Molecular characterization of Leishmania species from stray dogs and human patients in Saudi Arabia

Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica cause cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans and dogs in several parts of the world, with a large number of cases recorded in the Middle East. However, when they occur in sympatry, the role of each species of Leishmania in the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is not clear. To assess the frequency and to identify the species of Leishmania that infect humans and stray dogs in Riyadh and Al-Qaseem (Saudi Arabia), 311 stray dogs and 27 human patients who were suspected for Leishmania infection were examined for CL by a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). Seven (25.9%) out of 27 human patients scored positive for Leishmania spp. (i.e., L. major in five patients from Riyadh and L. tropica in two patients from Al-Qaseem). Out of 311 dogs, five (1.6%) were infected by L. tropica. Data herein presented demonstrate the occurrence of L. tropica in dogs and humans in Saudi Arabia, as well as the occurrence of L. major in humans

Impact resistance of deflection-hardening fiber reinforced concretes with different mixture parameters

YesThe impact behavior of deflection-hardening High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Concretes (HPFRCs) was evaluated herein. During the preparation of HPFRCs, fiber type and amount, fly ash to Portland cement ratio and aggregate to binder ratio were taken into consideration. HPFRC beams were tested for impact resistance using free-fall drop-weight test. Acceleration, displacement and impact load vs. time graphs were constructed and their relationship to the proposed mixture parameters were evaluated. The paper also aims to present and verify a nonlinear finite element analysis, employing the incremental nonlinear dynamic analysis, concrete damage plasticity model and contact surface between the dropped hammer and test specimen available in ABAQUS. The proposed modelling provides extensive and accurate data on structural behavior, including acceleration, displacement profiles and residual displacement results. Experimental results which are further confirmed by numerical studies show that impact resistance of HPFRC mixtures can be significantly improved by a proper mixture proportioning. In the presence of high amounts of coarse aggregates, fly ash and increased volume of hybrid fibers, impact resistance of fiberless reference specimens can be modified in a way to exhibit relatively smaller displacement results after impact loading without risking the basic mechanical properties and deflection-hardening response with multiple cracking

Ticks and associated pathogens in camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia

Background: Camel production in Saudi Arabia is severely affected by various diseases and by inadequate veterinary services. Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) affect the health and wellbeing of camels consequently diminishing their productivity and performances. In addition, camels may act as hosts for TBPs (e.g. Anaplasma phagocytophilum) causing diseases in humans. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of ixodid ticks and molecularly investigate the associated pathogens in camels from Saudi Arabia. Methods: Blood and tick samples were collected from camels (n = 170) in Riyad Province of Saudi Arabia. Ticks were morphologically identified, and blood of camels were molecularly screened for apicomplexan (i.e. Babesia spp., Theileria spp., Hepatozoon spp.) and rickettsial parasites (i.e. Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp.). Results: Of the 170 camels examined, 116 (68.2%; 95% CI: 60.9-75.1%) were infested by ticks with a mean intensity of 2.53 (95% CI: 2.4-2.6). In total of 296 ticks collected, Hyalomma dromedarii was the most prevalent (76.4%), followed by Hyalomma impeltatum (23.3%) and Hyalomma excavatum (0.3%). Of the tested animals, 13 (7.6%; 95% CI: 4.3-12.8%) scored positive to at least one TBP, with Anaplasma platys (5.3%; 95% CI: 2.7-9.9%) being the most prevalent species, followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma sp., Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis (0.6% each; 95% CI: 0.04-3.4%). None of the camels were found to be co-infected with more than one pathogen. All samples tested negative for Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. Conclusions: The present study reveals the occurrence of different tick species and TBPs in camels from Saudi Arabia. Importantly, these camels may carry A. phagocytophilum and A. platys, representing a potential risk to humans.[Figure not available: see fulltext]

MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON TRYPANOSOMA EVANSI TYPE A AND TYPE B IN CAMELS (CAMELUS DROMEDARIES) FROM FIVE DIFFERENT REGIONS OF SAUDI ARABIA USING THE ITS1 RDNA AND ROTAT 1.2 VSG GENE

