Clinical and epidemiological studies on respiratory manifestations in sheep

2390 Living sheep of different ages [1-12 months], sexes and breeds [Braky-Rhmany-Baladi] were examined clinically in the field for investigation of the animals which suffered from signs of respiratory manifestation [nasal discharge [serous-mucoid-mucopurulent], rapid breathing, severe dyspenea, pyrexia [rectal temp 40-41 c]. congested mucous membranes, lacrimation, coughing and abnormal lung sound by auscultation. The study was carried out on [150] pneumonic lambs. The morbidity rate was 6.2% [150/2390], mortality rate was 7.4% and fatality rate was 19.3% [29/150]. Bacteriological examination revealed that [75] samples were positive for bacterial growth with percentages [50%] from previously affected sites of samples. In total out of [127] bacterial isolates. Concerning Gram positive bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus was 10 [6.7%], Streptococcus 8 [5.3%], Staphylococcus epidermidis 14[9.3%].while the gram negative bacteria were identified as E, coli 30 [20%] Proteus sp 28 [13.3%] Enterobacter sp 9 [6%] Klebseilla pneumoniae subsp pneumoniae 5 [3.4]% Klebseilla ozaenae 7 [4.7%], Citrobacter diversus 6 [4%], Pasteurella multocida 2 [1.3%], Providencia 2 [1.3%], Pseudomonas aerugenosa 14 [9.3%] isolated from the different examined collected samples. Bacteriological examination for [14] lung samples revealed that Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were isolated from two samples [14.2]% and other bacteria were Mannheimia haemolytica, Pseudomonas Aerugenosa, Enterobacter agglumerans, Haemophillus somuns every one of them were isolated from one sample [7.1%]. Only actinomyces pyogenes was isolated from three samples [21.3%]. The bacterial examination of lung samples showed that; all isolate were single such as actinomyces pyogens from two samples [14.2], mannheimia haemolytica, haemophillus somnus Enterobacter agglomerans, Staph .aureus every one of them was isolated from one samples [7.1]%. Except two isolates were isolated from mixed cultures; Escherichia coli +Actinomyces pyogenes and E.coli +Staph aureus .Every isolates was isolated from 1sample [7.1%]. Sensitivity test revealed that most isolates were highly sensitive to Enrofloxacin, Cephaloexine, and Ampicillin and were resistant to streptomycin

Synthesis, surface active properties of some amphoteric and anionic surfactants derived from long-chain mono alkyl malonate

A series of N.N-dimethyl-1-aminoethyl-2-amido-alkyl malonate and N, N-bis-carboxymethyl-1-aminoethyl-2-amido alkyl malonate surfactants based on fatly alcohol have been synthesized. The structure of these compounds was confirmed by elemental and spectroscopic analysis. The critical micelle concentration, efficiency, effectiveness, surface tension reduction at the air/water interface, CmC/C20 ratios. standard free energy of micellization, wetting and foam stability of the surfactants were determined. The results suggested that the minimum area/surfactants molecule [Amin] for the investigated compounds decreased with increasing the incorporated anionic group in the molecule of surfactant. It was shown that wetting and foaming characteristics of amphoteric surfactants were significantly better than those observed for anionic ones

Heterocyclic synthesis with biologically active S-[6-aryl pyridazin 3-yl] thioglycollic acid hydrazides

A number of S-[6-ary1pyridazin-3-yl] thioglycollic acid hydrazides [Ia-c] and thiosemicarbazide derivatives IIa-c have been prepared. 6-Arylpyridazin-3-mercaptomethenyl[4-phenyl--l,2,4-triazolo-5-thiones] [IIIa-c]; 6-arylpyridazin-3-mercaptometheny]-[4-phenyl-l,2,4-triazolo-5-mercaptomethyl ether [IVa]; 6-aryl pyridazin-3-mercaptomethyl-[4-phenyl-I,2,4-triazolo-5-mercaptocyanoethyl] [IVb] and the Mannich bases Va-c have been synthesized from III. The 6-arylpyridazin-3-mercaptomethenyl [5-aminophenyl-l,3-4-thiadiazolines] [VIa-c] and the corresponding 1,3-4-oxadiazoline derivative VII have been synthesized from the phenyl-thiosemicarbazide derivatives IIa-c. The antibacterial activity of the prepared compounds has been screened

