The pharmacokinetics and milk residual behaviour of tylosin in lactating Najdi ewes

Summary The objective of this study was to evaluate kinetics and the residual decline of tylosin in milk and plasma of lactating Najdi ewes following single intramuscular injection of tylosin at the dose of 10 mg/kg. Blood and milk samples were collected from the ewes before and at different time intervals after treatment. Tylosin concentrations were determined by microbiological agar plate assay using Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 as the test organism. The pharmacokinetic parameters were processed using the methods of least square and statistical moments. The plasma levels of tylosin against time were adequately described by a onecompartment open model. The mean obtained values indicated a fairly low area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) (3.0 µg.h/ml) and the maximum plasma concentration (C max ) of 0.63 µg/ml with T max of 1.33 h. The plasma elimination half-life (t 1/2el ) and the mean residence time (MRT) were 2.3 h and 3.9 h, respectively. A different pattern was shown for milk, in which measurable residual levels are found in all animals up to 72 h after treatment. The mean value of milk AUC was 88.1 µg.h/ml and the t 1/2el was 3.3 h. In vitro mean plasma and milk proteins binding of tylosin were 19.3 and 30.2%, respectively. The milk withdrawal period of tylosin in lactating Najdi ewes should be at least 72 h to avoid risks in consumers

Antiulcerogenic effect of camel milk against ethanol induced gastric ulcers

Abstract The effect of oral administration of raw camel milk (5 ml/kg b.wt.) on ethanol-and aspirin-induced gastric ulcers was tested in rats. Oral administration of camel milk in rats with ethanol-induced gastric ulcer, significantly (P < 0.05) redudced the number of long ulcers, average length of ulcers, ulcer index and the volume of gastric juice. The total protein was significantly (P < 0.05) increased and the pH of gastric juice was not significantly changed. The curative ratio was 70.70% in camel milk treated group compared to 45.12% in ranitidine-treated rats. Oral administration of camel milk in rats with aspirin-induced gastric ulcers exhibited, significantly (P < 0.05), same actions with curative ratio of 65.03% compared to 34.03% in ranitidine-treated rats. In conclusion a significant protective effect of camel milk against ethanol-and aspirin-induced gastric ulcers was reported in rats

Scabies: Application of the Novel Identify-Isolate-Inform Tool for Detection and Management

Scabies is a highly contagious, globally prevalent, parasitic skin infestation caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, also known as the itch mite. There have been outbreaks not only in the developing world, but also in the developed world among refugees and asylum seekers. Once infested with scabies mites, symptomatic patients, as well as asymptomatic carriers, quickly spread the disease through direct skin-to-skin contact. Typically, symptoms of scabies are characterized by an erythematous, papular, pruritic rash associated with burrows. Treatment of scabies involves using topical or systemic scabicides and treating secondary bacterial infections, if present. Given the prevalence and contagiousness of scabies, measures to prevent its spread are essential. Through application of the novel Identify-Isolate-Inform (3I) Tool, emergency medical providers can readily identify risk factors for exposure and important symptoms of the disease, thus limiting its spread through prompt scabicide therapy; isolate the patient until after treatment; and inform local public health authorities and hospital infection prevention, when appropriate. Ultimately, these three actions can aid public health in controlling the transmission of scabies cases, thus ensuring the protection of the general public from this highly contagious skin infestation

Digital clubbing in tuberculosis – relationship to HIV infection, extent of disease and hypoalbuminemia

