Synergistic effect of green synthesis magnesium oxide nanoparticles and seaweed extract on improving water quality, health benefits, and disease resistance in Nile tilapia.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding liquid extract of algae (Hypnea musciformis, Grateloupia acuminata, and Sargassum muticum) (HGS) and Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) using this extract to rear water of Oreochromis niloticus, on improving culture water indices, growth performance, digestive enzyme, hemato-biochemical characters, immune, antioxidative responses, and resistance after challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila with specific refer to the potential role of the mixture in vitro as resistance against three strains bacteria (Aeromonas sobria, Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. aeruginosa) and one parasite (Cichlidogyrus tilapia). The first group represented control, HGS0, whereas the other group, HGS5, HGS10, and HGS15 mL-1 of liquid extract, as well as all groups with 7.5 µg mL-1 MgO-NPs added to culture water of O. niloticus, for 60 days. Data showed that increasing levels at HGS 10 and HGS15 mL-1 in to-culture water significantly enhanced growth-stimulating digestive enzyme activity and a significantly improved survival rate of O. niloticus after being challenged with A. hydrophila than in the control group. The total viability, coliform, fecal coliform count, and heavy metal in muscle partially decreased at HGS 10 and HGS15 mL-1 than in the control group. Correspondingly, the highest positive effect on hemato-biochemical indices was noticed at levels HGS 10 and HGS15 mL-1. Fish noticed an improvement in immune and antioxidant indices compared to control groups partially at HGS 10 and HGS15 mL-1. Interestingly, fish cultured in rearing water with the mixture provided downregulated the related inflammatory genes (HSP70, TNF, IL-1ß, and IL-8) partially at HGS15 mL-1. In vitro, the mixture showed positive efficiency as an antibacterial and partially antiparasitic at HGS 10 and HGS15 mL-1. This study proposes utilizing a mixture of (HGS) and (MgO-NPs) with optimum levels of 10-15 mL-1 in cultured water to improve water indices, growth, health status, and increased resistance of O. niloticus against bacterial and parasitic infection.

Effect of Sodium Azide on Yield and its Components in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

<b>Background and Objective:</b> The wheat crop is considered one of the most important crops globally, especially in Egypt. It has great nutritional importance, so it was necessary to increase productivity and any genetic improvement depends on the presence of many genetic differences so that breeders can achieve this. This study aimed to use chemical mutagenic (sodium azide) to obtain the desired genetic differences in two wheat cultivars. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Two types of bread Sids 12 and Giza 164 were treated with different concentrations of sodium azide (NaN₃) (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000 ppm). <b>Results:</b> The highest grain/plant 78.91 g was obtained from Sis12 and 62.96 g from Giza 164 compared to the control 42.57 and 40.24 g for Sids 12 and Giza 164, respectively. Also from the results obtained, the relationship of yield was positive and significant with both grain/spike, spikelet's no./spike spikes no./plant and height/plant. On the contrary, it was negative and significant with a 1000-grain weight (-0.433). <b>Conclusion:</b> The two treatments (1000 and 2000 ppm) were the best in the Sids 12, while (1000 and 5000 ppm) were the best treatments in the Giza 164.

Effect of Mutagens on Yield and its Components of Two Varieties of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.).

<b>Background and Objective:</b> It is known that any genetic improvement depends on the presence of many genetic variations so that the plant breeder can choose the desired traits such as the trait of the crop or resistance to some diseases. Different or it can be used for selection, whether for yield, early maturity or other characteristics. This study aimed to use gamma irradiation and the chemical mutagen Dimethyl sulfoxide for the induction of genetic variation in two types of beans. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The Giza 429 and Misr 1 genotypes were treated with three different concentrations of dimethyl sulfur oxide (1000, 2000 and 3000 ppm) and gamma radiation doses (10, 15 and 20 kr) to perform mutagenesis treatments. <b>Results:</b> In the first and second seasons of the study, all the mutations resulting from the radiological and chemical mutagenic treatments of the two Egyptian bean cultivars, Giza 429 and Misr 1, were highly significant for all treatments in the following traits: Number of branches/plant, plant height, number of pods/plant with the weight of 100 seeds (g) and seed yield/plant (g). <b>Conclusion:</b> The benefit of this research was obtained from plants that outperformed the two cultivars Giza 429 and Misr 1 and are considered among the promising plants that can be used in mixed breeding programs or direct selection for high productivity.

Effects of wastewater type on stability and operating conditions control strategy in relation to the formation of aerobic granular sludge - a review.

