Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Novel 2-Phenylindole Linked Imidazolothiazole, Thiazolo-s-triazine and Imidazolyl-Sugar Systems

Novel functionalized 2-phenylindole derivatives, their derived imidazolethione and 1,2,4-triazinethione weresynthesized. The bicyclic compounds thiazoloimidazole and thiazolotriazine compounds in addition to their arylidinederivatives 5-8 were synthesized. Furthermore, a thioglycoside, as well as sugar hydrazone derivatives of theimidazolylindole system, were prepared. Some of the prepared compounds were screened against four cancer celllines and compounds 2, 3a and 10 showed high cytotoxic activities. The imidazolylindol-3-one derivatives 3a showedsignificant cytotoxic effect superior to the reference drug, doxorubicin, against breast adenocarcinoma cell line.

Evaluation of Mutagenic Effects of Monosodium Glutamate Using Allium cepa and Antimutagenic Action of Origanum majorana L. and Ruta chalepensis Medical Plants.

At the present study, Allium cepa root tips were collected during 2,6 and 24 hrs after treated with selected concentrations (1.0,3.0,5.0 and 7.0 g/L) of Mono-Sodium Glutamate (MSG) that used as flavour enhancer in foods. MSG induced mitodepression chromosomal aberrations such as bridges, fragments, disturbance, sticky chromosomes and other morphological abnormalities like enlargement cells. In this study we amid to determine the inhibitory effect of oil extract (1.25 μl/ml) from two medical plant species Origanium majorana L. and Ruta chalepensis on this food additive. Our results demonstrated that these extracts have the potency to suppress MSG by increasing of mitotic index and reduction of the chromosomal aberration and thus could be a promising antimutagenic and antigenotoxic potential.

Superantigen gene profile of Staphylococcus aureus colonizing Egyptian pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis: relationship to disease severity and multi-drug resistance

Background: Eczematous skin of atopic dermatitis [AD] is highly susceptible to infection and colonization by Staphylococcus aureus and the superantigen toxins can worsen the condition

Objectives: To assess the colonization of Egyptian pediatric AD patients with S. aureus and to characterize the superantigen gene profile of isolates in relation to severity and to presence of multiple drug resistant [MDR] strains

Methodology: The study included 53 AD pediatric patients and 45 controls. Severity of AD was assessed by scoring atopic dermatitis [SCORAD] index. Swabs were collected to isolate S. aureus. Isolates were subjected to multiplex PCR reactions for detection of six superantigen genes and to antimicrobial susceptibility tests by disc diffusion method

Results: Colonization with S. aureus was significantly higher [P < 0.0001] in AD children compared to controls and was significantly associated [P= 0.001] with severity. Superantigen genes were detected in 30.1% of isolates. The most prevalent genes were sea [64.5%], seb [32.3%], sec [6.5%] and tsst-1 [3.2%]. Multidrug resistance was found in 63.1% of strains. Severity of AD was significantly higher with strains harboring superantigen genes [P=0.04] and with MDR strains [P=0.0002]. Among methicillin resistant S. aureus [MRSA], seb was the most prevalent superantigen gene [37.5%], while sea was most prevalent in methicillin-susceptible S. aureus [MSSA] [20%], MDR [23.1%] and non MDR isolates [13.2%]

Conclusion: Superantigen genes and multidrug resistance are common in S. aureus colonizing AD patients and are associated with severity. More attention should be paid at performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing before antibiotic therapy

Association of IL-13 [-1055 C/T] and CYP1A1 [MspI] gene polymorphisms with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Egyptian patients in relation to disease severity

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, characterized by persistent and progressive airflow limitations. The etiology seems to be an interaction between genetic and environmental factors

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to identify the possible association of IL-13 [-1055 C/T] and CYP1A1 [MspI] gene polymorphisms with COPD in Egyptian patients and their relation to the severity of the disease

Methodology: Our study included 200 participants [100 COPD patients and 100 controls]. Pulmonary function tests were performed for patients, DNA extraction was done and the polymorphisms were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP] for serum samples from all participants

Results: IL- 13 -1055 C/T polymorphism was significantly associated with COPD; CT and TT genotypes [P=0.01, 0.03 respectively] compared to CC genotype, with a significant association of the T allele with the disease [P=0.003], while CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism showed no significantly different distribution between patients and controls [P=0.11and 0.068 for CT and CC respectively], while, a significant association between the C [m2] allele and COPD was found [P=0.04]. IL-13 -1055 T allele and CYP1A1 MspI C [m2] allele were found to be significantly associated with more severe cases of COPD when compared to the less severe ones [P= 0.03 and 0.02, respectively]

Conclusions: IL-13 -1055 C/T polymorphism is associated with COPD, and the presence of IL-13 T allele and CYP1A1 MspI C [m2] allele are risk factors for developing more severe COPD

Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Markers of Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats.

