Nigella sativa-chitosan nanoparticles: Novel intestinal mucosal immunomodulator controls and protects against Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis infection in broilers.

BACKGROUND: Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) propagates in chickens' gastrointestinal surfaces and is transmitted to humans, causing food poisoning. Oral supplementation with natural nanoparticles can overcome the harsh gastrointestinal conditions facing oral vaccines and requires no antibiotic administration to protect against microbial infection. This study was designed to study Nigella sativa-chitosan nanoparticles (CNP-NS) prophylactic immunomodulatory efficacy against SE infection in broiler chicks. The CNP-NS was prepared and characterized, and its in vivo immunomodulatory activities against an avian virulent-MDR SE-induced challenge in chicks were investigated. RESULT: To verify the immune-protective activities of the CNP-NS, colony forming units (CFU) in the liver and fecal droppings; intestinal histopathological alterations and immune cell recruitment; MUC-2, TLR-4, cecal cytokines, and specific IgA gene expression levels were assessed. On the 7th and 12th days after the SE challenge, the CNP-NS supplemented chicks showed complete clearance of SE CFU in livers and fecal droppings, as well as an improvement in food conversion rate compared to non-supplemented CNP-NS that revealed the presence of the challenge SE CFU on the same days. A prominent influx of antigen presenting cells and lymphoid aggregates into the intestinal wall, spleen, and liver was detected with improvements in the intestinal villi morphometry of the CNP-NS-supplemented chicks. The changes of INF-γ, IL-1ß, and IL-4 cecal cytokines, as well as TLR-4, MUC-2, and IgA mRNA expression levels, confirm CNP-NS immunomodulatory activities and provide a mechanism(s) for its protective actions against the induced SE challenge of the tested chickens. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest promising useful insights into CNP-NS supplementation as a safe food additive for poultry meat consumers' and a protective immunomodulator of the chickens' mucosal immune systems. It could be recommended for epidemiological purposes to reduce the risk of SE food poisoning and transmission to humans.

Seasonal variations of physiological responses, milk production, and fatty acid profile of local crossbred cows in Tunisia.

The study investigates the seasonal variations of physiological responses, milk yield, milk composition, and milk fatty acid profile of local crossbred cows (Friesian × Brown Atlas) in northwestern Tunisia. A total of 80 multiparous cows from smallholder farmers were sampled between 2018 and 2019. The cows were feed the same diet ad libitum and exposed to the same Mediterranean climatic conditions. Weekly rectal temperature (RT; °C), respiratory rate (RR; rpm), and heart rate (HR; bpm) were measured per cow in each season. Individual milk yield and samples were recorded bi-weekly and collected in duplicate for chemical analyses. Milk fatty acids (FAs) were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results showed an increase (P < 0.05) in RT (+ 1.3%), RR (+ 12.1%), and HR (+ 9.9%) when the temperature-humidity index (THI) increased from winter (53.6) to summer (74.4) in response to heat stress. Milk yield did not vary significantly between seasons (8.3 L/day on average). Summer milk contained more fat (+ 7.8%) and log SCC (+ 13.7%). The proportion of the monounsaturated (31.2 vs. 27.2%) and polyunsaturated (4.29 vs. 3.86%) FAs decreased (P < 0.05) between winter and summer. Saturated FAs (64.5 vs. 67.7%) were higher (P < 0.05) in summer than in winter. Winter milk fat contained higher levels of C18:2cis-9 trans-11 (CLA) (0.73 vs. 0.56%) and ω-3 FA (0.83 vs. 0.63%), but a lower ω-6/ω-3 ratio (4.07 vs. 6.17%) compared to summer. As the cows were fed the same diet throughout the two seasons, the performances obtained were mainly due to the resistance of the local crossbred cow to the hot conditions. It is concluded that the local crossbred cow maintains its productivity and tolerate the hot Mediterranean climate.

