Crossbreeding impacts on caecal bacterial count and antibody titres in chickens.

1. A crossbreeding experiment was conducted using 20 sires and 120 dams from each Fayoumi (F) and Rhode Island Red (R) breeds. The F1 chicks of ½F½R and their reciprocal ½R½F crosses were used to estimate direct, maternal and heterotic effects.2. The caecal bacterial counts of Salmonella typhimurium and Enterococcus faecium and the IgA, IgG and IgM antibody titres were determined. Chicks of each genetic group (120 birds) were divided into three groups (40 birds per group) and chicks of the first group were assigned as the control group, while the second group was inoculated with S. typhimurium and E. faecium at 7 and 10 d of age (106 cfu/chick) and the third was inoculated with S. typhimurium at 10 d of age (106 cfu/chick).3. The generalised least square procedure was used to estimate cross-breeding effects. The S. typhimurium counts in the R breed was highly significant, followed by ½F½R cross, ½R½F cross, and F breed. The differences among genetic groups in E. faecium counts and caecal pH was not significant. The estimates of IgA, IgG, and IgM antibody titres were highly significant in the F breed, followed by ½R½F cross, ½F½R cross, and the R breed.4. The estimates of direct additive effects were highly significant F breed for the counts of S. typhimurium and antibody titres of IgA, IgG, and IgM. The maternal effects were highly significant F breed for S. typhimurium, E. faecium count, and antibody titres of IgA, IgG, and IgM. Estimates of direct heterosis were significant for S. typhimurium count and IgA antibody titre but not significant for E. faecium count, caecal pH, and antibody titres of IgG and IgM.5. The results showed that the Fayoumi breed could be used in breeding programmes to improve immunity traits against S. typhimurium in chickens.

Polymorphic characterisation of gallinacin candidate genes and their molecular associations with growth and immunity traits in chickens.

1.Four gallinacin (GAL) genes were assessed by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) to characterise these genes in Fayoumi (F) and Rhode Island Red (R) breeds and their crosses of Rhode Island Red × Fayoumi (½R½F) and Fayoumi × Rhode Island Red (½F½R).2.Genes examined were GAL2, GAL3, GAL4 and GAL5. The molecular associations between the SNPs of the gallinacin genes and body weight, caecal bacterial count and the serum antibody titres of IgA, IgG and IgM were determined. In the R breed, the frequency of TC genotype was higher than TT and CC genotypes for the GAL3 gene. The GG genotype frequency was higher than AA and AG genotypes for the GAL4 gene in the other genetic groups, and the CA genotype frequency was higher than CC and AA genotypes in crosses for the GAL5 gene.3.In all populations, the frequency of the C allele was higher than the T allele for the GAL3 gene, the G allele was higher than the A allele for the GAL4 gene and the C allele was higher than the A allele for the GAL5 gene. The observed heterozygosity in R, ½R½F and ½F½R was 0.476, 0.375 and 0.158 for the GAL3 gene, 0.458, 0.615 and 0.250 for the GAL4 gene and 0.053, 0.792 and 0.739 for the GAL5 gene, while the expected heterozygosities were 0.490, 0.430 and 0.145 for the GAL3 gene, 0.430, 0.348 and 0.219 for the GAL4 gene and 0.229, 0.478 and 0.496 for the GAL5 gene, respectively.4.On a molecular level, the genotype TT was significantly higher for body weight than TC and CC genotypes in the GAL3 gene. Birds with the GG genotype had a significantly lower Salmonella typhimurium count than birds with AA genotype in the GAL4 gene. Birds with the genotype AA had higher significant body weights than those with CC and CA genotypes in the GAL5 gene.5.The results indicated that the GAL3, GAL4 and GAL5 genes are potential candidates for selection programmes to improve S. typhimurium resistance and body weight in chickens.

A Novel Method for the Assessment of Cortisol Hormone in Different Body Fluids Using A New Photo Probe Thiazole Derivative.

A low cost and accurate method for the detection and analytical determination of the cortisol in pharmaceutical preparation, blood serum and urine was developed. The method was based upon the enhancement of fluorescence intensity of the band at 424 nm of the photo probe by different cortisol concentrations in acetonitrile at (pH 5.7, λex = 320 nm). The influence of the different parameters, e.g. pH, solvent, cortisol concentration and foreign ions concentrations that control the enhancement process of fluorescence intensity of the band of photo probe was critically investigated. The remarkable enhancement of the fluorescence intensity at 424 nm in acetonitrile by various concentrations of cortisol was successfully used as a photo- probe for the assessment of cortisol concentration. The calibration plot was achieved over the concentration range 8.0 × 10(-6)-5.5 × 10(-9) mol L(-1) cortisol with a correlation coefficient of 0.998 and a detection limit of 4.7 × 10(-9) mol L(-1). The developed method is simple and proceeds without practical artifacts compared to the other determination methods.

