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Dihydrofolate (dihydrofolic acid, vitamin B9) is one of the principle reduced forms of folates, which is converted to tetrahydrofolate by dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). The aim of the present stud...

In Egypt, using agricultural drainage water is a serious challenge for fish farming, due to water scaristy. Metals could be a potential threat to the quality of the cultured fish. Thus, this study aimed to assess the content of the metals in the cultured fish, their effect on the fish tissues, and the possible human health risk upon their consumption. This accomplished firstly, by determining the levels of essential Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, beside the top three most toxic metals (Cr, Cd, and Pb) in the edible muscles and liver of 200 samples of Oreochromis niloticus cultured at three fish farms, using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The results showed the order of abundance: Fe > Zn > Cu ≥ Cr > Mn > Pb > Cd. Levels of Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu in the fish liver were higher than corresponding values of muscles by 3, 3, 5, 9 order of magnitude, respectively. The histopathological examination showed alternations in muscles and liver tissues of fish farms irrigated with drainage water. However, the risk assessment indicated the safe human consumption of cultured fish produced from these fish farms.

Cadmium toxicity can disturb brain chemistry leading to depression, anxiety, and weakened immunity. Cadmium disturbs the neurotransmitter dopamine, resulting in low energy, lack of motivation, and depression, which are predisposing factors for violence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ameliorative effect of grape seed extract (GSE) on the brain of 40 male albino rats after exposure to cadmium chloride (Cd) toxicity. The rats were separated into either the control group, the Cd group, the GSE group, or the GSE and Cd mixture (treated) group. The cerebrum showed evidence of degeneration of some nerve fibers and cells. Fibrosis, vacuolations, and congestion in the blood vessels were demonstrated. Satelletosis was located in the capsular cells. Immunohistochemical expression of Bax was strongly positive in the Cd group and decreased in the treated group. These histopathological changes were decreased in the brain tissue of the treated group, but a few blood vessels still had evidence of congestion. Cadmium administration increased the level of MDA and decreased MAO-A, acetylcholinesterase, and glutathione reductase (GR), while the treatment with GSE affected the alterations in these parameters. In addition, cadmium downregulated the mRNA expression levels of GST and GPx, while GSE treatment normalized the transcript levels. The expression of both dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter was downregulated in the rats administered cadmium and the addition of GSE normalized the expression of these aggression associated genes.

Exposure to high altitudes is associated with hypoxia and increased vulnerability to oxidative stress. Polycythemia (increased number of circulating erythrocytes) develops to compensate the high altitude associated hypoxia. Iron supplementation is, thus, recommended to meet the demand for the physiological polycythemia. Iron is a major player in redox reactions and may exacerbate the high altitudes-associated oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to explore the potential iron-induced oxidative lung tissue injury in rats at high altitudes (6000ft above the sea level). Iron supplementation (2mg elemental iron/kg, once daily for 15days) induced histopathological changes to lung tissues that include severe congestion, dilatation of the blood vessels, emphysema in the air alveoli, and peribronchial inflammatory cell infiltration. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), lipid peroxidation product and protein carbonyl content in lung tissues were significantly elevated. Moreover, the levels of reduced glutathione and total antioxidant capacity were significantly reduced. Co-administration of trolox, a water soluble vitamin E analog (25mg/kg, once daily for the last 7days of iron supplementation), alleviated the lung histological impairments, significantly decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines, and restored the oxidative stress markers. Together, our findings indicate that iron supplementation at high altitudes induces lung tissue injury in rats. This injury could be mediated through excessive production of reactive oxygen species and induction of inflammatory responses. The study highlights the tissue injury induced by iron supplementation at high altitudes and suggests the co-administration of antioxidants such as trolox as protective measures.

