Safety and Efficacy of Cerebrolysin in Infants with Communication Defects due to Severe Perinatal Brain Insult: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The neuroregenerative drug Cerebrolysin has demonstrated efficacy in improving cognition in adults with stroke and Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of Cerebrolysin in the treatment of communication defects in infants with severe perinatal brain insult. METHODS: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in which 158 infants (age 6-21 months) with communication defects due to severe perinatal brain insult were enrolled; 120 infants completed the study. The Cerebrolysin group (n=60) received twice-weekly Cerebrolysin injections of 0.1 mL/kg body weight for 5 weeks (total of ten injections). The placebo group (n=60) received the same amount and number of normal saline injections. RESULTS: The baseline Communication and Symbolic-Behavior-Scale-Developmental Profile scores were comparable between the two groups. After 3 months, the placebo group exhibited improvements in the social (p<0.01) and speech composite (p=0.02) scores, with 10% and 1.5% increases from baseline, respectively. The scores of the Cerebrolysin group changed from concern to no concern, with increases of 65.44%, 45.54%, 358.06%, and 96.00% from baseline in the social (p<0.001), speech (p<0.001), symbolic (p<0.001), and total (p<0.001) scores. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebrolysin dramatically improved infants' communication especially symbolic behavior which positively affected social interaction. These findings suggest that cerebrolysin may be an effective and feasible way equivalent to stem cell therapy.

Study of nutritional contents of Pruns amygdalus batsch seeds

Prunus amygdalus Batsch [Rosaceae] is one of the major tree crops of the world.Inaddition to its nutritional value, almond also contains a number of phytochemicals that are responsible for a variety of bioactivities, among which antioxidant activity which has been frequently studied.Noprevious studies were done on Umm alfahm cultivar, this encouraged the authors to perform the present study aiming to throw light on the nutritional profile of title plant. Proximate analysis of the kernel Prunus amygdalus B. includes the determination of moisture content, total ash, total protein, total fats, total carbohydrates and crude fibers, study of vitamin E content by using HPLC, determination of the mineral content according to Association of Official Analytical Chemists[A.A.O.C] and determination of amino acid contents in kernels. Almond were showed a total fat [52.083%] the protein constitute [22.83%], carbohydrate [16.9%] adequate low moisture content [4.37%] low ash content [3.82%], the content of vitamin E in almond [77.67 mg/100gm], the mineral contents of almond were resulted Calcium [0.23%] Phosphorus [0.53%], Potassium 6656 mg/kg, Magnesium 2864 mg/kg, Sodium 1072.5 mg/kg, Iron119.9 mg/kg, Zinc 52.25 mg/kg, Selenium 68.71 mg/kg and Copper 13.55 mg/kg. The identified amino acids amounted to [40.2%] calculated on dry basis, total non-essential amino acids percentage [70%] was higher than the percentage of the essential amino acids [30%]. Glutamic acid [5.02%] was the major non-essential amino acid identified, whereas Cysteine [0.37%] was the minor component, concerning the identified essential amino acids, Leucine was the major one [1.38%], while methionine [0.16%] was the minor component. From the present study, it could be concluded that the kernels of Prunus amygdalus Batsch"Umm alfahm" cultivated in Egypt are good for health and should readily be incorporated into diet

Decreased level of soluble receptors of advanced glycated end products [sRAGE] and glycine82serine [G82S] polymorphism in Egyptian patients with RA

