Degradation of morpholine by Mycobacterium sp. isolated from contaminated wastewater collected from Egypt

The biodegradation of morpholine has attracted much interest because morpholine causes environmental pollution. Ten species belonging to nine genera were tested for their abilities to degrade morpholine in mineral salts medium containing morpholine (1 g/l). Mycobacterium sp. isolated from polluted water sample collected from Abu Za”baal lakes, effectively utilized morpholine as carbon, nitrogen and energy source. The tested Mycobacterium was able to grow in high concentrations of morpholine but the rapidly increase in pH of the growth medium and accumulation of ammonia inhibited bacterial growth and complete mineralization of morpholine. The molar conversion ratio of morpholine to ammonia was 1:0.89. Growing of the selected bacterium in liquid medium with 1 g/l morpholine at 37°C and pH 6.5, enhanced morpholine degradation. Addition of metyrapone to the growth medium inhibited morpholine degradation. Immobilization of Mycobacterium cells in sodium alginate increased morpholine degradation compared with free cells. At high concentrations of morpholine (4 to 6 g/l), there was a decrease in both cell viability and respiration of Mycobacterium but no genotoxicity was found.Key words: Morpholine, Mycobacterium, biodegradation, pollution, ammonia, cytochrome P450, metyrapone, immobilization

Antimicrobial efficacy of Rheum palmatum, Curcuma longa and Alpinia officinarum extracts against some pathogenic microorganisms

The use and search for antibiotics and dietary supplements derived from plants have accelerated in recent years. Three plants, used traditionally as medicine and as food additive in Saudi Arabia, were collected and extracted with either methanol or n-butanol. The used plants were Rheum palmatum, Curcuma longa and Alpinia officinarum. The plant extracts were screened for their inhibitory effects on seven bacterial and five fungal genera using agar well diffusion method. It was shown that methanol extract was more effective as compared to n-butanol extracts. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the methanol extracts of the used plants ranged from 50 to 175 μg/ml. No toxicity was found using Artimia salina as test organism. Antitumor activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma was recorded only for C. longa extract.Key words: Antimicrobial, antibiotic, Rheum palmatum, Curcuma longa, Alpinia officinarum, toxicity, minimuminhibitory concentrations, Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

Ventriculo-Peritoneal Shunt Infections in Infants and Children

Objective: To determine the rate and the type of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infections in infants and children admitted to King Fahad Hofuf hospital of Al-Ahsaa area at the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.Methods: From mid 2003 to end of 2006; VP shunt infection episodes were reviewed. Once infection was suspected, a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample was taken and empirical antibiotics were recommended. Once infection was confirmed, VP shunt was removed and external ventricular drainage (EVD) was inserted until CSF became sterile after which a new shunt was inserted.Results: 25.9% of patients with VP shunts had infections which represents 29.3% of the procedures. 40% of infected patients had recurrent episodes. 59.1% of infections occurred throughout the first two months following insertion. Single pathogen was isolated in each episode. Pseudomonas auerginosa represented 50% of isolated pathogens compared with 18.2% with Staphylococcus epidermidis.Conclusions: There is a high incidence of VP shunt infections in King Fahad Hofuf hospital when compared with other international centres. Gram negative organisms are the most common cause of the infection

Effect of resistance and aerobic exercises on bone mineral density, muscle strength and functional ability in children with hemophilia

Background and purpose: Children with hemophilia are at risk for reduced bone mineral density (BMD), muscle strength and functional ability as a result of reduced leisure-time activity and less involvement in intense activities. So, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance and aerobic exercise program on BMD, muscle strength and functional ability in children with hemophilia.Materials and methods: Thirty boys with hemophilia A ranging in age from 10 to 14 years had participated in this study. They were assigned randomly into two equal groups (control and study groups). Control group received a designed physical therapy program and aerobic exercise in the form of treadmill training, while the study group received the same program as the control group in addition to resistance training program in the form of bicycle ergometer training and weight resistance. Both groups received treatment sessions three times per week for three successive months. BMD, muscle strength of knee flexors and extensors and functional ability were evaluated before and after the 3 months of treatment program.Results: There was no significant difference between both groups in the pre-treatment mean values of all measured variables. Significant improvement was observed in BMD, knee extensors and flexors strength, and functional ability in the study group when comparing pre and post treatment measurements. There was a significant improvement in functional ability of the control group. Significant difference was also observed between both groups when comparing the post treatment measurements in favor of the study group.Conclusion: Based on obtained data, it can be concluded that, resistance and aerobic exercise training program is effective in increasing BMD, muscle strength and functional ability in children with hemophilia.Keywords: Hemophilia; Resistance; Aerobic exercise; Bone mineral density; Strength; Functional abilit

