Value of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis and chemokine CXC ligand 13 as biomarkers for disease activity in systemic lupus Erythematosus

Tumor necrosis factor -like weak inducer of apoptosis [TWEAK] triggers multiple cellular activities in a wide variety of cells, ranging from proliferation to cell death. It also causes upregulation of chemokine [C-X-C motif] receptor 5, and its ligand, chemokine [C-XC motif] ligand 13 [CXCL13]. However, the precise roles of TWEAK and CXCL13 in the pathogenesis of SLE and their association with disease activity still obscure. The study included forty SLE patients and twenty control subjects. SLE disease activity was evaluated by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index [SLEDAI] 2000 score. Anti-dsDNA antibodies, serum complement C3, high sensitivity CRP [hsCRP] concentrations, TWEAK and CXCL 13 serum concentrations were detected by ELISA. TWEAK mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was estimated by relative quantitative Real Time-PCR. Serum concentrations of TWEAK and CXCL13 were significantly elevated in SLE patients compared to controls [p < 0.05] with significant increase in patients with active SLE compared to those with inactive disease [p< 0.05], they also significantly correlated with SLEDAI score and anti-dsDNA antibodies. TWEAK mRNA levels increased significantly in active lupus compared to inactive disease. It can be concluded that TWEAK serum and expression levels together with its inducible chemokine CXCL13 serum levels may benefit as biomarkers for prediction of SLE disease activity, as well as possible targets for personalized therapies due to their involvement in the pathogenesis of SLE

Contrast induced complications in congenital heart diseases

Renal and thyroid dysfunctions were reported in children after exposure to iodine containing radiological contrast agents. With this background, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of iodine containing radiological contrast media on serum creatinine, free thyroxine [FT4] and thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] in children with congenital heart diseases [CHD]. This study comprised 60 patients [45 males and 15 females] with CHD following up in the Cardiology clinic of Ain Shams University hospitals whose ages ranged from 7 months to 12 years [mean +/- SD 6.5 +/- 3.9 years]. Patients were compared to a control group comprised of 15 age and sex matched apparently healthy participants [9 males and 6 females] whose ages ranged from 6 months to 12 years [mean +/- SD = 8.2 +/- 1.6 years]. All participants were subjected to careful history taking, thorough clinical examination and Creatinine, FT4 and TSH were measured before performance of procedures utilizing iodine containing radiological contrast agent in order to ascertain normality of their basal levels. The second sample was taken in the first day [24 hours] after exposure and the third sample was taken one week after exposure. The third sample for creatinine assessment was taken on the third to fifth day [instead of one week] after exposure. Weekly assessment was done for patients with significant creatinine or TSH elevation or decreased FT4 until normalization of their levels. Decreased FT4 with elevated creatinine and TSH occurred in 20 patients [representing 33.3%] of the study group comprised of 60 patients with CHD. Peak elevation of creatinine levels occurred 3-5 days after exposure and normalized by the second week [about 10 days] after exposure while peak decreased FT4 levels occurred by the first week and normalized by the third week after exposure. On the other hand, TSH levels exhibited progressive elevation reaching peak stable levels by 3-4 weeks followed by spontaneous progressive decrease till TSH normalization 8-10 weeks after exposure to iodine containing radiological contrast agents .There was a statistically highly significant [P = <0.001] relation between the ingested dose of iodine containing radiological contrast agent / kilogram body weight versus decreased FT4 or elevated creatinine or TSH. All affected patients [20 patients] had negative history of other imaging procedures using iodine containing radiological contrast agents performed during the present study or in the last month before inclusion in the present study which rules out sources of exposure to iodine other than procedures utilizing iodine containing radiological contrast agent performed during the present study and none of the patients received drugs during the period of the study that could alter levels of creatinine or thyroid hormones. Diagnostic procedures utilizing iodine containing radiological contrast agents produce decreased FT4 with elevated creatinine and TSH which were statistically highly significantly [P = <0.001] related to the dose of contrast agent / kilogram body weight used during performance of these procedures to patients with CHD irrespective of their ages or type of CHD. Thus pediatricians and cardiologists should be alert to the possible occurrence of these complications after exposure to iodine containing radiological contrast agent in order to supply regular laboratory assessment, follow up and early management if needed

Use of otoacoustic emissions in assessment of central auditory processing deficit

