The impact of cow dung augmentation on soil restoration and bio-accumulation of metals (Lead and Cadmium) in Pheretima posthuma (Annelida: Clitellata) / O impacto do aumento de esterco de vaca na restauração do solo e bioacumulação de metais (chumbo e cádmio) em Pheretima posthuma (Annelida: Clitellata)

Abstract To investigate the role of cow dung in soil reclamation and bio assimilation along with bio accumulation of heavy metals in earthworm (P. posthuma) (N=900) earthworms were used and treatment groups of CD-soil mixture of different proportion of cow dung were designed. Nonlethal doses of lead acetate and cadmium chloride were added in treatment groups. Mature P. posthuma were released in each experimental pot maintaining the favorable conditions. The pH, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, exchangeable cations, and heavy metal level of each mixture was evaluated. The results indicated that bio-assimilation of Pb and Cd by P. posthuma were significantly (P ˂ 0.01) higher in different soil-CD treatments compared to control. Highest bio-assimilation of both metals was observed in T1 of both groups (Pb = 563.8 mg/kg and Cd = 42.95 mg/kg). The contents of both metals were significantly (P ˂ 0.05) lowered in casting. The nutrient concentration in the final castings of all soil-CD treatments were also equally transformed from less or insoluble to more soluble and available for plants, except for carbon level which increased with CD proportion. It is concluded that cow dung as organic matter has a positive effect on soil reclamation and bio-assimilation of metals by P. posthuma.

RESUMO Para investigar o papel do esterco de vaca na recuperação do solo e bioassimilação, juntamente com a bioacumulação de metais pesados ​​em minhocas (P. posthuma) (N = 900), minhocas foram usadas e grupos de tratamento de mistura CD-solo de diferentes proporções de esterco de vaca foram projetados. Doses não letais de acetato de chumbo e cloreto de cádmio foram adicionadas aos grupos de tratamento. P. posthuma maduros foram liberados em cada vaso experimental, mantendo as condições favoráveis. Foram avaliados o pH, carbono, nitrogênio, fósforo, cátions trocáveis ​​e nível de metais pesados ​​de cada mistura. Os resultados indicaram que a bioassimilação de Pb e Cd por P. posthuma foi significativamente (P ˂ 0,01) maior em diferentes tratamentos de solo-CD em relação ao controle. A maior bioassimilação de ambos os metais foi observada em T1 de ambos os grupos (Pb = 563,8 mg / kg e Cd = 42,95 mg / kg). O conteúdo de ambos os metais foi significativamente (P ˂ 0,05) reduzido na fundição. A concentração de nutrientes nas fundições finais de todos os tratamentos de solo-CD também foi igualmente transformada de menos ou insolúvel para mais solúvel e disponível para as plantas, exceto o nível de carbono que aumenta com a proporção de CD. Conclui-se que o esterco de vaca como matéria orgânica tem um efeito positivo na recuperação do solo e na bioassimilação de metais por P. posthuma.

The impact of cow dung augmentation on soil restoration and bio-accumulation of metals (Lead and Cadmium) in Pheretima posthuma (Annelida: Clitellata) / O impacto do aumento de esterco de vaca na restauração do solo e bioacumulação de metais (chumbo e cádmio) em Pheretima posthuma (Annelida: Clitellata)

To investigate the role of cow dung in soil reclamation and bio assimilation along with bio accumulation of heavy metals in earthworm (P. posthuma) (N=900) earthworms were used and treatment groups of CD-soil mixture of different proportion of cow dung were designed. Nonlethal doses of lead acetate and cadmium chloride were added in treatment groups. Mature P. posthuma were released in each experimental pot maintaining the favorable conditions. The pH, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, exchangeable cations, and heavy metal level of each mixture was evaluated. The results indicated that bio-assimilation of Pb and Cd by P. posthuma were significantly (P ˂ 0.01) higher in different soil-CD treatments compared to control. Highest bio-assimilation of both metals was observed in T¹ of both groups (Pb = 563.8 mg/kg and Cd = 42.95 mg/kg). The contents of both metals were significantly (P ˂ 0.05) lowered in casting. The nutrient concentration in the final castings of all soil-CD treatments were also equally transformed from less or insoluble to more soluble and available for plants, except for carbon level which increased with CD proportion. It is concluded that cow dung as organic matter has a positive effect on soil reclamation and bio-assimilation of metals by P. posthuma.

