Isolation and properties of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme from buffalo liver: Application in AST and ALT assay diagnostic kits

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme is a major component of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanineaminotransferase (ALT) diagnosis kits. In this work, the LDH enzyme was purified and characterized from buffalo liverfor direct application in the preparation of AST and ALT diagnosis kits. One major LDH (BLLDH) isoform and twoother secondary LDH peaks were analyzed for buffalo liver by diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose chromatography.BLLDH was obtained by ammonium sulfate sedimentation and chromatographically separated on ion exchange andsize-exclusion matrices. The isolated BLLDH has a specific activity of 17.6 units/mg proteins represented 16 foldsand 32% recovery. BLLDH was manifested homogeneous on native and SDS gels with 35 kDa native mass. OptimumpH of BLLDH was displayed at pH 7.6. BLLDH activity was diminished by FeCl2 and SDS. The produced BLLDH isutilized in constructing of AST and ALT diagnosis kits that were sensible and analogous to trade ready kits.

Can miRNA712_3p be a promising biomarker for early diagnosis of toxoplasmosis?

Objective:To assess the role of miRNA712_3p as a specific biomarker in early detection of toxoplasmosis in plasma of mice acutely infected with Toxoplasma gondii.Methods:Real-time PCR was used to measure the level of miRNA712_3p in plasma of infected mice. Immune-competent and immune-suppressed mice were examined, three and five days post-infection.Results:Results revealed significant up-regulation of plasma miRNA712_3p in both immune- competent and immune-compromised groups in comparison to the control non-infected group. Additionally, an increase in the level of miRNA712_3p was noticed correspondently in the parasite density detected in liver impression smears.Conclusions:miRNA712_3p can be used as a novel biomarker for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in both immune-competent and immune-compromised host.

[IL- 12 gene polymorphism in type I diabetes mellitus]

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease characterized by T-cell mediated destruction of pancreatic ?-cells. A variety of environmental and genetic factors are involved in the development of the disease. IL-12 is a cytokine secreted by different cells and plays and important role in cell-mediated immune responses and maintenance of cytokine network balance. Genetic polymorphisms in the IL-12 gene were shown to interfere with the transcriptional activity of the IL-12 gene, and this influences the production, secretion or activity of IL-12 growth factor. In this study the polymorphism in the 3'-untranslated region of the IL12Bgene encoding IL-12 p40 was investigated. In this case control study 75 type 1 diabetic patients who had definitely been diagnosed at least 2 years before sampling and were under Insulin therapy, recruited. A total of 88 healthy controls selected from voluntarily blood donors who had referred to IRAN Blood Transfusion Organization. DNA extracted from whole blood and polymorphism at +1188 nucleotide was assessed by SSP-PCR. Data were analyzed by SPSS, using chi- square test with 95% confidence interval. A statistical significance of AA presence [57%] at the +1188 3'-UTR position of IL-12 B gene in patients was found, after genotyping, compared to the control group[p<0.05]. Interleukin-12 [IL-12] is a key cytokine for the induction of Th1 immune responses. Polymorphism in the 3'-UTR of the IL-12 p40 gene and association with susceptibility to Diabetes type I evaluated. AA genotype was more frequent than AC and the AC more common than CC in diabetic patients. In another word, the A allele of the [A/C] polymorphism at position +1188 in the 3'-UTR found to be preferentially transmitted to people with type I diabetes.These polymorphisms may affect gene transcription of IL-12 p40, causing individual variations in cytokine production. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms, will give us the opportunities to develop new and effective therapeutic approaches

Factors influencing the mother's decision to breast-feed in Ahmadi region, Kuwait

