Preparation and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles coated with chitosan for removal of Cd(II) and Cr(VI) from aqueous solution.

This study investigated the applicability of magnetite Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles coated with chitosan (CMNs) for the removal of some toxic heavy metals from simulated wastewater. Magnetic nanomaterials were synthesized using the co-precipitation method and characterized by transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transformer infrared spectroscopy. The magnetic properties of the prepared magnetic nanoparticles were determined by a vibrating-sample magnetometer. Batch experiments were carried out to determine the adsorption kinetics of Cr(VI) and Cd(II) by magnetic nanoparticles. It is noteworthy that CMNs show a highly efficient adsorption capacity for low concentration Cr(VI) and Cd(II) ions solution, which can reach 98% within 10 min.

TOXIC ACTIVITY AND DELAYED EFFECTS OF FIVE BOTANICAL OILS ON THE FOLLOWING GENERATIONS OF AGROTIS IPSILON (HUFNAGEL) (INSECTA: LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) AFTER PARENTS TREATMENT.

The present study is carried out to evaluate the toxic efficiency and delayed effects of five botanical oils on the greasy cut worm Agrotis ipsilon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), as a trial for the attainment of a possible use of an alternative safe and effective phytochemicals against the insect-pest. So as to minimize or prevent the repeated usage of conventional insecticides, then reduce the environmental pollution as well as the occurring hazards to man and domestic animal due to the use of the pesticides alone. Four tested concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.5% v/v) from each of camphor, red basil, menthol, rose and anise oils, were bioassayed by treating the offered castor oil bean leaves, to the 4th instar larvae along 48h, under the laboratory higrothermic conditions of 25±2 °C and 65±5% R.H. The obtained results showed that the five tested oils were found to have more or less toxic activity and drastic effects on the inspected parameters of fitness components of the treated parent generation of the insect, in particular, pupae, emerged adult moths and laid eggs/female. In this respect camphor and red basil oils were highly effective, followed by menthol oil, anise oil and the least effective one was rose oil. Moreover, the assessed unprofitable delayed effects on the going on of the biological performance within the treated insects showed the adverse effects on the fitness components of the consequent generations (fs) post (p) one treatment with each of the bioassyed oils. The prevalence of adverse effects and disturbance in the going on biological performance through the period of (p) generation; which is followed by the distinct failure of insect development in (f1) generation were recorded for each of the tested menthol oil at 0.5 and 1.5% (v/v); camphor oil at 1.5 and 2.5% and red basil oil at 2.5% (v/v). While anise and rose oils were somewhat less efficient causing the distinct failure of the following generations up to the 3rd and/or the 6th ones. That observed distinct failure of the insect development could be attributed to the rapid or/and slow cumulative effect of the induced recessive lethal genes in both influenced sexes along the interval of the following developed generations (fs) after (p) one treatment, causing apparent adverse disturbance of the normal biological performance, which finally appears at the beginning of the failed generation.

Echinocystic acid 3,16-O-bisglycosides from Albizia procera.

Three triterpene glycosides and two known ones were isolated from the bark of Albizia procera by using chromatographic techniques. The structures of the compounds were determined to be 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl echinocystic acid 16-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl echinocystic acid 16-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl echinocystic acid 16-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside. Their structures were determined by NMR techniques including HOHAHA, (1)H-(1)H COSY, ROE, HMQC and HMBC experiments together with FABMS as well as acid hydrolysis. To the best of our knowledge, the new compounds are considered the first examples of echinocystic acid 3,16-O-bisglycosides. In contrast to other cytotoxic echinocystic acid glycosides with N-acetyl glucosamine unit, the new glycosides were found inactive when assayed by MTT method for their cytotoxicities against the human tumor cell lines HEPG2, A549, HT29 and MCF7. The results showed the importance of the free hydroxyl group at the aglycone C-16 for exhibiting cytotoxic properties.

Endometrial volume as predictor of malignancy in women with postmenopausal bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: To assess endometrial volume as a predictor of endometrial malignancy in women with postmenopausal bleeding. METHODS: Endometrial volume was measured by virtual organ computer-aided analysis in 170 women with postmenopausal bleeding, and histopathologic results of endometrial biopsies were obtained for all. A group of 100 women without postmenopausal bleeding was used for control. RESULTS: There were 90 cases of benign disease, 53 cases of atypia, and 27 cases of endometrial cancers in the study group. Whereas endometrial thickness was 9.61+/-5.12 mm (range, 5-20 mm) and endometrial volume was 3+/-1.1 mL (range, 1.8-5.4 mL) in women with atypia or cancer, they were 4.87+/-3.43 mm (range, 2-8 mm) and 1.52+/-0.82 (range, 0.6-2.2 mL), respectively, in women with benign disease. In the control group, endometrial volume was 1.15+/-0.14 mL (range, 0.6-1.3 mL). Volume was more sensitive than thickness for predicting malignancy, and a cutoff value of 1.35 mL was found to provide the best sensitivity. CONCLUSION: An endometrial volume of 1.35 mL or greater may predict malignancy in women with postmenopausal bleeding.

Saponins from Fagonia glutinosa.

Twelve triterpenoid saponins, including six new, were isolated and identified from the aerial parts of Fagonia glutinosa. The new saponins were characterised as 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)]-alpha-L - arabinopyranosyl-27-hydroxy oleanolic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl ursolic acid, 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl ursolic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->2)][beta- D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl ursolic acid, 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)][beta-D- glucopyranosyl(1-->3)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl ursolic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester and 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)]-alpha-L - arabinopyranosyl-27-hydroxy ursolic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester. The structures of the saponins were established by spectral and chemical evidences. The assignments of the NMR signals were performed by means of HOHAHA, 1H-1H COSY, ROE, HMQC and HMBC experiments.

Cryptosporidiosis in Benha, study of some recent modalities in diagnosis and treatment.

A total prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was carried out on 1087 diarrheal patients of all age groups attending the outpatient clinics using modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain (MZN) and Meriflour direct immunofluorescent technique (IFA). IFA was more sensitive, specific and gave positive results 19.5% than MZN stain which gave a positivity 13.5% Cases were divided into 3 groups, each group was treated by one of nitazoxanid (NTZ), or co-trimoxazole or placebo. The most effective drug was NTZ which cured 39 patients (79.6%) out of 49 patients followed by co-trimoxazole that gave cure of 20 (41.6%) out of 48 patients. Placebo cured 20 (40%) out of 50 patients.

The immunogenic effect of purified antigens of B. alexandrina against S. mansoni in experimental animals (II) as measured by the histopathological changes in the liver.

It can be safely said that up till now, no method of vaccination (including recent genes encoding vaccines) has yet proved to be totally effective since they gave partial and low levels of protection against S. mansoni infection. The objective of this work is to try testing the immunogenic effect of two purified non infected B. alexandrina hepatopancreas through histopathological changes in liver of Swiss albino mice (15-20 gm). Gel filtration chromatography was used to fractionate the crude antigen into five fractions followed by re-fractionation and determination of their molecular weights by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Four dilutions of Fiv (20000-29000 daltons) and Fv (20000-24000 daltons) were injected in two groups of mice (33 each) at weekly intervals and another control group was injected with phosphate buffer saline (PBS) in the same manner. Sacrification was done seven weeks from infection with 100 S. mansoni cercariae through immersion method. The results revealed that there is marked histopathological changes in liver of the control group in comparison to the two vaccinated groups which appear more or less normal with slight inflammatory infiltrate.

Development of Wuchereria bancrofti in Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae) exposed in the larval instar to sublethal dosages of insecticides and one insect growth regulator and their influence on reproduction of filaria-infected mosquitoes.

The effects of exposure of Culex pipiens larvae to sublethel concentrations of larvicides on uptake, development of Wuchereria bancrofti, survival rate and reproduction of filaria-infected mosquitoes were investigated. Fourth instar larvae of Cx. pipiens were exposed to LC40 of the surfactant Triton X-100, the insect growth regulator DPX alone or combined with LC10 of the surfactant and permethrin alone or combined with LC10 of the surfactant. Adults that survived insecticide treatments and controls were infected by allowing them to feed on microfilaremic volunteers. Significant reduction in the uptake of microfilaria was observed in groups treated with Triton X-100 alone or combined either with permethrin or DPX when compared to control. The overall infection and infective rates were significantly reduced in mosquitoes treated with Triton X-100 either alone or combined with permethrin. Treatment with Triton X-100 and DPX prolonged the extrinsic incubation period (EIP) and retarded the development of filarial larvae, while permethrin either alone or combined with Triton X-100 and DPX combined with Triton X-100 shortened the EIP. All larvicides reduced the number of infective larvae (L3)/mosquito and induced deformities among he different parasite stages, especially in mosquitoes treated with combination of permethrin and Triton X-100 or mixture of DPX and Triton X-100 where 36% and 54.9% respectively of L3S were deformed. In treated mosquitoes, a low percentage of L3S was detected in the head and proboscis region while the majority was trapped in the thoracic region. The survival rates of mosquitoes were reduced in cases treated with permethrin, DPX and Triton X-100 while treatment with mixture of DPX and Triton X-100 induced higher rate of mortalities when compared to control. Egg production of filaria- infected Cx. pipiens was significantly reduced in mosquitoes treated with DPX and Triton X-100. It was observed that the addition of Triton X-100 to DPX or to permethrin significantly reduced egg production. The results suggest that sublethal concentrations of larvicides especially Triton X-100 applied to 4th instar larvae of Cx. pipiens could effectively interfere with the development of W. bancrofti in Cx. pipiens and reduced the survival rate and fecundity of the vector.

Prolactin imbalance as a result of bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly.

Prolactin is an important hormone for maintenance of normal sexual life in human. Prolactin is produced in the lactotropic cells in the lateral wing of the anterior pituitary gland. Prolactin imbalance associated with bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly with subsequent infertility was carried out on sixty female patients and 30 normal controls. In bilharzial patients and 30 normal controls. In bilharzial patients with hepatosplenomegaly, there was hyperprolactinaemia in 13.33% of cases. 10% of patients suffering from bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly had primary infertility and 70% had secondary infertility more than 5 years. Galactorrhea was present in 10% of cases with bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly. There was irreversible relationship between the duration of bilharzial infection and serum prolactin level and inability to conceive, and also between the duration of bilharzial infection and endocrine manifestations as infrequency and irregularity of menstruation.

Glyceride synthesis by a cell-bound lipase from Aspergillus niger.

A cell-bound lipase from the mould Aspergillus niger was isolated and purified to homogeneity as judged by disc electrophoresis on a Sephadex G-75 column. Molecular weight determination and electrophoretic mobility (Rf value) indicated that the enzyme differed from that secreted extracellularly. The cell-bound lipase showed a higher capacity than the extracellular enzyme for glyceride synthesis, and reacted in an opposite manner in the synthetic reaction compared with the extracellular enzyme.