Gender Awareness of Women’s Role among Male University Students

The study aimed at identifying gender awareness of women’s role among male students. The sample consisted of (200) student from the college of art at Baghdad University and Al Qadisiyah University. The sample was selected randomly and equally from the two universities. In order to achieve this aim, a questioner of 20 items was used. The results of the study refers that male Students have Gender Awareness of Women’s role in society. The results revealed no significant differences due to university, place of residence, and marital statu

Co-Production of Cellulase and Xylanase Enzymes By Thermophilic Bacillus subtilis 276NS

Co-production of thermostable extracellular cellulase and xylanase was investigated using bacterial soil isolate. To evaluate the effect of culture conditions on the c-oproduction of both enzymes by Bacillus subtilis 276NS (GenBank accession number JF801740), a Plackett-Burman fractional factorial design was applied. Among the tested variables, yeast extract, sucrose and incubation time were the most significant variables increased cellulase and xylanase productions. Both of xylan and CMC (Carboxymethyl Cellulose) induced the xylanse enzyme production. A near-optimum medium formulation was obtained which increased the cellulase and xylanase enzymes 5.7- and 1.08 –fold higher than the yield obtained with the basal medium, respectively. Thereafter, the response surface methodology was adopted to acquire the best process conditions among the selected variables (xylan, CMC and Yeast Extract (YE)) required for improving xylanase yield. The optimal combinations of the major medium constituents for xylanase production evaluated using non-linear optimization algorithm of EXCEL-solver, was as follows (g/L): D-sucrose, 10; xylan, 10.367, CMC, 10.535; (NH4)2SO4, 1.0; YE, 1.71; Tween-80, 0.4 and FeSO4, 0.25 mg/L, at pH 8.0, temperature 35◦C and incubation time 24h under shaking. The predicted optimum thermostable xylanase activity was 360 U/ml, which was around 4-times the activity with the basal medium

POTENTIAL IMPACT OF COQ10 AND VITAMIN E AGAINST (STZ) INDUCED METABOLIC DETERIORATION IN THE ALBINO RATS

Objective: This study evaluates the hypoglycemic effect of COQ10 and Vitamin E are determined using STZ induced diabetic rats.Methods: Rats selected for this study were divided into five groups of ten rats each as follows: first group Normal control rats, the second is considered as diabetic groups, injected intraperitoneal with a single dose of STZ (60 mg/kg B. wt). the third group Diabetic rats orally administered glibenclamide drug 10 mg/kg B. wt daily for 30 d 4th. And 5th groups were treated orally glibenclamide combined with vitamin E (2% concentration added to the normal basal diet), or coenzyme Q10 at the dose of 10 mg/kg i. p. daily for 30 consecutive days in addition histological examinations of liver, kidney and brain were carried out to confirm the biochemical changes of the diabetic group of rats.Results: All liver enzymes activities alanine and aspartate transferases and alkaline phosphatase (AST, ALT and ALP respectively), kidney function tests; creatinine and total urea, inflammatory biomarkers; CRP, IL-10 and TNF-α. Neurotransmitters; acetylcholine and acetylcholine esterase were enhanced with the highest degree in groups treated with COQ10 or vitamin E in addition to glibenclamide dug, almost restore the normal histological architecture of liver, kidney and brain.Conclusion: Orally supplemented glibenclamide with coenzyme Q10 or vitamin E showing significantly reduced blood glucose levels in STZ induced diabetic rats. It also showed hypolipidemia as well as hepatoprotective effects, enhance histological feature of liver, kidney and brain.Â

