Background The non-functional ITPArs6051702 gene polymorphism was associated with ribavirin (RBV)-induced reduction in hemoglobin in some populations (1,2). We explored for the first time the relationship between this non-functional variant in addition to the known functional rs1127354 and rs7270101 ones, and the reduction in hematological parameters: hemoglobin, white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets in Egyptian hepatitis patients treated with RBV. Materials and Methods Hundred and twenty-three patients treated with pegylated-interferon (peg-IFN) alpha and RBV have been enrolled. DNA was extracted from buffy coat using Qiagen DNA extraction kits; allelic discrimination was performed for ITPArs6051702, rs1127354 and rs7270101 polymorphisms through real time PCR. Evaluated clinical features were delta hemoglobin, WBCs and platelets reductions at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of therapy. Results We found that the genotypes AC/CC for rs6051702 at week 4 and CA/AA for rs1127354 at week 8 were associated with lower hemoglobin reduction (p = 0.012 and p = 0.019, respectively). Association was found between the presence of at least one variant allele of rs1127354 and less WBCs reduction at week 1 and week 4 (p = 0.038 and 0.020 respectively). Less WBCs reduction at week 1 in AA/AC genotypes of rs7270101 (p = 0.025) has been observed. Multivariate linear regression analysis has been done to detect factors independently associated with hemoglobin reduction at weeks 4, 8 and 12. RBV dose (p = 0.017) and ITPArs6051702 (p = 0.028) were independently associated with hemoglobin reduction at week 4. CA/AA group for rs1127354 (p = 0.005), peg-IFN dose (p = 0.033) and sex (p = 0.036) were independent predictors at week 8. Peg-IFN type (p = 0.001) was the independent predictor at week 12. Conclusions Genotyping of ITPA variants rs6051702 and rs1127354 could be performed to predict anemia before the start of treatment in Egyptian patients. References 1. Fellay J, Thompson J, Ge D, et al. ITPA gene variants protect against anemia in patients treated for chronic hepatitis C. Nature 2010, 464, 405–8. 2. Sakamoto N, Tanaka Y, Nakagawa M, et al. ITPA gene variant protects against anemia induced by pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin therapy for Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C. Hepatology Research 2010,40, 1063–71.

Background The non-functional ITPArs6051702 gene polymorphism was associated with ribavirin (RBV)-induced reduction in hemoglobin in some populations (1,2). We explored for the first time the relationship between this non-functional variant in addition to the known functional rs1127354 and rs7270101 ones, and the reduction in hematological parameters: hemoglobin, white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets in Egyptian hepatitis patients treated with RBV. Materials and Methods Hundred and twenty-three patients treated with pegylated-interferon (peg-IFN) alpha and RBV have been enrolled. DNA was extracted from buffy coat using Qiagen DNA extraction kits; allelic discrimination was performed for ITPArs6051702, rs1127354 and rs7270101 polymorphisms through real time PCR. Evaluated clinical features were delta hemoglobin, WBCs and platelets reductions at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of therapy. Results We found that the genotypes AC/CC for rs6051702 at week 4 and CA/AA for rs1127354 at week 8 were associated with lower hemoglobin reduction (p = 0.012 and p = 0.019, respectively). Association was found between the presence of at least one variant allele of rs1127354 and less WBCs reduction at week 1 and week 4 (p = 0.038 and 0.020 respectively). Less WBCs reduction at week 1 in AA/AC genotypes of rs7270101 (p = 0.025) has been observed. Multivariate linear regression analysis has been done to detect factors independently associated with hemoglobin reduction at weeks 4, 8 and 12. RBV dose (p = 0.017) and ITPArs6051702 (p = 0.028) were independently associated with hemoglobin reduction at week 4. CA/AA group for rs1127354 (p = 0.005), peg-IFN dose (p = 0.033) and sex (p = 0.036) were independent predictors at week 8. Peg-IFN type (p = 0.001) was the independent predictor at week 12. Conclusions Genotyping of ITPA variants rs6051702 and rs1127354 could be performed to predict anemia before the start of treatment in Egyptian patients. References 1. Fellay J, Thompson J, Ge D, et al. ITPA gene variants protect against anemia in patients treated for chronic hepatitis C. Nature 2010, 464, 405–8. 2. Sakamoto N, Tanaka Y, Nakagawa M, et al. ITPA gene variant protects against anemia induced by pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin therapy for Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C. Hepatology Research 2010,40, 1063–71.

