Bioequivalence study of two oral amoxicillin formulations (Biocillin® and Atcomox 87%®) in broiler chickens

Background: The present study was designed to assess the comparative bioequivalence of Biocillin® and Atcomox87%® in healthy broiler chickens after oral administration of both products in a dose of 20 mg amoxicillin base/kg.b.wt.Methods: Twenty-four broiler chickens were divided into two groups. The first group was designed to study the pharmacokinetics of Biocillin®, while the 2nd group was designed to study the pharmacokinetics of Atcomox87%®. Each broiler chicken in both groups was injected intravenously with 20 mg amoxicillin pure standard/kg.b.wt. After 15 days both groups taken orally Biocillin® and Atcomox87%®, respectively. Blood samples were obtained from the wing vein and collected immediately before and at 0.08, 0.16, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours after a single intravenous or oral administration.Results: Amoxicillin in both products obeyed a two compartments open model following I.V. injection. The disposition kinetics of Biocillin® and Atcomox87%® following oral administration of 20 mg amoxicillin base/kg.b.wt. revealed that the maximum blood concentration [Cmax] were 10.79 and 10.30 μg/ml and attained at [tmax] of 0.90 and 0.86 hours, respectively. The mean systemic bioavailability of amoxicillin in Biocillin® and Atcomox 87%® after oral administration in healthy chickens was 64.15 and 65.54%, respectively.Conclusions: Atcomox 87%® is bioequivalent to Biocillin® since the ratios of Cmax, AUC0-24 and AUC0-∞ (T/R) were 0.95, 0.91 and 0.90 respectively. These are within the bioequivalence acceptance range. Biocillin® and Atcomox87%® are therefore bioequivalent and interchangeable

Pharmacokinetics, tissue residues and efficacy of D-Tylo50/25® (tylosin-doxycycline combination) in broiler chickens

Background: Pharmacokinetic study of a commercial tylosin-doxycycline combination product (D-Tylo50/25®) was conducted in broiler chickens following intravenous (IV) and oral (PO) administration at doses of 50 mg/kgb. wt. (tylosin) and 25 mg/kg b. wt. (doxycycline).Methods: Serum drug concentrations were determined by a validated high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using UV detection.Results: A rapid and nearly complete absorption of both drugs with a mean PO bioavailability of 89.16% (tylosin) and 94.30% (doxycycline), prolonged elimination half-lives, and high tissue penetration with steady state volume of distribution of 6.73L/kg (tylosin) and 5.51L/kg (doxycycline) were observed. Tissue residues were studied following oral administration of each drug alone for fiveconsecutive days and blood and tissue samples were obtained for 10 days after the last dose. Residues of tylosin and doxycyclines showed that kidney, liver and lung contained highest drug residues and completely disappeared from those tissues at 5 and 6 days after the last oral dose, respectively. The efficacies of D-Tylo50/25® and other antibiotics (tiamulin and oxytetracyline) were investigated in broiler chicks experimentally infected by Mycoplasma gallisepticum.Conclusions: The pharmacokinetics of both drugs was characterized by a rapid and complete absorption, extensive tissue distribution and slow elimination. D-Tylo50/25® is more effective than tiamulin and oxytetracycline against Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection in broilers

The Role of PCR in the Diagnosis of Dermatophytes in Onychomycosis

Background:  Onychomycosis is a critical medical problem. This fungal infection of the nails leads to disfigurement, pain and impaired quality of life.  Given that it requires long-term expensive therapy; a proper diagnosis of this infection is greatly demanded.  Hence, study aimed at investigating the different laboratory methods used in the identification of dermatophytes implicated in onychomycosis including conventional laboratory methods (KOH preparation), Culture and PCR (multiplex). Subjects and Methods: This cross-section study included sixty-one (61) patients [ 82% females and 18% males]. All collected samples were investigated using microscopic examination and cultivation of samples. In addition, DNA extraction and PCR amplification were evaluated. Results: Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis(DLSO) was the most common clinical types of onychomycosis represented 70 % of total cases. Pain was the most common presenting symptoms. Among the studied group, the most common fungal infections encountered were chronic paronychia, tinea pads and tinea manum (37.7%, 16.4%, and 8.2%) respectively. The 67.2% of the studied group by PCR were +ve, by culture 60.7% were +ve and finally, 73.8% were +ve by direct smear. The sensitivity of PCR in the diagnosis of lesions was 100% specificity was 83.3% and accuracy was 93.4%. Conclusion: The dermatophyte responsible for a majority of cases of onychomycosis. However, the role of NDMs should not be ignored and this may be now a consideration in evaluating and treating onychomycosis. PCR is highly sensitive methods for diagnosis of fungal infection. The application of PCR technology directly to the clinical specimens will allow early and accurate diagnosis of onychomycosis. This will permit prompt and targeted initiation of antifungal therapy. So, it is recommended to be used in the rapid diagnosis of onychomycosis. &nbsp

