Nicotine impact on rat substantia nigra compacta / 대한해부학회지

Nicotine neuronal interactions exert an adverse potential in some brain regions and a significant link has been established between tobacco smokeicotine and vascular impairment. This work addresses nicotine impact on various components of the substantia nigra compacta (SNc) in rat. Twenty adult male Albino rats were divided equally into two groups: Group I, vehicle-control group (received saline [1 ml/kg body weight intra peritoneally] for 11 days). Group II; nicotine group (received 1.5 mg/kg body weight/day Sc) for 11 days. Nicotine levels were detected in the serum. Specimens were taken from the mid brain, processed and examined using biochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and morphometric techniques. In nicotine group, biochemical analysis revealed reduction in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), decrease in dopamine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The mean number of light cells, and the mean surface area of nerve cells/field were significantly reduced, with an increase of dark cells were found in nicotine group compared to control.Immunoreactivity in nicotine group revealed an increase in neuronal α-synuclein, reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme, an increase in caspase 3 and ultrastructure changes suggestive of neuronal apopto. The blood capillaries were markedly affected. Nicotine induced endothelial and pericytic apoptotic changes, irregular lumena and indistinct endothelial junctional complex. Nicotine administered subcutaneously in a small dose may have a deleterious effect on SNc, mainly involving dopaminergic neurons and blood capillaries. This effect seems to be secondary to an oxidative stress that might be produced by reduced TAC and increased MDA levels.

The Influence of H2-Receptor Antagonist Administration to the 24-h Uptake of I-131 in the Thyroid Gland / 대한핵의학회잡지

Purpose@#The aim of this study was to determine the influence of H2RAs to the 24-h I-131 uptake in the thyroid gland.Material and Methods A prospective study with quasi-experimental pre- and post-study design was done. Subjects with normal fT4 level who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected. All subjects received 0.2 mCi of I-131 orally, and the thyroid uptake calculations were performed at 24 h later. The same procedure was performed 4 weeks later. All of the subjects were asked to consume H2RAs 1 h before the administration of I-131 of the second procedure. Both 24-h thyroid uptakes were statistically analysed. @*Results@#A total of 14 subjects were enrolled in this study. Most of them were women (78%) with an average age of 37.6 years old (range: 20–55). This study showed a median of 24-h thyroid uptake of I-131 before and after H2-receptor antagonist of 20.6% (range: 11.1–57.8%) and 16.7% (range: 8.1–39.4%) respectively. @*Conclusion@#H2-receptor antagonist caused a significance reduction of 24-h I-131 uptake value in the thyroid gland.

Nicotine impact on rat substantia nigra compacta / 대한해부학회지

Nicotine neuronal interactions exert an adverse potential in some brain regions and a significant link has been established between tobacco smokeicotine and vascular impairment. This work addresses nicotine impact on various components of the substantia nigra compacta (SNc) in rat. Twenty adult male Albino rats were divided equally into two groups: Group I, vehicle-control group (received saline [1 ml/kg body weight intra peritoneally] for 11 days). Group II; nicotine group (received 1.5 mg/kg body weight/day Sc) for 11 days. Nicotine levels were detected in the serum. Specimens were taken from the mid brain, processed and examined using biochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and morphometric techniques. In nicotine group, biochemical analysis revealed reduction in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), decrease in dopamine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The mean number of light cells, and the mean surface area of nerve cells/field were significantly reduced, with an increase of dark cells were found in nicotine group compared to control.Immunoreactivity in nicotine group revealed an increase in neuronal α-synuclein, reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme, an increase in caspase 3 and ultrastructure changes suggestive of neuronal apopto. The blood capillaries were markedly affected. Nicotine induced endothelial and pericytic apoptotic changes, irregular lumena and indistinct endothelial junctional complex. Nicotine administered subcutaneously in a small dose may have a deleterious effect on SNc, mainly involving dopaminergic neurons and blood capillaries. This effect seems to be secondary to an oxidative stress that might be produced by reduced TAC and increased MDA levels.