Scaling Up Manufacturing of Edible Coatings for Food

One of the most important methods for prolonging the shelf life of fruits and vegetables is edible coatings. The manufacture of the edible coating was tested in the laboratory before being scaled up to the industrial scale which is a procedure for applying, which applies the same process to different output volumes. One of the most crucial processes in the manufacturing of edible coatings is mixing. The equipment needed to scale up the production of edible solutions for food coating was also assessed. The results of the measurements revealed that scaling up mixing is based upon constant power/volume, equal blend duration, and adjusting the impeller/tank (D/T) diameter ratio was possible. A four-blade impeller was utilized to homogenize 1% carrageenan solutions at 70°C. Also, mixing parameters (Power number, Blend number, and Pumping number) were determined at different D/T ratios. Cost-effective pipe diameter and optimum pipe diameter per unit length were also determined

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF TWO SOLANUM TUBEROSUM CULTIVARS GROWN IN EGYPT

Objective: This paper reports a comparative study based on the chemical composition, antioxidant and therapeutic effect of two Egyptian cultivars of Solanum tuberosum; Baraka (STB) and Alpha (STA) on hepatic functions and oxidative stress in alloxan (ALX)-treated rats.Methods: The potential of cultivars as a source of natural antioxidants were explored using five in vitro assays, and the results were compared with butylated hydroxyl toluene and Trolox. The modulator role of cultivars was assessed by determining its effect on oxidative stress measured by lipid peroxide (LPO) levels, serum aminotransferases and on antioxidative enzymatic activities of glutathione transferases, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. In addition, histological examinations of liver, kidney, pancreas and spleen were carried out to confirm the biochemical changes of the diabetic group of rats non-treated and treated with STB, STA and glibenclamide as standard drug.Results: Our findings demonstrated variations in antioxidant activities of each cultivar. An increase in LPO, aminotransferases levels was observed in the ALX-induced diabetic rats. Administration of each cultivar for four w caused a significant reduction in LPO, serum aminotransferases levels in the ALX-induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, a significant improvement in the activities of all the investigated antioxidant enzymes was marked. In addition, the total content of phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins, and alkaloids were varied in each cultivar.Conclusion: STB evidenced remarkable bioactivity compared to that exhibited by STA. Moreover, three known compounds, previously not isolated from Solanum genus, were obtained from the methylene chloride fraction of STB.Â

Levels of certain tumor markers as differential factors between bilharzial and non-biharzial bladder cancer among Egyptian patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background/Objective</p> <p>Bladder cancer is the commonest type of malignant tumors as a result of schistosomaisis which is a major healthy problem in many subtropical developing countries. The aim of this study is to comparatively elucidate the underlying biochemical tumor markers in schistosomal bladder cancer versus non-schistosomal bladder cancer when compared to normal healthy ones.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This work was performed on tissue specimens from total 25 patients and serum samples from total 30 patients versus ten healthy individuals served as control. The investigated parameters in serum are: xanthine oxidase (XO), fructosamine, lactate dehydrogense (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total proteins, essential and non- essential amino acids profile, hydroxyproline, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-<it>α</it>). In addition, the current investigation also extended to study some markers in tumor bladder tissues including, pyruvate kinase enzyme (PK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Results showed that biharzial bladder cancer patients recored more significant elevation in serum XO, fructosamine, LDH, AST, ALT, hydroxyproline, IgE and TNF-<it>α </it>than in bladder cancer patients when compared to control ones. While, in tissues there were significant increase in PK, LDH, AST & ALT activities of schistosomal bladder cancer than in bladder cancer as compared to control healthy patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It could be concluded that, bilharzial and non-bilharzial bladder cancer showed distinct biochemical profile of tumor development and progression which can be taken into consideration in diagnosis of bladder cancer.</p

