Comparison of different techniques and stains for direct diagnosis of Trichinella spiralis

Background: The aim of Trichinella inspection is to reliably detect larvae in meat at levels which are capable of causing human trichinellosis. Trichinoscopy is a rapid, cost effective but is less sensitive in detection of low muscle larvae (ML)numbers. Artificial digestion is more convenient, and flexible, but may destroy immature larvae. Baermann technique may enhance the efficiency of diagnosis. Giemsa and Leishman stains provide identical contrasting coloration as Hematoxylin and Eosin (H-E) with the both advantages of that they can be used for staining non-histological sectionsand rapid preparation.The primary aim of the study was to compare the efficiency of digestion and Baermann techniques for detection of ML in muscles. Secondary aim was detection of ML by Geimsa and Leishman stain and their comparison with routinely used stain H-E. Methods: Muscles from 36 mice orally infected with Trichinella spiralis encysted larvae were examined. Larvae from 1 g samples of different muscles were recovered by digestion and Baermann techniques after different dose of infection. Muscle samples were prepared for staining with Giemsa, Leishman and H-E. Results: Number of larvae recovered by Baermann was higher recovered by digestion method (P ˃0.5). Leishman stain was the best stain for rapid detection of ML after 30 min followed in validity by Geimsa then H-E. Conclusion: Baermann concentration technique showed higher sensitivity than digestion method. Leishman stain is superior to Giemsa stain as it takes less time. Both stains are considered good alternative to H-E for rapid and easy diagnosis of trichinellosis in post-mortem animals

Development of an in vitro RNAi to investigate gene function in brugia malay

The RNA interference [RNAi] has the ability to turn off individual gene expression. So, it affords a remarkably specific tool for studying the effects of genes. It is regarded as a direct approach for determining such gene/genes functions and offers a valuable tool for modern drug discovery. The study aimed to develop in vitro RNAi in Brugia malayi with particular interest to study the function of Brugia malayi avr-14 [Bm-avr-14] and Brugia malayi beta-tubulin [Bm- beta -tubulin] genes. Bm-avr-14 is a gene encoding glutamate gated chloride channel [GluCl] which binds ivermectin and Bm- beta -tubulin is a gene encoding beta-tubulin which binds albendazole. Adult female worms were soaked in heterogeneous short interfering RNA [hsiRNA] with interest to study the role of two genes Bm-avr-14 and Bm-beta-tubulin. Then, we assessed the knock down effects of target genes using worminator system and real time PCR. We found that worms treated with hsiRNA of Bm-avr-14 had a significant reduction in microfilariae [mf] production in comparison with untreated worms or worms treated with hsiRNA of green fluorescent protein [GFP]. No significant reduction in mf production with Bnz-beta-tubulin gene was obtained. There were no changes in the movement of adults treated with either Bm-avr-14 or Bm-beta-tubulin hsiRNAs. Inconsistent RNAi mediated suppression was achieved with Bm-avr-14 and Bm-beta-tubulin using real time PCR. The data may be helpful in assessment of drug target potential of genes

Conjunctival microbiota and antibiotic resistance pattern in patients submitted to cataract surgery and antibacterial activity of some plant essential oils

The objective of this study was to identify the conjunctival microbiota of patients undergoing cataract surgery and evaluate its antibiotic resistance pattern. Also to in-vitro evaluate the antimicrobial effects of some essential oils against multidrug resistant isolates. Ocular samples were collected using swabs and polymethyl-metaacrylate [PMMA] intraocular lenses from seventy patients submitted to cataract surgery. Isolation and identification of bacteria was performed using conventional microbiological methods. Antibiotic sensitivity was done by disc diffusion method. The sensitivity of 16 essential oils against isolated bacteria was tested using well diffusion method. Thirty six strains were isolated from patients submitted to cataract surgery. Gram positive microorganisms represent 75% of the isolates with coagulase-negative Staphylococci [CoNS] the most common isolate [47.2%] followed by S.aureus [19.4%], whereas gram negative occurred in 25% of cases, with Moraxella spp. the most frequent Gram negative isolate. Antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that the highest antibiotic resistance was exhibited against ceftazidime [100%] followed by clindamycin [86%], ampicillin [80.5%], erythromycin [72.2%] and tetracycline [69.4%]. Gentamycin displayed the best activity [55.5%] followed by chloramphenicol [44.4%] and vancomycin [38.88%]. Fifteen essential oils showed antibacterial effect against one or more bacterial strains. The most potent oils were peppermint oil, dill oil, cinnamon oil which showed promising inhibitory activity against most tested bacterial species, whereas cotton, ginger, chamomile, blue green, cod liver and parsley oil were the least active against tested strains. Olive oil failed to inhibit any of the tested strains. In general, St. pneumoniae was the most susceptible organism as it inhibited by ten oils. Our results indicate a promising antibacterial effect of peppermint oil, dill oil and cinnamon oil against conjunctival microorganisms

