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Total lipids, lipid phosphorus, phospholipids and cholesterol were determined in amniotic fluid of 36 normals and 6 mothers with diabetes. Total lipids, lipid phosphorus and phospholipids are significantly decreased in diabetic cases and the decrement was more pronounced in the cases with stillbirth or intrapartum deaths or infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Total cholesterol was significantly decreased in the same cases mentioned above. However, in spite of this decrease the ratio of total cholesterol to total lipids was constant except in cases with prolonged intrauterine fetal death where it was increased.

Enzymuria observed in PCM, especially in severe cases, does not seem to be a simple reflection of the increased serum values and suggests renal involvements. A number of factors among which are :- lowered clearance threshold for certain enzymes as well as rapid wear and tear or renal cells seem to participate in the causation of such enzymuria. Urine enzyme analysis may reflect the extent and state of renal pathology among different forms of PCM.

The study deals with investigations on anaemia due to iron or protein calorie deficiency and that associating acute glomerulonephritis, nephrosis and schistosoma haematobium. The rate of intestinal iron absorption using an oral dose of ferrous sulphate equivalent to 4 mg clemental iron/kg body weight was studied. The supplementing action of ascorbic acid in iron absorption in these cases was also investigated. The rate of intestinal iron absorption was enhanced in pure iron deficiency anaemia, acute glomerulonephritis and schistosoma haematobium, retarded in kwashiorkor, marasmus and nephrosis. Ascorbic acid markedly promoted iron absorption in normal subjects but slightly in pure iron deficiency anaemia. It improved iron absorption in acute glomerulonephritis and schistosoma haematobium but not in kwashiorkor, marasmus and nephrotic cases. It is concluded that ascorbic acid supplementation is of certain beneficial effect in alleviating the state of anaemia when intestinal iron absorption is not impaired. Also, it may prove to be of value to be given along with protein rehabilitation in anaemias associating protein deficiency.

Leucine aminopeptidase activity and total protein concentration was estimated in the fresh early morning sample of urine of twenty five normal adult subjects, twenty four cases with active urinary bilharziasis, eleven cases with active intestinal bilharziasis, ten cases with mixed bilharzial infection (urinary and intestinal), fourteen bilharzial cases with clinical hepatosplenomegaly of bilharzial etiology, thirteen bilharzial cases with clinical hepatosplenomegaly and ascites, and twelve cases with cancer bladder of bilharzial etiology. It was found that there is a significant increase in LAP activity in the urine of all groups of patients studied. Again this increase ran parallel to the course of the disease in bilharzial cases. Urine protein concentration was found to be increased significantly in all groups of bilharzial cases studied with the highest value in urine of patients with cancer bladder of bilharzial etiology. However no direct correlation was found between urinary LAP level and protein concentration either within the individual cases or within the different groups.

Non-specific acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases could be demonstrated in two viperids (Cerastes cerastes and Cerastes vipers) and two elapids (Naja haje and Naja nigricollis). The latter could be a natural source for the production of these enzymes. The activities of both enzymes in elapids were greater than in viperids. N. nigricollis was the only to show acid phosphatase activity exceeding its alkaline one. The optimum pH values recorded for acid phosphatase was 4.0 and 4.9 and for alkaline phosphatase 9.0 and 10.0 in viperids and elapids, respectively. Optimum substrate concentration for both enzymes in viperids was 0.01 M, while for acid phosphatase in N. haje and N. nigricollis it was 0.125 and 0.150 M; and for their alkaline phosphatases the values were 0.150 and 0.125 M, respectively. Mg++ behaved as an activator for both enzymes in all venoms investigated, while Zn++ showed either no or slight activating effect. Fluoride ions as well as EDTA showed certain inhibitory action. Both enzymes in the crude venoms were heat-labile.

Amino acids and proteins in whole saliva of normal and malnourished Egyptian infants and young children were investigated. 16 amino acids, 7 of them are essential, could be detected in saliva of normal infants. Electrophoretic analysis revealed the existence of 10 protein components in saliva of either normal or malnourished infants. In oedematous cases, salivary aminoacids, particularly the essential ones, were increased as well as most of the protein components. In non-oedematous cases, the pattern was more or less normal, but in 3rd grade marasmus, amino acid and protein components of saliva were somewhat increased. The conclusion was drawn that such increase is mainly due to tissue degeneration which is more marked in oedematous than non-oedematous form of the disease.

