Detection of cytogenetics abnormalities in chronic lymphocytic leukemia using FISH technique and their prognostic impact

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia [CLL] is a clonal lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by progressive accumulation of morphologically and immunophenotypically mature lymphocytes. Characterization of genomic aberrations may help to understand the pathogenesis of CLL and may give prognostic information independent from conventional clinical markers for a risk-adapted management of CLL patients. The aim of the present study is to determine the most common cytogenetics abnormalities between patients with CLL and its prognostic impact. The present study was carried out on 20 adult patients presented with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The patients were diagnosed on the basis of standard clinical [lymph node involvement and/or hepatosplenomegaly], hematological and immunophenotypic criteria for diagnosis of B-CLL. All cases were studied at the time of their diagnosis. FISH technique was successfully performed on PB samples using CLL LSI probes for ATM [11q22] / GLI [12q13] and 13q14/ p53 [17pl3]. For comparative statistical studies, the patients were divided into group I [patients with favorable outcome] and group II [patients with unfavorable outcome]. All patients showed one or more cytogenetic abnormality with the prevalence of p53 in 16 patients out of 20 that perfectly correlated with the poor outcome of the patients. This is followed by deletion in the 13q14 and to a lesser extent deletion in ATM gene, but no one has exhibited amplification in the 12q13 locus. p53 deletion as a sole abnormality has a higher prognostic power than other cytogenetics abnormalities. The cytogenetics study using FISH panel for CLL patients in a complementary fashion to the other clinical and laboratory findings may overcome the pitfalls in the diagnosis and may also assess the assignment of therapeutic protocols for CLL patients according to the results of their cytogenetic analysis at the time of diagnosis

Growth advantage of CD34+ cells in trisomy 8 high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome despite enhanced apoptotic signals

This study examined haematopoietic stem cells of 19 high-risk cases of myelodysplastic syndrome [MDS] for apoptotic and anti-apoptotic signals and cellular proliferation and correlated these with clinical and cytogenetic subtypes, particularly trisomy 8. The aim was to identify cellular and cytogenetic markers of prognostic relevance to survival of high-risk MDS cases. High-risk MDS cases had a significantly higher percentage of apoptotic CD34+ cells and anti-apoptotic survivin+ cells than controls, particularly for trisomy 8 cases. Trisomy 8+ cells showed a significant positive correlation with apoptotic CD34+ cells and capacity for colony formation. The latter was significantly lower in trisomy-8-negative cases than normal controls, while that of trisomy 8 cases was comparable to controls. Our results suggest that although trisomy 8 cells are in a pro-apoptotic state, they are checked by the enhanced expression of anti-apoptotic signals which provide them with their proliferative advantage

Chemical and biological assessment for Egyptian surface freshwater environment with reference to human activities

The Egyptian freshwater was assessed in the River Nile, branches, main canals and certain drainages in eight Governorates, over eight successive seasons starting from spring 2008. Chemical assessment was made through ten parameters and the biological one was made through macro-invertebrates information. Results showed that means of Cd, Pb, Cu, Hg, Mn, Fe, Ni, Na, K and Ca varied in watercourses seasonally within somewhat narrow ranges, which may exceed the level of concern but with some elevations in branches, Rayahs and canals during certain seasons. Sites showed chemical levels over the permissible one or those gain total points

Growth advantage of CD34+cells in trisomy 8 high risk mids cases despite enhanced apoptotic signals

