Double-balloon catheter vs dinoprostone (PGE-2) insert for labour induction: A meta-analysis of 2493 pregnancies.

Induction of labor (IOL) is the stimulation of the uterus during pregnancy to begin the onset of labour. Nearly two of five pregnancies require IOL. We compared the effectiveness of double-balloon catheter (DBC) with dinoprostone (PGE-2) insert for labour induction from previous studies. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the safety and efficacy of DBC to PGE-2. To evaluate the studies, we utilized the Cochrane tool for risk of bias assessment. The rates of vaginal birth and cesarean section were the primary outcomes. We included ten RCTs in this meta-analysis with a total sample of 2493 singleton pregnancies. After 24 hours, there was no significant difference in the delivery rates between DBC and PGE-2 s [R.R=1.08, 95% CI, (0.77, 1.52), P.value=0.65], and the rate of cesarean delivery [R.R=1.03, 95% CI, (0.90; 1.18), P.value=0.65]. The DBC showed a significantly higher oxytocin use rate compared to the PGE-2 group [R.R=1.77, 95% CI, (1.41; 2.32), P.value<0.0001]. In the PGE-2 group, there was a significantly higher risk of uterine hyperstimulation, tachysystole, and umbilical artery PH levels below 7. There was no significant difference in the efficacy between the PGE-2 and DBC in terms of delivery rate in 24 hours and the rate of cesarean delivery except for a slight BISHOP score improvement with DBC. However, DBC showed a higher rate of oxytocin use compared to the PGE-2, the DBC seems to be safer with a lower risk of umbilical artery PH < 7, uterine hyperstimulation, and tachysystole incidence than PGE-2.

Oviposition performance of tephritid polyphagous Anastrepha fraterculus and Ceratitis capitata during three periods of exposure to fruit.

Our study evaluated the oviposition behaviour of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) in five fruit species. Apples, guavas, mangoes, peaches and tangerines were exposed to infestation for 6, 12 and 24 hours. Anastrepha fraterculus and C. capitata showed different oviposition behaviour in apples and tangerines and similar oviposition behaviour in guavas, mangoes and peaches. There was a positive correlation between infestation time and pupae/kg, as well as between pupae/fruit and the survival rate of the immature (pupal viability). In this study, we present discussions about the oviposition behaviour of flies and the host infestation index. This index can reflect the reproductive capacity that each fruit species offers for each fly species. Here, we see an adult recovery rate greater than 89% in the highest infestation index observed in guava (185 A. fraterculus per unit fruit) and peach (220 C. capitata per unit fruit). Understanding the reproductive capacity of each host can help with risk analysis and the management of fruit flies.

Cross-modal reaction of auditory and visual cortices after long-term bilateral hearing deprivation in the rat.

Visual cortex (VC) over-activation analysed by evoked responses has been demonstrated in congenital deafness and after long-term acquired hearing loss in humans. However, permanent hearing deprivation has not yet been explored in animal models. Thus, the present study aimed to examine functional and molecular changes underlying the visual and auditory cross-modal reaction. For such purpose, we analysed cortical visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and the gene expression (RT-qPCR) of a set of markers for neuronal activation (c-Fos) and activity-dependent homeostatic compensation (Arc/Arg3.1). To determine the state of excitation and inhibition, we performed RT-qPCR and quantitative immunocytochemistry for excitatory (receptor subunits GluA2/3) and inhibitory (GABAA-α1, GABAB-R2, GAD65/67 and parvalbumin-PV) markers. VC over-activation was demonstrated by a significant increase in VEPs wave N1 and by up-regulation of the activity-dependent early genes c-Fos and Arc/Arg3.1 (thus confirming, by RT-qPCR, our previously published immunocytochemical results). GluA2 gene and protein expression were significantly increased in the auditory cortex (AC), particularly in layers 2/3 pyramidal neurons, but inhibitory markers (GAD65/67 and PV-GABA interneurons) were also significantly upregulated in the AC, indicating a concurrent increase in inhibition. Therefore, after permanent hearing loss in the rat, the VC is not only over-activated but also potentially balanced by homeostatic regulation, while excitatory and inhibitory markers remain imbalanced in the AC, most likely resulting from changes in horizontal intermodal regulation.

