Effect of ofloxacin on the cartilage of the knee joint of juvenile rats

Ofloxacin is one of fluoroquinolones derivatives, which has a broad spectrum bacterial activity. It is contraindicated in children and adolescents because of its potential chondotoxicity in juveniles. However, fluoroquinolones continue to be prescribed as a drug of choice for treatment of some life threatening diseases in pediatrics. This study was conducted to examine the effect of ofloxacin on cartilage of juvenile rats by light and electron microscopes. Twenty newborn albino rats were treated with an oral dose of 900 mg/kg/day of ofloxacin for 28 days. The animals were sacrificed after the completion of the administration and the knee joints were prepared for light and electron microscopic examination. Morphometric study and statistical analysis of the results were also performed. The lesions were demonstrated in the articular cartilage of all the animals. Fissures, chondrtocyte clusters and wide area of matrix devoid of cells in the intermediate zone were observed. The surface of the premature articular cartilage of the femur was irregular. The matrix of the articular cartilage showed less staining with toluidine blue and masson trichrome. Electron microscopic results showed separation between chondrocyte cell membrane and the matrix. The chondrocytes were necrotic with pyknotic nuclei and vacuolation of their cytoplasm. There were electron dense aggregates on the cell membrane and inside the cells. The thickness of the premature articular cartilage and epiphyseal plate cartilage were significantly decreased. The numbers of chondrocytes of the premature articular cartilage and epiphyseal plate cartilage were significantly decreased. The numbers of chondrocytes of the premature articular cartilage and epiphyseal plate cartilage were significantly decreased

Effect of biofertilization and organic manuring on soil dehydrogenase activity, macronutrients and essential oil content of marjoram

Two field experiments were carried out at an organic farm [Minoufia Governorate] during 2005- 2006 and 2006-2007 seasons to study the interaction effect of biofertilization and organic manuring on dehydrogenase, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activity, macronutrients uptake, oil yield and oil composition of marjoram. Greater activities of dehydrogenase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were obtained in soil and marjoram treated with combination of biofertilizers and organic manure than soil treated with biofertilizers or organic manure. The greatest activities of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were obtained with the treatment of biofertilization combined with full dose of organic manure. Similar results trend was observed with N, P and K uptake because N, P and K uptake by marjoram were greater with dual application of biofertilization and organic manure than other treatments. There is no significant difference between oil yield obtained with chemical fertilization treatment and biofertilizers combined with full dose of organic manure treatment. Fourteen compounds, accounting for more than 97% of the total volatiles components in most marjoram samples were detected and identified. Dual application of organic manure and biofertilization to soil and marjoram produced maximum percent of terpincn-4-ol [the major compound in marjoram oil] compound in marjoram

Optimal environmental conditions for production of plant growth regulators by rizobacteria

This study was carried out to isolate and identify some plant growth promoting rhizobacteria [PGPR]. The optimum incubation condition, i.e. temperature and fermentation period, for plant growth regulators [PGRs] production were limited. Obtained data revealed that rhizosphere of cereal crops showed higher PGPR isolates compared to rhizosphere of other crops. Among the examined isolates, fifteen were highly efficient for auxins production. The most potent isolates for indoles production were chosen and these isolates were identified as Azotobacter chroococcum [R19] and Bacillus megaterium var, phosphaticum [R44]. The optimum incubation temperature for highest production of auxins, gibberellic acid [GA[3]] and cytokinins were 32 and 30°C for A. chroococcum and B. megaterium var. phosphaticum, respectively. In addition, the highest production of these phytohormones were obtained by the two strains after four and two days fermentation period, respectively

Effect of carbon source and precursors on the production of plant growth regulators by azotobacter chroococcum [R19] and bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum [R44]

