Bioactive compounds; eggs; nutraceuticals; proteins

Traditional methods for soil remediation are often expensive and energy consuming and this has given rise to a new and ecologically safer method known as mycoremediation. A field experiment was carried out at the University of Ilorin Dam site to isolate and identify fungi present in organic amended plots which are capable of remediating heavy metal polluted soil of Asa River. Randomized Complete Block design in split plot arrangement was adopted using two treatments: Poultry Dropping (PD) and Abattoir Effluent (AE) at five levels i.e control, 1.3 t/ha, 2.6 t/ha, 1.3t/ha+NPK120KgN, 2.6t/ha+NPK120KgN for abattoir effluent, and poultry droppings at control, 10t/ha, 15t/ha, 10t/ha+NPK120KgN and 15t/ha+NPK120KgN having three (3) replicates. Soil samples collected before and after planting were analysed for heavy metals (Mn, Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Cr, Cd) using Atomic Adsorption Spectrophotometer. Result obtained showed thatorganic waste are effective in bioremediation of Asa River sediment with abattoir effluent having a reduction of 99.04% and poultry dropping 98.72% of heavy metal concentration in the soil which varied in the order of: Mn>Fe>Pb>Zn>Cu>Co>Ni>Cr>Cd. Result obtained also showed that eleven metal resistant Fungi were identified from abattoir effluent and poultry dropping amended plots i.e Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma viride,Fusarium solani, Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus flavus, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichophyton verrusocum, Fusarium oxysporum, Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus ustus andMicrosporum nanum. Aspergillus niger was observedtohave the highest population (19% in poultry droppings and 19.6% in abattoir effluent).

Analgesic, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of calotropis gigantean L. Latex

The dried latex of Calotropis gigantean L. was tested for its analgesic, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity in mice. The latex significantly and dose dependently inhibited acetic acid induced writhing by 79.13% and 39.4% at 500 and 250 mg/kg body weight, respectively, comparable to diclofenac sodium. The antioxidant activity was determined qualitatively based on the scavenging activity of 1,1-dipheny 1-2-picryl hydrazyl [DPPH] free radical showing the presence of antioxidant principle. In brine shrimp lethality assay the latex was toxic with LC[50] and LC[90] values of 1.7 micro g/ml and 10 micro g/ ml, respectively. These results suggest that latex possess analgesic and antioxidant activities supporting its traditional uses. However, C. gigantea latex should be used with caution as it also showed toxicity, but more experiments are required in its support

Role of lymphadenectomy and its impact on survival in endometrial carcinoma - an institutional experience

Pelvic and para aortic lymph nodes are the common sites of metastasis in endometrial carcinoma. The role of lymphadenectomy is widely discussed in literature with varying results. In this study we did a retrospective analysis of endometrial cancer patients to correlate lymphadenectomy with overall and disease free survival. A retrospective review of 110 patients with carcinoma endometrium who underwent staging laparotomy at our institute during the period 2006-2010. Patients who underwent node dissections were categorized as group I and the rest as group II. Median lymph node count was 10. Grade of the tumor, nodal status and lymphadenectomy were correlated with overall and disease free survival. Lymph node metastasis and grade of tumor are significant predictors of survival. Lymphadenectomy did not show significant survival benefit. It has helped to upstage the disease so that appropriate adjuvant therapy could be planned. A prospective randomized control trial with complete pelvic and para aortic node dissection and uniform adjuvant therapy considering nodal status may help to answer the confusion regarding lymphadenectomy

Complications of Anterior Cervical Fusion using a Low-dose Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2

