GIS methods for sustainable stormwater harvesting and storage using remote sensing for land cover data - location assessment.

Identification of potential sites for rainwater harvesting (RWH) is an important step toward maximizing water availability and land productivity in arid semiarid regions. Characterised as a "water scarce" country, Egypt has limited fresh water supplies, and is expected to suffer from water stress by the year 2030. Therefore, it is important to develop any means available to supply water and maintain human habitability in a sustainable manner. Practiced or simply indispensable in many countries around the world, rainwater harvesting (RWH) promotes a sustainable and efficient manner of exploiting water resources. In the present study, suitable areas for sustainable stormwater harvesting and storage in Egypt were identified using remote sensing for land cover data - location assessment linked to a decision support system (DSS). The DSS took into consideration a combination of thematic layers such as rainfall surplus, slope, potential runoff coefficient (PRC), land cover/use, and soil texture. Taking into account five thematic layers, the spatial extents of RWH suitability areas were identified by an analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The model generated a RWH map with five categories of suitability: excellent, good, moderate, poor and unsuitable. The spatial distribution of these categories in the area investigated was such that 4.8% (47910 km(2)) and 14% (139739 km(2)) of the study area was classified as excellent or good in terms of RWH, respectively, while 30.1% (300439 km(2)), 47.6% (474116 km(2)) and 3.5% (34935 km(2)) of the area were classified as moderate, unsuitable and poor, respectively. Most of the areas with excellent to good suitability had slopes of between 2% and 8% and were intensively cultivated areas. The major soil type in the excellent suitability areas was loam, while rainfall ranged from 100 to 200 mm yr(-1). The use of a number of RWH sites in the excellent areas is recommended to ensure successful implementation of RWH systems.

Characteristics and properties of nanospheres co-loaded with lipophilic and hydrophilic drug models.

The biphasic nature of polymeric nanospheres prepared by the double emulsion method was exploited to co-encapsulate lipophilic and hydrophilic molecules. All-trans retinoic acid (RA) was selected as a lipophilic drug model whereas calf thymus DNA was chosen as a water-soluble model. Simultaneous quantification of the loaded ingredients was achieved by a second derivative spectrophotometric technique. In addition, prepared batches were fully characterized by atomic force microscopy, porosity measurement, and thermal analysis. Finally, the angiosuppressive action of loaded RA was assessed in a tissue culture model. A blend of either polycaprolactone-multiblock copolymer or the microemulsion technique improved DNA-loading, whereas RA-loading was decreased. DSC data were helpful in explaining the initial phase of RA release from the nanospheres. Along with affinity for the polymeric matrix, the microporosity of nanospheres seemed to play an important role in the diffusion rate and release profiles of both loaded drug models in aqueous medium. The anti-angiogenic effect of microencapsulated RA was generally more pronounced than that of the free drug, and its inhibitory action was maintained for the 14-day study period. Moreover, a relationship was observed between the release profiles and anti-angiogenic properties of the batches tested.

Purification and some properties of exo-1,4-beta-glucanase from Chaetomium olivaceum.

Exo-1,4-beta-glucanase (E.C. 3.2.1.91) was successively purified by precipitation with acetone, followed by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and chromatographed onto DEAE-cellulose. A typical procedure provided 47.14 fold purification with 72.8% yield. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was found to be 88 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The pH optimum of the enzyme was 5.2 and maximum activity was obtained at 45 degrees C. Km value against alpha-cellulose was 0.65 mg mL(-1). Alpha-cellulose and filter paper were the best substrates for enzyme activity. Enzyme was activated by Mn2+ and Fe3+, inactivated by Cu2+ and completely inhibited by Hg2+ and Ag+.

Production, partial purification and some properties of beta-galactosidase from Aspergillus carbonarius.

Production of beta-galactosidase by Aspergillus carbonarius grown on deproteinized cheese whey as basal medium was optimized (cultivation period of 6 d, pH 4.5, cultivation temperature 30 degrees C). The enzyme was partially purified (52.9-fold with an overall yield of 45.3% and a final specific activity of 4588 mu kat/g protein. The optimum pH for the enzyme activity was pH 4.5. The enzyme is to some extent thermostable. Metal ions are not required for enzyme activity. The enzyme may be considered for prospective use in food industry.

Spectrophotometric determination of trifluoperazine HCl and isopropamide iodide in binary mixture using second derivative and second derivative of the ratio spectra methods.