Currently, research trends on aerobic granular sludge (AGS) have integrated the operating conditions of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) towards the stability of AGS systems in various types of wastewater with different physical and biochemical characteristics. More attention is given to the stability of the AGS system for real site applications. Although recent studies have reported comprehensively the mechanism of AGS formation and stability in relation to other intermolecular interactions such as microbial distribution, shock loading and toxicity, standard operating condition control strategies for different types of wastewater have not yet been discussed. Thus, the dimensional multi-layer structural model of AGS is discussed comprehensively in the first part of this review paper, focusing on diameter size, thickness variability of each layer and diffusion factor. This can assist in facilitating the interrelation between disposition and stability of AGS structure to correspond to the changes in wastewater types, which is the main objective and novelty of this review.

Optimization of scanning time of 18F-FDG whole body PET/CT imaging in obese patients using quadratic dose protocol.

INTRODUCTION: 18F-FDG imaging of overweight and obese patients is often challenging due to higher scattering and attenuation. Degradation of positron emission tomography (PET) image quality as the body weight increases is best overcome by using the quadratic dose protocol. Previously the implementation of this protocol on a Bismuth Germanium Oxide (BGO) scintillation crystal-based PET/CT system at Institut Kanser Negara (IKN), Malaysia practices using the linear dose protocol (Tmin=2.5 minutes). Hence, this study aims to optimize the Tmin of the quadratic dose protocol for 18F-FDG PET/CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted based on the guideline published by the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) version 2.0 FDG-PET/CT and conducted in two phases. Firstly, 100 whole-body scan 18FFDG PET/CT images were selected for the average coefficient of variation (COV) analysis in the liver region. Second, a NEMA 2012/IEC2008 phantom was used to obtain the relationship between the COVphantom and the scanning time. Finally, the images acquired using the two Tmin were quantitatively compared using contrast recovery coefficient (QH), signal to noise ratio (SNR), and visibility (VH). Independent t-test between each image quality parameter performed with p-value <0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: The average COV of the liver was 17.7%. Currently, this value was clinically accepted to produce appropriate image quality at IKN. Interpolation at COV=17.7% gave a Tmin value of 2.9 minutes. Comparisons show that the two Tmin yielded equivalent PET/CT image quality (p-value of QH=0.774, SNR=0.780 and VH=0.915). CONCLUSION: The optimal Tmin defined in this study was 2.9 minutes, 27.6% shorter than the Tmin previously defined based on COV=15%. Despite the higher average COV, the shorter Tmin beneficial in the lower total 18F-FDG activity administered, reduce the internal dose to the patient while producing equivalent image quality.

[Try to achieve quickly the blood pressure target in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients is safe and effective]. / Tenter d'atteindre rapidement la cible tensionnelle chez les hypertendus nouvellement diagnostiqués est efficace et sans danger.

OBJECTIVES: To compare a so-called an "accelerated" antihypertensive strategy to a "standard" strategy, in terms of blood pressure control rates and adverse events. METHODS: Prospective open-label randomized controlled trial, which included consecutive hypertensive patients, newly diagnosed, 40 to 70 years old, with no prior antihypertensive treatment. Hypertension was diagnosed if office blood pressure was≥140/90mmHg, confirmed by an increase of Home or a daytime ambulatory blood pressure. The patients were randomly assigned according to 1:1 ratio to an "accelerated" strategy or to a "standard" strategy. The primary end-point was the rate of blood pressure control at 12weeks. The secondary end-point was the rate of adverse events (a safety end-point). RESULTS: We recruited 268 patients (132 in the "accelerated" strategy group), with a mean age of 55 years and 62% of men. The mean office blood pressure at baseline was 168/95mmHg. The clinical characteristics were on average similar between the 2 treatment groups. At 12 weeks, the rates of blood pressure control were 63.6% in the "accelerated" strategy and 38.2% in the "standard" strategy (P<0.001). There was no significantly difference between the rates of adverse events in the 2 strategies (6.06% versus 5.14%; P=0.8). CONCLUSION: The "accelerated" antihypertensive strategy was more effective than a standard one, in terms of blood pressure control, without an increase in adverse events rate. This could translate into a future cardiovascular events reduction.

