Departmant of Physiology and Biochemistry

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of reading comprehension on the acquisition of word meanings from context and to compare it to the effects of local context characteristics, such as proximity and directness of context clues. The study also examined the effects of prior topic and enabling concept knowledge. Sixth-grade students were pretested on their knowledge

To compare the awareness about nephrology and kidney diseases in medical officers and postgraduate trainee doctors working in institutes with and without nephrology departments. This cross sectional study was conducted at Nephrology Department, Shalamar Hospital Lahore from 1(st) Jan to 31(st) Mar 2013. Doctors working on medical floor with more than one year experience after house job were included in the study. Each doctor was given questionnaire comprising of 28 questions. Two hundred and eleven doctors fulfilling the criteria were included in the study. Most of the doctors were male 150(71.1%). Knowledge had strong correlation with practice (p= 0.001). Knowledge regarding nephrology and chronic kidney disease (CKD) was found significantly different among doctors of different hospitals [(F=36.09, p=0.000). Practice regarding nephrology and chronic kidney disease (CKD) was found significantly different (F= 7.222, p=0.000)] among doctors of different hospitals of Lahore. Doctors wo...

In this study, the fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica was examined in the fresh, frozen, sun and in microwave dried samples. In fresh Opuntia ficus-indica samples, the total phenolic and flavonoid content was found to be 3.30 µg GAE/g DW and 1.46 µg QE/g DW, whereas in sun-dried samples found to be 2.60 µg GAE/g DW and 0.56 µg QE/g DW respectively. TEAC and IC50 are indicators of antioxidant capacity, and in fresh fruits TEAC and IC50 found to be 66.91 µmol Trolox/g DW and 45.95 mg ml -1 , while 39.01 µmol Trolox/g DW and 57.36 mg ml -1 in sun-drying, respectively (p<0.05). While the amount of ghrelin, GSH, GSSG and MDA in fresh prickly fig were found to be 19.20; 372; 20.85; 3.00 µg/g DW, on the other hand in sun-dried samples were found to be 9.90; 210.00; 33.60; 4.78 µg/g DW, respectively. In addition, ghrelin and GSH in dried fruits decreased while GSSG and MDA increased in comparison to fresh sample (p<0.05). It can be concluded that the fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica is rich in ghrelin and GSH. The most suitable preservation techniques for Opuntia ficusindica fruits is freezing to consume it in all season and microwave drying appears to be more advantageous than sun-dried in terms of time.

Citrobacter freundii bacteria were grown in LB medium containing cadmium ion. In order to reduce adverse effect caused by cadmium, different concentrations of vitamin C, were added to the growth medium. While the concentration of bacteria grown was determined by spectrophotometer, the amounts of water and fat-soluble vitamins were also determined by HPLC. The cadmium concentration varied from 0 (control), to 10, 20, 40, 60, 75, 100, 125 ppm in LB growth medium. The effect of cadmium has not been observed on the growth of bacteria, up to 40 ppm, on the other hand no significant microorganism growth was observed over 150 ppm cadmium. Significant change of bacteria concentration was observed in the medium containing 75, 100 and 125 ppm Cd. Microorganism concentrations decreased 18.8, 40.5 and 45.5 percent in the growth medium containing 75, 100 and 125 ppm Cadmium respectively. With the addition of 75 ppm vitamin C to the same growth medium, microorganism concentration was decreased about 2.0, 28.0 and 31.0 percent, respectively compared to the control. In addition, fat and water-soluble vitamins in bacteria grown in cadmium-containing medium was decreased in comparison to the control (p<0.05). With the addition of 25, 50 and 75 ppm vitamin C to cadmium-containing medium, fat and water soluble vitamin concentrations were increased. As a result, it can be said that the negative effects of cadmium on bacterial growth and vitamin content can be reversed by the addition of vitamin C in to the growth medium of bacteria.