OBJECTIVE: There are several reports, which documented a high incidence of complications following the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in anterior cervical fusions (ACFs). The objective of this study is to share our experience with low-dose rhBMP-2 in anterior cervical spine. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 197 patients who underwent anterior cervical fusion (ACF) with the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) during 2007-2012. A low-dose rhBMP-2 (0.7mg/level) sponge was placed exclusively within the cage. In 102 patients demineralized bone matrix (DBM) was filled around the BMP sponge. Incidence and severity of dysphagia was determined by 5 points SWAL-QOL scale. RESULTS: Two patients had prolonged hospitalization due to BMP unrelated causes. Following the discharge, 13.2%(n=26) patients developed dysphagia and 8.6%(n=17) patients complained of neck swelling. More than half of the patients (52.9%, n=9) with neck swelling also had associated dysphagia; however, only 2 of these patients necessitated readmission. Both of these patients responded well to the intravenous dexamethasone. The use of DBM did not affect the incidence and severity of complications (p>0.05). Clinico-radiological evidence of fusion was not observed in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: A low-dose rhBMP-2 in ACFs is not without risk. However, the incidence and severity of complications seem to be lower with low-dose BMP placed exclusively inside the cage. Packing DBM putty around the BMP sponge does not affect the safety profile of rhBMP-2 in ACFs.

Acute Toxoplasma gondii infection in children with reactive hyperplasia of the cervical lymph nodes

To determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii [T. gondii] in children with reactive hyperplasia of the cervical lymph nodes. This cross-sectional prospective study was conducted in Khartoum Children Emergency Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan between January 2010 and April 2011. Eighty children with cervical lymphadenopathy were selected using random sampling. Their lymph nodes were aspirated for cytology, and a blood sample was collected from all patients for routine laboratory analysis and T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. Among 80 children with cervical lymphadenopathy, 60 [75%] had non-specific reactive hyperplasia. The seroprevalence of T. gondii among children with cervical lymphadenopathy was 27.5% [n=22], and the seropositivity of acute T. gondii among those with reactive hyperplasia was 36.7% [n=22/60]. Lymph nodes in the T. gondii positive group were mobile and warm [p<0.05]. The clinical features and laboratory tests were insignificant predictors of acute T. gondii infection with reactive hyperplasia of the cervical lymph nodes. The prevalence of acute T. gondii infection is high among children with non-specific reactive hyperplasia of the cervical lymph nodes. Routine laboratory studies are not helpful in the diagnosis of T. gondii infection with reactive hyperplasia of the lymph nodes however, serological studies may be requested prior to invasive procedures

Enumeration and characterization of Aeromonas spp. isolated from milk and some dairy products in Sharkia governorate Egypt

A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of Aeromonas spp. in 75 random samples [25 each of raw cow's milk, local plain yoghurt and Domiati cheese] collected from different dairy shops, supermarket and street peddlers in Diarb Negm and Zagazig cities Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Investigations involved proteolytic and lipolytic activities of isolated Aeromonas spp. and the effect of heat- treatment, acidity, pH and Sodium chloride concentration on prevalence of Aeromonas bacteria. Prevalence of Aeromonas spp. was proved in 32, 44 and 20.0% of examined raw cow's milk, local plain yoghurt and Domiati cheese samples with mean count of 9.8 x10[3], 1.4 x10[5] and 6.9 x10[3]/ml, respectively. Identification of confirmed raw cow's milk isolates revealed that A. trota, A. hydrophila, A. janda and A. caviae were the predominant strains with percentages of 40, 25, 25 and 10.0% respectively. While local plain yoghurt isolates could be identified as A. caviae, A. sobria, A. hydrophila, A. trota and A. schubertii with percentages of 36.4, 22.7, 18.2, 13.6 and 9.1% respectively. Meanwhile identification of 10 confirmed Domiati cheese cultures revealed that the predominant strains were A. hydrophila, A. caviae and A. trota with percentages of 30, 50 and 20% respectively. All laboratory pasteurized milk samples revealed no count and there is marked decrease in the count of Aeromonas spp. as the acidity% of the examined raw cow's milk samples increase. While the count decrease when the pH value of the examined local plain yoghurt samples decrease and the NaCl% of the examined Domiati cheese samples increase. Characterization of isolated Aeromonas strains pointed that 50% of A. hydrophila, 60% of A. caviae, 40% of A. sobria, 53.8% of A. Trota, 100% of A. janda and 50% of A. schubertii were psychrotrophic. A. hydrophila exhibited proteolytic and lipolytic activities at the percentage of 41.7 and 16.7% respectively but in case of A. caviae strains the percentages were 46.7% and 20% respectively and with A. trota were 30.8 and 15.4% respectively. 60% of A. sobria and 100% of A. janda and A. schubertii strains showed proteolytic activity only. The public health importance and economic significance of existing microorganisms as well as the suggestive measures for improving the quality of raw milk and dairy products were discussed