High fibre tiger nut pasta and xanthan gum: cooking quality, microstructure, physico-chemical properties and consumer acceptance.

The feasibility of replacing wheat semolina by tiger nut flour (20 and 40%) and xanthan gum (1%) in order to obtain high fibre dry pappardelle with fair techno-functional, structural and sensory attributes, was assessed. The cooking properties, texture, colour and sensory acceptance of uncooked and cooked pasta were evaluated. The proximate chemical composition of the raw materials, and the microstructure of the dry pasta were also assessed. The results in this manuscript address the improved nutritional value in terms of its dietary fibre, mineral content, oleic and linoleic acids, and the positive effects on the textural characteristics and cooking behaviour achieved on dry tiger nut based pappardelle using 1% of xanthan gum as a structural agent. Micrographs revealed in fact that the gluten network was better formed when xanthan gum was used. Furthermore, the obtained results seem to support that consumers would prefer pappardelle with 40% tiger nut flour.

Micronised bran-enriched fresh egg tagliatelle: Significance of gums addition on pasta technological features.

The aim of the work was to produce fibre-enriched fresh pasta based on micronised wheat bran and durum wheat semolina with appropriate techno-functional properties. Wheat semolina was replaced with fine particle size (50% below 75 µm) wheat bran - up to 11.54% (w/w). A Box-Behnken design with randomised response surface methodology was used to determine a suitable combination of carboxymethylcellulose, xanthan gum and locust bean gum to improve pasta attributes: minimum cooking loss, maximum values for water gain and swelling index, as well as better colour and texture characteristics before and after cooking. The proximate chemical composition of wheat semolina and bran was determined and the microstructure of uncooked pasta was observed as well. From the response surface methodology analysis, it is recommended to use: (i) xanthan gum over 0.6% w/w as it led to bran-enriched pasta with a better developed structure and superior cooking behaviour, (ii) a combination of xanthan gum (0.8% w/w) and carboxymethylcellulose (over 0.6% w/w) to enhance uncooked pasta yellowness.

The epidemiology of chronic pain in Libya: a cross-sectional telephone survey.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a public health problem although there is a paucity of prevalence data from countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of chronic pain and neuropathic pain in a sample of the general adult population in Libya. METHODS: A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted before the onset of the Libyan Civil War (February 2011) on a sample of self-declared Libyans who had a landline telephone and were at least 18 years of age. Random sampling of household telephone number dialling was undertaken in three major cities and interviews conducted using an Arabic version of the Structured Telephone Interviews Questionnaire on Chronic Pain previously used to collect data in Europe. In addition, an Arabic version of S-LANSS was used. 1212 individuals were interviewed (response rate = 95.1 %, mean age = 37.8 ± 13.9 years, female = 54.6 %). RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic pain ≥ 3 months was 19.6 % (95 % CI 14.6 % to 24.6 %) with a mean ± SD duration of pain of 6 · 5 ± 5 · 7 years and a higher prevalence for women. The prevalence of neuropathic pain in the respondents reporting chronic pain was 19 · 7 % (95 % CI 14 · 6-24 · 7), equivalent to 3 · 9 % (95 % CI 2 · 8 to 5 · 0 %) of the general adult population. Only, 71 (29 · 8 %) of respondents reported that their pain was being adequately controlled. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of chronic pain in the general adult population of Libya was approximately 20 % and comparable with Europe and North America. This suggests that chronic pain is a public health problem in Libya. Risk factors are being a woman, advanced age and unemployment. There is a need for improved health policies in Libya to ensure that patients with chronic pain receive effective management.

High-throughput ion exchange purification of positively charged recombinant protein in the presence of negatively charged dextran sulfate.

