Production of textile reddish brown dyes by fungi

Eleven fungal strains were tested for their ability to produce brown and reddish brown textile dyes using H-acid (1- naphthol-8-amino-3, 6-disulfonic acid) as a dye precursor in the fermentation medium. All tested fungal strains exhibited high ability to produce dyes varying in both dye color (brown to reddish brown) and fastness properties to washing, perspiration and UV light. The produced dyes were subjected to further analysis for quantitative determination of dye components for investigation of their inter-relations as well as their role in dye color and stability.

Prognostic significance of cytochrome C release and tissue lactate dehydrogenase in patients with breast cancer

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of cytochrome c release and tissue lactate dehyrogenase [LDH] in patients with breast cancer. This study included 90 patients with breast cancer and 35 patients with benign breast lesions. In cytosolic fraction, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol was detected by Western blot, while total LDH activity was measured spectrophotometrically. Tissue LDHA mRNA was assessed by RTPCR. We observed a significant increase in cytochrome c release, LDH activity and LDHA mRNA in patients with breast cancer compared to patients with benign breast lesions. Cytochrome c release was significantly declined in poorly differentiated tumors [grade 3] compared to well-differentiated and moderately differentiated tumors [grades 1, 2]; and in stages III and IV compared to stages I and II of breast cancer. Levels of LDH activity and LDHA mRNA were remarkably elevated in breast cancer patients with grade 3 compared to those with grades 1, 2; and in stages III and IV compared to stages I and II of breast cancer. High levels of LDH activity and LDHA mRNA were detected in breast cancer patients with positive lymph node compared to those with negative lymph node. These data indicate that cytochrome c release, cytosolic LDH activity and tissue LDHA mRNA can be considered as useful prognostic markers in patients with breast cancer

Simultaneous determination of the two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; Diflunisal and Naproxen in their tablets by chemometric spectrophotometry and HPLC

Chemometric spectrophotometry and HPLC were applied to the simultaneous determination of the two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; diflunisal [I] and naproxen [II]. The applied chemometric techniques are multivariate methods including classical least squares [CLS], principal component regression [PCR] and partial least squares [PLS]; and the second derivative of the ratio spectra [2Dr] method. To develop the multivariate methods, the UV absorption spectra of the standard solutions of the training and validation sets in methanol were recorded in the range of 242-274 nm at 2 nm intervals. The specificity of the studied multivariate methods has been tested. In the 2Dr method, analytical signals at 235 and 259 nm were selected for the determination of [I] and [II], respectively. The HPLC method depends on reversed-phase separation using C18 column. The mobile phase consists of a mixture of acetonitrile - acetate buffer [pH 4.2; 50 mM] [60:40, v/v]. The UV detector was set at 255 nm. The developed methods were validated and successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of [I] and [II] in their tablets. The assay results obtained using the chemometric methods were statistically compared to those of the HPLC method and good agreement was observed

Production of some biologically active secondary metabolites from marine-derived fungus Varicosporina ramulosa

In a screening of fungal isolates associated with marine algae collected from Abou-keer, Alexanderia during the four seasons of 2004, to obtain new biologically active compounds. Varicosporina ramulosa isolate was identified and selected as a producer of 13 compounds. Out of 13 pure compounds produced, compounds 3 and 10 were considered as antibacterial and antifungal compounds, respectively as they were active against gram positive, gram negative bacteria and a fungus. Optimization of conditions (fermentation media, incubation period, temperature, initial pH, aeration levels) which activate compounds 3 and 10 production were studied. Also the spectral properties (UV, MS, GC/MS, IR and 1H-NMR) of the purified compounds were determined. Compound 3 suggested to be dibutyl phthalate and compound 10 may be ergosterol or one of its isomers. Biological evaluation of the two compounds towards 6 different types of tumor cell lines showed weak effect of compound 3 at different concentrations on the viable cell count of the different tumor cell lines. While compound 10 showed different activities against the viable cell count of the 6 different tumor cell lines. It kills 50% of the viable infected liver and lung cells at concentrations equal to 99.7 μg/mL, 74.9μg/mL, respectively. Compound 10 can be recommended as new anticancer compounds.

