Impacts of PAH accumulation on reproductive hormones, indices of oxidative stress and BPDE-albumin adduct in women with recurrent pregnancy loss.

Chronic exposure to Poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Disruption of hormonal and redox balance by toxic PAH metabolites may interfere with successful pregnancy leading to miscarriage. The association of exposure to PAH contaminated mussel via the dietary route with perturbations in reproductive hormones, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and PAH metabolites were assessed in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Furthermore, an analysis of the concentration of PAHs in environmentally relevant bivalve animals was performed to preliminary get insights into the levels of these pollutants in the environment. Seventy-six women (20-35 years) were categorized into 18 fertile women without RPL (control), and Groups I, II, and III comprising 24, 18, and 16 women with RPL (2, 3, and > 3 abortions respectively) were studied. Whole blood samples were collected for the estimation of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), progesterone (P4), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), benzo[a]pyren-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide-albumin adduct (BPDE-albumin) and urine for α-naphthol and ß-naphthol. Two species of mussel Donax trunculus and Andar aduloii samples were collected for the estimation of 16 priority PAHs. The concentration of PAHs exceeding the maximum limits was observed in the two species of mussels studied. Higher levels of BPDE-albumin, MDA, GST, α and ß-naphthol and lower GSH, catalase, FSH, and P4 were observed in women with RPL (Groups I-III) compared to controls (p = < 0.001). Negative associations were observed between BPDE-albumin and catalase (r = - 0.276, p = 0.036), and GSH (r = - 0.331, p = - 0.011) only in women with RPL. Collectively, our findings indicate a possible association of chronic PAH accumulation with recurrent pregnancy loss in women. Graphical abstract: High PAH exposure in pregnant women is associated with 10-epoxide-albumin adduct formation and high MDA levels in their sera. On the other hand, PAH exposure in those women led to a decrease in their GSH, catalase, P4, and FSH sera levels. These findings indicate that PAH exposure can exert different physiological effects in pregnant women leading to a high level of abortion in those women.

The globalizability of temporal discounting.

Economic inequality is associated with preferences for smaller, immediate gains over larger, delayed ones. Such temporal discounting may feed into rising global inequality, yet it is unclear whether it is a function of choice preferences or norms, or rather the absence of sufficient resources for immediate needs. It is also not clear whether these reflect true differences in choice patterns between income groups. We tested temporal discounting and five intertemporal choice anomalies using local currencies and value standards in 61 countries (N = 13,629). Across a diverse sample, we found consistent, robust rates of choice anomalies. Lower-income groups were not significantly different, but economic inequality and broader financial circumstances were clearly correlated with population choice patterns.

Distribution of integrons and phylogenetic groups among Escherichia coli causing community-acquired urinary tract infection in Upper Egypt.

Escherichia coli is a major cause of community-acquired urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs). In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial resistance patterns, the distribution of phylogenetic groups, and the prevalence and characteristics of integron-bearing E. coli isolates from outpatients with CA-UTIs in El-Minia governorate, in Upper Egypt. Out of the 583 urine samples collected, 134 were positive for E. coli, from which the most resistant isolates (n = 80) were selected for further analysis. The majority of these isolates (62.5%, 50/80) showed multidrug resistance profiles. Group B2 was the most predominant phylogenetic group (52.5%), followed by group F (21.25%), Clades I or II (12.5%), and finally isolates of unknown phylogroup (13.75%). Of the 80 isolates, 7 (8.75%) carried class 1 integrons, which contained 3 different types of integrated gene cassettes, including those conferring resistance to streptomycin/spectinomycin, trimethoprim, and some open reading frames of unknown function (gcuF). In conclusion, the types and combinations of the gene cassettes in our study may reflect the specific selective pressures to which the isolates were subjected within the study region, therefore, providing valuable data for future intervention strategies that are precisely tailored to prevent the dissemination of the uropathogenic E. coli strains circulating within Upper Egypt.

Chlorella vulgaris microalgae and/or copper supplementation enhanced feed intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites and lactational performance of Boer goat.

The associative effects of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae and copper (Cu) supplementation on feed utilisation and lactational performance in goats were evaluated. Thirty-two lactating Boer goats (34.8 ± 1.7 kg body weight) were used to evaluate the supplementation of C. vulgaris microalgae at 10 g/day (AL treatment), 9 mg of Cu/kg diet (CU treatment) or a mixture of both AL and CU treatments (ALCU treatment) on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites and lactation performance of Boer goat milk yield and composition. Treatments did not affect feed intake; however, AL, ALCU and CU treatments increased (p < .001) nutrient digestibility. Treatment effect on ruminal pH, ammonia-N or propionate was marginal, but AL and ALCU treatments increased (p < .01) acetate, acetate/propionate ratio and total volatile fatty acids. Treatments increased (p < .001) serum glucose and Cu concentrations. Additionally, ALCU and AL treatments increased (p < .001) daily milk yield, energy corrected milk production, concentrations of ash, energy content, fat, lactose, solids not fat, total solids and milk (feed) efficiency. Conversely, the CU treatment decreased (p < .001) the concentration of all milk components, without affecting milk (feed) efficiency. Additionally, AL and ALCU treatments decreased (p < .05) the concentrations of saturated fatty acids by 2.4% and 4%, respectively, but increased (p < .05) the concentrations of total unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) by 5.4% and 9.8%, respectively, mono-UFA by 5.2% and 9.8%, respectively, and conjugated linoleic acid concentrations by 9.3% and 7.4% respectively. In conclusion, supplementation of the diet of lactating Boer goats with C. vulgaris microalgae with or without copper enhanced nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, milk production, milk efficiency and milk nutritive value. Copper supplementation had minimal effects; therefore, its use as a supplement in the presence of C. vulgaris microalgae to the diet of lactating Boer goats is recommended.

