Association of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Polymorphisms T-786c & 27bp (4b/4a) with Obesity in Egypt

Background and Objective:Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism (eNOS) is one of threeisoformsthat synthesizenitric oxide(NO), that participates in several biological processes have been associated with obesity. This study was undertaken to determine if eNOS gene (T786C) and 27bp (4b/4a) were associated with susceptibility of obesity. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 200 cases divided into 100 obese patient and 100 healthy as control. The mean age cases was (27.02 ± 10.90) they include 79 female and 21 males. All participants were subjected to an estimation of their body mass index (BMI), weight hip ratio (WHR), in addition to random blood sugar (RBS), total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and lactate dehydrogenase enzyme (LDH). DNA was amplified using PCR-SSP for detection of relation between polymorphism and endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene in two parts T786C and 27bp (4b/4a).Results:All cases showed that there were significant difference between cases and controls regarding to their chemical lab’s analysis (TG, Cholesterol, LDL and HDL).All cases showed significant frequency of T786C TT, CC, TC vs. controls (p<0.001) these was considered risk factor for disease. On the other hand there no significant difference between 27bp aa, bb, and ab (p=0.618) vs. controls. Conclusion:The polymorphism T786C not the 27bp in eNOS was associated with obesity

[Quality approach in laboratory of medical biology in Morocco]

In order to implement a quality management system and to engage a laboratory of medical biology in a dynamic of continuous improvement, it is essential to establish a good quality approach. This approach is based on the commitment and the involvement of all the actors of the laboratory in the determination of actions whose objective is to improve all the non-conforming elements to the objectives that the laboratory has fixed. The standard ISO 15189V2012 has been chosen for this purpose, which provides the requirements of competence and quality in a laboratory of medical biology. It differs from the GBEA by the implementation of a quality management system. We have summarized in this article the elements to be considered for the process of accreditation of a medical biology laboratory

Detection of influenza B viruses with reduced sensitivity to neuraminidase inhibitor in Morocco during 2014/15 season

We monitored phenotypic and genotypic susceptibility of influenza viruses circulating in Morocco during 2014-2015 to oseltamivir and zanamivir. Throat and nasal swab specimens were collected from outpatients [with influenza-like illness] and inpatients [with severe acute respiratory illness] and tested for influenza viruses using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Positive samples were inoculated in MDCK cells and virus phenotypic susceptibility to neuraminidase inhibitors [NAIs] was assessed using fluorescent NA inhibition. Of 440 specimens, 135 were positive for influenza B Yamagata-like virus, 38 were A[H1N1] pdm09 and 25 were A[H3N2]. Sixty influenza B viruses isolated from MDCK cells showed no significant resistance to NAIs. However, two of these strains, B/Morocco/176H/2015 and B/Morocco/CP10/2015, showed reduced susceptibility to oseltamivir. The two influenza B viruses with reduced susceptibility to oseltamivir show that ongoing NAI susceptibility surveillance is essential

Circulation of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Morocco during 2014-2016: Findings from a sentinel-based virological surveillance system for influenza

Respiratory syncytial virus [RSV] is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in young infants, little was known on its circulation types and patterns in Morocco. We conducted a prospective study using sentinel-based influenza surveillance to detect RSV by real time PCR in patients with acute respiratory infections, enrolled during two seasons [2014/15, 2015/16]. During September 2014-April 2016, we obtained 1450 specimens, of which 267 [18.4%] tested positive for RSV. The proportion of positive RSV infection was higher in patients hospitalized with acute respiratory infection compared to those with mild symptoms in out-patient clinics. The proportion of RSV infection was highest in children aged 0-6 months [45%; P < 0.001]. Higher positivity rate was observed between months of December and March. RSV remains important viral etiological agent causing influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infections especially among infants in Morocco. Further surveillance, is required to understand better the risk factors of RSV infections

