Effects of β2-adrenergic receptor polymorphisms on asthma severity and response to salbutamol in Egyptian children

Background: Several polymorphisms of the β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene have been identified. There is mounting evidence that these polymorphisms are associated with significant variability in response to bronchodilator therapy and thus in severity and duration of asthmatic symptoms. Objectives: to assess the frequency of ADRB2 polymorphisms at codon 16 in Egyptian asthmatic children and to study the association of these polymorphisms with asthma severity and response to inhaled salbutamol. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at pulmonology unit, Zagazig University children’s hospital during the period from December 2010 to December 2011. One hundred children (50 asthmatics and 50 controls) were enrolled into the study. For all study population, detailed history taking, systematic physical examination, chest x-ray, pulmonary function testing and ADRB2 genotyping were performed. Results: There was a significant increase in frequencies of Arg/Gly and Gly/Gly genotypes among asthmatic children in comparison with healthy controls (OR = 7.9; CI: 0.94-67.4, P0.05). Regarding bronchodilator responsiveness, Gly/Gly and Arg/Gly genotypes were associated with reduced response, while Arg/Arg genotype was associated with favorable response to nebulized salbutamol. Conclusion: Polymorphisms of ADRB2 at codon 16 may be a determinant of asthma severity and response to salbutamol in Egyptian asthmatic children. Further studies are needed to demonstrate effects of other polymorphisms of ADRB2 gene on these outcomes.Keywords: Polymorphism; β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene; asthma; Egyptian children; bronchodilator therapyEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012;10(2):81-8

The effect of food elimination and probiotic supplementation in asthmatic children with food allergy

Background: Both bronchial asthma and food allergy are comorbidities of increase prevalence and growing concern worldwide. Objectives: to detect the prevalence of food allergy in children with bronchial asthma, the effect of food elimination and probiotic supplementation on the clinical outcome of asthma and the quality of life (QOL). Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 226 children aged from 4 to 18, suffering from bronchial asthma, 88 of whom had associated food allergy. Patients who suffered food allergy as diagnosed by history, prick to prick test food elimination and oral food challenge test, were randomly divided into four groups, each comprised 22 children. Group (1): received pharmacological treatment only, group (2): received pharmacological treatment and probiotic supplementation, group (3): practiced food elimination and received pharmacotherapy, and Group (4): practiced food elimination and received probiotic supplementation and pharmacological therapy. For patients in all groups, grading of asthma severity, measurement of total IgE and Pediatric Asthma quality of life questionnaire (PAQLQ) were performed before and after 6 months at the end of the study. Results: There were significant statistical improvements of severity of asthma, total serum IgE level and QOL for all groups before and after intervention. The best outcome was achieved in children who practiced avoidance of food allergen(s) and took probiotic supplementation in addition to the pharmacological therapy (p <0.001). Conclusion: Diagnosis of food allergy in asthmatic children is mandatory and combining pharmacological therapy, avoidance of the offended food allergen and intake of probiotics are encourage

Computed tomography independent quantitative determinants of CAD-RADS 4 versus CAD-RADS 3 for calcified coronary lesions

Purpose: An investigation of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)-derived quantitative parameters to determine CAD-RADS 4 versus CAD-RADS 3 of coronary lesions with moderate to severe calcification. Material and methods: The study included 150 coronary lesions proven to have moderate or severe stenosis by invasive coronary angiography and showing moderate to severe calcification in CCTA. Various CCTA-quantitative parameters were correlated to the degree of stenosis (moderately versus severely stenosed lesions). Their sensitivity and specificity to detect severe stenosis (supposed to be corresponding to CAD-RADS 4) were examined at multiple cut-off points. Results: The calcification remodelling index (CRI) was the only statistically significant independent computed tomography angiography-derived predictor of severe stenosis versus moderate stenosis on multivariate regression analysis. The best cut-off value was ≤ 0.84, with 77.78% sensitivity and 86.46% specificity. Conclusions: From all quantitative-derived CCTA parameters, CRI ≤ 0.84 was the predictor with the highest diagnostic performance for severe versus moderate stenosis in moderately to severely calcified coronary lesions. Accordingly, CRI can help to determine CAD-RADS 4 versus CAD-RADS 3

