The impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the risk of hospitalization in Fayoum healthcare workers

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) face several challenges including treating COVID-19 patients. The immunization of the population through vaccination is recognized as a public health priority. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of vaccination on the risk of hospitalization and mortality in HCWs due to COVID-19 infection. Methods: This study was conducted in Egypt in El Fayoum governorate on the HCWs from April 2021 to the end of the year 2021. A cohort retrospective approach was carried out using (the national electronic disease surveillance system) NEDSS and COVID-19 vaccine registration system. Hospitalization is determined by assessment of the cases according to the protocol of COVID-19 management of MOHP November 2020. Results: There was no association between hospitalization and both sex and residence (p=0.1, and 0.06 respectively). There was no statistical significant association between hospitalization and vaccination (time, status, or type). The p=0.2, 0.6, and 0.07 respectively. Age and the presence of comorbidities were statistically significant predictors with p=0.004 and 0.04, respectively, as increasing age and the presence of comorbidities will increase the likelihood of hospitalization by 1.04 and 1.9 folds, respectively. Conclusions: This study shows no significant association between vaccination and hospitalization of HCWs.

Effect of replacing fish meal in fish diet with shrimp by-product meal on growth performance, feed utilization, length-weight relationship and condition factors of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) / Efecto de reemplazar la harina de pescado en la dieta de pescado por harina de subproducto de camarón sobre el rendimiento del crecimiento, la utilización del alimento, la relación longitud-peso y los factores de condición de la tilapia del Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)

SUMMARY: The present work aimed to study the effect of replacing fish meal (FM) in the fish diet with shrimp by-product meal (SBM) on the growth performance parameters of the Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. A total of 200 specimens of monosex O. niloticus fries were obtained from a private fish farm at Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate. They were transported to the fish laboratory at the Animal House of Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University. After two weeks for acclimation, the fish were divided into 5 groups, 2 replicates for each group (20 fish in each replicate). The five experimental diets were: C: control group with20 % fish meal (FM) and 0 % shrimp by-product meal (SM); T1, T2, T3, and T4 FM was replaced with SBM as 25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 %, respectively. Results indicated that the highest final length, growth in length, length gain, daily length gain and other growth performance parameters including the relationship between length and weight and condition factors of O. niloticus were recorded in T4 group (fed diet in which fish meal was completely replaced with shrimp by-product meal); while, their lowest values were recorded in control group. On the other hand, feed utilization parameters (feed intake, food conversion ratio, the maximum values of feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio) were recorded in T4 group and the minimum values were recorded in T3 group (fed diet in which 75 % of fish meal was replaced with shrimp by-product meal).

RESUMEN: El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo estudiar el efecto de sustituir la harina de pescado (HP) en la dieta del pescado por harina de subproductos de camarón (HSC) sobre los parámetros de rendimiento de crecimiento de la Tilapia del Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus. Se obtuvieron un total de 200 especímenes de monosexo de O. niloticus de una piscifactoría privada en la gobernación de Kafr El-Sheikh. Fueron transportados al laboratorio de peces en el Departamento de Zoología de la Facultad de Ciencias, de la Universidad Al-Azhar. Después de dos semanas de aclimatación, los peces se dividieron en 5 grupos: Se realizaron dos repeticiones para cada grupo (20 peces en cada repetición). Las cinco dietas experimentales fueron: C: grupo control con 20 % de harina de pescado (HP) y 0 % de harina de subproductos de camarón (HSC); T1, T2, T3 y T4 FM se reemplazó con HSC con 25 %, 50 %, 75 % y 100 %, respectivamente. Los resultados indicaron que la longitud final más alta, el crecimiento en longitud, la ganancia de longitud, la ganancia de longitud diaria y otros parámetros de rendimiento del crecimiento, como además la relación entre la longitud y el peso, y los factores de condición de O. niloticus, se registraron en el grupo T4 (con una dieta reemplazada con harina de subproducto de camarón); mientras que, sus valores más bajos se registraron en el grupo control. Por otro lado, los parámetros de utilización del alimento (ingesta de alimento, índice de conversión de alimento, los valores máximos de índice de eficiencia alimenticia e índice de eficiencia proteica) se registraron en el grupo T4 y los valores mínimos se registraron en el grupo T3 (alimentación con dieta en la que el 75 % de la harina de pescado fue reemplazada por harina de subproductos de camarón).

