Co-existence of pests and their associated predators inhabiting cantaloupe plants, cucumis melo L. in Assiut, Egypt

The present study was carried out during 2014 and 2015 growing seasons of cantaloupe. Faunistic composition of pests and their associated predators inhabiting cantaloupe plants Cucumis melo L. revealed the presence of 22 insect species belonging to 17 families and 10 orders. The serious pest species were represented by 14 species with 7 predaceous species. The most abundant sucking insect pest was whitefly; Bemisia tabaci Genn. It was the most abundant and seemed to be the major pest infesting cantaloupe, followed by the two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch:, and some piercing sucking insects such as cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii Glov.; onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lind. and jassids, Empoasca spp. Orius sp, Chrysoperla carnea Steph. and Coccinella undecimpunctata L. were the most numerous predators. In all cases the dominance degrees of the pests were higher than those of the predators

Active surveillance of avian influenza viruses in Egyptian poultry, 2015

Surveillance for avian influenza viruses in Egyptian poultry has been conducted since 2009. Up to 2011, all the detected viruses were H5N1, and the overall prevalence was 5%. In 2011, H9N2 viruses were observed to be co-circulating and co-infecting the same hosts as H5N1 viruses. Since then, the detection rate has increased to around 10%. In the 2014-2015 winter season, H5N1 was circulating heavily in poultry flocks and caused an unprecedented number of human infections. In contrast, surveillance in the last quarter of 2015 indicated a near absence of H5N1 in Egyptian poultry. Surveillance for avian influenza viruses must continue in Egypt to monitor further developments in H5N1 circulation in poultry

Fatalities from road traffic accidents among the young in Bahrain

In Bahrain and other Gulf countries, road traffic accidents [RTA] are recognized as a growing public health problem. This study described the trend of fatalities from RTA in Bahrain among those aged < 25 years from 2003-2010. The proportional mortality ratios of RTA deaths [up to 30 days from the accident] among the young were compared with those of all ages. The average proportion of young males killed by RTA in Bahrain during the 8-year period was 82.7%, with 2006 marking the lowest proportion among Bahraini nationals [72.2%] and the total population [79.2%]. RTA fatalities constituted 51.3% among the Bahrainis, 20.2% of non-Bahrainis and 39.0% of all fatalities in both sexes combined. The young in Bahrain were 3.5 times more likely to die from RTA than the general population. This paper calls on policy-makers to consolidate efforts to control this public health problem

Effects of cadmium on growth and metabolism of Phaseolus mungo.

An attempt has been made to assess the response of Phaseolus mungo L. under influence of cadmium chloride (Cd Cl2) with special reference to growth, morphology, yield and biochemical aspects. Surface sterilized seeds of Phaseolus mungo L. cv. T-9 were exposed to various concentrations of Cd Cl2 solution (10-2 M, 10-4 M, 10-5 M, 10-8 M and control) for 12 hr at room temperature and these seeds were transferred to petriplates and polythene bags in triplicate. 10-2 M conconcentration was found to have deleterious effects on seed germination, germination relative index, length and dry weight of root and shoot, shoot root ratio and seedling vigour index, plant height, phytomass, number of leaves and branches, leaf area and chlorophyll contents while 10-8 M revealed slightly promotory effects. Phytotoxicity percentage and chlorophyll stability index were maximum in (10-2 M) concentration, while minimum in 10-8 M conconcentration of Cd Cl2. Nitrate and nitrite reductase activity was markedly inhibited at higher conconcentration. Low dose of Cd (10-8 M) did not affect soluble sugar contents of seeds but it induced a significant increase at higher conconcentration (10-2 M). It however, did not affect protein contents of seeds accept at higher concentration.

Is intravenous paracetamol a useful adjunct for intraoperative pain?

Paracetamol is a safe and cost effective intravenous [IV] analgesic. This survey was conducted to assess the satisfaction of anesthetics with the intra-operative use of IV paracetamol as an adjunt for intra-operative pain relief. This cross-sectional survey was conducted for 3 months in a tertiary care university hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. All patients admitted for surgery and received IV paracetamol were enrolled. Data was collected by administering a pre-coded questionnaire to anesthetists about the patient and response to the IV paracetamol. In total 270 patients were enrolled. Of all, most were young males [59%] with American Society of Anaesthesiology [ASA] II status. In addition to paracetamol, pethidine was most often used. There was a 94% satisfaction rate and most anesthetics felt that the cost was justified. Heart rate was the variable most affected [60%]. Most anesthetists were satisfied with the use of IV paracetamol as an adjunct to intra-operative analgesia

