Assessment of Regional Bone Density in Fractured Vertebrae Using Quantitative Computed Tomography

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to propose and evaluate a new technique to assess bone mineral density of fractured vertebrae using quantitative computed tomography (QCT). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: There is no available technique to estimate bone mineral density (BMD) at the fractured vertebra because of the alterations in bony structures at the fracture site. METHODS: Forty patients with isolated fracture from T10 to L2 were analyzed from the vertebrae above and below the fracture level. Apparent density (AD) was measured based on the relationship between QCT images attenuation coefficients and the density of calibration objects. AD of 8 independent regions of interest (ROI) within the vertebral body and 2 ROI within the pedicles of vertebrae above and below the fractured vertebra were measured. At the level of the fractured vertebra, AD was measured at the pedicles, which are typically intact. AD of the fractured vertebral body was linearly interpolated, based on the assumption that AD at the fractured vertebra is equivalent to the average AD measured in vertebrae adjacent to the fracture. Estimated and measured AD of the pedicles at the fractured level were compared to verify our assumption of linear interpolation from adjacent vertebrae. RESULTS: The difference between the measured and the interpolated density of the pedicles at the fractured vertebra was 0.006 and 0.003 g/cm³ for right and left pedicle respectively. The highest mean AD located at the pedicles and the lowest mean AD was found at the anterior ROI of the vertebral body. Significant negative correlation exist between age and AD of ROI in the vertebral body. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the proposed technique is adequate to estimate the AD of a fractured vertebra from the density of adjacent vertebrae.

Physiological and histopathological studies on bisphenol-a compound as xenoestrogen in male albino rats

Xenoestrogens are compounds like estrogens in effect but not in structure which are mimicking the action of endogenous estrogen and activate estrogen receptor. Xenoestrogens are chemically distinct industrial products potentially able to disrupt the endocrine system by mimicking the action of endogenous steroid hormones. Among such compounds, the ubiquitous environmental contaminants bisphenol-A [BPA] may promote adverse effects in humans triggering estrogenic signals in target tissues. Bisphenol- A is widely used in food and drinks packaging. The present study is carrying out to evaluate the effect of bisphenol-A on sexual hormonal pattern in male albino rats. 64 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats [100-120 g] were divided to four groups [16 rats/group].Group [1]: control group without any treatment. Group[2]: positive control group was injected subcutaneously [s.c] with sesame oil daily. Group [3]: received BPA daily with low dose [10 mg/kg/day s.c]. Group [4]: received BPA daily with high dose [30 mg/kg/day s.c]. The experiment durated 30 days, half rats of each group were sacrificed after 15 days of treatment and the other half of groups after 30 days. The blood was collected, serum was separated and used for estimation of [hormonal levels, prolactin, gonadotrophin and testosterone] and some biochemical parameters [liver enzymes, kidney function, protein and lipid profile]. Testis, liver and kidney were taken for the histopathological examination. Biochemical results showed significant elevation in prolactin and FSH levels and significant reduction in LH and testosterone levels in all groups compared to the control group. Increased serum enzymes [ASAT, ALATand ALP] levels with increased concentration of urea and creatinine were detected in all the treated groups compared to the control group. Decline in protein profile and elevation in the concentration of lipid profile, while HDL was decreased in all the treated groups. Histopathological results showed dystrophic changes in the form of congestion in the blood vessels of the testis, liver and kidney of rats with thickening of walls of the blood vessels especially in the testis. In liver, focal inflammatory areas, with dilated and congested central and portal veins were found. Vacuolar degenerative changes in hepatocytes were seen. In the kidney, mild nephritis, sclerotic changes in glomerular tuft, hyaline casts in the lumen of epithelial cells which lining convoluted tubule were noticed. From the previous results we concluded that bisphenol-A has dangerous effects on the testis, liver and kidney tissues. Also it disrupted sexual hormonal pattern and affect biochemical and lipid parameters. So, we recommended minimizing the utililizing of these compound to protect people from its hazardous effects

intervention of vitamin a, iron and zinc deficiencies among school children through an enriched biscuits