Anatomy of the skull of saanen goat: an anesthesiology and stereology approach / Anatomía del cráneo de la cabra saanen: un enfoque desde la anestesiología y la estereología

SUMMARY: The Saanen goat is known as the greatest milk producer among small ruminat breeds. However, its morphometric features still remain unclear. Therefore, the present work aimed to investigate the functional anatomy of the upper and lower jaws as well as the volumetric properties of the male and female Saanen goat for clinical applications. The heads of 20 adult animals (10 males and 10 females) were included. Totally, 22 morphometric parameters were measured on three dimensional computed tomographic images using RadiAnt DICOM Viewer software and some parameters were measured on hot macerated sample. The mean volume of paranasal sinuses as well as conchal sinuses were estimated using stereological method. Based on the results, the differences between males and females were not significant (p>0.05) in all desired parameters.The frontal and lacrimal sinuses were the largest and smallest paranasal sinus in both sexes. Also, the dorsal and middle conchal sinuses were the largest and smallest ones, respectively. The common nasal meatus was the smallest and ventral meatus was the largest meatus in the nasal cavity. In conclusion, these findings provide a basic data that would be useful in blocking terminal branches of the cranial nerves in this breed for surgical purpose or teeth injuries treatment.

RESUMEN: La cabra Saanen es conocida como la mayor productora de leche entre las razas de pequeños ruminos, sin embargo, sus características morfométricas aún permanecen sin revelar. Por lo tanto, el presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo investigar la anatomía de los huesos del cráneo y cara, así como sus propiedades volumétricas, en la cabra Saanen, tanto del macho como de la hembra con la finalidad de contribuir con las aplicaciones clínicas. Se incluyeron las cabezas de 20 animales adultos (10 machos y 10 hembras). Se midieron 22 parámetros morfométricos en imágenes de tomografía computarizada tridimensionales utilizando el software RadiAnt DICOM Viewer; algunos parámetros se midieron en muestra macerada en calor. El volumen medio de los senos paranasales y concales se estimó mediante método estereológico. En base a los resultados, las diferencias entre machos y hembras no fueron significativas (p> 0.05) en todos los parámetros deseados. Los senos frontal y lagrimal eran de mayor y menor volumen en ambos sexos, respectivamente. Además, los senos conchal dorsal y medio eran los más grandes y los más pequeños, respectivamente. El meato nasal común fue el más pequeño y el meato ventral el más grande en la cavidad nasal. En conclusión, estos hallazgos brindan un dato básico que sería útil en el bloqueo de las ramas terminales de los nervios craneales en esta raza, con fines quirúrgicos o tratamiento de lesiones dentales.

Assessment of the potential role of hesperidin as an antioxidant on the carbon tetrachloride -induced kidney damage in rats

Aim of the work: The present work aimed to investigate the ability of Hesperidine [HDN] as an antioxidant to retard development of renal toxicity induced by CCL4 in rat. Hesperidin [HDN], a citrus bioflavonoid, decreases the oxidative stress produced by carbon tetrachloride in rat kidney. Exposure to CCl4 induces acute and chronic renal injuries. The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of hesperidin, on rat kidney damaged by CCl4

Material and methods: Animals were divided into five groups pretreated with hesperidin [HDN] [100 and 200 mg/kg orally] for 10 days and then challenged with CCl4 [2 ml/kg/s.c.] of in olive oil subcutaneously. Rats were sacrificed by carotid bleeding under ether anesthesia

Results: The present results showed that the antioxidant properties of hesperidine might be the main factor responsible for its strong protective action on CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity

Conclusion: This study proved that hesperidin has a protective effect on the renal tissue of rat and the degree of improvement varies in intensity according the dose of Hesperidin

Study of Fluconazole Release from O/W Cream and Water Soluble Ointment Bases.

