Vol.4 No.3 – 7 : High and Low Hemoglobin Levels During Pregnancy

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By : Amal Hesham Hameed and Noor Hamid Abbas

Department of Pathological analysis techniques, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Iraq

Abstract

The aim of this study is to measure the percentage of hemoglobin in the blood of pregnant women (Hb)  and study its variations with progress of pregnancy months and times of pregnancy. Blood samples were taken and hemoglobin was examined for about 150 pregnant women in different pregnancy months ( from 4 to 9 ) and for three pregnancy times (the first, the second and the third pregnancy ). It is found in this study that Hemoglobin is decreasing generally with progress of pregnancy months. Hemoglobin also decreases with increasing number of pregnancies, with the highest mean hemoglobin in the first pregnancy and the lowest average hemoglobin in the third pregnancy. This means that hemoglobin decreases with the recurrence of pregnancy. Then a statistical test using of Chi square was made and it is found that there is statistical significance for decreasing hemoglobin with the recurrence pregnancy times at a confidence level of 10.

High and Low Hemoglobin Levels During Pregnancy-converted

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Vol.4 No.3 – 6 : The protective effects and ameliorative potency of the haemolymph from the Saudi scorpion Androctonus crassicauda against the oxidative stress induced by its crude venom: A pharmacological study

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By : Nagwa N. Azzam

Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences and Arts in Tehamah (Girls Section), king Khaled University, KSA

 

Abstract

Background: Envenomation from dangerous scorpions remains a horrible threat in many parts of the globe, especially the developed countries, reflecting a reliable cause of a lot of mortalities and morbidities for both children and adolescents; as the annual number of scorpion stings exceeds 1,200,000 resulting in approximately 3250 deaths. In Saudi Arabia, scorpionism constitutes an acute major medical problem with about 15, 000 average stung, yearly. Saudi government has given high priority to the development of health care services to monitor scorpionism carefully, to manage its treatment protocols successfully, and to explain the pathophysiological effects of the venom. A wide variety to treat scorpionism was used, either singly or in combination. Mostly, treatment modalities include antivenom immunoglobulin (SAV) and chemical antidotes, with varying degrees of effectiveness and side effects, though the cons and the so expensive wholesale cost associated with SAV treatment. We are in bad need and warranty challenged to obtain safer, more effective and not economically burdensome bioactive antivenins. Fourteen medically important scorpion species belonging to Buthidae have been identified in KSA. Although Androctonus crassicauda (A. c.) is an endemic and highly venomous scorpion in KSA, few studies were dealing with it. Objective: To evaluate the possible involvement of cellular oxidative reactions of the crude venom of the Saudi scorpion A. c., as the main cause of multiple organ dysfunctions, and how far scorpion haemolymph (SH) could be effective to protect and / or  treat the envenomation-associated metabolic disorders. Materials and methods: Twenty four adult male albino mice (25-32 g) were randomly divided into four groups; six in each. The controls; injected subcutaneously (SC) with 0.01 ml NaCl 0.9%/ kg BW, envenomed animals; receiving a single dose of crude venom of the Saudi scorpion A. c. (0.12 mg/kg BW; SC) and tested two hours post-injection, envenomed animals treated within 5 min. with a SC dose of 0.12 mg of SH / kg BW, and envenomed animals treated with the same dose and route with SH, two hours prior to scorpionism. Animals were dissected and different biochemical parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers were measured in serum, liver and brain tissues. Results: Scorpion envenomation was accompanied with oxidative damage and hyperglycemia; which is causative for generation of additional reactive oxygen species, and its subsequent metabolic disorders. Also, SH was predicted to significantly protect from and reverse all the cytotoxic manifestations following envenomation. Conclusion: The cytotoxic effects of crude venom of the Saudi scorpion A. crassicauda could be attributed to generation of reactive oxygen species causing oxidative damage. The scorpion haemolymph can be used as a bioactive therapeutic agent to protect and treat the dysfunctions subsequent to envenomation, as it may contain novel molecule (s) to do this.

