Nutritional and environmental toxicological investigations on fish farms in Fayoum governorate, Egypt

This study was carried out in two fish farms in EL-Fayoum Governorate to investigate water quality, evaluate the effect of chemical fertilizers and artificial diet on the performance and feed efficiency of Oreochromis niloticus and Mugil cephalus, and determine pesticide residues in water and reared fish. Average values of water temperature in fish farms and water source ranged between 25.6 and 30.6°C. The highest values of dissolved oxygen were observed during April while the lowest values were found in June and July. There was a negative relationship between water temperature and dissolved oxygen, a positive relationship was found between temperature and water salinity. The highest values of weight gain [270.90, 269.20g], specific growth rate [1.15, 1.16], feed consumption [240.60, 270.48g] and feed conversion ratio [0.89, 1.01] of O. niloticus and M. cephalus, respectively were found in fish fed on artificial feed and reared in fertilized ponds when compared to fish fed on artificial diet only or reared in fertilized ponds without supplementary feed. The pesticide residues of chlorpyrifos ethyl and fenpropathrin were detected in water at mean levels ranged 0.10 - 0.25 mg/I. Both fish species contained fenitrothion residues at values [0.525 mg/ kg and 0.255 mg/kg for O. niloticus and M. cephalus, respectively] which are higher than permissible limits. Although the residues of fenitrothion and carbaryl were not detected in water, they were found in both fish species which could be attributed to the ability of these pesticides to bioacumulate in the aquatic organisms

Propofol versus thiopentone as a sole anaesthetic agent in children: a comparative study

In a comparative study, 40 children were included in 2 equal groups to study the characteristics of either propofol or thiopentone as a sole anaesthetic agent in minor day-stay surgical procedures. Propofol was given in a dose of 2.5 mg.Kg[-1], while thiopentone was given in a dose of 4-5 mg.Kg[-1]. It was found that respiratory rate, systolic, diatolic and mean arterial blood pressures decreased significantly from the preinduction values [P< 0.05]. The heart rate decreased significantly after propofol, while it showed a significant increase after thiopentone administration. The incidence of pain on injection was significantly more in propofol than in thiopentone injection. Airway obstruction was seen in 25% of propofol group, while it was manifested in 40% of thiopentone group. Mild laryngeal spasm was manifested in 5% of propofol group patients, while it was seen in 15% of thiopentone group patients. Apnoea occurred in 25% of propofol group children and in 10% of thiopentone group children. It was of longer duration in the former group. Propofol was associated with significantly rapid and clear recovery from anaesthia than thiopentone, otherwise it offers no advantage over thiopentone as a short-acting anaesthetic agent

Effect of praziquantel on blood and liver granuloma histamine and brain serotonin contents in experimental schistosomiasis

The effects of schistosoma mansoni infection and praziquantel treatment on blood and liver granuloma histamine contents and brain and liver granuloma serotonin contents were studied in mice experimentally infected each with 60 cercariae of an Egyptian strain of S. mansoni. Praziquantel [5x250 mg/kg] was- administered 8 and 12 weeks after infection and mice were sacrificed 2 weeks after treatment. Infection produced a transient increase in blood histamine and brain serotonin contents 10 weeks after infection. Praziquantel has no effect on the previously mentioned parameters. Liver granulomas up to 200 mg wet weight showed no serotonin contents. Local increase in granuloma histamine contents with chronicity of infection was observed amounting to 0.584 +/- 0.04 and 3.027 +/- 0.244 ug/g. Net weight 10 and 14 weeks after infection respectively. Praziquantel administered 12 weeks after infection produced significant increase in liver granuloma histamine contents