Parasitological and biochemical parameters in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice treated with methanol extract from the plants Chenopodium ambrosioides, Conyza dioscorides and Sesbania sesban.

This study aims to detect the antischistosomal properties of the plants' Chenopodium ambrosioides, Conyza dioscorides and Sesbania sesban methanol extract against Schistosoma mansoni in infected mice, including determination of total protein and albumin levels and the activities of alanine and aspartate transaminases (AlT, AsT) and acid and alkaline phosphatases (AcP and AkP) enzymes in the serum of infected treated mice. Male Swiss albino mice were infected with S. mansoni and orally treated with methanol extract of the plants C. ambrosioides (1250 mg/kg/day), C. dioscorides and S. sesban (1000 mg/kg/day from each) for 2 consecutive days 7 weeks post infection (PI). In addition, treatment of mice with the tested dose of each plant extract was successively done (i.e. the 1st extract followed by the 2nd and 3rd one with an hour interval). Parasitological and biochemical parameters were assessed. Nine weeks PI, the reduction rates of worm load/mouse treated with either C. dioscorides (1000 mg/kg), C. ambrosioides (1250 mg/kg) or S. sesban (1000 mg/kg) were 40.9%, 53.7% and 54.4%, respectively. Successive treatment raised the reduction rates of worm load/mouse to 66.3% and the ova/g tissue in liver to 76.9%. Moreover, serum total protein and albumin levels and activities of AlT, Ast, AcP and AkP enzymes of infected treated mice were improved in comparison with those of infected untreated ones. It is concluded that administration of C. dioscorides, C. ambrosioides and S. sesban methanol extract to infected mice exhibited a moderate antischistosomal effect. Successive treatment improved the antischistosomal properties of these plant species, hence ameliorated the liver functions of treated mice that may suggest degenerations of liver granulomas and regenerative changes.

Determinants of maternal adaptation to mentally disabled children in El Minia, Egypt.

This study was carried out in a governmental school for mentally disabled children in El Minia. We assessed maternal adaptation and the relationship between maternal sociodemographic factors and adaptation as well as examining maternal distress. All 100 mothers with children aged 6-18 years attending the school were recruited in the study. Three tools were used: demographic data sheet, adaptation scale to assess the nature of mothers' interaction and patterns of psychosocial adaptation and depression scale to detect the presence of psychiatric disorders among the mothers. Only 35.0% of the mothers adapted positively to their child's condition; 62.9% of those had female children. Negatively adapted mothers were slightly older than positively adapted mothers and had more children. Maternal education and occupation were significantly associated with psychosocial adaptation. Knowledge of mothers about their child's condition significantly affected adaptation as well as the dependency of children in eating, drinking and sleeping. Two-thirds of mothers had high levels of psychopathology.

Determinants of maternal adaptation to mentally disabled children in El Minia, Egypt

This study was carried out in a governmental school for mentally disabled children in El Minia. We assessed maternal adaptation and the relationship between maternal sociodemographic factors and adaptation as well as examining maternal distress. All 100 mothers with children aged 6-18 years attending the school were recruited in the study. Three tools were used: demographic data sheet, adaptation scale to assess the nature of mothers' interaction and patterns of psychosocial adaptation and depression scale to detect the presence of psychiatric disorders among the mothers. Only 35.0% of the mothers adapted positively to their child's condition; 62.9% of those had female children. Negatively adapted mothers were slightly older than positively adapted mothers and had more children. Maternal education and occupation were significantly associated with psychosocial adaptation. Knowledge of mothers about their child's condition significantly affected adaptation as well as the dependency of children in eating, drinking and sleeping. Two-thirds of mothers had high levels of psychopathology

Change in intra-abdominal adipose tissue volume during weight loss in obese men and women: correlation between magnetic resonance imaging and anthropometric measurements.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the changes in intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT) measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with changes in central abdominal fat (CAF) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and anthropometric measurements in obese subjects before and after a weight loss programme. DESIGN: Longitudinal, clinical intervention study of a 600 kcal/day deficit diet with 10 mg/day sibutramine per day for six months. SUBJECTS: Nineteen women (age: 42+/-8.7 y, BMI: 33.3+/-1.9 kg/m2) and 17 men (age: 41.8+/-5.3 y, BMI: 32.6+/-2.4 kg/m2). MEASUREMENTS: MRI was used to measure the effect of weight loss on IAAT. Changes in IAAT were compared with changes in CAF by DXA and anthropometry. RESULTS: The percentage of changes in IAAT was greater than that in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT) in both women and men (P<0.01). Changes in IAAT were significantly correlated with changes in weight and BMI in both women and men. In women and not in men, changes in CAF by DXA, waist circumference and WHR were also significantly correlated with the changes in IAAT. CONCLUSION: Estimation of the change in IAAT was better in obese women than obese men. In both sexes the changes in weight and BMI had the highest correlation coefficients with the change in IAAT.