An intervention to fight the deficiencies of iron, zinc and vitamin A was conducted in /I 60 school children aged < 6years old, 7-10years old and 10-12years old. Selection was randomly assigned to receive daily fortified biscuits in a period of 6 months. Children in the intervention group received biscuits fortified with vitamin A [456IU/60 gm], iron [3mg/60gm] and zinc [1.8 mg/60gm]. Anthropometric data and chemical indicators before and after were collected and compared at base line and follow up process for the intervention group. The prevalence of low serum iron, zinc were increased to reach the normal level, however, vitamin A increased, but not able to reach the normal level. Studies of the relationship of hemoglobin, serum iron, zinc and retinol were undertaken and discussed

Evaluation of the protective effect of isoprinosine against navelbine induced oxidative stress in mice

Many studies in vitro and in vivo have shown immunomodulating and antiviral activities of Isoprinosine [inosine pranobex]. Chemotherapy means the use of a drug which is most effective at, killing cells that are rapidly dividing. Vinorelbine [Navelbine, 5 oranhydrovinblastine] is a third-generation vinca alkaloid anti-tumor drug. It is widely used in the treatment of cancer such as advanced non-small-cell lung cancer [NSCLC] and advanced breast cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the possible protective effects of Isoprinosine in bacterially infected and non infected mice at a dose level of 8.75 mg/kg/day orally every second day for 15 days under the effect of anticancer Navelbine. Mitochondrial DNA fragmentation, Lipid pereoxidation [MDA], glutathione contents [GSH], phagocytosis test and serum level of immunoglobulin G and M antibodies were evaluated, a significant increase in liver homogenate and mitochondria protein carbonyl levels was observed in Navelbine alone treated mice when compared to control group. DNA fragmentation in homogenate and mitochondria was significantly increased in all test groups when compared to control group except Isoprinosine treated animal group which showed significant decrease in DNA fragmentation. The results of this study proved the immune protective and immunomodulatory effects of Isoprinosine against Navelbine induced toxicity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa infected and non infected mice

Clinical features, electrophysiological findings and naked eye appearance of the median nerve in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

To study the morphological changes of the median nerve during release of the carpal tunnel and to compare it with electrophysiological and clinical parameters. Patients were subjected to full clinical examination, confirmatory tests [Phalen test and Tinel test], routine laboratory investigations, electrophysiological tests [motor and sensory nerve conduction studies of the median nerve] and median nerve decompression surgery. There were no significant differences between the presence or absence of the different clinical features and the surgical grading and vice versa; there were no significant differences between the presence or absence of different surgical features and the clinical grading. There was no significant relation between the clinical grading and the surgical grading. Some electrodiagnostic findings have a reliable relation with surgical findings rather than with clinical findings in patients with CTS. CMAP, compound muscle action potential; CTS; carpal tunnel syndrome; EMG, electromyography; NCS, nerve conduction study

Oxidative stress and some antioxidant parameters in postmenopausal osteoporotic women with fractures a case control study

Osteoporosis is a major metabolic bone disease that occurs primarily in women over the age of 50 year because of the loss of estrogen during menopause. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis [PMO]. Antioxidants, by virtue of their ability to mitigate the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species [ROS], have generated interest in their use as chemopreventive agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of two selected antioxidant defenses [vit C and superoxide dismutase SOD] in addition to Malondialdehyde [MDA] levels, the byproduct of lipid peroxidation as an indicator of oxidative stress in postmenopausal osteoporotic women in comparison with non osteoporotic. Postmenopausal osteoporotic [n=40] and non osteoporotic [n=20] women as a control group aged from 45 years and above were included. All studied women were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, and bone mineral density [BMD] measurements of the proximal femur using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry [DXA] scan and plasma levels of vit C, SOD and MDA were measured in all studied subjects. The study showed that women with PMO had significantly lower levels of plasma vit C and SOD and higher MDA levels in comparison to non osteoporotic control group [p < 0.05]. A significant positive correlation [p < 0.01] was found between plasma levels of vitamin C [r = 0.91], SOD [r =0.65] and Femoral neck BMD while a significant but negative correlation was found [r = -0.85, p <0.01] between MDA and femoral neck BMD among the studied subjects. It could be concluded that oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defenses have an important role in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis and MDA, the oxidative stress marker may be an important indicator for bone loss in postmenopausal women. Further studies need to be carried out to investigate the exact rote of antioxidants in osteoporosis and their promising use as chemopreventive agents