Smoking status effects on common carotid arteries resistivity and pulsatility indices in current Sudanese smokers

Many different indices have been used to describe the shape of the flow waveforms but commonly used indices available on most commercial scanners are: resistance index [RI] and pulsatility index [PI]. This study intended to evaluate the effects of smoking in common carotid arteries Doppler RI and PI, according to smoking status [number of cigarettes smoked per day] in current Sudanese smokers. 1752 Sudanese subjects with 440 of them were non smokers. Female's distribution in the total number of subjects is 161 while males are 1591 with mean age of 28 +/- 11.8 years. a percentage of 49.32% of male subjects were current smokers but there was no female found to be a smoker. Ultrasound examination was established within each vascular laboratory to ensure that common carotid arteries sonography is performed consistently, comprehensively and accurately. These techniques may be modified to match the needs of specific patients or vascular laboratories. In all cases, however, the protocol should meet or exceed the standards established by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine [AIUM] or the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories [ICAVL]. The standards of these two agencies are substantially the same which was our guide for sonographic scanning in the study. Smoking status in current smokers effectively increases the RI and the PI than their normal ranges with a positive linear correlation manner. Findings of this study reported that smoking status effectively increase common carotid arteries Doppler RI and PI in a positive manner were the effect noticed to be in the left common carotid artery more than that of the right one

Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of WPW Syndrome in National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Dhaka: Initial and Four Years Follow-up Results.

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation is an effective method of treatment of patients with WPW syndrome. The purpose of this study was to analyze the initial and follow -up results of RF ablation of such cases in our hospital. Methods: 255 cases with WPW syndrome that had delta wave in sinus rhythm ECG underwent electrophysiological studies in this hospital. All the cases underwent radiofrequency ablation. These cases are selected for analysis. Results: Ablations were performed in these 255 patients between December 2005 and December 2008. One accessory pathway (AP) was found in 250 patients, two accessory pathways-in 05 patients. The mean duration of the procedure was 130 ± 32 min. The initial and overall success rate was 92.15% and 95.68% respectively. Major complications encountered are none. Conclusions: RF ablation of WPW syndrome has good initial (92.15%) and overall (95.68%) success rate and low recurrence rate (5.00%) at long term follow-up.

novel report on european foulbrood as the most recent disease in honeybee [apis mellifera L.] colonies in Egypt; instigating a control approach

This work considered the widespread of European foulbrood [EFB] infections among honeybee colonies in Egypt. Apiaries in some Egyptian-Delta governorates were inspected for the occurrence of foulbrood during the period extended from February 2007 to June 2008. Field diagnosis illustrated the abundance of EFB-symptoms among the inspected apiaries in spring and early summer as well as in winter. Investigation of foulbrood-associated-microflora revealed the dominance of Gram-positive non spore-forming cocci-shaped bacteria followed by Gram-positive aerobic spore-forming bacilli. Isolation and identification of Melissococcus pluton from scales verified the preliminary field diagnosis of foulbrood type. According to some of their morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics 97 of cocci-shaped isolates were belonged to M. pluton, the primary aetiological EFB agent, and 91 strains were related to the secondary EFB invading bacterium Streptococcus faecalis. Characterization of spore-forming bacilli isolated from EFB affected larvae indicated the absence of Paenibacillus larvae, the American foulbrood causing agent, and the dominance of Paenibacillus alvae, the second EFB indicator. This conclusively confirmed the field diagnosis of EFB clinical symptoms as well as the preliminary detection of EFB causing bacterium in the laboratory. Essential oils from Eucalyptus globules, Coriandrum sativum, Citrus nobilis, Citrus limonum and Thymus vulgaris exhibited in vitro various antibacterial activities against M. pluton. Eucalyptus globules oil was the most effective antibacterial substance against the pathogen; growth inhibition due to this phytochemical was a concentration dependent trait