Taif-roses are a famous rose type that cultivated i n Taif region and well known with their deep and in tensive fragrance in the Arabian World. Despite of the grea t economical importance of Taif-roses for the kingd om of Saudi Arabia, their genetic origin has not been yet elucidated. The present study was mainly aimed to assess the genetic relationship between Taif-roses and som e rose genotypes that grown in some kingdom neighboring countries using molecular markers and aromatic amino acids contents. Three Taif-roses genotypes namely Hada, Shafa-1 and Shafa-2 were compared to nine different rose genotypes that are grown in Egypt and S yria. Out of 12 RAPD, 8 ISSR and 8 SSR primers used, clear and repeatable band profile of 8, 6 and 7 primers was obtained from the three markers, respectively. Tota l of 111, 64 and 15 bands with polymorohism of 96.4, 90.6 and 93.3% were obtained using RAPD, ISSR and SSR, respectively. The discriminating power of the three markers has led to efficient grouping of the 12 ros e genotypes using Unweighted Pair Group Method (UPGMA). Among the 12 genotypes, Syrian-Gory rose shown the highest genetic similarity of 75, 92 and 65% with the three Taif-roses genotypes Hada, Shafa-1 and Shafa-2, respectively. The established dendr ogram was clearly separated the 12 rose genotypes into fo ur major groups in which the three Taif-roses genot ypes were clustered in the same group with the Gory rose -Syrian genotype. Moreover, the data revealed that among the studied rose genotypes, the contents of aromati c amino acids in Syrian-Gory rose and the Taif rose -Hada was the highest and followed by the Egyptian Balady rose 1. While Dutch rose 1, 2, 3 and Dutch tulip 1 , 2 were recorded to be the lowest. Together, these res ults indicate that Taif-rose has closed genetic rel ations to the Gory rose-Syrian cultivated in Syria. Additiona lly, a reproducible protocol for In vitro propagation, of Taif-rose genotype (Hada) was developed.

Rhazya stricta plants have always played a major role in the treatment of human and animal diseases and it has main role in the folk medicine. The aim of this study was to explore the potential antimicrobial activities of the aqueous leaves extract of R. stricta on Gram-negative and Gram-positive food-borne bacteria and evaluate the antimicrobial effect at the molecular level. The results indicate that the aqueous leaves extract of R. stricta exhibited the antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms. A clear, but significantly smaller, inhibition zones were formed after the treatment of two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Aeromonas hydrophila) and one Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) with the aqueous leaves extract of R. stricta (50 mg) comparing with those formed after the treatment with streptomycin (15 mg). Moreover, the results obtained after the treatments of bacterial strains with elevated concentrations of aqueous extracts of the wild plant of R. stricta leaves reveled that the extract has potent lethal activities as the growth turbidity decreased as the concentration or time of exposure increased. In addition, the observation by the scanning electron microscope showed that cells of the bacterial strains were damaged after the treatment with plant extracts. The noticed antimicrobial effect was explored at the molecular level, using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the plasmid DNA and random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of the genomic DNA extracted from the control (untreated) and R. stricta leaf extract-treated bacterial strains. The results demonstrate polymorphic band pattern for most treated microbes compared with the wild type (untreated) strain. Concerning gene expression under the same conditions, total protein contents of the three treated bacteria showed significantly gradual increase in all of the treatment doses compared to control. In addition, the SDS-PAGE of the bacterial cellular proteins resulted in the induction of some protein bands under the treatment conditions. All these results strongly point out the mutagenicity, lethal and antimicrobial effect of the leaves extract of R. stricta. The results indicate the possibility of using the leaves extract of R. stricta as a source of antibacterial compounds for treatment of infections caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens.Keywords: Medicinal plants, Rhazya stricta, antimicrobial, mutagenicity, RAPD, RFLP, SEM, E. coli, S. aureus ,A. hydrophilaAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(21), pp. 3171-3180