Curative effect of parenteral nutrition and glutamine on post-surgical patients

To evaluate the influence of parenteral nutrition and glutamine on nutritional status and prognosis of surgical critically ill patients. 32 cases were treated by parenteral nutrition plus alanyl-glutamine injection. The differences in liver function, weight and nutritional status were compared between, before and after medication. Patients were either cured or relieved, and no complication including infection appeared. Total protein. Albumin, ferrohemoglobin and weight increased after medication, respectively. The use of parenteral nutrition plus glutamine is beneficial for ameliorating malnutrition and negative nitrogen balance caused by hypermetabolism, inhibiting bacterial translocation, preventing the complication, and increasing healing rate of disease

Clinical utility of interferon-gamma compared to ADA in tuberculous pleural effusion

Tuberculosis [TB], the single most frequent infectious cause of death worldwide, also is a major cause of pleural effusion, which in TB usually has lymphocytic and exudative characteristics. Differential diagnosis between TB and nontuberculous pleural effusion can be sometimes difficult, representing a critically important clinical problem. To evaluate the clinical utility of pleural IFN-gamma level in pleural fluid for diagnosing tuberculous pleuritis. The study was conducted in kasr El-Aini hospital, Cairo University in the period from January 2011 to January 2012. It was carried on 40 patients. The patients included in the study were classified into group I [included 20 cases with tuberculous pleural effusion] and group II [included 20 cases with non tuberculous pleural effusion]. All patients were subjected for complete history taking and clinical examination, chest X-rays PA and lateral views, pleural fluid aspiration and analysis. Our results demonstrate that the pleural fluid concentrations of ADA, INF-gamma in patients with tuberculous pleural effusions are significantly higher than in other effusions. Most importantly, ROC analysis clearly demonstrated ADA to be more sensitive and specific than INF-gamma for diagnosis of tuberculous pleuritis

Diagnostic value of adenosine deaminase in tuberculous and malignant pleural effusion

Tuberculous pleural effusion [TPE] is a common problem for differential diagnosis from malignant effusion [MPE] in epidemic areas of tuberculosis [TB]. Prediction based on adenosine deaminase [ADA] is dependent on age as well as the tuberculosis incidence. To estimate the value of cutoff point of ADA in MPE and TPE and to evaluate its role in differential diagnosis in Egypt a country with high incidence of TB. The study was conducted in Kaser El-Aini Hospital, Cairo University in the period from April 2011 to January 2012. It was carried on 30 patients. We retrospectively analyzed 30 patients with a definitive diagnosis of TPE [n= 19] and MPE [n= 11]. The optimal cutoff value of ADA was determined using the receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve. There was a statistically significant difference according to the levels of pleural fluid ADA between TPE and MPE groups. Confirm that ADA is a very useful parameter for the differential diagnosis of TPE and MPE, specifically in younger with a higher incidence of tuberculosis

Methanolic extract. Hepatoprotective effect of methanolic extract

The aim of this study is to look at the plant based such compounds that are known to have hepatoprotective potential. With above perspective, the study has been planned to see the hepatoprotective potential. To see hepatoprotective effect on the enzyme levels and histopathology. With the help of this study, some new hepatoprotective compound may be discovered which will help in developing an effective medicine. The extract of Melia azedarch's flower was screened for hepato protective effect. Albino rats were administered with carbon tetra chloride [CCI4] for inducing liver damage. The effect of the extract was evaluated by measuring the liver enzyme levels. This observation leads to the conclusion that Melia flower extract possesses hepato protective activity. The hepato protective activity of the methanolic extract was compared with standard Poly herbal formulation named Jigrine CL. In our study, we found the extract of Melia Azedarach [Flowers] has strong hepatoprotective activity

Effects of local low-dose rocuronium on the quality of peribulbar anesthesia for cataract surgery