Spectrum of renal bone diseases in Sudanese children with chronic renal failure

Disturbance in mineral and bone metabolism are common in children with chronic kidney disease [CKD]. A large body of evidence indicates that renal osteodystrophy [ROD] affects skeletal growth and development and may result in increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and types of ROD and to study the clinical and radiological manifestations of ROD. This is a cross-sectional survey of children with chronic renal failure in 5 main dialysis centers in Khartoum state. A designed questionnaire was conducted for data collection including personal details, social and dietary history, dialysis history and prescriptions, growth parameters, diagnosis, clinical picture, investigations and management. The study included 57 children with chronic renal failure [CRF] of whom the majority [75.4%] reached end stage renal failure [ESRD]. The cause of renal failure was undetermined in 28 patients [49.1%]. The mean duration on dialysis was 14 months. The majority of children [n=22] [44.8%] had moderate growth impairment. Renal osteodystrophy was documented in 36 patients [63.9%]. The most common clinical presentation of ROD were bone pain, joint pain and pruritis, they accounted for 58.8%, 52.9% and 52.9% respectively. The most common radiological findings were osteopenia [88.8%], subperiosteal bone resorption [72.2%] and delayed bone age [69.4%].The predominant pattern of ROD was secondary hyperparathyroidism [2ry HPTH] [52.6%]. Renal osteodystrophy is a common complication in Sudanese children with CRF with the predominance of secondary hyperparathyroidism. The management of children with CRF should be in a paediatric nephrology unit through a multidisciplinary team approach and the treatment should be individualized

Microbiological evaluation of some dairy products sold by dairy shops and street vendors in rural areas

Ninety random samples of Kareish cheese, rice milk and yoghurt were collected as 15 samples of each from dairy shops and street vendors. The results obtained as a mean of total bacterial count, coliform, yeast and mould of dairy shops 3.9 x 104, 2 x 102 ,1.6 xl0[4] 4.4xl0[4], 3.5 xl0[2], 1.4 xl0[3], 1.5 x 10[2] i 4.5 x 10[3], 0.51 x 10[2], 1.5 x 10[3],1.2 x 10[3] and street vendors 6.3 x 10[4], 9.6 x 10[2], 4.4 x 10[4] 3.6 x 10[3] 8.7 x 10[4] 4.3 xl0[2], 2.2 x 10[3], 7.3 x 10[2]U.9 x 10[2], 2.3 xl0[2], 14 x 10[2], 4 x 10[2] respectively. The mean count of Staphylococcus aureus, for rice milk andyoghurt were 1.1 x 10[2], 6 x 10[2]; 3.4 x 10[2] and 10 x 10[2], respectively. The incidence of E. coli for the three products were 6.6%, 33.3%; 13.3%, 26.6%; 13.3% and 20.0%. Incidence of Staphylococcus areus enterotoxins both type A and D were 7.7% but C was 23.1%. The isolated moulds were Alternaria sp., Asp. Niger, Caldosporium sp., Asp. flavus and penicillium sp. Salmonella failed to be detected in all examined samples The public health importance as well as hygienic measures to improve the quality of the products were discussed

[Effect of some plant extracts and Neemix4.5 insecticide on immature stages of Culex pipiens mosquito under laboratory conditions]

The environmental risks of random abuse of chemical pesticides for the control of agricultural and general health pests have been recently arisen and accordingly, natural pesticides, particularly of plant origin, are now considered to be promising alternatives. This study aims at testing aqueous plant extracts of Piper nigrum, Allium sativum, Syxgium aromaticus, Artemisia abyssinica, Eucalyptus camaldensis at the rates of 30, 40, and 50 ml/lit of water; in addition to neem [Azadirachta indica] oil and a neem insecticide [Neemix4.5] at the rate of 0.5, 1.0 and 1 .5ml/l of water, for their effect immature stages of Culex pipiens mosquito. The results have shown that there was no statistical significance between the plant extracts and the control on the hatchability of eggs. However, neem oil as well as the neem insecticide Neemix when applied at the rate of 1.5 mI/l water reduced significantly the hatchability of eggs [61%and 84%], compared to the control [96%]. Accumulated mortality percentage of larvae, resulted from eggs of C. pipiens, have reached 100% in P. nigrum, A. sativum, S. aromaticus, and E. camaldensis plant extract treatments when used at 50 ml/l water. The same result has been reached when neem oil and Neemix 4.5 insecticide when used at l.5ml/1; and none of the larvae have, reached the pupal stage. This means that these plant extracts as well as neem oil, which are available in the area, could easily be applied in an integrated Pest Management Program for mosquito in Yemen

Toxicity of cadmium on the growth and yield of Solanum melongena L.

