Thrombolytic and anticoagulant efficiencies of purified fibrinolytic enzyme produced from Cochliobolus hawaiiensis under solid-state fermentation.

Cochliobolus hawaiiensis Alcorn Assiut University Mycological Centre 8606 was chosen from the screened 20 fungal species as the potent producer of fibrinolytic enzyme on skimmed-milk agar plates. The greatest enzyme yield was attained when the submerged fermentation (SmF) conditions were optimized, and it was around (39.7 U/mg protein). Moreover, upon optimization of fibrinolytic enzyme production under solid-state fermentation (SSF), the maximum productivity of fibrinolytic enzyme was greatly increased recorded a bout (405 U/mg protein) on sugarcane bagasse, incubation period of 5 days, moisture level of 100%, initial pH of salt basal medium 7.8, incubation temperature at 35°C, and supplementation of the salt basal medium with corn steep liquor (80％, v/v). The yield of fibrinolytic enzyme by C. hawaiiensis under SSF was higher than that of SmF with about 10.20-fold. The purification procedures of fibrinolytic enzyme by ammonium sulfate (70%), gel filtration, and ion-exchange columns chromatography caused a great increase in its specific activity to 2581.6 U/mg protein with an overall yield of 55.89%, 6.37 purification fold and molecular weight of 35 kDa. Maximal activity was recorded at pH 7 and 37°C. Significant pH stability was recorded at pH 6.6-7.2, and thermal stability was recorded at 33-41°C. The enzyme showed the highest affinity toward fibrin, with Vmax of 240 U/mL and an apparent Km value of 47.61 mmol. Mg2+ and Ca2+ moderately induced fibrinolytic activity, whereas Cu2+ and Zn2+ greatly suppressed the enzyme activity. The produced enzyme is categorized as serine protease and non-metalloprotease. The purified fibrinolytic enzyme showed efficient thrombolytic and antiplatelet aggregation activities by completely prevention and dissolution of the blood clot which confirmed by microscopic examination and amelioration of blood coagulation assays. These findings suggested that the produced fibrinolytic enzyme is a promising agent in management of blood coagulation disorders.

Production of antibiotic carbomycin from Streptomyces graminofaciens with high lipid content mutation.

The most important tools in killing and overcoming on the microbes and pathogens that cause diseases in medicine and/or in agriculture are the antibiotics. The discovery and synthesis of the microbial natural products or antibiotics has greatly developed genetically and biotechnologically quickly in the last decades. It is necessary to access this great genetic diversity by finding ways to increase the level of expression of these biosynthetic pathways. In this study, we carried out an improvement in the antibiotic production of weak Streptomyces graminofaciens strain NBR9 that has high lipid content; using Ultra-Violet irradiation mutagenesis. This strain was isolated from the Northern Region in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and identified biochemically and confirmed genetically by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene as Streptomyces graminofaciens NBR9; Accession No. (MN640578). The resultant mutant strain showed increasing in their antimicrobial activities. The methods and techniques used for the antibiotic extraction, purification, characterization and identification proved that the obtained antibiotic is same with antibiotic Carbomycin.

Evaluation of the toxic effect of silver nanoparticles and the possible protective effect of ascorbic acid on the parotid glands of albino rats: An in vivo study.

This study aimed to evaluate the toxic effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the parotid glands (PGs) of albino rats histologically and ultrastructurally and assess the possible protective effect of ascorbic acid as an antioxidant. Thirty male albino rats weighing between 150 mg and 200 mg were divided into three groups: the control group (C1) contained 10 rats that received 2 mg/kg (body weight (bw)) of aqueous nitrate buffer by intraperitoneal (IP) injection daily for 28 days; the AgNPs group contained 10 rats that received 2 mg/kg (bw) IP AgNPs daily for 28 days; and the AgNPs-vitamin C group contained 10 albino rats that received 2 mg/kg (bw) AgNPs IP daily for 28 days with oral administration of 100 mg/kg (bw) vitamin C in drinking water daily for 28 days. The PG acinar and ductal cells of the AgNPs group showed signs of toxicity and degeneration characterized as pleomorphic nuclei, binucleation, cytoplasmic vacuolations, and stagnated secretion in the ductal lumen. In addition to degenerated mitochondria, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes were filled with AgNPs (p < 0.001). The AgNPs-vitamin C group showed significantly less degenerative changes histologically and ultrastructurally compared to the AgNPs group (p = 0.002). AgNPs produced significant toxic effects on the PG of albino rats, presumably through the generation of reactive oxygen species and toxic ion release, and administration of vitamin C was shown effective in decreasing these toxic effects.