Increasing evidences link free radicals and oxidative stress to the pathogenesis of diabetes and related complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exogenous coenzyme Q10 supplementation on streptozotocin induced experimental diabetes in rats. Experimental diabetes was induced by single subcutaneous injection of streptozotocin ( 50 mg/kg/ body weight) . Forty male albino rats were used in this study, they were divided into 4 groups: control group, coenzyme Q10 treated group, diabetic group and coenzyme Q10 treated diabetic group. At the end of the experiment (8 weeks) urine samples were collected, rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Significant high levels of blood sugar, glycated Hb, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, advanced oxidative protein products , 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and percent of DNA damage as well as significant low levels of nitric oxide and HDL cholesterol were observed in diabetic group. Significant low levels of blood sugar, glycated Hb, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, advanced oxidative protein products, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and percent of DNA damage as well as significant high levels of nitric oxide and HDL cholesterol were observed in coenzyme Q10 treated diabetic group. The data confirmed the property of coenzyme Q10 as an antioxidant that ameliorates oxidative stress and that it may be used as an additional therapeutic agent for prophylaxis and slowing down the progression diabetic complications.

Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance [TEARS] a marker of oxidative stress in obstructive sleep apnea

OSA is a common condition that is primarily characterized by intermittent and recurrent pauses in respiration results in multiple cycles of hypoxia/re-oxygenation with an increased production of reactive oxygen species [ROS]. Is to assess TEARS as a marker of oxidative stress in obese patients with and without OSA. Study was performed on 51 obese subjects who had been referred to the Chest Department of Kasr Alaini Hospital with clinical suspicion of OSA in order to perform pol-ysomnography. They were classified into two groups; Cases: consist of 33 obese patients who were diagnosed as obstructive sleep apnea [OSA] and Controls: consist of 18 obese subjects, without OSA as a control group. The two groups were subjected to polysomnograpic study and serum TEARS. There was statistically highly significant increase in Epworth sleepiness scale [ESS] among cases compared to controls. As regards the polysomnographic data, there was statistically highly significant increase in AHI, desaturation index and duration of desaturation < 90% among cases compared to control subjects. While minimal O[2] sat% and average O[2] sat% were lower in cases than in the control subjects this reduction was statistically significant. There was statistically highly significant increase in serum TEARS levels among cases as compared to controls. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between grade of obesity and serum TEARS among studied cases. TERAS could be used as a marker of oxidative stress in OSA

Insulin resistance in obstructive sleep apnea

OSA is a common condition that is characterized by intermittent and recurrent pauses in respiration results in multiple cycles of hypoxia/reoxygenation with an increased production of reactive oxygen species [ROS]. Is to assess serum insulin level and insulin resistance in obese patients with and without OSA. Study was performed on 51 obese subjects who had been referred to the Chest Department of Kasr Alaini Hospital with clinical suspicion of OSA in order to perform polysomnography. They were classified into two groups; cases: consist of 33 obese patients who were diagnosed as obstructive sleep apnea [OSA] and controls: consist of 18 obese subjects, without OSA as a control group. The two groups were subjected to polysomnographic study, serum insulin by ELISA and assessment of insulin resistance by calculation of HOMA index. There was statistically highly significant increase in Epworth sleepiness scale [ESS] among cases compared to controls. As regards the polysomnographic data, there was statistically highly significant increase in AHI, desaturation index and duration of desaturation < 90% among cases compared to control subjects. Regarding minimal O2 sat% and average O[2] sat% were lower in cases than in the control subjects and this reduction was statistically significant. There was statistically highly significant increase in serum insulin, HOMA index among cases as compared to controls. Insulin resistance in OSA is related to sleep associated hypoxemia and hypoxic stress

HCV core antigen testing versus HCV PCR testing for early detection of HCV infection

