[Effects of dietary supplementation of mannan-oligosaccharide on virus shedding in avian influenza [H[9]N[2]] challenged broilers]

Avian influenza [AI] is a highly contagious disease causing significant economic losses worldwide. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of mannan-oligosaccharide [MOS] on tracheal and cloacal virus shedding in AI challenged broilers and contamination of environment with H[9]N[2]. A total of 300 1-day-old-broiler chicks were randomly divided into 3 groups [A, B and C] and supplemented 0.2, 0.5 and 0.0% MOS, respectively in NRC recommended diet for 36 days. On day 21 the groups were further split into two sub groups A+ve, A-ve, B+ve, B-ve, C+ve and C-ve with 5 replicates each. The positive groups were shifted to remote sheds and were challenged intranasally with 0.1 ml of reference virus [AIV; Pk-UDL/01/08 H[9]N[2]] with EID[50] = 10[-6.66]. Treatment reduces [P<0.05] cloacal virus shedding from day 24 to 26 and 28 to 32. Tracheal virus shedding was lower [P<0.05] on days 25-26 and 28-30 in treatment groups. Day 27 showed highest [P>0.05] virus shedding in all groups. However the reduction of viral shedding is faster in treatment groups and showed no virus shedding on day 32. Maternal antibody titer against AI showed a declining pattern but MOS influenced [P<0.05] the titer in treated groups. Hence the use of MOS may constitute a novel and effective plausible alternative that reduces the spread of disease by decreasing virus shedding and contamination of environment from AIV [H[9]N[2]] infection in poultry

[Treatment of industrial waste water from bacterial contamination by using ethanolic algae extract]

The effect of the ethanolic extract of two algae Nostoc linkia and Chara sp has been tested on the growth of bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa which was isolated from contaminated water under laboratory conditions of 37°C and treatment period of 72 hour for two algae. The extract of Nostoc linkia showed high efficiency in reducing the bacterial number at concentration 1 mg/I at removal rates 98.9% for Escherichia coli and 94.6% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Algaeal extract of Chara sp at concentration 1 mg/I caused a reduction in bacterial numbers at a removal rate of 87% for Escherichia coil and 87% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a significant differences at concentrations of 0.75 and 1 mg/I for two algael extract. Total bacterial number is reduced by concentration of 1 mg/I for two algael extract Nostoc linkia and Chara sp. at removal rates 90.8% and 82.4 respectively after 24 hour of treatment

[Biological filamentous bulking and flocs forming in the al-rustumyia sewage treatment plant in Baghdad, Iraq]

The present study partake the important field of filamentous organisms in the biological treatment, specific environment in Sewage treatment plant. Moreover, the presence of their living and species in these environments that role of dissolve oxygen and essential nutrients on their growth and blooming in activated sludge. Biological filamentous bulking and flocs were investigated in final sedimentation tanks of Al-Rustemia sewage wastewater treatment plant. Biological bulking and flocs were recorded as small pin flocs related to the suspended filamentous bacteria in addition to some [free or non-free-living] attached and planktonic fauna [ciliate animals] in water column of final sedimentation tanks. SVI average for some of samples of these units were ranged between 38-83 ml/g, a limit within the normal state in the world [under 100 ml/g]. This study showed also the presence of filamentous bulking at 105 ml/g in the second aeration tank. Other values for SVI that were recorded were 150 in the first and second aeration tanks but in larger amount in the fourth tank. Values of SVI showed large elevation exceeding beyond 150 ml/g through February and March 2010. Microscopical examination in laboratories showed efficiency of some stages of wastewater treatment and role of some limiting factors such as dissolved oxygen concentration, active sludge age and presence of oil and fat concentration on the biological bulking. Dissolved oxygen demand values were in the range of 0.08-1.8 mg/l. Also turbidity values were increased to above 150 NTU through April 2010 in the final sedimentation. Microscopical examination was taken for the associated organisms to bulking and flocs through many samples for sewage tanks through March and April 2010 and five fungal species were recorded and bacterial counts that shared in biological flocs had increased. Concentrations of BOD5 and COD for input effluents were ranging 212.67 and 401.86 mg/l respectively. Microscopical tests appeared the presence of biological bulking and flocs in some samples of activated sludge which affect on the efficiency of biological sewage treatment by activated sludge. Moreover increase in some of filamentous bulking in sedimentation tanks that could be viewed by eye