NEURORESTORATIVE MULBERRIES POTENTIAL OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE IN ANIMAL MODEL

Objective: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders. The present study aimed to identify the potential neurorestorative of Morus alba and Morus rubra fruits extract on aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced AD rats.Methods: Each Morus species extract M. alba and M. rubra at a dose 300 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) was orally administered, daily for 6 weeks post AlCl3 induction (100 mg/kg b.wt./day/6 weeks, orally). The polyphenols content was determined according to the colorimetric method of Folin–Ciocalteu using gallic acid as a standard. In addition, brain neurotransmitters, total protein content (TPC), and antioxidant biomarkers were determined. Histopathological assessment was performed on the brains of rats.Results: Administration of AlCl3 neurotoxicity induced a significant increment of brain acetylcholinesterase, and nitric oxide, while significant decrease in four monoamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine, 5-hydroxytryptamine serotonin, and dopamin), along with brain tissue ATPase, and TPC were determined. AlCl3-induced changes in peroxidative products, such as protein carbonyl, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activity. AlCl3 induction resulted in significant decrease in antioxidant enzymes, serum level of total antioxidant capacity, and caused histological alteration for brain tissue. Treatment of AD-rats with M. alba and M. rubra (300 mg/kg b.wt./day) causes modulation of most biochemical markers brain function and confirmed by brain histopathological study.Conclusion: Collectively, the present results indicated that M. rubra and M. alba exerts neuroprotection against AlCl3-induced brain pathology. To the best of our knowledge, none of the literature studies have demonstrated the effect of these Morus species against Al-neurotoxicity at biochemical and electron microscopic levels

Antiretroviral therapy, CD4, viral load, and disease stage in HIV patients in Saudi Arabia: a 2001–2013 cross-sectional study

Introduction: The incidence of HIV/AIDS is increasing worldwide and in the Middle East. In this study, we analyzed the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), the patterns of CD4 and viral load (VL), and stage of presentation. Methodology: Laboratory variables, ART use, and CD4 count were obtained and analyzed retrospectively. Results: A total of 997 cases from eight HIV/AIDS care providers were included. Of the total cases, 274 (28.3%) had a CD4 count of 5 log10. Of the total cases, 50% were on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and the majority of cases were asymptomatic (70%). Of those patients on ART, 247 (39.5%) took tenofovir/emtricitabine combined with either efavirenz (147; 14.7%) or lopinavir/ritonavir (100; 10%), and 158 (15.8%) were on lamivudine and zidovudine with either efavirenz (32; 3.2%) or lopinavir/ritonavir (126; 12.6%). Other combinations were used in 70 (7%) patients. The mean (± standard deviation) of baseline CD4 and viral load were 401 cells/mm3 (322 cells/mm3) and 4.6 log1010 (1.3 log10), respectively. At diagnosis, 72% of patients were asymptomatic; 50% had AIDS and 20% had CD4 count < 350. Conclusions: ART use was in line with international guidelines, but the number of patients receiving ART was lower than expected. Large proportions of cases presented late with AIDS at diagnosis or had CD4 < 350. Further data is needed to evaluate the medical care of patients with HIV/AIDS in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

ASSESSMENT OF SAPONIN RICH FRACTION FROM BALANITES AEGYPTIACA (L.) FRUITS AS ANTI SCHISTOMIASIS, ANTI-OXIDANT, ANTIMUTAGENIC AGENTS AND IN VITRO PRODUCTION OF SAPONINS FOR DRUG MANUFACTURE

Saponin rich fraction of Balanites fruits (SRF) was administered orally at a dose of 250 mg/kg to schistosoma infected mice. Treatment with SRF showed amelioration signs in all biomarkers that confirmed by significant reduction in oogram, ova count and worm burden. Histopathological examination showed extensive reduction in granuloma sizes after 6 weeks treatment. Our results showed time dependant inhibition in the DNA damage induced in infected mice after treatment. Saponins were also successfully synthesized by callus cultures using Murashige and Skoog media. NMR analysis illustrated the presence of 4 major saponins of furostanol type from both fruits of natural plant and calli. Thus, SRF of B.aegyptiaca fruits possesses antischistomiasis activity. Antioxidant and antimutagenic activities could be considered as possible mechanisms of action. Additionally, Balanites aegyptiaca saponins could be produced in continuous manner using in vitro cultures as future vision for drug production to overcome scarce of active metabolites and endangered plant