Usefulness of anthropometry and DXA in predicting intra-abdominal fat in obese men and women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the usefulness of anthropometry and DXA in predicting intra-abdominal fat (IAF) in obese men and women. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Observational, cross sectional study of 22 women and 18 men with a body mass index of 30 or above. IAF from 20 cm above and 10 cm below the L4 to L5 intervertebral disc was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a reference method. Central abdominal fat was measured from the upper border of L2 to the lower border of L4 by DXA. Waist and hip circumferences were also measured. RESULTS: In obese women DXA, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio were equally well correlated with IAF (r = 0.74, 0.75, and 0.70, respectively). In obese men DXA was moderately correlated with IAF measured by MRI (r = 0.46), whereas waist circumference and waist-hip ratio were not significantly correlated with IAF. DISCUSSION: The prediction of IAF in obese subjects was highly dependent on sex more than in non-obese persons. Anthropometry and DXA were equally useful in obese women, whereas anthropometry had no predictive power and DXA was the only acceptable predictor of IAF in obese men.

Measurement of abdominal fat by magnetic resonance imaging, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and anthropometry in non-obese men and women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was a better predictor of abdominal fat, measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the level of L2-L3, than anthropometric measurements in non-obese men and non-obese women. DESIGN: Observational, cross sectional study. SUBJECTS: 34 healthy subjects (17 men and 17 women) aged 20-53 y with a body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2. MEASUREMENTS: Fat distribution parameters including waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR); intra abdominal fat (IAF) by MRI; and central abdominal fat (CAF) by DEXA. RESULTS: Measurement of IAF by MRI, was highly correlated to the CAF measured by DEXA. In men, both waist circumference and WHR had similar correlation to IAF as DEXA. In women, waist circumference was less well correlated with IAF than DEXA, and the WHR had a weaker non significant correlation with IAF. CONCLUSIONS: In non-obese men; DEXA, waist circumference and WHR can predict IAF equally well, while in non-obese women, DEXA is superior to waist circumference and much better than WHR.

A survey of gregarines associated with Tenebrio molitor and Opatriodes vicinus in the central region of Saudi Arabia.

The present work recorded five species of septate gregarines in the intestine of two species of insects they were: Gregarina polymorpha (Hamm.), in the gut of Tenebrio molitor (L.), percentage of infection 100%, with a density of 2-6 and G. cuneata (Stein), in the gut of T. molitor (L.), percentage of infection 100% with a density of 15-17; Hirmocystis harpali (Watson), in the mid gut of Opatriodes vicinus (Fairmaire), percentage of infection 34%, with a density of 19-28 and Leidyana sp., in the mid gut of O. vicinus percentage of infection 17%, with a density of 2-11 and Spharorynchus chabaudi percentage of infection 33% with a density of 100-180 in an infected insect. Members of genus Gregarina are considered to be coccidian and malarial organisms, however, till now gregarines cause little or no damage to their hosts.

Comparative studies on the production of invasive larvae of Steinernema feltiae Filipjev nematodes within insect host.

A comparative study has been made on the production of invasive larvae of Steinernema feltiae Filipjev within the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis Boisduval and house fly Musca domestica Linnaeus. The results indicated that there is a positive correlation between the reproductive rate of invasive larvae and the initial dosages, host species and host stages. The reproductive rate of invasive larvae of Steinernema feltiae in Spodoptera littoralis imagos and caterpillars was higher than in M. domestica. At the pupal stages of M. domestica, no reproduction was obtained. Pupae were refractory to parasitism presumably owing to the effective protection afforded by the puparium. S. feltiae would be better adopted to live in S. littoralis than in M. domestica.

Effect of Crytocotyle lingua on the ionic concentration of Littorina obstusata (L.).

The concentration of Sodium, Potassium and Calcium ions (the most important inorganic ions in the body fluid) were determined in both parasitized and uninfected Littorina obtusata (L.). The ionic concentrations were determined using a Pye Unicam SP atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Sodium and calcium were determined using the absorption mode while, potassium concentration was measured in the emission mode using special Potassium filter. The results reveals, no significant difference in the concentration of Na+, K+ and Ca++ between parasitized and uninfected L. obtusata. It seems that although the presence of the parasite within the molluscan hosts caused dramatic effects in the tissue and physiology of the snail, the blood ionic concentration of parasitized snail remains isosmotic to that of the surrounding medium.

A general survey of ciliates associated with Periplaneta americana (L.) in the Central Region of Saudi Arabia.

The aim of this work is to identify and classify different species of ciliates which live in the alimentary canal of Periplaneta americana (L.) in the Central Region of Saudi Arabia. This insect was chosen because of the direct and indirect relationship to man. Identification of ciliates that live in the alimentary canal of this insect may be useful in the future for eradication of insects probably by making an epidemic among such insects.