Evaluation of milk yield and some related maternal traits in a crossbreeding project of Egyptian Gabali breed with Spanish V-line in rabbits.

This study was conducted in a four-year rabbit project that aimed to develop a synthetic line named Moshtohor (M) by crossing Sinai Gabali breed (G) with the Spanish V-line (V). The G, V, F(1) (G x V), F(2) (G x V)(2) and M line were analysed. Traits of doe body weight at delivery (DBW), litter size at birth (LSB) and at weaning (LSW), milk production during the first, second, third and fourth week of lactation and total milk yield (TMY) were recorded. Data were analysed using a repeatability uni-trait animal model to estimate the genetic parameters and estimable functions of genetic group effects. Based on them and the matrix of their variance-covariance, the crossbreeding parameters were also estimated. Estimates of heritabilities for all the studied traits were low ranging from 0.06 to 0.11 for DBW, LSB and LSW and from 0.0 to 0.06 for milk production traits. Permanent environmental effects were very low ranging from 0.0 to 0.10 for all the traits, except for DBW (0.41). Least square means of V line were superior (p < 0.05) in DBW (3253 versus 3037 g) and LSB (6.71 versus 6.28 young) relative to G breed. M line had superiority in LSB (6.94 young) compared with G breed. M line and G breed were better than V line for milk production traits (3415 and 3236 versus 2893 g for TMY). Significant effects of direct additive were observed for most traits studied (ranged from -6.8 to 20.7%). Effects of individual heterosis for most milk production traits were significant and ranged from 2.1 to 13.9%, but they were not significant for DBW, LSB and LSW. On the opposite side, effects of maternal heterosis for all the traits were not significant.

Genetic evaluation for semen characteristics in a crossbreeding project involving Saudi and Spanish V-line rabbits.

Two parallel schemes of crosses were practised involving the Spanish maternal line called V-line (V) and Saudi Gabali (S) rabbits. The first scheme began by crossing Saudi Gabali bucks with V-line does to get the F1 cross (½S½V), then does of this F1 were backcrossed with bucks of V-line to get ¾V»S, then the progenies of the backcross were inter se mated to get (¾V»S)2, followed by two more generations of inter se mating of (¾V»S)2 to get a new synthetic maternal line named Saudi 2. The second scheme began by crossing V-line bucks with Saudi does to get the F1 cross (½V½S), then does of this F1 cross were backcrossed with Saudi bucks to get ½S½V, then progeny of this backcross were inter se mated to get (¾S»V)2, followed by two generations of inter se mating of (¾S»V)2 to form a new synthetic paternal line named Saudi 3. A generalised least-square procedure was used to estimate differences between lines in direct and maternal additive effects, direct and maternal heterosis, and direct recombination losses. A total number of 2497 ejaculates of 642 bucks were evaluated for ejaculate volume (VE), pH of semen, sperm concentration (SC), percentage of motile spermatozoa (MS), percentage of spermatozoa with abnormal form (AS), percentage of dead spermatozoa (DS) and libido score (LS). The estimates of direct additive effect for DS (14.2%), SC (12.4%) and AS (12.0%) were moderate and favourable to Saudi rabbits. Maternal additive effects for VE (11.7%) were in favour of genes of V-line carried by the dams of bucks, while these estimates were in favour of Saudi genes for DS (18.6%), AS (13.2%), MS (10.8%) and SC (10.0%). Positive estimates of direct heterosis recorded for SC (13.5%), VE (10.6%) and MS (10.5%) and the negative estimates recorded for AS (-21.5%) and DS (-20.3%) were moderate and well disposed to semen parameters of crossbred bucks. Positive estimates of maternal heterosis for VE (24.0%), MS (21.8%), SC (10.3%) and LS (10.2%) of bucks, and the negative estimates for percentage of DS (-14.7%) and AS (-9.6%) were also significantly favourable. Estimates of direct recombination losses for the majority of semen traits were always not significant.