Haematological as well as biochemical parameters assessing anaemia associating protein energy malnutrition PEM were estimated. Data revealed that controls studied have a relatively lower Hb, Ht, and R.B.C.S. count than European standards. Hypochromic anaemia was predominant in 83.3% of moderate Kwashiorkor being normocytic in 50% and microcytic in 33.3%. In severe KWO anaemia was normocytic in 42% and microcytic in 19.2%. Normochromia was found in 9.7% and hypochromia in 29%. Macrocytosis was found in 38.8% in severe KWO. In marasmus, normocytic anaemia was revealed in 74% of the 2nd. grade being normochromic in 82% and hypochromic in 40%. Macrocytic anaemia was detected in 26%. In 3rd. grade subjects normocytic normochromic anaemia occurred in 70% of the cases. Macrocytosis was encountered among 30% of the cases. Serum iron and transferrin level dropped in both KWO and marasmus, the extent of decrease was greater in the former. The percent transferrin saturation was elevated in severe cases. Particularly severe KWO and marasmic KWO.

Fifty-nine bilharzial subjects aged 9-12 years and 18 parallel controls were investigated for total serum proteins, total liver proteins and total urinary proteins. Simple agar gel and immunoelectrophoretic studies were also carried out. The results revealed a highly significant decrease in serum total proteins in mixed infection. A very highly significant increase was demonstrated for serum alpha, globulin. The gamma globulin fraction and the total globulin moiety were very highly significantly raised. The albumin globulin ratio was considerably decreased in mansoniasis. Serum immunoelectrophoresis illustrated a decreased density of haptoglobulin, hemopexin and transferrin arcs, as well as a considerable increase in IgA, IgM and IgG in most of the cases. Urinary protein values were very highly significantly elevated in hematobiasis and mixed infection. A slight increase for alpha1, alpha2 and beta-globulins was found in some cases. Liver proteins were very highly significantly decreased in mansoniasis and mixed infection. The results are discussed and analysed.

1. Studies were done on the effect of ascorbic acid and five amino acids (histidine, cystine, cysteine, valine and glutamic acid) on intestinal iron absorption in a group of ninety Egyptian infants and young children, of which fifty-seven were healthy controls and thirty-three were suffering from Fe-deficiency anaemia. 2. Supplements tested promoted Fe absorption in healthy controls in the following order: valine larger than histidine larger than ascorbic acid. Cysteine, glutamic acid and cystine were found to have no significant effect. 3. Supplementation with valine, ascorbic acid and histidine also increased intestinal Fe absorption in anaemic subjects, but to a lesser extent than in controls. 4. Supplementation of haematinic therapy with these compounds is recommended. Their use is also suggested to improve the availability of the Fe content of everday diets.

Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activity and creatinine concentration was estimated in serum of twenty five normal adult subjects, twenty four cases with active urinary bilharziasis, eleven cases with active intestinal bilharziasis, ten cases with mixed bilharzial infection (urinary and intestinal), fourteen bilharzial cases with clinical hepato-splenomegaly of bilharzial etiology, thirteen bilharzial cases with clinical hepatosplenomegaly and ascites, and twelve cases with cancer bladder of bilharzial etiology. Significant elevation in the serum enzyme level was found in all bilharzial cases which generally ran parallel to the course of the disease, being more marked in hepatosplenomegalic cases than in cases which showed no clinical signs of liver or spleen involvement. However, it was observed that the enzyme level was lower ascitic than in nonascitic cases. For serum creatinine concentration, no significant variation from normal value was observed in the group of patients with active urinary, active intestinal, mixed infections of bilharziasis and bilharzial hepatosplenomegalic cases. However, a very highly significant decrease in serum creatinine concentration was observed in the group of patients with bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly and ascites. Serum LAP activity and creatinine concentration in the group of patients with cancer bladder of bilharzial etiology showed no statistical variation from normal values.

Total serum protein levels in 70 patients with urolithiasis were not significantly different from those in 20 control subjects, although certain variations were detected in individual protein patterns. In contrast, total urinary protein was significantly higher in patients with urolithiasis. 4-6 different components, i.e., albumin, alpha 1-acidic glycoprotein, alpha 1-antitrypsin, Gc-globulin, fibrinogen and immunoglobulin G, were found in the matrices of calculi and in urine, suggesting that proteinuria may play a role in the formation of stones in patients with urolithiasis.

Serum total proteins as well as its electrophoretic separated fractions were determined in alloxan-diabetic rats. The total and individual serum amino acids were estimated. Certain abnormalities, with no specific pattern, for total and individual fractions were observed in alloxan-diabetic rats. Most of the free serum amono acids showed low values which was attributed to direct reaction of alloxan with amino acids, urinary loss of amino and/or diverse hormonal and metabolic changes.

