Anaemia during pregnancy in rural Kelantan

A retrospective study of anaemia in pregnancy in rural Kelantan was conducted. The study sample consist of 9,860 mothers who had antenatal care at one of the 102 rural health clinics selected and had delivered a live baby. Anaemia in pregnancy was determined by reviewing the antenatal records for the haemoglobin level recorded at the first and last antenatal visit. Estimation of haemoglobin was done either by photocalorimetric methods or the Sahli's method in these rural clinics. At the time of booking, 47.5% of the mothers were anaemic by WHO criteria (Hb < 11.0 g/dl), with 1.9% having less than 9.0 g/dl. Age of mother, parity and late gestational age at the first antenatal visit were associated with anaemia during pregnancy at the time of booking. However, practise of contraception by the mother did not show any association with anaemia in pregnancy. There were 594 mothers (6.0%) who delivered a baby weighing less than 2.5 kg. There was no association between the low birth weight of the child and the status of anaemia in the mother at the last antenatal visit.

Evaluating the detection of circulating filarial antigen in diagnosis of bancroftian filariasis and filarial hydrocele

Four groups of patients were selected: 16 patients with clinical evidence of obstructive filarial lymphangiopathy without microfilaraemia; 12 patients with clinical evidence of obstructive filarial lymphangiopathy with microfilaraemia and 9 patients with microfilaraemia. Two control groups were also included. Blood films, sera and hydrocele fluid samples were collected from all subjects. Polyclonal antibody against Dirofilaria immitis worm homogenate was prepared, fractionated and conjugated with HRP. Both polyclonal antibody and monoclonal antibody (AD12) were used in a sandwich ELISA. Using polyclonal antibody, both microfilaraemic groups (groups 2 and 3) had a significantly higher mean O.D. readings than that of control groups (P < 0.05), whereas, the mean O.D. readings of patients with symptomatic amicrofilaraemia had no significant difference than control groups. Symptomatic microfilaraemic group had the highest percentage of antigen positivity 7/12 (58.3%) among all groups while symptomatic amicrofilaraemic group had the least antigen positivity 2/16 (12.5%). Patients presented with elephantiasis only or with hydrocele had no antigen positive levels 0/12 (0%) in their serum or hydrocele fluid samples. On the other hand, 2 out of 4 cases represented with hydrocele (50%) had positive antigen levels in their hydrocele fluid samples. Using monoclonal antibody, all groups had a highly significant higher mean optical density readings than control groups. Asymptomatic microfilaraemic group had the highest percentage of antigen positivity 8/9 (88.9%), followed by symptomatic microfilaraemic 8/12 (66.7%), then symptomatic amicrofilaraemic group 4/16 (25%). The same 2 patients (amicrofilaraemia) and 7 (microfilaraemia) represented with hydrocele had positive antigen levels in their hydrocele fluid samples.

A survey of larval and adult mosquitoes on the flood plains of Bangladesh, in relation to flood-control activities

A mosquito survey was carried out between October 1991 and November 1992 on the flood plains of Bangladesh, as part of a baseline study designed to help predict the effects on vector-borne diseases of embanking rivers under the Bangladesh Government's Flood Action Plan. Overall, 15 species of larval and 15 species of adult anophelines were collected, along with 13 larval and 21 adult culicines. Anophelines made up only 6% of the mosquitoes caught at human bait. The most abundant anopheline biting man was Anopheles vagus, the dominant species in all nine sampling villages. The other recognized malaria vectors in the flood plains of Bangladesh, namely An. philippinensis, An. aconitus and An. annularis, were collected but in relatively low numbers. Culex vishnui was the most abundant biting culicine in all villages. Biting mosquitoes showed a bimodal seasonality of biting, with peaks between February and April and September and October. All biting mosquitoes showed a significant preference for outdoor biting. The densities of the mosquito populations are more likely to be affected by the large-scale environmental changes which have occurred in Bangladesh, as well as the dramatic increase in the density of the human population, than by the river embankments per se.

The reference value of erythrocyte sedimentation rate for differential diagnosis of rheumatic fever among Bangladeshi children

The aim of the present study is to determine the reference value of erythrocyte sedimentation rate for differential diagnosis of rheumatic fever in the National Center for Control of Rheumatic Fever and Heart Diseases, Dhaka, Bangladesh among patients with signs and symptoms which may be related to acute rheumatic fever. All medical records for the patients aged 5 to 20 years who attended the outpatient department of the hospital between July, 1994 and November, 1995 were reviewed. Fifty-three of 337 such patients had acute rheumatic fever defined by the updated Jones criteria. The performance of erythrocyte sedimentation rate test was evaluated by sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and receiver operating characteristic curve. The findings of this study suggest that the lower limit for a positive test should be considered at 30 mm (Westergren 1 h) in this hospital.