Prevalence of cigarette smoking in the Rafsanjan urban population

This study determined the smoking rate in the urban population of Rafsanjan, Islamic Republic of Iran, in a random community sample of 491 adults [247 males and 244 females] aged > 20 years. The overall prevalence of current smoking [1+ cigarettes per day] was 24.2%; 38.5% in males and 9.8% in females. The mean number of cigarettes consumed per day was 12.1 [standard deviation [SD 8.6]]; 13.6 [SD 8.9] in men and 6.5 [SD 4.5] in women. The prevalence and mean number of cigarettes smoked per day increased significantly in older age groups

Pulmonary tuberculosis among municipal street cleaning workers at Zagazig city, Sharqia Governorate; an epidemiological study

Background: The risk for occupational exposure to pulmonary tuberculosis is increased among municipal workers such as latine custodians, street cleaners, and garbage collectors as they are the poorly paid and poorly educated workers, occupationally exposed to different biohazards, and usually work without adequate protective equipment

Objectives: 1] determining the magnitude of pulmonary tuberculosis among municipal street cleaners, 2] identifying some of the associated occupational risk factors, and 3] identifying the possible source[s] of pulmonary TB infection

Subjects and methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted, from December 2004 to January 2006, at the chest outpatient clinic of Zagazig University Hospitals and at the Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University. Three hundred and twenty [320] male municipal street cleaners and 200 male drivers were included in the initial screening procedures of the tuberculosis survey; where they were subjected to a pre-constructed questionnaire, clinical examination, mass miniature radiography [MMR], and tuberculin skin testing. Chest X-ray and CT were done to confirm the diagnosis in subjects with any suspected lesions detected by MR. Moreover, pulmonary TB suspects underwent further diagnostic procedures; which included sputum examination for acid fast bacilli, sputum culture, and biochemical tests to speciate mycobacterial isolates genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates, from the diagnosed cases with active pulmonary TB, was done to identify the possible source[s] of pulmonary TB infection in such workers

Results: Municipal street cleaners had significantly higher risk for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, as detected by tuberculin skin testing and chest radiography, than did the controls [OR=2.23, 95% CI; 1.29-3.6 and OR=3.02, 95% CI; 1.07-9.22, respectively]. Moreover, higher percent of the street cleaners [1.6%] were classified as pulmonary tuberculosis suscpects compared to the controls [0.5%]; however the difference between both groups of workers was not of statistical significance. Pulmonary tuberculosis disease was confirmed in 3 out of 320 street cleaners [0.9%] [2 of them were sputum smear positive and the 3[rd] was a sputum smear negative case]. Moreover, long duration of employment and bad street status were found to be associated with pulmonary TB disease in such workers. Finally, genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from the 3 definite cases of pulmonary TB, revealed 2 distinct sets of fingerprint patterns; where 2 TB patients had identical DNA fingerprints with 5 fragments; while the 3[rd] TB patient had a different fingerprint pattern with only 3 fragments

Conclusion and Recommendations: Municipal street cleaners are at increased risk for occupational acquisition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and contracting pulmonary TB disease. So, preventing environmental contamination, protecting workers from exposure to different biohazards, and applying effective TB control program are mandatory

Frequency of ABO and RH blood groups in major ethnic groups and casts of Pakistan

To find out the frequency of ABO and RhD phenotypes in different ethnic groups and casts of Pakistan. Design: cross sectional descriptive study. Place and duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Attock Punjab Pakistan from 1St Jan 2003 to 31 11 Dec 2003. Material and All healthy young adults reporting for recruitment in Armed Forces. Cast and sub cast were recorded. ABO grouping and Rhesus typing was done by slide method. Eight thousand three hundred seventy five young adults were screened. ABO blood group distribution in Arains was: A 25.6%, B 40.5%, AB 9.2%, O 24.7%. Awans: A 22%, B 31.7%, AB 9.9%, O 36.5%. Rajputs: A 23%, B 33.2%, AB 8.8%, O 35.1%. Misc Punjabi sub casts: A 23.6%, B 33.2%, AB 7.5%, O 35.7%. Balochs: A 23.3%, B 27.9%, AB 7.8%, O 40.9%. Sindhis: A 24.9%, B 31.8%, AB 6.9%, O 36.5%. Kashmiris: A 23.7%, B 32.5%, AB 10.2%, O 33.6%. Pathans: A 24.3%, B 31.4%, AB 8.9%, O 35.4% Rh-D negative [n=749] blood group in Araeens 8.3%, Awans 10.4%, Rajputs 8.5%, Misc Punjabi sub casts 8.8%, Balochs 7.8%, Sindhis 8.7%, Kashmiris 10.9% and Pathans 7.7%. There is no statistically significant difference of ABO and Rh-D distribution among various ethnic groups, O is the most common blood group except in Arains where B is the most common and O is less common

