Identification of terrestrial gastropods species in Sohag Governorate, Egypt

The study aims to identify of terrestrial gastropods species in Sohag Governorate during the year 2016 and 2017. The present study was carried out for survey and identification for random land snail in 11 districts, i.e. (Tema, Tahta, Gehyena, El-Maragha, Saqultah, Sohag, Akhmim, El-Monshah, Gerga, El-Balyana, and Dar El-Salam) at Sohag Governorate, Egypt. Samples were collected from 5 different locations in each district during 2016-2017 seasons. The monthly samples were taken from winter and summer crops (areas were cultivated with the field crops such as wheat, Egyptian clover, and vegetables crops. The results showed that found two species of land snails, Monacha obstracta (Montagu) and Eobania vermiculata (Muller). It was also observed that the occurrence of the spread of land snails was increased from the previous periods. The results further indicated that land snails were recorded in Sohag for a second time more widespread and may be that this pest moved to these governorates with transportation, passengers from places spread these new places and happened to her adaptation and after have transferred from infestation regions so, have adapted under weather factors of new region also, several factors e.g., the presence of more preferable food, shelter, intra-specific competition, fecundity increasing, several hosts or habitat in the new ecosystems. Therefore, this study gives an interesting indication of the development of a plan in effective strategy for land snail’s management program in agro ecosystems in Upper Egypt

Designing and Validating Performance Standards for Clinical Instructors at Technical Institutes of Nursing

Context: The nursing program's success depends to a great extent on an effective clinical learning experience. Clinical instructors can utilize professional standards to identify areas for improvement in clinical practice. The importance of content validity of the developed standards and its relevance with reliability, have made it an essential step in the standards development.Aim: This study aims to design and validate performance standards for clinical instructors at the Technical Institutes of Nursing. Methods: The methodological design was utilized. This study was conducted in two sectors: Technical Institutes of Nursing at Port Said and Ismailia City, and their practical training settings. Two groups of participants were included in the study: clinical instructors and experts’ groups. The data was collected using two tools: An observational checklist and an expert opinion sheet. Results: The proposed performance standards had an appropriate level of content validity. The overall value of scale-content validity/universal agreement (S-CVI/UA) was equal to 0.852, and the overall value of scale-content validity/average (S-CVI/AVE) was equal to 0.988. The overall interrater reliability value of the proposed standards was 0.852. There were statistically significant differences between pre and post-dissemination of the proposed standards in the total mean percentages in all standards (p<0.001). Conclusions: This study concluded that the proposed developed standards are acceptable for use in the Technical Institutes of Nursing. The study recommended that the developed standards be applied and communicated to all clinical instructors in the Technical Institutes of Nursing, with clinical instructors' training on its implementation

Determination of insecticides malathion and lambda-cyhalothrin residues in zucchini by gas chromatography

AbstractA sensitive gas chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of malathion and lambda-cyhalothrin (λ-cyhalothrin) insecticide residues in zucchini. The developed method consists of extraction with acetone, purification and partitioning with methylene chloride, column chromatographic clean-up, and finally capillary gas chromatographic determination of the insecticides. The recoveries of method were greater than 90% and limit of determination was 0.001ppm for both insecticides. The method was applied to determine residues and the rate of disappearance of malathion and λ-cyhalothrin from fruits of zucchini (open field treatment, 50cc of Malason/Cormandel 57% EC (emulsifiable concentrate) for 100L of water, 20cc of LAMBDA SUPER FOG 5% liquid for 100L of water). The insecticide incorporated into the plants decreased rapidly with a half-life time around 0.77day (18.5h) for malathion and 4days for λ-cyhalothrin. It is not recommended to use zucchini before 12h of malathion application. For λ-cyhalothrin, the preharvest interval is 5days. Four market samples were chosen from different regions from A.R.E. and all of them showed no residues of malathion or λ-cyhalothrin

Cutaneous Aβ-Non-nociceptive, but Not C-Nociceptive, Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons Exhibit Spontaneous Activity in the Streptozotocin Rat Model of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy .

Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP) is the most devastating complication of diabetes mellitus. Unfortunately, successful therapy for DPNP remains a challenge because its pathogenesis is still elusive. However, DPNP is believed to be due partly to abnormal hyperexcitability of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, but the relative contributions of specific functional subtypes remain largely unknown. Here, using the strepotozotocin (STZ) rat model of DPNP induced by a STZ injection (60 mg/kg, i.p), and intracellular recordings of action potentials (APs) from DRG neurons in anesthetized rats, we examined electrophysiological changes in C-and Aβ-nociceptive and Aβ-low threshold mechanoreceptive (LTM) neurons that may contribute to DPNP. Compared with control, we found in STZ-rats with established pain hypersensitivity (5 weeks post-STZ) several significant changes including: (a) A 23% increase in the incidence of spontaneous activity (SA) in Aβ-LTMs (but not C-mechanosensitive nociceptors) that may cause dysesthesias/paresthesia suffered by DPNP patients, (b) membrane hyperpolarization and a ∼85% reduction in SA rate in Aβ-LTMs by K7 channel activation with retigabine (6 mg/kg, i.v.) suggesting that K7/M channels may be involved in mechanisms of SA generation in Aβ-LTMs, (c) decreases in AP duration and in duration and amplitude of afterhyperpolarization (AHP) in C-and/or Aβ-nociceptors. These faster AP and AHP kinetics may lead to repetitive firing and an increase in afferent input to the CNS and thereby contribute to DPNP development, and (d) a decrease in the electrical thresholds of Aβ-nociceptors that may contribute to their sensitization, and thus to the resulting hypersensitivity associated with DPNP.This research work was supported by a Medical Research Council grant (G0700420) and a Ph.D. studentship from Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council to LD

Assessment of the cellular localisation of the Annexin A2/S100A10 complex in human placenta

The AnxA2/S100A10 complex has been implicated in various placental functions but although the localisation of these proteins individually has been studied, there is no information about the localisation of their complex in situ at the cellular level. Using the proximity ligation technique, we have investigated the in situ localisation of AnxA2/S100A10 complex in the placenta and have compared this with the location patterns of the individual proteins. High levels of expression of AnxA2/S100A10 complexes were observed in the amniotic membrane and in blood vessel endothelial cells. Lower levels were detected in the brush border area of the syncytium and in the trophoblasts. Immunohistochemical analysis of AnxA2 and S100A10 individually revealed broadly similar patterns of localisation. The brush border staining pattern suggests that in this location at least some of the AnxA2 is not in complex with S100A10. The formal location of the AnxA2/S100A10 complex is compatible with a role in cell-cell interaction, intracellular transport and secretory processes and regulation of cell surface proteases, implying contributions to membrane integrity, nutrient exchange, placentation and vascular remodelling in different parts of the placenta. Future applications will allow specific assessment of the association of the complex with pathophysiological disorders

Evaluation of Turkish oregano (Origanum onites L.) under organic farming system

Spice production is crucial for the world economy. Today, the farming of spices faces significant challenges under climate change, such as heat stress, rising salinity, water stress, low soil nutrients, and increased pests, which lead to reduced yield and quality. The present study was conducted in Egypt on Turkish oregano (Origanum onites L.) plants. The trial was achieved under organic farming conditions. The purpose was to investigate the responses of the plant towards two natural stimulators, chitosan and biofertilizer. The design of the work was a split plot. Main plots were assigned to the foliar spray of chitosan at three concentrations (0, 5, and 10 liters/hectare) and sub-plots to biofertilizer EM (with and without). The collected data comprised plant height, fresh and dry herb weights per plant, fresh and dry herb yields per hectare, essential oil percentage, oil yield per plant and hectare, and GC-MS analysis of oils. The significant maximum growth and yield characteristics were obtained by spraying with chitosan at the highest concentration of 10 liters/hectare combined with soil drenching by biofertilizer EM. The major essential oil component was carvacrol, which is responsible for its pungent flavour. This previous treatment also recorded the maximum carvacrol percent in oil of all cuts. So, this treatment could be used to increase the quantity and quality of the organic product

Assessment of the cellular localisation of the Annexin A2/S100A10 complex in human placenta

The AnxA2/S100A10 complex has been implicated in various placental functions but although the localisation of these proteins individually has been studied, there is no information about the localisation of their complex in situ at the cellular level. Using the proximity ligation technique, we have investigated the in situ localisation of AnxA2/S100A10 complex in the placenta and have compared this with the location patterns of the individual proteins. High levels of expression of AnxA2/S100A10 complexes were observed in the amniotic membrane and in blood vessel endothelial cells. Lower levels were detected in the brush border area of the syncytium and in the trophoblasts. Immunohistochemical analysis of AnxA2 and S100A10 individually revealed broadly similar patterns of localisation. The brush border staining pattern suggests that in this location at least some of the AnxA2 is not in complex with S100A10. The formal location of the AnxA2/S100A10 complex is compatible with a role in cell-cell interaction, intracellular transport and secretory processes and regulation of cell surface proteases, implying contributions to membrane integrity, nutrient exchange, placentation and vascular remodelling in different parts of the placenta. Future applications will allow specific assessment of the association of the complex with pathophysiological disorders

