Acaricidal Efficacy of Thirty-Five Egyptian Plants Against the Camel Tick, Hyalomma Dromedarii.

PURPOSE: Alternative and affordable tick control strategies are crucial to control and prevent tick bites and tick-borne diseases. METHODS: In this study, we evaluated the acaricidal efficacy of 35 aqueous plant extracts (17%) against the camel tick, Hyalomma dromedarii. RESULTS: The phytochemical profile indicated the presence of various secondary substances. Plants were classified into three groups according to their mortality percentage 15 days post-treatment with 17%. This highly effective group (91%-95%) comprised Ocimum basilicum, Mespilus germanica, and Viola alpine followed by Carum carvi, Cucurbita pepo (peel), and Peganum harmala. A moderately effective group (80%-90%) included Acacia nilotica, Apium graveolens, Capsicum annuum, Ceratonia siliqua, Cucurbita pepo (seeds), Equisetum arvense, Eruca sativa, Ginkgo biloba, Plantago psyllium, Phyllanthus emblica, Punica granatum, and Ziziphus spinachristi. The 20 remaining plants were assigned to the less effective group (< 80%). Viscum album (58.3%), which was the least effective reference plant. The high potency of six plant extracts as acaricides may be attributed to the high content of active principles, e.g., phenols, flavonoids, and tannins. CONCLUSION: All of these highly effective plants are recommended for use as an acaricide, in case of facing acaricidal resistance or limited options for tick control.

Growth performance, plasma metabolites, meat quality, and meat and lipid health indices of New Zealand White rabbits as affected by dietary dried tomato pomace powder supplementation during the summer season.

One hundred and twenty New Zealand White rabbits (NZW) (5-week-old; 735.27 ± 27.23 g) were kept in an open-sided house during the summer season. The experiment aims to evaluate the impacts of dried tomato pomace powder (DTPP) supplementation on rabbits' performance, blood metabolites, carcass traits, meat quality, and lipid and health indices of NZW rabbits during 5-13 weeks of age. The four treatments were a standard rabbit feed (control) and the control diet supplemented with 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% DTPP, respectively. Rabbits fed a diet containing 1.5% DTPP showed the highest growth rate through weeks 9-13 of age despite having the lowest feed intake spanning 5-13 weeks. The best feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded in rabbits fed with 1.5% DTPP-supplemented diet for 5-13 weeks. Diets supplemented with 0.5 or 1.0% DTPP enhanced markedly dressing %, total edible flesh, saturated (SFAs), monounsaturated (MUFAs), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) contents, as well as the ∑n - 6/∑n - 3 ratio and the total n - 6 of meat. Dietary supplementation with DTPP decreased kidney, abdominal, and back fat. Diets supplemented with DTTP decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and very low-density lipoprotein (vLDL) concentrations. The greatest levels of linoleic acid, arachidonic and water-holding capacity in meat were observed in rabbits fed 1.5% DTPP-supplemented diets. Diets containing 1 and 1.5% DTPP improved meats' atherogenic and thrombogenic indices, meat lipid quality desired fatty acids/undesired fatty acids ratio, and meat health index. Conclusively, DTPP up to 1.5% maintained the growth performance of rabbits, boosted meat quality through increasing vitamin E, reduced fat deposition, modified fatty acid composition, and improved atherogenic, thrombogenic, and hypocholesterolemic indices of rabbit meat.

Toxicity of Heavy Metals and Recent Advances in Their Removal: A Review.

