Impact of vitamin A supplementation on diarrhea and acute respiratory infection among children

Clinical manifested vitamin A deficiency predisposes to increased diarrhea and respiratory morbidity. To study impact of vitamin A supplementation on acute respiratory tract infection and diarrhea of children. A clinical trial study was carried out in Azazi village- Sharkia governorate, Egypt- through the year of 2009. Of 430 children aged 12-60 months attending the local health centre to get medical care for diarrhea. 300 children were included in this study. Those children with history of acute diarrhea of less than seven days' duration were divided into two groups. vitamin A group children [150] who received vitamin A 200000 IU and the other 150 [control group] were not given vitamin A. Incidence and prevalence of acute lower respiratory tract infections and diarrhea during the 90 days after termination of diarrheal episode were measured by twice weekly home visits. The incidence [relative risk 1.07; 95% confidence interval 0.92 to 1.26] and average number of days spent with acute lower respiratory tract infections were similar in the vitamin A supplemented and control groups. The incidence of diarrhea was also similar [relative risk 0.95; 95% confidence interval 0.86 to 1.05] in the two groups. There was a reduction in the mean daily prevalence of diarrhea associated with fever in the vitamin A supplemented children older than 23 months. Results showed a lack of impact of vitamin A supplementat ion on acute respiratory tract infection, but there was a reduction in the severity of diarrhea in older children. Parents are advised to give their Children vitamin A during the obligatory program of immunization and during diarrheal attacks because this may lower incidence and severity of diarrhea especially in older children

Influence of feed restriction on chromosomal pictures, some biochemical parameters and spermiogram of Crossbred rams

The goal of the present study is to evaluate the effect of feed restriction on chromosomal pictures, serum biochemical parameters and some hormones in addition to spermiogram with their reflection on the reproductive efficiency of rams. Five mature Crossbred [Barki x Rahmani] rams were used, their age ranged from 15 to 17 months and weighting 45 to 60 kg. Rams received a basal diet according to the management of Animal Reproduction Research Institute [ARRI]. The animals were exposed to 21 days of feed restriction [1/3 amount of basal diet]. Restricted rams refed again on basal diet for 14 days. Blood and semen samples were collected from rams [before feed restriction, 21 days after feed restriction and 14 days post refeeding]. The results showed that there were significant differences between first period and others in the percentage of some chromosomal abnormalities which mainly were polydiploidy, in addition to gaps, breaks, deletions and fragments which increased significantly only after feed restricted periods in addition to the significant increase in the percent of total number of aberrated cells. Concerning the biochemical parameters, there was a significant decrease in serum glucose and cholesterol levels after feed restriction and they were elevated after refeeding to their levels before the restriction. Malondialdehyde showed a significant decrease after refeeding than the other two periods of the experiment. On the contrary, there was a significant increase in serum insulin levels after feed restriction compared with the other two periods. The effect of feed restriction was clear on serum testosterone hormone level which showed significant decrease after feed restriction and after refeeding. There was significant decrease in semen volume after restriction and refeeding rams. There was significant decrease in the motility and live/dead sperm after feed restriction and return to their levels post refeeding. Concentration of semen showed significant decrease after both feed restriction and refeeding. Total sperm abnormalities showed significant increase after restriction and back to first level before restriction. It was concluded that, feed restriction [l/3 amount of basal ration] for 21 days in mature rams has adverse effect on the chromosomal pictures, some biochemical parameters and decreased testosterone level in addition to decrease in all semen parameters. This effect was not overcome by supplemental feeding again that confirming the status of these rams did not improve completely even after the tested refeeding period

School achievement of physically handicapped children in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

Physical handicapping becomes one of the priorities of all governments due to its hazardous effect on physical, mental and social health. To determine rate of physical handicapping in a rural area and to study its effect on school achievement of children. This cross-sectional study included 750 students of 15 primary schools of Sharkia Governorate. Those schools were selected randomly for this study during the period from October-to- December, 2009. The students answered a carefully designed questionnaire during the interview of clinical examination. Watch test for testing hearing and Snellen test for measuring the acuity of vision were applied for all school children. The prevalence rate of physical handicapping in this study group is 20.8%. Handicapping had occurred in males more than females [p<0.05]. Visual, auditory and orthopedic disorders decreased the score of school achievement of the students [p<0.05]. Speech, heart and respiratory problems had insignificant effect on school achievement of the children [p>0.05]. Prevalence of physical handicapping was 20.8% among the study group. Visual, auditory and orthopedic disorders had a significantly negative effect on the score of school achievement of the students. Physically handicapped children need special educational programs. A technology-based program should induce the in-apparent skills of those children to benefit them and their community. A next research study is recommended to measure the prevalence of handicapping at the same age group in households

