Hepatitis C virus genotype distribution in Egyptian diabetic patients: a preliminary study

There is controversy regarding whether a specific hepatitis C virus [HCV] genotype is associated with diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to investigate HCV genotype distribution in diabetics and its relation to some clinical and laboratory variables in HCV-positive diabetic versus non-diabetic Egyptians in East Delta. The study included 100 HCV-positive patients of which 66 were diabetic in addition to 35 healthy adults as a control group. Clinical assessment, laboratory measurements of plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, C-reactive protein [CRP], tumour necrosis Factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] and liver functions [alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and gamma-glutamyltransferase [GGT]] as well as HCV genotype determination were done, and AST/platelet ratio index [APRI] and Homoeostasis Model of Assessment-Insulin Resistance [HOMA-IR] were calculated. The main results were the presence of HCV genotype 3, in 31.8% of the diabetic group and in 26.5% of the non-diabetic group, while the remainder of cases had genotype 4, the predominant genotype in Egypt. This is the first report of the presence of HCV genotype 3 in about 30% of an Egyptian cohort. However, there was no significant difference in genotype distribution between both groups. Further, there were significantly higher values of HOMA-IR, insulin and C-peptide in HCV-positive groups in comparison to the control group, while TNF-alpha was significantly higher in the HCV-positive diabetic group. However, there were no significant differences between both genotypes regarding these parameters. Although this study reveals for the first time the presence of HCV genotype 3 in a significant percentage of a group of Egyptian patients, where the majority were diabetic, the association between diabetes and certain HCV genotypes could not be confirmed on the basis of our findings. Hence, taking into consideration the impact of such a finding on the treatment decisions of those patients, further studies are warranted to explore these findings to a greater extent

Transmission patterns of enterobacteriaceae as secondary infection from different diseases

The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of bacteria [Enterobacteriaceae] as secondary infection and also to prevent secondary infection through hospitalization of primary infections. Stools were collected for this study since they are most available in hospitals. They were collected with sterile containers from fifty patients suffering from different diseases after their second visit to hospitals for quite number of them to screen the predominant types of Enterobacteriaceae found in the stool sample collected. The samples [stools] were inoculated in macConkey agar plates using sterile loop. Plates were inspected for growth after 24 hours of aerobic incubation at 37°C. All the clinical isolates were subjected to identification procedures based on cultural, microscopical examination and biochemical tests. The result showed Escherichia coli was highest number of isolates 48% followed by Proteus mirabilis with 16% and Salmonella typhi and Shigella dysenteriae the lowest number of isolates with 4%

Detection of Antibodies against hepatitis C virus in serum from Sudanese aborted women

This study was carried out to identify hepatitis type C in aborted women in Khartoum state. Eighty two [82] samples of blood serum of aborted women at last month of delivery were collected from Maternity Hospital, located at Omdurman, Khartoum state, during November and December 2009. Samples were collected in sterile containers and then transported to be diagnosed in the laboratory. Samples were preserved in refrigerator at -4c before use. The samples were checked to detect the Anti IgG for hepatitis C in serum of aborted women by using ELISA test. The test showed that one of these samples is positive [0.82%] and the rest of the 81 samples were negative. The study remarked that frequency of hepatitis C is rather low in Khartoum state among aborted women

Modeling and simulation of EEG signals for diagnosis of epilepsy

AR [autoregressive modeling] and ARMA [autoregressive moving average modeling] are very popular in modeling processes, in the present work they were used to simulate the EEG [brain activity] to investigate which of them is better for simulating the brain activity. Two groups were investigated; control group and Epileptic group [patients suffer from brain disorder and convulsions], it was found that AR model is efficient to simulate the brain activity, because of its stability and its coefficients of variation fluctuate in a limited range. ARMA model showed higher values for the calculated variation coefficient of model parameter. The coefficient of variation was reached 182% for 80% of the model coefficients. This variation was obvious over the studied time intervals. In addition, ARMA model needs more time of computation, therefore AR model is preferred to simulate the brain activity

Interactions of metoclopramide and ciprofloxacin on electrocardiographic indices in anesthetized normal and hyperthermic rats