Natural and anthropogenic sources of metals in the ecosystem are perpetually increasing; consequently, heavy metal (HM) accumulation has become a major environmental concern. Human exposure to HMs has increased dramatically due to the industrial activities of the 20th century. Mercury, arsenic lead, chrome, and cadmium have been the most prevalent HMs that have caused human toxicity. Poisonings can be acute or chronic following exposure via water, air, or food. The bioaccumulation of these HMs results in a variety of toxic effects on various tissues and organs. Comparing the mechanisms of action reveals that these metals induce toxicity via similar pathways, including the production of reactive oxygen species, the inactivation of enzymes, and oxidative stress. The conventional techniques employed for the elimination of HMs are deemed inadequate when the HM concentration is less than 100 mg/L. In addition, these methods exhibit certain limitations, including the production of secondary pollutants, a high demand for energy and chemicals, and reduced cost-effectiveness. As a result, the employment of microbial bioremediation for the purpose of HM detoxification has emerged as a viable solution, given that microorganisms, including fungi and bacteria, exhibit superior biosorption and bio-accumulation capabilities. This review deals with HM uptake and toxicity mechanisms associated with HMs, and will increase our knowledge on their toxic effects on the body organs, leading to better management of metal poisoning. This review aims to enhance comprehension and offer sources for the judicious selection of microbial remediation technology for the detoxification of HMs. Microbial-based solutions that are sustainable could potentially offer crucial and cost-effective methods for reducing the toxicity of HMs.

Targeting apoptotic anticancer response with natural glucosinolates from cell suspension culture of Lepidium sativum.

BACKGROUND: Finding natural products with anticancer activity is an effective strategy to fight this disease. In this respect, Lepidium sativum or garden cress (family Brassicaceae) has been widely used worldwide for its wide therapeutic application, including anticancer and chemoprotective agents. Plant tissue culture techniques hold great promise for natural product enhancement without any climatic boundaries. In this study, glucosinolates and petroleum ether fractions were isolated from in vitro cell cultures and used against different carcinoma cell lines to investigate their anticancer potential. METHODS: In this study, callus cultures from leaf and root explants were initiated, cell suspension cultures were established, and cell growth and viability profiles were characterized. Different amino acids were added as precursors to the cell suspension cultures to enhance glucosinolates accumulation. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis (GC-MS) of glucosinolates and petroleum ether fractions was performed, and all fractions were tested against different carcinoma cell lines. RESULTS: The findings clarified that the maximum callus initiation percentage was obtained in the medium containing 1.0 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) + 1.0 mg/l kinetin (Kin) (C1). The viable cell number of cell suspension cultures from leaves and roots increased until it reached the maximum values on day 15. Adding tyrosine and methionine to the cell suspension cultures was the most influential and recorded high glucosinolate percentages. 1H-Cyclopenta (b) pyridine-3-carbonitrile-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2-methylthio-4-spirocyclohexane was the main glucosinolate compound found in tyrosine-treated leaf suspension (GLT). Fifteen compounds were detected in the petroleum ether fraction in both cell suspensions initiated from the leaf and root (OL and OR). The major compounds were benzene-1,3,5-trimethyl (12.99%) in root cell suspension (OR), and benzene-2-ethyl-1,4-dimethyl (10.66%) in leaf cell suspension (OL). All glucosinolate extracts demonstrated significant anticancer activity against the prostate (PC3), lung (A-549), colorectal (caco2), and liver (HepG2) cell lines. Glucosinolates extracted from leaf cell suspension (GL) were the most active on the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) among all remaining glucosinolate extracts. Treated hepatocellular carcinoma with an IC50 of GL extract (47.5 ug/ml) upregulates pro-apoptotic BAX and downregulates anti-apoptotic BCL2, which disrupts the BAX/BCL2 ratio, leading to activation of caspase 3 inside treated HepG2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: The anticancer action of the GL extract was validated by the cell cycle study of its glucosinolates, which successfully promoted apoptosis and reduced hepatocellular growth by causing S-phase arrest.

Efficacy of ascorbic acid and different sources of orange peel on growth performance, gene expression, anti-oxidant status and microbial activity of growing rabbits under hot conditions.

