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Copyright of Journal of Plant Production is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Plant Production is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Combining ability and heterosis were studied on 15 F1 hybrids and their parents to understand the inheritance of yield, its components and some grain quality traits for selecting superior genotypes. A line x tester mating design was conducted during 2021and 2022rice seasons at the Experimental Farm, of Sakha Research Station Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt. The results revealed that GCA and SCA were highly significant for all studied traits except grain shape under both conditions. 11 L236 genotype was the best general combiner for number of days to 50% heading, number of filled grains/panicle, sterility% and grain yield/plant under normal and water deficit conditions. Also Giza 178 was the best general combiner for number of panicles/plant, grain yield/plant and hulling % under both conditions while, IR6500-127, Giza 178 and GZ1368-S-5-4 for head rice % and for amylose content Lines 11 L236 and tester Nerica7 under both conditions were good combiners for this trait. Crosses IR 69432 x Nerica7, IR 69432 x GZ1368-S-5-4, IR 12G3213 x Giza178, IR 12G3222 x Giza178 and IR 12G3222 x Nerica7 had high and significant SCA in desirable direction for most studied traits under both condition. Crosses IR6500-127 x Nerica7, 11 L236 x GZ1368-S-5-4, IR69432 x Nerica7, IR 12G3213 x Nerica7, IR 12G3222 x GZ1368-S-5-4 and IR 12G3222 x Nerica7 exhibited highly significant and desirable estimates of heterosis as a deviation from mid and better parent for most studied traits under both conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Plant Production is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

