Biological activity resulting from exposure to aquatic environmental genotoxic pollutants in northern Egypt

We estimated pollution in Lake Edku and the Mediterranean Sea, El-Maadiya Region, with 3 aromatic amines [1-naphthylamine, 2-naphthylamine and benzidine] in the muscle tissue of fish. There were marked seasonal variations in the aromatic amine levels. We also determined oxidative stress [blood glutathione, and catalase activity] and genotoxic effects [chromosomal aberrations and urinary metabolites] in fishermen from each area. The fishermen suffered from oxidative stress and had high levels of the urinary metabolite sulfanilamide [mean [microg/mg creatinine]: Lake Edku 20.7, Mediterranean 14.5, controls 5.3]. Frequencies for total chromosomal aberrations were significantly raised in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of fishermen in both areas [frequency [per 100 metaphases]: Mediterranean 67, Lake Edku 45, controls 14]

Investigation of lipids, mucilage and cytotoxic activity of the leaves of abutilon hirtum lam. Growing in Egypt

Lipid content of the leaves of Abutilon hirtum Lam. was studied. GLC analysis of the unsaponifiable matter revealed the presence of a series of hydrocarbons C10-C34, cholesterol, stigmasterol and beta- sitosterol. Stigmasterol was also isolated from the unsaponifiable matter. GLC analysis of the fatty acids revealed the presence of 11 identified components. Palmitic, linoleic, oleic and linolenic acids constituted about 81% of the total acids in the leaves. Chromatographic analysis of mucilage hydrolyzate prepared from the leaves by cold water methods, showed that it contained L-rhamnose, L- arabinose, mannose, glucuronic acid and galacturonic acid. Screening of the cytotoxic activity of the petroleum ether extract [100, 50 mug/ml] showed 100% inhibition of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma [EAC] tumor cells [in vitro]

Enzyme polymorphism and genetic variability of laboratory populations of phlebotomus papatasi, P. bergeroti, P. langeroni, and P. perniciosus

Twelve enzyme systems were studied in laboratory colonies of Phlebotomus perniciosus, P. langeroni, P. papatasi and P. Bergeroti. Phlebotomus perniciosus and P. Langeroni, confirmed vectors of visceral Leishmaniasis, were found to have fixed diagnostic allomorph differences at three enzyme loci [ICD-2, FUM and XDH]. Phlebotomus papatasi [a known vector of cutaneous Leishmaniasis], phleboviruses and P. Bergeroti [a newly colonized suspected vector] were clearly differentiated from each other by a fixed allomorph at the MPI locus. Polymorphism at loci in these sand-fly colonies ranged from 6.7% [P. perniciosus] to 43.7% [P. papatasi] with lowest level seen in the older colonies. Expected heterozygosity was the highest in P. papatasi comparable to that of P. bergeroti in its seventh generation