Some chemical data on cyperus papyrus L. the ancient paper making material

Papyrus can indeed be considered as a plant that touched the Egyptian civilization at many points. It is of interest that [Papyrus Paper] is still being made for sale to tourists. Most of the studies made on various species of papyrus have been concerned with the pulping operations in order to find their potential as a paper making material. Various types of pulping have been reported the most satisfactory of which was that using sodium hydroxide. However, the yield from such alkaline pulping was rather low. Recently, it was found that the paper made from Papyrus without treatment with fire retardants has better fireproofing than other papers. On the other hand, its treatments with fire retardants did not significantly improve its flammability properties. Consequently, it was suggested that Papyrus has an inherent flame-retardant effect. A systematic study of the constituents and chemistry of the various species of Papyrus are rather few. The presence of D-fructose and D-glucose was reported in the hot water extract of the parenchymatous tissue of Cyperus papyrus, together with xylose and small amounts of glucosan from the products of hydrolysis of the same tissue after water extraction. Although, an analytical study of the rind and pith of the Papyrus has been reported it was found later that the study has been undertaken on another plant. Consequently, it is of interest to do such a study on the pith and rind of Egyptian Papyrus [Cyperus papyrus L.]

Role of parasites and mycobacterial infection in persistent diarrhea in Egyptian rural preschool children

A community study was done searching for the causative agents of persistent diarrhea in a rural village. Zoonosis was claimed to play a role in causing diarrhea in infants and children being always in contact with the animals present in the same house. We were focusing on searching for the parasites and microorganisms in the stools of infants and children as well as in animal excreta and animal drops. A new laboratory technique for the identification of Giardia and Cryptosporidium was implemented for better diagnosis of both parasites. Ninety three infants and children of age ranging between six months and 4 years were included in the study, they were divided into 3 groups: a group of 40 children who were suffereing form chronic diarrhea, a second group of 33 children suffering from acute diarrhea and a third control group of 20 children. They were all subjected to clinical examination and anthropometric measurements. Stool samples were collected from each child as from animal excreta if present. Samples were analyzed for the presence of parasites by both the routine method and by an ELISA Kit and immunofluorescence technique specific for detection of Giardia and cryptosporidium. Culture for detection of different microorganisms was also done. Laboratory investigations for the stools showed that the main parasite causing diarrhea was Giardia, next comes nana, then cryptosporidium. The main infection was in the chronic group. It is worthy to say that by the routine method for diagnosis of parasites, only 4 cases of Giardia out of 13 could be identified and no identification of crytopsporidium was performed. Bacteriological analyses showed no pathogenic organisms causing persistent diarrhea and zoonosis was found to play no role in patient diarrhea in those children

Pyrazolylquinoxaline derivatives from 3- [1- [phenyl-hydrazono] -l-threo-2,3,4-trihydroxyboutyl] -1H quinoxalin-2-one

Attempted benzylation of 3-[1-[phenylhydrazono]-L- threo-2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl]-1H-quinoxalin-2-one [I] gave 1-benzyl-3 [5-[hydroxymethyl]-1-phenylpyrazol-3-yl] quinoxalin- 2-one [II]. When III was subjected to the Vilsmeier-type reaction condition, no carbaldehyde derivative could be obtained but the product was 2-chloro-3-[5-[chloromethyl]-1-phenylpyrazol-3- yl] quinoxaline [V]. The acetyl derivative VI gave, under the same condition, 3-[5-[acetoxymethyl]-1-phenylpyrazol-3-yl]-2- chloroquinoxaline [VII]

