Mitochondrial 16S rDNA analysis of Tunisian androctonus species [scorpions, buthidae]: phylogenetic approach

Tunisian Androctonus species, for long time discussed, were recognized on the basis of mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences. Although the analysed nucleotide sequence is rather short [about 300 bp], the obtained phlogenetic trees revealed that A. amoreuxi and A. aeneas form two well-supported sister clades against A. australis haplotypes. Each specimen of the very rare species A. aeneas showed a specific haplotype, but together formed a well-defined clade. Some A. amoreuxi specimens highlighted unidirectional mitochondrial introgression from neighbouring A. australis population. Within A. australis, previously described, subspecies subdivision [A. a. hector and A. a. garzonii] was not supported

Lambda-cyhalothrin and deltamethrin evoke lipid peroxidation and induce oxidative stress in neonatal rats

Neonates are known to be more vulnerable than adults, and their susceptibility to the side effect of pesticides attracted more concern in recent years. This work was carried out to assess the sensitivity of pups to the alpha-cyano synthetic pyrethroid insecticides lambda-cyhalothrin and deltamethrin. LD[50] was used as indicator of acute toxicity. Moreover, lambda-cyhalothrin and deltamethrin at low doses [0.31 and 0.36 mg/kg bw., respectively], were given daily in corn oil throughout the lactation period. Groups of pups [5 as control + 5 from each insecticide treatment group] were with drawl and sacrificed after 4, 10 16 and 21 days, and the level of malondialdehyde [MDA] which expresses the lipid peroxidation status was estimated in the tissues of the liver and brain. At the same time, superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione-S-transfersase [GST] activity and reduced glutathione [GSH] level were determined in both brain and liver. Glutathione reductase [GR] and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PDH] activity were estimated to evaluate the redox cycle State. Results indicated that both insecticides significantly increased lipid peroxidation and decreased the [SOD], [GR] and [G6PDH] activity and [GSH] level in liver. The effect of both pyrethroids on these parameters in brain tissue was less than that in the liver. Conclusively the results obtained suggested that both synthetic pyrethroid insecticides were able to produce oxidative stress and alter the antioxidant defense mechanisms. Furthermore, the neonates [i.e. pups in lactation period] seem to be more susceptible to pyrethroids exposure than expected

Effect of processing on corn and parboiled rice proteins

The nutritional quality of corn and parboiled rice before and after processing was estimated. Data for food intake, weight gain and food efficiency of corn and rice revealed that baking of corn had a significant effect on its nutritive value. On the other hand cooking of rice did not affect its nutritive value significantly. However, when the relative nutritive value [RNV] was estimated by the slope ratio bioassay, there was decrease in the RNV after baking corn or cooking rice. This decrease was found on the basis of either the body weight gain or moisture gain in the bodies of the rats as response parameters

effect of baking on wheat proteins at two extraction levels

The nutritive value of wheat proteins at two extraction levels 87 and 93% was estimated. Data for food intake, weight gain and food efficiency revealed that neither level of extraction nor baking had a significant effect on the nutritive value of wheat proteins tested in this investigation. However, when the relative nutritive value [RNV] was estimated by the slope ratio bioassay, there was a decrease in the RNV after baking for the two extraction levels calculated either on the basis of change in body weight or body water of the rats as response parameters

Evaluation of birth registration accuracy in Egypt

A nutritional survey was carried out in some rural and unprivilaged communities of Egypt to evaluate the state of birth registration. Age data included information's collected from 97 sample areas only yielding 2910 children. When birth dates were verified 18.7% of the children were found to be delayed in registration. The highest number of children was registered during January. A lesser number was registered during October for males and during May for females. These results were discussed and recommendations were suggested