Peribulbar anesthesia is associated with delayed and/or incomplete orbital akinesia compared with retrobulbar anesthesia. This study examined the effects of adding rocuronium 5 mg to two different concentrations of lidocaine-bupivacaine mixture on onset time of orbital and eyelid akinesia in patients undergoing cataract surgery. In a double-blind study, 90 patients were equally randomized to receive a mixture of 0.5 ml normal saline, 4 ml lidocaine 2%, and 4 ml bupivacaine 0.5% [group I], a mixture of rocuronium 0.5 ml [5 mg], 4 ml lidocaine 2%, and 4 ml bupivacaine 0.5% [group II], or a mixture of rocuronium 0.5 ml [5 mg], 4 ml lidocaine 1%, and 4 ml bupivacaine 0.25% [group III]. Orbital akinesia was assessed on a 0-8 score [0 = no movement, 8 = normal] at 2 min intervals for 10 min. Time to adequate anesthesia was also recorded. Results are presented as mean +/- SD. Ocular movement score decreased during the assessment period in all groups. However, at 2 min after block administration, the score decreased to 4 +/- 2 [95% CI 3,5] in groups II and III compared with 5 +/- 2 [95% CI 4,6] in group I [P<0.01]. Time to adequate condition to begin surgery was 9.8 +/- 2.9 vs. 6.9 +/- 4.1 vs. 7.9 +/- 3.9 min for groups I, II, and III, respectively [P=0.01]. The addition of rocuronium 5 mg to a mixture of lidocaine 2% and bupivacaine 0.5% shortened the onset time of peribulbar anesthesia in patients undergoing cataract surgery without causing adverse effects

Mitochondrial DNA [MTDNA] alterations and dysfunctions in presbyacusis

The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of mitochondrial DNA [mtDNA] alterations and mitochondrial metabolic dysfunctions in patients with presbyacusis, and also to discover correlations between presbyacusis and eventually the degree of hearing loss and mitochondrial damage. Seventy patients with presbyacusis were examined, including forty Egyptian patients and thirty Italian patients. Forty eight normal persons were included as control group, including twenty four Egyptian persons and twenty four Italian persons. No common point mutation; A1555G, A3243G, A7445G were detected in all patients and controls. Haplogroup U was significantly common in patients in comparison to controls. Mutation of antioxidant genes [GSTT1,GSTM1] were significantly detected in only Italian patients in comparison to Italian controls

Patient-reported adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions: a cross-sectional study on malaysian HIV/AIDS patients

This study aimed to explore the adverse drug reactions [ADRs] reported by patients and to identify drug-drug interactions [DDIs] among human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [HIV/AIDS] patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Medication Therapy Adherence Clinic, Hospital Sungai Buloh, an HIV/AIDS referral centre. The patients were randomly selected and were encouraged to describe ADRs caused specifically by any of the prescribed antiretroviral drugs [ARDs]. Sociodemographic characteristics were recorded from the patients' medical records. In addition data on antiretroviral treatment [ART], DDIs and other conventional medication were also documented. A total of 325 randomly selected HIV/AIDS patients with a mean age of 22.94 years participated in the study. The most frequently prescribed ARDs were lamivudine [64.6%], zidovudine [40.6%] and efavirenz [42.5%]. Commonly reported ADRs were fatigue [54.8%], allergic reactions [41.5%], weight loss [41.5%], dry mouth [35.1%] and memory loss [35.1%]. Female [87.8%], non-complementary and alternative medicine [CAM] users [87.3%] and participants below 50 years old [81.1%] were identified as having a higher prevalence of ADRs compared to males [79.6%], CAM users [78.7%] and participants aged 50 years or more [77.5%]. Patient age was found to be significantly associated [p = 0.048] with the ADRs. In addition, a total of 44 cases of DDIs belonging to category D were also found in this study. This study enabled us to identify the most common ADRs and DDIs associated with the use of ART. Safe and effective treatment depends on the healthcare providers' knowledge of the same

Assessment of phytochemical and pharmacological activites of Anisomeles indica leaves

