Differentiation of toxigenic and atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus: Polyphasic approach, a new dimension

Contamination of food by aflatoxin of Aspergillus flavus is a major global problem affecting trade, quality, utility of food and human health. While all the members of A. flavus does not produce aflatoxin, sensitive, cost effective and reproducible methods for large scale screening and differentiation of toxigenic A. flavus from atoxigenic ones are scarce. Here, we made one such attempt using coconut milk agar (CMA), yeast extract sucrose agar (YESA), ammonium hydroxide vapour tests, enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for large scale screening of toxigenic strains of A. flavus. Fifty nine isolates of A. flavus obtained from major chilli growing regions of India were categorized into toxigenic and atoxigenic strains by using cultural, analytical and molecular methods. Forty two (71.18 %) isolates showed positive response in coconut milk agar (CMA), 17 (28.81%) isolates did not match while 23 (38.98 %) isolates showed red colour and 36 (61.01%) isolates did not produce red colour upon exposure to ammonia vapour in YESA. Out of 59 isolates, isolates CAF43 came out as highly toxigenic, as it produced 3128.20 μg kg-1 aflatoxin B1 followed by CAF 42 which produced 3035.10 μg kg-1. Among 59 isolates, eight A. flavus isolates were amplified with two regulatory (aflR and aflJ) and two structural (norA and ver1) genes at a region of 900, 450, 400 and 450 bp, respectively.

Nutritional practices of athletes in Oman: a descriptive study

Adequate dietary intake is crucial for optimum training and performance of athletes. There is almost no available information related to dietary practices among Omani athletes, especially during the competition. This study aimed to assess the nutritional practices [nutritional knowledge, eating habits and daily nutrients intake] among Omani male handball athletes in Muscat city, Oman. This is a cross sectional study including 35 male handball athletes involved in serious training for no less than three years. Data collection was done through personal interviews using a study questionnaire which enlisted questions relating to socio-demographic information, anthropometric measurements and nutritional practices. All the study participants declared no intake of anabolic steroids. The mean age of the study participants was 27 +/- 3 years. Their anthropometric assessment revealed that their mean height was 166 +/- 12 cm, mean weight was 75 +/- 10 kg, and body mass index was 27 +/- 3. Nutritional knowledge analysis revealed that 80% had no nutritional supervision by a nutritionist/dietitian. Their knowledge of nutritional requirements was only 23% correct for total energy intake, 63% for protein intake, 46% for carbohydrate intake, 11% for fat intake and 83% for water intake. Eating habits indicated that 55% had <3 meals/day, 51% had lunch as the principal meal, 51% always added extra salt to their food, 28% took protein supplements on a daily basis, and 51% used pre-competition glycogen load diet. However, none consumed vitamins or mineral supplements. The mean daily caloric intake was 3674 +/- 265 kcal/day, which was roughly comprised of 596 +/- 66 g carbohydrates, 147 +/- 28 g of protein and 78 +/- 20 g of total fat. Professional nutritional supervision is needed in order to improve the nutritional knowledge and eating habits of Omani athletes, and therefore improve their athletic performance.

Antimicrobial activities against biofilm formed by Proteus mirabilis isolates from wound and urinary tract infections.

Background: Bacterial species are capable of living as biofilm and/or planktonic forms. There is increasing evidence for the role of bacterial biofilm in various wound and urinary tract infections (UTIs). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of the bacteria, isolated from urinary tract infections (UTIs) and wound infections, to form biofilm and correlate the role of biofilm with their antimicrobial resistance. Materials and Methods: All the isolated bacteria were screened for their ability to form biofilm using the microtitre plate method. Results: Wound isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter sp. had more biofilm forming capacity than the UTI isolates. Proteus mirabilis isolates were among the strongest biofilm forming bacteria and were chosen for antimicrobial study. In sub-MIC concentrations of antimicrobial agents used, ciprofloxacin was found to be the most effective in decreasing biofilm formation. On the other hand, ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin were effective in partial removal of preformed biofilm biomass. Conclusion: Ciprofloxacin was more effective in killing bacterial cells especially at high antimicrobial concentrations that could be reached in urine levels and can be used in impregenating catheters.

overview of familial mediterranean fever with emphasis on pyrin and colchicine

Familial Mediterranean fever [FMF] is the earliest known autoinflammatory disease, characterized by symptoms such as arthritis, peritonitis, pleuritis, erysipelas-like erythema, and most importantly amyloidosis. This disease is very common in populations of the Mediterranean area, and due to its high carrier frequency and occurrence rate in these populations, it has been the focus of much research work. Such research has allowed greater insights into the genetics of FMF, leading to the discovery of the responsible gene in 1997 and the determination of mutations and their effect on the phenotype of patients, as well as the interactions and roles of the pyrin protein, which seems to have various roles in regulation of innate immunity, inflammation, and apoptosis. Colchicine has been used as preventive treatment since 1972, and recent studies have allowed the determination of its mode of action

