Blastocystis spp. infection among IBS patients: various diagnostic methods and epidemiological study

This study determined Blastocystis spp. infection in patients with different classes of IBS. It also detected the sensitivity and specificity of microscopy, Jones' medium and PCR in detecting Blastocystis spp. in IBS patients' stool samples. This cross sectional study was carried out during the period from December 2014 to November 2016. The 100 IBS patients were 57 males and 43 females. Stool samples were collected from IBS patients and were examined by direct wet mount, different stains, cultured on Jones' medium and PCR to detect Blastocystis spp. Blastocystis spp. infection was common in the age group [15-30] "41.5%" and in rural areas "80.5%".The percentage of Blastocystis spp. positive cases detected by direct smear, Giemsa stain, modified trichrome stain, culture on Jones' medium and PCR were 69%, 77%, 80%, 82% and 54% respectively. Blastocystis spp. infection was more prominent in IBS- C class "56.1%". Blastocystis spp. infection was either single or mixed with other infections. The study showed that Blastocystis spp. infection was common in IBS patients especially IBS-C class. Modified trichrome stain and culture on Jones' medium were recommended to be the best methods used for its laboratory diagnosis

Ear configuration as a tool for identification and age determination in camel fetuses [with one table, 4 figures and 3 plates]

This study was conducted on 150 camel fetuses representing the whole prenatal life. The age was represented by months and crown vertebral rump length [CVRL], where they aged from 2.4 to 12.02 months and 2.8 cm to 108 cm CVRL. Several morphological measurements Head length [HL], Interear distance [IED], IED/HL%, Ear length [EL], Ear width [EW], ear-eye distance and ear-mouth distance were carried out. The results revealed that at age 2.4 months [2.8 cm CVRL] first branchial groove [the premordium of external ear] appeared as a growth of mesenchymal tissue surrounding oval opening. At 2.66 - 2.78 months [5.2 - 6.5 cm CVRL] the mesenchymal tissue increased in size to form, two longitudinal folds, rostal and caudal. At 2.91 - 3.55 [8.0 - 15.0 cm CVRL] the caudal fold gradually increased in size forming triangular flap covering almost the external ear opening. At 3.64 - 4.01 months [16 - 20 cm CVRL] the fold reflected caudally. Morphological and biometric studies were followed on ear till full term fetuses where the external ear reached nearly its mature form

Scanning electron microscopical study of third instar of gasterophilus haemorrohidalis [diptera: gasterophilidae]

Third-stage larva of the bot-fly Gasterophilus haemorrohidalis obtained from the stomach of Egyptian equines were studied macroscopically and by light microscope; and for the first time by the scanning electron microscope with particular reference to the anterior cephalic region and the newly discovered sensory array of the mouth hooks. The design of that array was compared with that of larvae of Gasterophilus intestinalis and Gasterophilus nasalis and was found to be different mainly in the shape of the sensilla and the number of the angled plates and that these fine criteria may be used to differentiate other larvae. In addition, more detailed description was added to the cephalic and caudal regions which are of important taxonomic value. Gasterophiline larvae are of veterinary and medical importance, with some human creeping cutaneous myiasis, ophthalmomyiasis and one recent record of intestinal myiasis

Efficiency of some antioxidants to reduce the inmiunosuppressive effect of cadmium chloride on male albino rats

To clarify the toxic effects of long-term oral administration of low dose of cadmium chloride [CdCl[2]] on the immune system and the role of vitamin C and E to protect against its toxic effects, 78 male albino rats were used. They were divided into 6 groups, 13 rats each. The first group, received distilled water and used as control, the second group received [100 ppm/L] CdCl[2] in the drinking water, the third and fourth groups received CdCl[2] and either gm/L vitamin C or 1 gm/kg vitamin E, respectively. The fifth and sixth groups received vitamin C and E, respectively, in the same doses and kept as controls for the previous two groups. The animals were kept for three months under this regime and samples were obtained every one month. To study the effect of cadmium chloride and both vitamins, the body weight and feed intake were recorded as well as organs/body weight ratios were calculated. RBCs count, WBCs count, differential leucocytic count, heamoglobin concentration and packed cell volume were measured. Bone marrow smears were prepared and examined. Serum was collected for electrophorctic pattern and enzymes analysis. Histopathological examination was carried on liver, kidney, spleen, lymph node and thymus. From the obtained results, it was found that cadmium chloride exerted toxic effects on different organs especially related to immune function. These effects were clear as CdCl[2] induced anemia, as well as changes in serobiochemical, electrophoretic pattern and histopathology. These effects were associated with reduction in both body weight, feed intake and organs/body weight ratios. The histopathological examination revealed hepatorenal damage and lyrnphoadenopathy. It was also observed that vitamins C and E had good role to minimize these toxic effects with marked improvement in Vit E-treated group

Correlation between left ventricular systolic function and distribution of aoronary artery disease

A total of 140 patients was included in this study. All patients were subjected to coronary angiogram and left ventriculogram. Ninety-five patients had an evidence of coronary artery disease [CAD], 26 had single vessel disease, 25 had 2-vessel disease and 44 had 3-vessel disease. Systolic left ventricular function was correlated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Left ventricular systolic function is usually impaired with the improvement of coronary atherosclerosis

Association between insulin like growth factor 1 and bone mineral density in the elderly

To assess the relationship between insulin like growth factor-I and bone mineral density in elderly, this study was conducted on 46 elderly subjects subdivided into 23 elderly males [50%] age ranged between 60-89 years [66.95 +/- 8.4] and 23 elderly females [50%] age ranged between 60-81 years [63.39 +/- 4.95] in addition to 20 adult healthy subjects 10 males [50%] and 10 females [50%]. Their age ranged between 20-41 years [28.5 +/- 6.37] as a control group. The results showed highly significant reduction of bone mineral density by both T and Z scores in elderly males compared to control group, [- 3.33 +/- 2.07] and [-0.57 +/- 1.51] [P <0.01] in T- score and [-2.06 +/- 2.13] [- 0.54 +/- 1.49] in Z- score respectively [P < 0.01] with highly significant reduction of IGF-I in elderly males [60.01 +/- 35.84] compared to control group[145.00 +/- 64.00] [P<0.01]. Among elderly healthy females our results showed significant reduction of bone mineral density T- socre in elderly healthy females compared to control [-1.64 +/- 1.31] [- 0.57 +/- 1.51] respectively [P< 0.05]. But there is non-significant reduction of Z score in elderly healthy females in comparison to controls [-0.13 +/- 1.24] [- 0.54 +/- 1.49] [P > 0.05], with a highly significant reduction of IGF-1 in elderly females compared to controls [59.44 +/- 43.40] [145.00 +/- 64.00] respectively [P<0.01]. When we compared IGF-1 in osteopenic group [T> -1 SD] and osteoporotic [T > -2 SD] to that of control group we found a significant reduction of IGF- I in osteoporotic than osteopenic than control group which may postulate the role of IGF-1 reduction in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in elderly