Adiponectin rs1501299 and chemerin rs17173608 gene polymorphism in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: relation with macroangiopathy and peripheral artery disease.

AIM: Although macrovascular complications represent the leading cause of mortality in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), the prevalence of subtle macrovascular affection including peripheral artery disease (PAD) among children with T1DM and its genetic predictors remains to be unraveled. Increasing evidence suggests a link between adiponectin rs1501299 and chemerin rs17173608 gene polymorphism and atherogenesis, and insulin resistance. Hence, this study assess the prevalence of these variants among children with T1DM in comparison to healthy controls and their association with macrovascular complications, namely PAD and hyperlipidemia. METHODS: Fifty children with T1DM and 50 matched controls underwent a thorough assessment including adiponectin rs1501299 and chemerin rs17173608 gene polymorphisms, fasting lipids, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and ankle-brachial index (ABI). Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to decide the risk allele and evaluate the association between the candidate variant and PAD using a case-control design. RESULTS: Children with T1DM were found to have significantly higher ABI (p = 0.011) than controls. Chemerin gene polymorphism was detected in 41 children with T1DM (82.0%), while adiponectin gene polymorphism was detected in 19 children (38.0%). Children with T1DM having GG chemerin variant and those having TT adiponectin variant had significantly higher cholesterol with significantly lower HDL-C and ABI than those having the other two variants (p < 0.005). Children with T1DM having abnormal ABI had significantly higher chemerin G (p = 0.017) and adiponectin T (p = 0.022) alleles than those with normal ABI. Cholesterol and ABI were independently associated with chemerin and adiponectin gene polymorphism by multivariable regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Children with T1DM having chemerin and adiponectin gene polymorphisms have significantly higher cholesterol and ABI than those without these polymorphisms and controls. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Research Ethics Committee of Ain Shams University, approval number R 31/2021.

Assessing the hypolipidemic and gastro-liver protective activity of herbal combination with emphasis on PPI amid selected multiple antihypertensive drug combination in experimental animal models.

OBJECTIVE: Peptic ulcer (PU) and hypertension are chronic diseases affecting up to 10% and 30% of the adult population worldwide. Most of these patients will require treatment with a combination of antihypertensive medicines, which have adverse effects on the body's different organs. This study specifically focused on antihypertensive multi-drug induced PU disease and disturbance of liver function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 14-day oral administration of antihypertensive drugs, Cilnidipine (1 mg/kg), Rosuvastatin (1 mg/kg), Bisoprolol (0.52 mg/kg), and Clopidogrel (7.81 mg/kg) were observed for their effects on the stomach lining and liver function in Wister albino rats. This study aimed to assess the potential of an herbal combination of (BO) + (BA) + (ZO) 0.26 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) Powder and water mixture on the ulcer, lipid profile, and liver function for 14 days in the treatment of the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats at doses of 30 mg/kg b.w. for three days. Esomeprazole (20 mg/kg b.w.) is used as a standard reference to evaluate antiulcer activity in rat models. The experiment suggests that the gastroprotective effect of the herbal combination can be attributed to its reducing effect on the peptic and the Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) levels and within the normal range of 34.67 ± 0.88 IU/L. RESULTS: The results for Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) of the herbal combination were 52 ± 9.81495 (mg/dl), 70 ± 12.12435 (mg/dl), 23.33 ± 6.06446 (mg/dl), 14.5 ± 1.32790 (mg/dl), respectively, where the standard group (atorvastatin) 5 mg/kg TC, TG, HDL and LDL were 69.77 ± 9.92 (mg/dl), 47.7 ± 10.35 (mg/dl), 33.43 ± 5.70 (mg/dl), 26.8 ± 3.70 (mg/dl), and control group total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL were 68.67 ± 2.20 (mg/dl), 124.07 ± 2.94 (mg/dl), 49.14 ± 1.05 (mg/dl), 54.11 ± 1.15 (mg/dl). CONCLUSIONS: CThis investigation reported that antihypertensive drugs did not produce gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, and the morphological structure of the organ was not changed. So, it could be concluded that the herbal combination used in this experiment has a promising role in controlling lipid profile, liver function, and antiulcer effects. Moreover, multiple drug therapy for hypertension does not cause any harm to the stomach. Further investigations might be carried out on a larger scale to make these statements more valid.

