Effect of aluminum on some neural aspects of rat offspring and the possible amelioration with antioxidants

This study comprises two experiments, in the first one pregnant rats were administered a daily dose of 360 mg/kg aluminum chloride from the 8[th] to the 20[th] day of gestation. The aluminum [Al] was given either separately or in combination with 100 mg/kg a tocopherol [vitamin E] or with vitamin E plus 500 mg/kg ascorbic acid [vitamin C] via stomach intubation. In the second experiment, pregnant rats were treated with aluminum as in the previous experiment and the offspring born to aluminum-treated mothers were divided into three groups. The first was given the solvent vehicle; the second was treated with vitamin E and the third with vitamin E plus vitamin C. At the postnatal age of 105 days, the offspring of both experiments were sacrificed to determine the level of free amino acids, monoamine neurotransmitters, DNA, RNA and reduced glutathione [GSH], malondialdehyde [MDA], the activities of Na[+] K[+]-ATPase, superoxide dismutase [SOD] in the brain cortex. In addition, total protein content and acetyicholinesterase [AChE] activity in both cerebral cortex and hippocampus tissues were investigated to evaluate the impact of aluminum and the possible ameliorative effects of vitamin E and C. Aluminum residue was measured in the cerebral cortex of normal rats and those prenatally treated with aluminum. Aluminum caused severe physiological perturbation in the brain neurotransmitters. Vitamin E curtailed some of these aluminum-induced physiological perturbations, whereas vitamins E+C given together almost completely ameliorated these perturbations. The results highlight the importance of these two antioxidant vitamins in counteracting the aluminum damaging effect on the rat nervous system. Based on the present results, administration of vitamin E and C concomitantly is recommended to neonates whose mothers at high risk of aluminum contamination as a preventive and a protective measure against the neurological damage caused by aluminum

Effect of NPK, organic and bio-fertilization on vegetative growth, flowering and chemical composition of jasminum sambac, ait. Plants

A field trial was conducted during two consecutive seasons [2004/2005 and 2005/2006] at the Exerimental Nursery of the Ornamental Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt, to investigate the effect of fertilization with NPK, organic and biofertilizers on growth, flowering and composition of Jasminum sambac plants. NPK [N: P205: K2O] at the rate of 40 g/pot/season was applied at 5 g/pot for eight months. Three different kinds of organic fertilizers were applied namely, compost at a rate of 175 cm[3]/pot/season. Camel manure at a rate of 175 cm[3]pot/season, biogas at a rate of 60 kg/N/feddan/season Biofertilizer [Biogramina] was applied at a rate of 75 ml/pot/season. NPK fertilizer caused significant increases in vegetative growth parameters. NPK alone or in combination with organic fertilizer lenanced root parameers, chlorophyll-a, b and carotenoids content. Biogas combined with biofertilizer [Biogramina] gave the best results of flowering parameters while, total carbohydrates, N, P and K contents were increased by organic fertilizer. It could be concluded that biofertilizer [Biogramina] alone delayed flowering

Detection of fasciola-specific excretory/secretory [e/s] protein fraction band [49.5 kda] and its utilization in diagnosis of early fascioliasis using different diagnostic techniques

The objective of the present work was to evaluate Fasciola E/S antigens for diagnosis of early fascioliasis utilizing different diagnostic techniques. Using enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot [EITB], Fasciola-specific E/S protein fraction band [49.5 kDa] was determined and electroeluted. The monospecific antibodies against this specific fraction band were prepared by immunizing pathogen-free rabbit. Assessment of the prepared monospecific antibodies in diagnosis of human fascioliasis was performed through the detection of E/S coproantigens by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] in stool eluates obtained from patients with confirmed fascioliasis, other parasites as well as from other healthy individuals. Serum samples were collected and tested to detect serum antibodies against Fasciola E/S antigen using EITB and counter immunoelectrophoresis [CIEP]. Analysis of Fasciola adult worm E/S products by SDS/PAGE revealed a number of bands, the molecular weight [MW] of which ranged from 14-200 kDa with 3 major bands [27.5, 32.5 and 55 kDa]. Fasciola E/S 49.5 kDa protein fraction proved to be specific of F. gigantica. Cross reaction with S. mansoni was observed at higher MW [110-120 kDa]

effect of temperature and relative humidity on the development of the pupae of two strains of xenopsylla cheopis in Egypt

The present work was concerned with the study of the effect of temperature and relative humidity fluctuations on the pupal stages of X. cheopis. In contrast to most other investigations on this direction the present one paid attention to reveal these effects on the pupae at an early stage of development and after becoming mature i.e. in the pre-emergence stage. Furthermore, these factors were compared on two ecologically different strains from Egypt. Results indicate that the response differed in relation to the stage of development of pupae and according to strain. It is hoped to throw more light on the biology of this rather important vector of several human diseases