The protective effects and ameliorative potency of the haemolymph from the Saudi scorpion Androctonus crassicauda against the oxidative stress induced by its crude venom

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Vol.4 No.3 – 5 : microRNAs in the Diagnosis of Human Schistosomiasis (Editorial)

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By : Ahmed Abdelhalim Yameny

Society of Pathological Biochemistry and Hematology, Egypt

Ahmed A. Yameny (Email: dr.ahmedyameny@yahoo.com)

Schistosomiasis and miRNAs

Schistosomiasis is a chronic disease , it comes after malaria in public health and socioeconomic importance among parasitic diseases(1), it is estimated that about 779 million people are at risk of infection and about 240 million are infected (WHO, 2014) (2), the infection depends on water contact activities with some risk factors so schistosomiasis control program in the infected areas should be done upon to educate the population on risk factors as age , gender, education residence and occupation (3), Schistosomiasis infection has been eliminated in Iran, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia with absence of new recorded cases in the past few years (WHO, 2007)(4). the overall prevalence S.haematobium and S.mansoni fell down to less than 0.2% in Egypt(5). Recently, diagnostic techniques have been developed for detection of schistosomiasis, ranging from basic microscopic detection to molecular approaches , Questionnare and chemical reagent strip for haematuria and proteinuria can considered for the diagnosis of S. haematobium in areas with high prevalence of infection(6,7), the sum of Nuclepore membraneas filteration technique and Centrifugation sedimentation technique results used as a gold standard to evaluate other techniques(8).

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) were discovered in 1993, These miRNAs account for only 1% of the human genome. miRNAs are highly conserved in nearly all organisms, about18-22 nucleotides long and play a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression(9,10), miRNAs are endogenous short single-stranded noncoding RNAs and they are post-transcriptional negative regulators of gene expression(11), the discovery of miRNAs open new hope for diagnosis and effective treatment of many chronic diseases(12). The presence of schistosome-specific miRNAs was first reported for the plasmas of S. japonicum-infected rabbits, by Cheng et al, they demonstrated elevations of several parasite-derived S. mansoni miRNAs, including sma-miR-277, sma-miR-3479-3p, and bantam, in a mouse model(13). He et al. investigated  the serum levels of host miRNAs in mice, rabbits, buffaloes, and humans infected with S. japonicum, and circulating miR-223 was suggested as a potential new biomarker for the detection of schistosome infection(14) , as in figure(1),these advances in determining schistosome-specific and host miRNA profiles provide some insight as to their future as early diagnostic markers of infection, in the evaluation of disease progression, and in determining therapeutic responses. However, they need to be applied in clinical settings, but the costs of the required reagents and resources required may limit their wide-scale applications(15).

microRNAs in the Diagnosis of Human Schistosomiasis (Editorial)-converted (1)

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Vol.4 No.3 – 4 : Marine pollution by some heavy metals and physiological response of Ruditapes decussatus

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By : G.M El Khodary, E.H Radwan, M.M El Ghazaly and D. El Bahnasawy

Damanhour University, Faculty of Science, Zoology department, Egypt

 

Abstract

Bivalves can accumulate toxicants such as heavy metals in their tissues, for this reason they are considered as a good bio-indicators for water quality. The risk is increased due to eating these clams raw or lightly cooked. The aim of this study is to determine the concentration of some selected metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Cd, and Pb) in the soft tissue of Ruditapes decussatus collected in the summer of 2017, from three locations at Alexandrian coasts, Egypt, Abo Quir, (loc.#1), Sedi Beshr (loc.#2) and (loc.#3), El-Max)  and to find out whether pollution alters the clam physiological functions or not. The present data showed that the highest mean value of salinity was reported in water samples collected from Abo Quir (loc.#1) and the highest level of dissolved oxygen was reported in water samples collected from Sedi Beshr (loc.#2). The present results showed that the studied heavy metals concentrations are highly significant in samples of water and soft tissue of Ruditapes decussatus collocated from Abo Quir bay. From the above cited results it is concluded that loc.#1(Abo Quir bay) represent the most polluted site in the present study. Statistical analysis showed significant increase of MDA and significant decrease of SOD and GPx in the soft tissue of Ruditapes decussatus collected from Abo-Quir Bay (loc.#1). There was high significant difference between tissue of clams collected from the three locations (p<0.001). The correlation coefficient of  physicochemical parameters, heavy metals in tissue, heavy metals in water  and oxidative stress biomarkers in Abo Quir Bay  (loc.#1) showed that; MDA mean activity concentration is positively correlated   with the mean activity level of  SOD at r = 0.844,  p = 0.035. The correlation coefficient between the five investigated heavy metals  Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb & Cd and oxidative stress bio-makers for the clam showed that in Abo Quir Bay (loc.#1), GPx is negatively correlated with Zn in tissue at r = -0.846 and p=0.034. On the other hand the Pb in tissue is positively correlated with mean Zn concentration in tissue at r = 0.878, p = 0.022.