The essence of myelodysplastic syndrome [MDS] pathogenesis is damage of colony forming unit [CFU]with numerous reports implicating apoptosis. While low risk MDS showed enhanced intramedullary apoptosis, high risk MDS was associated with cellular proliferation giving the abnormal clone a growth advantage. Ninteen high risk MDS patients were studied for cellular apoptosis of bone marrow progenitors using tn-color flow cytometric quantification of CD34/Annexin/PU cells. Presence of cytogenetic abnormalities was detected using conventional analysis and FISH while bone marrow mononuclear cells' [BMMNC] survivin expression was evaluated using immunocytochemical examination of bone marrow cytospin preparations. The capacity for hematopoietic colony formation was performed using long term stem cell cultures. High risk MDS cases showed significantly higher percent of both apoptotic CD34/Annex1n*/PI cells and anti-apoptotic survivin cells compared to controls with significantly higher percent among trisomy 8 cases. Trisomy 8 cells showed a significant positive correlation with percent of apoptotic CD34/Annexin/PI cells and capacity for colony formation. The latter was significantly lower in MDS patients negative for trisomy 8 as compared to normal controls, while that of trisomy 8 cases was comparable to controls. Although trisomy 8 cells are in a pro-apoptotic state, they are checked by the enhanced expression of antiapoptotic signals which provide them with their proliferative advantage

association between fresh water snails, macrophytes and water quality in different water courses in Egypt

The pattern of association between freshwater snails and macrophytes in relation to some water quality parameters were studied in 258 sites representing the Nile River. main branches, canals and drainages in Menia. Giza. Helwan, Cairo. Qalyubiya, Esmailia. Behaira and Damietta Governorates during May 2008 - March 2009. The survey study collects 15 aquatic plant species and 13 snail species. Statistical analysis showed high significant correlation between snails and plants [r = 0.462]. The examined sites were divided into four categories, sites with plant only [20%], sites with snails only [7%], sites free from both plants and snails [9%] and the biggest category which include sites with both plants and snails [64%]. Results showed that free sites characterized by the highest concentrations of cadmium, lead, mercury, sodium and potassium. Plant sites were characterized with the highest concentration of dissolved oxygen. Snail sites characterized with highest concentration in calcium. Sites in which snails associated with plants were characterized with higher ranges of chemicals, dissolved oxygen and conductivity than that observed in sites with snails only and this indicates the helpful role of plants for increasing snail tolerance to unfavorable conditions

Biological and biochemical studies on Biomphalaria Alexandrina snails showing overgrowth and their infection with Schistosoma mansoni

The growth, egg-laying capacity, susceptibility to infection with Schistosoma mansoni and some biochemical parameters were-determined for Biomphalaria alexandrina snails which showing overgrowth compared to those of the same age having normal growth. During the period of 14 weeks, the growth rate of snails with overgrowth was significantly higher than those with the normal size. At the first week of observation the mean shell diameter of overgrowth snails was 5.75 +/- 0.8 mm and reaching 9.03 +/- 0.6 mm by the end of the 14[th] week, compared to 2.9 +/- 0.6 mm and 7.2 +/- 0.7mm for snails with normal size. The rate of increasing growth [relative to snails with the normal size] in the overgrowth snails was comparatively very high during the 1[st] week [ranged between 64.5% and 98.3%]. It was found that B. alexandrina snails with overgrowth laid higher number of eggs than those with the normal size. Their onset of egg-laying was at the first week of observation [1.42 eggs/snail/week] until reaching to the highest peak at the 15[th] week [18.7egg/snail/week]. Comparing with snails of the same age and normal size, the egg-laying started at the 5[th] week with a very low number of eggs [0.5 eggs/snail /week], reaching to 4.3 eggs/snail/week at the 15[th] week. There was a very highly significant reduction [p< 0.001] in the infection rate of snails with overgrowth [ranged between 5.0% and 8.3%] compared to those of snails with normal size [ranged between 52.4% and 52.9%]. The hemolymph glucose concentration of B. alexandrina with overgrowth was significantly [P<0.05] and highly significant [p<0.01 and p<0.001] higher than those of the corresponding snails with the normal size in Set I [snails from egg-masses of individual snails], Set II [snails from individual egg-masses] and Set III [snails from groups of egg-masses of groups of snails]. The total protein concentrations in hemolymph of snails which showing overgrowth were increased than those of normal size of Sets I and II, but urea concentrations were decreased in Sets I and III

Efficacy of temperature, and two commonly used molluscicides and fertilizers on fasciola gigantica eggs