Orange peel and its extract are good sources of phenols and vitamin C that can be used as powerful antioxidants and antibacterial. The effects of dietary ascorbic acid (AA), orange peel powder (OPP) and orange peel extract (OPE) supplementations on growth performance, blood biochemicals, gene expression and antioxidant status of growing rabbits under hot conditions were investigated. A total of 80 weaned Giant Flander male rabbits, five weeks old (606.25 ± 10.08 g), were randomly assigned to four groups. The first group received untreated diet (control group). The other groups received diets supplemented with 0.5 g AA/kg diet, 2% OPP and 500 mg OPE/kg diet. The lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded by rabbits consumed diet supplemented with AA. Supplementations of OPP and OPE reduced blood plasma total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and very-low density lipoprotein concentrations. The tested diets reduced triglycerides, total lipids, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde levels, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli of the rabbits cecum. Supplementation of OPE improved activities of superoxide dismutase gene (6.1475) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (9.2108). Conclusively, dietary supplementation of OPE improved rabbit performance through improving antioxidant enzyme activities as well as upregulation of insulin-like growth gene. Additionally, OPP and OPE (2% and 500 mg/kg diet, respectively) had antibacterial effects for growing rabbits under hot conditions.

Tracking the distribution, genetic diversity and lineage of Brucella melitensis recovered from humans and animals in Egypt based on core-genome SNP analysis and in silico MLVA-16.

Brucellosis is one of the most common neglected zoonotic diseases globally, with a public health significance and a high economic loss in the livestock industry caused by the bacteria of the genus Brucella. In this study, 136 Egyptian Brucella melitensis strains isolated from animals and humans between 2001 and 2020 were analysed by examining the whole-core-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (cgSNP) in comparison to the in silico multilocus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA-16). Almost all Egyptian isolates were belonging to the West Mediterranean clade, except two isolates from buffalo and camel were belonging to the American and East Mediterranean clades, respectively. A significant correlation between the human case of brucellosis and the possible source of infection from animals was found. It seems that several outbreak strains already existing for many years have been spread over long distances and between many governorates. The cgSNP analysis, in combination with epidemiological metadata, allows a better differentiation than the MLVA-16 genotyping method and, hence, the source definition and tracking of outbreak strains. The MLVA based on the currently used 16 markers is not suitable for this task. Our results revealed 99 different cgSNP genotypes with many different outbreak strains, both older and widely distributed ones and rather newly introduced ones as well. This indicates several different incidents and sources of infections, probably by imported animals from other countries to Egypt. Comparing our panel of isolates to public databases by cgSNP analysis, the results revealed near relatives from Italy. Moreover, near relatives from the United States, France, Austria and India were found by in silico MLVA.

The effect of stone size on the results of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy versus semi-rigid ureteroscopic lithotripsy in the management of upper ureteric stones.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of stone size on the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy vs ureteroscopy (URS) for managing upper ureteric stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study design was a randomised prospective study of a total cohort of 180 patients with upper ureteric single stones of 0.5-1.5 cm. Half of the patients were managed by ESWL monotherapy, while the other half underwent URS with stone fragmentation using an ultrasound lithotripter (URSL). The success rate, re-treatment rate, auxiliary procedure (AP) rate, efficacy quotient, and complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After single URSL and ESWL procedures 70/90 (77.8%) and 35/90 (38.9%) of the stones were successfully cleared, respectively (P < 0.001). The re-treatment rate after ESWL was significantly higher than in the URSL group (38.9% vs 11.1%, P < 0.001). Requiring an AP was not significantly different following ESWL (22.2%) and URSL (24.4%) treatment. The overall stone-free rate (SFR) at 3 months was significantly superior in the URSL group (88.9% vs 77.8%); however, both procedures had excellent results with no significant difference for stones of <1 cm (95.5% vs 92.9%, P > 0.05), compared to better results following URSL for stones of >1 cm (82.6% vs 64.6%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our present study supports that ESWL is recommended as a first-line non-invasive monotherapy for upper ureteric opaque stones of <1 cm, while URSL is recommended as a first-line treatment for stones of >1 cm. The results for URSL were superior with lower a re-treatment rate, rapid stone clearance in a very short time, and less radiation exposure. Therefore, stone size is an important factor for the final decision of the initial management of upper ureteric stones because it has a direct relation to the efficacy of ESWL, but it has no effect on the results of URSL.

Role of SCN2A c.56G/A Gene Polymorphism in Egyptian Children with Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizure Plus.