BACKGROUND: Digital clubbing is a sign of chest disease known since the time of Hippocrates. Its association with tuberculosis (TB) has not been well studied, particularly in Africa where TB is common. The prevalence of clubbing in patients with pulmonary TB and its association with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), severity of disease, and nutritional status was assessed. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among patients with smear-positive TB recruited consecutively from the medical and TB wards and outpatient clinics at a public hospital in Uganda. The presence of clubbing was assessed by clinical signs and measurement of the ratio of the distal and inter-phalangeal diameters (DPD/IPD) of both index fingers. Clubbing was defined as a ratio > 1.0. Chest radiograph, serum albumin and HIV testing were done. RESULTS: Two hundred patients (82% HIV-infected) participated; 34% had clubbing by clinical criteria whilst 30% had clubbing based on DPD/IPD ratio. Smear grade, extensive or cavitary disease, early versus late HIV disease, and hypoalbuminemia were not associated with clubbing. Clubbing was more common among patients with a lower Karnofsky performance scale score or with prior TB. CONCLUSION: Clubbing occurs in up to one-third of Ugandan patients with pulmonary TB. Clubbing was not associated with stage of HIV infection, extensive disease or hypoalbuminemia

Adaptive Immunity against Leishmania Nucleoside Hydrolase Maps Its C-Terminal Domain as the Target of the CD4+ T Cell–Driven Protective Response

Nucleoside hydrolases (NHs) show homology among parasite protozoa, fungi and bacteria. They are vital protagonists in the establishment of early infection and, therefore, are excellent candidates for the pathogen recognition by adaptive immune responses. Immune protection against NHs would prevent disease at the early infection of several pathogens. We have identified the domain of the NH of L. donovani (NH36) responsible for its immunogenicity and protective efficacy against murine visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Using recombinant generated peptides covering the whole NH36 sequence and saponin we demonstrate that protection against L. chagasi is related to its C-terminal domain (amino-acids 199–314) and is mediated mainly by a CD4+ T cell driven response with a lower contribution of CD8+ T cells. Immunization with this peptide exceeds in 36.73±12.33% the protective response induced by the cognate NH36 protein. Increases in IgM, IgG2a, IgG1 and IgG2b antibodies, CD4+ T cell proportions, IFN-γ secretion, ratios of IFN-γ/IL-10 producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and percents of antibody binding inhibition by synthetic predicted epitopes were detected in F3 vaccinated mice. The increases in DTH and in ratios of TNFα/IL-10 CD4+ producing cells were however the strong correlates of protection which was confirmed by in vivo depletion with monoclonal antibodies, algorithm predicted CD4 and CD8 epitopes and a pronounced decrease in parasite load (90.5–88.23%; p = 0.011) that was long-lasting. No decrease in parasite load was detected after vaccination with the N-domain of NH36, in spite of the induction of IFN-γ/IL-10 expression by CD4+ T cells after challenge. Both peptides reduced the size of footpad lesions, but only the C-domain reduced the parasite load of mice challenged with L. amazonensis. The identification of the target of the immune response to NH36 represents a basis for the rationale development of a bivalent vaccine against leishmaniasis and for multivalent vaccines against NHs-dependent pathogens

Heavy Metals Accumulation by Ochradenus baccatus Plant Grown on Mining Area at Mahad AD'Dahab, Saudi Arabia

Plant species Ochradenus baccatus, which grown around Mahad AD’Dahab Mine, have been selected from 100m2 to study its ability to accumulate heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn). Five samples from shoots of Ochradenus baccatus were collected. Moreover, five soil samples were collected to make a representative soil sample. Plant and soil samples were analyzed for As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Results showed high concentration of soil heavy metals content respect to As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn (30, 7, 479, 355, 1481 mg kg-1 respectively). The concentration of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn in shoots of Ochradenus baccatus were 1.7, 30.8, 10.2, 169.5 mg kg-1 respectively. On other hand, the concentration of heavy metals in the roots was as follows (mg kg-1): Cd: 3.9; Cu: 114; Pb: 43; Zn: 430. Except As, heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) tend to be accumulated in the roots comparing with shoots. The accumulation coefficient of heavy metals in shoots was low (0.03-0.25), while it was higher in roots (0.04-0.58). Based on the accumulation coefficient, heavy metals can be ordered as follows: Cd> Zn> As> Cu> Pb for shoots and Cd> Zn> Cu> Pb> As for roots. ANOVA analysis was performed to examine the accumulation heavy metals by Ochradenus baccatus at 0.01 level. Significant difference was found between cd and other metals in both shoots and roots; while between Zn and other metals except As and Cu in shoots and roots respectively. From above, Ochradenus baccatus should be described as not-excluder and can be explored further for phytoremediation of metal polluted soils. On other hand, the practice of providing foliage and pods as fodder for live stock should be avoided in Mahad AD’Dahab are