An investigation on the mechanism of action of bilharcid and tartar-emetic produced the following results. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis by cell of E. coli B from either the maximum stationary phase or the exponential phase are inhibited by 3.62 mM of bilharcid or 16.81 mM of tartar-emetic immediately upon addition of the inhibitor. These drugs cause a downshift of the Tm of native DNA. They displace MG from the DNA-MG complex. They increase the specific viscosity of DNA solution. Also the synthesis of constitutive enzyme (alkaline phosphatase) was stopped, as was the induction of the synthesis of new enzyme (beta-galactosidase). Bilharcid and tartar-emetic act primarily on cell membrane and cause the release of 260 mM absorbing substances from E. coli B. Moreover, they lyse not only protoplasts of B. subtilis, but also spheroplasts of E. coli B.

Investigations on the effect of colostrum feeding in 1--4-day-old newborn infants on serum proteins and their immunoglobulins were carried out. The values for serum total proteins, albumin and gamma globulins are higher in colostrum-fed infants than the artificially fed group. Immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin A levels were significantly higher, while immunoglobulin M level was only slightly elevated in the former group. On the other hand, serum total proteins as well as albumin and gamma globulins levels were decreased in lactating compared with non-lactating females, while the alpha and beta globulins levels were higher for lactating than controls. For individual immunoglobulins; IgG level was lower and IgA, IgM levels were higher for lactating than non-lactating females.

The electrolytes sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were determined in both plasma and erythrocytes of 300 PCM subjects and 26 parallel healthy controls. The results obtained revealed that: The level of plasma sodium was lower than normal in all PCM cases except in marasmic kwashiorkor. The RBC's sodium content was more or less not affected. Plasma potassium level was markedly lower than normal in all groups of malnourished subjects. RBC's potassium was significantly lower than normal in severe K.W.O. and marasmic kwashiorkor, while it was high in 3rd grade marasmus. Magnesium level was lower than normal in both plasma and RBC's in all malnourished subjects. Calcium level dropped in plasma and was elevated in RBC's. Estimation of RBC's minerals may be useful in reflecting the concerned changes in tissues of PCM subjects.

159 cases of different forms of PCM (K.W.O., marasmic K.W.O., marasmus & nutritional oedema together with 20 cases normal healthy controls were selected. Serum, red blood cells and liver cholinesterases were estimated together with serum total protein and serum albumin. Pathological liver examination was done for every case, some cases from each group were followed-up till clinical recovery and the same investigations were done to them. The results indicate that the serum and hepatic pseudo-cholinesterase activity parallels directly the serum albumin (not the total proteins) as well as the pathological changes in the liver. The diminution in enzymatic activities and serum proteins coincides with the severity of the liver affection in the various forms of PCM. Insignificant change in true cholinesterase was demonstrated in all cases studied. Follow-up studies in a number of cases till clinical recovery revealed the return to normal of enzymatic activity and serum albumin is concomitant with restoration of normal pathological liver finding. The significance of changes in serum and liver cholinesterase activities as indices of the extent of liver involvement as well as their diagnostic and prognostic values was discussed.

Study of serum and urinary enzyme pattern in nephropathies revealed that before treatment, cases of both acute nephritis and nephrotic syndrome were found to have an increased activity of the three enzymes studied in both serum and urine (Alkaline and acid phosphatases and Lactic dehydrogenase). However, there was no constant correlation between the level of serum and urinary enzyme activities. Distorted pattern of the enzymes has a more protracted course in nephrotics. After treatment, serum and urinary enzymes tended to normalise in cases of acute glomerulonephritis. However, urinary alkaline phosphatase remained high nephrotics after clinical remission. In some cases of acute nephritis, a persistently high level of serum enzyme may indicate an incipient nephrotic element. Nephrotics not responding to the four weeks course of corticosteroid therapy have persistently high serum and urinary enzyme activities. Thus, estimation of serum and urinary enzyme pattern in nephropathies may be of diagnostic and prognostic value.

This study deals with investigations in diabetic disorders. Experiments were carried out on alloxan-induced diabetes in albino rats. Blood glucose, keto acids, and glutathione were determined before and after induction of alloxan diabetes. Blood glucose and keto acids showed an increase after administration of alloxan. Glutathione showed a drop after 1/2 hour, then began to increase till it reached its normal level after 48 hours from the beginning of the diabetic state. The results are discussed.

