effects of betanin of beetroot in polycystic ovary syndrome induced rat

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] as a common cause of infertility is the endocrine disorder among reproductive-aged women. Nevertheless, the management and treatment of this major problem is not deterministic, and surrounded by many controversies

Objective: In this study the effects of betanin, as red pigment present in red beetroot, in the PCOS induced rats are evaluated

Methods: Sodium valerate was injected intraperitoneally into wistar female rats to induce PCOS for 25 days. The rats were randomly divided into five groups: a normal control group without sodium valerate, Sham [sodium valerate-induced PCOS] group received 0.5 ml distilled water , metformin group and two groups that received betanin at doses of 8 and 16 mg/kg/ day for 30 days after they were administered sodium valerate. The Glucose, lipid profile, gonadotropine hormones were determined using calorimetric assays in PCOS induced rats. Histological examinations were carried out on hematoxylin-eosin stained sections using light microscopy

Results: When compared with sham, betanin caused low ovarian cysts with a high incidence of ovarian primary, antral, graafian follicles and corpus luteum. The plasma glucose, cholesterol, LDL and LH levels were found to be diminished significantly in rats with PCOS whereas plasma HDL and FSH levels were significantly increased

Conclusion: The betanin affected the cysts and follicles of the PCOS induced rats

Leukemia propagating cells in Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL: a resistant phenotype with an adverse prognosis

BACKGROUND: Targeted therapy has revolutionized the management of Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); however, relapse still occurs because of the presence of quiescent stem cells, termed leukemia propagating cells (LPCs). This study aimed to assess the phenotypic diversity of LPCs in adult patients with Ph+ B-Acute ALL (B-ALL) and to assess its prognostic impact. METHODS: Seventy adults with newly diagnosed Ph+ B-ALL were recruited at the Mansoura Oncology Center. Multiparameter flow cytometry studies of mononuclear blast cells for cluster of differentiation (CD)34, CD38, and CD58 were performed. RESULTS: Seventeen patients had blasts with the pattern of LPCs (CD34+CD38−CD58−), while 53 cases had other diverse phenotypic patterns. The rate of complete response was significantly lower in patients with the LPC phenotype (47% vs. 81%, P=0.006). The median time to achieve a complete response was prolonged in patients with the CD34+CD38−CD58− phenotype (48 vs. 32 days, P=0.016). The three-year overall survival was significantly lower in patients with the CD34+CD38−CD58− phenotype (37% vs. 55% respectively, P=0.028). Multivariate analysis showed that the CD34+CD38− CD58− phenotype was an independent risk factor for overall survival. CONCLUSION: The presence of CD34+CD38−CD58− LPCs at diagnosis allows rapid identification of higher risk patients. Risk stratification of these patients is needed to further guide therapy and develop effective LPCs-targeted therapy to improve treatment outcome.

[ effect of trans-chalcone on amylase activity, blood glucose and lipid levels in diabetic and non diabetic rats]

Alpha amylase is the most important decomposing enzyme in starch. Digestion and absorption of starch in the intestine can be prevented and also the blood sugar levels can be controlled by restrain and control of alpha amylase. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of trans-chalcone on amylase activity, blood glucose and lipid levels in diabetic and non diabetic rats. This experimental study was conducted in 1388 at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Sixty rats were randomly divided to ten equal groups: non diabetic control, diabetic control, four non diabetic experiments and four diabetic experiments. Control groups received grape seed oil and experimental groups received 2, 8,16 and 32 mg/kg of body weight in a period of 24 days with a gastric cannula. Blood sugar, every two days, serum insulin levels in days 0,12, and 24 and at the end of the experiment, lipoproteins and alpha amylase activity were measured. The data were analyzed by one way analysis of variance, ANOVA, followed by Turkeys test with SPSS soft ware. On average Chalcone reduced 25.5% of blood sugar in normal and diabetic rats. IT also decreased the serum insulin level. On average, chalcone decreased 34.9% of alpha amylase activity in normal and diabetic rats. Following disturbances in lipids metabolism caused by diabetes, this drug improved lipoproteins metabolism and reduced water, food and urine volume. This study shows that trans-Chalcone reduces blood sugar and body weight via inhibition of alpha amylas. Moreover, improvement of lipoprotein metabolism may happen via the inhibitory effect of this drug on hydroxyl methyl glutaryl -COA reductase and phosphodiesterase

