Influenza virus positivity and circulating subtypes among cases of influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infection, Egypt, 2012-2015

Information on the prevalence of influenza, circulating virus subtypes and seasonality is essential for selecting strains for annual vaccines and for planning immunization programmes. Data were obtained from the 13 sentinel surveillance sites throughout Egypt during 2012-2015. Laboratory-confirmed influenza was found in 13% of cases of influenza-like illness [ILI] and 18% of cases of severe acute respiratory infection [SARI]; positivity for influenza was similar in cases of ILI and SARI in patients up to 15 years of age but increased for SARI and decreased for ILI in people aged >/- 15 years . The most commonly observed influenza virus subtypes were B followed by A/H3 in ILI cases, and A/H1N1 followed by B in SARI cases. The seasonality of influenza in ILI cases was November-February, and that in SARI cases was November-March, peaking in January

Circulating endothelial and platelet microparticles in end-stage renal disease patients treated with hemodialysis

End-stage renal disease [ESRD] patients have high incidence of thrombotic events. The pathogenesis of the thrombophilic tendency in those patients is not clearly defined. Endothelial dysfunction and/or platetet activation may have an important role in thrombosis in ESRD. Circulating endothelial microparticles [EMPs] are circulating small fragments of plasma membranes of activated endothelial cells. Increased levels of circulating activated platelets and platelet hyperaggregability have been described in ESRD patients. Circulating platelet microparticles [PMPs] are small vesicles with procoagulant activity released from activated platelets. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of both circulating EMPs and PMPs in ESRD patients under maintenance hemodialysis therapy. Circulating levels of both EMPs and PMPs were measured by flow cytometry in platelet-poor plasma of 25 hemodialysis patients younger than 40 years old [14 females and 11 males] and 20 age-matched healthy controls. The blood samples were taken from the venous line before the start of the dialysis session. All patients were subjected to full history taking and clinical examination. Patients known to have any of the disease conditions that is known to cause endothelium and/ or platelet activation [Diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus, cerebrovascular or ischemic heart disease] were excluded. The level of EMPs was higher in dialysis patients [45.20 +/- 11.03] than in the control subjects [25.2 +/- 13.13] with a statistically significant difference between the two groups [p=0.002]. Also, the level of PMPs showed a statistical significant difference [p=0.01] between dialysis patients and the control group [755.0 +/- 187.9 vs 576.0 +/- 117.70]. In the dialysis group, the EMPs counts were negatively correlated with platelet counts [r=-0.41; p=0.04] but were positively correlated with the pre-dialysis diastolic blood pressure [r=0.34; p=0.02], while the levels of PMPs were negatively correlated with the hemoglobin levels in the dialysis group [r=-0.41; p=0.04]. The levels of PMPs were positively correlated with the pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure [r=0.34; p=0.02] and the duration of hemodialysis therapy [r=0.4; p=0.05]. Increased concentrations of both endothelial-derived [EMPs] and platelet-derived [PMPs] were detected in hemodialysis patients. This may indicate endothelium and platelet activation or injury in ESRD patients. Further large scale studies are needed to confirm their roles in thrombotic events and their clinical implications

Electrodiagnostic study of phrenic nerve function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] may affect respiratory muscles. Diaphragmatic weakness in patients with SLE is a controversial issue and is claimed to have a neuropathic, myopathic or unknown pathogenesis. To determine whether the diaphragmatic weakness could be explained on the basis of a phrenic neuropathy in patients with SLE. A total of 21 patients [18 female and 3 male] with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] [age range, 16-36yr] were included and studied by physical chest examination, chest radiography, spirometry, as well as serological examinations and bilateral transcutaneous phrenic nerve conduction studies. 14 [66.6%] patients complained of dyspnea, only one patient showed paradoxical abdominal movement. Pulmonary function tests showed proportional reduction of the forced vital capacity [FVC] and forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV[1]] in 17 [81%] patients, suggesting a restrictive process which was severe in 5 [23%] patients. Phrenic nerve evaluation using transcutaneous stimulation studies showed delayed latencies of the right, left and both phrenic nerve in 17 [81%], 19 [90%] and 17 [81%] patients respectively, confirm-ingademyelinating neuropathy. Also Phrenic nerve stimulation evoked a low-amplitude response from right, left and both phrenic nerve in 17 [81%], 15 [71%] and 14 [66.6%] of patients respectively, confirming axonal neuropathy. There were no significant differences in serum immune markers between individuals with and those without abnormal electrical phrenic nerve stimulation. All patients presented with dyspnea showed abnormal phrenic nerve conduction studies. There was tendency for small but clear lung fields in CXR of individuals with abnormal electrical phrenic nerve stimulation. Overall FVC% predicted was decreased in individuals with abnormal electrical phrenic nerve stimulation compared to those without. Diaphragmatic weakness in patients with SLE is both common and is very likely to be caused by a phrenic neuropathy with evidence of bilateral involvement in patients with SLE