Levosimendan versus milrinone in heart failure: a study of hemodynamic changes

Levosimendan is a drug with a considerable cardiotonic properties; it improve myocardial contractility without causing an increase in myocardial oxygen consumption. The aim of this randomized double blinded study was to compare the effect of levosimendan and milrinon on heamodynamic performance in patients with severe cardiac dysfunction due to acute heart failure. A total of 375 patients admitted to general I.C.U with acute heart failure with the need for hemodynamic monitoring and further hemodynamic support were allocated to this study. After exclusion of 215 patients, 160 patients were randomized to receive levosimendan [Group L, no.=81], or milrinon [Group M no.=79]. Group L patients [no.=81] received an initial loading dose of 12 micro g/kg i.v over 10 minutes, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.1 micro g/kg/min in a maximum of 0.4 micro g/min [according to hemodynamic tolerance]. Group M patients [no.=79] received a loading dose of 25 micro g/kg up to 75 micro g/kg followed by 0.375 micro g/kg/min that was escalated to 0.75 micro g/kg/min to reach satisfactory hemodynamic response. The favored target was to increase cardiac output to more than 30% of the baseline and decrease after load especially that of the right side [pulmonary artery pressure PAP] to more than -25% of the initial reading. Those hemodynamic results were expected to occur within 24 hours from starting the infusion. Hemodynamic parameters monitored were: Repeated baseline measurement of cardiac output [CO], pulmonary capillary wedge pressure [PCWP], mean right atrial pressure [CVP], mean pulmonary artery pressure [PAP] by means of pulmonary artery catheter. Cardiac index [CI], systemic vascular resistance [SVR], pulmonary vascular resistance [PVR] was calculated through hemodynamic measurements. Readings were taken 10 minutes after beginning of loading dose infusion, 1 hour, 4 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours and 24 hours, whilst systolic and diastolic blood pressure was continuously monitored by arterial cannula and heart rate and rhythm through ECG monitoring. The study target was achieved in 49 patients in the levosimendan group and 33 patients of the milrinone group. After tracing the study patients for 180 days, 7 patients of the levosimendan group had died, compared with 9 patients of the milrinone group. Levosimendane showed an improvement in hemodynamic performance than milrinone in case of acute heart failure and showed a lower mortality incidence than the latter drug as well

Alkaloids from erythrina corallodendron linn and their pharmacological activities

During a careful search for bioactive alkaloidal constituents from the alcoholic extract of Erythrina corallodendron Linn leaves, three alkaloids namely, erysodine [1], erythirinine [2] and 8-oxoerythrinine [3] were isolated. These compounds are reported here for the first time from such species. Structures of the isolated compounds [1-3] were assigned by intensive studies of their NMR and MS spectral data and comparison with related structures. The pharmacological activities of the isolated alkaloids are presented

new triterpenoid from glycyrrhiza glabra L. and antimicrobial activity

A new pentacyclic triterpenoid was isolated from the minor constituents of local liquorice roots. The structure was determined by means of [1]H-H COSY, [13]C APT, HMQC, HMBC experiments and MS spectroscopy. Another triterpenoid was isolated in a very small amount and its structure was assumed from [1]H-NMR and MS only. The antimicrobial activity of the pentacyclic triterpenoids against Staphylococcus aureus; Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans were investigated. Compound 1 had the highest antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli: and Staphylococcus aureus, while compound 2 had the highest antifungal activity against Candida albicans

Comparison of analgesia effect between intravenous propacetamol and Tramadol

IV Acetaminophen [Propacetamol] is one the drugs which has recently been discussed in pain management. The Purpose of this study, is the comparison of analgesic effect of Propacetamol and Tramadol in pain relief of renal colic patients. This double blinded randomized clinical trial was preformed on 80 patients who came to ED of Hazrat Rasool Akram Hospital [HRAH] due to renal colic. Demographic data and pain scores were evaluated prior to injection [through numeric rating scale]. Then, patients received one of the drugs, drug A [1 gr Propacetamol] or B [100mg Tramadol] randomly. Pain relief and adverse effects of the drugs were evaluated 30 minutes after injection. After 1 hour satisfaction and the need to administer a narcotic were evaluated. Data was gathered and analyzed by T-test via SPSS software. The P value less than 0/05 was dertermined to be significant.The mean age in group A, was 33 +/- 8.6 yrs and in group B, was 34.2 +/- 8.2 yrs. Mean of pain score in group A, was 7.6 +/- 1.6 and in group B, was 7.5 +/- 15 Pain relief in group A, was 4.4 +/- 1.6 and in group B, was 2.6 +/- 1.2. Differences between the groups were significant. 12 cases [%30] in group A, and in 25 cases [%62/5] in group B, recieced additional analgesic for pain relief, thus, difference between groups was significant. According this study, IV Propacetamol is a safe and effective drug for pain relief in renal colic patients, without any significant adverse effects. Our survey showed that IV Propacetaimol is more efficient and has less side effects in comparison with Tramadol in the pain relief of renal colic patients

