CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS IN SULAIMANI PEDIATRIC TEACHING HOSPITAL AND COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTIC METHODS FOR ITS DETECTION

The present study aimed to investigate the presence and prevalence of Cryptosporidium among children in Sulaimani Pediatric Teaching Hospital and to determine the best method for its diagnosis. The study started from the 1st of Jun. to the 1st of Sept. 2012. Two hundred fifty stool samples were collected from children of 6 month to 12 years of age from both genders who attended the hospital. Stool samples were inspected by modified acid-fast stain as a standard method, direct wet mount, Crypto-Strips method and enzyme linked immunosorbant assy (ELISA). Modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique revealed 38 (15.2%) positive cases for Cryptosporidium oocysts, of 22 males and 16 females, 4-6 years of age group was more susceptible to infection with Cryptosporidium and highly significant relationship was found between the genders and between different age groups of infection with a highly significant difference between rural and urban area. The highest rate of infection was found in the soft type of stool samples with a significant difference between them. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 13.6% by using direct wet mount, 6.8%, for ELISA and 4.4% by Crypto-Strips method in comparison with MZN method. It is concluded that cryptosporidiosis found to be endemic in Sulaimani city for the first time and the modified acid-fast stain was the most reliable technique for its diagnosis

Environmental Impact Assessment and Sedimentology of the Carbonate Quarry Site for Al-Maroua'ah Cement Plant in Al-Hodeida District, NW Yemen

In this study, environmental impact assessment and sedimentology includes chemical analysis were carried out for the quarry site of the limestone raw material in Al-Maroua'ah cement plant in Tehama plane, Al-Hodeida district NW Yemen. The study includes the assessment of the limestone raw materials, the quality, chemical and mineralogical analysis and expected pollutions impact in the quarry site. The studied rock successions are belonging to the Amran Group, which is composed mainly of limestone rocks with few interbedded marl, shale and sandstone beds. The chemical analysis of the limestone rocks show CaO content is (50.31%), with very little MgO content (0.71%). The present shale marl and sandstone rock units are useful for the correction of the rocks to concise with the international specifications of the cement production. The site of the quarry of the main raw materials of limestone rocks was selected far From the villages and human populations to prevent the environmental pollutions according to the WHO and YEPA specifications. The emitted dust from the operations of the quarry machine makes impacts on the surrounding environments especially for the farms and the natural plants and animals, which are living in the region. For this, the site of quarry is selected in a mountain far from the vegetation, population and villages to avoid the expected environmental impact. Mitigation plan for prevent or decreases the pollution impact to the minimum, was discussed

Environmental Impact Assessment and Sedimentology of the Carbonate Quarry Site for Al-Maroua'ah Cement Plant in Al-Hodeida District, NW Yemen

In this study, environmental impact assessment and sedimentology includes chemical analysis were carried out for the quarry site of the limestone raw material in Al-Maroua'ah cement plant in Tehama plane, Al-Hodeida district NW Yemen. The study includes the assessment of the limestone raw materials, the quality, chemical and mineralogical analysis and expected pollutions impact in the quarry site. The studied rock successions are belonging to the Amran Group, which is composed mainly of limestone rocks with few interbedded marl, shale and sandstone beds. The chemical analysis of the limestone rocks show CaO content is (50.31%), with very little MgO content (0.71%). The present shale marl and sandstone rock units are useful for the correction of the rocks to concise with the international specifications of the cement production. The site of the quarry of the main raw materials of limestone rocks was selected far From the villages and human populations to prevent the environmental pollutions according to the WHO and YEPA specifications. The emitted dust from the operations of the quarry machine makes impacts on the surrounding environments especially for the farms and the natural plants and animals, which are living in the region. For this, the site of quarry is selected in a mountain far from the vegetation, population and villages to avoid the expected environmental impact. Mitigation plan for prevent or decreases the pollution impact to the minimum, was discussed

Comparison of Accuracy in Determining the Root Canal Working Length by Using Two Generations of Apex Locators – An In Vitro Study

AIM: The present in-vitro study aims to compare the accuracy of root canal working length determination between the third generation and fourth generation electronic apex locators. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty extracted single-rooted single canal teeth were selected for the study, and a definite coronal plane was prepared. Actual working length (AL) was measured using a stereomicroscope under 8X magnification. Electronic working length measurements were recorded using Root ZX (EL1) and Elements Diagnostic Unit (EL2) apex locators. One-way ANOVA test was carried out to analyse the data among the experimental groups. RESULTS: The results of the one-way ANOVA test showed that difference in the working length determined by either apex locators (EL1 and EL2) and actual length determined under a stereomicroscope (AL) was statistically not significant. The independent ‘t’ test comparing between groups EL1 and AL; and EL2 and AL showed that working length determined by either of the apex locators (EL1 and EL2) and actual length determined under a stereomicroscope (AL) was statistically not significant. CONCLUSION: In this in vitro study, the Root ZX and Elements Diagnostic Unit apex locators are equally accurate for determination of working length when compared to actual working length

