Performance of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for detection of Schistosoma mansoni infection compared with Kato-Katz and real-time PCR.

The performance of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for detection of Schistosoma mansoni DNA from stool and urine samples in comparison with Kato-Katz and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was studied. After obtaining informed consent, 50 children participated in the present study and agreed to submit stool and urine samples. Stool samples were examined by Kato-Katz. Both real-time PCR and LAMP techniques were applied on stool and urine samples. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni was 46% in stool and urine samples as detected by the employed techniques, and 90% of cases had light infection intensity. The highest percentage of infection was diagnosed by real-time PCR (44%), followed by Kato-Katz (42%) and LAMP in the stool (36%), while the lowest percentages of infection were diagnosed by real-time PCR and LAMP in urine samples (24% and 14%, respectively). Kato-Katz, real-time PCR and LAMP showed 100% specificity where the sensitivity was 91.3%, 95.7% and 78.3%, respectively, in stool samples. Real-time PCR and LAMP showed lower sensitivity in urine samples. The LAMP assay is a promising technique for S. mansoni diagnosis in endemic countries of moderate and high-intensity infection. Yet, it needs further optimization, particularly in urine samples.

Evidence of the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi in dogs and associated ticks in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Borrelia burgdorferi is the spirochete that causes Lyme Borreliosis (LB), which is a zoonotic tick-borne disease of humans and domestic animals. Hard ticks are obligate haematophagous ectoparasites that serve as vectors of Borrelia burgdorferi. Studies on the presence of Lyme borreliosis in Egyptian animals and associated ticks are scarce. METHODS: This study was conducted to detect B. burgdorferi in different tick vectors and animal hosts. Three hundred animals (dogs=100, cattle=100, and camels=100) were inspected for tick infestation. Blood samples from 160 tick-infested animals and their associated ticks (n=1025) were collected and examined for the infection with B. burgdorferi by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The identified tick species were characterized molecularly by PCR and sequencing of the ITS2 region. RESULTS: The overall tick infestation rate among examined animals was 78.33% (235/300). The rate of infestation was significantly higher in camels (90%), followed by cattle (76%) and dogs (69%); (P = 0.001). Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, and both Hyalomma dromedarii and Amblyomma variegatum, were morphologically identified from infested dogs, cattle, and camels; respectively. Molecular characterization of ticks using the ITS2 region confirmed the morphological identification, as well as displayed high similarities of R. sanguineus, H. dromedarii, and A. Variegatu with ticks identified in Egypt and various continents worldwide. Just one dog (1.67%) and its associated tick pool of R. sanguineus were positive for B. burgdorferi infection. The 16S rRNA gene sequence for B. burgdorferi in dog and R. sanguineus tick pool showed a 100% homology. CONCLUSION: Analyzed data revealed a relatively low rate of B. burgdorferi infection, but a significantly high prevalence of tick infestation among domesticated animals in Egypt, which possesses a potential animal and public health risk. Additionally, molecular characterization of ticks using the ITS2 region was a reliable tool to discriminate species of ticks and confirmed the morphological identification.

99mTc-zolmitriptan: radiolabeling, molecular modeling, biodistribution and gamma scintigraphy as a hopeful radiopharmaceutical for lung nuclear imaging.

Lung imaging radiopharmaceuticals are helpful agents for measuring pulmonary blood flow and allow detection of pulmonary embolism and lung cancer. The goal of this study was to develop a novel potential radiopharmaceutical for lung imaging. Zolmitriptan (a selective serotonin receptor agonist) was successfully labeled with 99mTc via direct labeling method under reductive conditions studying different factors affecting the labeling efficiency. 99mTc-zolmitriptan was obtained with a maximum labeling yield of 92.5 ± 0.61 % and in vitro stability up to 24 h. Molecular modeling was done to predict the structure of 99mTc-zolmitriptan and ensure that radiolabeling did not affect binding ability of zolmitriptan to its receptor. Biodistribution studies showed that maximum lung uptake of 99mTc-zolmitriptan was 23.89 ± 1.2 % injected dose/g tissue at 15 min post-injection and retention in lungs remained high up to 1 h, whereas the clearance from mice appeared to proceed mainly via the renal pathway. Scintigraphic images confirmed the biodistribution results showing a high resolution lung image with low accumulation of radioactivity in other organs except kidneys and urinary bladder. 99mTc-zolmitriptan is not a blood product and so it is more safe than the currently available 99mTc-MAA, and its lung uptake is higher than that of the recently discovered 123I-IPMPD, 99mTc(CO)5I and 99mTc-DHPM. So, 99mTc-zolmitriptan could be used as a hopeful radiopharmaceutical for lung scintigraphic imaging.

