[ use of Arabic in the World Health Organization. Part one]

The course of Arabic in WHO began in September 1954 when the Regional Subcommittee "A" requested the Regional Director to study the possibility of using Arabic as a working language for WHO in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. At WHO Headquarters, Arabic was used as an official language in the World Health Assembly in May 1972, and became a working language for the Organization in May 1975. This article reviews the progression of the use of Arabic in WHO since then

[ use of Arabic in the World Health Organization. Part two]

In part one of this paper we discussed the use of Arabic as an official and working language in the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office and WHO Headquarters. We reviewed the arrangements made to rationalize the Arabic activities in WHO, the development of an authentic Arabic version of the WHO constitution, the impact of WHO restructuring on the Arabic programme and the establishment of the Arab Centre for Medical Literature in Kuwait. In this part we address the developments in Arabic medical terminology, the establishment of the Regional Arabic Programme and the unified WHO Programme of Arabic publications, and last but not least, the production of the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal in English, French and Arabic

Thermal stability of Ni [II] and cu [II] mixed ligand complexes derived from biologically important schiff bases, azoles and morpholine

Thermogravimetry [TG] and differential thermogravimefty [DTG] have been applied to the investigation of the thermal behavior of six mixed ligand complexes of Ni[II] and Cu[II] comprising the Schiff bases: o-hydroxyacetophenoneethanolimine [OHAE], N-salicylidene-o-iminophenol [SOP] and N-salicylidene-o-toluidine [SOT] as well as morpholine [Morph] and certain azotes. The azoles used are: 2-amino-thiazole [2-Atz], benzothiazole [Btz], 2-methylbenzothiazole [2-Mbtz], 3-methyl-2-selenoxobenzothiazole [3-Msbtz] and thiabendazole [Tbdz]. Heating the compounds first results in a release of the morpholine or the azoles. Kinetics of the decomposition reactions were studied using non-mechanistic equations

Induction of somatic embryogensis and DNA fingerprinting of Jojoba

In-vitro induction of somatic embryogenesis and regeneration ability of jojoba [Simmondsia chinensis [Link] Schneider] plant were investigated using two different types of explants, i.e., immature zygotic embryos and leaf disks, and different culture media. Compact embryogenic callus was induced on Murashige and Skoog [MS] medium supplemented with various concentrations of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid [2, 4-D] and sucrose. Embryogenic callus was developed from immature zygotic embryos on MS medium containing 1.0 mg/l 2, 4-D, 0.1 mg/l 6-benzyl aminopurine [BA] and 4% sucrose. Induced calli were subcultured on MS medium supplemented with [4% or 6%] sucrose and 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mM kinetin for plant regeneration. Somatic embryos at the globular, heart-shaped, torpedo, and cotyledonary stages were developed. Embryogenic callus and hence different stages of somatic embryos were developed from leaf segments on MS medium supplemented with 3%, 4% or 6% sucrose, 1.0 mg/l 2, 4-D and 0, 0.1, 0.5 or 1.0 mg/l BA. Leaf-derived embryogenic calli did not mature on any of the maturation/germination media examined even after 4 weeks of culture. Random amplified polymorphic DNA [RAPD] technique was used to investigate the patterns and distribution of genetic variability in natural field-grown cuttings of jojoba plants. Five oligonucleotide primers were used to screen five randomly selected jojoba samples for analysis. Total DNA extracted from field-grown cutting leaves was used as template in the PCR reaction. The five primers used showed a highly polymorphic nature of the studied plants. It is concluded that jojoba plants in the natural habitate of Egypt may belong to different genotypes, none of them could differentiate to complete plantlets by tissue culture

Reactivity of certain biologically important azoles and morpholine towards Ni [II] and Cu [II] complexes of O-hydroxyacetophenoneethanolimine and N-salicylidene derivatives

A number of mixed ligand complexes of Ni [II] and Cu [II] containing the Schiff bases: o-hydroxyacetophenoneethanolimine [OHAE], N-sallicylidene-o-iminophenol [SOP] and N-salicylidene-o-toluidine [SOT] as well as morpholine or the azoles: 2-aminothiazole, benzothiazole and 2-methylbenzothiazole has been prepared and characterized. The IR, UV-VIS spectra and magnetic moment measurements of the complexes were discussed