Language impairment in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in preschool children

Language impairment [Li] is a highly prevalent comorbidity in children with psychiatric disorders and behavioral problems. The most common psychiatric diagnosis among children with Li is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], and conversely, Li is a frequent comorbidity found in children with ADHD. Despite the frequent cooccurrence of these two common disorders, there have been few studies that specifically investigate language abilities of children with ADHD.Therefore the main objective of this work was to evaluate language profile in ADHD children and to determine whether there is a specific ADHD related language profile in preschoolers in comparison with the control group with no ADHD. Fifty-three preschool children were diagnosed as ADHD and then they were evaluated for their language development. We recruited 36 children fulfilling our inclusion criteria and had delayed language development then we compared this case group to a sex and age matched group of children with delayed language with no ADHD [n = 25]. Assessment of intelligence was done for both groups using the Stanford Binnet Test IV. Evaluation of ADHD was done for both groups using DSM-IV criteria for ADHD. Comprehensive assessment of language development was done using the Arab Linguistic Test [ALT]. EEG was done for both groups. Our results revealed that children with ADHD showed a significant delay in language development. But there was no difference between ADHD children and the control group in total language age, semantics, pragmatics and expressive language age. The only scale that showed difference between children with ADHD and controls was the receptive language age and receptive age quotient. There was no significant difference between cases and controls in EEG. We concluded that it is important to take into consideration language abilities when assessing children with ADHD and it is informative to include ADHD screening tools when dealing with children with DLD.

Histological Study on Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy on Experimental Renal Injury Induced by Ischemia/Reperfusion in Male Albino Rat

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acute kidney injury (AKI) represents a major clinical problem with high mortality and limited treatment protocols. This study was planned to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) AKI. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study was carried out on thirty adult male albino rats. Animals were divided equally into three groups. Group I (control sham-operated group) (n=10), were subdivided equally into two subgroups; Ia and Ib. The experimental group (n=20) were all subjected to I/R injury by clamping both renal pedicles for 40 minutes. Half of the I/R animals did not receive MSC therapy (group II) [non-MSC treated group]. The other half of the I/R animals received single intravenous injection of PKH26 labelled BM-MSCs immediately after removal of the clamps and visual confirmation of reflow (group III) [MSC treated group]. Animals were sacrificed 24 hrs (subgroups IIa & IIIa) and 72 hrs (subgroups IIb & IIIb) after intervention. Serological measurements included serum urea and creatinine. Kidney specimens were processed for H&E, PAS and PCNA. Mean % of renal corpuscles with affected glomeruli, mean % of affected tubules, mean area % of PAS-positive reaction and mean area % of PCNA immunoreactivity were measured by histomorphometric studies and statistically compared. MSCs-treated group exhibited protection against renal injury serologically and histologically. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study suggest a potential reno-protective capacity of MSCs which could be of considerable therapeutic promise for cell-based management of clinical AKI.

Chemical profile, agaritine and selenium content of Agaricus bisporus

Chemical profile of the Agaricus bisporus samples were analyzed using GC/MS method in ethanolic extracts. A total of 174 metabolic products were detected, which included 13 significant metabolites between 1.2 to 83 % (w/w); other 13 metabolites at 1% (w/w) and 148 metabolites less than 1% classified into 12 categories. These metabolites had many medicinal activities, which included anti-cancer, anti-cardiovascular diseases, anti-hypercholesterol, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective, human health supporting and immune enhancer. HPLC analysis of water extracts of the A. bisporus samples showed that the spores and gills in the fresh adult mushroom had higher percentage of agaritine mycotoxin than the other parts. These contents were decreased by different treatments especially by boiling, preservation and cooking. The selenium contents (ppb) was measured by Galvanometric analysis and highest content was recorded in fresh whole mushroom sample (0.97) followed by cooked preserved (0.4) and fried sample (0.11).

effect of pregnancy life style on the reliabilityof developing postpartum blues amongprimigravida women