Por lo general, las pasturas en Centro América se han establecido inmediatamente después de la tumba, roza y que Palabras claves: abundancia; árboles en pasturas; cobertura arbórea; densidad; frecuencia; riqueza. RESUMEN Se seleccionaron al azar 16 fincas con ganadería activa para realizar el inventario de los árboles dispersos en potreros. Se inventariaron 199 potreros en una superficie de 835,8 ha, de los cuales el 72% se encontraba con pasturas mejoradas y el 28% con nativas. Se encontraron 5896 árboles, pertenecientes a 99 especies y 39 familias. De las especies registradas, 20 estaban representadas solamente por un individuo y siete por dos individuos. El uso más frecuente de los árboles encontrados fue maderable, seguido por forrajeros y frutales (50, 27 y 27%, respectivamente). El 54% de los árboles se encontraba en forma individual, mientras que los restantes estaban formando pequeños grupos. La cobertura arbórea promedio fue de 7%, con una densidad promedio de 8,6 árboles ha-1. Las especies arbóreas más abundantes y frecuentes fueron el roble (Tabebuia rosea), guácimo (Guazuma ulmifolia), laurel (Cordia alliodora) y coyol (Acrocomia vinifera). Los árboles presentaron un dap promedio de 44,8 cm, siendo guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) y jenízaro (Samanea saman) los de mayor tamaño y copa más grande. Se concluye que, aunque pocas especies dominen el paisaje, existe una gran diversidad de especies de árboles dispersos en los potreros, en bajas densidades para no interferir con la actividad ganadera.

Bu çalışmada, Citrobacter freundii farklı konsantrasyonlarda kadmiyum içeren LB besiyerinde üretildi. Kadmiyum içeren besi yerine değişik konsantrasyonlarda selenyum katılarak, üretilen hücre konsantrasyonu, ve bazı biyokimyasal parametreler spektrofotometre ve HPLC ile belirlendi. Bakteriler 0 (kontrol), 75, 100, 125 ppm kadmiyum (Cd) içeren besi ortamlarında üretildi. Kontrol ile 75, 100 ve 125 ppm Cd içeren gruplar karşılaştırıldığında, bakteri, vitaminler ve indirgenmiş glutatyonun (GSH) konsantrasyonlarında azalma, yükseltgenmiş glutatyon (GSSG), malondialdehit (MDA) ve 4-hidroksineoneal (4-HNE) konsantrasyonlarında ise artış gözlendi (p

In this study, Citrobacter freundii (NRRL B-2643) bacteria were grown in LB medium containing varying concentrations of cadmium (Cd). In order to reduce the negative effect of Cd, different concentrations of vitamin C, known for its antioxidant properties, were added to the Cd-containing growth medium. Bacterial concentration, soluble protein and activities of antioxidant enzymes (Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), Glutathione reductase (GSH-Rd), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD)) were determined by spectrophotometer. In addition, reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG), 4-hydroxyneoneal (4-HNE), malondialdehyde (MDA) amounts were determined by HPLC. No significant microorganism growth was observed at 150 ppm and higher Cd concentrations. Bacteria production was not affected up to 40 ppm Cd concentration. Bacteria were grown in media containing 0, 75, 100 and 125 ppm Cd. The protein content of the microorganism grown in the medium containing 75, 100 and 125 ppm Cd decreased about 24, 44 and 62 percent, respectively, comparisons to the control. When 50 ppm of vitamin C was added to the same growth medium, the percentage decrease in protein amount compared to the control was found to be 10, 31 and 50, respectively. An increase was observed in the antioxidant enzymes activities and stress markers in bacteria grown in cadmiumcontaining media compared to the control (p<0.05). With the addition of 25, 50 and 75 ppm vitamin C to cadmium-containing media, a decrease was observed in the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the amounts of stress markers.

Background: Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, where most cases are sporadic with a late onset. In rare incidences familial forms of early-onset parkinsonism occur, and when recessively inherited, cases are often explained by mutations in either the parkin (PARK2) or PINK1 (PARK6) gene or on exceptional occasions the DJ-1 (PARK7) or ATP13A2 (PARK9) gene. Recessively inherited deletions/duplications and point mutations in the parkin gene are the most common cause of early-onset parkinsonism known so far, but in an increasing number of studies, genetic variations in the serine/threonine kinase domain of the PINK1 gene are found to explain early-onset parkinsonism.

