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1.
PLoS One ; 18(4): e0283886, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37011078

ABSTRACT

New Radio (NR) waveforms of existing wireless communication systems need further improvement in order to support future wireless communications. NR is the radio interface technology proposed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) for 5G. Prototype Filter (PF) of NR plays a vital role in performance improvement of wireless systems. NR waveforms can adapt in a better way to different channel conditions. Some of the NR filtering techniques are Filtered-OFDM (F-OFDM), Filter Bank Multi-Carrier (FBMC), and Universal Filtered Multi-Carrier (UFMC). NR waveforms require performance improvement when high reliability, massive connectivity, lower power consumption, and time-critical applications are required. Areas of improvement are Power Spectral Density (PSD), Bit Error Rate (BER), Signal to Interference Ratio (SIR), Doppler Diversity, and Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR). This paper compares different performance parameters of Filtered-OFDM, FBMC, and UFMC using existing proto-type filters and novel proto-type filters. The novel and better PFs, described in the paper, were proposed first time by the authors and his research group. Proposed novel prototype filters for FBMC, Filtered-OFDM, and UFMC are respectively Binomial filter and Fractional Powered Binomial Filter (FPBF). With FPBF based OFDM, PSD improvement was 97.5 dB, and BER improvement was 0.07 at 0 dB SNR. With Binomial filter based FBMC, OOBE improvement was 19.7 dB and BER improvement was 0.03 at 0 dB SNR. PAPR improvement with Binomial filter based FBMC was 1.16 dB at 64-QAM and 1.1 dB at 256-QAM. With FPBF based UFMC, improvement of interference level was 122 dB within 3rd~52th sub-bands due to 1st sub-band. BER improvement was 0.09 at 0 dB SNR. SIR improvement was 5. 27 dB with 15 KHz sub-carrier spacing and 16.55 dB with 30 KHz sub-carrier spacing of UFMC. Novel NR filters, discussed in the paper, are good candidates for future 6G wireless systems.


Subject(s)
Telecommunications , Reproducibility of Results , Communication
2.
Schizophr Res Cogn ; 30: 100267, 2022 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36042936

ABSTRACT

A network of early psychosis-specific intervention programs at the University of Montreal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, conducted a longitudinal naturalistic five-year study at two Urban Early Intervention Services (EIS). In this study, 198 patients were recruited based on inclusion/exclusion criteria and agreed to participate. Our objectives were to assess the subjective cognition complaints of schizophrenic patients assessed by Subjective Scale to Investigate Cognition in Schizophrenia (SSTICS) in their first-episode psychosis (FEP) in relation to their general characteristics. We also wanted to assess whether there are sex-based differences in the subjective cognitive complaints, as well as differences in cognitive complaints among patients who use alcohol in comparison to those who are abstainers. Additionally, we wanted to monitor the changes in the subjective complaints progress for a period of five years follow-up. Our findings showed that although women expressed more cognitive complaints than men [mean (SD) SSTICS, 28.2 (13.7) for women and 24.7 (13.2) for men], this difference was not statistically significant (r = -0.190, 95 % CI, -0. 435 to 0. 097). We also found that abstainers complained more about their cognition than alcohol consumers [mean (SD) SSTICS, 27.9 (13.4) for abstainers and 23.7 (12.9) for consumers], a difference which was statistically significant (r = -0.166, 95 % CI, -0. 307 to -0.014). Our findings showed a drop in the average score of SSTICS through study follow-up time among FEP patients. In conclusion, we suggest that if we want to set up a good cognitive remediation program, it is useful to start with the patients' demands. This demand can follow the patients' complaints. Further investigations are needed in order to propose different approaches between alcohol users and abstinent patients concerning responding to their cognitive complaints.

