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BACKGROUND: Repeated blood transfusions and hemolysis in β-Thalassemia major children lead to iron overload in various organs, including the brain which may cause neurodegeneration. AIM: To evaluate intelligence quotient in children with β-thalassemia major and healthy counterparts and to assess risk factors that cause cognitive problems. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This case-control study was performed on 50 children aged 6-16 years old with β-thalassemia major as patients group and compared with 50 healthy children as a control group of matched age, sex, and social class. Cognitive functions were evaluated by using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. Serum ferritin and iron were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: There were significantly lower mean performance and full-scale IQ scores of patients group in comparison with controls, whereas no significant differences between both groups as regards to a verbal IQ score. In thalassemic children, block design, comprehension and arithmetic were negatively correlated with age of disease onset, duration of illness and onset of chelation therapy. Serum iron and ferritin were negatively correlated with similarities and digit span. Serum iron levels were negatively correlated with performance IQ score. CONCLUSION: Children with β-thalassemia major need to receive more academic attention and cognitive assessment to improve their IQ.

Background: Due to versatility in reaction catalyzed by peroxidases, they have potential applications in different areas in the health sciences, food industry, and diagnostic purposes. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the properties of peroxidase from ginger to be meeting the perquisites of several applications. Results: The cationic peroxidase (GPII) was purified to homogeneity by anion exchange chromatography using DEAE-Sepharose column followed by cation exchange chromatography using CM-Sepharose column and finally Sephacryl S-200 column. The molecular mass of GPII was 42 kDa. GPII shows oxidizing activity with several phenolic compounds by using H 2 O 2 as the second substrate. The natural plant phenolic compounds as pyrogallol, catechol, and guaiacol were found to be excellent electron donors for the enzyme compared to other phenolic compounds. GPII exhibited K m values of 3.1 and 7.1 mM and V max values of 0.6 and 0.31 units/assay using H 2 O 2 and guaiacol as substrates, respectively. The enzyme exhibited maximal peroxidase activity at broad pH's 6.0-7.5 and 50°C. GPII was thermal stable up to 50°C and retained 66% of its activity at 70°C after 1 h incubation. The GPII activated by most divalent cations tested and inhibited by Hg 2+ and Cu 2+ cations. Conclusion: PGII could be used in several applications due to its catalytic properties, thermal stability, broad pH, and acting on several phenolic compounds.

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