Nigella sativa oil extract: A natural novel specific conjugal transfer inhibitor of vancomycin resistance from vanA/B-resistant Enterococcus faecium to Staphylococcus aureus.

AIM: The emergence of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) has been identified as one of the most challenging problems in healthcare settings worldwide. Specific conjugation inhibitors' development is critical in the fight against the spread of emerging VRSA. The impact of Nigella sativa oil on VR genes conjugal transfer from Enterococcus faecium (VREtfm) to vancomycin-sensitive S. aureus (VSSA) was investigated in this study. METHODS AND RESULTS: Enterococciwere isolated from retail broilers, fish, cows' milk, and human urine. VR E. faecalis and VREtfm VanA phenotypes were prevalent in retail broiler samples. The VREtfm isolates were dominant, exhibiting high levels of resistance to gentamycin and ciprofloxacin antibiotics, as well as the existence of both vanA and vanB genes and virulence traits (ESP+ , asa1+ ) as determined by PCR. Transconjugant VREtfm strains containing vanA/vabB and 20 kb plasmids (transfer frequency around 103 ) and carrying the Tn1546 transposon were identified. Tn1546 transposon transfer with its VR markers to VSSA was effectively inhibited in treated VREtfm donor strains with a sub-minimum inhibitory concentration of N. sativa oil. THE SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work offers new insights for overcoming VR conjugal transfer utilizing natural N. sativa oil, as well as a suggestion for a novel specialized conjugation inhibitor that could effectively facilitate the difficulty of eliminating VR bacteria from healthcare settings.

Chemopreventive effect of α-hederin/carboplatin combination against experimental colon hyperplasia and impact on JNK signaling.

Colon cancer is the commonest cancer worldwide. α-Hederin is a monodesmosidic triterpenoid saponin possessing diverse pharmacological activities. The running experiment was designed to test the chemopreventive activity of α-hederin when used as an adjuvant to carboplatin in an experimental model of mouse colon hyperplasia induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). Fifty male Swiss albino mice were classified into five groups: group (I): saline group, group (II): DMH-induced colon hyperplasia control group, group (III): DMH + carboplatin (5 mg/kg) group, group (IV): DMH + α-hederin (80 mg/kg) group, and group (V): DMH + carboplatin (5 mg/kg)+α-hederin (80 mg/kg) group. Analyzing of colonic tissue indicated that the disease control group showed higher colon levels of phospho-PI3K to total-PI3K, phospho-AKT to total-AKT and cyclin D1 concurrent with lower phospho-JNK/total JNK ratio and caspase 3. However, treatment with α-hederin, in combination with carboplatin, favorably ameliorated phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT/JNK proteins, increased colon caspase 3 and downregulated cyclin D1. Microscopically, α-hederin, in combination with carboplatin, produced the most reduction in the histologic hyperplasia score, enhanced the goblet cell survival in periodic acid Schiff staining and reduced proliferation (Ki-67 immunostaining) in the current colon hyperplasia model. Collectively, the current study highlighted for the first time that using α-hederin as an adjuvant to carboplatin enhanced its chemopreventive activity, improved JNK signaling and increased apoptosis. Hence, further studies are warranted to test α-hederin as a promising candidate with chemotherapeutic agents in treating colon cancer.

Huffmanela sp. (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae: Huffmanelinae) Encountered in the Whitecheek Shark (Carcharhinus Dussumieri) in The Arabian Gulf.