value of clinical signs in diagnosis of cirrhosis

To document the value of various clinical signs of cirrhosis in its diagnosis. It also reviews the current status of the disease. Observational and descriptive study.Place and duration of study: Medical wards of PNS Shifa, Karachi and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan from June 2002 to May 2003.Subjects and One hundred and seventy diagnosed adult patients having an unequivocal evidence of cirrhosis on ultrasound examination of abdomen were included in the study. Two trained clinicians examined the cases and their clinical signs were recorded on a format specially designed to record the clinical signs. Age, gender, hepatitis status [hepatitis B, C, or other wise] was also documented. Sixty two percent were males and 38% were females. Patient average age was 53.2 years without gross age difference in the HCV positive and HBsAg positive groups.Twenty eight percent were HCV positive, 22% were HBsAg positive, 10% had no evidence of previous infection of hepatitis B or hepatitis C and 40% had no record of these tests. Males dominated the HBsAg group compared to HCV positive group. Pedal edema was present in 92 percent of patients, ascites in 89 percent, jaundice in 64 percent, clubbing in 25 percent, palmar erythema in 23 percent, Terry's nails in 21 percent, testicular atrophy in 4 percent, gynaecomastia in 4 percent, pectoral area hair loss in 2.4 percent, leuconychia in 2.4 percent and hepatic encephalopathy in different grades in 19 percent. No spider navei, caput medusae and Dupuytren's contracture were noted. We document that in current clinical practice the classical signs of cirrhosis expected to be present in advanced cases are observed quite infrequently and therefore, cannot be relied upon in clinical diagnosis of the disease alone. The diagnosis of cirrhosis should be supported by other means including ultrasound examination of the abdomen etc. Further multicenter studies should be conducted to consolidate our findings

Role of tube cecostomy in preventing post appendectomy abscess and fistula formation

To evaluate tube cecostomy as a surgical procedure in preventing post appendectomy abscess and fistula formation in selected individuals having severe periappendicitis, involving the base of the appendex and adjoining caecal wall. It is a prospective study carried out on 50 patients during 4 years times. Tube cecostomy, instead of primary closure of the appendicial stump, was carried out in patients meeting the selection criteria. This procedure was carried out in patients meeting the selection criteria admitted at Field Hospital, Forward Kahutta, Azad Kashmir and Combined Military Hospital Multan. Fifty patients having acute appendicitis with oedema and inflammation of the base of the appendex and adjoining caecal wall were selected for the study. Assessment of tube cecostomy as an operative procedure in selected patients to prevent serious complications such as post appendectomy intra abdominal abscess and fistula formation. All 50 individuals excellent recovery with least procedure related morbidity. Average stay was 5-6 days, compared to an upredictable prolonged stay if a patient develops serious complications like intra abdominal abscess/ fistulae formation. Tube cecostomy is a relatively simple and effective procedure in preventing serious complication like post appendectomy abscess and faecal fistula formation in selected individual having severe periappendicitis involving base of the appendex and caecal wall

Usefulness of serum procalcitonin and urinary interleukin-8 in pediatric urinary tract infection

This work studied 40 infants and children [14 males and 26 females] with manifestation suggestive of urinary track infection [UTI], their ages ranged from 6 months to 8 years, in addition to 40 apparently healthy children of matched age and sex, as a control group. Serum PCT, urinary IL-8, C-reactive protein [CRP] and total leukocytic were measured in all patients and controls. In cases with positive urine culture, renal parenchymal involvement was assessed by 99TcDMSA renal scan in the first five days after admission. From the results obtained, it was concluded that in infants and children with suspected UTI, serum PCT and urinary IL-8 may be used as markers of infection, their levels vary with the severity of infection and were increased significantly when renal parenchymal involvement is present. Taking the appropriate clinical situations into account, their measurement might be a useful and practical tool for differentiating acute pyelonephritis from lower UTI

