Comparative study between marsh salt and salines salt from physical and chemical aspect

This study was conducted to evaluate the hygienic quality of the salt obtained from marshes [El-sayahat] and that from salines .The salt produced from saline was much better than that from marshes for the following reasons. March salt had inferior taste and colour quality compared with saline salt. The sodium chloride content in marsh salt reached up to 73%, while that from salines reached up to 97%. The iron content in march salt reached up to 2.270 ppm while that from salines reached up to 0.004 ppm. The copper content reached up to 1.385 ppm in salt produced from marsh while it was 0.292 ppm from salines. The cadmium content in marsh salt reached up to 0.135 ppm while it was 0.001ppm in salts from salines. The lead content in marsh salt reached up to 1.200 ppm while it was 0.001 in salt from salines. Sulfur pesticides residues in marshes salt ranged from 0.41 to 3.3 mg/kg. The authors recommended that mass media should educate the public about the deleterious effect of salt produced from marches on human health and legal actions have to be under taken against those who still produce salt from marshes

Prevention of preterm labor: a prospective comparative study between ritrodine Vs magnesium sulphate

To determine the best method of active management of preterm labour with intact membranes comparing ritodrine vs magnesium sulphate. Prospective clinical trial. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. Sixty women with threatened preterm labore and intact membranes were divided to two group; Group 1: 30 women received ritodrine and Group 2:30 patients received magnesium sulphate. Close monitoring for the mother and fetus during treatment was performed. When successful tocolysis was achieved, patients were transferred from the casuality unit to the antenatal care unit to be put under observation. Ritodrine delayed delivery for 48 hours in 80% of the patients. Several complications were noted with ritodrine. Tachycardia occurred in 18 patients, dyspnea occurred in 4 patients and the drug was discontinued in 2 patients after consultation of the cardiologist to avoid pulmonary oedema.Fetal tachycardia occurred in 4 patients, magnesium sulphate delayed delivery for 48 hours in 73% of the cases. Complications were less frequent with magnesium sulphate, two patients developed tachycardia, 2 patients complained of headache and 3 patients complained of dyspnea. Magnesium sulphate is tolerated better than ritodrine with similar effectiveness

Non-invasive assessment of peripheral arterial disease in asymptomatic diabetic patients: Whom should we screen?

Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This condition increases the risk of developing coronary, cerebrovascular and peripheral arterial disease [PAD] up to 4 fold. It has been reported that more than half of those with PAD are asymptomatic or have atypical symptoms. Peripheral arterial disease [PAD] increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, amputation and death, hence early identification and treatment are crucial. The aim of this work was to assess the value of non invasive imaging using echo-doppler technique to detect peripheral arterial disease in diabetic and non-diabetic Egyptians. This study was conducted on forty patients admitted to Cardiology Department, Alexandria University suffering from anginal chest pain for evaluation of their chest pain, they were divided into two groups - Twenty diabetics suffering from type II diabetes, and twenty non diabetics. The two groups are matched as regard age and sex, there is significant increase in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, carotid intimal thickness in diabetic group there is marked increase in Carfem index in diabetic group but with no significant difference in ankle brachial index. As regards coronary angiography, most of diabetic patients [85%] are suffering from multi-vessels coronary artery disease. Non invasive measurements of atherosclerosis [Carotid and Carfem index] are of significant evidence in diabetic patients. Carfem index is a major predictor of coronary artery in diabetic patients. The ankle brachial pressure index was less sensistive than intimal and medial thickness of carotid and femoral arteries in the detection of early stages of atherosclerosis

Evaluation of protein efficiency in three types of bread and possible contamination of some heavy metals

Wheat in the form of bread is by far the most common cereal product consumed. The present study aimed to detennine the protein and crude fiber in white, balady and Tortilla bread [tortilla bread made of corn only] and to evaluate their content of heavy metal, and study contamination with cadmium and lead. Biological evaluation and protein efficiency ratio [PER] values were evaluated. Results showed that the weight gained in rats after the consumption of white bread was lower significantly that after the feeding on the other types of bread. On the other hand, the weight gained in rats after the consumption of Tortilla bread was higher significantly than after the consumption of white and balady bread [14.04, P< 0.05]. As well as, cadmium and lead in balady bread were higher than other breads and the levels of cadmium and lead in Egypt were higher than levels reported in other countries

Microbial contamination and levels of heavy metals in packaged and loose varieties of some herbs sold in the markets

