Effects of Se nanoparticles supplementation on growth performance, hematological parameters and nutrient digestibility of Labeo rohita fingerling fed sunflower meal based diet / Efeitos da suplementação de nanopartículas de Se no desempenho de crescimento, parâmetros hematológicos e digestibilidade de nutrientes da dieta baseada em farinha de girassol alimentada com alevinos de Labeo rohita

Abstract The aim of the present study is to assess the effects of selenium nanoparticles on the growth, hematology and nutrients digestibility of Labeorohita fingerlings. Fingerlings were fed with seven isocaloric sunflower meal-based diet supplemented with different concentrations of nanoparticles naming T1 to T7 (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 mg/kg), with 5% wet body weight while chromic oxide was used as an indigestible marker. After experimentation for 90 days T3 treated group (1mg/kg -1Se-nano level) showed the best result in hematological parameters (WBC's 7.97 ×103mm-3, RBC's 2.98 ×106 mm-3 and Platelet count 67), nutrient digestibility (crude protein: 74%, ether extract: 76%, gross energy: 70%) and growth performance (weight gain 13.24 g, weight gain% 198, feed conversion ratio 1.5, survival rate 100%) as compared to the other treatment groups. Specific growth rates were found significantly higher in T5 than in other groups. The present study indicated positive effect of 1 mg/kg Se-nanoparticles on growth advancement, hematological parameters, and nutrients digestibility of L. rohita fingerlings.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar os efeitos das nanopartículas de selênio no crescimento, hematologia e digestibilidade dos nutrientes de alevinos de Labeo rohita. Os alevinos foram alimentados com sete dietas isocalóricas à base de farinha de girassol suplementada com diferentes concentrações de nanopartículas, nomeando T1 a T7 (0, 0,5, 1, 1,5, 2, 2,5 e 3 mg / kg), com 5% do peso corporal úmido enquanto o óxido crômico foi usado como um marcador indigesto. Após a experimentação por 90 dias, o grupo tratado com T3 (nível 1mg / kg -1Se-nano) mostrou o melhor resultado em parâmetros hematológicos (WBC's 7,97 × 103mm-3, RBC's 2,98 × 106mm-3 e contagem de plaquetas 67), digestibilidade dos nutrientes (proteína bruta: 74%, extrato de éter: 76%, energia bruta: 70%) e desempenho de crescimento (ganho de peso 13,24 g, ganho de peso % 198, taxa de conversão alimentar 1,5, taxa de sobrevivência 100%) em comparação com os outros grupos de tratamento. As taxas de crescimento específicas foram encontradas significativamente mais altas em T5 do que em outros grupos. O presente estudo indicou efeito positivo de 1 mg / kg de nanopartículas de Se no avanço do crescimento, parâmetros hematológicos e digestibilidade de nutrientes de alevinos de L. rohita.

Effects of Se nanoparticles supplementation on growth performance, hematological parameters and nutrient digestibility of Labeo rohita fingerling fed sunflower meal based diet

Abstract The aim of the present study is to assess the effects of selenium nanoparticles on the growth, hematology and nutrients digestibility of Labeorohita fingerlings. Fingerlings were fed with seven isocaloric sunflower meal-based diet supplemented with different concentrations of nanoparticles naming T1 to T7 (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 mg/kg), with 5% wet body weight while chromic oxide was used as an indigestible marker. After experimentation for 90 days T3 treated group (1mg/kg -1Se-nano level) showed the best result in hematological parameters (WBCs 7.97 ×103mm-3, RBCs 2.98 ×106 mm-3 and Platelet count 67), nutrient digestibility (crude protein: 74%, ether extract: 76%, gross energy: 70%) and growth performance (weight gain 13.24 g, weight gain% 198, feed conversion ratio 1.5, survival rate 100%) as compared to the other treatment groups. Specific growth rates were found significantly higher in T5 than in other groups. The present study indicated positive effect of 1 mg/kg Se-nanoparticles on growth advancement, hematological parameters, and nutrients digestibility of L. rohita fingerlings.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar os efeitos das nanopartículas de selênio no crescimento, hematologia e digestibilidade dos nutrientes de alevinos de Labeo rohita. Os alevinos foram alimentados com sete dietas isocalóricas à base de farinha de girassol suplementada com diferentes concentrações de nanopartículas, nomeando T1 a T7 (0, 0,5, 1, 1,5, 2, 2,5 e 3 mg / kg), com 5% do peso corporal úmido enquanto o óxido crômico foi usado como um marcador indigesto. Após a experimentação por 90 dias, o grupo tratado com T3 (nível 1mg / kg -1Se-nano) mostrou o melhor resultado em parâmetros hematológicos (WBCs 7,97 × 103mm-3, RBCs 2,98 × 106mm-3 e contagem de plaquetas 67), digestibilidade dos nutrientes (proteína bruta: 74%, extrato de éter: 76%, energia bruta: 70%) e desempenho de crescimento (ganho de peso 13,24 g, ganho de peso % 198, taxa de conversão alimentar 1,5, taxa de sobrevivência 100%) em comparação com os outros grupos de tratamento. As taxas de crescimento específicas foram encontradas significativamente mais altas em T5 do que em outros grupos. O presente estudo indicou efeito positivo de 1 mg / kg de nanopartículas de Se no avanço do crescimento, parâmetros hematológicos e digestibilidade de nutrientes de alevinos de L. rohita.