Pharmacokinetics of dextromethorphan after single or multiple dosing in combination with quinidine in extensive and poor metabolizers.

Dextromethorphan (DM) pharmacological properties predict that the widely used cough suppressant could be used to treat several neuronal disorders, but it is rapidly metabolized after oral dosing. To find out whether quinidine (Q), a CYP2D6 inhibitor, could elevate and prolong DM plasma profiles, 2 multiple-dose studies identified the lowest oral dose of Q that could be used in a fixed combination with 3 doses of DM. A multiple-dose study in healthy subjects with an extensive or a poor enzyme metabolizer phenotype evaluated the safety and pharmacokinetic profile of a selected fixed-dose combination (AVP-923). Study 1 randomized 46 healthy subjects, who were extensive CYP2D6 metabolizers, to receive 0, 2.5, 10, 25, 50, or 75 mg Q twice daily in combination with 30 mg DM for 7 days. Plasma and urine samples were collected after the first and last doses for the assay of DM, dextrorphan (DX), and Q. Study 2 randomized 65 healthy extensive CYP2D6 metabolizers to 8 groups given twice-daily 45- or 60-mg DM doses combined with 0, 30, 45, or 60 mg Q for 7 days. The effects of increasing Q were not different with doses greater than 25 mg, whereas lower doses showed a dose-related increase in plasma DM concentrations. Urinary ratios of DM/DX showed a Q dose- and time-related increase in the number of subjects converted to the poor metabolizer phenotype that reached 100% on day 3 of dosing with 25 mg Q. Results from both studies indicated that 25 to 30 mg Q is adequate to maximally suppress O-demethylation of DM. Study 3 evaluated 7 extensive metabolizers and 2 poor metabolizers given an oral capsule every 12 hours containing 30 mg Q combined with 30 mg DM. DM plasma AUC values increased in both groups of subjects during the 8-day study. The mean urinary metabolic ratio (DM/DX) increased at least 27-fold in extensive metabolizers by day 8. There was no effect of Q on urinary metabolic ratios in poor metabolizers. Safety evaluations, including electrocardiograms, indicated that the combination was well tolerated, with no difference between extensive and poor metabolizer phenotypes.

The toxicity of behenyl alcohol. I. Genotoxicity and subchronic toxicity in rats and dogs.

The genotoxic potential of behenyl alcohol, a saturated long-chain (C22:0) fatty alcohol, was examined in the Ames Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay, the gene mutation, and chromosome aberrations assays in Chinese hamster V79 cells, and the micronucleus assay in NMRI mice. Behenyl alcohol did not increase the number of revertants per plate compared to controls in the S. typhimurium assay, with or without metabolic activation. No significant increases in the number of mutant colonies or in structural chromosome aberrations were observed in Chinese hamster V79 cells. In addition, behenyl alcohol did not increase the frequency of bone marrow polychromatic erythrocyte (PCE) micronuclei in mice in vivo. In two subchronic toxicity studies, CD rats and beagle dogs were administered behenyl alcohol by oral gavage for at least 26 weeks at doses of 0, 10, 100, or 1000 mg behenyl alcohol/kg body weight/day for rats and 0, 20, 200, or 2000 mg behenyl alcohol/kg body weight/day for dogs. Adverse effects were not observed following gross and histopathological evaluations of dosed rats. Compound-related effects in dogs were limited to observations of pale feces, indicative of unabsorbed behenyl alcohol, at doses of 2000 mg/kg body weight/day. There were no histopathological changes observed in dogs dosed with behenyl alcohol. The no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) for behenyl alcohol was 1000 mg/kg body weight/day for rats, and 2000 mg/kg body weight/day for dogs, the highest doses used in these studies.

The toxicity of behenyl alcohol. II. Reproduction studies in rats and rabbits.

Behenyl alcohol is a saturated 22-carbon, long-chain aliphatic alcohol, which has potential for use in foods as an oil-structuring and -solidifying agent in fats. Previously completed studies with behenyl alcohol indicated an absence of mutagenic or genotoxic potential. In addition, subchronic toxicity studies in rats and dogs reported no adverse effects following gross and histopathological examinations. Compound-related effects were limited to the observation of pale feces in dogs treated with high doses of behenyl alcohol, and were attributable to unabsorbed behenyl alcohol. The reproductive effects of behenyl alcohol were investigated in a fertility and reproduction study, and an embryonic development study in rats and rabbits, respectively. No evidence of maternal or fetal toxicity was observed in either study. Behenyl alcohol demonstrated no effects on the fertility or reproduction of rats dosed up to 1000 mg/kg body weight. Similarly, behenyl alcohol had no reproductive effects on rabbits treated with doses up to 2000 mg/kg body weight. The observation of pale feces was the only compound-related effect reported, limited to rabbits treated with 2000 mg behenyl alcohol/kg body weight. Based on these findings, there is no evidence to suggest that behenyl alcohol is teratogenic or embryotoxic.