An experiment was carried out to examine the effect of carbon source, tryptophan and adenine concentrations on the production of growth regulators by A. chroococcum [R19] and B. megaterium var. phosphaticum [R44]. Mannitol and glucose were the best carbon sources for the production of plant growth regulators [PGRs] by A. chroococcum and B. megaterium var. phosphaticum, respectively. A. chroococcum produced higher amounts of zeatin and kinetin compared to those produced by B. megaterium var. phosphaticum while B. megaterium var. phosphaticum produced higher amounts of [9R] benzyl adenine and [9G] bcnzyl adenine compared with those produced by A. chroococcum. Production of auxins, gibberellic acid [GA[3]] and cytokinins was increased with increasing tryptophan concentration. The highest amounts of PGRs produced by the two strains were obtained with tryptophan at 1000 micro M. Highest amounts of PGRs produced by A. chroococcum and B. megaterium var. phosphaticum at 10 and 100 micro M of adenine, respectively. Also, the produced amounts of gibberellic acid and cytokinin than that produced by B. megaterium var. phosphaticum. Generally, obtained data showed that the application of the optimal conditions together gave highest amounts of PGRs as compared with the other individual factors. This result is logic and was anticipated

Interaction between growth regulators-producing bacteria and root-rot fungi on tomato growth

The current study was carried out to study the interaction effect between plant growth promoting rhizobacteria [PGPR] and soil-borne pathogenic fungi on growth performance of tomato. PGPRs Azotobacter chroococcum [R19] and Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum [R44] strains used in the current study were isolated and identified in previous research by the same authors. Results obtained showed that A. chroococcum and B. megaterium var. phosphaticum gave high suppression against tomato root pathogenic fungi, i.e Fusarium oxysporum f.sp lycopersici and Fusarium solani. In vitro tests, clear zones around PGPR colonies can be attributed to the production of antibiotics-like substances, siderophores and cyanogens by suppressive PGPR strains. A lower percentage of tomato plants inoculated with a mixture of A. chroococcum and B. megaterium var. phosphaticum were infected than those inoculated with individual PGPRs . Growth characteristics, macro-nutrient content, endogenous phytohormones and photosynthetic pigments of tomato were significantly increased in the dual inoculated treatments compared to plants inoculated with either A. chroococcum or B. megaterium var. phosphaticum singly

Effect of caffeine administration on the development of skeleton of albino rat

Caffeine, a naturally occurring central nervous system stimulant, is found in coffee and coca-based foods. Although caffeine passes readily through the placenta to the fetus, caffeine-containing products are still widely consumed during pregnancy. The present work was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary caffeine intake during pregnancy and lactation on the skeleton of the developing rat. A total number of 20 pregnant albino rats were randomly chosen and divided into 2 groups: control group: 10 dams were given saline daily from the 10[th] day of gestation until delivery through a gastric tube, and an experimental group: 10 dams were given caffeine at a dose of 100 mg /kg/day dissolved in distilled water through a gastric tube for the same period of gestation. After normal delivery, some litters from both groups were sacrificed at postnatal day 1, and others were left for lactation and sacrificed at postnatal day 30. Samples from the lumbar region of the vertebral column, upper end of ulna and upper and lower ends of radius were taken from all groups, prepared for light microscopic examination and stained with haematoxylin and eosin and toluidine blue stains. Other samples from all groups were taken randomly and stained with alizarin red stain for gross skeletal examination. Caffeine treated groups showed delayed ossification in the developing bones including the skull, forelimb, hind limb and caudal vertebrae. Histological study of the growing ends of the long bones and vertebral bodies revealed cellular disorganization of chondrocytes especially in the hypertrophic zone, delayed ossification in between degenerating chondrocytes and less developed 2ry centers of ossification in treated animals. Also, degenerative changes were observed in the histological structure of the inter-vertebral disc in both newborn and one month old treated animals in the form of shrunken nucleus pulposus and disturbed lamellar arrangement of annulus fibrosus. These observed changes could be attributed to the direct effect of caffeine on the developing skeleton or due to some of its derivatives; theobromine or methylxanthine. The delay in the endochondral ossification may be attributed to zinc deficiency produced by the administration of caffeine

