Correlation between constituents, physico-chemical properties of locally formulated chlorpyrifos as 48% EC and its insecticidal efficiency against cotton leaf worm

Many trials were carried out for formulation of the organophosphorous insecticide, chlorypyrifos, as emulsifiable concentrate [EC] 48% by using local raw materials and products which are: solvent [xylene], co-solvent [n-butanol and dimethyl formamide] and many surfactants which used as emulsifiers, wetting and spreading agents. It was found that only four formulas [CP23, CP24, CP32 and CP33] passed successfully through the physico-chemical properties according to the world recommendation which are: emulsion stability test, foam test, free acidity or alkalinity, flash point, cold test and accelerated storage. This study also included the comparison between the locally formulated chlorpyrifos against commercial formulation [pestiban] under recommended field dilution rate through: 1-Physico-chemical properties [surface tension viscosity, pH and electrical conductivity] 2- Insecticidal efficiency against cotton leaf worm infested cotton plant 3- Deposit and residue of chlorpyrifos on treated cotton leaves. Results obtained indicated that all locally formulated and commercial chlorpyrifos showed good insecticidal efficiency against cotton leaf worm according to the Ministry of Agriculture recommendations but the locally formulated were the best than the commercial one, where deposit on treated plant leaves increased by decreasing surface tension, decreasing pH value with increasing electrical conductivity and increasing viscosity of spray solution, then due to increasing its insecticidal efficiency

Base catalyzed formation and ring cleavage of 2- acyl-4- alkoxycarbonyI- 4-cyano substituted cyclobexanoles

The reaction of 1, 3-diaryI-2-propen- 1 -ones [1 a, b] with ethyl cyanoacetate in absolute ethanol in the presence of a catalytic amount of KOH at 50-55°C afforded 3-aroyl-l-cyano-4-hydroxy-2,4, 6-triarylcyclohexanecarboxylates [2a,b]. Base-catalyzed ring cleavage of 2a,b in refluxing ethanolic KOH solution afforded the corresponding 3-aryl- 2-cyano-2-propenoic acid 4 along with 1 a, b. The structure of 2 was established through different spectroscopic techniques and confirmed via dehydration using thionyl chloride in refluxing pyridine afforded 3. However, reaction of la with ethyl cyanoacetate in refluxing ethanol in the presence of secondary amine [piperidine or morpholine] as a basic catalyst gave the open-chain Michael adduct 6. Treatment of the latter with ethanolic KOH solution yielded 1,5-pentanedione derivative 7. The relative configurations of 3b and 6 were determined through single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis

Synthesis and physico-chemical studies of some polymers for removing of some heavy metal ions of industrial wastewater

The chemical contaminations of wide range of toxic derivatives in water, in particular heavy metal ions and dyes is a serious environmental problem owing to their potential human toxicity. Therefore, there is a need to develop technologies that can remove toxic pollutants from the wastewater. Adsorption is one of choices used for treating industrial effluents and a useful tool for protecting the environment. In particular, adsorption on synthetic, natural polymers and their derivatives is known to remove pollutants from water. The importance of the synthetic polymers has increased due to their high selectively, stability at elevated temperature and sensitivity to the high concentration of ions. One of the major applications of epoxy and its many derivatives is based on its ability to bind strongly heavy and toxic metal ions. This study will focus on the synthesis of two types of polymers, the first one was carried by suspension polymerization of epoxy resin, methyl methacrylate [MMA] and divinyl benzene [DVB] mixtures which have been modified though epoxy functions in two steps: [i] by treating with polyamine and [ii] by subsequent reaction with potassium chloroacetate. The second type which is a new low cost adsorbent was prepared by modified polysaccharides for example resin was polymerized epoxy resin and cross linked starch mixtures in two steps; [i] by treating with polyamine and [ii] by subsequent reaction with potassium mono chloroacetate, that to increase the efficient sorbet for removal of Cu[II] and Ni[II] ions

