state of the major circulating apolipoprotein B100-containing lipoproteins in patients with chronic renal failure and/or ischemic heart disease

The present study aimed at determining the major apolipoprotein B100 containing lipoproteins in CRF patients. These LDL subspecies are markers to lipid peroxidation, the key stone of atherosclerosis. Subjects and circulating levels of LDL-C/ HDL-C ratio, IDL [by sequential ultracentrifugation], Lp[a] [by ELISA] and MDA [by colorimetric method] were assessed in patients with CRF singly [30 cases] or combined with ischemic heart disease [15 cases] and in patients with sole IHD [15 cases]. Patients with CRF showed a significant increase in serum LDL-C concentrations and a significant decrease in HDL-C concentrations as compared with normals. Plasma IDL, Lp[a] and MDA median values were significantly higher than normal in the sole CRF, sole IHD and combined CRF with IHD. Serum TG and TC concentrations were significantly higher in patients with IHD singly than in sole CRF while HDL-C and LDL-C concentrations were similar in them. The serum levels of TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C in either IHD group and CRF+IHD group showed no significant differences in these groups. Also plasma Lp[a] and MDA concentrations were significantly higher in IHD patients than in controls. By multiple linear regression analysis, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in all investigated cases was predictive indicator of abnormal IDL and Lp[a]. Conversely, Lp [a] value anticipated MDA concentrations. Although LDL-C/HDL-C ratio is known to influence atherogenesis, an avid relationship in between them is arguable due to different extrinsic and intrinsic confounding factors. However, measurement of LDL-C IHDL-C has been proposed as an appropriate first line investigations for diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of IHD. Uremic dyslipidemia is not a simple association but promotes progression of CRF and accelerates atherosclerosis. High triglyceride-rich, apo B-containing lipoproteins [IDL and Lp[a]] may contribute avidly and independently to atheromatous process in chronic renal failure patients

state of plasma nitric oxide metabolites [NO-2 and NO-3] and endothelin-1 in patients with chronic renal failure and/or ischemic heart disease

the present study was designed to evaluate the endothelium potential vasodilatation and vasoconstriction major factors in groups of patients with CRF or IHD singly or combined. Patients and Cases eligible for inclusion in the present study were those with CRF solely [30 patients], IHD singly [15 patients] or combination of CRF with IHD simultaneously [15 patients]. The included controls [15 cases] were clinically healthy subjects who were highly matched to cases for age, gender and body weight. The designed biochemical analyses included: Plasma endothelin- 1 [ET-1] using enzyme immunometric assay [EIA] and plasma nitric oxide metabolites [NO[-2]/NO[-3] by photometric assay. The median plasma NO[-2] concentrations among single CRF, single IHD or combined CRF with IHD were not significantly different from those observed in controls. Alternatively the median concentration of plasma total NO[-3]] [NO[x]] and the ratio of NO[-3] to NO[-2] among CRF with or without IHD groups were significantly higher than controls. With regard plasma NO[x], its median concentration in IHD patients showed no significant difference from controls, but there was a significant decrease compared with single CRF or combined CRF with IHD. At the same time, statistically significant differences in the median plasma concentrations of ET- 1 between cases allocated in the three different diseased groups and control group were observed. Moreover, statistically significant higher median plasma concentrations of NO[x] and lower ET- 1 were noted in noncardiac CRF cases as compared with the nonuremic IHD patients. There was a positive relation between the plasma concentrations of NO[-2] and NO[x] in all, -studied groups and between plasma concentrations of NO[x] and ET- 1 in CRF patients whether single or combined with IHD. High ET- 1 and NO[x] levels were found in patients with advanced chronic renal failure with or without IHD, a feature that was not noted in uncomplicated IHD. Whether plasma NO[x] concentrations necessarily reflect production of the hemodynamically active component, NO is not yet settled. Therefore, plasma NOx levels, even when obtained under conditions of dietary NO[x] control, do not give stand-alone information about NO production, particularly when renal function is impaired. Although definitive proof that ET- 1 as a primary inducer of atherosclerosis is still elusive, it is likely that ET- 1- is at least an important contributor to the atherogenic process. Vascular endothelial cells in atherosclerosis may synthesize greater quantities of nitric oxide than nondiseased cells, but it is rapidly inactivated by oxidative reaction or converted to the toxic peroxynitrite

Kinetics and mechanism of the catalytic reduction of [[[4-nitrophenyl] methyl] sulphonyl] acetic acid in alkaline dioxane-water media

The reaction of [[4-nitrophenyl] methyl] sulphonyl] acetic acid with sodium hydroxide in aqueous-idoxane media leads to the reduction of the nitro group with the formation of 4,4'-diformylazoxybenzene and 4,4'- dicarboxyazoxybenzene as the main products. The reaction mechanism was verified by trapping the intermediates namely [a-hydroxy-4-nitrosobenzyl] sulphonyl acetic acid and 4-nitrosobenzaldehyde as well as by the H/D exchange of the active methylene group of the parent compound. The kinetics of the reaction with excess alkali in different dioxane-water mixture were studied spectrophotometrically. The rate constants of the two consecutive steps of the reaction and their activation thermodynamic parameters were calculated and are discussed on the basis of the solvent composition of the media. A comparison of the reactivity with that of the corresponding sulphide is also discussed