Scanning electron microscopic study on the effects of oral formaldehyde adminstration on the gastrointestinal track of the adult albino rat

The formaldehyde is the simplest aldehyde. It is an important chemical used widely by industry to manufacture building materials and household products. Everybody can be exposed to small amounts of formaldehyde in air and in some foods. Various dosages of formalin oral administration were used in experimental animals to study its toxicity on the mucosa of different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. A total number of 15 adult male albino rats, two to three months age average and weight between 200 to 250 mg average, at the start of the experiment, were used in the present work. The rats were divided into two groups, control group of 5 animals and experimental one of 10 animals. The experimental group animals received a formaldehyde solution through a gastric tube in a dose of 165 mg/kg/ body weight once daily for consecutive 30 days. The fundic region of the stomach and segments from the jejunum and ileum were extracted, fixed in 5% glutraldehyde and prepared for scanning electron microscopic [examination. The present work revealed indicative changes on the level of scanning electron microscopic findings that observed in the mucosa of the stomach, jejunum and ileum. These findings range from severe damage and ulcer formation in the stomach to mild and moderate toxic effects in the jejunum and ileum including edema, congestion partial destructions in the form of fenestrations and cracks or even complete and partial fragmentations of their villi

Intraocular pressure and heart rate changes during tracheal intubation versus laryngeal mask airway insertion in infants with congenital glaucoma under sevoflurane anesthesia

Background: tracheal intubation is a time-tested method to achieve the airway control in anesthesia practice and resuscitation, However it is associated with significant cardiovascular response and increase IOP. The use of laryngeal mask airway [LMA] as an alternative to tracheal intubation has attracted the attention of several workers with regard to haemodynamics and IOP changes

Aims: to evaluate the intraocular pressure and heart rate changes subsequent to insertion of laryngeal mask or tracheal tube in infants with congenital glaucoma under sevoflurane anesthesia

Patient and Methods: The study was conducted on 20 infants with congenital glaucoma ASA I. Pre-operative assessment was done. Sevoflurane was used for induction and maintenance. According to the airway device used, patients were randomly classified into two groups: group 1 [n=10] tracheal tube [TT] was used, and group 2 [n=10] LMA was used . Heart rate and IOP were measured before induction [basal] and after induction of anesthesia and at 1, 3, 5 minutes after insertion of the airway device

Results: A statistically significant reduction in IOP after induction and at 1, 3, 5 minutes occurred in both groups compared to basal values, the reduction was more in the group 2 [LMA] than group 1 [TT]. Heart rate decreased significantly after induction in TT group 1 and at 3, 5 minutes in LMA group 2 compared to basal values

Conclusion: Laryngeal mask airway can be an alternative to tracheal tube in elective glaucoma surgery in infants. Sevoflurane pevents the rise in IOP and heart rate following the insertion of laryngeal mask airway and tracheal tube in these infants

Women health in poor urban settings in Alexandria

The aim of this paper is to investigate women health and status as well as to study gender gap in three poor urban settings in Alexandria. Poor families were identified and invited to participate in the study through the help of local informants. The study included 172 families, 53 from Abu- Kir, 57 from El-Dahreya and 62 from Wadi El-Kamar area. An interviewing questionnaire was used to collect data form the wives as well as their husbands about household family members. Wives and husbands who participated in the study were clinically examined. Their weight and height were measured. For those who accepted to participate, stool, urine and blood analyses were performed. Female to male comparison as well as sex ratio of some parameters were used to investigate gender gap. Results showed that females were the head of the family in 19.8% of the families. In 18% of the families, wives participated in the family income. Illiteracy represented 94.2% among females aged 45+ years, and unemployment was 97.4%. The rate of ill health increased with age from 36% for girls to 90% among older women [45+] compared to 71% among older males. Cardiovascular and orthopedic disorders represented the most reported problems among older females and males. Diarrhea and ARI episodes were rather more frequent among females than among males. About 60% of examined women suffered from obesity, 45% had gynecological problems, 38% had parasitic infections in stool, and 45% had anemia. Female to male sex ratio was low for <6 and 60+ years old. In conclusion, poor women suffer from high burden of socio-economic disadvantage, gender inequality and ill-health

