Psychiatric morbidity among housemaids in Kuwait. a. Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the hospitalized group of housemaids.

Objectives: To determine the first hospital admission rates and the nature of psychiatric disorders among housemaids and compare them with the Kuwaiti female patients.

Subjects And Methods: Based on the International Classification of Diseases (10th revision; ICD-10) symptom checklist, a semi-structured interview was administered to all the housemaids and the Kuwaiti female patients hospitalized during the 2-year study period.

Results: The hospital admission rates were 1.

Impact of sub-lethal residues of azinphos-methyl on the pheromone-communication systems of insecticide-susceptible and insecticide-resistant obliquebanded leafrollers Choristoneura rosaceana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

The effects of sub-lethal residues of azinphos-methyl on pheromone production, calling, female attractiveness and the ability of males to locate sources of natural and synthetic pheromone were compared in azinphos-methyl-susceptible (susceptible) and azinphos-methyl-resistant (resistant) obliquebanded leafrollers, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris). The amount of pheromone in susceptible females was reduced by 29-33% after exposure to azinphos-methyl; this treatment did not affect the pheromone content of resistant females. Azinphos-methyl-treated resistant females contained 39-43% less pheromone than azinphos-methyl-treated susceptible females.

Polymerase chain reaction mediated identification of Streptococcus uberis and Streptococcus parauberis using species-specific sequences of the genes encoding superoxide dismutase A and chaperonin 60*.

Streptococcus uberis, a well-known bacterial pathogen associated with bovine mastitis, appears to be biochemically and serologically almost indistinguishable from the closely related species Streptococcus parauberis. In the present study, species-specific oligonucleotide primers were designed using internal parts of the genes sodA, encoding superoxide dismutase A, and cpn60 encoding chaperonin 60 of S. uberis and S.

Determination of species-specific sequences of superoxide dismutase A encoding gene sodA and chaperonin 60 encoding gene cpn60 for identification and phylogenetic analysis of Streptococcus phocae.

Species-specific PCR tests, based on the manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase A encoding gene (sodA) and the chaperonin 60 encoding gene (cpn60), were developed for the identification of Streptococcus phocae, a bacterial pathogen of seals. The selection of both oligonucleotide primer pairs was performed after amplification and sequencing of internal parts of both genes using universal oligonucleotide primers. The sequence studies of both genes additionally confirmed that S.

Telescoping vascularized fibular graft: a new method for treatment of congenital tibial pseudarthrosis with severe shortening.

Vascularized fibular grafts have proved reliable in the treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia with a high success rate. However, severe shortening cannot be primarily corrected by this technique and requires a second-stage lengthening procedure. Ilizarov's method allows correction of shortening and axial malalignment together with the non-union.

Occurrence of certain mycotoxins in corn and corn-based products and thermostability of fumonisin B1 during processing.

A total of 57 samples of corn and corn-based products collected from various districts of Egypt were analyzed for Fusarium mycotoxins (T-2, diacetoxyscripenol (DAS), deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) and aflatoxins. FB1 was detected in about 80%, 53.85%, 33.

A randomized single-blind trial of whole versus split-dose polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution for colonoscopy preparation.

Background: Colonoscopy preparation regimens are often poorly tolerated because they require use of large-volume bowel preparation solution and diet restrictions for adequate cleansing. This study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of a split-dose polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution plus bisacodyl and a regular diet.

Methods: A total of 187 patients (104 men, 83 women; age range 18-91 years) were randomly assigned to receive either 3 L of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution (n = 96; Group A) with a liquid diet on the day before colonoscopy, or 2 L of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution, one tablet of bisacodyl, and a minimally restricted diet on the day before colonoscopy, and then 1 L of the same solution on the day of colonoscopy (n = 91; Group B).

Reconstruction of lower limb bone defects after sarcoma resection in children and adolescents using free vascularized fibular transfer.

This study included 11 patients with lower limb tumors who had wide local resection and reconstruction by vascularized fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap and their surgery performed at least 24 months before the end of the study. The average age at operation was 14.4 years.

Characterization of the mupirocin biosynthesis gene cluster from Pseudomonas fluorescens NCIMB 10586.

The polyketide antibiotic mupirocin (pseudomonic acid) produced by Pseudomonas fluorescens NCIMB 10586 competitively inhibits bacterial isoleucyl-tRNA synthase and is useful in controlling Staphylococcus aureus, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The 74 kb mupirocin biosynthesis cluster has been sequenced, and putative enzymatic functions of many of the open reading frames (ORFs) have been identified. The mupirocin cluster is a combination of six larger ORFs (mmpA-F), containing several domains resembling the multifunctional proteins of polyketide synthase and fatty acid synthase type I systems, and individual genes (mupA-X and macpA-E), some of which show similarity to type II systems (mupB, mupD, mupG, and mupS).

Detection of serum p53 protein in patients with different gastrointestinal cancers.

Overexpression of p53 has been found in many types of human malignancy. The present study aimed to detect preoperative serum p53 among 158 patients with different gastrointestinal cancers using ELISA technique based on mouse anti-p53 DO-7 monoclonal antibody and anti-p53 rabbit polyclonal antibody. A single band of 53kDa was detected in nuclear protein tissue extracts of selected cancer patients and in 96% of the corresponding sera using Western blot assay.