The effectiveness of surgical interventions for women with FGM/C: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) changes normal genital functionality and can cause complications. There is an increasing demand for treatment of FGM/C-related complications. OBJECTIVES: We conducted a systematic review of empirical quantitative research on the outcomes of interventions for women with FGM/C-related complications. SEARCH STRATEGY: A search specialist searched 16 electronic databases. SELECTION CRITERIA: Selection was performed independently by two researchers. We accepted quantitative studies that examined the outcome of an intervention for an FGM/C-related concern. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We extracted data into a pre-designed form, calculated effect estimates, and performed meta-analyses. MAIN RESULTS: We included 62 studies (5829 women), which investigated the effect of defibulation, excision of cysts, and clitoral reconstruction. Meta-analyses of defibulation versus no defibulation showed a significantly lower risk of caesarean section (relative risk, RR: 0.33; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI: 0.25-0.45) and perineal tears with defibulation: second-degree tear (RR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.24-0.79), third-degree tear (RR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.05-0.94), fourth-degree tear (RR: 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01-0.41). The meta-analyses detected no significant differences in obstetric outcomes of antenatal versus intrapartum defibulation. Except for one study, none of the studies on the excision of cysts indicated any complications, and the results were deemed favourable. Reconstructive surgery resulted in a visible clitoris in about 77% of women. Most women self-reported improvements in their sexual life, but up to 22% experienced a worsening in sexuality-related outcomes after reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Women with FGM/C who seek therapeutic surgery should be informed about the scarcity of evidence for benefits and the potential harms of the available procedures. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Systematic review shows defibulation after FGM/C has obstetric benefits; effect of reconstruction is uncertain.

Depression and Associated Factors in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of major depressive disorder and its association with socio-demographic and clinical factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who attended the hospital-based primary care clinics at the University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The patients were interviewed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview to diagnose depression based on the DSM-IV criteria. The socio-demographic and clinical data were obtained by interviewing the patients and subsequently verified against their respective case notes. RESULTS: A total of 204 patients were recruited. The prevalence of major depressive disorder was 15.7%. Major depressive disorder was significantly associated with younger age of patients (mean ± standard deviation, 57.8 ± 15.1 years, p = 0.04), younger age at diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (46.2 ± 13.0 years, p = 0.01), having secondary education (p = 0.02), and having a history of depression (p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that current age (p = 0.04), duration of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.04), age at diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.01), and secondary education (p = 0.01) were significant factors. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of major depressive disorder was high among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Screening of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus for depression should be performed periodically or routinely, especially in the primary care setting.

A Sacral Mass in a Newborn: A Variant of Type II Diastematomyelia with Triple Splitting of the Cord.

Ultrasonographic (US) evaluation of spinal anomalies is limited. MRI is increasingly being used in the diagnosis of spinal anomalies. MRI has been able to show clearly the detailed anatomy of this rare case of type II diastematomyelia with triple splitting of the cord.

A correlation of symptomatology with nasal smear eosinophilia in non-infectious chronic rhinitis preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate subjective and objective clinical features with nasal smear cytology findings in noninfectious chronic rhinitis. DESIGN: An analysis of prospectively collected data of consecutive patients with non-infectious seasonal and perennial rhinosinusitis seen at a tertiary health institution. METHODOLOGY: Clinical assessments including Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scoring of presenting symptoms of 45 patients suffering from non-infectious chronic rhinosinusitis are measured. Subjects had a medical questionnaire regarding presence and duration of symptoms, family history of atopy or allergy, occupational exposure to allergens, provocative agents, and medication usages. Subjects had detail Ear, Nose, and Throat assessment, and nasal secretions were analyzed for eosinophils counts and statistically correlated with clinical parameter. RESULT: A total of 45 patients were recruited. Age range was 13 to 71 years (SD 11.516). 73% (n=33) were females while 27% (n=12) were males. The modal occupation was homemaking (24%, n=11). 38% (n=17) had family history of atopy, while 13% (n=6) had family history of allergy. Symptoms were perennial in 62% (n=28) and seasonal in 38% (n=17). 9% (n=4) of the subjects keep pets at home, while 40% (n=18) grow flowers or trees around the house. All subjects gave a history of identifiable provocative agents. There is positive correlation of itchy nose with total symptom score. There was negative history of occupational exposure to allergens in all subjects. The average subjective symptom score are Sneezing (6.3), Itchy nose (6.1), Nasal obstruction (6.2) and Runny nose (6.7). There is a high positive correlation of sneezing with runny nose (r = 0.51), but poor correlation with nasal obstruction (r = 0.15). There is negative correlation of total individual symptom score with keeping of pets (r = -0.24) or growing of flowers or trees around house (r = -0.039). There is also low correlation of total symptom score with family history of atopy (r = 0.06). There is positive correlation of total symptom score with number of provocative agents identified (r = 0.34). There is low positive correlation of nasal smear eosinophilia with total symptom score (r = 0.030) and itchy nose score (r = 0.038). Nasal smear eosinophilia show negative correlation with sneezing score (r= -0.076). CONCLUSION: The best predictors of nasal smear eosinophilia in non-infectious chronic rhinosinusitis are itchy nose score and Individual Total Symptom (ITS) score.