This study .evaluated the effect of temperature, molluscicides [Copper sulphate and Niclosamide], fertilizers [Superphosphate and Ammonium sulphate] on the hatchability of Fasciola gigantica eggs. The results showed that hatchability decreased to 4% when eggs were incubated in bile secretion at 37°C for 5 days and to 1.4% for 10 days, but few eggs incubated in water at 37°C hatched. Bile secretion at 37°C was a poor medium for in-vitro egg preservation. But, hatching occurred only when eggs were transferred to water at 26°C. Temperature fluctuation from 26-4°C or from 32- 4°C had an inhibitory effect on embryos development [35.2% and 32.3%, respectively] as compared to controls [60% and 63.9%, respectively]. The incubation period [19 and 17 days] was higher than controls [14 and 12 days, respectively]. The LC50 and LC9o of Copper sulphate and Niclosamide against Biomphalaria alexandrina and Lymnaea natalenesis had no toxic effect on Fasciola eggs. The higher concentrations of Copper sulphate [30ppm] and Niclosamide [Ippm] slightly lower eggs hatchability rate than controls. The rate decreased by increasing the exposure time from 3 to 6 hours with both molluscicides. Ammonium sulphate had a lethal effect on eggs, but Superphosphate had some inhibitory effect on egg development, which increased by increasing Superphosphate concentration or with the prolongation of the exposure time

Neurogenic thoracic outlet associated with carpal tunnel syndrome: is this a clinical example of double crush hypothesis?

The aim of this study was to assess the possible contribution of the double crush hypothesis [DCH] for the association of carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS] with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome [NTOS]which -if confirmed- can explain some of the not uncommonly persistent CTS cases despite being confirmed and properly treated, particularly that NTOS is potentially treatable. 137 CTS patients [91 [66.4%] females, 46[33.6%] males], with mean age 39.4, ranging from 23 to 48 years, were included in the study based solely on electrophysiological criteria of CTS [distal motor latency to abductor pollicis brevis > 4 ms, 3 rd digit to wrist orthodromic sensory conduction velocity < 45m/s, or orthodromic median/ulnar latency difference of the 4[th] digit > 0.4 ms]. Patients who proved suffering peripheral neuropathy or entrapment of ulnar nerve were excluded. Twenty apparently healthy individuals, age and sex matched with patients were included as a control group. The patients and control groups were subjected to clinical neurological evaluation. Electrophysiological work up including motor/sensory conduction study of median and ulnar nerves on both sides, and bilateral medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve [MABCN] antidromic sensory, considering side to side MABCN sensory nerve action potentials [MABCN SNAP] amplitude ratio of >2.0 as abnormal. Electrophysiological criteria used for confirming [NTOS], were low median compound motor action potentials [CMAP], low ulnar SNAP, low or normal ulnar CMAP, normal or reduced interference pattern of C8 T1-innervated muscles, and MABCN SNAP interside amplitude ratio >2.0[the latter was used as a mandatory inclusion criterion]. Patients with atypical upper limb pain have undertaken cervical plain X ray. Control group was subjected to complete neurophysiological studies. Student t test was used to compare means of two groups. Ulnar nerve SNAP amplitudes were found normal. Reduction of median CMAP was reported in 19 patients [13.86%] and it was bilateral in 7 [36.84%]. Antidromic MABCN SNAP interside amplitude ratios showed values <2.0 and mean +/- SD was 1.273 +/- 0.221. Needle examination showed incomplete interference pattern in abductor pollicis brevis muscles in 11 patients [8%]. 3 patients [5.26%], 2 males, and 1 female had bilateral bony cervical ribs but non had evidence of NTOS. Neurophysiologically confirmed CTS was not proved to associate NTOS, and the hypothesized relationship between them could not be obtained. This might inspire us to revisit DCH for re-evaluation. Finally, NTOS is still a rare medical condition and scrutinizing suspected cases with thorough clinical assessment, and electrophysiological work up is a must