Evaluation of transurethral ethanol ablation of the prostate [TEAP] as a treatment option for prostatic obstruction

Objective: A prospective study evaluating transurethral ethanol ablation of the prostate [TEAP] as a treatment option for benign enlargement of the prostate [BEP] in the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia

Patients and Methods: Elective TEAP using a simple cystoscopy and a long needle was performed in 45 patients who have now been followed for 30 months

Results: Pre- and postoperative comparison of the American Urological Association Symptom Index and maximum urine flow rates revealed significant improvement with minimal discomfort and no major complication

Conclusions: Chemo-ablation of the prostate by means of transurethral ethanol injection in selected patients is encouragingly successful

Acaricidal efficacy of Myrrh [commiphora molmol] on the fowl tick argas persicus [acari: argasidae]

Five concentrations of purified extract of Myrrh from Commiphora molmol tree were prepared to study its effects on the fowl tick Argas persicus under laboratory conditions. The results revealed that Myrrh had dependant dose toxic effect on the adult female of A. persicus. Toxicity increased gradually daily post treatment. The LC 50 was 1.28%, 0.88%, 0.84%, 0.50% and 0.42% at 1st 2nd 3rd 6th and 12th days respectively. At 12th day, the recorded mortality rates were 63, 67, 76, 87 and 94% for concentrations. 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10%, respectively against 5% in control. Histopathological and Transmission election microscope [TEM] examinations showed the lysing of epithelial gut cells in treated groups. The lysed epithelial gut cells showed irregularly distributed nucleus, commonly at low concentrations and rarely in high concentrations of Myrrh. The lysed epithelial gut cells, without nucleus or with aggregated one beside the basal lamina. were common at high concentrations and rare in low concentrations of Myrrh. Consequently, Myrrh can rapidly penetrate the cuticle to body cavity, destroy the epithelial gut cells and finally cause the death of ticks

Effect of moxonidine versus clonidine and lisinopril on blood pressure and expression of renin gene in two kidney/one clip [2K/1 C] hypertensive rats

It has been suggested that imidazoline receptors rather than alpha-2 adrenoceptors are implicated in the sympathoinhibitory action of centrally acting antihypertensive drugs. I[1] Imdazoline receptors [I[1]Rs] are important for regulation of sympathetic drive. They are concentrated in the rostral ventrolateral medulla [RVLM], a part of the brainstem vasomotor center. The control of arterial blood pressure is mainly regulated via the sympathetic and angiotensin/ aldosterone cascades. The purpose of the present study was focused to assess the effect of oral administration and abrupt withdrawal of moxonidine versus clonidine and lisinopril on systolic pressure, to investigate the role of moxonidine versus clonidine and lisinopril on plasma noradrenaline level and plasma renin activity and to determine the genometric effect of moxonidine versus clonidine and lisinopril oral administration on renin gene expression in 2K1C renovascular hypertensive rats. Rats were made hypertensive with a clip on the left renal artery. The operation was conducted under light ether anesthesia. Three weeks after renal clipping. 2 series of experiments on male rats were conducted to evaluate the effect of the test drugs on the following parameters. 1- Effect of oral administration of the test drugs for a period of three weeks on the systolic pressure in 2K1C hypertensive rats measured via indirect rat-tail method. 2-Biochemical tests to estimate plasma norepiphrine level and plasma renin activity. 3- Renin gene expression measured by quantified RT-PCR. All test drugs elicited a remarkable significant reduction in systolic pressure of renovascular hypertensive rats. Discontinued administration of moxonidine did not trigger rebound hypertension observed with clonidine. These findings suggest that both imidazoline receptors and alpha 2- adrenoceptors are involved in the central antihypertensive effect of moxonidine, but that activation of imidazoline receptors is more important for its renal sympathinhibitory action. Additionally imidazoline derivatives and ACEIs are very effective agents for treatment of renovascular hypertension. The antihypertensive effect of moxonidine was accompanied by decrease in plasma norepinephrine, renin levels and renin gene expression in the renal tissue. Whereas lisinopril decreased plasma norepinephrine level but increased plasma renin activity in parallel with renin gene expression compared to the untreated 2K1C hypertensive control. The data presented in this report indicate that moxonidine is an orally effective antiypertensive agent in 2KIC hypertensive rats without an accompanying rebound hypertension on abrupt dicontinuation of the drug, which makes it advantageous over clonidine. Moxonidine therefore allies antihypertensive efficacy with excellent tolerance without triggering central side-effects as moxonidine selectively binds at therapeutic doses to I[1] imidazoline receptors. ACEI, lisinopril produced a significantly pronounced reduction in systolic pressure in 2K1C hypertensive rats. Lisinopril may be of greater benefit in management of renovascular hypertension. In light of these findings moxonidine represents a unique profile among centrally acting antihypertensive agents. Moxonidine offers an advantageous hemodynamic activity over clonidine and lisinopril and probably it exerts its strong antihypertensive effect through its affinity for I[1] imidazoline receptors rather than alpha[2] adrenergic receptors

