Bioethanol Production by Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Fermentation of Cocoyam

Bioethanol, produced by anaerobic fermentation of carbohydrates with microorganism is a liquid fuel used either as energy source or as an additive/enhancer for fossil petrol. This research was carried out to explore the potential of cocoyam starch as an alternative feedstock for bioethanol production. Cocoyam corms and cormels were peeled, dried and milled to flour, the slurries were then mashed with different enzyme cocktails comprising of amylase, glucoamylase and protease enzymes. The saccharified wort obtained was fermented with yeast; Saccharomyces cerevisiae without exogenous nutrient supplementation. Two fermentation processes were employed. Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) and Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation (SHF). Glucose liberated during mashing was determined by glucose oxidase method and it was found that enzymatic hydrolysis of cocoyam flour was effective in yielding favourable levels of fermentable glucose up to 86g glucose/100g substrate with batch 1 of enzymes. Ethanol production was measured from the cocoyam mash and it was found that S. cerevisiae produced ethanol levels equating to 398 L/ton which compares favourably with yields from cassava 280 L/ton and corn 420 L/ton. These observations indicated that cocoyam can serve as a very cheap alternative biomass for bioconversion to bioethanol with minimal inputs.

Marital adjustment as perceived by children and its relation to some of their personality traits

Problem: Is there any relationship between martial adjustment and some personality traits of children concerning [self concept-bearing responsibility-and aggression]?

Objectives: The study drives at exploring the relationship between martial adjustment and some personality traits of children such as [self-concept-bearing responsibility-and aggression] for the age stage [12-15] year olds. It also seeks identifying differences between the two sex regarding personality traits [self-concept-bearing responsibility-and aggression]

Methods: The study uses the correlative-comparative method.Sample: It consists of 200 [Male/Female] children, aged [12-15] year olds, they should be living with both parents, excluding travelling of one parent, or divorce and separation cases

Tools: Scale of Martial Adjustment as Perceived by Children [by HananThabetMadbouly, 2002], Scale of Personality Traits [by FaizaYoussif Abdel Meged], and Basic Data Form for Children [by FaizaYoussif Abdel Meged]

Results: There is a significant statistical correlation between marital adjustment as perceived by children and some personality traits of children regarding [Aggressiveness-Self-Concept-Bearing Responsibility], There are significant statistical differences in marital adjustment degree as perceived by children and some personality traits due to differences in parents' social and cultural level, There are significant statistical differences in marital adjustment degree as perceived by children for difference in parents' number of children, and There are significant statistical differences in personality traits due to difference in sex [Males-Females]

Possible association of interleukin-1beta [-511C/T] and interleukin-6 [-174G/C] gene polymorphisms with atherosclerosis in end stage renal disease Egyptian patients on maintenance haemodialysis

In end stage renal disease, inflammation is considered a critical regulator of atherosclerotic plaque formation and progression, to which many dialysis and non-dialysis-related factors may contribute. Since circulating inflammatory cytokine levels vary inter-individually, one may speculate that genetic factors, such as polymorphisms in genes encoding them, may be involved in determining the individual inflammatory reaction in response to a given insult. The present work aimed to study interleukin-1B [-511C/T], and interleukin-6 [-174G/C] gene polymorphisms and their possible association with atherosclerosis in Egyptian patients with end stage renal disease on maintenance haemodialysis. The present study was conducted on 100 Egyptian subjects, the control group [n = 30] and the patient group [n = 70] with end stage renal disease on maintenance haemodialysis which were further subdivided into two subgroups with [n = 33] and without atherosclerosis [n = 37] as evidenced by CIMT, ECG ischaemic changes, cerebrovascular insufficiency [CVI], and peripheral vascular insufficiency [PVI]. All studied subjects were subjected to detailed history taking, routine laboratory investigations and molecular studies including detection of IL-1B [-511C/T] and IL-6 [-174G/C] gene polymorphisms using the Polymerase chain reaction/Restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR/RFLP] technique. The genotype distribution and allele frequency of IL-1B [-511C/T] and IL-6 [-174G/C] showed no statistical significant difference among the studied groups. To conclude the development of atherosclerosis among Egyptian patients on maintenance haemodialysis cannot be attributed to these two gene polymorphisms

