Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii specific repeat element in blood of recurrent aborted women by real-time PCR

Toxoplasmosis caused by ingestion of raw or undercooked meat contains tissue cyst or contaminated food or water with oocyst of Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite is prevalent in humans, domestic and wild animals and is causative agent of abortion and congenital abnormalities. Methods: From october-2019 to April 2020, blood and serum samples were collected from 63 women with recurrent abortion. Serum samples were used for identification of anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies by ELISA technique. Real time- Polymerase Chain reaction technique utilized for revealing of the DNA of Toxoplasma gondii in the blood specimens. Presented study results showed the high aborted women 33 (52%) in age group (20-29), and high number of aborted women 36 (57%) have 3-6 abortions. Serodiagnosis results of 63 aborted women showed that 19 (30%) were seropositive for only IgG antibody, 6(10%) were seropositive for IgM antibody, and 6 (10%) were positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies. Molecular diagnosis of T. gondii DNA infection by RT- PCR for amplification of repeat region 529 bp of T. gondii DNA, revealed that only 7 (11.1%) blood samples were positive. RT-PCR assay was more sensitive and specific than serologic ELISA method in diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in recurrent aborted women

Short note:The fecundity and egg size of the freshwater crab(Isolapotamon bauense Ng,1987)from Sarawak, Borneo

The Island of Borneo harbors a high species richness of freshwater brachyurans, many of which are endemic in the region and their existence is threatened by an thropogenic activities. Our knowledge on the fundamental aspects which are required for species conservation assessment is currently limited. For instance, information on fecundity of most Bornean freshwater crabs is almost non-existent despite this being an important predictor of vulnerability to extinction. This paper describes the fecundity and egg size of the giant freshwater crab(Isolapotamon bauense Ng,1987)from Kuching Division in Sarawak, Borneo. The fecundity of the crab is between 26and 81 eggs, with the egg diameter ranging between 3.7–4.2 mm. The macrolecithal eggs are attached to the pleopods of the female abdominal brood pouch;they are bright orange and are comprised of two layers of membrane, with a thicker outer layer and a thinner inner layer,encapsulating the large embryonic yolk sac

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p<0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p<0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised

The expression of gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor gene in ovaries and uterus cells of Iraqi and Damascus goat breed

Iraqi goats have a major economic role in production of meat, milk and leather as well as it considered a financial source for owners as reproduce twice a year, yet the Damascus goats have great importance than Iraqi goats owing to the number of twin births. The gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and its receptors have great importance in the reproduction and eugenics. To make a comparison between the Iraqi and Damascus goats in terms of this receptor gene expression in the ovaries and uterus tissue cells, the study was performed, in which used the (∆Ct Using a Reference Gene method) by quintitive -real time PCR technique. Results were found a significant difference (p<0.05), as the gene expression of (GnRH-R) higher in the ovaries and uterus tissue cells in Damascus goats compared with the Iraqi goats. In conclusion; the multiple pregnancies of twins in Damascus goats may be due to an increase gene expression of (GnRH-R) in the ovaries and uterus tissu

Effect of Castration Methods on Gene Expression of Androgen Receptor Gene in Skeletal Muscles of Awassi Sheep

The effect of castration on skeletal muscle development in awassi sheep were studied at the gene expressed for androgen receptor. The result showed that live weigh for epididymectomy rams was heavier than control and orchidectomy rams, respectively. There was significant difference (p < .05). By using the (2^ΔCT) with reference gene method, the findings documented that there was higher up-regulated in mRNA expression for androgen receptor in splenius muscles cells for epididymectomy rams compare with interact rams. In contrast, there was down-regulated for mRNA expression for androgen receptor cells for orchidectomy rams. In conclusion the continuous producing of testes hormones lead to growth of skeletal muscles of wether's significant increase the growth of skeletal muscles of wethers by epididymectomy companied with other rams

A potential endemic cyprinid for aquaculture and food security: the embryonic development of the Bornean spotted barb Puntius sealei (Herre, 1933)

The Bornean Spotted Barb is endemic fish species and widely distributed throughout Borneo in various freshwater bodies and can be considered as a potential aquaculture candidate for food security and the ornamental trade. However there has yet to be scientific studies on the early life history and developmental stages of this species. Thus the present study reveals the embryonic development of Puntius sealei embryo, from fertilization to post-hatching using the induced breeding method. The induced spawning on P. sealei using Ovaprim hormone at a dose of 0.5 ml/kg for females and 0.25ml/kg for males respectively was successfully conducted and the embryonic development of the fertilized eggs were observed. The zygote, cleavage, blastula, gastrula, segmentation, and larval phases were the six major stages of embryogenesis that investigated in this experiment. This study contributed major knowledge to the early developmental biology of this particular species. The information will be useful for accessing the potentiality of this species for aquaculture as well as the management, and production of the species

Successful hybridization between Clarias microstomus♂ and Clarias gariepinus♀

Hybridization is a significant approach to breeding that enables the creation of new varieties that enhance genetic diversity. Through fish inter-species hybridization, it is possible to produce hybrids that can be utilized in aquaculture and stocking programs to enhance growth rate, transfer desirable traits between species, and combine the favourable attributes of two parents into a single progeny. The present study revealed the successful hybridization between Clarias microstomus (Ng, 2001) ♂ and Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) ♀ for the first time in the aquaculture industry. C. microstomus is a species of Clariid catfish endemic to the island of Borneo and C. gariepinus is an introduced species widely aquacultured throughout the southeast Asian region. The embryonic development of the hybrid offspring is described with the hatching percentage of 58.63 and the early survival rate for the first 72 hours for the larvae of 85.76. The hybrids showed no signs of deformities and developed normally. The findings of the study provide a new high yield variety of catfish for farmers and aquaculture industry for increasing production and profit margin