3.
Lett Appl Microbiol ; 72(1): 90-97, 2021 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32989757

ABSTRACT

Raillietina saudiae is a well-studied avian gastrointestinal parasite belonging to the family Davaineidae and is the most prevalent cyclophyllid tapeworm infecting pigeon in Saudi Arabia. The present study considered as a complementary analysis of Al-Quraishy et al. (2019; Parasitol Int 71, 59-72) with molecular studies for two ribosomal DNA genes employed for precise recognition of this Raillietina species. The annotated partial 18S and 28S rDNA gene regions were found to be 888 and 900 bp long that utilized further to elucidate their genetic relationships at species level using maximum likelihood method. The query sequence of R. saudiae is well aligned and placed within the Davaineidae family, with the same clade of all species of Raillietina that well separated from other cyclophyllidean cestodes especially taeniid and hymenolepid species. Sequence data recorded the monophyly of Raillietina species. The current phylogeny supports the usage of the partial 18S and 28S rDNA genes as reliable markers for phylogenetic reconstructions.


Subject(s)
Bird Diseases/parasitology , Cestoda/classification , Cestode Infections/veterinary , Columbidae/parasitology , Animals , Bird Diseases/epidemiology , Cestoda/genetics , Cestoda/isolation & purification , Cestode Infections/epidemiology , Cestode Infections/parasitology , DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , Phylogeny , RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics , RNA, Ribosomal, 28S/genetics , Saudi Arabia/epidemiology
4.
J Parasitol ; 106(5): 644-653, 2020 10 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33065739

ABSTRACT

Between June 2016 and June 2019, we surveyed 62 Mediterranean geckos, Hemidactylus turcicus, from Abu Rawash, Giza, Egypt, for the presence of endoparasites. In June 2016, we found 3 individuals to be infected with Eimeria lineri. We studied the morphology and inner structures of its sporulated oocysts, and the locations of its intestinal endogenous stages. We also extracted genomic DNA from these sporulated oocysts and successfully sequenced a 632-bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analyses using this partial sequence allowed us to support previous studies that assigned E. lineri to the genus Acroeimeria. Our consensus sequence was used to query similar 18S rDNA sequences from GenBank, and 14 sequences were selected. The phylogenetic analysis inferred by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods gave similar results, as both separated the sequences into 2 clades: (1) a monophyletic group of Goussia species (from fish); and (2) a strongly supported clade that separated 4 Choleoeimeria species from a polyphyletic group of species that clustered A. lineri with 3 other Acroeimeria species and 3 Eimeria species from lizards, including Eimeria tiliquae from Tiliqua rugosa (Gray, 1825), Eimeria tokayae from Gecko gecko (L., 1758), and Eimeria eutropidis from Eutropis macularia (Blyth, 1853). Our study supports the placement of E. lineri into the Acroeimeria and contributes additional life history information toward understanding the evolutionary origin of the Eimeria-like species that have sporocysts without Stieda bodies in their oocysts and that infect saurian reptiles. We also support the concept that several traits (morphological, endogenous, and gene sequences) are both necessary and important for authors to include when making generic reassignments within the eimeriid coccidia.


Subject(s)
Coccidiosis/veterinary , Eimeria/classification , Lizards/parasitology , Animals , Bayes Theorem , Coccidiosis/parasitology , Consensus Sequence , DNA, Protozoan/chemistry , DNA, Protozoan/isolation & purification , DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry , DNA, Ribosomal/isolation & purification , Egypt , Eimeria/genetics , Eimeria/growth & development , Feces/parasitology , Likelihood Functions , Mediterranean Region , Oocysts/genetics , Oocysts/ultrastructure , Phylogeny , RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics
5.
BMC Psychiatry ; 20(1): 108, 2020 03 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32143714