A great number of Egyptian workers and farmers are seeking settlement in Iraq and some of them proved to have either Schistosoma Haematobium (S.h.) or Schistosoma mansoni (S.m) or even mixed infection. Besides, there is the possibility that some of the Iraqi fresh water snails may prove to be susceptible to infection by one or both of the Schistosoma Egyptian strains. The present study deals with investigations on the susceptibility of Iraqi B. truncatus, Gyranaulus ehrenbergi, Physa c.f. fontinalis, Lymnea lagetis, Melanoides tuberculata and Melanopsis nodes by these parasites. Egyptian S. haematobium but not Egyptian S. mansoni infect Iraqi B. truncatus and both proved to be unable to infect any of the other snails included in the study. Yet, the number of cercariae shedded by B. truncatus snails infected with the Egyptian S. haematobium strain, was much less that the number of cercariae shedded by these snails when infected with the Iraqi S. Haematobium strain.

Total protein, total amino acid, creatinine and the 5 major protein fractions were determined in amniotic fluid samples from 42 normal and 12 premature neonates. Total protein, albumin, globulin, total amino acid, creatinine and A/G ratio were significantly lower in the 6 premature infants who developed the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) than in the controls. The alpha 1, alpha 2 and gamma globulin levels were within the normal ranges. In the 4 premature stillborn babies, total protein and globulins were significantly higher than those of the controls, while the albumin, total amino acid and creatinine levels were normal. A/G ratio for this group was still lower than that for the former group and much lower than the control ratio. The remaining 2 premature alive infants showed a significant decrease in the alpha 1, alpha 2 globulins and creatinine levels. Slight increase in total amino acid, and significant increase in the beta globulin, while total protein, albumin, gamma globulin and A/G ratio were within the normal ranges.

Total proteins, electrophoretic analysis, biological lethality, and phospholipase activity of five members of the Cerastes-viper species living along the Nile Valley were investigated. Elevation of environmental temperature was accompanied with high values for these indices. It is concluded that zoological distribution and environmental conditions could influence the overall biological behaviour of snake venoms of the same species.

The level of total amino acids was determined in plasma and urine in cases suffering from ocdematous forms of PCM before and after receiving a single dose of each of cysteine, tryptophan and lysine. The increase in plasma amino acids following dosing was less in malnourished cases than in controls. Fasting urinary amino acid content in malnourished subjects was higher than in controls and so was also the ratio of urine amino acids collected after dosing to the fasting level. As the study revealed that protein depletion inhibits intestinal absorption and tubular reabsorption, parenteral administration of amino acids is recommended during treatment to escape intestinal loss. Excess oral protein should be given in food to compensate for losses via the gastro-intestinal and renal tracts.

Amniotic fluid total lipids (T.L.), lipid phosphorus (L.Ph.), phospholipids (Ph.L.), total cholesterol (T.Ch.), total proteins (T.P.) and inorganic phosphorus (I.Ph) were determined in a number of high risk pregnancies and compared to parallel data obtained for full term normal pregnancies. Amniotic fluid T.L., L.Ph., Ph.L. and T.Ch. were significantly decreased in diabetic and toxaemic cases. The decrement in L.Ph. and Ph.L. was more pronounced in diabetic and toxaemic mothers who delivered either still-births or neonates suffering from RDS or in cases of intrapartum death. The L.Ph. and Ph.L. were increased in case of toxaemic mothers who delivered living neonates with no RDS. In spite of the increase in T.Ch. in the same cases; the ratio of T.Ch to T.L. was constant except in cases with prolonged intrauterine foetal death where it was increased.

Whole saliva protein as well as the separated protein components were estimated in normal and malnourished Egyptian infants and young children. In normal, 8 protein components (Albumin, alpha1-antitrypsin, haptoglobin, beta2-lipoprotein, transferrin, IgA, IgM and IgG) were detected, while in PCM cases two more components (prealbumin and alpha2-macroglobulin) were found. The results also showed that the level of salivary protein components are markedly increased in edematous cases. In non-edeomatous ones, the level of these constituents are slightly increased in 3rd marasmus, but diminished in 2nd grade. It is concluded that the elevation of protein components in saliva of edematous cases could be a result of severe glandular tissue involvement as compared to controls and non-edematous cases. The value of IgA immunoglobulin as specific antibody originated from blood plasma and/or salivary glands may be used to reflect the extent of tissue affection in salivary glands of malnourished cases.

