Situation of mycotoxins in milk, dairy products and human milk in Egypt

Abstact  Milk and dairy products purchased at Egyptian markets and breast milk from lactating mothers in Cairo and Giza governorates were analyzed for some mycotoxins. Three of 15 cows’ milk samples were found positive for Afl. M₁ with mean value 6.3 ppb. Only one sample of dried milk was positive (5 ppb). Two of 10 hard cheese samples contained detectable levels of Afl. M₁ (3and 6 ppb), whereas one sample containing Afl. B₁ and G₁ (10 and 4 ppb resp.). For soft cheese one sample of 10 was positive for Afl. M₁ (0.5 ppb). Blue veined cheeses were free of Afl. M₁ and PR-toxins. For breast milk two of 10 samples were positive for Afl. M₁ (20%) with mean value 2.75 ppb, while 3 of 10 samples were positive for Ochratoxin A (30 %).     

Wide distribution of short interspersed elements among eukaryotic genomes.

Most short interspersed elements (SINEs) in eukaryotic genomes originate from tRNA and have internal promoters for RNA polymerase III. The promoter contains two boxes (A and B) spaced by approximately 33 bp. We used oligonucleotide primers specific to these boxes to detect SINEs in the genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Appropriate DNA fragments were revealed by PCR in 30 out of 35 eukaryotic species suggesting the wide distribution of SINEs. The PCR products were used for hybridization screening of genomic libraries which resulted in identification of four novel SINE families. The application of this approach is illustrated by discovery of a SINE family in the genome of the bat Myotis daubentoni. Members of this SINE family termed VES have an additional B-like box, a putative polyadenylation signal and RNA polymerase III terminator.     

Prevalence of human papillomavirus infection,distribution of viral types and risk factors in cervical samples from human immunodeficiency virus-positive women attending three human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immune deficiency syndrome reference centres in northeastern Brazil

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients have a greater prevalence ofcoinfection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is of high oncogenic risk. Indeed, thepresence of the virus favours intraepithelial squamous cell lesion progression andmay induce cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HPVinfection, distribution of HPV types and risk factors among HIV-positive patients.Cervical samples from 450 HIV-positive patients were analysed with regard to oncoticcytology, colposcopy and HPV presence and type by means of polymerase chain reactionand sequencing. The results were analysed by comparing demographic data and datarelating to HPV and HIV infection. The prevalence of HPV was 47.5%. Among theHPV-positive samples, 59% included viral types of high oncogenic risk. Multivariateanalysis showed an association between HPV infection and the presence of cytologicalalterations (p = 0.003), age greater than or equal to 35 years (p = 0.002), number ofpartners greater than three (p = 0.002), CD4⁺ lymphocyte count <200/mm³ (p = 0.041) and alcohol abuse (p = 0.004). Although high-riskHPV was present in the majority of the lesions studied, the low frequency of HPV 16(3.3%), low occurrence of cervical lesions and preserved immunological state in mostof the HIV-positive patients were factors that may explain the low occurrence ofprecancerous cervical lesions in this population.     

Use of cervicovaginal fluid for the identification of biomarkers for pathologies of the female genital tract

Cervicovaginal fluid has an important function in the homeostasis and immunity of the lower female genital tract. Analysis of the cervicovaginal fluid proteome may therefore yield important information about the pathogenesis of numerous gynecological pathologies. Additionally, cervicovaginal fluid has great potential as a source of biomarkers for these conditions.     

Molecular evolution of satellite DNA repeats and speciation of lizards of the genus Darevskia (Sauria: Lacertidae).

Satellite DNA repeats were studied in Caucasian populations of 18 rock lizard species of the genus Darevskia. Four subfamilies (Caucasian Lacerta satellites (CLsat)I-IV) were identified, which shared 70%-75% sequence similarity. The distribution of CLsat subfamilies among the species was studied. All the species could be divided into at least 3 clades, depending on the content of CLsat subfamilies in each genome: "saxicola", "rudis", and "mixta" lizards. CLsatI was found in all studied species, but in very different quantities; the "saxicola" group contained this subfamily predominantly. The "rudis" group also contained CLsatIII, and the "mixta" group carried considerable amounts of CLsatII. The highest concentrations of CLsatI and CLsatII were detected in 2 ground lizards--D. derjugini and D. praticola, respectively. D. parvula predominantly carried CLsatIII. CLsatIV was found only in the Crimean species D. lindholmi. The distribution patterns of satellite subfamilies show possible postglacial speciation within the genus Darevskia. A hybrid origin of species that possess 2 or 3 CLsat subfamilies and important clarifications to the systematics of the genus are proposed.     

Molecular variability in the commom shrew Sorex araneus L. from European Russia and Siberia inferred from the length polymorphism of DNA regions flanked by short interspersed elements (Inter-SINE PCR) and the relationships between the Moscow and Seliger chromosome races

Genetic exchange among chromosomal races of the common shrew Sorex araneus and the problem of reproductive barriers have been extensively studied by means of such molecular markers as mtDNA, microsatellites, and allozymes. In the present study, the interpopulation and interracial polymorphism in the common shrew was derived, using fingerprints generated by amplified DNA regions flanked by short interspersed repeats (SINEs)-interSINE PCR (IS-PCR). We used primers, complementary to consensus sequences of two short retroposons: mammalian element MIR and the SOR element from the genome of Sorex araneus. Genetic differentiation among eleven populations of the common shrew from eight chromosome races was estimated. The NP and MJ analyses, as well as multidimensional scaling showed that all samples examined grouped into two main clusters, corresponding to European Russia and Siberia. The bootstrap support of the European Russia cluster in the NJ and MP analyses was respectively 76 and 61%. The bootstrap index for the Siberian cluster was 100% in both analyses; the Tomsk race, included into this cluster, was separated with the bootstrap support of NJ/MP 92/95%.     

Investigation of the effect of Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) on markers of inflammation in non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (The MRC-ILA-HEART Study)

Background

Point of care testing (PoCT) may be a useful adjunct in the management of chronic conditions in general practice (GP). The provision of pathology test results at the time of the consultation could lead to enhanced clinical management, better health outcomes, greater convenience and satisfaction for patients and general practitioners (GPs), and savings in costs and time. It could also result in inappropriate testing, increased consultations and poor health outcomes resulting from inaccurate results. Currently there are very few randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in GP that have investigated these aspects of PoCT.

Design/Methods

The Point of Care Testing in General Practice Trial (PoCT Trial) was an Australian Government funded multi-centre, cluster randomised controlled trial to determine the safety, clinical effectiveness, cost effectiveness and satisfaction of PoCT in a GP setting. The PoCT Trial covered an 18 month period with the intervention consisting of the use of PoCT for seven tests used in the management of patients with diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and patients on anticoagulant therapy. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients within target range, a measure of therapeutic control. In addition, the PoCT Trial investigated the safety of PoCT, impact of PoCT on patient compliance to medication, stakeholder satisfaction, cost effectiveness of PoCT versus laboratory testing, and influence of geographic location.

Discussion

The paper provides an overview of the Trial Design, the rationale for the research methodology chosen and how the Trial was implemented in a GP environment. The evaluation protocol and data collection processes took into account the large number of patients, the broad range of practice types distributed over a large geographic area, and the inclusion of pathology test results from multiple pathology laboratories. The evaluation protocol developed reflects the complexity of the Trial setting, the Trial Design and the approach taken within the funding provided. The PoCT Trial is regarded as a pragmatic RCT, evaluating the effectiveness of implementing PoCT in GP and every effort was made to ensure that, in these circumstances, internal and external validity was maintained.

Trial Registration

12612605000272695     

An improved formulation of the zirconyl hematoxylin stain for acidic mucins

Zirconyl hematoxylin stains acidic mucins darkly and specifically using a solution of 100 mg hematoxylin, 5 ml ethanol, 5 ml 0.5% sodium iodate, 400 mg zirconyl chloride octahydrate, and 30 ml 25% aqueous glycerol. The stain is especially advantageous for studying goblet cells and Paget cells.