Para investigar o papel do esterco de vaca na recuperação do solo e bioassimilação, juntamente com a bioacumulação de metais pesados em minhocas (P. posthuma) (N = 900), minhocas foram usadas e grupos de tratamento de mistura CD-solo de diferentes proporções de esterco de vaca foram projetados. Doses não letais de acetato de chumbo e cloreto de cádmio foram adicionadas aos grupos de tratamento. P. posthuma maduros foram liberados em cada vaso experimental, mantendo as condições favoráveis. Foram avaliados o pH, carbono, nitrogênio, fósforo, cátions trocáveis e nível de metais pesados de cada mistura. Os resultados indicaram que a bioassimilação de Pb e Cd por P. posthuma foi significativamente (P ˂ 0,01) maior em diferentes tratamentos de solo-CD em relação ao controle. A maior bioassimilação de ambos os metais foi observada em T1 de ambos os grupos (Pb = 563,8 mg / kg e Cd = 42,95 mg / kg). O conteúdo de ambos os metais foi significativamente (P ˂ 0,05) reduzido na fundição. A concentração de nutrientes nas fundições finais de todos os tratamentos de solo-CD também foi igualmente transformada de menos ou insolúvel para mais solúvel e disponível para as plantas, exceto o nível de carbono que aumenta com a proporção de CD. Conclui-se que o esterco de vaca como matéria orgânica tem um efeito positivo na recuperação do solo e na bioassimilação de metais por P. posthuma.

The impact of cow dung augmentation on soil restoration and bio-accumulation of metals (Lead and Cadmium) in Pheretima posthuma (Annelida: Clitellata)

Abstract To investigate the role of cow dung in soil reclamation and bio assimilation along with bio accumulation of heavy metals in earthworm (P. posthuma) (N=900) earthworms were used and treatment groups of CD-soil mixture of different proportion of cow dung were designed. Nonlethal doses of lead acetate and cadmium chloride were added in treatment groups. Mature P. posthuma were released in each experimental pot maintaining the favorable conditions. The pH, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, exchangeable cations, and heavy metal level of each mixture was evaluated. The results indicated that bio-assimilation of Pb and Cd by P. posthuma were significantly (P 0.01) higher in different soil-CD treatments compared to control. Highest bio-assimilation of both metals was observed in T1 of both groups (Pb = 563.8 mg/kg and Cd = 42.95 mg/kg). The contents of both metals were significantly (P 0.05) lowered in casting. The nutrient concentration in the final castings of all soil-CD treatments were also equally transformed from less or insoluble to more soluble and available for plants, except for carbon level which increased with CD proportion. It is concluded that cow dung as organic matter has a positive effect on soil reclamation and bio-assimilation of metals by P. posthuma.

RESUMO Para investigar o papel do esterco de vaca na recuperação do solo e bioassimilação, juntamente com a bioacumulação de metais pesados em minhocas (P. posthuma) (N = 900), minhocas foram usadas e grupos de tratamento de mistura CD-solo de diferentes proporções de esterco de vaca foram projetados. Doses não letais de acetato de chumbo e cloreto de cádmio foram adicionadas aos grupos de tratamento. P. posthuma maduros foram liberados em cada vaso experimental, mantendo as condições favoráveis. Foram avaliados o pH, carbono, nitrogênio, fósforo, cátions trocáveis e nível de metais pesados de cada mistura. Os resultados indicaram que a bioassimilação de Pb e Cd por P. posthuma foi significativamente (P 0,01) maior em diferentes tratamentos de solo-CD em relação ao controle. A maior bioassimilação de ambos os metais foi observada em T1 de ambos os grupos (Pb = 563,8 mg / kg e Cd = 42,95 mg / kg). O conteúdo de ambos os metais foi significativamente (P 0,05) reduzido na fundição. A concentração de nutrientes nas fundições finais de todos os tratamentos de solo-CD também foi igualmente transformada de menos ou insolúvel para mais solúvel e disponível para as plantas, exceto o nível de carbono que aumenta com a proporção de CD. Conclui-se que o esterco de vaca como matéria orgânica tem um efeito positivo na recuperação do solo e na bioassimilação de metais por P. posthuma.

