Application of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a biocontrol agent against Fusarium infection of sugar beet plants

Applicability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a biocontrol agent of Fusarium oxysporum and as plant growth promoter was investigated. At 5 g L-1concentration, germination rate of the soaked seeds reached 85.83% in comparison with 54.00% for the untreated ones. Plant growth parameters, chlorophyll contents, TSS and sucrose percentages were also tested. Application of 5 g L-1 of yeast resulted in a reduction of the pre- and post-emergence damping-off 6.67 and 11.67%, respectively. Survival of treated plants increased to 83.33% in comparison with 30.00% for the pots inoculated with the pathogen containing untreated seeds. Linear growth of F. oxysporum was inhibited with 39.52% and 50% by using 5 g L-1 and 6.35 g L-1 of the yeast, respectively

Development of Simple Green Spectrophotometric and Conductometric Methods for Determination of Cephalosporins in Pure, Pharmaceutical Dosage forms and Human Urine

Five Simple, accurate and rapid spectrophotometric and conductometric methods were developed for the determination of four third generation cephalosporins, namely, cefotaxime sodium (I) , cefoperazone sodium (II), ceftazidime pentahydrate (III) and cefdinir (IV) in pure active ingredient, pharmaceutical dosage forms and human urine. Method A: is based on the reaction of the sulphide ions produced from the alkaline hydrolysis of the cited four drugs with P- aminophenol (PAP). This reaction results in a thionine dye (phenothiazine derivative) formation which exhibits maximum absorbance at 545 nm. Method B: is based on oxidation of drug (I and III) with a known excess of n-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in acidic medium followed by the determination of unreacted amount of n-bromosuccinimide  with metol and sulphanilic acid. The purple-red reaction product exhibits maximum absorbance at 520 nm. Method C: is based on the formation of yellow chelate between drug (IV) and palladium (II) chloride in buffered medium (pH  3.5) with an absorption maximum at 314 nm.  Method D: is based on the reaction of drug (IV) with aqueous ninhydrin to give yellow colored product in the presence of bicarbonate with an absorption maximum at 433 nm . Method E: A conductometric method is based on the reaction of the four cited drugs with phosphotungstic acid (PTA) forming an ion associate in aqueous medium. Validation of the proposed methods was carried out. All proposed methods were successfully applied for the commercial dosage forms of the cited drugs. Method C was successfully applied for the determination of cefdinir in human urine

Biologischer Abbau von Substratgemischen aus Phenol, Benzoat und Acetat durch Burkholderia cepacia G4

Burkholderia cepacia G4 was cultivated in batch and continuous mode on the substrates phenol, benzoate and acetate applied as single substrates and in various substrate combinations. Under steady state conditions in a chemostat, conversion of all three substrates was complete. This was shown for individual substrates as well as for substrate mixtures. In substrate mixtures, all compounds were mineralized simultaneously, no diauxic behaviour was observed. It was shown that stoichiometric coefficients, derived from single substrate experiments, can be transferred to substrate mixtures under these conditions. Under substrate surplus conditions, all cultivations on phenol or benzoate showed a decrease of the carbon recovery. On acetate, no deviation of the carbon recovery was observed. For all three substrates, an influence of the culture history was observed, leading to different adaptations times after start of an experiment. The time constants are too large for enzyme regulation, but correspond well with genetic regulation. In addition to the influence of the culture history, a metabolic decoupling was observed. In contrast to benzoate and acetate, the phenol conversion kinetics is influenced by a further, not yet identified factor. For substrate mixtures of phenol and acetate, a strong inhibition of phenol on acetate conversion was detected. Acetate, on the other hand, reduced the phenol conversion only slightly. For substrate mixture of phenol and benzoate, no cross inhibition was detected. For ternary mixtures of all three compounds, an inhibitory effect of phenol versus acetate conversion was not observed.Das Abbauverhalten einer Reinkultur von Burkholderia cepacia G4 wurde hinsichtlich der Einzelverbindungen Phenol, Benzoat und Acetat und Gemischen derselben bei unterschiedlichen Kultivierungsbedingungen untersucht. Unter stationären Bedingungen bei Substratlimitierung im Chemostat wurde für alle drei Verbindungen ein vollständiger Umsatz beobachtet, sowohl bei den Einzelsubstanzen wie auch bei den Substratgemischen. Es erfolgte ein simultaner Abbau aller Substrate in den Gemischen, eine Diauxie trat nicht auf. Die stöchiometrischen Daten aus dem Einzelsubstratsystem können auf das Gemisch übertragen werden. Unter Substratüberschuß trat bei allen Satzversuchen mit Phenol oder Benzoat ein Kohlenstoffbilanzdefizit auf. Beim Acetatumsatz wurde keine Abweichung der Kohlenstoffbilanz beobachtet. Für alle drei Substrate wurde ein Einfluß der Kulturhistorie festgestellt, der zu unterschiedlich langen Adaptationsphasen nach versuchsbeginn führte. Die Zeitkonstante der Adaptation deutet auf genetische, nicht auf Enzymeregulation hin. Zusätzlich zum Einfluß der Kulturhistorie wurde bei Substratüberschuß eine metabolische Entkopplung sowie ausschließlich bei Phenol noch eine weitere bis jetzt noch nicht identifizierte Einflußgröße auf die Kinetik festgestellt. Bei Substratgemischen aus Phenol und Acetat wurde eine starke Inhibition des Acetatabbaus durch Phenol beobachtet, während umgekehrt Acetat den Phenolumsatz nur leicht inhibiert. Bei Gemischen aus Phenol und Benzoat konnte keine gegenseitige Inhibition festgestellt werden. Die ausgeprägte Inhibition des Acetatabbaus durch Phenol ist bei den ternären Gemischen nicht erkennbar