Sixty samples of six different herbs were collected from several markets in Cairo. They were subjected to microbiological analysis. It revealed that most of the loose varieties have worse microbiological quality than packaged except in case of coliform count in chamomile where both varieties revealed similar values [1500 MPN/g]. And in case of Aerobic Mesophilic Count of peppermint, packaged varieties revealed non significantly higher count [l.0xl0[5] compared to 3.9xl0[4] CFU/g in loose peppermint]. Among the thirty loose herbs samples, only a caraway sample was complying with Egyptian Standards regarding Aerobic Mesophilic Count; while seventeen out of the thirty packaged samples [56.6%] were complying with the standard. Despite contamination of all loose herbs varieties with both coliforms and fecal coliforms, the packaged varieties were contaminated only with coliforms and none of them were contaminated with fecal coliforms. Although coagulase positive Staphylococci were detected in all loose herbs varieties none of the packaged varieties were contaminated. All loose herbs varieties were contaminated with mold and yeast, counts were much higher than those encountered in the packaged varieties. Analysis of heavy metals revealed that all loose herbs samples showed significantly higher contamination with arsenic, lead and mercury levels than packaged varieties except in case of mercury in caraway. Heavy metals contents of both packaged and loose peppermint were complying with the Egyptian Standards. Moisture contents of loose herbs were significantly higher than that of the corresponding packaged varieties of the same herb except in case of anise where the difference was not statistically significant, moreover, packaged and loose varieties of cinnamon showed similar mean moisture content [9.0%]. Loose varieties showed significantly higher ash contents than that in the packaged varieties except in tilio. Moreover, packaged and loose chamomile showed more or less similar ash values [9.09 and 9.03%; respectively]. Moisture and ash levels of most samples of both packaged and loose varieties were complying with the Egyptian Standards

Handling of infant milk formulas and it impact on their microbiological quality during bottle feeding

Fifty mothers with their infants were interviewed at the National Nutrition Institute, Cairo to assess their handling practices of infant formulae during bottle feeding. The majority of the interviewed mothers [96%] started to bottle feed their infants during the first six months after delivery, moreover, more than half of them [52%] blamed milk insufficiency for starting the bottle feeding. Half of infants of the interviewed mothers were attacked 1-5 times with gastrointestinal disturbances during the period of bottle feeding. Microbiological analysis of 100 samples of infant milk formulas collected from the markets revealed their compliance with the Egyptian Standards. Unfortunately, the microbiological quality of infant formulas worsens during their home preparation where the mean aerobic mesophilic, Staphylococci as well as mold and yeast counts increased from<100 CFU/g in those collected from the markets to reach 2.6x10[4], 3.9 x10[2] and 2.9 x10[4] CFU/ml; respectively. Completing a pre-designed questionnaire showed that most of the interviewed mothers [72%] used to wash their children bottles using hot water, whereas only three mothers [6%] used to properly wash the bottles [using detergent then rinsing and washing with hot water]. Prepared formulas collected from the bottles of infants whose mothers were used to wash bottles properly had better microbiological quality than those washing with either tap water or hot water alone. Prepared formulae collected from those used to store them between feedings at room temperature [62% of the interviewed mothers] had a worse microbiological quality than those used to prepare formulas for one feeding or store in the refrigerator. Forty percent of the interviewed mothers were used to reheat leftover prepared formulas by adding hot water. Prepared formulae collected from these mothers had a worse microbiological quality than those belonging to mothers who used not to reheat. Education of mothers in food safety principles, especially for weaning foods, must receive high priority from the responsible authorities and concerned organizations

Antimicrobial effect of some Egyptian plants

Twenty eight crude water extracts of four Egyptian plants: Hibiscus sabdariffa [Karkade], Tamarindus indica [Tamarind], Glycyrrhiza glabra [Liquorice] and Ceratonia siliqua [Carob], were tested for their antibacterial activities against 10 common pathogenic bacteria, Bacillus cereus, Shigella flexenary and Escherichia coli showed sensitivity to the 28 extracts, Shigella sp. showed sensitivity to 24 extracts while Pseudomonas sp. and Salmonella typhimurium were sensitive to 23 extracts. Salmonella paratyphi and Aerobacter aerogenes showed sensitivity to 22 extracts, Serratia marcesence and Aeromonas hydrophila showed sensitivity to 20 extracts. Karkade exhibited marked antibacterial activity against all the 10 organisms. E. coli and Shigella flexenary had no observed sensitivity to Liquorice extracts. Aerobacter aerogenes was the only one which had no observed sensitivity to Tamarind extracts. All the extracts of Carob were effective against only two pathogens: Bacillus cereus and Shigella flexenary. The results support the traditional uses of extracts of these plants for the management of bacterial infections and for the development of antibacterial agents for the preservation of foods

