Vol.1 No.4 -2 : Hemoglobin A2 Cut off Values in Egyptian Cohort as a marker of β -Thalassemia carriers.

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By : Noura M. Kablan1, Manal O. El Hamshary1, Mohamed T. Hamza2,Ghada M. Nasr1, Alaa A. Hemeida3, Tarif H. Salam2

Abstract

Beta thalassemias (β-thalassemias) are a group of inherited blood disorders caused by reduced or absent synthesis of beta chains of hemoglobin resulting in variable phenotypes ranging from severe anemia to clinically asymptomatic individuals. The total annual incidence of symptomatic individuals is estimated 1 in 100.000 throughout the world. HbA2 determination plays a key role in screening programs for β-thalassemia since a small increase in this fraction is the most important marker of β-thalassemia heterozygous carriers. This study aims to detect the cut off value of Hb A2 in Egyptian individuals with β-thalassemia and microcytic hypochromic anemia, using automated HPLC. The study was carried out on 112 male and female cases. Their ages ranged from 2 years to 35 years. They were 28 normal cases, 20 cases diagnosed as microcytic hypochromic anemia, 52 cases as β-thalassemia trait and 12 cases as β-thalassemia intermedia. Informed consents were obtained from their care givers. CBC was done to all groups and HbA2 levels were measured using HPLC Bio- Rad D-10 dual program (β-thal short program) for identification of types of Hb and determining the cut off value of Hb A2. The Hb A2 cut off value in microcytic hypochromic anemia cases was >2.2%, in β-thalassemia intermedia cases was >3.2% and in β-thalassemia trait cases was >3.6% which showed the best cut off value, and hence the cut off value of Hb A2 could be used as a factor that plays a key role in screening programs for β- thalassemia carriers.

2. Hemoglobin A2 Cut off Values in Egyptian Cohort as a marker of β -Thalassemia carriers.
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Vol.1 No.4 -3 : Comparative studies of tongue of Gopherus gopherus (turtle), Mus musculus (mice), Erinaceus auritus (hedgehog) and Psammomys obesus.

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By : Dalia A Sabry, Yosra A. Fouda, Amora M Abou-El-Naga, Soad A Khalifa, Hassan IH El-Sayyad*

Abstract

Tongue from four types of species was investigated in the present study. One reptilian species; Gopherus gopherus and three mammalian Sp. Erinaceous auritus, Mus musculus, Psammomys obesus obesus. The tongue of the selected speciemens were removed and fixed in 10% phosphate buffered formalin and processed for histological and scanning electron microscopic investigation. Habitat and diet interfered with the degree of keratinization which increased in Gopherus gopherus and Psammomys obesus obesus more than the other species. Abundant mucous glands were detected underlying the lingual mucosa of Gopherus gopherus more than others. Erinaceous auritus and Mus musculus possessed a variety of gustatory papillae including fungiform, valate and foliate papillae with regular pattern of taste buds which were disappeared in Psammomys obesus obesus. Gustatory papillae is almost missing in Gopherus gopherus. Different pattern of filliform papillae are distinguished and varied between the studied species. Finally, it is concluded that lingual structures varied between species depending on developmental aspects, habitat and diet.

3. Comparative studies of tongue of Gopherus gopherus (turtle), Mus musculus (mice), Erinaceus auritus (hedgehog) and Psammomys obesus.
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Vol.1 No.4 -4 : Developmental defects of cerebral cortex in maternally diabetic and aluminum intoxicated rat pups and their amelioration by Morus alba.

