Determination of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol content of cannabis seizures in Egypt

OBJECTIVE@#To determine the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of cannabis seizures in Egypt.@*METHODS@#Unheated and heated extracts of cannabis seizures were prepared from the dried flowering tops and leaves (marijuana) or from the resin (hashish) and subjected to analysis using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).@*RESULTS@#The heated resin extract had the peak of THC in a relative ratio of 31.34%, while extracting the resin directly without heating contained only 18.34% of THC. On the other hand, marijuana showed minimum percentage of THC at 11.188% on heating and 9.55% without heating.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These results indicate the high potency of the abused cannabis plant in the illicit Egyptian market.

Determination of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol content of cannabis seizures in Egypt

Objective To determine the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of cannabis seizures in Egypt. Methods Unheated and heated extracts of cannabis seizures were prepared from the dried flowering tops and leaves (marijuana) or from the resin (hashish) and subjected to analysis using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results The heated resin extract had the peak of THC in a relative ratio of 31.34%, while extracting the resin directly without heating contained only 18.34% of THC. On the other hand, marijuana showed minimum percentage of THC at 11.188% on heating and 9.55% without heating. Conclusions These results indicate the high potency of the abused cannabis plant in the illicit Egyptian market.

detection of doth fasciolu gigantica circulating antigen and coproantigdn by monoctonal-based sandwich ELISA in diagnosis of human fascioliasis

Human fascioliasis is another important health challenge in Egypt. lip till now and due to many factors. its diagnosis is a problematic issue. In many eases, a considerable damage of the hepatic tissue often occurs before a proper diagnosis could he done. This in turn necessitates finding a reliable. easily applicable and locally affordable diagnostic test to overcome the diagnostic difficulties that handicap prevention and control efforts. The detection of E/S antigens in stool specimens [coproantigens] and in sera of infected humans using a MAb-based sandwich ELISA system. Stool and serum samples were collected from 35 fascioliasis patients having clinical and parasitological evidences of infection, 20 patients harboring other parasites [Schistosoma mansoni and haematobium Wuchereria bancuofti and hydatid cysts] and 25 healthy subjects. A pair of monoelonal antibodies [MAbs: 9F/10B and 5F/6H], raised against both FascioIa gigantica excretory-Secretor [E/S] products and crude antigens respectively, were employed in sandwich ELISA. The lower detection limit of E/S coproantigen assay corresponded to 15 ng/ml, while that of E/S antigen assay in serum corresponded to 50ng/ml. The anti-F gigantica MAb-based sandwich ELISA for antigen detection in collected sera showed 77% sensitivity and 100% specificity with 87% diagnostic accuracy. Coproantigen detection in stool samples showed 94% sensitivity and 100% specificity with 97% diagnostic accuracy. A positive correlation was detected between antigen level in stool samples and its level in corresponding serum samples. This study showed that the use of anti-F gigantica MAb-based sandwich ELISA was more ssensitive for antigen detection in stool samples of fascioliasms patients. Than its detection in their corresponding serum samples, providing a simple, reliable, non-invasive diagnostic method for active human infection

Traditional and new approaches in detection of invasive aspergillosis

The increasing incidence of invasive aspergillosis, this life thereatening infection in immunocompromised patients emphasizes the need to improve the current limited diagnostic tools. Invasive techniques are harmful in these cases so we tried in the present study to establish non invasive diagnostic methods to assist clinicians with the diagnosis of invasive Aspergillosis. We used the two new techniques, the nested PCR technique for detection of Aspergillus DNA in blood and the immunoenzymatic assay [ELISA] for detection of galactomonnan antigen in serum using platelia Aspergillus antigen kit. We evaluated their sensitivity and specificity in relation to culture technique of sputum samples for isolation of Aspergillus. Forty patients with underlying different hematological malignancy and forty control subjects were included in our study. Thirteen cases [32.5] were direct examination positive; four of them [10%] were culture positive while the entire control subjects were negative for both. We found that 13 [32.5] of the patient group were PCR positive and 28 [70%] were ELISA positive while in control group 4 [10%] were PCR positive and 2 [5%] were ELISA positive. The diagnostic performance of Aspergillus galactomannan detection and PCR for Aspergillus in comparison to Aspergillus culture showed high sensitivity of both techniques [100%] while their specificity were [89.3%] and [88.2%] respectively. Although the high sensitivity of both new techniques, the use and interpretation of them are yet of some limited value in the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in high risk group because of the high positive results. For a better evaluation of both new techniques in the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis, a long-term study with a larger population sample is necessary with involvement of quantitative PCR assay that may give more knowledge about a particular PCR cut-off values and perhaps permitting better distinction between contamination, colonization and infection