Effects of L-carnitine and taurine on associated biochemical changes in alloxan induced diabetic rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the beneficial effects of L-carnitine and taurine in healthy and alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in rats. Results showed that diabetic rats had significant increase in the levels of plasma glucose, malondialdehyde [MDA], urea, creatinine and the activity of serum asparate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase as compared to normal control rats. While, blood glutathione [GSH] content and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity were significantly lowered. The elevated plasma glucose, MDA, AST, ALT, urea and creatinine levels of diabetic rats were significantly reduced by treatment for 6weeks with L-carnitine and taurine. In addition, normal healthy rats fed on the balanced diet plus L-carnitine and taurine showed significant increase in blood glutathione [GSH] content and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity as compared with healthy control. It was concluded that dietary administration of L-carnitine and taurine reduces, delays or even prevent oxidative stress in diabetic rats

Biochemical effects of chronic abuse of ergogenic aids in rats

To investigate the potential health risks associated with recommended or overdoses of amino acids mixture such as Power Mix [PM], Branched Chain Amino Acids [BCAAs] or Ceratine [Cr] supplementation as ergogenic aids for short or long-term rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were assigned into two major groups; the first group was orally treated with the above mentioned supplements for six weeks [short-term], and the second group was treated similarly but for twelve weeks [long-term]. Each of the short- and long-term group was subdivided into seven subgroups which were treated as follows: PM [0.8 g/kg/day], PM [2.4 g/kg/day], BCAAs [0.2 g/kg/day]. BCAAs 0.6 g/kg/day], Cr [2 g/kg/day], Cr [6 g/kg/day] and controls [kept without treatment]. Plasma amino acids levels beside renal, thyroid, adrenal, and hepatic functions were estimated. Significant elevation in total amino acids concentration was found as result of feeding with the three dietary supplements. Results showed significant increase in serum creatinine level in rats ingested with these ergogenic aids except the low dose of PM given for short- or long-term. High doses of the three supplements given for both short- and long-term and low doses of BCAAs and Cr given for long-term caused significant elevation in serum uric acid level. Significant increase in serum NAG activity was observed among the three dietary supplements. Also, significant rise in serum AST and ALT activities was obtained after feeding the three dietary supplements except the low dose of PM given for short-term. Serum T3 level was significantly increased by feeding BCAAs or Cr in high doses for long-term. None of the three supplements exerted significant change in serum TSH and T4 levels. High doses of PM, BCAAs or Cr given for either short- or long-term caused significant increase in serum corticosterone and significant decrease in plasma ACTH levels. The three dietary supplements resulted in significant increase in cytosolic AST and ALT activities except the low dose of PM given for short- and long-term as well as low dose of BCAAs and Cr given for short-term. The three dietary supplement except low dose of PM fed for short-term, caused significant rise in mitochondrial AST activity. This study showed that supplementation of high-dose of PM, BCAAs or Cr given for long-term as ergogenic aids induced renal and hepatic damage as well hormonal disturbances

Study of antioxidants and anticancer activity of licorice [Glycyrrhiza glabra] extracts

Licorice root [Glycyrrhizia glabra] was analyzed for its major constant. Water and ethanolic extracts of licorice were obtained. Ethanolic extracts were analyzed for its contents of polyphenols and flavonoids and evaluated as natural antioxidant in comparison with commercial antioxidant [Rutin-BHT-BHA-TBHQ]. Also the efficiency of licorice ethanolic extract as anticancer agent for breast, colon and liver was evaluated. When licorice extracts were evaluated as natural antioxidant by microsomes, DPPH and Deoxyribose, the results showed that the ethanolic extract, was somewhat more efficient than the water extract but still it was similar to BHA and BHT at 100 ppm but was less efficient than TBHQ. Study revealed that ethanolic extract has strong antihepatic cancer activity at 16.1 micro g/ml and anti breast cancer activity at 100 micro g/ml, while it has no effect in colon cancer at 100 micro g/ml

Comparative serodiagnostic tests for toxoplasmosis among sheep and goats in Giza governorate, Egypt