Laboratory approach for detection of non-invasive fungal rhinosinusitis: A case-control study

         Noninvasive fungal rhinosinustis is problematic being resistant to traditional medical treatment. Mycology laboratory work helps solving this issue. This case control study was designed to supplement the lacking information about the frequency of noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis in our locality and identify fungal species responsible for this condition in Zagazig University Hospitals. In addition, to evaluate the role of microscopic examination, antigen detection and PCR in comparison to culture technique in diagnosis. Sinus material was collected from seventy eight cases represented clinically and radiologically with noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis from June 2013 to September 2015. A control group 78 subjects with healthy sinuses from whom nasal smears were obtained. Samples were processed in Mycology Unit and examined microscopically in 10% KOH preparations. Lactophenol cotton blue slide preparations were examined for microscopic structures as hyphae and conidia. PCR amplification of the extracted DNA was performed using fungal universal primers for amplification of 28 S rDNA genes. Results: Microscopic examination revealed hyphae and fruiting bodies in 37 (47.4% of the cases). Culture diagnosed 36 FRS patients. Aspergillus fumigatus was the most frequently isolated from fungal rhino sinusitis (52.7 %) of cases, followed by Penicillium spp. in 22.2%. PCR amplification exhibits the same sensitivity and specificity as those demonstrated by microscopic examination (100% and 97.3% respectively). ELISA of Aspergillus galactomannan (GM) antigen lacked sensitivity (58.3%), with a higher specificity (100%). Conclusion: It is concluded that an experienced mycological confirmation especially, direct microscopic examination of clinically suspected noninvasive FRS cases is necessary for a final diagnosis. Key words: Rhinosinusitis; fungus; KOH; galactomannan; PCRRunning Title: Fungal rhinosinusitis mycology la

Chemosensitivity of three patient-derived primary cultures of canine pericardial mesothelioma by single-agent and combination treatment

IntroductionCanine mesothelioma is a rare malignant tumor that mostly affects body cavities, such as the pericardial and pleural cavities. Chemotherapy plays a crucial role in the treatment of canine mesotheliomas. We aimed to compare the antitumor effects of single-agent and combination chemotherapeutic agents on patient-derived primary cultures of canine pericardial mesothelioma established in this study. We planned to generate xenograft models for future studies.Material and methodsEffusion samples were collected from three dogs with histologically diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma and used for primary culture. Cultured cells were characterized by immunostaining for pan-cytokeratin AE1/AE3, vimentin, Wilms' tumor suppressor gene 1 (WT1), and cytokeratin 5 (CK5). To assess the tumorigenic properties of cells in the effusion and generate a xenograft model, the cell suspension was injected into a severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse either subcutaneously (SC) or intraperitoneally (IP). Lastly, chemosensitivity of established primary cultures against four drugs, doxorubicin, vinorelbine, carboplatin, and gemcitabine, by single-agent treatment as well as combination treatment of carboplatin at a fixed concentration, either 10 or 100 μM, and gemcitabine at different concentrations ranging from 0–1000 μM was assessed by cell viability assay.ResultsPrimary cultures were successfully generated and characterized by dual positivity for AE1/AE3 and vimentin and positive staining for WT-1 and CK5, confirming the mesothelial origin of the cells. In the xenograft models, SC mouse developed a subcutaneous mass, whereas IP mouse developed multiple intraperitoneal nodules. The masses were histopathologically consistent with mesotheliomas. The chemosensitivity assay revealed that carboplatin had the highest anti-tumor effects among the four tested single-agent treatments. Furthermore, carboplatin at 100 μM combined with gemcitabine at clinically relevant doses demonstrated the augmented anti-tumor effects compared to single-agent treatment.Discussion and conclusionPrimary cultures and xenograft models generated in this study could be useful tools for in vitro and in vivo studies of canine mesothelioma. Carboplatin is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent against canine mesothelioma when used as a sole agent and in combination with gemcitabine

Alpha lipoic acid and diabetes mellitus: potential effects on peripheral neuropathy and different metabolic parameters

Introduction: Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant used in the treatment of neuroinflammation, diabetes and diabetic nephropathy. The current study aiming to gauge the effect of oral ALA on diabetic peripheral neuropathy, glycemic control, LDL-C, and HDL-C. Methods: This is a prospective, interventional study carried out on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who were following at the outpatient internal medicine & diabetes clinics at Benha University Hospital. Treatment with ALA for 3 months was given to patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Data in the form of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), duration & treatment of DM, manifestations of peripheral neuropathy were collected. LDL-C, HDL-C, HbA1c, TSH, ALT, AST were measured before and after intervention. Peripheral neuropathy symptoms, nerve conduction velocities, cardiovascular (CV) tests of autonomic neuropathy, and cross-section area of the posterior tibial nerve were performed before and after treatment intervention. Results: 90 adult diabetic patients were recruited in the study, 42.2% were females and 57.8% were males with a median age of 50–60.3 years (IQR = 52). A statistically significant improvements of neuropathic symptoms, nerve conduction velocity, and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy were noted after 3 months of administration of ALA (p ˂0.001). However, the cross-section area of the posterior tibial nerve at baseline and after treatment did not change significantly (p value of 0.84). There was a significant improvement in the BMI, HDLC, LDL-C, HbA1c (p ˂ 0.001). Conclusion: Oral treatment with ALA might cause ameliorations of peripheral neuropathy, HbA1c, and LDL-C & HDL-C levels in diabetic patients. Our result failed to proof effect of ALA on nerve cross-section area. The global data encourage further studies with this medication as an ancillary treatment of DM2.Clinical trial registration: It was registered in clinical trial website; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier(NCT number): NCT04322240