Mycoplasma pneumonia in hospitalized patients in Baghdad teaching hospital: clinical, radiological and cold agglutinin assessment

Background: Mycoplasmapneumonia is a cause of community-acquired pneumonia. The disease usually is of a gradual onset, with almost equal gender distribution between male and female

Objective: Assessment of the clinical, radiological and laboratory characteristics of mycoplasma pneumonia in Baghdad teaching hospital

Materials and Methods: 30 patients were collected from Baghdad teaching hospital between 1[st] of November 2003 till 30[th] of October 2004 having pneumonia with positive cold agglutinin titer. They were studied regarding their clinical presentation and features including seasonal incidence, radiological assessment, and testing blood for cold agglutinin titer

Results: The study showed almost equal gender distribution [14 patients were male and 16 patients were female], with ratio of male: female equal to 1:1.1. The most common symptoms were dry cough76.7%, headache [6.77%] and fever [70%]. Other symptoms are less frequent. Seasonal variation showing more incidence during spring time. Radiological finding showed patchy infiltration in 18 patient [60%], lobar consolidation in 7 patient [23.3%], and pleural effusion in 4 patient [13.3%]

Conclusion: There is almost equal gender distribution between male and female. The most common symptom was dry cough, headache, while fever is more common in old age groups than other age groups

Essential phospholipids as a supportive adjunct in the management of patients with NAFLD

Background and study aims: Treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver [NAFLD] is important because NAFLD patients have a 1.7-fold increase in standardised age and gender matched mortality. Currently treatment is based on life style modification and managing comorbid associating disease. Other medications remain experimental. Essential phospholipid [EPL] is a nutrient for the liver, helping to maintain vitality of cell membranes where the vast majority of liver activities are regulated. We performed a randomised open label study to evaluate EPL as an adjuvant nutrient to the treatment of primary NAFLD or NAFLD with comorbid disease

Patients and method: Three groups of NAFLD patients were recruited: lone [n = 113], diabetes mellitus type 2 [n = 107] and mixed hyperlipidaemia [n = 104]. Diagnosis was established by excluding other chronic liver diseases. A standard diet and physical activity plan were advised to all patients. 1800 mg of EPL a day was given for 24 weeks, followed by 900 mg for 48 weeks

Results: Essential phospholipid EPL led to a significant improvement of symptoms and a mean reduction of ALT of 50.8 IU and AST of 46.1 IU per patient [p < 0.01]. Abdominal ultrasonography indicated normalisation in 4.6% and a shift from grade II to grade I in 24% of patients. Liver stiffness measurement indicated an improvement in 21.1%, with a mean reduction in the LSM of 3.1 K Pascal/patient. Reducing the dosage after six months led to a limited relapse in 43.8-63.2% of patients, for lone and NAFLD with co-morbid conditions

Conclusion: Essential phospholipid [EPL] as a nutritional supplement resulted in a significant improvement in clinical parameters and transaminases for all NAFLD patients. Ultrasound and LSM revealed modest improvement. There is a need for uninterrupted maintenance to avoid relapse

Hematocolpos mimicking acute urinary retention in Emergency Department.

Lower abdominal pain with lower urinary tracts symptoms in young girls presented to Emergency Department (ED) is urinary tract infection (UTI) until proven otherwise. We reported a case of classic UTI presentation with unusual finding of hematocolpos. We believed the unusual circumstance of this case is likely to be repeated in some other clinical practice and such differential diagnoses should be considered.