Clinical evaluation of coronary vasculitis, rheumatoid disease and interleukine-2 interrelationship

Systemic vasculitis complicating rheumatoid disease has a reported mortality rate up to 30%. It has been demonstrated at necropasy studies that vasculitis in rheumatoid disease can also, affect coronary arteries mostly of the smaller muscular type. Twenty patients with rheumatoid disease [RD] below the age of 35 years presented with typical or atypical anginal pain. Other coronary risk factors were excluded such as: hypertension, obesity smoking, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and hyperuricemia. Twenty healthy controls of matched age and sex were included, both patients and controls were subjected to resting ECG, Echo-Doppler, dobutamine-thallium moyocardial perfusion SPECT studies and serum interleukin-2 [IL-2] assay, to determine the proper evaluation of coronary artery affection and to search for another new risk factors. Resting ECG was normal except sinus tachycardia in 20% of cases. Echo-Doppler study revealed normal findings except mitral incompetence grade I in 20% and diastolic dysfunction in 15% of cases. Dobutamine stress ECG test was normal in 18 rheumatoid patients [90%] and positive ischemic changes in two patients [10%]. Myocardial perfusion study with thallium 201 [SPECT] was positive in nine cases [45%] and negative in eleven cases [55%]. All patients with chest pain, positive pharmacological stress test and/or positive thallium-201 myocardial perfusion, showed cutaneous vascular affection, high level of Rose Waaler titres for rheumatoid factor as well as a high level of serum IL-2. Also, there was a positive correlation between positive thallium study and rheumatoid activity. The study of thallium perfusion in rheumatoid patients had revealed a high incidence of coronary affection due to coronary vasculitis. High Rose Waaler titer for rheumatoid factor as well as high IL-2 in the present study appear to be a new risk factor for coronary vasculitis in rheumatoid patients

Hydrolysis of Jerusalem artichoke polyfructans by kluveromyces fragilis ATCC 5391 extracellular inulinase.

The yeast Kluyveromyces fragilis ATCC 5391 was tested for the production of the extracellular inulinase [fructan fructanohydrolase [E.C.3.2.1.7]] in batch system. Maximum enzyme production was achieved after 48h of growth at 30° in medium contained 2% inulin and 0.25% yeast extract at pH 5.0. Presence of acetate buffer [0.05M, pH 4-5] in the reaction mixture maximized inulinase activity. The enzyme [2.4 units/mL] successluly hydrolysed Jerusalem artichoke tubers extract [90%hydrolysis] and pure inulin [69% hydrolysis] in 5 h, each

Oxygen free radical and nitric oxide production in single or combined human schistosomiasis and fascioliasis

The levels of superoxide [O-2] and nitric oxide [NO] production by monocytes have been measured in 15 patients with S. Mansoni, 15 patients with Fasciola and 6 patients with combined infection as well as in control group [15]. The levels of both radicals were significantly higher in all patient groups than in the control group, indicating that these radicals may have a role in the immunity against such infections. Patients with chronic fascioliasis showed lower level of O-2 and NO than those with schistosomiasis. This may be due to the lodging of the mature Fasciola spp. away from the immune system and subsequently decreased amount of antigens reaching the circulation. In combined infection, the levels of these products were at the highest value, due to increased antigenic stimulation and cross reactivity between the 2 parasites which may have lead to augmented immune response

Interleukin-8 [IL-8] production by activated neutrophils in rheumatoid disease

lnterleukin-8 [IL-8] produced by neutrophils was estimated before and after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide [LPS] in four groups of subjects:-a- 12 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, b-8 patients with juvenile chronic arthritis [JCA], c-12 patients with osteoarthritis [OA] and d- 12 healthy controls. Neurorphil IL-8 production without stimulation by exogenous mitogen was significantly higher in different groups of patients than in the control group. The contrary was detected when neutrophils were stimulated by LPS. On the other hand, significantly higher levels of IL-8 were produced by neutrophils [with or without stimulation] from patients with active RA than from active JCA and OA. This may suggest that the higher levels of IL-8 released from neutrophils may be, at least in part, responsible for the different behaviour of RA with respect to JCA and OA. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role [if any] played by IL-8 in the pathogenesis of OA

Major histocompatibility complex antigens class II in childhood nephrotic syndrome

