Characterization of recombinant baculovirus expressing envelope glycoprotein E of the local BoHV-1

A recombinant baculovirus expressing envelope glycoprotein E [gE] of the local Bovine Herpesvirus type-1 [BoHV-1] "Abu-Hammad strain" was characterized. PCR analysis was conducted on the genomic DNA of recombinant baculovirus to verify the presence of the inserted gE gene. Spodoptera frugiperda [Sf9] cells infected with the recombinant baculovirus expressed a high level of immunoreactive recombinant gE protein that was demonstrated by indirect immunoflurescence and Western blot analyses. The recombinant gE protein was used as a coating antigen in an indirect ELISA for detection of BoHV-1 anti-gE antibody to differentiate cattle vaccinated with the local of BoHV-1 "Abu-Hammad strain" from those vaccinated with gE negative marker vaccine. A limited number of bovine serum samples which previously tested by the indirect ELISA, virus blocking gE ELISA [IDEXX] were used to be tested by indirect ELISA. The obtained results proved the reactivity of the recombinant gE protein and its utility as a diagnostic antigen in a gE based indirect ELISA for diagnosis of BoHV-1 as well as distinguishing infected animals within a gE marker vaccinated herd

Diagnosis of human brucellosis in Egypt by polymerase chain reaction

This study aimed to establish an accurate and sensitive polymerase chain reaction [PCR] technique for the diagnosis of active human brucellosis in Egypt. We failed to extract Brucella DNA with a commercial kit, but an extraction kit designed in-house using 2 sets of primers [B4/B5 [223 bp] and JPF/JPR [193 bp]] was successful and more economical. The technique showed high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. The PCR positivity increased significantly with increasing seropositivity titres by the standard tube agglutination test and showed 100% positivity in patients with positive blood cultures. We recommend using PCR as an alternative to culture for diagnosis of brucellosis

Relationship between enkephalins and thyroid function in man

This work was performed on three groups: Control, hyperthyroid and hypothyroid groups. Serum T3, T4 and TSH were measured spectrophotometrically, while serum enkephalins was measured by high performance liquid chromatography [PHLC]. Results showed a significant increase in circulating enkephalins in hyperthyroid group as compared with control group, and nonsignificant decrease in circulating enkephalins in hypothyroid group in comparison with control group. A significant positive correlation was found between serum enkephalins and the thyroid hormones, and a significant negative correlation between serum enkephalins and thyrotropin hormone

Enkephalins and tolerance to cardiovascular effects of caffeine

The present study comprised 22 patients [10 with essential hypertension and 12 with ischemic heart disease] who were 10 chronic coffee and/or tea healthy drinkers and 10 caffeine-naive individuals. All were given a boostering dose of caffeine [250 mg] and were subjected to treadmill exercise ECG testing and 2D-echocardiographic study before and after the boostering dose. Their caffeine and enkephalins serum levels were also determined before and after the treadmill exercise ECG testing. The results of the study showed that the chronic coffee and/or tea drinkers whether they were patients or healthy individuals were tolerant to the cardiovascular effects of caffeine in moderate doses and the enkephalins may have a role in the development of this tolerance

Serum changes of gonadotropins in some metabolic diseases and their in associated impotence

Serum FSH, prolactin and LH were measured in 12 diabetic and 12 uremic male patients. These gonadotropins were also measured in 12 male healthy individuals who constituted the control group of this study.The mean basal levels of serum LH and FSH in uremic patients were significantly increased than that of the control group. They were non- significantly decreased in diabetic patients. The mean baseal level of serum prolactin was highly significantly increased in uremic patients as compared to the control group.While in the diabetic group it was non- significantly increased than that of the control group. The possible relation of these changes to the explanation of impotence suffered by diabetic and uremic patients was discussed

Role of prolactin metabolism in bilharzial hepatic fibrosis associated with sexual disturbances

Serum prolactin levels were assayed in 20 male patients with bilharzial liver fibrosis Also, LH and FSH were measured. Twelve male individuals with no known diseases which affect pituitary hormones constituted the control group Cases with hyperprolactinaemia [>20mg/ml] and associated with sexual disturbances [18 patients] were treated with bromocriptine [2.5mg tds for one month]. After treatment, serum prolactin levels were reassayed with revaluation of sexual disturbances. The treated cases showed improvement of the reproductive state in the form of increased libido and improved potency.This could be attributed to the significant decrease of serum prolactin levels to within reference ranges

