This study was carried out to investigate the effects of low oral doses of o, p’-DDT on the reproductive parameters and liver histology in adult male Japanese quail over a long period (120 days). The quail were classified into two groups ; the first group (n=20) was orally given 20μg o, p’-DDT in 10μl corn oil daily for 120 days, while the second group (n=16) received only 10μl corn oil in a gelatin capsule and kept as a control. A number of quail, ranging between 4 to 7 birds, were killed at Days 30, 60, 90 and 120 of the experiment and the testicular weights of the control and treated males were recorded. In addition, the liver and testes of the control and treated males were also collected and fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde for histological examination. Semen from each killed male was collected for evaluation of sperm concentration and motility. The gonado-somatic index, sperm concentration and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules were decreased in treated males when compared with the control ones at different periods of the experiment. On histological examination, lipid infiltration in the liver of some treated male quail was observed at Days 30, 60 and 90 of the experiment. At Day 120 of o, p’-DDT treatment, the liver was highly infiltrated with lipids and the hepatocytes showed intracytoplasmic vacuolation in comparison with the control bird that showed normal liver histology.
In conclusion, administration of low doses of o, p’-DDT orally for a long period of time might affect the reproductive parameters and liver histology in adult male Japanese quail.

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Screening bacteria from different saline environments in Alexandria. Egypt, lead to the isolation of 76 Gram-negative and 14 Gram-positive moderately halophilic bacteria. The isolates were characterized taxonomically for a total of 155 features. These results were analyzed by numerical techniques using simple matching coefficient (SSM) and the clustering was achieved by the unweighed pair-group method of association (UPGMA). At 75% similarity level the Gram-negative bacteria were clustered in 7 phena in addition to one single isolate, whereas 4 phena represented the Gram-positive. Based on phenotypic characteristics, it is suggested that the Gram-negative bacteria belong to the genera Pseudoalteromonas, Flavobacterium, Chromohalobacter, Halomonas and Salegentibacter, in addition to the non-identified single isolate. The Gram-positive bacteria are proposed to belong to the genera Halobacillus, Salinicoccus, Staphylococcus and Tetragenococcus. This study provides the first publication on the biodiversity of moderately halophilic bacteria in saline environments in Alexandria, Egypt.

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This case report represents the difficulties in diagnosing brucellosis, which is an enigma with unusual cardiovascular complications. A 32-year-old Caucasian man with acute chest pain was examined at Sfax Hedi Chaker's Hospital. He had a night fever, although his cardiac examination was normal. Further laboratory analyses showed an elevated C-reactive protein of 20.8 mg/dL and troponine I of 1.469 IU/L. A cardiac MRI using delayed enhancement was then performed. The T2-weighted short-axis showed a subepicardial delaying enhancement of infero-lateral and the basal walls of the left ventricle. Accordingly, a diagnosis of Brucella-related myocarditis was made.

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Aspella schroederi n. sp, from Guam Island (Mariana Archipelago), and Orania rosea n. sp., from the western Indian Ocean and from the Philippine Islands, are described. Bursa lamellosa Dunker, 1863 is considered as a junior synonym of Aspella producta (Pease, 1861).

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Every finding during a neck autopsy may be essential for accurately diagnosing and explaining the mechanism of death. In this prospective study in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology of Jordan University Hospital, 17 out of 95 neck autopsies revealed contusions of the laryngeal mucosa in the vocal or perivocal area. These contusions were found to be associated with various causes of death, including mechanical asphyxia (such as throttling, ligature strangulation, hanging, smothering, choking, plastic bag asphyxia, gagging, and inhalation of blood) and other causes (such as atypical drowning, carbon monoxide poisoning, head injury due to a road traffic accident, burns, electrocution, and brain edema). This study provides insight into the mechanisms of this important lesion and may contribute to a better understanding of the cause of death.

