First report of MIRU-VNTR genotyping of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates from Egypt

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis [MAP] is the causative agent of Johne's disease, an economically important disease in ruminants worldwide. It was first isolated in Egypt in 2005. Since then, the pathogen has been detected in different Egyptian provinces. In order to trace the source of infection, genotyping using simple methods of high discriminatory power such as mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeats [MIRU-VNTR] were carried out in different countries. Until now there is no published information about MIRU-VNTR genotyping of MAP isolates in Egypt. To address that point, 100 faecal samples were collected and cultivated from 3 different suspected dairy farms. Fourteen isolates belonging to one farm were identified as MAP and subjected to genotyping using 8 different MIRU-VNTR loci PCRs. Two different genotypes were recognized based on size polymorphism observed in one locus [VNTR-7] that was confirmed by sequencing. Our work provides a preliminary basis of constructing a MIRU-VNTR genotyping database of MAP in Egypt

Effect of chronic lead intoxication on the distribution and elimination of amoxicillin in goats

A study of amoxicillin pharmacokinetics was conducted in healthy goats and goats with chronic lead intoxication. The intoxicated goats had increased serum concentrations of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase), blood urea nitrogen, and reactivated delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase compared to the controls. Following intravenous amoxicillin (10 mg/kg bw) in control and lead-intoxicated goats, elimination half-lives were 4.14 and 1.26 h, respectively. The volumes of distribution based on the terminal phase were 1.19 and 0.38 L/kg, respectively, and those at steady-state were 0.54 and 0.18 L/kg, respectively. After intramuscular (IM) amoxicillin (10 mg/kg bw) in lead-intoxicated goats and control animals, the absorption, distribution, and elimination of the drug were more rapid in lead-intoxicated goats than the controls. Peak serum concentrations of 21.89 and 12.19 microg/mL were achieved at 1 h and 2 h, respectively, in lead-intoxicated and control goats. Amoxicillin bioavailability in the lead-intoxicated goats decreased 20% compared to the controls. After amoxicillin, more of the drug was excreted in the urine from lead-intoxicated goats than the controls. Our results suggested that lead intoxication in goats increases the rate of amoxicillin absorption after IM administration and distribution and elimination. Thus, lead intoxication may impair the therapeutic effectiveness of amoxicillin.

Diversity of bacteria nesting the plant cover of north Sinai deserts, Egypt

North Sinai deserts were surveyed for the predominant plant cover and for the culturable bacteria nesting their roots and shoots. Among 43 plant species reported, 13 are perennial [e.g. Fagonia spp., Pancratium spp.] and 30 annuals [e.g. Bromus spp., Erodium spp.]. Eleven species pos-sessed rhizo-sheath, e.g. Cyperus capitatus, Panicum turgidum and Trisetaria koelerioides. Microbiological analyses demonstrated: the great diversity and richness of associated culturable - bacteria, in particular nitrogen-fixing bacteria [diazotrophs]; the majority of bacterial residents were of true and/or putative diazotrophic nature; the bacterial populations followed an increasing density gradient towards the root surfaces; sizeable populations were able to reside inside the root [endorhizosphere] and shoot [endophyllosphere] tissues. Three hundred bacterial isolates were secured from studied spheres. The majority of nitrogen-fixing bacilli isolates belonged to Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus polymexa, Bacillus macerans, Bacillus circulans and Bacillus licheniformis. The family Enterobacteriaceae represented by Enterobacter agglomerans, Enterobacter sackazakii, Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia adorifera, Serratia liquefaciens and Klebsiella oxytoca. The non-Enterobacteriaceae population was rich in Pantoae spp., Agrobacterium rdiobacter, Pseudomonas vesicularis, Pseudomonas putida, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Ochrobactrum anthropi, Sphingomonas paucimobilis and Chrysemonas luteola. Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus were reported inside root and shoot tissues of a number of tested plants. The dense bacterial populations reported speak well to the very possible significant role played by the endophytic bacterial po-pulations in the survival, in respect of nutrition and health, of existing plants. Such groups of diazotrophs are good candidates, as biopreparates, to support the growth of future field crops grown in deserts of north Sinai and irrigated by the water of El-Salam,canal

