Release of phosphorus from rock phosphate through composting using organic materials and its effect on corn growth

The use of natural forms of minerals such as rock phosphate as an alternative source to synthetic fertilizers partially or totally is receiving renewed attention worldwide. Apart from nutritional effects, application of such minerals is effective in reducing the cost of crop production and maintaining the natural fertility of soil. Since the solubility of rock phosphate is generally low, it does not always give satisfactory results when directly applied. The present study was therefore, undertaken to explore the possibility of increasing the release of P from rock phosphate at different rates through composting using rice straw and the effect of P-charged compost on the yield and P uptake by corn plants. The concentration of total P significantly enhanced in the final product with all treatments as organic materials decreased during composting compared to control where no P was added. Phosphorus from rock phosphate was solubilized and transformed into available forms during composting. Application of rock phosphate had no effect on degradation of rice straw up to 20% but at higher rates, the degradation decreased. The water soluble P decreased with the addition of rock phosphate to composted materials. The soluble P in 2% citric acid increased dramatically on composting with rock phosphate and the maximum increase was observed with 30% rock phosphate. This fraction is presumed to be available to plant uptake. Release of P from rock phosphate was decreased by addition of [NH[4]] [2] SO[4], but increased by the addition of urea. It is concluded that urea hydrolyzes the organic matter within the period of composting and that the products of hydrolysis chelate Ca[2]+ ions and so increased the release of P from the rock phosphate. The response of corn plants to addition of compost that included rock phosphate was considerable when added in sandy soil. The P-charged compost containing 6.75% total P was comparable to super phosphate or better when combined with phosphate dissolving bacteria in increasing dry matter yield and P uptake. Rice straw compost prepared without rock phosphate did not give significant increase in corn yield

Relation between insulin sensitivity and plasma tumour necrosis factor alpha in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance

The aim of the present study has been to search for a possible relation between insulin resistance and plasma tumour necrosis factor-a [TNF-alpha] in a group of subjects with impaired glucose tolerance [IGT]. Forty adult men with IGT [Group I] and twenty matched control subjects with no family history of diabetes mellitus [Group II] were included. Insulin resistance was assessed by measurement of Insulin Sensitivity Index [ISI]. Plasma TNF-alpha levels were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbant assay. The insulin sensitivity indices were significantly lower and plasma TNF-alpha was significantly higher in IGT subjects [Group I] as compared to normal controls [Group II]. There was a negative correlation between insulin sensitivity indices and plasma TNF-alpha concentrations in IGT subjects. TNF-alpha was significantly correlated to BMI, fasting blood glucose, serum triglyceride levels and inversely correlated to HDL- cholesterol. These results indicate that TNF- alpha is an important mediator of insulin resistance syndrome and may be involved in the pathogenesis of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Effect of insulin-induced hypoglycaemia on plasma pancreatic polypeptide and glucagon levels in conscious dogs

The aim of the present study has been to identify the role of nitric oxide [NO] in mediating pancreatic endocrine responses to severe hypoglycaemia [2.0 nmol/kg insulin I.V.] in conscious dogs. The experiments were carried out on 18 apparently healthy adult male conscious dogs divided into three groups: Group I: Six dogs sacrificed as control group. Group II: Six dogs subjected to severe hypoglycaemia in the absence of L-NAME [NOS blocker] and sodium nitroprusside [NO donor]. Group III: Six dogs subjected to severe hypoglycaemia in the presence of L-NAME [100 mg/kg I.A.] and sodium nitroprusside [2-4 micro g/min/kg I.V.].Glucose was measured by means of a Mark 2 Beckman Glucose Analyser, Glucagon and PP were easured by radioimmunoassay. Determination of cGMP levels was studied using pancreatic tissues from the three studied groups. Administration of L-NAME effectively produced a significantly reduced plasma pancreatic polypeptide [PP] response. In contrast, the glucagon response was not significantly affected. Moreover, plasma glucagon values were consistently higher in group III [with L- NAME] when compared to group II [without L-NAME] at 30 and 120 min. intervals, [t = 5.36, P < 0.001, and t = 6.32, P< 0.001 respectively]. One can conclude that, in the absence of L-NAME, production of NO may contribute to the PP response, but not to the glucagon response to hypoglycaemia in this species under physiological conditions, in this study, there was a significant increase in pancreatic tissue cGMP in the studied dogs without L-NAME and sodium nitroprusside as compared to both control dogs [t= 11.6, P < 0.001], and those receiving L-NAME and sodium nitroprusside [t = 8.25, P < 0.05]. This explains a possible rote of cGMP in the process of PP release through NO gas. Conclusions. Administration of NOS blocker has produced a significantly reduced plasma pancreatic polypeptide [PP] response with no significant effect on glucagon secretion during insulin-induced severe hypoglycaemia in conscious dogs. cGMP has been found to play a possible role in the process of PP release through NO gas