Quantitative analysis of the effects of ultrasound from an odor sprayer on moth flight behavior.

A piezoelectric sprayer was recently developed for precision release of odor stimuli in olfactory research. The device replaces conventional dispensers used to release semiochemicals in studies of moth flight toward sources. However, the device generates high-frequency sounds in the range that some moths can hear.

Surgical treatment of brachial plexus traction injuries in children, excluding obstetric palsy.

Traumatic brachial plexus injuries in children, excluding birth palsy, are seldom reported. In this study, we report on 11 cases operated upon between 1995-1998, and followed for at least 30 months. All patients were males with an average age of 11 years (range, 3-16 years).

Isolation and characterization of two types of actinophages infecting Streptomyces scabies MR13.

Two types of actinophages, phi S and phi L, were isolated from soil samples by using Streptomyces scabies MR13, a potato scab pathogen, as an indicator strain. The phages were partially characterized according to their physicochemical properties, plaques and particles morphology and their host-range. The host-range of these phages was narrow for phi S and wide for phi L.

Hypertrophy after free vascularized fibular transfer to the lower limb.

This study included 25 patients with lower limb tumors who had reconstruction by vascularized fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap performed at least 24 months before the end of the study. Hypertrophy of the transplanted fibula was estimated on serial radiographs by a modification of the formula of De Boer and Wood (J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 71:374-378, 1989). A significant graft was observed in 90% of the patients at an average follow-up of 27 months (range, 30-200%).

19F NMR spectrometric determination of the partition coefficients of some fluorinated psychotropic drugs between phosphatidylcholine bilayer vesicles and water.

A simple 19F NMR spectrometric method was proposed for the determination of the partition coefficients of fluorinated psychotropic drugs, trifluoperazine (TFPZ), flunitrazepam (FNZ) and flurazepam (FZ) between phosphatidylcholine (PC) bilayer of small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) and water (buffer). Each 19F NMR spectrum of these drugs in the presence of PC SUV showed a single signal accompanying a PC concentration-depending shift change and broadening, which indicated a fast exchange of these drugs between the water phase and the PC bilayer of SUV. From the relationship between the 19F chemical shift change (Deltadelta) of each drug and the PC concentration, the molar partition coefficients (K(p)'s) were calculated and obtained with a good precision of RSD below 6%.

Shoulder fusion and free-functioning gracilis transplantation in patients with elbow and shoulder paralysis caused by poliomyelitis.

Six children between 7-16 years of age presented with flail shoulder and elbow caused by poliomyelitis. Shoulder fusion was followed by free-functioning gracilis transplantation to replace the atrophied biceps muscle. The transplanted muscle was reinnervated by either the spinal accessory or phrenic nerve.

Microsurgical reconstruction of lower limb bone defects following tumor resection using vascularized fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap.

This study included 25 patients with lower limb tumors who had wide local resection and reconstruction by vascularized fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap, and who had their surgery performed at least 24 months before the end of the study. The average age at operation was 23.5 years.

Resection replantation of the upper limb for aggressive malignant tumors.

Stage IIB malignant tumors of the upper limb have been traditionally treated by amputation or disarticulation. There have been isolated reports on the technique of segmental resection of the tumor-bearing segment complete with the skin, and replanting the distal arm or forearm with or without neurovascular repair. The present paper describes four cases in which a wide resection margin was achieved in all by resecting the affected cylinder of the limb.

Effect of phosphatidylserine content on the partition coefficients of diazepam and flurazepam between phosphatidylcholine-phosphatidylserine bilayer of small unilamellar vesicles and water studied by second derivative spectrophotometry.

The affinity of the psychotropic benzodiazepine drugs diazepam (DZ) and flurazepam (FZ) to phosphatidylserine (PS) was examined since PS is abundantly contained in brain membranes. The effect of PS content on the partition coefficients (K(p)s) of these drugs between phosphatidylcholine (PC)-PS bilayer membranes of small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) and water was measured using second derivative spectrophotometry. The second derivative spectra of DZ and FZ measured in the solutions containing various amounts of PC-PS SUV clearly showed derivative isosbestic points and a distinct derivative intensity change depending on the amount of the SUV added.

Human exposure to mycotoxins in Egypt.

This investigation examined the exposure of Egyptian infants to Aflatoxin M1 (AfM1) and of lactating mothers to Aflatoxin B1, using AfM1 in human milk as a biomarker for exposure to AfB1. The presence of ochratoxin A (OA) in human milk was also investigated to determine the levels of infants exposure to OA from human milk. The results indicated that AfM1 was found in 66 (55 %) of 120 human milk samples with a mean of 0.

Evaluation of a PCR-ELISA to detect Wuchereria bancrofti in Culex pipiens from an Egyptian village with a low prevalence of filariasis.

The programmes for the elimination of bancroftian filariasis that have been implemented in the Nile delta of Egypt are expected to lead to substantial reductions in filarial loads in the treated populations. Better methods than those currently available are needed for monitoring the efficacy of these and similar efforts at intervention. A PCR-ELISA was therefore evaluated as an epidemiological tool for the detection of the Wuchereria-bancrofti-specific SspI repeat in pools of Culex pipiens collected in a village with a low prevalence of filarial infection in its human residents (2.