Cyclohexylammonium 2'-hydroxy-2-biphenyl phosphonate.

In the molecular structure of the title compound, C(6)H(14)N(+).C(12)H(10)O(4)P(-), three O atoms are bonded to phosphorus. The oxygen connected to the biphenoxy residue is not involved in hydrogen bonding; of the other two, one oxygen is involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonding to an N-H group as well as the O-H group of the biphenoxy residue, while the second oxygen is involved in hydrogen bonding to two N-H groups.

Temporal and geographical trends in indications for implantation of cardiac defibrillators in Europe 1993-1998. Medtronic ICD System Investigators.

Despite the demonstrated efficacy of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in reducing sudden and total mortality in selected populations, their implantation rates vary greatly between countries. The aim of our study was to analyze temporal and geographical trends in ICD implantations in countries with similar health related expenditure in Western Europe. A total of 2,257 patients from ten European evaluation studies of Medtronic defibrillators and defibrillation electrodes, conducted between 1993 and 1998, representing 12 countries, was included in this analysis. Rates of implantation and clinical characteristics were compared between countries and years of implantation. Rates of implantation differed greatly between Western European countries and did not correlate with indices of health related expenditure (i.e., number of patients per physician and number of patients per hospital bed). However, there was a strong and statistically significant negative correlation between the use of amiodarone and the rates of implantation (r = -0.66, P = 0.02). Temporal trends showed a significant increase in the age of the patients receiving an ICD between 1993 and 1998 (57 +/- 14 vs 61 +/- 12 years, mean +/- SD, P < 0.001). There was also a temporal trend towards an increased incidence of coronary artery disease and a significant decrease in the incidence of cardiomyopathy. There was a temporal increase in implantations in patients with a history of ventricular tachycardia. Despite a general scientific agreement that ICDs are a first line treatment for patients at high risk of sudden cardiac death, their acceptance remains low in several developed countries. This low acceptance may not be entirely related to budget constraint but may also be related to their perceived efficacy by physicians and health authorities.

Patterns of atrial fibrillation at a regional hospital in Saudi Arabia.

The objective of this retrospective study was to report on the clinical presentation, etiology, and laboratory tests of both chronic and acute atrial fibrillation (AF) admitted to the cardiology unit of a teaching hospital in southern Saudi Arabia. We studied 219 records; 132 (60.3%) and 87 (39.7%) had documented chronic AF (group 1), and acute AF (group 2) respectively. The mean age (SD) was significantly higher in group 1 (64.6 [SD 19.4] vs 52.9 [SD 15.6]) (P<0.001). Palpitation, dizziness and syncope were the most frequent symptoms in acute AF, while dyspnea was the most common presentation in the chronic type. On the other hand, heart failure and embolic complications were reported significantly in group 1, but the frequency of acute respiratory problems and acute myocardial infarction was similar in both groups. The most common causes of both types of AF were rheumatic valvular diseases (26%), IHD (24.2%), hypertension (23.7%), and lung diseases (13.2%); however, in 28 patients (12.8%) no cause was detected. The echocardiography findings of chamber dilatation, valve lesions, and depressed left ventricular function were significantly frequent in group 1 (P<0.01). Although rheumatic valvular diseases are still common in Saudi Arabia, ischemic heart disease and hypertension are emerging as important causes of AF in this developing nation, and therefore require prevention and control.

Factors that determine utilization of modern contraceptives in East, Central and southern Africa.

A cross-sectional study to determine modern contraceptives utilization among women aged between 15 and 19 years was performed between September and October, 1991 in 5 countries of East Central and Southern Africa. The study involved both rural and urban area of Kenya, Uganda, Mauritius, Swaziland and Zambia. A total of 4513 women were interviewed of whom 2418 (53.6%) were from the urban areas while 2096 (46.4% were from the rural areas. The percentage distribution of contraceptive users was 33.2% in urban and 48.9% in rural areas. The proportion of users of traditional/natural contraception was 38.5%. Overall the prevalence of contraceptive use was 29.5%. Thus the natural/traditional methods were most popular in the region. The user rate of modern contraceptive methods ranged from 6.8% for Zambia to 60% for Mauritius. The study revealed that contraceptive prevalence rates were higher among women in urban areas (60%) than in rural areas (40%). The main factors influencing contraceptive use in order of importance included distance from residence to clinics, level of education attained, parity, marital status, approval by husbands/boyfriends and knowledge of family planning methods. Contraceptive use was highest in the age group of 20 to 34 years while it was lowest among young women aged 15-19 years.