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity is a key contributor to the global burden of disease and disproportionately impacts the wellbeing of people experiencing mental illness. Increases in physical activity are associated with improvements in symptoms of mental illness and reduction in cardiometabolic risk. Reliable and valid clinical tools that assess physical activity would improve evaluation of intervention studies that aim to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in people living with mental illness. METHODS: The five-item Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ) was developed by a multidisciplinary, international working group as a clinical tool to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviour in people living with mental illness. Patients with a DSM or ICD mental illness diagnoses were recruited and completed the SIMPAQ on two occasions, one week apart. Participants wore an Actigraph accelerometer and completed brief cognitive and clinical assessments. RESULTS: Evidence of SIMPAQ validity was assessed against accelerometer-derived measures of physical activity. Data were obtained from 1010 participants. The SIMPAQ had good test-retest reliability. Correlations for moderate-vigorous physical activity was comparable to studies conducted in general population samples. Evidence of validity for the sedentary behaviour item was poor. An alternative method to calculate sedentary behaviour had stronger evidence of validity. This alternative method is recommended for use in future studies employing the SIMPAQ. CONCLUSIONS: The SIMPAQ is a brief measure of physical activity and sedentary behaviour that can be reliably and validly administered by health professionals.


Subject(s)
Exercise , Mental Disorders , Sedentary Behavior , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Reproducibility of Results , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
6.
Acta Psychiatr Scand ; 140(1): 65-76, 2019 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30963544

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To test whether duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) < 3 months, recommended by the World Health Organization/International Early Psychosis Association, enhances the effects of an extended early intervention service (EEIS) on symptom remission. METHOD: We examined data from a randomized controlled trial in which patients who received 2 years of treatment in EIS for psychosis were subsequently randomized to either 3 years of EEIS or 3 years of regular care (RC). Using a DUP cut-off ≤ 12 weeks (approximately < 3 months), patients were split into two groups. Length of positive, negative and total symptom remission were the outcomes. RESULTS: Patients (N = 217) were mostly male (68%) with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (65%); 108 (50%) received EEIS (58 had DUP ≤12 weeks; 50 had DUP >12 weeks). Interaction between treatment condition (EEIS vs. RC) and DUP cut-off ≤ 12 weeks was only significant in multiple linear regression model examining length of negative symptom remission as the outcome (adjusted ß = 36.88 [SE = 15.88], t = 2.32, P = 0.02). EEIS patients with DUP ≤12 weeks achieved 25 more weeks of negative symptom remission than EEIS patients with DUP >12 weeks. CONCLUSION: Having a short DUP may be critical in deriving long-term benefits from EIS for psychosis, including EEIS settings. This work empirically supports policy recommendations of reducing DUP <3 months.


Subject(s)
Early Medical Intervention , Health Services Accessibility , Mental Health Services , Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care , Psychotic Disorders/therapy , Schizophrenia/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Psychotic Disorders/physiopathology , Remission Induction , Schizophrenia/physiopathology , Time Factors , Young Adult
7.
Psychol Med ; 47(14): 2461-2471, 2017 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28424105

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Many studies have concluded that cannabis use disorder (CUD) negatively influences outcomes in first-episode psychosis (FEP). However, few have taken into account the impact of concurrent misuse of other substances. METHODS: This 2-year, prospective, longitudinal study of FEP patients, aged between 18 and 30 years, admitted to early intervention programs in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, examined the specific influence of different substance use disorders (SUD) (alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines) on service utilization, symptomatic and functional outcomes in FEP. RESULTS: Drugs and alcohol were associated with lower functioning, but drugs had a greater negative impact on most measures at 2-year follow-up. Half of CUD patients and more than 65% of cocaine or amphetamine abusers presented polysubstance use disorder (poly-SUD). The only group that deteriorated from years 1 to 2 (symptoms and functioning) were patients with persistent CUD alone. Outcome was worse in CUD than in the no-SUD group at 2 years. Cocaine, amphetamines and poly-SUD were associated with worse symptomatic and functional outcomes from the 1st year of treatment, persisting over time with higher service utilization (hospitalization). CONCLUSION: The negative impact attributed to CUD in previous studies could be partly attributed to methodological flaws, like including polysubstance abusers among cannabis misusers. However, our investigation confirmed the negative effect of CUD on outcome. Attention should be paid to persistent cannabis misusers, since their condition seems to worsen over time, and to cocaine and amphetamine misusers, in view of their poorer outcome early during follow-up and high service utilization.