Maternal serum vascular endothelial growth factor during early pregnancy

The objectives of this study were [i] to determine the serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] during the first trimester of pregnancy in women with normal and abnormal intrauterine pregnancy [IUP] and to what extent can it distinguish between them; [ii] to study the relationship between serum levels of maternal VEGF and the serum levels of human chronic gonadotrophin [hCG] and progesterone during the first trimester. The study comprised fourty females: twenty healthy women with normal IUP-routine ultrasonic scanning [USS] showed intrauterine gestational sac [IU, GS] containing single viable fetus, ten pregnant women with abnormal IUP, USS-either routinely performed or the pregnant woman came with vaginal bleeding-showing IUGS with non viable fetus or without fetal tissues, and ten healthy non pregnant women of child bearing age. Serum samples were obtained from all women. All samples were analysed using the commercially available kits, solid phase s and wich enzyme linked imimuno-sorbent assay [ELISA] for VEGF, the immulite HCG kits and immulite progesterone kits. Pregnant women with normal IUP, had higher serum levels of VEGF, Beta hCG and progesterone than women with abnormal IUP [mean +/- SD = 2031.25 +/- 505.37 pg/mL VS 1454 +/- 183.62 pg/mL, 65,200 +/- 33,080mIU/mL VS 35,940 +/- 19,700 mIU/mL and 35.7 +/- 4.28 ng/mL VS 26.7 +/- 3.13ng/mL respectively], and these differences were of high statistical significant values [P < 0.001, 0.01 and 0.001 respectively]. There was a positive correlation between gestational age [GA] and the serum levels of VEGF, Beta hCG and progesterone, the highest one was with VEGF [r=0.99, 0.89 and 0.80, p < 0.01 re spectively]. Serum; level of VEGF was positively correlated with serum Beta hCG and progesterone [r = 0.89], 0.79, P < 0.01 respectively] In pregnant women with abnormal IUP the mean +/- SD of serun levels of VEGF, Beta hCG and progesterone were higher than that in the non pregnant women. The degree of positive correlation between GA and VEGF and Beta hCG is less than that in normal IUP, while the correlation between GA and progesterone / and Beta hCG and progesterone were higher than that in normal IUP [r = 0.85, 0.73 respectively]. With a cut-off level of 1680 pg/ml for serum VEGF and 30ng/ml for serum progesterone we could distinguish normal IUP from abnormal IUP with a specificity and positive predictive value of 100% for both, sensitivity of 60% and negative predictive value of 56% for VEGF, sensitivity of 80% and negative predictive value of 71% for progesterone. We could conclude that: in early pregnancy the maternal serum VEGF was significantly higher in the healthy IUP than the abnormal IUP, positively correlated with GA, Beta hCG and serum progesterone. Both maternal serum VEGF and progesterone can distinguish normal from abnormal IUP, but measurement of serum progesterone is more discriminative than VEGF

Evaluation of vaginal fluid HCG in diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes

The objective of this study was to assess the value of measuring the hCG level in the vaginal fluid in the diagnosis of prematurely ruptured membranes [PROM]. The hCG levels were measured in the vaginal fluid of 45 normal pregnant women; 10, 13 and 22 during the first, second and third trimesters, respectively, and for 20 pregnant women with clinically confirmed PROM with a gestational age of 22-40 weeks. It was found that mean +/- SD of hCG level in vaginal fluid of cases with PROM was 14-21 fold compared with those of the second and third trimester of the normal pregnant women, giving a highly significant value. For the second and third trimester, both the sensitivity and negative predictive values were 100%, the specificity was 76.9% and 95.5% and the positive predictive value was 87% and 95.2%, respectively. So, the vaginal fluid hCG level can be used as a diagnostic indicator of PROM during the second and third trimester

Selenium levels in pre-eclamptic and normal pregnancies

This study aimed to measure and compare serum Se levels in preeclamptic and normal pregnant women. In a cross sectional study, serum Se concentration was measured in 25 preeclamptic women and 25 normal pregnant ones [matched controls]. The mean +/- SD of maternal serum Se concentration in preeclamptic women was significantly less than that of normotensive ones. The mean +/- SD of maternal serum Se concentration in women with growth retarded fetus was significantly less than that of women with normally growing fetuses, either in preeclamptic or normotensive women

