18S rRNA gene sequencing for environmental aflatoxigenic fungi and risk of hepatic carcinoma among exposed workers.

exposure causes an increase in aflatoxin (AF) levels among exposed workers thereby increasing their risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study attempted to determine the presence of airborne aflatoxigenic fungi in environment of waste water treatment plant (WWTP); and study the hepatic cancer risks among exposed workers, emphasizing the role of glutathione S-transferases (GST) gene polymorphism protecting against the risk of hepatic cancer development due to exposure to AFs. The study isolated and identified different species producing AFs in air samples from WWTP sites using 18S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (18S rRNA) gene sequencing technique.

Antibacterial effect of the red sea soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum.

The marine soft corals Sarcophyton trocheliophorum crude extracts possessed antimicrobial activity towards pathogenic bacterial strains, i.e. Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Effect of carnosine on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Background: Gentamicin (GM) is an antibiotic whose clinical use is limited by its nephrotoxicity. Thus the present study was undertaken to investigate if carnosine, an antioxidant, could protect the kidney in this experimental model.

Material/methods: The animals were divided into seven groups each of 10 animals: one control group, two healthy carnosine groups (10 mg/kg/day), two GM groups (80 mg/kg/day), and two carnosine-GM groups.

Biochemical modifications induced in rabbits by Schistosoma mansoni antigens and the beneficial effect of carnosine treatment.

This immunological study involved individual injection of the three Schistosoma mansoni antigens (Ags). soluble egg antigen (SEA), cercarial antigen preparation (CAP) or soluble worm antigen preparation (SWAP) in three rabbits groups (Ag). respectively.

Effect of carnosine administration on the immune response of rabbit to Schistosoma mansoni antigens.

SDS-PAGE separation of soluble worm antigen preparation (SWAP), cercarial antigen preparation (CAP), and soluble egg antigen (SEA) of Schistosoma mansoni showed obvious qualitative and quantitative differences. The shared polypeptides of the three stages of S. mansoni were 116, 72.

Effects of carnosine on bilharzial infestation in hamsters: biochemical and histochemical studies.

We tested the ability of carnosine to improve some liver disorders induced by Schistosoma mansoni parasite in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Results indicate that parasitic infestation induced elevation in serum alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase and procollagen III peptide as a marker of liver fibrosis. Administration of carnosine (10 mg/day) for 15 days either concurrent with infection, 2 and 4 weeks post-infestation was effective in reducing differential worm burden.