What is known and Objective: Some antimicrobial agents are active in vitro against Leptospiras. The use of penicillins at the late stage of leptospirosis is still controversial. We aimed to evaluate the use of penicillin in patients with leptospirosis-associated acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of patients with leptospirosis admitted to two hospitals in Fortaleza city, Brazil, between 1985 and 2008. AKI was defined according to the RIFLE and AKIN classifications. Patients were divided in two groups according to whether they were treated with a penicillin or not. Results: Two hundred and eighty-seven patients were included, with an average age of 36·8 ± 15·6 years and mostly male (80·8%). One hundred and twelve patients (39%) received a penicillin. Patients treated with a penicillin were younger (32 ± 14 years vs. 39 ± 16 years, P = 0·0002) and had a shorter hospital stay (8·4 ± 5·0 vs. 11 ± 7·7 days, P < 0·0001). There was no difference in the onset of symptoms before hospital admission between the two groups (6·5 ± 3·0 vs. 7·7 ± 4·7, P = 0·33). Systolic blood pressure was lower in the penicillin group (111 ± 21 vs. 119 ± 22 mmHg, P = 0·04). AKI, need of dialysis and renal recovery at the time of hospital discharge were more frequent in patients who did not use a penicillin ( P < 0·05). Mortality was similar in both groups (11·6% vs. 13·7%, P = 0·60). Conclusion: Treatment of leptospirosis with antibiotics, including the penicillin, remains controversial. The main benefit of using penicillin in the present study was a reduction in the length of hospital stay and fewer complications, such as AKI, but its use was not associated with a decrease in mortality. On balance of risks and benefits, we recommend the use of penicillin in late-stage leptospirosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Three independent geothermal systems have been identified, so far, in the Asal region of the Republic of Djibouti (i.e. Gale le Goma, Fiale and South of Lake). Six deep wells have been drilled in the region, the first two in 1975 and the others in 1987–88. Well A2 was damaged and wells A4 and A5 encountered impermeable yet very hot (340–365°C) rocks. Wells A1, A2, A3 and A6 produce highly saline (120g/L TDS) fluids leading to mineral scaling. Well test data indicate that the reservoir might be producing from fractured and porous zones. The estimated permeability-thickness of the deep Gale le Goma reservoir is in the 3–9darcy-meter range. Lumped-parameter modeling results indicate that well A3 should be operated at about 20kg/s total flow rate and that injection should be considered to reduce pressure drawdown. The estimated power generation potential of well A3 is 2.5MWe, and that of all Asal high-temperature hydrothermal systems is between 115 and 329MWe for a 25-year exploitation period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the course of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have regularly been recorded, mainly in southern Europe. HIV infection can increase the risk of VL development by 10-100 times in endemic areas. We describe the occurrence of this co-infection in 15 patients from Brazil. The mean age of the patients was 38 ± 8.8 yr, with 86.6% males. The mean time between HIV diagnosis and the onset of visceral leishmaniasis was 44 ± 39 mo. The main signs and symptoms presented at admission were splenomegaly (73%), weight loss (73%), cough (67%), fever (67%), asthenia (60%), and diarrhea (60%). The mean T CD4+ lymphocyte count was 173.7 ± 225.6 cells/mm3, and viral load was 51,030 ± 133,737/mm³. Treatment consisted of pentavalent antimonials (67% of cases). Most (87%) patients recovered from VL infection; death occurred in 1 patient due to septic shock. VL is an important opportunistic infection in HIV patients, which is potentially fatal, even when correct treatment is completed. Treatment should be done with pentavalent antimonials or amphotericin B in the case of relapse. Although there is no consensus, secondary prophylaxis should be considered in severe cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The relationship between coronary endothelial function and insulin resistance remains speculative. We sought to determine whether pioglitazone, an insulin-sensitizing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonist, improves cardiac endothelial function in individuals with type 2 diabetes.Research Design and Methods: Sixteen subjects with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes and without overt cardiovascular disease were randomly assigned to receive either 45 mg of pioglitazone or matching placebo for 3 months. Rest and adenosine-stimulated myocardial blood flow (MBF) were quantified with [(13)N]ammonia and positron emission tomography at baseline and study conclusion.Results: After 3 months, HbA(1c) levels dropped by 0.68% in the pioglitazone group and increased by 0.17% in the placebo group (P = 0.009 for difference between groups). Triglyceride (-93 vs. -39 mg/dl, P = 0.026) and HDL concentrations (+4.8 vs. -6.0 mg/dl, P = 0.014) improved significantly in the pioglitazone group compared with placebo. Despite these favorable changes, there was no demonstrable change in baseline MBF (-0.05 +/- 0.24 vs. -0.09 +/- 0.24 ml . min(-1) . g(-1), P = 0.45), adenosine-stimulated MBF (0.10 +/- 0.75 vs. 0.14 +/- 0.31 ml . min(-1) . g(-1), P = 0.25), or coronary flow reserve (0.45 +/- 1.22 vs. 0.35 +/- 0.72 ml . min(-1) . g(-1), P = 0.64) after 12 weeks of exposure to pioglitazone or placebo, respectively. Regression analysis revealed that lower glucose concentration at the time of the study was associated with higher coronary flow reserve (P = 0.012).Conclusions: Pioglitazone treatment for 12 weeks in subjects with insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes had no demonstrable effect on coronary flow reserve despite metabolic improvements. Higher ambient glucose levels contribute to impaired vascular reactivity in individuals with diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Impaired coronary flow reserve (CFR) has been observed in remote nonischemic regions in patients after myocardial infarction. The mechanism for this impairment in remote nonischemic CFR remains undefined. This study evaluates the effect of progressive regional ischemic dysfunction on function in remote nonischemic regions, and the effect of the extent of dysfunction on remote nonischemic coronary flow and CFR.Methods: In an anesthetized open-chest canine model (n = 7) of acute progressive distal and proximal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery occlusion, regional myocardial thickening fraction and coronary flow and CFR were measured with Doppler probes. CFR was assessed by an intracoronary injection of 36 microg of adenosine. Changes in thickening fraction and CFR were evaluated for isovolumic, ejection, and diastolic phases. Changes in resting regional flow were also assessed using radiolabeled microspheres. The extent of the ischemic area was defined as regions of myocardium with endocardial microsphere blood flow less than 0.3 mL/min/g.Results: The ischemic area increased from 12% +/- 1% of left ventricle with distal occlusion to 30% +/- 2% of left ventricle with proximal occlusion (P < .001). The LAD thickening fraction decreased significantly from baseline (18% +/- 1%) to distal (-8% +/- 1%,) and proximal (-4% +/- 1%) occlusion (P < .001 for distal and proximal vs baseline). Isovolumic bulging in the LAD region was associated with a progressive increase in thickening fraction in the remote nonischemic left circumflex (LCX) artery region (baseline 12% +/- 1%; distal occlusion 15% +/- 2%, P = .014 vs baseline; proximal occlusion 17% +/- 2%, P = .02 vs baseline). Most of the increase in remote thickening fraction occurred during the isovolumic phase. There was no significant change in resting flow in remote nonischemic LCX regions or global hemodynamic parameters. However, there was a progressive decrease in remote nonischemic CFR (baseline 2.44 +/- 0.3), distal occlusion (2.19 +/- 0.31; P = .055 vs baseline), and proximal occlusion (1.79 +/- 0.22; P = 0.004 vs baseline, and P = .012 vs distal occlusion). A progressive decrease in CFR was noted in each phase of the cardiac cycle.Conclusion: In a canine model of acute progressive distal and proximal coronary occlusion, we observed a progressive decrease in CFR in remote nonischemic regions concurrent with an increase in the extent of ischemia. The decrease in remote nonischemic CFR was associated with ischemia-induced isovolumic bulging, which placed the remote regions at a mechanical disadvantage. These observations suggest a potential mechanical etiology for the observed impairment in remote CFR. Alterations in remote nonischemic CFR during acute ischemia may have important clinical implications for perfusion scintigraphy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rectosigmoidal hemangioma is of extremely rare occurrence. The diagnosis is based on proctoscopic and radiologic examination. The cause is unknown and the prognosis is always serious because of the danger of uncontrollable hemorrhage that may occur at any moment. Treatment is surgical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A paraneoplastic syndrome is defined as a group of symptoms that develop when substances released by some cancer cells disrupt the normal function of the surrounding cells and tissue. Paraneoplastic renal syndromes are diseases that indirectly compromise tubular and glomerular function by electrolyte imbalance, hormone-producing tumors or deposition of antigen-antibody complexes in the glomeruli. In order to describe the most common paraneoplastic syndromes, which may compromise the renal function, an extensive review was performed of papers, including case reports, guidelines, meta-analysis and other scientific publications. Renal function can be affected by many paraneoplactic syndromes: hypercalcemia in malignancies, syndrome of inappropriate sec-retion of antidiuretic hormone, tumor lysis syndrome, renin-producing tumors and paraneoplastic glomerulopathies. An early diagnosis and effective treatment might improve quality of life and alter prognosis of these patients.

Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical and biochemical syndrome that occurs when skeletal muscle cells disrupt and release creatine phosphokinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and myoglobin into the interstitial space and plasma. The main causes of rhabdomyolysis include direct muscular injury, strenuous exercise, drugs, toxins, infections, hyperthermia, seizures, meta-bolic and/or electrolyte abnormalities, and endocrinopathies. Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 33-50% of patients with rhabdomyolysis. The main pathophysiological mechanisms of renal injury are renal vasoconstriction, intraluminal cast formation, and direct myoglobin toxicity. Rhabdo-myolysis can be asymptomatic, present with mild symptoms such as elevation of muscular en-zymes, or manifest as a severe syndrome with AKI and high mortality. Serum CK five times higher than the normal value usually confirms rhabdomyolysis. Early diagnosis and saline volume expansion may reduce the risk of AKI. Further studies are necessary to establish the importance of bicarbonate and mannitol in the prevention of AKI due to rhabdomyolysis.

Hyperamylasemia has been reported in more than 65% of patients with severe leptospirosis, and the true diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is complicated by the fact that renal failure can increase serum amylase levels. Based on these data we retrospectively analyzed the clinical and histopathological features of pancreas involvement in 13 cases of fatal human leptospirosis. The most common signs and symptoms presented at admission were fever, chills, vomiting, myalgia, dehydratation, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Trombocytopenia was evident in 11 patients. Mild increased of AST and ALT levels was seen in 9 patients. Hyperamylasemia was recorded in every patient in whom it was measured, with values above 180 IU/L (3 cases). All patients presented acute renal failure and five have been submitted to dialytic treatment. The main cause of death was acute respiratory failure due to pulmonary hemorrhage. Pancreas fragments were collected for histological study and fat necrosis was the criterion used to classify acute pancreatitis. Histological pancreatic findings were edema, mild inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes, hemorrhage, congestion, fat necrosis and calcification. All the patients infected with severe form of leptospirosis who develop abdominal pain should raise the suspect of pancreatic involvement.

A prospective study was designed to evaluate disorders of hemostasis and levels of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACL) in 30 patients with severe leptospirosis and acute renal failure (ARF) (ARF was defined as serum creatinine > or = 1.5 mg/dL). The patients had been admitted to the Walter Cantídio University Hospital, São José Infectious Diseases Hospital and General Hospital of Fortaleza, Ceará, from August 1999 to July 2001. They all were male, with a mean age of 32 ± 14 years and with clinical and laboratory diagnoses of ARF leptospirosis. The time elapsed between onset of symptoms and the first hemorrhagic manifestation was 9 ± 4 days. Bleeding was observed in 86% of the patients. Laboratory tests showed significantly high levels of urea (181 ±95 mg/dl), fibrinogen, (515 ± 220 mg/dl), prothrombin time (13.3 ± 0.9 seconds) and low platelet counts (69 ± 65x10³/mm³) on admission. There was no elevation in activated partial thromboplastin time or thrombin time. Levels of IgM and IgG ACL concentrations were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in leptospirosis patients when compared to control patients (28.5 ± 32.4 vs. 11.5 ± 7.9MPL U/ml and 36.7 ± 36.1 vs. 6.5 ± 2.5 GPL U/ml), respectively. Vasculitis, thrombocytopenia and uremia should be considered important factors for the pathogenesis of hemorrhagic disturbances and the main cause of death in severe leptospirosis.

Pheochromocytoma is a rare disease charactrized by excessive production of catecholamines, manifestating mainly with hypertension. We report the case of a 45-year-old woman with history of sudden onset dyspnea, headache, palpitations and sudoresis. An abdominal ultrasound was suggestive of chronic kidney disease (CKD). An abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance was performed and showed a mass in the topography of left adrenal. The patient underwent a surgery for the removal of the mass and became stable with normal blood pressure levels, but remained with CKD. The dalayed diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in the present case has contributed to the development of CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Renal evaluation studies are rare in American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL). The aim of this study is to investigate whether specific treatment reverts ACL-associated renal dysfunction. Methods A prospective study was conducted with 37 patients with ACL. Urinary concentrating and acidification ability was assessed before and after treatment with pentavalent antimonial. Results The patients mean age was 35.6 ± 12 years and 19 were male. Before treatment, urinary concentrating defect (U/Posm Conclusion As previously described, urinary concentrating and acidification defects were found in an important number of patients with ACL. Present results demonstrate that only some patients recover urinary acidification capacity, while no one returned to normal urinary concentration capacity.