Subject(s)
Alcohol-Related Disorders/complications , Amphetamine-Related Disorders/complications , Cocaine-Related Disorders/complications , Disease Progression , Marijuana Abuse/complications , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Psychotic Disorders/etiology , Adolescent , Adult , Alcohol-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Alcohol-Related Disorders/therapy , Amphetamine-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Amphetamine-Related Disorders/therapy , Cocaine-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Cocaine-Related Disorders/therapy , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Marijuana Abuse/epidemiology , Marijuana Abuse/therapy , Psychoses, Substance-Induced/epidemiology , Psychoses, Substance-Induced/etiology , Psychotic Disorders/epidemiology , Psychotic Disorders/therapy , Quebec/epidemiology , Young Adult
8.
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes ; 125(4): 251-255, 2017 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28081577

ABSTRACT

Aim: Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are highly prevalent among individuals with serious mental illness and increased by antipsychotic medication. Although widely recommended, many obstacles prevent these patients from obtaining a proper screening for dysglycemia. Currently, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting glucose, and 2-hour glucose levels from the oral glucose tolerance test are used for screening prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. The objective of this study was to investigate if HbA1c could be used as the only screening test among individuals with serious mental illness. Methods: Cross sectional study comparing the sensitivity of HbA1c, fasting glucose, and 2-h oral glucose tolerance test to detect dysglycemias in serious mental illness participants referred for metabolic complications. Results: A total of 84 participants (43 female; aged: 38.5±12.8 years; BMI: 35.0±6.8 kg/m²) was included. Regarding prediabetes, 44, 44 and 76% were identified by HbA1c, fasting glucose, and 2 h- oral glucose tolerance test respectively and for type 2 diabetes, 60, 53 and 66% were identified by HbA1c, fasting glucose and 2 h-oral glucose tolerance test. The overlap between the 3 markers was low (8% of participants for prediabetes and 26% for Type 2 diabetes). Sensitivity of HbA1c were moderate (range 40-62.5%), while its specificity was excellent (92-93%). Conclusion: The present study indicates a low agreement between HbA1c, fasting glucose and 2-h oral glucose tolerance test. It appears that these markers do not identify the same participants. Thus, HbA1c may not be used alone to detect all glucose abnormalities among individuals with serious mental illness.


Subject(s)
Glycated Hemoglobin/analysis , Mass Screening/methods , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Adult , Biomarkers/blood , Cross-Sectional Studies , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology , Feasibility Studies , Female , Glucose Tolerance Test , Glycated Hemoglobin/metabolism , Humans , Male , Mental Disorders/blood , Mental Disorders/complications , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Prediabetic State/blood , Prediabetic State/complications , Prediabetic State/epidemiology , Predictive Value of Tests , Retrospective Studies , Sensitivity and Specificity , Severity of Illness Index
9.
West Indian Med J ; 64(4): 384-7, 2015 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26624578

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess tendon thickness in patients with chronic occupational lead exposure by using ultrasonography. METHODS: Twenty-seven male workers (mean age 32.9 ± 6.2 years, range 25-44 years) with occupational lead exposure and 27 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy male subjects (mean age 33.1 ± 5.6 years, range 25-44 years) were enrolled. Ultrasonographic measurements were obtained from the supraspinatus and Achilles tendons by using a linear probe (5-10 MHz). RESULTS: Mean Achilles tendon values at long axis (p = 0.034) and tendon cross-sectional area (p = 0.013) were significantly smaller in the lead-exposed group than the control group. On the other hand, no significant difference was found regarding the thickness of the supraspinatus tendon (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results imply that subjects with occupational lead exposure have smaller Achilles tendons than healthy subjects. Chronic lead exposure may affect the tendons due to reduction of collagen synthesis. Further studies are definitely needed to confirm our initial findings.