Simultaneous determination of cetirizine and pseudoephedrine combined in tablet dosage form by high performance liquid chromatography

This study develops and validates an efficient, sensitive and simple method for the simultaneous determination of cetirizine dihydrochloride and pseudoephedrine combined in tablet dosage form by high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC] with an ultraviolet [UV] detector.The validation of this method was carried out according to ICH and USP guidelines. In this study, the mobile phase used was acetonitrile: water [530:470 [v/v]] with 200mg sodium heptane sulfonic acid and the pH value was adjusted to 2.5 with sulfuric acid. The limit of detection and quantification for cetirizinedihydrochloride were 0.805 and 2.685 microg/mL, respectively, and the limit of detection and quantification for pseudoephedrine were 17.976 and 59.921 microg/mL, respectively. The linearity was studied in the concentration range of 12.2 and 36.5 microg/mL forcetirizinedihydrochloride and 295.91 and 861.73 microg/mL for pseudoephedrine. The recovered amounts of cetirizinedihydrochloride and pseudoephedrine were 98.2% -102.9% and 99.5%- 102.4%, respectively.

Do probiotics improve eradication response to Helicobacter pylori on standard triple or sequential therapy?

The standard triple therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori consists of a combination of a proton pump inhibitor at a standard dose together with two antibiotics [amoxicillin 1000 mg plus either clarithromycin 500 mg or metronidazole 400 mg] all given twice daily for a period of 7-14 days. Recent reports have shown a dramatic decline in the rate of H. pylori eradication utilizing standard triple therapy from 95% down to 70-80%. Our study was designed to evaluate the effect of adding a probiotic as an adjuvant to common regimens used for H. pylori eradication. An open label randomized observational clinical study was designed to test three different regimens of H. pylori eradication treatment: Standard triple therapy with a concomitant probiotic added at the same time [n = 100], starting the probiotic for 2 weeks before initiating standard triple therapy along with the probiotic [n = 95], and the third regimen consists of the probiotic given concomitantly to sequential treatment [n = 76]. The three arms were compared to a control group of patients treated with the traditional standard triple therapy [n = 106]. The eradication rate for the traditional standard therapy was 68.9%, and adding the probiotic "Bifidus infantis" to triple therapy, led to a successful rate of eradication of 83% [P < 0.001]. Pre-treatment with 2 weeks of B. infantis before adding it to standard triple therapy increased the success rate of eradication to 90.5%. Similar improvement in eradication rate was noted when B. infantis was added as an adjuvant to the sequential therapy leading to an eradication rate of 90.8%. Adding B. infantis as an adjuvant to several therapeutic regimens commonly used for the eradication of H. pylori infection significantly improves the cure rates

Prevalence of drug resistance among new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis

Tuberculosis [TB] is a disease that has affected humankind throughout recorded history and before.Presently, the number of deaths caused by TB worldwide exceeds that caused by any other organism. Drug-resistant tuberculosis is a man-made problem. Poor management can lead to the selection of M. tuberculosis with mutations conferring resistance to antituberculous drugs. Drug resistance is divided into two types: primary [resistance in persons who have never received anti-tuberculosis drugs for more than 1 month. These patients are initially infected with drugresistant strains] and secondary, acquired, [resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs, which arises during treatment due to poor compliance or improper management.] To identify the prevalence of drug resistance among new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in Iraq. A cross sectional studywhich includes, 106 patients fulfilled the criteria of inclusion throughout the duration of the study, and sputum samples were taken from all of them for direct microscopical examination and culture and drug sensitivity. Fifty patients [47.2%] had positive results for mycobacterial culture, none of them showed resistance to any anti- tuberculous drug that had been examined for, i.e.: all the 50 samples were sensitive to tested anti-tuberculous drugs. Standard first line treatment for pulmonary T.B. is recommended for all new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in Iraq

Partially treated bacterial meningitis among children in Al-Anbar governorate

Partially treated bacterial meningitis is an important clinical entity to be aware of particularly in an environment of empirical prescription of antibiotics, as it may delay the child's presentation to hospital and alter the cerebrospinal fluid findings. To find out the effect of partial antibiotic treatment on the clinical presentation and laboratory findings among children with bacterial meningitis in Al-Anbar governorate. The medical records of fifty children with bacterial meningitis that were admitted to Al-Ramadi Maternity and Children hospital during the period 1[st] February 2000 till 31[st] January 2002, were reviewed retrospectively the patients were divided into untreated group and partially treated group. Partial antibiotic treatment in children with bacterial meningitis had no significant effect on the presenting signs and symptoms, cerebrospinal fluid cell count, protein, and glucose, when compared to the untreated group, while cerebrospinal fluid culture showed significant difference between untreated group 24/24 [100%] and partially treated group 11/26 [42.3%]. P<0.05. Among the different available diagnostic tests, cerebrospinal fluid enzyme linked immunosorbent assay had the best yield in both untreated group [90.9%] and the partially treated group [95.8%]. Partial antibiotic treatment in bacterial meningitis among children does not mask the clinical features nor significantly changes the cerebrospinal fluid cell count, protein, glucose, and bacterial antigen detection by immunoassay, however, it has a significant effect on the positive yield of cerebrospinal fluid culture

