Postnatal development of the hippocampal formation in male albino rats: histological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric studies

The hippocampal formation plays a demonstrated role in learning and memory, and it is selectively impaired in many developmental brain diseases. Developmental studies on this brain area are important for understanding the neurodevelopmental disorders. To study the postnatal development of the hippocampal formation. Five male albino rats from the following postnatal ages PO, P7, P14, and P90 were studied by histological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric methods. The general architecture of the hippocampus proper with its polymorphic, pyramidal, and molecular layers was present at PO, whereas the details of the adult structure appeared at P14. In the dentate gyrus, distinct lamination appeared at P7 and its maturation continued with the production of neurons at the interhilar zone that peaked at P14. Astrocytes increased in size and staining affinity for glial filaments, and acquired a stellate shape with age. Microtubule-associated protein 2 immunoreactivity was observed in the perikarya at PO and in the sprouting dendrites at P7 and P14. At P90, the dendrites occupied the whole thickness of the molecular layer. Number of light pyramidal neurons decreased, whereas that of dark neurons increased from PO to P90. Furthermore, the number of granule cell layers increased concomitantly with the increase in thickness of the molecular and polymorphic layers of both the hippocampus proper and the dentate gyrus. The important sequences of events in the growth and maturation of the hippocampal formation in male albino rat occurred in the first 2 postnatal weeks

Application of real time - PCR for identification of sheep poxvirus, camel poxvirus and contagious ecthyma virus isolates

Recently, attention has been directed toward the application of Real time - PCR assays as a rapid and accurate tools for identification of Capripox, Parapox and Orthopox viruses that cause devastating diseases in farm animals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. SYBR Green [Real time n PCR assays with primer pairs; Capri - Ks.1 of Capripoxviruses, 045 Orf of Parapoxviruses and Q Orf of Pan-parapoxviruses were adopted on a panel of Saudi field isolates and reference strains of sheep and goat poxviruses, camel poxvirus, reference strains of Lumpy skin disease and vaccinia viruses, and Saudi field isolates of contagious ecthyma [Orf] virus. Capri n KS.1 primer set succeeded to amplify all test DNAs of sheep and goat pox, Camel pox, Lumpy skin disease and vaccinia viruses. With melting curve analysis, temperature of melting [Tm] scored by sheep and goat poxvirus, camel pox virus isolates and their reference strains were relatively identical [between 81.1 and 81.8OC], while Tm scored by Lumpy skin disease virus and vaccinia virus were 82.1 and 83.2OC respectively. No amplification was detected from DNAs of Orf virus isolates tested by Capri - KS.1 primers. However, the Orf virus isolates were fairly equivalent amplified with both of 045 Orf primer set [mean Tm score 92.5°C] and Q Orf primer set [mean Tm score 84°C], as well as with TaqMan Real time - PCR in the presence of TaqMan probe and Q Orf primer set. Otherwise, occasional nonspecific amplification of some isolates and strains of Capripox and Orthopox viruses were detected by too late cycle of amplification [> 35 cycle] with 045 Orf and Q Orf primer sets

Aging of the olfactory system of male rats a histological and ultrastructural study I-olfactory and vomerosensory epithelia

