The potential of a novel β-specific dehalogenase from Bacillus cereus WH2 as a bioremediation agent for the removal of β-haloalkanoic acids

Aims: This study aims to describe the biochemical and kinetic properties of a dehalogenase produced by a bacterium, Bacillus cereus WH2 (KU721999), that is uniquely adept at degrading a β-haloalkanoic acid, i.e., 3-chloropropionic acid (3-CP), and using it as the bacterium’s sole carbon source. The bacterium was isolated from abandoned agricultural land in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia that was previously exposed to herbicides and pesticides. Methodology and results: The B. cereus impressively removed 97% of 3-CP after 36 h of culturing. The intracellular WH2 dehalogenase of the bacterium was purified 2.5-fold and has an estimated molecular mass of 37 kDa. The highest activity of the dehalogenase was achieved under conditions of 30 °C and pH 7. The metal ions Hg2+ and Ag2+ substantially repressed the enzyme’s activity, but the enzyme’s activity was uninhibited by dithiothreitol (DTT) and EDTA. The WH2 dehalogenase showed a higher affinity for 3-CP (Km = 0.32 mM, kcat = 5.74 s-1 ) than for 3-chlorobutyric acid (3-CB) (Km = 0.52 mM; kcat = 5.60 s-1 ). The enzyme was ~1.6-fold more catalytically efficient (kcat/Km) in dehalogenating the three-carbon substrate 3-CP (17.8 mM-1 s -1 ) than the four-carbon 3-CB (11.2 mM-1 s -1 ). Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The novel B. cereus bacterium isolated in this study may prove applicable as a bioremediation agent to cleaning environments that are polluted with β-halogenated compounds. Furthermore, such an approach to treat polluted environments is more sustainable and potentially safer than chemical treatments.

Awareness and use of emergency contraception among women of childbearing age at the family health care centers in Alexandria, Egypt

Objective: Despite the fact that emergency contraceptive [EC] methods have been available and registered for a long time in Egypt and some other Middle Eastern countries, EC remains relatively unknown and is discussed controversially in such countries. Considering the importance of EC in preventing unintended pregnancies, this study was conducted to investigate the awareness and use of EC methods among women of childbearing age at the family health care centers in Alexandria, Egypt

Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out on 151 women of child-bearing age [19-49 years] attending two family health centers who were randomly selected. An interview schedule was used to collect the desired data in 4 domains: socio-demographic characteristics and history of unwanted pregnancy; knowledge about EC; attitude toward EC; and uses of EC

Results: Most of the study subjects [75.5%] did not know EC, approximately an equal proportion [78.8% and 79.4%] stated that EC could be used after unprotected intercourse and in case of failed regular methods respectively. Only 21.5% ever used EC

Conclusion: The current study revealed that the majority of women in reproductive age, had a lack of awareness about EC methods and also did not use it before

Evaluation of different teaching methods on the student's skill performance in measuring blood pressure for 2[nd] year nursing students at King Abdul Aziz University

Blood pressure measurement is an important clinical nursing skill however, errors in measuring blood pressure occur often. The aim of this study was to evaluate different teaching methods on blood pressure measurement skill performance and to identify the effect of different teaching methods on the acquired skills after 3 months period. The study conducted at King Abdul Aziz University. Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Nursing Department. The students were divided into 3 groups three different methods of teaching were used. Video were used in group [A] Demonstration were used in group B and both of this methods were used for group C. The results of this study revealed that in the first assessment, after immediate evaluation there was a significant difference between group A and B and between A and C. During late evaluation it showed that demonstration was the best between the three groups. This study recommended that demonstration learning during clinical placement is still considered the best method for teaching the undergraduate students

Impacts of empowerment strategies on mothers' coping abilities among asthmatic children at dawadmi governorate, K.S.A.

