Vol.4 No.4 – 4 : TM6SF2 and NCAN polymorphism impact on HCV in North African Egyptian patients

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By : Samar Samir Youssef1, Eman Abd El Razek1, Reem Ezzat Mahdy2, Sameh Seif3,Mohamed El Kassas4

1.Department of Microbial Biotechnology, National Research Centre, Dokki, Egypt

2.Assuit university hospital, Assuit, Egypt.

3.National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt.

4.Endemic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University.

Abstract

Background: TM6SF2 and NCAN are genes known to be related to fibrosis and steatosis but are not thoroughly investigated in case of chronic Hepatitis C (HCV) in Egyptians.  Aim: this study is carried to investigate the role of TM6SF2 and NCAN in chronic HCV Egyptian patients. Methods: this retrospective study was carried on 165 patients with chronic HCV who received treatment for it. Results: TM6SF2 showed statistical significance with viral load with p value of 0.02 but no statistical significance with fibrosis or activity. NCAN showed statistical significance with activity with p value of 0.011. Conclusion: this is the first work recording the prevalence of TM6SF2 (rs58542926) and NCAN (rs2228603) polymorphism in upper African HCV patients. TM6SF2 is not associated with fibrosis or activity in Egyptian patients infected with chronic hepatitis C but associated with high viral load. On the other side, NCAN is associated with severity of activity in the same studied group but no relation with the viral load. These results explain their additive effect exerted during HCV infection which should be further extensively studied.

TM6SF2 and NCAN polymorphism impact on HCV course in North African Egyptian patients f-converted
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Vol.4 No.4 – 3 :The Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects of Nigella sativa

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By : Alyaa Majid*
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Thi-Qar, Iraq

Abstract

This review provides a brief account on the various properties and medicinal usage of the black cumin seed (Nigella sativa). The literature information indicated that seed was extensively used in ancient and recent history as an effective herbal remedy against a wide spectrum of ailments and disease conditions particularly in rural communities in the Asia, Middle East and some other parts of the world. The seed was reported to have numerous biological and pharmacological properties including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory and so many other beneficial medicinal effects. The therapeutic potential of the black cumin seed is mostly related to the presence of a number of pharmacologically active constituents such as thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, thymol, nigellone and many other phytochemicals. The seed was also found to have a beneficial role in some aspects of poultry production such as improvement of body weight performance, feed conversion rate, carcass characteristics, egg production and egg quality when given as a feed additive.

The Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects of Nigella sativa 2

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Vol.4 No.4 – 2 : Estimation of Serum Interlukin-18 and Hs-CRP in Chronic Hepatitis C Infected Patients at Assuit Governorate, Egypt

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By : A.M. El-Adly 1*, A.A. Shalaby2, M. H. Hussein1, N.F. Abo Dahab 1, U.M. Abdul-Raouf 1

1 Botany & Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, 71524 Assiut, Egypt

2Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, 71524 Assiut, Egypt

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem. Egypt has the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the world. Interlukin-18 (IL-18) as a critical multipotent inducer of innate and acquired immune responses. This study aimed to estimate IL-18 and hs-CRP levels in patients at different stages of chronic HCV infection and to evaluate IL-18 as non-invasive marker of the severity of liver damage in chronic hepatitis C patients, and to investigate the characteristics of hs-CRP and its correlation to chronic HCV infection. This study included 50 chronic HCV patients and 20 healthy. They were subjected to history taking, liver function tests, real-time PCR test and other laboratory tests. Serum IL-18 levels were assayed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our study was conducted on 70 subjects with their ages ranging between 9-70 years. 50 HCV chronically infected patients, they were 42 (84.0%) males and 8 (16.0%) female. Twenty apparent healthy individuals without HCV infection used as control, they were 18 (90%) males and 2 (10%) females. Serum IL-18 and Hs-CRP levels were higher in chronic HCV patients compared to healthy. Responders to interferon treatment had higher interleukin-18 levels than non-responders. However, Serum Hs-CRP were higher in non-responders than Responders to interferon treatment. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma had higher interleukin-18 and Hs-CRP levels than those without heaptocellular carcinoma. Serum IL-18 could be a significant predictor for severity of HCV infection and monitoring of therapy response in chronic HCV patients with other tests.