Proteolytic enzymes play a significant role in malignancy including, loss of growth regulation, invasiveness and metastases formation. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) is a secretory glycoprotein produced mainly in liver and monocytes. It is the most abundant serine protease inhibitor in human plasma. Deficiency of A1AT is an inherited disorder characterized by reduced serum level of A1AT. Protease inhibitor Z (PiZ) and protease inhibitor S (PiS) are the most common deficient genotypes of A1AT. The association of deficient A1AT subtypes with several tumors such as primary liver carcinoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer and malignant hepatoma was reported. This study was aimed to test the relationship between A1AT genotypes Z and S and breast cancer in Jordanian female patients. Blood samples were collected from 111 patients. DNA was isolated and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify the regions contain the Z and S mutations in exon V, and III, respectively. Genotyping of Z and S alleles was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism technique using Taq1 restriction enzyme. Our results demonstrated that 100% of the breast cancer patients were homozygous for the normal allele Protease inhibitor MM (PiMM) and no PiZ and PiS genotypes were found. In conclusion, there is no relationship between A1AT deficient genotypes Z and S and breast cancer in Jordanian female patients.

Ingestion of Frankincense [Boswellia thurifera (B. thurifera)] resin at a dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight for 60 days by adult male rats was investigated for effects on fertility. Average weights of epididymis, ventral prostate and seminal vesicles increased significantly. Sperm motility and density were also significantly increased in cauda epididymis and in testes in Frankincense-treated groups. A significant increase of spermatogenesis in testes due to increase in the number of primary, secondary spermatocytes and spermatids in the treatment groups was attributed to a significant increase in testosterone and Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). In addition, it also increased the number of implantations and the number of viable fetuses in female rats impregnated by these males, thereby increasing their fertility. The histometery of reproductive organs confirmed those results.

Prepubertal periodontitis (PPP) is a rare and rapidly progressive disease of young children that results in destruction of the periodontal support of the primary dentition. The condition may occur as part of a recognised syndrome or may occur as an isolated finding. Both autosomal dominant and recessive forms of Mendelian transmission have been reported for PPP. We report a consanguineous Jordanian family with four members aVected by PPP in two nuclear sibships. The parents of the aVected subjects are first cousins. We have localised a gene of major eVect for PPP in this kindred (Zmax=3.55 for D11S901 at =0.00) to a 14 cM genetic interval on chromosome 11q14 flanked by D11S916 and D11S1367. This PPP candidate interval overlaps the region of chromosome 11q14 that contains the cathepsin C gene responsible for Papillon-Lefèvre and Haim-Munk syndromes. Sequence analysis of the cathepsin C gene from PPP aVected subjects from this Jordanian family indicated that all were homozygous for a missense mutation (1040A→G) that changes a tyrosine to a cysteine. All four parents were heterozygous carriers of this Tyr347Cys cathepsin C mutation. None of the family members who were heterozygous carriers for this mutation showed any clinical findings of PPP. None of the 50 controls tested were found to have this Tyr347Cys mutation. This is the first reported gene mutation for nonsyndromic periodontitis and shows that non-syndromic PPP is an allelic variant of the type IV palmoplantar ectodermal dysplasias. (J Med Genet 2000;37:95-101)

Papillon-Lefè vre syndrome is an autosomal recessive palmoplantar keratoderma caused by cathepsin C gene mutations. We present the second family segregating the IVS3-1G 3 A mutation and demonstrate for the first time that altered splicing and decreased enzymatic activity occur. RNA analysis revealed two species in carriers, corresponding to wild-type and mutant transcripts, and only the mutant transcript in affected individuals. Sequencing of the mutant transcript revealed that it lacked exon 3, resulting in a frameshift and introduction of a premature termination codon. © 2002 Elsevier Science (USA)

The mechanism by which glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency causes neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is not completely understood. However, the genetic disorder G6PD deficiency predisposes red blood cells to oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between plasma antioxidant vitamin (E and C) levels and the development of hyperbilirubinemia in full-term neonates with deficient G6PD. A total of 196 live birth neonates of healthy mothers were included in this study. Twelve of them were deficient in G6PD. In addition to demographic data, serum total bilirubin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and vitamin E and C levels were measured on the first day after birth. Neonates with G6PD deficiency (n=7) who did not develop hyperbilirubinemia (mean serum bilirubin level of 70.8+/-23 micromol/l, median 71.8) and neonates with G6PD deficiency (n=4) who developed hyperbilirubinemia (mean serum bilirubin level of 226.7+/-79 micromol/l, median 233.4) on the first d...

