Intersexual variation in tail length, venom composition, toxicity, and anticancer activity of cerastes cerastes [viperidae]

Background: The medically important desert-horned or Egyptian sand viper [Cerastes cerastes] is one of the most familiar snakes of the great deserts of North Africa and the Middle East. It is a poisonous and widely distributed snake in Africa and inhabits the sandy deserts of Egypt. Male and female specimens of C. cerastes have been compared from different aspects

Results: Morphologically, tail length relative to snout-vent length was compared. Males significantly showed longer tails than do females. From the venom aspect, males showed a significant [p<0.005] higher concentration of protein in the venom [133mg/ml] compared to females [106 mg/ml]. Female venom was significantly more toxic than male, with a median lethal dose [LD[50]] in mice of 0.6microg venom protein/gm body weight whereas LD[50] for males was 0.7 microg/gm. Protein analyses by means of electrophoretic technique revealed differences in venom composition between males and females. We have detected individual variability and highlighted sex-specific protein similarities and differences among snake venoms. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed protein bands of 42 and 39 kDa specific to male venoms while bands of 46 and 44 kDa are specific to female venoms. Moreover, we evaluated the antitumor efficacy of male and female snake venoms in liver [HEPG-2], breast [MCF-7], colon [HTC-116] and normal cell lines and IC50 was calculated. Interestingly, both male and female venoms had anti proliferative effects on the tumor cell lines with different potency. Female venom had a higher cytotoxicity against colon cells [IC[50]=0.006 microg/ml] than male venom [IC[50]= 0.019microg /ml]. In contrast, male venom had a higher cytotoxicity against breast cells [IC[50]=0.005 microg/ml] than female venom [IC[50]=0.024microg /ml]. These results indicate that males and females of C. cerastes produce venoms with different composition and activity, which may have epidemiological implications

Human leukocyte antigen DRB1 and the response to pegylated interferon/ribavirin therapy with chronic hepatitis C in children

Background: Egypt has the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection in the world [15%-25%] and the main [90%] genotype is type 4. Prevalence in Egyptian children was found to be 3% in Upper Egypt and 9% in Lower Egypt. Various human leucocytic antigen [HLA] alleles have been linked either persistence or clearance of the hepatitis C virus [HCV]. Several studies have aimed to identify the involvement of HLA with different outcomes of HCV infection, but the results have not been consistent

Aim of the work: To identify HLA association with different outcomes as regard treatment of chronic HCV [CHC] in Egyptian children with pegylated interferon-alpha2b [Peg-IFN-alpha-2b] and ribavirin [RBV]

Patients and methods: Forty clinically and laboratorial children diagnosed as CHC genotype 4 [ages 3-18 years, 14 females and 26 males]. Patients were treated using Peg-IFN-alpha 2b [Peg Intron] at a dosage of 60 ug/m[2] per week subsutaneously and RBV 15 mg/kg per day orally for 48 weeks. Serum HCV ribonucleic acid [RNA] was measured at the baseline, at the 12[th], 24[th] and 48[th] weeks during treatment, and after 24 weeks of post-treatment [study weeks 72]. Sustained virologic responders [SVR] were defined as patient with undetectable HCV-RNA in the serum at 24 weeks post-treatment, while non-responders defined as HCV-RNA remains detectable throughout the treatment phase. Genomic DNA was extracted from 1 ml peripheral blood in tubes containing EDTA. HLA typing was performed by polymerase chain reaction followed by detection using sequence-specific oligonucleotides probes

Results: Twenty-nine out of forty patients [72.5%] showed a sustained virological responders to Peg-IFN/RBV therapy, whereas eleven [27.5%] non-responders did not. The frequencies of DRB1[asterisk]11 was significantly higher in sustained virological responders than non-responders. On the other hand, DRB1[asterisk] 07 allele was significantly higher in non-responders than SVR. We also found that no statistically significant difference between SVR and non-responders as regards the demographic, laboratory and liver histopathology characteristics of patients

Conclusion: There is a trend of association between certain HLA alleles and the response to Peg-IFN/RBV in HCV infected children and a study on large number of patients to confirm this association is worthy

Allogenic hepatocyte transplantation inimmunomodulated lewis rats with acute liver insufficiency following hepatectomy