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in pre-eclampsia

This study was conducted on forty subjects, twenty of them were normal pregnant control subjects [group I] and twenty pre-eclamptic patients [group II]. All groups were subjected to full history taking, careful clinical examination and laboratory investigations that included: vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and Doppler ultrasonography of umbilical artery. The results showed a significant increase in vasoactive intestinal polypeptide level in the pre-eclamptic group than the control group. The increase may represent a powerful compensatory mechanism to restore vascular perfusion to different organs including uteroplacental unit. We suggest that vasoactive intestinal polypeptide or its analogues can be used in the treatment of preeclamptic disorder

Synergistic effect of Withania somnifera and gentamicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection

In vitro MIC of Withania somnifera was 250 micro g/ml for Ps. Aeruginosa and MIC of Gentamicin for this organism was 150 micro g/ml. Both substances had a bacteriostatic effect in vitro. When both Withania somnifera and Gentamicin were used together, the MIC dropped to 100 micro g/ml, suggesting a synergistic effect. This synergistic effect was also observed in vivo. When the infected BALB/c mice were injected with 10 mg/kg of Gentamicin and Withania somnifera together and alone, the healing was much faster in animals receiving combinations than the animals receiving each substance alone, suggesting enhanced antipseudomonal activity in the presence of Gentamicin. Ps. Aeruginosa could not be isolated from the animals receiving combination therapy, indicating its bactericidal action under in vivo condition

Prophylactic management of breech presentation by external cephalic version near term

The objective of this study is to add evidence to support or refuse the hypothesis that repeated ECV in late pregnancy reduced the rate of breech presentation at delivery and to find the prognostic factors associated with ECV success. The study included 82 low risk pregnant women 36-40 weeks gestation, diagnosed as single complete breech presentation. Normal real time B-scan examination and reactive non stress test [NST] were prerequisites. From the results obtained it was concluded that, ECV without tocolysis is inexpensive, safe and a reasonable alternative in the management of breech presentation near term, it might be attempted as a routine procedure between 36-40 weeks and the attempts could be repeated till delivery in selected patients. It should be performed preferably in patients with average weight, complete breech presentation with reasonable fetal weight, fetal spine anteriorly, sufficient, liquor amnii and when the placenta is posterior, lateral or fundal in position. Documental fetal well being by reactive non stress test is prerequisite. Thus, trial of unsuccessful vaginal breech delivery is avoided, number of breech presentation at delivery is decreased and unnecessary CS is avoided with definitively decreased maternal and fetal morbidity

Parental antibiotic before and during surgery can prevent post-operative infection

A prospective randomized open study to assess the benefits of the use of prophylactic antibiotics in 296 consecutive cases who underwent clean surgery was carried out. These cases would, according to the local practice in vogue, have received a course of antiobiotics for a period of 5-7 days. The main purpose of the study was to find ways to combat such abuse of antibiotics. Out of nearly 300 cases who received prophylactic antibiotic, three patients developed wound infection. One needed local treatment while the other two needed continuation of antibiotics for 5 days. It would seem that only two doses of antibiotics is all that is required in patients undergoing 'clean' surgery and not a 5 days course

Spinal tuberculosis with neurological deficit

A prospective evaluation of various modalities of management of spinal tuberculosis with neurologic deficit is given in this article. Twenty patients suffering from this ailment were managed over a period of three years. All of these were given an initial trial of antituberculou chemotherapy. Ten patients who responded favourably were continued on conservative management. Rest of the ten patients underwent surgery in the form of modified Hong Kong operation [six patients], anterolateral decompression [three patients], and costotransversectomy [one patient], all followed by hyperextension brace. The selection of the type of operation was based on the age, state of health and the extent of the disease. Seven out of the ten patients of conservative management recovered completely while three were lost to follow up. Modified Hong Kong operation showed 67%, anterolateral decompression 33% and costotransversectomy 100% recovery. Three patients, one after modified Hong Kong operation and two after anterolateral decompression died showing 15% mortality. No single method of management suits every patient and a "tailor made" treatment is needed after individual assessment of each case