Excess mortality rate associated with hepatitis C virus infection: A community-based cohort study in rural Egypt.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: >80% of people chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) live in resource-limited countries, yet the excess mortality associated with HCV infection in these settings is poorly documented. METHODS: Individuals were recruited from three villages in rural Egypt in 1997-2003 and their vital status was determined in 2008-2009. Mortality rates across the cohorts were compared according to HCV status: chronic HCV infection (anti-HCV antibody positive and HCV RNA positive), cleared HCV infection (anti-HCV antibody positive and HCV RNA negative) and never infected (anti-HCV antibody negative). Data related to cause of death was collected from a death registry in one village. RESULTS: Among 18,111 survey participants enrolled in 1997-2003, 9.1% had chronic HCV infection, 5.5% had cleared HCV infection, and 85.4% had never been infected. After a mean time to follow-up of 8.6years, vital status was obtained for 16,282 (89.9%) participants. When compared to those who had never been infected with HCV in the same age groups, mortality rate ratios (MRR) of males with chronic HCV infection aged <35, 35-44, and 45-54years were 2.35 (95% CI 1.00-5.49), 2.87 (1.46-5.63), and 2.22 (1.29-3.81), respectively. No difference in mortality rate was seen in older males or in females. The all-cause mortality rate attributable to chronic HCV infection was 5.7% (95% CI: 1.0-10.1%), while liver-related mortality was 45.5% (11.3-66.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Use of a highly potent new antiviral agent to treat all villagers with positive HCV RNA may reduce all-cause mortality rate by up to 5% and hepatic mortality by up to 40% in rural Egypt.

Association between IL28B rs12979860 single nucleotide polymorphism and the frequency of colonic Treg in chronically HCV-infected patients.

The IL28B gene is associated with spontaneous or treatment-induced HCV viral clearance. However, the mechanism by which the IL28B single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) affects the extra-hepatic HCV immune responses and its relationship to HCV pathogenesis have not been thoroughly investigated. To examine the mechanism by which IL28B affects HCV clearance. Forty Egyptian patients with chronic HCV infection receiving an Interferon/ribavirin treatment regimen were enrolled into this study. There were two groups: non-responders (NR; n = 20) and sustained virologic responders (SVR; n = 20). The initial plasma HCV viral loads prior to treatment and IL28B genotypes were determined by quantitative RT-PCR and sequencing, respectively. Liver biopsies were examined to determine the inflammatory score and the stage of fibrosis. Colonic regulatory T cell (Treg) frequency was estimated by immunohistochemistry. No significant association between IL28B genotypes and response to therapy was identified, despite an odds ratio of 3.4 to have the TT genotype in NR compared to SVR (95 % confidence interval 0.3-35.3, p = 0.3). Patients with the TT-IL28Brs12979860 genotype (unfavorable genotype) have significantly higher frequencies of colonic Treg compared to the CT (p = 0.04) and CC (p = 0.03) genotypes. The frequency of colonic Treg cells in HCV-infected patients had a strong association with the IL-28B genotype and may have a significant impact on HCV clearance.

Association of colonic regulatory T cells with hepatitis C virus pathogenesis and liver pathology.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3)(+) regulatory T (Treg ) cells play a fundamental role in maintaining the balance between the tissue-damaging and protective immune response to chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection. Herein, we investigated the frequency of Treg cells in the colon and their potential relationship to the various CHC outcomes and hepatic histopathology. METHODS: Colonic biopsies were collected from three groups with CHC: treatment naïve (TN; n = 20), non-responders (NR; n = 20), sustained virologic response (SVR; n = 20), and a fourth healthy control group (n = 10). The plasma viral loads and cytokines levels were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and ELISA, respectively. Liver biopsies were examined to assess inflammatory score and fibrosis stage. Colonic Treg frequency was estimated by immunohistochemistry using confocal microscopy. RESULTS: A significant increase in the frequency of colonic Treg was found in TN, and NR groups compared with the control and SVR group. The frequency of colonic Treg , plasma interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-4 levels were significantly positively correlated with viral load and negatively correlated with METAVIR inflammatory score, and fibrosis stages. CONCLUSION: Colonic Treg cells are negatively correlated with liver inflammation and hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral load, which suggests a strong linkage between gut-derived Treg cell populations and HCV infection.