10.
PLoS One ; 10(12): e0144266, 2015.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26657128

ABSTRACT

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common complication following kidney transplantation (KT), which could result in losing the graft. This study aims to identify the prevalence of bacterial UTI among KT recipients in Yemen and to determine the predisposing factors associated with post renal transplantation UTI. A cross sectional study included of 150 patients, who underwent KT was conducted between June 2010 and January 2011. A Morning mid-stream urine specimen was collected for culture and antibiotic susceptibility test from each recipient. Bacterial UTI was found in 50 patients (33.3%). The prevalence among females 40.3% was higher than males 29%. The UTI was higher in the age group between 41-50 years with a percentage of 28% and this result was statistically significant. Predisposing factors as diabetes mellitus, vesicoureteral reflux, neurogenic bladder and polycystic kidney showed significant association. High relative risks were found for polycystic kidney = 13.5 and neurogenic bladder = 13.5. The most prevalent bacteria to cause UTI was Escherichia coli represent 44%, followed by Staphylococcus saprophyticus 34%. Amikacin was the most effective antibiotic against gram-negative isolates while Ciprofloxacin was the most effective antibiotic against Staphylococcus saprophyticus. In conclusion, there is high prevalence of bacterial UTI among KT recipients in Yemen. Diabetes mellitus, vesicoureteral reflux, neurogenic bladder, polycystic kidney and calculi were the main predisposing factors.


Subject(s)
Kidney Transplantation/adverse effects , Urinary Tract Infections/etiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Amikacin/pharmacology , Amikacin/therapeutic use , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Ciprofloxacin/pharmacology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Escherichia coli/drug effects , Escherichia coli/isolation & purification , Female , Humans , Male , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Staphylococcus saprophyticus/drug effects , Staphylococcus saprophyticus/isolation & purification , Transplant Recipients , Urinary Tract Infections/epidemiology , Urinary Tract Infections/microbiology , Yemen/epidemiology , Young Adult
11.
Vet Rec ; 175(22): 561, 2014 Dec 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25200429

ABSTRACT

Few drugs are approved for treating diseases caused by parasites in minor species such as fish. This is due, in part, to the expense of drug development and to the comparatively small market. In vivo effectiveness trials for antiparasitic drugs are costly, time consuming and require ethics approval, therefore an in vitro screening approach is a cost-effective alternative to finding promising drug candidates. We developed an in vitro testing system to test antimicrosporidial compounds against a microsporidian pathogen Heterosporis saurida. Five antiparasitic compounds, albendazole, fumagillin, TNP-70, nitazoxanide and lufenuron, were assayed for antimicrosporidial activity. All compounds reduced the number of H saurida spores in infected cells when applied at a concentration that did not appear to be toxic to the host cells. Albendazole inhibited replication of H saurida by >60 per cent, fumagillin and its analogue TNP-470 inhibited H saurida >80 per cent, nitazoxanide and lufenuron inhibited growth >70 per cent. The data suggest that both fumagillin and its analogous TNP-70 hold the best promise as therapeutic agents against H saurida. The ability to use fish cell cultures to assess drugs against H saurida demonstrates an approach that may be helpful to evaluate other drugs on different microsporidia and host cells.


Subject(s)
Antiprotozoal Agents/pharmacology , Drug Discovery/methods , Fish Diseases/parasitology , Microsporida/drug effects , Animals , Cell Culture Techniques/veterinary , Fishes
12.
J Fish Dis ; 37(5): 443-9, 2014 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23957717

ABSTRACT

Heterosporis saurida is a microsporidian that infects lizardfish, Saurida undosquamis (Richardson, 1848), in the Arabian Sea. Spores were isolated from infected lizardfish and used to infect derived fish cell lines: common carp brain (CCB), epithelioma papulosum cyprinid (EPC), fathead minnow epithelial (FHM), rainbow trout gonad (RTG), bluegill fry (BF-2) and chinook salmon embryo (CHSE). Non-fish cell lines were also tested that include: insect (SF-9), rabbit (RK-13) and African green monkey (Vero E6). No growth of H. saurida was observed in any fish cell line, SF-9 or Vero E6 cell lines. H. saurida spores grew only in RK-13 cell line and were detected by immunofluorescence. Developmental stages of H. saurida were seen in RK-13 cells by light and transmission electron microscopy, and species identification was confirmed by sequencing. This study demonstrated that H. saurida was able to proliferate in the mammalian RK-13 cell line, which thus represents an in vitro model for conducting molecular genetics and cell-pathogen interaction studies of Heterosporis.