Aims: Study the release of fluconazole from different O/W creams and PEG ointments. Study Design: In this study, different formulations were prepared with changing one of the added excipients and study the effect of this change on the drug release and then the selected formulations were subjected to antifungal activity study. Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt, between December 2011 and March 2012. Methodology: O/W creams were prepared with changing either fatty alcohol type or the concentration of the added emulsifying agent. Also, the PEG ointments were prepared with changing the type of the liquid PEG (low molecular weight). Then, the viscosity and the fluconazole release from the prepared formulations were studied. Results: Changing the fatty alcohol type from stearyl to cetostearyl and cetyl alcohol in the O/W creams caused an increase in the viscosity and a decrease in the drug release. Also, changing the liquid PEG from PEG 400 to PEG 600 resulted in an increase in the formulation viscosity and subsequent decrease in the drug release. Both F1 and F6 showed a good inhibition to the fungal growth against Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophyte using cup plate method, also PEG base showed a slight fungal growth inhibition. Conclusion: Results obtained showed that the PEG ointment formulations exhibited higher fluconazole release after three hours over the O/W cream formulations. Also, the nature of the PEG base may be adjunctive to the efficacy of the antifungal agent.

Formulation and In vitro Evaluation of Fluconazole Topical Gels.

Aims: Topical drug delivery of fluconazole, an antifungal drug, in gel form was formulated to avoid the side effect of the oral route. Study Design: In this study I prepare different formulation from different polymers and select the best formulation to undergo further antifungal and stability studies. Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, Assiut University, between May 2010 and July 2011. Methodology: Different polymers; Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, Sodium alginate, Carbopol 934P, Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, Pluronic F-127 and hydroxypropyl cellulose, were used. The compatibility of fluconazole and different gelling polymer was assessed through differential scanning calorimetry and infrared absorption spectroscopy. The influence of polymer type and concentration on fluconazole release from the prepared gels were studied. The prepared gel formulations were evaluated for pH, drug content, rheology, spreadability and in vitro drug release Results: The rheological behavior of all the prepared gels showed a pseudoplastic flow (shear thinning) which is a good characteristic in the pharmaceutical gels. With the increase of the polymer concentration in the formulation, viscosity increased and in vitro release of fluconazole decreased. Among all the prepared formulations, 0.5% Carbopol 934P gel showed desired properties and exhibited the best fluconazole in vitro release that reaches 77% over a 3-hr period. This gel showed a good inhibition to the fungal growth against Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophyte using cup plate method and also, showed good stability. Conclusion: 0.5% Carbopol 934P / Fluconazole gel is a promising dosage form for the treatment of superficial fungal infections and could be used for further clinical studies.

frequency of hvisa strains among mrsa isolates from mansura university hospitals and evaluation of methods for their detection

The prevalence of Methicillin Resistant S. aureus [MRSA] strains with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin among local nosocomial isolates from Mansoura University Hospitals and their susceptibilities to various antibiotics were determined. A 957 clinical samples from nosocomial infections patients collected over 6-month periodduring 2004yielded'203 S. aureus isolates [21.21%], out of which 66 [34.7%] were identified as MRSA. MRSA isolates were tested for any reduced susceptibility to vancomycin by different methods. No VISA or VRSA strains were detected by either disc diffusion method or ability to grow on BHI agar containing 6 ug/mL. Among the nine potential hVISA isolates [13.6%] that could grow on BHI agar containing 4ug/ml of vancomycin, five could be identified by the Macro E-test hVISA. However, the population analysis tests confirmed only 3 [4.5%] of these isolates as hVISA. Transmission electron micrographs of one hVISA isolate demonstrates thickened cell wall as a possible mechanism of resistance

