High prevalence of hepatitis C virus among urban and rural population groups in Egypt.

Hepatitis C is a major health problem for Egypt. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus among different population groups living in urban and in two different rural areas (Suez Canal and North Sinai) of Egypt. Secondary objectives were to study the possible association between multiple blood transfusions, haemodialysis or Schistosomiasis and the seroprevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C.

Serum zinc and copper levels in bilharzial patients.

Serum zinc and copper levels were determined for fifty cases with positive infestation of Schistosoma mansoni at Ismailia General Hospital. In the early infected cases, serum zinc and copper concentrations showed small alteration to lower and higher values, respectively, compared to the reference. Those with a long history of infection, serum zinc showed a big decrease in its concentration but serum copper showed a great extent of increasement in its level comparing to the reference values.

Stimulation of 17 beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase in the rat anterior pituitary gland by progesterone.

Anterior pituitary gland and hypothalamic 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD) activity was measured in the immature castrated estradiol primed rat to determine if differences in enzyme activity could explain the progesterone induced reduction of bound estradiol nuclear receptors of the anterior pituitary gland but not the hypothalamus. Higher levels of 17 beta-HSD activity were found in the anterior pituitary gland as compared to the hypothalamus. The enzyme activity in the anterior pituitary gland was stimulated by progesterone administered either in combination with estradiol for 4 days or as a single injection following 4 days of estradiol priming.

The development of the human phreno-oesophageal membrane.

23 human fetal diaphragms were used to study the structural changes of the phreno-oesophageal membrane at the different prenatal ages. 2 human adult diaphragms were used for comparison. This membrane was found to be formed by both the superior and inferior diaphragmatic fasciae.