Veterinary inspection of fish caught at the western side of the Arabian Gulf off the shore of Saudi Arabia in 2017 revealed abnormal irregular zigzag black lines in the skins of 135 out of 1500 (prevalence = 9 %) whitecheek sharks (Carcharhinus dussumieri). These lesions have been noticed in the dorsal and ventral part of the head near the snout and around the eyes, as well as in the skin of the pectoral fins. The parasitological, pathological and ultramorphological aspects of the sampled fish were studied using a light microscope, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopes. Trichosomoidid-type eggs identified as Huffmanela sp. were found in the superficial layer of the skin. The mature eggs containing larvae (n = 75) were ellipsoidal or spindle-shaped, smooth-shelled, amber-brown to dark brown or even black in colour. The width of the eggs ranged from 34 to 49µm with lengths ranging from 95 to 107µm. The polar plugs of the immature eggs were slightly protruding, whereas mature eggs had clearly protruding polar plugs. The width of the polar plugs ranged from 4.5 - 9.5µm. The shells of the eggs were smooth and there was a thin layer seen near the polar areas. The infected skin exhibited desquamated epithelium, with inflammatory cell aggregations and melanophores in the debris. The underlying musculatures of the skin were free from any eggs, but showed mild pathological changes, including congestion of blood vessels, haemorrhages and oedema. The prevalence of infection showed seasonality, peaking significantly in the spring (18.18 %), with comparable prevalence rates in winter and summer (9.43 % and 8.57 %, respectively). However, infections dropped significantly during the autumn months (3.75 %). It is believed that this is the first study reporting the presence of Huffmanela sp. in whitecheek sharks at El-Jubail Province, Saudi Arabia, Arabian Gulf.

From Four-Way Linking to a One Health Platform in Egypt: institutionalisation of a multidisciplinary and multisectoral One Health system.

The convergence of humans, animals and our shared environment results in a dynamic in which the health of each group is inextricably linked. Taking into account the fact that the majority of emerging pathogens (e.g. highly pathogenic avian influenza [HPAI], severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Nipah virus, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) are zoonotic diseases, Egypt has established a national One Health coordination mechanism. The primary purpose of this mechanism is to provide a comprehensive, strategic approach to concurrent and future health challenges that are facing public and animal heath, including environmental impacts. In this way, the public health, animal health and environment sectors can improve disease mitigation measures, develop stronger and more stable public and animal health services, promote effective national communication strategies and improve One Health collaboration among all relevant sectors. In Egypt, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) currently assist in hosting the country's Four-Way Linking Task Force with the participation of the convening Ministries (Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Environment, and Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation [MOALR] - through the General Organisation for Veterinary Services and the MOALR's laboratories). In the context of the Emerging Pandemic Threats 2 Program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), FAO plans to assist Egypt in establishing a robust, multidisciplinary and multisectoral One Health system. This system is based on the solid foundation of the Four-Way Linking Platform, which combines information from four functional streams - epidemiology, laboratories, and animal and human health. Egypt's platform will involve all sectors concerned with HPAI control and combine all stakeholders in an integrated, holistic approach to improve the detection of, response to and control of any threats at the human- animal-environment interface in Egypt.

La coexistence des humains, des animaux et d'un environnement partagé crée une dynamique au sein de laquelle la santé de chaque groupe est inextricablement liée à celle des autres. Confrontée au caractère zoonotique de la majorité des agents pathogènes émergents (par exemple le virus de l'influenza aviaire hautement pathogène [IAHP], le coronavirus responsable du syndrome respiratoire aigu sévère, le virus Nipah, le coronavirus responsable du syndrome respiratoire du Moyen-Orient), l'Égypte a mis en place un mécanisme de coordination Une seule santé. Les objectifs en sont les suivants : a) mieux comprendre l'interaction des facteurs intervenant à l'interface homme­animal­environnement, b) améliorer les mesures d'atténuation de l'impact des maladies, c) oeuvrer en faveur de services de santé publique et de santé animale performants et stables, d) promouvoir des stratégies nationales de communication efficaces et une collaboration multisectorielle Une seule santé entre toutes les entités concernées. En Égypte, l'Organisation des Nations Unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture (FAO) et l'Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) contribuent à cette démarche en accueillant le Groupe de travail quadri-directionnel (Four-Way Linking) qui réunit les ministères concernés (ministère de la Santé et de la population, ministère de l'Environnement et ministère de l'Agriculture et de la revalorisation des terres [MOALR], à travers l'Organisation générale des Services vétérinaires et les laboratoires du MOALR). La FAO prévoit de fournir à l'Égypte une assistance visant à mettre en place un système robuste, multisectoriel et multidisciplinaire Une seule santé, dans le cadre de la deuxième phase du Programme sur les menaces pandémiques émergentes financé par l'Agence des États-Unis pour le développement international (USAID). Ce système est basé sur les bases solides déjà posées par la plateforme quadri-directionnelle en place, qui fait converger les informations émanant de quatre circuits opérationnels : l'épidémiologie, les laboratoires, la santé animale et la santé publique. La Plateforme égyptienne fera participer tous les secteurs impliqués dans la lutte contre l'IAHP et réunira les parties prenantes dans une démarche intégrée et holistique visant à améliorer la détection des menaces à l'interface homme­animal­environnement en Égypte ainsi que la réponse qui leur est apportée et leur contrôle.

