Adiponectin could be a comprehensive marker of metabolic syndrome in obese children

Objectives: The objectives were to investigate the relationship between the serum adiponectin level and the metabolic syndrome (MS) phenotype in children, and to examine the independent association between the serum adiponectin level and the individual components of MS.Design: A cross-sectional design was used.Subjects: Fifty-six obese children with a body mass index ≥ 95th percentile for age and sex, and 50 normal-weight children matched for age and sex with the obese children, were used as controls.Outcome measures: The main outcome measure was the serum adiponectin level.Results: The serum adiponectin level was significantly lower in obese children, than in the normal-weight controls (7.35 ± 3.1 μg/dl vs. 10.64 ± 3.04 μg/dl). Obese children with MS have a significantly lower serum adiponectin level compared to obese children without MS (5.92 ± 1.9μg/dl vs. 8.57 ± 2.1 μg/dl). There was a significant negative correlation between the serum adiponectin level and waist circumference, triglyceride levels, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose. The serum adiponectin level correlated positively with the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. After controlling for the confounding effect of age, sex and visceral fat, the adiponectin level remained a significant predictor of the MS [odds ratio (OR): 0.76, 95% CI: 0.63-0.91].Conclusion: Adiponectin demonstrated a consistent relationship to each MS component. Adiponectin may be a comprehensive marker of the MS condition

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor gene polymorphism (rs2010963) in ST- Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: An Egyptian Pilot Study

ST- segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is the most severe form of coronary artery disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) is critical in post- Myocardial Infarction (MI) angiogenesis. VEGF-A (rs2010963) gene polymorphism hasn’t been explored in Egyptian ethnicity. This study aimed to explore the role of the VEGF-A gene (rs2010963) polymorphism in STEMI and its outcome. It was carried out on 50 STEMI patients and 50 controls who gave blood samples for VEGF-A level estimation by ELISA and VEGF-A gene(rs2010963) polymorphism by real-time PCR. We revealed that VEGF-A level was higher in STEMI cases vs. control at baseline and in STEMI cases at 2-weeks vs. baseline. At a cut off value > 20 pg/ml was a statistically significant discriminator of STEMI vs. control [AUC (95% CI) = 0.785 (0.692-0.861), sensitivity 82%, specificity 72%]. Participants with C/G-G/G genotypes of VEGF-A (rs2010963) had 2.8-times higher odds vs. those with C/C genotype to exhibit STEMI. C/G genotype was associated with highest VEGF-A level. STEMI participants with C/G genotype had 4.3-times higher odds vs. those with C/C-G/G genotype to exhibit poor outcome. In conclusions, VEGF-A level can discriminate STEMI cases from control. VEGF-A (rs2010963) gene polymorphism affects VEGF-A level, associated with risk of developing STEMI and affects clinical outcome

Fibroblast cell-based therapy prevents induction of alopecia areata in an experimental model

YesAlopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune hair loss disease with infiltration of proinflammatory cells into hair follicles. Current therapeutic regimens are unsatisfactory mainly because of the potential for side effects and/or limited efficacy. Here we report that cultured, transduced fibroblasts, which express the immunomodulatory molecule indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), can be applied to prevent hair loss in an experimental AA model. A single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of IDO-expressing primary dermal fibroblasts was given to C3H/HeJ mice at the time of AA induction. While 60–70% of mice that received either control fibroblasts or vehicle injections developed extensive AA, none of the IDO-expressing fibroblast-treated mice showed new hair loss up to 20 weeks post injection. IDO cell therapy significantly reduced infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells into hair follicles and resulted in decreased expression of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-17 in the skin. Skin draining lymph nodes of IDO fibroblast-treated mice were significantly smaller, with more CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ regulatory T cells and fewer Th17 cells than those of control fibroblast and vehicle-injected mice. These findings indicate that IP injected IDO-expressing dermal fibroblasts can control inflammation and thereby prevent AA hair loss.Canadian Institutes of Health Researches (Funding Reference Number: 134214 and 136945)