Comparative analysis of transformed potato microtubers and its non-transformed counterpart using some biochemical analysis along with inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker

The rapid progress of transgenic biotechnology has significantly promoted the development and production of genetically modified (GM) crops. The aim of this study was to compare some compositional analysis and genetic variation of transformed potato microtubers (Solanum tuberosum L. Desiree) line (which harbor potato virus Y coat protein gene) with its conventional line in order to understand the metabolic and genomic changes associated with the transformation process. The constituents measured were: amino acids profile, minerals content, reducing sugar, vitamin C, total phenolic, total flavonoid, β-carotene and antioxidant activity. Also, PCR based assay using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) was employed to characterize the genetic variation between both lines. The data demonstrated that, there were no significant differences between the transformed and nontransformed line in total amount of amino acids, some minerals, total phenolic, total flavonoid and β- carotene contents. Obtained results of the ISSR profile was efficiently discriminated in both selected lines at DNA level. Generally, it was concluded that the transformed microtubers line was confirmed to be similar to that of the non-transformed microtubers line.Key words: Amino acids, genetic modification, phenolic content, reducing sugar, Solanum tuberosum

Effect of different concentrations of phenol on growth of some fungi isolated from contaminated soil

Phenol concentration in 25 water samples collected from three Egyptian Governorates (El- Gharbia, Kafer El-Sheik and El-Menofia) was assayed. The wastewater collected from El-Mehalla El-Kobra II (El- Gharbia governorate) was the most polluted sample with phenol and was equal to 0.0 88 mg/L. Czapeks medium was the most suitable among the other tested media for the growth of Hormodendrum bergeri, Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus flavus var. coulmnaris. However, where they were able to grow in the media containing 0.1 g/100 ml phenol, they failed to grow in the potato dextrose medium (PDA) with 0.14 g/100 ml phenol. On the other hand, the efficiency of Aspergillus ochroceus to grow on phenol was low when compared with H. bergeri, F. oxysporum and A. flavus var. coulmnaris. The growth of H. bergeri, F. oxysporum and A. flavus var. coulmnaris was optimum on the medium that contained 0.1 g/100 ml phenol after 6 days. The addition of a mixture of vitamins (B1 + B6 + B12) at 0.1% (w/v) to Cazpeks medium enhanced the growth of H. bergeri, F. oxysporum and A. flavus var. coulmnaris in the presence of phenol. Growth in the presence of phenol induced some morphological modification in both F. oxysporum and A. flavus var. coulmnaris.Key words: Phenol, growth, fungi, morphological changes

Traumatic brain injury in pediatric age group; predictors of outcome in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Objective: To determine predictors for outcomes of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in infants and children younger than twelve years admitted to our pediatric intensive care units (PICU).Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study from 2004-5, done at the PICU of King Fahad Hofuf Hospital, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. One hundred and six patients with TBI; 65 boys and 41 girls ages 12 or under, with a mean age of 5.7 years, were included. Of them, 11.3% died (Deaths group), 11% survived with neurological deficits (ND-group), and 77% survived with no neurological deficits (NND-group). The potential predictors for death or neurological deficits were examined.Results: 83% of deaths had initial Glascow coma scale (GCS) of ≤ 4/15, 50% of ND had initial GCS ≤ 8 and 27% of NND had GCS < 12. The initial brain CT was abnormal in 92% of deaths and ND groups, but in only 37% of NND. Combined brain pathologies were found in 92% of deaths, 63% of ND and only in 5% of NND. Hypotension was seen in 67% of deaths, 17% ND and only in 1% of NND. Mechanical ventilation was required in all deaths and more than half of ND. Liver enzymes were high in 50% of deaths and 66% of ND but in only 20% of NND. Serum albumin was low in 33% of deaths, 42% of ND and only 1% NND.Conclusion: Glasgow coma score, brain CT findings, combined brain pathologies, hypotension, high liver enzymes and low serum albumin predict outcome after TBI in pediatric age group