Cyclic nucleotides in manic patients treated with lithium carbonate

In this work, 24 patients suffering from manic disease were studied.They were randomly divided into 2 groups: placebo group [11 patients] and lithium treated group [13 patients]. The control group was composed of 10 sex and age matched healthy subjects. Before and after treatment clinical assessment of the manic state using Beigel scale was carried out. Plasma cAMP were cGMP were determined by radioimmunoassay.It could be concluded from the results of this study that alterations of second messengers cAMP and cGMP constitute a major effect of lithium therapy by which it could ameliorate the manic symptoms. This is strongly favoured by the concomitant positive correlation between cAMP changes and changes of the beigel scores of clinical assessment of the manic state

Amino acid pattern in portal-systemic encephalopathy in surgically treated patients for bleeding esophageal varices

This study was carried out on 53 patients who developed portal systemic encephalopathy after surgical treatment for bleeding oesophageal varices. Fifteen patients with portal hypertension, but with no encephalopathy constituted a control for the encephalopathic patients. Also, fifteen healthy subjects of matching age and sex for the patients group constituted the control for this study. All persons participating in this study were subjected to the following investigations: fasting arterial ammonia, chromatographic assay of plasma amino acids and liver function tests. From this study, it could be concluded that fasting arterial ammonia is a sensitive index to the degree of encephalopathy.It could be also stated that plasma amino acids monitoring, especially branched chain amino acid/ aromatic amino acid ratio could be very useful in the follow -up of treatment for hepatic encephalopathy

Effect of chronic exposure to ammonia on hormonal profile in human and expermental rats

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to ammonia on the endocrine profile of a group of 22 subjects living in the vicinity of a fertilizer factory for over 5 years. Eight subjects living away from the factory constituted the control group. Also, the effects of ammonia exposure were studied in 10 rats exposed to ammonia at a fixed and constant concentration of 262 +/- 10 mg/m3 for 30 days. Eight rats not exposed to ammonia constituted the control group. The changes of the hormonal profile of the studied groups were more prominant in the animal group than in the human group especially as regards thyroid function tests. This points to the importance of hormonal follow up for those facing long-term periods of exposure to ammonia especially as regards thyroid function tests

Correlation between copper, zinc and sorbitol dehydrogenase activity in seminal plasma as a biological marker for spermatogenesis in male infertility

It is pointed out that some profound disorders developing in the infertile testis affect mainly the germinal cells. Degeneration of these cells, as recently reported, was associated with affection of sorbitol dehydrogenase [SDH] activity in seminal plasma. The objective of this study was to identify the alterations of SDH activities as well as the possible relationship between zinc and copper level versus SDH activities in human semen specimens with different sperm parameters. Our data show that the decrease of spermatozoal count and reduce motility in infertile specimens was accompanied by a significant decrease [<0.001] in both SDH activities and zinc levels. A significant increase [<0.001] was also noted in copper levels when compared to normospermic group. A positive correlation was found between SDH activity and zinc level [+ 0.61] and between SDH activity and copper levels [+0.51] in normospermic population. At the same time no correlation was found between SDH activity and trace elements studied in infertile men [Oligoathenoatheno and azospermia]. We can conclude that SDH could serve as a useful biochemical make for assessing testicular function and spermatogenesis in infertile men. Also this enzyme has no relation with zinc, copper levels in seminal plasma, of such population

Value of serum monitoring of antiepileptic drugs and liver affection in management of epilepsy

Forty five epileptic patients [20 males and 25 females] attending the Epilepsy Clinic at Mansoura University Hospital constituted the material of this study. They were classified into 3 groups according to the drug regimen they received: Group I: Epanutin group [14 patients]. Group II: Epanutin + Phenobarbitone group [17 patients], and Group III : Epanutin + Carbamazepin group [14 patients]. Serum levels of antiepileptic drugs were measured using high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC]. Alkaline phosphatase. SGPT and total bilirubin levels were measured for the assessment of liver function. The relation between drug serum levels and the degree of control of the epileptic state was discussed. Also the effects of therapy on the liver status were examined

Correlative study of acrosin activity and hypo-osmotic swelling test in male infertility

This study was carried out on 49 infertile patients and 10 normal fertile men. All the subjects of this study were classified into 5 groups according to their fertility state and the charcters of semen analysis. Semen samples were examined for: 1. Count, motility and abnormal forms. 2. The hypoosmotic swelling test [HOST]. 3. Acrosin activity. From the results of this work it could be concluded that both acrosin activity measurement and the swelling test are complementary to the standard semen analysis and each of them measures different parameters. The hypoosmotic swelling test measures the functional integrity of the membrane of human sperm. It can diagnose infertility when the percentage is less than 50%, but cannot ensure fertility if the percentage is above 50%. Also, it could be concluded that the significantly low acrosin activity in the agglutination group may be the cause of infertility in patients presenting with normal spermogram, except the presence of agglutination. Thus, finding measures to increase the acrosin activity in those patients would be the needed solution to their infertility problem