Patient preference for providers' gender at a primary health care setting in Alexandria, Egypt

The aim of this study is to determine patient's gender preferences in choosing general practitioners and specialists for both general and specific health issues at primary health care centers in Alexandria, Egypt. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Smouha Health Center, Alexandria Governorate, Alexandria, Egypt. The study was conducted between the period January - March 2004. A pre-designed questionnaire was used. The format included 3 main sections, namely, socio-demographic, beliefs towards provider's gender, and providers' preferences of patients. Both male and female patients preferred a male physician for consultation and clinical management of cases. The highest percentage of male patients [81.4%] and female patients [41.0%] preferred physician of the same gender, and such preference was of personal reasons for males [97.9%] and females [96.6%], while basing on traditions and norms for male [62.9%] and female [63.4%]. Significant results of the stepwise logistic regression analysis in relation to socio-demographic factors on provider preference revealed that job and income were the significant determinants of gender preference for the sample under study. Patients prefer physicians of the same gender, but in actual practice a male physician is believed to be more competent

Use of out-of-plan services by health insurance beneficiaries in Alexandria

This study examined the services obtained by the Health Insurance beneficiaries from non-health insurance physicians. Obtaining health services by Health Insurance beneficiaries from non-health insurance physicians was also examined in the present work. The study was conducted at three Health Insurance Organization [HIO] clinics in Alexandria. A pre-coded interview questionnaire was used to gather the required information from 610 randomly selected beneficiaries. The study revealed a high pattern of out-of-plan use by HIO beneficiaries, 66.6% utilized at least one out-of-plan per year. The beneficiary characteristics that are associated with the out-of-plan use were quality rating of services, perceived health status, seeking second opinion, education and the number of chronic diseases. The mean out of pocket expenditure at the last out-of-plan visit was LE 100. The implications for the Health Insurance Organization and financing of health services were discussed

Effects of locally applied lidocaine or ropivacaine on occulocardiac reflex in pediatric strabismus surgery

Thirty children aged from 3-14 years, ASA I or II, requiring the correction of strabismus under general anesthesia were included in this study. A preoperative assessment was performed, the children were fasted for 6-8 hours from solid food and 3-4 hours for clear liquid. No premeditation was given. Anesthesia was induced by thiopentone 3-5 mg/kg and tracheal intubation was facilitated by atracurium 0.5-0.6 mg/kg and anesthesia was maintained with N2O oxygen 2:1 with the addition of isoflurane 0.6-1%. Controlled ventilation was used to maintain end-tidal carbon dioxide [EtCO2] at an accepted level. The patients were randomly categorized into three groups [10 patients each] according to the drug applied locally on the extra ocular muscle as follows: Group I [control group] received saline, group II [lidocaine group] received 1 mg/kg lidocaine [2%] and group III [ropivacaine group] received ropivacaine [0.75%] 1 mg/kg [4-5 ml volume]. It was concluded that lidocaine and ropivacaine [in a dose of 1 mg/kg] applied locally to the extra ocular muscles can be used to reduce the incidence of the oculocardiac reflex [OCR] during strabismus surgery in children

Anatomical study of the extensor caropi radialis muscles

This study was conducted on 94 fresh and preserved upper limbs. Twenty of them were injected with red latex through the axillary artery to study the arterial supply of the extensor carpi radialis muscles. Careful dissection was done to demonstrate the arterial and nerve supply of these muscles. The aim of this work was to study the attachment, length, breadth, thickness and anatomical variations of the extensor carpi radialis muscles as-well as their arterial and nerve supply. The extensor carpi radialis longus [ECRL] muscle was found to have a single arterial pedicle from the radial recurrent artery, which entered the proximal part of the muscle together with its nerve supply. The arterial supply to the extensor carpi radialis brevis [ECRB] muscle was formed of multiple arterial pedicles [3-5] from the radial artery that entered the muscle through its medial surface. The ECRL muscle was found to have a good arc of rotation either medially or anteriorly or anteriorly and more suitable for tendon transfer than ECRB muscle. Several anatomical variations were found in the form of extra muscle belly and extra tendon arising from either ERCL muscle and inserted with ECRB muscle and vice versa; also two extra tendons were found to arise from both ECRL and ECRB muscles. These muscles and extra tendons are valuable source for tendon transfer in reconstructive surgery

study of the anatomical course of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and its susceptibility to compression

