T-lymphocyte subsets were studied in two patient groups: (1) 50 patients with homozygous sickle cell anaemia (SCA) (mean age 12 (range 3-32) years old) in good health at the time of the study who showed no infectious complication. (2) 50 patients (mean age 13 (range 4-29) years old) with normal haemoglobin rate. The global response revealed a significant increase in levels of CD3+ (P=0.04) and CD8+ (P=0.04) cells when compared with the control group, there was no significant difference in levels of CD4+ cells (P=0.05) between the two groups. However, there was a relationship between T-cell subpopulation levels and spleen status. The average values of T-cell subsets (CD4+ and CD8+) in patients with SCA-induced splenic defects (asplenic, splenomegaly or splenectomized patients) were significantly reduced when compared to SCA patients with normal spleens and the control groups. These data show that T-cell activity was reduced in patients with splenic defects. A correlation between splenic status and a perturbed host defence system in patients with SCA suggests that monitoring T-cell subsets might have prognostic value in the course of sickle cell disease.

The electrooxidative behavior and determination of metformin hydrochloride, anti-hyperglycemic drug, on a pyrogallol modified carbon paste electrode were investigated using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Metformin hydrochloride shows an irreversible oxidation behavior over a wide interval of pH (Britton-Robinson buffers, pH 2-9). The peak current varied linearly in the range comprised between 8.0 × 10 -7 and 6.0 × 10 -6 mol/L with detection limit of 6.63 × 10 -8 mol/L and limit of quantification of 2.21 × 10 -7 mol/L. The method was proposed for the determination of metformin hydrochloride in dosage forms and urine.

A longitudinal study of four phases was conducted to identify the effect of an educational film on the Health Belief Model and breast self-examination practice of second-year nursing students in Alexandria University. Findings showed that the health belief parameters [perceived susceptibility to breast cancer, benefits of and barriers to practising breast self-examination] were influenced differently by the film. A positive influence was observed between breast self-examination practice and film viewing;one-year post-film follow-up data revealed a high continuation rate of breast self-examination. The main reason cited for BSE practice was early detection of abnormalities