Protective and therapeutic potentials of Dunaliella salina on aging-associated cardiac dysfunction in rats

Objective: To investigate the possible protective and/or therapeutic potentials of Dunaliella salina (D. salina) biomass, its carotenoid and polar fractions on cardiac dysfunction associated with D-galactose (D-GAL) induced aging in rats. Methods: Aging associated cardiac dysfunction was induced in rats by injection of D-GAL (200 mg/kg; i.p) for 8 weeks. D-GAL injected rats were treated with two regimens; protective regimen where D. salina biomass (250 mg/kg), its carotenoid (250 μg/kg) and polar (250 μg/kg) fractions were given orally for two weeks concurrently with D-GAL injection as well as treatment regimen where the three treatments were given orally for 28 consecutive days after D-GAL injection. Results: D-GAL injection for 8 weeks was accompanied with dramatic electrocardiographic changes as well as profound elevation in serum levels of homocysteine, creatinine kinase isoenzyme and lactate dehydrogenase in addition to the reduction of the cardiac content of glucose trasporter 4. D-GAL also induced reduction in cardiac superoxide dismutase activity and elevation of inducible nitric oxide synthetase and interleukin-6. On the other hand, oral administration of D. salina carotenoid fraction as well as the total biomass significantly attenuated the D-GAL-induced disturbances in the above mentioned parameters where the protective regimen appeared more successful in controlling the manifestations of cardiac dysfunction. The histopathological examination further emphasized the promising results. Besides, the HPLC analysis of the carotenoid fraction of D. salina revealed the presence of 2.31% β -carotene. Conclusions: D. salina carotenoid fraction as well as the total biomass ameliorate D-GAL-induced aging associated cardiac dysfunction which is attributed to the potent antioxidant activity of β -carotene.

Differential diagnosis of diffuse bone marrow uptake on 18F-FDG PET/ CT

Background: Bone marrow is a frequent site of metastatic tumors, especially from breast, lung, and prostate cancers. Metastatic tumor in the bone marrow may influence the response to treatment, overall survival, and resulting decreased hematopoiesis. Diffusely and homogenously bone marrow uptake in 18F-FDG PET/CT scan is frequently observed which can caused by many conditions. Material and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the consecutive records of F-18 FDG PET scans performed from April 2011 to August 2013 at Mochtar Riady Comprehensive Cancer Center Siloam Hospital, A total of 2952 result were reviewed. 16 patients with diffusely and homogenously bone marrow uptake in F-18 FDG PET/CT whole body scan between January 2012 and December 2013 were evaluated to find out the etiology. Results: From 2952 patients performed 18F-FDG-PET/CT there are 16 patients (5 men, 11 women) with diffusely and homogenously increased FDG uptake in bone marrow, mean age: 52 years, range 5–82 years. It was found that 6 of 16 FDG PET/ CT positive patient with solid tumors and 10 of 16 FDG PET/CT with non solid tumors. Malignancy was observed in 14 patients and benign in 2 patients. Diffusely and homogenously uptake due to 1 patiets with Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) , 6 patient with anaemia, 7 patients with chemotherapy, 1 patients with Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) and 1 patients with extra-nodal non-hodgkin lymphoma were observed. Conclusion: Diffusely and homogenously increase bone marrow on 18F FDG PET/ CT whole body scan uptake can be seen in malignant or benign disease and history of treatment. Spleen uptake are observed at the initial imaging than bone marrow involvement while spleen uptake more frequently reflects disease involvement.