Orthotropic Liver transplantation [OLT] is a conventional management for end-stage acute or chronic liver insufficiency, but the shortage of donor organs continues to be the restrictive factor throughout the world. Hepatocyte transplantation [HCTx] might be the promising treatment for several liver diseases and can be used as a [bridge] to OLT. Hepatocytes transplantation can protect and even save human lives, its' applicability remains limited by the large deficiency of liver organs and hepatocytes [HC], and cellular loss after engraftment. Host elimination of grafted cells is called Early Graft Dysfunction. This study was developed for an efficient protocol of HCT. Several conditions have been met in order to achieve a high yield of harvested viable HC, overcome the detached-cell apoptosis, attenuation of innate immune reaction against transplanted cells and a receptive cell environment. HC were isolated from Lewis rats [n=8] weighing 250gm, by the 2 step collagen a seper fusion technique, and bone marrow cells [BMCs] were obtained from the rats tibia and femur by centrifugation in a buffer solution. The mean viability of harvested HC and BMCs were 90% and 95% respectively. To minimize the rejection of HC, Lewis rat recipients [n=14] weighing 250gm, were ir- -radiated with 6 Gy and received 0.1 mg of anti-aisle GM1 antiserum intravenously as im-munosuppressive drug. The isolated HC were intra-splenically transplanted and 107 bone marrow cells were injected in a penile vein into the recipients on the third day. Simultaneously, 70% hepatectomy and ligation of common bile duct were done. Thirty days later; the grafted spleen had areas with external appearance of a normal liver in ten out of 14surviving rats [71%]. Hematoxlin and eosin [H and E] staining of sections from these fragments showed sinusoids and portal areas, an evidence of successful hepatocyte engraftment and bile canaliculea formation. Large number of HC clusters of 15 to 20 cells and 2 to 4 distended small bile canaliculea were seen per50 HC. The intrasplenic route for transplanting freshly isolated HC in an immune-compromised animal model was found to give good results regarding cell engraftment and tissue formation

[Cost price estimation of radiology services in Shafa Hospital, Kerman, 2010]

Activity Based Costing is widely used as a cost measurement instrument to more closely approximate the true cost of operations. This study was aimed to estimate radiology services total cost in Shafa hospital, Kerman. This practical research was done by descriptive method in a Cross-sectional and retrospective form during year 2010. Data was collected trough direct observation, interviews and information sheets of hospital. Cost price of radiology services calculated by using activity based costing method and Excell software. Personnel cost involved 55.70% from total costs in the radiology department that is the highest share of department costs. Consuming materials obtained 7/57% of department costs. Nutrition cost's share was 1/23%. Water, electricity and telephone costs were/32% from total cost. Also, the depreciation cost equals 14/96% of total costs. Total cost in this ward was 1396273212 Rials from which 97/68% is related to direct costs and 2/32% to indirect costs. The results of research indicated that we can reduce the services cost price by improving performance management, especially human resource management initiatives and standardization of consumptions to reduce the consuming materials coat

DNA vaccination using schistosoma mansoni fimbrin gene on naive and infected praziquantel-treated mice

DNA immunization represents a promising vaccine strategy that has been reasonably successful, and will likely play a greater role in vaccine research development against Schistosoma mansoni [S. mansoni]. S. mansoni fimbrin [Smfim] gene which encodes a putative actin bundling tegumental and immunogenic protein has been cloned into the eukaiyotic expression vector pcDNAI/Amp and used for intra-muscular DNA vaccination of Swiss albino mice. Two experimental models were used to study its role on protection against S. mansoni infection in naive mice [model 1] and to explore its effect on infected praziquantel [PZQ]-treated mice [model 2] using different immunological, parasitological and histopathological parameters. In the first model, Smfim-vaccinated mice showed high anti-Smfim IgG titer and acquired a significant protection [43.2%; p< 0.01] with reduction of ova count in both hepatic and intestinal tissues [59.2% and 5 1.1% respectively, p< 0.01], significant reduction of granuloma count [24.1%; p< 0.01] and granuloma diameter [18.3%

Repeat analysis program in radiology departments in Mazandaran province-Iran. Impact on population radiation dose