HCV core antigen is detectable in serum several weeks earlier than anti-HCV antibodies. Variability in early detection time is even more pronounced in certain groups of patients such as the hemodialysis and immunocompromised where the antibody response may take between 45-68 days to develop. Early detection of HCV core Ag in serum may represent an attractive, cost effective screening tool for such high risk patients. The current study aimed at evaluation of the analytical performance of the Abbott Architect HCV Chemiluminescenat Microparticle Immunoassay [CMIA] in comparison to the standard PCR detection of HCV RNA. In addition, the current study evaluated the possible clinical utility of HCV Ag kit in testing pooled samples from several patients. Samples from 44 HCV patients and 15 controls were analyzed using the CMIA HCV core Ag assay and quantitative PCR. Samples from positive HCV patients were pooled and analyzed using the HCV core Ag assay. The current study demonstrated a sensitivity of 81.0% and specificity of 97.0% for the ABBOTT HCV core Ag kit assay in detecting HCV positive cases compared to quantitative PCR assay. The most important finding of the current study is that HCV core Ag assays may have false negative results at low level viremia [low HCV copy numbers]. The current study does not support using HCV core Ag as a single test for screening possible HCV cases or using HCV core Ag assays on pooled samples. Bigger studies may be needed to strengthen the findings of the current study

B-lines: Transthoracic chest ultrasound signs useful in assessment of interstitial lung diseases

This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the value of sonographic B-lines [previously called ''comet tail artifacts''], which are long, vertical, well-defined, hyperechoic, dynamic lines originating from the pleural line in assessment of interstitial lung diseases [ILD] and compare them with the findings of chest high-resolution computed tomography [HRCT] and pulmonary function tests [PFTs]. Sixty-one patients with ILD underwent transthoracic lung ultrasound for assessment of the presence of B-lines and the distance between them. These findings were compared with that of chest HRCT [ground glass, reticular, nodular or honey combing] and PFT as forced vital capacity [FVC], total lung capacity [TLC], diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide [DLCO] and partial arterial oxygen pressure [PaO[2]]. All patients had diffuse bilateral B-lines. The distance between each of the two adjacent B lines correlated with the severity of the disease on chest HRCT where B3 [the distance was 3 mm] correlated with ground glass opacity and B7 [the distance was 7 mm] correlated with extensive fibrosis and honey combing. Also, the distance between B-lines inversely correlated with FVC [r = -0.848, P < 0.001], TLC [r = -0.664, P < 0.001], DLCO [r = -0.817, P < 0.001] and PaO2 [r = -0.902, P < 0.001]. B-lines that are lung Ultrasound signs seem to be useful in the assessment of ILD.

Ultrastructural study of the mucosal layer of the adult albino rat ureter

The ureter is a dynamic organ rather than a simple conduit through which urine flows. The aim of the study was to explore the electron microscopic structure of the mucosa of the rat ureter in a trial for understanding the adaptive functional interactions between the urothelium and the different components found in the lamina propria. The mucosa of the ureter of 10 adult healthy male albino rats was studied under a transmission electron microscope. The rat ureter mucosa was formed of urothelium and lamina propria. The uroepithelium consisted of basal, intermediate, and apical umbrella cells. The cytoplasm of the basal cells contained few rounded vesicles with homogeneous content, bundles of microfilaments, and ribonucleoprotein particles. Besides basal cells, a few bundle cells were observed; these cells contained small dense bodies retained within large vacuoles. Desmosomal junctions interconnected the neighboring intermediate cells of the urothelium, and many rounded vesicles, mitochondria, and Golgi saccules appeared in their cytoplasm. The apical plasma membrane of the umbrella cells showed plaques and intervening hinge regions. Some rounded and many fusiform vesicles appeared within their cytoplasm. The lamina propria contained many capillaries in concavities formed by the basal layer of the urothelium; their lining endothelial cells were unusually thick. Many telocytes appeared in close contact and encircled the blood capillaries and groups of nerve fibers in the lamina propria. The telocytes were interconnected with each other and with other connective tissue cells by their telopodes. The lamina propria also revealed immune cells such as eosinophils and mast cells. Morphological analysis of the ureter mucosa is providing clues how epithelial cells sense different stimuli and transduce-in these stimuli into the underlying nervous, vascular, and active cellular elements in the lamina propria

Comparative histological study of human adult cervical and lumbar intervertebral discs and its relation to functions and diseases