Heavy metal cadmium is biomagnified through food chain and causes Itai-Itai disease in human. The present investigation reports the results of the effect of cadmium on seed germination, germination relative index (G.R.I.), seedling growth, chlorophyll stability index (CSI) and yield of Solanum melongena L. cv Pusa uttam. Effect of different concentrations of heavy metal cadmium (CdCl2) in Hoagland's nutrient solution (10(-2) M, 10(-4) M, 10(-5) M and 10(-8) M) were employed for all seedling and physiological parameters of brinjal. Cadmium showed toxic effects at high concentrations 10(-2) M but promotory at lower concentration (10(-8) M) with regard to growth and yield.

Comparative study of different surgical modalities for treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus

Pilonidal sinus disease of the natal cleft is a painful debilitating condition which often recurs despite different surgical procedures. In this thesis, the outcome of different methods for treatment of this disease are described and compared. A review of sixty patients were randomized into three groups. Group A were operated upon by sinus excision and leaving the resultant cavity to heal by granulation tissue. Group B were operated by excision with primary closure in natal cleft. Group C were operated by excision with oblique closure by z-plasty. Recurrence was highest in group B [25%] followed by group A [15%] and no recurrence occurred in group C. The mean satisfaction grading was 5, 2 in group A, 7.1 in group B and 9.3 in group c. Excision of pilonidal sinus and oblique closure by z-plasty offers improved patient satisfaction and no recurrence rate

Papillary thyroid carcinoma formation in a thyroglossal cyst: a case report

Thyroglossal cyst rarely presents with carcinoma formation in the remnants of the thyroid gland. We report a 40 year old male with papillary thyroid carcinoma formation in a thyroglossal cyst. The patient underwent surgical intervention for the cyst. His pathology was positive for thyroid carcinoma and he underwent complete thyroidectomy with postoperative radioactive iodine treatment. His follow up revealed no evidence of recurrence

Effect of virus load on insukin resistance in HCV infected patients

Chronic HCV infection is a multifaceted disease, which is associated with numerous of clinical manifestations. Type 2 diabetes considered another conditions added to HCV complications It is a complex and multisystem disease with a pathophysiology that includes a defect in insulin secretion, increased hepatic glucose production and resistance to the action of insulin Human tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNf alpha] - an unglycozylated polypeptide cytokine- has the ability to inhibit insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. The aim of this study is to investigate the status of insulin resistance expressed as HOMA index in patients with HCV infection, patients with HCV+D.M and its relationship to TNF- alpha level and virus load in comparison with healthy control and another control group with DM but without HCV infection. Group I: control group [n=15], group II: 1-ICV patients [n= 18], group III: HCV patients with D.M [n = 13] and group IV D.M. patients [n=15]. Show that HOMA index was highly significant increased in patients with HCV, HCV+DM and DM compared with control [p<0.001]. Furthermore, patients with HCV+DM had significant increased level in HOMA index compared to those of DM alone [p<0.001]. Serum TNF- alpha level were also significant increased in patients with HCV and HCV + DM compared with patients with D.M alone and to control group [p<0.001]. HCV RNA load showed a significant cotrelation with both HOMA index and TNF-a levels [r=0.81 1 and 0.848, respectively] [p<0.001]. In conclusion this study showed that HCV infection induces insulin resistance through increased TNF- alpha secretion. The degree of insulin resistance is directly proportional to the virus load

Effect of NPK, organic and bio-fertilization on vegetative growth, flowering and chemical composition of jasminum sambac, ait. Plants

A field trial was conducted during two consecutive seasons [2004/2005 and 2005/2006] at the Exerimental Nursery of the Ornamental Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt, to investigate the effect of fertilization with NPK, organic and biofertilizers on growth, flowering and composition of Jasminum sambac plants. NPK [N: P205: K2O] at the rate of 40 g/pot/season was applied at 5 g/pot for eight months. Three different kinds of organic fertilizers were applied namely, compost at a rate of 175 cm[3]/pot/season. Camel manure at a rate of 175 cm[3]pot/season, biogas at a rate of 60 kg/N/feddan/season Biofertilizer [Biogramina] was applied at a rate of 75 ml/pot/season. NPK fertilizer caused significant increases in vegetative growth parameters. NPK alone or in combination with organic fertilizer lenanced root parameers, chlorophyll-a, b and carotenoids content. Biogas combined with biofertilizer [Biogramina] gave the best results of flowering parameters while, total carbohydrates, N, P and K contents were increased by organic fertilizer. It could be concluded that biofertilizer [Biogramina] alone delayed flowering