Role of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in Egyptian asthmatic patients

The role of respiratory infections in asthma is poorly understood. Chlamydia pneumoniae [C.pneumoniae] infection is claimed to be of importance for the development of asthma. This study was designed to investigate the role of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in asthmatic patients in an attempt to understand its role in respiratory tract allergy. Forty adults and forty children with acute attack of asthma were included in our study in addition to ten healthy adults and ten healthy children as control group. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were taken from patients and controls and tested for the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae by tissue culture and PCR. Six [15%] adult patients were positive by culture as well as PCR while two [5%] patients were positive by culture alone, in children, four [10%] patients were positive by both culture and PCR, only one [2.5%] patient was positive by culture alone. None of the control group gave positive result with culture or PCR. Taking chlamydia tissue culture as the reference method, the PCR sensitivity in adult group was 75% and in children 80% while the specificity in both groups was 100%. There is no statistically significant difference regarding the chlamydia positivity by culture and PCR between the patient group and the control group suggesting that C.pneumoniae may not play a significant role in the pathogenesis of asthma

Synthesis and reaction of pyrido[2,3-d] pyrimidine with related thiazolo and enaminonitrile derivatives

In a one-pot synthesis pyrido[2,3-d] pyrimidine-2-thione derivatives [3a-c] were prepared via the reaction of a mixture of 6-aminothiouracil [1], cyclooctanone and a proper aldehyde in dimethylformamide. Compound 3 reacted with a mixture of chloroacetic acid and aromatic aldehyde in acetic acid and acetic anhydride to give 6-aryl-thiazolo [4,5-a] cyclooctenopyrido [2,3-d] pyrimidine -3,5-diones [4a-c]. Compound 3b underwent cyclization on boiling with 3-chloro-2,4-pentandione in acetic anhydride/pyridine solution to give 5. On the other hand, compound 3b reacted with bromo-malononitrile to give enaminonitrile [6] Compound 6 reacted also with aliphatic acids to give 14-[chlorophenyl]-2-[unsub./methyl] pyrimido[4',5':4,5] thia-zolo[3,2-a] cyclooctenopyrido [23-d] pyrimidine- 4,15- dione [8a,b]

Thioxopyridinecarbonitrile as a precursor for thieno- and pyrazolopyridines

Pyridinethione 1 reacted with alkyl halides or with aliphatic alpha halocarbonyl to yield the corresponding alkylthio- derivatives 4[a-e], which underwent ring closure to form derivatives 5[a-e] Pyridinethione 1 reacted with bromomalononitrile, to give the thieno [2,3-b] pyridine-2,2-dicarbonitrile derivatives 6. Compound 1 reacted with bromomalononitrile to yield structure 7, which was elucidated by the reaction of bromomalononitrile with 8 to furnish compound 9. Treatment of each of 4[b] and 11[13] with hydrazine hydrate, respectively, afforded 3-amino-4-[4-chlorophenyl]-6-phenyl-1 H-pyrazolo [3,4-b] pyridine-5-carboxanilide [12] and ethyl 3-amino-4-[4-chlorophenyl]-6-methyl-lH-pyrazolo[3,4-b] pyridine-5-carboxylate [13], respesctively