CD95 and BCL-2 expression as apoptotic markers in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Dysregulation of apoptosis of the different immune cells including the peripheral blood mononuclea, cells [PBMNC], lymphocytes have been incriminated as a pathogenetic factor in rheumatoid arthrjts [RA]. CD95 [Fas] as a death receptor and Bcl-2 as an antiapoptotic protein are among the important factors responsible for controlling lymphocytes apoptosis. To assess the expression of CD95 and Bcl-2 as apoptotic markers in PBMNs in RA patients and correlate them with RA activity and functional capacity of RA patients. Twenty RA patients and 10 healthy controls were included in this study. All patients were maintained on 7.5 mg methotrexate /week and concomitant NSAIDs. All patients were examined clinically and disease activity measures including Ritchie articular index [RAI] and the number of swollen joints [SW44] were assessed and disease activity score [DAS] was calculated for each patient. Health assessment questionnaire [HAQ] was also determined. CD95 and Bcl-2 expression on the PBMNC were assessed in serum samples by flow cytometry in patients and controls, in addition to complete blood count, Rose Waaler test and ESR. Plain X-ray for both hands was also performed for all patients to detect joint erosions. The mean CD95 expression on PBMNC was significantly higher in RA patients compared to healthy controls [t=3.222, P= 0.004]. CD95 was also significantly and positively correlated with RAI, [DAS] and [ESR] [r=0.463, r=0.736, r=0.542 respectively and P<0.05 for all]. There was no statistically significant difference regarding the mean expression of Bcl-2 in RA patients and controls [t=0.122, P>0.05]. It did not also correlate with any of the studied variables. Increased CD95 expression on PBMNC in RA patients seems to be related to the inflammatory process [disease activity] in rheumatoid disease rather than to the apoptotic process as it is correlated with disease activity measures of the studied patients. Moreover, the normal expression of Bcl-2 in PBMNC indicated that the possibility of dysregulation of apoptosis in this study is unlikely

Transforming growth factor beta 1 gene [T869C] polymorphism in rheumatoid arthritis: association with disease severity

The aim of the work is to investigate the possible association of polymorphism in the transforming growth factor beta-1 [TGF beta 1] gene with the disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis. The study was conducted on 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis [group I] diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology [ACR]. They were divided according to the activity of the disease [Ritchieis articular index-RAI- and ESR] into: Active group [group A]: 29 RA patients with signs of activity [having RAI >/= 16 and ESR >/= 30 mm/h]. In-active group [group B]: 21 RA patients without signs of activity [having RAI

Biological aspect of dates suplementation in lactating rats` diet

In the current study on lactation in rats' dates [D] ratio in diet was examined in supporting this physiological case. Dates were used both at 25 or 50% with another food sources such as dimmed milk [SM] at 10 or 30% plus a source for CHO such as sweet potatoes [SP] at a variable ratio of 10, 25, or 35%. A special herbal mixture of extract as additives [AD] was added to all groups except the NC. The NC control composition was 46% both SM and corn starch [S], wherein the ratio proteins in diet, almost 17.5%, was corrected using 10 or 20% of a plant-rich protein antioxidant semimodified food [AC]. Date has been found to be preferable up to 25% in a special combination as Iactating diet. The food component of the best diet under the condition of this experiment, i.e., the et met the most healthy both mothers and infants, were the skimmed milk [SM] of 10% plus sweet potatoes [SP] at a high ratio of 25%. It seems that little higher ratio of proteins, i.e., 18%, most of which are plants with plenty amount of vegetable CHO and less than 10% fat in oily form with an adequate amount of minerals and vitamins, particularly found in D and SP, are important food toleration for those rats. This is formally seen in pregnancy. Fortunately, the diet of choice according to the above mentioned role gave also the optimal 8W measurement. However, rapid weight loss through diet or medication should not be attempted during lactation. Under the light of blood cell counts, blood analysis and both liver and kidney histopathology, the special extract used seemed to be important as source for some minor elements. The conjugation of those micronutreints and the macronutreints provided by the food system mentioned above has strongly supported that sort physiological nutritional requirements. Lactation is a special physiological case with a specific metabolic hormonal balance. This is an adapted hormonal shift [HS] follows this particular physiological status. It is such a hormonal program that strongly connected to feeding category. The present data show an alternative food combination that support mother health based on biological evaluation used, i.e., liver function and histology was group 4 of 25 D, 10 AC, 30 SM, and 25 SP. More investigation is needed to observe the role of the food additives used in the presence of main nutrients on this profounded kind of hormonal status