BACKGROUND: Febrile Seizures (FS) are the most common seizures in children younger than 5 years. In the last decade, various coding and noncoding sequence variations of voltage-gated sodium channels SCN2A have been identified in patients with seizures, implying their genetic base. We aimed to evaluate the association between SCN2A c. G/A genetic polymorphism among Egyptian children with febrile seizure plus. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 epileptic infants and children, attendants of the Neurology Unit, pediatric department, Menoufia University Hospitals (Group Ι). The patients were sub-classified into two groups, according to response to anti-epileptic treatment; Group Ι a (drug responder) and Group Ι b (drug-resistant). Evenly divided number of apparently healthy, age and gender-matched children were selected as controls (Group II). A complete history, throughout the systemic examination and radiological & metabolic assessment, whenever needed was provided, all participants were genotyped for SCN2A rs17183814 polymorphism by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: Both of A allele and AA, GA genotypes of SCN2A c. 56 G/A were detected more in patients with febrile seizure plus comparison to the control group with a statistically significant difference at frequencies of 17% and 11% and 12% respectively; OR (CI95%): 10.04 (3.49-28.87) and p <0.001. On classifying epileptic patients into 2 subgroups, carriers of SCN2A rs17183814 AA genotype tended to respond poorly to Anti-epileptic Drugs (AEDs). Moreover, multivariate analysis revealed that rs17183814 A allele and positive family history of epilepsy were considered the highest predicted risk factors for the development of epilepsy; p<0.05. CONCLUSION: SCN2A rs17183814 (A) allele was specifically associated with developing febrile seizure plus and could modulate the patient's response to anti-epileptic medications.

Tracking the Distribution of Brucella abortus in Egypt Based on Core Genome SNP Analysis and In Silico MLVA-16.

Brucellosis, caused by the bacteria of the genus Brucella, is one of the most neglected common zoonotic diseases globally with a public health significance and a high economic loss among the livestock industry worldwide. Since little is known about the distribution of B. abortus in Egypt, a total of 46 B. abortus isolates recovered between 2012-2020, plus one animal isolate from 2006, were analyzed by examining the whole core genome single nucleotide polymorphism (cgSNP) in comparison to the in silico multilocus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). Both cgSNP analysis and MLVA revealed three clusters and one isolate only was distantly related to the others. One cluster identified a rather widely distributed outbreak strain which is repeatedly occurring for at least 16 years with marginal deviations in cgSNP analysis. The other cluster of isolates represents a rather newly introduced outbreak strain. A separate cluster comprised RB51 vaccine related strains, isolated from aborted material. The comparison with MLVA data sets from public databases reveals one near relative from Argentina to the oldest outbreak strain and a related strain from Spain to a newly introduced outbreak strain in Egypt. The distantly related isolate matches with a strain from Portugal in the MLVA profile. Based on cgSNP analysis the oldest outbreak strain clusters with strains from the UK. Compared to the in silico analysis of MLVA, cgSNP analysis using WGS data provides a much higher resolution of genotypes and, when correlated to the associated epidemiological metadata, cgSNP analysis allows the differentiation of outbreaks by defining different outbreak strains. In this respect, MLVA data are error-prone and can lead to incorrect interpretations of outbreak events.

Genetic Variability of the Paired Box Transcription Factor; PAX8 Gene: Guidance Towards Treatment Strategies in a Cohort of Congenital Hypothyroidism.

