Formulation and Evaluation of Ketoconazole Polymeric Films for Topical Application.

The objective of the current paper was to prepare and evaluate various polymeric films for fungal infection treatment and its impact on volunteer patients. Different Eudragit polymeric films containing Ketoconazole as antifungal drug were prepared by solvent casting technique. The prepared films were tested for their physicomechanical properties as tensile strength, physical endurance, elasticity, water vapor permeation and water loss. The release of ketoconazole from the prepared medicated films was examined. It is involved 20 volunteers suffering from legs fungal infection. Ten of the patients used the films and a follow up study was carried out for 14 days, in comparison with other patients who applied ketoconazole medicated ointment, cream gel and Emulgel. The results revealed that films prepared with Eudragit RL 100 containing glyceryl triacetate produced maximum release of ketoconazole both In vitro and In vivo as compared with other topical dosage forms as ointment, cream, gel and Emulgel. Moreover, the films constitute a simple and convenient method for treatment of various fungal infections. As conclusion, the use of antifungal drugs such as Ketoconazole incorporated in polymeric films, the output results provided promised evidence in the treatment of dermatophytosis.

Spectroscopic Characterization of PEG-DNA Biocomplexes by FTIR.

Understanding the mode involved in the binding of certain molecules to DNA is of prime importance, and PEG offers wide-ranging applications in biological, medical and pharmaceutical contexts. FTIR spectroscopy has been used to characterize how the formed biocomplexes bind or dissociate to/from each other between PEG400-ctDNA under different conditions. Characterization and investigation of the effect of incubation time on PEG400-ctDNA biocomplexes formation were studied through spectroscopic technique FTIR. The influence of time duration and incubation on intermolecular interaction was analysed at three different selected times (Zero, 1hr, and 48 hrs.) at 1:1 PEG400-ctDNA monomer to nucleotide ratio. The experiment was carried out at room temperature 22 ºC, with prior vortex stirrer of biocomplex for 10 min to improve homogeneity of sample. The results showed that the binding reaction of PEG400-ctDNA proceeds rapidly through DNA base pairs and phosphate DNA backbone, and complexation was reached after a maximum 1hr after mixing PEG400 and ctDNA at 1:1 ratio. FTIR spectroscopy results suggest that PEG400 binds with ctDNA by weak to moderate biocomplexes formation, with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic contact through DNA base pairs, with minor binding preference towards phosphate backbone of DNA helix. The mode of interaction most likely referred to an interaction through outside groove binding or electrostatic binding modes. FTIR highlighted the significant effect of incubation time on the stable biocomplexes of non-ionic PEG400 and ctDNA. Moreover, FTIR spectroscopy technique was rapid, showed good stability, and is a valuable tool for studying the biological properties of biocomplexes of PEG400 and ctDNA.

Awareness of Libyan Students and Academic Staff Members of Nanotechnology.

At the present time, nanotechnology is involved in every aspect of scientific life and its applications are being integrated into the economy, industry, trade and medicine. The world will require a skilled work force of more than two million nanotechnologists by 2015. The rapid advance in all fields of nanotechnology has led to integrate nanotechnology courses in high schools, institutes and university curricula all over the world. However, nanotechnology has not as, yet been integrated within the Libyan curricula at any level. Thus, this study focuses and explores the awareness of the academic staff and students in Tripoli (Alfateh) University about nanotechnology and nanoscience. Moreover their readiness to integrate the basics and applications into Libyan education curricula. The results show that education level and work place have an effect on the knowledge of the participants on nanotechnology, where about 65% of PhD degree holders knew about nanotechnology and were keen to learn and integrate this technology in the education system. Around 40 % of the participants’ information about Nanotechnology were gained from the internet while only 17% had obtained information from their own readings. The majority of the participants (60%) supported the idea of introducing nanotechnology studies to the curricula at pre-graduate stage. However, 29% believed that it should be integrated only in postgraduate studies, and only a few of the participants (11.3%) advised that a continuing education program would be the proper way to study nanotechnology. This study showed that relatively little awareness about nanotechnology is seen among Libyan staff members and students. However, the majority of the participants have realized the importance of the field of nanotechnology and its application, and were eager to learn more about this advanced technology. Based on the preliminary study regarding the opinion and readiness of participants of the current study, it is believed that the integration of nanotechnology and nanosciences in Libyan curricula at different levels of education is an inevitable step to meet the very rapid advances in the field of nanotechnology and its applications.