Determinants of default from pulmonary tuberculosis treatment in kuwait

To determine the prevalence and risk factors of default from pulmonary tuberculosis treatment in Kuwait. Retrospective study. We studied all patients who were registered for pulmonary tuberculosis treatment between 1[st] January 2004 and 31[st] December 2006 and admitted in TB wards in El Rashid Center or treated in the outpatient clinic in TB Control Unit. To examine the determinants and risk factors of default from treatment, we used a nested case control study design. For each case of default [110 cases], three controls were randomly selected [330 controls] from cases that cured or completed treatment, using computer-generated random numbers. Data were obtained from programme forms completed by physicians and from medical records. Patients who defaulted treatment were defined as those ho had failed to collect medication for more than 2 consecutive months after the date of the last attendance during the course of treatment. Demographic and clinical characteristics, including history, treatment and outcome, were compared between defaulters and non-defaulters. There were 110 [11.5%] patients who defaulted from treatment. Fifty six percent of those who defaulted did so in the first 2 months of treatment and 86.4% of them were still bacteriologically positive at the time of default. Key risk actors associated with non-compliance were male sex, low educational level, non Kuwaiti nations, history of default and history of concomitant diabetes mellitus, liver disease or lung cancer. Multiple drug resistance was also associated with default from treatment. Default from treatment may be partially responsible for the persistent relatively high rates of tuberculosis in Kuwait. Health professionals and policy makers should ensure that all barriers to treatment be removed and that incentives be used to encourage treatment compliance

Comparative study between conventional blood culture method versus polymerase chain reaction assay for diagnosis of neonatal septicemia

Neonatal septicemia represents a major clinical problem in neonatology with high morbidity and mortality rates despite the progress in neonatal intensive care and antibiotics. Clinical diagnosis of septicemia in newborn infants is not easy and there is no laboratory test with 100% specificity and sensitivity with the exception of blood culture, the results of which are not available for at least 48-72 hours. The purpose of this study was to compare the utility of a 16S rRNA PCR assay to that of the conventional blood culture for detecting bacteria in blood obtained from neonates suspected of having septicemia. The present work included 50 neonates with provisional diagnosis of neonatal septicemia and 25 non infected neonates as control group. For each neonate the following was done: Full history taking, full clinical diagnosis, routine investigations including complete blood cell count and C-reactive protein [CRP], conventional blood culture for isolation of the causative organism and its identification and lastly the polymerase chain reaction for detection of the 16S rRNA gene from blood of septicemic neonates. The results of this study showed that: Only thirty nine neonates [78%] of those diagnosed as having or suspected to have septicemia on clinical backgrounds had given positive blood culture results. The most common isolated organisms were Klebsiella pneumonia [41.02%], coagulase negative staphylococci [CoNS] [20.51%], E. coli [10.26%] and S. aureus [10.26%]. K. pneumonia was the commonest isolated organism in early onset infection while CoNS was the commonest in late onset infection. Thirty eight of cases with positive blood culture [97.44%], two cases with negative blood culture [18.18%] and one of the control group [4%] were positive by 16S rRNA PCR. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for 16S rRNA PCR in relation to blood culture were 97.4, 91.7, 92.7 and 97.1%, respectively and the accuracy was 94.7%. These values were superior to that of CRP [89.7, 83.3, 85.4 and 88.2%, respectively with accuracy of 86.7%]. Our results suggested that 16S rRNA PCR is a rapid, sensitive and specific diagnostic test for ruling out neonatal septicemia

Quality evaluation of yoghurt collected from the local market in some governorates of Egypt

The present study was carried out to evaluate quality of yoghurt collected from the local market in Cairo, Giza, Gharbia and Minufiya governorates and to compare it with the manufactured yoghurt using Bifidobacteria bifidum [B. bifidurn] added to normal starter. Physicochemical, microbiological and organoleptic properties of all yoghurt samples were determined during 12 days storage period in a refrigerator. The results showed that yoghurt collected from Cairo and Giza markets contained less content of total solids and fat than that collected from Gharbia and Minufiya markets as compared to the manufactured yoghurt using B. bifidum. Microbiological examination revealed that the total viable bacterial count was less in yoghurt collected from Cairo and Giza markets than that collected from Gharbia and Minufiya markets. The coliform, mold and yeast count was nil or ignorable in all yoghurt samples till 6 days of storage, then these microorganisms were detected on the 9[th] and the 12[th] day of storage period. Organoleptic properties showed that the yoghurt collected from Cairo and Giza markets has higher sensory scores and more acceptable than that collected from Gharbia and Minufiya markets. The manufactured yoghurt using B. bifidum has the best quality and high degree of acceptability by consumers

