Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Foodborne Pathogenic Strains and Assessment of Their Adhesion Ability and Cytotoxic Effects in HCT-116 Cells.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the high-threat pathogens equipped with a repertoire of virulence factors making it responsible for many infections in humans, including foodborne diseases. The present study aims to characterize antibiotic resistance and virulence factors in foodborne S. aureus isolates, and to investigate their cytotoxic effects in human intestinal cells (HCT-116). Our results revealed methicillin resistance phenotypes (MRSA) along with the detection of mecA gene (20%) among tested foodborne S. aureus strains. Furthermore, 40% of tested isolates showed a strong ability for adhesion and biofilm formation. A high rate of exoenzymes production by tested bacteria was also registered. Additionally, treatment with S. aureus extracts leads to a significant decrease in HCT-116 cell viability, accompanied by a reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), as a result of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Thereby, S. aureus food poisoning remains daunting and needs particular concern to prevent foodborne illness.

Molecular Assessment of Genetic Diversity and Genetic Structure of Rhanterium epapposum Oliv. in Scarce Populations in Some Regions of Western Saudi Arabia.

Rhanterium epapposum Oliv. is a perennial medicinal shrub growing mainly in desert habitats in the Arabian Peninsula. In western Saudi Arabia, the remaining few populations of this species are exposed to many threats, including overcutting, overgrazing, and recently, increasing human activities. These threats are predicted to be exacerbated by the advancement of aridification caused by climate change. The conservation and recovering of the diminished populations of R. epapposum necessitate measurement of their genetic diversity and genetic differentiation. To accomplish this objective, we tested 150 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer pairs, with which 40 polymorphic loci were identified. These polymorphic loci were used to determine the population genetics of 540 plant accessions sampled from a total of 45 populations of R. epapposum located in 8 sites in western Saudi Arabia: Wadi Khurieba, Wadi Al Khamas, Gebel Al Twaal, Al Asaafer, Wadi ALHamda, Wadi Al Nassayeif, Wadi Qaraba, Wadi Kuliayah, and Wadi Dahban. Low levels of genetic diversity were found in all populations (the values of the PPL ranged between 52.5 and 15) along with a declined value of HT (0.123) and a considerable inbreeding value (F = 0.942), which confirmed a noticeable shortage of heterozygotes. High genetic differentiation among the populations and a low value of gene flow are indicative of high isolation among the R. epapposum populations, which has caused a severe deficiency in gene migration. The data obtained herein inspire several recommendations for conservation and retrieval of the existing populations, including seed banks, restoration of diminished populations, and monitoring and prevention of cutting and grazing activities at threatened sites. All of these measures are urgently required to avoid imminent extinction.

Field assessment of the mid winter mass kills of trophic fishes at Mariotteya stream, Egypt: chemical and biological pollution synergistic model.

Pathogenic Candida albicans was isolated from water and fish samples collected during an emergent event of mass mortalities among the juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Sharp toothed catfish (Clarias gariepinus) along the stream of Mariotteya drainage. Investigations indicated that fish mortalities were confined to the area of Shubramant and Aboul Noumros (North to Sakara 7 drainage). C. albicans was isolated from the lesions associated with multiple skin ulcers in both Nile tilapia juveniles and Sharp toothed catfish. Assessment of the field and laboratory data has indicated that Mariotteya environmental disaster was a multifactorial problem. The fish mass kills were initially flared up through the dumping of the improperly treated nasty organic and inorganic chemicals from Elhawamdia sugar factory and municipal sewage. The physical stagnation of the stream, high levels of ammonia, phenol and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and low levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) were all incriminated as the initial stimulus behind biological invasion of pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescence) and yeast (C. albicans). Pathologically, fishes were dying from both respiratory and osmoregulatory failure induced by the severe damage of both gills and skin. It has been implied that such environmental pollutants have direct damaging effects on gills, skin and fins with consequent suppression of the skin's natural innate components. The adversely confronted immunological barriers were further exacerbated by the possible synergistic interactions of P. fluorescence dermotropic toxins followed by the secondary invasion of the pathogenic C. albicans.

