Activators and Inhibitors of α-glucosidase from Penicillium chrysogenum

α-glucosidase (EC: 3.2.1.20) from Penicillium chrysogenum Thom ATCC 10106 was induced by GSH at the lower concentrations. H2O2 was inhibitor at all tested concentrations and the IC50 was 92.2%v/v. AMP, ADP and ATP enhanced the activity revealing that α-glucosidase is endothermic enzyme. The chelating agents are ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), α-α-dipyridyl and o-phenanthroline inhibited the enzyme. IC50 for these three compounds were 7.1, 10.2 and 10.9 mM, respectively. The highest activity of α-glucosidase was recorded at 150 mM phosphate buffer. Mannitol as polyol protected the enzyme against heat inactivation. The five sugars trehalose, lactose, raffinose, glucose and sucrose protected α-glucosidase against thermo-inactivation at 60ºC. Also, sarcosine as a product of glycine provided α-glucosidase with appreciable thermostability at 60ºC.

Retrospective study to evaluate the results of medical thoracoscopy in diagnosis of exudative pleural effusion at chest department El-Hussein university hospital in the period from July 2013 to July 2018

Background: Thoracoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows visualization of the pleural space and intrathoracic structures. It enables taking pleural biopsies under direct vision, therapeutic drainage of effusions, and pleurodesis in one sitting. Persistent and recurrent exudative pleural effusions become common and thoracocentesis and blind pleural biopsy procedures do not give a definitive diagnosis in many patients. Therefore, thoracoscopy today remains the gold standard for these cases. In tuberculous pleuritis, the combined yield of histology and culture for rigid thoracoscopy was nearly 100%

Objective: This study was carried out to analyze our five years experience of medical thoracoscopy in the management of undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion at chest department El-Hussein University Hospital

Materials and Methods: All patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion who underwent thoracoscopy during the period between July 2013 to July 2018 at Al Hussein University Hospital were included in the study. All patients were subjected to thorough history taking, clinical examination, routine laboratory investigations, pleural fluid analysis and medical thoracoscopy with multiple pleural biopsies. All patients data, thoracoscopy results and complications were recorded

Results: Thoracoscopy was successful for giving final diagnosis in 122 patients [84.13%] from total 145 patients. Malignancies reported in 113 patients [77.9%] of patients and TB reported in 6.2% of patients. Mesothelioma was the most common diagnosis in 67 patients[46.2%] Minor complications occurred only in 14 out of 145 patients [9.65%], 4 patients [2.8%] developed cellulitis, 8 patients [5.5%] developed surgical emphysema, and 2 patient [1.4%] developed bleeding

Conclusion: Medical thoracoscopy is an easy, safe procedure with high diagnostic sensitivity for pleural effusion of uncertain etiology

Retrocrural Space Obliteration as CT Diagnostic Sign of Massive Chylothorax in Thoracic Injuries.

Purpose: Blunt traumatic chylothorax could be distinguished in CT (Computer Tomography) scan as low attenuated fluid, due to chylomicrons inside, however blood intermixture in chylous effusion could make densitomery higher and hide chylothorax, due to the possible presence of an underlying hemothorax. The objective of the study is to demonstrate the specificity of retrocrural space obliteration, as additional CT sign to quickly identify and treat chylothorax. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was undertaken since May 2012 until May 2013 and included patients scheduled for MDCT (Multi Detector CT) scan before a thoracentesis procedure diagnostic for hemothorax and chylothorax. Were used as a controls, MDCT scans performed for thoracic or thoracic-abdominal trauma, or after a thoracic surgery procedure. Results: Comparison of CT findings revealed significant difference in densitometry between the two groups of effusions (P=0,003), a difference in inability of visualization of retrocrural space (P=0,0002) and cisterna chily (P=0,0009). Inability to observe thoracic duct was not different between the two groups (P=0,8805). Conclusion: Negative density (-16,7+8HU) in effusions, due to the presence of fat inside, was usually observed in almost 6 anterior regions or at least 2 upper anterior regions and it’s the best way to distinguish a chylo-thorax to hemo-thorax. Most accurate CT scan differentiation between post traumatic massive bloody and chylous leakage can be done after assessment of a lower densitometry of effusion and inability in observing chylous structures and fat in retrocrural space due to chylous leakage inside.