Intestinal motility in acute uremia and effects of erythropoietin

To investigate intestinal motility changes due to uremia, and the effect of pretreatment with erythropoietin. This randomized control study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt from September 2010 to July 2011. Forty adult female Wistar albino rats were allocated into 3 groups: control group, gentamicin-treated group, receiving intraperitoneal gentamicin sulphate [100 mg/kg for 5 days], and erythropoietin-gentamicin-treated group, receiving subcutaneous erythropoietin [1000 IU/kg for 3 days] prior to gentamicin injection. Isolated segments of duodenum and descending colon was subjected to in vitro motility study. Plasma creatinine and urea were assayed. Induction of acute renal failure by gentamicin treatment resulted in a significant decrease in frequency of contraction of the duodenum and descending colon, an increase in the average duration of contraction of the duodenum, and a significant decrease in the average force of contraction in the descending colon. Moreover, the average force of contraction in response to acetylcholine was significantly decreased in the duodenum. The erythropoietin-gentamicin-treated group revealed a significant decrease in plasma creatinine and urea, and a significant increase in the duodenal average force of contraction and motility index, and colonic frequency. The duodenal absolute and average forces of contraction after acetylcholine increased significantly. Acute uremia impairs small and large intestinal motility, probably due to uremic toxins and autonomic dysfunction. Erythropoietin pretreatment protected against intestinal dysmotility through the improvement of renal function and its neurotropic action.

Craniofacial ossification in rat fetuses following prenatal exposure to dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides

Pesticides, including insecticides, occupy a unique position among many chemicals that man encounters daily for the purpose of pest control in all agricultural programs. In fact, most of such chemicals are not highly selective and constitute potential hazard to many non-target species including man and other animals. The present study aimed to study the teratogenic effects of both dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides on the ossification of craniofacial bones in albino rat fetuses. In this study, fifty female albino rats were allocated to ten groups [5/each group]; control, low dose dimethoate 1/40 LD50 [8.25 mg/kg], medium dose dimethoate 1/20 LD5O [16.5 mg/kg], high dose dimethoate 1/10 LD50 [33 mg/kg], low dose carbosulfan 1/40 LD50 [5.2 mg/kg], medium dose carbosulfan 1/20 LD50 [10.45 mg/kg], high dose carbosulfan 1/40 LD50 [20.9 mg/kg], mixed low doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan, mixed medium doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan, and mixed high doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan. Animals of all groups were sacrificed in the morning of 20[th] day of gestation. Then all specimens were stained with alizarin red stain for evaluation of ossification of skeletal system. The results of the present study revealed that both dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides, had a deleterious effect on the ossification of craniofacial bones and that the most affected bones were supraoccipital, presphenoid, and interparietal bones. These effects were marked in the high doses and mixed low dose groups. It is concluded that the deleterious effects were increased with the increasing dose of either dimethoate or carbosulfan insecticides and that the mixture of low doses had an effect near to that of medium and sometimes high doses

Teratogenic effects of dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides on albino rat fetuses

The present study deals with the teratogenic effects which occur in albino rat fetuses after intragastric administration of different doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides, either separately or in combination, to pregnant albino rats. In this study, fifty female albino rats were allocated to ten groups [5/each group]; control, low dose dimethoate 1/40 LD50 [8.25 mg/kg], medium dose dimethoate 1/20 LD50 [16.5 mg/kg], high dose dimethoate 1/10 LD50 [33 mg/kg], low dose carbosulfan 1/40 LD50 [5.2 mg/kg], medium dose carbosulfan 1/20 LD50 [10.45 mg/kg], high dose carbosulfan 1/40 LD50 [20.9 mg/kg], mixed low doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan, mixed medium doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan, and mixed high doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan. All pregnant females in mixed medium doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan group died between 9th and 11[th] day of gestation, while those in mixed high doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan died between 8th and 10[th] day of gestation. Animals of all groups were sacrificed in the morning of 20th day of gestation. The external manifestation of poisoning with dimethoate and carbosulfan, embryolethality, live and dead fetuses, placental weight, external abnormalities of fetuses, fetal weight, crown-rump length, biparietal diameter had been monitored. The results of the present study denoting that both dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides, had a deleterious effects on embryolethality in the form of increased percentage of preimplantation loss, an increased percentage of resorptions, and decreased percentage of live fetuse. Also, both dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides had a deleterious effects on fetal growth in the form of reduction of, fetal weight, crown-rump length, and biparietal diameter. It is concluded that dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides had a deleterious effects on fetal growth and embryolethality, this effect is dose-related, and that the mixture of low doses had an effect near that of medium and sometimes high dose of dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides

Role of adhesion molecules in vascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the plasma levels of soluble adhesion molecules [intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1] and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-l] in type 2 DM to elucidate its potential involvement in pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications and its association with other independent risk factors for diabetic atherosclerosis. The study was conducted on 60 patients with type 2 DM [27 with vascular complications Vs. 33 without vascular complications, assessed by fundus examinations] and 20 healthy controls, at Al-Azhar University Hospitals between March 2004 to August 2004. Serum levels of ICAM-l and VCAM-l in association with fasting blood sugar, fasting insulin and insulin resistance were measured, as wall as lipid profile, plasminogen activator inhibitor [PAl] and factor VII. Serum levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were significantly higher in type 2 diabetic patients with vascular complication than those without vascular complications, but no significant changes in their levels were found between patients without vascular complications and controls. Serum levels of ICAM- 1 and VCAM- I were significantly correlated with other studied parameters in patients with and without vascular complications except fasting serum insulin levels. Serum levels of insulin resistance [IR] and lipid profile were significantly higher in patients with type 2 DM than controls and in patients with vascular complications than those without vascular complications. Serum levels of fasting blood glucose, factor VII and PAl were significantly higher in diabetic patients with and without vascular complications than controls, on the other hand no significant changes was found between patients with and those without vascular complications. The present study suggested that the levels of soluble adhesion molecules in type 2 DM with dyslipidaemia, hyperinsulinemia and hypercoagulable state may be a marker of endothelial cell activation or dysfunction and may be related to the activity of multiple cell types in atherosclerotic lesion. Serum levels of ICAMs were closely related to vascular diabetic complications. Furthermore, they may serve as a tool for monitoring the impact of prevention and intervention on vascular damage

Apoptosis and arterial thrombosis: expression of CD31 and CD146 in recent and old thrombotic disorders

Apoptosis [programmed cell death] of vascular lining endothelium is one of the causes of increased thrombogenicity. The Luminal release of apoptotic endothelium-derived microparticles can cause activation of tissue factor [TF], the most potent known inhibitor of the blood clotting system. The study was carried out at Al-Azhar University Hospitals on 70 cases of arterial thrombosis above the age of 25 years: Group 1: consisted of 15 apparently healthy subjects as a control group. Group 11: including 32 patients of recent thrombosis; 13 with cerebral infarction, 12 with acute myocardial in farction [MI] and 7 patients with peripheral arterial thrombosis. Group 111: including 38 patients with old thrombosis; 12 with cerebral infarction, 18 with MI and 8 patients with old peripheral arterial thrombosis. Endothelial-derived CD31 and CD146 were statistically higher in patients with recent and old arterial thrombosis than controls [p<0.005, p< 0.01] respectively and statistically higher in old than in recent arterial thrombosis [p<0.05]. Hypertension DM, smoking and lipid profile have no significant effect on CD31 and CD146. Finally, endothelial microparticle detection among cases of arterial thrombosis may indicate the persistence of the danger of re-thrombosis. Patients with acute and chronic ischemia have altered response of endothelial cells. It remains to be determined whether the reduction of the increased activity of CD31 and CD146 could provide an effective rationale for acute arterial thrombosis therapy

Relationship between body condition, milk yield and reproductive performance of dairy cows

To study the relationship between body condition, milk yield and reproductive perfomance of highly producing dairy cows under local conditions, a number of 287 Holstein-Friesian cows, in their 1[st] to 5[th] lactation were used. Animals were grouped according to their milk production and fed on a total mixed ration according to NRC 1989. All cows were evaluated subjectively for body condition score [BCS] at calving and at service. Linear regression coefficient of interval from calving to 1[st] estrus [Y1] on peak milk yield/kg/day [X1] was significant [P < 0.01]. The resulting equation was Y1=16.37+0.7X1. Cows with higher peak milk yield showed a significant long interval to 1[st] detected estrus. No significant linear regression was found between milk yield/kg during current lactation and reproductive traits. Linear regression coefficient of interval from parturition to 1[st] detected estrus [Y1] on BCS at calving up to score 4.0 [X2] was significant [P < 0.01]. The resulting equation was Y1=90.52-20.68 X2. Cows with high BCS at calving up to score 4.0 had significantly [P < 0.05] shorter interval to 1[st] detected estrus. Meanwhile, linear regression coefficient of days open [Y2] or number of services/conception [Y3] on BCS at service [up to score 3.5] [X3] was also significant. The resulting equations were Y2 = 293.59 - 66.47 X3 and Y3=5.13-1.056 x 3, respectively. Both days open and number of services/conception were significantly improved as BCS at service was increased up to 3.5. The present work revealed that, reduced fertility in highly producing cows is not directly related to increased milk yield but rather to loss of weight and body condition. It is worthy to mention that the equations used here are helpful to predict the reproductive perfomance of a given cow by means of peak milk yield and/or BCS