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By : Gamal Badawy1, Hassan El-Sayyed2, Sobhy Hassab Elnabi1, Ibrahim El-Elaimy1,Eman Al Shehari

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the possible ameliorative effect of crude water extract of Morus alba leaves on developmental defects of cerebral cortex of rat pups maternally subjected to diabetes and/or aluminum (Al) intoxication. One hundred and forty fertile male and virgin female albino rats were used for the experimentation. The pregnant rats were arranged into seven groups. The study included five integrated approaches and all proved that treatment with Morus alba leaves extract led to a marked amelioration for the developmental defects caused by either diabetes or Al intoxication at all levels of the study. At the ultrastructural level, the cerebral cortex of the latter exhibited massive cytological alterations of Purkinje cells (PC) and Karyolysis of chromatin material. The cytoplasm appeared translucent and enclosed by either fragmented or vesiculated RER. Mitochondria appeared electron-dense with ill-differentiated cristae. Cytoplasmic vacuoles were detected. However, pups of mothers received Morus alba extract and subjected to Al intoxication and/or diabetes showed partial amelioration of cytological structure of PC. The nuclear envelope was regularly arranged and enclosed by normal euchromatin. The cytoplasmic organelles were rearranged and approximately restored their pattern. It can therefore be concluded that leaves extract of Morus alba has marked ameliorative effects against developmental defects of cerebral cortex in pups of diabetic and Al intoxicated pregnant albino rats.

4. Developmental defects of cerebral cortex in maternally diabetic and aluminum intoxicated rat pups and their amelioration by Morus alba.
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Vol.1 No.4 -5 : Intestinal Parasitic infections Among ELMekhwah residents, Saudi Arabia Prevalence and relationship between parasite and host.

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By : Ali Al Ghamdi

Abstract

The present study was conducted randomly at El Mekhwah Province, Kingdom of Saudia Arabia to determine the prevalence of the intestinal protozoa and Helminth parasites during 2013-2014. Examination of 210 stool samples revealed that 16.19% of the visitors harbored intestinal protozoa, the most common parasites found were Entamoeba histolytica (6.19%), Entamoeba coli (6.66) and Giardia lambia (3.33%) While investigation of 300 stool samples for parasitic helminthes showed that 31 (10.33) were infected with Hymenolips nana, (4.33%) for Ascaris lumbricoides 4% and 2% for Taenia saginata.

5. Intestinal Parasitic infections Among ELMekhwah residents, Saudi Arabia Prevalence and relationship between parasite and host.
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Vol.1 No.4 -6 : North African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus In silico analyses for genetic expansion of a peculiarly successful catfish species in and out of its African homelands.

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By : Khaled Mohammed-Geba

Abstract

The African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus originated from Africa, but its sturdiness and resistance to different environmental conditions enabled it to spread to almost all continents of the world. To develop effective conservation strategies for C. gariepinus, the connection patterns of its geographically related and isolated strains should be precisely described. For this purpose, 65 sequences for cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) mitochondrial gene were retrieved from GenBank database. Common and unique haplotypes, average numbers of nucleotide substitutions (Dxy), fixation indices (FST), neutrality and expansion, phylogeny, and haplotype network analyses were all identified. 13 different haplotypes were found, most of which are related to an African haplotype mainly found in Nigeria. Other African, Asian, and South American haplotypes were detected, with the South American and some Asian haplotypes showing the greatest diversion from the main African one. The Nigerian population of C. gariepinus seems to be the most rapidly expanding one, due to the highest frequency of singletone haplotypes among all studied populations. Our results agreed with the knowledge about the world-wide propagation of C. gariepinus recorded in the Food and Agriculture Organization introduced aquatic species database and other related reports, what may confirm the effectiveness of such molecular markers and bioinformatic tools for tracking the origin and movement of the C. gariepinus out of Africa.

6. North African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus In silico analyses for genetic expansion of a peculiarly successful catfish species in and out of its African homelands.
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Vol.1 No.4 -7 : Impact of seasonal changes on the quality of water and fish from Abu Za’baal Lakes.

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By : Hala Elshahat Ghannam1, Abdelrahman Said Talab2* and Abdel-Samie Abd El-Hamide Elewa3

Abstract

Physicochemical characteristics and concentrations of some heavy metals of water and two fish species in Abu Za’baal lakes during the period from summer 2012 to spring 2013 were investigated. The physicochemical characteristics of water and fish were proved to be within the permissible levels during different seasons. However, heavy metals levels exceed the permissible limits in water samples, and also Pb in fish muscles. The concentrations of heavy metals were significantly higher in water and fish muscles during summer and the metal concentrations in water were present in the following order: Mn> Pb> Zn> Cu> Cd, while those of fish were found in the order of: Zn> Mn> Pb> Cu> Cd. Proximate composition of two fish species showed a significant variation (p<0.05) during different seasons. TVBN, TMA, TBA and TPC were under the permissible limits as acceptability for raw fish, moreover heavy metals in water and fish muscle did not exhibit any effect on proximate composition and physicochemical characteristics of fish muscles.