Urinary tract infection in children after cardiac surgery: Incidence, causes, risk factors and outcomes in a single-center study

Nosocomial urinary tract infection [UTI] increases hospitalization, cost and morbidity. In this cohort study, we aimed to determine the incidence, risk factors, etiology and outcomes of UTIs in post-operative cardiac children. To this end, we studied all post-operative patients admitted to the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit [PCICU] in 2012, and we divided the patients into two groups: the UTI [UTI group] and the non-UTI [control group]. We compared both groups for multiple peri-operative risk factors. We included 413 children in this study. Of these, 29 [7%] had UTIs after cardiac surgery [UTI group], and 384 [93%] were free from UTIs [control group]. All UTI cases were catheter-associated UTIs [CAUTIs]. A total of 1578 urinary catheter days were assessed in this study, with a CAUTI density rate of 18 per 1000 catheter days. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated the following risk factors for CAUTI development: duration of urinary catheter placement [p < 0.001], presence of congenital abnormalities of kidney and urinary tract [CAKUT] [p < 0.0041] and the presence of certain syndromes [Down, William, and Noonan] [p < 0.02]. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 63% of the CAUTI. The main causes of CAUTI were Klebsiella [27%], Candida [24%] and Escherichia coli [21%]. Resistant organisms caused 34% of CAUTI. Two patients [7%] died in the UTI group compared with the one patient [0.3%] who died in the control group [p < 0.05]. Based on these findings, we concluded that an increased duration of the urinary catheter, the presence of CAKUT, and the presence of syndromes comprised the main risk factors for CAUTI. Gram-negative organisms were the main causes for CAUTI, and one-third of them found to be resistant in this single-center study

Clinicopathological findings of IgA nephropathy in children and adolescents; [multicentn study]

Background: IgA nephropathy [IgAN] is the most common lesion found to cause primary glomerulonephritis throughout most developed countries of the world. Patients may present at any age, but there is a peak incidence in the second and third decades of life

Objective: To study the demographic, clinical and laboratory findings of IgAN patients including children and adolescents

Methods: The medical records of 30 patients with IgAN were retrospectively reviewed and assessed. Patients enrolled in this study were between 1-18 years old diagnosed as IgAN in the period from January 2010 to the end of December 2012 being treated and followed in the main three centers of treating cases of pediatric nephrology in Baghdad [Al-karama teaching hospital, Central Child Teaching Hospital and Baghdad Medical City] that receive referral cases from all Iraqi governorates

Results: The total number of cases enrolled in this study was 30 patients, with males being 19 and females being 11. The male to female ratio was 1.72:1. Family history of chronic renal disease was found in 10 patients [33%]. History of pharyngitis was found in 16 patients [53.3%]. Macroscopic hematuria was found in 24 patients [80%], followed by edema in 18 patients [60%], and followed by hypertension in 15 patients [50%]. The most common laboratory findings among study group was microscopic hematuria [29 patients, 96.7%], followed by proteinuria in 22 patients [73.3%]. Renal biopsy was done for all patients for the diagnosis of IgAN. The distribution of histopathology staging system was: Stage [1] 14 patients, Stage [2] 8 patients, Stage [3] 5 patients, Stage [4] 2 patients and Stage [5] 1 patient [46.7%, 26.7%, 16.7%, 6.7% and 3.3% respectively]. The study showed that 24 patients were found to have IgA deposited solely [80%]. Out of the total 12 patients presented with hematuria, nine of them [75%] showed stage 1 disease on histopathology study. Two patients were noticed to have other associated autoimmune diseases, one with hepatitis and another with ulcerative colitis

Conclusion: Further studies in large number of patients are needed in order to confirm the findings in this study and to establish the best therapeutic choice for IgAN. The need for immunofluorescence examination of the renal biopsies in suspected cases is recommended

Prospects of stem cell treatment in benign urological diseases

Stem cells (SCs) are undifferentiated cells that are capable of self-renewal and differentiation and that therefore contribute to the renewal and repair of tissues. Their capacity for division, differentiation, and tissue regeneration is highly dependent on the surrounding environment. Several preclinical and clinical studies have utilized SCs in urological disorders. In this article, we review the current status of SC use in benign urological diseases (erectile dysfunction, Peyronie disease, infertility, and urinary incontinence), and we summarize the results of the preclinical and clinical trials that have been conducted.