The aim of the study is to evaluate daytime blood pressure variability in hypertensive patients and to quantify its relation to left ventricular hypertrophy. Design: Observation study conducted between August 2001 and June 2002. Setting: Non-invasive cardiac laboratory, Medicine Department, Farwania Hospital. 100 patients were included in the study. All patients were referred from out-patient clinic in Farwania Hospital with blood pressure more than 140/90 mm Hg. Resting ECG and echocardiography were done to assess left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH]. Exercise ECG test was done to exclude patients with ischaemic heart disease. Ambulatory blood pressure was recorded with an auscultatory device to study blood pressure variability [BPV]. The patients were classified into two groups: Group I included 60 patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and Group II included 40 patients without left ventricular hypertrophy. There was a significant increase in age, serum cholesterol, LVMI and LV diastolic dysfunction [P<0.05], maximum systolic blood pressure and daytime systolic blood pressure load [P<0.05] in patients of Group I than those of Group II. There was a significant increase in, daytime systolic blood pressure [p<0.01], pulse pressure [P<0.05] and the mean blood pressure variability [P<0.05] in hypertensive patients with LVH than those without LVH. Correlation between daytime systolic BPvariability and LVH [p<0.05] was also significant. Stepwise logistic multivariate analysis revealed a significant relation with age [P<0.05], hypercholesterolemia [P<0.01], maximum SBP [P<0.05], daytime SBP load [P<0.01] and daytime SBP variability. There were significant increases in age, LVMI, maximum SBP, and daytime SBP load [P<0.05] in the fourth quintile of daytime SBP variability. There was a significant relation between blood pressure variability and left ventricular hypertrophy. This variability increased with age, hypercholesterolemia and increased BP load

Accuracy of cause-of-death statements on death certificates; before and after a training program in Kuwait

Population-based mortality statistics are derived from the information recorded on death 1ertificates. Many physicians did not receive adequate training in completing death certulcates resulting in undermining the quality of the data derived from death certificates. A training program for all certifier physicians in Kuwait has been conducted. The objective of this study was to examine improving the accuracy of death certificates for coding and the results of an audit of death certificate accuracy before and after this training program. An educational intervention was designed and implemented to improve accuracy in death certificate completion. A total of 2020 death certificates [986 completed before and 1034 completed after the intervention] were audited for major and minor errors, and the proportion of errors before and after the intervention was compared. Major errors were identified in 69.1% of the death certificates completed before the intervention. Following the intervention the major error proportion decreased to 34.6% [P=0.001]. The reduction in the major error proportion was accounted for by significant reductions in the proportion of listing of mechanism of death whiteout a legitimate underlying cause of death [27.0% v. 18.4%, P=0.001] and the proportion of improper sequencing of death certificate information [41.8% v. 15.9% P=0.001]. No improvement in minor errors or demographic errors. Errors are common in the completion of death certificates in Kuwait. The accuracy of death certification can be improved with the implementation of a simple educational intervention

Correlation between endoscopy, histopathology, and DNA flow cytometry changes in patients with gastric dyspepsia.

The objective of this study is to elucidate the clinical significance of DNA flow cytometry and study its impact on monitoring the progression of gastric precancerous lesions in patients with gastric dyspepsia and to correlate between endoscopic and histopathological findings with results of DNA flow cytometry. A total of 45 cases[28 males with mean age 42.5 years and 17 females with mean of 36.5 years] underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Based on the endoscopic appearance, patients under study were classified into 5 cases with endoscopic normal mucosa [EN] as controls, 29 cases with endoscopic gastritis [EG], 9 cases with duodenal ulcer [DU] and 2 cases with gastric ulcer [GU], two antral biopsies were taken for histopathology and DNA flow cytometry. Chronic gastritis [CG] was present in two of EN case. In DU patients, CG was present in 9 cases and associated with H. pylori in 5 cases and with metaplasia in one of these cases. While in GU patients, CG was present in all cases; but one case was associated with dysplasia. In EG patient, CG was present in all cases and it was associated with metaplasia in 4 of these cases. One of the endoscopic normal cases revealed DNA aneuploidy in specimens with CG. The incidence of aneuploidy increases as the endoscopic findings changes from EG [10.4%], DU [22.2%] to GU [50%] and as histopathological changes progresses from chronic active gastritis with H. pylori [7.7%], chronic gastritis with metaplasia [20%] and dysplasia [100%]

