Assessing ambient ozone injury in olive (Olea europaea L.) plants by using the antioxidant ethylenediurea (EDU) in Saudi Arabia.

The antiozonant chemical, ethylenediurea (N-[2-(2-oxo-1-imidazolidinyl)ethyl]-N'-phenylurea, abbreviated as EDU), was applied as stem injections or soil drenches to 5-year-old containerized plants of olive (Olea europaea L. cultivar Kalamata) in growth chambers in order to assess its ameliorative effects against realistic ozone (O3) stress. Visible injury symptoms were reduced greatly in individuals treated with EDU, with injection applications having greater protection than soil drenches. EDU application caused increases in the measured ecophysiological parameters compared to untreated individuals. In particular, the stem injection protected plants against photosynthetic impairment (unchanged net photosynthetic rates and intercellular CO2 concentration, in comparison to plants grown in filtered air). EDU application increased the protection of PSII from ambient O3 oxidative stress, although it did not retain the proportion of redox state of QA, pigment composition of photosynthetic apparatus and size of light-harvesting complex of PSII. However, the stem injection of plants with EDU induced lower non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) values in comparison to ambient air (-2 %), indicating a better photoprotection of PSII in comparison to soil drench application. EDU application caused increases in the morphological and biometric parameters compared to individuals exposed to ambient air. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study highlighting the protection of Kalamata olive trees due to EDU in terms of growth, yield, visible injury, and photosynthetic performance. Furthermore, this study proved that EDU could be a low-cost and a low-technology efficient tool for assessing O3 effects on plant performances in the field in Saudi Arabia.

Pathogenicity of Five Strains of Toxoplasma gondii from Different Animals to Chickens.

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite with a broad range of intermediate hosts. Chickens as important food-producing animals can also serve as intermediate hosts. To date, experimental studies on the pathogenicity of T. gondii in broiler chickens were rarely reported. The objective of the present study was to compare the pathogenicity of 5 different T. gondii strains (RH, CN, JS, CAT2, and CAT3) from various host species origin in 10-day-old chickens. Each group of chickens was infected intraperitoneally with 5×10(8), 1×10(8), 1×10(7), and 1×10(6) tachyzoites of the 5 strains, respectively. The negative control group was mockly inoculated with PBS alone. After infection, clinical symptoms and rectal temperatures of all the chickens were checked daily. Dead chickens during acute phage of the infection were checked for T. gondii tachyzoites by microscope, while living cases were checked for T. gondii infection at day 53 post-inoculation (PI) by PCR method. Histopathological sections were used to observe the pathological changes in the dead chickens and the living animals at day 53 PI. No significant differences were found in survival periods, histopathological findings, and clinical symptoms among the chickens infected with the RH, CN, CAT2, and CAT3 strains. Histopathological findings and clinical symptoms of the JS (chicken origin) group were similar to the others. However, average survival times of infected chickens of the JS group inoculated with 5×10(8) and 1×10(8) tachyzoites were 30.0 and 188.4 hr, respectively, significantly shorter than those of the other 4 mammalian isolates. Chickens exposed to 10(8) of T. gondii tachyzoites and higher showed acute signs of toxoplasmosis, and the lesions were relatively more severe than those exposed to lower doses. The results indicated that the pathogenicity of JS strain was comparatively stronger to the chicken, and the pathogenicity was dose-dependent.

Immunological response and protection of mice immunized with plasmid encoding Toxoplasma gondii glycolytic enzyme malate dehydrogenase.