 

Marine-pollution-by-some-heavy-metals-and-physiological-response-of-Ruditapes-decussatus-converted

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Vol.4 No.3 – 3 : Nephrotoxicity associated with Orlistat in normal and obese female rats

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By : Ehab Tousson, Ahmed Massoud, Attyat Salem, Shahenda A. Fatoh

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.

 

Abstract

Obesity is a global health concern associated with high morbidity and mortality. Therapeutic strategies include synthetic drugs and surgery, which may entail high costs and serious complications. Orlistat is a pancreatic lipase inhibitor licensed for the treatment of obesity. The current study was carried out to elucidate the modulating effect of Orlistat against obesity induced kidney toxicity in female rats. A total of 50 female rats were divided into five groups (G1, Control; G2, Orlistat; G3, Obesity; G4, Co- treated Orlistat with Obesity; G5, Post- treated Obesity with Orlistat rat group). The current study revealed that a significant increase in serum urea, creatinine, while  a significant decrease in the levels of sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride ions levels in treated rats with Orlistat while a significant increase in serum urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium and chloride ions levels in obesity group when compared with control group. In contrast; a significant decrease in serum urea, Creatinine, sodium, potassium and chloride ions levels in treated obese rats with Orlistat when compared with obesity group.  So; Orlistat induced renal toxicity when used for treatment of obesity and self-recovered obese rats is safe and better than the use of Orlistat in treatment of obesity.

Nephrotoxicity associated with Orlistat in normal and obese female rats

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Vol.4 No.3 – 2 : Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Drinking and Agricultural Purpose in Seven Districts, Rabigh Governorate, Saudi Arabia

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By : Zaki Al-Hasawi 1, Esam Al-Wesabi 1,5*, Hassan Al-Harbi 2, Reem Al-Hasawi 3, Basim Aloufi 4

1 Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

2 Poison Control and Medical Forensic Toxicology Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

3 Department of Chemistry Sciences, Faculty of Science and arts, King Abdul Aziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia.

4Rabigh Power Company, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia.

5Al-Hodeidah University, Republic of Yemen.

 

Abstract

This study was conducted to analyze well waters in seven regions, Hajar, Mughynia, Nuweiba, Rabigh, Al-Abwa, Mastourah, and Kilayyah, which lie along the valleys that discharge in the Red Sea in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia. This is to evaluate and determine whether the water of these wells is suitable for drinking and agricultural use. The study included determination of the major elements Ca, Na, K, Mg, P, F, the heavy metals, Fe, Cu, Zn, Al, Mn, Ba, and the toxic metals, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ag, Mo, Co, Be, V, Ar, Sb, Ti, and U concentration in the water of these wells. The elements Na, K, P increased in the ground water following the passage of water from upper valley to lower valley, and the elements Ca, Na, Mg and Cl concentration in well water is affected by their nearness to the Red Sea water, and the wells of Hajar, El-nugemia and Nuweiba have the least concentrations of these elements while those near the coast, Mastourah, Rabigh, Kilayyah and Al-Abwa contain water with high concentrations of these elements. As for water content of the major elements, all well waters is acceptable for drinking, except Mastourah with a high concentration of Na and Mg, and Rabigh and Al-Abwa with a high concentration of Ca. All wells water is acceptable for drinking as regards their content of the heavy and toxic metal.

zaki 4

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Vol.4 No.3 – 1 : The Study of some Physicochemical and Microbiological Properties in Water Wells at Rabigh Governate, Saudi Arabia

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By : ¹Zaki Al-Hasawi , ²Reem Al-Hasawi , ¹Al-Zahrani saeed

 ¹Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

²Department of Chemistry Sciences, Faculty of Science and arts, King Abdul Aziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia.