In the present study, age-related histological, histochemical, and ultrastructural changes in both the olfactory epithelium [OE] and the vomeronasal organ [VNO] have been investigated. A total number of 30 albino rats were used in this study Animals were divided equally into two groups; [adult group] and [aged group]. The OE of the aged animals was reduced in thickness, with a relative disturbance in the zonal arrangement of its layers and invaded by acini of Bowman's glands. A basal nuclear-free zone and apical pale cells were also observed within the aged OE. Both mitotic figures and apoptotic bodies were seen in the aged OE. Periodic acid schief-Alcian blue [PAS-AB,] reaction revealed an increase in the PAS-reaction both in the apical and basal parts of the aged OE. Alkaline phosphatase reaction showed a marked reduction in the enzyme activity within the basal cell layer with the appearance of scattered positive cells with the aged OE. On the other hand an increase in the enzyme activity of Bowman 'S glands was observed. The most frequent ultrastructural finding within the aged OE was the accumulation of dense inclusion bodies within the mature ORNs. Less frequently filamentous inclusions were also detected. SEM investigation revealed reduction in the olfactory area and shortening in the olfactory cilia. In aged animals the vomerosensory cells showed vacuolated cytoplasm. Intraepithelial blood capillaries appeared irregular. Histochemically, the PAS-reaction was increased in the apical processes of the supporting cells and reduced in the VS cells whereas alkaline phosphatase along the apical surface was not affected. Ultrastructurally, vomerosensory cells exhibited dilatation of most organelles mainly sER and Golgi bodies, numerous clear vesicles of variable sizes, multiple electron-dense inclusions and lipofuscin granules. VNO are more vulnerable to the aging process than the OE. Sensory cells in particular are more affected than other cell types

Effect of selected cereal flours on chemical composition, rheological properties and cake quality

THIS RESEARCH was carried out to substitute 10, 20 and 30% levels of wheat flour with rice, barley or yellow corn flour and their effects on rheological and baking properties, as well as, the acceptability of the cake. Water absorption increased by increasing the levels of rice flour. Meanwhile, development time, extensibility and energy were decreased. Dough Stability and maximum resistance to extension were gradually increased with increasing the replacement level with barley flour in comparison to control. The maximum viscosity value increased with addition of rice, barley or yellow corn flour. While, set-back values were decreased gradually with increasing the level of rice or barley flour. The results revealed that crude fiber, lipid and ash contents of cakes had gradually increased with increasing the levels of barley or yellow corn flours. Protein content was gradually increased with increasing the level of barley flour. Gradual improvement in both of cake weight and volume were noticed for cake samples prepared with rice or barley flour .The replacement of wheat flour by rice or barley flour retarded the rate of staling. This point was considered very important because of the major economic losses that stale bakery products may entail. The sensory evaluation data demonstrated that, the rice, barley or yellow corn flour successfully replace wheat flour in produced cake up to 20% without any unfavorable change

Event related potential P300 as a measure of auditory evoked potential In type 2 diabetic patients: correlation with micro vascular complications and the different parameters of metabolic control particularly previous hypoglycemic episodes