The prevalence of autism in Saudi Arabia is 18 per 10,000, higher than the 13 per 10,000 reported in developed countries. The etiology of autism is still not completely understood. Different studies support the involvement of dopaminergic neurotransmitter system in the etiology of autism. Several lines of evidences suggest the role of some dopamine related genes, such as DRD1 and SLC6A3 in the etiology of autism. The aim of the present work was to study the possible role of rs2550936 A/C polymorphism at SLC6A3 locus as well as rs4532 A/G polymorphism at DRD1 locus in the etiology of autism among Saudi population. The polymorphisms of DRD1 and LC6A3 were genotyped in the case-control study using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Significant association as risk factor was found between autism and GA genotype of DRD1 [OR = 3.5 CI (1.04, 12.41*)] as well as CA genotype of SLC6A3 [OR = 2.53 CI (1.03, 6.26*)], while CC genotype of SLC6A3 revealed protective effect. In conclusion, possible risk genotypes for autism in the DRD1 and SLC6A3 genes were observed. This is the first report in Saudi Arabia population and Arab world. Therefore further investigations of these markers and other SNPs of SLC6A3 and DRD1 genes are considered in large replication samples with other causal factors to enable positive identification of risk genotypes and generalize obtained results. Key words : Etiology, polymorphism, autism, genotype.

Mobile phones are increasingly used by professionals, university staffs and health care personnel for communication. These can harbor various potential pathogens. This study evaluates and identifies the bacterial contamination rate of mobile phones in the university setting that are in frequent contact with faculty members, personnel, students and/or physicians and nurses in the university clinic. A total of 101 mobile phones belonging to different categories working in various departments at Taif University, KSA were screened for microorganisms’ contamination. Out of the total 101 mobile phones, growth was obtained in 78 (77.2%) mobile phones; 70 (89.7%) from staffs, personnel, students and 8 (10.3%) from clinical workers. Staphylococcus spp and Bacillus spp were the most commonly isolated organisms. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus was the most frequently isolated; 60 (27.12%). The efficacy of decontamination with 70% isopropyl alcohol was found to be 71.3%, as only 29 mobile phones showed growth after decontamination. It was found that around 61.5% of the mobile phones of health care workers at university clinic were contaminated and thus acted as a potential source of nosocomial infections. According to morphological, physiological characteristics, APi profiles and sequencing of 16S-rRNA gene, the selected eight isolates were identified as Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus succinus, Staphylococcus xylosus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Based on random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR), 32 unique RAPD fragments were identified among the selected isolates. Such unique fragments could be considered as specific markers and might be utilized in tracking the bacterial isolates. Key words : Mobile phones, contamination, pathogen carriers, coagulase negative staphylococci, Bacillus species, 16S-rRNA, random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR).

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood behavioral disorders characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. In Saudi Arabia the prevalence of combined ADHD is 16.4 %. ADHD etiology is not clear and not completely understood. There are several evidences for involvement of dopaminergic, serotonergic and noradrenergic neurotransmitter systems in the pathogenesis of ADHD. Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA) is involved in the degradation of all three of these neurotransmitters. Dopamine Transporter 1 (DAT1) plays an important role in controlling blood levels of dopamine. The aim of the present study is to investigate the association between ADHD and polymorphisms of MAOA 30 bp-promoter VNTR and DAT1 40 bp 3′ UTRVNTR in Saudi population. PCR technique was employed to detect polymorphisms of MAOA and DAT1 genes in a sample of 120 ADHD subjects and 160 controls. Alleles and genotypes frequencies for both of MAOA and DAT1 polymorphisms were compared among ADHD subjects against controls. Association between ADHD and alleles as well as genotypes for each studied polymorphisms was tested by odds ratio (OR) test and the magnitude of this association was estimated by 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI). A significant association was found between two MAOA genotypes 3/4 and 3/2 with ADHD (P