Toxoplasma gondii Malate dehydrogenase (TgMDH) plays an important role as part of the energy production cycle. In this investigation, immunological changes and protection efficiency of this protein delivered as a DNA vaccine have been evaluated. Mice were intramuscularly immunized with pTgMDH, followed by challenge with virulent T. gondii RH strain, 2 weeks after the booster immunization. Compared to the control groups, the results showed that pTgMDH has stimulated specific humoral response as demonstrated by significant high titers of total IgG and subclasses IgG1 and IgG2a , beside IgA and IgM, but not IgE. Analysis of cytokine profiles revealed significant increases of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-17, while no significant changes were detected in TGF-ß1. In cell-mediated response, both T lymphocytes subpopulations CD4(+) and CD8(+) were positively recruited as significant percentages were recorded in response to immunization with TgMDH. Significant long survival rate, 17 days, has been observed in the TgMDH vaccinated group, in contrast with control groups which died within 8-9 days after challenge. These results demonstrated that TgMDH could induce significant immunological responses leading to a considerable level of protection against acute toxoplasmosis infection.

Epidemiology and outcome of childhood asthma: a clinical study in an Egyptian university medical centre.

The prevalence of childhood asthma has increased recently. The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiology of asthma and risk factors for hospital admission among children attending the outpatient and emergency clinic in a university hospital in Sohag, Egypt. The prevalence of asthma over a 6-month period among children aged 3-12 years at this hospital was 1.4% (178/12,612). All the asthmatic children were enrolled in an observational, prospective questionnaire study. More of the asthmatics were males, living in rural areas, with recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, passive exposure to tobacco smoke and suffering attacks at night time; 38 children (21.3%) needed hospital admission for asthma. In multivariate regression analysis, significant risk factors for hospital admission were: both cough and dyspnoea as presenting symptoms; using prophylactic therapy; and complaining of continuous symptoms (during both day and night). Proper use of prophylactic therapies is recommended for better outcomes in our asthmatic children.

PCR-RFLP Analysis of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2 Gene Polymorphisms in Two Commercial Broiler Chicken Strains (Cobb 500 and Hubbard F-15) and Their Associations with Performance Traits.

The present research aimed to study the polymorphisms of the chicken insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) in two commercial broiler breeds (Cobb 500 and Hubbard F-15). In total, 300 avian blood samples were obtained. The genomic DNA was isolated using a fast salt-extraction technique. Moreover, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify 1146 bp fragments of the gene. The amplified fragments were subjected to restriction enzyme digestion using the HinfI endonuclease enzyme, and the digested products were separated on a 2% agarose gel. The findings indicated that there were two alleles T and C for the target locus, with frequencies of 73.3% and 26.7%, respectively. Three distinct genotype variations, TT, TC, and CC, were found, with genotype frequencies of 59.1%, 28.4%, and 12.5%, respectively. A test based on actual and anticipated frequencies of various genotypic variances of the IGF2 gene revealed that the divergence from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was not significant (P≤0.01) in commercial broiler breeds (Cobb 500 and Hubbard F-15) chickens. In addition, it was found that birds with genotype TC had a greater body mass at 8 weeks of age, compared to those with genotypes TT and CC. It was determined that the IGF2 gene exhibited a significant degree of variability and might be regarded as a possible genetic marker in selection and breeding programs for poultry.

A quantitative descriptive study of the prevalence of carriage (colonisation) of haemolytic streptococci groups A, B, C and G in pregnancy.

Invasive group B streptococcus (GBS) disease is a leading cause of neonatal death. There is no UK national screening programme for GBS in pregnancy, hence colonisation rates are unknown. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis is given during labour to colonised women to reduce neonatal GBS transmission and subsequent invasive infection. Data about prevalence of other haemolytic streptococci in pregnancy, including group A streptococcus (GAS), are uncommon despite increasing importance. This study investigated colonisation in 100 pregnant women using conventional culture methods; 19% had GBS. This suggests that GBS carriage is common in the UK. The role of other ß-haemolytic streptococci remains undefined.

Audit of laboratory mycology services for the management of patients with fungal infections in the northwest of England.