Molecular characterization of Extended-spectrum ß lactamase- producing E. coli recovered from community-acquired urinary tract infections in Upper Egypt.

Treatment of community urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by extended-spectrum ß lactamase (ESBL)- producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) is more expensive than treating ESBL-negative opposites. Evaluation of the prevalence of ESBL-production among urinary E. coli isolates is crucial due to its great impact on the choice of proper antimicrobials. Accordingly, the aim of this work was to detect and characterize ESBL-producing E. coli isolated from outpatients with signs of UTIs in Upper Egypt. Urinary E. coli isolates were identified by 16S rRNA and their ESBL-production was confirmed by Modified Double Disc Synergy Test (MDDST) and ESBL- CHROMagar media. Isolates were then subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for new Clermont phylogrouping, ESBL genes detection and CTX-M typing. The study enrolled 583 patients with clinically diagnosed UTIs. Uropathogens were found in 400 urine samples (68.6%) out of which 134 E. coli isolates were identified. Among the examined uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), 80 (59.7%) were recognized as ESBL-producers. Greater than half of the ESBL-producers were multi-drug resistant (MDR) (62%). All of them were susceptible to meropenem. Most of the E. coli isolates were distributed in 4 phylogenetic groups: B2 = 42 (52.5%), F = 17 (21.25%) and Clade I or II = 10 (12.5%). The predominant gene types were TEM 60 (75%) and CTX-M gene 45 (56.25%). The CTX-M-1 group was the most prevalent (62.2%), including the CTX-M-15 enzyme, followed by the CTX-M-2 group, CTX-M-8 group and CTX-M-9 group. In conclusion, the results present alarming evidence of a serious spread of ESBL genes in Egypt, especially the epidemiological CTX-M 15, with the potential for the dissemination of MDR UPEC strains in the community.

Production of Functional Processed Cheese Supplemented with Nanoliposomes of Mandarin Peel Extract.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Mandarin fruit is a wonderful source of essential dietary nutrients. The liposome is an encapsulation method to incorporate the phenolics in functional food. The objective of this study was production of functional processed cheese supplemented with nanoliposomes of mandarin peel extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The encapsulation efficiency (EE) of mandarin peel extract powder (MPEP) was examined at five concentrations (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1% w/v) and inclusion the highest EE in processed cheese by replacing water with MPEP nanoliposomes at ratios 25, 50 and 100% v/v. The physicochemical properties and phenolics content for processed cheese were analyzed. Rustles: High EE (>80%) of MPEP nanoliposomes was achieved. The chemical composition of the resultant processed cheese was in accordance with the Egyptian standard for half fat processed cheese. Physical and organoleptic properties and color parameters of processed cheese supplemented with MPEP nanoliposomes inferior to the control. CONCLUSION: The characterizations of processed cheese samples supplemented with MPEP nanoliposomes remained unaffected during cold storage. The MPEP nanoliposomes were effectively retained within processed cheese, presented a simple and effective delivery vesicle for phenolic compounds.

Impact of heat treatments and some technological processing on immunoglobulins of Egyptian buffalo's milk.

The effects of heat treatments, ultrafiltration and manufacture of soft cheese on the gross composition and immunoglobulins (Igs) of Egyptian buffalos were investigated. Four Igs (IgG1, IgG2, IgM and IgA) were identified and determined by single radial immunodiffusion (SRID). High concentrations of Igs were found in colostrum which decreased rapidly within the first 72 h postpartum parallel to the transition from colostrum to normal milk. IgG (IgG1, IgG2) and IgM were not completely denatured by pasteurization temperature up to 80 °C/15 s, while IgA was completely denatured under these conditions. Ultrafiltration of milk resulted in retentate of high values for total IgG (IgG1, IgG2), but low in IgM and IgA content and permeate was free of Igs. Domiati cheese made from UF-milk retentate contained similar levels of Igs to the used retentate.

Prevalence and pattern of lymph node metastasis in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and pattern of nodal metastases in mesothelioma are not well understood. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and pattern of nodal metastasis in mesothelioma patients. METHODS: The study included 53 patients with mesothelioma. The first 37 patients (group I) underwent combined modality treatment without preoperative mediastinoscopy. The second group included 16 patients (group II) with pretreatment mediastinoscopy. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients had positive lymph nodes, 12 in group I and 6 in group II; of the latter, 4 had positive mediastinoscopy and 2 had positive nodes on final pathology. Postoperatively, a mean of 14 nodes were dissected (range, 5 to 34). In the post-pleuropneumonectomy group, 6 of 14 patients had positive hilar node metastases in addition to positive mediastinal lymph nodes. One patient had positive hilar nodes only. Of the 49 patients operated on, only 7 had no lung invasion by pathologic evaluation, and none had positive hilar nodes. The mechanism of spread of the disease to hilar nodes may be through lung invasion and not due to direct spread from the pleura. This observation raises the possibility that mediastinal nodes should be considered the primary station in patients with mesothelioma, whereas hilar node metastasis necessitated lung invasion first. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of nodal metastases may be different from that of lung cancer, and multicenter studies are needed to evaluate this observation.