Nutritional biochemistry of imbalanced dietary systmes in rats

Food is of great role in human health. The best goal in this concept is variety in the diet and moderation. This hypotheses has been observed on bases of nutritional biochemistry. A single good, i.e., phasoluse bean, was used at rates of 30, 50, and 100% replacements of the basal diet for aged rats. It was clear that the higher rate of morbidity and mortality due to this sort of malnutrition, or semistarvation, has been associated with, some biological changes. Although beans is rich in containing proteins, the partial replacement of this plant food origin at 30% has shown to be a good help in keeping an optimal body weight [BW] of those aged animals, but any more degree of replacement has seen to be vital in affecting the animal health, hence 50% or over might resulted in animal death. It seemed that 25% may be useful in mentaining BW, meanwhile, a further rate of this plant origin replacement up to a specific level should be an effective way in treating obesity if used in a proper dietary system. In more details, organ morphologies and histopathologic examination of some of which as spleen, brain, and liver are greatly affected by imbalanced diets. In another word, the metabolic differences rolled up by this sort of feeding negatively affected liver and brain expectancy or longevity. A number o tissues upnormality, such as liver tissues dilatation and congestion of hepatoportal vessels, hepatocytes karyomegIy nuclei, congestion of central vein, and granular degeneration of hepatocytes with both most higher rates of replacement groups. Moreover, there were focal gliosis, pyknosis of neurons, brain edema, and hemorrhage in cerebrum and cerebellum in brain of the same groups. It is obvious that all these organ dysfunction are frequently occurred as a response to these and similar kind of malnutrition, other than energy one, that has been existed for a long enough time. This weak homeostatic system has been shown as less control on the metabolic constants such as blood glucose [G], triglycerides [TG] and total cholesterol [TC]. All those are most likely correlated with the organs subclinical defects mentioned before. It seems that this biological control that actually supported in the presence of balanced d]et can be a biological upregulatory mechanisms, and the death eventually occurs due to a protein catabolic pathway due to a protein, the quality but not only quantity, malnutrition. It is an emergence metabolic system [EMS] that runs for longer time caused by a strengthen need for some micronutrints as well as high rate of nitrogenous metabolite accumulation. This protein turn over in such high rates beyond the biological capacity of both intracellular and extracellular compartments negatively affect the whole biological system including cells, tissues, organs, and eventually the blood chemistry as well. Refeeding with a proper system of animal high quality protein and some micronutrints might be vital

IL-6 and thyroid hormones in critically ill patients with sepsis

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the activation of the cytokine system, in particular, activation of interleukin-6 production, has a role in pathogenesis of thyroid hormones changes in critically ill patients with sepsis. Thirty one patients with sepsis were studied at the Critical Care Medicine department at Alexandria Main University Hospital. Clinical evaluation of the severity of illness was done using sepsis related organ failure score [SOFA score]. Blood samples were obtained within 6 hours after admission and were collected with EDTA. Plasma was separated by centrifugation at 3000rPM for 10 minutes and stored at -80°C until assayed. 10 blood samples were obtained from healthy volunteers [5 males and 5 females] as control group. These plasma samples were used for measurement of inerleukin-6 [IL-6], free thyroxine [fT4], free triiodothyronine [f T[3]] and thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH]. Serum interleukin-6 level was significantly higher in patients with sepsis than control group [mean +/- SD was 100.904 +/- 10.941 pg/ml versus 26.652 +/- 5.125 pg/ml respectively, P = 0.0001*]. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to SOFA score. It was found that fT3 and FT4 levels were significantly decreased with increased severity of sepsis [F= 20.306, P=.000* and F= 7.025, P= .001* respectively], while serum levels of IL-6 were increased significantly with the increased severity of sepsis [F =18.55, p =.000*]. A significantly positive correlation was found between IL-6 and SOFA score, [r = .823, P .000*] while significantly negative correlation was found between levels of fT3 and serum IL-6 levels and SOFA score, [r= -.887, P = .000* and r = -.866, P= .000* respectively]. Also, a significant negative correlation was found between levels of fT4 and serum IL-6 levels and SOFA score [r= -.597. P =.000* and r= -.579, P = .000* respectively]. Also, there was a negative correlation between TSH, IL-6 and SOFA score levels but significant only with IL-6 levels [r= -0.407, P= .023* and r= -.0085, P= 0.649 respectively.] This study demonstrated that there is a positive correlation between serum level of IL-6 and severity of sepsis as it was significantly increased with increased SOFA score. While fT3, fT4 and TSH levels are significantly decreased with increased levels of IL-6. So, these suggest that the activation of the cytokine system, in particular, activation of interleukin-6 production, has a role in pathogenesis of thyroid hormones changes in critically ill patients with sepsis

Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor -2 in acute coronary heart diseases