The leaves of Anisomeles indica was tested for its antioxidant, analgesic, and antidiarrhoeal activities in experimental animals. The extract showed the presence of antioxidant principle qualitatively based on the scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl [DPPH] free radical. It showed the presence of antioxidant principle. The extract dose dependently inhibited the acetic acid induced writhing in mice [63.05%, P<0.001 and 37.63% for 500 and 250 mg/kg body weight respectively], the effect was significant comparable to the standard drug Diclofenac Sodium [54.92%, P<0.001] at the dose of 25 mg/kg. The extract of A. indica offered about 1.20 hrs and 3.7 hrs [P<0.001] of the mean latent period for diarrhoeal episode at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight which is comparable to standard drug Loperamide. The results tend to suggest that the leaves might possess analgesic, antioxidant and antidiarrhoeal activities or active constituent[s] responsible for the activities and supported its traditional uses

Assessment of phytochemical and pharmacological activities of Leucas zeylanica [L.] R.Br. [Family: Lamiaceae]

The aim of the present study is to investigate the antioxidant, neuropharmacological, analgesic and antimicrobial activities of the EtOH extract of the whole plant of Leucas zeylanica. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of gums, carbohydrate, reducing sugar, phenols, tannins [gallic acid], cardiac glycosides and saponins. TLC-based antioxidant assay by DPPH free radical revealed positive activity of the extract and in quantitative assay IC[50] value was 62.9 microg/ml. The extract potentiated the phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time in mice in a dose dependent manner. From the study of analgesic activity using the model of acetic acid-induced writhing in mice it was found that the extract exhibited [***p<0.001] writhing inhibition was dose dependent. The extract showed moderate antimicrobial activity

Effects of ferric and chormic salts in physicochemical, surface and catalytic properties of pure and doped Fe[2]O[3]-Cr[2]O[3] system

FERRIC/CHROMIC mixed oxides having the formula 0.85 Fe[2]O[3]: 0.15 Cr[2]O[3] were obtained by thermal decomposition of the mixed hydroxides prepared from mixed nitrate and sulphate solutions using NH[4]OH. Pure mixed hydroxides were heated at 500[degree sign] C. The doped solids were prepared by treating the precipitated hydroxides with different amounts of Li[2] and K[2]O [0.5, 0.75 and 1.5 mol%] followed by calcinations at 500 [degree sign] C. The techniques employed were XRD, N[2]-adsorption and oxidation of CO by O[2] at 200-300 [degree sign] C. The results revealed that pure and doped systems consisted of nanocrystalline phases having crystallite size varying between S-64 nm depending on the nature of ferric and chromic slats used and dopant concentration. Pure mixed solids consisted of a mixture of alpha and gamma-Fe[2]O[3] phase whose crystallite size decreases by increasing the dopant concentrations. K[2]O-doping of the investigated systems resulted in the formation of K[2]FeO[4] together with ferric oxide phases. Li[2]O-doping [0.5 and 0.75 mol%] led to the formation of LiFe[5]O[8] together with gamma-Fe[2]O[3] phase. However, the heavily Li[2]O-doped samples consisted entirely of LiFe[5]O[8]. The S[BET] of pure system prepared from ferric and chromic sulphates measured higher S[BET] values as compared to those prepared from mixed nitrates, whereas K[2]O-doping decreased the S[BET]. On the other hand, Li[2]O-doping exerted a measurable increase in the S[BET]. The increase was however, more pronounced in case of the system prepared by using mixed sulphate solutions. The catalytic activity was higher in case of the catalysts prepared by using mixed nitrates as compared to the catalysts prepared by using mixed nitrates as compared to the catalysts prepared by using mixed sulphate solutions. The doping process led to a progressive significant increase in the catalytic activity. The increase was, however, much more pronounced in case of the catalysts prepared from the mixed sulphates. The maximum increase in the K[200[degree sign] C] value due to doping with 1.5 mol% K[2]O attained 20.8% and 285% for the solids prepared from mixed nitrates and mixed sulphates, respectively. These values measured 27% and 241% in case of the catalysts prepared by using mixed nitrate and mixed sulphate solutions, respectively. The doping process did not affect the mechanism of the catalyzed reaction but increased the concentrations of active sites involved in catalytic reaction without changing their energetic nature