Estimation of Serum Interlukin-18 and Hs-CRP in Chronic Hepatitis C Infected Patients at Assuit Governorate, Egypt-converted

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Vol.4 No.4 – 1 : Effect of Ginger tea on Dysmenorrhea among nursing students in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India

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By :  Jinu K Rajan
Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences
Majmaah University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a time of moving from childhood to adulthood maturity. These transitions involve a lot of changes as biological, cognitive, and emotional. However, menstruation is a normal physiological phenomenon indicating woman capability for procreation. It is often associated with some degree of suffering and embarrassment. As usual every woman may experiences one or more types of menstrual problems during her lifetime as dysmenorrhoea. It is a medical term of menstrual cramps, caused by uterine contractions. However, primary one refers to common menstrual cramps, while secondary results from reproductive organs disorder. Thus, the current study aimed to assess the effect of ginger tea on dysmenorrhoea level; among nursing students. Materials and Methods: Study objectives included compare dysmenorrhoea level among nursing students in experimental and control group after posttest and find out the association between pre-test dysmenorrhoea levels with selected demographic variables as age, education, family history of dysmenorrhea. A quasi experimental approach was utilized. Study conducted in Index Nursing College, MP, and India. Sample included 60 nursing students with dysmenorrhea. They selected by purposive sampling method, GNM students with dysmenorrhea were considered as control group and BSc Nursing students with dysmenorrhea as experimental. Data collection tool was consisted of demographic variables, and McCaffery numerical pain intensity scale to assess dysmenorrhoea level. Results: Independent “t” test was used for testing the significance of difference between experimental and control group. Computed t value (t = 5.987, P<0.05) was greater than table value, “t” = 2.00, concluded that, post test dysmenorrhea scale of experimental group students was significantly lower than control group. Chi-square showed no significant association between selected demographic variables as age, course of study/education and dysmenorrhoea family history for pre-test level. Conclusion: It can concluded that, 3 times ginger tea consumption per day was effective in reducing dysmenorrhea

EFFECT OF GINGER TEA ON DYSMENORRHEA AMONG NURSING STUDENTS IN INDORE, MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA-converted

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Vol.4 No.3 – 14 : Effectiveness of Back Strengthening Exercise on Pain and Disability among the Nursing Students with Mechanical Low Back Pain

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By :  Jinu K Rajan
Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences
Majmaah University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background : Health is a fundamental right. Every human being has the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health. According to WHO, health is a state of complete physical mental, social and spiritual well being, not merely an absence of disease or infirmity (Potter PA, Perry AG, 2010). The musculoskeletal system is particularly vulnerable to external forces. These forces can cause alteration in structure of bone or soft connective tissue, resulting in functional disruption. The consequences may be deformity, alteration of body image, mobility, pain or permanent disability. These problems may produce long term health problems that interfere with activities of daily living and quality of life (Lewis SM, Heitkemper MM, Dirksen SR, 2007).
Materials and Methods: A pre experimental study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of back
strengthening exercise on pain and disability among nursing students with mechanical low back pain in Index Nursing College, Indore. The objectives of the study were to assess the intensity of low back pain and disability before and after the back strengthening exercises, assess the effectiveness of back strengthening exercise on low back pain, disability and associate the level of low back pain with selected demographic variables. One group pre-test post-test design was used and Purposive sampling technique was applied.
Results: Samples were selected using case detection proforma. 60 students who met the inclusion criteria were recruited for the back strengthening exercise intervention. The intervention was carried out daily for 30 minutes for duration of 30 days. The severity of low back pain and disability before and after the intervention were assessed using the Numerical pain rating scale and Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire respectively. Analysis revealed that the post test pain and disability score was significantly less than the pre-test pain and disability score.
Conclusion: Thus back strengthening exercise was found to be effective in reducing low back pain and
disability among the nursing students. There was no significant association among the pre-test pain score and the selected demographic variables like age, height, weight, course of study, year of study, activities aggravating low back pain.