The contribution of PAX8 genetic variants to congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is not well understood. We aimed to study the genetic variability of exons 3 and 5 of PAX8 gene among a cohort of children with congenital hypothyroidism in correspondence to their clinical aspect. Blood samples were collected from 117 children (63 girls and 54 boys) with CH and enrolled as cases (Group I). All cases underwent biochemical confirmation with low FT4 and high TSH levels and thyroid gland imaging, along with equal number of matched apparently healthy individuals who served as controls (Group II). Genomic materials for exons 3 and 5 of PAX8 gene were extracted, amplified by PCR, detected by electrophoresis, purified, and sequenced by the Sanger technique through the application of ABI 3730x1 DNA Sequencer. Out of 117 cases, eight different effective PAX8 mutations were detected in exon 3 (G23D, V35I, I34T, Q40P, p.R31C, p.R31H, p.R31A, and p.I47T) in 14 patients with their sonographic findings ranged from normal, hypoplastic to thyroid agenesis. Besides the reported mutations, one novel mutation; R31A was detected in 1 euotopic case. Exon 5 analysis revealed no detected mutations elsewhere. In contrast, all healthy control children showed no mutation and normal sonographic findings. Mutations in exon 3 of PAX8 gene, implies its important role in thyroid development and function, as a first estimate of PA8 mutation rate in Egyptian patients with CH having normal and dysgenetic gland. Using ultrasound is mandatory for diagnosis and guiding the treatment of children with CH.

Detection of harmful foodborne pathogens in food samples at the points of sale by MALDT-TOF MS in Egypt.

OBJECTIVES: Microbes can contaminate foodstuffs resulting in foodborne illnesses. Investigating microbial hazards in foods at the point of sale with rapid tools is required to avoid foodborne illness outbreaks. The current study aimed to identify the microbial hazards in food samples collected from retail shops at sale points using MALDI-TOF MS. RESULTS: Food samples were collected from stores and supermarkets in four Delta cities (Tanta, Kutour, Kafr-Elzayat and Benha). Analysis of 178 samples of fish, meat and dairy products revealed 20 different bacterial species. 44.76% of isolates were identified as E. coli, 17.44% were identified as Enterobacter spp., and E. cloacae was predominant. 12.2% were identified as Citrobacter spp., and C. braakii was predominant, and 8.7% were identified as Klebsiella spp., and K. pneumoniae was predominant. Moreover, eight Proteus mirabilis, six Morganella morganii, five Staphylococcus hominis, three Serratia marcescens, two Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one Salmonella typhimurium and one Enterococcus faecalis were detected. Foodstuffs not only be contaminated during production and processing but also during storage and transport. Identification of harmful human pathogens in foodstuffs is alarming and consider threatening to public health. Identification of microbiological hazards in foods using MALDI-TOF MS provides an efficient tool for identifying foodborne pathogens.

Structural Retinal Assessment Using Optical Coherence Tomography and Fundus Fluorescein Angiography in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients.

BACKGROUND: Ocular manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be the presenting symptom of the disease or a sight-threatening complication. OBJECTIVES: To detect different structural retinal changes in patients with SLE who had no ophthalmological symptoms and investigate the relationship between different retinal changes and the disease activity assessed by the Systemic Lupus Erythromatosus Disease Activity Index score. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive pilot study from January 2016 to January 2017. METHODS: Fifty-two eyes of 26 patients diagnosed to have SLE were examined using visual acuity assessment, fundus examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). RESULTS: Fundus fluorescein angiography showed different changes in the form of venular occlusion and optic nerve leakage. There were also degenerative changes in the form of alternating hyperfluorescent and hypofluorescent areas outside the arcades as well as peripapillary areas and capillary dropout. Optical coherence tomography detected signs of degenerative thinning, incomplete posterior vitreous detachment, and epiretinal membrane. A significant correlation was found between SLE activity and the changes detected by FFA (p = 0.017). However, there was no significant correlation between disease activity and changes detected by OCT. Optical coherence tomography changes were significantly correlated with the duration of hydroxychloroquine use of more than 5 years (p = 0.032). There was no correlation between FFA or OCT changes and proteinuria or antiphospholipid antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Fundus fluorescein angiography is more sensitive in detecting early subclinical retinal changes in patients with SLE, which correlates with disease activity, whereas OCT is more sensitive in detecting changes resulting from hydroxychloroquine use.