Variations in certain biological aspects of the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae) in relation to color of its forms

The stock populations of two groups of Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae) were collected from cucurbitaceous plant leaves cultivated in Assiut and the New Valley Governorates, Egypt. Both aphid groups were brought into the laboratory and used as base line of pirimicarb resistance. Pirimicarb LC50 base line was determined by the dipping technique in successive concentrations of the trade form of pirimicarb mixed in water. The LC25 was determined monthly throughout two years and used in the selection.. This procedure resulted four aphid forms at each location (i.e., base line, mixed, light color, and dark color).  It was found that the total nymphal duration of dark forms collected from both locations did not vary significantly from the base line forms. Data of the reproductive biology of aphids from both locations showed that the fecundity period, longevity and productivity of the dark morphs were significantly higher than those of the base line ones

Relationships between selectivity of Aphis gossypii Glover and Aphis craccivora Koch to sucrose and maltose and their resistance to pirimicarb

Pirimicarb LC50 base line was determined by the dipping technique in successive concentrations of the trade form of pirimicarb in water. The LC25 was used for the selection every month through a year. In case of 10 sucrose solutions versus water, 8 counts indicated that aphids did not prefer the sucrose solution. After 6 hours the cotton aphid could not discriminate between the sugar solution and water. The discrimination between sugars was enhanced by adding 10% maltose. It was observed that the dark forms of the cotton aphid, A. gossypii and light forms of the cowpea aphid, A. craccivora attracted to the higher sucrose solution than the other forms. The cotton aphid, A. gossypii has a light color as the basic color, transforming under reversible condition to dark green, whereas, the basic color of cowpea aphid, A. craccivora usually black in color, transforming under stress to light brownish. This reversed evidence explained the differences in response towards sugar of the two aphid species.It may be concluded that the dark morphs of A. gossypii, and light morphs of A. craccivora which are considered pirimicarb resistant preferred high sugar levels. In other meaning, the present study proved that dark morphs of the cotton aphid and light forms of the cowpea aphid were resistant to pirimicarb and this resistance was positively correlated with the levels of sugars in the plants. Therefore, plant breeders are requested to pay efforts in screening process of resistant plants to produce plants with low sugar contents to increase the effectiveness of pirimicarb against both species of aphids. 

Impact of Some Ecological Factors on Fecal Contamination of Drinking Water by Diarrheagenic Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli

Fecal contamination of drinking water is a major health problem which accounts for many cases of diarrhea mainly in infants and foreigners. This contamination is a complex interaction of many parameters. Antibiotic resistance among bacterial isolates complicates the problem. The study was done to identify fecal contamination of drinking water by Diarrheagenic Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli in Zagazig city and to trace reasons for such contamination, three hundred potable water samples were investigated for E. coli existence. Locations of E. coli positive samples were investigated in relation to population density, water source, and type of water pipe. Sixteen E. coli strains were isolated. Antibiotic sensitivity was done and enterotoxigenic, enteropathogenic, and enterohaemorrhagic virulence genes were investigated by PCR. Probability of fecal contamination correlated with higher population density, with increased distance from Zagazig water plant, and with asbestos cement water pipes. Resistance to at least one antimicrobial drug was found in all isolates. Virulence genes were detected in a rate of 26.27%, 13.13%, 20%, 6.67%, and 33.33% for LT, ST, stx1, stx2, and eae genes, respectively. This relatively high frequency of fecal contamination points towards the high risk of developing diarrhea by antibiotic resistant DEC in low socioeconomic communities particularly with old fashion distribution systems

Accuracy of the cutoff value of the third molar maturity index: an Egyptian study