Incidence of hepatitis A virus among hospitalized children's in Cairo

Hepatitis A virus [HAV] is an important cause of acute hepatitis worldwide that can lead to severe illness or even death. It is transmitted by the fecal-oral route through the consumption of contaminated food or water. This study was carried out to determine the incidence of HAV infection among hospitalized children's with acute hepatitis and genotyping of HAV Strains circulating in Greater Cairo. To fulfill the aim of the work, stool samples were collected from 102 hospitalized Children's, ages ranged from 0.5 to 12 years during the period from Dec. 2007 to Nov. 2008. Collected stool samples were submitted to nested RT-PCR for amplification of the VP1/2A region of the HAV genome. The expected fragment sizes of PCR products were 391bp and 244 bp for the first and second round of PCR, respectively. PCR products, of 2nd round of some positive samples, were purified for nucleotide sequence analysis in both directions. Fragments nucleotide sequences were compared to sequences derived from the corresponding HAV genome regions in the Gen Bank. Obtained data showed that HAV RNA prevalence were 82.35% [84/102] among hospitalized children's with acute hepatitis, and the highest HAV RNA was in the age group 3-5 and 9-12, where it reached 88.88% [40/45] and 81.8% [18/22] respectively, and the lowest prevalence rate was 70% [7/10] in the age group 0.5-2. Also, the incidence of HAV RNAwas higher in females 88.1%[37/42], than in males 78.33% [47/60]. Seasonal variation of HAV revealed that the viral incidence was 100% during winter and spring seasons, [25/25] and [17/17], respectively. While it was 85.36% [35/41] and 36.84% [7/19] in summer and autumn, respectively. Sequence analysis of selected fragments showed that all fragments are the same isolate. The phylogenic tree of positive samples confirmed that the isolated virus sequencing was most closely related to Hepatitis A virus isolate Egypt-swS5 deposited in the Gen Bank by accession no. [FJ0100837.2], with 100% of nucleotide identity

Childhood bronchial asthma and quality of life

Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children, which restricts their physical, emotional, and social aspects of life. In North African countries including Egypt, asthma has a major negative impact on the daily activities of asthmatic children. It is approved that the assessment of quality of life [QOL] of asthmatic children is important for enhancing communication between health care providers and patient and it helps in monitoring of treatment. In developing countries, there are not enough data regarding the issue of quality of life especially among asthmatic children. A case control study design, was used to investigate the quality of life among asthmatic children compared to non-asthmatic children at Mansoura city, Dakahlia, Egypt. The study included a total number of 392 children [196 children for each study and control group] who were interviewed at the outpatient clinic of Mansoura Chest Hospital. Socioeconomic level of the children's family was determined based on the scoring system of Fahmy and El- Sherbini. A 5-point likert scale was developed according to the World Health Organization "Measurement of Quality of life in children". The study findings revealed a significant poor level of quality of life in relation to physical domain among the asthmatic children compared to non-asthmatic children. Severity of asthma showed a negative significant correlation with the level of quality of life in relation to the three domains. In conclusion, suffering from bronchial asthma negatively affects the children's quality of life, therefore there is a need special attention to provide information about measures to reduce daily activities restrictions

Apoptosis of peripheral blood cytotoxic T lymphocytes in chronic hepatitis C virus infection: relation to disease severity and response to therapy