Laboratory studies on the effect of magnetic technologies on some biological parameters of biomphalaria Alexandrina in Egypt

The effect of magnetic water on some biological parameters of B. Alexandrina was investigated. The growth rate, egg laying capacity, hatchability of deposited eggs, development of the newly hatched snails and the mortality rate of the treated snails [maintained in magnetic water for 12 weeks] were determined and compared with control ones maintained in normal water. The mean length of the diameter of treated snails after 12 weeks exposure to magnetic water [6.8 +/- 0.93] was slightly greater than the control group [6.4 +/- 0.8]. Also, a highly significant increase in number of eggs and egg-masses of treated snails [8.06 +/- 6.55 and 1.14 +/- 0.8, respectively] as compared with controls [2.5 +/- 1.2 and 0.33 +/- 0.14, respectively]. Hatchability rate of treated eggs in magnetic water for a period of 5 days was higher [63.4%] than the control group which recorded 28.2%. However, a highly significant reduction in the survival rate of newly hatched snails [22.5%] maintained in magnetic water for another 7 days after hatching as compared with the control [61.5%]. Also a highly significant reduction in the survival rate of adults in magnetic water for 12 weeks which recorded 40% in contrast with the control ones, recorded 88%, [P<0.001]. There was slight decrease in the calcium content of the shells of treated snails [25.44% of wt.] as compared to controls [29.58% of wt.]. The haermaphrodite gland acini of snails in magnetic water for 12 weeks were most frequently in final stages of oogensis and spermato-genesis. There were a significant increase in the mean number of 2ry oocytes and mature ova in acini of treated snails comparing with the control group [P<0.05]

Food composition and feeding habits of some fresh water fishes in various water systems at Abbassa, Egypt, with special reference to snails transmitting diseases

Study of feeding habits of freshwater fishes collected from ponds at World Fish Center [ICLARM] showed that the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus and Forskal catfish, Bagras bayad had the highest proportion of full stomachs [31-58% and 44-45% respectively]. In cichlid fishes, the rate of full stomachs was much lower, being 0.0-12.5% and showed higher incidence of empty stomachs that varied from 37.5% for Oreochromis niloticus to 78.3% for Sarotherodon galilaeus. Food items were analyzed by the percentage of point assessment [P%], abundance [N%] and frequency of occurrence [F%]. Results of the three methods of analyses [Index of relative importance. I.R.I] emphasized the importance of plants [1214.7] as a major food resource in the stomach of Nile tilapia, O. niloticus followed by shell fragments [628.5], whereas, snail soft bodies were the main food category in the diet of hybrid tilapia O. niloticus x O. aureus [2539.3]. Shell fragments [652] and snail soft bodies [296.9] were the 1st in relative importance as foods of O. aurea. In case of S. galillae, shell fragments [338] came 2nd in I.R.I. after plants [559]. Present investigation shows that shell fragments were represented by 11.1% and 15.1% in the diet of African catfish, C. gariepinus by [N%] and [P%] methods, however, they came as the second food item in its diet by I.R.I [1237.3]. According to F% method, both shell fragments and Crustacea were present in the diet of C. gariepinus in considerable proportions each of 47.4%. Shell fragments were represented by low proportions in the diet of B. bayad 3.9, 2.1 and 22.2 by N%, P% and F% respectively

Study the role of insulin like growth factor-1 [IGF-1] and insulin like growth factor binding protein-1 [IGBP-1] and hormonal pattern in polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS]

Serum insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1], insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 [IGBP-1] and some other hormones were assayed in PCOS patients [n=30] and their weight-matched controls [n=30]. Serum insulin levels were found to be significantly higher in PCOS patients when compared to normal control women, serum IGF-1 levels showed no statistically significant difference between PCOS patients and normal control women, serum IGFBP-1 levels were found to be significantly lower in PCOS patients when compared to normal control women. In conclusion, insulin and insulin-like growth factor family seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS through modulation of serum IGF-1 levels mediated by changes in IGFBP-1 concentration