 

Abstract

This study was conducted to analyze water wells in seven sites lie along a valley which discharges into the Red Sea at Rabigh province in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia. The analysis conducted in order to evaluate and determine whether the water in the study area is suitable for drinking and agricultural uses. Nevertheless, the study included some of the physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics. While the physical characteristic included odor, taste, and color, however the chemical characteristics included the pH, Electric conductivity (EC), Turbidity, Total Hardness (TH), Total Dissolved Salts (Solids) (TDS), ammonium (NH4-N), nitrates (NO3-N), nitrites (NO3-N), and bicarbonates (HCO3). In addition to microbiological aspects like the water concentrations of Total Coliform Bacteria (TCB) and the Fecal Coliform Bacteria (FCB). However, in the present study, our results indicated clear variations in the levels of physical and chemical concentrations. It was found that the levels of ammonium (NH4-N), nitrates (NO3-N), nitrites (NO3-N), and bicarbonates (HCO3) at all sites have levels below the standards recommended by the international and local organizations. The only exception was found at Rabigh and Colia, in which the levels of these parameters exceeded the permissible limits recommended by these organizations. Regarding the concentrations of the Total Coliform Bacteria and Fecal Coliform Bacteria, the water wells at all sites is acceptable for both drinking and agricultural use due to their concentrations were below the recommended standards. In this paper, we recommended that it is necessary that the quality of drinking water should be checked at regular time intervals and further studies are needed in the future in order to monitor the pollution in the study area.

zaki 3 (1)

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Vol.4 No.2 – 6 : Measurement the concentration of calcium in the serum of diabetic patients in Missan province, Iraq

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By : Farah Mjbali jabber

       College of Pharmacy , University of Missan , Iraq

Abstract

This study was conducted to measure the concentration of calcium  in the serum of diabetic patients, calcium is one of trace elements, by studying 50 samples representing the group of patients divided into three groups by age groups, the first group of age (4-20) years, the second group of the age of ( 21-50) years, the third group age     (51-75) Year of both sexes compared to 30 samples taken from healthy individuals as a control group. The concentration of calcium was measured for patients and healthy people.

Aim :-  The aim of this study was to measure and compare the serum levels of calcium in normal individuals and in diabetic patients.

Measurement the concentration of calcium in the serum of diabetic patients in Missan province

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Vol.4 No.2 – 5 : Kinetic and conductivity study to oxidation drug ketone ,using iodoform in basic medium

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By : Layla A.Al-Juber, Gazwan H.Al-Somaidaie, Ayad S.Hamed, Shemaa H.Abdullah

 

Abstract

Iodoform oxidation for drug ketone(spusforonion) at room temperature by using the conductivity study and spectrophotometric in basic medium . The conductivity study showed that molar conductance values were decreased with increasing of time at (2×10-4-4×10-4) concentration ,while at ( 5×10-4-6×10-4) the value of molar conductance was increased , due to the reaction in presence of basic medium and apply the Helmy’s theory of oxidation solutions was applied in ethanol for the initial infinity Molaric conductivity Ʌοat 250  ̊was found the liner relationship between the lnɅ and C1/2for the weak electrodes . The second study was the spectrophotometric in basic medium which showed that the reaction is related to the  first order for the oxidation drug concentration  by the iodofrom.

final Kinetic and conductivity study to oxidation drug ketone

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Vol.4 No.2 – 4 : Effect of sewage water discharge on Red Sea and shore Water and soil chemical characteristics

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By : Al-Zahrani saeed, AL-Hasawi zaki

 

Abstract

Jeddah City Saudi Arabia sewage water (untreated and treated) is discharged into the Red Sea water south of the city. The discharged water may contain harmful toxic elements that may affect the living organisms in the sea water, and also the coastal habitat particularly naturally growing plant species. A study was andertaken to assess and evaluate the concentrations of the macro- and micro-lements, the heavy and toxic metals, saults, and to determine acidity and conductivity of the Red Sea water and soil a, and the shore water and soil and compare them with results collected from unpolluted area away from this affected area. The results indicated highly significant accumulation of saults, macro ande micro-elements, and heavy and toxic metals in the sea and coastal water and soil compared to the unpolluted site . Out of all Ca, Na and Cl in the sea and shore water expressed no significant differences between the polluted and unpolluted sites. For the sea and shore water the highest concentrations were for Mg, K and P, while for their soil the highest concentrations were for Ca, Mg, K, P, Na and Cl. AS for the heavy metals Cu, Mn, Cr, Al, Zn and Co dominated in the sea and shore water, while for the sea and shore soil the domination was for Cu, Mn, B, Cr and Al. Some of these elements , Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, Cu, Cr and Ni are concentrated at levels above that suggested and recommended by the Metreological Environmental Protection Agency (MEPA), Ministry of Water and Electricity (MWE) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO, 1985).

zaki 2

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