The combination of metoclopramide [MCP] and ciprofloxacin [CPX] is not uncommon in clinical practice, as nausea and vomiting are well known during febrile illness. Some reports in the literature have linked both MCP and CPX to serious cardiac adverse effects including QT prolongation and cardiac arrests. In this study we examined the effect of the combination between MCP and CPX on the ECG parameters and serum potassium in normothermic and hyperthermic rats. Thiopental-anesthetized rats were injected i.v. with MCP [0.2 mg/kg] and/or CPX [20 mg/kg] after induction of hyperthermia by intracerebroventricular administration of PGE 2 [0.4-micro g/kg]. ECG recordings were done every 10 min during 90-min duration. Plasma potassium was measured at 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80-min. Small doses of MCP and CPX changed ECG indices in statistically significant manner at normal and elevated body temperatures. MCP produced early bradycardia and prolongation of PR interval although it was less pronounced during hyperthermia possibly due to increased sympathetic nerve discharge. It also produced slight increase in QT interval [-4 ms] in normo- and hyperthermia. On the other hand, CPX caused non-significant effects on HR and conduction velocity but prolonged the QT interval by -4.3 ms during normo- and hyperthermia. Combination of MCP and CPX did not affect the influence of MCP alone on the HR or conduction velocity while it exaggerated their individual effects on the QT and QTc prolongation. This interaction was not affected by hyperthermia. the combination of MCP and CPX should be avoided as it may lead to serious QT prolongation while hyperthermia is not considered a dangerous threat for this interaction

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, captopril and lisinopril, on collagen synthesis by cultured rat liver cells

Several studies have documented the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors [ACEI] as antifibrogenic and antiproliferative in different tissues in vivo and in vitro but unfortunately non of them has investigated this effect on collagen synthesis by individual liver cells. In this study we focused on the in vitro effect of two ACEI with different pharmacologic properties, captopril and lisinopril, on the synthesis of types I and III collagens by individual liver cells, since these types of collagens are the most abundant ECM molecules both in normal and fibrotic liver. Rat liver cells were isolated, separated according to cell types through density gradient centrifugation in percoll then cultured as separate clones for 24 hours. Types I and III collagens secretion was measured by gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE] and computer analysis of their alpha chains after purification from cell culture media. Both captopril and lisinopril significantly reduced types I and III collagens by cultured hepatocytes [HC], liver endothelial cells [EC], and hepatic stellate cells [HSC] with more prominent action for captopril than lisinopril. The present study document the inhibitory effect of ACEI on types I and III collagen synthesis by liver cell sub-population in vitro by a mechanism independent on the systemic angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and possibly through a mechanism involving a local renin-angiotensin system or interference with intracellular events involved in collagen synthesis

Study of the effects of L-dopa on some chemical transmitters in CNS in normal and liver diseased animals

The influence of intraperitoneal administration of L-dopa on brain chemical transmitters and liver function tests was investigated in rats with paracitamol induced hepatic necrosis. It was found that L-dopa produced a significant increase in the level of norepinephrine and a significant decrease in the level of epinephrine and serotonin. On the other hand, L-dopa did not improve the histopathological picture of the liver and the liver function tests of the diseased animals. These data indicate that the improvement in the clinical picture of hepatic coma by injection of levodopa could be explained by its effect on the neuro-hormonal transmitters and not due to direct action on the liver

Effect on interaction between clonidine and calcium channel blockers on vascular smooth muscles

The 2 alpha receptor triggered vasoconstriction appears to be largely dependent upon the influx of extracellular calcium ions. This study was conducted to study the interaction between calcium channel blockers [nifedipine and isradipine] and clonidine.Mongrel dogs were used to study this interaction on the blood pressure nifedipine and isradipine attenuated the effect of clonidine on the blood pressure. When dogs were subjected to bleeding, it was found that nifedipine and isradipine also attenuated the effect of clonidine on the blood pressure of dogs.Using Abino rat hind quarter preparations, it was found that nifedipine and isradipine produced significant increase in the vascular outflow rate. The effect of isradipine was more significant than that of nifedipine. Clonidine non- significantly decreased the vascular outflow rate nifedipine and isradipine significantly attenuated the vasoconstrictor response to clonidine and this should be taken in consideration if a subject under nifedipine or isradipine treatment needs alpha 2-stimulants for treatment of emergency hypotensive states

