Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of antimicrobial susceptibility of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from broiler chickens

Aim: Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is pathogenic strains of E. coli that are responsible for one of the most common bacterial diseases affecting poultry worldwide. This study was designed to determine the occurrence, antibiotic resistance profile, and antibiotic resistance genes of E. coli isolated from diseased and freshly dead broilers. Materials and Methods: In that context, a total of 200 broilers samples were examined by standard microbiological techniques for isolation of E. coli, and tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility against 15 antimicrobial agents using disc diffusion method. In addition, E. coli isolates were screened by multiplex polymerase chain reaction for detection of a number of resistance genes including aadA1 gene encodes streptomycin/neomycin, tetA encodes resistance to tetracycline, sul1 encodes sulfonamides, and β-lactamase encoding genes (blaTEM and blaSHV). Results: A total of 73 (36.5%) isolates were biochemically identified as E. coli strains. O78, O2, and O1 are the most prevalent serotypes detected. E. coli displayed a high resistance against penicillin (100%), followed by cefepime (95.8%) and a low resistance to norfloxacin (36.9%), and chloramphenicol (30%). Depending on the results of PCR, sul1 gene was the most predominant antibiotic resistant gene (87%) followed by blaTEM (78%), tetA genes (60%), and aadA (54%). However, blaSHV had the lowest prevalence (23%). Conclusion: The obtained results demonstrated the importance of studies on APEC and antibiotic resistance genes in our region which associated with intensive poultry industry, aiming to acquire preventive measures to minimize losses due to APEC and associated multidrug-resistance and resistance genes that of high significance to the rational use of antibiotics in clinical and public health

IMPACT OF ORGANIC MATTER ON THE GROWTH OF JATROPHA CURCAS AND MORINGA OLEIFERA SEEDLINGS BENEATH WATER DEFICIT

A field experiment was carried out in order to determine the proper irrigation rate and the best organic matter in a loamy sand soil to optimize the growth, biomass, and chemical composition of the seedlings of Jatropha curcas (poisonnut) and Moringa oleifera (horseradishtree). Three irrigation deficits (100, 75, and 50% of field capacity F.C.) and three organic substance treatments [control, compost, and humic acid (HA)] were implemented in a split-plot design. Generally, increasing the irrigation deficit from 100% to 50% of F.C. decreased growth and biomasses for both plants. The 75% F.C. was the better treatment that enhanced the growth and biomasses parameters of J. curcas seedlings. Contrarily, HA exceeds compost in increasing these growth parameters but compost and HA were alike for increasing shoots (fresh and dry weights) and decreasing roots biomasses. HA and compost under 100 and 75% F.C. were significantly similar to the decreased roots biomass, as well as, the S:R ratio of J. curcas seedlings.The results revealed that regardless of their effects and mechanism to resist drought, both J. curcas and M. oleifera are well adapted to semi-arid regions when amended with HA or compost, under irrigation deficit 75% of F.C

Penetration enhancers in proniosomes as a new strategy for enhanced transdermal drug delivery

AbstractThe aim of this work is to investigate penetration enhancers in proniosomes as a transdermal delivery system for nisoldipine. This was performed with the goal of optimising the composition of proniosomes as transdermal drug delivery systems. Plain proniosomes comprising sorbitan monostearate, cholesterol, ethanol and a small quantity of water were initially prepared. Subsequently, proniosomes containing lecithin or skin penetration enhancers were prepared and evaluated for transdermal delivery of nisoldipine. The plain proniosomes significantly enhanced the transdermal flux of nisoldipine to reach 12.18μgcm−2h−1 compared with a saturated aqueous drug solution which delivered the drug at a rate of 0.46μgcm−2h−1. Incorporation of lecithin into such proniosomes increased the drug flux to reach a value of 28.51μgcm−2h−1. This increase can be attributed to the penetration enhancing effect of lecithin fatty acid components. Replacing lecithin oleic acid (OA) produced proniosomes of comparable efficacy to the lecithin containing system. The transdermal drug flux increased further after incorporation of propylene glycol into the OA based proniosomes. Similarly, incorporation of isopropyl myristate into plain proniosomes increased drug flux. The study introduced enhanced proniosomes as a promising transdermal delivery carrier and highlighted the role of penetration enhancing mechanisms in enhanced proniosomal skin delivery. The study opened the way for another line of optimisation of niosome proconcentrates