Bronchial asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic lung diseases among children in Saudi Arabia. Morbidity and mortality associated with asthma has continued to increase despite advances in treatment and management. Improve maternal knowledge about asthma and Increase their coping abilities through the empowerment strategies will be expected to have a good impact on interventions of their asthmatic children, decrease the prevalence of complications, increase compliance with management as well as improve prognosis of the disease process and general health of the asthmatic children. Was to assess maternal knowledge, practice and coping abilities with asthma and to evaluate the impacts of the empowerment strategies on mothers knowledge, practice and coping abilities. The study was conducted at pediatric department of Al- Dawadmi General Hospital, Al Dawadmi Governorate, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A sample of 50 asthmatic children mothers was included in the study. Interviewing questionnaire sheet and coping inventory scale were used to collect the required data [Pre and post empowerment strategies test were done]. Data were collected in 4 phases [initial, developmental, implementation and evaluation]. Results revealed that most of asthmatic children were males [60%], 80% of them had positive family history and all of them [100%] were exposed to asthma triggers before asthma attacks. 10%, 26% of mothers used nebulizer and 02 mask correctly pre the intervention compared with 80% of them post intervention for both items. Only 12% of mothers avoided exposure to asthma triggers pre the intervention which changed significantly post the intervention where we found 86% of them avoided exposure to triggers. The minority of mothers [6%] had high coping abilities with asthma pre the empowerment strategies, which changed significantly post the empowerment strategies where we found 70% of them had high coping abilities. The results also demonstrated significant change in the disease prognosis and in the asthmatic children general health due to the impacts of the empowerment strategies. It was concluded that asthma is a common health issues affecting children with sometimes life threatening consequences that need continuous nursing intervention to improve disease prognosis, reduce severity of outcomes, reduce complications and improve maternal coping abilities

[Bacterial and molecular characterization of pasteurella multocida in infected turkeys]

The primary objective of the study reported here was to evaluate the effect of natural affection of P.multocida in Turkeys. The bacteriological examination of five turkey herds in Giza and Beni wef governorate was done to isolate and identi-y Pasteurella spp with special attention to multocida. Outer membrane protein [OMP] rofiles of obtained field isolates were done to pecify the strain with reference to protein mark-TS [ 17.5-16.5 kda]. The wasting effect of Pasteu-ellosis on turkey was also determined by comparing the total protein gm% in the turkey organs in each of healthy and pasteurellosed birds. Bacteriological examination showed that 154 out of 00 turkey organs were Pasteurella positive. 62 [[hem were P.multocida. Otherwise, 48.5% of Hood serum samples were positive for pasteurel-and 18 of these were idintifed biochemically as P.multocida: Antibiogram studies of the isolated P.multocida indicated that colistin sulphate, tri-methopim, sulphamethoxacin,tetracycline, amox-ycillin and enrofloxacin were the most effective drugs in vitro. The electrophoretic analysis of the outer membrane protein [OMP] of the P.multocida isolates by using SDS-PAGE revealed that all P.multocida strains were nearly at 52 kd and 49 kd , where P.multocida of group I, II, III were 5

Spectrophotometric determination of dextromethorphan hydrobromide in pure form and in pharmaceutical formulations

Simple, sensitive and accurate spectrophotometric method have been developed for the determination of dextromethorphan hydrobromide in pure form and in pharmaceutical formulations. This method are based on the formation of ion-associate complexes between the drug and phenol red [I], cresol red [II], methyl orange [III], congo red [IV] and EBT [V] in acidic medium. The complexes are extracted into chloroform and measured at 407, 424 and 497 for [I or II], [III] and [IV] respectively, or into methylene chloride at 520 nm for [V]. Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration ranges from 2.0-24, 2.0-26 and 2.0-20 micro g ml[-1] for [I or II], [III or IV] and [V], respectively. The stoichiometric ratio of the ion-associate complexes was established using the continuous variation method and found to be 1:1 for all reagents used. The validity was assessed by applying the standard addition technique. The results were compared statistically with the official method showing a good agreement with high precision and accuracy