Subject(s)
Fish Diseases/parasitology , Microsporidia/isolation & purification , Microsporidiosis/veterinary , Animals , Cell Culture Techniques/veterinary , Microsporidia/genetics , Microsporidiosis/parasitology , Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary
13.
Mymensingh Med J ; 22(3): 591-5, 2013 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23982556

ABSTRACT

Severe hypertriglyceridemia can cause the deposit of lipids in the dermis (eruptive xanthomas) and in the retina (lipemia retinalis). Lipemia retinalis and eruptive xanthoma are occasionally seen in patients with diabetes mellitus and are thought to be due to abnormalities in the serum lipid fractions. Here a 15 year's old girl presented with typical symptoms of diabetes with skin lesions over hands and feet. On examination skin lesions were non-tender yellow papules with creamy-colored centers on extensor surfaces of the arms, hands and feet. Ophthalmoscopic examination showed creamy white retinal vessels with a faded pinkish white retinal back ground both in the periphery and posterior pole of the retina. Laboratory findings showed a grossly lipemic serum with markedly elevated serum levels of triglycerides 8869mg/dl cholesterol 498mg/dl. Her fasting blood glucose was 20.8mmol/l, 2 hours after breakfast was 50.5mmol/l and HbA1c was 14.6%. Eruptive xanthomas and lipaemia retinalis can occur in primary and secondary hyperlipoproteinemias, therefore a careful personal and family history as well as laboratory investigations is recommended in order to detect an underlying cause.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus/pathology , Hyperlipidemias/pathology , Hypertriglyceridemia/pathology , Retinal Diseases/pathology , Xanthomatosis/pathology , Adolescent , Biopsy , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans
14.
J Parasitol ; 99(6): 1019-23, 2013 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23786204

ABSTRACT

Isospora bors n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) is described from 6 of 30 (20%) Baiuch rock gecko Bunopus tuberculatus Blanford in Saudi Arabia. Sporulated oocysts are subspheroidal to spheroidal, 18 × 16 (17-20 × 15-17) µm, with a bilayered, smooth, yellow-orange wall, without striae or micropyle. Polar body and oocyst residuum, both absent. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 10 × 7 (9-11 × 6-9) µm, with a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum. Endogenous stages developed in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells of the small intestine and above the host cell nucleus.


Subject(s)
Isospora/classification , Isosporiasis/veterinary , Lizards/parasitology , Animals , Intestine, Small/parasitology , Isospora/isolation & purification , Isospora/physiology , Isosporiasis/parasitology , Lizards/classification , Oocysts/ultrastructure , Saudi Arabia , Spores, Protozoan/ultrastructure
15.
Ticks Tick Borne Dis ; 4(4): 346-51, 2013 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23558234

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to investigate oxidative stress, DNA damage, and histopathological alterations in hepatic tissues of Mongolian gerbils experimentally infected with Babesia divergens. It was found that parasitaemia reached approximately 77% at day 5 post-infection. The liver became dark-brown and extremely friable, and hepatic sinusoids were dilated and contained macrophages and parasite-containing erythrocytes. Infection also induced inflammation and injury of the liver. This was illustrated by (1) an increase in inflammatory cellular infiltrations, (2) a decrease in total antioxidant capacity, as indicated by lowered glutathione and catalase levels, (3) increased production of nitric oxide-derived products (nitrite/nitrate) and malondialdehyde, and (4) increased lactic acid dehydrogenase activity and protein carbonyl content in the liver. Infection also interfered with the normal cell cycle of the hepatic tissue, as indicated by a significant increase in the percentage of liver cells at G0/G1 from approximately 86.2% to 97.5% and in S phases from 0.28% to 2.2%. Collectively, the present data suggest that B. divergens infection could induce cell-cycle alteration following oxidative stress and DNA damage in hepatic tissue. Further work is required to investigate the mechanism by which this hepatic tissue damage takes place.