Interferon therapy shifts natural killer subsets among Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C

AbstractNatural killer cells can be divided into five subpopulations based on the relative expression of CD16 and CD56 markers. The majority of natural killer cells are CD56dim, which are considered to be the main cytotoxic effectors. A minority of the natural killer cells are CD56bright, and function as an important source of immune-regulatory cytokines. Shifts of these subsets have been reported in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. We sought to investigate the shift of natural killer subsets among Egyptian patients with chronic HCV and to analyze the influence of interferon therapy on this shift. We applied a flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood natural killer subsets for 12 interferon-untreated and 12 interferon-treated patients with chronic HCV, in comparison to 10 control subjects. Among interferon-untreated patients, there was a significant reduction of CD56-16+ (immature natural killer) cells. Among interferon-treated patients, the absolute count of natural killer cells was reduced, with expansion of the CD56bright subset and reduction of the CD56dim16+ subset. Natural killer subset counts were not significantly correlated to HCV viral load and were not significantly different among interferon responders and non-responders. In conclusion, HCV infection in Egyptian patients has been observed to be statistically and significantly associated with reduction of the CD56-16+NK subset, while a statistically significant expansion of CD56bright and reduction of CD56dim16+ subsets were observed after interferon therapy. Further studies are required to delineate the molecular basis of interferon-induced shift of natural killer subsets among patients with HCV

Effect of Nursing Care Guided by Roy’s Adaptation Model on Self-Evaluation of Women After Caesarean Section

Postpartum caesarean section is a critical time in the women life. During that time, the women need physical and psychological care as well as guidance for healthy practices for their health and newborns.  Aim: The study aimed to assess the effect of nursing care guided by Roy’s adaptation model on self-evaluation of women after caesarean section. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with pre and post-test was utilized.  Sample: A purposive sample of 60 women after caesarean section. Setting: The study was carried out at University and Teaching Hospital at Shebin El-Kom. instruments: An interviewing questionnaire,  postpartum follow-up form and post-partum self-evaluation questionnaire Results: There was a highly statistically significant improvement in the post intervention than the pre intervention regarding of puerperium problems and adaptation after cesarean section after implementation of Roy’s adaptation model (P < 0.001) Conclusions: The implementation of Roy’s adaptation model assisted  in stopping the majority of puerperium issues after cesarean section. The difference between most complaints was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05; p < 0.001) during the week of data collection. Recommendations: Roy’s adaptation model will be helpful if included incorporated as essential part of routine postpartum care. Keywords: Roy’s adaptation model, caesarean section, self-evaluation of women after caesarean section DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/67-05 Publication date:October 31st 2019

Efficacy and Safety of Topical Tranexamic Acid Alone or in Combination with Either Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser or Microneedling for the Treatment of Melasma

Introduction: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a promising treatment modality for melasma. Microneedling (MN) and fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser were reported to enhance TXA transepidermal delivery. Objectives: To compare efficacy and safety of topical TXA alone or in combination with either fractional CO2 laser or MN for treatment of melasma. Methods: Thirty females with facial melasma were divided randomly into 3 equal groups after excluding pregnant and lactating women and those using oral contraceptives or other hormonal therapy. Patients of group A were treated with fractional CO2 laser and those of group B were treated with MN (4 sessions, 3 weeks apart for both) with immediate topical application of TXA 5% solution after sessions and daily application of 5% TXA cream for both groups. Patients of group C were treated by topical daily application of TXA 5% cream. Evaluation was done by modified melasma area and severity index scores (mMASI), patient satisfaction and dermoscopy. Results: Statistically significant improvement of mMASI was reported in all studied groups with a significantly better improvement in patients of groups A and B than those of group C, meanwhile the difference between groups A and B was statistically insignificant. Conclusions: Topical TXA is a safe and fairly effective treatment modality for facial melasma. Combining TXA with either fractional CO2 laser or MN yielded significantly better improvement than when used alone. Fractional CO2 laser carries the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with skin types III and IV and requires meticulous patient selection

