Alterations of erythrocyte membrane lipids and adenosine triphosphatases in breast cancer patients treated with CMF: a role of antioxidant supplementation

This study was carried out on 20 premenopausal females with breast cancer submitted to modified radical mastectomy, divided into two groups: the first received cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil [CMF] as adjuvant chemotherapy and the second was given antioxidant together with the same dose of CMF for 6 cycles. Ten healthy females were served as controls. The effect of CMF with and without antioxidant supplementation on etythrocyte membrane lipids, [Na[+]/K[+]] and [Ca[2+]-Mg[2+]] adenosine triphosphatases [ATPases] in premenopausal breast cancer patients was tudied. There were significant alterations in erythrocyte membrane lipids including holesterol, phospholipids and fatty acid pattern as well as a significant increase in lipid peroxidation, in CMF-treated breast cancer patients as compared with controls was observed. These results could be explained on the basis of increased hydrolysis of fatty acyl chains of membrane phospholipids induced by increased free radical formation. Regarding the activities of erythrocyte membrane [Na[+]/K[+] and [Ca[2]-Mg[2]]-APases, both were significantly lower in cancer patients after surgery and after CMF treatment as compared with controls. After antioxidant supplementation to CMF-treated breast cancer patients, significant alterations in most of studied parameters, approaching normal values, were observed when compared with those of patients receiving CMF alone. This could be explained on the basis of a reduction in lipid peroxide levels due to the decrease n free radical stress. Accordingly, antioxidant supplementation during treatment with CMF may be of benefit in protection against the toxic effect of CMF and its metabolites among breast cancer patients

Study of some biological markers of stress in nail industry

The aim of this study was to investigate the different biological markers of stress in nail industry. Blood and urine samples were collected from thirty exposed workers and thirty age and sex matched control subjects from the administrative department of the same factory. The total antioxidant activity [Dmax] and lipid peroxidation were analyzed in blood. The level of catecholamines in the urine was also determined. The median level of Dmax was significantly lower in the exposed workers [87.12] compared with that of the controls [115.85]. Also, the level of lipid peroxidation was significantly lower in the exposed workers [44.5] compared with that of the control [74.0]. The median level of urinary catecholamines was significantly higher in the exposed workers [295] compared with that of the controls [37.5]. Attention should be paid to the necessity of the application of the different biological markers of stress in different sectors of industry, especially in nail industry

role of gastrografin in early prediction and management of adhesive small bowel obstruction

In adhesive small bowel obstruction [ASBO], the early recognition of complications and the optimal period of conservative treatment are essential. This study sought to determine whether oral gastrografin followed for 24 hours can be a reliable indicator of the need for operation and whether it has a therapeutic effect in cases of ASBO. Seventy-two patients who suffered from ASBO without clinical evidence of strangulation were randomized into a control group [32 patients], who were treated with conventional methods, and a gastrografin group [40 patients] who were treated with gastrografin administered orally or through the nasogastric tube. Serial plain abdominal X-rays were taken 4, 8, 16, 24 hours later. Subsequent X-rays were cancelled if an earlier X-ray showed gastrografin reaching the colon. The following variables were examined: time to resolution of obstruction, the need for operation, and hospital stay.In the gastrografin group, the contrast material reached the colon within 24 hours in 28 patients [70%]. These patients were all treated successfully with non-operative methods. Contrast medium was not observed in the colon within the 1[st] 24 hours in 12 patients [30%], operation was performed in 10 of these patients. In the control group, 18 patients [56.25%] were treated successfully with non-operative method in the 1[st] 24 hours and 11 patients treated operatively later on. Mean timing of the 1[st] stool was 2.27 days in the control group and 0.81 days in the gastrografin group [p<0.005]. Mean hospital stay for the patients who respond to conservative treatment was 6.25 days and 3.1 days in the control and gastrografin groups respectively [p<0.005]. No gastrografin related complications were observed. Oral gastrografin significantly prompts the resolution of ASBO and shortens hospital stay. All patients with evidence of gastrografin reaching the colon within 24 hours were treated successfully with non-operative methods. Failure of gastrografin to reach the colon within 24 hours is an indication for prompt surgical intervention