[Cloning of catalytic domain of exotoxin A from pseudomonas aeruginosa]

Antibody against Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A can be used in immunotherapy together with antibiotics to treat acute burn patients. Exotoxin A is one of the virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa that comprises of three domains, binding domain, translocation and catalytic domain. The purpose of this study was to construct the recombinant domain of the catalytic part of this microorganism in order to produce antibody against it. Pseudomonas aeruginosa samples were isolated from burn patients hospitalized in Mousavi Hospital, Zanjan, Iran and its species was identified by Biochemical tests. Bacteria genomic DNA and also the catalyhc domain of exotoxin A was amplified by PCR. PCR Products and plasmid extracts was digested by restriction enzymes. Subsequently PCR products and plasmids transformed into E. coli BL21 [DE3]. Clones containing gene of interest was determined by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. The sequence homology of the catalytic domain of exotoxin A was compared with that of the published gene data bank. The results showed a complete homology between our gene species and the published genome in data banks. The results of this study showed that about 90% of the isolated bacteria contained exotoxin A and there was a sequence homology between our species and published gene data banks

[Local anesthesia in vitreoretinal surgery]

To compare general anesthesia [GA] with local anesthesia [LA] in terms of safety and patient satisfaction. In this interventional case series, 928 consecutive patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery were included. Data for analysis were type of anesthesia and operation, patient compliance, operating conditions and pain scores. General anesthesia was provided with a standard method and local anesthesia was performed through peribulbar or retrobulbar routes. Selection of the type of anesthesia was determined by patient age and co-morbidities based on the surgeon's opinion. Patients were operated under local anesthesia in 343 [36.9%] and general anesthesia in 585 [63.1%] cases. Mean age was 68.8 +/- 7.3 [range 51-78] years in the LA group and 55.9 +/- 6.5 [range 43-70] years in the GA group [P= 0.041]. ASA [American Society of Anesthetics] physical status score in the LA group was higher than GA group. Patients were in appropriate condition in 96.4% and operating conditions were good or excellent in 98.8%. The majority of patients [97%] said they would choose local anesthesia for their next vitreoretinal procedures. Local anesthesia is a useful and flexible method of anesthesia for vitreoretinal surgery, with excellent patient tolerance, especially in old patients and those who suffer from concurrent diseases

Ultrastructural and histological studies on the ameliorative effects of some antioxidants on liver tissue of aged mice

One of the biological changes associated with aging is increased free radical formation, with subsequent damage to cellular processes. Aging increased oxidative injury and apoptosis in the liver of aging animals. Antioxidants play an important role in preventing free radical damage associated with age by interfering with the generation of these radicals or by scavenging them. This study were done to know the capability of damage and dysfunction of liver and the ameliorative effects of some antioxidants. Vitamin E [1.56 mg/kg] as lipid soluble antioxidant, vitamin C [1.9 mg/kg] as water soluble antioxidant and zinc sulfate [0.12 mg/kg] as metalloenzyme antioxidant were orally administrated to different groups of 15 months [aged] mice each for 30 consecutive days to improve age-associated liver dysfunction. The present study showed that zinc treatment of aged mice was associated with a significant increase in glycogen granules storage and protein deposition in the hepatocyte, also histological improvement in the liver architecture was noticed as an organized cords, intact hepatocytes cytoplasm without vacuolation and the nucleus were of normal size and blood sinusoids were more or less similar to those of the liver of adult animals, while treated with vitamin E appeared nearly normal with some little vacuoles in the cytoplasm of its cells, and high increase of glycogen and protein contents was observed in the hepatocytes. Vitamin C treatment showed fairly improvement to the general architecture of the liver tissue while the hepatocytes still showed vacuolated cytoplasm, and moderate increase in glycogen and protein content were observed in the hepatic cells. The present study suggested that zinc sulfate is the best antioxidant improve aging liver histology, then, vitamin E and vitamin C. Administration of these drugs where there is no need have bad and dangerous effects

