Hemochromatosis C282Y gene mutation as a potential susceptibility factor for iron-overload in Egyptian beta-thalassemia patients

Background: Hereditary hemochromatosis is the most frequent cause of primary iron overload that is associated with HFE gene's mutation especially the C282Y mutation. The interaction between hemoglobin chain synthesis' disorders and the C282Y mutation may worsen the clinical picture of betathalassemia major [b-TM]

Aim: To establish the prevalence of the C282Y mutations in Egyptian b-TM patients and to address its adverse effects

Methods: Two-hundred and five b-TM patients were recruited and divided into two groups based on their serum ferritin [SF]; group I [N = 125] [SF 2500 ng/dl]. All patients were subjected to clinical and laboratory assessment with special emphasis on iron overload complications. Genotyping was assessed by polymerase chain reaction for detection of C282Y mutation in HFE gene

Results: The C282Y mutation was not detected in the studied b-TM neither in homozygous nor heterozygous state. There were several iron overload complications including cardiac complication [9.1%], liver disease [36.6%], delayed puberty [56.6%], primary [35.71%] and secondary amenorrhea [21.42%], short stature [27.3%], diabetes [3.4%], neutropenia [9.7%], arthralgia [10.2%], gastrointestinal [21.1%], depression [2.9%] and others [12.05%]. Group I showed a statistically significant lower rate of taking iron-rich diet when compared to group II. Group II showed significant longer mean duration of disease, higher total transfusion rate per life, lower mean HbF% level, higher mean HbA% level, and higher rate of elevated liver enzymes than patients with SF

Conclusion: The C282Y mutation was not detected in the studied cohort of Egyptian beta-TM patients neither in homozygous nor heterozygous state in spite of manifestations of iron overload complications

Antioxidant defense of pycnogenol against glycerol induced acute renal failure in mice

The present study aims to demonstrate the efficiency of pycnogenol as a protector in male mice against hazards effect in kidney functions induced by glycerol. Mice were received i.m. injection 50% glycerol [8ml/ kg b.wt] 30 minutes prior to glycerol administration, other group received orally pycnogenol [400mg/ kg b.wt] over a period of 12 hours. Lipid peroxidation products [MDA, PC], non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant [GSH, CAT, SOD] were estimated, in addition serum protein, urea, createnine concentration as well as serum Na, K levels were determined. It seems that rhabdomyolysis effect caused by glycerol can be controlled to some extent by pycnogenol administration

Monitoring of aflatoxins in Egyptian hot chili prepared for export using GPC as a new cleanup technique and reversed phase-HPLC

New method was developed for determination of aflatoxins BI, B2,G1 and G2 in hot chili using gel permeation chromatography [GPC as a new clean up technique. High performance liquid chromatography [HPLC] connected with fluorescence detector was used for determination of the four types of aflatoxin. The method was tested on different levels of fortified samples of hot chili [6 sample for each level] and the limit of detection [LOD] was [0.5 ph]. The average recoveries of aflatoxins from different levels [2,4,10 and 50 ppb] varied between 87 and 107%. The reproducibility expressed as relative standard deviation was less than 20%. The method showed to be linear from the limit of quantitation [2 ug/kg] up to 50 ug/kg level. The four types of aflatoxins were determined in fortified samples by extraction with acetonitrile and purified by GPC, [[Bio bead - SX 3 gerl] was used as stationary phase and hexane: ethyl acetate [1:1] as mobile phase]. Drivatiztion of B1 and G1 were obtained by reaction with trifluoroacetic acid [TEA] in a pre-column step. Quantitation of aflatoxins is carried out using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography with isocratic mobile phase water/methanol/acetonitrile [65:25:15%]. The detection was done at excitation and emission wavelengths of 360 and 440 nm respectively. This method wss used for monitoring of aflatoxins in 87 hot chili samples prepared for export. Only aflatoxins B1 and B2 were detected and all samples were free from any traces of G1 and G2. Sixty samples were contaminated with aflatoxin B1 and only 20 samples were contaminated with aflatoxin B2. The minimum amount of B1 and B2 was 0.5 ppb LOD], while the maximum amounts were 78.95 and 5.21 ppb respectively. The means were 18.57 and 1.80 ppb for B1 and B2 respectively. Forty six samples were violated with aflatoxin B1 depending on EU MRL limits [2 ppb] when 27 samples were violated depending on CODEX-MIRL limits [5 ppb]

Biochemical and histological effects of verrucarin Y-toxin on adult male mice liver

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of verrucarin J-toxin on serum biochemistry and on light and electron microscopic structures of the liver of adult male mice. Treated mice was injected intraperitonealy by toxin in a single dose of 0.9 mg/kg [group A] and 0.5 mg/kg body weight [group B]. The animals were sacrificed after 2, 4, 6 weeks [10 each] and compared to toxin free control [C] group. Results indicated that glucose level was significantly different in the treated groups [A, B], which were injected for 2 and 4 weeks than control [C] group. But there was no significant difference in 6 weeks. Plasma levels of triglycerides or cholesterol were significantly higher in both treated mice than control. Many histological changes occurred in the liver cells of both treated groups [A and B] after 2 and 4 weeks. The hepatocytes were engorged with glycogen. The nuclei and cell organelles are markedly affected. After 6 weeks from treatment many hepatocytes were, somewhat similar to the control