La confluencia de personas y animales en el medio común a todos nosotros da lugar a una dinámica en la que la salud de cada parte está inextricablemente ligada a la de las demás. Teniendo en cuenta que la mayoría de los patógenos emergentes (influenza aviar altamente patógena [IAAP], coronavirus del síndrome respiratorio agudo severo, virus Nipah, coronavirus del síndrome respiratorio de Oriente Medio, etc.) son zoonóticos, Egipto ha establecido un mecanismo nacional de coordinación en clave de Una sola salud con los siguientes objetivos: a) entender mejor la interrelación de distintos factores en la interfaz de personas, animales y medio ambiente; b) mejorar las medidas de mitigación de enfermedades; c) instituir servicios sólidos y estables de salud pública y sanidad animal; y d) promover dispositivos nacionales de comunicación eficaces y una colaboración multisectorial entre todas las entidades interesadas que se inscriba en los postulados de Una sola salud. En Egipto, la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura (FAO) y la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) prestan apoyo actualmente albergando al grupo de trabajo que en el país se dedica a la conexión cuatridimensional (Four-Way Linking) con participación de los ministerios convocantes (Ministerio de Salud y Población, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Ministerio de Agricultura y Recuperación de Tierras y por conducto de la Organización General de Servicios Veterinarios y los laboratorios del Ministerio de Agricultura). Como parte de la segunda fase del programa contra las amenazas pandémicas emergentes que financia la Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional (USAID), la FAO tiene previsto ayudar a Egipto a instituir un robusto sistema pluridisciplinar y multisectorial de Una sola salud partiendo de las sólidas bases que ha sentado el dispositivo de conexión cuatridimensional, que centraliza información procedente de cuatro grandes ámbitos de trabajo: epidemiología, laboratorios, sanidad animal y salud humana. El dispositivo egipcio federará a todos los sectores que intervienen en la lucha contra la IAAP y combinará, desde un planteamiento integrado y holístico, la labor de todos los interlocutores para detectar, controlar y combatir más eficazmente cuantas amenazas surjan en Egipto en la interfaz de personas, animales y medio ambiente.

Monitoring and predicting land use/cover changes in the Aksu-Tarim River Basin, Xinjiang-China (1990-2030).