The intervertebral discs are the major structural links between adjacent vertebrae. They serve to allow greater movement and compression between vertebral bodies. However, there is regional difference in disc structure and pathology relative to different mechanical stresses and load bearing. Comparing the histological structure of human cervical and lumbar intervertebral discs at adult age to analyze the extent of variations in structure between these regions and its relation to their functions and diseases. [12] IVDs: [4] C3C4, [4] L4L5 and [4] L5S1 and adjacent bony vertebrae were removed from each of 12 adult male and female humans at autopsy. The discs and vertebrae were processed for paraffin sections and stained by haematoxylin and eosin, trichrome, orcein and safranin stains. Histomorphometric study and statistical analysis were conducted. L4-L5, L5-S1 IVDs presented less collagen and more elastic fibers in posterior region of annulus fibrosus than anterior region, peripheral regions were thicker than central one of lumbar end plate. The annulus fibrosus invading nucleus pulposus and dividing it but at cervical level invading without dividing it. Safranin reaction was positive and much higher in cervical than in lumbar annulus fibrosus. The reaction was much higher in lumbar than in cervical nucleus pulposus. There are significant differences in collagen, elastic fibers and heights of cervical and lumbar discs. There are histological differences of human adult intervertebral discs in cervical and lumber regions which may affect their mechanical and physiologic functions and provide a better understanding of the external factors causing spinal disorders and enable the best method to be applied to the patients both at the diagnosis and the treatment stage

Quality of life among of menopausal women in Saudi Arabia

Objective: to assess the menopause related symptoms and their impact on the women's quality of life

Methods: A descriptive design was carried out in Obstetrics and Gynecological department at maternity and children hospital in Makkah Al Mukkarrmah. Convenient sample composed of 90 women at range of from 40-60 years were recruited in the study. Interviewing sheet that was designed by the investigators and Menopause Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire were used to collect the data

Results: The present study showed that the most severe symptoms in vasomotor, psychosocial, physical and sexual domains were, hot flushes [29%], experiencing poor memory [48.3%], being dissatisfied with their personal life [44.8%], Low backache [41.9%], and change in your sexual desire [36.8%].The overall scores of menopausal quality of life for each domain are indicated that the highest mean score in sexual domain [3.19 +/- 1.99], following by psychosocial [2.94 +/- 1.45] then vasomotor [2.55 +/- 1.53] and finally physical symptoms [2.28 +/- .749]

Conclusions: The present study concluded that most severe symptoms in vasomotor, psychosocial, physical and sexual domains were, hot flushes, experiencing poor memory, being dissatisfied with their personal life, low backache, and change in your sexual desire. The mean scores of physical and vasomotor domain were significantly more in postmenopausal [PM] group then menopausal transition MT group. While the mean scores of each domain suggest that menopausal symptoms were associated with decrease in women quality of life

Biochemical Effects of Some Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Ligands in Hyperhomocysteinemic-rats.

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is implicated in peripheral vascular, cerebrovascular and coronary heart disease. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of pioglitazone (PPAR-γ agonist) and gemfibrozil (PPAR-α agonist), either alone or in combination, in HHcy-rats. HHcy was induced by keeping rats on high methionine diet (8% w/w) for 6 weeks. Rats were divided into two major groups; normal fed rats and methionine overload rats. Each group was further subdivided into four subgroups: a) control group, b) pioglitazone (10 mg/kg), c) gemfibrozil (100 mg/kg), and d) combination of the chosen PPAR ligands. The drugs were given orally daily for consecutive six weeks. The results showed that the great reduction of HHcy was obtained by the drug combination. Induction of HHcy in rats resulted in elevation of LDL-cholesterol and suppression of HDLcholesterol. Hepatic paraoxonase-1 activity was inhibited in all HHcy-rat groups. RT-PCR for liver cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) showed marked expression in HHcy-rats, which was attenuated by treatment with PPAR agonists. RT-PCR for cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) showed positive expression in all HHcy-rat groups except that treated with combination of PPAR ligands. These results suggest that pioglitazone-gemfibrozil combination showed ameliorative effect on hyperhomocysteinemia and its consequences in rats.