C677T polymorphism of the 5,10-Methylenetetra-hydrofolate reductase [MTHFR] gene as a risk factor for neural tube defects among Egyptian families

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase [MTHFR] deficiency leads to impairment in folate metabolism and is implicated as a risk factor for neural tube defects [NTDs]. C677T MTHFR polymorphism is associated with NTDs, in some populations. Although the prevalence of this mutation has been reported from various ethnic populations, no data concerning Egyptian are available. C677T polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP. The frequencies of the C677T MTHFR polymorphism was determined in 35 case mothers, 19 case fathers and 9 children with NTDs compared with healthy 30 matched controls. In addition, allele and genotype frequencies were classified into different groups according to offspring NTD phenotype, consanguinity of the parents and number of affected offspring with NTD and or abortion. The prevalence of the polymorphic, homozygous [T/T] and heterozygous [C/T] C677T MTHFR genotypes were 6.3% and 38.1%, respectively, giving an allele frequency of 0.25. We observed increased frequency of heterozygotes of MTHFR in NTDs mothers versus the control although, C677T allele frequency was 0.28 in controls. Consanguinity rate was 45.7% among our families but it seems unlikely that it had an additional effect on the heterozygosity of the mutant genotype in this sample. In conclusion, neither homozygosity nor heterozygosity for the C677T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene constitute a genetic risk factor in the total NTDs but could be a risk of spina bifida aperta in this sample of Egyptian families. It is noteworthy to mention that this is the first report from Egypt evaluating the relationship between MTHFR677C>T and NTD

Parapharyngeal space tumors: Diagnosis and surgical management

Forty three patients presenting with parapharyngeal space [PPS] tumors were studied. Diagnosis was based on history, physical examination and imaging procedures [C. T scan, MRI, MRA, metastatic workup and fine needle aspiration cytology [FNAC] under C. T or U.S guidance]. Surgical approaches used for treatment included transcervical, transparotid, transcervical-transparotid, transcervical-transmandibular and transmaxillary. Most patients [90.7%] presented with cervical mass. Pain was present in 8 patients, tongue paresis in 6 patients, and dysarthria in 5 patients.C. T scan was done for all patients, MRI was done for 16 patients and MRA was done for 7 patients. Angiography was done for 3 patients and balloon occlusion test was done for 2 patients. FNAC was done in 19 patients. Surgical resection was done for all patients in the form of wide local excision of the tumor. Transcervical approach was used in 14 patients, transparotid cervical in 11 patients, mandibular swing in 7 patients. Temporary tracheostomy was done in 16 patients, ipsilateral neck dissection in 3 patients. Two patients required pectoralis major myocutaneous flap and 3 needed free flaps for wound closure. Recurrence occurred in 3/32 benign cases with reoperation and no recurrence later. 6/11 malignant cases presented with recurrence 2 needed reoperation while the rest treated by chemo or radiotherapy. Management of PPS tumors is a challenge because of the complexity of the space and different histological types of the lesions. Proper diagnosis as well as different surgical approaches according to the location of the lesion can provide complete resection with satisfactory outcome

Growth charts of Egyptian children with Down syndrome [0-36 months]

A study established growth and growth velocity curves for weight, length and head circumference in 350 Egyptian Down syndrome children [188 males and 162 females] from 0-36 months. Down syndrome children had poorer growth variables than normal healthy children through the first 3 years of life. Down syndrome children with associated congenital heart disease [90 cases] had significantly lower weight, especially in girls, compared with those without heart disease. In the first 2 years, growth velocity for weight and head circumference were higher in Down syndrome females than males, while growth velocity for length was higher in males. Down syndrome boys had slightly higher velocity of length than normal children in the first 3 years of life

