Transforming growth factor beta-1 [Arg25Pro] SNPs: genetic and penotypic correlations in psoriatic Egyptian population

Associations have been described between polymorphisms of cytokine and growth factor genes and susceptibility to, or progression of, an increasing number of diseases. TGF-beta 1 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. In this study, single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] in the TGF beta1gene were investigated as possible markets for the susceptibility or/and progression of psoriasis. Seventy six Egyptian psoriatic patients and eighty controls were screened for one TGF beta 1 SNPs: Arg25Pro. There were insignificant differences between psoriatic patients and controls in allele frequencies of SNP Arg25Pro. However, a significant association between a psoriasis area severity index [PASI] score and the carrying G allele was found [p=0.02], indicating an association with the severity of psoriasis. There was no significant association in carrying any of the alleles between males and females. It is concluded that there is a genetic associations Arg25Pro and the severity of psoriasis. This means that Arg25 may influence clinical course of psoriasis. TGFB1 SNPs may be useful prognostic indiacators for the progression/severity of psoriasis

Effect of ascaridia galli infestation on body weight, vitamin A and some blood constituents in chicken

The present investigation was planned to study the effect of Ascaridia galli infestation on the average body weight, carotenoids, vitamin A, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, sodium, potassium and magnesium of 80 chickens at 7, 14, 28 and 49 days post infestation during the tissue and intestinal phases of the parasite. The results indicated that the maximal average live body weight was observed in case of noninfested control chickens, severe retardation of growth of infested chicken was noticed after 49 days post infestation during the intestinal phase of the parasite. The levels of serum carotenoids, serum vitamin A, liver carotenoids and liver vitamin A of infested chicken after 28 and 49 days post-infestation during the intestinal phase of the parasite, recorded a significant decrease than control ones. Also, there is a significant lowering in serum calcium, sodium and potassium levels of infested chicken after 28 and 49 days post infestation, however, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium levels showed a significant increase above respective control

Normal activities of some digestive enzymes of gastrointestinal contents of catfish [clarias lazera]

The present investigation was done on fourty male and female Nile catfish [Clarias Lazera]. The fish were in the same age. Tryptic, amylolytic and lipolytic activities of different parts of gastrointestinal tract were determined. The results indicated the following findings and conclusions. 1-Maximal activities of trypsin, amylase and lipase enzymes were observed in the anterior end of the intestine; while minimal activities were recorded in the stomach. 2-Tryptic, amylolytic and lipolytic activities of gastrointestinal contents of male fish were significantly higher than female ones