New multicomponent spectrophotometric method for estimation of five hemoglobin derivatives in normal and traffic policemen

Several methods for the determination of five hemoglobin derivatives [oxy - carboxy - sulf - met - deoxy] hemoglobin based on multicomponent spectrophotometric analysis had been described. Most of these methods are applicable for the determination of the physiological concentration of both deoxy-Hb and oxy0Hb, and the oxygen saturation of blood samples. However, these methods suffered from some sources that were not easily overcome e.g. turbidity, interference due to pigments and negligible of other hemoglobin derivatives. The new technique has been applied in the simultaneous determination of SHb. Met-Hb, HbCO and the remaining functional Hb in the oxy-Hb form, with a conventional spectrophotometer. In this method, the measurements for the latter prepared extremely diluted solutions, with a light-path length 1cm. The 16 millimolar absorptivities of HbO[2], HbCO, Met-Hb and SHb, determined previously, at four wavelengths [500, 569, 577 and 620nm] that represent Met-Hb, HbCO, HbO[2], SHb respectively, were substituted into four linear equations of the type described by the theory of multicomponent spectrophotometric analysis with the four unknown concentrations of Hh pigments. This linear system of equations was solved by mathematical manipulation using the Gaussian elimination method for matrix calculation giving the unknown Hb derivatives concentrations

Optimization conditions of yeast extract production from Kluyveromyces lactis biomass.

Production of yeast extract from Kluyveromyces lactis biomass propagated on milk permeate basal medium was investigated. The best hydrolyzate was obtained upon using 1 M concentration of hydrochloric acid at 120° for 12 and 15 min. A yield about 96.6 and 97.8%, respectively was obtained. The resultant yeast extract encouraged growth of lactic acid bacteria when supplemented to a permeate basal medium to at least the same levels of growth as obtained using equivalent amount of commercial samples of yeast extract. The resultant yeast extract could be considered as a good supplement for production of some important dairy cultures

Production and characterization of bacterial coagulants as calf rennet replacer for Egyptian cheese making.

The bacterial coagulant as calf rennet replacer was aimed to evaluate. The productivity and milk clotting activity [MCA] of coagulants of 12 strains of B. subtilis and 9 strains of B. megaterium were screened. Specific activities of coagulants were tested whether in the crude or in the purified form. The chemical, physical, microbial and organoleptic properties of Ras cheese slurry, coagulum and Domiati cheese [from conventionally salted milk] made with bacterial rennet [concentrated by dialysis against polyethelenglycol 40%] were investigated. Five strains of B.subtilis and three strains of B.megaterium produced milk clotting enzyme [MCE] with MCA> 100 SU/mI, after incubation for 7 days at 30°. The max. relative MCA was recorded at milk temperature of 65° for both types of bacterial rennet in the crude form and increased to 75° [B.subtilis] or 80° [B.megaterium] when purified. While the purification did not change the sensitivity of bacterial coagulants to NaCI or CaC1[2] concentration, where the former salt inhibited while the latter one improved the MCA. The purified enzyme of B.megaterium exhibited higher km and lower Vmax than those occurred by that of B.subtilis.Ras cheese slurry made with B.subtilis rennet matured after 5 days of incubation at 37° and was slightly higher in the flavour score than that of B.megaterium. Both slurries of bacterial rennet possessed a stimulating effect on the growth of the starter cultures added. Bacterial rennet coagulum was softer and synersed lower whey amount than that of calf rennet. Bacterial rennet had also an accelerating effect on Domiati cheese ripening as appeared from the ripening indices determined. Some weakness in the consistenôy associated with Domiati cheese made with bacterial rennet but the flavour score was better after one month and then slightly lowered after two months than the control pickled for the same period

Pesticides and asthma

In this study we try to prove and evaluate the acute and chronic effects of pesticides on respiratory system among pesticide applicators. They were applicators of different types of pesticides [organophosphates, carbarnates, pyrethroides and or-ganochlorine] living in an Egyptian village [150 Km south to Cairo]. Respiratory symptoms were reported in about 66.5% of the applicators and only in 33.4% of controls [highly significant p < 0.01]. Chest examination revealed that 21.7% of the applicators and 11.4% of the control subjects had respiratory signs. Analysis of the ventilatory function results showed a significant ventilatory defect [p < 0.05] among applicators when compared to the control, these were in the form of obstructive defects [doubled] and restrictive defect [5 folds increase]. The relation between the duration of exposure among applicatos and the ventilatory functions showed that the more they were exposed to pesticides the higher the incidence of ventilatory function changes. The challenge test was done to 38 applicators and 63 control subjects, with 39.5% +ve in applicators and only 17.9% in control, and the result was significant. Also, the serum cortisol level and cholinesterase activity were more depressed among applicators than in controls. We concluded that people with chest problems, especially asthma and COPD, should avoid exposure to pesticides. Challenge test with methacholine should be done as screening test to all applicators before exposure and positive subjects should be excluded

Auto exhaust pollution [in Cairo] and cardio respiratory disorders

Five hundred and five traffic policemen, busdrivers and garage mechanics from Greater Cairo were examined. Examination included full history taking, clinical examination of heart and chest, electrocardiogaraphic recordings, pulmonary function tests and estimation of blood lead and carboxyhaemoglobin. The results showed that the frequency distribution of chronic non specific respiratory diseases [CNRD] and cardiovascular diseases increase with age, duration of employment and in smokers. Hypertension and ischaemic heart diseases increased significantly with age, for policemen. The same was observed between Ischaemic heart diseases and duration of employment, in policemen also. A directly proportional relation was found between ischaemic heart diseases and carboxyhaemoglobin levels; the same was found between hypertension and blood lead levels. The results of ventilatory function tests showed that FVC% was unaffected; while FEV1% was reduced in the examined group. There was also a directly proportional relation of blood lead levels with duration of employment as well as carboxyhaemoglobin levels with both duration of employment and smoking. Smoking proved to play an important role in development and frequency distribution of cardiovascular and respiratory disorders; ii also influenced carboxyhaemoglobin levels. Policemen group was the most affected, if compared to drivers and mechanics in all the studied parameters

Cardio-respiratory manifestation due to chronic occupational exposure to trichloroethylene

The hazardous effects of Trichloroethylene were studied on 125 exposed workers in the central Bank Note printing. The study shows that the level of air concentration of trichloroethylene is above the threshold limit value of this solvent. A significant obstructive ventilatory impairment and hypertension were found, in the exposed group. As regarding electrocardiographic [ECG] changes; there were high percentage of left ventricular hypertrophy, ischaemic heart diseases and arrhythmia in comparison to the control