Two methods are presented for the simultaneous determination of trifluoperazine hydrochloride and isopropamide iodide in binary mixture. The first method depends on second derivative ((2)D) ultraviolet spectrophotometry, with zero crossing and peak to base measurement. The second derivative amplitudes at 270.4 and 230.2 nm were selected for the assay of trifluoperazine hydrochloride and isopropamide iodide, respectively. The second method depends on second derivative of the ratio spectra by division of the absorption spectrum of the binary mixture by a normalized spectrum of one of the components and then calculating the second derivative of the ratio spectrum. The second derivative of the ratio amplitudes at 257 and 228 nm were selected for the determination of trifluoperazine hydrochloride and isopropamide iodide, respectively. The two proposed methods were successfully applied to the determination of the two drugs in laboratory prepared mixtures and in commercial tablets.

Spectrophotometric, spectrofluorimetric and LC determination of trazodone hydrochloride.

Three methods are described for the determination of trazodone hydrochloride in pharmaceutical tablets. The spectrophotometric method was based on the formation of yellow ion pair complex between the basic nitrogen of the drug and bromophenol blue at pH 3.4. The formed complex was extracted with chloroform and measured at 414 nm. The spectrofluorimetric method was based on measurement of the native fluorescence of the drug in 50% acetic acid upon excitation at a maximum of 320 nm and the emission wavelength is 435 nm. The third method was based on the high performance liquid chromatographic determination of trazodone hydrochloride using a reversed phase, ODS column, with a mobile phase of acetonitrile--phosphate buffer at pH 4.5 (60:40, v/v). Quantization was achieved with UV detection at 250 nm based on peak area. The three methods were simple, accurate and suitable for quality control application.

Spectrophotometric, septrofluorimetric and LC determination of lisinopril.

Three methods are described for the determination of lisinopril in the pharmaceutical tablets. The spectrophotometric method depends on the reaction of the lisinopril with sodium hypochlorite and phenyl hydrazine to form a condensation product measured at 362 nm. The spectrophotometric method was extended to develop a stability indicating method. The spectrofluorimetric method depends on reaction of the lisinopril with o-phthalaldehyde in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol in borate buffer pH 9.5. The fluorescence of the reaction product was measured upon excitation at a maximum of 340 nm with emission wavelength at 455 nm. The HPLC method depends on using Hypersil silica column with a mobile phase consisting of methanol-water-triethylamine (50:50:0.1 v/v) and the pH was adjusted to 2.6 with 0.1 N perchloric acid. Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 210 nm based on peak area.

Spectrophotometric and HPTLC-densitometric determination of lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide in binary mixtures.

Different spectrophotometric and HPTLC-densitometric methods are presented for the simultaneous determination of lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide in pharmaceutical tablets. The spectrophotometric methods include third derivative (3D) ultraviolet spectrophotometry with zero crossing measurement at 217.4 and 233.4 nm, second derivative of the ratio spectra with measurement at 214.3 and 228.0 nm; both classical least squares and principal component regression were applied to the UV absorption and first derivative spectra of the mixture. The HPTLC method was based on separation of both drugs followed by densitometric measurements of their spots at 210 and 275 nm for lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. The separation was carried out on Merck HPTLC aluminum plates of silica gel 60 F254, using chloroform-ethylacetate-acetic acid (10:3:2 by vol.) as mobile phase. The linear and second order polynomial were used for the regression equation of lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively.

Application of LC and HPTLC-densitometry for the simultaneous determination of benazepril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide.

Two methods are described for the simultaneous determination of benazepril HCl and hydrochlorothiazide in binary mixture. The first method was based on HPTLC separation of the two drugs followed by densitometric measurements of their spots at 238 and 275 nm for benazepril HCl and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. The separation was carried out on Merck HPTLC aluminum sheets of silica gel 60 F(254,) using ethyl acetate-methanol-chloroform (10:3:2 v/v) as mobile phase. Second order polynomial equation was used for the regression line in the range 2-20 and 2.5-25 microg/spot for benazepril HCl and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. The second method was based on HPLC separation of the two drugs on reversed phase, ODS column at ambient temperature using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water (35:65 v/v) and adjusting to pH 3.3 with acetic acid. Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 240 nm based on peak area with linear calibration curves at concentration ranges 10-60 and 12.5-75 microg ml(-1) for benazepril HCl and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. The two proposed methods were successfully applied to the determination of both drugs in laboratory prepared mixtures and in commercial tablets. No chromatographic interference from the tablets excipients was found.

Spectrophotometric determination of benazepril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide in binary mixture using second derivative, second derivative of the ratio spectra and chemometric methods.