Cardiovascular risk factors in L-NAM E hypertension

In a previous study, hypertension was induced by administration of L-NAME for 1, 2 and 4 weeks. Hypertension was prevented when L-NAME was combined with L-arginine but not with dipyridamole. To study the changes in ECG, cardiac weights and plasma lipids associated with L-NAME hypertension. Wistar rats were allocated into a control group, 3 groups of rats that received L-NAME [20 mg/kg] for 1, 2 and 4 weeks, and 2 other groups that received L-NAME in the same dose for 2 weeks combined with L-arginine [40mg/kg] or dipyridamole [3mg/ kg]. The absolute weight of left ventricle [LV] and whole heart [WH] were significantly increased in L-NAME 4 weeks group, but such significant increase was lost when corrected for body weight [LV/BW and WH/BW]. In L-NAME and L-arginine 2 weeks group, there was no change in absolute or relative weights, whereas in the L-NAME and dipyridamole 2 weeks group, there was significant decrease in LV, WH and LV/BW. Concerning ECG parameters, there was no significant difference amongst control group and L-NAME I, 2 and 4 weeks groups as regards P-R interval, QRS complex and R-wave voltage. Both Q-To and Q-Tc intervals were significantly shortened in L-NAME 4 weeks group than control, L-NAME I week and 2 weeks groups. In L-NAME and L-arginine 2 weeks group, P-R interval was significantly shorter than control group. Also, L-NAME and dipyridamole 2 weeks group showed significant in R wave voltage than control and L-NAME 2 weeks groups. Treatment for 2 weeks with L-arginine or dipyridamole shortened Q-To and Q-Tc than control or L-NAME 2 weeks groups. In NAME-treated rats for I, 2 and 4 weeks, there was no significant changes in plasma levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL- cholesterol, nor atherogenic index or triglycerides. L-NAME hypertension up to 4 weeks duration was not associated with cardiac hypertrophy or ECG changes. Also, the lipid profile was not significantly modified from the normal pattern

Glutathione S-transferase genetic polymorphisms as possible risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian population

High rates of hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] are primarily due to high prevalence of chronic hepatitis C or B virus infection which causes chronic necroinflammatory hepatic disease. Egypt has one of the world's highest prevalences of hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection. Glutathione S-transferases [GSTs] constitute a superfamily of enzymes that catalyse the metabolism of a wide range of carcinogens. Of the different isoforms of GSTs, GSTM1 and GSTT1 which have deletion polymorphisms. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion polymorphisms and the risk of HCC in Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection. Subjects and The genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were analyzed in 24 HCV carriers with HCC, and 25 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction [PCR] technique. The null genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1were significantly frequent in patients with HCC compared with controls. These results suggest that both The GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes are associated with an increased risk of HCC in Egyptian population

effect of snake venom metalloproteinase/disintegrin like activity on liver of albino white mice

This is a study on the effect of snake venom metalloproteinase/ Disintegrin like action [SVMP] purified from Cerastes cerastes venom on expression of TNF-alpha, and Heme-oxygenase-1 in white mice liver tissue injected intraperitoneally with the purified fraction. Hepato-protective effect of the fraction against some hepatotoxins as CCU was investigated histo-pathologically. This hepatoprotection coincides with expression of TNF-alpha and HO-1 genes in liver tissue. This study is supported by grant no. 28 from Professor Dr. M. F. EL-Asmar

Paraoxonasel activity and paraoxonase 192 gene polymorphism in non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients among Egyptian population

