Studies on evaluation of inactivated lyophilized equine influenza vaccine in Egypt

Two batches of egg adapted monovalent inactivated freeze dried equine influenza vaccine [EIV] were evaluated. There was no abnormal appearance of the freezed disc, prepared from locally isolated strains. The efficacy was tested by lab animal [Guinea pigs] and target animal [horse], The vaccine proved to be safe and potent for both guinea pigs and horses. The mean haemagglutination inhibition [HI] antibodies of the vaccine reconstituted in DEAE-Dextran solution [as a solvent and adjuvant] were 120.4 and 153.7 in G. pigs, 179.2 and 230.4 in horses for the two batches of vaccine respectively. The keeping quality of the local prepared vaccine was studied. Shelf validity was stable at 4°C for one year, could be kept at -20°C for 3 years and 10 months at 40°C

Application of real time - PCR for identification of sheep poxvirus, camel poxvirus and contagious ecthyma virus isolates

Recently, attention has been directed toward the application of Real time - PCR assays as a rapid and accurate tools for identification of Capripox, Parapox and Orthopox viruses that cause devastating diseases in farm animals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. SYBR Green [Real time n PCR assays with primer pairs; Capri - Ks.1 of Capripoxviruses, 045 Orf of Parapoxviruses and Q Orf of Pan-parapoxviruses were adopted on a panel of Saudi field isolates and reference strains of sheep and goat poxviruses, camel poxvirus, reference strains of Lumpy skin disease and vaccinia viruses, and Saudi field isolates of contagious ecthyma [Orf] virus. Capri n KS.1 primer set succeeded to amplify all test DNAs of sheep and goat pox, Camel pox, Lumpy skin disease and vaccinia viruses. With melting curve analysis, temperature of melting [Tm] scored by sheep and goat poxvirus, camel pox virus isolates and their reference strains were relatively identical [between 81.1 and 81.8OC], while Tm scored by Lumpy skin disease virus and vaccinia virus were 82.1 and 83.2OC respectively. No amplification was detected from DNAs of Orf virus isolates tested by Capri - KS.1 primers. However, the Orf virus isolates were fairly equivalent amplified with both of 045 Orf primer set [mean Tm score 92.5°C] and Q Orf primer set [mean Tm score 84°C], as well as with TaqMan Real time - PCR in the presence of TaqMan probe and Q Orf primer set. Otherwise, occasional nonspecific amplification of some isolates and strains of Capripox and Orthopox viruses were detected by too late cycle of amplification [> 35 cycle] with 045 Orf and Q Orf primer sets

Detection and characterization of foot and mouth disease virus, serotype a in Saudi Arabia in 2005

After elapsing of 10 years on the last recorded cases of Foot and Mouth disease [FMD] caused by the virus of serotype A in Saudi Arabia in 1995, new cases of FMD virus, serotype A were diagnosed in two traditional cattle herds in Al-Hota province, 150 Km south of Riyadh. Clinical signs of fever, vesicular stomatitis and coronitis, with morbidity rate of approximately 90% were reported. FMDV, serotype [A] isolates were identified by indirect sandwich ELISA. Vaccine matching tests [virus neutralization and ELISA], amplification and sequencing of the VP1 of the isolates revealed that the isolates were antigenically closely related with A Saudi 95, A 4164 and A22 Iraq 24/64 strains, and genetically identical with isolates of A Iran 2005. Fortunately one of these strains [A22 Iraq 24/64] is already incorporated in polyvalent FMD-vaccine formula in Saudi Arabia

Evaluation of cardiac troponin-T activity after PTCA with and without stenting in patients with stable angina pectoris