Efficiency of immunization of mice with irradiated antigen against schistosoma mansoni infection in comparison with praziquantel

The present study is an attempt to evaluate the protective effect of schistosomula antigen and the current antischistosomal drug praziquantel [PZQ] as a reference drug on mice infected with S. mansoni. Mice were vaccinated by irradiated or non-irradiated schistosomula antigen, both at a dose of 100 ug protein/mice once weekly for 3 weeks, before infection with a live cercariae and compared with the treatment with i.m. injection of praziquantel at a dose, of 40 mg/kg b.wt. 4 times once weekly for 4 weeks after infection. The degree of resistance or protection induced by immunization and chemotherapy was assessed 45 days post-infection and evaluated by physiological, parasitological, immunological as well as histological parameters. The results indicated that immunization with lambda irradiated antigen at 20 Krad or the treatment with PZQ resulted in significant reduction in ova count in liver and intestine tissues more than those vaccinated with non-irradiated antigen compared with infected group. Immunized group with irradiated antigen and the group treated with PZQ showed a significant decrease in liver enzymes activity [ALT, AST and lambda -GT], while in immunized group with non-irradiated antigen, there was a significant increase in AST and lambda -GT as compared to infected group. The level of alkaline phosphatase enzyme was significantly increased in all investigated groups compared to infected one. Treatment with PZQ or immunization with irradiated or non-irradiated schistosomula antigen induced amelioration in serum IL-10 and TNF-alpha. Scanning electron microscope demonstrated normal mature worms in infected group after 45 days from infection. In contrast, many changes were detected in the rest groups as alterations in the tegument, implosion of tubercles which appeared pealed and sloughed off and most of the spines were detached and separated. Histological examination of liver sections of infected mice revealed lobular cellular infiltration and cloudy swelling in hepatocytes with occurrence of necrotic foci. Also, granuloma of infiltrating cells was noticed around the portal structures and inbetween the degenerated cells. Congested portal vein could be seen lodged with adult worms and the portal tracts showed fibrous thickening. Whereas, the lung revealed destructed bronchioles which appeared surrounded by intense inflammatory foci. Thickened interalveolar septae were also marked, however many alveoli appeared with shed destroyed epithelium. Moreover, peribronchiolar and perivascular fibrosis was quite prominent. Gross pathological alterations were observed in both liver and lung of immunized groups with non-irradiated antigen. In controversy, immunization with irradiated antigen can reduce the granulomatous reaction and collagen deposition. There are also little inflammation and less congestion, however the hepatic and pulmonary architectures appeared otherwise normal. The present histological findings proved that PZQ has a valuable schistosomicidal effect but some pathological changes are still detectable. On the whole, it could be concluded that irradiated antigen produced marked protection against S.mansoni infection and this may reflect its possible beneficial effect on the diseased liver and lung

Ultrastructure immunohistopatholgical study on the anti-inflammatory response to dexamethasone under the influence of pyrethroids

The present study investigates the interaction of Dexamethasone with acute inflammation induced by Carrageenan [CGN] in the presence of the synthetic insecticide pyrethroid. Sixty adult male Sprague Dawly rats were utilized to study the immunological, histological and ultrastructure of the spleen, thymus gland and skeletal muscles. The animals were divided into six groups: Control group, carrageenan-treated group, carrageenan-dexamathasone-treated group, and three insecticide exposed groups, one of them was exposed to insecticidal preparation only whereas the two other groups were treated with either CGN or CGN with dexamethasone. Microscopic examination of spleen and thymus gland parraffin sections of the CGN animals showed distortion of their normal architecture, degenerative changes and dilated and congested blood capillaries. Moreover, hyaline appearance, hemorrhage, cellular debris and necrosis could be observed. Extensive changes in the skeletal muscles were observed, while electron microscopic examination revealed irregular shaped nuclei and mitochondria. In addition insecticide-exposed CGN treated groups have shown microscopic degenerative changes both in spleen and thymus. These degenerative changes disappeared when treated with dexamethasone. Ultrastructure examination showed highly disintegrated myofilaments and completely degenerated mitochondria of the skeletal muscle. This study included also the determination of serum total protein, albumin, globulin and total immunoglobulin G, which recorded a disturbance in the immunoresponse, especially in the carrageenan and dexamethasone, pyrethroids-exposed groups