The rejected films in radiography may be responsible for an unnecessary increase in the radiation dose to the population. The effective dose to population is a very important factor in estimation of stochastic risk in radiology. The main goal of this study was to determine the effective dose to members of the public due to rejected films in diagnostic radiology departments in the Northern Province Mazandaran- of Iran. A repeat analysis program was set in all radiology departments in Mazandaran province [population = 2976219 person] to determine the total number and type of rejected films. All repeat and discarded films were collected and separated into types according to the etiology leading to their being discarded. Considering technical data about various radiological procedures and using the standard dosimetry tables, the annual effective dose per caput as well as annual gonadal dose per caput due to image retake was estimated. The total number of rejected radiographs in one year period was 73857 [overall reject rate tilde 11.15%] which led to 34.91 micro Sv and 37.17 micro Gy as annual average effective dose to a member of the public and annual average gonadal dose per caput respectively. The main reason of retaking the images was improper exposure factors. The reject rate was in the middle range of similar values in other studies; whereas in the present study the main reason for rejection was improper exposure factors [67.11%], the main reason for radiography repeat film was different in various countries. Comparing to the estimated 2.4 mSv from natural background radiation, the average annual effective dose and annual average gonadal dose per caput due to repeat/retake films are negligible. However, reducing the reject films is economically rewarding. Further national studies are suggested

role of DMSA scan in detection of renal cortical scaring in children with urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection [UTI] is one of the most common bacterial diseases in children, it may cause renal scars, which can lead to hypertension and renal failure. Diagnostic imaging is therefore important to detect children with scaring. Dimercaptosuccinic Acid [DMSA] is clearly more sensitive than routine renal ultrasonography or even intravenous urography for detecting renal scaring, but newer high-resolution ultrasonography is almost as sensitive as DMSA in diagnosing acute renal involvement A total number of 100 children with UTI were included in this study, their ages ranged from 2 to 12 years [35 boys, 65 girls]. They were selected from nephrology clinic and out patient clinic of pediatrics department of EL-Minia University hospital. They were divided into 2 groups depending on their ages: Group I: It included 44 patients, their ages ranged from 2 to 6 years, Group II: It included 56 patients, their ages ranged from [6-12 years], The patients were selected depending up on the presence of suggestive symptoms and signs of upper and lower UTI and positive urine culture. All patients were subjected to a thorough history taking, full clinical examination and laboratory investigations [urine analysis, urine culture, kidney function, ASOT, C-reactive protein and blood picture]. Radiologic investigation in the form of abdominal ultrasonography and DMSA scanning were done. The present study revealed that the total incidence of renal cortical scarring and diffuse photon defect [unilateral and bilateral] was 9% and 27% respectively for all patients with urinary tract infection i.e. abnormal DMSA scintigraphy represent 36%. Furthermore, there were significantly more children with abnormal DMSA and DMSA scarring among those who had upper urinary tract infection compared with those with lower urinary tract infection. DMSA scan is more reliable method than ultrasonography in detection of renal cortical scaring in cases of UTI. The clinician should be free to recommend a DMSA scan in a child with a history suggestive of acute pyelonephritis, or in cases of frequent recurrences of UTI

Range of motion in ocular implants following enucleation: hydroxyapatite vs porous polyethylene [medpor]

To compare the range of motion of hydroxyapatite [HA] and porous polyethylene [Medpor] ocular implants in enucleated eyes. This comparative study was performed on records of 34 patients who underwent unilateral enucleation and implantation of hydroxyapatite [13 cases] or Medpor [21 cases]. The two groups were compared regarding age, gender, cause of enucleation, laterality, and movement. Patients were male in 55.9%. Mean age of patients was 29.7 year [1-61 years]. The most common cause of enucleation was trauma [55.9%] and the most common complication was mucopurulent discharge [14.7%]. There was no case of extrusion, migration or exposure. Moderate to good motility was achieved in 89.3% of patients in the Medpor group and 86.6% in the HA group. There was no statistically difference between the two group regarding upward movement [P=0.68], downward movement [P=0.62], adduction [P=0.17] and abduction [P=0.65]. Medpor and hydroxyapatite ocular implants are comparable regarding range of motion

Recurrence of lacrimal gland pleomorphic Adenoma [Two case report with review of literature]

