Isolation, Identification and Evaluation of the Plant Growth Promoting Activities of Endophytic Stenotrophomonas maltophilia to Stimulate Growth of Clover Plants under Salt Stress

Two endophytic bacterial isolates were obtained from root nodules of clover plants grown in salt affected clay soil of Egypt. The isolates were closely linked to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strains IPR-Pv696 and 262XG2 based on the sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes, and deposited in GenBank with accession numbers OM980221.1 (AM1) and OM980223.1 (AM2) respectively. The isolates were evaluated for their potential to promote plant growth. The results revealed that the two isolates of S. maltophilia strains (IPR-Pv696 and 262XG2) respectively exhibited production for indole-3- acetic acid (30.26 & 31.15 µg/ml), exopolysaccharides (13.57 & 13.68 g/l), nitrogen fixation activity and they solubilize the phosphate (278 & 208 mg/l) and potassium (33.5 & 32.9 µg/ml). In a field trial, these two isolates increased clover plant growth, chlorophyll, carbohydrates content and nutrients uptake while lowering proline levels. Hence this highlights its application to be exploited as biofertilizer by leading to sustainable agriculture. This could be a promising inoculant for many other crops.

The effectiveness of using different pulp-capping agents on the healing response of the pulp.

Background: Some of the disadvantages of calcium hydroxide Ca(OH) 2 as pulp-capping material are related to the inflammatory response, and its poor sealing ability. Cyanoacrylate glue was proposed in this study as pulp-capping agent because of its sealing ability, and diprogenta, on the other hand, was proposed because of its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the histopathological response of the pulp toward cyanoacrylate and diprogenta in direct pulp capping (DPC). Materials and Methods: Cyanoacrylate, diprogenta, and calcium hydroxide were applied on 20 permanent teeth of 6 rabbits divided into four groups, each contains five teeth, as follow: G1: Diprogenta and calcium hydroxide. G2: Cyanoacrylate. G3: Diprogenta and cyanoacrylate. G4: Calcium hydroxide (control group). Results: A remarkable dentin bridge formation was found in all groups. No pulp necrosis was found in any tooth of the four groups. Pathological reactions of the pulp were found in 25%, 40%, 20%, and 100% of groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Differences between study and control groups were found statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: All materials used in this study were biocompatible and suggested to be studied further on human teeth. These materials when used in combination with Ca(OH) 2 , may give better results

Patient with bilateral breast enlargement and hypospadias.

A 20 year old man was admitted in the surgical unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital on August 2007 presented with Hypospadias & underdeveloped penis from childhood, gradual enlargement of both breasts for the last 10 years, absence of axillary and pubic hair from puberty & painful swelling of both testes for the last 3 years. The patient was regarded as a female upto the age of 10 years. He has got no voice change since puberty. On examination he had average body built, there was bilateral gynaecomastia, hypospadias, rudimentary penis & absence of pubic and axillary hair. His testosterone level, serum prolactin level, serum progesterone level, serum estradiol level was done. Cytology on buccal smear done and ultrasonography revealed no ovary and uterus. Ultimately patient was diagnosed as a case of androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). The case is reported for clinical awareness & to share our experience.

Effect of combinations of aspirin and metformin therapy on liver function tests and inflammatory mediators in experimental diabetic rats

Individuals with diabetes have a higher incidence of liver function tests abnormalities than normal individuals. There is a strong relationship between inflammatory markers and metabolic disturbances in diabetes. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of adding aspirin as an anti-inflammatory drug to oral hypoglycemic agent metformin on blood glucose, liver function, lipid profile and inflammatory mediators in diabetic male albino rats. 120 Adult male albino rats were divided into six equal groups: control health, control diabetic, diabetic rats treated with insulin, diabetic rats treated with metformin, diabetic rats treated with aspirin and diabetic rats treated with metformin and aspirin. Blood was obtained to assess serum glucose level, liver function tests, lipid profiles and the inflammatory mediators interlukin-6 [IL-6]. The group treated with metformin plus aspirin has a higher controlling effect on total cholesterol, triglyceride, low and high density lipoproteins and IL-6 levels than other groups. The group treated with insulin has a better controlling effect on liver function tests than other groups. Combination of aspirin and metformin has better controlling effect on lipid profile and inflammatory mediators than metformin alone