Corralation between snails and fish in fish ponds of world fish center [ICLARM] with spicial refernce to snail vectors of schistosomiasis and fascioliasis

The abundance of snail species in earthen fish ponds, irrigation and drainage canals at World Fish Center [ICLARM] in a descending order was Bellamya unicolor [50.89%] > Physa acuta [18.94%] > Cleopatra bulimoides [7.6%] > Lanistes carinatus [6.73%] > Bulinus truncatus [5.19%] > Melanoides tuberculata [4.83%] > Lymnaea natalensis [3.14%] > Gabbiella senaarensis [0.9%] > Biomphalaria alexandrina [0.55%] > Lymnaea truncatula [0.4%] > Planorbis planorbis and Succinea cleopatra [0.33%] > Ferrissia isseli [0.18%]. The dead snails constituted about 5.19% of all the collected specimens. There was a dramatic decrease in the total number of pulmonates in fish ponds, which contained only Tilapia sp., and a very small number of cat fish, whereas the numbers of Prosobranchia snails were much higher in these ponds. In fish Ponds, which accommodated a variety of fish species, the most dominant snail was B. unicolor, followed by L. carinatus. However, pulmonate snails were absent in these ponds. B. Truncatus was the only snail species found in concrete tank, which contained only young tilapias with a very small size [5-8 cm in standard length]. In irrigation canals, the number of snails and diversity was much higher than those in fish ponds. Out of 191 snails collected from inlet irrigation canal, 71 were dead, but in the outside irrigation canals, 7 out of 564 snails were dead. P. acuta was absent in all examined fish ponds, but it was alive and occurred in a high number [497 snails] in the outside irrigation canals. The number of snails collected from Bahnasawy drain was remarkably low [128 snails]; however, the diversity of snails was much higher compared with those in fish ponds and irrigation canals. Snail populations were stable with constant recruitment of young to adult snails for all the studied species

Molluscicidal effect of fungicide herbicide and plant extract on some biological and physiological parameters of Biomphalaria alexandrina

It was found that the exposure of B. alexandrina to LC25 of fungicide [Isoprothiolane], herbicide [Anilofos] and plant extract [Euphorbia lactea] led to a highly significantly elevation in the number of abnormal egg masses laid by treated snails in comparison with the control ones. The LC25 caused reduction in infection rate of B. alexandrina. It caused reduction in number of cercariae per snail during the patent period and reduction in the period of cercarial shedding. The results showed that adenosine triphosphatase [ATPase] activity of tissue of snails was significantly increased in response to tested substances. The activity level of lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], pyruvate kinase [PK] and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy kinase [PEPCK] was significantly reduced in response to the treatment. This reduction did not reflect on both D. lactate and pyruvate concentrations

Effect of various foods on Biomphalaria alexandria and Bulinus truncatus and their susceptibility to Schistosome miracidia

The tested foods are tropical fish food [tetramine], rat food, blue green algae, dried lettuce leaves and a mixture of all these foods. The results indicated that feeding of B. alexandrina on a mixture of foods increased their growth and survival rates and their susceptibility to S. mansoni. Tetramine elevated the egg laying capacity of snails compared to other tested foods. The hatchability of eggs of B. alexandrina fed on algae for a period of 16 weeks showed the highest rate followed by snails fed on a mixture of foods and then tetramine. B. truncates maintained on a mixture of foods for 16 weeks, exhibited an increase in their growth, egg laying, survival rates and recorded the highest infection rate with S. haematobium than other foods. Among the used foods, the hatchability of eggs of B. truncates fed on tetramine for 16 weeks was the highest one

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of certain 2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulfonamide derivatives

Several N-substituted 2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulfonamides have been synthesized and in vitro tested for antimicrobial activity