Postpartum blues is a common major psychological problem that the women face during postpartum period. The study aim was to assess the effect of pregnancy life style on the reliability of developing postpartum blues among primigravida. A prospective cohort design was used and a purposive sample of 188 primigravida women from Ain Shams University maternity Hospital was* included in the study. The total sample reached 158 as 30 cases were dropped out in the follow up process. Two tools were used for data collection; Structured-interviewing questionnaire sheet, and modified Edinburgh postnatal depression attitude scale. The study revealed that about one third of the studied sample developed postpartum blues during follow up. All almost studied sample were suffering from psychological stressors, majority of them suffered from physical problems during pregnancy, there were certain life style actions that put the primigravida women on risk of developing post partum blues, these actions included methods of spending spare time, eating habits, caffeine consumption and type of occupational effort. The study recommended that early identification of postpartum blues leading factors by nurses and medical team, put effective management strategies for preventing and dealing with these predisposing factors by administrative department, increase awareness of both mothers and nurses about life style modification through posters, educational programs and mass media, more and further research needs to be done on the connection between postpartum blues and diet, Particularly the junk food

Identification of lipstick smear by energydispersive X-ray analysis and spectrophotometer

Lipstick smear is one of the most frequently encountered trace evidence at the crime scene. It is one of the variable samples to prove the relationship between the suspect and victim or the crime scene. So, the present study was done on 100 different types of lipstick. In this study a combination between visual comparison, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and spectrophotometer have been shown to be suitable for analysis, characterization and discrimination of small quantities of lipsticks, which may be encountered in forensic field. Visual comparison of lipstick smears in the present study classified them into six groups; light red, 22 samples; dark red, 20; pink, 18; orange, 4; light brown, 15 and dark brown, 21. By energy dispersive X-ray analysis, the present study revealed 10 elements such as Aluminum, Silicon, Sulphur, Chloride, Potassium, Calcium; Titanium, Iron, Cupper and Zinc. The level of each element differed in different types of lipstick smears. Spectrophotometeric analysis of lipsticks revealed an absorption spectrum ranging between [200-800nm], providing a fingerprint for qualitatively identifying the lipsticks. Also this method was used for quantitative analysis purposes. The amount of visible light or other radiant energy absorbed by a lipstick solution was measured; it depended on the concentration [50 ug/ml, 100 ug/ml, 150 ug/ml], which gave different absorbance levels in the same wavelength. The present study concluded that spectrophotometric method could be applied to traces from lipstick smears. Simultaneous measurement of transmittance profiles in visible and ultra violet regions enabled us not only to evaluate their colours in visible region but also to clarify the chemicals by the transmittance profiles in ultra violet region, because the latter region reflects the characteristics of dyestuffs. On the other hand, the non-destructive method [energy dispersive X-ray analysis] was more suitable for identification of trace amount of lipsticks for forensic investigation because X-rays analysis was performed directly on materials bearing the stain

Embrytoxic effects of 2-methoxyethanol in albino rats

2-Methoxyethanol [2-M.E.] is an alkyl derivative of ethyleneglycol. It is used widely as a solvent in many industrial and domestic products as industrial coating, liquid soap, fingernail polish and an antifreeze additive in hydraulic fluids and jet fuel. So, the present study was conducted on mature female rats to assess the embryotoxic effects of 2-M.E. Sixty mature pregnant rats were randomly divided into six groups each often rats. The first group was used as a control. The second, third and fourth groups were given 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of 2-M.E, applied topically on the skin from the 6 th to 15 th day of pregnancy. The fifth group was given 1000 mg/kg 2-M.E. applied topically on the skin from the day 10 th to 12 th day [3 repeated doses]. The sixth group was given 2000 mg/kg 2-M.E applied topically on the skin in the 12 th day of gestation as a single dose. All foeti of the treated dams were subjected to morphological, skeletal and histopathological study. The study revealed a significant decrease in foetal body weight and crown-rump length of all treated groups as compared to control group. As regard to the reproductive outcome of the present study, there was a significant increase of resorped foeti per litter, which reached the maximal degree of resorption in-group IV [1000 mg/kg as a repeated dose from the 6th to 15 th day of gestation]. The present study revealed a significant increase in congenital malformation as absence of anterior abdominal wall, skull defects, exencephaly and kinked tail in-group III that received 500 mg/kg as compared to control and other treated groups. Subcutaneous haemorrhage was observed in groups II, III and VI. Also, limb hyperflexion was obvious in groups V. VI and II. However, protruded tongue was found in groups II and III only. Skeletal abnormalities detected in this study included polydactly, brachydactly, incomplete ossification of all body bone with skull defect, decrease number of ribs and decrease number of bones of sternum. The present study demonstrated histopathological changes in both liver and kidney in the form of marked dilatation of blood vessels, degeneration and necrosis of some cells with marked congestion between the cells. Finally this study concluded that 2-M.E has high dermal absorption with a wide variety of embryotoxicity. Also, the morphological, reproductive variables and skeletal abnormalities as well as the histopathological changes induced by 2-M.E vary according to the dose, duration of exposure and the period of organogenesis. Women in reproductive age ought to be restricted from working areas of 2-M.E. exposure to avoid its embryotoxic effect