Effect of different blood sources on the feeding time of sand fly, Phlebotomus Papatasi

The feeding time for sand fly females was determined experimentally by feeding of thirty females [3-5 days-old] sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi on different blood sources [human, pigeon, hamster and blab C mice]. Mean feeding time was longest on blab C mice, 8.55 minutes, followed by hamster, 7.05 minutes, then pigeon, 4.84minutes, and finally human, 4.69 minutes. Significant difference was observed in the feeding time between females fed on hamster and balb c mice but there is no significant difference between females fed on human and pigeon

Molecular characterization of a haemagglutinating and non haemagglutinating rabbit haemorrhagic disease viruses from Egypt

Rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease [RVHD] is a highly contagious, peracute and acute viral disease of both wild and domestic rabbits caused by rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus [RHDV]. RHDV is considered as a haemagglutinating virus; however, there is a growing evidence for presence of non haemagglutinating RHDV strains. In this study, two RHDVs have been characterized. The two viruses were selected from ten different infected rabbit flocks. One of them had haemagglutination [HA] activity and the other one lacked HA activity. HA test was carried out on both isolates at 4[degree]C using human red blood cells [RBC] type 'O'. RT-PCR was performed on the liver samples of the ten infected rabbit flocks using specific primers targeting VP60 gene. The obtained partial VP60 gene sequences of the two selected strains were aligned with other haemagglutinating and non haemagglutinating strains of RHDV in the world, including ''RHDVa'' strains as France 99-05, France-Reu-00, Germany-Triptis and China TP. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the two strains were genetically different. Haemagglutinating strain was similar to Rainham strain which is low haemagglutinating virus while non haemagglutinating strain was similar to whn-1 strain which is non haeagglutinating virus. The study confirmed presence of non haemagglutinating RHDV in rabbits reared in Egypt and suggested that VP60 might be related to HA activity

Comparative studies of the potency of foot and mouth disease virus trivalent vaccine with different concentration of the antigenic content [146S]

Estimation of antigenic content [146S] of FMDV serotypes [A, O, SAT2] by sucrose density gradient [SDG] ultracentrifugation by determining the absorbance at 254 nm using ISCO520C density gradient system to produce a highly potent trivalent virus vaccine. The antigenic mass 146S [microg/ml] of serotype [O Pan Asia2, A Iran O5 and SAT2/EGY/2012] were 6.5, 6.2 and 5.9, respectively. The vaccine was injected into three groups of calves [2individuals/each group] subcutaneously in lateral part of the neck for a dose 3 ml [6.2 microg/serotype/ml], a dose 1.5 ml [4.1 microg/serotype/ml] and a dose 1 ml [2 micro/ml], the sera samples were collected at 7[th] day post vaccination [dpv], 14[th] dpv, 21[th] dpv, 28[th] dpv and every 2 wks till 40 weeks to evaluate the immune response along that period. The antibody titers/40wpv for a 3 ml dose [6.2 microg/ml] of serotypes [O Pan Asia-2, A Iran O5 and SAT-2/EGY/2012] were 2.08, 2 and 1.94, respectively [over the protective titer, PT=1.5 in SNT for cattle], a dose [4.1 microg/ml] of the three serotypes were 1.56, 1.62 and 1.63 [over PT], respectively, but for [2 microg/ml] dose of the three serotypes, the antibodies titer were 1.25, 1.19 and 1.2 [below PT], that show the antibodies titer depend on the concentration of the antigenic mass [146S] and with increase of the 146S concentration increase of the potency of the vaccine. The potency testing of the study depend upon the correlation between 146S and the neutralizing antibody titers were measured by SNT which are the perfect alternative of other potency tests which employ the challenge of the cattle with virulent virus. The immune response of the highly potent vaccine [4.1 microg/serotype/ml and 6.2 microg/serotype/ml] started early after 1[st] wpv and the protective titer remain for more than 38 wpv [especially in 6.2 microg/ml injected calves] and that confer the potency of the vaccine of that dose

Effects of copper nicotinate complex on renal metallothionein and metal-responsive transcription factor 1 genes expression during 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene exposure in rats

