Anticoccidial and hepatoprotective effects of artemisinin liquid extract, cinnamon essential oil and clove essential oil against Eimeria stiedae infection in rabbits

@#Coccidiosis is one of the most dangerous diseases that affect poultry, resulting in worldwide economic losses. Plant extracts and essential oils have been used as potential alternatives for chemotherapeutics, because they don’t have the negative consequence of creating tissue residue and drug resistance. Therefore, this study had been conducted to determine the efficacy of artemisinin liquid extract, cinnamon essential oil and clove essential oil against Eimeria stiedae in rabbits. Sixty New Zealand white rabbits were divided into six equal groups, where group 1 and group 2 represented the negative and the positive controls, respectively, and groups 3–6 were infected with Eimeria stiedae and received 15 ppm toltrazuril, 200 ppm artemisinin, 100 mg/kg cinnamon oil, and 100 mg/kg clove oil, respectively. The results showed that artemisinin had a significant beneficial role in protection against hepatic coccidiosis: it mitigated the clinical symptoms, reduced the mortality rates, improved body weight and feed conversion, decreased the oocyst output, prevented oxidative stress, improved biochemical parameters, and decreased the lesion formation. Moreover, it has been found that cinnamon and clove essential oils induced partial protection against hepatic coccidiosis. Our findings suggested that artemisinin liquid extract and cinnamon and clove essential oils could be used for protection against hepatic coccidiosis. However, further investigations are needed in order to elucidate the active components, optimal doses, and mode of action of these extracts and essential oils before their clinical applications.

In-vitro antibacterial screening of extracts of usnea longissima lichen.

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of the hydroalcoholic and ethanolic extracts of the Usnea longissima lichen. Material and methods: Kirby Bauer's disk diffusion method and broth serial dilution tests according to CLSI Guidelines (2000) were used, to find out the antibacterial effect of the 50% Hydro-ethanolic and 90% ethanolic extracts of the selected lichen. The efficacy of the extracts were measured after the period of incubation as Zone of Inhibition (ZOI) in mm compared with the Standard drug used i.e. Ciprofloxacin for Gram positive and Gentamicin for Gram negative bacterial strains. MIC was further tested for susceptible organisms. DMSO was used as control. All the experiments were conducted in triplicates and in proper sterilized condition Results: It was found that Usnea longissima has a significant activity towards Bacillus cereus (ZOI 25-26 mm as compared to Ciprofloxacin ZOI-23 mm) MIC-0.625 mg/ml, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ZOI 20-27 mm as compared to Gentamicin ZOI-14 mm) MIC- 1.25 mg/ml and Proteus vulgaris (ZOI of 13 - 16 mm where as Gentamicin produced ZOI as 14 mm) MIC 2.5 mg/ml. Moderate activity was shown towards Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium xerosis, Escherichia coli and Klebseilla pneuomoniae while no activity towards S. epidermidis and S. pyrogenes. Moreover it was seen that 50% Hydro-ethanolic extracts produced more significant ZOI than ethanolic extract in all tested strains. Conclusions: U. longissima contains potent chemical constituents as Usnic acid which can halt infection and is effective against various gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial species. It can be concluded that due to their antimicrobial effects extracts of the lichen can be used for the infectious diseases caused by these microbes. This study provides an in-vitro proof of the antibacterial activity of Usnea longissima.

Biocontrol potential of salinity tolerant mutants of Trichoderma harzianum against Fusarium oxysporum

A exposição de uma cepa selvagem de Trichoderma harzianum à irradiação gama induziu dois mutantes tolerantes a sal (Th50M6 e Th50M11). Em condições salinas, os dois mutantes foram muito superiores à cepa selvagem em relação à velocidade de multiplicação, esporulação e eficiência contra Fusarium oxysporum, o agente causador da doença wilt do tomate. Os mutantes tolerantes foram capazes de multiplicação e esporulação em meio de cultura contendo NaCl até 69 mM. Em comparação à cepa selvagem, os dois mutantes possuíam conteúdo mais elevado de prolina e hidroxiprolina, conteúdo de sódio superior ao de potássio, cálcio ou magnésio e conteúdo elevado de fenóis totais. A análise eletroforética das proteínas totais solúveis no mutante Th50M6 apresentou bandas diferentes acumuladas em resposta a NaCl 69 mM. Os resultados também indicaram que os mutantes produzem alguns metabólitos ativos como quitinases, celulases, b-galactosidades e antibióticos como tricodermina, gliotoxina e gliovirina. Os mutantes de Trichoderma reduziram significativamente a incidência da doença e melhoraram o rendimento e o conteúdo de minerais do tomate tanto em condições salinas como não-salinas e também em condições naturais e de infestação. Quando comparados à cepa selvagem, os mutantes de Trichoderma foram também mais eficientes em diminuir o crescimento de F. oxysporum na rizosfera.A densidade populacional de ambos mutantes na rizosfera excedeu muito a da cepa selvagem.