The unexpected presence of a huge cystic hygroma with thanatophoric dysplasia type I: a case report

Introduction: The presence of a thin-walled, multicystic structure posterior to the fetal head and neck with an intact vertebral column is known as a cystic hygroma. Thanatophoric dysplasia is the most lethal skeletal dysplasia. Thanatophoric dysplasia (TD) is an autosomal dominant disorder with two phenotypes. TD type I is characterized by a normal shaped skull with bowed femurs and micromelia, while TD type II is characterized by straight femurs with a clover-leaf deformity of the skull and micromelia. We report here a case of thanatophoric dysplasia type I associated with cystic hygroma, this association needs further evaluation. Case history: A 30 year old woman was referred at 26 weeks of gestation because of marked polyhydramnios. Ultrasonographic examination of the fetus revealed a narrow chest, protuberant abdomen, short curved femur, normal shaped skull with accidentally cystic hygroma were present. No other anomalies were detected. We explained to the patient the nature and severity of the anomaly and the patient preferred the termination of pregnancy. Induction of abortion was done successfully. Conclusion: This case report has highlighted the association between cystic hygroma and thanatophoric dysplasia type I. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature reporting the association of cystic hygroma and thanatophoric dysplasia type I. We believe that this case is useful for obstetricians and pediatricians. We also highly recommend the genetic evaluation of the fetus and parents

Changes in expression of Kv7.5 and Kv7.2 channels in dorsal root ganglion neurons in the streptozotocin rat model of painful diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP), the most debilitating complication of diabetes mellitus, is resistant to current therapy. The pathogenesis of DPNP is still elusive, but several mechanisms have been proposed including abnormal hyperexcitability of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The underlying molecular mechanisms of such aberrant hyperexcitability are incompletely understood. Using the streptozotocin (STZ) rat model of DPNP, we have recently provided evidence implicating neuronal Kv7 channels that normally exert a powerful stabilizing influence on neuronal excitability, in the abnormal hyperexcitability of DRG neurons and in pain hypersensitivity associated with DPNP. In the present immunohistochemical study, we sought to determine whether Kv7.2 and/or Kv7.5 channel expression is altered in DRG neurons in STZ rats. We found 35 days post-STZ: (1) a significant decrease in Kv7.5-immunoreactivity in small (<30 μm) DRG neurons (both IB4 positive and IB4 negative) and medium-sized (30−40 μm) neurons, and (2) a significant increase in Kv7.2-immunoreactivity in small (<30 μm) neurons, and a non-significant increase in medium/large neurons. The decrease in Kv7.5 channel expression in small and medium-sized DRG neurons in STZ rats is likely to contribute to the mechanisms of hyperexcitability of these neurons and thereby to the resulting pain hypersensitivity associated with DPNP. The upregulation of Kv7.2 subunit in small DRG neurons may be an activity dependent compensatory mechanism to limit STZ-induced hyperexcitability of DRG neurons and the associated pain hypersensitivity. The findings support the notion that Kv7 channels may represent a novel target for DPNP treatment

Beneficiation of Saudi phosphate ores part II : the application of column flotation

Paper presented at the 5th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, South Africa, 1-4 July, 2007.Phosphoric acid industry is expected to develop in Saudi Arabia in the near future. This is ascribed to the discovery of phosphate ores in the northern part of the kingdom, the availability of sulphur, "required for this industry", as a byproduct from petrochemical industries in the kingdom and the construction of phosphate fertilizers required by the growing agricultural sector in Saudi Arabia. The discovered Saudi phosphate ores are of sedimentary origin with carbonaceous impurities as calcite and dolomite. The beneficiation of this type of ores is a key factor for successful production of phosphoric acid by the wet process. Froth flotation is one of the promising techniques acquiring large potential in the separation of calcite from such phosphate ores. In our previous work "Part I" of this project, an extensive experimental study using a conventional flotation cell for phosphate beneficiation was carried out and the optimum flotation parameters were achieved. During the next phase of our project "Part II", column flotation has been recognized in literature as one of the most significant advances in froth flotation technology in the last decade. These units, in a single separation step, can achieve a product recovery and purity equivalent to or even better than that obtained by multistage flotation in conventional flotation cells. Hence, in the present work, a flotation column of 1.5 m height and 6.5 cm diameter has been designed and applied in the beneficiation of Al-Jalamid Saudi Phosphate ores of the calcareous type. The significant parameters like air flow rate, slurry feed rate, particle size of processed ore, wash water consumption and collector doses of flotation process are investigated in the present work to achieve the best recovery and quality of the beneficiated ores. Moreover, the optimum flotation parameters previously obtained in the single flotation cell were also applied in the present column flotation runs.cs201