Abstract Background This study aimed to test the sensitivity and specificity of the third molar maturity index (I3M) cutoff value to discriminate between individuals above and below 18 years of age in an Egyptian sample. Material and methods Digital images of 247 orthopantographs (97 boys and 150 girls) were evaluated. The cutoff value of I3M obtained from the results of Cameriere et al. (Int J Legal Med 122:493–497, 2008) was evaluated in both girls and boys. Results Sensitivity (the proportion of individuals being 18 years of age or older) was 95% and 73% in boys and girls, respectively. Meanwhile, specificity (the proportion of individuals younger than 18) was 100% in boys and 97% in girls. The proportion of correctly classified boys was 97% while it was 59% in girls. Conclusion It can be concluded that the third molar maturity index can discriminate between individuals who are 18 years and over and those under 18 with higher accuracy in boys

The Efficacy of Na-Butyrate Encapsulated in Palm Fat on Experimentally Induced Necrotic Enteritis and Enumeration of intestinal resident Clostridium perfringens in Broiler Chickens

Abstract: Experimental induction of necrotic enteritis (NE) successfully achieved by daily oral inoculation o

Relation of Asthma Control with Quality of Life among a Sample of Egyptian Asthmatic School Children

BACKGROUND: Asthma is considered a chronic health illness that not only resulted in physical symptoms but also emotional effects. It is; therefore, so important to assess the quality of life of asthmatic patients besides their level of disease control. AIM: To determine the correlation of asthma control with the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of asthmatic children in Egypt. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight asthmatic Egyptian children were enrolled in the study. They were subjected to asthma severity grading, asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) and pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire (PAQLQ). Studied cases were taken from 6 primary and preparatory schools, Giza governorate. RESULTS: The mean child control score was significantly higher in not well-controlled asthmatics compared to well-controlled asthmatics (p < 0.005). The not well controlled asthmatic children showed significantly lower activity limitation score, symptoms score, and overall asthmatic score compared to controlled asthmatic children (p < 0.05). The severity of asthma shows significant positive correlation with symptoms score, emotional function score and overall asthmatic score (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The quality of life for the asthmatic children is strongly correlated with the level of asthma control and severity

Differential effects of alprazolam and clonazepam on the immune system and blood vessels of non-stressed and stressed adult male albino rats

Benzodiazepines belongs to one of the most commonly used anxiolytic and anticonvulsant drugs in the world. Full description of toxic effects on different organs is lacking for nearly all the current benzodiazepines. The aim of the current work was to study the immunologic and vascular changes induced by sub-chronic administration of alprazolam and clonazepam in non-stressed and stressed adult male albino rats. Forty-two adult male albino rats were divided into 6 groups (I): (Ia) Negative control rats, (Ib): Positive control rats received distilled water, (II): Stressed rats, (III): Non-stressed rats received daily oral dose of clonazepam (0.5 mg/kg), (IV): Stressed rats received daily oral dose of clonazepam (0.5 mg/kg), (V): Non-stressed rats received daily oral dose of alprazolam (0.3 mg/kg). (VI): Stressed rats received daily oral dose of alprazolam (0.3 mg/kg). At the end of the 4th week, total leukocyte count (WBCs) and differential count were determined, anti-sheep RBC antibody (Anti-SRBC) titer and interleukin-2 (IL-2) level were assessed, thymus glands, lymph nodes, spleens and abdominal aortae were submitted to histopathological examination. Alprazolam was found to induce a significant increase in neutrophil count and a significant decrease in lymphocytes, anti-SRBC titer and IL-2 level with severe depletion of the splenic, thymal and nodal lymphocytes, accompanied by congestion and eosinophilic vasculitis of all organs tested in comparison to clonazepam treated rats. Stress enhanced the toxic effects. It was concluded that the immune system and blood vessels can be adversely affected to a greater extent by short-term chronic administration of alprazolam than by clonazepam, and these toxic effects are aggravated by stress