Prophylactic effect of antioxidants as free radical scavengers in endotoxemia

Oxidative stress plays a key role in sepsis induced by endotoxin lipopolysaccharide [LPS] which is known to enhance the formation of reactive oxygen species [ROS]. In this study, biochemical parameters indicative of hepatic injury and oxidative stress were tested in rat liver following LPS challenge, with or without treatment with the antioxidants alpha lipoic acid [ALA] and Antox [antioxidant drug preparation]. Treatment with LPS alone resulted in a significant [P<0.05] alteration in liver oxidative status observed as elevation in alanine and asparate aminotransferase [ALT and AST] activities, malondialdehyde [MAD, index of lipid peroxidation] level and nitric oxide [NO] concentration. Also, activities of reduced glutathione [GSH]. Superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px] were significantly [P<0.05] reduced in LPS-treated group, as compared to control level. Treatment for seven days with either ALA or Antox prior to or after LPS challenge significantly [P<0.05] decrease ALT, AST, MDA and NO levels when compared to LPS alone. On the other hand, administration of ALA and Antoxa prior to or after LPS treatment significantly increases the activities of GSH, SOD and GSH-Px when compared with LPS treated group. These results indicate that either ALA or Antox may serve as a potentially effective prophylactic agents in alleviating LPS- induced oxidative stress. The beneficial pretreatment effects of the antioxidant against oxidative stress in this study may suggest a potential chemopreventive effect of these compounds in septic prevention

Natural history of hepatitis C virus among apparently normal schoolchildren: follow up after 7 years

In November 1994, we started a community-based study upon 294 rural, randomly selected school children, aged 6-75 years. Anti-Hepatitis C virus antibodies [HCV-Ab] were tested for all children with Enzyme Linked immunosorbent Assay [version III] and positive cases were confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR]. Liver function tests, Hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg], Hepatitis B core antibodies [HbcAb], urine, stool analysis for parasite ova as well as abdominal ultrasonography were done. The overall prevalence of anti-HCV Ab, HBsAg, HBcAb, Schistosoma [S] mansoni infection and periportal thickening detected by ultrasonography was 5.8%, 1%, 3.7%, 45% and 58% respectively. Active S. mansoni infection and its intensity were the risk factors significantly correlated to anti-HCV seropositivity [P<0.04, Odd's ratio [OR] 3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95-10.1. The PCR confirmed viremia in 41% of anti-HCV seropositive cases which was significantly correlated with elder children, [P=0.03, 95% CI 0.3-5.8], past history of schistosomiasis [SCH] P<0.05, OR 12, S. mansoni infection [P0.03] and raised aspartate aminotransferase level [AST] [P< 0.001]. No significant past history of the mode of acquisition of HCV infection was detected among our cases. We followed up our apparently normal schoolchildren for 7 years, positive [15 cases] and negative [8 cases] for anti-HCV antibody. The above laboratory investigations were repeated in November 2001 [the seventh year of follow up]. All of them still had no risk factor for HCV infection nor abnormal findings by clinical examination and abdominal sonar. Cases and controls were negative for HbsAg. One case out of six became PCR negative comprising 17% spontaneous clearance of viremia. Six cases out of nine [67%] of PCR negative, anti-HCV positive cases lost their antibody positivity after 7 years

Conclusion: intestinal SCH may be a risk factor for the development of viremia and to the rise of AST level in HCV infection. The persistently high prevalence of SCH infection in our community was confirmed. It could be suggested that the natural history of community acquired hepatitis C virus in asymptomatic children may be more benign than previously thought

Effect of indomethacin and meloxicam on monoamine levels in selected tissues of rats

The effects of i.p. injection of indomethacine [25 mg/kg body wt] or meloxicam [4 mg/kg body wt] on the levels of dopamine [DA], norepinephrine [NE], serotonin [5-HT] and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid [5-HIAA] were examined in plasma, different brain regions, liver and adrenal gland of male albino rats after 2, 4, 8 and 24 hrs of injection. Administration of either indomethacin or meloxicam was found to have a variety of actions in monoamine levels, producing either potentiation, no effect, or inhibition. The most pronounced increasing effects were observed with indomethacin on DA levels after 2, 4 and 8 hrs, on NE levels after 4 and 8 hrs and on 5-HT levels after 2 and 4 hr in most of the tissues examined. The increase was also observed in DA levels after 4 and 24 hrs following meloxicam treatment. However, the most prominent inhibitory effect was noticed following treatment with meloxicam in NE levels after 2 and 8 hrs and in 5-HIAA levels after the different time intervals in all the selected tissues. It is possible to conclude that the potentiating effect of indomethacin and meloxicam may be due to inhibition of cyclooxygenase pathway for the oxidative metabolism of arachidonic acid, with consequent conversion of the acid into lipooxygenase system and the generation of products which enhance amine release. Meanwhile the inhibitory effect of two drugs may be related to inhibition of protein kinase C blockade of oxidative phosphorylation and a reduction in the ATP content of the tell required for amine release