HLA class II antigens [DR, DQ] were studied in 24 nephrotic children using the microlymphotoxicity method. Twelve patients were steroid sensitive, and the other 12 were steroid resistant Renal biopsy was done in all the steroid resistant cases. HLA-DQ4 antigen was significantly higher among all nephrotic children [33% vs. 8% in controls, X[2c]= 3.97, P<0.05], relative risk was 5.5 [P<0.05] and etiologic fraction was 0.27. In the steroid sensitive group, HLA-DQ2 antigen was 75% vs. 33% in controls [X[2c]= 5.08, P<0.05]. The relative risk was significant and indicates that patients having DQ2 are 6 times more likely to respond to steroid therapy than those without the antigen. In the steroid resistant group, frequencies of HLA-DR9, DR12 and DR14 were increased, pointing to linkage of these antigens and resistance to steroid therapy. HLA-DR12 was 33% in patients vs. 4% in controls, [X[2c] = 4.21, P<0.05]. The relative risk of DR12 was 11.5 indicating that nephrotic patients having DR12 antigen are 11.5 times more liable to be steroid resistant. Our results support the important role of HLA antigens in the pathogenesis of NS, and shed light on the importance of HLA markers as prognostic factors in childhood nephrotic syndrome

Defective monocyte phagocytic function as a possible genetic marker for heumatic susceptibility

The activity of the monocyte phagocytic system in children with rheumatic heart disease [RHD], their parents, their normal siblings and in nonrheumatic families was investigated. Phagocytic activity of isolated monocytes was assessed using luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. The count per minute of emitted light was measured before and after stimulation with zymosan solution. The results indicate that one-third of the siblings of children with RHD were genetically free while two-thirds, as well as the parents, were heterozygous, and that children with RHD were homozygous for [a] mutant gene[s] responsible for the defective function of the monocyte phagocytic system. The findings are strongly suggestive of autosomal recessive inheritance

Degenerative joint disease: a new cartilage marker

The aim of the present study was to quantity COMP level in serum of patients with newly developed and late OA in attempt to the prognostic value of its serum measurement as a new cartilage marker. The study was carried out on thirty patients with OA diagnosed according to ARA criteria subdivided into 2 groups [IA and IB] representing early and late OA, and twenty healthy normal individuals as controls [II]. group IA, IB and II were subject to clinical evaluation, routine investigations and determination of serum Ca, phosphorus. uric acid, RF, and X-ray of the affected joints. COMP level estimation in serum was done to all patients and controls Serum concentration of COMP ranged from 1.53-2.1 microg/ml, 2.18-2.65 microg/ml, and -2.65 3.02 microg/ml in the control group, group IA and IB respectively. COMP serum levels is significantly increased in GIA and IB than control [p < 0001]. Also, the comparison is significant between IA and IB patients [p < 0.001] For uric acid, Ca, and phosphorus no difference could be demonstrated between IA and IB. Serum level of COMP is significantly higher in late OA, than early cases, yet both groups are higher than control. The determination of serum COMP may be tried as indicative of therapy in OA cases especially when using chondroprotective therapeutic agents

Interleukin-2 production and expression of interleukin-2 receptor by activated peripheral blood T-lymphocytes in hodgkin's disease

Patients with Hodgkin's disease [HD] often show. T-cell dysfunction irrespective of the stage and grade of the disease. This study investigated the relationship between peripheral blood lymphocytic interleukin-2 [IL-2] production and IL-2 receptor [IL-2R] expression and the clinical stage and pathological type of the disease before and after treatment in patients with Hodgkin's disease. Interleukin-2 production and IL-2R expression were estimated in total of 20 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma and 15 apparently healthy individuals of matched age and sex. The patients group was selected to represent the various clinical stages and the different pathological types. There was a statistically significant decrease in IL-2 production [P<0.001] and IL-2R expression [P <0.001] after stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin [PHA] in untreated Hodgkin's lymphoma patients regardless of their clinical stage or pathological type as compared to the normal control group. There were significant decrease in the IL-2R expression and IL-2 production in patients with late clinical stages [III and IV] and pathological types [mixed cellularity and lymphocytic depletion] than in patients with early clinical stages [I and II] and pathological types [lymphocytic predominance and nodular sclerosis]. This may be due to expansion of the malignant cell clones and reduction in normal T cell mass. The improvement in the expression of IL-2R and the production of IL-2 after effective treatment suggests a regression in the mass of malignant cell clones with replacement of normal cell clones. The detection of IL-2 production and IL-2R expression in HD seems to be of some value in clinical management and monitoring of individual patients

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha [TNF] in human toxoplasmosis