BACKGROUND: Fungal infection is increasingly recognised as an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in immunocompromised patients. Little information exists on laboratory services available and the methods used by general microbiology laboratories to diagnose these important infections. AIM: To investigate the services microbiology laboratories in northwest England provide towards the diagnosis and management of superficial and deep fungal infections. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to laboratories to get a holistic view of the support given to clinicians looking after patients with fungal infections. The aim was not to investigate details of each laboratory's standard operating procedures. The completed questionnaires, which formed the basis of this report, were returned by all 21 laboratories which were recruited. This study was conducted between March 2004 and September 2004. RESULTS: Services were provided to District General Hospitals and to six tertiary centres, including eight teaching hospitals by 16 laboratories. Their bed capacity was 250-1300 beds. Total specimens (including bacterial and viral) processed annually were 42 000-500,000 whereas fungal ones were 560-5400. CONCLUSION: In most microbiology laboratories of northwest England, clinicians were aware of the potential of fungal pathogens to cause infections especially in immunocompromised patients. Additional measures such as prolonged incubation of samples were introduced to improve fungal yield from patients at high risk. It is necessary to train and educate laboratory and medical staff about the role of serology and molecular methods in diagnosis and management of patients with fungal infection.

Relationship of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with oxy(quinone) and nitro derivatives during air mass transport.

Airborne concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), quinone and nitro derivatives have been measured at three sites on the coast of Saudi Arabia to the north of the city of Jeddah. The PAH show a general reduction in concentrations from northwest to southeast, consistent with a source from a petrochemical works to the northwest of the sampling sites. In comparison, the concentrations of quinones show little variation between the sampling sites consistent with these being predominantly longer lived secondary pollutants formed from PAH oxidation. The nitro-PAH show a gradient in concentrations similar to but smaller than that for the PAH suggesting a balance between atmospheric formation and removal by photolysis. The 2-nitrofluoranthene:1-nitropyrene ratio increases from north to south, consistent with atmospheric chemical formation of the former compound, while the ratio of 2-nitrofluoranthene:2-nitropyrene is consistent with hydroxyl radical as the dominant reactant. An investigation of the changes in PAH congener ratios during air mass transport along the Red Sea coast shows consistency with reaction with a relatively low concentration of hydroxyl radical only for the day with the highest concentrations. It is concluded that while PAH degradation is occurring by chemical reaction, emissions from other locations along the air mass trajectory are most probably also leading to changes in congener ratios.

Effects of O3 on the stomatal behaviour of Egyptian varieties of radish (Raphanus sativus L. cv. Baladey) and turnip (Brassica rapa L. cv. Sultani).

The effects of O2 (80 nl 1-1 ) on the photosynthetic rate (A) and stormatal conductance (g) of Egyptian varieties of radish (Raphanus sativus L. ev. Baladey) and turnip (Brassica rapa L. ev. Sultani) were examined. Exposure to O3 decreased A in both species, while gs was increased in radish and decreased in turnip. The effect of different concentrations of O3 , (50, 100, 150 nl l-1 on radish was examined and it was found that A decreased, while g, increased, with increasing concentrations of O3 . Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of fumigated leaves showed that the increase in gs in radish resulted from the collapse of epidermal cells. Counts of the percentage of stomata which were fully open demonstrated that 80 nl 1-1 O3 caused an increase of 18% in radish and a decrease of 14% in turnip. The proportion of opened stomata was found to increase with increasing O3 concentration in radish.

Respiratory viral infections after bone marrow/peripheral stem-cell transplantation: the Christie hospital experience.

Respiratory virus infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in bone marrow transplant patients. A retrospective study was performed on the bone marrow transplant unit at the Christie Hospital Manchester. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, clinical presentation, laboratory diagnosis, types of intervention (eg antiviral agents used) and the outcome of such infections in this cohort of transplant recipients. Data were collected from a total of 626 adult patients and showed 27 patients with 29 confirmed episodes of viral respiratory tract infections. The viruses present were rhinovirus (40%), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (22.2%), influenza A (18.5%), parainfluenza (PIV) (14.8%) and enteroviruses (7.4%). The overall frequency of documented respiratory virus infections was 4.3% during the 5-year period of the study. The prevalence of respiratory viral infections was 7.8% among allogeneic and 2.3% among autologous transplant recipients. The frequency of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) was 3.0% among allogeneic and 1.3% among autologous transplant recipients. Eight patients died (seven had allogeneic transplants). Three of these deaths were directly attributable to a respiratory viral infection (two rhinoviruses; one PIV 3). This study further supports the role played by human respiratory viruses in transplant-associated morbidity and mortality, and particularly highlights the significance of rhinovirus infections.