Basic audiological evaluation and otoacoustic emissions with contralateral suppression were performed on 20 children with central auditory processing deficit [CAPD]. Thirty normal children with no history suggestive of CAPD were examined and served as a control group. Results of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions [TEOAEs] demonstrated that both groups had normal cochlear functions. However, the suppression of emissions was more pronounced in the control group in comparison to significantly lower amount of suppression in the study group. This finding reflects a subtle dysfunction of the medial olivocochlear bundle in children with CAPD. Hence, the suppression of TEOAEs could be used as an objective test for central auditory processing abilities in young children who can not be evaluated with psychophysical central test battery

Nitrogen and phosphorus removal from industrial wastewater by the unicellular green alga scenedesmus obliquus

The unicellular, fresh water alga Scenedesmus obliquus [the test organism of this investigation] was used to study its effect on the removal of nitrogen and phosphorous from industrial wastewater, collected from Mogama drain. Wastewater contents of nitrate, urea, ammonia and phosphorus were determined. The average annual values of these nutrients were calculated. The alga was grown on either wastewater as a culture medium or on the other media. The algal biomass, protein content, phosphorous content, etc., were determined. Wastewater-grown cells were found to contain a high quality and quantity of protein. Algal biomass production was also high. Active transport was the mechanism by which these nutrients were taken up from the wastewater. Scenedesmus can be used successfully for the removal of phosphorus and nitrogen from industrial wastewater as a depollution technique, with the production of high quality protein. This technique may be applied on a semi-industrial scale for animal feeding using bioreactors

Novel pyidopyrimidinedione analogs as possible anticonvulsants

Novel pyrido [2,3-d] pyrimidine-2,4-dione derivatives were synthesized as anticonvulsant agents. The proposed compounds possess bio- isosteric relationships to quinazolinone analogs and to ethosuximide agent. Anti-MMS assays were conducted for six of the newly synthesized compounds [VIIIa, IX, XII, XV, XVII, XX] in relevance to ethosuximide as reference st and ard. The results revealed that compound VIIIa was the most effective and displayed 60% protection

Synthesis and characterization of some [t] 1- [substituted amino or piperidino] -1-phenylethanes: novel bioisosteric relatives of pcp

The fact that phencyclidine [PCP]-receptors have been involved in the binding interactions with other hallucinogens, such as sigmaopiates, initiated the idea of synthesizing some novel bioisosteric relatives of PCP. Such compounds would act as potential blockers for central PCP-receptors, and thus might be utilized in the discouraging drug abusers or the therapeutic treatment of the hallucinogenic symptoms of such abused agents. The suggested compounds are 1-[substituted amino or piperidino]-1-phenylethane derivatives

N-phenylaminosuccinimide derivatives: potential convulsants related to ethosuximide with lower ionization parameters

The synthesis of two series of N-phenylaminosuccinimide derivatives [II] and some of their C-Mannich bases [III] was described. The structure of the new products was substantiated by spectral as well as microanalytical data. The pKa values and evaluation of the anti-MMS potency, for some selected compounds, were reported. Ethosuximide was utilized as prototype

Spectrophotometric studies on Ce [III], Th [IV], UO2 [VI] and VO [IV] complexes with 6,7-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin

The complexes of Ce [III], Th [IV], UO2 [VI] and VO [IV] with 6, 7-dihydroxy-4 methylcoumarin are investigated using spectrophotometric methods. The optimum conditions favoring the formation of their colored complexes are critically evaluated. The studies reveal that 1: 1, 1: 2 and 1: 3 [M: L] complexes are formed in solution. The stability constants of the different complexes are calculated. The effect of diverse ions is investigated. A spectrophotometric method for the determination of the named metal ions is represented also a photometric titration method using EDTA as titrant is also given. The proposed method is applicable to the ppm range the metal ions with high accuracy and precession

Spectrophotometric studies on the Al, Ga and in chelates with 5- [2-hydroxy-5-sulphophenylazo] -8-quinolinol

Trivalent ions of Al, Ga and In form colored complexes with 5 - [2-, hydroxy - 5-8 sulphaphenylazo] -8- quinolinol. The complexes were used satisfactorily for the photometric determination of the metal ions. The optimum conditions for the formation of the complexes were extensively investigated. Universal buffers of pH 6.6, 4.5 and 6.60 were used for Al, Ga and In respectively. The stoichiometry of the formed complexes and their stability constants were determined spectrophotometrically. The interference of many metal ions in the determination was also investigated. Beer's law is obeyed up to 0.67, 1.7 and 3.44 ppm metal ion. A Spectrophotometric titration of Ga with EDTA proved to be successful