Structural and Functional adaptation of the lingual papillae of the Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus): Specific Adaptive feeding Strategies

The current investigation was directed to clarify the correlations between the feeding strategy and lingual structure of the Egyptian fruit bat captured from the Egyptian east desert. The current work depends on twelve adult Egyptian fruit bats that observed grossly and with the help of the stereo, light, and scanning electron microscope. There were three types of the lingual papillae; one mechanical filiform and two gustatory (fungiform and circumvallate). There were seven subtypes of filiform papillae were recognized on the seven lingual regions. There were scanty numbers of fungiform papillae distributed among the filiform papillae on the lingual tip and two lateral parts of apex and body while fungiform papillae completely absent in the median part. There were three circumvallate papillae. The central bulb of circumvallate papillae surrounded by one layer of two segmented circular annular bad. The lingual tip had cornflower-like and diamond-shaped filiform papillae. Histochemical results revealed that the lingual glands were a stronger AB-positive reaction and gave dark blue color, while the reaction for the PAS-stain was negative. Also, the glands exhibited a blue color as an indication of positive AB reactivity with combined AB-PAS staining

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

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

Desalted and lyophilized seminal plasma increases protein tyrosine-phosphorylation of frozen-thawed bull spermatozoa incubated with a cell-permeable cyclic AMP (cAMP) analog (cBiMPS)

The present study investigates the effect of desalted seminal plasma (SP) added to semen extender on hyperactivated motility and protein tyrosine-phosphorylation (PTP) of bull spermatozoa. The SP was harvested by centrifugation and desalted using Sephadex G-25 columns in order to be added to semen extender at 0 (control), 2.5, 12.5 and 25 mg/ml. Frozen-thawed spermatozoa were incubated with a cellpermeable cyclic AMP (cAMP) analog (cBiMPS) and examined subjectively for hyperactivated motility and for PTP by Western blotting. Although, the added SP sustains sperm motility at all incubation times especially in the presence of cBiMPS but without significant difference from the control samples. Moreover, total sperm motility of 12.5 and 25 mg/ml in the presence of cBiMPS at 60, 120 and 180 min were similar (P ≥ 0.05). Surprisingly, cBiMPS-incubated spermatozoa in the presence of desalted SP were capable of exhibiting hyperactivated motility. Addition of SP increased and prolonged intracellular cAMP-induced PTP and in total 21 phosphorylated proteins with molecular weight ranging from 10 to ＞230 kDa were detected. The most prominent tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins (TPPs) were of 32, 38, 74 and 80 kDa which were more predominant in fertile bulls than subfertile bull. Furthermore, TPPs of 45 and 48 kDa were cBiMPS-dependent in fertile bulls whereas, in subfertile bull the latter was barely detectable and the former was cBiMPS-independent at only 0 min. This increase in PTP not only emphasizing the beneficial roles of desalted SP but excluding any detrimental effect of it on sperm cell functions during storage as well

Garlic Alleviates the Injurious Impact of Cyclosporine-A in Male Rats through Modulation of Fibrogenic and Steroidogenic Genes

This work aimed to study the hepato-testicular protective effect of garlic in rats treated with cyclosporine A (CsA). Forty male Westar albino rats were randomly distributed in five groups (8 rats each): control, olive oil, garlic, CsA, and CsA co-treated with garlic. CsA induced an upsurge in the alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase levels and decreased albumin and total protein levels, expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene, serum testosterone, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine levels compared to the control group. Additionally, there was an increase in the cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels and a substantial reduction in the high-density lipoprotein levels compared to the control groups. Histopathological investigation of the liver showed abnormalities like hepatic cell degeneration, congestion of blood vessels, and highly active Kupffer cells in the CsA group. Histopathological examination of testes showed damaged seminiferous tubules, stoppage of the maturation of spermatogonia, and the presence of cells with irregular dense nuclei in the lumina of some tubules. For the groups treated with garlic, mitigation of the damage caused by CsA in the liver and testes, liver function tests, lipid profiles, and hormones was seen along with improved gene expression of SOD and steroidogenesis genes, and decreased gene expression of collagen I-&alpha;1 and transforming growth factor-1&beta;. Conclusively, garlic had a positive impact on CsA-induced hepatic and sperm toxicity. It is recommended that garlic should be supplemented in transplant treatments using CsA to alleviate the cyclosporin-induced oxidative injuries and other harmful effects

Ultrastructural features on the oral cavity floor (tongue, sublingual caruncle) of the Egyptian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): gross, histology and scanning electron microscope

The present work was focused on the morphological characters of the lingual caruncles, and tongue with its papillae of Egyptian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) using the gross, light, and scanning electron microscope. The ventral surface of the sublingual caruncle carried a small opening of the duct of both monostoamtic and mandibular salivary gland. The lingual mucosa of dorsal, lateral border, some extent to ventral surface of apex had lingual papillae (filiform, fungiform), while the lingual mucosa of body especially at torus linguae had conical papillae, but circumvallate papillae observed at the caudal part of body and root. The dorsal surface of apex and body carried numerous long thread-like with blunt apex caudally directed filiform papillae that covered with keratinized scales without secondary papillae. The degree of keratinization classified filiform papillae into rostral part of high keratinization and caudal less keratinization. Conical papillary surface carried exfoliated epithelium with longitudinal groove on its rostral surface and had CT core does not reach the level surface of epithelium and carried secondary papillae. Fungiform papillae scattered among filiform papillae on the dorsal and ventral surface of apex and its convex surface had exfoliated keratinized epithelium. Circumvallate papillae surrounded by circular deep groove that bordered by vallum that carried small secondary papillae that ended into the primary groove. Taste buds of circumvallate papillae opened in the lateral lining epithelium facing the groove. Von Ebner's glands were observed in CT under papillae especially toward the groove and their ducts open into the base of the groove

Isolation and morphological and molecular characterization of waterborne free-living amoebae: Evidence of potentially pathogenic Acanthamoeba and Vahlkampfiidae in Assiut, Upper Egypt.