Low flow induced DVT in critical lower limb ischemia: early impact on revascularization

Critical ischemia, as evidenced by chronic ishemic rest pain or tissue necrosis, is associated with inevitable amputation for most patients unless a revascularisation correction is undertaken. Bypass grafts are usually required because of the multilevel and distal nature of the arterial narrowing in critical limb ischemia. Patients with diabetes are more likely than other patients to have distal disease that is less amenable to bypass grafting. There are several risk factors that may predispose to DVT, including sluggish blood flow due to [CLI] and surgical endothelial trauma to the veins. DVT have an impact on the outcome of the graft patency. To evaluate the effect of concomitant DVT on the early patency of arterial bypass in patients with critical limb ischemia. One hundred patient who had surgical bypass for treatment of their critical limb ischemia were followed up for one month for early graft occlusion. Any suspected cases of lower limb oedema after revascularization were examined by color duplex. All cases with a diagnosed DVT were treated with the recommended dose of Low molecular weight Heparin immediately after diagnosis, together with warfarin as the regular treatment regimen of deep vein thrombosis. Exclusion criteria: 1. Past history of DVT in such affected limb. 2. Known patient with hypercoagulable state. During one month follow up period, there were 16 graft failures among the one hundred ischaemic limb. Out of 16 early failures, 10 failures occurred in patient who had DVT representing 62.5% of all failed grafts. Meanwhile only 37.5% of failure [6 cases] had no DVT. Those who had early detection of DVT and received full dose of heparin had a better outcome except for two cases who developed large hematome which necessitates surgical intervention with no affection upon patency. Presence of DVT is not the only predictor factor for short term patency of the graft but also the early aggressive treatment of cases of DVT from the time of diagnosis affected significantly the outcome. The occurrence of complications with this large dose of anticoagulant with surgery were not life or graft threatening, and could be managed without major morbidity. The early use of anticoagulant in therapeutic dose improved the outcome. We recommend screening of all patients with critical limb ischemia by duplex for the presence of DVT, with full instant treatment of the diagnosed cases

Proteomic analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana gene expression profiles in response to zinc exposure

Contamination of soils with heavy metals, either by natural causes or due to pollution, often has pronounced effects on the vegetation. The main objective of this research was to study the response of Arabidopsis thaliana to zinc treatment. The Arabidopsis plants were grown on standard MS medium and then compared to plants grown on media containing ZnSO[4]. Arabidopsis was found to be affected by Zn treatment, showing retarded growth as indicated by the decrease of root length. High content of zinc was accumulated in the treated plants. A proteome study based on SDS-PAGE or 2-D PAGE for protein profiles was carried out in order to evaluate the response of Arabidopsis genotype to excess zinc. SDS-PAGE analysis has reveled that plant grown under zinc showed induction or repression in the synthesis of few proteins in leaves. In addition, analysis by two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed altered gene expression. Western blot analysis revealed that zinc treatment has increased the levels of actin protein expression. These differences reflected the magnetitude of biochemical genetic adjustment in plant to cope with the access of zinc

Analysis of arabidopsis profilin gene [PRF1] by RNA interference and phylogenetic approaches

Profilin [PRF] is an ubiquitous, low-Mr. actin-binding protein involved in the organization of the cytoskeleton of eukaiyotes including higher plants. PRFs are encoded by a multigene family in Arabidopsis. The functional roles of Arabidopsis PRF1 were analyzed by generating transgenic plants carrying a 35S-RNAi PRF1 transgene PRF1 expression was quantitatively measured by Western blot, where RNA interference disrupted the expression of PRF1. The phenotypes of PRF1-RNAi plants were identified, since the main roots of PRF1-RNAi bent with larger curvature than those of the wild-type seedlings in wavy growth. Furthermore, the length and density of PRF1-RINAi root hairs were less than that of wild-type root hairs. The growth of PRF1-RNAi seedlings on medium without sucrose exhibited altered developmental phenotype characterized with small size plants. Starch staining with I-KI solution reveals reduced amount of starch-filled amyloplasts in PRF1-RNAi root cells and were lacking gravitropism, when grown on a sucrose-free medium compared to the wild type. These results suggest that PRF1 is essential for the proper root development and silencing PRF1 expression cause root defects. In the present study, phylogenetic relationships were investigated by comparing profilin gene sequences of 20 different plant species. Such approach is considered a major advancement toward the functional analysis of cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells

Cytokines, lipid peroxide and nitric oxide in Egyptian hepatocellular carcinoma on top of HCV and HBV infection

Many studies have shown the relative roles of hepatitis B and C viruses in hepato-carcinogenesis. The aim of this study is to define the independent and interactive roles of some cytokines namely, TNF alpha , IL-6, IL-1 beta together with NO and TEARS in the genesis of HCC following the infection with such viruses. Blood samples were taken from 58 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and were divided into four groups: a] 28 patients with HCV, b] 10 patients with HBV, c] 11 patients with B+C, d] 9 patients without viral infection. In addition, 20 healthy subjects served as control group for each, TNF alpha , IL-6, and IL-1 beta were measured using ELISA technique, in addition to NO and TBARs using chemical methods. Patients with coinfection B-C viral infection showed the highest levels in studied parameters. Patients with HCV and HBV separately showed more or less similar results. However, patients without viral infection showed the least higher levels comparing to the control group. Cytokines in addition to NO and TEARS have a definite role in hepatic carcinogenesis. Coinfection with the two viruses carries a synergistic risk factor of hepatocellular carcinoma development. Depending on the results of the studied parameters HCV did not show predominancy on HBV. Further studies are needed to clarify the exact mechanism of carcinogenesis especially in HCV patients