Effect of limb cooling on peripheral and global oxygen consumption in neonates.

AIM: To evaluate peripheral oxygen consumption (VO(2)) measurements using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) with arterial occlusion in healthy term neonates by studying the effect of limb cooling on peripheral and global VO(2). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty two healthy term neonates were studied. Peripheral VO(2) was measured by NIRS using arterial occlusion and measurement of the oxyhaemoglobin (HbO(2)) decrement slope. Global VO(2) was measured by open circuit calorimetry. Global and peripheral VO(2) was measured in each neonate before and after limb cooling. RESULTS: In 10 neonates, a fall in forearm temperature of 2.2 degrees C (mild cooling) decreased forearm VO(2) by 19.6% (p < 0.01). Global VO(2) did not change. In 12 neonates, a fall in forearm temperature of 4 degrees C (moderate cooling) decreased forearm VO(2) by 34.7% (p < 0.01). Global VO(2) increased by 17.6% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The NIRS arterial occlusion method is able to measure changes in peripheral VO(2) induced by limb cooling. The changes are more pronounced with moderate limb cooling when a concomitant rise in global VO(2) is observed. Change in peripheral temperature must be taken into consideration in the interpretation of peripheral VO(2) measurements in neonates.

Effect of a change in global metabolic rate on peripheral oxygen consumption in neonates.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of an induced change in global metabolic rate on peripheral oxygen consumption (VO(2)) in healthy full term neonates. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty four healthy full term neonates were studied. Peripheral VO(2) was measured by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) using arterial occlusion and measurement of the oxyhaemoglobin (HbO(2)) decrement slope. Global VO(2) was measured by open circuit calorimetry. Global and peripheral VO(2) were measured in each neonate before and after a routine bath. Abdominal and forearm skin temperatures were also recorded. RESULTS: Nineteen neonates completed the study. Global VO(2) increased by 30.7% (p = 0.001), and peripheral VO(2) by 23.1% (p = 0.001). A correlation between the fractional changes in global and peripheral VO(2) was apparent (r = 0.76, p = 0.001). Abdominal skin temperature decreased by 0.8 degrees C (p = 0.001), and forearm skin temperature by 0.6 degrees C (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of peripheral VO(2) using NIRS with arterial occlusion is responsive to conditions that increase global metabolic rate. Any change in global VO(2) must be taken into consideration during the interpretation of peripheral VO(2) measurements in neonates.

The light still shines, but not that brightly? The current status of perinatal near infrared spectroscopy.

Efforts have been made to find new, non-invasive methods for assessing tissue oxygenation and haemodynamics, particularly in the brain of the fetus and the newborn infant. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a developmental technique that provides just such a method, allowing calculation of variables such as cerebral blood flow and cerebral blood volume. It can also measure peripheral oxygen consumption. This review is based on our long experience of using NIRS. Basic principles, techniques, validation, and clinical applications are highlighted. Although more than two decades have passed since its introduction, NIRS remains very much a developmental technique, despite technical progression. A great deal more research is required for NIRS to become a routine clinical tool.

Measurement of peripheral oxygen utilisation in neonates using near infrared spectroscopy: comparison between arterial and venous occlusion methods.