Effects of acute and chronic maternal deprivation on hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis in rat pups with hyperthyroidal mothers

Hyperthyroidism is a common endocrine problem encountered in human pregnancy. It is well known that hyperthyroidism induces an increase in the activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal [HPA] axis. Between the age of 4 and 14 days, the HPA axis of the rat displays a relative stress hyporesponsive period [SHRP]. There are no reports about development of the HPA axis in rat pups of hyperthyroid mothers. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effects of acute and chronic maternal deprivation on their pups HPA axis function of hyperthyroid mothers and the influence of treatment administration to hypothyroid mothers from conception to the end of experiment. 30 adult female rats were used after induction of pregnancy and hyperthyroidism. Maternal deprivation for 24 hours was done at two different ages during postnatal development at mid and outside the SHRP. Also, repeated maternal deprivation was done in another group. Now, pups groups are: Control deprived, control non deprived, treated deprived, treated non deprived, nontreated deprived and nontreated nondeprived. The plasma thyroxin [T4] levels of treated deprived groups were significantly lower than non treated groups, while, plasma thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] levels of treated groups were significantly higher than non treated deprived groups. There is no significant difference in plasma T4 between control and treated nondeprived group. There is no significant difference in plasma corticosterone and adrenocorticotropin hormone [ACTH] in treated deprived in comparison to treated nondeprived at postnatal day 9 and with repeated maternal deprivation. With repeated deprivation plasma corticosterone levels were not different in nontreated deprived group in comparison with the nontreated nondeprived group. Maternal deprivation in rats with hyperthyroidal mother depended on the age of pups at which procedure is applied

Laparoscopic Repair of Penetrating Injury of the Diaphragm: an Experience from a District Hospital

In this study we review our experience in using laparoscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in dealing with penetrating diaphragmatic injuries due to stab wounds and look at the feasibility of using this procedure in other similar institutions. Thirty patients; all of whom were males 20-30 years of age; presented to the surgical emergency unit of our hospital with upper abdominal and lower chest wall stab wounds between 01-05-1998 and 30-11-2006. Diagnosis of the diaphragm injury was either obvious with omentum herniating through the chest wall; or occult with confirmation of the injury at laparoscopy. All patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy; which resulted in identification and efficient treatment of eight patients with diaphragmatic injury; and thereby laparotomy was avoided. The procedure converted to open surgery in one patient because of a small left-sided colonic tear. Laparoscopy is an efficient tool for the diagnosis and management of diaphragmatic injuries. It should be used routinely instead of exploratory laparotomy in haemodynamically stable patients with penetrating lower chest injuries

Renovascular protective effects of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor "Ramipril" and the angiotensin receptor blocker "osartan" on experimentally diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common diseases in the world. It has the potential to cause many complications such as increased blood pressure, disturbance in the kidney functions and elevation of blood lipids.. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the possible renal and vascular protective effects of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor [ACEI], ramipril, as well as the selective angiotensin II receptor blocker [AIIRB], losartan, and the combination of both drugs in diabetic rats. We used 50 rats divided into 5 groups: control, diabetic control and three other diabetic groups each was treated by one of the described drug regimen. Systolic blood pressure, blood glucose, renal function tests, lipid/profile and histopathological examinations were performed to all the groups. Our results revealed that after'6eeks of treatment with rarnipril, losartan, and ramipril plus losartan, there was a significant decrease in the systolic blood pressure [SBP]. When we analyzed the obtained data, we found that the described drug groups had a renoprotective effects in diabetes meilitus. In addition, there were significant decrease in serum triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein [LDL], while serum high density lipoprotein [HDL] was increased as compared with diabetic control group. However, the intensity of changes produced by losartan was of greater extent than that produced by ramipril. The combination of ramipril plus losartan proved to be superior on the two other separate drugs