Impaired cognitive functions are one of the major CNS complications of diabetes. Chronic hyperglycemia, chronic hyperinsulinaemia, chronic hypertension, dyslipidaemia, cardiovascular diseases and drugs, are among the contributing factors for the occurrence of CNS complications of diabetes. Tight metabolic control definitely reduces the risk of diabetic complications but is associated with increased risk of hypoglycaemia. Severe hypoglycaemia by itself can cause severe and irreversible brain damage, however, the impact of hypoglycaemia on CNS complications is not definite. Event-related potential [ERP] P300 auditory evoked potential measure reflects the speed of neural events related to attention and short term memory; both are important and essential cognitive functions. Increased ERP P300 latency has been associated with early abnormalities in psychometric tests in diabetic patients. We studied the ERP P300 latency -as an indirect index of cognitive functions- and its relation to the different microvascular complications and the different parameters of control of Type 2 diabetes to try to find predictive factors for early intervention in such patients before sever cognitive impairment occurs. Also, we tried to correlate it with the number and severity of hypoglycaemic episodes to evaluate the effect of hypoglycaemia on cognitive functions. The study was carried out on 50 type 2 diabetic patients with no clinical evidence of cerebral dysfunctions or cognitive impairment and 20 controls. All the patients and controls were subjected to full clinical examination including neurological examination. Those with abnormality suggestive of peripheral neuritis were subjected to sural nerve sensory conduction velocity [SNSCV]. Blood samples were taken to measure fasting blood glucose and HbA 1c. Urine was tested by micral test for immunochemical semi quantitative determination of microalbuminurea. Diabetic retinopathy was detected by ophthalmologic examination after dilatation of the pupil Cognitive functions were examined and a Minimental State Examination [MMSE]. Questions were put in clear Arabic language. Hypoglycaemia was evaluated through history interrogation. ERPs were obtained by the conventional technique with an acoustic ball paradigm. Diabetic subjects had significantly higher incidence of retinopathy, neuropathy, microalbuminurea, fasting blood glucose level and Hb A[1c] than the control subjects. Diabetic patients had higher ERP P300 than the control subjects. ERP 300 was correlated to age and the presence of both peripheral neuritis and microalbuminurea, and not to the duration of diabetes, glucose levels, HbA1c, TG, cholesterol or the presence of retinopathy. There was no difference in ERP 300 latency when we compared the diabetic patients according to the number or severity of previous hypoglycaemic episodes. Patients with no history of previous hypoglycaemic episodes showed a tendency towards a lower ERP 300 latency but this was not statistically significant. There was a collinear relationship between the prolongation of ERP P300 and both the age of the patients and the degree of shortening of the SNSCV. There was no collinear relationship between ERP P300 and the degree of microalbuminurea [quantitatively]. ERP P300 is an easy test to apply in diabetic patients as a test of early changes in brain functions. It is not influenced by the number or severity of previous Hypoglycaemic attacks. Previous attacks of hypoglycemia although of a potential lethal effects could be less dangerous in type 2 diabetic patients than was previously expected and the brain functions of type 2 diabetes patients may be less vulnerable to the effect of hypoglycaemia. Aging, the presence of microalbuminurea and the degree of peripheral neuritis are associated with deterioration of ERP P300. There is a linear relationship between age and the degree of peripheral neuritis on one hand and the deterioration of ERP P300 on the other hand

Th 1 cell subsets of CD4+ T lymphocytes regulation and function in recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes patients and high risk first degree relatives

Type 1 diabetes is an immune disease. The hallmark of the disease is initiation of inflammation of the beta-cells of the pancreas. T lymphocytes play an obligatory role in the islet cell inflammation. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are needed to initiate the destruction of beta cells in many models. CD4+ T cells are subclassified into Th 1 cells and Th 2 cells. A number of studies implicated Th 1 cells in the development of type 1 diabetes. To evaluate the function of Th1 subset of T lymphocytes in recently diagnosed type 1 diabetic patients and high risk first degree relatives and compare it with normal subjects not at high risk of development of the disease. The study included 18 patients with recent onset type 1 diabetes [6 males and 12 females], 32 first degree relatives of patients with type 1 diabetes. The relatives were all chosen after being screened for islet cells antibodies; only those who were positive for islet cell antibodies were included. They were 10 males and 22 females,. A control group of 20 apparently healthy subjects [5 males and 15 females], their age ranged from 9-29 years [13.8+9.1]. For each studied subject blood was obtained -after overnight fasting- under strict aseptic conditions into three vacutainer tubes [Becton USA]:1. Heparin containing tube for cell culture. 2. EDTA containing tube for measurement of HbA[1c]. 3. Tube without additives. Blood in this tube was allowed to clot at room temperature and centrifugation was done at 1000 xg. Serum was separated and stored at -70°C until the essay for IL-12, IFN-y, C peptide and islet cell antibodies. The levels of both IL-12 [a potent inducer of Th 1 cells], and INF-y [a potent product of Th 1 cells] are higher in the serum of both type 1 diabetic patients and high risk relatives. IFN-y and /L-12 was higher in culture supemates of the whole blood of both diabetics and high risk relatives [in vitro]. There was no significant difference between the diabetic patients and high risk relatives in the level of either IL-12 or IFN-y either in vivo or in cell culture production. In the evolution of type 1 diabetes; there is increased production of IL-12 leading to shift towards Th 1 rather than Th 2 response allowing increased production of Th 1 cytokines including IFN-y. This may initiate a cascade of immune/ inflammatory process culminating in beta cell destruction