The aim of this study was to develop an arterial occlusion method and compare it with the venous occlusion method for measurement of peripheral oxygen utilisation in neonates using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Twenty healthy neonates were studied. Arterial occlusion was produced by inflating a neonatal blood pressure cuff to 100 mmHg for 30-40 s and oxygen utilisation (VO(2)) was calculated using the HbO(2) decrement slope following occlusion. Venous occlusion was produced by inflating the cuff to 30 mmHg for 15-20 s and VO(2) was calculated by: VO(2)=HbTx4x(SaO(2)-SvO(2)), where SaO(2) is the arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry and SvO(2) is the venous oxygen saturation measured by NIRS. Each baby had a minimum of three arterial and three venous occlusions. Criteria were developed for acceptance/rejection of an occlusion. Using the arterial method, the mean VO(2) was 1.12 mM cm(-1) O(2)/min (S.D.=0.25), (95% CI=1.00-1.24 mM cm(-1) O(2)/min). The coefficient of variation was 6.6+/-4.1%. Using the venous method, the mean VO(2) was 1.60 mM cm(-1) O(2)/min (S.D.=0.48), (95% CI=1. 38-1.82 mM cm(-1) O(2)/min). The coefficient of variation was 12. 6+/-5.7%. The correlation between the two methods was weak (r=0.28 and r(2) was 0.08). The mean difference between the two methods was 0. 47 mM cm(-1) O(2)/min (S.D.=0.51). The limits of agreement were -0. 53 to 1.47 mM cm(-1) O(2)/min. The arterial method gives more consistent results.

The hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic effect of citrullus colocynthis fruit aqueous extract in normal and alloxan diabetic rabbits.

Effects of the aqueous, glycosidic, alkaloidal and saponin extracts of the rind of Citrullus colocynthis on the plasma glucose levels were investigated in normal rabbits, while the effects of saponin extract on the fasting plasma glucose levels were studied in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. In normal rabbits, oral administration of aqueous extract (300 mg/kg) produced significant reduction in plasma glucose after 1 h and highly significant after 2,3 and 6 h. Phytochemical screening revealed that the rind of C. colocynthis and its aqueous extract contains tertiary and quaternary alkaloids, glycoside and saponin components. The hypoglycaemic effects of these components given orally at a dose (50 mg/kg) were studied in normoglycaemic rabbits. Result showed that the alkaloidal extract did not significantly lower the blood glucose levels from 132 mg/100 ml at 0 h to 120 mg/100 ml after 6 h, while the glycosidic extract significantly lowered the fasting glucose levels after 2 and 3 h and highly significant after 6 h. The effect was more pronounced with saponin extract, the saponin significantly lowered the fasting glucose levels after 1 and 2 h and highly significant (P<0.001) after 3 and 6 h. Graded doses (10, 15 and 20 mg/kg) of saponin extract, when given orally to alloxan diabetic rabbits, produced a significant reduction of plasma glucose concentration. These results suggest that the aqueous extract of the rind of C. colocynthis possesses a hypoglycaemic effect and its hypoglycaemic action could be attributed for more extent to the presence of saponin in addition to the presence of glycosidic components.

Hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum leaf in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats.

The aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Trigonella foenum-graecum leaf were tested for hypoglycaemic activity in normal and alloxan-diabetic rats. Graded amounts (0.06, 0.2, 0.5, 1 g/kg, i.p. and 1, 2, 8 g/kg, p.o.) of the aqueous extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum leaf when given to both normal and alloxan-diabetic rats, a significant reduction of blood glucose concentration was noticed. On the other hand ethanolic extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum leaf produced no reduction in blood glucose concentration in normal rats but intra-peritoneal administration of 0.8 g/kg of the ethanolic leaf extract to diabetic rats produced a significant reduction of blood glucose concentration (p < 0.02) at 2 and 24 h only. Intraperitoneal and oral acute toxicity (LD50) and target organ effects were studied for the aqueous extract of Trigonella leaf in mice. LD50 of i.p. and oral administration were 1.9 and 10 g/kg respectively. The main organ affected after i.p. administration of the aqueous extract was the liver while oral administration of the aqueous extract of Trigonella did not produce any sign of organ damage. These results suggest that the aqueous extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum leaves given both orally and intraperitoneally possesses a hypoglycaemic effect in normoglycaemic and alloxan induced hyperglycaemic rats.

Effect of saponin on mortality and histopathological changes in mice.