Evaluation of pumpkin jam prepared with different sweeteners

Pumpkin jam was prepared by replacing sucrose with different sweeteners e.g. 100% high fructose corn syrup [HFCS], aspartame, stevia, 50% sucrose with 50% HFCS with 50% stevia and 50% HFCS with 50% stevia. The prepared jam were stored for 6 months and 25°C, during which they were analyzed for chemical, physical and sensory properties. It has been shown that replacing sucrose with the sweeteners affected the physical and chemical properties of the prepared jam. Meanwhile sucrose with other sweeteners replacement during the preparation of pumpkin jam resulted in a decrement in the total soluble solids [TSS]. The total and reducing sugars in jam prepared with 100% stevia or aspartame recorded the lowest values at zero time. During storage, the total acidity slightly changed in all jam. Total caloric values decreased in different pumpkin jam compared to the control jam [100% sucrose]. However, the reduction in caloric value ranged between 73.25 to 36.35%. Moreover, the prepared jam is considered as a good source of beta -carotene with relatively higher Retinol equivalent [R.E]. Sensory evaluation indicated that the prepared jam were significantly changed by the substitution of sucrose with 100% stevia or aspartame. No significant difference was found in the jam prepared by 100% sucrose, 100% HFCS, 50% sucrose with 50% HFCS, 50% sucrose with 50% stevia and 50% HFCS with 50% stevia. Storage period caused a slight effect on sensory parameters for most jam except for the jam prepared with 100% stevia or aspartame

Influence of mixed bee-pollen on rat a health

Mixed bee pollens were collected from fields cultivated by sunflower, palm and oxeye daisy plants at Fayoum governorate. The gross chemical composition and the profiles of amino acids and minerals of bee collected mixed pollens were determined. Nutritional experiments were preformed on adult and elderly female rats fed on basal diet and orally supplemented by mixed bee pollen at 2% and 4% levels. Blood samples of adults and elderly female rats were collected at start and after 10, 20, and 30 days of the experiments. Serum total lipids, high-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, total lipids, progesterone and calcium levels were estimated for both adults and elderly female rats. At the end of the experiment, the adult and elderly female rats were allowed to mate and the numbers of fetuses in both cases were counted. The basal diet supplemented with mixed bee pollen induced a lowering lipid effect, increased HDL-cholesterol, progesterone, calcium levels and fertility of elderly female rats

influence of platelets collagen receptor expression and platelets glycoprotein Ia allele polymorphisms in acute coronary disease

