Identification of Mediterranean mutation in Egyptian favism patients.

OBJECTIVES: Identify and screen the G6PD Mediterranean mutation in favism patients by applying a Amplification Refractory Mutation System Polymerase Chain Reaction (ARMS-PCR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 114 unrelated Egyptians patients were included in the present study; their ages ranged between (2-9) years with male to female ratio 4.5:1. G6PD activity was determined qualitatively from red cell hemolysate during attack. The G6PD Mediterranean mutation in patients has been identified by ARMS-PCR. RESULTS: G6PD deficiency was detected in 87.7%, (n=100). The frequency of G6PD Mediterranean mutation was (94.7%), (n=108). The association between G6PD deficiency and Mediterranean mutation was a highly significant. CONCLUSIONS: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase Mediterranean mutation is one of the most common mutations causing G6PD deficiency among Egyptian children with favism.

Oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in Egyptian favism patients.

BACKGROUND: Favism occurs as the result of intolerance to the ingesting of fava beans or to the inhalation of pollen from the Vicia faba plant. Patients with favism are always Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient, but not all G6PD-deficient individuals develop hemolysis as a result of fava beans consumption. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected from children with favism (n = 55) between age (2-12 years) on EDTA tubes divided into 3 groups: group 1 control group (n = 15), group 2 before blood transfusion (during hemolytic action) (n = 20) and group 3 after blood transfusion (treated) (n = 20). RESULTS: It was found that in group 2 GSH level was significantly low; (1.11 ± 0.39, p < 0.001) compared to controls (26.31 ± 5.26, p < 0.001). In group 3 after blood transfusion Level of GSH rose but remained lower than normal level (5.88 ± 2.33, p < 0.001) compared to controls. As for oxidative stress parameters, both levels of H2O2 and MDA were highly significant in group 2; (213.49 ± 57.56, p < 0.001), (98.05 ± 22.34, p < 0.001) compared to controls (3.75 ± 1.164, p < 0.001), (7.38 ± 2.07, p < 0.001), respectively. Moreover, in group 3 after blood transfusion, levels of H2O2 and MDA were decreased but remained high compared to controls (66.55 ± 22.49, p < 0.001), (47.18 ± 9.62, p < 0.001) sequentially. Also, there was a negative correlation between GSH that acts as antioxidant defense enzyme and each one of oxidative stress parameters MDA & H2O2. However, there was a positive correlation between H2O2 and MDA. CONCLUSIONS: From this study, it could be concluded that the favic patients have high oxidative stress (H2O2 and MDA) more than normal individuals and less antioxidant defense (GSH). With the passage of time these individuals, cells would be more vulnerable for H2O2-induced senescence.  

Modification and characterization of cellulosic cotton fibers for efficient immobilization of urease.

Cotton fibers were first grafted by polyacrylonitril in the presence of KMnO(4) and oxalic acid as a combined redox initiator. Moreover, modification of the grafted cotton fibers was done by changing the nitrile group (-CN) into hydrazidine group through the reaction with hydrazine hydrate, then the fibers were activated by glutaraldehyde to introduce free aldehyde groups which were able to react with amino groups of urease to form Schiff's base, and result in cotton fibers immobilized urease. The efficiency of the immobilization was evaluated by examining the relative enzymatic activity of enzyme before and after the immobilization of urease. The results showed that the optimum temperature of immobilized urease was 35°C, which was higher than that of the free enzyme (30°C), and the immobilized urease exhibited a higher relative activity than that of free urease over 35°C. The optimal pH for immobilized urease was 6.5, which was lower than that of the free urease (pH 7.0), and the immobilization resulted in stabilization of enzyme over a wider pH range. The kinetic constant value (K(m)) of immobilized urease was higher than that of the free urease. However, the thermal and operational stabilities of immobilized urease have been improved greatly.

Preparation of molecularly imprinted cross-linked chitosan/glutaraldehyde resin for enantioselective separation of L-glutamic acid.

In the present study, separation of L-glutamic acid from dilute aqueous solution by solid-phase extraction based on molecular imprinting technique using cross-linked chitosan/glutaraldehyde resin was investigated. L-Glutamic acid imprinted cross-linked chitosan (LGIC) was prepared by cross-linking of chitosan by glutaraldehyde cross-linker, in the presence of L-glutamic acid. Non-imprinted cross-linked chitosan (NIC) as control was also prepared by the same procedure in the absence of template molecules. The morphological structures of both LGIC and NIC were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). LGIC particles were applied to determine the optimum operational condition for l-glutamic acid separation from dilute aqueous solution. In adsorption step, optimum pH and retention time were 5.5 and 100 min, while corresponding values in extraction step were 2.5 and 60 min, respectively. The adsorption isotherms indicated that the maximum adsorption capacities of L- and D-glutamic acid on LGIC were 42+/-0.8 and 26+/-1.2mg/g, respectively, while in case of NIC, both L- and D-glutamic acid present the same maximum adsorption capacity 7+/-0.6 mg/g, which confirm that the molecular imprinting technique creates an enantioselectivity of LGIC toward L-glutamic acid. In addition, chiral resolution of l-, d-glutamic acid racemic mixture was carried out using column of LGIC.

Mercury content in some fresh-water fish from Alexandria.

The total-Hg was determined and the distribution among the different organs of 3 fresh-water fish caught from the lake Maruit at Alexandria was studied. Because one of these species (Mugil Cephalus) grows in both fresh and sea-water the effect of growing medium was also investigated. It was found that the total-Hg values differed according to species, size, and organs of fish as well as to fishing ground. It was also noticed that there was an interaction effect between the various factors on the accumulation of total-Hg in fish. Generally, fish obtained from fresh water had lower levels of mercury compared with that collected from sea-water.

Mercury content in some marine fish from the Alexandria coast.

The total Hg of 6 marine fish species, caught from the 3 main fishing grounds along the coast of Alexandria, was determined and the distribution among the different organs was studied. It was found that the total Hg levels in fish differed according to species, size, and organs of fish as well as fishing ground. The highest value was found in large size especially in the viscera of Mullus barbatus obtained from El-Mex fishing ground.