EFFECT OF ESSENTIAL OILS ON STORAGE AND KEEPING QUALITY OF GLADIOLUS CUT FLOWERS

A trial was consummated at Postharvest Lab. of Floriculture Res. Dept. Hort. Res. Inst. ARC, Giza, Egypt during 2019 and 2020 seasons to study the influence of essential oils of clove and sage oil in two experiments as preservative solutions, or a spray treatments as well as under long term of storage at low temperatures for three periods on quality and vase life of cut inflorescences of Gladiolus grandiflorus. In the first experiment five holding solutions included, clove oil at 1 and 2 mg/l + 20 g/l sucrose (suc.), sage oil at 1and 2 mg/l + 20 g/l sucrose (suc.), 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (8-HQC) at 200 pm + 20 g/l sucrose (suc.) and control (distilled water D.W.) were used. In second experiment that used essential oils as spray treatments. The obtained results from the two experiments indicated that, the flowers hold in the preservative solution of sucrose + clove oil (1 mg/l) significantly prolonged vase life, increased flowers fresh weight (%) and water uptake (g), dry weight (%), percentage of opening floret (%) and decreased water loss(g), bacterial counts in the vase solution. Essential oils had a positive effect on total sugar concentrations, level of total indoles and total phenols and total chlorophyll contents of cut flowers. Essential oils as an alternative substitute to chemical compounds had an excellent effect on cut flowers also because of their antimicrobial activities and environmental friendly nature

Experimental islet transplantation

Pancreatic islet transplantation is a promising treatment modality for patients with insulin- dependent diabetes. Besides whole pancreas transplantation, it is the only treatment that can make patients normoglycemic without risking episodes of hypoglycemia. It can also prevent, slow down and even reverse the development of secondary complications to diabetes. Compared to whole pancreas transplantation, islet transplantation is much less invasive and may also be used in patients with a high surgical risk profile, but clinical outcome data are so far better for whole pancreas transplantation. However, graft survival necessitates life-long immunosuppression and for islet transplantation more than one donor is usually needed. There is therefore a need for more specific immunosuppression with less side effects as well as methods by which the donor pool can be expanded. In this project we have assessed the capability of costimulation blockade, i.e. blocking the second signal of T lymphocyte activation, to prevent rejection of allogeneic (between individuals) and xenogeneic (between species) islet grafts, in particular when transplanted to recipients already sensitized to the graft. We have shown that a triple costimulation blockade regimen with anti-CD154 antibodies, CTLA4Ig and anti-LFA-1 antibodies could not prolong survival of islet allografts when transplanted under the kidney capsule of sensitized C57BL/6 mice. Either induced antibodies or memory T cells may be responsible for this inability of conventional costimulation blockade to prolong graft survival in sensitized animals. We tried to resolve this question in a rat-to-mouse xenotransplantation model, in which immune or naïve serum was injected intraperitoneal at the time of islet transplantation. Again, the recipient animals were given costimulation blockade. The immune serum had no negative impact on the grafts immediately (within 96 hours) post- transplantation or on the graft survival long-term in mice receiving costimulation blockade. These results suggest that preformed antibodies are not the main cause for graft rejection in sensitized recipients treated by costimulation blockade. In the animal transplantation models used, streptozotocin or alloxan is used to induce diabetes through their toxic effects on pancreatic β-cells. It has been reported that these drugs are also toxic for other cells and tissues, including cells of the immune system. Therefore, we compared recipients given streptozotocin or alloxan for diabetes induction with regard to graft survival times, spleen size and toxic effects on leukemic cells in vitro. We conclude that streptozotocin is more toxic on immune cells than alloxan, and may therefore not be a suitable agent for diabetes induction in transplantation models assessing different immunosuppressive protocols. Further, we showed that the erythropoietin analogue, pyroglutamate helix B surface peptide (ARA 290) could protect islets from apoptosis when exposed to pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro, while no clear effect was seen on graft survival when injected into the recipients. Further studies are needed on this potential islet-protective agent. In conclusion, islet transplantation holds great promise for the future as a treatment modality for insulin-dependent diabetes. However, further research is needed in order to find optimal immunosuppressive protocols with acceptable side effects that can promote long term graft survival. Costimulation blockade may be such a modality provided memory T cell activation can be perturbed and tolerance induced also in sensitized recipients

IMPACT OF POTASSIUM SILICATE AND SALICYLIC ACID ON GROWTH, FLOWERING AND QUALITY CHARACTERS OF DENDRANTHEMA GRANDIFLORUM PLANTS UNDER GREENHOUSE CONDITIONS