Effect of triazine derivatives on carbohydrate metabolism in rats

Because of the increasing interest in the therapeutic use of triazine derivatives, the effect of 3-hydrazino-5, 6-diphenyl [1, 2, 4]triazine [Triazine I] and 3-hydrazino [1, 2, 4] triazine [5, 6-b] indole [Triazine II] on some parameters of carbohydrate metabolism, were studied in rats. In rats treated with either of the two triazines, serum glucose rose significantly, serum insulin level was significantly reduced, serum lactic dehydrogenase [LDH] activity increased significantly, whereas, serum cirate and muscle glycogen did not change significantly. Liver glycogen content was significantly reduced with triazine I and did not change with triazine II. On the other hand, blood pyruvate level did not change significantly with triazine I, whereas triazine II reduced it. These results suggest that triazine derivatives may interfere with carbohydrate metabolism in rats

Body mass index versus skinfold thickness in identifying wasted as well as obese pubertal Egyptian girls

This study was done on 404 girls at age range 8-16 years. Five sites of fat thickness, arm and thigh circumferences as well as weight and height were measured. The aim of this work was to chose a sensitive indicator to diagnose a chronically energy deficient or obese subject. Results showed a wide range in BMI [from 13 to 34]. Mid points for BMI were taken for this study, below 15, a child is considered wasted and above 25, a child is considered obese. These cut-off levels need to be tested and validated on a larger scale

Can salivary oestradiol level replace serum oestradiol in assessing pubertal development in girls

The easy, stress free, non-invasive nature cf saliva collection makes it one of the most accessible body fluids and it is potential of value in studying normal human physiology as well as pathology. A simple accurate radio- immunoassay technique was used to determine serum and salivary oestradiol. The study was done on 50 girls, their ages ranged from 8-16 years. Full clinical examination was done, assessment of pubertal stages, measurements of weights and heights were done as well. Salivary oestradiol was found to be about 2% of serum oestradiol, levels of oestradiol in saliva followed the same pattern as in blood. A highly significant correlation was shown between serum and salivary oestradiol [P -< 0.001]. Salivary oestradiol showed an increase with age as well as with the stage of puberty and it showed a significant correlation with the body mass index, the same as serum oestradiol. The analysis of saliva could be useful in investigation of children and young adults especially if serial blood samplings are needed

Radioisotope determination of apical seal following dowel preparation

Fifty freshly extracted anterior teeth were obturated with gutta percha and sealer using lateral condensation methods. The teeth were divided into five groups according to the method of gutta percha removal. Group A, posts spaces were prepared using hot root canal pluggers. Group B and C two types of drills, group D reamers while group E was used as a control group. The specimens were then submerged in solution 137 Cs chloride for 48 hours. The result showed that the mean leakage was greater with group B and C, while the least leakage was demonstrated with group A. Group D showed more leakage than group A. The study concluded that the suitable methods for dowel space preparation was recorded with hot pluggers. Radioactive isotopes tracer technique seemed to be satisfactory for leakage determination. The maximum leakage pattern was recorded when using rotary instruments

Effect of hyaluronate on the intraocular pressure

Sodium hyaluronate or healon is a sterile non pyogenic viscoelastic preparation, used in anterior segment surgery to protect the corneal endothelium; It was used to reform the anterior chamber in 30 eyes following uncomplicated intracapsular cataract surgery. Air was used to reform the anterior chamber in 20 eye. The intraocular pressure [IOP] was measured by Goldman applanation tonometer immediately before surgery, the first day after surgery and two days after. In the healon, group IOP was found to be doubled in the first 24 hours following surgery, and then it returned to normal. On the other hand, the IOP was lowered with air injection

Immunoassay of tear immunoglobulin A and lysozyme in acute bacterial conjunctivitis

The tear lysozyme and immunoglobulin A [I g A] content in 50 normal subjects and in 100 patients with different acute bacterial conjunctivitis were determined by a single radial immunodiffusion technque. Tear lysozyme level in normal subjects was 1.30+0.64 mg/ml. The mean tearlysozme level in acute bacterial conjunctivitis 1.28+0.35 which is not significantly different from those in the normal controls. Immunoglobulin A level in tear of normal subjects was 24.6+15 mg/100 ml. The mean tear immunoglobulin A level in acute bacterial conjunctivitis was 34.1+18 mg/100 ml. Which is sinificantly higher than normal