Effect of sublethal concentration of solanum nigrum on transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase of biomphalria Arabica, in Saudi Arabia

Schistosomes have a complex lifecycle with freshwater intermediate host snails. The snail host represents the weakest point in the lifecycle of parasite. Biomphalaria arabica is intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni in Saudi Arabia. In this work, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases [AST and ALT] and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] were measured in the tissue homogenate and haemolymph of B. arabica. Besides, the effect of sublethal concentrations [LC25] of dry powdered Solatium nigrum leaf was tested as plant molluscicide against B. arabica. The studied enzymes were altered in molluscicide-treated snails compared to control. AST and ALT were slightly affected but LDH was the most significantly altered enzyme. The role of the biochemical manipulation in affecting host-parasite relationship was discussed

Evaluation of cytokines in pleural fluid for the differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy

To test reliability of interferon gamma [IFN-gamma] as a diagnostic marker for tuberculous pleurisy. In this study, interleukin-8 [IL-8], tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha] and interferon gamma [IFN-gamma] were therefore compared with adenosine deaminase [ADA] in oxidative pleural effusion of inflammatory, malignant and tuberculous origin to determine their diagnostic value and whether either or all of them could be helpful in the differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion. Setting: Medical Biochemistry and Internal Medicine Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University Subjects: This study included 11 patients with inflammatory, 13 patients with malignant, and 15 patients with tuberculous effusion matched for age and sex. Main outcome measures: Pleural fluid levels of IL-8, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and ADA. Pleural fluid levels of ADA, IL-8, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in the tuberculous group were significantly higher than in the malignant group. Also the levels of pleural fluid ADA, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in the tuberculous group were significantly higher than in the inflammatory group. Analysis of receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curves, to evaluate the utility of the various parameters, demonstrates values for the area under the curve [AUC] of 0.702, 0.897, 0.927, and 0.987, respectively for IL-8, TNF-alpha, ADA, and IFN-gamma. The sensitivity and specificity with IFN-gamma were 93% and 100%,respectively, which were superior to those for ADA [sensitivity: 80% and specificity: 91%], TNF-alpha [sensitivity: 86% and specificity: 91%] and IL-8 [sensitivity: 46% and specificity: 72%]. Conclusions: Levels of the pleural fluid cytokines examined in this study were higher in the tuberculous than in the two other groups. Our data suggested that IFN-gamma being shown to be especially very reliable, is a non -invasive and useful marker for diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy, with clear advantages over ADA

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of some thieno [2,3-d] pyrimidinone derivatives

3-amino-2,5,6-trimethylthieno [2,3-d]-pyrimidin-4[3H]-one [1] was reacted with anhydrides, isatins, isothiocyanates and isocyanates to obtain the pyrimidinone derivatives 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Cyclization of 3-N'-substituted-thioureas 4 with chloroacetyl chloride, substituted phenacyl bromides and malonic acid furnished thiazolidinones 5, thiazolines 6 and thioxopynmidin-4,6-dione 7, respectively. Representative members of these compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity. It has been reported that some thieno [2,3-d] pyrimidinone derivatives exhibit anti- inflammatory activity. In addition, certain thiourea, thiazolidinone and thiazoline derivatives are well known as biological agents including anti-inflammatory action

Serum melatonin rhythms and prolactin levels in workers exposed to electeomagnetic fields around high voltage electric power lines

One of the more contentious issues in the scientific community today is that of the biological effects of electromagnetic fields [EMFs] and whether or not they adversely affect our health. Many authors studied the effect of EMFs on melatonin and prolactin serum levels. Our results revealed a significant reduction of serum melatonin levels and an increase in prolactin secretion in workers exposed to EMFs around high voltage power lines. A significant correlation was detected between the reduction in serial measurements of melatonin levels and the strength of electric fields, while no such correlation was detected concerning prolactin level. Although negative correlation was found between serial melatonin levels and duration of exposure, yet it was not significant. Previous studies reported that reduction of melatonin increases cell vulnerability to alteration by carcinogenic agents. Concerning prolactin, no such correlation was detected. We recommended periodic screening tests for early detection of cancer in high risk workers

Observations on the use of Durban as a molluscicide on some biochemical processes in biomphalaria alexandrina snails

The effect of Dursban as a molluscicide on the enzymatic activities of lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and glucose-6-phosphatase [G-6-pase] in addition to its effect on total proteins and free fatty acids in tissue homogenate of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails were determined. The compound had a slight effect on the previously mentioned items at both 0.5 and 3 ppm concentrations, turned to significantly inhibition when 6 ppm concentration was added. The Dursban effect and its molluscicidal activity is discussed in details

Synthesis and screening for analgesic activity of certain 1,3-diketone derivatives

Claisen condensation of p-bromoacetophenone and p-hydroxyacetophenone with ethyl acetate afforded 1-aryl-1,3-butanediones [1]. Cyclization of 1 with hydrazine hydrate gave the pyrazole derivatives [3]. Acylation of 3 with acid chlorides produced the acyl derivatives [4]. The reaction of 1-[4-hydroxyphenyl] 1,3-butanedione with certain aromatic amines yielded 1-aryl-3-substituted amino-2-buten-1-one derivatives [5]. Furthermore, refluxing 1 with aromatic aldehydes afforded the styrene derivatives [6] or [7] according to the reaction conditions. Pharmacological screening has revealed that some of these derivatives showed slight analgesic activity