The impacts of foliar spraying with different potassium silicate concentrations (0.0, 300, 600 and 900 ppm) and salicylic acid (0.0, 100, 200 and 300 ppm) on growth, flowering aspects and some chemical constituents of Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura plant cv. White Rivor were evaluated. Under plastic house conditions, this experiment was carried out at Ornamental Nursery of Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Egypt, during the consecutive summer seasons of 2019 and 2020. The treatments were laid out in a factorial randomized block design (4 × 4) with three replicates per treatment. The plant height, number of branches and leaves, root length and total fresh and dry weights per plant were significantly greater with 900 ppm potassium silicate treatment compared to the other ones; likewise, the number of inflorescences and flower heads per plant, as well as flower stalk length, were significantly higher. Early flowering and the largest flower heads were achieved in the foliar spray plot with 600 ppm potassium silicate. Using 900 ppm potassium silicate concentration significantly increased total carbohydrates percentage and total chlorophyll content compared to control. In the same trend, using 300 ppm of salicylic acid as foliar spray significantly increased all growth parameters, flowering traits and chemical constituents compared to the other ones under study.  From these results, it can be concluded that the interaction treatment application of potassium silicate at 900 ppm plus salicylic acid at 300 ppm proved to have beneficial effects on the growth, flowering and quality of Dendranthema grandiflorum cv. White Rivor plan

EFFECT OF PRE AND POST-HARVEST TREATMENTS ON THE POSTHARVEST KEEPING QUALITY OF SUNFLOWER CV. SUN RICH ORANGE CUT FLOWERS

Two experiments were consummated in a saran’s greenhouse at the Ornamental Nursery and the Ornamental Laboratory of Fac. Agric., Zagazig Univ., Egypt to study the effect of two factors (NPK fertilization at different rates of 0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 g/l (pre-harvest) and some pulsing solutions i.e. distilled water (D.W.) for 16 h, sucrose (S) at 20% for 16 h, S (20%) for 16 h + silver thiosulfate (STS) at 1:4 mM for 18 min and S (20%) + 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate (8-HQS) at 200 ppm for 16 h) to enhance sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cv. Sun Rich Orange growth and keeping quality of cut flowers after harvesting during 2019 and 2020 summer seasons. Also, the interactions between these two factors were assessed. Using any NPK fertilizer rate significantly enhanced plant height, total fresh and dry weights of plant and flower diameter as well as total chlorophyll content in the leaves, total carbohydrates percentage in leaves and anthocyanin content in flower petals of sunflower compared to control. Moreover, the rate of 3 g/l of NPK gave the highest values of water uptake and water balance in comparison with the other rates. The longevity of the cut flower was gradually increased with increasing NPK fertilizer rate up to 3 g/l then it decreased. Using S + STS or S + 8-HQS as a pulsing solution recorded the highest values in water uptake and water balance at 2, 4 and 6 days of shelf life periods of cut flower as well as increased longevity and fresh weight change (%) of cut sunflower compared to the other ones under study. In general, the interaction between S + STS or S + 8-HQS and 3 g/l of NPK gave the highest values of water balance and longevity compared to the other interaction treatments. It could be concluded that S + STS as well as S + 8-HQS, showed a uniform influence in keeping quality of sunflower cut flowers under 3 g/l of NPK fertilizer with increasing longevity and total sugars content in the flower

Evaluation of Meropenem, Imipenem and Ertapenem Impregnated MacConkey Agar Plates for the Detection of Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae

Background: Rapid detection of carbapenem resistant bacteria, in particular, members of the Enterobacteriaceae family (CRE), is of utmost importance for the management of infected or colonized patients. Methods: Three carbapenems; meropenem, imipenem and ertapenem, with two different concentrations (0.5 mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml), were impregnated in MacConkey agar. The carbapenem impregnated MacConkey agar plates; ([Mac-Mem], [Mac-Imp] and [Mac-Ert]), were then evaluated for the detection of carbapenem resistant Gram-negative bacteria in particular the blaKPC producing Enterobacteriaceae. The Limit of Detection (LOD) of the plates was determined after counting the colonies that grew on the plates after serial logarithmic dilutions of ten. Carbapenem resistant Gram-negative bacteria were prepared in normal saline, inoculated on the different plates and incubated at 35oC for 18-24 hours. The specificity and the shelf-life of the plates were determined by challenging the plates with six ESBL positive members of the Enterobacteriaceae family (K. pneumoniae, Salmonella species, Shigella species, E. coli, Proteus species and Citrobacter species) and one Enterobacter species with the blaAmpC phenotype. Finally, the MacConkey agar plates impregnated with 0.5 mg/ml meropenem were further challenged by incorporating them in the routine Caritas Baby Hospital active surveillance program for the detection of carbapenem resistant bacteria. Results: Of the three carbapenems impregnated plates, Mac-Ert plates gave the lowest number of colony forming units (CFU’s) detected regardless of the concentration of the antibiotic used. This was followed by the Mac-Mem plates which showed an LOD of less than 200 CFU’s for most of the blaKPC positive bacteria tested at both antibiotic concentrations. The worst performance was noted for the Mac-Imp plate regardless of the antibiotic concentration used as a number of carbapenem resistant bacterial strains failed to grow on the plate. The Mac-Mem plates showed the best specificity as none of the ESBL and blaAmpC positive isolates grew on the plates at either antibiotic concentration tested after 18-24hours incubation in ambient air at 35oC. On the other hand, the Mac-Ert plates failed to inhibit the growth of the Citrobacter species tested at both antibiotic concentrations and the Proteus species tested at the 0.5µg/ml antibiotic concentration. The Mac-Imp plates showed poor specificity as both concentrations failed to inhibit the growth of the Proteus, Enterobacter and Citrobacter species evaluated after 18-24 hours incubation in ambient air at 35oC. Of all the plates tested, the 0.5 µg/ml Mac-Mem agar had the best shelf-life of up to one month at 4-8oC. Conclusions: The high specificity and the good selectivity, in addition to the long shelf-life allowed the 0.5µg/ml Mac-Mem agar to be used as a cost effective selective medium for the isolation of carbapenem resistant Gram-negative bacteria, in particular the blaKPC producing members of the Enterobacteriaceae family