Detection of Enterobacteriaceae in cerebrospinal fluid fluid of neonates with meningitis from tertiary care hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the bacteriological profile of childhood acute bacterial meningitis in Pakistan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 100 children aged between 1 month and 5 years, who were admitted with a diagnosis of meningitis based on clinical findings and positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests. Out of the 100 CSF samples collected, 21 isolates were confirmed to contain Enterobacteriaceae. The most prevalent Enterobacteriaceae species were Pseudomonas (n=8, 38.09%), Klebsiella (n=4, 19.04%), E. coli (n=4, 19.04%), and Acinetobacter (n=4, 19.04%), while Citrobacter (n=1, 4.76%) was less common. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns were analyzed for these isolates. RESULTS: Pseudomonas (n=8) exhibited 25% resistance to cefepime and 38% resistance to imipenem. Klebsiella (n=4) showed 75% resistance to imipenem. Acinetobacter (n=4) demonstrated 50% resistance to imipenem, along with varying resistance to cefepime, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin. E. coli (n=4) showed 0% resistance to imipenem and amikacin. However, Citrobacter (n=1) showed 0% resistance to ciprofloxacin, aztreonam, gentamicin, amikacin, levofloxacin, and cefepime. Acute bacterial meningitis primarily affects children under 1 year of age. CONCLUSIONS: CSF culture revealed that Gram-negative bacteria, specifically Pseudomonas spp., were the predominant pathogens in this family based on Pakistani data.

The oxidation status of three types of duck meat (conventional, organic, wild) during refrigerated storage under air and vacuum-packaged atmospheres.

1. This study evaluated and compared the oxidation status of meat from conventionally-farmed, organic and wild ducks during chilled storage in air or vacuum packaging. In total, 48 carcases from each group of ducks were investigated, and 24 carcases from each type of production were stored under vacuum or in air at 3°C ± 1°C. Sample analyses were conducted after 1, 3, 6 and 9 d of storage.2. The antioxidant capacity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl: DPPH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and free fatty acids in the breast, thigh and wing muscles were determined.3. The antioxidant capacity of meat from conventional ducks was higher than that from organic and wild ducks. The muscles of organic and wild ducks were more susceptible to secondary oxidation (particularly when stored in air) than conventionally-raised birds. The free fatty acid levels in samples of breast and thigh meat from wild ducks on the last day of storage were higher than in conventional and organic ducks.4. The results showed that the oxidation status of meat from conventional ducks was more stable during refrigerated storage than the meat of organic and wild ducks.

Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria hsp65 in Relation to Bovine Subclinical Mastitis and IL6 Concentration in Cow's Milk.

Mastitis is a condition in which the mammary tissue becomes inflamed. Changes in color and the appearance of clots, as well as increases in cell counts in the milk, are all indicators of inflammation. Mastitis is a common occurrence in cows as a result of inframammary infections. The present study aimed to find out how often nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) mastitis occurs and how hp65 affects Interleukin (IL) 6 concentrations. The findings of the Modified Whiteside Test (MWT) on the milk samples from 70 cows, 50 sheep, and 30 goats revealed that 82.9%, 76.7%, and 46.7% of milk samples from cows, sheep, and goats were positive, respectively. This test demonstrated a range of positive milk sample MWT reactions, and the difference among the current positivity score results was statistically significant (P<0.05). The presence of NTM in analyzed milk samples from cows and sheep was confirmed by hsp65-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing, with significant differences (P<0.05) in 71.4% and 20% of milk samples from cows and sheep, respectively. The PCR detection of the NTM hsp65 gene in fecal samples from cows, sheep, and goats indicated that cows (80%) had the highest proportion of NTM hsp65 gene amplification, followed by goats (70%), while sheep fecal samples had the lowest amount (22%). The difference among the positive NTM hsp65-based PCR was statistically significant (P<0.05). The phylogenetic tree and sequence analysis of the hsp65 gene revealed two novel variant NTM hsp65 genes that were deposited in Gene Bank (GenBank acc. LC636294 and LC636295). The current examined NTM Hsp65 Mycobacterium sequences which were included in the Mycobacterium avium clade in the currently produced tree ELISA detection of IL6 concentration in cow's milk revealed that IL-6 concentration in mastitis milk was varied. The mean of IL-6 concentration in cow's mastitis milk with MWT scores (+++ve) and mean of IL6 concentration in each MWT scores (++ve), MWT scores (+ve), and -ve MWT cow's milk had a highly significant difference (P<0.001).

Expression of IL1ß Gene in the Placentas from Humans and Cows during Brucella Infection.