Use of anti-hypertensive medications: an educational need in Saudi primary health care

To describe the pattern of prescription of antihypertensive medications in Saudi primary health care, which might help in the identification of educational needs of practicing physicians. Cross-sectional study in PHC centers in Qatif, Saudi Arabia. Half of the adult hypertensives who were followed up [F/U] in 13 out of 26 PHC centers were selected, r and omly. Doctors from participating centers collected data from charts of 320 patients in regard to the use of antihypertensive medications. Patients on no medication, monotherapy and combination therapy were 6.6%, 65.4%, and 28%, respectively. Beta-blockers [BB], diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors [ACEI], calcium channel blockers [CCB] and methyldopa were used by 62.2%, 36.3%, 22.8%, 4.4% and 1.9%, respectively. Most of the CCB were short-acting [SA-CCB]. ACEIs were used in 33.8% of diabetic hypertensives. Half of the patients were on maximum or high-dose medications. This study shows evidence of many drawbacks in use of antihypertensive medications in PHC which m and ates consideration by the decision makers, practicing physicians, supervisory and educational bodies

role of primary health care centers in managing hypertension How far are they involved?

Primary health care [PHC] centers are proposed to play a major role in the provision of care for hypertensive patients. However little is known regarding the magnitude of service offered by PHC to hypertensives. The aim of this study is to see how far PHC centers are involved in terms of figures, in the management of hypertension. This was a retrospective [cohort] study in PHC centers in Qatif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Half of the adult hypertensives that were followed up in 13 PHC centers were selected, randomly. This study was carried out during the month of September 2000. Records of 320 patients were reviewed; male: female 1.1:2.1; mean age +/- SD 55.8 +/- 12.4 years; diagnosed at a mean age of 49.6 +/- 11.9 years. Diabetes mellitus [DM] was diagnosed in 22.2% of the sample; 66% never smoked; 47.7% had positive family history of hypertension. The median number of visits to PHC was 6 visits in the last 6 months. Number of consultations of hypertensives to PHC physicians constituted 1.1-8.4% of the total consultations. Primary health care registers document 16-35.9% of the expected total number of adult hypertensives in the community. Hypertensives following up in PHC constitute 13.8% and 17% of the expected number of diagnosed male and female adult hypertensives in the community. The magnitude of service offered by PHC to diagnosed hypertensives is less than one fifth of the expected number of patients, and its load on general practitioners working in these centers is highly variable

Correlations between ventilatory function tests, arterial blood gases and blood levels of some radioactive isotopes of symptomatic and non - symptomatic cigarette smokers

In this work, three groups of human cases were investigated. The first served as control, [8 cases] the second was non-symptomatic cigarette smokers [30 cases] and the third was symptomatic cigarette smokers [36 cases] that was in turn divided into three equal subgroups; asthmatic, COPD and cancer lung subgroups. All groups were examined for ventilatory function tests [FVC, FEV1, FEV1% and FEF 25-75%], arterial blood gases, [PaO2 and PaC02], pH and blood levels of lead[212], lead [214] and cesium[137]. There was a significant decrease in all the ventilatory tests, PaO2 and increase PaCO2 in the third group in relation to the control and non-symptomatic groups. The pH of blood showed no change. The lead[212], lead[214] and cesium[137] gave a significant increase in both smokers groups in relation to control. The FEV1 and FEF 25-75%, lead[212], lead[214] and cesium[137] showed significant changes in between the groups to each others. Also, there was a significant negative relation between the blood lead[212] and the FEV1% test in the symptomatic group. These changes were related to the toxic contents of cigarette leaves and wrappings including the high content of the previously estimated radioisotopes

Comparative study between imported butter oil and Egyptian cow butter and their effect on public health

Some imported butter oil brands were physically and chemically evaluated compared with Egyptian butter oil. The results showed that all butter oil brands differ in one or more of the physical or chemical constituents compared with Egyptian butter oil. These variations were mainly high relative melting point, absence of butyric acid, presence of high content of oleomargric acid, absence of cholesterol and high content of B- sitosterol and stigmasterol. These variations were assigned to the presence of adulteration components in all imported samples. Butter fat, one of the most important dairy products in Egypt, is prepared form cream of butter by heat process. It is frequently adulterated to meet the demand which exceeds the supply and to increase profit margins. Butter fat is more expensive than other fat sources. Several producers use other fats which are quite similar in their chemical composition and less expensive to adulterate butter fat. This poses a problem for food law enforcement and quality control laboratories. It was concluded that imported samples under investigation were adulterated with some compounds which may be harmful to public health