Eosinophil cationic protein as a serological marker of disease activity in childhood bronchial asthma

To study the value of eosinophil cationic protein [ECP] as a serological marker of disease activity in childhood bronchial asthma, ECP levels were measured in 20 healthy control children and 25 asthmatic children, during and 2 weeks after acute exacerbation. The mean serum ECP level of all asthmatic patients, during and after exacerbation, was significantly higher than the control group and was significantly higher during attacks than 2 weeks after their termination. ECP levels were highest in severe attacks, but did not differ between mild and moderate attacks. ECP levels in asthmatic patients 2 weeks after mild and moderate attacks were comparable to normal; after severe attacks levels remained higher than normal. Measurement of serum ECP will be helpful in determining asthma activity and deciding the use of anti-asthma drugs

profile of health maintenance behaviors and self care perception among family members of Saudi Arabian patients: for nursing interventions

The purpose of this study was to construct a data base that conveys the cultural images of health maintenance behaviors and self care perception among selected Saudi Arabian patients' family members. The identified information shapes the health practices among the studied group as they have a role as care givers for themselves and for patients during hospital stay and at home. The study was conducted on 100 family members, 50 males and 50 females, who were randomly selected during patients hospital stay at medical surgical wards, outpatient clinics and emergency care units of Fahd University Hospital. Self care inventory [SCI] and health maintenance behavior questionnaire [HMBQ] and demographic data sheet were the instruments of this study. Data were collected through semistructured interview. The results were analyzed and significant tests showed the presence of significant statistical differences between male and female subjects in relation to self care perception and in some areas of the health maintenance behavior such as smoking and regular check up. The results of this study can guide nurses as a change agent to modify and support persons within the social and cultural studied situation to adhere to health practices which enhance or sustain well-being

Effect of exchange transfusion on serum toxicity: relation to complications

Our work included 27 cases underwent exchange transfusion, 15 with hyperbilirubinemia, 7 neonatal sepsis, 3 D.I.C and 2 cases with RDS. We found increased serum sodium and serum tonicity in all cases underwent E.T. This increase in tonicity wag higher in infants in which E.T was done early in the first 3 days of life [serum tonicity wag 19.95 mosm/L], in infants with small gestational age [Serum tonicity was 32.57 mosm/L in neonates between 27-28 weeks and 28.02 in neonates between 29-30 weeks] and in infants with low birth weight [Serum tonicity was 20.27 mosm/L in cases < 1000 gm]. The complications which occurred during E.T includes Seizures in 7 cases; apnea in 6 cases; bradycardia < 80/m in 5 cases; shock like appearance in 4 cases. The mortality wag 5 cases[18.8 percent] and all contracted hypertonicity

Low-level lead exposure and children intellectual abilities

Is lead related to deficits in the cognitive abilities or educational attainment of school children at low level of exposure? 300 school children were studied, their ages ranged between 6-12 years. All children were assessed as regards history taking, blood lead level, I.Q and attention score. The mean blood lead level of all children studied was 14.4 ug/dl and this level decreases with increasing age. The mean blood lead level in rural children is always less than those of urban children in all age groups. Higher blood lead levels were found in low socioeconomic standard children. A negative correlation coefficient [r] was found between blood lead level and I.Q. In all ages the partial correlation coefficient [r] was negative and P<0.01. The mean interest score was 51.3 +/- 14.2 and there was a negative highly significant correlation between blood lead level and interest score

prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus among patients with generalized lymphadenopathy

Lymphadenopathy is a common problem that usually necessitates thorough investigations. Enlarged lymphnodes occurs in response to a wide variety of inflammatory and neoplastic process. This study included 20 children with generalized lymphadenopathy, 13 males and 7 females, with a mean age of 7.6 years and 10 healthy children of matched age and sex served as a control group. A complete diagnostic work up was done including detailed history; clinical examination, complete blood picture, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serologic tests including Monospot test for detection of heterophil antibodies and indirect fluorescent antibody [IFA] test for detection of IgG- VCA. Two cases [10 percent] were positive by Monospot test whereas 40 percent were definitely positive by IFA test compared to non of the control group. A high incidence of immune cases was found in both patient and control [15 percent and 40 percent] reflecting the high prevalence of Epstein - Barr virus [EBV]. A male predominance was evident in cases with infectious mononucleosis [IM]. However, no characteristic clinical or hematological data for EBV-IM were found