Kinetics and mechanism of reaction of [[4-nitrophenyl] sulphonyiy] acetic acid with alkali in diaoane-water media

The reaction of [[4-nitrophenyl]methyl]sulphonyl]acetic acid with sodium hydroxide in aqueous-dioxane media leads to the reduction of the vitro group with the formation of 4,4-diformylazoxybenzene and 4,4-dicarboxyazoxybenzene as the main reaction products. The reaction mechanism was verified by trapping of the intermediates namely [alpha-hydroxy-4-nitrosobenzyl]sulphonyl acetic acid, and 4-nitrosobenzaldehyde as well as the H/D exchange of the active methylene group in the parent compound. The kinetics of the reaction with excess alkali in different dioxane-water mixtures were studied spectrophotometrically. The rate constants of the two consecutive steps of the reaction and their activation thermodynamic parameters were calculated and discussed on the bases of the solvent composition of the media. A comparison of the reactivity with that of the corresponding sulphide was also discussed

4-Trifluoromethylbenzyl chloride: preparation kinetics and mechanism of its change into bis [4-trifluoromethylbenzyl] ether in alkaline dioxane-water media

The expected alpha-proton abstraction step from the title compound by alkali in dioxane-water media, due to the electron-withdrawing 4-trifluoromethyl group, does not take place instead an S [N]2 reaction followed by an etherification step occurs. This consecutive reaction was studied kinetically in different dioxane-water media at various temperatures

Immunological evaluation of loratadine in patients with nasal allergy

Sixty two patients with allergic rhinitis to Dermatophagoides farinae were selected. Thirty two cases received loratadine 10mg daily and 30 received a placebo. Clinical and immunological assessment were done and done before at the end of the study by skin tests and human basophile degranulation test [HBDT]. A significant clinical improvement was noted in patients receiving loratadine together with significant decrease in skin test response to the allergen and inhibition of degranulation in the HBDT. These results indicate that besides its antihistamine action, loratadine, loratadine has potent antiallergic and antianaphylactic effects

Nutritional value of some pea grown in Egypt

These studies aim to show to what extent can leguminous proteins consumed locally by low income groups help in covering the amino acid requirements of the consumer. Two legumes grown locally have been chosen. These are the Cow pea and Chick pea. Both are represented by a number of varieties which are not met with outside the region. All seeds were analysed for moisture. Protein, carbohydrate, fat, fibre, ash, calcium, phosphorus and iron. When the calcium content of the roasted chick pea was estimated it was found to be very high. This is due to the practice of soaking the pea in lime water before roasting. The nutritional significance of this feeding is obvious. With the help of column chromatography, chick peas and cow peas were found to yield the following amino acids: Cystine, arginine, histidine, tysine, alanine, gtycine, threonine, valine, methionine, leucne and phenyl alanine. Out results were found to be more or less in agreement with earlier workers. One may therefore, conclude that if, enough pea are eaten alone with bread, the consumer can obtain all amino acids needed and that peas constitute a food supplement for bread

Adjuvant therapy after radical surgery for operable cancer breast

Seventy eight patients with operable breast cancer and positive axillary lymph nodes were included in this study. Adjuvant chemotherapy [CMF] was given after mastectomy and post-operative radiotherapy. The 3 year disease free survival for the whole group was 52.9% and 50% for premenopausals and postmenopausals respectively. Among the premenopausal group survival of patients was, 66.6% for T1 and T2 tumours vs. 42% for T3 andT4 tumours and 79% for women with less than 3 positive axillary nodes vs. 38.6% for those with more than 3 positive nodes in the premenopausal group. Differences were statistically significant. Similar differences were shown in the postmenpausal group but statistically insignificant. CMF seems effective only in those with less than 3 positive axillary lymph nodes. The efficacy of more potent chemotherapy in patients with more than 3 positive nodes has to be explored

New reactive-disperse dyes

Four new reactive-disperse, 4 new disperse and 2 new reactive dyes were synthesised. The molecule of the reactive-disperse dye contains as a reactive hook an epoxide ring in which a 4-nitrophenyl group substituted at one of its carbon atoms, meanwhile is considered as a derivative of 2,4-dinitrodiphenyl-amine thus acquiring the properties of disperse dyes. The present reactive-disperse dyes are useful for dyeing polyester-cotton blends

Kinetics and mechanism of the change of 2-chloromethyl benzoic acid and its 5-nitro derivative into the corresponding -lactones in neutral or alkaline aqueous dioxan

Although there is direct conjugation between the nitro-group and the chloromethyl group in 2-chloromethyI-5-nitrobenzoic acid, yet no base-catalyzed alpha-proton extraction step takes place. A bimolecular mechanism is proposed for the change of the title Compounds into the corresponding gamma-lactones