Cress Seed (Lepidium sativum) Role in the healthy Processed Spread Cheese and Its Anti-Diabetic Activity

The present study dealt with utilization of cress seeds (Lepidium sativum) in the manufacture of processed spread cheese, instead of emulsifying salt. Cress seed have also health promoting properties especially lowering glucose ratios. Cress seeds powder were prepared and added with the ingredients during manufacture of processed spread cheese at levels of six ratios (0.05, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5%) compared with control (3% commercial emulsifying salt). The chemical, physical, microbiology and organoleptic properties of resultant samples were evaluated. Data revealed that processed spread cheese sample fortified with 3.5% cress seeds was the best either when fresh or during storage (8±2ºC for 3 months) and they had acceptable properties. Microstructure of processed cheese spread samples were also conducted. From nutritional view, processed cheese spread samples fortified with 3.5% cress seeds were used for feeding Adult male albino rats to study their effect on plasma glucose level. Obtained data indicated that the glucose level in plasma was significantly decreased (

Computational and experimental elucidation of the boosted stability and antibacterial activity of ZIF-67 upon optimized encapsulation with polyoxometalates

Water microbial purification is one of the hottest topics that threats human morbidity and mortality. It is indispensable to purify water using antimicrobial agents combined with several technologies and systems. Herein, we introduce a class of nanosized metal organic framework; Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) cages encapsulated with polyoxometalates synthesized via facile one-step co-precipitation method. We employed two types of polyoxometalates bioactive agents; phosphotungstic acid (PTA) and phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) that act as novel antibacterial purification agents. Several characterization techniques were utilized to investigate the morphological, structural, chemical, and physical properties such as FESEM, EDS, FTIR, XRD, and N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms techniques. The antibacterial assessment was evaluated using colony forming unit (CFU) against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as models of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively. The PTA@ZIF-67 showed higher microbial inhibition against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by 98.8% and 84.6%, respectively. Furthermore, computational modeling using density functional theory was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of PTA when compared to PMA. The computational and experimental findings demonstrate that the fabricated POM@ZIF-67 materials exhibited outstanding bactericidal effect against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and effectively purify contaminated water

Diagnostic and prognostic value of cancer stem cell marker CD44 and soluble CD44 in the peripheral Blood of patients with oral Squamous cell carcinoma

BackgroundHead and neck cancer is a major health problem. Recent studies on the pathobiology of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) have led to the discovery of a small population of cancer cells with a consistent behavior with the features of cancer stem cells (CSCs).  CSCs are required and responsible for initiation, maintenance and recurrence of disease. Molecular markers are commonly used for the identification of CSCs. CD44 is the most reported CSC marker in OSCC.The aim of the study was to evaluate and correlate the expression of CD44 in different histopathological grades of OSCC, as well as to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of soluble CD44 (CD44sol) in peripheral blood of patients.Materials and methodsFifteen patients with OSCC were included; biopsies were histologically evaluated using haematoxylin and eosin. Serial sections were immunohistochemically stained by monoclonal antibody to CD44. The intensity of immunostaining of CD44 was calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to determine the concentration of CD44sol in the blood serum.ResultsAll grades of OSCC showed membranous immunosignaling of CD44. The well, moderately and poorly differentiated OSCC cases showed weak, moderate and intense positive membranous immunosignaling of CD44 respectively.CD44sol levels were significantly higher in OSCC patients than they were in control groups. Soluble CD44 serum levels were significantly higher in poorly differentiated than they were in moderately and well differentiated.ConclusionCSCs detection in fixed human tissue and CD44sol detection in peripheral blood using ELISA seemed to be a promising method and may have a diagnostic and prognostic value in management of OSCC

Q fever in Egypt: Epidemiological survey of Coxiella burnetii specific antibodies in cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and camels

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Clinical presentation in humans varies from asymptomatic to flu-like illness and severe sequelae may be seen. Ruminants are often sub-clinically infected or show reproductive disorders such as abortions. In Egypt, only limited data on the epidemiology of Q fever in animals are available. Using a stratified two stage random sampling approach, we evaluated the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii specific antibodies among ruminants and camels in 299 herds. A total of 2,699 blood samples was investigated using enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Coxiella burnetii specific antibodies were detected in 40.7% of camels (215/528), 19.3% of cattle (162/840), 11.2% of buffaloes (34/304), 8.9% of sheep (64/716) and 6.8% of goats (21/311), respectively. Odds of seropositivity were significantly higher for cattle (aOR: 3.17;95% CI: 1.96-5.13) and camels (aOR: 9.75;95% CI: 6.02-15.78). Significant differences in seropositivity were also found between domains (Western Desert, Eastern Desert and Nile Valley and Delta) and 25 governorates (p 0.05). Only 8.7% of the interviewed people living on the farms consumed raw camel milk and none reported prior knowledge on Q fever. Findings from this nationwide study show that exposure to Coxiella burnetii is common in ruminants and camels. Disease awareness among physicians, veterinarians and animal owners has to be raised. Future epidemiological investigations have to elucidate the impact of Q fever on human health and on the economy of Egypt