In cases with lacrimal gland mixed tumor preoperative delicate clinical and radiological diagnosis lead to proper surgical approach. Incomplete resection of lacrimal gland mixed tumor may be complicated by severe tumor recurrence with the risk of malignant transformation. In this case report, we present 39 years old man with history of transcranial excision of lacrimal gland tumor. Six months before admission progressive proptosis and infer medial displacement of right globe [approximately 3 cm] has been developed. Soft tissue hypertrophy of eyelids and corneal leukoma developed due to the chronic progressive course of proptosis with chronic corneal exposure. The other case also was a 38-year-old man with significant proptosis and history of two time lacrimal gland tumor excision, one from trans cranial approach. The surgical procedure was performed in both cases through anterolateral orbitotomy without bone removal and the whole lesions were removed with pseudo capsule. The vision of the first patient improved from hand motion preoperatively to one meter finger count after surgery, and there was no recurrence in both cases 6 months postoperatively. In general, regarding risk of malignant degeneration and recurrence after incomplete excision or incisional biopsy of lacrimal gland mixed tumor, it is strongly recommended to perform complete excision with psudocapsule in the first surgery

Study of the susceptibility of Biomphalaria alexandrina collected from five different localities in Egypt to infection with local strain of Schistosoma mansoni

Biomphalaria Alexandrina snails were collected from five different localities, and their progenies through successive generations, were compared with respect to their susceptibility to infection with the local strain of Schistosoma mansoni. There was difference in the susceptibility between snails from different localities and this susceptibility increased through the successive generations. Progenies from negative parents were less susceptible and the resistance increased through negative generation whereas those from positive parents were more susceptible and the susceptibility increased through the positive generations. Results from studying the inheritance of susceptibility among progenies, produced individually from the same snail demonstrated some snails with great diversity of genetic pattern of susceptibility among progenies. Some snails presented with progenies testing 0% susceptibility and others with progenies testing 100% susceptibility. These snails could be the beginning of true breeding refractory or susceptible stocks. Field snails and their progenies have been reared individually to reproduce only with self-fertilization. Several morphologidal differences in pigmentation have appeared which would be useful in the genetic studies on B. Alexandrina

Electrophoretic analysis of acid phosphatase in Biomphalaria alexandrina and its relation to susceptibility to Schistosoma mansoni infection

Enzyme electrophoresis of extracts prepared from snails collected from five different localities in Egypt and their progenies through the successive generations, were stained for acid phosphatase [ACP], exhibited mainly three electrophoresis patterns. The first which presented with three bands [R[f] 33+/1, 27 +/- and 23+/1], the second with two bands [R[f]33+/1 and 23+/1] and the third with one band [R[f] 23+/1]. In order to examine the relation of ACP henotypes with susceptibility or refractory characters to Schistosoma mansoni infection in B. alexandrina, the percentage of these phenotypes were calculated and compared among susceptible and non-susceptible snails. There was no correlation between ACP henotypes and the susceptibility of snails from different populations, and the percentage of the pattern two of ACP [exapressign resistance to schistosome infection] was approximately the same in susceptible and non-susceptible snails. Polymorphism of ACP patterns observed in the field snails and their first generation began to decrease through generations in both susceptible and non-susceptible snails and the one-banded pattern became predominant

Telomerase assay as a prognostic marker for chemotherapy in malignancy related ascites

Chemotherapy plays a key role in the treatment of many tumors. It is difficult to determine what fraction of tumor cells survives after treatment with chemotherapeutic agents. A convenient and sensitive biochemical assay could be efficacious in determining the potential success of chemotherapy. Since telomerase activity is frequently associated with the malignant phenotype, we sought to determine whether a correlation existed between chemotherapy induced cell killing and telomerase activity. We evaluated telomerase activity in 16 malignancy related ascitic [MRAs] fluid samples [9 ovarian carcinoma and 7 hepatocellular carcinoma] before and after chemotherapy. Telomerase activity was determined using a PCR-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol coupled with ELISA. Telomerase activity was detected in 14 of 16 [87.5%] cases of peritoneal Carcinomatosis. Eight of 9 [88.9%] cases of ovarian carcinoma related ascites and 6 of 7 [85.7%] cases of hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]-associated ascites showed telomerase activity. In contrast, overall cytological examination was positive in only 10 of 16 [62.5%]; 6 of 9 [66.7%] cases of ovarian carcinoma related ascites and 4 of 7 [57.1%] cases of HCC related ascites, We found that treatment with chemotherapeutic agents result in a decrease in the telomerase activity, which expected to be correlated with cell death. In 2 of 16 cases, telomerase activity is increased which indicates bad prognosis. Therefore, detection of telomerase activity may be a useful monitor of chemotherapeutic efficacy and an early predictor of patient outcome