Parental competency assessment: approaches and issues.

The assessment of parental competency concerns legal hearings regarding the legal and personal status of minors. The assessments ordered by judges in courts from different professionals (social workers, psychiatrists and psychologists)--are usually characterized by methodological problems affecting reliability and predictability: lack of objectivity, variability in professional approaches, personal beliefs and values of the examiners; and other intervening obstacles, such as: the influence of the subjects' expectancies and the fidelity of the professional to the one who ordered the service. These methodological problems affect the principle of the Best Interests of the Child, as well as other ethical issues. Some of the above issues have been solved by the authorities, while others still remain unsolved and beyond the Best Interest of the Child.

Aspects of assessment and management of velopharyngeal dysfunction in developing countries.

Proper assessment of patients with velopharyngeal valve incompetence is a mandatory prerequisite for optimal management. The protocol of assessment of Ain Shams University, Phoniatric Department, uses three levels of assessment of velopharyngeal valve incompetence according to the complexity of the armamentarium used. This allows application of those parts of the protocol that suit the needs of the different socioeconomic levels and geographical locations. Firstly, the elementary diagnostic procedures, which are rather simple, noninvasive, but essentially subjective. Despite the clinical feasibility of these procedures, documentation of the data is made utilizing the tools at the second level of assessment in that protocol (clinical diagnostic aids). This level comprises video-nasofiberscopy and high fidelity voice recording. An attempt to extract quasi-quantitative measures from the hitherto qualitative video-nasofiberscopy is made. The third level of assessment, namely additional instrumental measures, comprises CT scanning of the velopharyngeal port, aerodynamics, and acoustic analysis. The results of the three levels of the protocol are presented. Their significance and clinical efficacy are discussed. Some community-related problems that have faced the cleft palate team are outlined. Their sociocultural significance in a developing country is discussed.

Acute protein loading in the assessment of renal reserve.

Functional renal reserve is a measure of the capacity of the kidney to increase the glomerular filtration in response to the stimulus of a protein meal or amino acid infusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of protein meal test to measure functional renal reserve in normal subjects and various groups of renal patients. One hundred and twenty five subjects from the Nephrology Clinic, Kuala Lumpur General Hospital were subjected to a protein loading test to measure their renal reserve. Each subject had to eat a 100 gram cooked chicken meat and timed 2 hours urine collections before and after the test meal were done to measure the creatinine clearances. The 62 healthy subjects showed a mean renal reserve (creatinine clearance after protein loading-baseline creatinine clearance) of 31.0 ml/min. The 31 subjects with various kidney diseases showed a mean renal reserve of 13.5 ml/min. The 19 renal transplant recipients showed renal reserve of 13.2 ml/min. The 12 nephrectomised donors showed renal reserve of 5.4ml/min. Renal reserve may be used to assess suitability of living related transplant donor for nephrectomy.

Clinical presentation of enteric fever: its changing pattern in Kuwait.

The clinical experience with enteric fever (1985-89) at a general hospital in Kuwait is presented. There were 90 cases of typhoid and 10 cases of paratyphoid fever, with a mortality rate of 2%. Typhoid complications of bowel perforation, haemorrhage or septic shock were present in 5% and abortion in 2%. Neurological or psychiatric manifestations were a feature in 15%. Most infections were imported (78%). Despite rapid economic development, enteric fever may still be acquired locally but less frequently with time. This contributed to initial diagnostic uncertainty in 18% of cases, and especially in children. Another changing pattern emerged with the recent finding of five drug-resistant Salmonella typhi isolates, two in 1988 and three in 1989. Efforts are clearly needed to diagnose enteric fever more rapidly and to utilize new antibiotics for drug-resistant cases.

Egyptian law on the sequestration and confiscation of property acquired through smuggling and trafficking in drugs.

Drug control legislation in Egypt provides for the confiscation of objects and vehicles used in the commission of drug-related crime, and for these to be handed over for the use of the law-enforcement bodies if such objects and vehicles are considered essential to law enforcement. The legislation also provides for the sequestration of property illegally acquired through illicit drug traffic.