Land use/cover (LCLU) is considered as one of the most serious environmental challenges that threatens developed and less developed countries. LCLU changes' monitoring using the integration of remote sensing (RS) and geographical information systems (GIS) and their predicting using an artificial neural network (ANN) in the western part of the Tarim River Basin (Aksu), north-western Xinjiang-China, from 1990 to 2030 have been investigated first time through satellite imageries available. The imageries of 1990, 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015 were downloaded from GLCF and USGS websites. After digital image processing, the object-oriented image classification approach was applied. The ANN method with MOLUSCE Plugin was used to simulate the LCLU changes in 2020, 2025, and 2030. GIS has also been used to calculate the distance from the road and water and etc. The simulation results of 2010 and 2015 were validated using classification data with Kappa coefficient. The results showed high accuracy of the classification and prediction as the validation of simulated 2010 and 2015 maps to the referenced maps have high accuracy of Kappa 84 and 88%, respectively. The results revealed that the land cover classes forest-, grass-, wet-, and barren land have been decreased from 50.01, 13.06, 8.24, and 1.06% in 1990 to 32.03, 3.06, 6.26, and 0.97% in 2015, respectively, while the land use classes, crop or farm land, and urban land have been increased almost double from 25.5 and 2.13% in 1990 to 53.71 and 3.86% from the total area in 2015, respectively. For the prediction, forest- and wetlands will loss more than half of their areas by 2030, the grass land will be cleared completely to be only 1.3% from the total study area, while the urban land will be increased to be 4.4% or the double of 1990. These results are attributed to population growth and expanding of agriculture land on the grass land, but the effect of climate was weak as the rainfall increased during the study period. Causes and effects of the LCLU changes were briefly discussed. The output of the study serves as useful tools for policy and decision makers combatting natural resources misused in arid lands.

Utilization of blue panic (Panicum antidotale) as an alternative feed resource for feeding Barky sheep in arid regions.

This study aimed at elucidating effects of replacing sorghum with blue panic (BP) on total dry matter intake (TDMI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), apparent nutrient digestibility, blood biochemical constituents, rumen fermentation patterns and economic feasibility of Barky male lambs. Fifteen lambs (av. BW, 22.5 ± 1.6 kg) were randomly allotted into 3 treatments (n = 5/group). Control lambs were given a diet of concentrate mixture (CM) plus sorghum (S), BP50% lambs were given a diet of CM plus (S: PB 1:1) and BP100% lambs were given CM plus PB. The experiment lasted for 54 days. At the last week of the experiment, the apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients were determined using lignin contents of feeds and faeces as an internal marker. Blood samples were collected at weeks 3, 5 and 7 to determine serum biochemical parameters. Results showed that TDMI significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by diet, whereas ADG was not affected. Mean FCR values were 5.67, 5.46 and 5.86 for control, BP50% and BP100%, respectively. Neither nutrients digestibility nor ruminal fermentation parameters were affected (P > 0.05) by total replacement of sorghum with BP. Likewise, none of the serum biochemical constituents were different in BP than in control lambs. This study concluded that BP grass would be considered as one of the promising tropical green forages in the arid regions as an alternative feedstuff in case of shortage of green fodders.

Investigation of belinostat-induced genomic instability by molecular cytogenetic analysis and pathway-focused gene expression profiling.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs), which regulate transcription and specific functions such as tumor suppression by p53, are frequently altered in tumors and have a contentious role in carcinogenesis. HDAC inhibitors, which have a long history of use in psychiatry and neurology, have recently been tested as possible treatments for tumors. Belinostat received regulatory approval in the USA on July 3, 2014, for use against peripheral T-cell lymphoma. However, the unavailability of information on belinostat genotoxicity in normal cells and the molecular mechanisms involved in the genetic instability after exposure to belinostat encouraged us to conduct this study. Our data showed that the exposure of mice to belinostat at the recommended human doses induced chromosome breakage, whole-chromosome lagging, and oxidative DNA damage in bone marrow cells in a dose-dependent manner. The expression levels of 84 genes involved in the DNA damage signaling pathway were evaluated by using an RT2 Profiler PCR array. Belinostat exposure altered the expression of 25 genes, with statistically significant changes observed in 17 genes. The array results were supported by RT-PCR and western blotting experiments. Collectively, our results showed that belinostat exposure caused oxidative DNA damage and downregulated the expression of genes involved in DNA damage repair, which may be responsible for belinostat-induced genomic instability. Thus, the clinical usage of this drug should be weighed against the hazards of carcinogenesis, and the observed genotoxicity profile of belinostat may support further development of efficient HDAC inhibitors with weaker genotoxicity.