JBiopest 7(2):104-109(2014) EPN for Spodoptera and Temnorhynchus JBiopest 5(1): 1-6 © 448 Bioefficacy of two entomopathgenic nematodes against Spodoptera littoralis Boisduval (Lepidoptera) and Temnorhynchus baal Reiche (Coleoptera) larvae

ABSTRACT Efficacy of the two entomopathogenic nematode species, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (HP88 strain) and Steirnema glaseri Steiner (NJ strain), was tested on the fifth and third instar larvae of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) and Temnorhynchus baal (Reiche) under laboratory conditions. Experiments were conducted on filter paper and sandy soil substrates using nematode at 50, 100, 200 and 400 infective juveniles/5ml of water. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora was most effective on the fifth instar larvae of S. littoralis whereas S. glaseri was effective against third instar larvae of T. ball third. Insect mortality was high (60-90%) and low (<45%) at higher and lower nematode concentrations respectively. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora treated larvae of S. littoralis succumbed to the infection at the higher rates (80-100%) as compared to those treated with S. glaseri. The rate of mortality of S. littoralis was lowest when treated with S. glaseri (2-20%). The differences in the rate of nematode infection and insect mortality under various experimental conditions are attributed to the difference in the behavior, virulence, rate of penetration and host searching abilities of nematodes and the abilities of insect pest larvae to resist nematode penetration. Present study suggests that entomopathogenic nematodes are important and effective biological control agents of most soil dwelling insect pests.

Do community pharmacists in Qatar manage acute respiratory conditions rationally? A simulated client study

Objectives: This study evaluated Qatar's community pharmacists' therapeutic recommendations, medication labelling, dispensing and counselling practices in response to common cold and allergic rhinitis symptoms. Methods: A simulated client method was used to assess the practice behaviour of community pharmacists. Twenty-five pharmacies in Qatar were randomly selected and further randomised into two groups: common cold (n = 15) and allergic rhinitis (n = 10). The pharmacies were visited or called according to the study group twice by two independent simulated clients; each simulated client visited or called the 25 pharmacies once. Therapeutic recommendations, labelling, dispensing and counselling practices from the studied pharmacies were compared to Joint FIP/WHO (International Pharmaceutical Federation/World Health Organization) standard guidelines. Data analyses were performed using both descriptive and inferential statistics (? = 0.05). Key findings: Cough syrups (37%), analgesics (31%) and antihistamines (19%) were the most frequently dispensed medicines in the common cold scenario. Pharmacists were less likely to dispense cough syrups (12%) and analgesics (12%), but were more likely to dispense antihistamines (35%) in the allergic rhinitis scenario. Antibiotics were found in three encounters for each scenario. Many community pharmacists did not adhere to medicine labelling standard. No significant differences were found regarding labelling practices and important questions to be asked (P > 0.05), except questions related to fever and cough symptoms (P < 0.05). The median cost for treating allergic rhinitis was higher, but this did not reach statistical significance (QAR 60 versus QAR 51 (equivalent to USD 16.44 versus USD 13.97), P = 0.586). Furthermore, no significant differences were found between pharmacists' gender (P = 0.642), pharmacy type (P = 0.487) and duration of encounter (P = 0.266). Conclusions: Community pharmacists in Qatar appeared to exhibit practices that are below the established standards in response to common cold and allergic rhinitis symptoms. - 2017 Royal Pharmaceutical SocietyThe authors would like to thank Qatar University for funding this research (QU/Qatar University Student Grant (ID: QUST-CPH-SPR-12/13-14).Scopu

Comparative studies of free and immobilized phytase, produced by Penicillium purpurogenu GE1, using grafted alginate/carrageenan beads