Platelets play an important part in arterial thrombosis therefore it is important to consider the role of adhesion molecules of the platelet surface that play a role in increasing arterial risk. Glycoprofein Ia/IIa is the major platelet collagen receptor and is responsible for platelet adherence to exposed vascular subendothelium. A four fold variation of the platelets receptor density of the collagen receptor glycoprotein Ia/IIa correlating with platelet function to adhere to collagen type I and type III. GPIa/IIa surface expression is influenced by two linked single nucleotide polymorphism [807CT, 873GA] in glycoprotein Ia gene. Individuals with low receptor,densities are homozygos for the 807C/873G allele [CC] genotype whereas individuals homozygos for the 807T/873A allele [TT] genotype have high receptor densities with increased risk of thrombosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of platelet glycoprotein Ia allele polymorphism and platelet collagen receptor [CD49/CD29] density in patients with acute coronary syndrome and control subjects to clarify their possible involvement of their genotype and density as risk factors of the disease, and also to study the association between these findings and the other risk factor for myocardial infarction. The study including 41 patients with a mean age 55.23 years [ +/- 10.98] with a male to female ratio of 33:8. They were compared to 22 controls with a mean age of 49.74 years [ +/- 12.05] and a male to female ratio of 11:11.Glycoprotein Ia gene polymorphism analysis was done by PCR technique for patients and control group together with flowcytometric study of platelet collagen receptor [CD49/CD29] density. Plateletes glycoprotein Ia/IIa receptor% among cases showed a mean of 79.22% [ +/- 12.95] in comparison to 70.9% [ +/- 13.68] among controls. The difference was statistically significant. As regards gene rearrangements, the frequencies of homozygotes T807 allele [TT genotype] were significantly higher in patients with ACS than in controls [24.39% vs 13.63% p<0.05]. The prevalence of [CC] genotypes was also higher in control than in patients [31.8% vs 17%, p<0.05]. Platelets glycoprotein receptor Ia/IIa% [R%] among these groups showed a significant difference between TT cases [mean of 90.5% +/- 3.5], CC cases [mean of 66.5% +/- 5.75] and CT cases [mean of 79.8% +/- 4.82]. Studying other risk factors [obesity, hypertension [HTN], diabetes mellitus [DM] and lipid profile including total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein [LDL] and high density lipoprotein [HDL]] among our group of patients comparing to control subjects, showed no marked significant difference but not for triglycerides [TG] where was significantly higher in our patients compared to control. It was concluded that TT genotype was over presented among patients with acute coronary syndrome compared to healthy controls, whether this genotype is associated with more severe type of coronary heart disease or not this deserve larger scale study

Gemcitabine and cisplatin in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer: national cancer institute Cairo experience

The aim of the present study is to document the antitumor activity of the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin for the treatment of advanced NSCLC, assess the nature and severity of the side effects and elicit the impact of the combination chemotherapy on progression free survival and overall survival. From August 1997 to August 2001 we conducted a phase II study of gemcitabine and cisplatin in 60 chemonaive patients [21 stage IIIB and 39 stage IV]. For the first 34 cases, gemcitabine was given at a dose of 1,000 mg/m[2] IV on days 1, 8 and 15 with cisplatin 100 mg/m[2] on day 15, every 28 days. In the following 26 patients, the regimen was modified to gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m[2] days 1 and 8 and cisplatin 80 mg/m[2] day 1, every 21 days. Patients included 53 males and 7 females [median age. 52 years [range, 28-69]]. Twenty-nine had adenocarcinoma, 18 large-cell carcinoma and 13 squamous-cell carcinoma. Thirty-one patients had a performance status [PS] of 2 and 22 presented with weight loss. All patients were evaluable for response. Three patients achieved a complete response [CR] and 22 had partial response [PR], giving an overall response of 41.7%, with a median duration of 10 months [range, 4-46 months]. The time to progression [TTP] was 8 months [range, 2-46 months], with a median overall survival of 9 months [range, 2-46 months]. The one-year survival rate was 30.3% for the entire study population, 44% for responders, and statistically improved in patients with a PS of 1 and those with no weight loss. A total of 255 cycles were administered [median, four cycles/patient]. Myelosuppresion was significant [but manageable] with grade 3/4 neutropenia in 32.6% of cases, anemia in 18.6% and thrombocytopenia in 20.4%, Nonhematologic toxicity was limited to grade 3/4 nausea and vomiting in 28.8% of cases and impaired liver enzymes in 13.6%. Inspite of the relatively poor prognostic characteristics in the study population, gemcitabine and cisplatin was an effective combination with tolerable, manageable toxicity in advanced NSCLC