Toxoplasma gondii, is a ubiquitous apicomplexan parasite of warm-blooded animals. intracellular protozoan and is one of the most common parasitic infections of human, hi the present study diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii was directed towards the serological methods including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], and indirect hemagglutination assay [IHat]. The comparative serological examination of 320 sheep and 306 goats blood serum antibody body titres against Toxoplasma gondii were analyzed at 10 settlements in the Giza region, Egypt. The IHat showed the higher prevalence of toxoplasmosis 47.5% in sheep and 59.5%in goats respectively with antibody titres ranging front 1:20 and 1:640'. Also ELISA seropositive samples 44% in sheep and 55.5% in goat respectively. It could be concluded that the IHAT and ELISA tests are an efficient diagnostic tools for detection and selective diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in sheep and goats using local strain isolate in Egypt

potential role of some antioxidants from carotenoids and vitamins on biological and biochemical parameters of hyperlipidemic hamsters

This study was conducted to elucidate the effect of some antioxidants [carotenoids: lycopene and beta-carotene and vitamins: E and C] supplementation on some biological and biochemical parameters of male adult hyperlipidemic hamsters. Lipid profile, lipid peroxidation as MDA, blood and liver GSH, antioxidant enzymes [GPx and GR] and liver function enzymes [ALT and AST] were determined. Hyperlipidemic diet resulted in significant elevation in serum TC, LDL-C, TG, liver MDA and liver function enzymes ALT and AST, with concomitant reduction in serum HDL-C, blood GSH and liver GPx and GR enzymes activity. Supplementation by the Lycopene and vitamin C caused significant reduction in serum TC, LDL-C and TG with significant elevation in serum HDL-C. beta-carotene induced significant reduction only on TC and LDL-c vitamin E showed no obvious effect on lipid profile with highly suppressive effect on lipid peroxidation all individual antioxidants resulted in significant elevation in blood GSH, liver GPx and GR enzymes with concomitant significant reduction in liver MDA and serum ALT and AST

Preparation of 99mTc-carnosine and 99mTcO-[V]-DMSA complexes, biological distribution, and estimation of their gene anti- polymorphisms induced by gamma-irradiation

Two chelating agents [Carnosine and DMSA] were used to study their labeling conditions with technetium-99m followed by biological distribution investigation. Molecular studies were done via PCR/RFLP analysis of angiotensin II subtype II receptor gene for monitoring their antioxidant activity through free iron chelation leading to inhibition of Fenton reaction. Carnosine was labeled by mixing 4 mg with 30 mg glucose and 25 micro g SnCl2.2H2O, followed by pertechnetate and stand at room temperature for 60 minutes. Minor modification was done to prepare 99mTc[V]-DMSA tracer in one step, by adding pertechnetate solution to the lyophilized kit contains 1mg DMSA, 0.1 mg SnCl2.2H2O, and 30 mg glucose at pH 9. The biodistribution of the two tracers in normal and tumor-induced mice. The molecular investigation of the anti-oxidant activity of both carnosine and DMSA in 6 Gy gamma-irradiated rats using the anti-inflammatory angiotensin II subtype II receptor gene [AT2RG] as indicator. Carnosine and DMSA were labeled with Technetium-99m yielding 85% and 97%, respectively the ability of both tracers to localize in tumor sites but the priority to the 99mTc [V]-DMSA. Molecular studies showed strong antioxidant activity of carnosine but not enough to block radiation induced oxidative stress and Moderate antioxidant activity of DMSA was achieved by chelating free iron and iron released through oxidative stress. Maximum protection was achieved through the dual action of both DMSA and carnosine. moderate and high labeling yield were achieved for both 99mTc[V]DMSA and 99mTc-canosine respectively with higher selectivity of the former to tumor sites and maximum protection were achieved by the dual action of both chelating agents

Molecular identity of the electropharetic pattern and the major cross-reacting immunogens of toxoplasma gondii [RH strain] and neospora caninum