Paraoxonasel [PON1] is an esterase enzyme that has antioxidant acivity and is lightly associated with high density lipoprotein [HDL] in blood. Decreased activity of PONiwas reported in many diseases and could be partially attributed to PON1 glutamine 192 arginine polymorphism. In the present work we studied the effect of PON1 192 polymorphism on serum PON1 activity and lipid profiles in 30 non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM] subjects and 30 healthy controls among the Egyptian populalion. Polymerase chain reaction-based restricion fragment was used to determine PON1 192 gene polymorphism. Fasing blood glucose, serum lipids, lipid peroxidalion [malondialdehyde-MDA] and PON1 acivity were measured by spectrophotometric method. Insulin serum levels were measured by ELISA technique and [HOMA] index was calculated as an index for presence insulin resistance. No significant difference was found in the distribution of PON1 192 genotypes [QQ, RR and QR] between patient and control groups. Also, the R allele was insignificantly predominant among diabetic palients. PON1 enzyme activity was significantly lower in diabetics than in control subjects. PON1 192 RR homozygote had significantly lower PON1 acivity and HDL-C level than QQ and QR genotypes among the NIDDM populations [p<0.001]. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C serum level were significantly higher in patients than controls. Fasting serum insulin level and HOMA index were significantly increased in those patients compared to controls. This indicated the development of insulin resistance which could be attributed to the decrease of paroxonase antioxidant activity. the present results suggest that the paraoxonasel acivities are affected by PON1 genetic variability in NIDDM patients and may precipitate to insulin resistance among those patients

Preemptive caudal epidural analgesia in adult patients undergoing lumbar disc surgery: a comparison between neostigmine, ropivacaine and their mixture

This prospective, randomized double blind study was designed to evaluate the analgesic characters and profile of ropivacaine/ neostigmine mixture in comparison with the analgesic characters of ropivacaine and neostigmine when used alone and injected caudally in cases subjected for elective lumbar disc surgery at Mansoura University Hospitals. Thirty adult patients ASA I-II subjected for elective lumbar disc surgery at Mansoura University Hospital were enrolled in this study. General anesthesia was induced with 5 mg /kg thiopental sodium and tracheal intubation was facilitated using atracurium 0.5 mg/kg. Patients were randomly assigned into three equal groups [n= 10] according to the regimen of caudal drug injection. The injectate was prepared by an anesthesiologist not involved in the evaluation of the patients. Patient's groups were as follows: Ropivacaine group [R], received ropivacaine 0.2% in saline with total volume 30 ml. Neostgmine group [N], received neostgmine 4 ug /kg in total volume 30 ml. Ropivacaine-Neostgmine group [RN], patients received ropivacaine 0.2% + neostigmine 4 ug/kg in total volume 30 ml . Intraoperative monitoring for ECG, heart rate,mean arterial blood pressure, arterial oxygen saturation and capnography was recorded every 15 minutes till the end of the study period. Postoperative pain was assessed immediately after surgery and at 2, 4, 8, 12 hour postoperatively by the visual analogue scale [VAS], where 0 =no pain, 5= medium degree of pain and 10 =severe pain. The time at which first analgesic medications [mepredine, 25mg dosage] required by the patient in the postoperative period was recorded .Duration of postoperative analgesia [duration from the end of surgery to the first pain sensation] was recorded. Postoperative complications [nausea, vomiting, and any other complications] were recorded. There were no statistically significant differences between the three groups as regard hemodynamics, nausea and vomiting while urine retention was more observed in all patients received ropivacaine [R and RN groups]. As regard postoperative analgesia, group RN [received ropivacaine+ neostigmine] had the best pain score and longer duration of postoperative analgesia as compared with the other groups. Addition of neostigmine 4 micro g/kg to caudal ropivacaine 0.2% improves the quality of postoperative analgesia and prolongs its duration compared with caudal ropivacaine or neostigmine alone without increasing incidence of side effects in patients subjected for lumbar disc surgery

pharmacognostical study of Myrtus communis L. cultivated in Egypt

The macro- and micromorphology of the root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit and seed of Myrtus communis L. are presented with view of finding out the diagnostic characters for the identification of these organs in both the entire and powdered forms. The major constituents among components of the volatile oil of the leaf were phellandrene [20%], alpha-thujene [12.8%], cismyrtanol [10%], trans-farnesene [5.9%] and bornyl acetate [5.9%], while beta-caryophyllene [17.8%], methyl eugenol [12.5%], camphor [12.2%], trans-anethole [11.8%] and 1,8-cineole [4.3%] were the major compounds identified in the volatile oil of the flower. Seasonal variation of the volatile oil of the leaf and antimicrobial activity were also investigated

Susceptibility of enterococcal isolates from Riyadh city hospitals to some antimicrobial agents