Product quality analyses are critical for developing cell line and bioprocess producing therapeutic proteins with desired critical product quality attributes. To facilitate these analyses, a high-throughput small-scale protein purification (SSP) is required to quickly purify many samples in parallel. Here we develop an SSP using ion exchange resins to purify a positively charged recombinant growth factor P1 in the presence of negatively charged dextran sulfate supplemented to improve the cell culture performance. The major challenge in this work is that the strong ionic interaction between P1 and dextran sulfate disrupts interaction between P1 and chromatography resins. To solve this problem, we develop a two-step SSP using Q Sepharose Fast Flow (QFF) and SP Sepharose XL (SPXL) resins to purify P1. The overall yield of this two-step SSP is 78%. Moreover, the SSP does not affect the critical product quality attributes. The SSP was critical for developing the cell line and process producing P1.

Prevalence of chronic pain among Libyan adults in Derna City: a pilot study to assess the reliability, linguistic validity, and feasibility of using an Arabic version of the structured telephone interviews questionnaire on chronic pain.

There are few studies estimating the prevalence of chronic pain in countries from the Middle East. We translated the Structured Telephone Interviews Questionnaire on Chronic Pain from English into Arabic and assessed its reliability and linguistic validity before using it in a telephone survey in Libya to gather preliminary prevalence data for chronic pain. Intraclass correlations for scaled items were high, and there were no differences in answers to nominal items between the first and second completions of the questionnaire. One hundred and 4 individuals participated in a telephone survey. The prevalence of chronic pain was 25.0% (95% CI, 16.7% to 33.3%) and 50.0% (95% CI: 30.8% to 69.2) of the participants with chronic pain scored ≥ 12 on the Arabic S-LANSS. Mean ± SD duration of pain was 2.8 ± 1.2 years, and pain was more frequent in women (P = 0.02). 53.8% of participants had taken prescription medication for their pain, and 76.9% had used nondrug methods of treatment including traditional Libyan methods such as Kamara, a local herbal concoction. Eighty percent believed that their doctor would rather treat their illness than their pain, and 35% reported that their doctor did not think that their pain was a problem. Some participants complained that the questionnaire was too long with a mean ± SD call duration of 20 ± 5.4 minutes. We conclude that the Arabic Structured Telephone Interviews Questionnaire on Chronic Pain was reliable and linguistically valid and could be used in a large-scale telephone survey on the Libyan population. Our preliminary estimate of prevalence should be considered with caution because of the small sample size.

Translation and linguistic validation of the self-completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) scale for use in a Libyan population.

BACKGROUND: The Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) pain scale is used to identify pain of neuropathic origin and has been validated as a self-completed tool (S-LANSS). We translated the S-LANSS into Arabic and evaluated its reliability and linguistic validity for use by Libyan people. METHODS: Thirteen of 45 Libyan nationals living in the UK were identified as having chronic pain and completed an English and Arabic S-LANSS 1 week apart. In addition, 23 of 104 respondents to a telephone interview in Derna City, Libya, were identified as having chronic pain and completed the Arabic S-LANSS. Seven of these 23 completed the S-LANSS again 1 week later. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha was 0.72 (P < 0.001) for the Arabic S-LANSS and 0.71 (P < 0.001) for the English S-LANSS. There was good measurement of agreement of individual items in Arabic and English S-LANSS tools with kappa coefficients ranging from 0.69 to 1.00. Twelve of the 23 (52.2%) individuals with chronic pain scored 12 or more on the Arabic S-LANSS and were classified as possibly having neuropathic pain. There was good measurement of agreement of individual items in Arabic S-LANSS tools with kappa coefficients ranging from 0.462 to 1.00. There were strong intraclass correlations in both versions for test-retest reliability of total score. CONCLUSION: The Arabic S-LANSS is reliable and linguistically valid to use in Libya. PERSPECTIVE: Our translation of the S-LANSS into Arabic was shown to be linguistically valid and reliable for use in a Libyan population.

