Gametogenesis and spawning of Spirobranchus tetraceros (Polychaeta, Serpulidae) in Abu Kir Bay, Egypt

The serpulid polychaete Spirobranchus tetraceros of Red Sea / Indo-pacific origin, recently has succeeded to establish a foothold in Alexandria Mediterranean waters. Worms were monthly scraped from submerged iron substrates at Abu Kir Bay during the period December 2000 – November 2001. Both light and TEM were used to study gametogenesis and time of spawning of S. tetraceros.Gametogenesis was asynchronous and oogenesis could be divided into two previtellogenic, two vitellogenic and a spawning stage. Oocyte development took about 8 months, from October to June. Spawning occurred from late May - early June until October. Thus S. tetraceros is a long period spawner. The maximum diameter of ripe oocyte is 78 mm. The spermatogenic phase could be divided into three stages: spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids (including spermatozoa). The duration of sperm development took about 8 months. Spermatocytes persist from October to March. By March the sperms grew rapidly until they became spermatozoa in May. The sperm could be considered ect-aquasperm with regard to its fertilization biology

Validated Chromatographic Methods for the Simultaneous Determination of Sodium Cromoglycate and Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride in a Combined Dosage Form

Two chromatographic methods were developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of Sodium Cromoglycate (SCG) and Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride (OXMT). SCG and OXMT are administered in combination for effective treatment of nasal congestion and allergy. The first chromatographic method was based on usingaluminum TLC plates pre-coated with silica gel GF254 as the stationary phase and chloroform: methanol: toluene: triethylamine (5: 2: 4:1, by volume) as the mobile phase followed by densitometric measurement of the separated bands at 235 nm. The second method is a high performance liquid chromatographic method for separation and determination of SCG and OXMT using reversed phase C18 column with isocratic elution. The mobile phase composed of acetonitrile: methanol (2: 1, v/v) at flow rate of 1.0 mL/ min. Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 220 nm. The validity of the proposed methods was assessed using the standard addition technique. The obtained results were statistically compared with those obtained by the official methods, showing no significant difference with respect to accuracy and precision at p = 0.05

Penile Epidermal Inclusion Cyst

We report a case of epidermal inclusion cyst in a 32-year-old male. This was a complication of circumcision that was neglected over years to form stones and urethrocutaneous fistula. Complete excision of the cyst and repair of the fistula were performed successfully. Histopathological examination confirmed our diagnosis

HYPOGLYCEMIC AND HYPOLIPIDEMIC EFFECTS OF SPIRULINA PLATENSIS, PHYCOCYANIN, PHYCOCYANOPEPTIDE AND PHYCOCYANOBILIN ON MALE DIABETIC RATS

This study aimed to evaluate hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of Spirulina Platensis and its bioactive components (phycocyanin (PC), phycocyanopeptide (PCP) and phycocyanobilin (PCB)) on male diabetic Rats compared to controls and glibenclamide drug. For this reason, male Albino rats were equally divided into seven groups designated as normal control, diabetic control, diabetic + glibenclamide (Glyburide) drug (600 µg kg−1 body weight), diabetic + Spirulina biomass suspension (50 mg/ml/ kg−1 body weight), diabetic + phycocyanin (50 mg kg−1 body weight), diabetic + phycocyanopeptide (49 mg kg−1 body weight) and diabetic + phycocyanobilin (982 µg kg−1 body weight). The results show a statistically significant reduction (P < 0.05) level of fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance and lipids levels in diabetic animals administration with Spirulina Platensis, phycocyanin, phycocyanopeptide and phycocyanobilin compared with diabetic control.  Also, there were an increase in HDL–cholesterol levels and β-cell function in these treatments. Histopathologically, diabetic rats treated with spirulina, PC, PCP induced a slight improve of pancreatic cells and an obvious recovery of pancreatic cells.  The expression of insulin secretion from cells (β-cells) of diabetic rats was improved in the groups treated with Spirulina, phycocyanin, phycocyanopeptide. While, diabetic rats treated with phycocyanobilin recorded insulin levels lower than them.  From this study it can be concluded that Spirulina Platensis, phycocyanin, phycocyanopeptide and phycocyanobilin possessed hypoglycemic, insulin sensitivity and hypolipidemic effects. Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Spirulina Platensis may be attributed to phenolic compounds and phycocyanin. The antidiabetic effect of PC is most likely due to its ability to reduction of insulin resistance, enhance β-cell function and recovery of β-cells. The effect of PC may be attributed to selenium-binding phycocyanopeptide or/ and phycocyanobilin responsible for the antioxidant activity and chromium-binding phycocyanopeptide which activates insulin receptors

Performing the Egyptian revolution : origins of collective restraint action in the Midan

This research was supported by a Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland grant.In January/February 2011, the world watched with admiration the Egyptian revolution that toppled President Housni Mubarak. The demonstration in Midan al-Tahrir (Liberation Square in central Cairo), which was the nucleus of the revolution, highlighted a largely spontaneous, civil and peaceful political performance. However, this performance was temporary, contradicting subsequent bloody conflicts in post-revolutionary Egypt. This article examines the socio-political origins of the Midan performance. It argues that the demonstrators exercised collective restraint, which was temporary but necessary, in order to topple Mubarak. Building on Norbert Elias’ civilising process theory and social movements literature, it is argued that the origins of this performance are found in a collective knowledge of regime strategy and narrative, Egyptian socio-political values and existing repertoires of contention. Drawing on primary sources and semi-structured interviews, the article contends that the demonstrators exercised collective restraint to reframe regime narrative and draw public support for the revolution.PostprintPeer reviewe

