ABSTRACT
Cardamonin (CARD) is a chalconoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and it is present in several plants. We sought to explore whether CARD exerts any positive effects against hyperglycemia-induced testicular dysfunction caused by type 2 diabetes and aimed to identify its possible intracellular pathways. Adult male rats were subdivided into six groups: control, CARD, diabetic (DM), DM + glibenclamide (GLIB), DM + CARD and DM + GLIB + CARD. Type 2 DM induced a significant increase in blood glucose and insulin resistance, along with diminished serum insulin, testosterone and gonadotropins levels, which were associated with the impairment of key testicular androgenic enzymes and cellular redox balance. Administration of CARD at a dose of 80 mg/kg for 4 weeks effectively normalized all of these alterations, and the improvement was confirmed by epididymal sperm analysis. After treatment with CARD, the pathological changes in spermatogenic tubules were markedly improved. Significantly, CARD upregulated testicular glucose transporter-8 (GLUT-8) expression and had inhibitory effects on elevated autophagy markers and caspase-3 immunoreactive cells. Furthermore, our results revealed that CARD was able to attenuate damage via activation of Nrf2 through the p62-dependent degradation of testicular anti-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap-1). In conclusion, this study suggests that CARD provides protection against diabetic stress-mediated testicular damage. The use of CARD with conventional anti-diabetic therapy was associated with improved efficacy compared with conventional therapy alone.
ABSTRACT
Cardamonin (CARD) is a chalconoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and it is present in several plants. We sought to explore whether CARD exerts any positive effects against hyperglycemia-induced testicular dysfunction caused by type 2 diabetes and aimed to identify its possible intracellular pathways. Adult male rats were subdivided into six groups: control, CARD, diabetic (DM), DM + glibenclamide (GLIB), DM + CARD and DM + GLIB + CARD. Type 2 DM induced a significant increase in blood glucose and insulin resistance, along with diminished serum insulin, testosterone and gonadotropins levels, which were associated with the impairment of key testicular androgenic enzymes and cellular redox balance. Administration of CARD at a dose of 80 mg/kg for 4 weeks effectively normalized all of these alterations, and the improvement was confirmed by epididymal sperm analysis. After treatment with CARD, the pathological changes in spermatogenic tubules were markedly improved. Significantly, CARD upregulated testicular glucose transporter-8 (GLUT-8) expression and had inhibitory effects on elevated autophagy markers and caspase-3 immunoreactive cells. Furthermore, our results revealed that CARD was able to attenuate damage via activation of Nrf2 through the p62-dependent degradation of testicular anti-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap-1). In conclusion, this study suggests that CARD provides protection against diabetic stress-mediated testicular damage. The use of CARD with conventional anti-diabetic therapy was associated with improved efficacy compared with conventional therapy alone.
ABSTRACT
Background: Intrauterine device [IUD] is a convenient, effective and one of a long term contraceptive procedures. However, it may act as a reservoir of reproductive tract infections
Aim of the study: to isolate the microorganisms in the cervix and on the removed IUDs after different times in situ, examine their association with microbial biofilm formation on the removed intrauterine devices, and also to detect some common sexually transmitted bacteria
Subjects and Methods: a total of 40 women selected randomly from the Gynecological outpatient clinic of Al-Glaa Teaching Hospital in Cairo were included. Cervical swabs and the removed IUDs were bacteriologically examined. The removed IUDs were analyzed by electron microscope to identify the presence of a microbial biofilm. Real time polymerase chain reaction [PCR] was performed to detect some common sexually transmitted infections [STIs] organisms
Results: The mean age of the studied women was 32.12+/-6.7 years and the mean duration of IUDs in situ was 2.55+/-0.87 years . Mixed organisms [E. coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida, Staph aureus and others] were detected with no significant differences between the isolated organisms from the removed IUDs [116 ] and that from cervical swabs [134 ]; neither nor to the duration of IUDs in situ [p>0.05]. Chlamydiae trachomatis[55%,70%],Neisseria gonorrheae[30% ,30%] and Mycoplasma [7.5%,0.0%], were detected STIs organisms by PCR from IUDs and swabs respectively with no statistical significant differences [p> 0.05]. Thick biofilm of multiple microorganisms was detected on the surfaces of the removed IUDS