study of some factors triggering febrile seizures in children

Febrile seizures [FS] represent a common pediatric problem. The pathogenesis of FS is not yet clear. This study was designed to evaluate the role of some clinical and laboratory data as possible triggering factors for FS. The study included 117 patients and 100 age and sex-matched controls [febrile children without seizures]. Both groups were subjected to full history and clinical examination as well as evaluation of some laboratory data as serum iron, sodium, potassium, calcium, lead, zinc, and histamine. EEG was also performed for patients with FS. The results of the present study revealed that patients had significantly higher temperature levels at the time of admission [38.85 +/- 0.60 °C] than controls [38.16 +/- 0.45 °C] [p < 0.002]. Laboratory investigations revealed the presence of significantly lower serum levels of iron, sodium, calcium, zinc and histamine in patients than among controls. Patients with recurrent FS rather than those with single FS had significantly younger age of onset of 1[st] FS [13.80 +/- 6.37 and 19.53 +/- 10.88 months respectively, p < 0.05], and higher percentage of positive family history of FS [44.83% and 25% respectively, p < 0.02] as well as lower serum sodium levels [133.26 +/- 2.76 and 136.81 +/- 3.2 mmol/L respectively, p < 0.001]. We concluded that higher temperature levels, low serum iron, sodium, calcium, zinc and histamine could play an important role as triggering factors for FS. Younger ages at onset of 1[st] FS, positive family history and hyponatremia are possible important factors in pathogenesis of recurrent rather than single FS

T-2 toxin control and toxigenicity on adrenal gland

In the present study, extraction of T-2 toxin is proved to be maximum using 0.5% NaCl in a liquid medium containing cellulose [Carbon source], shaking growth [140 r.p.m.] for 14 days at 25°C was done based on TLC and UV spectrophotometric analyses. Notice extraction is slightly decreased with increasing NaC1 until 2.5%, followed by sharply depressed, where T-2 toxin could not be detected In the extract at 3.5% NaCl. Two treated groups of male albino rats [each, 10 rats] injected by T-2 toxin used in this study. The blood samples from the heart of the first group [one dose, 0.1 mg/kg body weight for one month] showed a decrease of plasma level of cortisol, cholesterol and triglyceride with increasing of TBARS than previous control group. Also, the second group [two doses, each 0.1 mg/kg body weight, for two months] had the same remits of the first treated group. Histological study of adrenal cortex shows significant alteration in the cells of both zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata after one month of T-2 toxin administration. The latter layer shows hypertrophy of the cells with vacuolation of the cytoplasm and pyknosis of their nuclei which become small and deeply stained. These changes become less. apparent after 2 months, where the gland become more or less similar to control. The histology of the gland explain what was found In biochemical assays. These results were discussed In view of the available literature

Urinary cortisol and minerals excretion in high risk newborns

Twenty four hours urine specimens have been analysed with regard to cortisol, sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphate in 48 Full-term and premature newborns. The mean values of 24 hours urinary cortisol in 10 uncomplicated premature newborns [12.45 +/- 5.8 ug/kg], in 16 complicated premature newborns [24.35 +/- 15.55 ug/kg] and in 12 complicated full-term [14.9 +/- 10.91 ug/kg] were found to be significantly higher than that in 10 uncomplicated full-tern newborns [6.68 +/- 2.76 ug/kg]. Significant negative correlations between cortisol excretion and gestational age were found in the group of normal full-term [r = -0.73, P < 0.02] and in the group of uncomplicated premature newborns [r = 0.81, P < 0.01]. Significantly higher levels of 24 hours sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphate urinary excretion were observed in uncomplicated preterm [2.43 +/- 1.14 m Eq/kg, 1.31 +/- 0.31, 1.65 +/- 0.23 mg/kg and 28.97 +/- 5.4 mg/kg respectively] compared to normal full-term [0.88 +/- 0.17 mEq/kg P < 0.01, 1.01 +/- 0.19 mEq/kg P 0.05, 0.64 +/- 0.1 mg/kg P < 0.01 and 7.27 +/- 1.07 mg/kg P < 0.01 respectively]. Complicated premature newborns excrete significantly higher level of sodium, calcium and phosphate [2.99 +/- 1.30 mEq/kg, 3.02 +/- 1.62 mg/kg and 36.70 +/- 19.15 mg/kg respectively] than the group of normal full-term newborns P < 0.01 for each. Complicated full-term newborns excrete significantly more sodium [2.11 +/- 1.60 mEq/kg] and phosphate [36.65 +/- 7.88 mg/kg] than normal full-term neonates P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively. Significant negative correlations were found between either sodium or phosphate excretion and gestational age in the group of uncomplicated premature newborns [r = 0.78 P < 0.01 and r = -0.80 P < 0.01 respectively]. The results were discussed in the light of the available data

Comparative study of analgesia and side effects of epidural fentanyl versus sufentanil during elective cesarean section

Duration of analgesia and side effects following single bolus doses of epidural fentanyl [100 ug] or sufentanil [50 ug] were studied in 40 patients who underwent elective cesarean section under epidural anesthesia. Fewer patients experienced pain preoperatively in the fentanyl group than in the group given sufentanil. Also, patients given fentanyl had a longer pain-free interval than those who received sufentanil. The patients given sufentanil had more pruritis and more emetic sequelae than those who received fentanyl 100 ug. There was no detectable excretion of drug into breast milk. There was more depression of respiratory rate with fentanyl than those with sufentanil

E-rosette test in elderly Egyptians

The E-rosette technique is a method of detecting receptors on cell surface. The estimation of T-lymphocytes in Egyptian elderly was studied on 30 males over 60 years of age. It was found that the number of T-lymphocytes assisted by E-rosette technique was not significantly changed comparing with the young controls. There were similar reports with different results, this may be due to the selection of cases