Headspace analysis of buttermilk

The volatile flavor compounds of commercially cultured buttermilk were analyzed by head space gas chromatography to study the flavor changes occurring during 2 weeks of storage at 8 degree. Separation of acetaldehyde, acetic acid, diacetyl, acetoin and 2,3-butylene glycol was achieved by using a 100/150 mesh Porapak-Q column in a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector. The column was programmed to operate at the rate of 10 degree per minute from 100 to 200 degree with a nitrogen carrier gas flow of 45 ml per minute. Tentative identification of the resultant peaks was made by comparing the retention of the peaks on the chromatograms of the samples and known mixed standards. Large variations in concentrations of volatile compounds were apparent. Moreover, the ratio of diacetyl to acetaldehyde in the samples showed considerable variation. An increase in acetaldehyde and acetic acid with a decrease in diacetyl, acetoin and 2, 3-butylene glycol occurred during storage. The increase in acetaldehyde and acetic acid and the decrease in diacetyl, acetoin and 2, 3-butylene glycol were closely related to the rapid decrease in product acceptability during storage

Production of milk hydrolysate for fortification of beverages

A modification of the process of Helbig et al. [1980] for preparation of a non-bitter desalted milk hydrolysate was presented. Skim milk was hydrolyzed with alcalase at 45 degree in 4 hours. The resin in OH form was added to milk batches with caution to simultaneously raise the pH to 8.5 for optimum proteolysis and exchange the anions in milk which contributed to saltiness. These modifications resulted in a shorter hydrolysis time and a more economical resin regeneration. The dried milk hydrolysate was added to soft drinks at solids concentrations up to 10% [3% protein] without adverse effects on their taste, color and clarity

role of psychotropic bacteria in raw milk on stability of milk proteins to UHT treatment

The effects of psychrotrophs growth on proteins of raw skim milk and the response of milk proteins to UHT-treatment were studied. 4 psychrotrophs isolated from raw milk attacked raw skim milk proteins. k and B-caseins were most susceptible although some of the isolates also attacked the whey proteins. Growth of psychrotrophs in raw skim milk predisposed the proteins to deleterious effects of UHT-treatment. Ultrahigh temperature had little effect on raw skim milk caseins while, decreased alpha-lactalbumin and B-lactoglobulin by 22% and 36%, respectively. Milk that had undergone proteolysis exhibited decreased detectable k-, B-, and alpha S-caseins but increased loss of B- lactoglobulin as a result of UHT-treatment. Milk suffering extensive k-casein degradation coagulated during UHT-treatment. Coagulation during or shortly after heating increased with severity of heat treatment and size of psychrotrophs population

Sharing of HLA antigens in recurrent spontaneous abortions

Forty one patients suffering from unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion as well as 20 normal controls were included in the study. HLA-ABC and DRDQ typing for husbands and wives were performed. HLA typing of couples revealed significantly increased prevalence of DR8 antigen in female aborters and A2, B7 in their husbands, suggesting a possible vulnerable role. On the other hand B8, B18 in their DQW3 were significantly decreased in female aborters compared to controls, suggesting a possible protective role for these antigens. There was no significant difference in the incidence of HLA sharing between RSA and control groups. However, it was noted that the more the number of HLA antigens shared between couples, the higher the risk for recurrent abortion. HLA antigens sharing at the A and DQ loci was found to be significantly increased among RSA couples but nonsignificant at the B, C and DR loci. Sharing A2 and DQW2 antigen was significantly decreased among them, suggesting a possible protective role for sharing this antigen

Thermal denaturation of whey proteins: effect of pH and milk sugars

Influence of pH and milk sugars on thermal stability of whey proteins were studied using heat-induced precipitation and differential scanning calorimetry Heating whey at 90°C for 10 min above pH 3.7 to 3.9 produced extensive protein denaturation. When the same heat treatment was applied below pH 3.7 protein precipitation was greatly reduced; however, protein denaturation still occurred in various whey protein fractions. Presence of milk sugars [lactose, glucose, and galactose] appeared to increase the thermal stability of beta-lacto globulin. Heat stability of alpha-lactalbumin was less at pH 3.5 than in the pH 6.5 to 4.5 range; at all pH denaturation temperatures of alpha-lactalbumin [61.6 to 57.6C] were lower than those for beta-lacto globulin or serum albumin