Problem statement: Very little is known about the genetic diversity and morphological variability present in barley landrace in KSA, a country experiencing loss of biodiversity because of replacement of landraces with modern landraces. Approach: The molecular markers RAPD and ISSR were used as an efficient tools to estimate the intra-and inter-cultivar polymorphism among six barley KSA landraces collected from different geographical regions in order to assess the genetic relationships and develop cultivar-specific molecular fingerprints. The long term objective was to use these fingerprints to identify molecular markers that co-segregate and could be used in isolating gene(s) which controlling some important traits, thereafter could be used in breeding programs (marker assisted selection). Results: Out of 20 and 10 primers of RAPD and ISSR, respectively, a clear and reproducible band profile of 13 RAPD primers and 7 ISSR primers were obtained. In RAPD analyses, 61 out of 111 bands (54.6%) were polymorphic. The number of alleles ranged from 5-15 per primer, with an average of 8.54 per primer. In ISSR analyses, a total of 53 alleles were detected, among which 16 alleles (30.2%) were polymorphic. The number of alleles per primer ranged from 5-10 with an average of 7.57 alleles per ISSR primer. The mean Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) values were 0.45 and 0.37 for RAPD and ISSR markers, respectively. Conclusion: ISSR is better than RAPD to detect genetic diversity among the barley landraces. The RAPD’s and ISSR’s have confirmed each other and the ISSR results are more realistic comparing to RAPD results regarding to the geographical distribution of the six barley landraces. The outcome of this investigation can help strengthen the exiting pool of information on barley that may help assess national barley programs in KSA.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major health hazard worldwide. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) represent a part of risk factors that contributes to cardiovascular disease. SNP in the coagulation factor V genes have been shown to play a role in the development of cardiovascular disease. Coagulation Factor V is an enzyme cofactor of the coagulation system and contributes to a normal haemostatic balance. The His1299Arg polymorphism in the Factor V gene has been identified and linked to hereditary thrombophilia. The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence of HR2 haplotype and allele frequency of His1299Arg polymorphism in the Factor V gene among randomly selected healthy individuals from Taif population which belonging to western region of Saudi Arabia. Genotyping of this SNP was carried out via CVD StripAssay, which based on a polymerase chain reaction-reverse hybridization technique. Two hundred healthy unrelated individuals were included in the study. Seventeen out of the studied population (8.5%) had the HR2 haplotype; 14 (7%) were heterozygous (R1/R2), and three (1.5%) were homozygous (R2/R2), with an allelic frequency of 0.05. This is the first report for a Saudi Arabian population that estimates the prevalence of HR2 haplotype and its allele frequencies. In conclusion, the His1299Arg mutant was noticeable within population of western Saudi Arabia. Further larger studies are needed to (1) estimate the prevalence of this mutant among individuals belonging to different KSA locations (2) assess the relative contribution of this mutational event separately and in combination with other thrombophilic polymorphisms in the etiology of cardiovascular disease in KSA.

This work was carried out in order to develop early flowering barley lines. These lines will be useful to producers by enabling multiple crops within a single season and increasing production. Transgenic barley plants containing the natural early flowering time AtCRY2 allele from the Cape Verde Island (Cvi) ecotype of Arabidopsis have been generated using biolistic transformation. Immature embryo derived calli of two commercially important barley cultivars (El-Dwaser and El-Taif), were transformed using a pCAMBIA-2300 plasmid harboring a genomic fragment containing the AtCRY2-Cvi allele. Transformation was performed utilizing 600 immature embryos for each cultivar. Stable transformation was confirmed in T 0 and T 1 plants by using genomic PCR, RT-PCR and western blot analysis with AtCRY2 specific primers and antibodies, respectively. The transformation efficiency was 5.6% and 3.4% for El-Dwaser and El-Taif cultivars, respectively. Seeds from several T 1 lines were germinated on kanamycin plates and the lines that contained a single locus were selected for further evaluation. The transformed barley plants showed the specific AtCRY2-Cvi flowering phenotype, i.e. early flowering and day length insensitivity, compared to the non transgenic plants. The time to flowering in transgenic T 1 plants was assessed and two lines exhibited flowering more than 25 days earlier than the parental cultivars under short day conditions.