To detect the minor myocardial injury in patients undergoing elective successful PTCA with and without stenting using Troponin- T [Tn- T] and CK-MB immuno- assay in stable angina pectoris.There is a controversy as to the source and significance of mild elevation of creatine kinase isoenzyme MB activity [CK - MB] and myoglobin in patient undergoing successful PTCA. While, cardiac troponin-T is a unique myocardial antigen that is released in circulation during ischemia it can be readily differentiated from the skeletal muscle isoform. Increase of Tn-T may occur for a variety of reasons in PTCA with stenting. So, Tn-T and CK-MB assay had proved useful as a diagnostic tools in detecting minor ischemic myocardial damage in unstable angina pectoris.40 patients with stable angina pectoris were arranged in two groups; group I; 20 patients [17 M and 3 F] underwent PTCA only, and group II; 20 patients [18 M and 2F] underwent PTCA with stenting. Excluded from the study are patients with: AMI, unstable angina, elevated cardiac enzymes before cardiac catheterization, other cardiacvascular diseases [valvular, cardiomyopathy, and pericardial diseases], conduction defect [RBBB, LBBB and third degree heart block], and pace rhythm.The selected patients [40] were subjected to; history taking clinical examination, 12 leads resting ECG, echo-Doppler examination, laboratory investigations, chest x-ray and cardiac catheterization for angiography and PTCA [with or without stenting]. Total CK, CK- MB and LDH were measured before and every 6 hours after PTCA for 24 hours. Tn- T was measured before, 6 hours and 24 hours after PTCA. Total CK was elevated in 12.5% in patients of both groups; it was elevated by 15% in group I versus 10% in group II. Patients with elevated total CK had elevated Tn-T [40%]. CK-MB was elevated by 10% of patients in both groups, it was elevated in 3 patients [15%] in group I and in one patient [5%] in group II, all patients with elevated CK-MB had elevated Tn-T [100%]

Comparison between the effect of cimetidine and ranitidine on serum prolactin and testosterone levels and testicular structure in male albino rats

The effect of cimetidine and ranitidine [as H[2] receptor antagonists] on serum prolactin and testosterone levels and testicular structure in albino rats were investigated. Thirty healthy male adult Albino rats were used, they were divided into three groups, ten animals each, a control group, and 2 experimental groups [cimetidine and ranitidine groups]. Long term administration of doses equivalent to human therapeutic dose range of both cimetidine and ranitidine were used. In cimetidine group, a dose of 8 mg/Rat was administered intraperitoneally daily for one month. It produced highly significant increase in serum prolactin level [P < 0.001] and also highly significant decrease in serum testosterone level [P < 0.001]. Microscopically the testis showed a decrease in size of the seminiferous tubules and reduction in germinal layers with arrest of spermatogenesis in level of spermatid. Neither Sertoli cells nor Leydig cells showed any significant changes as compared with the control group. In ranitidine group a dose of 3 mg/Rat was administered intraperitoneally daily for one month. This group showed normal serum prolactin and testosterone level, and normal microscopic structure of the testis as compared with the control group

Role of hypolipidemic doses of nicotinic acid on glucose tolerance and severity of diabetes in male rats

The present work was devoted to study the effect of varying doses of nicotinic acid on glucose tolerance, and its role in modulating the severity of STZ- diabetes in male rats. Three oral nicotinic acid doses of, 31 5, 63.5 and 126.0 mg/kg b. w. respectively, comparable to half, equal and two folds rodent equivalent of 600 mg [daily human hypolipidemnic dose], were administered to three equal sized groups of male albino rats, prior to oral glucose load of 1.0 g/kg b.w. Serial post loading glucose determinations, revealed marked increases in glucose tolerance, in parallel with the rise in nicotinic acid dosage, as verified by lower magnitudes of post-loading hyperglycaema, compaired to parallel non-medicated Controls. Moreover, the results of serum glucose 'FSG estimates in groups of STZ- diabetic rats, receiving daily repeated oral nicotinic acid medication in doses of 63.0 and 126.0 mg/kg. b.w. respectively, yielded evidence of very highly significant magnitudes of antagonistic attenuation of STZ- hyperglycaemia, coupled with marked increase in serum insulin activity, progressively accentuated with longer duration of medication

Natural honey as potential diuretic, [experimental study]

In this study the potential diuretic effect of honey was investigated in anaesthatized dogs and compared to hydrochlorothiazide as a standard diuretic drug. Intravenous administration of honey 1 gm/k gm in a 40% dilution in normal saline produced significant augmentation of volume of urine output, urine sodium, chloride and to less extent potassium excretion. The increase in cation excretion is covered with commonsurate increase of chloride ion i.e. chloride ions appears to be the main attending anion. The diuretic effect of honey starts immediately after administration and reaches maximum after 20 to 40 minutes. The pattern of diuretic effect of honey as well as the magnitude of this effect, compare favourably with the response to hydrochlorothiazide [2.5 mg/kgm I.V]. However, honey has the advantage that it produces less kaliuresis. Measurement of serum concentration of sodium, chloride and potassium following administration of honey or hydrochlorothiazide revealed that concentrations of these ions are not altered except the potassium concentration which shows mild hypokalaemia in dogs treated with hydrochlorothiazide. A mixture of glucose-fructose - sucrose - maltose [GFSM] in the same proportions as they are found in honey was tested in a group of dogs in a dose of 1 gm/kgm i.e. equal to the o dose of natural honey, this mixture failed to produce any diuretic effect. Such finding could suggest that the diuretic effect of honey is not attributed to its sugar content. Although the various mechanisms of action or the site of the diuretic effect at the nephron have not been elucidated, this is the first study which provides a controlled scientific evidence for the potential diuretic effect of honey. These preliminary results suggest that honey may be used clinically as a safe diuretic. However, further investigations are required to explore the mechanism [s] of this property and fully to ascertain it's clinical potential