Evaluation of colchicine with or without praziquantel therapy in the control of hepatic fibrosis in murine schistosomiasis

Colchicine alone or following praziquantel was given to mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni either 6 or 10 weeks post infection. Praziquantel increased body weight gain, histologically reduced number, diameter and cellularity of granuloma and improved liver function parameters. Early praziquantel therapy decreased hepatic collagen content as detected by the colorimetric method and the serum procollagen propeptide (PIIIP), while later treatment at the 10th week of infection increased hepatic collagen content and serum PIIIP. Colchicine therapy significantly decreased body weight gain with significant weight loss after early treatment. Colchicine did not change the histologic picture of schistosomal liver fibrosis; it induced a detectable hepatocytic injury recorded ultrastructurally and histologically with excitation of the inflammatory reaction in the granuloma and in portal tracts after early treatment. Excess pigmentation in macrophages and Kupffer cells, binucleation and large sized hepatocytic nuclei were evident after colchicine therapy. Colchicine increased hepatic collagen content microgram/mg protein, raised globulin and total serum protein and normalized the raised serum PIIIP of infected mice, but had no effect on PIIIP of normal mice. Early cessation of schistosomal infection evidently minimized the adverse effects of colchicine.

Parasitic causes of hepatomegaly in children

Three hundred children with hepatomegaly were selected. They were subjected to full clinical and laboratory examinations. Also serum samples were examined to detect IgG using ELISA against SEA, chromatography purified hydatid cyst antigen, commercially available Toxoplasma antigen, partially purified adult Fasciola antigen and second-stage larvae Toxocara canis antigen. IFAT was used to detect IgG against Toxoplasma and T. canis. A commercially available IHAT kit for leishmaniasis was used. Based on immunological assays, 125 cases were suffering from various parasitic infections. Thirty cases with schistosomiasis (10%), 26 cases fascioliasis (8.7%), 18 toxocariasis (6%), 35 toxoplasmosis (11.7%), 3 cases hydatidosis (1%) and 13 cases mixed parasitic infections. No parasitic causes could be found in 175 cases (58.3%). Moderate or marked hepatomegaly favours the presence of schistosomiasis. Whereas, most cases with other parasites and those with non-parasitic infections fall in the category of mild hepatic enlargement. There was no associated splenomegaly in cases with Fasciola, Toxocara, hydatid disease and/or the non-parasitic group. Most of hepatomegalic cases with non-parasitic causes were found to be associated with fever (88.5%). Fever was found in nearly 50% of cases with either Toxoplasma or Toxocara infections. Mild eosinophilia was found in all cases with parasitic causes. Only 24 cases of non-parasitic group (13.7%) had easinophilia. Moderate and high eosinophilia were found in cases with fascioliasis and toxocariasis. Cases with fascioliasis had a statistically significant increase in enzymes activities specially alkaline phosphatase. It was concluded that parasitic infections should be considered as an important cause of liver enlargement in children. Serological methods using purified antigenic fractions are an important tool for diagnosis.

Detection of Pneumocystic carinii in immuno-suppressed rats by different histological stains and immunological assays

Detection of P. carinii in lung sections of 35 immuno-suppressed albino rats was evaluated using five histological stains (toluidine blue "O", Giemsa, Gram's stain, PAS and H & E) and two immunological assays (indirect immunofluorescence [IIF],, and indirect immunoperoxidase [IIP]) using polyclonal antibody, raised in white New Zealand rabbits, against rat P. carinii. In spite of the high sensitivity of the histological stains, they yield hazy details insufficient for easy identification with difficult interpretation. However, Gram and PAS stains provided a better visualization with easy identification of the parasite. On the other hand, both immunological assays allowed an accurate rapid interpretation of the stained slides. The IIP technique, having 100% sensitivity in detecting the precipitated parasite antigens with absolute specificity, seems to be a good diagnostic tool for detecting P. carinii in lung sections.

Surface roughness of dentin after tooth preparation with different rotary instrumentation

Although surface finish can be a critical variable in clinical performance, there is a dearth of information regarding surface characteristics of teeth prepared for artificial crowns. This study characterized teeth prepared for complete cast restorations using three representative types of rotary instruments. One hundred and five standardized tooth preparations for complete crowns were performed using a modified milling machine on extracted human teeth with diamond, tungsten carbide, and tungsten carbide finishing burs of similar shape (n = 35). The prepared dentin was analyzed with a surface profilometer and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Differences between rotary instrument groups were determined with parametric ANOVA and Tukey's Studentized Range (HSD). Statistically significant differences in the surface topography of prepared teeth were open. Mean surface roughnesses (Ra) were 8.6 and 6.8 mum for teeth prepared with diamond and tungsten carbide burs. Teeth completed with finishing burs appeared to result in a smoother surface (1.2 mum).

