thorough clinical examination and laboratory investigations including serum creatinine. lipid profile. blood sugar. tests for haemostasis and PA score. In the present study, the PA score was found to be significantly higher in unstable angina and myocardial infarction groups than in. groups under aspirin therapy and the control group. In each studied group, the PA score was higher in females than males, diabetics than nondiabetics and in hypertensives than normotensives. There was a positive correlation between PA score and age, lipid profile, fibrinogen concentration and blood pressure. Thus, platelet aggregability is not only an intrinsic property of platelet but also enhanced by some extrinsic factors, the control of them could have a therapeutic benefit. In conclusion, the PA score may represent a quantitative method for evaluation of platelets aggregability and so might help in the prediction of thrombotic strokes in the high aggregators and in dosing and monitoring the response of aspirin and other antiplatelet medications. In addition. with application of PA score, some patients with naturally low score, can avoid long term antiplatelet therapy and patients without apparent response to aspirin or those with high score. an alternative platelet-control therapy can be tried and monitored

Epidemiology of nocturnal enuresis in children, a community based study

A questionnaire survey was conducted to 3000 children aged 5 to 15 years to provide information on the prevalence of nocturnal enuresis [NE] and its determinants. The overall prevalence of NE was 10.5% and secondary NE accounted for 15.2% of all enuretic cases. The prevalence of NE was significantly higher in males [11.9%] than females [9.2%] and in rural [11.6%] than in urban areas [8.6%]. There was a steady drop in prevalence of NE with age, and it decreased from 22.1% in 5 years-old children to 1.9% in those aged 15 years. In all ages, it was higher in males than females and in rural than in urban areas. Children who had history of NE in one family member were nearly 3-times more likely to have NE, while those who had history in 2 or more family members were nearly 5-times more likely to have NE. In non-enuretic children, there was a significant relationship between the age of nocturnal bladder control [NBC] and child residence, sex and weight at birth. NBC was achieved later in rural children, males and children with small birth weight. Similarly, children who had a history of enuresis in 2 or more family members attained NBC more than a year later than those with no family history