Steinernema parasitism of larvae of the house fly Musca domestica Linneous.

The histopathological effect of different dosages 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 of Steinernema feltiae Filipjev larvae on the larval tissues of Musca domestica Linneous has been studied. It was found that S. feltiae nematodes invade the fat tissue, gut, cuticle and muscle tissue of the host. All of these tissues, along with the gut epithelium, show signs of disintegration before death of the host. The tissue of the gut and the fat body are the most severely damaged by the presence of S. feltae. The destructive damages described in this investigation depend mainly upon the time and the intensity of infection.

Comparative studies on the development of the entomogenous nematodes Steinernema feltiae Filipjev on Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) and Musca domestica Linneous.

Comparative studies were made at 26 degrees C under laboratory conditions on the development of Steinernema feltiae Filipjev (= Neoaplectana carpocapsae) on the different stages of Spodoptera littoralis (Biosduval) and Musca domestica (Linneous). In the present investigation the host species influence manifested itself, in a quicker development rate along with the cotton leafworm S. littoralis. Particular development stages took place earlier in the S. littoralis than in M. domestica. As far as the occurrence dates of particular stages of S. feltiae were concerned, the differences in relation to the two host species were significant. The changes in numbers of giant forms in the development course of populations in the caterpillars, pupae and imagos body of both species were studied. The numbers of giant forms correspond with the numbers of invasive larvae, it seems that at first they are growing and then decreasing.

First record of Planorbis planorbis (Linnaeus) naturally infected with Xiphidiocercariae from Derna, Libya.

A review of the literature shows that the fresh water snail Planorbis planorbis (Mollusca: Gastropoda) infected with Xiphidiocercariae has never been recorded in Derna, Libya. In the present paper the first record is made from Wadi Derna (= Darnah), East coast of Libya. The snail harbour Xiphidiocercariae, the percentage of infection during May, 1989, was found to be 7.3%. Morphological description of the snail Planorbis planorbis, Xiphidiocercariae is given in the present investigation. The snail possibly acts as an intermediate host of trematode species in Libya. Further studies are needed to investigate and to observe the exact type of trematode in which the fresh water snail P. planorbis acts as an intermediate host in the life-cycle and to determine the definitive host in Libya.

A study of the protozoa associated with some harmful insects in the local environment.

The present study includes finding resulting from examination of three species of harmful insects, Periplaneta americana, Schistocerca gregaria and Anacanthoterms ochraceus, collected from six cities in the Central Region of Saudi Arabia. Two species of septate gregarines of the genus Gregarina Dufor, were found G. blattarum (Siebold) from mid gut of P. americana and G. rigida from gut of S. gregaria, also six species of Mastigophora in gut of white ant A. ochraceus, Trichonympha campanula, Spirotrichonympha sp., Holomastigoides hartmanni, Rostronympha magna Monocercomonas axostylis and an unidentified species. The seasonal intensity of these Protozoa and percentage of infection together with informations about the holotype materials are included. At present the holotype materials are deposited at the department of Zoology, Girls College of Education, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Digyalum oweni, gen. nov., sp. nov., a new and unusual gregarin protozoan from the gut of mollusc Littorina obtusata (Prosobranchia: Gastropoda).

Digyalum oweni, gen. nov., sp. nov., is described from the gut of the gastropod mollusc Littorina obtusata. The gregarine has the unusual features of transverse orientation of the epicyte folds and two anterior pouch-like hollows.

The influence of infection with Steinernema feltiae Filipjev on the haemocyte picture of the cotton leaf worm (Spodoptera littoralis Boisduval).

Infection of Spodoptera littoralis Boisduval larvae with Steinernema feltiae Filipjev nematodes caused sharp variation in proportional percentages of differential haemocyte counts. The mean total haemocyte count per mm3 of haemolymph in control larae of S. littoralis was 6000 haemocyte mm3. After infection with 50, 100, 200 and 500 parasitic nematodes of S. feltiae, the mean total count was significantly increased to 17,250, 18,600, 21,000 and 24,000 haemocyte mm3 respectively.

The effect of xiphidiocercarial infection on the ventricular blood pressure of Lanistes carinatus.

Measurements of the blood pressure from within the ventricle of both uninfected Lanistes carinatus and those parasitized with xiphidiocercariae were made in order to determine whether the infection affects the circulatory pressure in L. carinatus. Using ink writing oscillograph (Washington 400 MD 2) the ventricular blood pressures were recorded for 22 uninfected specimens and 16 parasitized with xiphidiocercariae. Parasitized L. carcinatus show a significantly lower ventricular pressure than uninfected ones. The mean ventricular pulse pressure of uninfected snails was 7.79 cm of water compared with a mean of 5.76 cm of water for parasitized specimens.