The anatomical course of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve was studied by dissecting twenty cadavers. The skin and subcutaneous tissue was removed from the anterior and lateral sides of the anterior abdominal wall and the thigh. The results of the dissection of the specimens revealed that the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve originated from the first and second roots of lumbar plexus and coursed laterally and downwards across the iliacus muscle to leave the abdomen into the thigh. The site at which the nerve emerged from the abdomen was variable and recorded at five different sites in relation to the anterior superior iliac spine, inguinal ligament and origin of sartorius muscle. Depending on these anatomical sites of exit of the nerve, five types were recorded: Type I: The nerve crossed the iliac crest posterior to anterior superior iliac spine and constituted about 5% of the dissected specimens. Type II: In which the nerve pierced the inguinal ligament just medial to anterior superior iliac spine and constituted about 40% of specimens. Type III: The nerve pierced the tendinous origin of sartorius and constituted about 20% of specimens. Type IV: The nerve passed into the thigh in the fibro-fatty tissue in the interval between sartorius and iliopsoas muscles deep to inguinal ligament and constituted about 15% of specimens. Type V: The nerve passed behind the inguinal ligament in the fibro-fatty tissue in front of iliopspas muscle and constituted about 15% of specimens dissected. Combined types IV and V: Were noticed in 5% of specimens. These results showed that the nerve in the first three types [type I, II, and III] was liable to compression against bone [in type I], between slips of inguinal ligament [in type II] or between slips of sartorius muscle [type III]. But in the last two types [type IV and V], the nerve was not liable to compression because it passed through loose fibro-fatty tissue behind the inguinal ligament. The determination of the course of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and possible anatomical variations is important to avoid its injury during intramuscular injection, surgery around inguinal region, harvesting bone graft and introducing local anaesthesia

Surgical anatomy of scarpa's fascia of the anterior abdominal wall and its arterial vasculature

The surgical anatomy of the Scarpa's fascia and its blood supply was studied by dissecting fifteen adult cadavers. Six cadavers were injected with red latex through common iliac artery to demonstrate the arterial supply of the fascia. The results of the present dissection revealed that: the Scarpa's fascia is a well defined single membranous sheet within subcutaneous tissue layer at the lower part of the anterior abdominal wall. It is thick and well developed inferiorly and thinned out superiorly. Histological study revealed that: the Scarpa's fascia is composed of multiple connective tissue vascularized sheets, loosely adherent to one another and it contains abundant elastic tissue. Cadaveric dissections revealed that the arterial supply of the fascia comes from the principle arterial vascular pedicle through the superficial epigastric artery which arises from femoral artery, pierces the Scarpa's fascia and ramifies on the superficial surface of the fascia. This artery has a wide caliber suitable for microvascular free transfer. Additional blood supply to the fascia were found in form of fine perforating blood vessels from the anterior wall of the rectus sheath. Depending on the present results, the Scarpa's fascia is a thin elastic vascular membrane and provides a reliable donor site for free and pedicled flap transfer in plastic surgery