[Salicylic acid induced protiens in dianthus caryophyllus L. shoot culture]

The purpose of this study was to achieve defense proteins. Indeed, it proposed that salicylic acid [SA] involved a number of defense mechanisms. The influence of SA application probably on changes in levels of protein extent of Dianthus shoots was investigated. Firstly, explants of cv. Cerise Royallette were cultured on OM medium with 0.2 mg. L-1 NAA, 0.5 mg. L-1 BAP, supplemented by 0, 10, 50, and 200 microM SA. After 4 weeks, growth of shoots were measured and then prepared extracts and performed Bradford test. These substances were tested with SDS-PAGE, to find the concentrations which caused changes in quality of proteins. Data analysis indicated that the most typical effect of SA treatment protein content of shoots was occurred. Indeed, treatment increased protein content considerably, however, it decreased the number of shoots. Analysis of the polypeptide pattern following SDS-PAGE showed that all tested SA changed the accumulation of both 38 and 39 kDa polypeptides that located very close to each others, and the level of their accumulation was found to be varied depending on the kind and intensity of the stressor. The data provide evidences that plant defense mechanisms might involve the same proteins in response to SA and may lead to induction or deletion of defense proteins changes

Immunological studies on pasteurella haemolytica in sheep

In the period from January-July 2001 respiratory manifestations appeared on 53 out of 239 sheep at Sakha station of reproduction Research center, causing death of 30 cases. Clinically history symptoms and necropsy findings were reported. Pasteurella haemolytica was incriminated as the causative agent of this problem. This organism was isolated from nasal swabs of clinically diseased sheep and from pharyngonasal swabs, lung tissue of six emergency slaughtered cases. The isolates were identified biochemically and serologically and using pathogenicity test. Two antigens leukotoxin and whole cell associated with Pasteurella haemolytica. SDS-PAGE of leukotoxin yield four protein bands ranged from 80 KDa to 98 Kda while whole cell antigen yielded 10 protein bands ranged between 22 to 85 KDa. Antigens associated with P. haemolytica whole cell and leukotoxin were identified for their immunogenic activity by neutralization test and ELISA. The neutralizing antibodies against leukotoxin in sheep were significantly higher than antibodies against the whole cell antigen. Also, antibodies titre to leukotoxin by ELISA were significantly higher than antibody titre to whole cell antigen, Pathological examination revealed that the sacrified sheep suffered from pneumonia with various lesions in lymph nodes, liver, kidney, heart and brain

Ultrasonographic fetal biometrical measurements as a predicator of gestational age

Ultrasonographic examinations were performed to 189 pregnant Egyptian wome in Al-Zahraa and Said Galal University Hospital. Sonograhic identification and measurements of head and abdominal circumference. Liver. Kidney, femur and foot length were preformed between 20 and 40 weeks gestation. A highly significant correlation was found between the previous fetal biometrical parameters and gestational age and also between each other. An equation from each parameter was concluded by using simple linear regression to calculate the expected gestational age per week. A general equation was deduced from all previous fetal parameters to predict the gestational age

Oedematous skin disease: a recurring infection in buffaloes

Eighteen Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis were isolated from 30 specimens [9 biopsies from closed skin lesions and 21 exudate specimens from open lesions] collected from 27 buffalos with symptoms of skin infection. C. pseudotuberculosis was isolated in pure cultures from 6 out of 9 biopsies and in mixed cultures from 12 out of 21 exudate specimens. The majority of isolates were of biotype II [15 isolates], whereas only 3 isolates were of biotype I. The pattern of isolation of both biotypes I and II from biopsies and exudate specimens was similar. Both biotypes I and II differed in their course of pathogenicity in G. pigs. C. pseudotuberculosis was not isolated from blood suckling and biting flies [236 files] existed on the infected animals and in their premises. This might rule out the role of vectors in transmission of infection. In-vitro antibiotic sensitivity testing revealed that C. pseudotuberculosis isolates were most sensitive to penicillin 89%, amoxycillin 89%, erythromycin 83%, chloramphenicol 78% and ampicillin 78%. The histological examination of skin biopsies from the diseased buffalos showed inflammatory reaction due to the bacterial infection