More than 80% of HCV-infected individuals develop chronic disease, which can progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. T cell-mediated protection against HCV depends on constantly activated effector CD8+ T cells that control emergence, spread and expansion of the virus. Why these cells fail to contain HCV replication in 70-80% of the individuals who develop persistent viremia is not clear. Fas receptors [APO-1 or CD95] and the Fas ligand system [Fas/FasL] have been implicated in the induction of apoptosis which is related with the pathogenesis of hepatitis C. Was to assess the expression of CD95 [Fas/APO-1] [as an apoptotic marker] on peripheral blood cytotoxic T lymphocytes from patients with chronic HCV infection and to correlate this with disease severity in the liver, response to antiviral therapy and extrahepatic autoimmune manifestations. Thirty patients with evidence of chronic HCV infection and 10 healthy age and sex matched volunteers with negative HCV antibodies sera serving as controls were enrolled into the present study. Our patients were classified into two main groups according to antiviral therapy, Group A: They were 17 patients not receiving treatment and Group B: They were 13 patients who received antiviral therapy for 24 weeks. Group A patients were further subdivided according to the presence or absence of extrahepatic manifestations into two groups: Group I: They were 11 patients not receiving therapy and had no extrahepatic manifestations. Group II: They were 6 patients not receiving therapy and had extrahepatic manifestations. Group I patients were also subdivided according to the necroinflammatory score in liver biopsy into three groups with: Mild, moderate and severe disease activity. They were also subdivided as regard fibrosis stage in liver biopsy into groups with: Moderate and severe fibrosis. Group B patients were further subdivided according to their response to antiviral therapy into: Group III: 6 patients received therapy and were non responders and Group IV: 7 patients received therapy and showed good response. After detailed history taking and thorough clinical examination, the following investigations were done: CBC, AST and ALT, serum cryoglobulins [for patients with extrahepatic disease] and flowcytometric estimation of the percentage of apoptotic peripheral blood cytotoxic T lymphocytes [CD8+CD95+] and non apoptotic cytotoxic T lymphocytes [CD8+ CD95-]. Current liver biopsy was performed in patients of Group I and examined histopathologically. There was highly statistically significant difference between HCV patients and controls as regard ALT, percentage of apoptotic cytotoxic T lymphocytes [CD8+ CD95+] and non apoptotic cytotoxic T lymphocytes [CD8+ CD95-] [p<0.001]. There was statistically significant difference between patients of Group I, II, III, IV and controls in percentage of CD8+CD95+ and CD8+CD95- cells. Comparison between Group I and II revealed non significant difference in percentage of CD8+CD95+ and CD8+CD95- cells or in percentage of CD8-CD95+ cells [apoptotic non cytotoxic T] [p>0.05]. Comparison between Group III and IV revealed statistically significant difference in percentage of CD8+CD95+ and CD8+CD95- cells [p<0.05]. In Group I the percentage of CD8+CD95+ tended to correlate with activity index of liver biopsy but significantly correlated with serum ALT in Group III. In Group II significant positive correlation between percentage of CD8+CD95+ and AST with tendency toward correlation with ALT was found. Also percentage of CD8+CD95+ correlated with purpura and arthritis but not with cryoglobulinemia. Percentage of CD8+CD95+ showed non statistically significant correlation except with serum prothrombin time in group IV. There was increase in the percentage of CD8+CD95+ cells in higher grade of necroin-flamatory activity and in higher stage of fibrosis in liver biopsy in group I. Our findings support the suggestion of major role of peripheral blood CD8+ T cells in elimination of HCV and suggest that cellular immune response plays a key role not only in viral elimination, but also in liver pathology associated with HCV-infection. Monitoring apoptosis of CD8+ T cells by measuring FAS expression is useful in follow-up of antiviral response in these patients. Finally, Fas/FasL pathway is critical in persistent HCV infection in humans and represents a potential target for restoring function of exhausted HCV-specific CTLs

introduction to general methodology for screening of medicinal plants

Screening of plants is essential to explore the presence of novel compounds and to investigate their biological activities. Once the presence of such compounds is suspected, they are generally isolated in order to have material available for further biological and toxicological test[1, 2]. It is a cumbersome, tedious and lengthy process that starts from the selection of suitable plant/s to find out their pure constituents.It involves a continued effort that might last from weeks to years and includes the following steps: 1.Correct identification of the plant with the aid of specialists [botanists]. 2. Collection and drying of the vegetable material; precautions need to be taken to avoid the formation of artifacts. 3. Preparation of extracts using different solvents; analysis of these extracts by different chromatographic methods. 4.Fractionation of the extracts by different preparative chromatographic techniques [column chromatography, centrifugal partition chromatography etc.]. 5. Purity control of the isolated products. 6. Structure elucidation of the constituents by combination of diverse spectroscopic techniques [UV/VIS, IR spectrophotometry, carbon and proton nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction] and chemical techniques [hydrolysis, formation of derivatives, degradation reactions etc.]. 7. Synthesis or semi-synthesis of the natural product. 8. Modification of structure with a view to establish structure-activity relationships. 9. Pharmacological and toxicological testing