Efficacy of some oils and chemical compounds on Insignorthezia insignis (Browne) (Hemiptera: Ortheziidae) infesting Lantana camara in Alexandria, Egypt.

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted in March, 2008 in El-Nouzha garden, Alexandria governorate. Pre-and post treatment inspections of the insects were examined and recorded before and after (2,4,8, and 12 weeks). Spraying was applied to evaluate the efficiency of the tested compounds, [Mineral oils (KZ oil and Star oil); IGRs (Chlorfluazuron, lufenuron and pyriproxyfen); Neem oil; emamectin benzoate and thiamethoxam]. Percentages of reduction were calculated. The ensign scale insects Insignorthezia insignis (Browne) were collected from treated Lantana camara shrubs to investigate the effect of the tested chemicals on Aspartate transferase (AST), Alanine transferase (ALT) and Alkaline-phosphatase (ALPK) of the insect enzymes activities. From the obtained results, it could be concluded that the tested materials gave good results for controlling both adult and immature stages of the ensign scale insect Insignorthezia insignis (Browne) that infested Lantana camara shrubs, through affecting enzymes activities of the assigned insect pest.

Ultrastructure and description of the first immature stage of four different scale insect species (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) in Egypt.

The first stage of four different species belonging to three families of the super family; Coccoidea were described and illustrated by using the scanning electron microscope. These species: Mycetaspis personata (Comstock) and Fiorinia fioriniae (Targioni Tozzetti), pertaining to the family Diaspididae; Pulvinaria psidii (Maskell) (Family: Coccidae) and lcerya seychellarum seychellarum (Westw.) of the family Margarodidae. The dimensions of the first stage (crawler), as well as some taxonomical aspects were examined and discussed. The obtained data showed that the first instar of the mealybug, I. seychellarum seychellarum gave the largest diameter of 299.33 +/- 0.94 pm in length and 183.44 +/- 0.17 microm in width followed by the diaspidid species, F. fioriniae recorded 208.1 +/- 0.78 microm in length and 178.96 +/- 2.34 pm in width; while the coccid species, P. psidii measured 119.17 +/- 0.85 microm in length and 74.83 +/- 1.03 microm in width and the smallest first stage crawler was for the diaspidid, M. personata measured 85.50 +/- 0.41 microm in length and 63.88 +/- 0.27 microm in width. The modes of assigned insects in protecting their eggs were also discussed briefly.

Maternal reporting of acute respiratory infection in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Community surveys are used to determine the proportion of children with ARI for whom care is sought by questioning mothers about the signs and symptoms of illness episodes. The validity of this approach has been studied infrequently. METHODS: We evaluated maternal reporting of signs and symptoms 2 and 4 weeks after diagnosis among 271 Egyptian children < 5 years old. Children with ARI were evaluated by physical examination, chest radiography, and pulse oximetry, and were alternately assigned for a maternal interview about the episode 14 or 28 days later. RESULTS: For radiographically-defined acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI), the sensitivity of several symptoms for combined open- and close-ended questions was relatively high: nahagan (deep or rapid breathing) (80%), nafas sarie (fast breathing) (66%), and kharfasha (coarse breath sounds) (63%). The specificity of these terms was 50-68%. The specificity was inversely related to the follow-up time. No term provided both a sensitivity and specificity of > 50% at day 28 across the radiographically, clinically- and pulse oximetry-based definitions of ALRI. Spontaneously mentioned karshet nafas (difficult or rapid breathing) at 14 days had a specificity and sensitivity for radiographic ALRI of 87% and 41%, respectively, suggesting that this term is a good choice for community surveys. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal reporting of ARI symptoms is non-specific 2 and 4 weeks after diagnosis but may be useful for monitoring trends in the proportion of children with pneumonia who receive medical care. To maximize specificity, ARI programmes should generally use a recall period of 2 weeks.