Intestinal parasitic infections among expatriate workers in Al-Madina Al-Munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Al Madinah Al Munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has one of the largest number of expatriate workers. Most of them are from Sri-Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines, India and Bangladesh. These countries are considered as endemic areas for intestinal parasites. A total of 2732 stool samples were screened for intestinal parasites. Positive cases were recorded among 407 stool samples (14.9%). The common parasitic infections were encountered among 20-29 age groups (18.5%) while, the lowest infection rate was among individual > 50 years (11.8%). According to the nationality, the highest infections were recorded among Pakistanis (23.2%), followed by Philippines (22.2%), Sudanese workers (18.7%), and the lowest infection rates were recorded among Bangladeshi individuals. The infected persons were farmers, food handlers and shepherds. The detected intestinal parasites were Giardia lamblia (21.9%), Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba coli (17.8%), Trichuris trichiura (16.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides (15.8%), hookworm (13%), Hymenolepis nana (8.9%), Strongyloides sterocoralis (3.5%), Schistosoma mansoni (2.2%), and Enterobius vermicularis (0.43%). In conclusion, the high prevalence of parasites among expatriates may produce health problem among the Saudi society due to the nature of the expatriates’ work.

histological study on the effect of prenatal and postnatal administration of monosodium glutamate on the developing renal cortex of male albino rats

Monosodium glutamate [MSG] is a widely used flavour enhancer. Its use in high concentration could affect vital functions, including those of the kidney. The present study is concerned with evaluation of the effect of prenatal and postnatal MSG administration on the developing male albino rat renal cortex. Twenty pregnant female albino rats were divided into two equal groups: group I [control] and group II [treated]. In group II, MSG was administered orally at a dose of 2 mg/kg/day from the 12th day of gestation until the 21st day postnatally. After delivery, the offspring of both groups were sacrificed at the newborn stage, at 3 weeks and at 3 months. Kidney specimens were processed for examination by light and scanning electron microscopy. Maternal MSG administration affected both the renal glomeruli and tubules of the offspring. In the newborn stage, the glomeruli at the subcapsular zone appeared immature and crowded. The foot processes showed apparent elongation and disruption of their interdigitations. In weaned rats, apparent widening of Bowman's space in some glomeruli, detachment of podocytes and effacement of foot processes were noticed. In adult rats, the glomeruli showed hypercellularity with apparent elongation and fusion of the foot processes. The renal tubules at the different ages studied showed degenerative changes with sloughs inside the lumen of some tubules accompanied by proliferative changes. The proximal tubules showed partial loss of the brush border. MSG causes a delay in the development of glomeruli. Some glomeruli showed hypercellularity with affection of podocytes, which makes the glomeruli liable to glomerulosclerosis

Effect of chronic nicotine administration on the anterior cingulate cortex [area 24a] of adult albino rats: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Nicotine is the principal active component in cigarettes and cigars. It was reported that tobacco smoking enhances the performance of cognitive processing. The anterior cingulate cortex plays an important role in attention and working memory performance. This study was conducted to demonstrate the effects of chronic administration of various nicotine doses on the structure of the ventral anterior cingulate cortex [area 24a] in adult rats, as well as study the effect of withdrawal of high doses of nicotine. A total of 48 adult male albino rats were used. They were divided into four groups. Group I [N=1 2] was considered the control group. Group II [n=12] rats were treated with 1 mg/kg nicotine subcutaneously for 2 months. Group III rats [n=24] were treated with 6 mg/kg nicotine subcutaneously for 2 months. Thereafter, half of the animals were sacrificed. Group IV [the recovered group] consisted of the remaining I 2 rats of group III that were kept for another 2 months without treatment and then sacrificed. Brains were processed to be studied using Einarson's gallocyanin stain, the Golgi-Cox method, transmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical study for glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]. Further, the number of cells in the second and fifth layers of the cingulate cortex [area 24a] was measured and statistically analyzed for all the studied groups. Examination of the cingulate cortex [area 24a] in low-dose nicotine-treated rats [group II] revealed an increase in the branching of the dendrites of the pyramidal cells together with a relative increase in the density of the spines. An ultrastructural study showed the presence of numerous synaptic contacts between the nerve processes. In high-dose nicotine-treated rats [group III] the cells showed degenerative changes, which were more evident in pyramidal cells. These changes were associated with a marked reduction in the extension and branching of the dendrites. Dense GFAP immunostained fibers and cells could be seen particularly in layer I. In the recovered rats [group IV] most of the cells restored their normal appearance. Mild GFAP expression could be observed. An insignificant difference in the number of cells was also found in comparison with controls. The effect of nicotine on the organization of the anterior cingulate cortex [area 24a] was found to vary according to dose. Withdrawal of high doses of nicotine will result in a marked reduction in the structural impairment of neurons

