Reduction of Post-Harvest Injuries Caused by in Some Cultivars of Sweet Cherries Using a High Carbon Dioxide Level and Cold Storage.

Efficient strategies are required in sweet cherry fruits to control the spotted wing drosophila (SWD), , due to its adverse economic effect on farmers. Cold storage (CS) and storage with elevated carbon dioxide (CO) are environmentally safe approaches for the pest control of stored fresh fruit. These strategies are effective in controlling a wide variety of insect species, without allowing toxic compounds to accumulate.

A cross-sectional household cluster serosurvey of hepatitis C virus antibodies in an urban slum of Cairo, Egypt in 2004.

Background: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) continues to be a burden to the Egyptian population and its economy. Despite all efforts, the prevalence of infection continues to be one of the highest in the world. The high national prevalence has been attributed to unintentional, nosocomial spread during an anti-schistosomiasis campaign conducted in the 1970's, but that does not fully explain the persistent infection rates.

Perceived risk of watery diarrhea and dysentery and intended compliance with chemoprophylaxis among a deployed military population.

Background: Infectious diseases are a leading cause of morbidity among travelers to resource-limited regions and primary prevention is a cornerstone to risk reduction. Chemoprophylaxis has been successfully utilized for specific diseases.

Methods: We assessed self-reported compliance to daily chemoprophylaxis among deployed US military personnel.

A cross-sectional analysis of clinical presentations of and risk factors for enteric protozoan Infections in an Active Duty Population during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Background: Infectious travelers' diarrhea (TD) is a well-appreciated problem among service members serving abroad, particularly where infrastructure is limited due to ongoing combat operations, and efforts at sanitation and hygiene may not be considered an immediate priority. Bacterial and viral causes of travelers' diarrhea are well-described among deployed service members, however, gastrointestinal protozoan infections among deployed service members are less well documented. This study's purpose was to identify potential risk factors for, and clinical presentations of, enteric protozoan infections in an active duty military population deployed to combat operations in the Southwest Asia.

The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of diarrhea associated with enteropathogenic, enteroaggregative and diffuse-adherent Escherichia coli in Egyptian children.

A total of 220 enteroadherent Escherichia coli were identified from 729 Egyptian children with diarrhea using the HEp-2 adherence assay. Enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC = 38) was common among children <6 months old and provoked vomiting, while diffuse-adhering E.

Effects of pre-deployment loperamide provision on use and travelers' diarrhea outcomes among U.S. military personnel deployed to Turkey.

Objective: This study assessed the efficacy of education and self-treatment with loperamide on diarrhea morbidity and healthcare utilization in a deployed military setting.

Method: In this prospective, controlled study, volunteers from military personnel deployed to Incirlik Air Base received either travelers' diarrhea education (non-loperamide group) or education plus a supply of loperamide (loperamide group). Volunteers were surveyed to determine frequency and outcomes of diarrheal illness.

Two new flavonol glycosides and biological activities of Diplotaxis harra (Forssk.) Boiss.

Two new flavonol glycosides, isorhamnetin 3-O-β-glucopyranoside-4'-O-β-xylopyranoside (1) and kaempferol 3-O-β-glucopyranoside -4'-O-β-xylopyranoside (2), were isolated from the defatted aqueous methanol extract of the whole plant Diplotaxis harra along with 12 known flavonols (3-14). They were characterised by chemical and spectral methods. The 70% aqueous methanol, chloroform and defatted aqueous methanol plant extracts exhibited significant antioxidant effects (nitroblue tetrazolium reduction method).

Willingness to receive a hypothetical avian influenza vaccine among US military personnel in mid-deployment.

Though no avian influenza vaccine currently exists, development efforts have increased. Given recent reports of suboptimal vaccination rates among US military personnel, we sought to assess factors associated with a willingness to receive a hypothetical avian influenza vaccine. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by US military personnel during mid-deployment to Iraq, Afghanistan, and surrounding regions.

Enteric viral infections as potential risk factors for intussusception.

Introduction: We aimed to identify potential risk factors for intussusception (ISS) among children presenting to two pediatric hospitals in Egypt.

Methodology: In this case-control study,  enrolled children < 3 years old with ISS (confirmed radiologically and/or surgically) were  matched by age and gender to controls admitted with acute non-abdominal surgical illnesses. Stool samples were collected and tested for various enteric bacteria, rotavirus, enteric adenoviruses (EA, 40 and 41) and astroviruses using commercially available ELISA diagnostic kits.