PIP: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Community surveys are used to determine the proportion of children with ARI for whom care is sought by questioning mothers about the signs and symptoms of illness episodes. The validity of this approach has been studied infrequently. Maternal reporting of signs and symptoms was evaluated 2 and 4 weeks after diagnosis among 271 Egyptian children 5 years old selected from a prospective study of the signs and symptoms of pneumonia in Ismailia and Assiut. Children with ARI were evaluated by physical examination, chest radiography, and pulse oximetry, and were alternately assigned for a maternal interview about the episode 14 or 28 days later. Nahagan (deep or rapid breathing), yenet (grunting), and karshet nafas (difficult or rapid breathing) were the most frequently mentioned terms reported by 49%, 28%, and 31% of the mothers, respectively. For radiographically-defined acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI), the sensitivity of several symptoms for combined open- and close-ended questions was relatively high: nahagan (80%), nafas sarie (fast breathing) (66%), and kharfasha (coarse breath sounds) (63%). The specificity of these terms was 50-68%. In general, the sensitivity was greater for 14- or 28-day recall than day 0, but the specificity was inversely related to the follow-up time. No term provided both a sensitivity and specificity of 50% at day 28 across the radiographically, clinically- and pulse oximetry-based definitions of ALRI. Spontaneously mentioned karshet nafas (difficult or rapid breathing) at 14 days had a specificity and sensitivity for radiographic ALRI of 87% and 41%, respectively, suggesting that this term is a good choice for community surveys. Maternal reporting of ARI symptoms is non-specific 2 and 4 weeks after diagnosis but may be useful for monitoring trends in the proportion of children with pneumonia who receive medical care. To maximize specificity, ARI programs should generally use a recall period of 2 weeks.

Caretaker compliance with different antibiotic formulations for treatment of childhood pneumonia.

To determine the effect of antibiotic formulations on compliance, 400 children, aged 2 months to 5 years, with a presumptive diagnosis of pneumonia, were randomly assigned to receive one of the following formulations of cotrimoxazole: 1. syrup accompanied by a 10-ml measuring cup; 2. syrup accompanied by a 5-ml measuring spoon; 3. tablets; 4. single-dose sachets of antibiotic powder. A research assistant visited the childs' home on the fourth day of therapy, asked the care-giver about compliance, and observed the care-giver prepare a dose of the medication. The remaining amount of medicine was measured, and when possible (n = 151), a urine specimen was tested for the presence of sulphamethoxazole. All of the care-givers reported giving at least one dose on the first day of therapy. By the fourth day, 82 per cent of those receiving syrup were still taking their medication compared to 71 and 55 per cent of those receiving sachets or tablets, respectively (P < 0.01). Of those who received syrup accompanied by a spoon, 38 per cent under-dosed the medicine by at least 30 per cent. Overall, compliance was highly correlated with the care-giver's report of difficulty in administering the medication. Additional research is needed to understand the obstacles encountered by care-givers in administering sachets and tablets. Meanwhile, the use of antibiotic syrup, accompanied by an appropriately sized measuring cup, appears to offer the greatest probability of medication compliance in the treatment of Egyptian children with pneumonia.

Effect of Melia azedarach fruits on gipsing-restraint stress-induced ulcers in rats.

A study was undertaken on the antiulcer effect of some active ingredients present in the lipid part of the fruits of M. azedarach administered p.o. to male rats. Acute gastric ulcers were induced by gipsing the rats for 22 hr preceded by 24 hr starvation to obtain the maximum stress. The free HCl, total HCl and total acidity were also measured. The total lipid (TLP), 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 g/kg, reduced the ulcer index by 25-41.8% and 50-58% when given daily for 5 and 10 days, respectively. The saponifiable fraction (SP), 0.85, 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg, given for 10 days reduced the ulcer index by 41.8-50%, while the nonsaponifiable (NSP), 0.075, 0.150 and 0.50 g/kg, for 10 days reduced it by 50-83.5%. The 70% ethanol extract of the defatted residue showed no antiulcer effect. Analysis of the gastric juice showed a significant decrease in free HCl (P less than 0.001) induced by TLP; the total HCl and total acidity were reduced only at 5 g/kg. The results revealed the antiulcer effect of the lipid components of M. azedarach fruits which is mainly due to the phytosterol fraction.