Background: The expression of MT genes in animal's body is rapidly elevated in response to metal and agents which cause oxidative stress and/or inflammation. The MTF-1 plays an essential role in regulating transcription of MT gene in response to metal ions and oxidative stress. Metalloviatamin complex was found to exhibit anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activity, cytoprotective effect and reduces oxidative stress

Objectives: The study was designed to evaluate effects of a daily dose of copper nicotinate complex [CNC] on metallothionein-III [MT-III] and metal-responsive transcription factor -1 [MTF-1] expression during 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene [DAB] exposure. Methods: Ninety rats were divided into five groups. Group I rats were fed on standard diet and was considered the control group; group II rats were fed on standard diet containing DAB [0.06g/100g diet daily] for six months; group III rats received CNC dissolved in saline solution [1mg/kg body weight daily] for six months; group IV rats were pretreated with CNC one month before DAB; group V rats were post treated with CNC after one month of starting feeding on DAB. MT-III and MTF-1 genes expression was assayed by PCR. Renal histopathological changes were examined by light microscopy

Results: Genes expression in all groups was statistically high at all time intervals as compared with control group, while it was decreased in groups III, IV and V as compared to cancer group [II]. In group IV and V, the genes expression was statistically increased as compared with group III. MT expression in control group declined with age, while it was higher at 6th month than 2nd and 4th month in group II. MTF-1 expression was increased at 4[th] month followed by decrease at 6[th] month in all studied groups. These results were confirmed by histopathological change. There was an increase in pyknotic and necrotic nuclei in tubular epithelial cells and a mild dilatation of renal tubules

Conclusion: Scavenging ROS during DAB-induced oxidative stress may be the major role of MT. CNC causes a partial improvement in the genes expression as well as renal tubules, so CNC may be a promising candidate used for protection against oxidative stress

Severe pneumonia requiring ICU admission: revisited

To describe the aetiology, outcome and management approach for patients with community acquired pneumonia [CAP] and hospital-acquired pneumonia [HAP] who required ICU admission and to determine the predictors of mortality. A prospective observational study of 119 consecutive patients who were admitted to the ICU with diagnoses of CAP [n = 89] or HAP [n = 30] from May 2011 until December 2012. The overall ICU and hospital mortality rates for CAP and HAP were 24.4% and 30.3%, respectively. There were no significant differences between the patients with CAP and HAP in terms of ICU mortality or the average length of hospital stay. The most commonly isolated pathogens were H1N1 [23%] and Streptococcus pneumonia [17%] in the patients with CAP and Acinetobacter baumannii [37%] in the patients with HAP. Multidrug resistant [MDR] organisms were detected in 32 [38.6%] isolates. The median time for receiving antibiotics was 2 h. Most of the patients [82%] received double antibiotic coverage. Multiple regression analysis identified septic shock [beta = 0.43, p < 0.001], acute respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS] [beta = 0.34, p = 0.003], and the pneumonia severity index [PSI] [beta = -0.36, p < 0.024] as significant predictors of mortality. The outcomes of patients with severe pneumonia who were admitted to the ICU were better than those of previous reports. Early administration of combination antibiotics was practiced with vigilance. MDR organisms and respiratory viruses were the commonly isolated pathogens. The presence of septic shock, ARDS and high PSI were independent predictors of mortality

Composition, distribution patterns and habitat dlvergence of street trees in the greater Cairo city, Egypt

Species diversity of the tree flora of 38 districts in the Greater Cairo city was studied with reference to landscape differentiation of species make-up. Three main habitats including 14 sites with 263 sample plots were considered [35 urban parks, 76 road islands and 152 street verges]. In total, 378 of vascular plant species belonging to 264 genera and 79 families were recorded in urban areas of the Greater Cairo city. The most species-rich [44.7%] families were Fabaceae [36 spp.], Asparagaceae, Poaceae [21 spp.], Moraceae [19 spp.], Asteraceae [17 spp.], Euphorbiaceae and Malvaceae [15 spp.], Arecaceae [14 spp.], Lamiaceae [11 spp.], whereas the remaining families [70] constituted together 193 species. Ficus [18 spp.] was the highest among the species-rich genera, followed by Euphorbia [11 spp.], Asparagus, Brachychiton, Callistemon, Citrus and Pinus [4 spp, each]. 257 genera contained only 1-3 species e.g. Cereus, Koelreuteria, Strelitzia, Terminalia, Carica and Toona. Growth form spectra revealed that, the recorded trees [139 spp.] belonged to 32 families; shrubs [79 spp.] to 30 families, herbs and others [160 spp,] to 48 families