Iron deficiency anemia: the utility of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and histopathohgy

Occult blood loss must be considered as a possible cause in every case of iron deficiency anemia. To evaluate upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in finding a potential cause for iron deficiency anemia among children in Al-Anbar governorate. Twenty five children aged 2-14 years, referred to the gastroenterology unit in Al-Ramadi General Hospital for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy had iron deficiency anemia. Fiberoptic endoscopy was used under general anesthesia and endoscopic tissue biopsies were taken from 22 patients for histopathological examination. The main presenting signs and symptoms were pallor, abdominal pain, and stunting. The upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed thinning of duodenal folds and serrated mucosa in 8 [32%], duodenal ulcer in 3 [12%], esophageal varices in 1 [4%], nodular gastritis in 1 [4%], and reflux esophagitis in 1 [4%], with a yield rate of 56%. While tissue biopsies revealed histopathological findings suggestive of celiac disease in 12 [48%], Giardia lamblia in 2 [8%], Helicobacter pylori gastritis in 1 [4%], and esophagitis in 1 [4%]. There was a significant association between the endoscopic finding of thinning of duodenal folds and serrated mucosa and the histopathological finding suggestive of celiac disease, P<0.05. Iron deficiency anemia in children 2-14 years of age warrants upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to find potentially treatable causes for the iron deficiency anemia

Clinical profile and outcomeof respiratory failure in Iraqi children

The frequency of acute respiratory failure is higher in infants and young children than in adults. Acute respiratory failure remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for children. One hundred and twenty children under the age of 15 years presented with respiratory failure and admitted to RICU in Children Welfare Teaching Hospital and Surgical Specialty Hospital in Medical City-Baghdad in the period from the Pt of May-2003 to the 30" of June 2005 were enrolled in a descriptive study. Seventy nine [65.83%] cases were males and 41 [34.17%] were females. Male/female ratio was 1.93:1 .The mean age was 30.21 months, 35 [29.16%] cases were neonates. Sixty eight [56.7%] cases were from urban areas and 52 [43.3%] were from rural areas. Seventy eight [65%] children were admitted for medical diseases and 42 [3 5%] were admitted for surgical problems. The most common medical causes were respiratory [5 0%] followed by neurological [37. 1 7%].The most common respiratory cases were bronchiolitis [28.2%] and most common neurological cases were Guillain-Barre Syndrome [58.6%].The majority [90.47%] of surgical cases were admitted post-operatively. The average duration of stay in RICU was 9.71 days. Fifty three patients [44.17%] survived and 67 [55.83%] died. The most common age group admitted to RICU is infancy, medical cases are more commonly admitted than surgical cases, the most common medical causes of admission are respiratory followed by neurological causes, the most common respiratory cause of admission is acute bronchiolitis

Serum zinc level and nutritional status in children with persistent diarrhea in Ramadi

Diarrheal diseases in children are associated with malnutrition and zinc deficiency, in particular persistent diarrhea. To evaluate the serum zinc level and nutritional state among children with persistent diarrhea in comparison with those with acute diarrhea and healthy control. Over a period of five months, 25 children complaining from persistent diarrhea were admitted to Maternity and Children Hospital in Ramadi city and studied to assess the level of serum zinc and nutritional state. Twenty two children presented with acute diarrhea and another 18 healthy children were matched for age and sex used as control. Serum zinc level was measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean serum zinc level among children with persistent diarrhea, 68.8 microg/dL was significantly lower than that found among healthy control group, 82.1 microg/dL. Significant numbers of children with persistent diarrhea were found to have moderate and severe malnutrition when compared to those with acute diarrhea. On the other hand the duration of diarrhea was found to have strong negative linear correlation with weight for height and weight for age among children with diarrheal disease. We conclude that persistent diarrhea is associated with low serum zinc level and acute malnutrition. We recommend further studies to evaluate the impact of zinc supplementation among children with persistent diarrhea

Hallucinogenic plant poisoning in children

Datura is a hallucinogenic plant found in urban or rural areas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia KSA. It grows wildly in many parts of the country. Its taste and shape makes it unattractive to both man and animals, though deliberate use by young adults for its hallucinogenic effects have been widely reported for the past 30 years. Datura contains 3 main toxic alkaloids: atropine, scopolamine and hyoscamine. Consumption of any part of the plant can result in severe anticholinergic toxicity. Clinical symptoms are those seen in atropine poisoning, particularly mydriasis and hallucinations. Children have a special susceptibility to atropine toxicity; even small amount may produce central nervous system manifestations. Hospitalization is required for agitation and combative behavior although symptomatic treatment is usually sufficient. We report a case of acute Datura stramonium intoxication in a 6-year-old boy from Khamis Mushayt, KSA, who presented with restlessness, hallucinations and mydriasis 8 hours after ingesting the seeds of Datura plant

