Role of HFE gene mutations on developing iron overload in beta thalassaemia carriers in Egypt

A case-control study aimed to determine the prevalence of C282Y, H63D and S65C mutations of the HFE gene in beta thalassaemia carriers and investigate their influence on iron absorption. A total of 41 beta-thalassaemia carriers and 40 control subjects without haemoglobinopathies were screened for the C282Y, H63D and S65C mutations by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism. The iron status in these subjects was studied and correlated with the HFE gene mutations. H63D, S65C and C282Y allele frequencies were 30.5%, 13.4% and 7.3% respectively in [3-thalassaemia carriers and 10.0%, 2.5% and 0.0% respectively in the control group. Compound heterozygosis was found in 10 carriers [24.4%]. The transferrin saturation level was high in compound heterozygote cases. Our study has shown that the HFE gene mutations are common in Egypt among beta-thalassaemia carriers compared with normal controls

Bioavailability and ocular disposition of ketorolac tromethamine from various ophthalmic preparations

Ketorolac tromethamine was formulated in different ophthalmic preparations namely; eye drops, gels, ocuserts and ointments using the following carriers; sodium carboxymethyl cellulose [sod. CMC], polyvinyl alcohol [PVA], hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose [HPMC], absorption base and gelatin. The ophthalmic formulations were prepared containing 0.5% of the drug. All prepared formulae containing the drug were subjected to stability study and release characteristics. Also, the effect of these drug carriers on the uptake and ocular disposition of ketorolac tromethamine by the eye tissues of rabbits [conjunctiva, cornea, iris-ciliary body and aqueous humor] was studied. The obtained results revealed that, the released amounts from the ophthalmic preparations after six hours can be arranged in the following order; Eye drops > ocuserts > gel > ointments. Sod CMC eye drops exhibited the higher rate of release than sod CMC gel, PVA and absorption base ointments. Gelatin ocuserts exhibited the higher rate of release than HPMC ocuserts and carbopol 934 and sod CMC ocuserts. The release rate of the drug from eye drops and PVA ointment obeys first order kinetics, while, other preparations obey Higuchi diffusion model with non-Fickian kinetics. Most formulations [including eye drops] could be stored for 6 months at 25°C, 35°C, 45°C without physical or chemical degradations of the drug. However, PVA and absorption bases showed some changes in the drug content [t[90] was 2.84 months for both at 45°C]. The decomposition rate ofketorolac tromethamine followed the first-order degradation kinetic. The highest stable formulae are, sod CMC eye drops and gel [t[90] values were, 151.9 and 91,18 months, respectively at 45°C]. The highest concentration of the drug [Cmax] from all tested formulations is provided in conjunctiva followed by cornea, iris-ciliary body, then aqueous humor. The peak time for maximum drug concentration [Tmax] from sod CMC eye drops was two hours. While, that for sod CMC gel, PVA ointment and gelatin ocuserts was three hours in all tissues after the application of the tested formulations. In addition, the total availability of the drug from the tested formulations was in the following order: gelatin ocuserts > sod CMC gel > PVA ointment > sod. CMC eye drops

Therapeutic drug monitoring of insulin in Egyptian diabetic patients

The study involved 62 Egyptian diabetic patients who were receiving mixtard insulin HM 100 IU/ml in a dose that achieved euglycemic control. The study revealed that old age, male sex, obesity, cigarette smoking and cardiovascular disorders significantly increase serum insulin level. A linear correlation was shown between serum insulin level and insulin dose, but not with the duration of insulin therapy

Clinico microbiologic study of macerated toe web

[Athlete's foot] has a varied clinical picture. The prevalence of the disease shows wide variation, being influenced by geographical and personal factors. The organisms recovered by various investigators are variable. This represents a clinical, bacteriologic, and mycologic study of macerated toe web, with clinico-microbiologic correlation

clinical survey of pityriasis versicolor and associated seborrheic conditions

Pityriasis versicolor is generally a disease of post pubertal age, when the sebaceous glands are most active. Seborrhoeic manifestations as scalp dandruff, acne, seborrhoeic dermatitis may accompany cases of pityriasis versicolor. They are commonly seen in the same age group and they more or less affect the same localization. This work aims to study to what extent seborrhoeic conditions are present in patients with pityriasis versicolor as compared to a control group of the same age

Skin implications in rheumatoid arthritis

Thirty cases of rheumatoid arthritis were used as a material for this study. Among the skin manifestations in these cases were the subcutaneous nodules in 29.6% of cases and the edema around the ankle and of the feet in 60% of cases. The edema could be attributed to vascular changes in the skin. Clinical silent cutaneous vasculitis were detected in skin sections obtained from the surface of the subcutaneous nodules. Depigmented patches recorded in one case could be due to an autoimmune mechanism. Patchy hyperpigmentation of the skin noticed in 40% of cases, could be an adverse reaction of antimalarial drugs used in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Signs of skin atrophy were detected in 20% of cases and this could be attributed to the ageing process, prolonged steroid therapy and disuse from pain