 

EFFECTIVEVESS OF BACK STRENGTHENING EXERCISE ON PAIN AND DISABILITY AMONG THE NURSING-converted

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Vol.4 No.3 – 13 : The effectiveness of nano-chlorophyll in breast cancer -targeted therapy

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By :  Jubran M. Abdulrahman1,2,  Gihan Hosny2, Samir A. Abd El-kaream3

1 Center of Research and Educational Studies, Ministry of Education, Baghdad, Iraq.
2 Institute of Graduate Studies & Research, Alexandria University, Egypt.
3 Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Sono-photodynamic therapy (SPDT) is a safe, non-toxic and non-invasive way of destroying cancer cells, as well as enhancing immune protective function. The present work aims to cure Ehrlich ascites carcinoma tumor implanted to group of mice using a sonophotodynamic modality in combination with nano-chlorophyll (nano-Chl) as a sonophoto sensitizer. Methods: A total of 130 male Swiss albino mice with age 60–65 day, weighing 20  2.0 g, were used in this experiment. Two sources of energy were used; namely infrared laser (IR) and Ultrasound for 3 min. When the tumor had grown to about 10 mm in diameter at day 10 after inoculation, the treatment study was started. Six experimental groups were investigated. The dimensions of the tumor, tumor volume, tumor mass inhibition ratio and tumor volume growth ratio were calculated. Results: The results revealed that the effect of exposing the tumor to IR laser alone or in the presence of the nano- Chl resulted in decreasing the tumor volume, tumor growth rate and inhibition ratio. Similar result was observed in case of using ultrasound exposure only or in the presence of the nano-Chl. Combined treatment of IR laser at 7000 Hz and pulsed ultrasound wave in the presence of nano-Chl was more effective than either IR laser or ultrasound alone. Conclusion: It can be suggested that folic acid-conjugated nano-Chl sono-photo-sensitizers (FA-NGO-Chl) could be used as a novel nanomaterial with great potential as effective drug delivery system in targeting sono-photo-dynamic-therapy (SPDT).

The effectiveness of nano-chlorophyll in breast cancer -targeted therapy-converted

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Vol.4 No.3 – 12 : Assessment of environmental and pollution level in water and insect’s fauna of fresh water habitat

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By : 1,2 Masood, M F, 3 A. S. Al-Nasser, 1,4 Salama A. S., 4 EH Radwan, and 5 KH Radwan
1 Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Jazan University, KSA
2 Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University (Asuit-Egypt)
3 Biology Department, Faculty of Science, University of Jeddah, KSA
4 Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Egypt.
5Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI), Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