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Background: Fifteen years have passed since the first Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) devices were introduced into the market. A variety of devices that use light energy for aesthetic puposes are currently manufactured by several companies, and newer devices offering improved performance and features are periodically being introduced. Herein we present our experience with the MP-22 device (Lumenis Ltd.,Yokneam, Israel) for cosmetic treatment of benign skin lesions.
Patients and Methods: We collected patient data from all patients who received IPL and Nd:Yag laser treatments with the MP-22 over a one year period (Jan 2009 - Jan 2010). The study group included 92 patients who were treated on the face, neck, trunk and hands. The main indications for treatment were lentigo and superficial vascular lesions. Patient age ranged from 16 to 72 years old, and 89 patients were female. Exclusion criteria for treatment were suspicion of skin cancer, isotretinoin treatment during the previous 6 months, and pregnancy. Satisfaction after treatment was evaluated by the patients on a scale ranging from 0 to 5, with 5 = excellent, 4 = very good, 3= good, 2= moderate improvement, 1= mild improvement and 0= no improvement.
Results: Ninety-three percent of the patients were satisfied (rating 3, 4 or 5 on the above scale). Ninety-five percent of the patients had one or two treatment sessions. Of the treatments, 82 were on the face, two on the neck, four on the trunk and 13 on the dorsal aspect of the hands. Minor side effects such as erythema for longer than 24 hours and facial edema for more than one day were reported by 9 patients. Major complications such as scars, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation were not recorded. The fluence delivered varied from 14 - 18 J/cm².
Conclusion: IPL is an effective and safe method for skin treatments, namely removal of vascular and pigmented lesions.

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Native extracts of Curcumin are known to exert anti-inflammatory properties, but have poor bioavailability when given orally. Through advanced micellation technology, it has been possible to produce stable solubilisates of these extracts, thereby markedly enhancing their bioavailability and consequently reducing the orally administered dose and reducing their potential adverse effects. The chronic anti-inflammatory activity of micellar curcumin has been studied in the adjuvant arthritis rat model when given alone or in combination with extracts of boswellia or xanthohumol after daily oral administration for three weeks. Diclofenac was used as reference drug. The combination of micellar formulations of curcumin and boswellia extracts showed a better anti-inflammatory effect than either one alone. The reduction in paw volume was reflected in corresponding changes in relevant parameters for mediators of inflammation: TNF-alpha, IL-6. The findings confirm that the micellar formulations of curcumin and boswellia extracts allow the use of much lower doses than required in the native form to achieve a potent anti-inflammatory effect. Much better results were obtained with the combination of micellar xanthohumol and curcumin than with boswellia and curcumin, both of which revealed an even more potent anti-inflammatory activity than that of diclofenac. The study could open an important new clinical application for the use of curcumin as an anti-inflammatory drug.

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The Shahrizor Plain (Iraqi Kurdistan) is located in the most eastern distribution of Halaf pottery in the Late Neolithic period. Re-excavations at Tell Begum in 2013 demonstrated that Halaf pottery in this plain had unique local attributes distinguished from those of “classic” Halaf pottery found in Upper Mesopotamia. This paper presents the radiocarbon dates of the Halaf layer at Tell Begum and compares these dates and the ceramic styles with those of neighbouring Halaf sites, to consider the expansion and influence of Halaf pottery to the east. The typological observations provided the recognition of a regional variant of Halaf pottery distributed in the Shahrizor Plain and the Pshdar Plain, which could be called the “east end” variant. Radiocarbon dating of Tell Begum and available dates of this variant fall between 5600 and 5200 cal BC, which overlaps with the Halaf-Ubaid Transitional period in Upper Mesopotamia. However, this “east end” variant of Halaf pottery demonstrates similarities in decoration with ware groups of pottery further east, such as White on Black Ware and J Ware in the Mahidasht Plain, rather than indications of the transition to Ubaid style. These facts suggest that this variant appeared because of the latest expansion of the Halaf horizon along with localising transformation and influenced the appearance of J Ware in the east.