Cognitive assessment protocol design in the ISSYS (Investigating Silent Strokes in hYpertensives: a magnetic resonance imaging Study).

Hypertension and silent cerebrovascular lesions (SCL) detected by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. In a prospective observational study in 1000 hypertensive patients, aged 50-70 years, with no prior history of stroke or dementia, we will study the presence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and the relationship between SCL and cognition. All participants will be assessed by means of the Dementia Rating Scale-2 (DRS-2) and will undergo a brain MRI. In order to better characterize MCI and future dementia risk in our cohort, those patients that are suspected to be cognitively impaired according to the DRS-2 results will have a further neurological evaluation and complete neuropsychological testing. Follow-up for the entire cohort is planned to last for at least 3 years.

The prevalence of chronic pain with an analysis of countries with a Human Development Index less than 0.9: a systematic review without meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To date, there are no systematic reviews of epidemiological studies of chronic pain in the developing world. AIM: To estimate the prevalence of chronic pain worldwide paying particular attention to data from countries with a Human Development Index (HDI) of less than 0.9. METHODS: A literature search was conducted for cross-sectional surveys of chronic pain (≥3 months) in the adult general population using Medline, Embase, CINAHL, SportDiscus, Sciencedirect, CAS ILLUMINA, Academic search complete, PsycINFO and AMED. Forty-eight studies were identified and 29 of these were excluded because they surveyed children, the elderly or were longitudinal studies. RESULTS: Weighted mean ± SD prevalence of chronic pain worldwide was 30.3% ± 11.7% (19 studies, 65 surveys, 34 countries, 182,019 respondents). There was no correlation between HDI and prevalence. In countries with a HDI < 0.9 prevalence was 33.9% ± 14.5% and significantly higher than prevalence in countries with a HDI of ≥0.9 (29.9% ± 12.7%), although removal of a large study that may have included a sample of individuals with comorbidities reduced the worldwide estimate to 28.0% ± 11.8% (47 surveys, 33 countries, 139,770 participants). Interestingly, the estimate of countries with a HDI < 0.9 to 24.8% ± 8.9% (7 surveys, 7 countries, 6122 participants) became significantly lower than the estimate of countries with a HDI ≥ 0.9 which was 28.1% ± 11.6% (40 surveys, 21 countries, 133,648 participants). CONCLUSION: The review provides further evidence that the prevalence of chronic pain in the general population is high. However, there was insufficient reliable data to estimate with any certainty the prevalence of chronic pain in countries with an HDI < 0.9 with variability in estimates between surveys being of concern. Subtle differences in review and survey methodology appeared to impact markedly on estimates. There is a need for epidemiological studies that estimate the prevalence of chronic pain in developing countries to determine the scale of the problem.

Ocular complications of leprosy in yemen.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to identify the main ocular- and vision-threatening complications of leprosy in Yemen. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional observational study which took place from February to July 2010. Leprosy patients attending the Skin and Venereal Diseases Hospital in the City of Light in Taiz, Yemen, who consented to participate in the study, were enrolled. Detailed demographic and medical histories were taken and clinical examination findings were recorded. A detailed eye examination, including visual acuity (VA), slit-lamp, and fundus examinations, was conducted on each patient by a qualified ophthalmologist. RESULTS: A total of 192 patients (180 male, 12 female, with a male to female ratio of 15:1) were included in the study. The majority of the patients (157; 81.8%) were over 40 years. Over two-thirds of the patients (129; 67.2%) had had leprosy for more than 20 years. Ocular complications were found in 97% of cases; 150 (39.1%) of the patients' eyes had at least one pathology. Eyelid involvement was the most common problem observed in 102 (26.5%) patients. Half of the eyes (192; 50%) had a VA of <6/60. The main cause of blindness among these patients was corneal opacity detected in 69 out of 192 patients (35.9%). CONCLUSION: Ocular complications are frequent among leprosy patients in Yemen. They are true vision-threatening lesions. It is important to prevent these lesions through early diagnosis and adequate treatment.