Lanthanide complexes of spiropyran photoswitch and sensor: spectroscopic investigations and computational modelling.

A number of novel lanthanide (Gd3+, Sm3+, and Tb3+) complexes of the 1',3'-dihydro-8-methoxy-1',3',3'-trimethyl-6-nitrospiro[2H-1-benzopyran-2,2'-(2H)-indole] (spiropyran; SP), a widely studied molecular photoswitch, were investigated. Comparative spectroscopic (absorption and fluorescence) and kinetic investigations of the stimulated photochromic and solvatochromic behavior were carried out in different media. SP embedded in a rigid thin film of poly(methylmethacrylate) might be exploited profitably as an optical sensor for the identification of a solvent's nature. Furthermore, thermodynamic parameters, in particular, Gibbs' free energy change (ΔG°), were derived using density functional theory quantum chemical calculations with the SP and merocyanine coloured form. The model used was the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)/SCRF = (SMD, solvent) and its time-dependent extension procedure was used to quantitatively explain the structural isomerization in response to a variety of stimuli, such as light, solvent nature, lanthanide(iii) ions, and macromolecular support. These findings might be useful for the design of photoswitchable and energy transfer materials and their related fields.

Impact of a National Controlled Donation After Circulatory Death (DCD) Program on Organ Donation in the United Kingdom: A 10-Year Study.

Organ transplantation is the most successful treatment for some forms of organ failure, yet a lack of organs means many die on the waiting list. In the United Kingdom, the Organ Donation Taskforce was set up to identify barriers to organ donation and in 2008 released its first report (Organ Donation Taskforce Report; ODTR). This study assesses the success since the ODTR and examines the impact of the United Kingdom's controlled donation after circulatory death (DCD) program and the controversies surrounding it. There were 12 864 intended donation after brain death (DBD) or DCD donors from April 2004 to March 2014. When the 5 years preceding the ODTR was compared to the 5 years following, intended DCD donors increased 292% (1187 to 4652), and intended DBD donors increased 11% (3327 to 3698). Organs retrieved per intended DBD donor remained static (3.30 to 3.26), whereas there was a decrease in DCD (1.54 to 0.99) due to a large rise in donors who did not proceed to donation (325 to 2464). The majority of DCD donors who proceeded did so within 30 min from time of withdrawal. Our study suggests further work on converting eligible referrals to organ donation and exploring methods of converting DCD to DBD donors.

Ultra-Sensitive Nano Optical Sensor Samarium-Doxycycline Doped in Sol Gel Matrix for Assessment of Glucose Oxidase Activity in Diabetics Disease.

A low cost and very sensitive method for the determination of the activity of glucose oxidase enzyme in different diabetics serum samples was developed. The method based on the assessment of the H2O2 concentration produced from the reaction of the glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme with glucose as substrate in the serum of diabetics patients by nano optical sensor Sm-doxycycline doped in sol gel matrix. H2O2 enhances the luminescence intensity of all bands of the nano Sm-doxycycline complex [Sm-(DC)2]+ doped in sol-gel matrix, especially the 645 nm band at λex = 400 nm and pH 7.0 in water. The influence of the different analytical parameters that affect the luminescence intensity of the nano optical sensor, e.g. pH, H2O2 concentration and foreign ions concentrations were studied. The remarkable enhancement of the luminescence intensity of nano optical sensor [Sm-(DC)2]+ complex in water at 645 nm by the addition of various concentrations of H2O2 was successfully used as an optical sensor for the assessment of the activity of the glucose oxidase enzyme in different diabetics serum samples. The calibration plot was achieved over the activity range 0.1-240 U/L with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 and a detection limit of 0.05 U/L.

A review on plant importance, biotechnological aspects, and cultivation challenges of jojoba plant.

