Nucleotide sequence evidence for three distinct sugarcane streak mastreviruses

The complete sequences of four clones of sugarcane streak virus (SSV) isolates from Egypt and one SSV clone from Reunion island were determined. The four Egyptian genomes were highly similar to one another (97-99% nt identity) and were considered as variants of the same virus. The Egyptian SSV was genetically different from all other mastreviruses, the closest virus being SSV from South-Africa (60% nt identity), and defined as a new mastrevirus species named SSEV. The SSV clone from Reunion was highly related to the SSV from Mauritius and SSV from Nigeria, for which only partial sequences were available, indicating that the three sugarcane streak isolates from Mauritius, Reunion and Nigeria were strains of the same virus tentatively named SSMV. This work further confirms that SSMV is a distinct viral species compared to other mastreviruses, including the SSEV (59% nt identity) and SSV (66% nt identity). By comparing two clones from the Mascarene islands, we correlated substitutions in the C-terminal end of the coat protein with a different response to a monoclonal antibody, providing data on the mapping of a specific epitope. Agroinoculations experiments demonstrated that an SSEV clone induced more severe symptoms on maize than two clones from the Mascarene. Inside the African streak virus cluster, the sugarcane mastrevirus isolates were gathered in a sub-cluster of three viruses, SSEV, SSV and SSMV. The diversity of the SSVs is discussed in relation to its host, sugarcane, an imported crop in Africa.

A new small RNA virus persistently infecting an established cell line of Galleria mellonella, induced by a heterologous infection

A persistent infection in a Galleria mellonella cell line was revealed when infected with a maize stem borer picorna-like virus isolated on Sesamia cretica (MSBV). The new virus, completely different from the MSBV, is designated as G. mellonella cell line virus (GmclV), induces spectacular cytopathic effects, and is also considered efficient in vivo. The GmclV is a 29-nm-diameter isometric virus, with single-strand RNA of 2.9 x 10(6) Da molecular weight with a poly(A) tract. Its capsid is constituted of only two major polypeptides, of 34,500 and 32,500 Da, and no minor bands could be detected. The characteristics of the GmclV do not permit us to classify it with assurance. Even though it has not yet been identified as a picornavirus, it can be classified in the small RNA virus group of the Picornaviridae. G. mellonella represents a very interesting model, owing to the fact that two different persistent viruses belonging to the same family were isolated in vivo and in vitro, to further the understanding of the general phenomenon of persistency and induction.

Assessing the acceptability of NORPLANT implants in four countries: findings from focus group research

In 1986-87, a qualitative research project was conducted in the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Indonesia, and Thailand to expand understanding of the acceptability of NORPLANT contraceptive implants beyond inferences made on the basis of continuation rates. In each of the four study sites, focus group discussions or in-depth interviews were held with potential acceptors, current NORPLANT users, discontinuers, husbands of women in these three groups, and service providers. Nonclinical participants generally had little formal education and lived primarily in urban or semi-urban areas where NORPLANT has been available for at least five years. The study focused on attitudes, perceptions, and experiences of each group regarding NORPLANT implants. Results suggest that factors having an impact on the acceptability of NORPLANT implants fall into three general categories: medical/technical, cultural/religious, and informational/educational. This article discusses each of these categories, including programmatic implications of the findings, and puts forward recommendations for enhancing NORPLANT introduction efforts on the basis of these findings.

Oral versus local treatment of vaginal candidosis

A comparative study was conducted to compare the results of the use of oral and local vaginal therapy in the treatment of vaginal candidosis. Forty-five patients with clinical and mycological evidence of vaginal candidosis were recruited and were randomly allocated to one of the treatment groups. Twenty-four patients received ketoconazole orally (400 mg/day for 5 days) and 21 patients received nystatin vaginal pessaries (100,000 units twice/day for 7 days). Seven out of 20 rectal swabs (35%) were positive for Candida albicans. Both drugs were significantly effective in relieving patients symptoms and physical signs. The mycological cure rates were 87.5% and 81%, and the relapsing rates were 0% and 5.9% for the ketoconazole and nystatin groups, respectively. Ketoconazole oral therapy had generally slightly higher results than local nystatin therapy in the treatment of vaginal candidosis, yet the difference was statistically insignificant.