Lipid peroxidation and concentrations of reduced glutathione in erythrocytes of workers exposed to diesel engine exhaust

The study was carried out to investigate the effect of diesel engine exhaust inhalation on a total number of 50 male subjects from a bus garage located in Alexandria. The present study showed a significant higher level of lipid peroxidation expressed as malonyldialdehyde [MDA]. The increase in lipid peroxidation was associated with a significant decrease in glutathione [GSH] and an increase in the level of glutathione peroxidase [GSH-PX] activities. Also, the results showed significant changes in the levels of lipid profile of workers exposed to diesel than the control subjects which may lead to inflammation involving damage of the epithelial cells in the airways and alveolar regions of the lung

Yield and N2-fixation of groudnut [arachis hypogaea L.] in response to inoculation with selected bradyrhizobium strains and mycorrhizal fungi

The effect of inoculation with Bradyrhizobium and/or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the presence of super or rock-P on yield and nutrient content was studied in a pot experimentInoculation with Bradyrhizobium [strain 3456] increased undulation and nitrogen content superior to strain 3339, either super or rock-P, was added and at the same time these parameters were higher in case of rock-P than superphosphate application Inoculation with a mixture of the three inoculants decreased the amount of fixed nitrogen comparable to any other inoculation treatmentsThe possibilities of saving more than 50% of the recommended N fertilizer may be achieved Superphosphate could be replaced by rock-P either solely or in combination with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Based on 15N analysis, groundnut derived more nitrogen from air [Ndfa] than from fertilizer [Ndff] or soil [Ndfs]

Auto-immune laboratory tests profile of low frequency syndrome patients

Special form of sensori-neural hearing loss [low frequency syndrome] was studied for autoimmune profile. Routine laboratory tests and antigen nonspecific tests [IgG, IgA, IgM and Clq] were carried out. Detection of autoantibodies [ANA, AMA and ASMA] were also done. There was a striking hyperglobulinemia and detection of autoantibodies. The positive screening tests of an autoimmune profile suggested type II or type III immunologic mechanism of injury

Utilization of sulfaguanidine and sulfanilamide as carbon and/or nitrogen sources by certain penicillium species and its inhibition by propyl paraben [nipagin]

The ability of certain penicillii, isolated from sulfaguanidine spoiled tablets to utilize sulfaguanidine and also sulfanilamide has been investigated. Results showed that sulfaguanidine could be utilized as the only carbon source [but not as the only nitrogen source] when the drug replaced sucrose in Czapek's liquid medium. However, in tablet-fillers liquid medium the drug was utilized as both the carbon and nitrogen sources. Sulfanilamide was only utilized when supplied to tablet fillers liquid medium. In an attempt to eliminate biodeterioration of sulfaganidine by the isolated penicillii, nipagin [propyl paraben was found effective. When this antifungal was applied to the drug tablets and also paper discs, fungal growth was inhibited as shown by Czapek's agar plate assay

Biodeterioration of sulfaguanidine in visually spoiled tablets by penicillium species

The work aims to evaluate the potential role of microorganisms in deteriorating sulfaguanidine tablets already found spoiled as shown by their change in colour. Attempts to isolate microbes resulted in the isolation of three Perdcillium isolates. The role of these isolates in utilizing sulfaguaninine and certain other sulfa compounds supplied to Czapek's liquid medium was attempted. Criteria were mycelial dry weight [mg/100 ml culture and mg/gm sucrose consumed], sulfa consumption and sucrose consumption each in mg/100 ml culture. It was found that sulfaguanidine could be utilized by the isolated penicillii when supplied to Czapek's liquid medium, but not sulfanilamide and the sodium salts of sulfadimidine and sulfacetamide. Utilization of sulfa compounds in the literature by fungi has not been recorded. This gives value for the work it this paper