Biochemical study of hepato-renal toxicity of amikacin and netilmicin in rats

The effect of short term parenteral medication of two types of aminoglycosides; namely, amikacin and netilmicin, on adult male albino rats maintained over 3 weeks in doses equivalent to human therapeutic dosage, were studied. Metabolic derangements, evoked by these drugs therapy, were reflected by significant rise in serum aspartate transaminase [AST-GOT], serum alanine transaminase [ALT- GPT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and bilirubin. Also, medication with the aforementioned drugs caused persistent hyperlipidemic effect, accompanied with significant increases in serum phospholipids, triacylglycerol and cholesterol. Except, netilmicin produced reduction in serum cholesterol. However, amikacin produced increase in serum total protein and globulin, but delayed onset of increase till 14 days, yet, netilmicin produced increase in serum globulin and decrease in serum albumin during all the experimental period. Both drugs significantly elevated serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen

Comparative study of hepato-renal toxicity of some cephalosporin in rats

Daily parenteral velosef and cefobid medication for adult male rats, maintained over 21 days in rodent equivalent of human therapeutic dosages caused metabolic derangement reflected by significant rise in serum total cholesterol triacylglycerol, accompanied with delayed onset of increase in serum phospholipids up to 14 days of experiment. Cefobid, showed decrease in serum albumin coupled with predominant increase in globulin during the whole experimental period. Both drugs significantly increased creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, but the onset of increase delayed up to 14 days in case of velosef therapy. Serum aminotransferases [Asp-At and Ala-At] were significantly increased by both medication, but the increase delayed till the 14th day in case of velosef. Medication with cefobid produces initial reduction in alkaline phosphatase [ALP] after 7 days, followed by increase till the end of experiment, in contrast, velosef increases ALP level only after 7 days of treatment. Serum bilirubin level was significantly increased in case of cefobid with peak value after 7 days

Effect of dietary protein on kidney functions of normal and diabetic rats

In diabetic renal model in animals, a chronically high protein intake increased the rate of progression of renal disease and the number of sclerotic glomeruli as compared to animals chronically feed low protein intake. The rate of progression of renal disease in animals as in man, also depends on the degree of systemic and/or glomerular hypertension. The present study is designed to elucidate the impact of dietary protein [High [HP] 30% and low [LP] 10%] on kidney function of normal and diabetic rats for a period of two months feeding. High protein diet increased the severity of kidney disease of STZ diabetic rats, by impairing kidney function, revealed by significant elevations of serum total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea, uric acid and phosphate. It also increased glomerular filtration rate [GFR]. While low protein diet showed reduction in [GFR], modulating kidney function and reduce serum phosphate in normal and diabetic rats

Induction of fatty liver by alcohol in male albino rats

Adult male albino rats were given 1.5 mg/g B.W./day ethanol in drinking water for a period of two weeks. Biochemical parameters; namely, total Lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and free fatty acids were investigated in serum of treated and control animals at intervals of 1, 3, 7, and 14 days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed, the livers removed and then subjected to histochemical studies. The results obtained showed a gradual significant linear increase in the investigated biochemical parameters reaching its maximum at the end of the experimental period. The free fatty acids and the triglycerides were the most highly significant affected parameters. The fact that alcohol induced fatty liver has been confirmed by the comparative histochemical determinations of neutral lipid content of the liver cells

Dissolved organic matter status in Damietta estuary of the Nile

The seasonal distribution of dissolved organic matter [DOM] in Damietta estuary of the Nile was investigated to show the influence of organic pollution. The DOM values increased generally with depth. The vertical values of DOM varied from 0.23-9.97 mg O/l. The average DOM values gave noticeable local variations in each month and pronounced monthly variations at each station. The maximum monthly average value in August coincided principally with elevation of temperature and the minimum in December is due mainly to the drop in temperature the direct effect of pollution, in increasing the DOM content in the estuary, decreases relatively towards the sea, as indicated by the minimum regional average DOM value at the mouth of Damietta estuary. An inverse relationship was found generally between the averages of DOM and those of dissolved oxygen