IL-10 and IL-12 in the cord blood of preterm newborns with respiratory distress syndrome

The development of respiratory distress syndrome [RDS] is closely related to fetal immaturity, although the participation of inflammatory mechanisms also seems to be likely. In this study, we investigated the possible role of IL-10 and IL-12 in preterm newborns with RDS, a disease that is also related to gestational age. the cord blood levels of IL-10 and IL-12 were assessed in 60 preterm infants, 30 of them developed RDS and they were taken as cases, and the other 30 were not distressed and used as a control group. The results showed that IL-10 was higher and IL-12 was lower in preterm infants with RDS than those without RDS. IL-10 manifested negative correlation with gestational age and birth weight, while IL-12 manifested no correlation with gestational age or birth weight. There was no correlation between IL-10 and IL-12 either in cases or controls. Five cases died from RDS, these cases had significant higher IL-10 levels and lower IL-12 levels than presenting twins. We concluded from these findings that IL-12 and IL-10 can be used as indicators for the risk of developing RDS in the born preterm. IL-10 and IL-12 levels in cord blood most probably indicate functional immaturity of the preterm

Study of urinary N-Acetyl-Glucosaminidase enzyme and urinary zinc excretion in children with beta-thalassemia major

Thalassemia is a common genetic disease. Patients usually have some forms of renal tubular dysfunction, which might be expressed by an increase in urinary excretion of marker enzymes such as N- Acetyl-beta-D-Glucosaminidase [NAG]. Also, zinc deficiency may be associated with thalassemia to varying degrees. Zinc is an essential trace element necessary for growth and for regulation of normal physiological functions. The aim of the present work was to study urinary NAG, serum zinc, RBC's zinc and urinary zinc excretion in children with beta-thalassemia major, Also, to study the effect of Desferrioxamine [DFO] therapy on these parameters. The study was conducted on 40 beta-thalassemic children divided equally into two groups. Group [A] included 20 children with a mean age 8 + 3.48 years who received regular iron chelation with DFO and group [6] included 20 children with a mean age 7.1 2 4.36 years who did not receive DFO. Twenty normal healthy children matched by age and sex were included as controls [group C]. Number of blood transfusions received by each child has been approximately calculated. The mean value in-group A was 115.55 +/- 89.96, and in-group 6, it was 70.8 +/- 189.29. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups [P=0.123]. The mean RBCs zinc in the present study was higher in patients groups [AandB] than in-group C with a statistically significant difference, while serum zinc levels were not significantly different among the three groups. Also, the mean urinary zinc excretion level was statistically significantly higher in-group A than in-group B and both groups had statistically higher significant values than the control group. Finally, the NAG levels showed a statistically significant difference between the patients groups [AandB] and the control group. The mean value was 3.23 +/- 1.98 U/L in group A and 3.02 +/- 1.59 U/L in-group 6, while it was 1.84 +/- 0.76 in the control group

Conclusion: thalassemic patients seem to be protected from zinc deficiency but there may be an impairment of zinc utilization at tissue level. Also, urinary NAG excretion can be considered as a reliable marker of tubular damage and its determination is recommended for early detection of renal problems

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and thromboembolic camplications in childhood nephrotic syndrome