Three-dimensional sonohysterography may replace hysteroscopy for women with perimenopausal bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether three-dimensional saline-infusion transvaginal sonohysterography can replace hysteroscopy in the detection of intrauterine lesions in women with perimenopausal bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Menofyia University Hospital in Egypt. Fifty women who presented with perimenopausal bleeding and fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Three-dimensional sonohysterography was performed followed by hysteroscopy for all women. Results were tabulated and statistically analyzed. The accuracy of both techniques was calculated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS: The mean age of women enrolled was 47.5 ± 5.61 years and the mean body mass index was 28.13 ± 2.91 kg/m(2). Three-dimensional sonohysterography detected no abnormality in 26 women but hysteroscopy only detected 24 with no abnormality. Compared to hysteroscopy, three-dimensional sonohysterography has sensitivities of 100% and 92% in the detection of endometrial polyps and submucous fibroids, respectively. The specificity of sonohysterography for both lesions was 100%. The sensitivity and specificity for other lesions exceeded 95%. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional sonohysterosonography may be considered as an effective alternative to hysteroscopy in the assessment of the uterine cavity for any woman with perimenopausal bleeding.

Expanding the comprehensive national neonatal screening programme in the United Arab Emirates from 1995 to 2011.

The national neonatal screening programme in the United Arab Emirates currently includes 16 disorders: congenital hypothyroidism, sickle-cell diseases, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, biotinidase deficiency and 12 amino acid, organic acid and fatty acid disorders. This paper reports data since the programme started in January 1995 up to December 2011 on the incidence of screened disorders and the molecular basis of positive screened cases. Screening used a combination of tandem mass spectrometry, molecular technologies and biochemical analysis. A total of 750 365 infants were screened and 717 babies saved from associated morbidity and/or mortality. The incidence of screened disorders were 1:1 873 for congenital hypothyroidism, 1:14 544 for phenylketonuria, 1:3 526 for amino acid, organic acid and fatty acid disorders, 1:9 030 for classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia, 1:8 300 for biotinidase deficiency, 1:2 384 for sickle-cell disease and 1:121 for sickle-cell traits. Coverage of neonatal screening in the population reached 95% in 2010.

Diagnostic ultrasonography and antimicrobial resistance of different pathogens associated with canine and feline lower urinary tract disorders.

There is a significant issue concerning the dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria within companion animals. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common problem in veterinary medicine for which empirical antibiotics are utilized. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance of different uropathogens associated with UTIs in canine and feline cases. A total of 146 dogs and 162 cats suffered from lower urinary tract disorders were subjected to ultrasonographic and microbiological examination. Cystitis, urinary sediment, and cystic calculi are the most common ultrasonographic abnormalities associated with bacterial UTIs. Bacterial UTIs were obtained in 36.98 % and 25.92 % of cases in dogs and cats, respectively. A low rate of mixed infection was detected in canine cases (3.7 %). E. coli was the most prevalent pathogen isolated from 46.4 % and 66.7 % of canine and feline isolates, respectively followed by Proteus spp. in canine isolates (16.1 %) and Klebsiella spp. in feline isolates (14.3 %). Staphylococcus spp. was isolated from canine cases only with the detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) strains at 3.6 %. The majority of the isolated strains were resistant to various antibiotic classes, particularly ß-lactams. All gram-negative bacteria were susceptible to amikacin, whereas gram-positive strains exhibited 100 % sensitivity to nitrofurantoin and linezolid. Different bacterial species displayed low resistance to carbapenems and fluoroquinolones. Multi-drug resistance was reported in canine and feline strains at 64.3 % and 54.8 %, respectively. These findings prove the crucial necessity to restrict antibiotic consumption depending on urine culture and antibiotic sensitivity tests.