Molluscicidal activity of damsisa ambrosia maritima field trial in Assiut governorate

The effect of damsissa "ambrosia maritima" on bulinus truncates snails was studied. In a segment of Sahel Saleem canal Damsissa whole plant was appliced. An upstream segment of the same canal [without using Damsissa] was taken as a control. Each segment was divided in 10 stations snail surveys at each station were done 5 times before and 5 times after the application of damsissa. The experimental part of the canal showed a significant decline of the number of bulinus truncatus snails in the period after Damsissa application. No significant change in the same period was found in the control part of the canal. Data points to the significant effect of Damsissa in the control for bulinus truncatus snails

Effect of intensity and frequency of noise exposure on noise induced hearing loss

Audiometric assessment was carried out for 231 noise exposed workers and studied according to certain subjective hearing related factors and intensity of noise

Positional exercises as a treatment of Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is one of the most common causes of vertigo. In this study, 36 patients with symptoms of BPPV were examined.They were treated by positional exercise and reported complete relief of vertigo within 5-24 days.Fifteen patients with thesamedisease were used as controls and were treated by antivertigal drugs only. Out of them, nine got relieved and six continuedto have vertigo. Positional exercises should be the treatment of choice of BPPV

Hypercoagulation of the blood as a cause of sudden sensorineural deafness

Twenty patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss were examined, eighteen were presented with unilateral deafness. Audiometric studies revealedthatthe bilateral cases were eight and accelerated coagulation was found in nine cases. Mild and severe hearing losses were evenly distributed in patients with normal coagulationand thosewithaccelerated coagulation.In cases with accelerated coagulation, the prognosis was better.A control group of twenty individuals was subjected to the same methods of examination; no one of them had sensorineural hearing loss or abnormal coagulation

Benign soft tissue tumours of the external auditory canal

Twenty-seven patients with benign soft tissue tumors of the external auditory canal were examined.Masses were excised with a surrounding rim of healthy skin and examined pathologically

Reconstructive ear surgery in children

Eighty-three children with chronic suppurative otitis media of the tubo-tympanic type were subjected to tympanoplasty operation. The ears were dry for a period of three-six months.Temporalis fascia grafts were employed with incus interposition in 16 cases. Atticotomy was employed in 22 cases

Effect of irradiation on hearing

One hundred and ten patients receiving radiotherapy for neoplasms of the head and neck were studied for audiometric and tympanometric changes during and following radiotherapy. It was found that there was a latency period for the cochlea to be affected and there was a greater susceptibility of older patients toradiationinjury. Conductive deafness and serous otitis media which were found during the course of irradiation were explained by the affection of the mucociliary action by irradiation

Immunological aspects of secretory otitis media

The aim of this present study is to shed some light on the immunological mechanisms that play a role in the production of middle ear effusions, with special reference to humoral immunity and I[g]A as the prime immunoglobulin responsible for the integrity of mucous membranes. Sixty seven patients sutrering from secretory otitis media coming to Kasr El Aini out-patient clinic. I[g]A level was estimated in the middle ear aspiration. Saliva was taken from the patients and controls and the level of I[g]A was estimated. The I[g]G, I[g]A and I[g]M serum levels were determined in both patients and controls. The mean I[g]A and I[g]G level in the serum of patients was elevated while the mean serum level of I[g]M was similar to that of the controls. The mean I[g]A level in saliva of patients was similar to the mean I[g]A level in the controls. The mean I[g]A level of the secretions was fund to be significantly elevated. From our immunological study we concluded that none of the patients had an immune deficiency wither generalized or localized in the middle ear mucosa. No correlation was found between the levels of I[g]A in the serum, Saliva or middle ear secretion indicating that I[g]A production by the middle ear mucosa is an independent process. In the mucoid secretions the effusion to serum ratio was found to be more than one indicating that the middle ear mucosa took an active part in the secretion and that fluid is most probably an exudation. The pressure of I[g]A in such quantities in the middle ear secretion is in suppory of the infective theory of pathogenesis

Relation of adenoids to middle ear pressure and effusion

Out of 160 ears in 80 children with enlarged adenoids included in this study, 12 ears had scretory otitis media. As a result we could not conclude that adenoid mass is a definite cause of Eustachian dysfunction leading to secretory otitis media. Adenoidectomy alone does not improve the condition. Adenoidectomy for children should be performed on its own merits as an obstructive or infective lesion and not necessarily as treatment for secretory otitis media