Body Composition Changes after Weight-Loss Interventions among Obese Females: A Comparison of Three Protocols

AIM: To evaluate body composition changes after use of three different types of obesity management protocols: dietary measures and physical activity; acupuncture or laser acupuncture with healthy diet; aiming at achieving stable weight loss among obese Egyptian females.METHODS:  A randomized longitudinal prospective study included 76 obese adult females; aged 26 up to 55 years. Anthropometric, body composition, ultrasonographic and biochemical assessments were done.RESULTS: The three types of obesity management protocols showed significant improvement in body composition (decrease in fat% and increases in FFM and TBW) and visceral fat by US. However, nutritional intervention showed highly significant improvement in the skin fold thickness at triceps and biceps sites and peripheral adiposity index.  Acupuncture intervention showed highly significant improvement in fasting blood glucose (decreased) and lipid profile (decreased triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL, and increased HDL). Laser intervention showed highly significant improvement in all the skin fold thickness and some parameters of lipid profile (decreased total cholesterol and LDL). CONCLUSIONS: The three obesity management protocols have significant effect on body composition, but acupuncture has the best effect in improving the lipid profile and fasting blood sugar. In addition, Laser intervention was recommended to improve skin fold thickness and subcutaneous fat

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

Effect of Different Implant Materials on Stresses Transmitted to Peri-Implant Areas of Implant-Retained Mandibular Overdenture

Aim this in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the effect of mechanical loading on different implant materials on supporting structures materials and methods: a total of three implant retained overdentures were used in this study, retained by two implants each (Titanium, polyetheretherketon and zirconia) were placed in epoxy resin casts at the canine area using a surgical guide. Soft liner material was used at the distal extension area to mimic the soft tissues. Two linear strain gauges were bonded buccal and lingual to each implant to measure the peri-implant strains during unilateral and bilateral loading. Results: during bilateral loading the highest strain values were recorded with the PEEK implants, while the lowest strain values were recorded with the zirconia implants. During unilateral loading, the highest strain values in the loading side were also demonstrated with the PEEK implants, and the lowest strain values were observed with the zirconia implants.Conclusion: within the limitations of this in vitro study, PEEK implants were found to transmit more occlusal stresses at the marginal bone area than titanium and zirconia implants, thus PEEK implants avoid stress shielding phenomenon and its subsequent disuse atrophy of bon

In Vivo Investigation of the Ameliorating Effect of Copper Albumin Complex on chondroitin sulfate in Monosodium iodoacetate -Induced Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that manifests as cartilage deterioration and subchondral bone sclerosis in the joint tissues. The weight-bearing joint is most severely impacted by OA. According to some research, consuming foods high in copper albumin complex (cu-albumin complex) can help with OA-related joint degeneration and pain relief. The current study's objective to determine how oral administration of the cu-albumin complex as an anti-inflammatory medication affected the development of rat knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Fifty adult albino rats were divided into three groups: negative control untreated (n= 10, no KOA induction); positive untreated control (n= 20, KOA induction); and treated group (n= 20, KOA induction with administration of cu-albumin complex). According to the severity of the clinical symptoms, treated and untreated arthritic groups were equally divided into mild and severe groups (n=10). Monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) was used as intra-articular injection for osteoarthritis induction. Rats were euthanized after a month of the beginning of the experiment, and the joints were examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically. It was indicated that the treatment was effective in reducing KOA severity and in improvement of chondroitin sulfate of the affected cartilages. In conclusion, the structure of the chondroitin sulphate in the knee joint cartilages of KOA-affected rats was modified by the cu-albumin complex

Perspective Chapter: The Toxic Silver (Hg)

In the late 1950s, residents of a Japanese fishing village known as “Minamata” began falling ill and dying at an alarming rate. The Japanese authorities stated that methyl-mercury-rich seafood and shellfish caused the sickness. Burning fossil fuels represent ≈52.7% of Hg emissions. The majorities of mercury’s compounds are volatile and thus travel hundreds of miles with wind before being deposited on the earth’s surface. High acidity and dissolved organic carbon increase Hg-mobility in soil to enter the food chain. Additionally, Hg is taken up by areal plant parts via gas exchange. Mercury has no identified role in plants while exhibiting high affinity to form complexes with soft ligands such as sulfur and this consequently inactivates amino acids and sulfur-containing antioxidants. Long-term human exposure to Hg leads to neurotoxicity in children and adults, immunological, cardiac, and motor reproductive and genetic disorders. Accordingly, remediating contaminated soils has become an obligation. Mercury, like other potentially toxic elements, is not biodegradable, and therefore, its remediation should encompass either removal of Hg from soils or even its immobilization. This chapter discusses Hg’s chemical behavior, sources, health dangers, and soil remediation methods to lower Hg levels