Background The non-functional ITPArs6051702 gene polymorphism was associated with ribavirin (RBV)-induced reduction in hemoglobin in some populations (1,2). We explored for the first time the relationship between this non-functional variant in addition to the known functional rs1127354 and rs7270101 ones, and the reduction in hematological parameters: hemoglobin, white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets in Egyptian hepatitis patients treated with RBV. Materials and Methods Hundred and twenty-three patients treated with pegylated-interferon (peg-IFN) alpha and RBV have been enrolled. DNA was extracted from buffy coat using Qiagen DNA extraction kits; allelic discrimination was performed for ITPArs6051702, rs1127354 and rs7270101 polymorphisms through real time PCR. Evaluated clinical features were delta hemoglobin, WBCs and platelets reductions at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of therapy. Results We found that the genotypes AC/CC for rs6051702 at week 4 and CA/AA for rs1127354 at week 8 were associated with lower hemoglobin reduction (p = 0.012 and p = 0.019, respectively). Association was found between the presence of at least one variant allele of rs1127354 and less WBCs reduction at week 1 and week 4 (p = 0.038 and 0.020 respectively). Less WBCs reduction at week 1 in AA/AC genotypes of rs7270101 (p = 0.025) has been observed. Multivariate linear regression analysis has been done to detect factors independently associated with hemoglobin reduction at weeks 4, 8 and 12. RBV dose (p = 0.017) and ITPArs6051702 (p = 0.028) were independently associated with hemoglobin reduction at week 4. CA/AA group for rs1127354 (p = 0.005), peg-IFN dose (p = 0.033) and sex (p = 0.036) were independent predictors at week 8. Peg-IFN type (p = 0.001) was the independent predictor at week 12. Conclusions Genotyping of ITPA variants rs6051702 and rs1127354 could be performed to predict anemia before the start of treatment in Egyptian patients. References 1. Fellay J, Thompson J, Ge D, et al. ITPA gene variants protect against anemia in patients treated for chronic hepatitis C. Nature 2010, 464, 405–8. 2. Sakamoto N, Tanaka Y, Nakagawa M, et al. ITPA gene variant protects against anemia induced by pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin therapy for Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C. Hepatology Research 2010,40, 1063–71.

Background The non-functional ITPArs6051702 gene polymorphism was associated with ribavirin (RBV)-induced reduction in hemoglobin in some populations (1,2). We explored for the first time the relationship between this non-functional variant in addition to the known functional rs1127354 and rs7270101 ones, and the reduction in hematological parameters: hemoglobin, white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets in Egyptian hepatitis patients treated with RBV. Materials and Methods Hundred and twenty-three patients treated with pegylated-interferon (peg-IFN) alpha and RBV have been enrolled. DNA was extracted from buffy coat using Qiagen DNA extraction kits; allelic discrimination was performed for ITPArs6051702, rs1127354 and rs7270101 polymorphisms through real time PCR. Evaluated clinical features were delta hemoglobin, WBCs and platelets reductions at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of therapy. Results We found that the genotypes AC/CC for rs6051702 at week 4 and CA/AA for rs1127354 at week 8 were associated with lower hemoglobin reduction (p = 0.012 and p = 0.019, respectively). Association was found between the presence of at least one variant allele of rs1127354 and less WBCs reduction at week 1 and week 4 (p = 0.038 and 0.020 respectively). Less WBCs reduction at week 1 in AA/AC genotypes of rs7270101 (p = 0.025) has been observed. Multivariate linear regression analysis has been done to detect factors independently associated with hemoglobin reduction at weeks 4, 8 and 12. RBV dose (p = 0.017) and ITPArs6051702 (p = 0.028) were independently associated with hemoglobin reduction at week 4. CA/AA group for rs1127354 (p = 0.005), peg-IFN dose (p = 0.033) and sex (p = 0.036) were independent predictors at week 8. Peg-IFN type (p = 0.001) was the independent predictor at week 12. Conclusions Genotyping of ITPA variants rs6051702 and rs1127354 could be performed to predict anemia before the start of treatment in Egyptian patients. References 1. Fellay J, Thompson J, Ge D, et al. ITPA gene variants protect against anemia in patients treated for chronic hepatitis C. Nature 2010, 464, 405–8. 2. Sakamoto N, Tanaka Y, Nakagawa M, et al. ITPA gene variant protects against anemia induced by pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin therapy for Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C. Hepatology Research 2010,40, 1063–71.