Formulation of silver phosphate/graphene/silica nanocomposite for enhancing the photocatalytic degradation of trypan blue dye in aqueous solution.

Photocatalytic degradation of several harmful organic compounds has been presented as a potential approach to detoxify water in recent decades. Trypan Blue (TB) is an acidic azo dye used to distinguish live cells from dead ones and it's classified as a carcinogenic dye. In this study, silver phosphate (Ag3PO4) nanoparticles and novel Ag3PO4/graphene/SiO2 nanocomposite have been successfully prepared via simple precipitation method. Afterward, their physical properties, chemical composition, and morphology have been characterized using SEM, EDS, TEM, SAED, BET, XRD, FTIR and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The specific surface area of Ag3PO4 and Ag3PO4/G/SiO2 nanocomposite were reported to be 1.53 and 84.97 m2/g, respectively. The band gap energy of Ag3PO4 and Ag3PO4/G/SiO2 nanocomposite was measured to be 2.4 and 2.307 eV, respectively. Photocatalytic degradation of Trypan blue (TB) was studied at different parameters such as pH, catalyst dosage, initial concentration, and contact time. The results showed that, at initial dye concentration of 20 ppm, pH = 2, and using 0.03 g of Ag3PO4/G/SiO2 as a photocatalyst, the degradation percent of TB dye in the aqueous solution was 98.7% within 10 min of light exposure. Several adsorption isotherms such as Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin adsorption isotherms have been tested in addition to the photocatalytic degradation kinetics. Both catalysts were found to follow the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Finally, the possible photocatalytic performance mechanism of Ag3PO4/G/SiO2 was proposed.

Removal of Cu2+, Fe2+ and SO42- ions from industrial wastewater by ion exchange resins contained in a rotating perforated cylindrical basket of different heights.

The present study is concerned with the development of a new cylindrical basket filled with ion exchange resin. The performance of the reactor was examined by removing Cu2+, Fe2+ and SO42- ions from synthetic wastewater. Variables studied were the initial ion concentration in the solution, contact time, resin height inside the cylindrical basket and cylindrical basket rotational speed. Dimensionless analysis was used to obtain a mass transfer correlation for each of the mentioned ions suitable for scale up and design of the present reactor. The experimental results revealed that both the percentage and the rate of removal of (Cu2+, Fe2+ and SO42-) ions decrease as the initial ion concentration in the solution increases, while they increase as the contact time, rotational speed and (L/d) ratio increase. Both Langmuir's and Freundlich's adsorption isotherms were examined and it was found that Langmuir's adsorption isotherm gives a better fitting for the obtained data than Freundlich's. Regeneration ability was tested, which revealed the high resin efficiency upon operating several consequence cycles that could reach 4 cycles with a slight decrease in the removal efficiency.

Evaluation of two doses of triclabendazole in treatment of patients with combined schistosomiasis and fascioliasis.

To determine the safety and efficacy of 2 consecutive doses of triclabendazole (TCBZ) in the treatment of Schistosoma mansoni infection in human cases infected with both S. mansoni and Fasciola sp., we conducted a field survey involving 6314 individuals from 15 villages. The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis alone was 15.8%, of fascioliasis alone 2.2%, and of combined infection 0.7%. Treatment with 2 doses of TCBZ was given to the 49 cases with combined infection. Eight weeks after treatment, the cure rate was 96% for fascioliasis and was 32.7% for schistosomiasis. All schistosomiasis cases cured had a low intensity infection. Liver function tests done before treatment and 8 weeks after substantiate the safety of 2 doses of TCBZ given to those with combined infection. Administration of TCBZ should precede praziquantel in treatment of combined infection, however TCBZ cannot be recommended for infection with S. mansoni alone.

Ineffectiveness of myrrh-derivative Mirazid against schistosomiasis and fascioliasis in humans.

