Chromosome aberrations in spermatogonia and sperm abnormalities in Curacron-treated mice

Curacron is an organophosphorus pesticide widely used in cotton fields. In order to assay its mutagenic potential in mammalian germ cells chromosomal aberrations in spermatogonial cells and sperm abnormalities were examined in mice after Curacron treatment. For studying chromosomal aberrations mice were treated both acutely (single treatment) and subacutely (for 5 consecutive days) with 3 dose levels of Curacron, 12, 36 and 72 mg/kg. Curacron was found to produce a significant increase in structural chromosomal aberrations after acute and subacute treatments. This increase was dose-dependent. A dose-dependent inhibition in mitotic activity in spermatogonia was also found. For studying sperm abnormalities mice were treated for 5 consecutive days with 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg. Morphological sperm abnormalities increased significantly after treatment with Curacron. The increase was dose-dependent. An inhibition of 40.2% in sperm count and of 74.5% in sperm motility occurred after treatment with 60 mg/kg Curacron. These results show that Curacron has a damaging effect on spermatogonial cells as well as on sperm morphology.     

Effect of caffeine on the post-thaw motility of buffalo spermatozoa

Buffalo semen was diluted (1:2) with lactose diluent containing caffeine (2, 4 and 6 mM). Diluted semen samples were frozen in a pellet form (0.15 ml), thawed 24 h after freezing in 2.9% sodium citrate for 30 sec and incubated at 37 degrees C for 3 h. Addition of caffeine to diluted buffalo semen before freezing resulted in a significant increase in the post-thaw motility of spermatozoa over the 3-h incubation period. When caffeine was added to the thawing medium, the post-thaw motility was further improved. Thus, the increase in motility due to caffiene treatment was even more pronounced than in samples treated with caffiene before freezing.     

Notes on Algerian aquatic fungi: Pythium pythioides

Pythium pythioides (Roze & Cornu) Ramsbottom is recorded from Algeria. Since its original discovery in 1869 this species had not been found back. A brief history is given and morphological and reproductive characters are discussed.     

MicroRNA signature in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: identification of potential markers

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in liver pathologies and they are potential biomarkers for diagnosis of liver diseases progression. Changes in miRNA sera expression can be used as non-invasive biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of the study was to identify the miRNome profiling of HCC and its diagnostic value in distinguishing HCC from healthy individuals. Expression profiles of miRNAs in serum samples of 20 HCC patients and 10 healthy controls were detected. Whole miRNome profiling was done using next generation sequencing. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic performance of the deregulated miRNAs for discriminating HCC cases from healthy controls. MiRNA 142 was highly expressed in HCC (P value?=?0.023) while miRNAs 191, 22, and 126 were higher in the controls (P value?=?0.005, 0.034, 0.010 respectively). We have identified 5 novel miRNAs and they were highly expressed in HCC than controls. Analysis of ROC curve demonstrated that these deregulated miRNAs can be used as a reliable biomarker for detection of HCC with high diagnostic accuracy (AUC?=?0.93). We have detected a panel of serum miRNAs that can be used as a reliable noninvasive screening biomarker of HCC. The study recommends further research to shed light on a possible role of the newly discovered novel miRNAs in HCC pathogenesis.

     

Estimation of economic injury level of Aphis craccivora Koch. (Homoptera: Aphididae) infesting faba bean in new reclaimed area

This work was based on field screening procedure to detect the population density of Aphis craccivora for two successive seasons (2004–2005) and (2005–2006) to emphasis the relation between the economic injury level (EIL) and yield loss.

Results obtained showed that the equilibrium position (steady point) during the first and second season was 9.06 and 3.32 individuals/five leaflets, respectively, while the injury level was 3.4 and 1.16 individuals/leaflets. When the bean plant was subjected to three successive insecticidal applications during the early growing, season is sufficient to decrease the yield loss significantly (yield capacity 21.43 Ard./fed.) with comparing to untreated plant (14.98 Ard./fed.), while the plants exposure for one treatment was 17.36 Ard./fed. The EIL was 8.6 individual of aphids/plant depending on the market price of bean and control cost during the season.     

Breast-Feeding Protects Infantile Diarrhea Caused by Intestinal Protozoan Infections

This study investigated the effect of breast-feeding in protection against protozoan infection in infants with persistent diarrhea. Infants were classified into 2 groups; 161 breast-fed infants and the same number of non-breast-fed infants. Microscopic examinations of stool were done for detection of parasites and measuring the intensity of infection. Moreover, serum levels of IgE and TNF-α were measured by ELISA. Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar, Giardia lamblia, and Blastocystis sp. were demonstrated in infants with persistent diarrhea. The percentage of protozoan infections was significantly lower in breast-fed infants than that in the non-breast-fed infants. The levels of IgE and TNF-α were significantly lower in the breast-fed group than in the non-breast-fed group. There were significant positive associations between the serum levels of IgE and TNF-α and the intensity of parasite infection in the breast-fed group. It is suggested that breast-feeding has an attenuating effect on the rate and intensity of parasite infection.     

An Epidemiological Study of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Al-Jabal Al-Gharbi,Libya

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic parasitic infection in the Mediterranean region, including Libya and its Al-jabal Al-gharbi province. We aimed at studying the occupational relevance as well as other epidemiological aspects of CL. We investigated 140 CL cases who attended at Gharyan outpatient polyclinic during a period of 6 months in 2009. CL infection was clinically diagnosed and confirmed by demonstration of Leishmania parasites on smears from lesions. Our findings showed that males were more affected than females (P=0.04), and people above 10-years were more affected than younger ones (P=0.0001). A significant percent of CL cases belonged to Al-Kawasem subprovince (P=0.0001). Farm-related activities were the most frequent occupations among CL cases (P=0.04). In addition to farm workers, housewives and students are at risk groups since they are engaged at farm activities. Moreover, those who have occupations that require staying outdoors for a part of night, e.g., policemen, are also at risk. Compared to children, adult CL patients had multiple lesions (P=0.001) that were more prevalent in their upper and lower extremities than the face (P=0.0001). We conclude that CL is a major health problem in Al-jabal Al-gharbi province of Libya. The presence of rodents and sandflies makes it a suitable environment for Leishmania to spread in an endemic epidemiological pattern. Being engaged in farming activities or outdoor occupations increases the risk of infection. Various clinical patterns of CL suggest the presence of more than 1 species of Leishmania at Al-jabal Al-gharbi province. We propose that the 2 species responsible for CL in this area are L. major and L. tropica. Further investigations to identify the leishmanial species responsible for CL at Al-jabal Al-gharbi together with adoption of preventive and control programs are needed.