Treatment of schistosomiasis with praziquantel among school children

The main objective is to assess the praziquantel cure rate and to identify infected persons not responding to praziquantel treatment. Among the studied population, the prevalence of S. mansoni among school children [age 6 to 18 years] was 21.8%, 32.7% and 32.4% in the three villages, respectively. Those who were infected were treated with praziquantel [40 mg/kg body weight]. The cure rate after six weeks was 75.8%, 83.9% and 72.7% among school children, respectively. This cure rate among school children was less than that of adults by 5-10%. Compared with that of preschool age, it showed variable results. A second dose after 6-8 weeks was given to those who were still infected. Those who remained infected even after this second treatment, received a third dose of 60 mg/kg body weight. After the third treatment, only five patients of school age remained infected compared with one among adults and one among preschool age. The failure rate was found to be 50%, 18.5% and 12.5% among preschool, school children and adults, respectively, after the third treatment regimen

Investigation of the reaction product of certain 3- [2- [bromophenyl] -2-oxoethylidene] -1,3-dihydro-2Hindol-2-ones with some nucleophiles

The addition of some nucleophilic reagents to certain 3-[2-[3- or 4-bromophenyl]-2-oxo-ethylidene]-1,3-dihydro-2H-indolones VIa-j was investigated. The anomalous behavior observed during the addition of phenylhydrazine or hydroxylamine indicated a Michael reaction. The structures of the products were established on the basis of their elemental and spectral analyses. A discussion of the experimental findings was presented

changing incidence of cesarean section

This study was undertaken to estimate the caesarean delivery rate in Al-Salam Hospital at Sadah in Yemen Arab Republic. The caesarean delivery rate steadily increased from 8.9% in 1984 to 11.4% in 1988. Caesarean sections performed for [1] failure to progress in labour, [2] previous caesarean section and [3] preterm fetal compromise before labour accunted for three quarters of the increase. Breech presentation was not a significant contributor to the increase. The reasons for increase in caesarean sections performed for the failure to progress in the first stage of labour were not clarified in the records and is the subject of prospective investigation

Synthesis of 2,6-Dimethyl-5carbethoxy-3-substituted pyridines of pharmaceutical interest

Condensation of 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-dicarbethoxypyridine [I] with hydrazine hydrate in different solvents [reaction media] afforded a mixture of 5-carbethoxy-2,6-dimethyl- pyridine-3-carboxyhydrazide [IIa] and 2,6-dimethylpyridine-3,5-bis [carboxyhydrazide] [IIb] in a ratio depending on the reaction time and the solvent polarity. Reaction of [IIa] with different aldehydes gave the corresponding arylidenehydrazides [III] which on reacting with acetic anhydride afforded the respective oxadiazolines [IV]. The 5-carbethoxylutidine- 3-carboxsemicarbazides [V] and the 3-carbox-thiosemicarbazides [VI] were obtained via condensation of [IIa] with some isocyanates and isothiocyanates, respectively

Schistosomiasis and other helminthic infections in Kafr Soliman Village, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

The results of a survey of parasitosis of Kafr Soliman Moussa Village, Sharqia Governorate, Egypt, not previously subjected to a survey for this purpose, are reported. A total of 1031 persons of varying ages, sex and occupation were examined using the cellophane fecal thick smear examination technique [Kato/Katz] for diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni and gastrointestinal helminthes and a urine sedimentation technique for S. haematobium infection. The results obtained show that 32% of the persons examined were infected with S. mansoni and 16% with S. haematobium. The study suggested a decline in S. haematobium prevalence and an increase in that of S. mansoni in this area of Egypt. Ten other species of helminthes were found and these were H. heterophyes, H. nana, H. diminuta, A. lumbricoides, A. duodenale, T. trichiura, S. stercoralis, E. vermicularis, Taenia sp. and Fasciola sp. 51% of the males and 49% of the females examined were found to be infected with one or more of these helminthes. The most common helminth infections, other than schistosomiasis, were H. nana [10%], H. diminuta [5%], A. lumbricoides [5%], and A. duodenale [5%]. Schistosoma infection data [prevalence and intensity] were presented according to age, sex, occupation and individual complaints and/or symptoms. Other helminthic infection data [prevalence only] were presented by sex, age, and occupation