Problem statement: Laboratory diagnosis of breast cancer in most of the hospitals has traditionally been performed using cell culture and the direct hormone receptor assay, which are money and time consuming. Approach: This study was performed in order to direct the attention toward increasing the efficiency of early diagnosis in clinical laboratories at the western region of KSA and Egypt using recent PCR-dependent protocols i.e., Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD’s) and Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Expression of HER4 oncogene using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining have been assessed as early diagnostic for breast cancer. RT-PCR has detected HER4 expression in 52% of Invasive Duct breast Cancer (IDC) and this expression was significantly correlated with HER4 gene expression by IHC. Also we have selected sixteen 10-mer RAPD primers that have shown high percentage of identity to exons of different human oncogenes, such as V-myc, HER2, HER4, BRCA1 and BRCA2. Results: Only 13 out of the selected RAPD primers have revealed 19 distinguishable polymorphic markers between patient and normal females. Moreover, analysis of total protein profile identified extra markers and some differences at the level of Low Molecular Weight (LMW) protein among the two classes of females. Conclusion: These data will provide molecular, biochemical and pathological markers that can be used in KSA and Egypt clinical laboratories as additional efficient tools for early diagnosis of breast cancer.

Kalabsha area is known to be the most seismo-active zone at the southwestern region of the Aswan High Dam, in southern Egypt. The main purpose of this work is the analysis and interpretation of satellite imagery, aeromagnetic and ground gravity data of Kalabsha area in order to reveal the subsurface lithology and structure. The Landsat ETM+ data were produced in a false-color composite image (bands 1, 2 and 3 in RGB) at the same scale as the geological map in order to reveal some extra geological and structural features. An attempt has been made to analyse the complex nature of gravity and magnetic anomalies over the Kalabsha area to reveal their relationship with surface geology, structure and tectonics setting. These analyses include isolation of anomalies into regional and residual components using the band-pass filter, second vertical derivatives (SVD), upward continuation, and shadowgrams technique. It was noticed that, there is close correlation between gravity, magnetic and many of the major surface geological features of the region. The basement structural map of Kalabsha area has been prepared from the integration of SVD of regional component maps of both gravity and magnetic. The interpretation of the basement tectonic map of the area indicated the presence of two sets of faults NNW–SSE to N–S which is dissected by an E–W to WNW–ESE fault system. These two sets of fault systems as deduced from the gravity and aeromagnetic data were found to match well with that obtained from the Landsat image and geological map.

The area of study is located to the south east of Aswan occupying part of Nasser Lake in its western section. Nasser Lake is contemplated as a source of tectonic instability and earthquake activities in Aswan region. Most of this activity was recorded in the western side of the lake, coincides with the intersections of the two major fault systems, trending in the NS and EW directions. Therefore, mapping the subsurface structures in the study area can shed more light on the structural setting of this zone of the lake and its relation to tectonic instability. This study presents the analysis and interpretation of aeromagnetic data to map the subsurface structural framework of the area around the Lake. Structural interpretation of the magnetic data was achieved through applying advanced interpretation techniques that provide automatic delineation and depth estimation of the magnetic structures. These techniques include Horizontal Gradient, Euler deconvolution and Local wave number. The structure locations and depths obtained from these methods were integrated to delineate the tectonic framework of the area. The mapped structures reveal that the area is affected by a set of faults trending mainly in the NW-SE, EW, NS and NE-SW directions. Moreover, the area is dissected by basement uplifts and troughs controlled mainly by the NW-SE faults.

Ratio subtraction and isosbestic point methods are 2 innovating spectrophotometric methods used to determine vincamine in the presence of its acid degradation product and a mixture of cinnarizine (CN) and nicergoline (NIC). Linear correlations were obtained in the concentration range from 840 g/mL for vincamine (I), 622 g/mL for CN (II), and 636 g/mL for NIC (III), with mean accuracies 99.72 0.917 for I, 99.91 0.703 for II, and 99.58 0.847 and 99.83 1.039 for III. The ratio subtraction method was utilized for the analysis of laboratory-prepared mixtures containing different ratios of vincamine and its degradation product, and it was valid in the presence of up to 80 degradation product. CN and NIC in synthetic mixtures were analyzed by the 2 proposed methods with the total content of the mixture determined at their respective isosbestic points of 270.2 and 235.8 nm, and the content of CN was determined by the ratio subtraction method. The proposed method was validated and found to be suitable as a stability-indicating assay method for vincamine in pharmaceutical formulations. The standard addition technique was applied to validate the results and to ensure the specificity of the proposed methods.