Blood glucose level in newborn infants of high risk pregnancy

Under normal circumstances, the fetus receives a constant supply of nutrients and oxygen from his mother across the placenta. After delivery the newborn infant must rely on his endogenous source to maintain glucose homeostasis until an adequate food supply become available. A normal fasting blood glucose level depends on sufficient hepatic enzyme pathways for gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis and normal hormonal activities for regulation of these processes. This study aimed at estimating the blood glucose level in newborn infants of high risk pregnancies as well as in high risk newborns. The study was carried out on 138 newborn infants at high risk, pregnant mothers, and high risk newborns, in addition to 20 healthy newborn infants of normal pregnancy. The groups included in the study were: Group [1] Diabetic Mothers: their number were 15. Group [2] Primiparous mothers over 35 Y: their number were 15. Group [3] Underweight mothers [under 60 kg]: their number were 5. Group [4] Mothers with Rheumatic heart disease: their number were 8. Group [5] Mothers with chronic hypertension; their number were 6. Group [6] Pre-eclamptic mothers: their number were 12. Group [7] Eclamptic mothers: their number were 6. Group [8] Multiparous mothers over 5 deliveries: their number were 8. Group [9] Premature newborns: their number were 25. Group [10] Small for date newborns: their number were 38. The blood glucose level in the newborns was done by the reflectometer method at birth, at 1 hour and at 4 hours after delivery. The results obtained, showed that in all infants, blood glucose level at 4 hours was significantly lower than its level at birth in all groups. Significant lower blood glucose level than that of the control groups was seen in infants of mothers suffering from diabetes, chronic hypertension and eclampsia. The same observation was seen in prematures and SGA newborns. On the other hand, no significant difference was seen in the rest of the groups

Blood glucose level in newborn infants of high risk pregnancy

Hazards of hypoglycemia in newborn infants may be much multiplied in infants of high risk pregnancy as well as high risk newborns. This study was carried out on 138 newborn infants of high risk pregnant mothers and high risk newborns in addition to 20 healthy newborn infants of normal pregnancy as control. The groups included in the study were: Diabetic mothers [15], primiparous mothers over 35 years [15], underweight mothers under 60 kg [5], mothers with rheumatic heart disease [8], mothers with chronic hypertension [6], preeclamptic mothers [12], eclamptic mothers [6], multiparous mothers over 6 deliveries [8], premature newborns [25] and small for gestational age newborns [38]. The mothers were subjected to complete diagnostic work-up and estimation of their blood glucose just before delivery. Each newborn was examined for congenital malformations, Apgar scoring, gestational age determination and estimation of blood glucose level at birth, at one hour and at 4 hours. The results showed that the blood glucose level at 4 hours was significantly lower than its level at birth in all groups. Significant lower blood glucose level than that of the control group was seen in infants of mothers suffering diabetes, chronic hypertension and eclampsia at one and 4 hours. The same observation was seen in prematures and small for gestational age newborns. It was recommended to screen the blood glucose level in high risk newborns and to be fed earlier than normal infants to avoid hypoglycemia

Juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome: a clinical study

Primary fibromyalgia syndrome [PFS] is a common form of non- articular rheumatism manifested by diffuse musculoskeletal aching and tender points at multiple characteristic sites. The condition is considered primary when no known underlying cause in evident and the usual laboratory tests are normal. In this study, the syndrome is evaluated in Egyptian children in both screening study on 300 school children and 100 rheumatic patients in pediatric rheumatology clinics. Twenty four juvenile PFS were diagnosed. The associated non- musculoskeletal symptoms were common including poor sleep, headaches, irritable colon and numbness. Routine laboratory tests were negative. Physical examination revealed multiple tender points and no objective signs of arthritis. Juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome is a common rheumatic disorder in the pediatric age group and needs a special focus and interest

Some leucocytic functions in beta-thalassaemias phagocytosis and peroxidase

This study was conducted on 90 subjects classified into 4 groups; group I, included 20 healthy children as control for B- thalassemia major, group II included 25 patients with B-thalassemia major, group III included 20 healthy individuals as control for B- thalassemia minor and group IV included 25 cases of B-thalassemia minor. All members of each group were subjected to full clinical examination, laboratory investigations including: CBP, Hb electrophoresis for group II and IV, estimation of phagocytic activity of PMNLs using heat killed Candida albicans and estimation of peroxidase activity of PMNLs. The obtained data revealed the presence of highly significant decrease [P <0.001] of both phagocytic percent [P%] and phagocytic index [PI] of PMNLs in cases of B-thalassemia major compared with normal control. Also, the presence of an inhibitory effect of patient's serum of PMNLs activity [P% and PI] as compared with normal control [P <0.001]. This impairment in ingestive power of PMNLs in patients of B-thalassemia major may be one of causes of high incidence of infection among these patients