Tarsal tunnel syndrome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, electrophysiological and ultrasound study

Tarsal tunnel syndrome [TTS] is an entrapment neuropathy of the tibial nerve at the ankle. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the systemic causes that has been responsible for TTS. In this study thirty feet of patients diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis with complaints of burning pain or paresthesia on the plantar aspect of the foot and toes with 15 feet of age and sex matched control subjects were included. The aim of this study: To detect TTS among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. All patients included in this study were subjected to history taking, clinical examination [general and local], nerve conduction studies and ultrasonography of both tarsal tunnels. In this study, we detected the presence of TTS in rheumatoid arthritis patients group and none was found in the control group. A total of 28 cases were confirmed as having TTS. In the patients group a strong statistically significant correlations were found between ultrasonographic and electrodiagnostic findings. So it is concluded that TTS is detected in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and that the use of both methods could lead to more reliable confirmed diagnosis which could lead to better management

Pelvic floor electrophysiology patterns associated with faecal incontinence

Pelvic floor electrophysiological tests are essential for assessment of patients with faecal incontinence. The present study was conducted to determine the patterns of pelvic floor electrophysiology that are associated with faecal incontinence. The present study included 40 patients with faecal incontinence and 20 apparently healthy subjects as a control group. All patients were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, proctosigmoidoscopy, anal manometry and electrophysiological studies. Electrophysiological studies included pudendal nerve motor conduction study, pudendo-anal reflex, needle electromyography of the external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscles, pudendal somatosensory evoked potential and tibial somatosensory evoked potential. The control group was subjected to electrophysiological studies which include pudendal nerve motor conduction study, pudendo anal reflex, pudendal somatosensory evoked potential and tibial somatosensory evoked potential. The most common pelvic floor electrodiagnostic pattern characteristic of faecal incontinence was pudendal neuropathy, abnormal pudendo-anal reflex, denervation of the external anal sphincter and puborectalis at rest, incomplete interference pattern of the external anal sphincter and puborectalis at squeezing and cough and a localized defect in the external anal sphincter. There were characteristic pelvic floor electrodiagnostic patterns for faecal incontinence

Al Zubair Pasha [1831-1913] a medical report on health profile and cause of death

This article is a medical report about Zubair Pasha's final illness and the cause of his death. It also documents how medical treatment was perceived and practiced in Sudan in the early years of the British rule at the turn of the twentieth century. Zubair Pasha was born in 1831 and died in 1913, almost hundred years ago. Zubair had dictated his life story to Naoum Shugair in Cairo in 1900. In that succinct account Zubair described how he strived to build a successful business kingdom that existed in Bahr Al Ghazal. He traded in ivory, ostrich feather, cattle, metals and all types of seeds; as a result he gained huge wealth and influence. Additionally he helped extend the Turkish rule to Darfour and the neighboring districts. Despite that Zubair was retained in Egypt for more nearly thirty years. He came back after the reconquest of Sudan and stayed at El Geili, his home town. Dr Squire who was the physician at Khartoum Civil Hospital was sent by the Governor General of Sudan to attend to Zubair who was seriously ill in Al Geili, his home town. This article includes the medical report of Dr Squire in 4/1/1913. The final cause of death was described in the report of Dr Andrew Balfour [Head of Welcome Laboratory in Khartoum] as heavy infection with quartan malaria parasite and both ring and crescent forms of malignant tertian parasites were found. Despite treatment with quinine Zubair died two days later

Effect of alloxan-induced diabetes on implantation sites of pregnant rats with special emphasis on angiogenesis

Diabetes is relatively common worldwide. According to the reports of the WHO, more than 150 million people suffer from diabetes across the world. A primary negative effect of a diabetic environment on the developing embryo is impaired vascularization of the yolk sac. Angiogenesis at the sites of blastocyst implantation is associated with increased vascular permeability. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of diabetes on the implantation site and intersite in albino rats during the early period of pregnancy with special emphasis on angiogenesis, by studying vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Forty adult female albino rats aged 4-6 months were used in this study. Rats were divided into two groups [20 rats each]. Group I constituted the control group and group II constituted the alloxan-induced diabetic group. Diabetes was induced in rats by intravenous injection of alloxan monohydrate dissolved in normal saline into the dorsal tail vein at a dose of 40mg/kg body weight. Vaginal smears were collected from each animal; the presence of sperm in the smear was designated as day 1 of pregnancy. Pregnant rats from the control and diabetic groups were sacrificed at days 4, 5, 6 and 7 of pregnancy [n=5]. Examination of the uterine horn sections showed occurrence of implantation on day 6 in the control group, whereas implantation in the diabetic group occurred only on day 7. Granulated metrial glandular cells were clearly seen in the control group, whereas lymphocytic infiltration was obvious in the diabetic group. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was stronger in the diabetic group