“ The Effect of Technology on Outdoor Furniture “

There is no doubt that technological development in all its scientific fields seeks the effective truth in meeting human needs and in all scientific, technical and applied aspects. The areas that have been greatly affected by advanced technology and techniques, and furniture is an integral and inherent element of architecture, and its design depends a lot on its function and the space in which it will be placed, and from this becomes clear the importance of outdoor furniture, used for gardens, streets and external public places, which is subject to conditions in manufacturing that take into account factors Several of them are: durability, the ability to withstand the natural factors of the site in which it will be placed, suitability for the function for which it was designed, and be environmentally friendly. The research problem is that the traditional outdoor furniture has become not fulfilling the requirements of the modern era, and the research aims to clarify some types of smart outdoor furniture. Versatile, as each piece of furniture can perform more than one function, and it is solar powered A need for special electronic equipment, as it relies in its design on integrating sensors and a data processor in its parts that are connected within central networks, and it is also made of smart materials, and one of the most important features of these materials is the ability to take variable reactions to meet performance needs Its functional purpose, to achieve comfort, safety and well-being for members of society, while shedding light on some types of traditional furniture, then presenting some types of smart furniture with a brief explanation of the characteristics and advantages of each, and in the end the conclusions and recommendations

Influence of Advanced Technologies in The Design of Modern Facades “

Architectural and interior design has been influenced by the enormous technological evolution of the world. Designers have begun to use the latest technologies available in the design and implementation of architectural products, particularly in the design of building interfaces, which rely mainly on technology in all its formal and functional aspects.The problem of research is the paucity of comprehensive and technology-oriented intellectual and applied studies in the design of building interfaces. Research aims to illustrate the impact of advanced techniques as a key variable in the design of functional as well as formal interfaces. To achieve the objective of research, research has relied on explaining and clarifying the types of vocabulary. Glass has been instrumental and influential in the design of facades. The evolution of the concept of glass use has been of great importance and influence to modern architects in trying to adapt external facades and solve their problems, as these materials have features that are not available from other ores. They have the capacity to acquire and distribute the greatest amount of light and rays in the directions required by the utility of design, as well as to reach the upper limit in terms of design. (Aesthetic) and functional for use in the design of external interfaces, with examples of modern interfaces tailored to advanced techniques, and concluded with theoretical and applied conclusions and recommendations.Research problem:The research problem is represented in the lack of comprehensive intellectual and applied studies directed towards the impact of technology in the design of the external facades of buildings.Research goal:The research aims to clarify the impact of advanced technologies as a key variable in the design of external interfaces in terms of the functional aspect of the interfaces as well as the formality.research importance:Emphasizing the role of technological progress and how to take advantage of modern technological methods and apply them in architecture, interior and exterior desig

HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF COSTUS SPECIOSUS (KOEN. EX. RETZ.) AGAINST PARACETAMOL-INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN MICE

Background: Liver diseases are a common cause of mortality and morbidity over the world. It is caused mainly by toxic chemicals and chemotherapeutic agents. Costus speciosus (Koen ex. Retz.) (Zingiberaceae) is widely employed in various traditional medicines for the prevention and treatment of different aliments. The purpose of this study is to assess the protective effect of C. speciosus rhizomes MeOH extract against the injury of the liver induced by paracetamol (PA) in mice. Material and Methods: The mice were pretreated for seven days with distilled H2O, silymarin 12 mg/kg or 100 and 200 mg/kg MeOH extract. Then, PA (750 mg/kg) was also intra-peritoneal administrated once a day. Animals were euthanatized 24 h after the damage inducement. The levels of the serum enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase, in addition to the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), were determined. Moreover, the histopathological examination was carried out. Results: Administration of the MeOH extract (200 mg/kg) showed improvement in the toxic effects of PA through significant fall on the serum markers enzymes of liver damage: AST, ALT, and ALP, as well as TNF-α, compared to silymarin. In parallel, the histopathological profile in the mice` liver also proved that extract markedly minimized the PA toxicity and maintained the liver tissues` histoarchitecture to near the normal ones more than that achieved by silymarin. Conclusion: The findings suggested that C. speciosus extract acts as a potential hepatoprotective agent against PA-induced liver toxicity. This hepato-protection effect may be due to the existence of steroids, saponins, different glycosides, and phenolic compounds in C. speciosus