High-throughput analysis of intraclonal variability of glycoprotein sialylation.

Development of recombinant Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells producing therapeutic proteins requires analyzing the quality, such as sialic acid content, of proteins produced by many cell clones. In order to perform these analyses, high-throughput methods are required. Conventional methods for quantifying sialic acid, however, require protein purification, which is time consuming and cannot be used for high-throughput analysis. Here we used a high-throughput method (HTM) that we recently developed to analyze the intraclonal variability of 24 CHO cell subclones. The sialic acid content varied significantly from 1 to 70 mg sialic acid/g protein, and the concentration of total proteins secreted by the cells varied from 41 to 214 mg/L. In addition, the sialic acid content was negatively correlated with total protein concentration. This trend agrees with previous theoretical and experimental studies. Overall, the HTM can finish these analyses in 15 minutes, while conventional methods used in previous studies will require at least 24 days. Thus, the HTM can significantly accelerate the analyses of clonal and intraclonal variability in cell line development

A high-throughput method for quantification of glycoprotein sialylation.

Sialic acid can improve qualities of therapeutic glycoproteins such as circulatory half-life, biological activity, and solubility. In production of therapeutic glycoproteins, a high-throughput method is required for process monitoring and optimization to ensure consistent and optimal sialic acid content. Current methods for quantifying sialic acid, however, require chromatographic separation that is time-consuming and cannot rapidly analyze many samples in parallel. Here we present a novel high-throughput method for quantifying glycoprotein sialylation. Using chemical reduction, enzymatic release of sialic acid, and chemical derivatization of the sialic acid, the method can accurately, rapidly (15 min), and specifically analyze many samples in parallel. It requires only 45 µl of sample and has a quantitation limit of 2 µM sialic acid. It has also been validated for monitoring sialylation of recombinant interferon gamma (IFN-γ) produced in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture. This method is useful for various applications in upstream and downstream bioprocesses.

Diversity and seasonality of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae) and their parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae and Figitidae) in orchards of guava, loquat and peach.

This work was carried out in orchards of guava progenies, and loquat and peach cultivars, in Monte Alegre do Sul, SP, Brazil, in 2002 and 2003. Guavas and loquats were bagged and unbagged bi-weekly and weekly, respectively, for assessment of the infestation period. Peach was only bagged weekly. The assays started when the fruits were at the beginning of development, but still green. Ripe fruits were taken to the laboratory and placed individually into plastic cups. McPhail plastic traps containing torula yeast were hung from January 2002 to January 2004 to assess the fruit fly population in each orchard, but only the Ceratitis capitata population is here discussed. Five tephritid species were reared from the fruits: Anastrepha bistrigata Bezzi, A. fraterculus (Wiedemann), A. obliqua (Macquart), A. sororcula Zucchi, and C. capitata, in addition to six lonchaeid species: Neosilba certa (Walker), N. glaberrima (Wiedemann), N. pendula (Bezzi), N. zadolicha McAlpine and Steyskal, Neosilba sp. 4, and Neosilba sp. 10 (both species are in the process of being described by P. C. Strikis), as well as some unidentified Neosilba species. Ten parasitoid species were obtained from fruit fly puparia, of which five were braconids: Asobara anastrephae (Muesebeck), Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti), D. brasiliensis (Szépligeti), Opius bellus Gahan, and Utetes anastrephae (Viereck), and five figitids: Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes), Dicerataspis grenadensis Ashmead, Lopheucoila anastrephae (Rhower), Leptopilina boulardi (Barbotin, Carlton and Kelner-Pillaut), and Trybliographa infuscata Diaz, Gallardo and Uchôa. Ceratitis capitata showed a seasonal behavior with population density peaking at the second semester of each year. Anastrepha and Neosilba species remained in the orchards throughout both years.