Brucellosis is an important contagious disease affecting most domestic and mature animals. Since the impact of IL-1ß in B. abortus invasion and survival remains elusive, the current study sought to elucidate the actual roles of these potent cytokines in the modulation of the initial immune response to Brucella infection. Therefore, this study aimed to detect Brucella abortus in the placenta of aborted women and cows and estimate the expression of the interleukin 1ß (IL1ß) gene associated with immune response mechanisms to Brucella abortus infection. The detection of Brucella abortus was performed by Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and Polymerase Chain Reaction based AlkB gene (AlkB-PCR) in the sera and placenta samples of aborted women and cows, respectively. The overall percentage of Brucella abortus infection was 13.1% and 5% as determined by RBT and AlkB-PCR in aborted women's sera and placentas, respectively. On the other hand, the overall percentage rates of Brucella abortus infection in the sera and placentas from aborted cows were 30% and 11% as estimated by RBT and AlkB-PCR, respectively. The results of RBT demonstrated that the association between Brucella abortus and abortion in cows was statistically significant. On the other hand, it was found that the association between Brucella abortus and abortion in women was not significant. Moreover, according to the results of AlkB-based PCR, the association between Brucella abortus and abortion was statistically significant in aborted cows, while it was not significant in aborted women. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of RBT were calculated as 60.00, 53.85, and 54.55%, respectively. Moreover, positive and negative predictive values were reported as 14.33% and 91.28%, respectively. Regarding RBT for aborted cows, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the test were 81.82%, 57.78%, and 62.49%, respectively. The positive predictive value was reported as 32.08%, while the negative predictive value was reported as 92.88%. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was carried out for the evaluation of Interleukin 1 Beta (IL1ß) gene expression. The qPCR result was presented as a fold change in gene expression. A significant increment of IL1ß gene expression was observed in aborted women (114.905±99.661) and cows (22.454 ±18.528), compared to non-aborted women (4.953±5.564) and cows (2.033±1.845). Statistical comparison of IL1ß gene expression between aborted women and cows illustrated a non-significant increment in IL1ß gene expression in aborted women (114.905±99.661), compared to aborted cows (22.454 ±18.528).

Microbiological quality of organic chicken meat during refrigerated storage in air and modified atmospheres.

1. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of pathogens and the development of spoilage microflora in organic chicken meat originating from a small poultry slaughterhouse and stored for 14 days at 2°C aerobically (control) or in one of two modified atmosphere packaging systems (MAP1: 80% O2, 20% CO2 and MAP2: 70% N2, 30% CO2). 2. Campylobacter jejuni survived well during storage; and was found on the skin in 95% of samples (262/276). 3. In general, both the skin and meat samples showed a good initial microbiological quality with total viable counts of less than 3 log cfu/g in meat and approximately 5 log cfu/g on skin. 4. No difference was found between breast and thigh samples during the experiment. 5. Shelf life was limited mainly by the development of mesophilic and psychrotrophic microflora on skin which were found at 7-day storage for the control and MAP1 and 10 days for MAP2.

The diagnostic approach to suspected asthma in a Primary Care Center in Riyadh.

Full text is available as a scanned copy of the original print version.

Providing antenatal services in a primary health care system.

A study sample of 880 women attending the primary health care center in the Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia was interviewed on their attitudes towards antenatal care services in the primary care setting. Some 91.3% of the women expressed positive views about obtaining the antenatal care in these centers. The major factor influencing their choice was the geographic location of primary health centers which are near to their residence and therefore more convenient for them to patronize. Other factors were the easier access to staff in primary care centers, especially mid-wives and female doctors. There was a significant relationship of age, parity and education with their current antenatal and delivery practices. The women also recommended less than ten antenatal visits before delivery. These findings are relevant to any policy regarding maternity services in the country.

PIP: Attitudes of 880 pregnant women attending prenatal clinics at 75 primary health care centers in Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia were assessed to determine their opinions on maternity services. The study population was predominately aged 18-30 years (62.3%), and 70% were illiterates. 54% were multiparous, and 40% had delivered at home for their prior pregnancy. 15.8% had experienced previous obstetric complications, and 12% experienced complications during delivery. There were significant correlations between place of previous delivery and age, education, and parity of the mother. Increased level of education was related to a higher proportion experiencing hospital delivery. Low parity women had a higher proportion of hospital deliveries. 92.6% believed that prenatal care was important, and 91.3% desired prenatal care services in primary care centers. 49.9% of women desiring prenatal care in primary care centers gave the reason as closeness to home. 47.2% did not desire delivery at a primary care center because the centers were considered poor facilities which lacked privacy and did not have specialists or female doctors or midwives available. 74.1% considered 5-10 prenatal visits appropriate. 8.6% desired less than 5 visits, and 15.3% recommended 10 or more visits. 81.0% kept prenatal care appointments. 79.5% of the women who missed appointments reporting doing so because their spouse could not accompany them or because of distance to the centers. 70% had previously used prenatal care services at primary care centers; 10.9% rated services as poor. Higher recommendations for prenatal care visits were found among younger mothers and lower parity women. More prenatal visits were also associated with previous delivery at health centers.