Drug susceptibility pattern of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates against conventional anti-tuberculosis drugs in Dhaka, Bangladesh

To investigate the drug susceptibility pattern of isolated Mycobacterium tuberculosis [M. tuberculosis] against conventional anti-tuberculosis drugs in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Sputum samples from 101 suspected new and previously treated patients were collected and M. tuberculosis was identified by microscopic observation and Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Drug susceptibility was performed against 4 anti-tuberculosis drugs, and the obtained data was analyzed. This study was performed in the Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh between October 2008 and November 2009. Among 101 suspected, 59 [58.4%] cases were identified as M. tuberculosis and the drug susceptibility pattern of 50 positives isolates was studied against 4 anti-tuberculosis drugs. Out of these 50 isolates of M. tuberculosis, 25 [50%] were sensitive to all drugs, and 25 [50%] were resistant to one or more drugs. Among 50 positive patients, 37 [74%] were new cases, and 13 [26%] were previously treated cases. Among 37 new cases, 14 [37.8%] cases were resistant to one or more drugs, whereas 11 out of 13 [84.6%] treated cases were resistant to one or more drugs. Among the 50 positive isolates, 26% demonstrated resistance to isoniazid, 12% to rifampicin, 22% to streptomycin, 20% to ethambutol, and 8% to multi drug resistance. The emergence of drug resistant M. tuberculosis isolates in Dhaka is alarming, which is currently 5-fold higher than last decade. Strict measures should be taken to control and prevent drug-resistant tuberculosis

Study of left ventricular diastolic function in patients with diabetes mellitus

Diabetic cardiomyopathy [DC] is defined as heart muscle disorder, due to or presumably due to Diabetes mellitus [OM]. The relationship between DC and indices of metabolic control in DM is still a matter of debate. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of DC in young diabetic patients and to find its correlation with age, duration of OM, and indices of glycemic control. The study material consisted of 50 diabetic patients below 50 years of age and 50 age and sex matched control group. Echo was done to assess left ventricular function and to rule out other structural heart disease. Their metabolic indices were taken. Left Ventricular Function: all controls had normal LV function. Studied patients had normal LV systolic function. A total of 29 patients [58%] were found to have LV diastolic dysfunction. Grade I LVDD was most common [40%].LVOD was significantly correlated with duration of DM and age of the patient [P<0.05]. There was a trend towards higher grades of LVDD, as age of the patient and duration of DM increased. There was no significant correlation between fasting blood sugar level, serum lipid profile and LV diastolic dysfunction. LVDD is very common in patients with DM. Its prevalence is related to age and duration of the disease while severity has a tendency towards these two variables but demonstrated no significant statistical value. Early detection of LVDD may have important diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications

Can fetal echocardiogram and karyotyping be fairly offered for fetal umbilical cord abnormalities?

A prospective study to determine if fetal echocardiography and karyotyping by amniocentesis are strongly indicated in fetus with single umbilical artery [SUA]? During the period from March 2002-September 2006 all cases of fetal SUA, from Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in a routine obstetric population were studied. Targeted sonograms and perinatal follow up were obtained. Sixteen thousand women completed the study, 162 cases of SUA were diagnosed on the basis of prenatal sonograms, however 169 cases [53 non isolated SUA and 116 isolated SUA] confirmed postnatafly. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of SUA were 90.5%, 99.9%, 94.4% and 99.8% respectively. Aneuploidy and cardiac abnormalities were present in 8 out of the 53 [15%] and 17/53 [32%] In none isolated SUA respectively. fetuses with SUA should get further evaluation at centers that handle high-risk cases and parent should strongly counseled for fetal echocardiogram and fetal karyotyping In case of none isolated SUA

values of vaginal fetal fibronectin and transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of cervical length for prediction of spontaneous preterm birth