A total of 138 clinical enterococcal isolates were collected from three major hospitals in Riyadh city, namely King Khalid University Hospitals [KKUH, 59]. King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center [KFSH and RC, 25] and King Fahad National Guard Hospital [KFNGH, 54]. The identity of the genus was checked and the isolates were identified to the species level to E. faecalis [108], E. faecium [26] and other Enterococcus species [4]. Using agar disk diffusion method, the isolates demonstrated high susceptibility to ampicillin [99.3%], sulfamethoxa.zole-trimethoprim [95%], vancomycin [89.1%], chloramphenicol [86.2%], and penicillin G [85.5%]. Moderate susceptibility was shown to rifampin [58.7%]. Low susceptibility was expressed to ciprofloxacin [37.7%] and tetracycline [30.4%], whereas very low susceptibility was shown to erythromycin [7.2%]. Except for rifampin which showed higher efficacy against E. faecium, the latter had relatively lower susceptibility to antimicrobials compared with E. faecalis isolates Minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] data showed that 4 E. faecalis [3.7%] and 12 E. faecium [46.15%] isolates had MIC > 16 micro g/ml for penicillin. Among these, only one E. faecalis isolate and two E. faecium isolates had MICs of 16 micro g/ml for ampicillin. None of the 16 penicillin resistant isolates could be identified as beta-lactamase positive. Three [2.8%] of E. faecalis isolates and 10 [38.5%] of E. faecium isolates with an overall percentage of 9.4% had MICs of vancomycin greater than the breakpoint of resistance [32 micro g/ml]. All these 13 isolates were also resistant to teicoplanin, expressing Van A phenotype. MICs data revealed no susceptible isolates to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin and resistance the rates were 28.2% and 44%, respectively. For these two antimicrobial agents, discrepancy between the results of the two methods with respect to the susceptibility and resistance was evident. The MIC results, confirm the very high susceptibility of the isolates to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim combination. The results were discussed in the light of the available literatures and demonstrate the usefulness of ampicillin as a drug of choice and the alarming situation for vancomycin that needs attention

Response of high level gentamicin resistant enterococci to penicillin and gentamicin combination

In the present study the incidence of high level resistance [HLR] to gentamicin [MIC >/= 500 micro g/ml] was determined for 138 clinical enterococcal isolates, representing 108 E. faecalis, 26 E. faecium and 4 other Enterococcus spp. A 28.3% of the isolates, comprising 42.3% of E. faecium and 25.9% of E. faecalis isolates were found to be HLR to gentamicin. A 5% of the isolates were resistant to 2000 micro g/ml of gentamicin, representing one [0.9%] of E.faecalis isolates and 7[23%] of E. faecium isolates. Eight selected isolates were used to evaluate the bactericidal activity of penicillin-gentamicin combination by the time-kill curve method. Bactericidal synergy for the combination was obtained for two E. faecium isolates [No. 16 and 32] whereas a synergistic bacteriostatic activity was observed for a third E. faecium isolate [No.35], despite their resistance to penicillin alone. No synergy was obtained for the other two E.faecalis isolates [No.19 and 32]. No synergy was obtained for the other non-E. faecium isolates. Although penicillin alone was bactericidal, the two E. faecalis isolates [No.2 and 137] did not show synergistic bactericidal activity for the combination, irrespective of the level of resistance to gentamicin [No. 2 is not HLR but 137 is]. For the other Enterococcus raffinosus [isolate], although it was not HLR to gentamicin and being susceptible to penicillin neither bactericidal effect for penicillin nor for the combination was observed

Assessment of the use of Nigella sativa L seeds and seed oil on hypolipidemia, and other parameters in guinea pigs

Effects of Nigella sativa L. seeds and seed oil on gain in body weight, organs per body weight ratio, serum total lipid and total protein, the activities of serum transaminases [GOT and GPT], serum uric acid and urea were studied in six experiments using male guinea pigs fed a diet containing 0.5% cholesterol, 0.2% choline chloride and 10% corn oil. Feeding diets had a significant effect on serum total protein, albumin and globulin, while had no significant effect on the activities of serum transaminases [GOT and GPT], serum uric acid and urea of guinea pigs. Histopathological examination of the liver sections showed various stages of hepatoma including vacuolation, degeneration and diffuse areas of necrosis