Total proteins, total-acids, creatinine and the five major protein-fractions were determined in amniotic fluid of 9 diabetic mothers and 42 normal women. The mean value of the estimated patterns in the diabetic subgroup of living full-term infants was within normal, except a significant decrease in creatinine, albumin and gamma-globulin. A highly significant decrease in albumin, gamma-globulin and total amino acids in the amniotic fluid of those given stillbirth infants (SB), while a significant increase was found in both of total proteins and albumin in cases developed respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). In addition to a significant increase in creatinine, alpha 1-, alpha 2- and beta-globulins in both subgroups of SB and RDS. The A/G ratio of the 3 subgroups were significantly decreased especially those of SB.

A number of 21 diabetic juveniles and 20 controls comprised the material of this study. Serum total proteins and their electrophoretic separated fractions were estimated. Serum free amino acids were also investigated. Results showed that serum proteins were within normal range. An average increase of 49.5% in total free amino acids was reported. In general, the data for all the detected amino acids showed an average increase when compared with normal values. The significance of these findings in relation to the normal values were discussed.

Under the effect of carbon-disulphide intoxication on the experimental animals, a significant decrease in serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels was observed. The decrease was aggravated with prolongation of carbon disulphide intoxication due to loss of appetite, formation of chelating compounds with carbon disulphide metabolites and increased loss of copper in urine. However, reinvestigated at 20 days after stoppage of dosage, most of these derangements started to be alleviated.

In the present work antigenization with somatic and metabolic antigens of adult Schistosoma mansoni worms, their cercariae or eggs has been tried. The study of the immunoglobulin patterns in infected and vaccinated non infected mice showed increase in IgG in all animals, increase in IgM only in the infected and IgA was frequently increased in mice that received metabolic or egg antigens. As regards the degree of resistance of vaccinated animals to S. mansoni infection, 2 groups gave prominent results. 1st the group vaccinated with Schistosoma mansonmetabolic worm antigen in which we got: -- Reduction in the worm load. -- Delayed ovulation and reduction in the number of ova/24 hr stools and/g of liver tissue. -- The histopathological picture of the liver was the best. 2nd the group vaccinated with egg antigen: Although it showed delayed ovulation and reduction in the ova count per 4 hr stools and/g liver tissue, yet the histopathological picture was the worst showing the largest granulomata.

A purified Naja haje antivenin was tested against Egyptian N. haje and N. nigricollis venoms, Indian N. naja venom, Iranian N. naja oxiana, Vipera lebetina, and V. persica venoms, and Echis carinatus venom from both Iran and Egypt. The different elapid venoms, with the exception of that of N. naja oxiana, showed a considerable number of identical and similar precipitin components by immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis. On the other hand, only a few identical and partially identical lines were detected when this antiserum was tested against the viper venoms. Cross neutralization tests in mice showed variable degrees of protection by the antiserum against the different venoms studied; there was no direct correlation with the immunodiffusion results.

Total lipids, total cholesterol, phospholipids and inorganic phosphorus were determined in the amniotic fluid of 36 normal and 12 premature neonates. Total lipids, phospholipids and cholesterol were significantly decreased in the premature patients and the extent of decrease was more pronounced in patients who developed respiratory distress syndrome. On the other hand, inorganic phosphorus content of the amniotic fluid was within the normal range.

R.B.C.'s amino acid pattern was investigated in control and PEM subjects. The effect of oral dosing with cysteine, tryptophan and lysine on total amino acid nitrogen level of R.B.C.s was also studied. Results revealed that in moderate and severe kwashiorkor the total essential and non-essential R.B.C.'s amino acids were decreased. In 2nd grade marasmus the total R.B.C.'s amino acids in general showed lower values than normal. After oral administration of the tested amino acids, the transport index calculated as the level of maximum value of the total R.B.C.'s amino acids reached to the fasting level was lower in malnourished cases relative to controls except in 2nd grade marasmic cases given tryptophan or lysine. This criteria was considered to indicate lower rate of amino acid transport to R.B.C.s due to lower concentration in plasma or shift of transport mechanism from active transport to exchange diffusion.

The amino acid pattern in plasma and urine of Bilharzial Egyptian patients with different degrees of complications was investigated. The results obtained showed that in mansoniasis, accumulation of amino acids in the circulation is due to derangement in liver function which retards the utilization of amino acids in protein synthesis particularly in the advanced stage of the disease. This is also in part due to liver cell degeneration which parallel the severity of the infection. Aminoaciduria in haematobiasis is partly an overflow type, while in severe cases urinary tract tissue degeneration may be a participating factor. Aminoaciduria in haematobiasis is due to haematuria and urinary tract tissue degeneration.