Some risk factors of asthma among children attending El-Shatby University Children's Hospital in Alexandria

The occurrence of asthma has been observed to be related to several factors of which hereditary, familial tendency, allergy, infection, environmental, social and psychological factors are of particular importance. This study aimed at identifying social, genetic, physical, chemical and biological indoor environmental risk factors in relation to asthma. This study was conducted on 237 cases aged three to four years and 237 controls of the same age who were free from asthma. After a thorough clinical assessment, a pre-coded questionnaire was used to collect information from parents of both cases and controls. Analysis of results showed that the following are significant risk factors: smoking fathers, use of a radiant in the child's room, the presence of other smokers in home, exposure to dust as well as animal contact. A history of upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, infantile eczema, no breast feeding, early weaning, introduction of cow's milk in the first year of life, family history of asthma and consanguineous parents were also significsnt risk factors

Sero-epidemiological study of measles after 15 years of compulsory vaccination in Alexandria, Egypt

Cases of measles among 165 vaccinated and unvaccinated children were studied and the level of measles antibody in 230 previously vaccinated children was determined. Associations between demographic factors and immunological response to vaccination were also investigated. Approximately 80% of the children with measles had been vaccinated; their cases had significantly lower rates of complication. Rural areas accounted for significantly higher numbers of unvaccinated cases. Vaccination status did not correspond to place of exposure, duration of prodrome or accuracy of preliminary diagnosis. The seropositivity rate among vaccinated children was 86.1% with no significant variation with age. We recommend a second dose of measles vaccine and maintaining high vaccine coverage

Risk factors of anemia among women in the child bearing period and preschool children in Alexandria

This study was carried out to determine the risk of some social and biological maternal factors which may contribute to occurrence of anemia among mothers and preschool children. A community based comparative study was chosen for the conduction of this work. The target population were 400 women in the child bearing period, having at least one preschool child [440]. Capillary blood samples were taken by finger prick method and hemoglobin level was estimated by Sahly method. According to cut off level of hemoglobin, women were classified into anemic and non anemic. In addition to that, 440 preschool children belonging to these women were classified according to the cut off level of their hemoglobin into 165 anemic children and 275 non anemic ones. An interview questionnaire was used to collect the data. Analysis of results showed that age of mother [30 years and above], illiteracy, high pant, history of previous abortion, history of previous perinatal mortality, small inter-birth interval a d non use of contraceptives are significant risk factors for mothers. However, mother occupation an state of pregnancy has no role in occurrence of anemia among mothers. In addition to that, high parity history of previous abortion, history of perinatal mortality, short inter-birth interval, non use of contraceptives and pregnancy are maternal risk factors responsible for anemia among preschool children. While, mother age, education and occupation has no role for occurrence of anemia among preschool children

Tuberculin reactivity and the effect of serum antibodies to PPd in tuberculosis

This study included 150 patients complaining of active pulmonary T.B/ and 16 healthy controls. They were subjected to history taking and clinical examination radiological examination and classification according to the national tuberculosis association USA [1961]; sputa were examined for acid fast bacilli; test and haemagglutination technique to detect the circulating anti PPD antibodies. There was a reverse correlation between the level of dermal reactivity to PPD and serum level of anti- PPD antibodies in the patients of the study. Titre of anti PPD- antibodies could differentiate tuberculin negative patients with active disease [high anti PPD antibodies level] from Tuberculin negative healthy controls [absent anti- PPD antibodies]. Thus detection of anti- PPD antibodies may be of diagnostic value in suspected tuberculosis disease with energy or hyporeactivity to PPD. After 2 months of antituberculus therapy, there was a significant increase of the diameter of their tuberculin skin, and concomitant drop in their serum level of anti PPD antibodies of patients especially for those with initial tuberculin negative reactions

Hematological picture and some histopathological changes of albino rats experimentally treated with propofol [diprivan]