7. Impact of seasonal changes on the quality of water and fish from Abu Za'baal Lakes.
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Vol.1 No.3 -1 : Ameliorative influence of Ginkgo biloba extract on acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress in livers and kidneys of male albino rats.

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By : Mohammed F.F. Bayomy* and Aziza Ali Salah Eldinn**

Abstract

In this study, the effects of Ginko biloba extract on -treated groups were divided subchronically-induced toxicity of acetaminophen (AAP) on functions of livers and kidneys of male albino rats were investigated. Subchronically into 8 groups. Animals of group1 received tap water daily for 1 week and served as controls. Animals of group 2 were treated with Ginko biloba extract (GBE) (50 mg /kg b.wt). Animals of group 3 were treated daily for 1 week with AAP (250 mg/kg b. wt.). Animals of group 4 were treated daily for 1 week with GBE (50 mg /kg b.wt) and AAP (250 mg/kg b. wt.). As for groups 5, 6, 7 and 8, they were treated experimentally as groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 but for 2 weeks. Determination of both liver and kidney functions was used as early indicators for the detection of liver damage and for evaluation of renal toxicity after exposure to the test articles. Meanwhile, serum concentration of malonedialdehyde was measured to assess the deleterious oxidative influence of AAP on the liver and kidneys. Also, the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) concentration and activities of antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were assayed under the present experimental conditions. The data demonstrated a significant increase in serum liver function enzymes such as aminotransferases (ALT and AST) as well as alkaline phosphatase subsequent to administration of AAP, whereas a significant decrease in GSH content and in the activities of GPx, GST, CAT, and SOD was observed after 1 and 2 weeks of treatments with this test article. The results also indicated that administration of 50 mg GBE/kg b. wt. was enough for nearly normalization of various parameters examined, which appears to be due to the protective effects of GBE on AAP-induced oxidative stress in the liver and kidneys.

1. Ameliorative influence of Ginkgo biloba extract on acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress in livers and kidneys of male albino rats.
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Vol.1 No.3 -2 : The possible protective effect of vitamin E and ∕ or silymarin on rat testes exposed to 950MHz electromagnetic field.

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By : Amr Mahmoud Abd El-Hady* and Noaman Abd El-Latif. El-Tahawy**

Abstract

This work aims to study the histopathological and histochemical changes in the testes of male albino rats post exposure to mobile phone radiation and the possible protective role of vitamin E and/or silymarin. The current experiment was carried out on 30 adult male albino rats (Sprague dawly). Rats were randomly and equally divided into five groups: 1) Group C: control rats left without treatment; 2) Group R: rats exposed to frequency equals 950 MHz of electromagnetic field (EMF); 3) Group R + E: rats received vitamin E before exposure to frequency equals 950 MHz of EMF; 4) Group R + S: rats received silymarin before exposure to frequency equals 950 MHz of EMF and 5) Group R + E+ S: rats received vitamin E parallel to silymarin before exposure to frequency equals 950 MHz of EMF. Electromagnetic field exposed rats showed testicular alterations which were ameliorated by using either vitamin E or silymarin alone. However, both vitamin E and silymarin administration ameliorated the damaging effects of testes of mobile phone exposed rats more than that of silymarin or vitamin E alone.

2. The possible protective effect of vitamin E and ∕ or silymarin on rat testes exposed to 950MHz electromagnetic field.
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Vol.1 No.3 -3 : A new approach in bacteriological and chemical treatment of surface water for drinking purpose.

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By : Hisham.M1; Shaaban M.T.2 ; Sara. A3; Fakhrany.M4 and Hazaa.M.M.