Detection of schistosoma mansoni DNA in human blood as a diagnostic method for schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is a major health problem, the diagnosis of which relies on direct examination for ova, and/or serological assays for specific antibodies and circulating antigens. The present study aimed at evaluating the detection of Schistosoma mansoni DNA by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] versus the detection of antibodies by indirect haemagglutination test [IHAT] as means for diagnosis of Schistosomiasis in human blood. The individuals under study were categorized into four groups. Group I included 36 patients with active intestinal Schistosomiasis. Group II included 20 patients with past history of intestinal Schistosomiasis. Group III included 20 patients with Schistosoma haematobium and other parasitic infections, and finally group IV which included 15 individuals serving as negative controls. For all groups under study stool and urine were examined for parasitic ova; serum was examined for S. mansoni circulating DNA by PCR and for the detection of bilharzial antibody by IHAT. PCR proved highly significant in diagnosis of active intestinal Schistosomiasis with a sensitivity of 97.2%, specificity of 100%, predictive value of positive [PVP] of 100%, predictive value of negative [PVN] of 98.2% and a diagnostic accuracy of 98.9%. All cases in group II, III, and IV were negative. IHAT results showed a sensitivity of 77.8% in group I, 90.0% in group II, 25% in group III and in group IV all cases were negative. The specificity of IHAT in the diagnosis of active intestinal Schistosomiasis was 85.7%, with PVP 84.8% and PVN 78.9%; the diagnostic accuracy was 81.6%.S. mansoni DNA detection may be used as a valuable and species specific test for diagnosis of early infection or in situations of low worm burden in which other diagnostic methods show low sensitivity and specificity. Early treatment of such cases avoids the occurrence of irreversible pathological damage by the deposited eggs

Urinary tract infection and adverse outcome of pregnancy

Urinary tract infections [UTIs] during pregnancy are among the commonest health problems world wide, specially in developing countries, including Egypt. It has several adverse outcomes not only on the mother but also on the fetus as well.. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of UTIs during pregnancy, study the main risk factors associated with such infections and find the impact of these infections on some pregnancy outcomes namely the gestational age and birth weight. A follow-up study on 249 pregnant women attending the ante natal care clinic at Zagazig university hospital. They were recruited over a period from 1st of September to 30th of or November, 2005. The outcome could be recorded for 201 of them. Data were collected through a pretested questionnaire, repeated urine analyses and recording of outcome of pregnancy. The study revealed that the incidence of UTIs during pregnancy was 31.3%. The commonest organisms were Klebsiella and E-coli. Several socio-demographic characteristics were found significantly associated with UTIs, age being 30 years and more, illiterates and low educational level, low socio-economic level and those with unsatisfactory personal hygiene and those using underwear clothes other than cotton. Significant associations with UTIs were also found in multigravidae 4th and more, those having more than one child and those who previously suffered UTIs. The only predicting variable with UTIs was low socio-economic level. The study revealed that the probability of delivering premature infants and low birth weights was significantly higher among those who experienced UTIs during pregnancy. Multivariate analysis revealed that UTI was one of the main contributors to pre-mature deliveries. Conclusion and Recommendations: Urinary tract infections with pregnancy still constitute a big problem with high incidence. It has a great impact on pregnancy outcome mainly pre-mature labor. So, the study recommends health education about personal hygiene, repeated urine cultures early in pregnancy and during the third trimesters, specially for low socio-economic pregnant women. Specific antibiotics should be prescribed to avoid adverse pregnancy outcome

Epidemiological study of the childhood disabilities: a household survey in four Egyptian governorates

