ABSTRACT
The massive use of herbicides may harm the growth of algae, which in turn might disturb the balance of the aquatic ecosystem. Herein the physiological as well as the biochemical responses of two fresh water algae namely Ankistrodesmus acicularis (Chlorophyta) and Anabaena flos-aquae (Cyanobacteria) to different concentrations of dichlobenil were assessed. Parameters including chlorophyll (a) Chl (a) content, EC50 values, carbohydrate and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) contents as well as the uptake of dichlobenil by both algal species were tested. The results indicated that a significant decrease in chlorophyll (a) content of both algal species to intermediate and high concentration of dichlobenil, whereas stimulative effect of low concentration of dichlobenil on Chl (a) content were recorded. Attainable results derived by probits analysis revealed that the EC50 values for both algae at 5th and 7th days approximate each other. Additionally, drastic decrease (98%) in ATP content was observed at 8.0 mg/L dichlobenil treatment in case of Ankistrodesmus acicularis. Furthermore, Anabaena flos-aquae cells activity was enhanced by the application of low and intermediate concentrations of dichlobenil (0.25-4.0 mg/L). Higher concentration level (16.0 mg/L) led to relative decrease in ATP content. Ankistrodesmus acicularis was found to be more sensitive than Anabaena flos-aquae. The uptake of dichlobenil was best ascribed to a pseudo-first order rate kinetic. The specific uptake rate constants of dichlobenil in case of Ankistrodesmus acicularis were relatively lower than the corresponding rates exhibited by Anabaena flos-aquae. In sum, the uptake of dichlobenil by algae may present environmental hazards and could affect the human health, through accumulation in the food chain.
ABSTRACT
The p15 gene is one of the tumour suppressorgenes located on chromosome 9p21. In acute leukemias alterations involving the p15 gene have been reported. Commonly, these alterations involve the c[p]g islands that are commonly aberrantly methylated and result in the transcriptional loss of this gene. To detect this aberrant methylation, we used methylation specific pcr which is a novel method of pcr that can rapidly assess the methylation status of virtually any c[p]g island. The study included 30 patients: 17 cases of the novo all and 13 cases of de novo aml. Aberrant p15 gene mehylation was detected in 47.1% of cases of all and in 69.2% of casaes of AML. There was no statistically significant difference between methylated and unmethylated cases regarding the clinical and haematological data other than the peripheral blood blast cell count. On following up the patients to detect the response to therapy, there was a statistically significant difference in the response to therapy between methylated and unmethylated cases [p< 0.05]. Methylated case had a higher incidence of relapse or death [in all methylated cases 35.4% of the studied cases relapsed and 61.6% in aml patients] while the inidence of remission was 11.7% for all methylated cases and 7.7% for aml cases. Unmethylated all cases achieved remission in 41.2% of the studied group and unmethylated cases of AML reached remission in 61.6%. Aberrant p15 methylation may have important prognostic implications for clinical monitoing. And risk assessment. Also it opens new strategies of treatment using demethylating agents that can reverse this epigenetic change
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute , Flow Cytometry , MethylationABSTRACT
Acute and chronic pulmonary complications in adult patients with sickle cell disease [SCD] have been reported in several studies. The aim of this study was to determine the various patterns of pulmonary functions in children with SCD. Twenty four patients with homozygous Hb SS SCD aged from 8 to 15 years were evaluated for lung functions using maximal expiratory flow volume curves obtained by a forced expiratory maneuver. Each patient was assigned to one of three patterns of lung functions [normal, obstructive or restrictive]. Airway hyper responsiveness was evaluated by means of a trial with a bronchodilator. Normal patterns were detected in 45.8% of the patients, obstructive pattern in 33.3% and restrictive pattern in 21.2%. Total serum iron and serum ferritin were significantly higher in patients with obstructive lung pattern than in those with normal lung function. History of acute chest syndrome was significantly higher in patients with obstructive and restrictive lung patterns than in patients with normal lung functions. Longterm blood transfusion was significantly more common in patients with obstructive lung pattern in comparison to the normal group. A positive response to the bronchodilator was observed in about 42% of the whole group and in 87.5% in patients with obstructive lung pattern. In conclusion, pulmonary dysfunction is common in children with Hb SS SCD, LAO being more common than restrictive pattern, careful observation of total serum iron and the proper use of chelation therapy is needed to reduce the incidence of pulmonary dysfunction
ABSTRACT
Impaired growth involving both height and weight accompanying thalassemia major poses diagnostic and therapeutic problems. We undertook this study to test the hypothesis that this impaired growth might be corrected, partially or totally, by increasing caloric intake of these patients to compensate for their hypermetabolic status accompanying their anemia and bone marrow hyperactivity. Thirty randomly selected children with thalassemia major were studied. The dietary intake of the thalassemic patients, evaluated by the recall method, appeared to be adequate compared to 30 normal age-matched children. Nutritional status was assessed by measuring the weight, body mass index [BMI], mid-arm circumference [MAC], triceps skin fold thickness [SFT] and serum albumin and insulin-like growth factor-I [IGF-I] concentrations of before and after 8 weeks of high-caloric diet [130-150% of the caloric recommendation for age and sex]. The BMI, triceps SFT and MAC of children with thalassemia were significantly decreased compared to those for the normal control group. IGF-I and albumin concentrations of thalassemic children [69 +/- 20.5 ng/m and 3.65 +/- 0.67 g/dl respectively] were significantly lower than those for normal age-matched children [162.5 +/- 24 ng/ml and 4.29 +/- 0.66 g/dl respectively]. After nutritional supplementation for 8 weeks the MAC, SFT and BMI of the thalassemic children increased significantly [p < 0.05]. Serum IGF-I [84.3 +/- 27.3 ng/ml] and albumin concentrations [3.85 +/- 0.85 g/dl] increased significantly in the thalassemic group after versus before nutritional supplementation however, they were still lower than those for normal children. It appears that the hypermetabolic status of children with thalassemia contributes to their decreased IGFúI synthesis in these patients with subsequent slowing of linear growth and weight gain. Increased caloric dietary intake increased significantly IGF-I synthesis in these patients. This was accompanied with increased BMI, mid-arm circumference and skin fold thickness. Growth impairment of children with thalassemia major, without endocrinopathy and/or cardiomyopathy, can be partially correctable by increasing caloric intake to compensate for their hypermetabolic status