Thermal decomposition of tetracycline and cephalosporins metal complexes

Thermal behaviour of tetracycline hydrochloride, oxytetracycline dihydrate, Co [II] and Ni [II] complexes of tetracycline and Zn [II] complexes of some cephalosporin antibiotics, namely cephalexin, cephapirin, cefuroxime, and ceftazidime was studied using thermogravimetric analysis [TG]. The TG curves exhibit several thermal events indicating that the thermal decomposition of these compounds are not simple. The kinetic parameters for steps appropriate for kinetic analysis were evaluated making use of the Coats-Redfern equation. During the thermal decomposition of tetracycline hydrochloride anhydro tetracycline was proposed to be formed as an intermediate due to the elimination of water

Transmissible viral proventriculitis and stunting syndrome in broiler chickens in Egypt: 1. isolation and characterization of variant infectious bursal disease virus [IBDV]

In the present study, 46 broiler chicken flocks [2-4 weeks of age in farms located in four governorates] were examined. They were affected with proventriculitis and stunting syndrome and were vaccinated with classical infectious bursal disease vaccines. The affected flocks generally showed stunting, reduced growth rate and uneven weight distribution. The virus was detected in the bursa at 72 hours PI by ELISA and electron microscope confirming the persistence of the variant IBDV in the chicks, despite the presence of IBDV classical antibodies. The present study reported, for the first time, the association of IBDV with stunting syndrome and proventriculitis in broilers in Egypt

Thromboxane biosynthesis and platelet function in type II diabetes mellitus

It has been suggested that platelet hyper-reactivity in patients with diabetes mellitus [D.M.] is associated with increased platelet production of thromboxane. We therefore compared the excretion of thromboxane metabolite and platelet function in 30 patients with diabetes mellitus who had normal renal function and 18 healthy controls. The mean [ +/- SD] excretion rate of urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 was siginifcantly higher than in the controls [p<0.00/]. Aspirin in low doses [50 mg per day for 7 daye] reduced urinary excretion of the metabolite by approximately 80% in four patients. We concluded that in type l/ diabetes that [i], increased 11-dehydtro-thromboxane B2 excretion reflects enhanced biosynthesis of thromboxane A2 by platelets rather than a shift in its metabolic disposition [ii]. This is likely to reflect in Vivo platelet activation. [iii]. Improved metabolic control as well as low doses aspirin therapy may correct these abnormality in platelet function to a variable extent

Effect of aminophylline on the recovery of atracurium in major surgical procedures

In this study a trial to shorten the recovery time of atracurium by using aminophylline 3 mg.kg-1 body wt. slowly i.v. was done on 40 cases comparing the results with a control group of another 40 cases. Aminophylline was found to be very effective in decreasing the mean recovery time of atracurium from 15.24 +/- 2.08 to 11.6 +/- 23 minutes, and this difference was statistically significant [P <0.001]. The recovery of aminophylline showed less pain, less bronchospasm on extubation, and more liability to ventricular extrasystoles. So, aminophylline is recommended to be given at the end of major surgical procedures to enhance the recovery of atracurium, but, it must be given very slowly under ECG monitoring

Assessment of different methods for detecting streptococcus pneumonia or its capsular Ag in pneumonic patients sputa

Eighty four sputum specimens were collected from clinically pneumonic patients and examined for the presence of streptococcus or it's capsular antigen by assessing Gram film, culture, Quellung reaction and latex agglutination. Our results revealed that Quellung test was the most sensitive method [100%], whereas culture was the most specific technique [100%]. To choose the best diagnostic for patients regarding antibiotic treatment, twenty-nine specimens of total 84 were investigated before starting antibiotics. For these cases, Quellung test had the highest rate of detection [100%], and both Gram film and culture were proved to be reliable techniques. The remaining fifty-five specimens were submitted after starting antibiotics. In these samples latex agglutination revealed greater detection value [45.4%] than others

review of genus prothogonimus Luhe, 1899 [prothogonimidae], from the Egyptian house sparrow: passer domesticus niloticus

A review of the genus Prothogonimus is given. Two species assigned to the subgenus Prothogonimus P. [Prothogonimus] vitellatus Nicoll, 1914 and P. [Prothogonimus] sp. are described. A key is presented to the subgenus Prothogonimus known so far in Africa