Free-living amoebae (FLA) are gaining attention due to the increasing number of related grave central nervous system (CNS) and sight-threatening eye infections and their role as Trojan horses for many bacteria and viruses. This study was conducted in Assiut City, Egypt to detect the presence of FLA in different water sources using morphological and molecular approaches and determine their potential pathogenicity. A total of 188 water samples (100 tap, 80 tank, and 8 swimming pool samples) were collected, cultivated on non-nutrient agar seeded with Escherichia coli, and inspected for FLA. Thermo- and osmo-tolerance assays were performed to determine their pathogenicity. Polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis were performed to confirm the identification and analyze the genotype. Overall, 52 samples (27.7%) were positive for FLA. Of these, 20.7% were identified as Acanthamoeba, 1.6% as Vahlkampfiidae, and 5.3% as mixed Acanthamoeba and Vahlkampfiidae. Seven species of Acanthamoeba were recognized, of which A. triangularis, A. polyphaga, A. lenticulata, and A. culbertsoni are thermo- and osmo-tolerant, and A. astronyxis, A. comandoni, and A. echinulata are non-thermo- and non-osmo-tolerant. The phylogeny analysis revealed T4 and T7 genotypes. Among Vahlkampfiids, 61.5% were identified as thermo- and osmo-tolerant Vahlkampfia, and 30.8% were identified as non-pathogenic Naegleria. One isolate (7.7%) was identified as potentially pathogenic Allovahlkampfia, as confirmed by sequencing. This is the first report documenting the occurrence and phylogeny of waterborne FLA (Acanthamoeba/Vahlkampfiidae) in Assiut, Egypt. The presence of potentially pathogenic FLA highlights the possible health hazards and the need for preventive measures

Chitosan and Nano-Chitosan for Management of Harpophora maydis: Approaches for Investigating Antifungal Activity, Pathogenicity, Maize-Resistant Lines, and Molecular Diagnosis of Plant Infection

The rapid spread of late wilt disease among maize cultivations has resulted in serious economic losses in many countries. Harpophora maydis is the main cause of this destructive vascular disease. Here we evaluate the fungicidal activity of chitosan and nano-chitosan against six aggressive isolates of H. maydis collected from different Egyptian governorates. Pathogenicity tests for these isolates show that the highest disease severity was found for the Giza isolate. The isolates were tested for their response to the fungicide Permis, chitosan, and nano-chitosan treatments in vitro and in vivo. Nano-chitosan treatments fully inhibited the radial growth of H. maydis isolates at concentrations of 5 and 10 mM, compared to the full control growth (9 cm in diameter). On the other hand, in vitro, in vivo, and molecular diagnosis results showed high antifungal activity of chitosan and nano-chitosan compared to the Permis fungicide. Chitosan at the nano and normal scales proved a potent ability to enhance plant resistance in response to H. maydis. Disease severity (DS%) was extremely decreased among the tested cultivars by using nano-chitosan; the highest percentage was obtained on Giza 178 cv, where the DS% was 21.7% compared to 42.3% for the control. Meanwhile, the lowest percentage was obtained on Giza 180 cv with DS% 31.2 and the control with 41.3%. The plants treated with nano-chitosan showed the highest growth parameters for all cultivars. Such natural treatments could reduce the impact on the environment as they are non-pollutant natural compounds, protect the plants by reducing fungal activity, and induce plant resistance

Treatment of Inactive Ovaries of Holstein Dairy Cows by Epidural Injection of GnRH Analogue (Receptal) and Its Impact on the Reproductive Hormones, Oxidant/Antioxidant Profile and Micro and Macro-Elements Profile

This study was designed to evaluate a new therapeutic approach for inactive ovaries based on the epidural administration of a GnRH agonist (Receptal) and an investigation of the impact of this treatment on the hormonal, oxidant/antioxidant and micro- and macro-element profiles. Sixty cows with postpartum anestrus were divided into two groups: the first group (group Repid, n = 30) was administered an epidural injection of Receptal, while the second group (group Cepid, n = 30) received saline and was considered the control group. Evaluation of hormonal (progesterone, FSH, LH, testosterone, and cortisol), oxidant/antioxidant (MDA, SOD, GPx and TAC) as well as micro- and macroelement (calcium, phosphorus, manganese and magnesium) profiles was done in serum. The results showed that the epidural injection of Receptal has the potential to induce estrus response and conception incidence in treated cows. Compared to the control group, progesterone, FSH, and LH concentrations were significantly increased in the treated group, whereas testosterone and cortisol decreased (p p < 0.05) following receptal treatment, but differences in other minerals were not detected. This research suggests a novel, effective method of treating inactive ovaries with epidural infusion of a GnRH agonist