Regulatory natural killer cell expression in atopic childhood asthma

Introduction: Different subsets of natural killer [NK] cells were found to play a role in pathogenesis of allergy. We sought to investigate the expression of regulatory NK cells [CD56+CD16+CD158+] in atopic children with bronchial asthma in order to outline the value of these cells as biomarkers of disease severity and/or control

Methods: A cross sectional controlled study was carried out in the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Unit, Ain Shams University. The study included 45 atopic children [mean age[SD]= [2.9] years] with bronchial asthma [BA] and/or allergic rhinitis [AR]as well as 40 healthy matched controls. Enrolled subjects underwent complete blood counting and flow cytometric measurement of NK cell [CD16+ CD56+] and regulatory NK cells [CD16+CD56+CD158+]

Results: Patients had significantly higher regulatory NK cell percentages [mean [SD]= 41 [52] %] than controls [mean [SD]=15 [7.1]]; p

Conclusions: Regulatory NK cells seem to be increased in childhood asthma. We recommend wider scale prospective studies on steroid-naive subjects involving measurement of cytokines that are secreted by different types of NK cells

Bacterial etiology of pneumonia and acute cerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at Assiut Unversity Hospital with special refern to carbapenemase

To assess the bacterial etiology of patients hospitalized for pneumonia and acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [AECOPD] and for screening and detection of carbapenemases in Enterobacteriaceae. From November 2006 to February 2008, this study was carried out in Assiut University Hospitals. A total of 29lpatients diagnosed as pneumonia and AECOPD [189 pneumonic patients and 102 AECOPD patients] were included in this study. Blood for serology and sputum for culture were obtained from all patients. Serological examination was carried out for detection of atypical bacterial pathogens, using Pneumobact kits [VERCELL Co., Ltd., GRANADA, SPAIN]. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing performed by using the disc diffusion method. Carbapenemase production in Enterobacteriaceae was determined using: disc diffusion method, MICs were determined by an agar dilution technique, imipenem EDTA double discs synergy test and Modfled-Hodge test [confirmatory test]. One hundred and eighty six microorganisms were identified in 165 of pneumonic patients and 98 microorganisms were identified in 93 of AECOPD patients. No organisms could be detected in 24 patients suffering from pneumonia and 9 patients suffering from AECOPD by different cultures or serological techniques. Kiebsiella Pneumoniae was the most common implicated pathogen in patients with pneumonia [34.9% of isolates] and in AECOPD [37.8% of isolates]. In the present study; 55.6% of S. aureus isolates were resistant to methicillin in CAP patients and 61.5% of S. aureus isolates were resistant to methicillin in nosocomial pneumonia [NP] patients. Carbapenemases were detected in 23.86% and 28.5 7% of Enterobacteriaceae of patients with pneumonia and AECOPD respectively. Pneumonia and AECOPD represents a current problem in Assiut University Hospitals. Carbapenemases are among the most important emerging groups of enzymes responsible for antimicrobial resistance. Modified-Hodge test is easy, simple and specific tests for detection of Carbapenemases production

Effect of biofertilization and organic manuring on soil dehydrogenase activity, macronutrients and essential oil content of marjoram