Low antioxidant system may contribute to the severity of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The aim of this research was to explore the relationship between plasma vitamin E and C levels and the severity of hyperbilirubinemia in full-term neonates with normal glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activities. A total of 130 full-term healthy live birth neonates of healthy mothers with normal G6PD activity were included in this study. In addition to routine blood analysis, plasma total bilirubin, vitamin E and C levels and G6PD activity were measured on the first day of life. None of the neonates was ABO incompatible or anemic. Neonates who did not develop hyperbilirubinemia (n=119) had a mean plasma bilirubin level of 65+/-24 micromol/l (median 58.1), while neonates who developed significant hyperbilirubinemia (n=11) had a mean plasma bilirubin level of 238+/-56 micromol/l (median 246.2) on the first day of life. Mean plasma vitamin C levels of neonates who developed hyperbilirubinemia ...

Objective: To investigate the frequency of occurrence of polycystic ovaries Abstract (PCO) in women taking valproic acid (VPA) as monotherapy for epilepsy. Study design and patients: 163 epileptic patients were seen at the outpatient neurology clinic at Princess's Basma Teaching Hospital, Irbid, and Basheer Hospital, Amman, Jordan. A detailed medical history was taken from the patients followed by a clinical examination and vaginal ultrasonography of the ovaries. Results: 102 patients (62.5%) had primary generalised seizures, 46 patients (28.2%) had partial seizures and 15 patients (9.2%) had partial secondary generalised seizures. Mean age ± standard error of the mean (SEM) was 29.8 ± 0.97 years. The duration of epilepsy and treatment with VPA were (mean ± SD) 9.1 ± 0.48 and 7.9 ± 0.4 years, respectively. The dose and serum concentrations of VPA were (mean ± SD) 983.9 ± 101.96mg and 52.7 ± 4.7 mg/L, respectively. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.6 ± 0.92 kg/m 2 . The mean weight gain was 6.6 ± 1.3kg (range 2-24kg). Menstrual abnormalities were detected in 58 (35.6%) patients. Twelve patients (7.4%) had PCO; these patients were compared with 17 patients without PCO selected randomly. There was a statistically significant difference in testosterone level and BMI values in patients with PCO compared with those without negative PCO. Patients with PCO had a mean ± SEM serum testosterone level of 1.2 ± 0.18 μg/L and BMI values of 29.24 ± 1.75 kg/m 2 . However, patients without PCO had a serum testosterone level of 0.61 ± 0.1 μg/L and a BMI of 21.91 ± 0.7 kg/m 2 . Menstrual abnormalities were detected in all patients with PCO and in eight patients without PCO. Hirsutism was found in four cases with PCO and in one case with no PCO. There were no statistically significant differences in the duration of therapy, doses and serum concentrations of VPA in patients with PCO compared with those without PCO. Conclusion: These results suggest an association between the use of VPA and PCO, hyperandrogenism, obesity and menstrual abnormalities. For women

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (alpha1-AT) is a secretory glycoprotein produced mainly in the liver and monocytes. It is the most abundant serine protease inhibitor in human plasma. It predominantly inhibits neutrophil elastase thus, it prevents the breakdown of lung tissue. The deficiency of alpha1-AT is an inherited disorder characterized by reduced serum level of alpha1-AT. Protease inhibitors Z (PiZ) and protease inhibitors S (PiS) are the most common deficient genotypes of alpha1-AT. The aim of this study is to test the relationship between alpha1-AT deficient genotypes S and Z and lung cancer in Jordanian lung cancer patients. We obtained the samples used in this study from 100 paraffin embedded tissue blocks of the lung cancer patients from Prince Iman Research Center and Laboratory Sciences at King Hussein Medical Center, Amman, Jordan. Analyses of the Z and S genotypes of alpha1-AT were performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques at J...

Ingestion of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) by two groups of adult Sprague-Dawley rats at levels of 250 and 500 mg/kg body wt for 63 days was investigated for its effects on fertility. Body weight and absolute and relative testes weights were not affected, but the average weights of epididymides, ventral prostates, seminal vesicles, and preputial glands decreased significantly. A significant decline in spermatogenesis in testes due to a decrease in the number of primary and secondary spermatocytes and spermatids in treatment group 2 (500 mg/kg) is attributed to a significant decrease in testosterone. Sperm motility and density were also significantly decreased in the cauda epididymis and in the testes of rosemary-treated male rats in group 2. In addition, the treatment markedly increased the number of fetal resorptions in female rats impregnated by group 2 males, thereby reducing their fertility.