Detection and genotyping of human papillomavirus in breast cancer tissues from Iraqi patients

Studies have suggested a possible link between breast cancer pathogenesis and human papillomavirus [HPV] infection. This study in Iraq used in situ hybridization to detect the frequency and genotyping of HPV in tissue specimens from 129 patients diagnosed with malignant breast cancer, 24 with benign breast tumours and 20 healthy controls. In the breast cancer group, cocktail HPV genotypes were detected in 60 [46.5%] archived tissue blocks. Of these, genotypes 16 [55.5%], 18 [58.4%], 31 [65.0%] and 33 [26.6%] were detected. Mixed HPV genotypes 16 + 18, 16 + 18 + 31, 16 + 18 + 33, 18 + 33, 16 + 31 and 18 + 31 were found in 5.0%, 25.0%, 8.3%, 7.7%, 10.0% and 13.3% of cancer cases respectively. Only 3 benign breast tumour tissues [12.5%] and none of the healthy breast tissue specimens were HPV-DNA-positive. The detection of high-oncogenic HPV genotypes in patients with breast cancer supports the hypothesis of an etiologic role for the virus in breast cancer development

Estradiol hormone residues in mutton and its variety meats

One hundred fifty samples were collected from slaughtered sheep and examined for detection of Estradiol 17-Beta residues; 30 samples from each muscles, liver, kidneys, spleen and heart from El Basatin, Giza and Beni-Suef abattoirs. Collected samples were subjected to the diagnostic kits of Radio Immuno Assay [RIA]. It was found that samples obtained from El-Basatin abattoir were lower in hormonal residues than those of Giza and Beni-Suef, which they were nearly similar to each other. The concentration of hormonal residues was going in descending manner in liver, kidney, spleen, heart and muscles respectively. All results were found to be within the permissible limit. Muscle samples proved to be positive for Estradiol 17-Beta residues were subjected to grilling and boiling for 30 minutes. Boiling was significantly reduced the Estradiol 17-Beta residues in muscle at p <0.05. Grilling has no effect on the hormone. The public health significance of Estradiol residues was discussed

Effect of moxonidine on drug induced cardiac arrhythmias and its possible antinociceptive effect in rats

Moxonidine is a new second generation, centrally acting antihypertensive drug. It causes peripheral sympathoinhibition, triggered at the level of central nervous 11-receptors. The present study was designed to screen various cardiovascular effects of moxonidine both in-vivo and in-vitro as well as to investigate the possible analgesic effect of moxonidine. In-vitro results revealed that moxonidine produced dose related inhibition of the force of contraction of the isolated perfused rabbit's heart. A vagal like action was suggested because both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors antagonist abolished this effect. In vivo results showed that acute intravenous injection of moxonidine significantly reduced heart rate of normotensive rats dose dependantly. Moxonidine in different doses exhibited pronounced antiarrhythmic effects characterized by dose-dependent increase in adrenaline arrhythmogenic dose and significant decrease in the number of extrasystoles. Furthermore, moxonidine in different doses, increased both the arrhythmogenic and ventricular fibrillatory doses of ouabain in a dose-dependent manner. Lastly, acute moxonidine administration was found to provide potent antinociceptive efficacy in control of acute pain in rats and yohimbine, was able to antagonize this effect

Crest syndrome in a male patient. A case report

A 65-years-old male patient presented with arthritis, dyspnoea,, dysphagia, tight skin, Raynauds phenomenon, telangiectasis of the palms, positive antinuclear antibody [ANA], anticentromere antibodies [ACA] and bilateral basal pulmonary fibrosis. We report a rare condition and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of Crest syndrome in male patient with pulmonary involvement to be reported from North Africa

Incidence of listeria and yersinia species among slaughtered poultry and rabbit with special reference to its zoonotic importance

This work was undertaken to determine the degree of contamination by psychrotrophic pathogens [Listeria and Yersinia species] among slaughtered poultry [chicken, duck, geese, squabs] and rabbit. A total of 120 slaughtered poultry carcasses with their gizzard and liver and 30 rabbit carcasses with their liver only were randomly collected from selected retail poultry shops in Giza city. L. monocytogenes was obtained by 3.3% from chicken carcass, 6.6% in rabbit carcass and 3.3% from rabbits liver L. innocua and L. grayi were isolated with different percentages. Y. enterocolitica was isolated with percentages 33.3%, 50% and 53.3% in chicken carcass, gizzard and liver respectively. In ducks, it was 43.3%, 51.3% and 53.3% for whole carcass, gizzard and liver respectively; while in geese it was 23.3%, 33.3% and 43.3%. In squabs it was 6.6% for carcass only but it failed to be detected in rabbit. Y. intermedia and Y. frederiksenii could be isolated. The health risks of the isolated Listeria and Yersinia species were discussed

correlation between the presence of anti-HCV antibodies and HCV antigens in donors plasma, as determined by serological methods

Forty eight serum samples obtained from donor's and hepatitis patients, were included in this study to demonstrate the correlation between the antigens of the HCV and their antibodies in the plasma of the donors by using serological techniques. HCV-Ags were isolated and purified by using sucrose gradient technique, from serum samples positive for HCV-Ab. The HCV-Ags in serum samples and in fractions were detected by PHA assay, whereas, the antibodies Were detected by UBI.HCV EIA 4.0. The results indicates a 37.5% correlation beween the HCV-Ags and HCV-Ab is in the serum samples included in this study, also it indicate possibility of HCV transmission by routes other than that of blood transfusion and possiblity of finding a greater number of asymptomatic carriers. The results also demonstrates 70.8% of the samples were HCV positive whereas only 29.16% were HBV positive