Different spectrophotometric methods are presented for the simultaneous determination of benazepril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide in pharmaceutical tablets. The first method depends on second derivative (2D) ultraviolet spectrophotometry, with zero crossing and peak to base measurement. The second derivative amplitudes at 214.8 and 227.4 nm were selected for the assay of benazepril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. The second method depends on second derivative of the ratio spectra by measurement of the amplitudes at 241.2 and 273.2 nm for benazepril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. Chemometric methods, classical least squares and principal component regression, were applied to analyze the mixture. Both the chemometric methods were applied to the zero and first order spectra of the mixture. The proposed methods were successfully applied for the determination of the two drugs in laboratory prepared mixtures and in commercial tablets.

First derivative spectrophotometric, TLC-densitometric, and HPLC determination of acebutolol HCL in presence of its acid-induced degradation product.

Three methods are presented for the determination of acebutolol HCl in presence of its acid-induced degradation product. The first method was based on measurement of the first derivative amplitude of acebutolol HCl at 266.6 nm. The second method was based on separation of acebutolol HCl from its acid-induced degradation product followed by densitometric measurement of the spots at 230 nm. The separation was carried out on silica gel 60 F254, using ethanol-glacial acetic acid (4:1, v/v) as mobile phase. Second order polynomial equation was used for the regression line. The third method was based on high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separation of acebutolol HCl from its acid-induced degradation product on a reversed phase, ODS column using a mobile phase of methanol-water (55:45, v/v) with UV detection at 240 nm. The first derivative spectrophotometric method was utilized to investigate the kinetics of the acid degradation process at different temperatures.

Immunity to schistosomiasis before puberty: humeral or cell mediated.

To determine if the cell mediated immunity, induced by T-helper type-1 lymphocytes (Th1) response, during schistosomiasis mansoni has the potential to protect against infection, intensities of infections and re-infections, reflected in the egg count were followed up to 20 months among 119 individuals aged 5-22 years (Ys) with different number of previous infections whose yearly levels and pattern of water contact were similar. They were classified into 5 groups. Delayed hypersensitivity skin tests (DHT) to adult schistosome excretory-secretary antigens (ESAgs) and anti-schistosomula (ESAgs) isotypes were measured on detecting re-infection. The group with a mean age of (8.6 +/- 2.6 Ys) and infected less than 5 times showed only 6.5 percentage reduction of the egg count (PREC) and low cellular and humoral responses. Th1-associated cellular (DHT) and antibody responses (IgG2, IgG3) to the five infections were significantly higher in the (13.5 +/- 1.4 Ys) than in (18 +/- 2.2 Ys) age group. This was reflected in significant difference in PREC; being 41.5% among the first and 13.5% among the second. Th2-associated antibody responses (IgG1, IgG4, IgE) went on rising as patients allowed for age and number of infections increased over 5, being significantly higher in the (19 +/- 1.8 Ys) than in (14 +/- 1.1 Ys) age groups with PREC 45.5% and 12.9% respectively. These results imply a substantial protective role for cell mediated immunity in the pre-puberty stage and provide evidence that Th1-based vaccination strategy can work if augmented.

Amelioration of alloxan induced diabetes mellitus and oxidative stress in rats by oil of Eruca sativa seeds.

Clinical research has confirmed the efficacy of several plant extracts in the modulation of oxidative stress associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). Oil of Eruca sativa seeds (ESS) is tried for prevention and treatment of DM induced experimentally by alloxan injection. A single dose of alloxan (100 mg/kg) produced a decrease in insulin level, hyperglycemia, elevated total lipids, triglycerides and cholesterol, decreased high-density lipoprotein and hepatic glycogen contents and elevated hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity. Concurrent with these changes, there was an increase in the concentration of malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal in the liver. This oxidative stress was related to a decreased glutathione (GSH) content and superoxide dismutase activity in the liver of alloxan-diabetic rats. ESS oil (0.06 ml/kg) on its own increased significantly hepatic GSH. Daily oral administration of ESS oil 2 weeks before or after diabetes induction ameliorated hyperglycemia, improved lipid profile, blunted the increase in malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal and stimulated the GSH production in the liver of alloxan-treated rats. We suggested that ESS oil could be used as antidiabetic complement in case of DM. This may be related to its antioxidative properties and to the increase in hepatic GSH.