Assessment of the effectiveness of orange [Citrus reticulate] peel in the recovery of nickel from electroplating wastewater

Wastewater discharged from electroplating industry contains different concentrations of heavy metals, which when released into the environment pose a health hazard to human beings. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of orange peel as an adsorbent in the recovery of Nickel [Ni] from electroplating wastewater. The effectiveness of orange peel as an adsorbent was assessed by determining the optimum conditions of adsorption [adsorbent dose, pH, and contact time], calculating the recovery percentage, and characterizing the orange peel sludge resulting from adsorption/desorption process as being hazardous or not. Under optimum conditions for adsorption, orange peel was found to be an effective adsorbent of Ni from electroplating wastewater. It achieved 59.28% removal of the metal from a solution containing 528mg/l, at a dose of 60g/l, at pH 7, and for 1-h contact time. The nickel uptake capacity of orange peel was calculated to be 5.2 mg/g. Using HCI for desorption of adsorbed Ni, a recovery of 44.46% of Ni discharged in the wastewater could be reached. Orange peel resulting from the adsorption/desorption process was characterized as being nonhazardous. Orange peel was found to be effective in the recovery of nearly half of the amount of Ni discharged in electroplating wastewater. Further studies are required to determine [a] the impact of the recovered NiCI2 solution on the quality of the plated product, [b] the effect of activation of orange peel on the adsorption process, and [c] the number of cycles during which orange peel can be reused as an effective adsorbent

Angiogenic output in viral hepatitis, C and B, and HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

Angiogenesis is known to play a pivotal role in most of malignancy, including HCC, and in chronic inflammation. To investigate the angiogenic output in HCV and HBV infection and its implication in the development of HCV associated HCC. Blood samples were collected and grouped as; HS healthy subjects control group; HCC-HCV; chronic HCV infected patient group [HCV+ve] who are positive for serum anti-HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA; anti-HCV antibody positive and HCV-RNA negative patient group [HCV-ve]; patients with positive HBsAg and HBV-DNA group [HBV+ve]; and HBsAg positive and HBV-DNA negative patient group [HBV-ve]. Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietin-2, endostatin and angiostatin were assessed in different studied groups

description of haemogregarina species naturally infecting white-spotted gecko [tarentola annularis] in Qena, Egypt

The present study describes the developmental stages of Haemogregarina species in the blood and tissues of naturally infecting white-spotted gecko Tarentola annularis collected from Qena, Egypt. Different parasite's forms were observed infecting the erythrocytes. The gamonts enclosed within parasitophorous vacuole and seems to have no clear effect on the host cell especially in case of immature parasite forms. But in the presence of mature gamonts the host cell nucleus displaced. The parasitaemia level is up to 280 per 10,000 erythrocytes counted. Trophozoites and gamonts have been recognized in the blood smears. The rounded trophozoite diameter is 3.84 +/- 0.87 fim, while the elongated trophozoite measured 4.42 +/- 0.692.8 +/- 0.56 microm. The mature gamonts were differentiated into two forms; short gamont measuring 10.82 +/- 0.82x3.30 +/- 0.73 microm [range: 10-12.1x2.2-4.4 micronm] and the long gamont measured 14.67 +/- 0.83x3.96 +/- 0.77 |nm [range: 14.1-16.5x3.3-5.5 urn]. Merogony carried out only in the endothelial cells of the blood capillaries in the lung. Different merogonic stages have been recognized and differentiated in two forms; micromeront measured 13.25+0.50x12+0.0 |um and produces a few number of large merozoites, macromeront measured 19.75+0.87xl3.25 +/- 0.50 |nm and produces more small sized merozoites. The gamonts and merozoites have the general characteristic ultrastructures of the Apicomplexa containing components of the apical complex, e.g. pellicle, micronemes, rhoptries, and few dense bodies and subpellicular microtubules

