Occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Egyptian aquatic environment.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of great concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation and toxic effects. In this study, water samples were collected during 2007-2008 from two catchment areas that represent two different models of the aquatic environment in Egypt (Rosetta branch as fresh water and El-Moheet drain as untreated/treated waste water). The distribution of 16 PAHs included in the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) priority pollutant list was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Evaluation of calcium-antagonist (Nifedipine) in the treatment of pre-eclampsia.

The therapeutic effect of the calcium antagonist; Nifedipine was assessed in 30 patients with pre-eclampsia. Cases were randomly allocated into two groups; a study group (n = 20) who received Nifedipine capsules (20 mg every 8 h for 7 days) and a control group (n = 10) who received placebo capsules with the same regimen. After Nifedipine administration, there was a significant decrease in blood pressure, serum urea and creatinine and 24 h urinary proteins.

Hepatic microsomal enzymes in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice: I. Effect of duration of infection and lindane administration on dimethylnitrosamine demethylases.

The prevalence of schistosomiasis in Egypt, its suspected relationship to carcinoma of the bladder, and the inevitable exposure of schistosomal patients to insecticides prompted the undertaking of this study. Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) demethylases, responsible for the activation of DMN, were assessed in the hepatic microsomes from albino mice under the influence of Schistosoma mansoni infection and/or lindane administration. DMN-demethylase I responded to infection by an early increase in activity, reaching a peak 30 days after disease induction and declining sharply afterwards.

Influence of pretreatment with various insecticides on the N-demethylation of dimethylnitrosamine.

The effects of various classes of insecticides were studied on the N-demethylation of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) by mouse liver enzymes. Organochlorine insecticides, represented by lindane, DDT, and endrin, increased the activities of DMN demethylase I and II. The latter enzyme was more susceptible to the inducive action of the tested chlorinated insecticides.