Sublethal concentrations of conventional nematicides alter the physiological activities of Meloidogyne incognita and suppress parasitism.

Reducing nematicide dose rates could be a useful strategy for mitigating their negative effects on health and the environment. In this study, enzymatic activities and the parasitic ability of Meloidogyne incognita after exposure to sub-lethal concentrations (0.25, 1, 2, and 5 ppm) of ethoprophos, fenamiphos, and oxamyl were investigated. Although the tested concentrations did not show nematicidal properties in vitro, they reduced root galls by at least 30% at 0.25 ppm and up to 67% at 5 ppm in pots, besides disrupting nematode fertility. For all three nematicides at 2 ppm, a chemotaxis assay showed that ≤ 11% of the nematode population was successfully oriented to the host roots, compared to 44% in the control. Ethoprophos and fenamiphos at 5 ppm showed poor inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity (5.6% and 12.5%, respectively). In contrast, the same nematicides were shown to be strong ATPase inhibitors, causing 82.4% and 82.8% inhibition, respectively. At the same concentration, oxamyl moderately inhibited AChE and ATPase-specific activities, the inhibition being 22.5% and 35.2%, respectively. This study suggests that the use of very low nematicide concentrations could be a promising strategy for nematode management. Furthermore, it has also highlighted the role of ATPases as a possible target site for suppressing nematode activity in the development of future nematicides.

Hypermanganesemia with dystonia, polycythemia and cirrhosis in 10 patients: Six novel SLC30A10 mutations and further phenotype delineation.

Biallelic mutations in the SLC30A10 gene cause an inborn error of Mn metabolism characterized by hypermanganesemia, polycythemia, early-onset dystonia, and liver cirrhosis (HMDPC). To date, only 14 families from various ethnic groups have been reported. Here, we describe 10 patients from 7 unrelated Egyptian families with HMDPC. Markedly elevated blood Mn levels, the characteristic basal ganglia hyperintensity on T1-weighted images, and variable degrees of extrapyramidal manifestations with or without liver disease were cardinal features in all patients. Eight patients presented with striking early diseased onset (≤2 years). Unexpectedly, early hepatic involvement before the neurological regression was noted in 3 patients. Mutational analysis of SLC30A10 gene revealed 6 novel homozygous mutations (c.77T > C (p.Leu26Pro), c.90C > G (p.Tyr30*), c.119A > C (p.Asp40Ala), c.122_124delCCT (p.Ser41del), c.780_782delCAT (p.Iso260del) and c.957 + 1G > C). Treatment using 2,3 dimercaptosuccinic acid as a manganese chelating agent showed satisfactory results with improvement of biochemical markers, hepatic manifestations and relative amelioration of the neurological symptoms. Our findings present a large cohort of patients with HMDPC from same ethnic group. The majority of our patients showed severe and early presentation with clear phenotypic variability among sibship. Moreover, we extend the phenotypic and mutational spectrum and emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of this potentially fatal disorder.

Sleep convulsive seizures predict lack of remission in genetic generalized epilepsies: A retrospective study from a single epilepsy center in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Genetic generalized epilepsies (GGEs) represent 15-20% of all epilepsies. There are no studies on the outcome of GGEs in the Middle East. AIMS: To investigate the long-term prognosis of GGEs and identify prognostic predictors in Egypt. MATERIAL & METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of consecutive children and adults with GGEs seen in an epilepsy clinic in Cairo, Egypt, followed for 10+ years. Follow-up visits were scheduled every 3-6 months or earlier. Demographic and clinical prognostic predictors were collected. Presence and number of seizure types were noted along with the number and doses of drugs. The outcome was defined as 5-year remission (5yrR), relapse, or no remission. The probability of 5yrR was calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Prognostic predictors were assessed with Cox proportional models. RESULTS: Included were 120 patients (males, 41.7%), mean age at onset 13.6 years, followed for a mean of 12.5 years (range 10-20). Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were present in 93.3% of cases, followed by myoclonic (65%) and absence seizures (37.5%). 85 cases (70.8%) attained 5yrR (18 of them off-medications) and 59.1% had a relapse. The cumulative probability of starting 5yrR was 6.7%, 30.8%, and 50% at onset, 5 and 10 years. Only absence of sleep seizures was an independent predictor of 5yrR (Hazard ratio, 2.08; 95% CI 1.01-4.33). DISCUSSION: Our findings are in keeping with others. The negative effects of sleep seizures are not unexpected because further unrecognized seizures might be expected. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged remission of GGEs is high and compatible with treatment discontinuation. Sleep seizures are negative prognostic predictors.