A high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for determination of meclophenoxate hydrochloride (I) in the presence of its degradation product (p-chlorophenoxy acetic acid) (II). Separation of (I) from (II) was performed using a ZORBAX ODS column with a mobile phase consisting of 0.2% triethylamine in 0.01 M ammonium carbonate: acetonitrile (70:30 v/v). The method showed high sensitivity with good linearity over the concentration range of 50 to 400 mug/ml. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of a pharmaceutical formulation containing (I) with excellent recovery. A kinetics investigation of the alkaline hydrolysis of (I) was carried out in sodium hydroxide solutions of 1, 1.5 and 2 N by monitoring the parent compound itself. The reaction order of (I) followed pseudo-first order kinetics. The activation energy could be estimated from the Arrhenius plot and it was found to be 12.331 kcal/mole.

In this study, a protocol for in vitro propagation of Rosa hybrida L. cv. Al-Taif Rose was established using nodal segments harboring axillary buds as explants. In vitro stages of shoot initiation, multiplication and elongation were performed. Explants were cultured on solid Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with different concentrations of benzyl aminopurine (BAP, 1, 2 and 3 mg/l) in combination with 1 mg/l kinetin (Kn). Effect of different concentrations and combinations of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) on root formation of shoots were studied. The highest percentage of shoot initiation (85%) was observed on MS medium containing 2 mg/l BAP + 1 mg/l Kn, whereas maximum average number of multiplied shoots (2.7) was produced on MS medium with 3 mg/l BAP + 1 mg/l Kn. Highest average number of elongated shoots (26.7) was noticed on MS medium containing 1 mg/l BAP and 1 mg/l Kn. For rooting, highest percentage (66.7%) of rooted shoots was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l IBA. Plantlets with 4 to 5 roots of 3 to 5 cm length were successfully transferred to pots containing sterile peat moss for acclimatization. Keywords: Rosa hybrid L. cv. Al-Taif Rose, axillary bud explants, in vitro propagation, multiplication, acclimatization

A first-derivative spectrophotometric (1D) method and a derivative-ratio zero-crossing spectrophotometric (1DD) method were used to determine pyritinol dihydrochloride (I) in the presence of its precursor (II) and its degradation product (III) with 0.1N hydrochloric acid as a solvet. Linear relationships were obtained in the ranges of 6–22 μg/mL for the (1D) method and 6–20 μg/mL for the (1DD) method. By applying the proposed methods, it was possible to determine pyritinol dihydrochloride in its pure powdered form with an accuracy of 100.36 ± 1.497% (n = 9) for the (1D) method and an accuracy of 99.92 ± 1.172% (n = 8) for the (1DD) method. Laboratory-prepared mixtures containing different ratios of (I), (II), and (III) were analyzed, and the proposed methods were valid for concentrations of ≤10% (II) and ≤50% (III). The proposed methods were validated and found to be suitable as stability-indicating assay methods for pyritinol in pharmaceutical formulations.

Three methods are presented for the determination of trimetazidine dihydrochloride in the presence of its acid-induced degradation products. The first method was based on measurement of first-derivative D1 value of trimetazidine dihydrochloride at 282 nm over a concentration range of 8.00–56.00 μg/mL with mean percentage accuracy of 99.80 ± 1.17. The second method was based on first derivative of the ratio spectra DD1 at 282 nm over the same concentration range with the percentage accuracy of 99.14 ± 0.68. The third method was based on separation of trimetazidine dihydrochloride from its acid-induced degradation products followed by densitometric measurement of the spots at 215 nm. The separation was performed on silica gel 60 F254 using methanol–ammonia (100 + 1.5, v/v) as mobile phase. This method was applicable for determination of the intact drug in the presence of its degradation products over a concentration range of 2.00–9.00 μg/spot with mean percentage accuracy of 99.86 ± 0.92. The proposed methods were successfully applied for the determination of trimetazidine dihydrochloride in bulk powder, laboratory-prepared mixtures containing different percentages of degradation products, and pharmaceutical dosage forms. The validity of results was assessed by applying the standard addition technique. The results obtained agreed statistically with those obtained by the reported method.