In vitro susceptibility of cryptococcus neoformans clinical isolates from Egypt to seven antifungal drugs

Objective: to assess the in vitro susceptibility of clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans from Al-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt to seven antifungal drugs; fluconazole, miconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, flucytosine, nystatin and amphotericin B

Materials and Methods: a total of 59 samples of CSF and vaginal discharges, in addition to 20 oral swabs were obtained and cultured on Saburaud dextrose agar supplemented with 0.5% chloramphenicol, Esculin-based agar and PCR was carried out for confirmation and discrimination of C. neoformans. Broth and colorimetric microdilution methods were used to test the in vitro susceptibility of the C. neoformans isolates to antifungal drugs

Results: the in vitro susceptibility of 29 clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans to fluconazole, miconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, flucytosine, nystatin and amphotericin B was tested by broth and colonmetric microdilution methods. The yeast cells were grown well in Bacto-antibiotic medium 3 and RPMI 1640 medium buffered by MOPS to pH 7 and supplemented with 1.5 % glucose. The isolates mostly showed uniform patterns of susceptibility to the used antifungal agents. The required MICs to inhibit 50 and 90% of the isolates showed high ranges for 5-flucytosine [0.5-8 mg/L], nystatin [0.2-8.25 mg/L], fluconazole [0.5-16 mg/L], and miconazole [0.2-12.5 mg/L]. However, amphotericin B [0.5-1 mg/L], ketoconazole and itraconazole [0.016-0.25 mg/L] revealed lower MICs ranges for the clinical yeast isolates in both methods used. Only three isolates exhibited resistance [four-fold or greater rise in the MICs] to the tested antifungal drugs. The resistant isolates showed MICs of fluconazole, miconazole, itraconazole and ketoconazole of about 40-120 mg/L, 6-60 mg/L for nystatin, 4-30 mg/L for 5-flucytosine and 5-8 mg/L for amphotericin B. The combination of fluconazole plus flucytosine showed higher synergy and fungicidal activity than that of fluconazole plus amphotericin B and then the use of each antifungal alone

Conclusion: isolation and identification of C. neoformans may be considered as one of the causative agents of vaginal, oral and meningis infections, particularly in neonates. Fluconazol alone or in combination with flucytosine could be used for the treatment

Possible protective role of nitric oxide in myocardial ischemia

Much interest has been focused on the role of endogenous and exogenous NO pathways as regulators of cardiovascular function in health and disease. Despite the great number of studies on the effect of nitric oxide on cardiac functions under basal and ischemic conditions, however their results remains highly controversial.So this study was designed to throw more light on the role of endogenous NO [synthesized of L-argenine] and exogenous NO [from sodium nitroprusside] in modulation of myocardial function in ischemic conditions A total number of 80 isolated hearts from adult male white New-Zeland rabbits weighing 1.5-2 Kg, grouped into 8 groups were used in this study. When administered before 25 min of global ischemia and early in reperfusion it was found the NO donors L. Arginine, SNP induced a significant cardioprotective effect expressed by a reduction in the percentage of post ischaemic cardiac damage. This was manifested by a lesser reduction in heart rate, amplitude of contraction, coronary flow rate and also lesser lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] release when compared with control group. While administration of NOS inhibitor L. NAME or guanylate cyclase inhibitor MB induced cardiac damage manifested by an increase in the percentage of post ischaemic reduction in heart rate, amplitude of contraction, coronary flow rate and an increased LDH release as compared to control group. Co-administration of NO donors with NO inhibitors abolished the cardio protective effect of NO donors. In conclusion it was found that NO has a significant cardio-depressant effect under basal conditions, however it increased coronary flow rate and moreover, NO donors have a significant cardio protective effect, following ischaemia and reperfusion. These findings may have clinical value as it illustrate the role of NO donors as potential therapeutic agents in the treatment and prevention of coronary artery disease

