Flaccid paralysis [guillian barre like syndrome] in Sudanese patients

To study clinical presentation of 24 Sudanese patients who had flaccid paralysis. The study was conducted in Elshaab Teaching Hospital [Sudan] in the period from January 2005 to November 2005, 24 patients were included in the study. A full detailed history and proper clinical examinations were performed by the authors. A list of investigations were done including urine, stool analysis, complete haemogram, urea and electrolytes BFFM, liver function test, Lumbar, Dorsal or Cervical MRI if needed, Brain M.R.I, nerve conduction study and C.S.F analysis. The study for viral infection revealed no evidence of circulating antibodies. Out of 24 patients 12 were males and 12 were females, fever was the commonest prodromal symptoms. Weakness of upper or lower limbs occurred either 24 or 48 hours following the prodromal symptoms. The facial nerve was the commonest cranial nerves affected. Four patients had sphincteric disturbances. Twelve patients had sensory disturbances. Two patients had respiratory muscles involvement and one patient had autonomic nervous system involvement. CNS showed an evidence of demylination in 16 patients while four had both demylination and axonal degeneration. CSF analysis revealed heigh proteins in eight patients. All patients showed remarkable improvement. This was acute paralysis which mimics G.B.S

Impact of PGF2 alpha administration on progesterone pattern during and after PMSG treatment in buffaloes

Thirteen buffalo-cows and 6 heifers were subjected for superovulatory treatment using 3000 iu PMSG [Gestyl], 25 mg PGF2-alpha [Lutalyse] were injected 48 hours after PMSG treatment and at day eight of the estrous cycle after superovulatory treatments. Ovarian and progesterone changes were studied in buffalo-cows and heifers during and after superovulatory treatments. 84.6% and 83.3% of buffalo-cows and heifers exhibited estrous within 2.46 +/- 0.78 and 2.4 +/- 1.14 days, respectively, following treatment with lutalyse. Whereas, the intervals averaged 3.27 +/- 1.05 and 3.4 +/- 1.14 days when treated at day 8 after superovulation in buffalo-cows and heifers, respectively. Plasma progesterone concentrations averaged 3.74 +/- 1.53 and 1.28 +/- 0.91 ng/ml before treatment with lutalyse in buffalo-cows and heifers, respectively, followed by significant decline 24 hours after treatment in both buffalo-cows and heifers [1.12 +/- 0.71 and 0.74 +/- 0.38 ng/ml, p <0.01] and reached the lowest concentration 72 hours after treatment [0.20 +/- 0.09 and 0.24 +/- 0.24 ng/ml, respectively]. A marked elevation in plasma progesterone concentration following superovulatory treatment in buffalo-cows [15.02 +/- 10.44 ng/ml] and heifers [17.87 +/- 10.72 ng/ml] was recorded

Lipids and fatty acids composition in bolti [tilapia nilotica] fish flesh as affected by environment

Bolti [Tilapia nilotica] fish and water samples were taken from three different locations in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate. Water quality and oil characteristics in fish flesh were studied. The obtained results showed that crude lipid and phospholipid contents of fish fillet were increased by increasing total solids and total hardness of fish environment. Peroxide, iodine and acid values of fish oil influenced by water quality. Fatty acids composition in fish oil showed a wide variation due to differences in water-head. Total unsaturated fatty acids in drainage fish oil were higher than that found in farm's fish oil, while the lowest percentage of unsaturated fatty acids was recorded by Nile's fish oil. Generally, palmitic was the main saturated fatty acid in fish oil, whereas it constituted about 66-68% of the total saturated fatty acids. Nile's fish oil contained higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids than those of drainage and farm's fish oils. In contrast, odd and branched fatty acids content in drainage and farm's fish oils were higher than those found in Nile's fish oil. Concentrations of arachidonic and erucic acids in oil extracted from drainage fish were higher than oil extracted from farm's fish, while the lowest concentration for these fatty acids were found in oil extracted from Nile's fish. Although the acid value and peroxide value of drainage and farm's fish oils were slightly high, it is still accepted for human consumption according to The Association of Fish Meal Manufacturers

Effect of radiation on the electrical properties of egg-white protein

The effect of low level fast neutron fluences in the range 105 to 109 n/cm2 on the electrical properties of egg-white protein was studied. The dielectric dispersion characteristics in the frequency range 0.2 to 30 KHz before and after irradiation were investigated. The molecular diameter, relaxation time and cole-cole alpha values were calculated. The results revealed that, the most predominant effect of fast neutrons is the destruction of protein macromolecule leading to the formation of energetic free radicals and molecular fragments. Some of these fragments may recombine again forming new molecular configurations

effect of near UV-irradiation on hemoglobin

Oxyhemoglobin was irradiated by near UV. The time of exposure was 15-150 minutes, which corresponds to doses. It is known that near UV is absorbed by protein and heme parts of hemoglobin. The changes in buffer capacity, absorption spectrum thermodynamic parameters, conductivity, viscosity and refractive index before and after irradiation were studied. The results indicated that, changes in electronic state of HbO2, changes in spin state constant of heme iron and increase in methemoglobin band at 630 nm demonstrate different unfolding degrees. The increase in delta H degree and delta S degree are attributed to hydrogen bond degradation. The changes in Hb conductivity after irradiation gives an evidence about the appearance of hydrophobic groups. Irradiation demonstrated the unfolding and aggregation of the protein part

Some biophysical parameters for detection of heterozygotes B-thalassemia

Heparinized blood was taken from cases of homozygotes Beta and Beta [+] thalassemic children together with their parents as heterozygotes. In addition, samples were taken from iron deficiency anemia, glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency [G-6-pD], sickel cell anemia and normal control samples. Hemoglobin absorption spectra, base and acid buffer capacities, electrophoretical pattern, thermodynamic parameters, conductivity and viscosity of Hb were investigated. The obtained data revealed a four times in base buffer capacity regarding homozygotes compared with control and two time regarding heterozygotes. Hyperchromicity of globin band and half width of the area under Soret band showed a pronounced increase in homozygotes and heterozygotes as well as a drop in A 578/A 542 ratio concomitant with the appearance of a new band at 630 nm. In addition, in homozygotes and heterozygotes a turning point thereshold and decrease in the slope of linear relationship between natural logarithm of spin state constant versus 1/T was detected respectively. The obtained data revealed also that conductivity was 0.7 X 10[-3] [ohm[-1] cm[-1]] and 0.3 X 10[-3] [ohm[-1] .cm[-1]] of control values regarding homozygotes and heterozygotes respectively. Thus, it is easy to detect heterozygotes according ot these biophysical parameters