The most common mosquitoes at Al- Rayyan municipality (Qatar state) and their potential for transmitting malaria

During the period from December 2014 to April 2015, a mosquito survey (Diptera: Culicidae) was conducted at Al Rayyan Municipality, western region of Qatar. The survey aimed to identify the most common mosquitoes species in the study area and assess their potential in transmitting malaria. In all, 37 collection sites were visited throughout the study period revealing 312 mosquitoes. Larvae were collected as well as adults. The pH of larvae breeding sites was also measured in the laboratory. Also, Several maps have been produced using GIS, showing sampling locations. Species identification was carried out using the available standard keys. The survey revealed the presence of four mosquito species representing three genera: Culex 91% (3 species), Anopheles 6% (1 species) and Coquillettidia 3%. The species encountered were: Culex vagans (Wiedemann 1828), Culex mimeticus (Noe 1899), Culex bitaeniorhynchus (Giles 1901) and Anopheles stephensi (Liston 1901). Results showed that the most abundant mosquitoes were Culex, although there was no previous record of the new encountered species. Encountered breeding sites were sewage waste water bonds, construction water tanks, animals drinking containers and abundant small containers. Malaria in Qatar is not endemic, however, it is one of the utmost frequently introduced communicable diseases. The presence of malaria vector borne diseases (Anopheles stephensi), availability of breeding sites, and the presence of individuals who are infected with malaria protozoans (Plasmodium spp.), states the risk of a reintroduction of malaria to Qatar.اجريت هذه الدراسة المسحية بهدف معرفة اجناس)انواع( البعوض الاكثر انتشارا في بلدية الريان بدولة قطر وذلك في الفترة من شهر ديسمبر 2014 م الي شهر ابريل 2015 وخلال هذه الدراسة تم جمع العينات من 37 موقعا واشتملت العينات اليرقات بالاضافة الى البعوض البالغ والذي وصل عدده 312 فرد )بعوضة( كما قيست درجة حموضة مياه التوالد في المعمل. وبالاضافة الى ذلك تم تقديم خرائط لتوزيع الانواع المختلفة وذلك باستخدام احد برامج نظم المعلومات الجغرافية .وبناء علي احدث المفاتيح التصنيفية للبعوض تم تعريف ثلاثة اجناس: Culex, Anopheles and Coquillettidia واربعة انواع Culex vagans Culex bitaeniorhynchus Culex, mimeticus and Anopheles stephensi . . كما اظهرت النتائج ان بعوض Culex هو الاكثر انتشارا في منطقة الدراسة. ان وجود بعوض Anopheles stephensi المدرج كعامل اساسي لمرض الملاريا يمثل خطورة ويجعل دولة قطر عرضة لظهور مرض الملاريا مجددا به

Bronchial Asthma and Salivary Surfactant Protein D: Review Article

Background: Chronic bronchial inflammation underlies asthma, which is a complex disease with varied and largely reversible blockage of the respiratory route. Asthma is a major public health issue that affects people of all ages around the world. Many countries are seeing an increase in the prevalence of this disease, particularly among children. Among children, asthma is the most frequent long-term condition, accounting for more than half of all missed school days, emergency room consultations, and hospitalizations. Surfactant Protein D, a pattern-recognition molecule, dampens elevated levels of particular antibodies, alveolar macrophage accumulation, eosinophilia, and subepithelial fibrosis and mucous metaplasia, as well as airway hyper-reactivity in allergic asthma in vivo. Objective: In order to discover the connection between children's bronchial asthma and surfactant protein D. Conclusion: Salivary SP-D is a simple, low-cost, quick, and noninvasive way to collect saliva from children. Salivary SP-D levels may be linked to asthma exacerbation severity and peripheral airway resistance

Protective effect of erdosteine against methotrexateinduced hepatotoxicity in rats