Clinical prognostic factors in patients with advanced stage of prostate cancer

Objectives: To determine the prognostic factors that could predict patient outcome in patients with advanced stage prostate cancer

Patients and Methods: In this study we retrospectively evaluated the medical record data of 222 patients with advanced stage prostate cancer treated by hormonal therapy [either castration or total androgen blockade [TAB]]. All pre- and post- treatment data records were evaluated with respect to patient age, prostate and tumor size, tumor grade, stage, PSA, alkaline and acid phosphatase and the number of bone lesions. The response to the hormonal treatment was evaluated either early [12 months after treatment] or late [over all follow-up visits until the last visit or death]. Descriptive statistics, student T test, multivariate and Kaplan Meier's curve were used for data analysis

Results: Within 12 months of treatment 70% of the cases showed an improvement with a significant decrease of their pre-treatment values after hormonal therapy. Patient age, tumor stage, the number of bone lesions, serum alkaline and acid phosphatase levels in the pre-treatment data were significantly independent predictors of the overall survival outcome [p= 0.0015, 0.002, 0.001, 0.0002 and 0.028, respectively], while the pre-treatment PSA serum level, tumor grade and the type of hormonal treatment used [either castration or TAB] were no predictors of patient outcome [p= 0.18, 0.82 and 0.47, respectively]. Importantly, the PSA serum level and the number of bone lesions in the first 12 months of patient follow-up were significant predictors of the overall disease survival status [p=0.001 and 0.028, respectively]. The mean follow-up period of alive cases was 39.42 months ranging from 6 - 171 months. Of the 222 cases 110 [51.6%] had overall disease progression during a mean of 59.4 months, while mortality was reported in 118 cases [53.2%] in the course of a mean of 59.9 months

Conclusion: The pre-treatment patient age, tumor stage, serum alkaline and acid phosphatase, as well as the post-treatment PSA level and the number of bone lesions were significant independent predictors of the overall patient outcome in patients with advanced stage prostate cancer. However, a survival analysis in relation to the treatment type did not reveal a statistically significant difference between the outcomes of castration and TAB

Studies on the phytochemistry and antimicrobial activity of four plant species from Egypt

The antimicrobial and phytochemical properties of four medicinal plants [Anastatica hierochuntica, Artemisia monosperma, Juniperus phoenicae and Nigella sativa] were screened. The crude alcoholic plant extracts [80% ethyl alcohol] were tested against two bacteria [Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes], two yeast [Candida tropicalis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae] and two moulds [Aspergillus oryzae, Bipolaris hawayensis]. The antimicrobial activity of the alcoholic extracts was tested using two antimicrobial assay methods, i.e. disc-agar diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC]. The Gram-positive bacteria [Listeria monocytogenes] was more sensitive than the Gram-negative [Escherichia coli]. Anastatica hierochuntica showed the highest activity against most test organisms. The phytochemical screening of the crude alcoholic plant extracts detected tannins, sterols, terpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, resins, phenols and glycosides in the extracts of the four plants except resins was not found in Nigella sativa. Phenols, flavonoids and saponins were found in significant amount in the extracts of plants. Saponins represented the major components in the extracts of the four plants

Effect of three layers repair of cleft palate with or without middle ear aeration on eustachian tube dysfunction in children

This study was carried out on 30 patients admitted to El- Menia University Hospital with cleft palate deformity. Three layers repair was done to every patient, audiological examination proved secretory otitis media in 28 patients of them, myringotomy and grommet tubes application were done to 15 patients. In cases with hamalar fracture technique, no improvement of middle ear pressure occurred even with aeration. In cases of nonhamalar fracture technique, improvement occurred only when middle ear aeration was done. So, middle ear aeration must be done with or before cleft palate repair. Three layers repair technique gave a satisfactory result with successful rate of healing [84.3%]. Wound disruption was detected in 10% of cases and fistula formation in 2 cases in which hamalus bone fracture was not done