Few data are available concerning the roles of polymorphisms of inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) gene and ribavirin (RBV) transporter genes in the prediction of RBV-induced anemia among Egyptians with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Genotyping of 3 ITPA gene variants and 2 variants of RBV transporter genes has been performed in 123 patients under pegylated interferon-α/ribavirin treatment. The baseline hemoglobin and ITPA rs1127354 CA/AA have been found as predictors of anemia at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of RBV therapy. In addition, ITPA rs7270101 AC/CC and age predicted anemia after 12 weeks of therapy. In conclusion, the ITPA variant rs1127354C>A significantly predict RBV-induced anemia during the first 3 months of treatment and it is recommended to be assessed before RBV administration.

Few data are available concerning the roles of polymorphisms of inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) gene and ribavirin (RBV) transporter genes in the prediction of RBV-induced anemia among Egyptians with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Genotyping of 3 ITPA gene variants and 2 variants of RBV transporter genes has been performed in 123 patients under pegylated interferon-α/ribavirin treatment. The baseline hemoglobin and ITPA rs1127354 CA/AA have been found as predictors of anemia at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of RBV therapy. In addition, ITPA rs7270101 AC/CC and age predicted anemia after 12 weeks of therapy. In conclusion, the ITPA variant rs1127354C>A significantly predict RBV-induced anemia during the first 3 months of treatment and it is recommended to be assessed before RBV administration.

Few data are available concerning the roles of polymorphisms of inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) gene and ribavirin (RBV) transporter genes in the prediction of RBV-induced anemia among Egyptians with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Genotyping of 3 ITPA gene variants and 2 variants of RBV transporter genes has been performed in 123 patients under pegylated interferon-α/ribavirin treatment. The baseline hemoglobin and ITPA rs1127354 CA/AA have been found as predictors of anemia at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of RBV therapy. In addition, ITPA rs7270101 AC/CC and age predicted anemia after 12 weeks of therapy. In conclusion, the ITPA variant rs1127354C>A significantly predict RBV-induced anemia during the first 3 months of treatment and it is recommended to be assessed before RBV administration.

Few data are available concerning the roles of polymorphisms of inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) gene and ribavirin (RBV) transporter genes in the prediction of RBV-induced anemia among Egyptians with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Genotyping of 3 ITPA gene variants and 2 variants of RBV transporter genes has been performed in 123 patients under pegylated interferon-α/ribavirin treatment. The baseline hemoglobin and ITPA rs1127354 CA/AA have been found as predictors of anemia at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of RBV therapy. In addition, ITPA rs7270101 AC/CC and age predicted anemia after 12 weeks of therapy. In conclusion, the ITPA variant rs1127354C>A significantly predict RBV-induced anemia during the first 3 months of treatment and it is recommended to be assessed before RBV administration.

Study of some heavy metal ions in the groundwater at Assiut- Egypt is an essential ingredient for a healthy. The measured ions and water quality parameters such as: (pH, conductivity, salinity , turbidity, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) ,NO2 ,NO3, NH3, SO4 -2, Ca+2, Mg+2 , Pb+2 , Cd+2 , Ni+2, Cu+2, total Fe, Mn+2, total Cr and Total Hardness (TH) were carried out on groundwater samples at different localities in Assiut city and some countryside, Egypt. Classifications of groundwater samples based on groundwater wells depth. Evaluation of the samples for different uses (drinking and domestic uses, irrigation and industrial purposes), saturation index (SI), and water quality index (WQI) indicated. A systematic calculation of correlation coefficients among was performed.

The New Assiut Barrage and its Hydropower Plant in Egypt was initiated at May, 2012 and it is suggested to end in December, 2017.The project is considered one of the most important industrial projects that established to enhance economy and development. The project energy of about 32 MW may contribute in the main electric grid for population and developmental approaches. Surface water samples from the River Nile, around the proposed project were collected and analyzed according to EPA Method- 1669. The measured values of pH, TDS, EC, DO, COD, Total hardness, and Temperature were recorded and reached 8.3, 183.5, 317.3, 7.7, 19.5, 135, and 25.7 OC respectively and were compared with guidelines stated by the Egyptian law 48/ 1982 concerned with protection of River Nile from pollution . Biological properties were obtained and statistically analyzed and their sample locations were determined by Global Positioning System (GPS). The study helps the Environmental Impact Assessment in the stage of the operation of the hydroelectric power station.