Impact of physical and chemical characteristics of breeding sites on mosquito larval abundance at Ismailia governorate, Egypt

The distribution and monthly abundance of mosquito larvae in released water, drainage canals and sewage water tanks in Ismailia governorate were investigated. The results obtained indicated the presence of five culicine [Culex. pipiens, Cx. pusillus, Cx. perexiguus, Cx. theleri and Ochlerotatus. caspius] and two anopheline [Anopheles. multicolor and An. pharoensis] mosquito species. Significantly higher larval density was recorded in sewage water [n= 5534; 46.08%] as compared with released water [n= 2903; 24.17%] and drainage water [n= 3573; 29.75%]. Culex pipiens was the most dominant mosquito species in the three habitats. The effects of environmental parameters including pH, biological and chemical oxygen demands, day time water temperature, plant growth, salinity, total organic matter and concentrations of heavy metals on larval population density were investigated. The positive correlations observed between heavy metals concentrations in the three habitats suggested relative uniformity of the sources of metal pollutants. Culex pipiens larvae demonstrated high tolerance to elevated levels of heavy metals in sewage water and compensatory effects of high nutrient levels generally associated with sewage or domestic waste. High densities of culicine larvae were accompanied by low density of anopheline larvae. This was attributed to water chemistry and competitive interactions

Non-invasive evaluation of asymptomatic cardiovascular effects in type 2 diabetic patients complicated by autonomic neuropathy

This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of some non- invasive tools in assessment of asymptomatic cardiac disorders in 50 maturity onset diabetic patients [non-insulin-dependent], 25 have autonomic neuropathy and the other 25 patients have no autonomic neuropathy and 20 healthy subjected of matched age and sex as a control group. Patients and subjects were subjected to careful history, thorough clinical examination, laboratory investigations, tests for detecting autonomic neuropathy, resting and exercise electrocardiography and echocardiography. Resting ECG parameters as PR interval, R-wave amplitude, Q-Tc interval showed nonsignificant difference between diabetics without autonomic neuropathy and control group; however, Q-Tc interval was significantly longer in diabetics with autonomic neuropathy when compared with diabetics without autonomic neuropathy and with control group. There was also significant prolongation of Q-Tc interval after exercise in diabetics with autonomic neuropathy when compared with the other groups