Mycotoxin residues in new chicken breast meat products

Thirty random poultry meat products fifteen from each [Kiev and Cordon bleu] were collected from different groceries and supermarkets in Cairo and Giza Governorates were analyzed for determination of some mycotoxin residues. Aflatoxins [AFs] and ochratoxin A [OA] could be detected with different percentages and levels, the highest percentages [86.66%] of AFB1 were present in coat of Kiev and Cordon bleu, while the lowest percentage [13.33%] for G[1] and G[2] in the meat part of Kiev and M[1] and M[2] in its coat. OA was detected in all tested samples of Cordon bleu coat, but the lowest percentage [46.66%] in the Cordon bleu core "cheese". On the other hand, the highest estimated level [22.0 microg/kg] of AFB[1] was estimated in Cordon bleu coat and 10.6 microg/kg OA in Kiev coat. The lowest level was found to be 1.1 microg/kg for each of AFs [B[1], B[2], G[1] G[2] in Kiev coat and 1.1 microg/kg OA in each of meat and butter of Kiev and meat and cheese of Cordon bleu samples. The public health significance of mycotoxin residues and measures to prevent contamination of meat products with mycotoxins were discussed

Coxsackie B Viruses as the main etiologic agent of myocarditis: Characterization of capsid proteins

Enteroviruses especially Coxsackie B viruses [CBVs] are responsible for approximately 50% of viral myocarditis cases. Coxsackie B viruses were inoculated in BGM cells for three successive passages. Viral capsid proteins were screened by SDS-PAGE, followed by Western blot. Electrophoretically separated proteins of CB2, CB4 in comparison to CA9, Echo9, and PV1 Sabin, showed common peptides particularly at the low molecular weight [ranging between 40 to 10 kDa]. The results of immunoblotting analysis using polyclonal antibodies raised against the whole Coxsackieviruses B viral particles did not reflect that all those bands are immunogenic, nevertheless those peptides could be used to raise specific antibodies which in turn could be useful in detecting viral circulating antigens

Oxidative stress and cardiovascular diseases risk factors in hepatitis C infected hemodialysis patients

Oxidative stress which is defined as a disturbance of the normal balance between oxidants and antioxidants in the body, play a key role in accelerated atherosclerosis and to be involved in cardiovascular diseases [CVD] of dialyzed patients who are at the risk of increased oxidative stress. is to evaluate the effect of hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection and dialysis on oxidative stress markers Malondialdehyde [MDA], and its effect on increased CVD in HCV positive hemodialysis [HD]. 60 adults on maintenance HD patients were divided into 4 groups: group-I: 15 patients positive to HCV Ab with no clinical evidence of CVD; group-II: 15 patients positive to HCV Ab with clinical evidence of CVD; group-III: 15 dialysis patients negative to HCV Ab with no clinical evidence of CVD; group-IV: 15 dialysis patients negative to HCV Ab with history of different CVD and Group V: 15 healthy control subjects. all patients were subjected to: full history and clinical examination, CXR, ECG, Echocardiography, routine laboratory investigations eg; BUN, creatinine, Lipid profile, ALT, AST, Albumin and measurement of serum MDA. MDA increase in all groups in comparison to control.- There is a strong correlation between MDA and CVD risk factors in groups II and IV than in other groups.- MDA increase with increasing years of dialysis.- There is a strong correlation between MDA and ALT in group-I and n and no correlation in groups III and IV. HD treatment is associated with rises in oxidative stress marker and the infection of HCV increases this effect. Oxidative stress is a strong factor in development of CVD in HD patients

Biophysical measurements lead in some biosensors

Heavy metal [lead] concentrations in two marsh plants [Phragmites australis and Cyperus rotundus] and one free floating hydrophyte [Eichhornia crassipes] growing near metal smelters [lead pollutant area] were investigated. The shoots of the investigated plants were analyzed for lead content by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Data indicated high lead levels due to the influence of urban and industrial effluents. This showed that the target plants could be considered as lead pollution biosensors. Scanning electron microscopy [SEM] and positron annihilation lifetimes [PAL] technique were used to ascertain the localization of lead in the living tissues. Cross sections of the plant organs were examined using SEM attached with an energy dispersed X-ray [EDX] unit for elemental analysis of the formed crystals that appeared abundant in the aerenchyma tissues of the polluted plants. PAL data reflected the correlation between the fraction of free volume hole and lead concentration, the higher lead accumulation gives a lower fraction of free volume hole. The results demonstrated the extreme sensitivity of the PAL technique towards the structural changes occurring in polluted plants