A prospective observational study to examine the diagnostic performance of transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of the cervical length and vaginal fetal fibronectin separately or in combination to determine the prediction of preterm delivery in asymptomatic high risk patients for preterm labor. This study was performed on 98 patients at high risk for preterm delivery. Patients were followed up prospectively from 24 weeks gestation. Subsequent visits were scheduled every 2 weeks apart up to 36 weeks then weekly after. Vaginal Fetal fibronectin was estimated and transvaginal ultrasonography for cervical length measurement was performed. The outcome measures were deliveries before 37 weeks' gestation. The preterm birth was 22.4% [22/98]. The predictive values of positive fetal fibronectin test and cervical length < 25mm, separately, were calculated. The negative predictive values of each were 91.5% and 86.7% respectively. While the positive predictive values were 43.5% and 43.3% respectively. Combination of both tests improves positive predictive value slightly, [52.1%]. The negative predictive value, when fetal fibronectin is negative and the cervical length is >25 mm, increases slightly as well [94.2%]. Vaginal fetal fibronectin test and cervical length measurement by transvaginal ultrasound between 24-37 weeks' gestation are approximately equivalent in prediction of preterm labor in patients at high risk for preterm labor. Combination of both tests could reduce the high rates of false-positives resulting from the poor specificity of the clinical indicators for preterm birth

Giant and absent somatosensory evoked potentials in children with cerebral palsy with and without epilepsy

Many studies have reported the relationship between giant somato-sensory evoked potentials [SEP] and myoclonic epilepsy in adults and children. However there are few reports about giant SEP and absent SEP in children with cerebral palsy. To assess the diagnostic significance of giant SEP and absent SEP in children with cerebral palsy with and without epilepsy. The study included 25 children [10 boys and 15 girls] with cerebral palsy, 10 of them with a history of epilepsy. The age of all the CP children was 5.2 +/- 2.3 years. Ten healthy children of matched age, sex and height were included in the study as a control group. SEP to median [N20] and posterior tibial [P40] nerves stimulation was recorded. Giant SEP was defined as that bigger than 3 SD of the mean amplitude in normal children. Inter-ictal EEG recordings were done for all the patient population as well as for the controls. The peak latency of N20 in normal children was: 16.2 ms +/- 1.1 ms while its amplitude was: 7.5 micro.V +/- 2.6 micro V. The peak latency of P40 in normal children was: 31.3 ms +/- 3.2 ms while its amplitude was: 4.8 micro V +/- 1.8 micro V. Giant SEP was considered if the amplitude was more than 15.3 micro V for N20 and 10.2 micro V for P40. SEP was absent in 5 CP children without epilepsy [33.3%] and a patient [10%] with epilepsy. All of them were severely handicapped. On the other hand 4 CP children with epilepsy [myoclonic seizures] [40%] showed giant SEP while none of the CP children without epilepsy showed giant SEP. EEG recordings were unremarkable in 10 patients [40%]. Abnormal EEG findings were: focal paroxysmal discharges in 5 children [20%], polyspike and slow wave complexes In 4 children [16%] and abnormal background activity in 6 children [24%]. Both groups of CP children [with and without epilepsy] showed significant increase of the SEP latency and significant decrease of the SEP amplitude of the median and posterior tibial nerves compared to the control group. Giant SEP being present in CP children only with epilepsy, suggests that it is related to a state of cortical hyper-excitability. Absent SEP is present in CP children with and without epilepsy, but more in severely handicapped children. So absent SEP is attributed to the severity of neurological disorder