The present study assessed the schistosomicidal and fasciolicidal actions of the myrrh-derivative Mirazid in an area of low schistosomiasis transmission. A total of 27 patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni and 16 with Fasciola spp. received the maximum recommended dose of Mirazid. Pretreatment egg counts in 4 Kato-Katz slides were compared with similar counts in stool samples collected 1 and 2 months after treatment. Standard procedures and quality control measures were followed. The results revealed that Mirazid used as schistosomicidal or fasciolicidal agent in the maximum recommended dose has a low cure rate and produced a negligible reduction in egg counts. Prescribing such an ineffective drug in Egypt might endanger the achievements of the schistosomiasis control strategy.

Knowledge and practices of pregnant women about folic acid in pregnancy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

This study assessed the knowledge and practices about folic acid in pregnancy among pregnant women attending 2 main maternal and child health centres in Abu Dhabi. The majority of the 277 interviewed mothers (79.1%) had heard of folic acid and 46.6% had accurate knowledge about the role of folate in preventing neural tube defects. There were good practices regarding folate supplementation in the current pregnancy; most of the interviewed mothers took it daily and in the recommended dose. However, only a minority took it prior to pregnancy. Education, irrespective of age or parity, was the major factor determining better knowledge of folic acid in pregnancy.

Canine demodicosis: Hematological and biochemical alterations.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: One of the most common cutaneous infections seen in veterinary canine practice is canine demodicosis. Demodicosis is a parasitic skin infection with a possible impact on acute-phase proteins (APPs) and oxidant-antioxidant balance. This study aimed to estimate the possible alterations in hematological, biochemical, oxidant-antioxidant, and APP (C-reactive protein [CRP] and albumin) profiles in naturally infected dogs with demodicosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study enrolled 21 dogs that were divided into two groups: The control group including 7 apparently healthy dogs and the diseased group including 14 dogs with generalized demodicosis. Demodicosis was confirmed through microscopic detection. Blood samples were collected for the estimation of CBC, total protein, albumin, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and CRP levels. RESULTS: Significant reduction in red blood cells along with significant elevation in white blood cells was recorded in the diseased group compared with the control group. There was also significant elevation in MDA, TAC, SOD, and CRP levels along with significant reduction in GSH-Px and CAT levels in the diseased group. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, a relationship between canine generalized demodicosis and oxidant-antioxidant disequilibrium could be suggested. Evidence of this relation manifested in the elevation in MDA and SOD levels and reduction in GPx and CAT levels as a consequence to the release of ROS resulting from Demodex infection. CRP elevation is expected in canine demodicosis.

Site-specific, sustained release of drugs to the brain.

A dihydropyridine-pyridinium salt type of redox system is used in a general and flexible method for the site-specific or sustained delivery (or both) of drugs to the brain. A biologically active compound linked to a lipoidal dihydropyridine carrier easily penetrates the blood-brain barrier. Oxidation of the carrier part in vivo to the ionic pyridinium salt prevents its elimination from the brain, while elimination from the general circulation is accelerated. Subsequent cleavage of the quaternary carrier-drug species results in sustained delivery of the drug in the brain and facile elimination of the carrier part.

A strategy for delivering peptides into the central nervous system by sequential metabolism.

Most peptides do not enter the central nervous system because of their hydrophilic character and the presence of peptidolytic enzymes in the lipoidal blood-brain barrier. To achieve brain delivery of a peptide conjugate, an opioid peptide (enkephalin) was placed in a molecular environment that disguises its peptide nature and provides biolabile, lipophilic functions to penetrate the blood-brain barrier by passive transport. The strategy also incorporates a 1,4-dihydrotrigonellinate targetor that undergoes an enzymatically mediated oxidation to a hydrophilic, membrane-impermeable trigonellinate salt. The polar targetorpeptide conjugate that is trapped behind the lipoidal blood-brain barrier is deposited in the central nervous system. Analgesia was observed with "packaged" enkephalin but not with the unmodified peptide or lipophilic peptide precursors.

The National Congenital Anomalies Register in the United Arab Emirates.