Purpose: To study the possible mitigating effect of erdosteine (ERD) against methotrexate (MTX)-induced liver toxicity.Methods: Male albino Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups of 8 rats each, viz, vehicle control, MTX (20 mg/kg i.p.), MTX (20 mg/kg i.p.) + ERD (300 mg/kg) and ERD (300 mg/kg) groups. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined by enzymatic colorimetric commercial kits while Hepatic tissue content of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), SOD and catalase (CAT) were also evaluated. In addition, measurement of the inflammatory cytokine, TNF-α, as well as histopathological  examination and histochemical assessment were carried out.Results: The results indicate that, compared to the control group, MTX group showed a remarkable elevation in oxidative stress as indicated by significantly lower levels of SOD, CAT and reduced glutathione, and increased tissue malondialdehyde (p < 0.05). MTX group exhibited significantly higher blood activities of ALT, AST and TNF-α, reflective of hepatocyte damage and inflammation (p < 0.05). In MTX group, significant hepatic degenerative changes were detected on histological examination, while marked apoptotic alternations were observed following  immunohistochemical analysis of caspase-3 expression, when compared to control group. However, administration of ERD to rats ameliorated thechanges in these parameters (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Treatment with ERD in rats produced alleviation in hepatic oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and histological damage, when compared to MTX group. This study is the first to demonstrate the potentially protective effect of ERD-pretreatment against hepatotoxicity associated with MTX. Keywords: Erdosteine, Methotrexate, Hepatotoxicity, Oxidant, Anti-oxidant                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           &nbsp

Development a Framework for Assessment of Water Security in Egypt

Water Security is very urgent for sustainable development in Egypt. Growing population needs more food production, water for drinking, hygiene, and to respond to economic activities which rely on access to more water.The objective of this paper is to develop an operational and applicable framework for assessment of water security index for Egypt.  The water security index for Egypt was calculated according to the methodology of the Asian Water Development Bank Outlook (AWDO) using 2020 data and it was found that the water security situation is below average and huge efforts are needed to enhance this indicator in order to meet the current water challenges. After applying AWDO methodology for assessment of water security and its five indicators, it was found that some of them are misleading and some are not applicable to Egypt. In this paper, a modification for the indicators will be proposed to be more relevant to Egypt and to be more practical. The modified framework and its new indicators have represented the situation in Egypt with the challenges of an arid and extremely variable climate. The modified water security index evaluation methodology is also used in light of the Egyptian local conditions in predicting the indicator Water security for 2030 based on the assumed expectations of three water shortage scenarios. These future scenarios helped draw a road map for the necessary measures needed to secure the water situation and thus economic growth

Novel Urinary Biomarkers and Chronic Kidney Disease After Coronary Angiography: A Prospective Case-Controlled Study

BACKGROUND: Novel urinary biomarkers may have potential for early detection of acute kidney injury. AIM: The aim of the study was to test two urinary biomarkers: Kidney injury molecule-1(KIM-1) and liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) as markers of kidney injury following coronary angiography. METHODS: This is a prospective non-randomized controlled trial, performed in two large teaching hospitals. Patients were recruited from the catheter lab or form nephrology outpatient clinics. In group (A), 100 patients with AKI on top of CKD after coronary angiography and Group B: Thirty-one patients with stable CKD as a control. KIM-1 and L-FABP were measured at base line and after 3 months. RESULTS: In group (A), 100 patients who had acute on top of CKD after coronary angiography, stage progression occurred in 15 patients in group (A) compared to two patients in group (B) (p = 0.28). The median change in eGFR after 3 months was not statistically significant between both groups (p = 0.8). Median baseline urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein was higher in Group A compared to Group B (3.7 μg/g vs. 1.82μg/g). The change in L-FABP from baseline to 3 months was significant between both groups (p < 0.001). The median urinary concentrations of KIM-1 and L-FABP were higher at the end of the follow-up compared to base line values in both groups, (p < 0.000). CONCLUSION: Urinary L-FABP correlates with kidney function decline in patients with acute on top of CKD after coronary angiography. Urinary levels of KIM-1 and L-FABP at 3 months increase significantly compared to baseline in patients with progressive CKD

Expression of “Connexin 43” in Colorectal Carcinomas: Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Study

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and leading cause of cancer related deaths. Connexins are integral membrane proteins that form channels between adjacent cells. Gap junction intercellular communication plays essential roles in tissue homoeostasis and regulation of cell growth and differentiation. Connexins can act as either tumor suppressors or tumor promoters. The human connexin protein family contains 21 members, of which the most widely studied is connexin 43 (Cx 43). OBJECTIVES: Investigation of immunohistochemical expression of Cx 43 in cases of colorectal adenoma and carcinoma and correlation of this expression with the clinico-pathological aspects of the tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy formalin fixed paraffin embedded BC tissue sections were randomly collected. All the available data were collected from the patients’ reports. The paraffin blocks were sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin stains for histologic evaluation. Additional sections were immunostained with Cx 43. RESULTS: Cx 43 expression was negative in all studied cases. CONCLUSION: Cx 43 is a tumor suppressor that is lost early in colorectal carcinogenesis and can be considered as potential target for cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy aiming at restoration of normal connexin expression and functional gap junctions