Medical records of 523 nephrotic children followed up atAIexandria University Children's Hospital during the period from 1988 to 2002 were retrospectively studied for presence of clinically apparent thromboembolic complications [TECs]. Thirteen cases [2.5%] had evidences of 20 episodes of TECs. The frequency of TECs was 1.4% among steroid sensitive cases and 8.3% in steroid resistant cases. The TECs were predominantly venous [65%]. The most commonly affected vessels were; deep leg veins [45%]. Renal vein thrombosis was reported in 10% of the episodes. These cases were treated with heparin followed by oral anticoagulant therapy. The outcome was a full recovery in 8 patients and death in 5 patients. The commonest renal histopathology associated with TECs was MPGN. Moreover, we studied 50 children with nephrotic syndrome [NS] during their proteinuric phase. They included 10 cases with steroid resistant NS [SRNS], 20 with steroid dependent NS [SDNS] and 20 with infrequently relapsing NS. Plasminogen activity, plasma level of fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1[PAI-1] were measured in them and in 20 healthy control children. All studied nephrotic cases had proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia and hypercholesterolemia. Microcytic hypochromic anemia and high platelet count were evident in most cases. Fibrinogen levels were significantly elevated in all nephrotic groups [p< 0.005]. Plasminogen activity was in the normal range in all nephrotic groups. The means of PAH were significantly higher in all nephrotic groups than in the control group and in SRNS than other nephrotic groups [p< 0.005]. Elevated PAI-1 depresses tibrinolytic activity and thus increases the risk of thrombosis. We screened these cases for TECs by conventional and colored Doppler ultrasonography. Pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy was done in 6 cases with unexplained pulmonary symptoms. Two cases out of 50 [4%] developed TECs; the first had SDNS and got right femoral artery occlusion, the second had SRNS and developed left pulmonary embolism

Conclusion: TECs are life threatening complications of childhood NS. Their prevalence in our study was 2.5%. They are predominantly venous but can affect any vessel and might recur in the same patient. TECs can complicate any type of renal histopathology in childhood NS. The enhanced risk of TECs in nephrotic children is most likely a multitactorial problem, with hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, thrombocytosis, hyperfibrinogenemia and increased PAI-1 all playing a role. We recommend adequate evaluation of all children with active NS for presence of subclinical TECs to allow early treatment and thus prevention of morbidity and mortality caused by this serious complication

Study of central nervous system involvement in children with acute leukemia in relation to different immunophenotypes before and during treatment

Central nervous system [CNS] involvement remains a problem in acute Ieukemias [AL] despite the fact that prophylaxis with intrathecal [IT], systemic high dose chemotherapy and radiotherapy have greatly reduced its incidence. The relationship between the immunophenotypes of AL and development of CNS disease is controversial. The present study included 40 children with newly diagnosed acute leukemia, 36 patients with ALL and 4 patients with AML. They were 23 males and 17 females. Their age ranged from 2-12 years with a mean age of 6.06 +/- 2.59 years. A panel of monoclonal antibodies were used for classifying the Ieukemias into different immunophenotypes. The most common immunophenotype of ALL cases [56%] was early pre-B [CD19, CD22 and CD10]. No CD10 [CALLA] negative cases were detected in our series. Two cases showed cytoplasmic immunoglobulin [Clg] indicating a more mature pre-B immunophenotype. T cell immunophenotype was detected in 14 cases mainly CD2, CD3 and CD7.AML immunophenotype was detected in 4 cases showing CD13 and CD33. Seven cases [17.5%] showed clinical symptoms and signs of CNS involvement at initial diagnosis whereas 8 cases [20%] showed blast cells in CSF. The majority [75%] of CNS disease cases [6 out of 8 cases] had a T cell immunophenotype, while 25% [2 out of 8 cases] were 8 cell lineage. The difference between the 2 groups was significant [P=<0.001]. During follow-up, 5 cases developed CNS relapse. Four of them [80%] were of T cell immunophenotype and only one case [20%] was of B cell lineage [pre 8 cell ALL]. Only one case of CNS relapse did not have CNS disease at initial diagnosis and was of T cell immunophenotype. Four of CNS relapse cases occurred early in the first year of the disease. In view of the poor prognosis of patients with CNS disease and relapse and the higher incidence of these events in T cell ALL children, these patients may need intensive systemic and CNS directed therapy to improve their outcome