Some aspects of the pharmacodynamics of flukicidal and related drugs

The pharmacokinetics of four trimethoprim/sulphonamide formulations (Trivetrin, Tribrissen, Duphatrim and Leotrox) available for treatment of bacterial infections in sheep were compared in five sheep after intramuscular administration at a total dose rate of 15 mg.kg-1 of active ingredients (12.5 mg. kg -1 sulphonamide plus 2.5 mg. kg-1 trimethoprim). The maximum concentrations of trimethoprim in plasma occurred at one hour after intramuscular administration of Trivetrin and Leotrox. After administration of Tribrissen and Duphatrim intramuscularly, trimethoprim was not detected in plasma (< 0.1 mug.ml-1). The mean plasma elimination half-life of trimethoprim was 1.3 and 1 hour after administration of Trivetrin and Leotrox respectively. The maximum concentrations of sulphadoxine, sulphadiazine, sulphadiazine and sulphatroxazole occurred at 2, 1, 1 and 1 hours after administration of Trivetrin, Tribrissen, Duphatrim and Leotrox respectively. The mean elimination half-lives of sulphadoxine, sulphadiazine, sulphadiazine and sulpha troxazole were 4.8, 2.9, 2.6 and 9.30 hours after intramuscular administration of Trivetrin, Tribrissen, Duphatrim and Leotrox respectively. No significant differences were found between the plasma concentrations of trimethoprim and sulphadoxine administered at 1 and 3 intramuscular sites. Bioavailability of sulphadoxine and sulphatroxazole were 81 and 88% respectively. The study revealed that administration of trimethoprim/sulphonamide combinations in solution type products (Trivetrin and Leotrox) produced better pharmacokinetic profile than those of suspension type products (Tribrissen and Duphatrim). The degree of plasma-protein binding of sulphadoxine, sulphadiazine and sulphatroxazole was found to be 50, 14 and 70% respectively which appeared to be well correlated to their rates of elimination from plasma. A detailed study was made of the pharmacokinetics of the commonly used flukicidal drugs, a new sulphonamide product, clorsulon, the salicylanilides rafoxanide, closantel and oxyclozanide, and a unique benzimidazole triclabendazole which has flukicidal activity with no nematodicidal activity. All the flukicidal drugs studied showed markedly long plasma elimination half-lives and a high degree of binding to plasma-proteins

The Effect of Nanoparticles Additives on Impact Strength of Metal Matrix Composites

The impact strength of Al6061/SiC metal matrix composites reinforced with nanoparticles of weight percentage (3%, 6%, 9% & 12%) was studied. The composites were fabricated using liquid metallurgy technique. The results revealed that the Al6061/SiC metal matrix composites exhibited better hardness and impact strength than the Al 6061 alloy. Such improvement in the mechanical properties was observed with increasing the weight percentage of SiC nanoparticles and this increase both the hardness and impact strengths of the composites. The impact strength of 12 wt% nano SiCp aluminum composites showed the maximum strength. The effect of the nanoparticles was acted as barriers to dislocation motion. It is seen that the impact energy of the composites increase gradually with filler content increasing from 3 to 12 wt%. SEM were carried out to identify the uniform distribution of nanoparticles in composites

Salutary value of haruan, the striped snakehead Channa striatus – a review

Murrel namely Channa striatus or haruan contains all essential elements to maintain good health and to recover the lost energy after prolonged illness. The fatty acid composition (% of total fatty acid) indicated the abundant presence of C16:0 fatty acid as 30% and the other major fatty acids were C22:6 (15%), C20:4 (19%), C18:1 (12%) and C18:0 (15%). Haruan contains arachidonic acid (C20:4) as 19.0%, a precursor for prostaglandin and thromboxane biosyntheses. Both fatty and amino acids are important components for wound healing processes. Both the fillet and mucus extracts of haruan were found to exhibit a concentration dependent antinociceptive activity. In vitro antioxidant activity was higher in Channa roe protein hydrolysate than in Labeo roe protein hydrolysate in both DPPH radical scavenging and ferric reducing power. Protein content of roe concentrates (RPC) was found to be 90.2% (Channa) and 82.5% (Lates). Water absorption, oil absorption, foam capacity, stability and emulsifying capacity were found to be higher in Channa RPC than in Lates RPC. Characterization of protein hydrolysates from muscle and myofibrillar samples of haruan showed different kinetic and proteolytic activities. The skin extract of haruan influences the serotonergic receptor system thus they can function as an anti-depressant. Thus, haruan is the best example for food as medicine

Response of potato to ash as an alternative source of potassic fertilizer

An experiment was carried out during rabi season of 2011-2012 in the experimental field of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh. The objectives of present research work was to evaluate ash as an alternative source of potassic fertilizer for potato cultivation. The treatment combinations were i) Control (No K), ii) 100% K of recommended dose from muriate of potash (MoP), iii) 75% K from MoP+ 25% K from ash, iv) 50% K from MoP + 50% K from ash, v) 25% K from MoP + 75% K from ash, and vi) 100% K from ash. The result of the experiment indicated that various combinations of ash and MoP influenced the yield, yield contributing characters (length of the tubers, breadth of the tubers, number of tubers per hill, weight of tubers per hill, weight of ten tubers and gross yield of tubers per plot), K content of potato as well as weed infestation. Among the treatments the highest yield was obtained from 50% K from MoP + 50% from ash (T3) treated plot. The K content in the potato tuber and weed infestation was also highest for that plot. Considering the yield contributing parameters, yield and number of weeds the T3 (50% K from MoP + 50% K from ash) treatment was found more suitable than others