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Charging station batteries which are widely used in stand-alone solar system for charging electric vehicles (EVs) are easily damaged by overcharging or by deep discharging. The design of a control system however requires a good understanding of the dynamic behaviour of such batteries and mainly the voltage issue. In this paper, we mainly focused on lead-acid battery as one of the powerful charging batteries. A mathematical model of this type of batteries is investigated. The expression of voltage discharging is given according to discharging time of the battery, discharging current, and other electrical parameters. The parameters of the model are extracted from battery datasheets and using some fitting techniques. The same model of the battery terminal voltage is also used to describe charging processes battery. For this case only the parameters of the battery model are changed. The proposed model is simulated with Matlab/Simulink and the obtained results are compared with experimental results recorded from charging and discharging process using a SW280-YUASA battery. The obtained results and performed comparison show the effectiveness of the proposed model.

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シジミチョウ科47種とシジミタテハ科7種について,緑,青,紫といった光沢を発する鱗粉の微細構造を調べた.構造色による虹様光沢には,Urania(ツバメガ)型とMorpho(モルフォチョウ)型が知られる.調べたシジミチョウのほとんどは,鱗粉表層部の多重層によるUrania型であったが,予期せぬことに,Lycaeninae(シジミチョウ亜科)のAphnaeini(キマダラルリツバメ族)と,Eumaeini(カラスシジミ族)の中のDeudorigina(トラフシジミ亜族)とHypolycaeninaのいくつかの種でMorpho型が観察された,シジミチョウ科のUrania型は,Eliot(1973)によって"pepper-pot"(胡椒入れ)型と名付けられたように,多重層に多かれ少なかれ穴の開いたやや複雑な微細構造を示すものが大部分であった.一方,シジミチョウ科のMorpho型は,鱗粉表面の縦隆起(ridge)の側面に生じる縦溝(flute)の作用によるもので(Morpho(flute)型),縦隆起側面のscuteによるシジミタテハ科,タテハチョウ科,シロチョウ科,アゲハチョウ科の,Morpho(scute)型とは全く異なっていた.系統や分類の分野では,鱗粉の形態は従来あまり用いられて来なかった.これは,類似した型のものが複数の科にまたがって現われるからである.しかし,シジミチョウ科の光沢鱗のほとんどが,蝶の他の科では見られないUrania(pepper-pot)型であることや,今回見つかったMorpho型がflute型であることは重要と考えられる.Morpho(flute)型は,例外的にアカエリトリバネアゲハの翅表の緑色鱗と裏面の青色鱗に認められる以外は,シジミチョウ科に特徴的と思われる.また,シジミタテハ科では,シジミチョウ科に現われる様々な型のどの1つも見られず,特に構造色鱗はタテハチョウ科で報告されているものと同じであった.シジミタテハ科については,従来,シジミチョウ科の1亜科として他のシジミチョウと姉妹群を成すという考えや,シジミチョウ科の姉妹群となる独立した科,またはタテハチョウ科の姉妹群となる科とする意見が提出されてきた.今回の観察は,シジミタテハ科とタテハチョウ科を姉妹群とする見解を支援する新しい情報を提供する.シジミチョウ科の中で,どちらの型の鱗粉が最初に獲得されたかを解くには,南米のシジミチョウ科を考慮する必要がある.南米は,北米経由のアンデス産のいくつかのPolyommatina(ヒメシジミ亜族)を別とすれば,亜族Eumaeinaのみが分布する.シジミチョウ科の起源は白亜期初期におけるローラシアのユーラシア域と信じられるが,ゴンドワナ大陸のアフリカ/南米陸塊へのシジミチョウ科の侵入は"ジブラルタル・ルート"であったろうとされ,白亜期中期前後の2つの大陸の分離時期には祖先的Eumaeiniのみが存在したとするのが論理的である(そうでなければ,今の南米にはEumaeini以外のシジミチョウ科も分布する筈である).亜族EumaeinaではUrania型の鱗粉のみが見られることから,シジミチョウ科の構造色鱗の起源はUrania型で,Morpho型は2つの大陸の分離後アフリカで進化したと推測できる.Urania型が先に現われたとする根拠は,それがPoritiinae(キララシジミ亜科)に見られることにもある.一般にシジミチョウ科の初期の分岐は,Poritiinae,Miletinae(アシナガシジミ亜科),Curetinae(ウラギンシジミ亜科)へと続く枝からのシジミチョウ亜科の分離を導いたと考えられるので,Urania型鱗粉はこの非常に早い段階で既に存在していたと推定される.Morpho(flute)型を有する3つのグループの内,亜族DeudoriginaとHypolycaeninaは,♂交尾器や翅脈から見て互いに近縁であり,また亜族Eumaeinaとも近縁である.DeudoriginaとHypolycaeninaはアフリカに分布の中心があり,恐らくインド大陸がアジアに衝突した後,東洋区や旧北区の東南縁に広がった.これは,.Morpho(flute)型がアフリカ大陸の分離後にアフリカで生じた考えをうまく説明できる.問題は残る1つのAphnaeini族である.この族はシジミチョウ亜科で最も早く分岐したグループと考えられ,ローラシアからゴンドワナ大陸に最初に入ったシジミチョウと考えられるが,そうであれば,この族が南米に産しないことは説明しづらい.この族の祖先が森林地域に適応できなかったというのがその説明になるかも知れないが,いずれにせよ,Aphnaeini族でのMorpho(flute)型の獲得は独自に起こったと考えるのが最もありうるように思われる.Morpho(flute)型鱗粉は,未分化(undifferentiated)鱗とUrania型鱗粉から別々に生じたように思われる.細部で高度に改変されたUrania型からの変形はやや想定しづらいかも知れないが,Chliaria属やSiderus属のいくつかの種では明らかに中間的な鱗粉が観察され,その変形過程の説明を可能とする.恐らく,多重層が単層になることで鱗粉表面の縦隆起(ridge)が高くなり,直立した縦溝(flute)も顕著となる.次いで単一の"pepper-pot"層も失われ,縦隆起の間隔が狭まるとともに,縦溝の傾斜が起き,最終的には鱗粉の表層下面と平行になるところまで傾斜が進んだと考えられる.