Eosinophilia in urinary and intestinal bilharziasis

Results indicate that high eosinophilia occurs on cases of heavy infection with urinary or intestinal schistosomiasis especially in patients presenting with hepatomegaly rather than with splenomegaly and that Eosinophilia may be of diagnostic value

Appraisal of two serological tests in diagnosis of the various clinical types of amebiasis

Parasitologically confirmed cases of intestinal amoebiasis representing acute dysenteric, chronic non-dysenteric and asymptomatic cyst passers were serologically examined by I.H.A.T. and I.F.A.T. before and after treatment.The former test showed high sensitivity and specificity among acute dysenteric cases which were reduced in chronic non-dysenteric and in chronic cyst passers. The latter test was less sensitive and less specific. Successful treatment of acute cases resulted in marked drop of I.H.A. titres

Some biological studies on two different geographical strains of xenopsylla cheopis

The objective of the present work was to study the effect of host variability on the longevity and duration of morbidity of the two geographically different X. cheopis strains. They exhibited some significant differences to very low temperature [4°C] and mild R.H. [60%]

Eosinophilia in ascaris and ancylostoma infections in Egyptian patients

The available data indicate that eosinophilia was higher in Ancylostoma than in Ascaris infections. Correlation of eosinophilia with the clinical picture denoted that the severer the symptoms, the higher was the eosinophilia

study of the rectal snip transparency and kato techniques in diagnosis of intestinal schistosomiasis

A comparative study of the rectal snip transparency and Kato techniques revealed that both methods are highly sensitive in the diagnosis of intestinal schistosomiasis. Nevertheless, it was concluded that any of them is not sufficient alone especially in cases intended to assess cure or activity of the disease

Preservation and staining of ascaris lumbricoides ova

Four fixatives, seven stains and three mounting media were tried and evaluated. The best results were obtained with formolglycerine as fixative malachite green as a stain, and gum mixture as mounting medium

influence of host age on the survival and frequency of feeding of adults xenopsylla cheopis

It was noted that adult fleas survived longer when fed on baby mice at mild and high but not very high relative humidities. Similarly they required more blood meals when maintained on baby mice. The effect of relative humidity on the frequency of meals was stressed

outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Suez Canal Zone in the post-warly

From the forementioned study one might conclude that cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Canal Zone is mostly anthropotic, probably imported from the neighbouring Arab countries where the disease is highly endemic. However, this zone might be considered as a good receptive area and transmission is affected by the local Phlebotomus sp. It could be maintained throughout the period from August to October. The lesions are mostly mild and occur more frequently on the face and limbs, rather than on the abdomen and chest. The outbreak was terminated very rapidly by the extensive use of BHC insecticide as a dust in human shelters. Nevertheless, further investigations are highly recommended to reply the question raised herein: Is cutaneous leishmaniasis in Egypt, indigenous or imported?

Some observation on rodents and their fleas in suez area, U.A.R.

Suez district being a main receptive area of rat-borne diseases, warrants special attention and regular study of its rodent population and ecto-parasites. The present investigation attemps to reveal the present status of domestic and commensal rodents and their fleas both qualitatively and quantitatively in the distinct environments of this area. The rodent index was found to differ from one locality to another depending on the sanitary conditions and adequacy of antirat measures. Also the frequency of the various species differs, depending on the prevailing environmental conditions. A negative relationship was observed between the frequency of R. norvegicus and that of the three subspecies of R. rattus. Also it was noticed that Acomys cahirinus and A. dimidiatus can coexist in certain localities. Nevertheless the former species prevails more in rural areas, whereas the latter dominates in desert settlements. Amongst the important conclusions, a direct relationship was observed between the percentage frequency of a given species and the pregnancy rate among its females. The percentage immature can be also taken as an indirect measure of the growth in size of a given population. As regards fleas, it was noticed that the Norway rat which represents the most frequent rodent host, revealed the highest density of flea infestation. Again, this was found to differ from one milieu to another. On the other hand, the small rodent species, viz., M. musculus, and Acomys spp. showed very low flea densities which may account for a minimum role as flea carriers. X. cheopis constitutes the most dominant flea infesting rodents of this area, Ct. felis, Ct. felis strongylus and Papapulex chephrenis were occasionally met with. Females of the rodent host showed higher flea densities and again female fleas were found more abundantly than males. Ultimately, it may be stated that the rodent population being dynamic and affected with multitude of factors is so liable to change and should be always kept under strict supervision especially in receptive areas like sea ports