Abstract

The surface water contain some dissolved contaminants such as iron and manganese. It is unsuitable for drinking water without appropriate treatment. Under standard and steady-state conditions, the bioreactor was very effective when 2% of the nano polymer composite granules (w/v)borne bioagent bacteria as a substrate for the biofilm formation. The mixture was aerated for 24 hs. The treated water have been uptake for determination the concentration of cations and microbiological analysis. Each 1L of surface water sample with continuous aeration and left for 24h and as a result many physical, chemical and bacteriological changes occurred .For the surface water temperature decreased by 2.2°C and 2.0°C related to raw water and chlorinated water , pH increased by 0.2 and 0.4 ppm related to raw water and chlorinated water . TDS decrease from (276 to 220 ppm) while in chemical treatment increase to (285 ppm) also conductivity decrease from(434 to 425) US/CM but increase to(442 US/CM) in the chlorinated treatment , while turbidity increase from (9.8 to 10.3) NTU. The elimination of the heavy metals was remarkable in this study as in rate of Fe that decrease from (0.39 to 0.21)ppm and for Mn it remains constant .Total alkalinity decrease from(142 to 130) ppm while in chemical treatment was 120 ppm. calcium hardness decrease from (78 to 54) ppm and as a result the calcium decrease from (31.2 to 21.6)ppm and in chemical one it has the same value of the raw water sample .Magnesium hardness increase from (100 to 108 )ppm &for the magnesium ion increase from (10.56 to 16.8) ppm. The chlorides decrease to 20 ppm in the bio treated water sample but it was normal to increase to 31 ppm in the chemical treated sample. Sulfates content decrease from (15.5 to 10.7)ppm but in chemical treatment it increase to 17 ppm. Phosphate content increase from(<0.01 to o.o2) ppm while the nitrate content decrease from(0.86 to 0.5) ppm it also decrease in the chemical treatment to 0.48 ppm and ammonia content decrease from (0.06 to0.01) ppm and in chemical treatment reach to <0.01 ppm a. Drinking water sources are contaminated with coliforms and pathogenic bacteria. The bacteriological results shows that all the bio treated sample had no fecal Coliform growth (<1) C/100ml but give positive results with the total Coliform with confluent colonies whereas in the chemical treatment both the total &fecal Coliform tests were negative.

3. A new approach in bacteriological and chemical treatment of surface water for drinking purpose.
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Vol.1 No.3 -4 : Effects of swine flu (H1N1) vaccine on albino rats.

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By : Fatma Ahmed Eid 1, Aly Fahmy Mohamed2, Alya Mohammed Aly1 and Nadia Fathy Ibrahim1

Abstract

The pandemic flu (2009) is a global outbreak of a new strain of H1N1 influenza virus that referred as “swine flu”. The 2009 flu pandemic vaccines (H1N1 vaccines) are the biological preparation of influenza vaccines that have been developed to protect and improve immunity against the pandemic H1N1/09 virus. Squalene has been added to vaccine as immunologic adjuvant to stimulate the immune system, increase the response to the vaccine and reduce amount of usage vaccine. Thimerosal has been added to some vaccines as a preservative because it is effective in preventing bacterial contamination, particularly in multidose containers. To investigate the possible immunological effects of swine flu vaccine, Albino rats were injected with H1N1 antigen contained thimerosal, adjuvant and H1N1 vaccine. Results obtained in the present study showed that squalene and thimerosal contributed to the regiment of adverse reactions and symptoms, which act as detergents instead of its helper role of vaccine that undergone toxicity effectors in the biological pathways including; immunopathological and histopathological effects; the damage was done by vaccine, particularly when potentiated by powerful “immunoenhancers” caused a strong immunostimulation that emphasized by results of this research as well as its biological hazards which are more pronounced when act together as whole vaccine than they act individually so the adverse events that resulted from treatment with squalene-adjuvanted vaccine are more potent than those of either antigen or squalene- treated groups.

4. Effects of swine flu (H1N1) vaccine on albino rats.
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