Diagnosis of early pre-patent schistosomiasis by cystatin capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

To test the efficacy of detecting anti-Schistosoma mansoni cysteine proteinase antibodies (CP Abs) by cystatin capture (CC) ELISA in the diagnosis of prepatent schistosomiasis (before egg passing); 253 schistosome negative individuals were selected and divided into two groups. The first comprised 118 children whose first water contact occurred in March and April 1999 (primarily infected), and the second 135 individuals were previously treated for schistosomasis (re-infected). All the individuals were followed up triweekly by stool for detecting schistosome eggs and by serological tests for detecting antibodies against CP and anti-soluble egg antigens (SEA) by ELISA technique. CP seropositivity was detected in 92 from all examined individuals, out of them 38 were primarily infected (PI) children (20 of them were pre-patently treated), the rest; 54 were re-infected patients (28 out of them were pre-patently treated). The untreated (44) individuals from both groups were followed up till they passed eggs within 4 weeks and then were treated (post-patent). CP Abs were reassessed for the 92 patients after treatment, only 11 (12%) were still seropositive with marked decrease in optical density (O.D.) level than before treatment. Anti-SEA IgM Abs were sought in the 92 CP seropositive sera, and the seropositivity rate was lower in 38 PI children (5.3%) than in the 54 re-infected individuals (92.6%). The anti-SEA seropositivity rate in the PI children was 5% in the pre-patent and was 94.4% in the post-patent. None of the 161 CP seronegative individuals passed eggs up to 12 weeks.

First-derivative spectrophotometric and LC determination of cefuroxime and cefadroxil in urine.

Two methods are presented for the determination of cefuroxime and cefadroxil in human urine using first (1D) derivative spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. Cefuroxime and cefadroxil were determined by measurement of their first-derivative amplitude in 0.1 N sodium hydroxide at 292.5 and 267.3 nm, respectively in the concentration range of 2-10 microg ml(-1) for each drug. The HPLC method depends upon using a LiChrospher 100 RP-18 (5 microm) column at ambient temperature for cefuroxime and 35 degrees C for cefadroxil with mobile phases consisting of water-acetonitrile-acetic acid (85:15:0.1 v/v) at a flow rate of 1.5 ml min(-1) for cefuroxime; and 0.02 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate-acetonitrile (95:5 v/v) containing 0.003% (w/v) hexanesulphonic acid sodium salt and adjusted to apparent pH 3 with phosphoric acid at a flow rate of 2 ml min(-1) for cefadroxil. Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 275 and 260 nm for cefuroxime and cefadroxil, respectively, based on peak area with linear calibration curves at the concentration ranges of 2-10 microg ml(-1) for cefuroxime and 5-20 microg ml(-1) for cefadroxil. The proposed methods were applied to the determination of dissolution rate for tablets and capsules containing each drug. The urinary excretion patterns as the cumulative amounts excreted have been calculated for each drug using the proposed methods.

First derivative spectrophotometric and LC determination of benoxinate hydrochloride and its degradation products.

Two methods are presented for the determination of benoxinate HCI and its acid and alkali-induced degradation products using first derivative (1D) spectrophotometry with zero-crossing measurements and liquid chromatography. Benoxinate HCl was determined by measurement of its first derivative amplitude in mcllvaine's-citric acid phosphate buffer pH 7.0 at 268.4 and 272.4 nm in the presence of its alkali- and acid-induced degradation products, respectively. The acid- and alkali-induced, degradation products were determined by measurement of their first derivative amplitude in the same solvent at 307.5 nm. The LC method depends upon using a mu bondapak CN column with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-water triethylamine (60:40:0.01, v/v) and adjusted to apparent pH 7. Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 310 nm based on peak area. The proposed methods were utilized to investigate the kinetics of the acidic and alkaline degradation processes at different temperatures. The pH-rate profile of degradation of benoxinate HCl in Britton-Robinson buffer solutions was studied.

Value of estimating intraocular antibody production in diagnosis of typical and atypical lesions of ocular toxoplasmosis.

Serum and aqueous humor (AH) samples were collected from 45 patients: 20 with typically active or reactivated retinal lesions of Toxoplasma (Group I), 16 with atypical lesions (Group II) and 9 with old quiescent scars (Group III). Also, serum and AH samples were collected from 10 patients with chronic toxoplasmosis without any ocular manifestation (Group IV). T. gondii specific IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies were measured by ELISA in AH and serum and the intraocular (local) antibody production was determined by calculating Goldman-Witmer coefficient (G.W.C.). IgG antibodies were the only class detected in all sera of patients with ocular and nonocular toxoplasmosis. An intraocular IgG antibody synthesis was confirmed in 95% and 37.5% of patients with typical (Group I) and atypical (Group II) posterior uveitis respectively and in none of either patients with quiescent scars (Group III) or the ophthalmologically free patients (Group IV). As regard the typical active lesions, the sensitivity of the IgG assay (95%) was higher than that of IgA (60%) and IgM (5%) assays. Beside the conclusion that AH analysis to detect local antibody production is more reliable than the estimating of serum antibodies for the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis, the detection of AH specific antibodies in 6 atypical cases, who were treated successfully by antitoxoplasmic therapy, represent a help to increase the number of uveitis cases in which specific treatment can be established.