Serotype Distribution and Drug Resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae, Palestinian Territories

To determine antimicrobial drug resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes, we analyzed isolates from blood cultures of sick children residing in the West Bank before initiation of pneumococcal vaccination. Of 120 serotypes isolated, 50.8%, 73.3%, and 80.8% of the bacteremia cases could have been prevented by pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. Serotype 14 was the most drug-resistant serotype isolated

Emergence of Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase (blaKPC-2) in members of the Enterobacteriaceae family in Palestine

Abstract Background: The global spread of carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has limited the physicians’ antimicrobial treatment options of infected patients. CRE’s which carry the Klebsiella pneumonia Carbapenemase (blaKPC) resistance mechanism have been rapidly spreading in many parts of the world, and have been responsible for high patients’ morbidity and mortality. Methods: Two protocols recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were followed to detect CRE’s in Palestine. In addition, the antimicrobial sensitivity patterns for several antibiotic classes were determined for the isolated CRE’s by the disc diffusion method according to the clinical and laboratory standard institute (CLSI) M100-S22 guidelines. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of the carbapenem, ertapenem, imipenem and meropenem were determined for all the CRE’s by E-test. The isolates β-lactam resistance mechanisms were further investigated by analyzing 31 different types of β–lactamase genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Four bacterial isolates, 3 Enterobacter cloacae and 1 Klebsiella pneumoniae, were determined to be non-susceptible to one or all of the carbapenems (ertapenem, imipenem and meropenem) tested. All isolates which carried the blaKPC-2 gene showed an extreme drug resistance profile. These isolates were resistant to all β-lactam antibiotics, co-trimoxazole and gentamicin, while susceptible to only amikacin and colistin sulfate. Different combination of plasmid encoded b–lactamase genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, blaOXA-1, blaMIR-1, blaGES-23 and blaKPC-2) were present in these isolates. Of interest, was the isolation of the first E. cloacae strains co-producing the blaKPC-2 and a novel blaGES-23 β-lactamase. Conclusions: The presence of all these plasmid encoded b-lactamase in Palestine is alarming and mandates actions to be taken to control antibiotics usage and the activation of hospital infection control programs in order to prevent the spread of these extremely drug resistant bacteria

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

STUDENT WELLBEING & OVERALL PERFORMANCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION A study of undergraduate students in Kuwait

Purpose: This exploratory research aims to investigate indicators of student wellbeing amongst undergraduates in higher education. By using the College Student Subjective Wellbeing Questionnaire (CSSWQ) the research hopes to gain insight on possible psychological implications and correlations between wellbeing and grades. Although there is a plethora of information on the matter – some of which insinuates that a positive correlation is likely, there is a dearth of research conducted on students in the Middle East when it comes to psychology and overall wellbeing particularly throughout their higher education journey. Research Contribution: This research is the first of its to investigate a possible correlation between scores of CSSWQ and performance measured by grades. When it comes to mental health and overall wellbeing, little attention is given as the region generally falls behind in awareness and investigation. Moreover, the unfolding stress of the pandemic not only calls for this type of research, but also makes it essential for policy makers & managers in the education field. Assessment Tool: The CSSWQ, a 15-item self-report instrument for assessing youths’ subjective wellbeing at school, includes four constructs: school connectedness, academic efficacy, college gratitude & academic satisfaction – along with a second order construct (college student covitality). Findings: From the research findings, it can be concluded that the CSSWQ survey grades are not correlated with final grades. The findings are important in that they dispel some preconceived notions that students who obtain better grades are considered as having a better overall wellbeing. It is essential for policy makers and educators to consider these findings in order to provide the proper support for students who need it. Also, psychologists can benefit from the findings as they shed the limelight on educational cognitive behavior