The environmental problems have raised the interest for bio-indicators able to reflect their environment. Among these life forms, the insects may contribute to a viable evaluation of the sustainability degrees. The Egyptian Mediterranean coast exhibits six lakes which are situated along the Nile Delta coast; Northern Delta lakes; Manzala, Borollus, Edku and Mariut, and to the east of the Suez Canal, Port-Fouad and Bardawil. The aim of the current study was to evaluate different heavy metals in aquatic insects Ochthebius (Asiobates) rugulosus Wollaston 1857, taken from Lake Manzala and to estimate their effect on the oxidative stress markers to employ insects as sensitive bio-monitors for environmental pollution. A lot of fluctuations were observed affected by the poor connection of water body of the lake Manzala. The mean level concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in loc.#1, whereas; 0.98, 3.02, 0.35 and 1.99 μg/l; respectively with the arrangement of Cu < Pb < Zn < Cd in location #1 whereas it was reported as 1.8, 3.64, 1.32 and 2.2 μg/l in location#2, giving the arrangement of Pb < Cu < Zn < Cd in loc.#2. The mean concentration level of Pb in both locations was less than that recommended by the USEPA, 2005 (2.5-65 μg/l), Cd in the present study was higher than that of the water quality criteria; (0.2-2 μg/l) recommended by USEPA, 2005 in both locations in Lake Manzala. The pH values of water were alkaline throughout the lake. It is concluded from the obtained data that the south eastern region showed worse quality parameters. The pH of water lake (loc.1; 7.7), (loc.#2; 7.3) was found to be slightly alkaline throughout the spring (March-May, 2018). The pH was within the prescribed limits (6.5-9) of USEPA, 2005. In the current study Cu and Zn concentration in Ochthebius (Asiobates) rugulosus Wollaston 1857, in Lake Manzala ranged from (0.2-0.1μg/g, 0.07-0.09 μg/g). The mean concentration of heavy metal were significantly (p<0.05) difference in water samples collected from Lake Manzala, Spring; 2018. The arrangement of elements in the insect tissue were as; Cu > Pb > Zn > Cd. There was a significant increase in the mean concentrations level of ALT activity in insects from loc. #2; 42.6 (U/mg protein), while it was 37 (U/mg protein) in that of loc.#1. The mean concentration level of AST activity in insects from loc.#1 was 50.8 (U/mg protein), while it was 59 (U/mg protein) in that of loc.#2. A significant decrease in GPx activity in insects from loc.#2 was found as, 68.74 (mU/mg protein), while it was 77.4 mU/mg protein in that of loc.#1. The results of the present study showed that there was a significant decrease in GPx activity in samples collected from loc.#2 compared with that of loc.#1 telling that insects in loc.#2 are under stress of sewage pollution (Bahr El Baqur) drain. The Pb in insect tissues in loc.#1 is positively correlated with Zn in insect tissues, TP, MDA, and GPx as r=0.693, r=0.854, r=0.873, and r=644; respectively. Cd in insect tissues is positively correlated with AST, TP, MDA and GPx as r=0.870, r=0.690, r=0.666 and r=0.737; respectively. Cu in insect tissues is negatively correlated with AST as r=-0.739. Zn in insect tissues is positively correlated with TP, MDA, and GPx as r=0.742, r=0.810, r=0.951*; respectively. TP is highly positive correlated with MDA and GPx as r=0.983*, and r=0.840*; respectively whereas, MDA is highly positively correlated with GPx as r=0. 882*. In loc.#2, Pb in insect tissues is negatively correlated with Cu in insect tissues, TP, MDA and GPx as r=-0.716, r=-0.916*, r=-0.878* and r=-0.704; respectively. Cd in insect tissues is negatively correlated with MDA as r=-0.655. Cu in insect tissues is positively correlated with TP, and GPx as r=0.806 and r=0.658; respectively. Zn in insect tissues is negatively correlated with AST as r=-0.813.

Assessment of environmental and pollution level in water and insect's fauna of fresh water habitat-converted

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Vol.4 No.3 – 11 : Detection of Bacterial Pathogen from Wound Infections and Study Some of their Virulence Factors

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By : Noor Hamid Abbas Al- Marzoog and Amal Hesham Hameed
Department of pathological analysis technique. Al-Mustaqbal College University, Iraq

Abstract

Wound infections are one of the most important and potentially serious complications that occur in the acute period following injury. In this study, (35) wound swap were collected from (35) patients with suspected wound infection, during the period from December (2017) to March (2018). The results of this study revealed that (74.29%) of samples was positive for bacterial culture, while (25.71%) of sample have no growth. The bacterial culture shown that (38.46%) (10 isolate) of bacterial isolates was Staphylococcus aureus followed by Pseudomonas spp. (19.23%) (5 isolate), E. coli (19.23%) (5 isolate), Klebsiella (15.38%) (4 isolate) and Proteus (7.69%) (2 isolate). In-vitro, the susceptibility of bacteria towards some antibiotics included in this study revealed that the Ciprofloxacin, are the most effective antibiotics to different types of pathogenic bacteria, while all bacteria was resistance to Ampicillin.

 

 

Detection of Bacterial Pathogen from Wound Infections and Study Some of their Virulence Factors-converted

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Vol.4 No.3 – 10 : B Cell Lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in Serum Increased with Breast Cancer in Egyptian Women

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By : Ali Ahmad Abu Siyam1, Soheir Rizk Demian2, Ahmed Saad Ahmed3, Mohammad Abdel- Rhman Ahmad4 and Basma Hussein Mersal2.