Clinical efficacy of topical docosanol 10% cream for herpes simplex labialis: A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent herpes simplex labialis (HSL) occurs in 20% to 40% of the US population. Although the disease is self-limiting in persons with a healthy immune response, patients seek treatment because of the discomfort and visibility of a recurrent lesion. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether docosanol 10% cream (docosanol) is efficacious compared with placebo for the topical treatment of episodes of acute HSL. METHODS: Two identical double-blind, placebo-controlled studies were conducted at a total of 21 sites. Otherwise healthy adults, with documented histories of HSL, were randomized to receive either docosanol or polyethylene glycol placebo and initiated therapy in the prodrome or erythema stage of an episode. Treatment was administered 5 times daily until healing occurred (ie, the crust fell off spontaneously or there was no longer evidence of an active lesion) with twice-daily visits. RESULTS: The median time to healing in the 370 docosanol-treated patients was 4.1 days, 18 hours shorter than observed in the 367 placebo-treated patients (P =.008; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2, 22). The docosanol group also exhibited reduced times from treatment initiation to (1) cessation of pain and all other symptoms (itching, burning, and/or tingling; P =.002; 95% CI: 3, 16.5); (2) complete healing of classic lesions (P =.023; 95% CI: 1, 24.5); and (3) cessation of the ulcer or soft crust stage of classic lesions (P <.001; 95% CI: 8, 25). Aborted episodes were experienced by 40% of the docosanol recipients versus 34% of placebo recipients (P =.109; 95% CI for odds ratio: 0.95, 1.73). Adverse experiences with docosanol were mild and similar to those with placebo. CONCLUSION: Docosanol applied 5 times daily is safe and effective in the treatment of recurrent HSL. Differences in healing time compared favorably with those reported for the only treatment of HSL that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

The antiviral drug docosanol as a treatment for Kaposi's sarcoma lesions in HIV type 1-infected patients: a pilot clinical study.

Docosanol inhibits a broad spectrum of lipid-enveloped viruses in vitro including HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, CMV, HHV-6, and HIV-1. These observations led us to conduct a pilot clinical study with docosanol 10% cream as a topical treatment for Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in HIV-1-infected patients. In this open-label study 28 cutaneous KS lesions in 10 HIV-1-infected patients were treated topically five times daily for 4 weeks with evaluation of lesion characteristics of area, edema, and color. All patients elected to enroll in an extended treatment protocol and continued to treat for up to 35 weeks. Within 28 days, 2 of 10 patients exhibited a partial response based on standardized criteria exhibiting 74 to 83% reductions in total target lesion areas. With extended treatment, a partial response was exhibited in two additional patients where total target lesion area was reduced by 52% in one patient and target lesions in another patient that had been large, swollen, and painful at study initiation were no longer visible. No patient experienced disease progression or signs of visceral disease. The average percent decrease in lesion area for all target lesions was 20% (p < 0.01). A patient's response to therapy appeared to be independent of anti-HIV regimen, HIV viral load, or previous KS treatments. These results suggest that docosanol merits further investigation as a potential topical therapy in the treatment of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma lesions.

Standardized national growth chart of 0-5-year-old Saudi children.

A national survey was carried out to achieve the following objectives: (1) construction of national standards for Saudi children, 0-5 years old, with regard to weight, height and head circumference for males and females; (2) construction of a growth chart for weight, height and head circumference for 0-5-year-old Saudi children that can be used at hospitals and health centres in the Kingdom for routine follow-up of the growth of these children. To achieve these objectives, the WHO recommendations were applied. A total of 24,000 Saudi children, 12,000 males and 12,000 females, were selected randomly representing the five regions of the Kingdom with 200 children in each monthly age group. Demographic data as well as the anthropometric measurements were recorded by well-trained personnel using a pretested questionnaire and new, well calibrated equipment. The current study showed that Saudi boys (0-5 years old) were heavier and taller than Saudi girls in the same age group, and that the median weights and heights of Saudi boys and girls (0-5 years old) were more than those of the Harvard standards. A growth chart was constructed which was suitable for growth monitoring programmes all over the Kingdom.