Relative arteriovenous potency of nitric oxide

Much interest has been focused on the role of endogenous and exogenous nitric oxide [NO] pathways as regulators of cardiovascular function in health and disease. Moreover, despite the well documented vasodilator effect of NO, the relative arteriovenous potency of nitric oxide donors and inhibitors and the role of NO in portal circulation remain unclear. So this study was designed to throw more light on the role of NO on different blood vessels in vitro. This work studied the effect of L-NAME, L-arginine,SNP and MB in 3 different doses on the contractile effect of submaximal dose of noradrenaline on isolated dog aortic,femoral artery,femoral vein and portal vein strips. L-NAME and MB induced a significant increase of noradrenaline induced contraction in all vascular strips with all tested doses. However the response of venous strips was significantly higher than arterial strips with the least effect on aortic strips and highest on portal vein strips indicating a higher sensitivity of veins especially portal vein and the importance of NO in maintenance of basal vascular tone in all tested strips. On the other hand L-arginine and SNP induced a significant reduction in the noradrenaline-induced contraction in all vascular strips with all tested doses. This effect was more in veins especially portal vein than arterial strips.This veno-selectivity illustrate a potential role for NO in control of venous tone and in turn preload which is a major risk factor in some cardiovascular diseases as heart failure.Also the high portal sensitivity under basal condition suggest a possible use of NO as therapeutic agents in portal hypertension, however further studies on portal hypertensive subjects are recommended to illustrate its effects under condition of increased portal pressure

Aflatoxicsis effects on albino rats reproductive system

Aflatoxicosis effect on albino rat concerning the reproductive system was studied. Rats were fed contaminated diet containing 7.5 mg aflatoxins [AF] /kg for 80 days in males and females. Food was adlibitum. Results denoted a significant decrease in fertility index in aflatoxin-treated animals [p<0.05] related to the corresponding control. The weights of the ovary and testis were significantly altered [p<0.05] in comparison to the controls. Also, the number of ovarian follicles on the surface was diminished to a significant value [p<0.05] in relation to the control. Parameters of seminal analysis as sperm cell concentration/epididymis and the percentage of total motility were significantly decreased [p<0.05] whereas abnormal and dead forms were significantly increased [p<0.05] than the control figures. Serum hormonal profile assessment showed a significant decrease in the level of testosterone and a significant increase in the level of LH and FSH in AF-treated male rats than the corresponding control levels [p<0.05]. On the other hand, AF-female treated rats showed a significant increase in the level of estradiol and LH [p<0.05] while FSH and progesterone levels were not altered if matched to the control figure. Microscopic examination of pituitary gland from each sex, testis and ovary revealed marked histopathological changes whereas prostate and seminal vesicles suffered no changes. Results led to the conclusion that aflatoxicosis at such level had deleterious effects on reproductive system of male and female albino rats. Strict prevention or prophylaxis against mycotoxins has to be recommended

Comparative study of the role of zinc and ascorbic acid in acute cadmium toxicity

The protective effect of zinc sulphate [ZnSO[4]] or ascorbic acid on cadmium chloride [CdCl[2]] toxicity was investigated in mice receiving 2.3 mg CdCl[2]/kg BW [1/40 LD50] orally for 2 weeks. Zinc or ascorbic acid was supplemented either as pre-treatment to CdCl[2] or associated with it. At the end of the study, liver, kidney, testis and serum were subjected for Cd and Zn concentration as well as histological study. In addition, biochemical evaluation for both liver and kidney functions were carried out. In Cd-intoxicated group, results showed marked histological changes in such organs. Cd and Zn concentrations were higher in serum, liver and kidney than other tissues. Results concluded that pretreatments with such agents are beneficial to some extent especially with Zn salt. The associated regimen is proved to be the best of all regimens by biochemical and histological studies with special reference to Zn salts