Fertigation as a Tool to Improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Yeild

A greenhouse experiment was carried out at Almuzahemiah Research Station, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to evaluate the effect of fertigation on cucumber yield. There were five treatments, NO = control, soil Ns = 120 mg N L-1 and three treatments labeled N 15 (N1 = 60, N2 = 120 and N3 = 180 mgN15 L-1) to study there effects on cucumber (cultivar Figaro F-1) yield during 1996. The highest yield was 33.74 t ha-1 from N3 and the lowest 7.73 t ha-1 from the control treatment, Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) varied between 72.7 – 129.53 kg kg-1 in the different N treatment. The mean N15 a.e. ranged from 0.01 – 0.884% (leaves), 0.058 – 0.855 % (shoots), and 0.07 – 0.823 % (fruits). In conclusion, nitrogen application through fertigation was more effective than the conventional method (soil application) for improving the greenhouse crop yields

Influence of Acidified Biochar on CO2–C Efflux and Micronutrient Availability in an Alkaline Sandy Soil

Biochar, an alkaline carbonaceous substance resulting from the thermal pyrolysis of biomass, reportedly enhances the micronutrient availability in acidic soils with little or no effect on alkaline soils. In this study, biochars were produced from poultry manure (PM) at 350 °C and 550 °C (BC350 and BC550 respectively). The acidified biochars (ABC350 and ABC550, respectively) were incorporated into an alkaline sandy soil, and their effects on the soil micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) availability, and CO2–C efflux were investigated in a 30-day incubation study. The treatments (PM, BC350, BC550, ABC350, and ABC550) were administered in triplicate to 100 g soil at 0%, 1%, and 3% (w/w). Relative to the poultry manure treatment, acidification drastically reduced the pH of BC350 and BC550 by 3.13 and 4.28 units, respectively, and increased the micronutrient availability of the studied soil. Furthermore, the biochars (both non-acidified and acidified) reduced the CO2 emission compared to that of the poultry manure treatment. After 1% treatment with BC550 and ABC550, the CO2 emissions from the soil were 89.6% and 91.4% lower, respectively, than in the 1% poultry manure treatment. In summary, acidified biochar improved the micronutrient availability in alkaline soil, and when produced at higher temperature, can mitigate the CO2 emissions of soil carbon sequestration

Vegetation cover change detection and assessment in arid environment using multi-temporal remote sensing images and ecosystem management approach

Vegetation cover (VC) change detection is essential for a better understanding of the interactions and interrelationships between humans and their ecosystem. Remote sensing (RS) technology is one of the most beneficial tools to study spatial and temporal changes of VC. A case study has been conducted in the agro-ecosystem (AE) of Al-Kharj, in the center of Saudi Arabia. Characteristics and dynamics of total VC changes during a period of 26 years (1987–2013) were investigated. A multi-temporal set of images was processed using Landsat images from Landsat4 TM 1987, Landsat7 ETM+2000, and Landsat8 to investigate the drivers responsible for the total VC pattern and changes, which are linked to both natural and social processes. The analyses of the three satellite images concluded that the surface area of the total VC increased by 107.4 % between 1987 and 2000 and decreased by 27.5 % between years 2000 and 2013. The field study, review of secondary data, and community problem diagnosis using the participatory rural appraisal (PRA) method suggested that the drivers for this change are the deterioration and salinization of both soil and water resources. Ground truth data indicated that the deteriorated soils in the eastern part of the Al-Kharj AE are frequently subjected to sand dune encroachment, while the southwestern part is frequently subjected to soil and groundwater salinization. The groundwater in the western part of the ecosystem is highly saline, with a salinity  ≥ 6 dS m⁻¹. The ecosystem management approach applied in this study can be used to alike AE worldwide