Labortary evaluation of Bacillus sphaericus recycling in mosquito larvae

After ingestion by Culex pipiens and Anopheles pharoensis 4th instar larvae, the spores of Bacillus sphaericus strain faiyoum rapidly germinated inside live mosquito midgut. Bacterial counts and electron microscopic observations on intoxicated larvae revealed that the number of viable spores rapidly decreased during the first 12 hours with a maximum between 12 and 24 hours. In cadavers, the number of heat-resistant spores quickly increased between the first and second day post-feeding. After one week, the number of spores inside the dead larvae reached approximately 20 times the number of ingested spores for both mosquito species [4 x 165 spores/larva]. Ultrathin sections of recycled spores showed the presence of a crystalline inclusion identical to that initially present in spores before ingestion. Bioassay on Cx. pipiens 4th instar larvae showed a similar toxicity between the in vivo recycled spores [LC50 = 1.1 +/- 0.3 x 105 spores/ml after 24 hours exposure] and culture-medium-grown spores of B. Sphaericus strain faiyoum [LC50 = 1.7 +/- 105 spores/ml]

Cytoplathological action in mosquito larvae fed with Bacillus sphaericus [Strain Faiyorum] spore crystal complex

The ingestion of Bacillus sphaericus [strain Faiyoum] spore/crystal complex by larvae of Anopheles pharoensis, Culex pipiens and Aedes caspius was rapidly followed by a dissolution of the protein crystalline inclusions inside the anterior stomach of the three species. During the first day, B. sphaericus spores were germinated within the mid-gut lumen and were in a vegetative stage between 36-48 hours after ingestion when larvae began to die. The ultrastructural observations focused on the larval mid-gut showed alterations, which differ according to the mosquito species, being localized mainly in the gastric caecae and posterior stomach. With the bacterial concentration used, neither general cell swelling nor complete breakdown of the mid gut epithelium was recorded before the larval death. In An. Pharoensis larval mid- gut epithelium large low- electron-density areas appeared, rough endoplasmic reticula formed numerous concentric structures and mitochondria swelled. Large vacuoles [of unknown origin] appeared early in the Cx. pipiens mid gut cells and rough endoplasmic reticula broke into small vesicles. Mid gut epithelial cells of Ae. Caspius showed mitochondria swelling, except in the anterior stomach and a vacuolization of smooth reticula; these aspects remained unchanged until the larvae died

Biochemical changes of culex pipiens larvae treated with oil and oleo-resin extracts of myrrh commiphora molmol

The mosquitocidal plant extracts of the myrrh Commiphora molmol; namely, oil and oleoresin demonstrated larvicidal activity against Culex pipiens larvae. Oleoresin induced a significant higher toxic action than oil. Solvent did not perform any toxic activity. The impact of both oleoresin and oil extracts on the protein profile of the treated larvae was evaluated in order to explain their mode of action. Electrophoretic analysis of total proteins, lipoproteins and glycoproteins revealed an inhibitory action of the used plant extracts on the protein contents. Larvicidal activity of the oleoresin and oil was related to the loss of certain enzymes inhibited by these extracts which affected the metabolic processes

Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis as a microbial control agent against adult and immature stages of the sandfly, phlebotomus papatasi under laboratory conditions

The laboratory treatment of adult and immature stages of Phlebotomus papatasi by the bacterial insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis was carried out. Different concentrations of Bti mixed with fructose and glucose were assayed against the adult sandfly, while the immature stages were treated by offering larval diet contaminated by Bti in different concentrations diluted by distilled water. Bti could induce mortality to half of the larval and pupal population at 0.26 x 10-5 g/L. The median lethal doses of adults, which were fed on contaminated surgery diet with serial dilutions of Bti, were 1.3 x 10-2 g/L with fructose and 3 x 10-2 g/L with glucose after 47 and 72 hours. The longevity period of larvae and pupae fed on contaminated larval diet showed negative correlation with bacterial concentrations, except for high concentrations. The bacterial control of the sandfly Ph. Papatasi could be recommended, particularly as adulticide agents

Histological feature of the brain of albino rats in response to heroin administration

