Comparison of polymerase chain reaction, culture and serology testing for detection of Bordetella pertussis in children

The aim of this study was to perform a PCR technique on naso- pharyngeal swabs to detect BP in 59 children suffering from protracted cough lasting for at least two weeks and to compare the performance of three different techniques for diagnosis of BP; PCR, culture on Bordet Gengou agar and serological assays of IgM, IgA and IgG antibodies to FHA by enzyme immunoassay test. Three patients out of 59 [5.1%] were positive for B. pertussis by both PCR and culture methods. Eleven cases were positive for IgA antibodies compared to seven cases positive for IgA and only one by IgM. Serum IgA and IgG antibodies results showed highly significant correlation with results of culture and PCR, but no significant difference was found with IgM results. In conclusion, PCR was found to be an accurate and rapid method for detection of B. pertussis compared to culture method. The results of IgA and IgG antibody tests showed highly significant correlation to culture and PCR results

Effects of occupational exposure to methoxypsoralens [meladenin] in pharmaceutical industry

Methoxypsoralens [Meladenin] are the active ingredients of Ammi Majus Lina plant. These compounds increase the capacity of the skin to tan. Occupational exposure to such compounds occurs among workers during the extraction and manufacture of such materials. Forty workers involved in such industry were subjected to medical history taking, complete medical examination and full dermatological assessment. Results showed that workers complained from one or more symptom. The main manifestations were skin hyperpigmentation of the exposed areas [97.5%] and pruritus [47.5%], while in the control group the figures were 0% and 6.7% respectively. Chest symptoms and signs were also prevalent among exposed workers. Psoralens cause skin to be hypersensitive to light [photosensitivity] and hyperpigmentation is the result of exposure to vapour or dust of such materials which act most probably, topically on the skin. No case of skin cancer was seen among such group which may draw the attention to the possibility of the proactive effect of psoralens against ultra-violet induced carcinogenesis. The increased incidence of chest signs and symptoms may be due to exposure to dust or fumes during the different processes of manufacture of meladenin. The question whether this occupatinal hyperpigmentation is to be compensated or not has to be raised. Recommendations were given

Complexes of Mn2, Co2, Ni2, Cu2, Ca3 and Uo2 with 2-aceto 1-naphthol N-benzoyl hydrazone

Complexes of M[n] [II], C[o][II], N[i] [II], C[u] [II], C[e] [111], and UO2 [2+] with 2-acetc-l-naphthoLN-benzoyl hydrazone [AN.B.H.] have been prepared and characterized on the basis of analytical, spectrophotometric, infrared and magnetic moment data. Isolation of solid complexes and physical measurements revealed the existence of mono-and bis-ligand complexes in the keto- form. Spectrophotometric studies supported the use of this ligand for the microdetermination of metal ions in solution. The apparent formation constants of the complexes are also determined. The electronic spectra of the solid complexes in dimethyl formamide indicate that C[u], C[o], N[i] and M[n] complexes have octahedral structure

complexation of some transition metals by acetoacetanilidehydrazo ligands stability constants

A cetcscetanilide [AAA] was known as chelating agent, and was used for determination of Fe [3+] [1], by spectrophotetric methods. Diazodazation of AAA leads to useful chelating agents. Yoshiharu [2-6] in an extended study, tried to make clear the structure of phenylhydrazoacetoacetanilideacetanilide PHAAA] and related compounds, the author synthesized some analogus compounds. The relationship between the chemical structure and the electronic and infrared absorption spectra were discussed [2-4]. The spectrophotometric studies of the complexes of PHAAA and related derivatives, with Cr[3+], Al[3+] and Fe[3+] were reported [5,6]. In the present investigation two hydrazo derivatives of AAA were prepared. Ortho-carboxyphenylhdrazoacetoacetanilide [o-CPHAAA] and Ortho-carboxyphenylhydrazopara -chloro-acetanilide [o-CPH-P-Cl-AAA] represent such derivatives. Little work is only available on the stability constants of these organic ligands with transition elements. The aim of the present investigation is to study the acid dissociation constants and the stability constants of these ligands for C[u][2+], N[i][2+],Co+ Z[n][2+], M[n][2+] and C[d][2+]. This study is performed in 75 percent dioxane-water at 30 degree and constant ionic strength [0.1 M KNO[3]]. The study was completed by pH- metric technique