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[Purpose] To assess if the instrumented Timed Up and Go (iTUG) task score calculated with an iPhone application can detect gait changes under dual-tasking conditions. [Participants and Methods] Twenty participants (age 38.30 ± 12.54, 12 females) were asked to complete the TUG as a single task and under two dual-tasking conditions: 1) verbal fluency and 2) mental calculation. We used a smartphone, stopwatch, digital camera, and wearable sensor to calculate the dependent variables which included time, step count, gait speed, and iTUG score and, the dual-tasking cost (DTC) of those variables. We used Friedman analyses of variance and Wilcoxon tests for statistical analyses. [Results] the iTUG score, step count, gait speed, and the time measured by the stopwatch and wearable sensor differed significantly for all tasks, but the smartphone time did not. [Conclusion] We conclude that the iTUG score could be used as a sensitive measure for identifying gait changes under dual-tasking conditions. With the growing demands of telehealth, using technology as an objective tool for movement analysis is needed for clinicians and payers. Our findings demonstrate the potential value of the iTUG score to assess and track patient’s progress.

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Objective To compare serum folate levels between atopic asthmatics, non-atopic asthmatics, and healthy controls.
Methods This case-control study included 60 asthmatics with at least one positive skin prick test (SPT) reaction (atopic asthma group), 60 asthmatics with negative SPT reactions (non-atopic asthma group), and 60 healthy controls with no history of asthma or other allergic diseases, and with negative SPT reactions. Serum folate and total IgE levels were measured in all subjects. In addition, lung functions were assessed by spirometry.
Results Serum folate levels were significantly lower among the atopic asthma group [9.1 (4.9, 12.1) ng/mL] as compared to the non-atopic asthma group [11.3 (7.5, 14.8) ng/mL] and the control group [12.0 (8.3, 15.1) ng/mL], p= 0.001. Among atopic asthmatics, serum folate levels were inversely correlated with total serum IgE levels (r=-0.483, p<0.001), and the number of positive SPT reactions (r=-0.442, p<0.001). Atopic asthmatics with a total serum IgE ≤200 IU/mL had significantly higher levels of serum folate than those with a total serum IgE >200 IU/mL. Regression analysis showed that higher folate levels independently predicted lower total serum IgE levels. Folate was not found to be an independent predictor of asthma. No association was observed between serum folate levels and values of forced expiratory volume in 1s.
Conclusion Among asthmatics, serum folate levels are significantly lower among atopics, and correlate inversely with the degree of atopy.