We evaluated the acute toxicity and histopathological effects of saponin (extracted from the plant Citrullus colocynthis) on mice in order to assess its safety. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the saponin was 200 mg/kg. The histological changes were confined to the small intestine, liver and kidney, whereas the stomach, large intestine and heart appeared normal. The changes in the small intestine included haemorrhage and erosion of the mucosa. In addition, hepatorenal damage resulted from necrosis of liver cells and renal tubules.

Hypoglycaemic effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Trigonella foenum-graecum in healthy volunteers.

The safety and efficacy of Trigonella foenum-graecum extract was investigated using 20 male volunteers aged 20-30 years. They were randomly treated with either 40 mg/kg aqueous extract powder in 10 mL distilled water or 10 mL distilled water in which coffee simulated the extract. The extract significantly lowered blood glucose level by 13.4% 4 hours after ingestion. A significant change of 14.1% was observed in potassium levels. No significant alteration in serum cholesterol, total serum protein and blood urea occurred. Approximately one-third experienced feelings of hunger, frequency of micturition or dizziness during the 24 hours after ingestion. The aqueous extract effectively reduced blood glucose in normal subjects safely. Its hypokalaemic effect merits further investigation.

Gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants in response to ambient ozone at a rural site in Egypt.

Egyptian pea cultivars (Pisum sativum L. cultivars Little Marvel, Perfection and Victory) grown in open-top chambers were exposed to either charcoal-filtered (FA) or non-filtered air (NF) for five consecutive years (2009-2013) at a rural site in northern Egypt. Net photosynthetic rates (PN), stomatal conductance (gs), intercellular CO2 (Ci) and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured. Ozone (O3) was found to be the most prevalent pollutant common at the rural site and is suspected to be involved in the alteration of the physiological parameters measured in the present investigation. PN of different cultivars were found to respond similarly; decreases of 23, 29 and 39% were observed in the cultivars Perfection, Little Marvel and Victory, respectively (averaged over the five years) due to ambient O3. The maximum impairment in PN was recorded in the cultivar Victory (46%) in 2013 when the highest O3 levels were recorded (90 nL L(-1)). The average stomatal conductance decreased by 20 and 18% in the cultivars Little Marvel and Perfection, respectively, while the average stomatal conductance increased on average by 27% in the cultivar Victory. A significant correlation was found between PN and Ci, indicating the importance of non-stomatal limitations of photosynthesis, especially in the cultivar Victory. The PN vs. Ci curves were fitted to a non-rectangular hyperbolic model. The actual quantum yield (ΦPSII) and photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) were significantly decreased in the leaves of plants exposed to NF air. Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) was increased in all cultivars. Exposure to NF air caused reductions in chlorophyll (Chl a) of 19, 16 and 30% in the Little Marvel, Perfection and Victory cultivars, respectively.

Detection of heterozygous c.1708C>T and c.1978C>G thyroid peroxidase (TPO) mutations in Iraqi patients with toxic and nontoxic goiter.

Sixty-three Arabic patients (16 males and 47 females) with thyroid toxic and nontoxic goiter who attended the endocrinologist in Nuclear Medicine Hospital and Al Yarmok Nuclear Medicine Department in Baghdad, Iraq were examined for thyroid peroxidase (TPO) gene mutations. A total of ten heterozygous mutations have been identified in the human TPO gene associated with thyroid toxic and nontoxic goiter. These mutations involved transition or transversion of cysteine either by thymine or guanine at the position 1708 of the exon 10 (c.1708C>T) and the position 1978 of the exon 11 (c.1978C>G). From a total of ten detected mutations, two c.1978C>G mutations were detected in nontoxic goiter patients and eight (two c.1708C>T and six c.1978C>G mutations) were detected in toxic goiter. In conclusion, this study identified ten TPO mutations associated with toxic and nontoxic goiter that have not been yet reported in Iraq, and most of them are detected among females (90 %) and adults age between 30 and 50 years old (80 %).