Topical application of docosanol- or stearic acid-containing creams reduces severity of phenol burn wounds in mice.

Because of their reported antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities, cream formulations containing n-docosanol (docosanol) or stearic acid were tested for effects on chemically-induced burns in mice. In this model, injury was induced by painting the abdomens of mice with a chloroform solution of phenol. This was followed by the topical application of test substances 0.5, 3, and 6 h later. Progression of the wounds was assessed by a single evaluator after 8 h, using a numerical score of gross morphology. Docosanol- and stearic acid-containing creams substantially and reproducibly lessened the severity and progression of skin lesions compared to untreated sites with a 76% and 57% reduction in mean lesion scores, respectively. Untreated wounds appeared red and ulcerated; docosanol cream-treated wounds showed only slight erythema.

Lactation amenorrhea in Saudi women.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate some aspects of breast feeding, namely-lactation amenorrhea, the average interval between pregnancies, and the extent of knowledge that an average Saudi woman has about breast feeding. DESIGN: This was a cross sectional study in which a pretested questionnaire was used to collect the information. SETTING: The study was conducted in the Taif area between January and April of 1990. Seventy nine primary health care centres participated. PARTICIPANTS: Altogether 1019 of 2400 women contacted who agreed to participate and met the criteria were studied. Eligible subjects were defined as Saudi women, between 16 and 40 years old, who came with their infants for vaccination, and had delivered between one week and 12 months previously. Each mother had at least one other child. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULT: At birth, the percentage of infants who were initially breast fed was 98% but within three days of delivery over two thirds (68.9%) of the mothers gave other supplementary liquids to their infants. At the time of interview more than half (55.1%) of mothers had lactation amenorrhea. The mean (SD) lactation amenorrhea period and birth interval were 5.95 (5) and 26.8 (14.1) months, respectively. Mothers obtained information on breast feeding mainly from their doctors and television. Within families, husbands had the primary role in encouraging their wives to breast feed, followed by the mother and then by the mother in law. It was found that a high percentage (94.2%) of women had breast fed their previous child. CONCLUSION: The lack of adequate information on breast feeding and the short interval between births are local problems which should be considered by the health authorities.

Heterosis, maternal and direct effects for postweaning growth traits and carcass performance in rabbit crosses.