The complex electrophoretic profile of the antigenic components of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum was studied. T. gondii [RH strain] trophozoite's antigens were resolved by gel electrophoresis under denaturating condition. Resolved polypeptides were tested by immunoblotting against hyper-immune serum prepared in Boscat rabbits. Immunoblot analysis revealed 6 reactive bands, which are 158, 111, 102, 86, 55 and 33 kDa, out of 10 antigenic bands of the parasite. Concerning N. caninum trophozoite's antigens, immunoblot analysis revealed 5 reactive bands, which are 159, 119, 106, 97 and 39 kDa, out of 8 antigenic bands of the parasite. Cross reactivity trials between the 2 parasites explore 3 cross-reactive bands, indicating high antigenic similarity in between

Identifying harmful birth attendant and home care practices during the antenatal, peripartum and postpartum period in Egypt

Harmful practices by birth attendants during and shortly after birth, and poor practice in the home during the first week of life, may contribute to high neonatal mortality rates in Egypt. Inability of birth attendants and mothers to identify neonatal danger signs is also an issue. In this study 217 recently-delivered mothers were interviewed about their delivery and home care practices. Some good delivery care practices were identified, including routine hand-washing by most birth attendants, sterile umbilical cord care in most cases, and postnatal visits from the birth attendant in most cases. However, a number of deficits in care and potentially harmful practices were found: poor aseptic procedures, delivery of one-third of women with complications in the home; pulling on the umbilical cord to hasten delivery of the placenta and hanging the neonate upside-down by the legs during resuscitation. Some postnatal care practices were in also accord with generally agreed-upon standards of care, such as prompt initial feeding, feeding of colostrums and most bathing practices. Substandard care practices among mothers were: a lack of hand-washing before neonatal care; lack of exclusive breastfeeding including supplemental feeds to half of newborns at the first feeding; and a lack of aseptic cord care. The mothers' assessment of the health of their newborns was in good agreement with the incidence of signs of potentially serious illnesses, suggesting that advice they received has been appropriate. Based on these findings, priorities for future investigation are proposed

Separation and identification of biologically active compounds of the wild plant, atriplex semibaccata against aphis craccivora koch

Biological and Phytochemical studies were conducted on Atriplex semibaccata to investigate the biologically active compounds of this plant against Aphis craccivora Koch. Results indicate that, fraction A with LC[50 0.036] mg/cm[2] and LC[95 0.096] mg/cm[2] was the most effective against Aphis craccivora in comparison to fractions B and C as well as the crude extract itself. The LC[50] and LC[95] values of the crude extract were 0.057 and 1.523, respectively. However, the corresponding values for fraction B were 0.047 and 0.161 and for fraction C were 0.04 and 0.097, respectively. Data also showed that these fractions consist mainly of fatty acids and their esters, terpenes and hydrocarbons. Fraction A, which is the most potent fraction consists of fatty acids with percent area 32.028, esters [41%], terpenes [11.977%] and hydrocarbons [6.095%]. Fraction C followed fraction A according to the effectiveness against Aphis craccivora. It contains hydrocarbons with percent area 24.103, fatty acids 20.610%, fatty acids esters 24.378% and terpenes 3.865%. On the other hand, fraction B had the lowest toxicity compared with the other two fractions while; it was more toxic than the crude extract. It contains methyl salicylate with percent area 9.535% and phytol 7.00% in addition to the amount of fatty acids esters [6.406%] and high amount of hydrocarbons [53.405%]

Quality assurance for the physical and technical factors affecting treatment planning of head and neck malignancies

In this work the effect of patient immobilization was studied in cases of head and neck malignancies, which treated in the supine position with a cobalt-60 machine at Clinical Oncology Department in Tanta University Hospitals. Four patients were immobilized using orfit and planned on the x-ray diagnosis machine with and without the orfit. Different headrest types were used to detect which of them help in the reproducibility from day to day. Then portal images were obtained to perform weekly "on-line" setup errors. Comparison between manually dose distribution and those calculated using C.T. planning images and calculated by planning system were investigated are done. By measurements and calculation the HORTON's equation of shadow tray factor must be development

Lipid peroxidation and its relation to serum bilirubin and uric acid as antioxidants in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