Sympathetic and somatic neuropathy in patients with scleroderma

Peripheral neurologic involvement is regarded as uncommon in systemic sclerosis. On the other hands, some studies showed that the peripheral nervous system is often affected in systemic sclerosis though it is not clearly understood whether the involvement represents a primary or a secondary event. Nonetheless, a number of patients develop parasthesia and neuropathic pain in their hands and occasionally precede the onset of clinical edema. To assess the sympathetic and somatic neuropathy in patients with scleroderma. Ten patients with scleroderma diagnosed according to the ACR criteria for systemic sclerosis 1980 as well as 10 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Included clinical neurological examination, semi-quantitative sensory testing, standard nerve conduction study of median, ulnar, common peroneal and sural nerves, needle EMG of the 1[st] dorsal interosseous and tibialis anterior, and electrically evoked sympathetic skin response [SSR] of the hand. Sensory symptoms was found in 5 patients, decrease of pinprick sensation was found in 4 patients, decrease of vibration sense was found in 4 patients, damped deep tendon jerks was found in 4 patients, unilateral facial parasthesia and hyposthesia in 2 patients. Nerve conduction study revealed low amplitude of the SNAP in 3 patients, slow sensory conduction in 2 patients and carpal tunnel syndrome in 4 patients. Slow motor conduction was found in the common peroneal nerve of a patient. Four patients showed poor SSR. The other 6 patients showed significant decrease of the amplitude and delayed latency of the SSR compared to the control subjects. Peripheral neuropathy in patients with scleroderma is not uncommon. It is predominantly sensory and sympathetic and seems to be non length dependent

Rheumatoid arthritis: early induction of disease remission

To evaluate the efficacy of tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] blockade as bridge-therapy combined with methotrexate [MTX] in induction of early remission in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Patients and Sixty six patients with rheumatoid arthritis with poor prognostic disease features were enrolled in the current study. All had moderate to severe disease activity with unsatisfactory response to disease modifying antirheumatic drugs [DMARDs] mono-therapy. Patients were randomized into 3 groups: Group 1 were the patients who received TNF-alpha blockade therapy in combination with methotrexate [MTX] for 6 weeks than they were maintained on MTX alone for 18 weeks, group 2 included patients who received MTX mono-therapy and patients in group 3 who received prednisolone according to micro-dose regimen with MTX. All patients underwent initial full clinical examination as well as laboratory investigations [baseline evaluation]. The following disease activity parameters were determined at baseline, 6 weeks and 24 weeks after being enrolled in the study: Global patieny's and global physician's assessment scores, patients's pain score, number of tender as well as swollen joints, Health assessment questionnaire, serum C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate as well as morning stiffness duration. Standard plain X-rays were carried out for both hands, wrists, ankles as well as the forefeet. Joint erosions were assessed according to Larsen's score. Induction of disease remission after the 1st 6 weeks of therapy occurred in 45.45%, 27.27%, 36.36% in group1, 2 and 3 respectively, reflecting the higher efficacy of TNF-alpha blockade therapy in induction of early disease remission. After 18 weeks of stopping TNF-alpha blockad and maintaining the patients of group1 on MTX [24 weeks from start of the study], the 3 study groups showed comparable disease control revealing the absence of superiority of TNF-alpha blockade therapy compared with prednisolone-MTX combination as well as MTX monotherapy. On the other hand radiological evaluation of joint damage showed comparable incidence of joint erosions in the 3 groups reflecting equal efficacy of the 3 treatment regimens in controlling joint destruction. In view of results of the current study it can be concluded that TNF-alpha blockade is an effective therapy in RA that can induce early disease remission, however, this induced remission was not associated with superior efficacy in protection of joint damage compared with MTX mono-therapy and combined MTX-steroid therapy

association of cryptogenic ischemic stroke and atrial septal aneurysm. a case report

Introduction Patent foramen ovale [PFO] is implicated in several pathologic processes including paradoxical embolism in cryptogenic stroke.1 Patients with PFO have significantly higher rates of recurrent cerebral ischemic events than those without PFO.2 Atrial septal abnormalities are associated with embolic events and cryptogenic ischemic stroke in young patients, but the causal link has not yet been established. Paradoxical embolism is considered the most likely mechanism but is rarely proven.3 The role of atrial septal aneurysm [ASA] as a risk factor for cerebral ischemia of unknown etiology is still controversial. Burger et al. have reported that the morphological characteristics of ASA and associated cardiac abnormalities do not distinguish patients at risk for cerebrovascular events.4 The presence of right-to-left shunt [RLS] is essential to allow clot to cross into the left atrium and hence the arterial circulation. In the absence of an identifiable source of embolism, ASA plays an important role as a substrate for clot formation. Consequently, the presence of ASA and RLS are crucial for ischemic stroke to develop and not the mere presence of PFO. Most sources agree that ASA is best detected by transesophageal echocardiography [TEE] while saline agitated contrast enhances the detection of interatrial shunting. The prevalence of ASA in a general referral population of patients was investigated by use of transthoracic echocardiograpy [TTE] and TEE. Contrast TEE was performed to detect interatrial shunting in patients with ASA. In this population, the prevalence of ASA as determined by TTE was 0.47% [24/5079], and 0.78% [40/5079] by TEE. Of these 40 patients, 16 [40%] were judged to be normal by TTE. Of the 40 patients who were positive for ASA, 50% demonstrated interatrial shunting [atrial septal defects, 10; patent foramen ovale, 10]. The authors concluded that TEE is of significant value in detecting the presence of ASA and associated cardiac abnormalities. Contrast TEE further enhances the detection of interatrial shunting in patients with ASA.5 In this paper, we report our experience with a case of young female who developed cryptogenic ischemic stroke. The offending clot was believed to originate from an ASA. The presence of RLS and PFO provided access to the systemic circulation