Aim: The aim of the study was to immobilize the phytase enzyme produced by Penicillium purpurogenu GE1 on grafted alginate/carrageenan beads and study the properties of the immobilized enzyme in comparison with free ones. Materials and methods: The immobilization conditions were first optimized and then the optimum conditions of temperature and pH for the maximum activity of the immobilized and free enzyme were studied and compared. The stabilities of both immobilized and free phytase at moderate and low temperatures of 50 and 4°C, as well as their stability at the acidic pH of 4, were also studied. Finally, the activity of the immobilized enzyme was monitored over 20 successive repeated batches. Results: The maximum loading capacity was obtained after 20 h at the enzyme/acetate buffer dilution ratio of 1 : 2. The optimum temperature and pH of the immobilized enzyme, as compared with free state, were found to have shifted from 37 to 45°C and from pH 5.5 to 4, respectively. Moreover, the results also proved that when phytase in both immobilized and free states was subjected to an acidic pH of 4 for 45 min, or to a moderately high temperature of 50°C for 60 min, the activity of the former remained stable, whereas that of the latter showed substantial losses. In contrast, at the refrigerator shelf temperature of 4°C, dry and wet immobilized forms retained 100% activity for 12 weeks, whereas that of the free enzyme was completely lost within a shorter period of 4 weeks. Furthermore, the activity of the phytase enzyme immobilized on gel beads was maintained at the 100% level for more than 12 repeated batch utilizations of the beads. Conclusion: The results revealed that the physiological parameters of the immobilized enzyme were greatly improved compared with the free state. Further, the activity of the phytase enzyme immobilized on gel beads was maintained at the 100% level for more than 12 repeated batch cultivations of the beads

How do community pharmacists in Qatar respond to patients presenting with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infections?

[No abstract available]Scopu

Nanoparticles as Immune Modulatory Reagents for Production of Rift Valley Fever Hyperimmune Serum in Sheep

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) since its discovery has been recognized as a source of numerous outbreaks in Africa and Arab peninsulas. It is a zoonotic highly pathogenic mosquito born virus disease. The first line of defense against such disease is the prevention of its the occurrence by periodic vaccination. The use of adjuvant is of fundamental importance in vaccines formulations and hyperimmune serum production. This study aimed to prepare hyperimmune serum against RVF virus to be used in diagnostic purposes in addition to its possible use for treatment in emergence cases. To establish this goal, we use Montanide IMS 3015 investigating its immune modulatory effect in immunized sheep. The experimental sheep received 3 injections of inactivated RVF virus adjuvant with Montanide IMS 3015 one week intervals, the fourth injection was virulent virus. The obtained serum 7 days after the last injection was discovered to be safe and free of foreign pollutants. For mice; specific for RVF virus with mean serum neutralizing antibody titer 20480 and ELISA optical density 1.402. It was found that this serum was able to protect mice against experimental infection with RVF virus in the ratios 100%; 100%; 90% and 60% of it was administrated to mice 24 hours pre-virus infection; simultaneously with the virus; 24 hours post-infection and 48 hours post infection respectively while later serum administration was unable to protect mice against viral infection

PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ECONOMICAL BACTERIAL CELLULOSE

The present study investigates the economical production of bacterial cellulose (BC) by Gluconacetobacter subsp. Xylinus (ATCC 10245) in 250 ml Erlenmeyer flasks cultivated under static conditions. The fermentation media used contained food industrial by-product liquors, such as black strap molasses solution and corn steep liquor (CSL), which represents some of the most economical carbon and nitrogen sources. However, because of the presence of undesirable components in molasses (such as coloring substances, heavy metals, and other compounds) that may act as inhibitors, and in order to eliminate them, crude molasses has been treated with an acid, as an attempt to increase BC productivity. The amount of BC produced using these carbon and nitrogen sources was determined and compared to that produced using previously reported fermentation media. The characterizations of the bacterial cellulose (BC) pellicles obtained using either conventional or by-product media were studied by thermal and spectral techniques and compared to those of plant-derived cellulose such as cotton linter, viscose pulp, and microcrystalline cellulose