Detection of Cryptosporidium antigen in stool samples among diarrhoeic children

A double antibody sandwich ELISA technique, using a chromatography purified Cryptosporidium antiserum (fractiuon 1), was applied to detect faecal antigen in children infected with Cryptosporidium suffering from diarrhoea. The assay could detect antigens in 55 out of 60 (91.7%) infected children. False positive reactions were detected in 4 children infected with E. histolytica and 2 children with Giardia. The mean level of copro-antigen was higher in children, below 10 years, than in older patients, with a highly significant difference. A significant higher mean copro-antigen level was found among children below 2 years of age who were bottle feeders when compared to those receiving breast feeding. Higher mean optical density readings was obtained in those with severe forms of diarrhoea than mild or moderate forms with statistically significant difference (P < 0.01). It was concluded that detection of Cryptosporidium antigens by ELISA technique in the stool samples is a highly sensitive (91.7%) and specific (85%) diagnostic method. It correlates well with the diarrhoea forms and the age of patients.

Prevalence of Fasciola infection among school children in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

This study was performed on 1350 school children from 9 different villages in Sharkia Governorate to investigate the real situation of endemicity of fascioliasis in the area. Stool examination using modified Kato thick smear method was performed to detect Fasciola infection and other parasites. Those with negative stool samples were examined serologically by ELISA test to detect anti-Fasciola IgG. All cases with positive anti-Fasciola IgG were further examined by circum-oval precipitin test (COPT) against viable S. mansoni eggs to exclude the crossly reacted Schistosoma infections. Sixty nine cases were found to pass Fasciola eggs in their stool samples (5.1%). Anti-Fasciola IgG was detected in the sera of 231 children (17.1%) using ELISA test. Eighty four out of the 231 children were found positive by COPT and were considered as schistosomal cases. The remaining 147 who gave negative COPT were considered as Fasciola infections. All of the 69 Fasciola positive stool cases were found positive by ELISA test and negative by COPT test. The sensitivity of stool analysis was 47% versus 100% sensitivity of ELISA, whereas the specificity of ELISA was 63%. The total number of Fasciola positive cases by ELISA and stool analysis were 147 cases among 1350 children indicating a prevalence of 10.9% among school children in Sharkia Governorate. This results highlighting the importance of health education and snail control in decreasing the high prevalence.

Detection of Giardia antigen in stool samples before and after treatment

A double antibody sandwich ELISA technique, using a chromatography purified Giardia antiserum, was applied to detect faecal antigen in patients infected with Giardia lamblia before and after treatment. The assay could detect antigens in 98% of infected cases with false positive reactions in 3 cases infected with E. histolytica. There was a significant direct relation between the antigen level in stool samples and the number of Giardia cysts. The mean level of copro-antigen was slightly lower in children, below 10 years, than in older patients, without significant difference. On the other hand, the lowest cyst count was noticed in elder patients, over 20 years. The level of faecal antigens decreased significantly after successful treatment in patients with giardiasis. It was concluded that detection of Giardia antigens by ELISA technique in the stool samples was a highly sensitive (98%) and specific (91%) diagnostic method. It is also considered as a good monitor for treatment success.

Studies on the bacterial flora of fish which are potential pathogens for human. Virulence factors of potential human pathogen isolated

Tests for various virulence factors, such as production of haemolysin on sheep blood agar plate, cytotoxin on HeLa cell line and enterotoxin in GM-1 ELISA and suckling mouse assay model, were done among the various strains of Aeromonas spp., Vibrio spp., Plesiomonas shigelloides and Esch. coli isolated from fresh water fish samples. Invasive properties of the isolates were also seen by using Sereny test. Haemolysin production was observed in 85.7% of Aeromonas, all (100%) of Vibrios, 13.3% of Esch. coli and none (0%) of P. shigelloides strains. Cytotoxin production was demonstrated in 60.8% of Aeromonas, 38.4% of Vibrios and none (0%) of P. shigelloides and Esch. coli strains. About 8% of Vibrio spp., were found positive for LT in GM-1 ELISA method whereas, none of the Aeromonas spp., Plesiomonas and Esch. coli. strains were found positive for LT and ST in GM-1 ELISA. By suckling mouse assay model 43.4% strains of Aeromonas were found positive for enterotoxin production whereas, strains of Vibrio spp., Plesiomonas and Esch. coli yielded negative results. Sereny test for invasive property was found negative in all the strains tested. The isolates from fish possess various virulence factors which contributes for pathogenicity in order to cause various diseases to susceptible individual.

Studies on the anaerobic (bacterial) vaginosis among the Bangladeshi women of reproductive age group

Vaginal swab from 190 patients aged between 15 to 45 years with the complaint of excessive and foul smelling vaginal discharge and 50 healthy controls of comparable age were studied. Different diagnostic techniques used for the detection of G.vaginalis were compared. Antibiogram of isolated G.vaginalis was also performed to determine the drug sensitivity pattern. G. vaginalis were isolated from 74 patients (38.9%) and from 6 controls (12%). The rate of isolation of G. vaginalis in the vaginal swabs of patients is significantly higher (p < 0.001) as compared to controls. Vaginal flora in 91% of G. vaginalis positive patients were Gardnerella morphotype and clue cells were found in vaginal discharge in 85% of these cases. In contrast, vaginal flora of 92% control group were Lactobacilli morphotype N and no clue cell was detected. No pus cell was observed in the vaginal discharge of 66 (89.2%) of 74 patients infected with G. vaginalis. Amine test was positive in 81% G. vaginalis positive patients. The test was negative in all the control cases. Significance of these findings were discussed in detail.

Studies on the bacterial flora of fish which are potential pathogens for human. Isolation of various potential human pathogenic organisms from different parts of fish and their significance in initiating human diseases

Freshwater fish of different categories, collected from market of Dhaka City of Bangladesh, were studied for the bacterial flora. Potential human pathogens were isolated from about eighty-five percent of the fish studied. Organisms isolated were Aeromonas spp., (69.2%), Vibrio spp., (42.3%), Plesiomonas shigelloides (35.9%) and Escherichia coli (16.7%). The high association of potential human pathogens among the freshwater fish suggest that if fish are handled improperly or if consumed undercooked or uncooked may cause various diseases to susceptible individual.

Hepatitis-B virus and schistosomiasis infections in childhood proteinuria

Hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg), circulating anti-schistosomal IgG (CSAb) and circulating specific schistosomal immune complexes (CIC) were detected, using ELISA, in sera of 40 active nephrotic children, 40 active S. mansoni infected cases and 20 apparently normal age-matched controls. The presence of HBsAg cases was significantly higher among nephrotic cases (20%), active S. mansoni cases (17.5%) than controls. Moreover, HBsAg cases were significantly higher in positive CIC S. mansoni cases than negative CIC ones. The mean O.D. readings of CSAb was significantly higher in positive HBsAg nephrotic cases than negatives. At the same time, the anti-schistosomal antibodies were higher in S. mansoni cases with proteinuria than those without. Specific CIC level was significantly higher among nephrotic and schistosomiasis cases than controls. The CIC were significantly higher in schistosomiasis cases with positive HBsAg than those with negative HBsAg and were detected in 80% of cases with proteinuria compared to 37% of cases without proteinuria with a statistically significant difference. On the other hand, CIC level was not influenced, in nephrotic cases, by the presence or absence of HBsAg. It was concluded that the presence of proteinuria was considered as a good monitor of the kidney affection either with schistosomiasis or the nephrotic syndrome or the HBsAg. The detection of CIC can be used as a good monitor too and could be included in methods of early diagnosis and/or following the disease prognosis.

Low avidity antibodies in diagnosis of recent experimental schistosomal infection

ELISA test was used to measure both of low- and high-avidity specific IgG against soluble S. mansoni egg antigen, to differentiate between S. mansoni experimentally infected mice with recent and chronic infection. Mice were infected with 100 S. mansoni cercariae and serum samples were obtained and tested 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 weeks after infection. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between low- and high-avidity specific IgG in experimentally infected mice at 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks after infection (recent infection). On the other hand, no difference was found in those with chronic infection (12, 14 and 16 weeks after infection). From these results it was concluded that the comparison of low- and high-avidity specific IgG levels was able to differentiate between recent and chronic experimentally infected mice with S. mansoni.

Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of the copper (II) and nickel(II) complexes of glycylglycyl-L-histidine

The protonation constants of the tripeptide glycylglycyl-L-histidine (L-) have been determined at 25 degrees C and I = 0.1 mol dm-3 as log K 8.06, 6.82, and 2.80. Complexation with copper(II) can be represented by the series of equilibria [formula: see text] in the case of nickel(II) only the species [NiLH]2+, [NiL]+, and [NiLH-2]- are of importance with log beta 111 = 11.33(2); log beta 110 = 4.74(6), and log beta 11-2 = -6.93(1). The tripeptide acts as a quadridentate ligand to give complexes with copper and nickel with an amino group, two deprotonated amide groups and an imidazole pyridine nitrogen (Im-N3) as donors. At 1:1 ligand-to-metal ratios the purple copper(II) complex [CuLH-2]- is essentially 100% abundant above pH 7 and the planar yellow [NiLH-2]- above pH 8. The displacement of the tripeptide ligand from the nickel(II) complex by L-histidine has been studied kinetically over the pH range 7-8. There is a small solvolytic reaction and a reaction which is first-order in the hydrogen ion concentration. Under the experimental conditions employed, the reaction is essentially independent of the L-His concentration and displacement occurs by a proton-assisted nucleophilic pathway with rate-determining cleavage of the first nickel(II)-N(peptide) bond.

Alternate chemotherapy in experimental schistosomiasis

Schistosoma mansoni infected mice were treated with a single oral dose of either praziquantel (400 mg/kg) or oxamniquine (100 mg/kg). The uncured mice, after the first dose, were given a second dose of the same drug or alternatively with the other drug. The drug efficacy was monitored by stool examination and egg count using Kato-thick smear technique. Praziquantel was found to be more effective, it gave 60% cure rate after the first dose, increased to 100% after the second dose, than oxamniquine which had 37% and 74% cure rates respectively. Furthermore, in uncured mice praziquantel resulted in more egg count reduction than oxamniquine. Treatment with the alternate drug of mice not cured with the first treatment gave 100% cure rate with praziquantel and 83% with oxamniquine. It was concluded that praziquantel is generally more effective than oxamniquine and cases not cured with a single dose of either drugs may be effectively treated with a second dose of the other.

Circulating schistosomal antigen in diagnosis and assessment of cure in individuals infected with Schistosoma mansoni

The effectiveness of praziquantel in treating schistosomiasis is most commonly assessed by quantitating egg production or anti-schistosome antibodies in serum. We have used a monoclonal antibody (MAb)-based antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serologic diagnosis of schistosomiasis, and to monitor the efficacy of praziquantel therapy in 49 individuals with parasitologically proven schistosomiasis. The MAb used, 128C3/3/21, recognizes a repeating carbohydrate epitope expressed at all stages of parasite development, and antibodies recognizing this epitope are found in the serum of infected humans. The overall sensitivity of the ELISA was 78%, with a sensitivity of 100% for patients excreting greater than 100 eggs/g of feces and 72% for those excreting less than 100 eggs/g of feces. The positivity of the ELISA was directly related to the fecal egg counts obtained on days -3, -2, and -1 before treatment with praziquantel, but there was no correlation between antigen levels and the clinical stage of the disease. After praziquantel treatment, we observed a highly significant correlation (P less than 0.0001) between the time elapsed since treatment and the decrease in antigenemia. Furthermore, although no eggs were detected in any of the stool specimens at week 12 after treatment, the antigen was detected in 21% of the treated patients (seven of 33 ELISA-positive patients). Antigen levels decreased over the 12-week period in six of these patients, whereas the antigen level increased with time in one individual. The persistence of antigenemia suggests that these individuals are either still clearing antigen or remain infected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Histochemical studies in experimental trichinosis

The study of the behaviours of Trichinella spiralis in the host tissues from the histochemical point of view will throw a light on parallelism of the destruction process by the infection and the instruction of the host tissues, i.e., the catabolic effect of the parasite as an indicator of the severity of infection and the anabolic response by the host as a criteria of cure. So, this study revealed a definite increase in catabolic enzymes as acid phosphatase activities. A relative disturbance and a decrease of anabolic enzymes (succinate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, non-specific esterase and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) reactivity which indicates the destructive effects of T. spiralis adult worms and encysted larvae on intestinal mucosa alpha striated muscles of tongue and diaphragm. The disturbances of anabolic enzymes activity revealed the continuous trials of the host to get rid of adult worms from the small intestine, and to defeat and isolate the larvae in striated muscles. While the renal tissue changes indicate the disturbance of absorption and excretion functions of renal tissue due to the presence of endmetabolites and products of the parasite in the host blood.

Efficacy of the Hamilton Thorn Motility Analyzer (HTM-2030) for the evaluation of bovine semen

Semen samples from four Holstein-Friesian bulls were evaluated by the Hamilton Thorn Motility Analyzer (HTM-2030) for sperm concentration, motility and other motion parameters. In the first trial, the extender preparation (P<0.005) and the program settings (P<0.001) of the motility analyzer significantly effected the accuracy of sperm concentration estimates. The student's t-test revealed that setting the variables on the HTM-2030 Analyzer according to the dimensions and brightness of bull spermatozoa and the background of the extender was better than using the settings for bull semen as recommended in the manufacturer's manual. In the second trial, different quantities of dead cells were added to semen samples to evaluate the accuracy of the HTM-2030 Analyzer for the estimation of percentage of motile cells and other motion characteristics. All motion parameter estimations except mean path velocity were similar for the settings studied. Addition of dead spermatozoa had a significant effect (P<0.0001) on all parameters of sperm movement. High correlation coefficients between the percentage of dead cells added and the decline in sperm motility verified the accuracy of this system. Use of the HTM-2030 system yielded simple, rapid and objective analysis of the studied spermatozoal parameters.

Entomological investigations during outbreaks of dengue fever in certain villages in Maharashtra state

Outbreaks of dengue (DEN) fever are reported from 22 villages in five districts in the state of Maharashtra. DEN viral antigen was detected by indirect immunofluorescence test in 34 of 375 female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes collected from 8 villages. DEN types 2 and 3 were identified among the 16 strains that were isolated. None of the 64 male mosquitoes showed the presence of viral antigen; 281 males and 323 females reared from field collected larvae were also found negative. Indoor spraying of DDT in the affected villages produced a drastic reduction in Ae. aegypti catches. No viral antigen was detected in mosquitoes caught subsequent to the spray. With the introduction of water supply through taps, which is often inadequate, people are compelled to store water for domestic purposes, which favours an increase in Ae. aegypti breeding. In view of changing rural ecology associated with the development process, continued surveillance of the spread of Ae. aegypti as well as the diseases borne by this vector are recommended.

Pathological and immunopathological changes in albino mice experimentally infected with Hymenolepis nana

The pathological and immunopathological effects of H. nana on experimentally infected albino mice were studied, sacrificed one, three and five months post egg inoculation. The results showed that most of the mice had diarrhoea, loss of appetite and were inactive. On the other hand, the liver and spleen showed some pathological changes and cysticercoids were seen particularly in the liver. The kidneys showed cloudy swelling (3/90). The brain showed oedema (15/90) and glyosis (15/90). Intestinal atrophy and ulceration were very marked (30/90) with negative reaction to PAS and Alcian blue stain. Cysticercoids were seen in intestinal villi. The immunoglobulins in sections of the S. intestine changed from moderate to negative (IgA) or to mild (IgM) or from mild to marked (IgG). The whole results were discussed.

ELISA in detection of Entamoeba histolytica antigens in stools

The modified double antibody sandwich ELISA was applied to detect E. histolytica antigens in the stool samples of 20 patients have amoebiasis (symptomatic or asymptomatic), 10 with intestinal parasites other than E. histolytica and 10 healthy individuals. The method was found to be sensitive (90%) and specific (85%). It is concluded that ELISA could be applied for a large scale epidemiological study and immunodiagnosis of amoebiasis.

Cross-reactions in immunodiagnosis of patients infected with Schistosoma, Fasciola and Heterophyes using ELISA

Cross-reactions in immunodiagnosis using schistosomal soluble egg antigen (SEA) and Fasciola adult worm antigen in cases with fascioliasis, heterophyiasis and schistosomiasis were studied by ELISA techniques. False positive reactions occurred in 10% of cases with fascioliasis and heterophyiasis respectively when using schistosomal SEA. Using Fasciola crude antigen, false positive reaction occurred in 25% of cases with schistosomiasis and 35% with heterophyiasis. The specificity of SEA in heterologous cases was 87% while that of Fasciola antigen was 70%. This difference was found to be statistically significant.

Dot-ELISA in diagnosis of schistosomiasis

One microliter of S. mansoni egg antigen was dotted directly on the nitrocellulose paper sheet acting as the adsorbent surface (9 dots/paper). The sera of 25 Egyptian patients and 15 healthy persons (2 microliters of each) were dotted over the antigen dots, then 2 ml of each of the blocking, washing, HRP-conjugated IgG and DAB adding procedures, were added over the nitrocellulose paper in the petri-dish at room temperature. An intact brown circle (by naked-eye) indicates a positive in Dot-ELISA. There is an insignificant dot colour intensities in different clinical stages of S. mansoni infected Egyptians whereas, a direct relation was obtained between egg count and the colour intensity of the dots. The test had 100% sensitivity and 86% specificity thus it appears to be useful for both laboratory and field studies.

Circulating antigens for assessing cure in schistosomiasis mansoni

An antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using antibodies made in rabbits and sheep to adult Schistosoma mansoni extract antigens has been developed and evaluated as a diagnostic test for schistosomiasis. 25 of 42 patients with S. mansoni infections had detectable circulating antigen while sera from all of 45 normal subjects and patients with other parasitic infections did not react. When the 25 with antigenaemia were retested 3 months after treatment, all 21 who were cured were negative while the 4 with persisting S. mansoni eggs in their stools remained positive. Antibodies to a fractionated egg antigen (CEF6) also diminished in most patients following successful treatment, but the reduction was insufficient to predict successful therapy.

Complexes of hydroxamates. V: Equilibrium and kinetics of the formation of the binary and ternary complexes involved in the nickel(II)-histidinehydroxamic acid-pyridoxal system

Equilibrium-based computer models utilizing SUPERQUAD program were made to determine the formation constants of the binary complexes of Ni(II) with histidine-hydroxamic acid (HX) from pH-metric titration data at 25 degrees C and I = 0.15 M NaCl. The species were monomeric in the pH range 3.0-8.0. The mechanism of their complex formation was determined using the stopped flow technique under the same experimental conditions of the equilibrium study. It has been concluded that Ni2+ and NiOH- were the active species in the complex formation reactions. Moreover, the reaction of HX with pyridoxal (PL) was studied in the absence of metal-ions by polarographic and spectrophotometric techniques at pH greater than or equal to 5.0. No rates were observed by using the stopped-flow methods. The formation constants for the binary system (HX-PL) and the ternary system (Ni(II)-HX-PL) were also determined by the same program applied on data obtained from pH metric titration at 25 degrees C and I = 0.15 M NaCl. Ternary complex formation involving PL and the species of the Ni(II)-HX system was also investigated kinetically in the pH range of 6.5-10.5. Several rate steps have been observed which have been interpreted qualitatively in terms of sequence of processes involving the condensation of aldehydic form of PL with amino moiety of HX. A comparison with other pertinent systems is also discussed.

Rift Valley fever virus transmission by different Egyptian mosquito species

4 Egyptian mosquito species were tested for their ability to transmit the Egyptian ZH-501 strain of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) to golden Syrian hamsters. Culex (Cx.) antennatus was the most efficient vector, showing a 37.5% transmission rate following a hamster blood meal containing 10 suckling mouse intracerebral 50% lethal doses (SMILD50) per ml. Fully engorged mosquitoes of this species showed an infection rate of 85% with the mean viral titres of transmitting mosquitoes 100-fold higher than non-transmitters. Autogenous and anautogenous populations of Aedes (Ae.) caspius were tested separately, and the transmission rates were 23.1% and 9.7% respectively, following feeding on hamsters with similar levels of viraemia. Two anopheline species, Anopheles (An.) multicolor and An. pharoensis, showed 12.5% and 3.5% transmission rates under similar conditions. In these 3 species infection rates exceeded 75% and mosquitoes transmitting had a higher average titre than those not transmitting.

The use of clinical, biochemical, and ultrasound parameters for the diagnosis of intrauterine growth retardation

Fifty-four pregnant patients referred for nonstress testing with findings suggestive of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) were followed with serial biochemical determinations and ultrasound evaluations. Confirmation of IUGR was made in 18 of the neonates based on body weights below the 10th percentile. Stepwise discriminate function analysis was used to determine the factors most predictive of IUGR among several clinical, biochemical, and ultrasound parameters as well as their combinations. Only the determinations closest to the time of delivery were used in analysis. The presence of abnormal fetal ultrasound measurements had the highest predictive value. Prepregnancy weight improved the prediction slightly with a proportion of correct predictions increasing from 70 to 74%. Only the extremes of prepregnancy weight altered the prediction made on the basis of ultrasound. In contrast, no significant predictive value was demonstrated for weight gain, heavy cigarette smoking, hypertension, serum estriol, human placental lactogen, alpha-fetoprotein, or a decrease in amniotic fluid volume, either singly or in combination with other variables.

Conformation of glyburide in the solid state and in solution

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was combined with X-ray crystallography to determine the solution and solid-state conformations of glyburide (C23H28CIN3O5S). In solution, there is apparently free rotation about several of the single bonds. Crystals of glyburide belong to space group P2(1)/n with a = 9.414(3)A, b = 17.591(5)A, c = 14.410(4)A, beta = 93.42(3) degrees, V = 2382(1)A3, R = 0.0694, Z = 4. In the solid, the conformation about all of the bonds is frozen. The torsion angles about some of the important bonds are: C(7)-N(8)-C(9)-C(10), -86 degrees; N(8)-C(9)-C(10)-C(11), -179 degrees (extended); S(17)-N(18)-C(19)-N(20), 178 degrees (extended); and N(18)-C(19)-N(20)-C(21), -179 degrees (extended). Thus, except for the N(8)-C(9) bond, the conformation in the solid state is extended. The solution and solid-state NMR spectra are different as might be expected based on the differences in conformation discussed above.

Fetal alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone levels: no correlation with late fetal growth but increased with diabetes mellitus

The pars intermedia of the fetal pituitary produces alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. Previous reports suggest that alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone may be a determinant of early fetal growth in animal models. Based on anencephalic fetuses, a similar role was suggested in humans. To examine its relationship to late human fetal growth, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 185 umbilical cord blood samples from anatomically normal fetuses of 28 to 42 weeks' gestation. With use of stepwise multiple regression analysis, no significant relationship was demonstrated between alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone levels and fetal growth. However, significantly higher levels were found in infants of diabetic mothers (p less than 0.05) independent of birth weight, gestational age, or both. No significant relationship with other maternal factors related to fetal growth, labor, and delivery was demonstrated. We conclude that fetal plasma alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone levels do not correlate with late human fetal growth. It is speculated that increased alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone levels among infants of diabetic mothers might be related to altered neurological maturation.

Acute effect of DMBA application on mitotic activity of hamster buccal pouch epithelium

One, two, or three applications of a 0.5% solution of DMBA in mineral oil were made to the buccal pouches of three groups of hamsters. There were 10 animals in each group, and additional groups of 10 animals were used as mineral oil controls. Mitotic activity was studied in epithelial whole mounts of buccal pouch following intraperitoneal injection of vinblastine (VBL) in a dose of 4 mg per kilogram of body weight 4 1/2 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 1 week, and 2 weeks after treatment. Similar groups of animals were used for a thymidine-labeling experiment. Immediately after the last DMBA application to buccal pouches, 3H-TdR was injected intraperitoneally in a dose of 1 microcurie per gram of body weight. All labeling was studied autoradiographically in epithelial whole mounts of buccal pouches stained with hematoxylin. A cell with five or more grains of label per nucleus was considered labeled. It was found that with one application of DMBA mitotic activity, as studied after VBL injection, was greatly reduced during the experimental period of 2 weeks. After two DMBA applications there was a significant reduction in mitotic activity in the first 48 hours but a return to normal by 2 weeks, indicating a reaction to the damage produced by the two DMBA applications. The thymidine-labeling study tended to confirm this result. The label in the animals that received two DMBA applications disappeared after 48 hours, indicating increased mitotic activity and tissue repair, while animals with one DMBA application maintained the label after 1 week.

Acute effect of DMBA application on Langerhans cells of the hamster buccal pouch mucosa

One, two, and three applications of DMBA in mineral oil to hamster buccal pouch mucosa did not result in obvious histologic alterations in experimental periods ranging from 4 1/2 hours to 2 weeks after the last DMBA application. However, there were significant increases in the number of Langerhans cells, as disclosed histochemically with ATPase staining. There was also an increase in the length and size of the dendritic processes of the Langerhans cells. Applications of DMBA in oil resulted in a consistently significant increase in Langerhans cells when compared to the buccal pouch mucosa of untreated animals. However, mineral oil applications also resulted in a slight increase in Langerhans cells when compared to the mucosa of untreated controls. The major effects of the DMBA on Langerhans cells occurred after 2 weeks and with increasing numbers of applications. The increase in Langerhans cells is interpreted as an enhanced response by immunologically competent cells which may represent an early immune response to the very early changes in carcinogenesis.

Rapid differential pulse polarographic determination of tiaprofenic acid

Tiaprofenic acid (Surgam) has been determined directly by using differential pulse polarography (DPP) and pH 5.5 acetate buffer as a supporting electrolyte. The differential pulse polarogram was obtained under constant amplitude pulses of 50 mV superimposed on a linearly increasing dc ramp. Peak current was measured at the peak potential of -0.990 V vs Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Under the experimental conditions used, a linear relationship between peak current and concentration was established over the range 0.5-5.0 micrograms/mL. Mean percentage recoveries for tiaprofenic acid in authentic and tablet forms were 100.27 +/- 2.25 and 99.45 +/- 1.44, respectively. The results obtained by the DPP method were compared with those of the spectrophotometric method used by the manufacturer for the analysis of tiaprofenic acid and its tablet form.

Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) and fetal growth

Early mid-trimester screening of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) for the detection of neural tube defects is becoming a routine part of obstetrical care. In singleton pregnancies in the absence of fetal chromosomal abnormalities and anatomical anomalies high levels of AFP have been variably related to increased risk for low birthweight infant outcome. The overall relationship, if any, of maternal serum AFP to infant birthweight has, however, not been previously characterized. Between 15 and 20 weeks gestation, MSAFP values were determined for 110 women carrying single, anatomically and karyotypically normal fetuses. Statistical analysis utilizing polynomial and multilinear regression was used to determine the relationship of early mid-trimester MSAFP first to neonatal birthweight and then to gestational age and birthweight adjusted for gestational age. For every increase of one multiple of the median in MSAFP, neonatal birthweight fell 322 grams. This was accounted for almost entirely by decreased fetal growth; early mid-trimester MSAFP was linearly related to birthweight adjusted for gestational age ten times more strongly than to gestational age alone. The explanation for this relationship remains speculative, but the utility of routine AFP screening for the antenatal detection of intrauterine growth retardation certainly deserves further study.

GLC-mass spectrometry of Teucrium polium oil

The essential oil of Teucrium polium, growing in Saudi Arabia, was thoroughly investigated for its constituents by GLC-mass spectrometry, TLC, and spectrophotometric methods. This investigation revealed the presence of 10 terpenoidal compounds including the hydrocarbons beta-pinene, limonene, alpha-phellandrene, and gamma- and delta-cadinenes and the alcohols linalool, terpine-4-ol, cedrol, cedrenol, and guaiol. The oil was rich in alcohols and devoid of esters. Preliminary pharmacological screening showed that the oil possesses powerful antispasmodic activity.

Ganglioneuroblastoma presenting as myasthenia gravis

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common malignant neoplasms in infants and children under 5 years of age. The commonest manifestations are abdominal masses or metastases. The case reported showed unusual manifestations as the presenting features simulated myasthenia gravis in all aspects. He was a child, aged 3 years, who was admitted because of generalized weakness, inability to open his eyes and lethargy. Radiography showed an oval opacity at the right upper zone of the chest. A thorocotomy was performed and a tumour was removed from the posterior mediastinum. Histopathology confirmed diagnosis of ganglioneuroblastoma. There is only one similar report in the medical literature.

Formation and cleavage of 2-keto-3-deoxygluconate by 2-keto-3-deoxygluconate aldolase of Aspergillus niger

2-Keto-3-deoxygluconate aldolase of Aspergillus niger, an enzyme that has not been reported previously, was purified 468-fold. Maximal activity was obtained at pH 8.0 and 50 C. The enzyme exhibited relative stereochemical specificity with respect to glyceraldehyde. The Km values for 2-keto-3-deoxygluconate, glyceraldehyde, and pyruvate were 10, 13.3, and 3.0 mM, respectively. The effects of some compounds and inhibitors on enzyme activity were examined. Stability of the enzyme under different conditions was investigated. The equilibrium constant was about 0.33 X 10(-3) M.