Genetic improvement of the antifungal activity and antibiotic production by gliocladium strains

Gliocladium fungi have been known to produce compounds with potent antibiotic activity belonging to the class of the Epidithiodiketopiperazines, including the metabolites gliotoxin, viridin, gliovirin and viridiol. These compounds show inhibitory effect against a wide range of microorganisms, and are particularly toxic to fungal pathogens. The present work aimed to apply the mutagenesis technique on two locally isolated Gliocladium species [G. roseei or G. virens] to enhance their biocontrol abilities against F. oxysporum and P. ultimum the causal fungi of root-rot and wilt diseases in pea plants, through increasing the antifungal metabolite [antibiotics] production than the original wild type parents. After y-irradiation of the mycoparasitic strains of G. virens and G. roseei mutant strains were isolated which were benomyl-tolerant and longer than that of the wild types. Four of the mutants characterized, [gamma-GrM8 and gamma-GrM10] and [gamma-GvM11 and gamma-GvM12] that are derived from G. virens and G. roseei, respectively, had higher levels of the antibiotics; gliovirin, viridiol, gliotoxin and viridin. High Performance Liquid Chromatography [HPLC] analysis indicated each individual antibiotic to be more abundant in the selected mutants than in the wild types. The selected mutants were more resistant to the fungicide benomyl and highly producers of the metabolites [antibiotics] than their wild type parents possibly due to a pleiotropic effect of the altered permeability. Studies on mutual antagonism in vitro showed that selected mutants significantly reduced that of P.ultimum and F.oxysporum growth and inhibition by its culture filtrates. When applied to pea seeds sown in artificial [pots] and natural [field] infection, the selected mutants significantly suppressed root-rot and wilt pathogens [P. ultimum and F. oxysporum] and reduced diseases incidence in rhizosphere compared with wild type parents

Pattern of primary nocturnal enuresis in primary school children (first grade) in assiut city

Objectives :To assess the prevalence of nocturnal enuresis in primary school children; first grade (6-7 years old) in Assiut City and study its pattern and risk factors. Patients and Methods: A random cross-sectional study including 1519 children was conducted in 10 primary schools in Assiut City throughout a period of six months. A self-administered questionnaire was completed voluntarily by the parents. Children reporting two or more incidences of nocturnal enuresis per month during the past year were considered positive repliers and were subjected to further evaluation. The control group consisting of 100 age-matched non-enuretic children presenting for other urologic or non-urologic problems mandating a plain abdominal X-ray was subjected to the same evaluation. In these children the possible detection of spina bifida was the point of concern. Results: The response rate to the questionnaire was 79. The prevalence of enuresis was 20.2. Out of the enuretic children; 87.6complained of nocturnal enuresis only; 72.3of them were primary enuretics. Monosymptomatic enuresis was observed in 46.3of the cases. Marked enuresis (every night) affected 53.7of the total number of enuretic children. Statistically significant risk factors were deep sleep and a high educational level of the parents. Primary nocturnal enuresis was insignificantly associated with a positive family history; family size or birth rank. In primary nocturnal enuretics the results of the urogenital and neurological examinations were normal in 90.5and 80.6; respectively; and only 4received a specific treatment. A large amount of post-void residual urine was observed in 7.4. Spina bifida occulta was observed in 10.8of primary nocturnal enuretics and in 11 of the control group. Conclusions: This is the first large population-based study of the prevalence of age-related enuresis in Assiut; but it does not differ much from those reported in other parts of the world. Enuretic children and their parents are mildly concerned about enuresis. Investigations for monosymptomatic primary nocturnal enuresis are not of considerable diagnostic value or cost effectiveness

Mesenteric cystic lymphangioma

Abdominal cystic lymphangioma is a very rare congenital tumor of lymphatic origin. It usually appears in the pediatric age and frequently presents with non-specific symptoms and deceptive signs causing, at times, diagnostic dilemmas. Ultrasonography and computer tomography imaging are considered the diagnostic modalities of choice. Two cases of mesenteric cystic lymphangioma, one presenting as perforated appendicitis and the other as recurrent gastritis, are reported. Infection in the first and volvulus in the second case is behind the mode of presentation. The diagnostic approach and treatment are described with emphasis on the operative tactic applied for upper jejunal resection. A high index of suspicion, accuracy and repeated physical examination and, most important, the liberal use of ultrasonography in all cases of unclear abdominal illness may contribute considerably to a correct diagnosis and decreased morbidity

Mesenteric cystic teratoma in children

Mesenteric teratoma is an extremely rare tumor, arising, akin all other teratomas, from totipotent primordial cells and displays a mixture of tissues of tridermal or bidermal origin. Two cases of mature mesenteric teratoma in a 5-month-old girl and a 4-month-old boy, the youngest reported in the literature, excluding a case recently diagnosed prenatally, are described. Diagnostic tools, differential diagnosis and management are also discussed