Subject(s)
Babesia/classification , Babesiosis/metabolism , Liver/metabolism , Liver/parasitology , Oxidative Stress/physiology , Animals , DNA Damage , Gerbillinae , Male
16.
J Parasitol ; 98(5): 951-3, 2012 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22519743

ABSTRACT

Sarcocystis bunopusi n. sp. from the muscle fibres of the rock gecko ( Bunopus tuberculatus ) in Saudi Arabia is described. Sarcocysts were found in skeletal muscles of the tail and fore and hind limbs in 3 of 30 geckos. Sarcocysts were microscopic, 42-45 µm long and 22-25 µm wide. Using light microscopy, the cyst wall was thin and smooth. Ultrastructurally, the primary cyst wall consisted of a thin parasitophorous vacuolar membrane with osmiophilic 100 nm × 50 nm knob-like papillae, and no perpendicular protrusions. Septae were indistinct. Bradyzoites were 5-7 × 1.5-2.0 µm in size. This is the first description of a Sarcocystis species from this gecko.


Subject(s)
Lizards/parasitology , Sarcocystis/classification , Sarcocystosis/veterinary , Animals , Microscopy, Electron/veterinary , Muscle, Skeletal/parasitology , Sarcocystis/isolation & purification , Sarcocystis/ultrastructure , Sarcocystosis/parasitology , Saudi Arabia , Tail
17.
Parasitol Res ; 111(1): 413-8, 2012 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22374307

ABSTRACT

Pleistophora dammami sp. n. is described from Saurida undosquamis from the Arabian Gulf in Saudi Arabia. Infection appeared as whitish cysts in the intestinal wall. Cysts ranged in size from 1 to 4 mm. The prevalence of the infection across both fish sexes was 17.5% (24/420). Two kinds of spores were recognized, microspores and macrospores, and each were ovoid in shape. The microspores measured ~2.5 × 2.0 µm in size, while the macrospores measured ~6.0 × 3.0 µm. Ultrastructurally, the parasite did not form xenoma but it formed cysts surrounded by thick cyst wall. All stages of development as meronts, sporonts, sporoblast and spores occurred in the cytoplasm of the host cells within sporophorous vesicles. The stages of development occurred asynchronously and thus all stages were randomly distributed within the cysts. Meronts were elliptical and multinucleated, with unpaired nuclei which constantly divided giving rise to new sporonts. During the transition to sporonts, the border of the meronts increased in thickness to form dense discontinuous cell coat. Later, the sporont divided into sporoblast cells which gradually differentiated the typical organelles of the spores. In mature spores, the polar filament was arranged in 20-24 coils in two rows either side of the posterior vacuole. All ultrastructural and morphological criteria indicate that the described species belongs to the genus Pleistophora.


Subject(s)
Chordata/microbiology , Fish Diseases/epidemiology , Fish Diseases/microbiology , Gastrointestinal Diseases/veterinary , Intestines/microbiology , Pleistophora/cytology , Pleistophora/ultrastructure , Animals , Female , Gastrointestinal Diseases/epidemiology , Gastrointestinal Diseases/microbiology , Male , Marine Biology , Pleistophora/isolation & purification , Prevalence , Saudi Arabia/epidemiology , Spores, Fungal/cytology , Spores, Fungal/ultrastructure
18.
Parasitology ; 139(4): 454-62, 2012 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22314256

ABSTRACT

A new microsporidian that infects the lizardfish Saurida undosquamis (Richardson, 1848) that are caught in the Arabian Gulf in Saudi Arabia is described here. This parasite invades the skeletal muscle of the abdominal cavity forming white, cyst-like structures containing numerous spores. The prevalence of the infection was 32·1% (135/420). The spores were oval to pyriform in shape and measured approximately 3·3 µm×2·0 µm. The developing spores were found within parasitophorous vacuoles. In mature spores, the polar filament was arranged into 5 coils in a row. Molecular analysis of the rRNA genes, including the ITS region, and phylogenetic analyses using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference were performed. The ultrastructural characteristics and phylogenetic analyses support the recognition of a new species, herein named Heterosporis saurida n. sp.