Jojoba is considered a promising oil crop and is cultivated for diverse purposes in many countries. The jojoba seed produces unique high-quality oil with a wide range of applications such as medical and industrial-related products. The plant also has potential value in combatting desertification and land degradation in dry and semi-dry areas. Although the plant is known for its high-temperature and high-salinity tolerance growth ability, issues such as its male-biased ratio, relatively late flowering and seed production time hamper the cultivation of this plant. The development of efficient biotechnological platforms for better cultivation and an improved production cycle is a necessity for farmers cultivating the plant. In the last 20 years, many efforts have been made for in vitro cultivation of jojoba by applying different molecular biology techniques. However, there is a lot of work to be done in order to reach satisfactory results that help to overcome cultivation problems. This review presents a historical overview, the medical and industrial importance of the jojoba plant, agronomy aspects and nutrient requirements for the plant's cultivation, and the role of recent biotechnology and molecular biology findings in jojoba research.

Faecal carriage of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing enterobacteria in liver disease patients from two hospitals in Egypt and France: a comparative epidemiological study.

This study aimed to assess and compare the epidemiology of faecal carriage of extended spectrum ß-lactamase-producing enterobacteria (ESBL-E) in Hepatology departments of two hospitals specializing in liver diseases, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI) in Cairo (Egypt) and Beaujon Hospital (Bj) in Clichy (France). CTX-M groups were identified by PCR, and TEM and SHV derivatives with the check-point system. Phylogenetic groups of E. coli were determined by multiplex PCR, and clone ST131 by PCR of gene pabB. Prevalence of ESBL-E was 77·6% (45/58) in TBRI and 6·5% (13/199) in Bj (P < 10-7). Previous hospitalization was more common (P = 0·003) in Bj patients (93%) than in TBRI patients (45%) suggesting high prevalence of ESBL-E in the Egyptian community. The presence of E. coli B2 ST131 among ESBL-E faecal E. coli in Egypt confirms its pervasiveness in the community and raises concern regarding this highly virulent and resistant clone.

Inkjet printable luminescent Eu3+-TiO2 doped in sol gel matrix for paper tagging.

Europium (III) with different concentrations (0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 %)-TiO(2) doped silica composite systems were sensitized by sol-gel method. Different spectroscopic and microscopic tools characterized the composites. The Europium ion incorporated into the liquid silica-titania solution acts as red light emission center in the luminescent materials. This luminescent nano composite pigment has great potential of application in preparing luminescent ink. Inkjet printer loaded with the prepared ink to show its potential usage as tagging material performed the printing test on a white paper.

[Level of Binocular Pseudoaccommodation in Patients Implanted with an Apodised, Diffractive and Trifocal Multifocal Intraocular Lens]. / Grad der binokularen Pseudoakkommodation mit einer apodisierten, diffraktiven und trifokalen Multifokallinse.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to make an evaluation of the pseudoaccommodation span and clinical results after implantation of a diffractive, apodised and trifocal multifocal intraocular lens (MIOL). METHODS: In a prospective, single-centre study 28 eyes of 14 patients were evaluated after in the bag implantation of the Micro-F MIOL (PhysIOL, Belgium) during routine microsurgical cataract surgery. Two to four months postoperatively the final examinations were performed. Refraction, visual acuity monocular and binocular (near in 40 cm, intermediate in 80 cm and distance) as well as binocular defocus curves were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean monocular UDVA (uncorrected distance visual acuity) increased significantly (p < 0.0001) from 0.471 ± 0.22 logMAR to 0.144 ± 0.14 logMAR. For the monocular UNVA (uncorrected near visual acuity) and UIVA (uncorrected intermediate visual acuity) postoperative values of 0.127 ± 0.117 and 0.158 ± 0.20 logMAR compared to binocular results of 0.057 ± 0.137 and 0.094 ± 0.181 logMAR were found. In the analysis of the binocular defocus curve two peaks could be found between 0.0 and - 0.5 D with a visual acuity of 0.0 logMAR and at - 3.0 D with a visual acuity of 0.068 logMAR. In the intermediate range a constant pseudoaccommodation of 0.2 logMAR could be found. CONCLUSIONS: The trifocal, diffractive MIOL shows good functional results in all distances with a span of pseudoaccommodation of 3D and a mean visual acuity of 0.2 logMAR and better. Indeed it is offering a high level of spectacle independency without the typical intermediate gap of bifocal diffractive MIOLs.