Detection of olive tree viruses in Egypt by one-step RT-PCR

Olive (Olea Europaea L.) is a major and economically important crop for the new reclamation land in Egypt. The estimated acreage of cultivated olive trees in Egypt is above one hundred and thirty five thousand Feddens of which total production is five hundred thousand tons per year (Ministry of Agriculture statistics, 2007). Olive trees are affected by several viruses and virus-like diseases. To date, 15 viruses in eight genera have been isolated from olive trees. In a preliminary study for the assessment of the sanitary status of olive trees in five locations in Egypt, shoots from 300 trees of 9 cultivars were collected. Using virus-specific primers, a one-step RT-PCR assay was used to detect and identify each of the eight viruses most commonly found in olives. Namely, Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Olive latent ringspot virus (OLRSV), Olive latent virus-1 (OLV-1), Olive latent virus-2 (OLV-2), Olive leaf yellowingassociated virus (OLYaV), Strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRSV), Cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV), and Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV). Among the eight viruses assayed, OLRSV (6.7 %), OLV-1 (5.7 %), CLRV (4.7 %), OLV-2 (2.7 %), SLRSV (2.3 %), OLYaV (1.3 %) and ArMV (0.7%) were detected. The most common virus detected was CMV which prevailed with a high incidence of 24.7 % in olive orchards. The use of one step RT-PCR was efficient and reliable to detect the eight olive viruses found in Egypt. Surprisingly, the infection rate found is lower than expected, if we take into consideration previous surveys conducted in the Mediterranean area. This technique is useful for detection of olive viruses for production of certified plant propagative material in certification programs.Keywords: Olive cultivars, olive virus detection, olive viruses in Egypt, one step RT-PC

A portable reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification assay for rapid detection of foot-and-mouth disease virus

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a trans-boundary viral disease of livestock, which causes huge economic losses and constitutes a serious infectious threat for livestock farming worldwide. Early diagnosis of FMD helps to diminish its impact by adequate outbreak management. In this study, we describe the development of a real-time reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) assay for the detection of FMD virus (FMDV). The FMDV RT-RPA design targeted the 3D gene of FMDV and a 260 nt molecular RNA standard was used for assay validation. The RT-RPA assay was fast (4-10 minutes) and the analytical sensitivity was determined at 1436 RNA molecules detected by probit regression analysis. The FMDV RT-RPA assay detected RNA prepared from all seven FMDV serotypes but did not detect classical swine fever virus or swine vesicular disease virus. The FMDV RT-RPA assay was used in the field during the recent FMD outbreak in Egypt. In clinical samples, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and RT-RPA showed a diagnostic sensitivity of 100% and 98%, respectively. In conclusion, FMDV RT-RPA was quicker and much easier to handle in the field than real-time RT-PCR. Thus RT-RPA could be easily implemented to perform diagnostics at quarantine stations or farms for rapid spot-of-infection detection

Efficacy and Safety of Artemether in the Treatment of Chronic Fascioliasis in Egypt: Exploratory Phase-2 Trials

Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica are two liver flukes that parasitize herbivorous large size mammals (e.g., sheep and cattle), as well as humans. A single drug is available to treat infections with Fasciola flukes, namely, triclabendazole. Recently, laboratory studies and clinical trials in sheep and humans suffering from acute fascioliasis have shown that artesunate and artemether (drugs that are widely used against malaria) also show activity against fascioliasis. Hence, we were motivated to assess the efficacy and safety of oral artemether in patients with chronic Fasciola infections. The study was carried out in Egypt and artemether administered according to two different malaria treatment regimens. Cure rates observed with 6×80 mg and 3×200 mg artemether were 35% and 6%, respectively. In addition, high efficacy was observed when triclabendazole, the current drug of choice against human fascioliasis, was administered to patients remaining Fasciola positive following artemether treatment. Concluding, monotherapy with artemether does not represent an alternative to triclabendazole against fascioliasis, but its role in combination chemotherapy regimen remains to be investigated

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

Laparoscopy in management of appendicitis in high-, middle-, and low-income countries: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. Differences between high- and low-income settings in the availability of laparoscopic appendectomy, alternative management choices, and outcomes are poorly described. The aim was to identify variation in surgical management and outcomes of appendicitis within low-, middle-, and high-Human Development Index (HDI) countries worldwide. METHODS: This is a multicenter, international prospective cohort study. Consecutive sampling of patients undergoing emergency appendectomy over 6 months was conducted. Follow-up lasted 30 days. RESULTS: 4546 patients from 52 countries underwent appendectomy (2499 high-, 1540 middle-, and 507 low-HDI groups). Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were higher in low-HDI (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.33-4.99, p = 0.005) but not middle-HDI countries (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.76-2.52, p = 0.291), compared with high-HDI countries after adjustment. A laparoscopic approach was common in high-HDI countries (1693/2499, 67.7%), but infrequent in low-HDI (41/507, 8.1%) and middle-HDI (132/1540, 8.6%) groups. After accounting for case-mix, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.71, p < 0.001) and SSIs (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.33, p < 0.001). In propensity-score matched groups within low-/middle-HDI countries, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.11-0.44) and SSI (OR 0.21 95% CI 0.09-0.45). CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic approach is associated with better outcomes and availability appears to differ by country HDI. Despite the profound clinical, operational, and financial barriers to its widespread introduction, laparoscopy could significantly improve outcomes for patients in low-resource environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02179112

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background: There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods: Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results: Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion: For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially