Genetic diversity and DNA fingerprint study in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) cultivars grown in Egypt using simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers

A collection of ten cultivars of tomato grown in Egypt were screened with 20 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers in order to determine genetic identities, genetic diversity and genetic relationships among these  cultivars. On an average, 38 alleles were amplified using SSR primers with scorable fragment sizes ranging  from approximately 75 to 275 bp. 23 alleles were polymorphic thus revealing 60.5% of polymorphism. The  genetic similarity estimated according to SSR data was scaled between 17.6 and 93.2%, suggesting the  potential of SSR markers in discriminating among plants of close or distant genetic backgrounds. Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clustering grouped the cultivars into two groups where the  two Egyptian cultivars Edkawy and Giza 80 were clustered in different group. In addition, clustering was found  consistent with the known information regarding growth habit. The genetic distance information obtained in  this study might be useful to breeder for planning crosses among these cultivars.Key words: Tomato cultivars, diversity, Simple sequence repeats (SSR), Egypt

Evaluation of the genetic effects of the in vitro antimicrobial activities of Rhazya stricta leaf extract using molecular techniques and scanning electron microscope

Rhazya stricta plants have always played a major role in the treatment of human and animal diseases and it has main role in the folk medicine. The aim of this study was to explore the potential antimicrobial activities of the aqueous leaves extract of R. stricta on Gram-negative and Gram-positive food-borne bacteria and evaluate the antimicrobial effect at the molecular level. The results indicate that the aqueous leaves extract of R. stricta exhibited the antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms. A clear, but significantly smaller, inhibition zones were formed after the treatment of two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Aeromonas hydrophila) and one Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) with the aqueous leaves extract of R. stricta (50 mg) comparing with those formed after the treatment with streptomycin (15 mg). Moreover, the results obtained after the treatments of bacterial strains with elevated concentrations of aqueous extracts of the wild plant of R. stricta leaves reveled that the extract has potent lethal activities as the growth turbidity decreased as the concentration or time of exposure increased. In addition, the observation by the scanning electron microscope showed that cells of the bacterial strains were damaged after the treatment with plant extracts. The noticed antimicrobial effect was explored at the molecular level, using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the plasmid DNA and random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of the genomic DNA extracted from the control (untreated) and R. stricta leaf extract-treated bacterial strains. The results demonstrate polymorphic band pattern for most treated microbes compared with the wild type (untreated) strain. Concerning gene expression under the same conditions, total protein contents of the three treated bacteria showed significantly gradual increase in all of the treatment doses compared to control. In addition, the SDS-PAGE of the bacterial cellular proteins resulted in the induction of some protein bands under the treatment conditions. All these results strongly point out the mutagenicity, lethal and antimicrobial effect of the leaves extract of R. stricta. The results indicate the possibility of using the leaves extract of R. stricta as a source of antibacterial compounds for treatment of infections caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens.Keywords: Medicinal plants, Rhazya stricta, antimicrobial, mutagenicity, RAPD, RFLP, SEM, E. coli, S. aureus, A. hydrophilaAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(21), pp. 3171-318

Frontal Electroencephalogram α‑Asymmetry during the Luteal Phase of the Menstrual Cycle in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome

Background: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that causes significant distress and interferes with normal functioning. Aim: The aim of this work was to assess the resting frontal electroencephalographic patterns in females who meet criteria for PMS and PMDD. Subjects and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 150 female participants, of which 145 had PMS, and 45 were control women. All cases were counseled about the procedure. Furthermore, a written consent was taken from every patient. Cases were asked about their current phase of the cycle, in order to determine cycle timing. The custom PMDD interview involved asking each woman a series of questions concerning PMDD symptoms. This structured interview was created from the DSM‑IV‑TR criteria for PMDD. Women with PMDD were asked to complete a daily symptom rating checklist for three consecutive cycles. The ensuing methods were undertaken for each patient, including history taking, general, local and fundus examination, and routine investigations, and were submitted to resting electroencephalogram (EEG) examination during both follicular and luteal phases of the cycle. Results: Seventy percent of women with PMS and 75% of women with PMDD exhibited left frontal activity at rest, during the luteal phase of the cycle (P <0.001). Conclusions: We concluded that resting luteal phase of EEG frontal asymmetry must be added to the research criteria for PMDD (DSM‑IV‑TR).Keywords: Electroencephalogram, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, premenstrual tension, premenstrual syndrome, Tanta University Hospita

Heavy metal speciation and their accumulation in sediments of Lake Burullus, Egypt

Several sediment samples in Lake Burullus have been affected by the discharges of heavy metals through different drains. The study aimed to analyze the chemical speciation of these metals. In particular, the chemical forms of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn in sediments collected in spring season were studied using a sequential chemical extraction method. In general, all the elements recorded highest concentrations in the area near the discharge point. The data indicated that, the sediments were under a wide variety of environmental conditions ranging from oxic to fully anoxic conditions. Owing a wide variety of grain sizes and organic matter, these metals showed the order of abundance: Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Cd > Pb. Significant correlations between iron with clay, organic carbon and manganese concentrations were calculated as (r=0.685, 0.581 and 0.610, P= 0.05), respectively. This gives an idea about association of iron and manganese as main compositions of clays. In the mean time, it showed insignificant relation with total carbonate and all phosphorus forms. The metal speciation characterizes the degree to which they are potentially labile or bioavailability. It gives different fraction ratios depending on binding and sediment origin.Key words: Heavy metals, chemical speciation, sediments, Burullus, Lake

Enzymatic Preparation of Low-Phenylalanine Formula Derived from Skim Milk Hydrolysate for Phenyl ketonuric Patients

Background: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is one of the most common inborn errors of amino acids metabolism. WHO guidelines introduced in 1979 and revised 1988 for breast-feeding infants with PKU included a formula containing low amounts of phenylalanine as a part of dietary prescription. Mental retardation can be prevented if PKU is diagnosed in the 1st three weeks of life and diet therapy started straightaway throughout life and especially in the hyper phenylalaninemic mothers before conception and during pregnancy. Aim of the Work: The aim of the present study was to synthesize a lowphenylalanine formula suitable to be taken by PKU children, adolescents and the hyperphenylalaninemic mothers. Materials and Method: This formula should be of high biological value, taken safely by those patients and to be of low cost. The formula was prepared from skim milk hydrolysate using two proteolytic enzymes. The first was the immobilized purified papain enzyme and the second was the modified protease XXIII prepared from Aspergillus oryzae. The skim milk hydrolysate was adsorbed on barium sulphate or activated carbon for removing phenylalanine. They were applied separately for the purpose of debittering and nutritional value comparison. Results: This skim milk hydrolysate had been supplemented with the amino acids tryptophan, tyrosine, methionine and valine. Beside the comprehensive amino acids analysis (Especially for the free amino acids), this formula was then analyzed for protein, fat, lactose and ash contents as well as microbiological and biological testing on mice. Hyperphenylalaninemia was induced in BALB/c mice model then changes in blood phenylalanine level and weight were scored during the periods of mutagenesis as well as the treatment period compared with the control group. Conclusion: The amino acids analysis showed that phenylalanine was 0.71gm/100 gram protein in the skim milk hydrolysate compared to 3.26gm amino acid/100 gram protein in the skim milk. The level of free phenylalanine decreased from 6.34% (In the skim milk) to 0% after adsorption to barium sulphate and compared to 3.41% after adsorption to activated carbon. The formula adsorbed on barium sulphate, although it is more preserving to the nutritional composition; yet, it is less effective in the debittering effect than that adsorbed on activated carbon. This formula, in addition to being of high nutrional value, it is not expensive since it is obtained from skim milk hydrolysate. From the present study, it could be concluded that: The synthesized low-phenylalanine formula was effective in supplying most of the needed dietary intakes for conditions of hyperphenylalaninemia. The use of the immobilized purified Papain and modified protease XXIII from Aspergillus oryzae in enzymatic hydrolysis of skim milk has been proved to be effective in hydrolysis and emulsification. Keywords: Phenylketonuria, skim milk. Egypt. J. Hum. Genet Vol. 9 (1) 2008: pp. 51-7

Traditional Underground Grain Storage in Clay Soils in Sudan Improved by Recent Innovations

In the central clay plain of the Sudan, traditional subsistence farmers and small farmers that also produce for local markets want to keep the region near food self-sufficiency. They combine annual production of sorghum with underground pit storage of part of the harvest. With increasing climate variability this food security is coming more and more under pressure. Farmers recently experimented with pit innovations that would allow storage for more than one season. These innovations were quantified and further improvements were suggested. It was found that in the most abundantly occurring cracking clay soils, wide shallow pits, using thick chaff linings, with wider above ground soil caps, are most suitable for longer term storage

The patterns of clinical presentations of cerebellar syndromes among adult Sudanese patients

Cerebellar syndromes are one of the commonest neurological diseases.Objectives: To study the patterns of clinical presentations of cerebellar syndromes and to identify the possible causes.Methods: This is a prospective hospital based, cross-sectional study. One hundred adult Sudanese patients with cerebellar syndromes were included in the study during the period from January 2006– January 2007.Results: The most common age group affected was 18 – 25 years. Male to female ratio was 1.5: 1 unsteadiness on walking was the most common symptom (83%). Gait-ataxia was the most common sign (83%). Cerebrovascular disease was the most common aetiology (25%).Conclusion: Cerebellar syndromes are not rare in Sudan. However, they were diagnosed more commonly at the central regions of the country probably because of more awareness of patients and better facilitiesfor diagnosis. The age of onset, the male predominance, the presentation and clinical findings were not different from reported literature. This also goes for the common causes apart from alcohol which is a strikingly rare as a cause in this study and could be accounted for the implementation of Elshariya (Islamic laws) Laws in Sudan.Keywords: ataxia, dysmetria, disdiadochokenesis, decomposition, nystagmus, dysarthria