A novel TaMYB4 transcription factor involved in the defence response against Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici and abiotic stresses.

MYB transcription factors are a large family of proteins involved in the regulation of secondary metabolism and cell shape, the enhancement of disease resistance and the response to different stresses. In this study, the role of TaMYB4 in wheat against biotic and abiotic stresses was investigated. TaMYB4 was cloned from wheat cv. Suwan11 [the leaves were infected with Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici (Pst)]; the TaMYB4 protein is 243 amino acids in length. In addition, TaMYB4 exhibited high similarity with BdMYB4 from Brachypodium distachyon, which was also identified as a member of the R2R3-MYB family of genes. Furthermore, transient expression analysis showed that the deduced TaMYB4 protein was localised in the nucleus of onion epidermal cells. Additionally, a yeast one-hybrid assay revealed that TaMYB4 exhibits transcriptional activity and the C-terminus is necessary for the activation of transcription. The transcript levels of TaMYB4 were observed directly and were found to be significantly upregulated in the early stage and 48 h after inoculation with the incompatible Pst. The transcripts of TaMYB4 were detected in the wheat roots, culms and leaves. Moreover, the transcription of TaMYB4 was induced by salicylic acid, ethylene, abscisic acid and methyl jasmonate hormones. The same results were obtained with cold and wound treatments. Furthermore, the knockdown of TaMYB4 expression using virus-induced gene silencing enhanced the susceptibility of wheat cultivar Suwon11 to the incompatible race of Pst. These results demonstrate that TaMYB4 plays a role in the wheat response to biotic stress.

A new nano-optical sensor thin film cadmium sulfide doped in sol-gel matrix for assessment of α-amylase activity in human saliva.

A novel, simple, sensitive and precise spectrofluorimetric method is developed for measuring the activity of the α-amylase enzyme in human saliva. The remarkable quenching of the luminescence intensity at 634 nm of nano CdS doped in a sol-gel matrix by various concentrations of maltose (produced from the reaction of the enzyme with the starch substrate) was successfully used as an optical sensor for the assessment of α-amylase activity. The calibration plot was achieved over the concentration range 4.8 × 10(-10) to 1.2 × 10(-5) mol L(-1) maltose with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 and a detection limit of 5.7 × 10(-11) mol L(-1). The method was used satisfactorily for assessment of the α-amylase activity in a number of human saliva samples collected from various healthy volunteers.

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.

Synthesis and characterization of new light emitter symmetrical phenoxazinium salt and its potential application as sensor for assessment of Hg2+.

The sensitization of the excited triplet state of a novel symmetrical Bis(dialkylamino)phenoxazinium salt was developed in the presence of Hg(2+). This effect was used to determine the concentration of Hg(2+) in different water samples. The phenoxazinium salt sensor was characterized by different spectroscopic tools such as: UV, FTIR, NMR and fluorescence spectra. The sensor has an emission band at 347 nm in DMSO. Hg(2+) in DMSO at pH 5.6 can remarkably quench the fluorescence intensity of the sensor at 347 nm and a new band was appeared at 436 nm due to the strong complex formation between Hg(2+) and sensor. The quenching of the band intensity at 347 and the enhancement of the intensity of the new band at 436 were used to determine the Hg(2+) in different waste water samples. The dynamic range found for the determination of Hg(2+) concentration is 8.7 × 10(-10) - 1.4 × 10(-6) mol L(-1) with a detection limit of 5.8 × 10(-10) mol L(-1) and quantification detection limit of 1.8 × 10(-9) mol L(-1).