Prevalence and correlates of nocturnal enuresis in the United Arab Emirates

To determine the prevalence, socio-demographic correlates and associated psychopathology in children with enuresis. A community survey of a stratified sample of 400 6-16 year old school children was carried out in the Al-Ain City, United Arab Emirates. Psychiatric disturbance, if any, was ascertained using the Rutter Parent Scale. Thirty-two out of the 400 children [8%] surveyed, reported wetting the bed at least once per week. More boys were affected than girls, and 90% of those with enuresis were aged 6-11 years. Presence of enuresis was found to be associated with psychosocial stress in the family; large family size; a positive family history, poorer scholastic performance and presence of psychiatric disturbance as indicated by the Rutter parent score. Our findings suggest that bed-wetting is a common problem among school children and that they need to be carefully screened for associated psychopathology

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection: DDB plus amantadine compared with interferon plus ribavirin

This study was designed to assess the effect of combined dioxy- biphenyl dicarboxylate [DDB] and amantadine hydrochloride compared with interferon alpha and ribavirin in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Eighty patients with chronic hepatitis C viral infection were allocated to this study and were divided into two groups, each including 40 patients: The first group received DDB plus amantadine and the second group received interferon plus ribavirin for six months. The patients were reviewed initially, then three months and six months after initiation of therapy. The additive value of DDB plus interferon combined therapy in chronic hepatitis C infection could be a promising treatment strategy, which needs further assessment studies

Serum and follicular insulin growth factor [I G F -I] and insulin growth factor binding protein - I [I G F B P -I] In polycstic ovary syndrome

The present study comprised a total of 75 young women [45 polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] patients and 30 age and weight matched controls]. On the basis of their body mass index [BMI], the patients and controls were further subdivided into obese [BMI 27 kg/m2] and lean [BMI 25 kg/m2] groups. All participants in the study were subjected to medical as well as reproductive history. A clinical and gynecological examination including pelvic ultrasonography was done. BMI and WHR were also calculated. Hirsutism was examined and graded. Fasting plasma glucose, serum LH, FSH, testosterone, SHBG, insulin, IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 were measured. Fasting glucose/insulin ratio as an indicator of insulin resistance and free androgen index [FAI] as index of hyperandrogenemia were calculated. Moreover, follicular fluid samples were collected from 15 PCOS and 5 control subjects for the assessment of their IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 levels

Serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in Egyptian patients with hepatitis C related chronic liver disease

Intercellular adhesion molecule-l [ICAM-1] is a member of the immunoglobulin supergene family. It is a cell surface glycoprotein that mediates lymphocyte adhesion to endothelium, extravasation and adhesion to hepatocytes, which constitute important steps in liver inflammation due to chronic viral hepatitis. Its expression can be induced by inflammatory cytokines in a wide variety of cells, including: hepatocytes, leukocytes and endothelial cells at the sites of inflammation or in the circulation. sICAM-1 represents the extracellular portion of the intact molecule of ICAM-1 and is generated by proteolytic cleavage from the cell membrane. Therefore, serum levels of sICAM-1 may be a useful marker for immune activation and inflammatory processes. We measured serum sICAM-1 in patients with HCV [n = 39] and uninfected controls [n = 10]. sICAM-1 levels were found to be significantly elevated [p<0.001] in HCV infected patients compared to uninfected controls. When sICAM-1 levels were correlated with liver function tests in the patients, there was a significant correlation between sICAM-1 and serum ALT levels [p<0.001] and AST levels [p <0.05]. Similarly, there was a significant correlation between sICAM-1 levels and the grades of liver inflammation [r = 0.52, p<0.05]. When the patients were divided into 3 groups according to the pathologic findings, there was a significant correlation between serum levels of sICAM-1 and the grades of liver inflammation in the group of chronic hepatitis without cirrhosis [r = 0.85, p<0.001], and the group of chronic hepatitis with active cirrhosis [p < 0.05] but not in the group with chronic hepatitis and established cirrhosis

Spectrofluorometric determination of the two antilipemic drugs lovastatin and simvastatin in spiked human plasma and in dosage forms

