ASSESSMENT OF THE GENOTOXIC AND MUTAGENIC EFFECT OF AL-TAIF POMEGRANATE (PUNICA GRANATUM L) PEEL EXTRACT ALONE AND COMBINED WITH MALATHION AND ATRAZINE PESTICIDES IN LIVER OF MALE ALBINO MICE

ABSTRACTIn our previous studies, we report the antioxidant, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective potential of of Al-Taif Pomegranate (Punica granatum L)extracts against toxicity induced by Malathion (Mal) and Atrazine (Atra) pesticides in male albino mice. Hereby, we assess the genotoxic and mutagenicpotential of Al-Taif Pomegranate (P. granatum L) peel extract (PPE) alone and combined with Atra and Mal pesticides in the liver of male albino mice.Our results report PPE genotoxicity and its failure to significantly decrease the genotoxic effect of the pesticides Mal and Atra. Genotoxic potential wasreported by using Comet assay, in which fifty isolated comets were randomly selected and used to measure tail length, % DNA of tail and tail momentfor each group in comparison with the negative control group. Moreover, PPE combined (Mal and Atra) groups show DNA point of mutation in P53exon 5, that was detected by the highly sensitive and accurate assay single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), represented by an extra thirdband in comparison with the negative control group. This mutation was not detected by direct sequencing, means that it is a low-frequency mutation.In conclusion, our results report Al-Taif PPE as a genotoxic extract and mutagenic in combination with Mal and Atra pesticides. Moreover, the presentresults also confirm the sensitivity of SSCP technique in detection of point of mutation in comparison to direct sequencing.Keywords: Malathion, Atrazine, Pomegranate peel extract, Mutagenic, Genotoxic

EVALUATION OF THE ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL FOR DIFFERENT EXTRACTS OF AL-TAIF POMEGRANATE (PUNICA GRANATUM L) INDUCED BY ATRAZINE AND MALATHION PESTICIDES IN LIVER OF MALE ALBINO MICE

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of Al-Taif Pomegranate Peel extract (PPE) and juice (PJ) induced by atrazine (Atra) and malathion (Mal) toxicity in male mice by using biochemical and histopathological assays.Methods: Male mice were divided into ten groups and treated orally as following: Negative control; Mal group (27 mg/kg); Atra group (120 mg/kg); PPE group (0.4 g/Kg); PJ group (0.4 g/Kg);Mal + PPE group (27 mg/Kg + 0.4 g/Kg, respectively); Mal + PJ group (27mg/Kg + 0.4 g/Kg, respectively); Atra + PPE group (120mg/Kg + 0.4 g/Kg, respectively); Atra + PJ group (120mg/Kg + 0.4 g/Kg, respectively); Mal + Atra + PPE + PJ combined co-administration group.Results: Biochemical results showed a significant decrease in the antioxidant enzyme levels represented by SOD, GPxand CAT for Mal or Atra groups, while they afforded a highly significant increase in lipid peroxidation end product, MDA level. In contrast, co-administration of PPE and/or PJ and Atra and/or Mal-treated groups restored almost most of these antioxidant defense capacities to normal levels. On the other hand, treatmentwith eitherAtra or Mal resulted in histopathological hepatic alterations. However, co-administration of PPEand/or PJ and Atra and/or Mal-treated animals improved the hepatic damage and alleviated pesticides toxic effect.Conclusion: The present study suggested that Atra and Mal exposure lead to oxidative damage in the liver tissues of mice and concomitant treatment with different extracts of Al-Taif Pomegranate protected the liver tissues from oxidative damage.Â

Prevalence, antibiotic resistance, and phylogenetic analysis of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from various sources in Egypt: fish, vegetables, and humans

Listeriosis is a severe infection caused by consuming food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the primary cause of human listeriosis. This study aimed to identify L. monocytogenes phenotypically and genotypically using inlA and hlyA virulence genes, followed by DNA sequence analysis and antimicrobial sensitivity in food resources and human samples. 345 Samples were obtained randomly from different markets and supermarkets in Qena, Egypt, including 115 fish, 25 fish containers, 90 vegetables, 90 diarrheal samples, and 25 hand swabs from patients and fishermen, respectively. L. monocytogenes was confirmed in 11.30% (39/345) and 3.48% (12/345) of the examined samples using culture and conventional PCR methods, respectively. The frequencies of L. monocytogenes in fish, fish containers, vegetables, and humans were 8.70, 3.48; 20, 8; 18.89, 1.11 and 6.09, 4.35% by both methods, respectively, with a statistically significant difference. Although L. monocytogenes predominated in 5-17 and 31-43-year age groups, the age risk factor for patients was statistically insignificant from an epidemiological perspective. Higher incidences were found in females and urban areas 7.27 and 4.76% than in males and rural areas 0 and 3.70%, without a statistically significant difference. The inlA was identified in all isolates, but the hlyA was identified in 41.67%. The highest multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index 0.625 was found in a diarrheal swab; all collected isolates were completely resistant to ampicillin. Additionally, 25% of L. monocytogenes stains were multidrug-resistant. According to phylogenetic analysis, the local isolates obtained from samples of tilapia, catfish, fish containers, cauliflower, and humans shared plenty of similarities