Iron supplementation is recommended at high altitudes to meet the demand for the high altitude-associated physiological polycythemia. Iron is a major player in redox reactions and may exacerbate th...

Assessment of the genetic variability within barley landraces is fundamental for barley breeding. In this study, 16 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) markers were used to characterize selected six barley landraces from different cultivated regions in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) (Gizan, Bahah, Taif, Asser, Qassem and Hail). Amplification of SSRs loci were obtained for 15 primer pairs and only seven among them showed clear polymorphic patterns. These seven primers produce total of 16 alleles with scorable fragment size ranging from approximately 100 to 275 bp. The number of alleles per marker ranged from 1 to 3 with an average of 2.29 alleles per locus. The data generated by these seven primers were sufficient to discriminate the analyzed barley genotypes. Using the unweighed pair-group method using arithmetic averages (UPGMA) cluster analysis, barley landraces were clustered together with respect to their geographical location. These results could be used for barley germplasm management in terms of biodiversity protection and design of new crosses. The present results demonstrate that SSR markers were highly informative and were useful in generating a meaningful classification of barley germplasm.Key words: Barley, landraces, genetic diversity, molecular markers, microsatellite simple sequence repeat (SSR).

A sensitive stability indicating method for the determination of nizatidine in the presence of its degradation products is developed. The proposed method is based on measuring the peak heights of the first derivative spectra at 680 nm of the blue reaction product developed from the reaction of nizatidine with 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone (MBTH) in the presence of ferric chloride. The concentration of MBTH, and type of oxidising agent and its concentration were studied over time. The suggested procedure is simple, rapid and readily adaptable for the determination of pure nizatidine in bulk powder. Laboratory prepared mixtures and pharmaceutical preparations in the range of 1.6–8 μg · ml−1 of reaction mixture can be analysed. The results obtained were compared statistically with those obtained by applying the official USP XXIII (1995) method. Furthermore, the validity of the results was assessed by applying the standard addition technique.

Spectrophotometric methods were developed for the determination of glafenine and floctafenine. The first method depends upon the determination of glafenine in raw material and tablets as well as in the presence of its main degradation product glafenic acid (up to 40%). Differential first derivative spectral response at 245 nm in 0.1 N hydrochloric acid, where the corresponding degradation product exhibits no contribution in 0.1 N sodium hydroxide. The method allows the determination of 2.5-30 microg ml(-1). The second method depends upon the reaction of floctafenine with 2,3-dichloro 5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ) in acetonitrile to give highly colored complex that could be measured quantitatively at (about) lambda(max) 538 nm. The method permits the determination of 40-180 microg ml(-1) or by measuring the first derivative spectral response of the color at 610 nm. The method permits the determination of floctafenine in presence of thiocolchicoside. The methods mentioned both simplicity and sensitivity, having excellent precision and accuracy (100.31 +/- 0.63, 100.78 +/- 0.77 and 99.90 +/- 0.56 for glafenine and floctafenine, respectively). The results were of comparable accuracy and reproducibility with the reported methods.

Three selected uncloned Pop 2, Pop 3, Pop 4 and two cloned cell lines Pop cl1A and Pop cl2B were derived from the original cell line established from Phthorimaea operculella (ORS-Pop-93). Three new non-selected cell lines ORS-Pop-94A, ORS-Pop-94B and ORS-Pop-95 were also established from embryos of the same insect. Differences in morphology, growth rate and polypeptide profile were determined between these cell lines. All the cell lines were susceptible to the Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV). The cloned cell lines produced higher levels of AcMNPV (TCID-50 and PIB) than the parental cells and at the same rate as the Sf9 reference cell line. Substantial amounts of viral DNA were synthesized in the clone Pop cl 2B after infection with the granulosis virus of the potato tuber moth P. operculella (PTMGV) and a complete multiplication was obtained in the ORS-Pop-95 cell line. The comparison between Pop cell lines which support limited or complete replication of certain baculoviruses can offer insights into some of the molecular barriers which restrict the host range of these viruses. These cell lines with variable susceptibility to baculoviruses could also be used for in vitro recombinations, increasing their virus host range to be used for the control of this pest.