Twenty-eight female patients [12 of them had obstetric troubles] and 17 healthy controls were the subjects in this work. According to IHA test and detection of IgM antibodies, three groups of patients were defined: group [I], patients with acute infection; group [II], patients with chronic infection and had high antibody titer and group [III], patients with chronic infections and had low antibody tine. Sera from patients as well as controls were tested for their level of immunologically reactive TNP-alpha using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. TNF-alpha levels in the sera of patients were significantly higher as compared to the healthy control group. Acute infection was associated with the highest levels of TNP- alpha, indicating that it may play a role in the pathogenesis of acute infection. In chronic infection, the level of TNF-alpha was correlated with IHA antibody titer, suggesting that antibodies against T. gondii may participate in TNF-alpha production

Response of cortisol and cytokines to lower abdominal surgery a comparative study between general anaesthesia and epidural analgesia

Thirty patients were allocated randomly to one of two groups according to the types of anesthesia, group I received general anesthesia and group II received epidural analgesia. Venous blood samples were collected from each patient before induction of anesthesia and 20 minutes after the start of surgery for the determination of serum interleukin-1, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor, ceruloplasmin, C-reactive protein and cortisol levels. Lower abdominal surgical maneuvers resulted in increase in the level of the parameters tested, the only exception was cortisol which was refractory to change under epidural. All increases in the epidural group were significantly less than that in general anesthesia group. The results of this study showed that the complete afferent neuronal blockade achieved by regional analgesia for surgery of lower abdomen leads to suppression of the cortisol response to surgery and this many influence the value of cytokines studied

Study of some gut hormones in different gall bladder disorders in diabetics and non-diabetic patients

In a trial to explore the aetiopathogensis of gall bladder disorder in diabetics, two hormones [somatostatin and gastrin] with opposed actions on gall bladder [GB] in motility were assessed. Fifty eight subjects were included 36 diabetics [G[1]] [12 with normal GB [G[1A]], 12 with biliary dyskinesia [G[1B]], 12 with gall stone disease [G[1C]] 12 non diabetic with gall stone disease [G[2]], 10 healthy controls [G[3]]. They were subjected to clinical study, routine laboratory investigations, measurement of glycosylated haemoglobin and fasting serum gastrin, plasma somatostatin, sonographic assessment of GB kinetics and morphology, body mass index [BMI] determination. Serum gastrin level was significantly elevated among the studied groups compared to those of controls with the highest value in G[1C]. Plasma somatostatin level was significantly elevated in diabetics insignificantly did so in non-diabetics with gall stone disease Glycosylated haemoglobin was significantly elevated in diabetics [G[1B] > G[1C] > G[1A]]. Diabetics, non diabetics with GB disorders showed a significant reduction in GB ejection fraction. [G[1C] < G[1B] < G[2]] and a significant elevation in BMI[G[1C] = G[1B] > G[2]]. We concluded that the elevated level of the inhibitory hormone somatostatin in diabetics might participate in the pathogenesis of GB disorders. Elevated level of the weak GB contractility stimulant hormone gastrin seemed to be an ineffective compensatory response

Reactions of di-and tri-hydric phenolic drugs with trioxalato ferrate [III] reagent and their analysis in aqueous media

Simple rapid and reliable spectrophotometric procedures were adopted for microdetermination of catechol, dopamine hydrochloride [drug] and pyrogallol using trioxalatoferrate [III] complex [A] as a coloring reagent via formation of colored mixed ligand chelates with these phenolic drugs. A series of experiments were performed covering a wide range of concentration of the abovementioned drugs in the suitable conditions. The standard deviation was calculated and found to be 0.1 to 1.22. The obtained results indicated the successful application of complex [A] as selective indicator for microdetermination of dopamine in its pharmaceutical ampules and total catecholamines in urine samples of some tumor Egyptian patients

Diet and pancreas

The effect of low protein diet on pancreatic function was investigated in two experimental groups of weaning male Sprague-Dawley rats, 30 each. They were followed for 3 months and were fed ad libitum diets containing 20% and 50% casein for the control and low-protein groups, respectively. Ten rats from each group were sacrificed every month and pancreatic weights were measured. Histological and histochemical changes together with enzymatic pattern of pancreases were investigated. Low-protein fed group showed a reduction in absolute pancreatic weights all over the periods of the experiment. Acini of the pancreas of this group showed a diminution in size, loss of their tight packing inside lobules as well as poor staining of the nuclei and cytoplasm of acinar cells. Both acinar and islet cells of the same group showed a decrease in total protein, RNA contents and alkaline phosphatase activity, while acid phosphatase activity increased. Also, degranulation of islet cells cytoplasm was detected. These changes pointed to hypofunction of exocrine and endocrine portions of pancreas in malnourished rats