Prevalence and antimicrobial sensitivity of Escherichia coli and Salmonella species in field cases of rabbit intestinal coccidiosis treated with prebiotic

This study aimed to investigate the effect of prebiotic treatment on E. coli and Salmonella species during natural intestinal coccidiosis in rabbits. The experiment was conducted on 45 selected farm rabbits of which 15 were coccidian free (Negative control; NC, group) and 30 were naturally coccidian infected. The infected animals were allocated into two equal groups including positive control (PC) and prebiotic treated (PT) that were orally treated with prebiotic for 8 successive days. Fecal oocyst count was assessed daily during the course of treatment. Meanwhile, the PC group had a significantly high oocyst count (21.67×103 ± 0.82 OPG), with a significant increase in the prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella (86.7 % and 46.7 %, respectively). Moreover, the NC group remained coccidian free and exhibited E. coli infection only with no detection of salmonella isolates. Findings of in-vitro susceptibility testing showed that E. coli isolates were highly resistant to most of the tested antimicrobials while Salmonella isolates showed variable degrees of resistance. In conclusion, the prebiotic treatment significantly reduced the prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella infections coexisted with intestinal coccidiosis in naturally infected rabbits

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Imidacloprid Induces Neurotoxicity in Albino Male Rats by Inhibiting Acetylcholinesterase Activity, Altering Antioxidant Status, and Primary DNA Damage

Imidacloprid (IMI) is a neonicotinoid insecticide used worldwide, either alone or in combination with other pesticides. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of IMI on the central nervous system of rats and its mechanism of oxidative stress-induced DNA damage by oxidant/antioxidant parameters. Fifteen male rats, divided into three groups, were used: the first group received 5 ml/kg body weight corn oil as a control, the second received a high oral dose of IMI (45 mg/kg body weight), while the third received a low dose (22 mg/kg body weight). After 28 days, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, oxidative stress markers, histopathological alterations, and DNA damage were examined in the brains of these rats. The AChE activities decreased significantly after IMI exposure, reaching 2.45 and 2.75 nmol/min/mg protein in high dose and low dose, respectively, compared to the control group (3.75 nmol/g tissues), while the concentration of malondialdehyde MDA increased significantly (29.28 and 23.92 nmol/g tissues) vs. the control group (19.28 nmol/g tissues). The antioxidant status parameters such as reduced glutathione (GSH) content was 13.77 and 17.63 nmol/g, catalase (CAT) activity was 22.56 and 26.65 µmol/min/g, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was 6.66 and 7.23 µmol/min/g in both doses against the control group (21.37 nmol/g, 30.67 µmol/min/g, 11.76 µmol/min/g), respectively, and histopathological changes in the brain tissues were observed. More in vivo research using epigenetic methods is needed to determine the ability of IMI and its metabolites to cause neurotoxicity and DNA lesions in mammalian brains

Children patients with COVID‐19: How can parental and peer support lessen the psychological burden of isolation

Abstract Aim To assess the effect of parental and peer support on children's self‐esteem during the isolation period in COVID‐19‐infected children is the main objective of this study. Design This is a descriptive cross‐sectional study. One hundred ninety children with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID‐19 were included. Methods A survey questionnaire to assess family and children's demographic characteristics was used for this study. A 13‐item scale to assess parental support during the isolation period and a 10‐item scale to assess peers' support during the isolation period were evaluated. Along with it, a 10‐item scale to assess self‐esteem during the isolation period was also measured. Results Home isolation was associated with higher parental and peer support scores than hospital isolation. The mean age of study participants was 13.23 ± 4.05 years; 52.6% were isolated at home versus 47.4% in hospital isolation. Phone calling and WhatsApp/messenger chat were methods of communication for 44.2% and 33.2% of patients, respectively. 6.3% of them had no method of communication. Child self‐esteem was significantly affected by both parental and peer support during isolation. The increase in pronounced negative psychological effects such as disorientation, anger, low self‐esteem and post‐traumatic distress may be caused by a lack of parental care. No patient or public contribution to this study Patients or the general public were not involved in the design, analysis or interpretation of the data in this study. The study's aim and objectives were developed based on children's self‐esteem, which was limited by questionnaire data information, so the researchers completed demographic and disease‐related questionnaires by interviewing them