Viral gastroenteritis associated with genogroup II norovirus among U.S. military personnel in Turkey, 2009.

The present study demonstrates that multiple NoV genotypes belonging to genogroup II contributed to an acute gastroenteritis outbreak at a US military facility in Turkey that was associated with significant negative operational impact. Norovirus (NoV) is an important pathogen associated with acute gastroenteritis among military populations. We describe the genotypes of NoV outbreak occurred at a United States military facility in Turkey.

Assessment of leukemia inhibitory factor and glycoprotein 130 expression in endometrium and uterine flushing: a possible diagnostic tool for impaired fertility.

Background: Uterine receptivity and implantation are complex processes requiring coordinated expression of molecules by zygote and uterus. Our objective was to evaluate the role of the endometrial expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and its glycoprotein 130 (gp130) receptor molecules and their secretion in uterine flushing during the window of implantation in cases of primary unexplained infertility

Case Presentation: The study was conducted on 25 infertile women with unexplained infertility for at least two years and 10 normal fertile women as a control group . Endometrial tissue and uterine flushing were obtained.

Epidural analgesia during labor vs no analgesia: A comparative study.

Background: Epidural analgesia is claimed to result in prolonged labor. Previous studies have assessed epidural analgesia vs systemic opioids rather than to parturients receiving no analgesia. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of epidural analgesia on labor duration compared with parturients devoid of analgesia.

Self-reported incidence of skin and soft tissue infections among deployed US military.

The incidence of skin and soft tissue infections has steadily increased over the past decade, and military populations, particularly recruits, have been affected. However, the epidemiology of skin and soft tissue infections in deployed personnel has not previously been described. We conducted a cross-sectional study of United States military personnel in mid-deployment using self-reported questionnaire data containing 11 demographic questions and 20 questions related to skin and soft tissue infections.

Pre-deployment vaccinations and perception of risk among US military personnel.

Background: Vaccination programs have significantly reduced the incidence of numerous infectious diseases; however, public attitudes toward immunization oftentimes remain contentious. Concerns over vaccine safety and effectiveness, compounded with reduced perceived risk of disease, influence decision making and frequently override public health recommendations. Although vaccinations are compulsory for US military personnel, their concerns mirror the general population, resulting in sub-optimal coverage.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of rifaximin for the prevention of travelers' diarrhea in US military personnel deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Incirlik, Turkey.

Background: Infectious diarrhea is an important problem among travelers and deployed US military overseas causing substantial morbidity due to acute illness and may result in burdensome postinfectious sequelae.

Methods: The nonsystemic antibiotic rifaximin was evaluated for prevention of travelers' diarrhea (TD) in a US military and civilian adult beneficiary population in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. In all, 100 volunteers deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, received rifaximin 1,100 mg once daily or placebo for 2 weeks, and participants were followed daily for 2 weeks.

Epidural analgesia during labor--0.5% lidocaine with fentanyl vs. 0.08% ropivacaine with fentanyl.

Background: Although lidocaine is a cheap and globally available local anesthetic, yet it is not a popular drug for labor analgesia. This is claimed to its higher intensity of motor block, possibility of transient neurological symptoms (TNS) and its placental transfer with probable drawbacks on fetal well-being. However, these effects could be concentration dependent and, the evidence linking them to lidocaine is still lacking.

Retrospective study of maternal mortality in a tertiary hospital in Egypt.

Background: Making efforts to decrease maternal mortality rate is a moral, economic and human rights related issue. This issue could not be handled without investigation of maternal mortality related factors. The role of anesthesia in maternal mortality in developing countries is obscure.

Past trends and current status of self-reported incidence and impact of disease and nonbattle injury in military operations in Southwest Asia and the Middle East.

Objectives: To evaluate the evolutional changes in disease and nonbattle injury in a long-term deployment setting, we investigated trends of selected disease and nonbattle injury (NBI) incidence among US military personnel deployed in ongoing military operations in Southwest Asia and the Middle East.

Methods: Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire concerning diarrhea, acute respiratory illness (ARI), and NBIs. We compared incidence, morbidity, and risk associations of disease and NBI incidence with historical data.

Role of IL-13 in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lung. Although it is multifactorial in origin, the inflammatory process is believed to be a result of inappropriate immune responses to common aeroallergens in genetically susceptible individuals. As such, it has been reported that Th2 cytokines play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of disease.