Acceptability of injectable contraceptives in Assiut, Egypt

The present work was a randomized comparative study of two injectable progestogen-only contraceptives. The first group (200 subjects) received 150 mg of depotmedroxyprogesterone acetate (Depoprovera) every 84 +/- 7 days and the second (200 subjects) received 200 mg of norethisterone enanthate (Noristerat) every 56 +/- 7 days. Acceptors of injectable contraceptives in Assiut, Egypt, were mainly women looking for fertility termination. Menstrual disruption was the main side effect among both treatment groups. Amenorrhoea was the commonest menstrual complaint and was the main reason for discontinuation in both groups. Only one pregnancy occurred during NET-EN use; two more pregnancies occurred, one in each of the two groups but there were indications that conception preceded the first injection. Menstrual irregularities were generally more frequent with DMPA users. However, DMPA had better one-year continuation rates than NET-EN (68.8 +/- 3.5 and 57.1 +/- 3.6 per 100 women, respectively).

Five-year experience with Norplant implants in Assiut, Egypt

This report describes the five-year experience of the first 250 acceptors of NORPLANT implants in Assiut, Egypt. The five-year net continuation rate was 58.6 per 100 women. The five-year net cumulative pregnancy rate was 1.6 per 100 women. About three-fourths of those who continued use of this contraceptive through the fifth year reported having regular cycles. There was definite improvement in the bleeding pattern with time. The five-year net termination rate because of bleeding problems was 17.7 per 100 women. After 5 years of NORPLANT use there was a slight, statistically insignificant increase in weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Of those who used contraceptives after the end of the five-year term of NORPLANT, about one-third opted to have reinsertion of the implants for a second term. About 96% of those who used NORPLANT through the fifth year reported that their experience with the contraceptive had been satisfactory.

Hormonal changes during the first year of use of subdermal levonoregestrel implants, Norplant

Sixty-three women had NORPLANT implants inserted during the first eight days of the menstrual cycle. Blood specimens were withdrawn at the time of insertion and every three days during one of the following months of observation; the first, third, sixth, ninth and twelfth month after insertion. Ten subjects were sampled at multiple times during implant use. A total of 83 months of observation was available. The serum concentrations of levonorgestrel (LNG), FSH, LH, prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E2) and progesterone (prog) were measured in each specimen. LNG concentration rapidly declined during the first 15 days of use, the decline became more gradual during the subsequent two weeks, and an almost steady level was reached during the remainder of the year. There were no significant trends of change in the levels of FSH, LH, E2 and prog during the year. Frequent peaks in E2 concentration were observed and were generally associated with or followed by LH surges. PRL concentration showed a slight but significant rise during the second half of the year. Rises in prog concentration suggestive of ovulation occurred in 36 percent of the months of observation. However, in all these instances, there were evidences suggestive of deficient luteal phase. The bleeding episodes were usually, but not always, related to decline in E2 and prog concentrations.

A two-year experience with Norplant implants in Assiut, Egypt

This report describes the two-year experience of 250 acceptors of NORPLANT implants and 100 TCu-380-Ag IUD acceptors in Assiut, Egypt. The two-year net continuation rate was 67.9 per 100 for implant users and 52.3 per 100 for IUD users. The most important cause for NORPLANT removal was the disruption of menstrual rhythm. However, by the end of the second year, three-quarters of NORPLANT users had monthly menstrual periods and about 60 percent described the amount of blood loss as average, 15 percent as decreased, 15 percent as increased and 10 percent as variable. About 88 percent of the NORPLANT acceptors rated their experience with the contraceptive as good or excellent.

Chelation of ambilhar with calcium and magnesium

The effects of Ambilhar (niridazole or nitrothiazole) on the calcium, magnesium and phosphorus contents of various tissues of rabbits were studied. It results in a decrease in the calcium content of bones, liver and muscles. A similar depletion of the magnesium content of brain, blood, liver and muscles was observed. On the other hand, the urinary excretion of calcium and magnesium was increased. These facts indicate that the drug possibly chelates with these divalent cations. This is supported by the ultra violet spectra of the complexes prepared in vitro. The effect of Ambilhar on tissue phosphorus seems to be indirect. The phorphorus contents of both blood and urine are decreased. This could be due to an increased calcium concentration. These findings may explain the toxic effects of Ambilhar on the nervous system.