This study was conducted on 1403 children from four Egyptian governorates. These governorates were; Alexandria, Al-Behira, Cairo and Al-Giza. The aim of the study was to define different types of the childhood disabilities, to find out their prevalence's in the selected governorates in Egypt, to define their distribution and to define their risk factors. A crosssectional study design was chosen to investigate the current research problem. All the children had undergone complete physical examinations. Also, children's parents were interviewed. There were specific inclusions criteria have been considered to include the child as a case in the study. The overall prevalence of the childhood disabilities in these governorates was 8.8%. The most common prevalent childhood disabilities were; visual, speech and hearing [4.5%, 2.1% and 1.9%, respectively]. While, the most common prevalent risk factors were mother delivered at home and/or not received antenatal care [7.2% and 6.3%, respectively]. Positive consanguinity and baby not strictly received vaccination were the most important risk factors, odds ratio = 3.81 and 3.31, respectively. While, only positive consanguinity was significantly correlated with all types of the childhood disabilities. Furthermore, positive consanguinity had the highest correlation with all types of the childhood disabilities. Also, childhood disabilities tend to be common among males [57.6%] and of congenital aetiology [61.8%]. The main source of habilitation was the private centers [79.2%]

Risk factors and impacts of sexually transmitted diseases among adult females in Cairo

This study was conducted on ninety sexually transmitted disease [STD] adult female patients, attending Dermato-Venereology and Gynaecology Clinics, Al-Hussein University Hospital and an equal number of females as controls. The aim of the study was to determine sociodemographic, sexual and health care behaviours risk factors for STDs and to determine their impacts on the studied females. A retrospective, case-control, clinic based study was chosen to perform this research. Vaginal, cervical and urethral swabs and smears were taken. Also, scrapes from any suspicious lesions together with blood samples were taken from STD patients for various laboratory examinations. The most common STD was candidiasis [35.6%]. Shared house and unskilled occupations were the most important sociodemographic risk markers, odds ratio [OR] =11.62 and 2.92, respectively. While, vaginal douche use and divorce were the most important gynaecological and reproductive risk factors, OR=7.16 and 4.06, respectively. Furthermore, premarital sexual practice and non-vaginal sexual practice were the most important sexual behaviours risk factors, OR=13.40 and 10.97, respectively. Also, previous infection with STDs and no partner referral were the most important health care behaviours risk factors, OR=6.45 and 4.93, respectively. Moreover, no religious obligation and drugs and/or alcohol use were the most important life style risk markers, OR=12.89 and 6.77, respectively. Lastly, history of pelvic inflammatory disease [18.9%] and pregnancy wastage [17.8%] were the most important impacts of STDs

Study of some antioxidant parameters in mice livers affected with Urtica pilulifera extracts

Urtica pilulifera extracts were found to exhibit an antioxidant effect on mice. The effect of two doses of aqueous methanolic extract and other two doses of petroleum ether extract of different plant parts was studied in liver homogenates of the animals. The parameters studied were protein, glutathione reduced form, lipid peroxidation levels as well as the activities of glutathione transferase [GST], glutathione reductase [GR], glutathione peroxidase [GSHPx] and superoxide dismutase [SOD]. Methanolic extracts induced greater effect on the measured antioxidant parameters. Among all plant parts, the methanolic extract of the herb showed the best effect; where the antioxidant activity enzymes were elevated and the lipid peroxidation was decreased. In conclusion, Urtica pilulifera can be used as natural antioxidant, as a possible food supplement or used in pharmaceutical industry

Evaluation of harmonic scalpel [SH] in thyroid surgery: a prospective randomized study

The harmonic scalpel [HS] using mechanical vibration rather than high temperature has been widely used in laparoscopic surgery and is documented to be safe and fast for cutting and coagulating tissues. We studied whether the use of [HS] could have advantages in thyroid surgery compared to conventional thyroidectomy. Our study was a prospective randomized trial of thyroidectomies performed for benign thyroid diseases between March 2004 and August 2005 in Cairo University Hospital. Patients were randomized into 2 groups: group A [n=50] underwent thyroidectomy using HS and group B [n=50] with the conventional technique, clamp and tie and electrocautery. The outcome measures in this study included operative time; postoperative drainage; hospital stay; and procedure complications including recurrent laryngeal nerve injury RLN as well as hypoparathyroidism. The two groups were similar in age and sex. Mean -+SD operative time was shorter in the SH group compared with the conventional group for both hemithyroidectomy [61- +6vs 78- + /10 minutes] and subtotal thyroidectomy [86- +2Ovs 101-+ / 6minutes]. The difference was statistically significant. There were no statistically differences between the two groups regarding transient postoperative complications. There was no mortality in both groups and no intraoperative complications or postoperative definitive sequelae. We concluded that the use of HS is safe in thyroidectomy: it does not reduce or increase operative morbidity but has a clear advantage of reducing operative time by almost 30 minutes. These results my have implications for significant hospital cost saving. By shortening operative anesthesia time the use of HS might accelerate postoperative recovery. Further studies are needed to show the cost-effectiveness of both techniques