Efficacy and safety of mirabegron versus solifenacin as additional therapy for persistent OAB symptoms after tamsulosin monotherapy in men with probable BPO.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of mirabegron versus solifenacin as add-on for persistent OAB symptoms after tamsulosin monotherapy in men with probable BPO. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective randomized single-blind study was conducted on patients with persistent OAB symptoms after at least 12 weeks of tamsulosin 0.4 mg. The patients were randomized into group A in which mirabegron (50 mg once daily) was added and group B in which solifenacin (5 mg once daily) was added. Before and 12 weeks after addition of either drugs, we assessed the efficacy of the treatment using the OABSS, IPSS, Q max, MVV/mic and PVR. RESULTS: Ninety two men were included in this study (46 patients in each group). All the study parameters were significantly improved after the 12-week treatment period in both groups except mean PVR which showed non-significant change in group A and a significant change in group B despite of being clinically irrelevant with only one case of acute urine retention. Overall, no significant difference has been observed between both groups after 12 weeks of treatment regarding all studied parameters except PVR. The incidence of side effects in group A was 10.9% versus 26.1% in group B. Main side effects included dry mouth in 2.2% and 8.7% and constipation in 2.2% and 6.5% in group A and B, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the addition of either mirabegron or solifenacin to patients with persistent OAB symptoms after tamsulosin monotherapy has significant efficacy in controlling these symptoms. The adequate balance between efficacy and tolerability reported in this study with mirabegron may result in better QOL and overall patient satisfaction if compared with antimuscarinics.

MLVA-16 Genotyping of Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis Isolates from Different Animal Species in Egypt: Geographical Relatedness and the Mediterranean Lineage.

Brucellosis is a common zoonotic disease in Egypt. However, there are limited data available on the genetic diversity of brucellae circulating in Egypt and other Mediterranean areas. One hundred and nine Brucella (B.) strains were isolated from different animal species in thirteen Egyptian governorates. Multi-locus variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) analysis (MLVA-16) was employed to determine the geographical relatedness and the genetic diversity of a panel of selected Egyptian strains (n = 69), with strains originating from Italy (n = 49), Portugal (n = 52), Greece (n = 63), and Tunisia (n = 4). Egyptian B. melitensis strains clustered into two main clusters containing 21 genotypes. Egyptian B. abortus strains clustered into three main clusters containing nine genotypes. The genotypes were irregularly distributed over time and space in the study area. Egyptian strains of B. melitensis showed MLVA-16 patterns closer to that of Italian strains. Egyptian B. abortus strains isolated from cattle share the same genotype with strains from Portugal and similar to strains from Italy with low genetic diversity. Strains with similar MLVA patterns isolated from different governorates highlight the movement of the pathogen among governorates. Hence, it may also reflect the long endemicity of brucellosis in Egypt with earlier dispersal of types and great local genetic diversity. Open markets may contribute to cross-species transmission and dissemination of the new types nationwide. The presence of West Mediterranean lineages of B. melitensis and relatedness of B. abortus strains from the studied countries is a result of the socio-historical connections among the Mediterranean countries. Transnational eradication of brucellosis in the Mediterranean basin is highly demanded.

Cryopreservation of shoot apices and callus cultures of globe artichoke using vitrification method.

BACKGROUND: Cryogenic cooling became a crucial tool for the storage of heterozygous plants such as globe artichoke. This study was carried out to optimize a reliable method for in vitro cryopreservation of shoot apices and callus cultures of globe artichoke using dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and Plant Vitrification Solutions 2 (PVS2) as cryoprotectant solutions. Shoot apices were exposed to DMSO or PVS2 for 20, 40, 60, and 80 min prior to plunge in liquid nitrogen (LN). RESULTS: It was found that using PVS2 as a cryoprotectant in cryopreservation of shoot apices of globe artichoke was more effective compared with using of DMSO alone. Among the exposure time tested, 60 min gave the best results of survival. The highest survival (60%), regeneration (56%), and proliferated shootlets (4.30) were obtained after cryoprotection with PVS2 for 60 min. Regarding callus cultures, the maximum values of fresh weights and subsequently growth value of recovered callus were registered with 40 min followed by 60 min exposure time. Related to the type of the tested cryoprotectants, the best survival and growth parameters of the cryopreserved callus cultures were obtained with PVS2 treatments. Treatment with PVS2 for 40 min registered the highest survival observations of cryopreserved callus. Also, the maximum values of fresh weight (1.30 g) and growth value (4.20) were obtained with 40 min exposure time. Microscopy analysis presented as cell morphology revealed that the treatment of PVS2 40% was the optimum for cell growth of cryopreserved callus of globe artichoke. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that using PVS2 as a cryoprotectant in cryopreservation of shoot apices and callus cultures of globe artichoke was more effective compared with DMSO.