The National Congenital Anomalies Register is a population-based register covering all births in the United Arab Emirates. We evaluated the progress of the register and determined the prevalence of congenital anomalies (CAs) and associated maternal and neonatal risk factors. Total prevalence of CAs for 1999-2001 was 7.89/1000, 10.95/1000 and 7.92/1000 for live births, stillbirths and total births respectively. Rates were comparable to international rates for all districts except Dubai, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah. According to the International classification of diseases, the cardiovascular system was the most affected followed by CAs of chromosomal origin and the musculo-skeletal system. Birth defects were more common with older maternal age, grand multiparity, male babies, low-birth-weight babies and premature babies.

Incidence of haemoglobinopathies detected through neonatal screening in the United Arab Emirates.

In January 2002, a pilot programme of neonatal screening for sickle cell disease was launched in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 3 districts of Abu Dhabi emirate. This paper reports the incidence of sickle cell diseases, other haemoglobinopathies and haemoglobinopathy carriers over a 12-month period using high performance liquid chromatography as a primary screening method. The overall incidence of sickle cell disease among 22 200 screened neonates was 0.04% (0.07% for UAE citizens and 0.02% for non-UAE citizens). The incidence of sickle cell trait was 1.1% overall (1.5% for UAE citizens and 0.8% for non-UAE citizens). Universal neonatal screening for sickle cell haemoglobin at the national level should be considered.

Pharmacokinetic profile of epidural meperidine with and without dextran 70.

To evaluate the effect of dextran 70 on the kinetics of epidural meperidine, 10 female patients anesthetized with nitrous oxide and halothane were studied. Meperidine, 1 mg.kg-1, was administered epidurally in either 10 ml dextran 70 in saline solution (group I) or 10 ml saline solution (group II, control subjects). Plasma concentration of meperidine was determined for 10 hours after its administration with GC. Meperidine plasma concentration-time curves could be best resolved into three exponential terms with a lag time in both groups of patients. The disposition kinetics were described adequately by a three-compartment model. This study demonstrated that apart from a significantly longer lag time and smaller k10 (apparent first-order rate constant for elimination of meperidine from the central compartment), the addition of dextran did not alter significantly the kinetic parameters of epidural meperidine.

Improved delivery through biological membranes. 13. Brain-specific delivery of dopamine with a dihydropyridine in equilibrium with pyridinium salt type redox delivery system.

The dihydropyridine in equilibrium with pyridinium salt type redox delivery system was used for the brain-specific delivery of dopamine. In vivo administration of the catechol-protected dopamine coupled with 1,4-dihydrotrigonelline as the carrier resulted in brain-specific, high and sustained concentrations of the 1-methyl-3-[N-[beta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl]carbamoyl]pyridinium salt, the direct dopamine precursor, locked in the brain for many hours, while systemic concentration decreased fast, with a t 1/2 of less than 30 min. Significant dopaminergic activity was observed in the brain, which was sustained for hours.

Improved delivery through biological membranes. 11. A redox chemical drug-delivery system and its use for brain-specific delivery of phenylethylamine.

A dihydropyridine in equilibrium pyridinium salt type redox system is described as a general and flexible method for site-specific and sustained delivery of drugs to the brain. According to this, a biologically active compound linked to a lipoidal dihydropyridine carrier easily penetrates the blood-brain barrier. Oxidation of the carrier part in vivo to the ionic pyridinium salt prevents its elimination from the brain, while elimination from the general circulation is accelerated. Subsequent cleavage of the quaternary carrier-drug species results in sustained delivery of the drug in the brain and facile elimination of the carrier part. The concept is illustrated with phenethylamine as the drug and trigonelline as the quaternary carrier. One injection to rats of 1-methyl-3-(N-phenethylcarbamoyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine resulted in continuous build up in the brain of the corresponding 1-methyl-3-(N-phenethylcarbamoyl)pyridinium salt, reaching a maximum at about 80 min. At this time, the general circulation was practically void of either compound, while the accumulated carrier-drug species provided a source for sustained drug delivery only in the brain.