Subclinical neuropathy in children with IDDM: peripheral and central nerve functions: part I

Peripheral neuropathy is one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus. However the early natural history of this complication has not been well defined. Studying nerve functions in IDDM at an early stage was the aim of this work in order to evaluate the prevalence of neuropathy. The study included 20 insulin dependent diabetic patients, in addition to 10 healthy subjects of matching age and sex as a control group. Patients were subjected to full clinical evaluation which included detailed survey for neuropathic symptoms and signs, urine testing for microalbuminuria and repeated fasting blood glucose, with measurement of serum glycated hemoglobin [HbA[1c]]. Electrophysiological study included motor conduction studies of the median and deep peroneal nerves and sensory conduction studies of the sural and median nerves in addition to visual evoked potentials [VEPs]. Neuropathic symptoms were present in only 2 patients [10%] but nerve conduction studies revealed the presence of abnormalities in motor and sensory nerve functions which were more common in lower than upper extremities and more in motor nerve functions than sensory nerve functions. The duration of diabetes was a major determinant of the presence of peripheral nerve dysfunction also older age and more height were positively correlated with nerve dysfunction. Central nerve functions testing by visual evoked potentials [VEPs] demonstrated that although eyes of diabetic children showed no abnormalities in fundus examination, the implicit time of the P100 of the VEP, was significantly prolonged in eyes of IDDM cases with duration <5 years while the P100 amplitude was significantly reduced only in IDDM patients with duration of diabetes >10 years. These findings emphasize the importance of follow up and testing for subclinical peripheral and central neuropathy by repeated electrophysiological testing of children with IDDM

Subclinical neuropathy in children with IDDM: autonomic nerve functions: part II

Studying autonomic nerve functions by testing for cardiovascular reflexes in addition to pupillary diameter and adaptation in IDDM at an early stage was the aim of this work in order to evaluate the prevalence of autonomic neuropathy. The study included 20 insulin dependent diabetic patients. In addition to 10 healthy subjects with matching age and sex as a control group. Patients were subjected to full clinical evaluation which included detailed survey for neuropathic symptoms and signs, urine testing for microalbuminuria and repeated fasting blood glucose, with measurement of serum glycated hemoglobin [HbA[1c]]. Autonomic function tests included cardiovascular reflex test, pupil size and measurement of pupillary dark adaptation. There was evidence for autonomic dysfunction demonstrated by abnormal cardiovascular reflexes which was most common in heart rate response to standing which was abnormal in 90% of cases, and also smaller pupil diameter. These findings emphasize the importance of follow up and testing for subclinical autonomic neuropathy in children with IDDM

Cytokinin-like activity in chronic renal failure

The present study estimated cytokinin-like activity [CLA] in blood and urine samples collected from 15 patients with chronic renal failure [CRF] and 10 normal controls. CLA was determined using one of the bioassay technique which is the Cucumber seeds test after fractionation of serum and urine with ethyl acetate and n. butanol. All urine samples were fractionated and bioassayed after being bacteriologically filtered to avoid the interference with free cytokinin owned by bacteria. Our results showed that the values of CLA were significantly reduced in the blood and urine specimens of patients with CRF versus that of control group [P for both were< 0.05]. This preliminary work, which is done for the first time, may suggest studying the identification, metabolism, biosynthesis and turn-over of the substance [S] which is present in human being and exerts the biological activity of cytokinin