Lipomatosis of the parotid gland in children

Parotid lipomatosis is extremely rare in children. Only 4 cases have previously been reported in the English language medical literature. Surgical excision is frequently complicated by recurrence. We report, a fifth case, on a 5-month-old girl with rapidly progressive parotid lipomatosis. Emphasis is laid on the importance of preserving the unusually delicate tumor capsule to prevent tissue spillage and recurrence. The creation of an appropriate cleavage between the mass and the expanded skin with sparse subcutaneous fat, safeguarding the tumor capsule on one side and the skin blood supply on the other, represents a rewarding technical challenge

Mycotoxins in breast milk and its health hazards on breast fed infants in Sharkia, Egypt

In recent years, International Health Officials issued several warnings about the contamination of food with moulds and mycotoxins, as an emerging important health and economic problem. Mycotoxins are naturally occurring secondary metabolites of moulds that may be present in food products. Mycotoxicosis occur more frequently in developing countries, with hot and humid climate, favorable for the growth of moulds. The contamination of human breast milk with mycotoxins has been a matter of considerable concern. However, despite the recognition of the potential risk to humans, there are very few data in the literature regarding prevalence and impact of these toxic substances on infant health. The objective of this study was to identify if serum and breast milk of lactating mothers, are contaminated with mycotoxins [Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin], in Sharkia Governorate, and to study the effect of these toxins on kidney and liver functions of their exclusively breast fed infants. The results shows high total contamination rate of mothers' sera samples [82%], with aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and both, accounting for 10%, 34% and 38%, respectively. Breast milk samples were also highly contaminated [82%] with aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and both, in rates of 10%, 32% and 40%, respectively. Meanwhile, infants' sera accounted for 80% contamination rate with 10%, 32%, and 38%, respectively. Significant positive correlation between mothers' milk aflatoxin and ochratoxin on one side and that in infants' and mothers' sera on the other side was observed. Meanwhile, a significant negative correlation between infants' serum aflatoxin and infants' length/ age was reported. As markers of kidney function in study infants, both urinary microalbumin and beta 2 - microglobulin were significantly higher in infants positive for ochratoxin or ochratoxin and aflatoxin, than in those negative for this mycotoxin. In conclusion, subjects of Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, including the sample population of lactating mothers, are exposed to contamination by mycotoxins; lactating infants of mothers contaminated with mycotoxins, who were exposed to these mycotoxins prenatally, continue to be exposed, postnatally via breast milk. Finally, that mycotoxins may have adverse effects on the growth of infants, with the length/age as the most sensitive anthropometric measurement and that ochratoxin possibly have a nephrotoxic effect, in contaminated lactating infants. A wider scale study that includes different governorates is needed to facilitate the design and plan for a prevention and control program

Complete separation of the testis and epididymis presenting as inguinal hernia

Complete separation of the epididymis from the testis is a rare phenomenon. In all reported cases, both structures remained undescended. We recently managed a 2-month-old boy with bilateral inguinal hernia and complete dissociation of the epididymis from the testis on the left side. At exploration, a right indirect inguinal hernia was confirmed while on the left side, an indirect inguinal hernia was associated with an undescended abdominal testis completely separated from a normally descended epididymis. This could reflect an essential role of the epididymis in the process of testicular descensus. The diversity of congenital abnormalities possibly encountered in the inguinoscrotal region during infancy and childhood necessitates the acquisition of insightful knowledge in the pathological anatomy of this area and adequate surgical skill to avoid undesirable intraoperative confusion with its negative impact on proper diagnosis and appropriate management

Successful separation of thoracopagus conjoined twins

The first successful separation of thoracopagus conjoined twins in Eastern Saudi Arabia with 2-year follow up is presented. Physical examination and radiographic studies revealed a conjunction that extended from midsternum to a common umbilicus. The shared internal organs included liver and pericardium. The separation was performed at the age of 4 months. The resulting chest wall defects in both twins were covered by dacron-reinforced silastic prosthesis. The abdominal wall defect was primarily closed in the "left twin," and covered with a dacron reinforced silastic sheet in the "right". Primary skin closure was achieved in both, following extensive mobilization of the skin. The musculoskeletal deformities in the neck, chest and vertebral column showed marked improvement 20 months after separation

Medical surfing

The Internet has revolutionized information technology. Vast amounts of latest information are available on the Internet to medical professionals. Medical surfing is fast becoming part of a doctor's profession. But the way to approach the Internet and retrieve useful information from myriads of medical websites seems a daunting task to many. This review aims to help the newcomer, the medical students and doctors in obtaining fruitful medical information while surfing. It will prevent them from the feeling of getting drowned in the ocean of medical information. As medical information is not restricted to books and journals, providing Internet addresses of different medical bodies with few salient features, will go a long way in helping attain the required information without wasting time. The Internet will soon become a universal library. Medical surfing should be included in the curriculum of all medical schools and universities