Detection and partial sequence identification of grapevine leafroll-associated virus-1 in Egypt

Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 [GLRaV-1] was detected in the grapevine plants collected from different cultivated areas in Egypt and tested using different serological and molecular tools. Double-antibody sandwich ELISA [DAS-ELISA] was successfully carried out using GLRaV-1 polyclonal antibodies to detect infected plants. PCR with primers designed at the heat shock protein 70 [HSP70] gene region, a fragment of 271 bp of GLRaV-1, was used. Molecular hybridization with non-radioactive probes was used to detect the presence of virus particles. The partial sequence of HSP70 fragment from the Egyptian isolate of GLRaV-1 was performed and showed high identity [95%] with the Australian isolate of GLRaV-1 sequence. The molecular methods used for viral diagnosis showed a higher sensitivity in the detection of GLRaV-1 compared to DAS-ELISA. These procedures may serve as an alternative method for GLRaV-1 detection, due to the weak sensitivity of ELISA test to differentiate between the different isolates

Occupational dermatoses in Sharkia Governorate an epidemiological study

With industrialization and increased use of new chemical compounds, occupational dermatoses constitute the largest percentage of all work related illness. The aim of this study was to assess the problem of occupational dermatoses in Sharkia Governorate. Six hundred and seventy five workers were included in the study, 160 of whom were in the floor tile plants, 225 in an oil and soap factory and 290 in the road paving station. Complete history taking and dermatological examination were carried out and workers in the floor tile plants were patch tested to test sensitivity to different allergens. We have noticed that the prevalence of occupational dermaloses was about 23.3% ranging from 9.3% in the road paving stations to 63.1% in floor tile plants. The most prevalent type noticed was callosities and the commonest site was the hands. Young age, long duration of exposure, low level of education, fair skin and poor personal hygiene were associated with occupational dermatoses. Finally patch test results confirmed the association of chromium hypersensitivity and contact dermatitis

state of serum insulin in maturity onset diabetes and study of the mode of action of sulfonylurea drugs

The state of serum insulin and its fractions [Free and bound] in maturity onset diabetes and its role in the pathophysiology of insulin resistance as well as the mode of action of sulfonylurea in current use especially tolbutamide and glibenclamide was studied Several groups of diabetics were investigated including those responsive and unresponsive to sulfonylurea drugs as well as those resistant and non resistant and lastly newly diagnosed diabetics. It was found that free insulin had greater influence than total insulin upon the coincident concentration of plasma glucose in diabetic responsive to sulfonylurea after I.V. injection of tolbutamide. No change in the percentage free/total was revealed after the injection of both drugs, although individual significant increase of free immunoreactive insulin was observed. Maturity onset diabetes could presumably be considered as autoimmune disease, this was due to the presence of anti-insulin antibodies bound to insulin in newly diagnosed diabetics who have never been treated with insulin

Macro-and micromorphology of ipomoea carnea jacq growing in Egypt - Part I: leaf and flower

A study of the macro and micromorphological characters of the leaf and flower of Ipomoea carnea Jacq. is given in both entire and powdered forms. Several plants belonging to the family Convolvulaceae proved to be useful as purgative drugs. Ipomoea carnea Jacq. is a perennial erect shrub, indigenous to Belgium and was introduced to Egypt for ornamental purpose. Nothing was found in the current literature dealing with both cheminal and botanical studies of the plant. So, it was found of interest to carry out the botanical study especially after the chemical investigation of the resin contents of the plant was carried out by one of the authors