Infants of diabetic mothers a cohort study

To determine the outcome of infants born to diabetic mothers at Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and compare the complications seen in these infants with infants of non-diabetic mothers. This is a concurrent prospective cohort study of a population of newborn infants delivered at Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for diabetic mothers between January 2011 and November 2011. A total of 601 infants were enrolled in the study consisting of 319 infants of non-diabetic mothers, and 282 infants of diabetic mothers. Infants of diabetic mothers showed significantly higher rates of associated complications and prolonged hospital stay reflected in their admission to the neonatal intensive care when compared with infants of non-diabetic mothers. There was no difference in rate of complications between infants of gestational diabetics and pre-gestational diabetics. Our study showed that diabetic pregnancies are associated with an increased incidence of neonatal complications. These seem to be related to the degree of maternal glycemic control. The higher rates of complications among our infants of diabetic mothers, particularly major congenital malformations call for those involved in the care of diabetic mothers to consolidate their efforts to facilitate early booking in specialist clinics

Inactivation of avian influenza virus using commercial chemical disinfectants in small scale poultry production

Two commercial chemical disinfectants which are commonly used currently in the Egyptian markets were tested individually for effectiveness against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus [HPAIV]A/chicken/Egypt/13VIR3729/4/2013 [H5N1]., which currently hit the Egyptian poultry farms at 2013, The tested agents were sodium hypochlorite 5% available chlorine [NaOCL] and PERACLEAN 5%[registered][Peroxyacetic Acid4.9% and hydrogen peroxide 26.5%]. The test was performed in accordance to the guidelines of American environmental protection agency [EPA], using a carrier test with surfaces [coupons] designed specially to mimic the poultry house floor and made from concrete cement, [under dirty condition resembled phase two, step two of European Committee for Standardization [CEN]. At room temperature which mimic the field condition in the Egyptian poultry farms, both sodium hypochlorite with concentration [250ppm], and PERACLEAN 5%[registered]with concentration [1%], were not able to inactivate the virus after 5 minutes contact time, while inactivation was achieved within 30 minutes contact time, which proved one of the golden rules when applying a disinfectant, that was allowing the increase of contact time between the disinfectant and influenza virus

Genetic Characterization of Clinical Acanthamoeba Isolates from Japan using Nuclear and Mitochondrial Small Subunit Ribosomal RNA

Because of an increased number of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) along with associated disease burdens, medical professionals have become more aware of this pathogen in recent years. In this study, by analyzing both the nuclear 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) and mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene loci, 27 clinical Acanthamoeba strains that caused AK in Japan were classified into 3 genotypes, T3 (3 strains), T4 (23 strains), and T5 (one strain). Most haplotypes were identical to the reference haplotypes reported from all over the world, and thus no specificity of the haplotype distribution in Japan was found. The T4 sub-genotype analysis using the 16S rRNA gene locus also revealed a clear sub-conformation within the T4 cluster, and lead to the recognition of a new sub-genotype T4i, in addition to the previously reported sub-genotypes T4a-T4h. Furthermore, 9 out of 23 strains in the T4 genotype were identified to a specific haplotype (AF479533), which seems to be a causal haplotype of AK. While heterozygous nuclear haplotypes were observed from 2 strains, the mitochondrial haplotypes were homozygous as T4 genotype in the both strains, and suggested a possibility of nuclear hybridization (mating reproduction) between different strains in Acanthamoeba. The nuclear 18S rRNA gene and mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene loci of Acanthamoeba spp. possess different unique characteristics usable for the genotyping analyses, and those specific features could contribute to the establishment of molecular taxonomy for the species complex of Acanthamoeba.