Anatomical study for the infraorbital foramen

One hundred and twenty Egyptian adult skulls were examined to ascertain the location of the infraorbital foramen and the direction of the infraorbital canal to the face. Fifty halves head and neck of adult male cadaveric specimens were dissected to study the locational relationship of the infraorbital foramen to the angles of the eye and to study the contents of the foramen. Dry skulls were differentiated into 62 males, 46 females and 12 of undetermined sex. Bony results demonstrated that the most common position of the infraorbital foramen was opposite the second upper premolar tooth. The most common direction for the infraorbital canal into the face was downwards, forwards and medially. The mean distance between the center of infraorbital foramen and the midsagittal plane was 30.9 mm on the right side and 30.6 mm on the left side in males; while this distance was 29.6 mm on the right side and 29.7 mm on the left side in females. The mean distance between the center of the infraorbital foramen and the inferior orbital margin was 8.6 mm on the right side and 9.2 mm on the left side in males; while this distance was 7.0 mm on the right side and 7.3 mm on the left side in females. The mean distance between the center of the supraorbital notch and the midsagittal plane was 24.5 mm on the right side and 24.8 mm on the left side in males; while this distance was 24.2 mm on the right side and 24.3 mm on the left side in females. The mean distance between the center of the supraorbital notch or foramen and the center of the infraorbital foramen was 43.2 mm on the right side and 42.9 mm on the left side in males; while this distance was 40.8 mm on the right side and 41.0 mm on the left side in females. The mean angle between the line joining the supraorbital notch and the infraorbital foramen and the vertical line parallel to the midsagittal plane was 7.3 degrees on the right side and 7.2 degrees on the left side in males; while this angle was 8.8 degrees on the right side and 8.9 degrees on the left side in females. These locational relationship would be helpful clinically to determine the location of infraorbital foramen by palpation of supraorbital notch. Dissection of 50 halves head and neck revealed that in most specimens [80%] the infraorbital foramen was present exactly at a vertical line passing at the middle of the horizontal line passing between the lateral and medial angles of the eye. These findings may be helpful in anaesthetic block of infraorbital nerve at its passage through infraorbital foramen

Origin, course, distribution of the superior gluteal nerve and its relation to the superior gluteal artery and gluteal muscles

Ten pelvic halves of five Egyptian male cadavers were dissected in order to obtain a precise anatomical knowledge of the origin, course and distribution of the superior gluteal nerve and its relation to the corresponding artery. The more anterior parts of the glutei medius and minimus were innervated by branches of the superior gluteal nerve that were revealed to originate more cranially, and the tensor fasciae latae was innervated by the cranialmost element of the nerve. Based on these findings, it might be proposed that the course and distribution of the superior gluteal nerve are directly influenced by the anterior rotation of the gluteus medius

Impact of pollution on phytoplankton structure and bacteria in some Alexandria beaches, Egypt

The hydrographic, phytoplankton and bacteria data were collected monthly during 1995 from nine selected beaches of Alexandria, as an attempt to classify Alexandria recreational areas. The results showed a distinct difference between the water quality of Eastern and western parts of beaches in all parameters. Generally, relatively high values of water salinity, low concentration of nutrient salts particularly ammonia, nitrite and silicate as well as low oxidizable organic matter are considered as indicators of improvement in the water quality. The phytoplankton standing crop displayed wide variation, from 9 x 103 to 20.5 x 106 unit.L-1 chlorophyll-a content from 0.01 to 12.7 mg.m-3, Coliform bacteria from 0.0 to 2600 per 100 ml and diversity from 0.09 nats to 2.57 nats. The phytoplankton comprised 102 taxa belonging to a wide ecological habitat, extending from fresh water forms [33 species] to typical marine forms [69 species] often found side by side. However, few of them were responsible for the bulk of the community; namely, Skeletonema costatum, Rhizosolenia fragilissima, R. delicatula, R. hebetata, Nitzschia seriata, Chaetoceros socialis and Euglena granulata. The highest distribution of phytoplankton standing crop, chlorophyll-a and bacteria counts as well as low diversity values were recorded at a highly eutrophic area, Shatby and Anfoushi beaches. Monthly variation showed the highest outstanding peak in summer months. Several phytoplankton species were recorded as indicators of eutrophication. The correlation between phytoplankton standing crop, chlorophyll-a content, diversity, bacteria counts and the environmental conditions at each beach were computed and discussed