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor -2 in acute coronary heart diseases. This prospective study had been carried on 30 patients with acute coronary heart diseases [group I] admitted consecutively in the critical care medicine department at Alexandria main university hospital. Demographic data and medical history had been taken. Thorough clinical examination, Troponin, CKMB, ECG, x ray chest and echocardiography had been done for each patient on admission. In addition, samples of plasma had been taken from each patient and also, from 10 healthy volunteers of matched age and sex [control group] [group II] to determine plasma level of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor -2 [sTNFR-2] by ELISA test. Plasma level of sTNFR-2 in group [I] was significantly higher than the group [II], [mean +/- SD was 15.315 +/- 8.909 versus 5.03 +/- 2.01ng/ml respectively, t=5.22. p = 0.0001*]. It was found non significant positive correlation between both ejection fraction [EF] and fraction shorting [FS] [left ventricular systolic function] and sTNFR-2, [r=0.121, p=0.526, r=0.293 and p=0.116 respectively]. Non significant, negative correlation was found between both early filling left ventricle/late filling left ventricle [E/A ratio] [left ventricular diastolic function] and mitral valve regurgitation [MR] and sTNFR-2 [r=- 0.108, p=0.569, r=-0.320 and p=0.085 respectively]. A negative significant correlation was found between wall motion score index [WMSI] and sTNFR-2 [r=-0.419, p=0.021*]. Measurement of sTNFR-2 may be of value in evaluation of the TNF system in acute coronary heart diseases. sTNFR-2 is increased in acute coronary heart diseases and may modulate the in vitro cytotoxicity of TNF. In this work, it is not clear whether the elevation of sTNFR-2 in acute coronary heart diseases is due to an actual increase or to a reduced breakdown or elimination of these receptors. Further explorations are needed to more precisely define the meaning, molecular basis, and interaction ofsTNFR-2 and TNF

Prevalence of pericarditis in Egyptian children affected with active rheumatic carditis

This study was done to detect pericarditis [both dry pericarditis and pericardial effusion] in children with active rheumatic heart disease using clinical, radiological, electrocar-diographic and echocardiographic methods. It included 20 children [12 males and 8 females] admitted to Alexandria University Children's Hospital with age range from 3.5 to 12 years. None of the studied cases showed evidence of dry pericarditis. Pericardial effusion [PE] was documented in 60% of cases by echocardiography, in 40% of cases by ECG, in 15% of cases by X-ray and in none of the cases by clinical methods. Dyspnea was the only clinical manifestation significantly reported in our cases with PE. Mitral valve lesion was the most common valvular affection in cases with PE, and heart failure occurred in 75% of PE cases, while 91.7% of cases of PE diagnosed echocardiographically, had radiological evidence of cardiomegaly. Right ventricular dimension was significantly smaller in patients with PE. Echocardiography was significantly superior to clinical, radiological and electrocardiographic methods in diagnosing PE. Early echocardiographic studies should be performed for all cases with active rheumatic carditis, and if not available, dyspnea can be used as a clinical indicator for the possibility of the presence of PE with 75% accuracy

C-reactive protein as a marker for guiding the duration of antibiotic therapy in suspected neonatal bacterial infection

The need to assign an effective and safe strategy to manage neonates with different forms of bacterial infections was an important objective among neonatologists at different centers. The classic approach is to provide the appropriate antibiotic regimen for cases with proved bacterial infection for a definite minimum duration and to discontinue the treatment after clinical and culture evidence of cure. This strategy, although reliable and effective, was found to pose a burden of longer duration of hospital stay and antibiotic therapy with undesired medical and economic consequences. This study was prospectively done to evaluate the use of C-reactive protein [CRP] as a reliable and safe guide to stop antibiotic therapy in those patients. It included 306 term neonates with suspected bacterial infection. C-reactive protein was highly sensitive in confirming bacterial infection in all the 72 cases [23.5%] who had positive cultures and was extremely specific in excluding bacterial infection in all the 234 [76.5%] neonates with negative cultures. Follow up of neonates with culture proved bacterial infection showed that, CRP value < 10 mg/dl could be used as a quite effective marker to terminate antibiotic therapy in neonates with various forms of bacterial infections, including the serious forms; septicemia and/or meningitis. The duration of antibiotic treatment in the group of neonates with CRP guided protocol was significantly less than the duration of treatment in the group guided by culture evidence of cure. At the same time, there was no significant difference in the rate of relapse among both groups. The results obtained in this study might provide a highly needed guide to limit the unnecessary use of antibiotics, in an economic, easy, safe and reliable manner, a situation that would be of great value in countries with rather limited economic resources

High erythrocyte sedimentation rate as a predictor of early occult bacteraemia in febrile infants and young children

Occult bacteraemia is more common in febrile infants and young children. This work was carried out to study if the erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] as a simple, cheap and rapid test can be used as a good screening test for the early detection of occult bacertaemia in febrile pediatric patients. Two hundred children aged 6 to 24 months were included in this study. All of them had fever for less than 48 hours and blood culture was positive in 6% of them. High ESR [>/= 3mm/hour] and four other clinical and laboratory criteria were chosen to assess their association with occult bacteremia. These included: high fever [>/= 40 /= 15.000/mm3] and high polymorphonuclear leukocyte count [>/= 10.000/mm3]. All five parameters proved to be statistically related to the presence of occult bacteraemia. High ESR had good sensitivity, the highest specificity, the highest positive predictive value and a good negative predictive value compared to the other tests. So. ESR can be used as a rusted screening test for early detection of occult bacteraemia in young febrile patients. This is in agreement with the results of many other investigators