IL-1ß-31/IL1-RA genetic markers association with idiopathic generalized epilepsy and treatment response in a cohort of Egyptian population.

Background: Neuroinflammation is an important feature of epileptogenesis.Objectives: To investigate the association of Interleukin-1beta-31 (IL-1ß-31) and Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1-RA) genetic polymorphisms with idiopathic generalized epilepsy and demonstrate their influence on drug resistance in children.Materials and Methods: One hundred children with idiopathic generalized epilepsy were age and gender-matched with apparently healthy controls. Both groups were genotyped for IL-1ß-31, and IL1-RA gene variants, analysis of these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was done through restriction digestion of the corresponding polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay.Results: Genotype frequency of rs1143627 TT of IL-1ß-31 and the homozygous IL1RN*I were found to be more prevalent in epileptic patients (p < .05, OR 0.12 and 5.27respectively). Also observed, T allele of IL-1ß-31 and IL1-RAI/I were substantially positively correlated with drug resistance against those who responded well to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).Conclusions: The significant association with IL-1ß-31T and IL1-RAN*I alleles potentiated their useful role as predictive markers for the development of epilepsy and response to medical therapy.

Nutrigenomic effect of conjugated linoleic acid on growth and meat quality indices of growing rabbit.

Conjugated linoleic acid was detected in rabbit caecotrophs, due to the presence of microbial lipid activity in rabbit cecum. However, the effect of CLA as a functional food in growing rabbit is not well established. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effect of CLA on production, meat quality, and its nutrigenomic effect on edible parts of rabbit carcass including skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. Therefore, seventy five weaned V-Line male rabbits, 30 days old, were randomly allocated into three dietary treatments receiving either basal control diet, diet supplemented with 0.5% (CLAL), or 1% CLA (CLAH). Total experimental period (63 d) was segmented into 7 days adaptation and 56 days experimental period. Dietary supplementation of CLA did not alter growth performance, however, the fat percentage of longissimus lumborum muscle was decreased, with an increase in protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) percentage. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) and mono unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were not increased in CLA treated groups. There was tissue specific sensing of CLA, since subcutaneous adipose tissue gene expression of PPARA was downregulated, however, CPT1A tended to be upregulated in liver of CLAL group only (P = 0.09). In skeletal muscle, FASN and PPARG were upregulated in CLAH group only (P ≤0.01). Marked cytoplasmic vacuolation was noticed in liver of CLAH group without altering hepatocyte structure. Adipocyte size was decreased in CLA fed groups, in a dose dependent manner (P <0.01). Cell proliferation determined by PCNA was lower (P <0.01) in adipose tissue of CLA groups. Our data indicate that dietary supplementation of CLA (c9,t11-CLA and t10,c12- CLA) at a dose of 0.5% in growing rabbit diet produce rabbit meat rich in PUFA and lower fat % without altering growth performance and hepatocyte structure.

Management of 'forgotten' encrusted JJ stents using extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy: A single-centre experience.