Two field experiments were carried out at an organic farm [Minoufia Governorate] during 2005- 2006 and 2006-2007 seasons to study the interaction effect of biofertilization and organic manuring on dehydrogenase, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activity, macronutrients uptake, oil yield and oil composition of marjoram. Greater activities of dehydrogenase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were obtained in soil and marjoram treated with combination of biofertilizers and organic manure than soil treated with biofertilizers or organic manure. The greatest activities of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were obtained with the treatment of biofertilization combined with full dose of organic manure. Similar results trend was observed with N, P and K uptake because N, P and K uptake by marjoram were greater with dual application of biofertilization and organic manure than other treatments. There is no significant difference between oil yield obtained with chemical fertilization treatment and biofertilizers combined with full dose of organic manure treatment. Fourteen compounds, accounting for more than 97% of the total volatiles components in most marjoram samples were detected and identified. Dual application of organic manure and biofertilization to soil and marjoram produced maximum percent of terpincn-4-ol [the major compound in marjoram oil] compound in marjoram

Optimal environmental conditions for production of plant growth regulators by rizobacteria

This study was carried out to isolate and identify some plant growth promoting rhizobacteria [PGPR]. The optimum incubation condition, i.e. temperature and fermentation period, for plant growth regulators [PGRs] production were limited. Obtained data revealed that rhizosphere of cereal crops showed higher PGPR isolates compared to rhizosphere of other crops. Among the examined isolates, fifteen were highly efficient for auxins production. The most potent isolates for indoles production were chosen and these isolates were identified as Azotobacter chroococcum [R19] and Bacillus megaterium var, phosphaticum [R44]. The optimum incubation temperature for highest production of auxins, gibberellic acid [GA[3]] and cytokinins were 32 and 30°C for A. chroococcum and B. megaterium var. phosphaticum, respectively. In addition, the highest production of these phytohormones were obtained by the two strains after four and two days fermentation period, respectively

Effect of carbon source and precursors on the production of plant growth regulators by azotobacter chroococcum [R19] and bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum [R44]

An experiment was carried out to examine the effect of carbon source, tryptophan and adenine concentrations on the production of growth regulators by A. chroococcum [R19] and B. megaterium var. phosphaticum [R44]. Mannitol and glucose were the best carbon sources for the production of plant growth regulators [PGRs] by A. chroococcum and B. megaterium var. phosphaticum, respectively. A. chroococcum produced higher amounts of zeatin and kinetin compared to those produced by B. megaterium var. phosphaticum while B. megaterium var. phosphaticum produced higher amounts of [9R] benzyl adenine and [9G] bcnzyl adenine compared with those produced by A. chroococcum. Production of auxins, gibberellic acid [GA[3]] and cytokinins was increased with increasing tryptophan concentration. The highest amounts of PGRs produced by the two strains were obtained with tryptophan at 1000 micro M. Highest amounts of PGRs produced by A. chroococcum and B. megaterium var. phosphaticum at 10 and 100 micro M of adenine, respectively. Also, the produced amounts of gibberellic acid and cytokinin than that produced by B. megaterium var. phosphaticum. Generally, obtained data showed that the application of the optimal conditions together gave highest amounts of PGRs as compared with the other individual factors. This result is logic and was anticipated

Interaction between growth regulators-producing bacteria and root-rot fungi on tomato growth

The current study was carried out to study the interaction effect between plant growth promoting rhizobacteria [PGPR] and soil-borne pathogenic fungi on growth performance of tomato. PGPRs Azotobacter chroococcum [R19] and Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum [R44] strains used in the current study were isolated and identified in previous research by the same authors. Results obtained showed that A. chroococcum and B. megaterium var. phosphaticum gave high suppression against tomato root pathogenic fungi, i.e Fusarium oxysporum f.sp lycopersici and Fusarium solani. In vitro tests, clear zones around PGPR colonies can be attributed to the production of antibiotics-like substances, siderophores and cyanogens by suppressive PGPR strains. A lower percentage of tomato plants inoculated with a mixture of A. chroococcum and B. megaterium var. phosphaticum were infected than those inoculated with individual PGPRs . Growth characteristics, macro-nutrient content, endogenous phytohormones and photosynthetic pigments of tomato were significantly increased in the dual inoculated treatments compared to plants inoculated with either A. chroococcum or B. megaterium var. phosphaticum singly