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in dromedary camels: An outbreak investigation

Background: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes severe lower respiratory tract infection in people. Previous studies suggested dromedary camels were a reservoir for this virus. We tested for the presence of MERS-CoV in dromedary camels from a farm in Qatar linked to two human cases of the infection in October, 2013. Methods: We took nose swabs, rectal swabs, and blood samples from all camels on the Qatari farm. We tested swabs with RT-PCR, with amplification targeting the E gene (upE), nucleocapsid (N) gene, and open reading frame (ORF) 1a. PCR positive samples were tested by different MERS-CoV specific PCRs and obtained sequences were used for phylogentic analysis together with sequences from the linked human cases and other human cases. We tested serum samples from the camels for IgG immunofluorescence assay, protein microarray, and virus neutralisation assay. Findings: We obtained samples from 14 camels on Oct 17, 2013. We detected MERS-CoV in nose swabs from three camels by three independent RT-PCRs and sequencing. The nucleotide sequence of an ORF1a fragment (940 nucleotides) and a 4·2 kb concatenated fragment were very similar to the MERS-CoV from two human cases on the same farm and a MERS-CoV isolate from Hafr-Al-Batin. Eight additional camel nose swabs were positive on one or more RT-PCRs, but could not be confirmed by sequencing. All camels had MERS-CoV spike-binding antibodies that correlated well with the presence of neutralising antibodies to MERS-CoV. Interpretation: Our study provides virological confirmation of MERS-CoV in camels and suggests a recent outbreak affecting both human beings and camels. We cannot conclude whether the people on the farm were infected by the camels or vice versa, or if a third source was responsible. Funding: European Union projects EMPERIE (contract number 223498), ANTIGONE (contract number 278976), and the VIRGO consortium

The sample of choice for detecting Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in asymptomatic dromedary camels using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction

The newly identified Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which causes severe respiratory disease, particularly in people with comorbidities, requires further investigation. Studies in Qatar and elsewhere have provided evidence that dromedary camels are a reservoir for the virus, but the exact modes of transmission of MERS-CoV to humans remain unclear. In February 2014, an assessment was made of the suitability and sensitivity of different types of sample for the detection of MERS-CoV by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for three gene targets: UpE (upstream of the E gene), the N (nucleocapsid) gene and open reading frame (ORF) 1a. Fifty-three animals presented for slaughter were sampled. A high percentage of the sampled camels (79% [95% confidence interval 66.9-91.5%, standard error 0.0625]; 42 out of 53) were shown to be shedding MERS-CoV at the time of slaughter, yet all the animals were apparently healthy. Among the virus-positive animals, nasal swabs were most often positive (97.6%). Oral swabs were the second most frequently positive (35.7%), followed by rectal swabs (28.5%). In addition, the highest viral load, expressed as a cycle threshold (Ct) value of 11.27, was obtained from a nasal swab. These findings lead to the conclusion that nasal swabs are the candidate sample of choice for detecting MERS-CoV using RT-PCR technology in apparently healthy camels

Neither participation nor revolution: the strategy of the Moroccan Jamiat al-Adl wal-Ihsan

Scholars and students of Islamist movements are divided over the issue of Islamists' commitment to democracy and a number of studies have attempted to discover the true nature of Islamist parties. This paper rejects this approach and argues that the behaviour of Islamist parties can be better understood through an analysis of the constraints and opportunities that their surrounding environment provides. Specifically, the paper aims at explaining the choice of the Moroccan Jamiat al-Adl wal-Ihsan neither to participate in institutional politics nor to undertake violent actions to transform the regime. This is done through an examination of its relations with the other political actors. The paper argues that Jamiat al-Adl wal-Ihsan's behaviour is as much the product of rational thinking as it is of ideology and provides evidence to support this claim. Such findings are important not only in the Moroccan context, but contribute to a growing literature claiming that Islamist movements should be treated as rational political actors operating under 'environmental' constraints and opportunities

Status of the “Mangrove tunicate” Ecteinascidia turbinata (Ascidiacea: Perophoridae) in the Mediterranean Sea

The ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata is reported from Maltese waters for the first time. Mature colonies were recorded on artificial substrata at two different sites (and on natural substrata at one of these), 4 km apart, during the summer months. The appearance of this ascidian is expected to be seasonal as the winter temperature in Malta may fall below that required for the maintenance of zooid growth. A second species, E. moorei, which was described in 1890 is here confirmed to be the same as E. turbinata, meaning that the species has existed in the Mediterranean since at least ~1880. The possibility that the Mediterranean population is a relic one from warmer periods cannot yet be excluded, so it is best described as being cryptogenic. The species appears to be spreading slowly, perhaps as a result of the rise in surface sea temperature. The Maltese sites offer an opportunity to monitor the species as they are accessible dive sites. This will allow assessment of whether this species remains restricted to these sites, or if it spreads perhaps to impact other species