The present work was conducted to examine the extent of damage in the cerebral tissue of both pregnant rats and their fetuses as well as young rats in response to heroin administration. For this purpose, heroin was i. p injected in to pregnant rats at the dose levels of 0.3 or 0.6 mg/kg b.wt. from the 5th to 20th day of gestation. On the other hand, heroin was i.p injected in to young rats daily at the dose levels of 0.1 or 0.2 mg/kg b.wt. for an overall duration of 6 week. In addition, the extent of recovery was investigated in the different experimental groups [pregnant and young rats]. Microscopical lesions were manifested in maternal cerebral tissue of rats given low dose as dilatation and congestion of blood vessels with highly cellular damage and severe haemorrhagic features. With the higher dose, in addition to previous lesions, cerebral infarctions underlying the ruptured capsules and progressive inflammations were evident. Histological lesions were detected in foetuese maternally treated with the low dose as haemorrhageic necrosis in addition to branched fibrils within cerebral tissue. When challenged with the higher dose, the above lesions were apparent in an aggravated from where sections had evidenced areas of infraction within marked degenerated cerebral tissue and highly destructed nerve cells. Moreover, histological lesions were present in young rats in the form of dilatation and congestion of the blood vessels during the earlier weeks later, lesions had progressed to focal necrosis intermixed with slightly degenerative areas. However, with the higher dose of heroin, cerebral tissue evidenced severe haemorrhagic areas, fatty degeneration, destruction of many nerve cells and branched fibrils. The end result was a severly damaged brain tissue with loss of normal architecture. No sings of recovery of the examined parameters were demonstrated in all examined groups

Teratological effects of zinc chloride on foetal development in albino rats

Pregnant female rats were subcutaneously injected daily with Zn Cl2 at the dose level of 0.25mg/kg b.wt from the first to the 20th day of gestation. The main characteristic effects of Zn Cl2 on the foetuses were loss of the average body weight, increased rate of growth retardation and diffusion of haematoma all over the body. Liver sections of maternally treated foetuses showed variable grades of degeneration. The nuclei of the hepatocytes have lost their vesicular appearance and the cytoplasm was vacuolated and rarefied. Moreover, necrotic areas, infiltrated by inflammatory cells were observed. The examined brain sections revealed different phases of histological alteration. The cerebral tissue had missed its normal architecture. Inflammatory cells, intermixed with fibrosis, had dominated most of the cerebral tissue. Also, slight degeneration was observed which had apparently progressed to distinct necrosis

Management of resistant herpetic corneal ulcer

Thirty-five patients with resistant herpetic corneal ulcers were managed by either one of cauterization and debridement, soft contact lenses and conjunctival hood flap. The results were encouraging

Effect of morphine on the development of the chick

Studies of morphine sulfate have been focused on the morphological characteristics of hatching chicks. Morphine induced malformations of hind limbs [paralysis leg weakness and curled toes]. Other visible abnormalities such as alopecia, open umbilicus edema and dwarfed growth were seen. The growth rate of chicks from morphine treated eggs were reduced as compared to the control chicks [distilled water treated]. Also, histopathological features of the brains were examined Brain lesions were clear as inflammations, hemorrhagic exudates, necrosis and dilated blood vessels

Effect of lorazepam on liver and spleen of pre-hatching chick embryos

Histopathological effects of Lorazepam were evaluated on liver and spleen of prehatching chick embryos. Injections were performed after 24-hours of incubation by three different experimental doses 0.001, 0.003 and 0.006 mg lorazepam/egg. The liver showed fine vacuolated hepatocytes with a very uniform homogeneous cytoplasm as well as swelling of cells fatty change, degenerative parenchymal cells and hepatic cells of the infiltrative type. Sections of spleen were represented by loss of regular pattern, vascular lesions and progressive depletion of white pulp

application of beta adrenoceptor blockers to minimize the occurrence of retained placenta in dairy cows

This investigation was done to show the effect of beta 2-adrenoceptor blocker on the expulsion of the placenta in dairy cows. Twenty-eight cows were injected with beta 2-blocker carazolol [Suacron] immediately following parturition. Sixteen cows were injected with saline and served as control. Carazolol significantly reduced incidence of retained placenta [X 2 = 4.62]. Meanwhile, the placenta was dropped in a significantly shorter time [4.67 vis 7.04 hours] in treated and control cows, respectively. Carazolol was useful to reduce the incidence of retained placenta when prophylactically administered after parturition

Importance of acid ratio in the management of accommodative esotropia

Sevent eight cases of accommodative esotropia were collected from squint clinic of Banha university hospital. Their ages ranged from 2 to 6 6 years. AC/A ratio was measured by one of two methods Prism and alternate cover test [for young uncooperative children] 1-Synoptophore for older cases. We found that 33 casses had normal AC/A ratio and 45 casses had high AC/A ratio. All cases were treated by 1-Full correction of refractive error [glasses]. 1-Phospholine iodide eye drops 0.125% one daily in both eyes. We found that cases with normal AC/S ratio have better prognosis than cases with high AC/A ratio which may develop residual esotropia on near fixation. Surgical correction is needed for failed cases