Diversity and seasonality of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae) and their parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae and Figitidae) in orchards of guava, loquat and peach / Diversidade e variação sazonal de moscas-das-frutas (Diptera: Tephritidae, Lonchaeidae) e seus parasitóides (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Figitidae) em pomares de goiaba, nêspera e pêssego

This work was carried out in orchards of guava progenies, and loquat and peach cultivars, in Monte Alegre do Sul, SP, Brazil, in 2002 and 2003. Guavas and loquats were bagged and unbagged bi-weekly and weekly, respectively, for assessment of the infestation period. Peach was only bagged weekly. The assays started when the fruits were at the beginning of development, but still green. Ripe fruits were taken to the laboratory and placed individually into plastic cups. McPhail plastic traps containing torula yeast were hung from January 2002 to January 2004 to assess the fruit fly population in each orchard, but only the Ceratitis capitata population is here discussed. Five tephritid species were reared from the fruits: Anastrepha bistrigata Bezzi, A. fraterculus (Wiedemann), A. obliqua (Macquart), A. sororcula Zucchi, and C. capitata, in addition to six lonchaeid species: Neosilba certa (Walker), N. glaberrima (Wiedemann), N. pendula (Bezzi), N. zadolicha McAlpine and Steyskal, Neosilba sp. 4, and Neosilba sp. 10 (both species are in the process of being described by P. C. Strikis), as well as some unidentified Neosilba species. Ten parasitoid species were obtained from fruit fly puparia, of which five were braconids: Asobara anastrephae (Muesebeck), Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti), D. brasiliensis (Szépligeti), Opius bellus Gahan, and Utetes anastrephae (Viereck), and five figitids: Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes), Dicerataspis grenadensis Ashmead, Lopheucoila anastrephae (Rhower), Leptopilina boulardi (Barbotin, Carlton and Kelner-Pillaut), and Trybliographa infuscata Diaz, Gallardo and Uchôa. Ceratitis capitata showed a seasonal behavior with population density peaking at the second semester of each year. Anastrepha and Neosilba species remained in the orchards throughout both years.

Este trabalho foi realizado em três pomares em Monte Alegre do Sul, SP, em 2002 e 2003, representados por coleção de progênies de goiabeiras, de cultivares de nespereiras e de cultivares de pessegueiros. O período de infestação foi determinado por meio de ensacamento e desensacamento quinzenal e semanal de goiabas e nêsperas, respectivamente, e pelo ensacamento semanal de pêssegos. Os ensaios iniciaram-se com os frutos verdes (princípio de desenvolvimento). Os frutos maduros foram levados ao laboratório e acondicionados individualmente em copos plásticos. A flutuação populacional de Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) foi avaliada por meio de armadilhas plásticas modelo McPhail com torula em cada pomar, de janeiro/2002 a janeiro/2004. Dos frutos foram obtidas cinco espécies de tefritídeos: Anastrepha bistrigata Bezzi, A. fraterculus (Wiedemann), A. obliqua (Macquart), A. sororcula Zucchi e C. capitata e seis de lonqueídeos: Neosilba certa (Walker), N. glaberrima (Wiedemann), N. pendula (Bezzi), N. zadolicha McAlpine and Steyskal, Neosilba sp. 4 e Neosilba sp. 10, além de algumas espécies não-identificadas. Foram obtidas 10 espécies de parasitóides, cinco da família Braconidae - Asobara anastrephae (Muesebeck), Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti), D. brasiliensis (Szépligeti), Opius bellus Gahan e Utetes anastrephae (Viereck) - e cinco da família Figitidae - Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes), Dicerataspis grenadensis Ashmead, Lopheucoila anastrephae (Rhower), Leptopilina boulardi (Barbotin, Carlton and Kelner-Pillaut) e Trybliographa infuscata Diaz, Gallardo and Uchôa. Ceratitis capitata apresentou comportamento sazonal com picos populacionais durante o segundo semestre dos dois anos. As espécies de Anastrepha e de Neosilba permaneceram nos pomares durante os dois anos.