Discrimination between pleural thickening and minimal pleural effusion using color Doppler chest ultrasonography

The discrimination of pleural thickening from minimal pleural effusion may be difficult as both lesions appear as anechoic on grayscale ultrasound, hence, free of [echoes] does not confirm the presence of pleural fluid. To evaluate the value of color Doppler ultrasound in differentiating minimal pleural effusion that could be aspirated from pleural thickening and to compare it with grayscale ultrasound. This analytic cross-sectional study was done prospectively on 40 patients who presented with pleural based opacity in their chest radiographs compatible with minimal pleural effusion. Gray scale ultrasound was done for all patients then color Doppler ultrasound examination was applied to detect the presence or absence of fluid color sign. The presence or absence of pleural effusion was confirmed by aspiration of pleural fluid. The sensitivity of real time gray scale ultrasound in detecting minimal pleural effusion and differentiating it from pleural thickening was 95.5% while, specificity was 33%, and accuracy was 67%. The ability of ultrasound in discrimination of minimal pleural effusion from pleural thickening improved greatly by application of the color Doppler examination where the specificity of the method reached 100% while the sensitivity was 91% and accuracy was 95%. Application of color Doppler examination increases the accuracy of real time chest ultrasound to discriminate pleural thickening from minimal pleural effusion and hence color Doppler examination proved to be a useful diagnostic tool to real-time gray-scale ultrasound for diagnosis of minimal pleural effusion

Role of sleep endoscopy in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

There are limited data about the role of sleep endoscopy in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome [OSAS]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level, degree and shape of obstruction of the upper airway in patients with OSAS by sleep endoscopy and their relation to OSAS severity. Fifty consecutive patients with OSAS were prospectively enrolled in this cross sectional analytic study. All patients underwent history, a full night-attended polysomnogra-phy and sleep endoscopy. The degree of pharyngeal narrowing [grades I-IV] was evaluated at ret-ropalatal, retroglossal and hypopharyngeal levels. Shape of pharyngeal collapse was classified into circular, lateral or antero-posterior at retropalatal and retroglossal levels. Shape of the epiglottis was also observed. All patients showed multisegmental levels of obstruction. Moderate OSAS had a higher percentage of grade II obstruction but a lower percentage of grade I at hypopharyngeal level compared to mild OSAS [P < 0.05]. Also, in moderate OSAS, tongue base obstruction was 47.4% which was significantly higher comparing to mild OSAS [16.7%] [P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference between different grades of obstruction at all anatomical levels in polysomnograph-ic parameters. Omega shaped epiglottis was associated with the highest apnea hypopnea index, desaturation index, lowest average and minimum O[2] level. Sleep endoscopy is a useful tool for the assessment of level, degree and shape of the upper airway obstruction during sleep in OSAS and this could be helpful in preoperative evaluation. Presence of obstruction at hypopharyngeal level or tongue base obstruction is an indicator of OSAS severity

oxidative stress and platelet activation in patients infected with T. gondii

Toxoplasma gondiiis a highly frequent obligate intracellular protozoan parasite; it can cause serious problems to the public health especially pregnant females, however, the pathogenesis of this condition is not clear. Was to evaluate the status and the inter-relationship of the oxidative stress and platelet activation in patients infected with T.gondii. Thirty patients infected with T.gondii [10 acute and 20 chronic cases] and 10 healthy subjects [control group] were included in this study. Serum levels of malondialdehyde [MDA], total glutathione [t GSH], reduced glutathione [GSH], oxidized glutathione [GSSG], redox potential [RP] and soluble P-selectin [sP-selectin] were measured. EDITA blood samples were used for complete blood picture with special emphasis on platelet count and mean platelet volume [MPV]. The mean platelet volume [MPV] in patients was significantly higher than the control group, however, platelet count showed no significant difference. The serum mean values of MDA, GSSG, RP and sP-selectin in patients were significantly higher than the control subjects. On the other hand, the levels of IGSH and GSHin patients were significantly lower than in controls. MPV and platelet count showed significant positive correlations with sP-selectin concentration. Although toxoplasmosis is mostly asymptomatic, the findings of the present study strongly indicate that the occurrence of oxidative stress could be a potential mechanism of subclinical inflammatory pathology and tissue damage in these cases