Surgical, histopathological and electron microscopic research aspects of hepatic regeneration following major hepatic resection using halothane

Twenty dogs had major hepatic resection and were re-explored two- eighteen months later were included in this study. Biopsies were taken for histopathological and electron microscopic studies which showed that the hepatocytes pass into a state of hyperactivity after resection which returns to normal when the liver reached its full original size. Mortality rate following the initial surgery was 15%. The liver resumed its full pre-resection size in fifteen dogs of the seventeen which survived the initial resection. It could be also postulated that what is known as hepatic regeneration is in fact a state of hypertrophy and hyperplasia of liver cells rather than re- growth from the line of resection. All the research data were analyzed to obtain a better understanding of this unique phenomenon

Diagnosis and management of failing infrainguinal grafts

A surveillance program was done in the period between January, 1984 to December 1995 on 74 patients [79 limbs] in which infrainguinal graft bypass was performed in Al-Azhar University and Therapeutic Establishment Hospitals. Patients were followed up for a period from 6 to 36 months; by clinical, doppler flowmetry, systolic ankle brachial pressure indices, duplex scan, and conventional or digital subtraction angiography. In 23 limbs [19 patients], a patent but hemodynamically failing grafts were identified. Different methods of correction of the failing graft were used according to the cause of hemodynamic defect. The primary patency was 71.1%, the associated primary patency was 85% and the secondary patency was 94%. This study stressed on the importance of the surveillance program for early detection and management of the failing graft before complete occlusion and limb threatening ischemia

Vascular trauma in civilian practice

Twenty patients suffered iatrogenic trauma [Median age 61 years], including cardiac intervention [7], radiological intervention [7], laparoscopy [2], surgical operations [3] and intra arterial injection [1]. Twelve patients had accidental trauma [Median age 23 years]. Eight patients sustained blunt trauma; road traffic accident [6], fall from height [2] and four penetrating injuries [stabbing to axilla, femoral triangle, popliteal fossa, left iliac fossa]. Three of eight patients with blunt trauma were referred for vascular assessment before orthopedic intervention. In four cases, an initial orthopedic operation was performed before recognition that vascular problem existed, one case postoperative after orthopedic operation had failed to improve limb perfusion. A variety of vascular techniques were used to treat the injuries, one patient died postoperatively and one underwent major limb amputation. From this study, it can be concluded that iatrogenic vascular injuries represented about [60%] and accidental trauma [40%] and most of iatrogenic injuries as a result of invasive diagnostic or therapeutic vascular procedure and cardiac catheter injuries were more extensive than other injuries

Reconstruction of foot defects using free flaps

Reconstruction of foot defects has remained one of the difficult areas in plastic surgery. Many surgical methods were used for different defects. Microvascular tissue transfer probably provided a solution to many problems. The outcome had not been satisfying in the beginning, marked improvement has occurred in the past decade. In this study, eleven patients with varying foot defects were managed by free flap transfer, the latissimus dorsi muscle flap was used in four patients, the rectus abdominus muscle flap in fur patients, the lateral arm flap in one patient, the lateral intercostals flap in another patient and the latissimus dorsi musclocutaneous flap in a single patients. All muscle flaps completely survived, two failures occurred: the lateral arm flap and the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous. Flap. The results improved with the use of muscle flaps and with proper preoperative evaluation of the vascular status at the recipient area. The use of muscle flap covered by split thickness skin graft can withstand significant weight breading even without any sort of neurotization and absence of any cutaneous sensation

Vascular trauma in civilian practice

A retrospective study of 32 patients requiring operative intervention for vascular trauma was undertaken. From the results obtained it was concluded that a successful outcome of vascular trauma depends on early diagnosis and intervention and vascular surgeons should be involved at an early stage. As specialized vascular services round the clock are limited in any hospitals, the techniques of vessel repair involved should be included in general surgical training program

Management of traumatic liver injuries

In this series 90 patients with liver injury with variable severity were studied; 50 retrospectively [1985-1990] were reviewed and 40 prospectively [1990-1995] were reviewed and 40 prospectively [1991-1995] were managed according to special protocol. Surgical intervention was performed in unstable patients and nonoperative treatment was used for those who were hemodynamically stable on admission. Increasing experience resulted in fewer indications for resection in the prospective group and the nonoperative management rate was 37%. The overall mortality rate was 13% [16% in the retrospective and 10% in the prospective group]