Effect of storage temperature on the stability of chemical and physical properties of profenofos insecticide formulation [EC]

Profenofos insecticide was subjected to different storage conditions at the temperatures 54°C for 14 days, zero °C for 7 days according to FAO specifications [1998] and, in sunny place and in dark place for 360 days according to Egyptian conditions. Chemical stability of profenofos was stable if stored either at 54 °C or zero °C for 14 and 7 days, respectively conformed with Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO] specifications during periods of storage and more degradated in sunny place than in dark place. Physical properties [pH range, Emulsion stability and re-emulsification] became conformity with FAO specification

Diagnostic value of AFP-L3, AFP-mRNA, and methylated p16 in hepatocellular carcinoma

To assess the diagnostic significance of serum AFP-L3,AFP-mRNA and methylated p16 in patients with liver cirrhosis and HCC. The present study was conducted on patients suffering from liver cirrhosis [n=82] and HCC [n=82]. in addition to healthy control group [n=20]. Cirrhotic patients were followed up every 3 months for 15 months and grouped according to Child classification A, B and C HCC patients were grouped according to Okuda classification I. II. Ill. Blood samples were withdrawn and serum samples were separated for estimation of liver function tests, anti HCV. HBsAg. AFP. and AFP-L3. RNA was extracted from whole blood for detection of AlP mRNA. The buffy coat was collected for DNA extraction for detection of methylated p16. Liver function tests were assayed spectrophotometrically while anti-HCV. HBsAg and AFP were assayed by enzyme immunoassay. AFP-L3 was measured by liquid phase binding assay. AFP-mRNA and metholated P16 were measured by RT-PCR. In the present study. anti-HCV was present in 90.2% of cirrhotic group and 93.4% of HCC group while HBsAg was present in 2.4% of cirrhotic group and 3,fl[of HCC group. There were significant increase in AFP. AFP-L3Y and AFP-L3 concentrations in HCC versus controls and cirrhotic groups. ln cirrhotic group 6 cases are AFP-mRNA positive [two cases of Child A and 4 cases of Child C]. On the other hand all cirrhotic groups were negative of methylated p16. in HCC group 10 cases are positive of mRNA [two cases of Okuda 1.6 cases of Okuda II and 2 cases of Okuda Ill] On the other hand 4 cases of Okuda Ill are positive of methylated p16 and had AFF more than 100 ng/ml. Among 51 patients with liver cirrhosis [followed up by periodic examination with ultrasonography and measurement of serum AFP every 3 months 6 patients developed HCC [11.7%]. The sensitivity of AFP-L3 was 64.1% and a specificity 89.2% or a cutoff level of 1.0% . The sensitivity of AFP was 51.8% and the specificity was 88.2% whereas the sensitivity of AFP-L3 concentration was 51.3% and a specificity 100% for a cutoff level of 22.08 ng/ml. The sensitivity of AFP-mRNA and p16 methylation were 41.6% and 16.6% while the specificity were 75% and 100%, respectively. In HCC group there were significant positive correlations between AFP-L3 concentration and AFP, and AFP-L3% . AFP-L3% had higher sensitivity and specificity than AFP. Thus both markers must be done simultaneously. The detection of methylated p16 had the lowest sensitivity and highest specificity. AFPmRNA and methylated p16 in the blood of HCC patients were significantly correlated with elevated AFP

Some observations on golucosylated hemoglobin in chronic renal failure and the influence of hemodialysis

Glucosylated Hb is a model of non enzymatic postsynthetic protein modification proportionate with blood glucose level. Its role in uremia is however unclear. Moreover, the effect of uremia on Hb glucosylation was shown to be more complicated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to clarify the reflection of uremia on glucosylated Hb level. The material of this study included 30 patients with CRF and CRF diabetics besides 5 non uremic diabetics and 10 healthy controls. Glucosylated Hb was assayed in all subjects and was reported after in uremic cases. We concluded that the level of glucosylated Hb has been significantly reduced in CRF which could be due to shortened red cell survival while in CRF diabetics it was higher due to their high blood glucose. More over, hemodialysis resulted in elevation of glucosylated Hb due to the proved red cell survival. A positive correlation has been revealed between glucosylated Hb and serum creatinne, a finding that may aid in diagnosis and follow up of CRF particularly in doubtful cases

Assessment of serum iron, TIBC and serum ferritin in end stage renal disease and the effect of hemodialysis

Because of the variability in the pathogenesis of anemia in CRF and the accepted usage of iron supplmentation, we attempted to evaluate the importance of blood indices, serum iron and serum ferritin in such conditions as serum ferritin is generally considered as the best indirect index of body iron stores. This work included 52 uremic patients besides 6 control subjects. The patients were grouped into predialysis and dialysis groups.The later were further subdivided into 3 subgroups according to the duration of dialysis. Biochemical tests, complete hemogram including erythrocyte indices, serum iron, TIBC and serum ferritin had been carried out for all subjects. All uremic patientsúirrespective of dialysis were suffering from microcytic hypochromic anemia with marked iron deficiency and low serum ferritin. There was a statigtically insignificant change of iron status in dialysis groups irrespective the variable duration of dialysis. We came to the conclusion that evaluation of serum ferritin is essential to assess the body iron stores and to evaluate the indication of iron supplementation in CRF and [dialysis patients because the hematological indices alone can not point to the actual iron stores. Reevaluation of the adequacy of hemodialysis procedure can be garanteed with the improvement of iron parameters. Moreover, iron supplementation in CRF should be cautiously used after investigating the iron status in such patients. An extension of this work could be suggested to investigate the erythrocyte ferritin, bone marrow iron in CRF and a trial to use RHuEpo in those patients