The fact that almost alt neonates exhibit a physiological jaundice, prompt the question whether bitirubin, usually considered a potentially toxic end product of heme metabolism, might also have a beneficial role in the first few days of life. There was increasing flow evidences that bilirubin has antioxdant property and can effectively inhibit lipid peroxidation. We aimed to study the relationship between bilirubin and malondialdehyde [MDA] and uric acid [UA] in full term babies with hyperbilirubinemia in the first few days of life. A total of 73 full term newborn infants were included in this study, 58 newborns with significant hyperbilirubinemia [total bilirubin >/= 12.9 mg%] and 15 sex and age matched controls. The hyperbilirubinemic neonates were divided into 2 groups according to presence or absence of hemolysis. Total serum bilirubin, serum MDA [as a marker of lipid peroxidation] and UA [as an antioxidant] concentrations were determined in all studied neonates. There were significant differences in mean total serum bilirubin, MDA and uric acid between hyperbilirubinemic neonates and control group [p < 0.01], also between neonates with and without hemolysis. [p < 0.01]. A positive correlation was found between MDA and bilirubin concentrations in the hyperbilirubinemic neonates When the study group was categorized according to the presence of hemolysis, a significant correlation was found between MDA and bilirubin concentrations in neonates with hyperbilirubinaemia due to hemolysis and there was no significant correlation in those without hemolysis. We conclude that bilirubin has an important physiologic function as an antioxidant and may play a role in the prevention of oxidative damage

Occurrence and some properties of a virus inhibitors extracted from legume seeds

Seed extracts from 18 species of the family Leguminosae were tested for inhibitory activity against tobacco necrosis virus [TNV] onto Phaseolus vulgaris L. Aqueous crude seed extracts of all the species were inhibitory to virus infection but to varying degrees. Twelve out of 18 examined species showed potent inhibition [80 - 98%]. The inhibitory activity of the majority of species was decreased on dilution [1: 1000] suggesting that they act as virus inhibitors and not inactivators. Further dilution of the extracts of a few species revealed the presence of an inhibitor which decreased and an augmenter which increased the number of lesions. The heated seed extracts fall into four categories: Those which are thermolabile inhibitors, those which are thermostable inhibitors, those which are thermostable augementers and those which inhibitory activity increased by heating. Ethanol treatment indicated that the inhibitors of all tested extracts were composed, at least in part, of proteins or glycoproteins

Some biochemical screening tests of metabolic disorders in Egyptian children suffering mental retardation

The present study deals with investigation of the biochemical abnormality and the metabolic disorders which may be the cause or contribute significantly to the cause of mental retardation [MR]. The study included 203 mentally retarded children who were subjected to qualitative chemical tests on urine for the detection of certain defects in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. Thin layer chromatographic detection of specific amino acids in plasma and urine, and the quantitative determination of urea, creatinine, ammonia and uric acid in plasma, argininosuccinase and argininase enzyme activities in erythrocytes; mucopolysaccharides and creatinine in urine were also investigated. It was found that in 92 patient, mental retardation is accompanied by metabolic disorders. These comprise disorders in amino acid transport [10.6%] urea cycle abnormalities [17.4%], generalized amino acid urea [10.8%], miscellaneous aminoacidopathies [25%] and defects in carbohydrate metabolism [26.1%]. The plasma levels of urea, uric acid and creatinine in patients with disorders in aminoacid transport were unchanged indicating normal kidney function. Patients with urea cycle abnormalities showed deficiency in different enzymes controlling urea formation with elevation in plasma ammonia and decrease in plasma urea. Patient with carbohydrate metabolism disorders showed increased urinary mucopolysaccharides. These metabolic disorders were discussed on the basis of the findings obtained and the genetic defect that led to the respective metabolic disorder. According to results of this work, it is highly recommended to carry out genetic counselling in calculating the possibilities for recurrence risk of hereditary disorders and in detecting any metabolic abnormality to prevent the onset of mental retardation. Early detection of these cases and evaluation of specific treatment will be valuable for the management of these cases