Urinary neopterin and dihydropteridin reductase in children with rheumatoid arthritis

To evaluate the role of pteridin pathway in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis [JRA] urinary neopterin, dihydropterin reductase activity [DHPR] together with serum creatinine and C reactive protein was estimated in 20 children with JRA during activity [GI] and 20 children with JRA during remission [GII] compared with 15 healthy children [GIII]. Neopterin excretion was significantly increased in GI with active RA [608.25 +/- 181.2] than GII with RA during remission [137.6 +/- 33] and GIII [79.2 +/- 26.79]. No statistical correlation was found between urinary neopterin excretion and DHPR in the studied groups

Impact of stress on cognitive functions

This work was designed to study the effect of mental [exam] stress on the memory performance and on other cognitive functions. This was carried out through the evaluation of the cognitive aspects of 61 volunteer students [28 males and 33 females] during basal state by cognitive ability screening instrument [CASI] and Wechsler memory scale [WMS] together with an assessment of their anxiety levels by Hamilton anxiety scale and an estimation of the serum levels of catecholamines and cortisol. These estimates were reevaluated two months later immediately after exposure to mental [exam] stress. It was found that immediately after exposure to mental stress, there was a significant decline in all memory functions and total cognitive scales together with a significant increase in the perceived levels of anxiety symptoms and a significant rise in the serum levels of stress hormones. Stress hormones levels were found to have differential effects on memory and other cognitive functions with an end result of total impairment of these functions

Hematological parameters at high altitude

Haematological parameters as a base line high altitude study have been documented at various altitudes. Hypoxic effect in the form of increased Hb and Hct was observed starting at an altitude of 8000 ft and progressing thereafter. However, the effect was not statistically significant at altitudes above 10,000 ft. Low total leucocyte count and low platelet count was observed at > 10,000 ft. Some discrepancy was noted between Hct and Hb levels at these heights possibly due to relative hypochromia as a result of latent iron deficiency

use of labetalol in controlled hypotension: experimental and clinical studies

The available drugs to attain controlled hypotension during anesthesia are not entirelysatisfactory. Tachycardia, tachyphylaxis and metabolic acidosis were encountered during their use. Labetalol hydrochloride [Trandate] was investigated as an adjunct to control hypotension experimentally in ten dogs as well as clinically in twenty patients.In dogs, labetalol in a bolus dose of 0.5, 1, 2 mg kg-1 produced dependant depressor and negative chronotropic effects.The urineoutput decreased with blood pressure drop and gradually increases to normal with the rise of blood pressure after stoppage of halothane.Labetalol 1 mg kg-1 injected intravenously in dogs at a rate of 0.2 mg kg-1 min-1was found to antagonize the pressor response induced by noradrenaline [2 and kg-1] and the depressor response induced by isoprenaline [1 and kg-1], but without any effect on the depressor response induced by acetylcholine [1 ug kg-1]. Clinically, intravenous injection of labetalol in a dose of 1mg kg-1 at a rate of 02 mg kg-1 min-1 in patients under different concentrations of halothane anesthesia resulted in astatistically significant drop in the mean arterial blood pressure [MAP] and heart rate 10-25 minutes after injection. This drop in the MAP was found to be25.49%,27.76% and 34.72% using 1. 1.5 and 2% halothane concentration, respectively. The mean change in the central venous pressure was found to be statistically insignificant. The mean value of heart rate dropped by 2.67%, 1.75% and 12.15% using 1, 1.5 and 2% halothane concentration, this change was found to be statistically significant. No changes in pH, PaCO2 or PaO2were found at any concentration of halothane. The use of 1.5% halothane concentration showed no significant changes in all indices from that resulted at 1% concentration of halothane