Macrolides induced suppression of virulence factors produced by Staphylococcus aureus.

The effect of sub-MICs of azithromycin, clarithromycin and roxithromycin, as compared to erythromycin, on the production of coagulase, beta-hemolysin, lecithinase and deoxyribonuclease by Staphylococcus aureus was studied. All new macrolides completely inhibited coagulase and beta-hemolysin production and partially inhibited lecithinase and deoxyribonuclease. Such inhibition is not related either to growth inhibition or to inhibition of enzyme activity. Erythromycin, on the other hand, had no effect on coagulase or beta-hemolysin production but slightly suppressed the production of lecithinase and deoxyribonuclease. This inhibitory effect might have clinical significance if it was found to occur in vivo.

Correlation between the in vivo and in vitro antimicrobial properties of commercially available mouthwash preparations.

The effectiveness of six commercially available mouthwashes against common buccal organisms was studied. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for two of the studied mouthwashes (Corsodyl and Oraldene) against buccal organisms were determined in Todd Hewitt medium with or without 5% serum. The concentration of the active substance in these two mouthwashes was in excess of the corresponding MIC. When the medium was supplemented with serum, lower MIC values were observed. Kill-time determinations, used at half the concentration of the normal preparation, revealed a rapid lethal effect for all tested mouthwashes. The slowest lethal effect was observed with Fluocaril mouthwash. When mouthwashes were tested in volunteers, an immediate significant fall in salivary bacterial counts was produced by all except Fluocaril. With the latter mouthwash the decrease was significant 2-30 minutes after rinsing. The bacterial levels returned to pre-rinse levels after 30 minutes for Listerine, after 90 minutes for both Oraldene and Mint and after 180 minutes for Corsodyl, Fluocaril and Sansilla mouthwashes. The results indicate that there is a good correlation between in vivo efficacy and in vitro determination of all mouthwash preparations.

Selection for fenitrothion--resistance in Culex pipiens L larvae (Diptera: Culicidae).

Laboratory selection of Culex pipiens larvae by fenitrothion pressure for 24 generations resulted in 25.67 fold increase in resistance to this compound. Adults resulted from the selected larvae also acquired resistance (32.3 fold) to fenitrothion. Stability of resistance was tested and indicated that regression in resistance only occurred at lower level that regression in resistance only occurred at lower level of selection. Cross resistance to malathion and DLD slightly increased by 2.1-fold and 1.25-fold respectively that may be manifestations of vigour tolerance. It is considered that the positive results obtained here increase the probability of development of such resistance in the field. However, results of cross-resistance are encouraging as they indicate that eventual development of resistance to fenitrothion does not preclude the use of other insecticides against the resistant population.

The mode of inheritance of fenitrothion resistance in Culex pipiens L. larvae (Diptera:Culicidae).

The genetics of fenitrothion resistance in Cx. pipiens larvae was studied to determine its mode of inheritance. A laboratory susceptible and fenitrothion-resistant larval strains were used. Reciprocal crosses between the resistant and susceptible strains showed an F1 generation of partial dominance with slight cytoplasmic effect. The F2 generation underwent segregation into three genotypes, viz. susceptible, hybrid and resistant in the ratio of 1:2:1. The progenies of backcrosses to resistant and susceptible parents were in a 1:1 ratio of the same phenotypes as the parents and hybrids involved. After selection, the progeny of the back-crosses to resistant parent exhibited full resistance. It is concluded that fenitrothion resistance in Cx. pipiens larvae is due to monofactorial inheritance with partial dominance and slight cytoplasmic effect.

Congenital chloride diarrhoea in Kuwaiti children.

Congenital chloride diarrhoea was diagnosed in 16 Kuwaiti children over a 7 year period (1980-1986) with an estimated incidence of 7.6 per 100,000 live births. The mean age at diagnosis was 3.2 months (range 1 week to 5 months). There were 9 boys and 7 girls with a mean age of 3 years 10 months (range 10 months to 7 years). All children had a shortened gestational period, abdominal distension and chronic diarrhoea. The serum electrolytes in all patients prior to treatment showed hyponatraemia, hypokalaemia, hypochloraemia and metabolic alkalosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by a stool chloride content that exceeded the sum of faecal sodium and potassium. Fifteen patients survived and showed catch-up growth with adequate replacement therapy and 1 died with renal failure.