Objective: To evaluate the role of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) for the management of 'forgotten' encrusted stents. Patients and Method: This is a retrospective study of 133 patients with forgotten JJ stents, treated between January 2015 and January 2018. Encrustation was mainly found in the renal coil of the stent with distal concomitant encrustation in the vesical and/or ureteric segment. After laboratory and radiological assessment, treatment started with ESWL for the renal encrustation before successful extraction. Auxiliary endourological procedures were used for the encrusted vesical or ureteric segments. Failed cases underwent open surgery. Results: The mean (SD; range) JJ stent indwelling time was 25.84 (10; 14-70) months. In all, 96 (72.2%) patients were seen after treatment for stone disease. In total, 94 patients (70.7%) were managed by ESWL monotherapy, whilst in 36 (27%) additional endourological procedures were required before successful extraction including: cystolithotripsy 19 patients (52.8%), ureteroscopic lithotripsy eight (22.2%), and percutaneous nephrolithotomy nine (25%). Open surgery was required in only three patients (2.3%). A mean of 0.28 procedures per patient was required before smooth stent extraction. The encrusted stents were removed after the first, second, third, and fourth ESWL sessions in 44 patients (33.1%), 43 (32.3%), 26 (19.5%), and 17 (12.8%), respectively. Patients with forgotten indwelling JJ stents for >2 years had significantly larger and harder encrustation at both JJ coils. Conclusion: ESWL proved a feasible first-line treatment for forgotten encrusted JJ stents. The indwelling time of forgotten stents in the urinary tract is associated with greater encrustation burden, density and multiple sites of encrustation. Abbreviations: CLT: cystolithotripsy; ESWL: extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy; HU: Hounsfield unit; KUB: plain abdominal radiograph of the kidneys, ureters and bladder; PCNL: percutaneous nephrolithotomy; URL: ureteroscopic lithotripsy.

Chicken anaemia virus enhances and prolongs subsequent avian influenza (H9N2) and infectious bronchitis viral infections.

Immunosuppressive viral diseases have a great economic importance in the poultry industry due to the increased susceptibility to secondary infections. Chicken anaemia virus (CAV) is one of the major immunosuppressive diseases in chickens. In addition, low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) of subtype H9N2 and infectious bronchitis (IB) viruses are among the most frequently reported respiratory viral diseases in poultry worldwide. In the present study, specific pathogen free chickens were used to understand the impact of CAV on secondary infection with LPAI-H9N2 or IB viruses. Clinical outcomes, viral shedding dynamics, and cytokine levels wereassessed. The results exhibit that chickens previously infected with CAV produceconsiderablyhigher titresof LPAI-H9N2 or IB viruses in the oropharyngeal swabs (P < 0.05), tracheas and kidneys. In addition, the immunologic effect of CAV provokedthe development of clinical signs of LPAI-H9N2 and IB virus infections. Moreover, results suggested that pre-infection with CAV directly correlated with elevated levels of IL-6 and IFNγ. These findings underline the importance of CAV pre-infection on LPAI-H9N2 or IB infection in chickens, and indicate that co-circulation of CAV can contribute to the spread and evolution of LPAI H9N2 and IB viruses.

Outcome of Modification of Dose and Time of Administration of Tamsulosin in Men with Abnormal Ejaculation.

INTRODUCTION: Alpha-adrenergic blockers are now the cornerstone medication in management of lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS); however, the associated treatment-related abnormal ejaculation could be a bothersome event. This is a comparative study among different methods of tamsulosin administration in terms of efficacy, recoverability of ejaculatory function, and quality of life (QoL) in men with tamsulosin-related abnormal ejaculation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sexually active men receiving tamsulosin for LUTS who were bothered by treatment-related abnormal ejaculation following initiation of tamsulosin were randomized into 3 groups; group A received intermittent-full-standard-dose, group B received low-dose-tamsulosin, and group C received full-standard-dose tamsulosin The status of ejaculatory function, IPSS, QoL score, and Q-Max were measured at baseline and 3 months later. RESULTS: A total of 93 men with mean age of 53.1 years were included in the study, 3-months after randomization, statistically significant improvements in IPSS, QoL index, and Q-Max in comparison to pre-treatment levels were noted. Restoration of normal ejaculation was reported by 74.1 and 90.3% of patients in group A and B, respectively, versus none in group C. The QoL score was significant when comparing group A to the other groups; finally, the Q-Max was significant when comparing group C to the other groups. CONCLUSION: For patients bothered by tamsulosin-related abnormal ejaculation, a significant improvement in the QoL, without deviation from the therapeutic purpose of treatment, can be achieved by administration of 0.4 mg tamsulosin every other day.