Large-scale measurement of aggregate human colocation patterns for epidemiological modeling.

To understand and model public health emergencies, epidemiologists need data that describes how humans are moving and interacting across physical space. Such data has traditionally been difficult for researchers to obtain with the temporal resolution and geographic breadth that is needed to study, for example, a global pandemic. This paper describes Colocation Maps, which are spatial network datasets that have been developed within Meta's Data For Good program. These Maps estimate how often people from different regions are colocated: in particular, for a pair of geographic regions x and y, these Maps estimate the rate at which a randomly chosen person from x and a randomly chosen person from y are simultaneously located in the same place during a randomly chosen minute in a given week. These datasets are well suited to parametrize metapopulation models of disease spread or to measure temporal changes in interactions between people from different regions; indeed, they have already been used for both of these purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we show how Colocation Maps differ from existing data sources, describe how the datasets are built, provide examples of their use in compartmental modeling, and summarize ideas for further development of these and related datasets. Among the findings of this study, we observe that a pair of regions can exhibit high colocation despite few people moving between those regions. Additionally, for the purposes of clarifying how to interpret and utilize Colocation Maps, we scrutinize the Maps' built-in assumptions about representativeness and contact heterogeneity.

Predictors of graft function and survival in second kidney transplantation: A single center experience.

BACKGROUND: The increasing kidney retransplantation rate has created a parallel field of research, including the risk factors and outcomes of this advanced form of renal replacement therapy. The presentation of experiences from different kidney transplantation centers may help enrich the literature on kidney retransplantation, as a specific topic in the field of kidney transplantation. AIM: To identify the risk factors affecting primary graft function and graft survival rates after second kidney transplantation (SKT). METHODS: The records of SKT cases performed between January 1977 and December 2014 at a European tertiary-level kidney transplantation center were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Beside the descriptive characteristics, the survivals of patients and both the first and second grafts were described using Kaplan-Meier curves. In addition, Kaplan-Meier analyses were also used to estimate the survival probabilities at 1, 3, 5, and 10 post-operative years, as well as at the longest follow-up duration available. Moreover, bivariate associations between various predictors and the categorical outcomes were assessed, using the suitable biostatistical tests, according to the predictor type. RESULTS: Out of 1861 cases of kidney transplantation, only 48 cases with SKT were eligible for studying, including 33 men and 15 women with a mean age of 42.1 ± 13 years. The primary non-function (PNF) graft occurred in five patients (10.4%). In bivariate analyses, a high body mass index (P = 0.009) and first graft loss due to acute rejection (P = 0.025) were the only significant predictors of PNF graft. The second graft survival was reduced by delayed graft function in the first (P = 0.008) and second (P < 0.001) grafts. However, the effect of acute rejection within the first year after the first transplant did not reach the threshold of significance (P = 0.053). The mean follow-up period was 59.8 ± 48.6 mo. Censored graft/patient survival rates at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years were 90.5%/97.9%, 79.9%/95.6%, 73.7%/91.9%, and 51.6%/83.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Non-immediate recovery modes of the first and second graft functions were significantly associated with unfavorable second graft survival rates. Patient and graft survival rates of SKT were similar to those of the first kidney transplantation.

Effects of Smoking on Aggression, Big Five Personality Factors, and Polymorphisms in HTR2A, DRD4, and MAOA among Egypt University Students.

Introduction: To find genetic variants in the DRD4 and HTR2A genes' promoter regions and exons that are associated with tobacco smoking and nicotine addiction in Egyptian university students as well as to study the association between personality traits and smoking status. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire about cigarette smoking and personality attributes (Big Five Inventory, ESPAD Questionnaire on Substance Abuse, and Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire). The participants in the study were 90 nonsmokers (NS) and 88 current smokers (CS), who were divided into two groups depending on their cigarette consumption per day (cpd): 55 heavy smokers (HS, >20 cpd) and 33 light smokers (LS, 1-10 cpd). Four and eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the DRD4, HTR2A, and MOA genes, respectively, were genotyped. Results: Smokers scored lower on neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness, and extraversion than nonsmokers, but higher on aggression. Furthermore, the C allele of rs1800955 in DRD4 was associated with cigarette smoking in the HS vs. NS and LS vs. NS studies. The T allele of the HTR2A rs6313 gene was discovered to be strongly associated with cigarette smoking. There was no link discovered between MOA rs1137070 and MOA rs1137070. Conclusions: Using a comprehensive personality model (FFM), this study repeats and extends earlier research. Personality and genetic studies may aid in the development of a more complete and conclusive understanding of cigarette smoking, as well as more precise policies and guidelines for smoking cessation and quitting.

Purification, characterization and anticancer efficiency of L-glutaminase from Aspergillus flavus.

The aim of this work was to purify L-glutaminase from Aspergillus flavus. The enzyme was purified 12.47-fold from a cell-free extract with a final specific activity of 613.3 U/mg and the yield was 51.11%. The molecular weight of the enzyme, as estimated by SDS-PAGE, was found to be 69 kDa. The maximal activity of L-glutaminase was recorded at pH 8 and 40°C. The highest activity was reported towards L-glutamine as substrate, with an apparent Km value of 4.5 mmol and Vmax was 20 Uml-1. The enzyme was activated by Na+ and Co2+, while it was greatly suppressed by iodoacetate, NEM, Zn2+ and Hg2+ at 10 mM. L-glutaminase activity increased with a gradual increase of sodium chloride concentration up to 15%. In vivo, the median lethal dose (LD50) was approximately 39.4 mg/kg body weight after intraperitoneal injection in Sprague Dawley rats. Also, L-glutaminase showed no observed changes in liver and kidney functions and hematological parameters on rates. Purified A. flavus L-glutaminase had neither a cognizable effect on human platelet aggregation nor hemolytic activity. In addition, MTT assay showed that the purified L-glutaminase has a high toxic impact on Hela and Hep G2 cell lines with an IC50 value 18 and 12 µg/ml, respectively, and a moderate cytotoxic effect on HCT-116 and MCF7 cells, with an IC50 value 44 and 58 µg/ml, respectively.

Anticancer and antifungal efficiencies of purified chitinase produced from Trichoderma viride under submerged fermentation.

Trichoderma viride AUMC 13021 isolated from Mangrove soil of Ras Mohammed protected area at Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, was optimized to promote chitinase activity under submerged fermentation. The maximum enzyme yield (38.33 U/mg protein) was obtained at 1.4% of colloidal chitin, 96 h of incubation, 35°C, pH 6.5 and 125, rpm and using maltose (1%) and yeast extract (1%) as supplementation of salt basal medium. The enzyme has been purified with an overall yield of 73.1% and 5.48 purification fold, and a specific activity of 210.16 U/mg protein. The molecular mass of the purified chitinase was 62 kDa. Maximal activity of chitinase was recorded at pH 6.5 and 40°C. The highest activity was recorded in the case of colloidal chitin, with an apparent Km value of 6.66 mg/ml and Vmax of 90.8 U/ml. The purified chitinase was activated by Ca2+ and Mn2+ while the activity was inhibited by Hg2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Co2+, dodecyl sulphate and EDTA. In vivo, the median lethal dose (LD50) was approximately 18.43 mg/kg body weight of Sprague Dawley rats. MTT assay showed that the purified chitinase has a toxic effect to MCF7 with an IC50 value 20 µg/ml, and HCT-116 cell lines with an IC50 value 44 µg/ml. Moreover, the purified enzyme showed significant antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici race 3 the causal agent of tomato wilt.

Laundry Detergent Compatibility and Dehairing Efficiency of Alkaline Thermostable Protease Produced from Aspergillus terreus under Solid-state Fermentation.

Aspergillus terreus was chosen for production of alkaline protease using solid-state fermentation (SSF). The maximum enzyme yield reached about 34.87 U/mg protein after optimization of fermentation parameters. The produced alkaline protease was purified by precipitation with iso-propanol and then purified through gel filtration and ion exchange column chromatography with a yield of 53.58% and 5.09- fold purification. The enzyme has shown to have a molecular weight of 35 kDa. Optimal pH and temperature for the enzyme activity were 9.5 and 50°C respectively. The highest activity was reported towards casein, with an apparent Km value of 6.66 mg/mL and Vmax was 30 U/mL. The enzyme activity was greatly repressed by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF). Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) caused activation in enzyme activity. The enzyme retained about 83.8, 70.6, 74.5, 76.4 and 66.4% of its original activity after incubation with Aerial, Leader, Oxi, Persil and Tide, respectively for 8 h at 60°C. Adding of the enzyme in detergents improved the cleansing performance to the blood stains and suggested to be used as a detergent additive. Our outcomes showed that protease could be used as environment green-approach in dehairing process.

Transmission of hepatitis C virus between parents and children.

Egyptian children with infected parents are at high risk of infection with hepatitis C (HCV). Analysis of data collected during surveys of rural communities show children whose parents had antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) were at higher risk for having anti-HCV than children whose parents did not. The association was greater with mothers than fathers and when the parent had HCV RNA. For instance, 87 (14%) of 612 children had anti-HCV whose mothers had HCV RNA compared with 28 (7%) of 401 whose mothers only had anti-HCV and 79 (2.6%) of 3,086 whose mothers were seronegative. These associations persisted after controlling for age, parenteral exposures, and serologic status of the other parent. Sequencing isolates from 13 families with parent(s) and children having HCV RNA showed 10 of 18 had genetically similar viruses. These findings suggest Egyptian children are at high risk of being infected with HCV by their parents and identification of the transmission routes would allow for preventive measures.

Hepatitis E antibody seroconversion without disease in highly endemic rural Egyptian communities.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is enterically transmitted and causes self-limiting acute viral hepatitis (AVH) primarily in less developed countries. A prospective cohort study to assess incidence of, and risk factors for, seroconversion to HEV (anti-HEV) was conducted in two Egyptian villages with a 67.7% anti-HEV prevalence. Nine hundred and nineteen villagers who were initially anti-HEV-negative were followed for 10.7 months. Thirty-four (3.7%) had strong anti-HEV serologic responses at follow-up giving an estimated anti-HEV incidence of 41.6/1,000 person-years. No significant associations were found between anti-HEV seroincidence and demographic and socioeconomic factors, source of water, household plumbing or sanitation, hand and vegetable washing, ownership of animals, jaundice and many other variables. None of the seroconverting subjects gave a history compatible with AVH during the interval. We hypothesize that both zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission of avirulent (possibly genotype-3) HEV is occurring extensively in these rural villages. An alternative explanation for the lack of morbidity among anti-HEV incident cases could be initial asymptomatic infections occur during early childhood with subsequent antibody titer boosting without illness upon re-exposure to the virus.

Systemic versus local injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on 5-fluorouracil treated parotid glands of albino rats / Injeção sistêmica e local de células tronco da medula óssea em glandula parotida de ratos albinos tratados com 5-Fluorouracil

Objective: Head and neck cancer is the sixth leading cancer by incidence worldwide and eighth by death. Recent reports revealed that, not only radiotherapy but also chemotherapy may induce xerostomia. The aim of this study was to compare the possible regenerative effect of BMSCs through systemic and local injections. Material and Methods: 52 male Albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group 1: 10 rats received 0.5 ml of PBS by injection. Group 2: 14 rats received an intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU drug. Group 3: 14 rats were injected the same dose of 5-FU then received an intraglandular transplantation of BMSCs suspended in 0.5 ml of PBS at day 1 after 5-FU administration. Group 4: 14 rats were injected the same dose of 5-FU then received an intravenous injection of BMSCs suspended in 0.5 ml of PBS via the tail vein at day 1 after 5-FU administration. Results: Histological examination showed that group 2 showed features of severe degenerative changes which increased over time. Group 3 showed increasing amelioration in the ductal structure overtime. Group 4 also showed regenerated ductal elements however concerning apoptotic changes, immunohistochemistry results revealed improvement in both group 3 and 4 over group 2 with no statistical difference between groups 3 and 4. Conclusion: Histological and immunohistochemical features in group 3 and group 4 revealed similar amelioration in regenerative potentials. On the other hand, regenerative features of both experimental groups were statistically significant as compared independently to group 1 (AU)

Objetivo: O carcinoma de cabeça e pescoço é o sexto câncer de maior incidência no mundo sendo a oitava causa de morte por cancer. Relatos recentes revelaram que não apenas a radioterapia, mas também a quimioterapia podem induzir xerostomia. O objetivo desse estudo foi comparar a possivel ação regenerative de BMSCs através de injeção local e sistêmica. Material e Métodos: 52 ratos Albino foram aleatoriamente alocados em 4 grupos: Grupo 1: 10 ratos que receberam 0.5 ml de injeção de PBS. Grupo 2: 14 ratos que receberam injeção intraperitoneal da droga 5-FU. Grupo 3: 14 ratos que foram injetados com a mesma dose de 5-FU e receberam transplante intraglandular de BMSCs ressuspendidas em 0.5mL de PBS no dia 1 após a administração do 5-FU. Grupo 4: 14 ratos que foram injetados com a mesma dose de 5-FU e receberam injeção intravenosa de BMSCs ressuspendidas em 0.5mL de PBS via veia caudal 1 dia após a administração de 5-FU. Resultados: O exame histológico demonstrou que o grupo 2 apresentou alterações degenerativas severas que se agravaram com o tempo. O Grupo 3 mostrou melhora da estrutura ductal ao longo do experimento. Group 4 também mostrou elementos ductais regenerados. Referente a alterações apoptóticas,análise imunohistoquimica mostrou melhora nos grupos 3 e 4 comparados ao grupo 2, sendo que os grupos 3 e 4 foram estatisticamente semelhantes. Conclusão: Análises histológicas e imunohistoquímicas mostram que os grupos 3 e 4 apresentam melhora no potencial regenerativo Por outro lado, os resultados observados para os dois grupos foi estatisticamente semlhante quando comparados independentemente ao grupo 1 (AU)

Extra-hepatic infection of hepatitis C virus in the colon tissue and its relationship with hepatitis C virus pathogenesis.

Extra-hepatic compartments might contribute to hepatitis C virus (HCV) persistence and extra-hepatic manifestations. Therefore, we investigated HCV infection in colonic tissue in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and its relationship with HCV pathogenesis. Colonic biopsies were collected from three groups with CHC infection: treatment naïve (TN; n=12), non-responders (NR; n=10) to anti-HCV therapy (pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin) and sustained virologic response (SVR; n=10) and from a fourth healthy control group (n=10). Liver biopsies were examined to assess inflammation and fibrosis. HCV infection and colonic T regulatory (Treg) frequency were detected by immunohistochemistry. HCV core and NS3 proteins were detected in B cells and macrophage/monocytes of 42 % and 25 % of TN and 50 % and 30 % of NR, respectively, but not in SVR or control group. The numbers of cells expressing HCV proteins were positively correlated with both HCV viral load and colonic Treg frequency. A significant negative correlation between HCV-expressing cells with both liver inflammation and fibrosis was identified. Our study provides evidence that HCV can infect B cells and macrophages of the colon. The correlations between HCV infection in colonic tissue and HCV viral load and liver pathology underline the significance of this extra-hepatic infection in HCV pathogenesis and response to therapy.

Estimation of the risk of transmission of hepatitis C between spouses in Egypt based on seroprevalence data.

BACKGROUND: Transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) between spouses could be due to sexual contact, sharing needles, or other routes. There is uncertainty regarding the degree to which HCV is transmitted between spouses. METHODS: Data from a 1997 cross-sectional serological survey of HCV in two communities in Egypt were used to estimate the risk of transmission between spouses by simultaneously modelling the probabilities of community acquisition and spousal transmission of HCV as functions of known predictors. RESULTS: We estimate that the probability of wife-to-husband transmission was 34% (95% CI: 15-49%) and 10% (95% CI: 0-26%) for anti-HCV-positive wives with and without detectable HCV RNA, respectively. The probability of husband-to-wife transmission was estimated to be 3% (95% CI: 0-13%) and 0% (95% CI: 0-9%) for husbands with and without detectable HCV RNA, respectively, at the time of the survey. There was moderate evidence that the probability of wife-to-husband transmission differed from that of husband-to-wife transmission (P = 0.076), and there was greater risk of transmission from those with detectable RNA at the time of the survey (P = 0.046). We estimate that 6% of those infected acquired HCV from their spouse. CONCLUSION: Our study results support the possibility that HCV is transmitted between spouses in Egypt. Further research is needed to identify the exact routes of transmission so that preventive measures can be instituted.

Enhanced alkaline cellulases production by the thermohalophilic Aspergillus terreus AUMC 10138 mutated by physical and chemical mutagens using corn stover as substrate.

A thermohalophilic fungus, Aspergillus terreus AUMC 10138, isolated from the Wadi El-Natrun soda lakes in northern Egypt was exposed successively to gamma and UV-radiation (physical mutagens) and ethyl methan-sulfonate (EMS; chemical mutagen) to enhance alkaline cellulase production under solid state fermentation (SSF) conditions. The effects of different carbon sources, initial moisture, incubation temperature, initial pH, incubation period, inoculum levels and different concentrations of NaCl on production of alkaline filter paper activity (FPase), carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) and ß-glucosidase by the wild-type and mutant strains of A. terreus were evaluated under SSF. The optimum conditions for maximum production of FPase, CMCase and ß-glucosidase were found to be the corn stover: moisture ratio of 1:3(w/v), temperature 45 °C, pH range, 9.0-11.0, and fermentation for 4, 4 and 7 day, respectively. Inoculum levels of 30% for ß-glucosidase and 40% for FPase, CMCase gave the higher cellulase production by the wild-type and mutant strains, respectively. Higher production of all three enzymes was obtained at a 5% NaCl. Under the optimized conditions, the mutant strain A. terreus M-17 produced FPase (729 U/g), CMCase (1,783 U/g), and ß-glucosidase (342 U/g), which is, 1.85, 1.97 and 2.31-fold higher than the wild-type strain. Our results confirmed that mutant strain M-17 could be a promising alkaline cellulase enzyme producer employing lignocellulosics especially corn stover.

Hepatitis c in a community in Upper Egypt: risk factors for infection.

This investigation's objective was to identify risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a village in Upper Egypt with a moderately high prevalence (8.7%) of antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV). A representative sample of 6,012 (63%) of the 9,581 village inhabitants was included in the study. A questionnaire solicited information regarding risk factors for infection, and blood samples were tested for anti-HCV. Parenteral risks identified in age-adjusted analysis included blood transfusions, dental procedures, hospital admission, surgery, complicated deliveries, history of injection therapy for schistosomiasis, and history of frequent injections. Circumcision was pervasive and was not associated per se with ant-HCV; however, circumcision by an informal, rather than formal, health care provider was associated with anti-HCV among young men and boys. The results did not reveal any unique community-acquired exposures that caused HCV infections: inhabitants who had tattoos, who smoked goza, who were shaved by a community barber, or who had their ears pierced were not at greater risk for anti-HCV than those who did not. Risks identified in multivariate analysis for both those older and younger than 30 years included prior parenteral therapy for schistosomiasis and blood transfusion; for those 30 or younger, circumcision by an informal rather than formal health care provider, and frequent injections; and for those older than 30, never attending college, invasive medical procedures, and complicated deliveries. Selecting for those with blood transfusion, prior parenteral therapy for schistosomiasis, and invasive medical procedures would identify less than half of those infected. Inclusion of frequent injections would identify 80% of those infected with HCV, but as a result of the pervasive use of injections, it would not discriminate from those uninfected. Nonetheless, general reduction of these exposures and assuring sterile practices are logical goals for intervention.

Comparative study of a new alkaline L-methioninase production by Aspergillus ustus AUMC 10151 in submerged and solid-state fermentation

Twenty four fungal species were screened for their ability to produce alkaline L-methioninase on methionine-glucose liquid medium. Aspergillus ustus AUMC 10151 displayed the highest yield of enzyme (10.8 U/mg protein), followed by A. ochraceus and Fusarium proliferatum. Upon optimization of the submerged fermentation (SmF)conditions, the maximum enzyme yield (18.23 U/mg protein) was obtained on a medium containing L-methionine (0.5%), sucrose (0.95%), KH2PO4 (0.1%) and 175 rpm. Seven agro-industrial by-products were screened as substrates for L-methioninase production under solid-state fermentation (SSF). Wheat bran resulted 38.1 U/mg protein, followed by rice bran (27.6 U/mg protein) and soya bean meal (26.6 U/mg protein). Maximum alkaline L-methioninase (99.56U/mg protein) was achieved at initial moisture content of 71.5%, inoculum size of 2.0 mL of spore suspension, initial pH 8.5, incubation period eight days at 30°C and supplementation of the salt basal medium with pyridoxine(100 μg/mL) and beet molasses (20% v/v). The productivity of L-methioninase by A. ustus under SSF was higher than that of SmF about 5.45 fold under optimum conditions.