Prevalence of hepatits C virus among blood donors

Seventy blood donors who attended the blood bank in AL-Hussein University Hospital in Cairo were participated in this study. They were subjected to full clinical examination, abdominal ultrasonography, biochemical, and serological investigations. In a trial to find out the prevalence of hepatitis G virus among the blood donors using the reversed transcriptase poly-merase chain reaction [Rt- PCR] and past history of detailed risk factors that make a significant correlation with HGV infection. We found that receiving blood transfusion, frequent blood donation, parentral drug injection, traditional circumcisson during childhood and using other's blades were statistically significant factors incriminated in the transmission of HGV. The prevalence of HGV infection among the blood donors was 18.6%

Effect of computer-based training with mentally retarded delayed language children

The application of computer technology in the management of communicativedisorders represents a challenge. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the computer based therapy in mentally retarded delayed language children. Twenty delayed language children due to mild mental retardation were included in this study. They were classified into 2 groups, the first group received active language intervention sessions in addition to computer- based training. The second group received active language intervention only. Highly significant difference was noticed between the two groups as regards receptive semantics, expressive semantics, receptive syntax. Non-significant changes were found in pragmatics, phonology and social age

comparative scanning electron microscopic study on the tongue of the African beauty snake [psammophis sibilans] and Schokari sand snake [psammophis Schokari] [peptilia, serpents, colubridae]

The morphological characteristics of the tongue of the African beauty snake [Psammophis sibilans] collected from Beheira and the schokari sand snake [Psammophis schokari] collected from Mattrouh and Sinai were compared by scanning electron microscopy. The surface morphology, location and regular distribution of the epithelial cells on the dorsal side of the fork are relatively the same among both species. These cells are covered by microstructures in the form of microfacets, micropores, microvilli and microridges. The function of microfacets might be for the absorption of chemical substances, secretion of granules and protection of the epithelium. The microvilli in the unforked portion are predominant in all species, while microridges and cilia are less pronounced. The microridges were observed only in Psammophis schokari collected from Mattrouh, while cilia were observed in Psammophis schokari collected from Sinai and Psammophis sibilans. The presence or absence of cilia and microridges may be related to the external environment rather than a conservative character of snake tongue

Application of excretory-secretory product of Schistosoma mansoni schistosomules in the early diagnosis of Schistosomiasis infection

This paper describes the identification of proteins seprated from excretory-secretory products of 25-days-Schistosoma mansoni schistosomufes [ESP-25]. Fractionation of ESP-25 on 10% SDS-PAGE showed three protein bands with molecular sizes 101.7, 90.0, and 76.5 kd. The role of ESP-25 in the early diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection was tested by Western blotting and by ELISA using sera of S. mansoni infected mice at the different stages of infection. The antibodies was detected in sera of mice 2 and 6 weeks post infection by ELISA and Western blotting, respectively. Anti-ESP-25 antibodies, raised in rabbit, were able to detect circulating antigen in infected mice sera using ELISA. The circulating antigens was detected as early as the third day of infection

Effect of thiola on methotrexate-induced ultrastructural changes in the rat liver

The effect of the sulfhdryl compound thiola on ultrastructural alterations induced by the anticancer drug methotrexate in the liver of rats was studied. Animals treated with methotrexate at a dose level of 0.004 mg/kg b.w. daily for 1,2 and 5 days showed numerous changes in the hepatocytes. The nuclei showed chromatin and in some cases it was fragmented. Mitochondria were elongated or bizare in shape and the RER were reduced and fragmented. Lysosomes were abundant and glycogen rosettes were depleted. The bile canaliculi appeared dilated with fragmented microvilli. Kupffer cells were hypertrophied indicating hyperactivity. On the other hand, treating animals with methotrexate [at the same dose and for the same periods] followed by injection of thiola [at a dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. daily for one, two and five days], caused an improvement in the fine structure of the hepatocytes. These findings suggest that thiola overcomes the hepatotoxic action of methotrexate

Ecological studies of chalcides ocellatus [Forskal, 1775] and hemidactylus turcicus [Linnaeus, 1758] from Egypt with special reference to helmenthic parasites

Chalcides ocellatus and Hemidactylus turcicus are sympatric throughout most of their geographical distribution in Egypt. Their temporal activities, food items and feeding strategy are almost similar. Chalcides ocellatus harbored 5 species of nematodes and 1 species of cestode, while Hemidactylus turcicus harbored only 3 species of nematodes. 2 species of nematodes occurred in both hosts