A new spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of the two antilipemic drugs, lovastatin and simvastatin, was described. The method is based on heating drug solution with 2-aminoethane sulfonic acid [taurine] 0.025% w/v solution in phosphate-borate buffer of pH 7.4 at 70C for 30 minutes. The resulting reaction product exhibits strong fluorescence at 388 nm after excitation at 318 nm. Different assay parameters have been optimized to achieve maximum sensitivity and reliability of the method for the determination of the 2 drugs in spiked human plasma as well as in their dosage forms. The intensity of the resulting fluorescence showed linear relation with concentrations of both drugs in the range of 0.2 to 0.8 mug/L. The mean percentage recoveries of lovastatin and simvastatin were 99.851 SD +/- 2.101 and 99.806 SD +/- 1.805, respectively, in case of six concentrations of human plasma. The limit of detection was found to be 0.2 mug/L. The method is recommended for drug monitoring in biological fluids. The method was successfully applied for the determination of lovastatin and simvastatin in dosage forms. The results were in agreement with those of some other reported methods

Studying the effect of surfactant on eudragit RS100 microspheres prepared by solvent evaporation technique

Solvent evaporation technique was used to prepare Eudragit RS100 microspheres containing ibuprofen as an example for acidic drugs. The aqueous phase was 0.1 N HCl containing different concentrations of either cetrimide or dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate [DOSS] as an antiaggregating agent. It was found that the percent of drug content was equal to theoretical drug content on using 0.25, 0.5 or 1% cetrimide. This may be due to that, cetrimide acts as a good transport barrier for dichloromethane, but not for the drug. At the same time the percent of drug content was markedly decreased on using 1.5% cetrimide. That is may be due to the cetrimide micelle formation. The effect of different concentrations of DOSS on the percent of drug content was also studied

Identification of a non- protein non- peptide marker in urine from bladder cancer patients

Normal and bladder cancer patients urine samples were analyzed by high performance capillary electrophoresis [HPCE] and thin layer chromatography [TLC] to separate and identify their constituents. By HPCE, It was found that the normal urine constituents migrated into two major peaks at 2.1 min. and at 3.3 min. and were detected at 254 nm. Electrophoresing the bladder cancer patients urine at the same wavelength demonstrated three major peaks that migrated at 2.1, 2.7 min and 3.3 min. In order to identify the nature of such peaks, normal and bladder cancer patients urine were electrophoresed at two wavelengths, 214 and 280 nm that detect peptides and proteins, respectively. The peaks migrated at 2.1 min. were detected at 214 nm suggesting their peptide nature. While the peaks migrating at 3.3 min were detected at both 214 and 280 nm indicating their protein nature. The unique peak that migrated at 2.7 min was detected only at 254 nm. It can be concluded that the latter peak contained a molecule that is non-peptide non-protein in nature and is unique to the urine of bladder cancer. Thin layer chromatography was carried out to identify such a molecule. It was shown to be most likely the tryptophan metabolite kynurenine

Level of endotoxin and antilipid A in patients with chronic liver disease: the clinical presentation and the effect of treatment

This study was carried out on 25 selected patients with chronic liver diseases. All of them were subjected to complete medical examination, ultrasonography, endoscopy, liver function tests, prothrombin time and platelet count. The 25 patients were classified into Child A [5], Child B [7] and Child C [13]. The endotoxin level and antilipid A antibodies were assayed in the plasma and serum of the 25 patients and 10 healthy subjects. It was found that the endotoxin level and the antilipid A antibody response were significantly higher in child B and C than child A groups [P < 0.05 and P < 0.01]. The child group classification and the liver pattern correlated significantly with the endotoxin level and the antilipid A titre [P < 0.05 and P < 0.001]. Also the platelet count was significantly lower in child B and C than child A group [P < 0.05], the prothrombin time was prolonged in child B group but was significantly prolonged in child C group [P < 0.01]. The groups of patients classified as child B and C their plasma and serum were reassayed for the endotoxin level and antilipid A antibodies after receiving Neomycin therapy for decontamination of the bowel and minimization of the endotoxin production. Both the endotoxin level and the antilipid A antibody response decreased, the platelet count increased, the prothrombin time was shortened in both groups but in case of group C it was significantly shortened [P < 0.05]. The biochemical profile did not correlate neither with the endotoxin level nor the antilipid A antibody response. But after Neomycin administration the biochemical profile in group C improved. We concluded that Neomycin may be taken as a prophylactic precaution in severe liver affection, since it may help preventing the excessive accumulation of endotoxin and thus restores the liver function resulting into a delay in the progression of the liver disease. Also the antilipid A antibody assay may he used as an indication for increased in endotoxin level