Trypanosoma evansi is the most widespread of the pathogenic salivarian trypanosomes and cause a serious disease called (surra) that is affect the domestic animals such camels and horses in Tropical and subtropical countries and often leads to reduced productivity and economic losses. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence rates of trypanosomiasis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) among camels from five different regions of Saudi Arabia and to sequence and characterized the T. evansi from these animals. In the current study, 832 camel blood samples collected from five different regions of Saudi Arabia for detecting T. evansi. A generic ITS1-PCR and RoTat 1.2 VSG gene were applied in this study to analyze camels’ blood samples. Molecular analysis was performed using ITS1-PCR which showed that the highest prevalence of trypanosomes was observed in Al-Qaseem province (50.1%) followed Riyadh province (49%), whereas in Hail and the Northern Borders, there were fewer infections with trypanosomes (28.4% &17.6%), respectively. PCR amplification was carried out targeting RoTat 1.2 VSG gene on TS1-positive samples and some of them were negative for RoTat1.2. The test negative in RoTat 1.2 PCR but ITS1 PCR positive could suggest T. evansi type B. Presence of T. evansi type B is interest to the international community, as this has a message to redesign the existing molecular and serological diagnostic markers. However, to our knowledge this the first study demonstrating T. evansi type B out of Africa. Keywords: Trypanosoma evansi, Camels, ITS1 rDNA , RoTat 1.2, PCR, Saudi Arabia

Fucoidan Ameliorates Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, DNA Damage, and Hepatorenal Injuries in Diabetic Rats Intoxicated with Aflatoxin B1

The current study was carried out to evaluate the ameliorative effect of fucoidan against aflatoxicosis-induced hepatorenal toxicity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Sixty-four Wister albino male rats were randomly assigned into eight groups (8 rats each) that received normal saline, fucoidan (FUC) at 100 mg/kg/day orally for 4 weeks, streptozotocin (STZ) at 50 mg/kg/i.p. single dose, STZ plus FUC, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) at 50 μg/kg/i.p. after one month of the beginning of the experiment for 2 weeks, AFB1 plus FUC, STZ plus AFB1, or STZ plus AFB1 and FUC. Injection of rats with STZ induced hyperglycemia. Rats with STZ-induced diabetes, with or without AFB1 intoxication, had significantly elevated activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase, and levels of serum urea, creatinine, cholesterol, 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. In addition, these rats exhibited increased lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione concentration and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase enzymes in the hepatic and renal tissues. In contrast, administration of FUC to diabetic rats, with or without AFB1 intoxication, ameliorated the altered serum parameters, reduced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and inflammatory biomarkers, and enhanced the antioxidant defense system in the hepatic and renal tissues. These results indicated that FUC ameliorated diabetes and AFB1-induced hepatorenal injuries through alleviating oxidative stress, DNA damage, and inflammation

Protective effects of thymoquinone against acrylamide-induced liver, kidney and brain oxidative damage in rats

International audienceAcrylamide (AA), an industrial monomer, may cause multi-organ toxicity through induction of oxidative stress and inflammation. The antioxidant properties of thymoquinone (TQ), an active constituent of Nigella sativa, have been established before. Theaim of the current study was to assess the protective effects of TQ against AA-induced toxicity in rats. Forty-eight male Wistarrats were divided into six groups each of eight rats. The first group acted as a negative control and received normal saline. GroupsII and III were administered TQ orally at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg b.wt., respectively, for 21 days. The four group received AA(20 mg/kg b.wt.) for 14 days. The five and six groups were given TQ at either dose for 21 days, starting seven days before AAsupplementation (for 14 days). Acrylamide intoxication was associated with significant (p < 0.05) increases in serum levels ofliver injury biomarkers (alanine transferase, aspartate transferase, and alkaline phosphatase), renal function products (urea,creatinine), DNA oxidative damage biomarker (8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine), and pro-inflammatory biomarkers (interleukin-1β,interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α). Moreover, AA intoxication was associated with increased lipid peroxidation andnitric oxide levels, while reduced glutathione concentration and activities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, andcatalase in the liver, kidney, and brain. TQ administration normalized AA-induced changes in most serum parameters andenhanced the antioxidant capacity in the liver, kidney, and brain tissues in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, the currentexperiment showed that TQ exerted protective and antioxidant activities against AA-induced toxicity in mice

Long-term survival and major outcomes in post-cardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for adult patients in cardiogenic shock

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the veno-arterial (VA) configuration is an established method for the treatment of refractory cardiogenic shock. Such a condition characterizes the postoperative course of approximatively 1% of cardiac surgery patients. Although some studies have reported ECMOrelated short-term results, little is known about the long-term outcomes of VA-ECMO therapy in the postcardiotomy setting. Therefore, an extensive literature search was conducted regarding articles published after 1990 reporting postoperative ECMO use. PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched for sources. In-hospital mortality was high in post-cardiotomy VA-ECMO patients, ranging from 24.8% to 52%. Long-term results were poorly reported. However, based on the limited information available, hospital survivors showed a favorable outcome, with improvement in overall clinical condition, quality of life and limited hospital readmission for cardiac-related events. To conclude, in-hospital outcome in post-cardiotomy ECMO is often unfavorable, post-discharge results show satisfactory condition, with stable improvement of overall patient clinical status and low rate of hospital readmission and cardiac-related adverse events. Data reporting is, however, scarce and hence new and detailed studies are still warranted to investigate such aspects