Forty adult albino rats were divided into two groups each of twenty. The first group was used as control. The second group was injected intraperitoneally with 2 mg propofol daily for 2 months. At the end of experiment blood was collected on EDTA for investigation and specimens from liver and kidneys were processed for histopathological examination. There were a significant reduction in the amount of haemoglobin, PCV and number of erythrocytes and insignificant increase in the total leukocytic count. The histopathological examination revealed congested hepatic central veins, vacuolar degeneration and leukocytic infiltration in the portal areas in liver while kidneys there were leukocytic infiltration in cortex and medulla

Histopathological studies of the genital organs experimentally exposed to the sub-anesthetic doses of isoflurane and enflurane

Sixty adult albine rats were used in this experiment. They were divided into 3 groups each of 20, the first group was used as control. The second was exposed to the sub-pasaesthetic doses of isoflurane for 2 months. The third group was exposed to the subanaesthetic doses of enflurane for a month. At the end of the first and second months of exposure, the animals were sacrificed respectively for the histopathological examination of the genital organs. The histopathological changes of genital organs after one month exposure to isoflurane and enflurane were congested testicular blood vessels, congestion of epididymis, prostate, seminal vesicle, uterine blood vessels and focal uterine epithelial degeneration. The histopathological changes of genital organs after 2 months exposure were atrophy of semineferous tubules and prostatic acini, decreased seminal fluid, graafian cyst, degenerated ova, vacuolar degeneration of the uterine epithelial lining of rats exposed to isoflurane. While in rats exposed to enflurane there were aspermatogenesis, epithelial proliferation of prostatic acini and seminal vesicle, graafian cyst, degenerated ova, leucocytic infiltration and degenerated uterine glands

Some biochemical investigations and histopathological changes of liver in albino rats experimentally treated with nalbuphine [Nubain]

Forty adult albino rats were used in this investigation. They were divided into four groups each of ten. The first group was used as control. The second, third and fourth group were injected with Nalbuphine [Nubain] for 30, 60 and 90 days respectively. The injection was done intramuscularly and daily with 1 mg/lg B.W. At the end of experiment blood samples were collected from each group and the sera were obtained for immediate determination of aspartate amino transferase [ASAT], alanine aminotransferase [ALAT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], seruloplasmin, total proteins and its fractions. Specimens from liver were processed for histopathological examination. There was a significant decrease in the amount of total proteins and albumins with a significant increase in beta and gamma globulins in all treated group, while the alpha 1 globulins were significantly decreased in the last two groups. A significant increase in ASAT, ALAT and ALP were detected in the sera of rats treated for 60 and 90 days i.e. the third and fourth groups. The ceruloplasmin was significantly decreased in the sera of all treated rats. The histopathological changes of liver revealed congested central veins, leucoytic infiltration and hydropic degeneration in rats treated for 30 days while those treated for 60 and 90 days showed coagulative necrosis

Some aspects of drug interaction

One hundred and twenty adult rats were used in this study. They were divided into 6 groups each of twenty. The first group was used as control, the second group was treated with 5 fluoro uracil for 4 weeks, the third group was treated with 5 fluoro uracil then exposed to sub anaesthetic doses of halothane for the last 3 weeks. The fourth group was treated with 5-fluoro uracil and exposed to sub-anaesthetic doses of isoflurane, the fifth group and the sixth groups were exposed to sub anaesthetic doses of halothane and isoflurane sub-sequently. There was a reduction in the antibody titres in the sera of rats belonging to groups 2, 3 and 5, while those rats belonging to groups 4 and 6 their titres resemble the normal at the 7[th] day post injection with bovine serum albumin [BSA]. There was anaemia in rats belonging to groups 2, 3 and 4. Leucopenia with lymphopenia was seen in rats belonging to groups 2, 3 and 5 and slight leucocytosis with lympho-cytosis was demonstrated in the blood of rats belonging to group 6. The histopathological changes of lungs, spleen and foot pads of all group were investigated and discussed