Factors affecting dietary practices among adolescent pregnant women in Alexandria

Pregnancy in adolescence increases nutritional risk due to higher demand of nutrients for maternal and fetal growth. This exploratory descriptive study was aimed to identify factors affecting dietary practices among adolescent pregnant women in Alexandria. A convenient sample of 300 adolescent pregnant women was chosen from four antenatal clinics [Maternity hospitals and M.C.H centers] affiliated to different heath organizations. Two tools were used for data collection: scheduled interviews and a diet scale to assess the dietary practice of adolescent pregnant women. The results revealed that adolescents had a high prevalence of risk factors for dietary practices nearly half of them 48.34% had low income, 48% were illiterate, 62.6% were housewives, 58.7% their weight were below 50 Kg, 61.7% had poor knowledge about nutrition during pregnancy and their dietary intake did not meet all the nutritional requirements of pregnancy. Finally identifying dietary practices among adolescent pregnant women is mandatory

HLA-B27 typing by flow cytometery to identify high risk group for ankylosing spondylitis among patients with low back pain

The human leucocyte antigens [HLA] are known to be associated with some diseases, the most common is HLA-B27 and ankylosing spondylitis [AS]. We studied hundred patients suffering from low back pain and radiologic sacroiliitis and 260 normal healthy individuals. Two methods were used for HLA-B27 typing namely complement mediated lymphocytotoxicity and flow cytometery. Results obtained by the two methods were in agreement. The percentage of B27 individuals among the total number of patients with back pain was 25% while in the control group it was 2.7% [p< 0.001]. Among patients suffering from AS, the percentage of B27 was 96% and relative risk was 85%. Flow cytometery had the advantages of being rapid, simple and accurate. The monoclonal antibody used had the ability to identify all subtypes of B27 known to be associated with AS. It is concluded that HLA - B27 is a rare allele among healthy individuals in Bahrain and that flow cytometery is an excellent method for HLA-B27 typing to identify patients at high risk for AS

Ankylosing Spondylitis with Waldenstrom's Macroglobul anemia in the absence of previous irradiation. A case report

We describe a case of Ankylosing spondylitis [AS] in a 48 year old man who subsequently developed Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia [WM]. This is the first reported case of this association in the absence of previous irradiation

Neonatal lupus syndrome: the role of maternal SS: a [RO] and SS-B [LA] antibodies: a case report

A patient who developed systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] five years after she gave birth to a daughter with congenital heart block, is presented. She was clinically normal at the time of that delivery. Her immunological investigations revealed antibodies against SS-A [Ro] and SS-B [La] antigens. The aspects of latency until the development of clinical SLE, the role of such maternal antibodies in the development of fetal congenital heart block and the possibility of its prevention, using Dexamethasone and plasmapheresis during pregnancy are discussed

Vibrating white finger syndrome: a case report

A case of vibrating white finger [VWF] of occupational origin is presented along with a review of recent relevant literature. We believe that this is the first reported case of VWF in Bahrain

AIDS: public health implication

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS] has spread rapidly within "at risk" populations and the reported prevalence continues to increase throughout the world. AIDS is now one of the leading causes of premature mortality among single men aged 25-44 years in a number of cities in the USA. Infection with the causative agent, first isolated in 1983 and subsequently called the human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], occurs more commonly than reported cases of AIDS and has been recognized in the five continents. As the presence of specific antibody is indicative of current infection, five to ten million people are estimated to be infected with HIV. By now approximately 215,000 cases of AIDS have been reported worldwide. Although knowledge of the virology and pathogenesis of the infection is growing constantly, the early epidemiological observations describing at-risk practices and the mode of transmission have remained unchanged. HIV is a blood borne, sexually transmitted retrovirus. With the current knowledge of HIV infection, all antobody positive persons must be regarded as infective i.e. virus positive for life