Subject(s)
Fish Diseases/parasitology , Microsporidia/genetics , Microsporidia/ultrastructure , Microsporidiosis/veterinary , Phylogeny , Animals , DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/analysis , Fishes/parasitology , Genes, rRNA , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Microsporidia/classification , Microsporidiosis/parasitology , Molecular Sequence Data , Saudi Arabia , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Spores, Fungal/genetics , Spores, Fungal/ultrastructure
19.
Clin Exp Allergy ; 41(12): 1767-76, 2011 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22092675

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis is a serious and potentially lethal systemic reaction affecting more than one organ or system. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the demographic characteristics, clinical features, causes, settings, and administered therapy in Turkish children. METHODS: This retrospective, case note study included all children referred to the outpatient clinics of the Pediatric Allergy Departments of the participating study centres from 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2009 for investigation of anaphylaxis or who were seen by us at the moment of the reaction during the same period and who met the clinical criteria of anaphylaxis. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-four cases of anaphylaxis were reported in 137 children (88 boys, P = 0.0001). The mean ± SD age at the referral was 7.7 ± 4.2 years (range: 4 months-17 years). Ninety-eight episodes (43.8%) occurred at home. The symptoms were cutaneous in 222 (99.1%) episodes, respiratory in 217 (96.9%), neuro-psychiatric in 118 (52.7%), cardiovascular in 92 (41.1%), and gastrointestinal in 88 (39.3%). Biphasic reaction was reported in seven episodes (3.1%, 95% CI: 1.5-6.3). Death occurred in one case (0.4%, 95% CI: 0.08-2.4). Treatment was available in 158 episodes (70.5%). Of them, 148 (93.7%) received antihistamines, 132 (83.5%) corticosteroids, 51 (32.3%) epinephrine, and 17 (10.8%) beta-2-mimetics. The causative agents were foods in 86 (38.4%) episodes, hymenoptera venom in 84 (37.5%), drugs and medications in 47 (21.0%), and latex in 5 (2.2%). In two episodes (0.9%), the causative agent was unidentified. Allergy to the trigger was known prior to anaphylaxis in 116 (51.8%) episodes. An epinephrine auto-injector had been prescribed for 70 children (51.1%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Anaphylaxis was seen significantly more in boys. Most of the reactions occurred at home. Foods were the most frequent cause. Epinephrine, the first-line treatment of anaphylaxis, was administered in only a third of the children.


Subject(s)
Anaphylaxis/epidemiology , Adolescent , Anaphylaxis/diagnosis , Anaphylaxis/etiology , Anaphylaxis/therapy , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Recurrence , Retrospective Studies , Turkey/epidemiology
20.
Parasitol Res ; 109(1): 119-23, 2011 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21221642

ABSTRACT

The validity, impacts and seasonal prevalence of Henneguya suprabranchiae infecting Clarias gariepinus from the River Nile were studied. The overall prevalence was 35% (84/240) with maximum rate of infection in spring and minimum rate of infection in summer. The development of the cyst-like plasmodia was "the intrafilamental type'. Henneguya suprabranchiae is a pathogenic species as the parasite showed high intensity of infection which led to deformation of the filament structure and complete disappearance of the gill lamellae. The validity of H. suprabranchiae compared to the other described species of the same host was discussed.


Subject(s)
Catfishes/parasitology , Fish Diseases/epidemiology , Fish Diseases/parasitology , Myxozoa/classification , Myxozoa/isolation & purification , Parasitic Diseases, Animal/epidemiology , Parasitic Diseases, Animal/parasitology , Animals , Egypt , Fish Diseases/pathology , Gills/parasitology , Gills/pathology , Microscopy , Parasitic Diseases, Animal/pathology , Prevalence , Rivers , Seasons
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