Kinetic Simulation of He radio frequency capacitive coupled plasma

Radiofrequency capacitively coupled plasma is studied theoretically using a Particle-in-Cell code. For He discharge, the time-averaged sheaths are in the range of few centimeters. The sheath potential, ion, and electron energy and angular distributions, discharge current, and dissipated power depend on the driven potentials and frequencies. Increasing the amplitude of the high radio frequencies increases the bulk density and the sheath potential and, consequently, increases the plasma processing rate. Increasing the intermediate radio frequency amplitude allows a wider sheath with a broad ion energy distribution and a narrower ion angular distribution. Changing the amplitude and the phase shift between driven frequencies provide different energies and angular distribution allowing performing various processes. The interplay between the sheath and bulk dynamics in the intermediate radiofrequency regime and the high-frequency regime may excite harmonics in the discharge current

Clinical outcome of combined scaphocapitate fusion and posterior interosseous neurectomy for stage III Kienbock’s disease

Background: Treatment of Kienbock’s disease is still controversial. Several authors have described various surgical treatment options for Kienbock’s disease, all of whom reported successful treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study is to explore the clinical results of posterior interosseous neurectomy and scaphocapitate fusion as a treatment option for stage III Kienbock’s disease.Methods: This study evaluated the range of motion, grip and functional results after treatment of ten wrists of stage III Kienbock’s disease. Four males and six females with average age of 26.3 years, seven dominant and three non-dominant wrists were included. Two patients were smokers while six were housewives, three manual workers and a lawyer. The average follow up period was 14.2 months.Results: Four patients revealed excellent, three good and three fair results. The mean modified Mayo score was 81.5. Flexion-extension range was 105.5° representing 74.9% of the contralateral side range. The mean flexion and extension range of operated side was increased, while the flexion increase was nonsignificant. Regarding radial-ulnar deviation, the mean range was 33.5° representing 76.5% of the contralateral side. The mean ulnar and radial deviation was increased, while the radial increase was nonsignificant. The mean grip strength was significantly increased to 90 mmHg representing 93.2% of the contralateral side.Conclusions: Scaphocpitate fusion is a recommended solution for treatment of late stages of Kienbock’s disease with lunate collapse. Longer postoperative time has a positive impact on grip strength and flexion-extension range of motion

Design of Quality of Service Parameters for Voice over Long Term Evolution

VoLTE (Voice over LTE) is a solution to transfer voice packets over the LTE network, with low latency and high QoS (Quality of Service). As the efficient QoS assessment of VoLTE service is a crucial item for LTE networks operators and there are no studies were performed on commercial networks, and almost all previous studie

Comparative studies on the efficacy of lincomycin and bacitracin for the control of necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens

Background: The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of lincomycin and/or bacitracin for control of experimentally-induced Clostridium perfringens (CP) infection in broiler chickens.Methods: A total of 100 one-day-old Cobb-mixed chicks were divided into five groups (A, B, C, D and E, each of 20 bird). At the 15th day of age, all birds (except group A) were inoculated orally with CP broth culture (109 CFU/mL). Two days later, drugs were orally administered once daily for five consecutive days as follow; Group A and B were left untreated. Group C, D, and E were treated with lincomycin (0.5 g/l), bacitracin (100 mg/l), lincomycin and bacitracin, respectively. The efficacy of used drugs was estimated based on clinical symptoms, body weight, weight gain, feed conversion rate. Hematobiochemical changes were also determined.Results: Necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens induced a significant decrease in body weight, weight gain, erythrocytic count, hemoglobin content, PCV %, serum proteins, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. Additionally, a marked decrease in serum lipids was obtained. Furthermore, a significant increase in feed conversion rate, leukocytic count, phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, serum total globulin, γ globulin and malondialdehyde coupled with a marked increase in β and α globulins were determined. Medication of infected broilers with lincomycin and/or bacitracin improved clinical signs and reduced mortality rate to 8, 6 and 2%, respectively, as well as restored the performance and hematobiochemical alterations.Conclusions: a combination of lincomycin and bacitracin was of considerable value for the control of necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens