Immunochemical studies of serum, urine and calculus proteins in urolithiasis.

Total serum protein levels in 70 patients with urolithiasis were not significantly different from those in 20 control subjects, although certain variations were detected in individual protein patterns. In contrast, total urinary protein was significantly higher in patients with urolithiasis. 4-6 different components, i.e., albumin, alpha 1-acidic glycoprotein, alpha 1-antitrypsin, Gc-globulin, fibrinogen and immunoglobulin G, were found in the matrices of calculi and in urine, suggesting that proteinuria may play a role in the formation of stones in patients with urolithiasis.

Biochemical studies on the effect of breast and artificial feeding in newborn Egyptian infants. I. Serum proteins and immunoglobulins in 1--4-day-old newborns.

Investigations on the effect of colostrum feeding in 1--4-day-old newborn infants on serum proteins and their immunoglobulins were carried out. The values for serum total proteins, albumin and gamma globulins are higher in colostrum-fed infants than the artificially fed group. Immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin A levels were significantly higher, while immunoglobulin M level was only slightly elevated in the former group. On the other hand, serum total proteins as well as albumin and gamma globulins levels were decreased in lactating compared with non-lactating females, while the alpha and beta globulins levels were higher for lactating than controls. For individual immunoglobulins; IgG level was lower and IgA, IgM levels were higher for lactating than non-lactating females.

Acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases in Egyptian snake venoms.

Non-specific acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases could be demonstrated in two viperids (Cerastes cerastes and Cerastes vipers) and two elapids (Naja haje and Naja nigricollis). The latter could be a natural source for the production of these enzymes. The activities of both enzymes in elapids were greater than in viperids. N. nigricollis was the only to show acid phosphatase activity exceeding its alkaline one. The optimum pH values recorded for acid phosphatase was 4.0 and 4.9 and for alkaline phosphatase 9.0 and 10.0 in viperids and elapids, respectively. Optimum substrate concentration for both enzymes in viperids was 0.01 M, while for acid phosphatase in N. haje and N. nigricollis it was 0.125 and 0.150 M; and for their alkaline phosphatases the values were 0.150 and 0.125 M, respectively. Mg++ behaved as an activator for both enzymes in all venoms investigated, while Zn++ showed either no or slight activating effect. Fluoride ions as well as EDTA showed certain inhibitory action. Both enzymes in the crude venoms were heat-labile.

Biochemical properties of Egyptian Cerastes venoms in relation to geographic distribution.

Total proteins, electrophoretic analysis, biological lethality, and phospholipase activity of five members of the Cerastes-viper species living along the Nile Valley were investigated. Elevation of environmental temperature was accompanied with high values for these indices. It is concluded that zoological distribution and environmental conditions could influence the overall biological behaviour of snake venoms of the same species.

Red blood cells amino-acid pattern in protein energy malnutrition and the effect of oral dosing with single amino acids.

R.B.C.'s amino acid pattern was investigated in control and PEM subjects. The effect of oral dosing with cysteine, tryptophan and lysine on total amino acid nitrogen level of R.B.C.s was also studied. Results revealed that in moderate and severe kwashiorkor the total essential and non-essential R.B.C.'s amino acids were decreased. In 2nd grade marasmus the total R.B.C.'s amino acids in general showed lower values than normal. After oral administration of the tested amino acids, the transport index calculated as the level of maximum value of the total R.B.C.'s amino acids reached to the fasting level was lower in malnourished cases relative to controls except in 2nd grade marasmic cases given tryptophan or lysine. This criteria was considered to indicate lower rate of amino acid transport to R.B.C.s due to lower concentration in plasma or shift of transport mechanism from active transport to exchange diffusion.

Serum and urinary amino acid pattern in schistosomal infection among Egyptians.

The amino acid pattern in plasma and urine of Bilharzial Egyptian patients with different degrees of complications was investigated. The results obtained showed that in mansoniasis, accumulation of amino acids in the circulation is due to derangement in liver function which retards the utilization of amino acids in protein synthesis particularly in the advanced stage of the disease. This is also in part due to liver cell degeneration which parallel the severity of the infection. Aminoaciduria in haematobiasis is partly an overflow type, while in severe cases urinary tract tissue degeneration may be a participating factor. Aminoaciduria in haematobiasis is due to haematuria and urinary tract tissue degeneration.

Susceptibility of Iraqi fresh water snails to infection with Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni Egyptian strains.

A great number of Egyptian workers and farmers are seeking settlement in Iraq and some of them proved to have either Schistosoma Haematobium (S.h.) or Schistosoma mansoni (S.m) or even mixed infection. Besides, there is the possibility that some of the Iraqi fresh water snails may prove to be susceptible to infection by one or both of the Schistosoma Egyptian strains. The present study deals with investigations on the susceptibility of Iraqi B. truncatus, Gyranaulus ehrenbergi, Physa c.f. fontinalis, Lymnea lagetis, Melanoides tuberculata and Melanopsis nodes by these parasites. Egyptian S. haematobium but not Egyptian S. mansoni infect Iraqi B. truncatus and both proved to be unable to infect any of the other snails included in the study. Yet, the number of cercariae shedded by B. truncatus snails infected with the Egyptian S. haematobium strain, was much less that the number of cercariae shedded by these snails when infected with the Iraqi S. Haematobium strain.

Protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) in Egypt immunological changes of salivary protein in PCM.

Whole saliva protein as well as the separated protein components were estimated in normal and malnourished Egyptian infants and young children. In normal, 8 protein components (Albumin, alpha1-antitrypsin, haptoglobin, beta2-lipoprotein, transferrin, IgA, IgM and IgG) were detected, while in PCM cases two more components (prealbumin and alpha2-macroglobulin) were found. The results also showed that the level of salivary protein components are markedly increased in edematous cases. In non-edeomatous ones, the level of these constituents are slightly increased in 3rd marasmus, but diminished in 2nd grade. It is concluded that the elevation of protein components in saliva of edematous cases could be a result of severe glandular tissue involvement as compared to controls and non-edematous cases. The value of IgA immunoglobulin as specific antibody originated from blood plasma and/or salivary glands may be used to reflect the extent of tissue affection in salivary glands of malnourished cases.

Salivary amino acids and proteins in normal and malnourished Egyptian infants and young children.

Amino acids and proteins in whole saliva of normal and malnourished Egyptian infants and young children were investigated. 16 amino acids, 7 of them are essential, could be detected in saliva of normal infants. Electrophoretic analysis revealed the existence of 10 protein components in saliva of either normal or malnourished infants. In oedematous cases, salivary aminoacids, particularly the essential ones, were increased as well as most of the protein components. In non-oedematous cases, the pattern was more or less normal, but in 3rd grade marasmus, amino acid and protein components of saliva were somewhat increased. The conclusion was drawn that such increase is mainly due to tissue degeneration which is more marked in oedematous than non-oedematous form of the disease.

Mechanism of action of bilharcid and tartar-emetic.

An investigation on the mechanism of action of bilharcid and tartar-emetic produced the following results. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis by cell of E. coli B from either the maximum stationary phase or the exponential phase are inhibited by 3.62 mM of bilharcid or 16.81 mM of tartar-emetic immediately upon addition of the inhibitor. These drugs cause a downshift of the Tm of native DNA. They displace MG from the DNA-MG complex. They increase the specific viscosity of DNA solution. Also the synthesis of constitutive enzyme (alkaline phosphatase) was stopped, as was the induction of the synthesis of new enzyme (beta-galactosidase). Bilharcid and tartar-emetic act primarily on cell membrane and cause the release of 260 mM absorbing substances from E. coli B. Moreover, they lyse not only protoplasts of B. subtilis, but also spheroplasts of E. coli B.

Total protein, electrophoretic patterns, total amino acid and creatinine in the amniotic fluid of premature infants.

Total protein, total amino acid, creatinine and the 5 major protein fractions were determined in amniotic fluid samples from 42 normal and 12 premature neonates. Total protein, albumin, globulin, total amino acid, creatinine and A/G ratio were significantly lower in the 6 premature infants who developed the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) than in the controls. The alpha 1, alpha 2 and gamma globulin levels were within the normal ranges. In the 4 premature stillborn babies, total protein and globulins were significantly higher than those of the controls, while the albumin, total amino acid and creatinine levels were normal. A/G ratio for this group was still lower than that for the former group and much lower than the control ratio. The remaining 2 premature alive infants showed a significant decrease in the alpha 1, alpha 2 globulins and creatinine levels. Slight increase in total amino acid, and significant increase in the beta globulin, while total protein, albumin, gamma globulin and A/G ratio were within the normal ranges.

Blood glucose, glutathione, and total keto-acids levels in alloxan-diabetic rats.

This study deals with investigations in diabetic disorders. Experiments were carried out on alloxan-induced diabetes in albino rats. Blood glucose, keto acids, and glutathione were determined before and after induction of alloxan diabetes. Blood glucose and keto acids showed an increase after administration of alloxan. Glutathione showed a drop after 1/2 hour, then began to increase till it reached its normal level after 48 hours from the beginning of the diabetic state. The results are discussed.

Amniotic fluid total proteins, electrophoretic patterns, total amino acids and creatinine in diabetic women.

Total proteins, total-acids, creatinine and the five major protein-fractions were determined in amniotic fluid of 9 diabetic mothers and 42 normal women. The mean value of the estimated patterns in the diabetic subgroup of living full-term infants was within normal, except a significant decrease in creatinine, albumin and gamma-globulin. A highly significant decrease in albumin, gamma-globulin and total amino acids in the amniotic fluid of those given stillbirth infants (SB), while a significant increase was found in both of total proteins and albumin in cases developed respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). In addition to a significant increase in creatinine, alpha 1-, alpha 2- and beta-globulins in both subgroups of SB and RDS. The A/G ratio of the 3 subgroups were significantly decreased especially those of SB.

Serum proteins and amino-acid pattern in alloxan-diabetic rats.

Serum total proteins as well as its electrophoretic separated fractions were determined in alloxan-diabetic rats. The total and individual serum amino acids were estimated. Certain abnormalities, with no specific pattern, for total and individual fractions were observed in alloxan-diabetic rats. Most of the free serum amono acids showed low values which was attributed to direct reaction of alloxan with amino acids, urinary loss of amino and/or diverse hormonal and metabolic changes.

Effect of carbon-disulfide intoxication on the levels of serum copper and ceruloplasmin.

Under the effect of carbon-disulphide intoxication on the experimental animals, a significant decrease in serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels was observed. The decrease was aggravated with prolongation of carbon disulphide intoxication due to loss of appetite, formation of chelating compounds with carbon disulphide metabolites and increased loss of copper in urine. However, reinvestigated at 20 days after stoppage of dosage, most of these derangements started to be alleviated.

Protein and amino acid pattern in juvinile diabetes.

A number of 21 diabetic juveniles and 20 controls comprised the material of this study. Serum total proteins and their electrophoretic separated fractions were estimated. Serum free amino acids were also investigated. Results showed that serum proteins were within normal range. An average increase of 49.5% in total free amino acids was reported. In general, the data for all the detected amino acids showed an average increase when compared with normal values. The significance of these findings in relation to the normal values were discussed.

Amniotic fluid total lipids, lipid phosphorus, phospholipids and cholesterol in diabetic women.

Total lipids, lipid phosphorus, phospholipids and cholesterol were determined in amniotic fluid of 36 normals and 6 mothers with diabetes. Total lipids, lipid phosphorus and phospholipids are significantly decreased in diabetic cases and the decrement was more pronounced in the cases with stillbirth or intrapartum deaths or infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Total cholesterol was significantly decreased in the same cases mentioned above. However, in spite of this decrease the ratio of total cholesterol to total lipids was constant except in cases with prolonged intrauterine fetal death where it was increased.