Gender differences in the Egyptians by osteometric measurements of the second cervical vertebrae [C2] with scanning electron microscopic examination of the vertebral body trabeclae

This study has been performed in order to define standards to determine the sex of the Egyptian remains. Osteometric information was obtained from dens, facets and vertebral canal of the second cervical vertebrae. Ninety-two normal second cervical vertebrae were taken from 64 male and 28 female Egyptian cadavers with their age ranged from 24 up to 68 years. Nine measurements [dens height, anterior and posterior body heights, maximum and minimum anteroposterior and transverse dens diameters, anterior facet width and height of dens] were estimated for the dens. Also, five measurements of the facets [right and left superior articular facet widths and lengths and inter-facet width] and two for the vertebral canal [antero-posterior and transverse diameters] for each second cervical vertebra were estimated and statistically analyzed. Small cubes [0.5cm3] from the body of second cervical vertebrae were cut and prepared for the examination of the vertebral trabecvilar bones by scanning electron microscope. The present study revealed significant differences between males and females as regards the osteometric measurements of the dens, facets and vertebral canal of the second cervical vertebrae. Multivariant discriminant analysis showed that a discriminant function consisting often variables could be used to identify the sex, The variables were right superior articular facet length, anterior facet width of dens, minimum transverse dens diameter, minimum antero-posterior dens diameter, dens height, anterior facet height of dens, maximum antero-posterior and transverse diameters of the vertebral canal, maximum antero-posterior dens diameter and inter-facet width. 100% of the sensitivity and specificity of the cut off point of the studied variables were observed in maximum antero-posterior diameter of the vertebral canal, right and left superior articular facet lengths, anterior facet width and height of the dens. On the other hand, the lowest percentage of sensitivity and specificity [59.4% and 57.1% respectively] of the cut off point was noticed in anterior body height. Moreover, in this study scanning electron microscope revealed gender difference in the width of the vertebral body trabeculae and in the numbers of the bone marrow spaces. So, these results can help in identification of Egyptian's sex from dens, facets and vertebral canal of the second cervical vertebrae as well as the vertebral trabeculae when no other human remains are available. Also, the present study suggests that this anthropometric database can be used in mathematical modeling of the vertebral column and identification of Egyptian's sex

Medicolegal aspect of voice analysis in prolonged endotracheal intubation versus laryngeal mask airway

Voice print analysis has been utilized in many different situations. The present study was designed to compare the changes of voice analysis in the first 24 hours after insertion of laryngeal mask airway [LMA] with those produced by endotracheal intubation. By using spectrum analyzer, we measured the frequency and the intensity level before and after anaesthesia at different intervals up to 24 hours from full recovery. There were significant differences between LMA and endotracheal intubation in the 2 variables [frequency and intensity]. Also the result demonstrated that both LMA and endotracheal intubation affected the voice print, but LMA caused little vocal changes than tracheal intubation and versus 24 hours after full recovery. The study suggest that the voice print must not be taken except after 24 hours from general anaesthesia

Estimation of sex from calcaneus verus metatarsal bones in Egyptians

Although cranial and pelvic bones are the preferred skeletal materials used by Forensic anthropologists to assign unknown individuals to their most probable sex, these remains may be unavailable. In the present study, lateral and anterophosterior radiographs of the ankles and foot of 120 Egyptians aged 20 up to 50 years were analysed with regard to sexual dimorphism. Length, height, minimal height, Bochler's angle, tuber plantar angle and front angle were measured from each calcaneous. Also, the length and mid shaft diameter were taken from all metatarsals. There was obviously a greater difference between males and females in the linear measurements of calcaneus than in angels. Sexual dimorphism was most distinct in length and midshaft diameter of metatarsals. The present study suggests that radiographs of the ankles and foot are convenient, rapid, cheap and non invasive means for estimating sex in skeletal cases as well as cases where there are intact soft tissue