A colorimetric method for the quantitative determination of diclofenac sodium and mefenamic acid in pure form and in pharmaceutical preparations was developed. It was based on the inter-action of the secondary aromatic amine with p-dimethyl-aminocinnamaldhyde in acidified absolute methanol medium to form very stable red [λmax at 538 nm in case of diclofenac sodium] or blue [λmax at 665 nm in case of mefenamic acid] products. Beer's law was obeyed over the ranges 10–80 μg ml−1 and 1–8 μg ml−1 for diclofenac sodium and mefenamic acid, respectively. The reactants were heated on a boiling water bath for 6 and 5 mins for each drug, respectively. Optimization of the different experimental conditions were studied. The mean percentage recoveries were found to be 100.73 ± 0.87% & 100.73 ± 0.44%, respectively. The method was applied successfully for the determination of some pharmaceutical formulations. The validity of the suggested procedure was assessed by applying the standard addition technique.

FXIII gene Val34Leu variant appears to be associated with decreased risk of myocardial infarction and venous thromboembolism as well as with increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. Fibrinogen β-gene SNP -455G/A are associated with differences in the plasma levels of fibrinogen and severity of arterial disease. The aim of the present work was to study the prevalence of FXIII gene V34L and Fibrinogen β-gene -455G/A SNPs in Saudi population. Among 200 blood samples randomly collected from unrelated healthy Saudi subjects, FXIII gene V34L and Fibrinogen β-gene -455G/A SNPs were genotyped via cardiovascular disease (CVD) StripAssay (ViennaLab, Austria. Homozygous (V/V) and heterozygous (V/L) genotypes were detected with 96 and 4%, respectively, among FXIII gene V34L genotypes, whereas (L/L) genotype was not found. The allele frequency was 0.98 for V allele and 0.02 for L allele. Three genotypes of Fibrinogen β-gene -455G/A SNP (GG, GA and AA) were obtained and its prevalence (%) was 70, 25 and 5, respectively. The frequency of G allele was 0.825 and 0.175 for A allele. Prevalence of FXIII gene Vl34L polymorphism and its allele frequency are in line with other Asian populations. Distribution of β-gene -455G/A genotypes and allele frequency are in accordance with previous reports in different ethnic groups. This is the first time to report these polymorphisms in Saudi Arabia population. This study provides valuable information on Saudi genetic background in comparison with other populations. In addition, it serves as a template for future clinical research involving cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Key words : FXIII gene V34L, fibrinogen β-gene -455G/A, polymorphisms, Saudi Arabia.

An improved protocol for successful micropropagation of the important medicinal plant ‘harmal’ (Rhazya stricta Decne) has been developed. Nodal segments containing axillary buds were surface sterilized and inoculated aseptically on culture medium. The effect of the combinations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kinetin (kin) on shoots initiation, proliferating and elongation of the explants, as well as the effect of Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on root formation were studied. The highest break of axillary buds was achieved in MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L BAP and 1 mg/L kin as 72% of explants showed shoot initiation from the auxiliary buds. When the initiated shoots were sub-cultured in the same medium constitution, the best multiplication frequency was obtained. The proliferated shoot clusters showed higher elongation rate (73%) when it cultured in MS medium supplemented with 3 mg/L BAP and 1 mg/L kin. The best rooting frequency was achieved on full strength MS medium containing 3 mg/L IBA. Key words: Medicinal plants, Rhazya stricta Decne, nodal segments, axiliary buds, micropropation, multiplication.