SUMMARY: A crossbreeding experiment was carried out in Egypt using a local breed (Baladi Red, BR) and New Zealand White (NZ) to estimate direct heterosis, maternal additive effects and direct sire effects on some growth and carcass traits in rabbits. Data of body weight (at 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 weeks) and daily gains (at intervals of 5-6, 6-8, 8-10, and 10-12 weeks) on 2153 weaned rabbits were collected. Carcass performance at 12 weeks of age (weight and percentages of carcass, giblets, head, fur, blood and viscera) on 213 male rabbits was evaluated. Estimates of coefficients of variation (CV) for most growth and carcass traits were high and ranged from 10.0 to 40.2%. Sire-breed was of considerable importance in the variation of growth traits and some carcass traits, while dam-breed contributed little. Sire-breed × dam-breed interaction affected (P<0.01 or P<0.001) most body weights and gains studied, while it contributed little to the variation of carcass traits. The purebred NZ resulted in rabbits with heavier weights and carcass and with lighter non-edible carcass (blood and viscera) compared to the BR. Heterosis percentages for most growth traits were significant and ranged from 2.5% to 5.0% for body weights and from 0.7% to 9.5% for daily gains. Insignificant positive direct heterosis was observed for most carcass traits. Crossbred rabbits from NZ sires with BR dams were superior to from the reciprocals. Maternal-breed effects on most weights and gains were insignificant, while sire-breed contrasts for some weights and gains proved significant. Postweaning growth and carcass performances of BR-mothered rabbits generally surpassed the NZ mothered, while NZ-sired rabbits were superior at later ages. High edible carcass was observed for BR-sired rabbits, while more non-edible carcass wastes (blood and viscera) for NZ-sired rabbits. Maternal-breed effects appeared to be less important than paternal-breed effects in influencing most weights, gains and carcass traits studied. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Heterosis, maternale und direkte Wirkungen bei Wachstums- und Schlachtkörpermerkmalen in Kaninchenkreuzungen Der Kreuzungsversuch wurde mit lokalen ägyptischen Rassen (BR) und Neuseeland Weißen (NZ) zur Schätzung direkter Heterosis, maternaler additiver Wirkungen, direkter Vater-Wirkung auf einige Wachstums- und Schlachtkörpermerkmale von Kaninchen durchgeführt. Angaben über Körpergewicht (5, 6, 8, 10, 12 Wochen) und Zuwachs (Intervalle 5 bis 6, 6 bis 8, 8 bis 10, 10 bis 12 Wochen) wurden von 2153 abgesetzten Kaninchen gewonnen. Die Schlachtkörperleistungen bei 12 Wochen Alter (Gewicht und Anteil von Schlachtkörper, Kopf, Pelz, Blut und Innereien) stammen von 213 männlichen Kaninchen. Schätzungen der Variationskoeffizenten (CV) für meiste Wachstums- und Schlachtkörpermerkmale waren hoch und bewegten sich zwischen 10 und 40,2%. Vaterrasse hatte erheblichen Einfluß auf Unterschiede in Wachstumsrate und einige Schlachtkörpermerkmale, während die Mutterrasse weniger beigetragen hat. Interaktion zwischen beiden beeinflußte die meisten Körpergewichts- und Zuwacnsleistungen, während sie wenig zur Variabilität der Schlachtkörpermerkmale beigetragen hat. Reinrassige NZ waren schwerer und hatten weniger nicht nutzbare Schlachtkörperteile (Blut und Eingeweide) verglichen mit BR. Heterosis-Prozente für die meisten Wachstumsmerkmale waren signifikant und schwankten zwischen 2,5 und 5% für Körpergewicht, 0,7 bis 9,5% für Zuwachs. Insignifikante positive direkte Heterosis wurde für die meisten Schlachtkörpermerkmale beobachtet. Kreuzungskaninchen von NZ Vätern waren den reziproken überlegen. Maternale Wirkungen auf meiste Gewichtsmerkmale waren insignifikant, während Vaterrassenkontraste hierfür signifikant waren. Zuwachs- und Schlachtkörperleistung von BR gesäugten Kaninchen haben im allgemeinen die von NZ gesäugten übertroffen, während von NZ Böcken gezeugte in späteren Altersabschnitten überlegen waren. Hohe Werte für Schlachtkörper wurden für BR gesäugte Kaninchen gefunden, während mehr nicht verzehrbare Abfälle (Blut und Eingeweide) bei NZ gezeugten vorhanden war. Maternale Rassenwirkungen schienen weniger wichtig als paternale zu sein.

Antiviral activity of 1-docosanol, an inhibitor of lipid-enveloped viruses including herpes simplex.

This article reports that 1-docosanol, a 22-carbon-long saturated alcohol, exerts a substantial inhibitory effect on replication of certain viruses (e.g., herpes simplex virus and respiratory syncytial virus) within primary target cells in vitro. To study the basis for its viral inhibitory activity, a suspension of 1-docosanol was formulated in an inert and nontoxic surfactant, Pluronic F-68; this suspension exerted potent inhibitory activity on the ability of susceptible viruses to infect cultured target cells. Susceptible viruses included wild-type herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 as well as acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus 2 and also respiratory syncytial virus--all of which are lipid-enveloped. In contrast, nonenveloped poliovirus was not susceptible to the inhibitory action of 1-docosanol. Although the precise mechanism has yet to be defined, current evidence suggests that 1-docosanol inhibits viral replication by interfering with the early intracellular events surrounding viral entry into target cells. It is possible that interaction between the highly lipophilic compound and components of target cell membranes renders such target cells less susceptible to viral fusion and/or entry. If this mechanism proves to be correct, 1-docosanol may provide a broad spectrum activity against many different viruses, especially those with lipid-containing envelopes.

Aetiological factors of obesity in children.

A survey was carried out of the prevalence of obesity in 7600 schoolchildren aged 11-16 years in Cairo. Weight, height and skinfold thicknesses were measured and the children classified as underweight, normal or overweight. Overweight children were further screened for obesity, a triceps skinfold thickness of greater than 18 mm for boys and greater than 25 mm for girls being taken as the lower level of obesity. Age at menarche, birth order, social class, obesity in other members of the family, food habits and dietary intakes were all studied. The prevalence of obesity in Egyptian children was comparable to that in the US. The study emphasizes the importance of social and cultural influences in the development of obesity in Egyptian children.