Host-specific genetic variation of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (H5N1)

The complete genome sequences of two isolates A/chicken/Egypt/CL6/07 (CL6/07) and A/duck/Egypt/D2br10/07 (D2br10/07) of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) H5N1 isolated at the beginning of 2007 outbreak in Egypt were determined and compared with all Egyptian HPAI H5N1 sequences available in the GenBank. Sequence analysis utilizing the RNA from the original tissue homogenate showed amino acid substitutions in seven of the viral segments in both samples. Interestingly, these changes were different between the CL6/07 and D2br10/07 when compared to other Egyptian isolates. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis showed independent sub-clustering of the two viruses within the Egyptian sequences signifying a possible differential adaptation in the two hosts. Further, pre-amplification analysis of H5N1 might be necessary for accurate data interpretation and identification of distinct factor(s) influencing the evolution of the virus in different poultry species

Transition of plasmodium sporozoites into liver stage-like forms is regulated by the RNA binding protein pumilio

Many eukaryotic developmental and cell fate decisions that are effected post-transcriptionally involve RNA binding proteins as regulators of translation of key mRNAs. In malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.), the development of round, non-motile and replicating exo-erythrocytic liver stage forms from slender, motile and cell-cycle arrested sporozoites is believed to depend on environmental changes experienced during the transmission of the parasite from the mosquito vector to the vertebrate host. Here we identify a Plasmodium member of the RNA binding protein family PUF as a key regulator of this transformation. In the absence of Pumilio-2 (Puf2) sporozoites initiate EEF development inside mosquito salivary glands independently of the normal transmission-associated environmental cues. Puf2- sporozoites exhibit genome-wide transcriptional changes that result in loss of gliding motility, cell traversal ability and reduction in infectivity, and, moreover, trigger metamorphosis typical of early Plasmodium intra-hepatic development. These data demonstrate that Puf2 is a key player in regulating sporozoite developmental control, and imply that transformation of salivary gland-resident sporozoites into liver stage-like parasites is regulated by a post-transcriptional mechanism

Videodensitometric analysis of advanced carotid plaque: correlation with MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP) promote derangement of the extracellular matrix, which is ultimately reflected in plaque images seen on ultrasound. Videodensitometry can identify structural disturbances in plaques.</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>To establish the correlations between values determined using videodensitometry in B-mode ultrasound images of advanced carotid plaques and the total expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in these removed plaques.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty patients underwent ultrasonic tissue characterization of carotid plaques before surgery, using mean gray level (MGL), energy, entropy and homogeneity. Each patient was assigned preoperatively to one of 2 groups: group I, symptomatic patients (n = 16; 12 males; mean age 66.7 ± 6.8 years), and group II, asymptomatic patients (n = 14; 8 males; mean age 67.6 ± 6.81 years). Tissue specimens were analyzed for MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression. Nine carotid arteries were used as normal tissue controls.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>MMP-9 expression levels were elevated in group II and in normal tissues compared to group I (p < 0.001). TIMP-1 levels were higher in group II than in group I, and significantly higher in normal tissues than in group I (p = 0.039). The MGL was higher in group II compared to group I (p = 0.038). Energy had greater values in group II compared to group I (<it>p </it>= 0.02). There were no differences between patient groups in homogeneity and entropy. Energy positively correlated with MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression (p = 0.012 and p = 0.031 respectively). Homogeneity positively correlated with MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression (p = 0.034 and p = 0.047 respectively). There were no correlations between protein expression and MGL or entropy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Videodensitometric computer analysis of ultrasound scanning images can be used to identify stable carotid plaques, which have higher total expression levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 than unstable plaques.</p