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The first HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol (PC), ascorbic acid (AA), and pseudoephedrine HCl (PE) in their co-formulated tablets. Separation was achieved on a C₁₈ column in 5 min using a mobile phase composed of methanol-0.05 M phosphate buffer (35:65, v/v) at pH 2.5 with UV detection at 220 nm. Linear calibration curves were constructed over concentration ranges of 1.0 – 50.0, 3.0 – 60.0 and 3.0 – 80.0 μg mL⁻¹ for PC, AA, and PE, respectively. The method was validated and applied for the simultaneous determination of these drugs in their tablets with average % recoveries of 101.17 ± 0.67, 98.34 ± 0.77, and 98.95 ± 1.11%, for PC, AA, and PE, respectively. The proposed method was also used to construct in vitro dissolution profiles of the co-formulated tablets containing the three drugs.

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The first stability-indicating HPLC method was developed and validated for azelastine HCl (AZL). The separation of AZL from its degradation products was achieved on a C₁₈ column using acetonitrile-0.04 M phosphate buffer of pH 3.5 (32:68, v/v) as a mobile phase with UV-detection at 210 nm and naftazone as an internal standard. The method was rectilinear over the range of 0.2 – 20.0 μg mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 7.05 ng mL⁻¹. The degradation behavior of AZL was studied under different ICH-recommended stress conditions along with a kinetic investigation; also, degradation products were identified by mass spectrometry. The method was applied for the quality control and stability assessment of AZL in eye drops and nasal spray. The obtained results were favorably compared with those obtained by a comparison method.

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The objective of this research is to investigate the potentiality of the waste generated by tea and coffee street sellers in Khartoum to use for compost production and help farmers by providing high-quality natural fertilizer with affordable prices. The examination of this study depends on the quantitative methodology. The target populations are compost factories, agricultural field workers, and tea and coffee street sellers. The survey result shows the existing resource for raw material is not enough to cover the compost factories’ demand. The compost option for farmers is determined according to the price and availability. Price is the most factor that affects to purchase of fertilizer purchase. The street seller's monthly income is less than 200$. The estimated number of street sellers in Khartoum is about 23,000. The expected amount of waste per day =345 to 690 tons/month. This amount can add a new source of raw material will help to reduce the obstacles in obtaining raw materials for compost factories and lead to reduce the organic fertilizers price for the farmers. That will create a new source of income for street sellers to increase their income. Besides improving the waste management practices and recycling system of the city.

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This study was carried out to investigate the adverse effects of different doses of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) on reproductive functions in male rats. Forty male albino rats weighted 100-130 g were equally divided into 4 groups. The control group received distilled water throughout the experimental period, while the three treated groups received 5, 50 and 100 ppm of CdCl2 in drinking water for consecutive 100 days. At Day 100, all rats were sacrificed and immediately the reproductive organs were dissected and the relative weight of each organ was estimated. The epididymis was minced and treated for estimation of sperm concentration and abnormalities. Section of the testis was kept in 10% formalin saline for histopathology. The relative weight of the testis of treated rats was reduced compared to control rats but not reach to significant difference. The weights of epididymis, seminal and prostate glands were significantly (P<0.001) decreased particularly in rats received 100 ppm of CdCl2. Moreover, the sperm concentration was significantly (P<0.001) declined in treated rats in dose dependent manner, while the number of abnormal sperms was significantly (P<0.01) increased in rats treated with 50 and 100 ppm of CdCl2. In rats received 100 ppm of CdCl2, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules was markedly reduced compared to control rats. Additionally, multinucleated giant cells as well as sloughing of the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules were observed in testes of rats received 100 ppm of CdCl2. In conclusion, administration of CdCl2 for 100 days in drinking water even in low doses could adversely affect the reproductive functions in male rats.

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