1 Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jadara University, Jordan.

2 Department of Immunology and Allergy, Medical Research Institute, University of Alexandria. Egypt.

3 Department of Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Medical Research Institute, University of Alexandria, Egypt

4 Department of Clinical Pathology and Immunology, Medical Military Academy, Alexandria Armed Forces Hospital, Egypt

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed female-spe­cific cancer, and shows an increasing trend in diagnosed cases worldwide. An estimated one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. BC is estimated to be the most common female cancer in Egypt, and the incidence rate among Egyptian women is 48.8/105. Evasion of cell death is now acknowledged as a hallmark of cancer, required to overcome the counterbalancing effects of cell death on enhanced cell proliferation. B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) gene involves in cell survival mechanism rather than cell proliferation and it prolongs cell life by preventing apoptosis via activating different signaling routes which are induced by various agents. We aimed in this study to investigate whether the Bcl-2 activities are associated with breast cancer in Egyptian women, and correlated to different clinicopathological features of the disease. The study was conducted on forty five females; thirty women with different stages of breast cancer, and fifteen normal healthy females were included as a control group. All patients under study were subjected to full history taking and clinical examination. Fresh blood samples were obtained from all subjects, serum separation was done for measurement of Bcl-2 levels by ELISA technique. Our results showed that there were significantly higher serum Bcl-2 levels in breast cancer patients before surgery than in normal healthy controls. The results obtained also revealed that the mean value of Bcl-2 for the breast cancer patients was significantly higher than the control group. We almost can say that the Bcl-2 values would increase with advanced stages of breast cancer.

B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in serum increased with breast cancer in Egyptian women

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Vol.4 No.3 – 9 : Diversity of Mix Microalgae in Fish Tanks under Different Weather Conditions

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By : Hayfaa Mohammed Sahab, Hishamuddin Omer, Ahmad Ismail, Noor Amal Mohamed

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University Putra Malaysia

Abstract

One of the biggest problems facing the world today is global warming. Many scientists believe that our production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases contributed to the warming of the atmosphere and this effecting most of living organisms on earth including microalgae. Therefore, the aim of this study is to observe the changes in diversity of mixed microalgae communities in different stocking density of fish under different weather conditions within effects of environmental parameters on microalgae. Phytoplankton samples were  +collected from five tanks, one tank is control tank without fish and four tanks with different densities of fish (10, 20, 40 and 80 fishes) respectively under different weather conditions for microalgal diversity study. Weather conditions and rain fall were recorded daily. Microalgae samples were collected from fish were identified, enumerated and the diversity index determined based on Shannon, Richness, Evenness and Simpson. There are 56 microalgal taxa found in the outdoor fish tanks belonging to 6 divisions represented by Chlorophyta (38) followed by Bacillariophyta (6), Cyanophyta (6), Dinophyta (3), Euglenophyta (2) and Crysophyta (1) in three weather conditions. The highest number of taxa recorded was 41 in tank 2 (20 fish), 39 taxa were observed in tank 3 (40 fish) followed by 34 taxa in tank 4 (80 fish), 33 taxa in tank 1 (10 fish) and 13 taxa in control tank without fish. In wet weather, the number of taxa was 25 followed by mix weather 24 and dry weather with 22 taxa. Favourable water quality during wet weather is probably led to highest species occurrence. Control tank without fish has 13 species represented by four microalgal division. Chlorophyta was the most common division in all tanks with 33 taxa in tank 1 (10 fishes), 41 taxa in tank 2 (20 fish), 39 taxa in tank 3 (40 fish) and 33 taxa in tank 4 (80 fish) in three weather conditions. The highest number of species occurred in wet weather and the lowest species occurrence in dry weather conditions. The most common and dominant species was Pandorina morum found in all tanks in different weather conditions. This study concluded that the fish stocking density and weather conditions influenced microalgal species composition and diversity.

 

Diversity of Mix Microalgae in Fish Tanks under Different Weather Conditions-converted

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