Legumes diversity in the south bank of Nahr Ibrahim river in Lebanon

The target of studying biodiversity in the south bank of Nahr-Ibrahim valley was to study models for the rehabilitation of degraded areas, with an emphasis on the diversity of wild legumes. In an altitudinal transect, the rock substrate was limestone mostly, with a few sites on basalt. Habitats were found to be mostly oak dominated open forests. All sites on limestone were highly diverse, with Shannon index reaching 3.691. The high level of heterogeneity characterizes the relatively undisturbed sites of native vegetation. Vegetation on basalt was less diverse than on limestone. Thirty species of legumes belonging to 15 genera were identified, 23 species were annual and 7 perennial. Most dominant legume species were herbaceous, except for Calicotome villosa an abundant shrub. Legumes diversity was positively linked to the number of species, the Shannon index and the coverage by the herbaceous layer. A significant association was found between Tamus, Hordeum, Dactylocteneum, Trifolium spp, Calicotome villosa, Styrax officinalis and Quercus calliprinos. This could serve as a model for future combination of potentially useful plant species

Age related changes of renal lithium clearance: a measure of sodium and water delivery from the proximal tubules

In order to assess the effect of age on renal tubular activity and its consequences in medical and therapeutic evaluation, 20 elderly healthy persons were studied [their ages above 60 years], and 10 young subjects [their ages 20-40 years] as control. The three main parameters on which this study depended were ammonium chloride tolerance test to detect the acidification capacity, maximum diluting capacity for the integrity of the distal tubules, lithium clearance and fractional excretion of lithium as a marker of sodium and water delivery from the proximal tubules. The power of the kidneys to excrete acid load to dilute urine were significantly decreased in the elderly group. The elderly kidneys could maintain their homeostasis under normal basal condition, but in the presence of acid challenge they could not achieve the changes occurred in the young ones. Lithium clearance and fractional lithium excretion were significantly increased with age, this denotes a diminution in the tubular function as the age progress. The lithium clearance being a noninvasive method for measuring the delivery of tubular fluid from the proximal straight tubules, this makes it possible to study the various factors which influence the delivery from the proximal tubules in the aged and provide a useful information about their kidney function in health and disease

immunological basis for altered function and structure of jejunal mucosa in old age

This work included nine subjects aged between 60 and 70 years [group 1], 11 subjects above 70 years [group 2] and 10 subjects between 25 and 35 years. All of them were healthy and free of symptoms and signs of gastrointestinal disorders. They were subjected to immunohistochemical, histopathological and butter fat test meal studies. The results showed that the reciprocal titers of IgA, IgM, IgG and Cc3 were insignificantly higher in group 1 than in the control group. The corresponding values of group 2 senescent were also higher than those of the controls, but the difference was significant as regards IgG and Cc3. The mean reciprocal titers of both IgM and Cc3 in the elderly of group 1 with impaired fat test meal were significantly higher than the corresponding titers in those with normal test. While in group 2, the values of IgA, IgM and Cc3 were significantly higher in subjects with abnormal fat absorption than those with normal test. The work showed also that five subjects of group 2 had villus atrophy and that these subjects showed raised mean reciprocal titers of IgA, IgG, IgM and Cc3 higher than in subjects with normal villi. In the same time, four out of these five subjects showed abnormal fat test meal. This proved that in the elderly, there is a positive correlation between immunologic changes and both alteration in structure and impaired function of jejunum

effect of copper intrauterine devices on the level of serum immunoglobulins IgG and IgM

The effect of copper intrauterine devices [Cu IUD] on the level of Serum IgG and IgM was studied in 22 Cu IUD users. The results were compared with those obtained from 11 non contraceptive users, they showed that there is no significant changes in the level of both serum IgG and IgM in Cu IUD users compared with the control group

relation between serum magnesium level and ischaemic heart disease

Magnesium is necessary for cardiac hemostasis and its deficiency is capable of producing cardiac disease. In this work patients with a history of angina pectoris, asymptomatic ischemic heart disease and acute myocardial infarction were studied and compared with a control group of 30 healthy volunteers with no previous history of ishemic ECG changes. All patients were subjected to clinical history, physical examination, ECG, estimation of serum magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium. It was found that patients with acute myocardial infarction had the low means serum magnesium level within the first six days after the attack. In this work, seven patients exhibited arhythmias which might be attributed ATP-ase improper function leading to potassium loss from the intracellular space increasing cellular excitability

carboxyhemoglobin in industrial workers and its relation to blood lipids

The effect of carboxyhaemoglobin on blood lipids has been studied among 100 workers exposed to CO either in their working environment or because of being smokers or both, fifty non exposed workers served as controls. Serum cholesterol was found to be higher in the exposed group and it increased with increase in carboxyhaemoglobin level. Also serum betalipoproteins were higher among the exposed group and showed increase with the increase in carboxyhaemoglobin percent. The increased serum cholesterol and betalipoproteins in those exposed to carbon monoxide might lead to coronary atherosclerosis

Plasma and ascitic fluid osmotic pressure in relation to ascites formation

Twenty five schistosomal patients including twenty ascitic and five non ascitic patients have been studied for plasma and ascitic fluid osmotic pressure using the advanced osmometer model 3 L and total proteins were estimated. Ten healthy persons of matched age served as control. We found lower osmotic pressure of plasma in ascitic cases compared to the non ascitic and control group, but we could not find a critical level of osmotic pressure below which ascites occurs

cardiac volume in sickle cell anaemia: clinico radiological study

The heart volume was studied in forty patients with sickle cell anaemia, ten patients with iron deficiency anaemia and twenty healthy persons. The absolute heart volume was estimated radiologically using Jonsell formula, and the relative heart volume was calculated from the AHV and surface area of the body. The heart volume, absolute and relative were higher in sickle cell anaemia compared to the other groups. The cardiac enlargement was attributed to the chronic anaemia. None of the patients showed evidence of corpulmonale, myocardial infarction. This work is a non invasive way for measuring the heart size in sickle cell anaemia

anaemia in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and effect of Hassab's decongestion operation

This study was carried out on thirteen cases of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. Complete blood picture was done, including reticulocytes and Indices. Bone marrow examination for total and differential counts as well as a prussian blue reaction for assessment of iron stores. The same procedures were repeated 8 weeks after Hassab's decongestion operation. We found hypochromic normocytic anaemia in all studied cases. The bone marrow showed a normoblastic hyperplasia mainly involving the early and intermediate normoblasts. The reticulocyte production index was low. The serum iron levels were low. The bone marrow showed erythroid hyperplasia with reduction in M/E ratio. We concluded that the enlarged schistosomal spleen is responsible for the expanded plasma volume with reduction in haematocrit and this will enhance erythropoietic stimulation. Eight weeks after operation there was a significant rise in haemoglobin concentration, there was a significant increase in MCV, MCH and MCHC. The bone marrow showed a significant reduction in the erythroid series with elevation of M/E ratio. It is evident that splenectomy as a part of Hassab's operation resulted in contraction of the plasma volume with a rise in the haematocrit and this is responsible for the reduction of erythropoietic activity