The endemicity of Leishmania tropica (zymodeme MON-137) in the Eira-Yarqa area of Salt District, Jordan

The endemicity of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania tropica was ascertained in a focus of the disease around Eira and Yarqa in Salt District, Jordan. This focus is about 10 km to the east of another focus of CL, where L. major is the causative agent. As CL occurs sporadically in the study area, with nine cases diagnosed between 1993 and 1995, it is probably zoonotic. Each case had one or two lesions and most lesions were on the face. Isoenzymatic electrophoresis showed that all the parasites isolated in the Eira-Yarqa focus and identified to zymodeme level belonged to zymodeme MON-137 and therefore differed from all the L. tropica isolates identified in other regions of Jordan. Eight species of Phlebotomus (P. alexandri, P. major, P. sergenti, P. papatasi, P. perfiliewi, P. jacusieli, P. canaaniticus and P. arabicus), two members of the Sergentomyia dentata group and S. tiberiadis and S. taizi were collected in the focus, using castor-oil traps. The epidemiological significance of the sandflies collected is discussed.

Rodents as reservoir hosts of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Jordan

Rodents were collected from endemic foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Jordan, either by flooding their burrows with water or using Sherman traps. Of the 170 jirds (Psammomys obesus) collected, 39 (23%) had Leishmania amastigotes in one or both ears. Although cultures of ear biopsies from the infected animals were all positive, cultures made using biopsies from their noses, livers or spleens were all negative. The infected jirds were encountered in seven of the nine areas studied. Biochemical characterization of six isolates from P. obesus, using cellulose acetate electrophoresis of six enzymes (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconic dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, phosphoglucomutase, phosphoglucoisomerase and fructokinase) showed that the jird isolates were isoenzymatically identical with two Jordanian human Leishmania isolates and reference isolates of L. major but differed from reference strains of L. tropica. None of the other rodents caught (Meriones libycus, M. crassus, M. tristrami, Allactaga euphratica and Gerbillus spp.) yielded Leishmania parasites, confirming that P. obesus is the major reservoir host of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Jordan.

Diametral tensile strength and bonding to dentin of type I glass ionomer cements

This study evaluated the diametral tensile strength of type I glass ionomer cements and measured their tensile and shear bond strengths to dentin with and without conditioning. Four brands of glass ionomer cement and one brand of zinc phosphate cement were tested. Disks of each cement type were prepared and the 7-day diametral compression test for tension was conducted. The shear and tensile tests, with and without 10% polyacrylic acid dentin conditioning, were performed with an Instron testing machine. Two additional groups, one for each bond test, were prepared and conditioned with 90% trichloracetic acid. No significant differences of the diametral strength were found among the various glass ionomer cements. The comparison of means suggests that, except for trichloracetic acid dentin pretreatment, the conditioning is an effective promoter of shear strength and has no significant effect (p < 0.01) on the tensile bond strength. However, trichloracetic acid was found to be a most effective dentin conditioner for both shear and tensile bond strengths (p < 0.01).

Class-specific antibody in human dermatophytosis reactive with Trichophyton rubrum derived antigen

Dermatophyte infections induce a humoral immune response and an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect specific antibody classes against antigen derived from Trichophyton rubrum. Sera from 19 acute patients, 18 chronic patients, and 27 normal controls were evaluated. Mean IgG titers against dermatophyte antigen were significantly higher in all patients than in controls. Mean IgM levels were significantly higher in acute patients than in controls. No significant difference was detected in IgE titers between the patients and controls. These results do not reveal whether the humoral immune response has a role in the progression of the infection.

Softening patterns of post-cure heat-treated dental composites

The softening of post-cure, heat-treated dental composites in various solutions was evaluated by Knoop hardness measurements. The samples were heated at 120 degrees C for 7 min immediately after curing and immersed in various solutions, water, ethanol, heptane and 0.1 N NaOH. Significant increases in hardness were observed for heated samples when compared to unheated samples. The various solutions softened both heated and unheated composites but heated samples were softened to a lesser degree. Plots of hardness of heated and unheated samples were nearly parallel, indicating that mechanisms such as penetration of the resin matrix, degradation of the silane coupling agent and fillers may be involved in the softening of both heated and unheated composites. Post-cure heat treatment improved the resistance to softening of dental composites.

Racemization of aspartic acid in the extracellular matrix proteins of primary and secondary dentin

The accumulation with age of D-aspartic acid in primary and secondary human dentin was determined. In primary dentin, the plot of the D/L Asp ratio vs. age was found to fit first-order kinetics in accordance with the literature. But the secondary dentin behaved in an irregular manner and showed, in the great majority of cases, significantly increased D/L Asp ratios. Possible reasons for these findings, such as differences in protein composition and/or in the prevailing temperature, are discussed.