Comparative study of diclofenac sodium and paracetamol for treatment of pain after adenotonsillectomy in children

To compare the analgesic efficacy of diclofenac sodium and paracetamol on post adenotonsillectomy postoperative pain and oral intake. Between January 1999 and July 2000, 80 children aged 3-14 years, underwent tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for either recurrent tonsillitis or adenotonsillar hypertrophy in Prince Zeid Ben Al-Hussein Hospital and Prince Rashid Ben Al-Hussein Hospital. Forty-one children received diclofenac sodium suppositories [1-3mg/kg] postoperatively, whereas 39 children received only paracetamol syrup [10-15 mg/kg] in 4 divided doses. All children were observed for postoperative pain, oral intake, vomiting, temperature and complications. Children who received diclofenac sodium had significantly less pain, less elevation of temperature, more oral intake, and started drinking significantly sooner than the paracetamol group. Two children in the diclofenac group experienced nausea and vomiting compared to 12 children in the paracetamol group in the first day. The time to first solid intake was significantly earlier in the diclofenac sodium group [p < 0.0001]. With regard to complications, one patient in each group developed secondary hemorrhage, one child developed otitis media in the 2nd group. Each group had one readmission, and 2 children from the paracetamol group had an emergency department visit for pain and dehydration. Diclofenac sodium has a significant effect on decreasing the pain associated with swallowing postoperatively and on the general condition of the patient. Improved oral intake resulted in a lower incidence of nausea and vomiting and allowed safer and earlier hospital discharge

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: rats and predictors for conversion

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy [LC] was attempted in 847 patients, 823 [97.2%] were completed laparoscopically and 24 [2.8%] had to be converted to open cholecystectomy [OC]. Acute cholecystitis was the commonest reason for conversion [13 out of 24 patients]. Patients who has acute cholecystitis are five times at risk for conversion to open than other patients with non- acute cholecystitis [P<0.001]. Age and sex were not statistically significant predictors for conversion. There data confirms the safety of LC, identify factors which predicts conversion to OC and may be helpful in selecting patients for day care ambulatory LC

Histopathological study of three leishmania major strains

Amastigotes count in inoculated foot pad and histopathological study of infected mice were performed to study three Leishmania major strains: the Senegalese strain MHOM/SN/00/DKI[SN], the Sudanese strain MHOM/SD/89/UG8[SD], and the Saudi strain MHOM/SA/84/JISH[SA]. Eight-week-old male BALB/c mice were divided into three groups. Each group was infected with one of the studied strains. Amastigotes in the inoculated foot of infected. mice in the three groups were counted at 30 and 45 days using modified fluorescence diacetate/ethidium bromide viability test. The number of amastigotes in the SA group was found to be significantly lower than that of the other two groups at both durations. There was no significant difference between the number of amastigotes in the SN and SD strains at 30 days. but it was significantly higher in the SN group than that of the SD group at 45 days post-inoculation. In the animals studied, tissue samples were obtained from the skin, liver, spleen, and testes for gross pathological changes and histopathological evaluation. The SD strain started earlier and led a more aggressive course. The SN and SA strains were less aggressive. The SA strain showed changes at an earlier time and resulted in a more aggressive course of the disease. The SN and SA strains were less aggressive. The SA strain showed the most chronic course of the three

quantitative buffy coat capillary tubes versus thin and thick blood films in the diagnosis of malaria in Saudi Arabia

The quantitative buffy coat [QBC] capillary tube was compared with both the thin and thick films in the diagnosis of malaria among 3 groups of hospitalized patients. Group 1 comprised subjects with no symptoms or signs, group 2 comprised patients with fever and rigors of unknown cause, and group 3 comprised treated malaria patients consulting the hospital for a follow up. The QBC test showed more sensitivity than the 2 conventional methods in the 3 groups as follows: In group 1 the QBC was positive in 14.2% compared with 9% only in either thin or thick blood films. In group 2 the positivity was 95.1% compared with 79.3% and 76.8% in the thin and thick blood films, respectively. In group 3 the sensitivity was 22.9% compared with only 5.7% in both the thin and thick blood films. It was found that the QBC technique in addition to its high sensitivity is very practical, reliable, simple and easy to perform. No doubt, the thin blood film is still the method of choice in species identification of malaria parasites