Conclusion: The insignificant association between microorganisms that were isolated from the cervix, removed IUDs and biofilms may indicate the pre-existence of those organisms before and spread by IUDs insertion . IUD may act as a reservoir for resistant microorganisms. The presence of some asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections [STIs], may point to, that women may act as STIs transmitters. Prior to and throughout IUDs use, appropriate management of reproductive tract infections is vital. IUDs related prospective studies are also recommended
ABSTRACT
Urinary tract infection [UTI] is the most commonly acquired bacterial infection. Biofilm formation being the prime cause for antibiotic resistance by uropathogenes. The purpose of this study was to detect biofilm formation by uropathogenes isolated from UTIs, their antibiotic susceptibility pattern and detection of genes responsible for biofilm production in some isolates. The isolated bacteria were tested for biofilm production by tube adherence [TA], congo red agar [CRA] and micro titer plate [MtP] methods. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of uropathogens was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and detection of genes responsible for biofilm production in some isolates by PCR. Out of 320 cultures positive cases 146 [46.5 %] isolates were biofilm producers Ecoli was the commonest uropathogen followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus feacalis. The antibiotic resistance was higher among biofilm producers to commonly used antibiotics as compared to non biofilm producers. The detection of icaD gene of Staph. areus and cup gene of pseudomonas by PCR was siginfiacntly related to its detection by congo red agar method, while there no significant relation between detection of ESP gene by PCR and the three used conventional methods. It was concluded that the ability of slime production, adherence and biofilm formation of uropathogenic strains had significant role in antibiotic resistance. Biofilm formation is the major virulence determinant of uropathogen, so it is necessary to screen all urinary isolates for biofilm production
ABSTRACT
Childhood overweight and obesity are global problems that are on the rise. Obesity in children appears to increase the risk of subsequent morbidity, whether or not obesity persists into adulthood. Outcomes related to childhood obesity include hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia. Left ventricular hypertrophy, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, obstructive sleep apnea and orthopedic and psychosocial problems. For this we aimed to study BMI and BP among Egyptian children. A cross sectional study on 816 students [425 boys and 391 girls], aged 6 to 18 years [mean age 11.4 +/- 2.8 year], almost of the same socioeconomic status. Anthropometric measurement [weight, height BMI and SDS], blood pressure four blood pressure measurements were calculated: Systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP], mean arterial pressure [MAP] and pulse pressure. Questionnaire for some variables as family history of obesity, hypertension and smoking, salty diet, physical activity of children were studied to all children. Prevalence of obesity and overweight was [1.5%and 2.9%], prehypertension and hypertension [1.1% and 10.5%] with no stastical significant difference among both sex. BMI SDS was positively correlated with age, SBP, MAP and pulse pressure. The risk of developing hypertension in obese children .was 1.7 higher than the risk in non obese children [Odds ratio=1.7, CI 0.4-8.0]. Given the presence of an increase of BMI SDS with age in our study, the elevated B.P values with age can be attributable to a parallel change in BMI. So children with evaluated blood pressure and high BMI will be confronted with problem of hypertension and obesity as adult with all their morbidities
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Mass Screening , Child , Schools , Blood Pressure , Adolescent , Risk Factors , Cardiovascular System , EgyptABSTRACT
To determine the prevalence of viral hepatitis B and C among chronic liver disease patients, the characteristics and risk factors of these patients, and patterns of clinical presentation. A cross-sectional hospital based descriptive study was carried out on 171 patients with chronic liver disease admitted to Al-Thawra General Hospital in Sana'a, Yemen from August 2002 to August 2003. A total of 171 patients was enrolled in this study; the ages of the patients ranged between 17-90 years with a mean of 47.5 +/- 15.6 Of 171 patients, and 135 patients were male [78.9%]. 84 patients [49.1%] had positive markers for hepatitis viruses; 18.7% had positive HBsAg and 28.7% had positive anti-HCV; both were positive in 35.8% had periportal fibrosis and 12.5% had a liver mass. A significant percentage of patients with chronic liver disease had viral marker, with hepatitis C 1.5 times as frequent as hepatitis B. Further study should be carried out to determine non viral causes of chronic liver disease. Great attention must be paid to hepatitis B vaccination and the prevention of infection with hepatitis B and C viruses by the screening of blood transfusions