The receptor for advanced glycation end products [RAGE] has been implicated in the pathogenesis of RA through its ability to amplify inflammatory pathways. [1] To evaluate the levels of soluble receptors of advanced glycated end products [sRAGE] as well as the gene variant among patients with rheumatoid arthritis [RA]. [2] To assess the association between the sRAGE level and the RAGE gene variants and to correlate the findings with various clinical and laboratory data. All patients were fulfilling the criteria for RA described by the American College of Rheumatology. In all patients assessment of disease activity was done by DAS28-ESR. Soluble RAGE level was determined by enzymatic immunoassay. Molecular study of single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNP] in the glycine82serine [G82S] of the RAGE gene was performed. The data was collected and statistically analyzed. Serum levels of sRAGE were significantly lower in RA patients than controls [840.11 +/- 230.32 pg/ml versus 1111.59 +/- 143.20 pg/ml, p < 0.05]. Genotyping of the RAGE gene showed polymorphisms in the glycine82serine [G82S] allele which did not reach statistical significance between patients and controls. The sRAGE levels were significantly lower in RA patients with Sjogren's syndrome and in those with cardiac disease. Correlation analysis showed that the glycine82serine [G82S] allele is related to MS, CRP and sRAGE in RA patients. Also, the G82S allele was more common in patients with cardiac affection. Linear regression analysis detected CRP and gene polymorphism as significant predictors for sRAGE level. The levels of sRAGE were significantly lower in patients with RA and this reduction was correlated with the disease activity parameters and glycine82serine gene polymorphism. The sRAGE may be an important marker of disease activity. The correlation of sRAGE level and cardiac disease can suggest that RAGE activity influences the co-development of joint and vascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Nailfold capilloroscopy in systemic lupus erythematosus

Nailfold capillaroscopy is a non-invasive technique to recognize peripheral microangiopathy, which is an important feature in SLE. To study the prevalence of nailfold capillaroscopy [NFC] changes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], find out the patterns of these changes and to correlate these findings with different clinical and laboratory parameters. Forty patients with SLE, all fulfilling the 1997 revised criteria for the classification of SLE were included. All patients included in this study were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, laboratory investigations as well as nailfold capillaroscopy [NFC] examination. The prevalence of nailfold capilloroscopic [NFC] changes in SLE patients was 75%. Nailfold capillaroscopic abnormalities were significantly more frequent in SLE patients than in controls [P < 0.05]. Different abnormal NFC changes were seen with the meandering pattern more frequently seen. The afferent and efferent capillary loops diameters were significantly increased in the SLE patients than in the control group [P < 0.05]. Some of the NFC abnormalities showed statistical significant correlations with different clinical and laboratory parameters. Capillary loop afferent and efferent diameters were significantly correlated with disease duration [P < 0.05] as well as the occurrence of digital gangrene [P < 0.05]. Also the capillary loop afferent diameter was found to be correlated with the intake of cyclophosphamide [P < 0.05]. Significant microcirculatory changes occur in systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] patients as proved by the high prevalence of capillary abnormalities in lupus patients compared to controls by means of nailfold capillaroscopy. Some nailfold capillaroscopy changes e.g. meandering capillaries may complete picture of SLE diagnosis. Duration of SLE disease may have an impact on microcirculation of these patients. The presence of some nailfold capillaroscopy changes in SLE patients may be an alarming sign to fatal ischemia of the digits

Biological, serological and molecular studies on prunus necrotic ring spot virus infecting Rosa hybrida L. in Egypt

Prunus necrotic ring spot virus [PNRSV] was isolated for the first time in Egypt from naturally infected rose plants collected from the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University. Observed symptoms circumvented necrotic ring spots on leaves, bud failure, and color breaking of petals. The virus was transmitted mechanically. The purified virus had Amax and A min at 260 and 240 nm respectively. The 260/280 ratio was 1.56. Yield of purified virus from infected Gompherina globosa was 0.182 mg/g tissue. Electron micrograph of the purified virus showed spherical [23-nm] as well as bacilliform virus particles [42x23 nm]. The induced antiserum from the purified virus was successfully used to detect PNRSV in rose plants in several locations in Egypt. The full length of the replicase gene of PNRSV was successfully amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] using different sets of specific primers. A sensitive and specific IC-RT-PCR protocol was used for the detection of PNRSV from rose tissues. Sequence analysis of PNRSV/rep gene of the rose isolate indicated 60% similarity to that of PNRSV-AF278534 and NC-004362

Study of the effect of pentoxifylline in hepatlc ischemia-reperfusion injury in albino rats

Hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury [IRI] is a common pathological process of traumatic surgical diseases in the liver, liver transplantation, shock and infection. Inflammatory mediators are implicated in the pathogenesis of IRI. Pentoxifylline [PTX] is a derivative of methylxanthine, acts as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and therapy elevares the levels of cAMP. Interest in PTX has been recently reawakened because of its reported suppressive action on immune functions, particularly on cytokine production. It has been shown to be beneficial in organ transplantation. Pentoxifyllin probably acts primarily by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha]. We hypothesized that PTX treatment would attenuate hypoxic ischemic liver injury. Thirty-six male albino rats were used throughout this experiment. Animals were divided into 2 main groups; each comprised 18 rats [sham-operated and IRI groups]. Group [1] sham-operated [exposed to anesthesia and laparotomy], this group is subdivided into 3 equal subgroups. Subgroup 1A: Sham-operated received daily intra-gastric saline, subgroup IB: sham-operated +PTX [8mg/kg/day] for 6 successive weeks before exposure to anesthesia and laparotomy, subgroup IC: as IB but received PTX [16mg/kg/day]. Group [II]: IRI group, divided into 3 equal subgroups, sub- group llA received intra-gastric saline for 6 weeks before the induction of IRI ,subgroup 116, received 8mg/kg/day PTX intra-gastrically for 6 weeks before induction of IRI, subgroup IIB, recieved 8mg/kg/day PTX intra-gastrically for 6 weeks before induction of IRI, subgroup IIC, received PTX [16 mg/kg/day] before induction of IRI. It was found that IRI produced significant increase in plasma alanine transaminase [ALT], malondialdehyde [MDA], TNF-alpha and hepatic tissue calcium content as compared to sham-operated animal groups. Intra- gastric administration of PTX in the small or large doses for 6 weeks before induction of IRI produced no significant change in the hepatic tissue calcium, plasma MDA, ALT and plasma TNF-alpha as compared to sham control group, but it produced significant decrease as compared to IRI control group. On the light of the present study, these preliminary results with PTX are encouraging to recommend further human studies in hepatic patients especially whom are given PTX for associated cardiovascular problems

Experimental study of the possible effect of valsartan on insulin resistance in fructose- fed albino rats

Insulin resistance [IR] is a consequence of high fructose fed diet in rats. The current study was carried out to declare if tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha] exerts a partial role the development of IR in non-obese rat model; fructose fed rats [FFR] like that happens in obese rat models. We evaluate the influence of valsartan [a selective blocker of angiotensin receptor type-1] in comparison to metformin [a known insulin sensitizer] on enhancement of insulin sensitivity in FFR. Rats were divided into 2 equal groups [36 rats /group], one group received high fructose diet to induce insulin resistance and the other included standard diet fed rats. Each group is further divided into 3 equal subgroups, [standard diet+ saline], [FFR+ saline], [Standard diet + metformin], [FFR+ metformin]. [Standard diet+ valsartan] and [FFR+ valsartan]. In all rats, body weight, fasting serum glucose, fasting serum insulin, insulin sensitivity test, fasting glucose insulin ratio [FGIR], serum TNF-alpha and serum malondialdehyde [MDA] were measured. Result revealed that administration of valsartan to FFR produced a comparable improvement of insulin resistance. In addition valsartan treatment in FFR produced significant decrease in serum TNF-alpha and MDA. It could be concluded that TNF-alpha and angiotensin II might regulate insulin sensitivity in non-obese FFR

Prophylactic effect of Nigella sativa on hepatic injury in rats

Thirty albino rats were used for investigation of the effect of Nigella sativa on paracetamol induced hepatic necrosis. The rats were divided into 3 equal groups. Nigella sativa protected rats against paracetamol and carbon tetrachloride hepatic injury evidenced by improvement of the histopathological changes and normalization of the biochemical changes induced by either paracetamol or CCL4

Comparative study of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] and their interaction with drugs affecting prostaglandins

This experimental study was carried out to evaluate the possible therapeutic and toxic effects of a more or less recent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID], tenoxicam, in management of rheumatoid arthritis model in rats in comparison with indomethacin, being a standard one and piroxicam as a member of its group [oxicams]. In addition, a possible interaction between tenoxicam and both the anti- hypertensive drugs, captopril and clonidine, was also studied. This study was carried out in rats in which rheumatoid like-arthritis was induced experimentally by collagen II and complete Freund's adjuvant mixture