Evaluation of the role of Ancylostoma caninum in humans as a cause of acute and recurrent abdominal pain.

Ancylostoma caninum is responsible for cases with eosinophilic enteritis (EE) and unexplained abdominal pain with peripheral eosinophilia in man. Ninety-five patients with obscure acute or recurrent abdominal pain and ten asymptomatic healthy parasite free were subjected to thorough history taking, clinical examination, sonography, routine laboratory investigations and serotesting by IgG ELISA to detect antibodies to excretory/secretory (ES) antigens of adult A. caninum and by IgG and IgG4 Western blot (W.B.) to detect antibodies to Ac68 antigen. Eleven male patients (11.6%) (5 with acute abdomen, 3 diagnosed as appendicitis and 3 had recurrent mild to moderate abdominal pain) fulfilled the criteria of case definition of human enteric infection with A. caninum (G.I). The study also detected human hookworm infection in 14 patients (G.IIb) other parasites in 34 patients (GIIc) and 36 patients had no parasites (G.IIa). Although 3 patients from group I were diagnosed as appendicitis and were dealt with surgically, the pain recurred and mebendazole only put an end to the patient's complaints. The obtained appendices of these operated cases showed marked eosinophilic infiltration but no adult canine hookworms were detected. IgG ELISA was positive in 72.7%, 8.3%, 100%, 23.5% and 0% in groups and control respectively. IgG and IgG4 W.B. did not increase the sensitivity but IgG4 W.B. elevated specificity to 100% excluding those with HH infection (Group Iib) who showed 100% cross-reactions. Stool analysis was the only differentiation between these two types of hookworms. These findings confirmed the presence of human enteric infection with A. caninum as clinical entity in the study community and referred to its value in differential diagnosis of the obscure abdominal pain.

Application of first-derivative UV-spectrophotometry, TLC-densitometry and liquid chromatography for the simultaneous determination of mebeverine hydrochloride and sulpiride.

Three methods are described for the simultaneous determination of mebeverine hydrochloride (MB) and sulpiride (SU) in combined pharmaceutical tablets. The first method depends on first-derivative ultraviolet spectrophotometry, with zero-crossing measurement method. The first derivative amplitudes at 214.2 and 221.6 nm were selected for the assay of MB and SU, respectively. Calibration graphs follow Beer's law in the range of 10-30 and 2-8 microg/ml(-1), and the linearity was satisfactory (r = 0.9999), for MB and SU, respectively. The second method was based on the application of the thin layer chromatographic separation of both drugs followed by the densitometric measurements of their spot areas. After separation on silica gel GF254 plates, using ethanol: diethyl ether: triethylamine (70:30:1 v/v) as the mobile phase, the chromatographic zones corresponding to the spots of MB and SU were scanned at 262 and 240 nm, respectively. The calibration function was established in the ranges of 4-12 microg for MB and 2-8 microg for SU. The third method was an internal standard procedure based on high performance liquid chromatographic separation of the two drugs on a reversed-phase, Bondapak CN column. The detection was done at 243 nm using buclizine hydrochloride as internal standard. All chromatographic methods showed good linearity, precision and reproducibility. No spectral or chromatographic interference from the tablet excipients were found. The proposed methods were successfully applied to the assay of commercial tablets and content uniformity test. The procedures were rapid, simple and suitable for quality control application.

First derivative spectrophotometric and high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of cinchocaine hydrochloride in presence of its acid degradation product.

Two methods are presented for the determination of cinchocaine HCl in presence of its acid-induced degradation product using first (1D) derivative spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. Cinchocaine HCl was determined by measurement of its first derivative amplitude at the zero crossing point of 2-hydroxyquinoline-4-carboxylic acid diethylaminoethylamide as its acid degradation product (at 333.5 nm). The HPLC method depends upon using a mu Bondapak C18 column at ambient temperature with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile--0.01 M sodium acetate trihydrate (45:55, v/v) containing 0.06% (w/v) heptane sulphonic acid sodium salt and adjusted to apparent pH 4.5 with acetic acid at a flow rate 2 ml min-1. Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 254 nm based on peak area. The HPLC method was applied for simultaneous determination of cinchocaine HCl, methylparaben and propylparaben. The two proposed methods were successfully applied to the determination of the cinchocaine HCl in laboratory-prepared mixtures in the presence of its acid degradation product and in cream. Moreover, the proposed methods were utilized to investigate the kinetics of the acid degradation process at different temperatures and the apparent pseudo first-order rate constant, half-life and activation energy calculated.