Natural honey as potential diuretic, [experimental study]

In this study the potential diuretic effect of honey was investigated in anaesthatized dogs and compared to hydrochlorothiazide as a standard diuretic drug. Intravenous administration of honey 1 gm/k gm in a 40% dilution in normal saline produced significant augmentation of volume of urine output, urine sodium, chloride and to less extent potassium excretion. The increase in cation excretion is covered with commonsurate increase of chloride ion i.e. chloride ions appears to be the main attending anion. The diuretic effect of honey starts immediately after administration and reaches maximum after 20 to 40 minutes. The pattern of diuretic effect of honey as well as the magnitude of this effect, compare favourably with the response to hydrochlorothiazide [2.5 mg/kgm I.V]. However, honey has the advantage that it produces less kaliuresis. Measurement of serum concentration of sodium, chloride and potassium following administration of honey or hydrochlorothiazide revealed that concentrations of these ions are not altered except the potassium concentration which shows mild hypokalaemia in dogs treated with hydrochlorothiazide. A mixture of glucose-fructose - sucrose - maltose [GFSM] in the same proportions as they are found in honey was tested in a group of dogs in a dose of 1 gm/kgm i.e. equal to the o dose of natural honey, this mixture failed to produce any diuretic effect. Such finding could suggest that the diuretic effect of honey is not attributed to its sugar content. Although the various mechanisms of action or the site of the diuretic effect at the nephron have not been elucidated, this is the first study which provides a controlled scientific evidence for the potential diuretic effect of honey. These preliminary results suggest that honey may be used clinically as a safe diuretic. However, further investigations are required to explore the mechanism [s] of this property and fully to ascertain it's clinical potential

Morphine-diazepam combination, analgesic and sedative effects in rats

This study was performed on rats to evaluate the effect of morphine-diazepam combination upon analgesia and sedation. Analgesia was assessed by Analgesy-meter and hot plate tests, while sedation was assessed by the activity cage test. Four groups of rats each of six were studied in each of the previously mentioned tests. One group received saline and rendred as control, while other groups received diazepam 0.5 mg/kg, morphine 1 mg/kg and diazepam-morphine combination intraperitoneally [I.P.]. Doses determined according to a pilot study. Analgesy meter and hot plate tests revealed that diazepam-morphine analgesic potential was inferior to morphine analgesia. Actively cage test revealed that the sedative effect of diazepam was potentiated by morphine

Assessment of the anti-inflammatory action of some drugs

The aim of the present work was a study of the acute toxicity, the anti-inflammatory activity as the analgesic potency of salicylates, oxyphenbutazone, hydrocortisone and propranolol The L.D[50] was found to be 300 mg/kg., 460 mg/kg., 750 mg/kg. and 36 mg/kg respectively. All tested drugs induced a significant anti-inflammatory activity sod. Salicylate was the most potent, while propranolol was the least effective one. Sod. salicylate, hydrocortisone and oxyphenbutazone exerted a significant analgesic activity following the hot plate method, but by using the tail compression test only sod. salicylate exerted analgesic activity

Comparative toxicological study of some antibilharzial drugs

The data obtained in this work could be summarized as follows: 1. The LD 50 of tartar emetic was 49/kg, it produced a significant reduction of haemoglobin content and haematocrite value. It was the most toxic drug to the heart and lungs. Pharmacological studies showed that it produced direct depression on the isolated rabbits, heart, a perasympathomimetic effect manifested on isolated rabbits, intestine and blood pressure of anaesthetized dogs. 2. The LD 50 of astiban was 290 mg/kg. The results of subacute toxicity tests were similar to those obtained with tartar emetic but it was devoid of any toxic effect on heart. Pharmacological studies showed that it produced parasyupathomimetic effect on isolated rabbit's heart. 3. LD 50 of Hycanthone was 57 mg/ kg. No effect on the blood picture of rats was observed it was more toxic to the liver. It produced direct cardiac inhibition on the isolated rabbit's hearts, parasympathomimetic effect on the isolated rabbit's intestine and blood pressure of dog. 4. LD 50 of niridazole was 990 mg/ kg. The results of subacute toxicity tests were similar to those obtained with hycanthone. It is more toxic to brain it produced direct cardiac inhibition on the rabbit's heart and hypotension in dog