One-year clinical evaluation of an anterior composite resin

An anterior composite resin was evaluated in a clinical study of 93 Class III and Class IV restorations placed in patients aged 12 to 50 years. The restorations were evaluated at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year. Sixty-four (79%) of the 81 restorations examined at the 1-year recall were unchanged. Marginal discoloration and changes in surface appearance and marginal adaptation accounted for most of the changes. All changes appeared in patients younger than 14 years, which may indicate that the patients had problems in oral hygiene. Replicas of randomly selected restorations showed smooth surfaces and well-sealed margins with a smooth transition from restoration to enamel. Some restorations showed marginal breakdown and a pitted irregular surface.

The effect of some beverage extracts on intestinal iron absorption

The effect of some beverage extracts namely anise, mint, caraway, cumin, tilia, liquorice, karkade and tea, on the absorption of iron was tested in tied-off intestinal segments of rats. The rate of intestinal iron absorption was calculated in terms of an absorption index. The tannin, phytic acid and ascorbic acid contents of these beverages were analysed. The results show that anise, mint, caraway, cumin, tilia, liquorice, arranged in decreasing order of their effect, promoted the absorption of iron. Karkade did not exert an appreciable effect while tea inhibited absorption. The results are discussed in relation to the content of these beverages of tannins, phytic or ascorbic acids. It is recommended to offer these beverages to children and also to adults as a preventive agent to iron deficiency anemia. Also can be used for the preparation of bioavailable medicinal iron.

Massive infarction of the uterus and appendages caused by torsion

A case of torsion of the uterus and appendages is reported and discussed.

Vitamins content of fruits and vegetables in common use in Egypt

The vitamin content, namely vitamin C, carotene, riboflavin and nicotinic acid, of some popular vegetables and fruits was determined. It was found that the green parts of the plants were the most rich in these four vitamins. Trigonella foenum-graecum (Helba) was the richest of all vegetables and fruits in vitamin C (207 mg%). Scandicium stellatum (Shabat contains the highest value for carotene (57.3 mg%). Solanum tuberosum (Batatis) was the richest in riboflavin (0.3 mg%) and Pisum sativum (Busselah) in niacin (1.8 mg%).

Effect of authentic and natural vitamin C and carotene on amino acid absorption

The effect of vitamin C or carotene either from authentic or natural sources on absorption of lysine, glycine and methionine was evaluated. Results revealed that maximum absorption of these amino acids was reached at different intervals from the orally given dose. Addition of ascorbic acid enhanced amino acid absorption and this effect was maximum in case of methionine. Carotene brought about variable effect to the three amino acids tested. Pepper, parsley, or orange juices did not affect the extent of intestinal lysine absorption. Pepper juice enhanced absorption of methionine in contrast to orange and parsley. Glycine absorption was markedly enhanced by addition of orange juice. Ascorbic acid suppelementation to dietary constituents is recommended for better utilization of proteins.

Intestinal absorption of iron alone and in combination with authentic or natural vitamin C and carotene

The effect of vitamin C and carotene derived from authentic or natural sources on intestinal iron absorption was studied. Vitamin C caused slight enhancement to iron absorption, while carotene hindered it. The three juices tested, namely orange, parsley and pepper, which were found to be rich in these two vitamins, hindered intestinal iron absorption to different extents. It was recommended that patients suffering from iron deficiency are not supplied with nutrients rich in carotene particulary during iron therapy.

Effect of vitamin C and carotene on the absorption of calcium from the intestine

The effect of vitamin C or carotene either in the authentic form or naturally occurring as in orange, parsley and pepper juices on calcium absorption was studied. Results obtained revealed that ascorbic acid, orange and pepper juices enhanced intestinal calcium absorption. Carotene and parsley proved to be without effect.

Activity of catecholamine degrading enzymes in rat adrenal medulla and cortex after acute and repeated stress

The activity of catecholamine degrading enzymes (catechol-O-methyltransferase--COMT and monoamine oxidase--MAO) in separated adrenal cortex and medulla was measured in rats stressed by a singel or repeated immobilization. In controls, the activity of both enzymes was higher in adrenal cortex than in adrenal medulla. After stress, the activity of COMT in adrenal cortex was significantly decreased, while that in adrenal medulla was significantly increased. Moreover, the animals repeatedly immobilized showed lower COMT activity in both parts of adrenals when compared to first time stressed rats. The activity of MAO was not remarkably changed, but was increased only in adrenal medulla when expressed per mg protein, the decrease of which resulted from acute stress. It was concluded that the findings of changed activity of catecholamine degrading enzymes, namely a decreased activity of COMT in both adrenal cortex and medulla in repeatedly stressed rats, might show a possible participation of these enzymes in increased catecholamine content in adrenals of repeatedly stressed animals.