The effect of gum Arabic oral treatment on the iron and protein status in chronic renal failure patients under regular hemodialysis in Central Sudan

Objective To assess the effect of gum arabic (Acacia Senegal) oral treatment on the iron and protein status in chronic renal failure patients. Material and Methods Thirty-six chronic renal failure (CRF) patients (under regular hemodialysis); and 10 normal subjects participated in this study. The patients were randomly allocated into the following groups: Group A (n=12): CRF patients under low protein diet (LPD) (less than 40 gram/day); and gum arabic (50 g/day) treatment; Group B (n=14): CRF patients under LPD; gum arabic; iron (ferrous sulphate 200 mg/day) and folic acid (5 mg/day) treatment; Group C (control group; n=10): CRF patients under LPD; iron and folic acid treatment; Group D (n=10): normal volunteers who were kept on normal diet beside a daily dose of 50 gm gum arabic. Each of the above treatments was continued for three consecutive months. Predialysis blood samples were collected from each subject before treatment; and twice per month for three months. Hemoglobin (Hb); hematocrit; total protein; albumin; globulin and 24-hour urine volume as well as serum iron; total iron-binding capacity (TIBC);transferrin saturation; packed cell volume (PCV) and; mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were determined. Results Following administration of gum arabic oral treatment for three months; serum iron increased by 5.85and 4.81for groups A and B; respectively. These increases were significantly different from the baseline (P0.05); and control group C (P0.01). TIBC was significantly decreased in group A (4.44) and in group B (4.31) as compared with the baseline and control group C (P0.05). Transferrin saturation was significantly increased by 7.77; and 9.59for groups A and B; respectively; compared with the baseline (P0.05) and control group C (P0.01). Hb; PCV; MCHC; serum total protein; albumin and globulin; and 24-hour urine volume showed no statistically significant differences from the baseline and control groups. Conclusion The improvement in iron status due to oral administration of gum arabic could reduce the need for oral iron prescription

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis complicating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in an immunocompetent patient.

Immunocompromised individuals are susceptible to pulmonary aspergillus infection, but invasive aspergillus infection is extremely rare in the presence of normal immunity. We report a case of invasive aspergillosis in an immunocompetent 63-year-old male with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients with COPD may be at risk for developing pulmonary aspergillus infection, which should be considered as a diagnostic possibility in patients with unresolving pulmonary infection.

value of ultrasonography and serial B. HCG assay in the selection of cases of complete molar pregnancy for chemotherapy

This study included fifty-five patients with complete hydatidiform mole aiming to assess the value of U/S, transabdominal [TAS], transvaginal [TVS] and serial B HCG assay in the selection of cases of complete hydatidiform mole for the use of chemotherapy. All patients were diagnosed by ultrasonography and B HCG assay and managed by suction evacuation under continuous ultrasonic monitoring and then were followed up with serial B HCG assay and ultrasonography. The results concluded that the use of ultrasound, B HCG assay in conjunction with suction evacuation under continues US monitoring in the management of complete molar pregnancy is invaluable to select cases of persistent gestational trophoblastic disease for chemotherapy and helps together with careful follow up to give the standard care in such cases

Longitudinal study of psychomotor development in asphyxiated newborns using brunetlezine test for DQ estimation

The present longitudinal study, included 45 asphyxiated newborns [23 males and 22 females]. Monthly follow up for 1 year, using the Brunet-lezine test for early detection of delayed psychomotor development revealed that, 18% of cases had severe delay with mean DQ of 50.89% +/- 2.03, 22% had moderate delay with mean DQ of 64.5% +/- 5.5, 20% had mild delay with mean DQ of 21.10% +/- 3.24, and 30% found to be developed normally with mean DQ of 91.4% +/- 1.45. The approach for quantifying the results of asphyxia is the Apgar scores