Spinal block complications in obstetrics and gynecology patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine spinal complications during and after surgery in obstetrics and gynecological patients. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive study in Al-Wahda and Aden Teaching Hospitals in Aden, Yemen from March 2004 to March 2005. One hundred and fifty obstetrics and gynecological patients were enrolled. Before and during surgery, pulse and blood pressure was monitored, and patients were observed for any complications of spinal anesthesia, for example, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, shivering, and total spinal block. Post operatively, the patients were followed to identify post-spinal headache, urine retention, neuralgia, back pain, and respiratory failure. Results of complications were related by applying statistical test. RESULTS: Hypotension during surgery was established at a very high percentage of 82%. This could be due to lack of preloading of the patients before spinal block. Vomiting was 61%, nausea 56%, shivering 30%, and total spinal anesthesia 2%. Post operatively, 77.3% patients had post spinal headache, which lasted 4 days, compared with patients who had been applied with non-cutting disposable needles. Urine retention was 38.7%, while back pain and neuralgia was 21.3% each, and respiratory failure was 1.3%. CONCLUSION: Hypotension was traced in a very high percentage of cases due to unawareness and ignorance of pre-anesthetic intravenous fluid loading by concerned staff. Post spinal headache was the second most common complication due to the usage of large, cutting, non-disposable needles.

Effect of interferon-alpha on experimental Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice.

To investigate the immunomodulatory effect of the Th1 mediated cytokine IFN-alpha on schistosomiasis, this cytokine was weekly injected into mice experimentally infected with S. mansoni, beginning from day 0 (group II), week 3 (group III), week 6 (group IV) and week 10 (group V) post-infection. TGF-beta1 serum levels were estimated on a weekly basis and beginning one week after initiation of IFN-alpha therapy, while all animals were sacrified on week 14 to be used for egg counts in liver and small intestine, oogram study for determination of the maturity of deposited eggs, and histopathological examination of stained liver sections. IFN-alpha treated groups were characterized by a more intense oviposition in the intestine (liver/intestine ratio less than 1), with higher egg numbers the earlier IFN-alpha was administered. Oograms of the intestine indicated the level of immature eggs to be statistically significantly higher in group II, III and IV than in the control group I (p < 0.05). In IFN-alpha medicated mice, the mean numbers and diameters of hepatic granulomas were less than in GI, in addition to a lower representation of fibrocellular and fibrous granulomas among them (all parameters p < 0.05), especially in Gs IV & V. The inflammatory cell population in the form of eosinophils, histiocytes and giant cells was more pronounced in Gs III, IV & V. TGF-beta1 serum levels showed a progressive rise, however more pronounced in the untreated control. A statistically positive significant was established between TGF-beta1 levels and number, size and percentage of fibrotic hepatic granulomas in all groups.

Effect of insecticides and fungicides on the interaction between members of the mite families Phytoseiidae and Stigmaeidae on citrus.

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of some insecticides and fungicides on the interaction between predacious mites of the families Phytoseiidae and Stigmaeidae on citrus. Euseius citrifolius Denmark and Muma, Euseius concordis (Chant) (Phytoseiidae), and Agistemus aff. bakeri (Stigmaeidae) were the most abundant species of predacious mites. No significant reduction of the population of stigmaeids was detected following the pesticide treatment. On the contrary, the population of those mites increased after the application of methidathion, petroleum oil, deltamethrin, cupric oxychloride and cuprous oxide, as compared to the population of those mites in the control plots. The chemicals promoting increased stigmaeid populations are some of those that promoted reduction of phytoseiid populations. A significant negative correlation was found between the numbers of phytoseiids and stigmaeids on citrus leaves immediately before treatments, and 33, 50, 83 and 105 days after treatment. A clear negative linear correlation between the number of predacious mites from both families was detected for benomyl, cupric oxychloride, cuprous oxide, thiophanate methyl, and control. Phytoseiid-stigmaeid interaction on citrus orchard is discussed.