Treatment of premature ejaculation by glans penis augmentation using hyaluronic acid gel: a pilot study.

Premature ejaculation (PE) is by far the most common male sexual complaint, with millions of men affected all over the world. It is estimated that up to 20-30% of all men may be suffering from various forms of PE. A variety of filler materials are widely used nowadays for soft tissue augmentation. The appropriate filler can restore symmetry, volume and create a smooth skin surface The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of hyaluronic acid gel injection in patients with PE. Sixty men with self-reported PE who were referred to our outpatient andrology clinic (between January 2007 and January 2008) were included in this study. Participants were randomly assigned using random sampling numbers into two distinct groups. Group A (n = 30) received a single injection of 2 ml of hyaluronic acid gel (Hyalift 3.5% micronised hyaluronic acid) using the previously described fan technique. Group B (n = 30) received a single injection of 2 ml of hyaluronic acid gel using the multiple puncture technique. Twenty-three patients (46.9%) received injection by the fan technique, while 26 patients (53.1%) received it through the multiple-point technique. The mean intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) increased significantly from 2.12 ± 1.16 to 7.71 ± 7.86 min, after 1 month of injection and then dropped to 5.32 ± 3.52 min, but still remaining significantly higher than the baseline values. Results from our present pilot study demonstrated the usefulness of the application of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers in the treatment of PE; however, further investigations in large cohorts with longer follow-up are definitely needed to obtain more consistent results.

Biochemical changes in grape rootstocks resulted from humic acid treatments in relation to nematode infection.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of humic acid on nematode infected, resistant and susceptible grapes in relation to lipid peroxidation and antioxidant mechanisms on selected biochemical parameters known as proactive substances. METHODS: The grape rootstocks, superior, superior/freedom and freedom were reacted differently to Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis according to rootstock progenitor. Two weeks after inoculation, two commercial products of humic acid were applied at the rate of (2, 4 mL or grams/plant) as soil drench. After 4 months, nematode soil populations were extracted and counted. A subsample of roots from each plant was stained and gall numbers, embedded stages per root were calculated, final population, nematode build up (Pf/Pi), average of eggs/eggmass were estimated. Subsamples of fresh root of each treatment were chemically analyzed. RESULTS: Freedom reduced significantly the nematode criteria and build up. Humic acid granules appeared to be more suppressive to nematode build up on superior and the higher dose on superior/freedom than liquid treatments. On freedom, all treatments reduced significantly the nematode build up regardless to the material nature. The higher dose was more effective than the lower one. As a result of humic acid applications, the malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2 contents were significantly reduced after humic acid treatments while the antioxidant compounds glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (ASA) and total phenol contents were significantly increased when compared with check. Antioxidant defense enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO)showed significant increase in their specific activities in treated plants compared with nematode treated check. CONCLUSIONS: Humic acid treatments improve the yield of grape by increasing the contents of antioxidant compounds and the specific activities of antioxidant enzymes.

Guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain: expert panel recommendations for the middle East region.

Neuropathic pain (NeP) has been the focus of extensive basic and clinical research over the past 20 years. This has led to an increased understanding of underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and the development of new therapeutic agents, as well as a clearer definition of the role of established medications. To date there are no published treatment guidelines for NeP in the Middle East. A multidisciplinary panel of Middle East and international experts met to review critically and reach a consensus on how best to apply evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of NeP (mainly peripheral NeP) in the Middle East. The expert panel recommended pregabalin, gabapentin and secondary amine tricyclic antidepressants (nortriptyline and desipramine) as first-line treatments for peripheral NeP. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressants, tramadol and controlled-release opioid analgesics were recommended as second-line treatments. There is a need to increase diagnostic awareness of NeP, use validated screening questionnaires and undertake more treatment research in the Middle East region.

Fluorescein-assisted viscodissection for easier phacoemulsification.

TITLE: Fluorescein-assisted viscodissection for easier phacoemulsification. SETTINGS: Department of Ophthalmology, Cairo University. PURPOSE: The description of a new surgical technique to help overcome difficulties in the learning curve of phacoemulsification. METHODS: A mixture of Fluorescein 0.25% and methyl cellulose 0.25% is used for hydrodissection. Standard phacoemulsification is then continued until the initial groove reaches the plane between the lens cortex and the capsule when the fluorescein flows towards the anterior chamber in a Green Smoke. This sign indicates a proper depth for attempting to crack the nucleus into two halves.