Phytochemical and biological investigation of Jania rubens [L] lamx amino acids, proteins, nitrogenous bases and biological screening

The thalli of the red alga: Jania rubens [L.] Lamx. yield 13.25% of total protein. The free amino acid contents, acid yield and alkaline protein hydrolysates were examined by paper chromatography [PC] and two dimensional thin layer chromatography [TLC] techniques. Qualitative and quantitative study of the amino acids in the thalli under investigation by ion exchange chromatography revealed the presence of 16 amino acids. These amino acids were isolated from the defatted ethanolic extract of Jania rubens [L.] Lamx. The profile of some pharmacological actions of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Jania rubens [L.] Lamx. was experimentally investigated. The fractionated ethanolic extract of Jania rubens [L.] Lamx. showed a marked antiwormal activity against the earth worm Allolobophora caliginosa and anthelmintic activity against the helminth parasites Ascaris sum and Fasciola hepatica. The aqueous extract showed high antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and slight activity against Streptococcus aureus. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Jania rubens [L.] Lamx. had no molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria alexandrina Ehrenberg snails and no antitumor activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

Phytochemical and pharmacological investigation of the red alga: Jania rubens [L] lamx carbohydrates, mannitol and pharmacological screening

The thalli of the red alga, Jania rubens [L.] Lamx. were phytochemically and biologically investigated. The alga yielded 22.56% of neutral mucilage when successively extracted with cold and hot water. Chromatographic study of the ethanolic [80%] extract and mucilage hydrolysates of the thalli using paper chromatography [PC], thin layer chromatography [TLC] and gas liquid chromatography [GLC] revealed that galactose, mannose, xylose, rhammose and glucose were detected in both the ethanolic extract and the mucilage hydrolysates. Galacturonic acid was only detected in the mucilage hydrolysates. In addition, arabinose was detected only in the extract prepared on cold water. Mannitol was separated from the concentrated ethanolic extract of Jania rubens [L.] Lamx. [yield 0.8%]. The thalli of the red alga Jania rubens [L.] Lamx. were biologically investigated for their toxic and therapeutic effects. The alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Jania rubens [L.] Lamx. showed significant analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. Both the alcoholic and aqueous extracts had an inhibitory effects on the intestinal motility of rabbits, uterine motility of rats and guinea pigs' ileum. It exhibited no histaminic nor antihistaminic effects on isolated guinea pigs' tracheal strips. Both the alcoholic and aqueous extracts caused a significant increase of urine volume in the rats. The ethanolic extract had a more significant diuretic effect than the aqueous extract. Both extracts had a transient hypotensive effect

Immunological evaluation of the role of some anti-viral antibodies in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

The aetiology of rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is largely unknown, however, a viral infective theory is becoming popular as a possible underlying cause. In the present study sera from twenty five patients with RA, eight osteoarthritis and sixteen health control subjects were examined for the presence of anti-rubella, anti-Epstein-Barr [EB] and antibodies to hepatitis B core [anti HBc] using haemagglutination-inhibition, direct haemagglutination and enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] respectively. Also, the level of circulating immune complex [CIC] was measured by the polyethylene glycol precipitation method. The aim of the present study is to assess the relationship between some antiviral antibodies and the clinical types and activity states of the rheumatoid disease. The data showed that anti-rubella antibodies were significantly higher in RA patients than control group, the higher the titre the more active is RA as evidenced from the positive correlation with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]. No such findings were observed with neither ED or anti HBc antibodies. Interestingly, all seronegative patients were also negative for anti HBc antigen as well. The level of CIC was higher in RA patients than in control group with a positive significant correlation with the rheumatoid factor level. Anti-rubella antibodies seem to play a pathogenetic role in RA. The exact nature of which needs to be elucidated