Terminalia arjuna [Roxb.] modulates circulatory antioxidants on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene- induced Hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

Oral cancer is the fifth most frequent cancer worldwide and India has recorded the highest incidence [40-50%] of oral malignancy. This study is designed to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Terminalia arjuna bark [TaBet] on circulatory lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status during 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene [DMBA]-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Male Syrian golden hamsters painted with 0.5% 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene on the buccal pouches and developed oral squamous cell carcinoma were included in this study. The enhanced Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in circulation of tumor-bearing animals was accompanied by a significant decrease in the levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Administration of TaBet [500 mg/kg body weight] significantly suppressed DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinomas, decreased lipid peroxidation and enhanced the levels of antioxidants. The chemopreventive potential of TaBet is probably due to its antilipidperoxidative effect or the presence of some potent bioactive chemopreventive principles in the bark of Terminalia arjuna. The results of the present study indicate that T. arjuna may emerge as a putative chemopreventive agent against oral carcinogenesis

Albendazole and its metabolites in the breast milk of lactating women following a single oral dose of albendazole

Albendazole is used in several antihelminthic drug programs. The need may rise to include sectors of the community [like nursing women] not previously involved in community or clinical programs. The problem of the impact of excreted drug and its metabolites in milk on the breast-fed infant is addressed. To study the pharmacokinetic parameters of albendazole and its metabolites in the milk of lactating women one single 400 mg oral dose of albendazole. 33 lactating women [age 18-40] were selected and participated in the study. They all received a single oral 400 rug dose of albendazole. Five milk samples were taken at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 36 hours after the oral dose. One serum sample was taken after 6 hours [with the 2nd milk sample]. Samples were analyzed using HPLC method. Pharmacokinetc study was performed. Albendazole 'AB' and its inactive metabolite ABSN were scarcely detected in milk samples after six hours of the oral dose. Only the active metabolite, ABSX, could be diluted at levels that allows pharmacokinetic study. The pharmacokinetic parameters of albendazole s11p13ide 'ABSX', were calculated as follows: 35 1.91 +/- 32.4 ng/mL; 6.9 +/- 0.49 hs; 12.37 +/- 2.18 hs and 5 190.28 +/- 482.8 ng. hr/mL for Cmax, Tmax, t 1/2 and AUCO-36, respectively. The ratio of albendazole and its metabolite was determined. After an oral dose of 400 rug, AB and ABSX attain levels in milk that are hardly considered harmful for the breast-fed infant

Frequency and risk factors of hepatotoxicity of anti Tuberculous drugs

Hepatotoxicity is reported in patients using first-line anti-tuberculous drugs regimen, among them 6-12% die. Identifying the risk factors for developing hepatotoxicity would probably reduce morbidity and mortality associated with T.B management. To study the frequency and risk factors of hepatotoxic reactions in patients receiving firat-line anti-tuberculous drugs. In addition to determine the relation between acetylator phenotype and anti-tuberculous drug hepatotoxicity. Seventy seven patients consecutively presenting to Suez Chest Hospital with active T.B diseases [WHO criteria], who were eligible for anti- tuberculous regimens [WHO guidelines] were included. Child B or C cirrhotic patients or Child A with liver enzymes exceeding double the normal were excluded in addition patients suffering from chronic renal or cardiac disease, hypersensitivity to anti-tuberculous drugs or receiving potentially hepatotoxic medications for other reasons were also excluded. 1-Rate of hepatotoxic reactions according to the diagnostic criteria. 2- Rates of fast and slow acetylator phenotypes. 3- Rate of risk factors among patients with hepatotoxicity versus patients without hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxic reactions have been diagnosed in seven [9.1%] patients. By univariate analysis, age over 60 years [p = 0.02], alcoholism [p = 0.02], extra-pulmonary tuberculosis [p = 0.02] and severe forms of tuberculosis [p = 0.03] were statistically significant risk factors. Fifty eight [75.3%] of the study sample were slow acetylators, while 8 [10.4%] were fast acetylators. Three out of the eight [37.5%] of fast acetylators and only [6.9%] of the slow acetylators developed hepatotoxicity [p = 0.03]. Logistic regression models showed that fast acetylator phenotype was the only significant [p = 0.04] risk factor for early hepatotoxicity. Alcoholism [p = 0.01] was a significant risk factor for late hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxic reactions among patients receiving anti-tuberculous drugs remain a considerable problem. Two patterns of liver injury can be observed. The first occurs earlier and is associated with fast acetylator phenotype. The second occurs later and is associated with alcoholism and HCV infection

Histological and immunohistochemical study on the effect of hypo and hypercaloric diet on the structure of hippocampus of male albino rat

Caloric restriction remains the major, non genetic intervention that extends the life span of the short and long -lived mammalian species. This nutritional intervention also delays the onset, or slows the progression of many age-related disease processes. The present study investigated the effect of hypocaloric diet, in comparison to the hypercaloric and the balanced diet feeding on the structure of hippocampus. The study was conveyed on young and aged male albino rats for eight weeks. Showed that the aged control rats manifested many degenerative changes in the hippocampus. These changes were in the form of degenerated pyramidal cells with pyknotic nuclei and Karyolysis of some cells. A significant decrease in the pyramidal cell number was detected with a significant compensatory increase in the number of the astrocytes. Shrinkage of some pyramidal cells and swelling of others could be observed. Hypercaloric diet feeding resulted in exaggeration of these age -related changes that started to be noticed in the young rats. On the other hand hypocaloric diet feeding attenuated the age-related hippocampal changes. This was evidenced by histological, immunohistochemical, and statistical studies. These results direct our attention to limit the caloric intake in our food, to maintain a healthy life style for safe aging

Association between estrogen receptor a gene polymorphism and the risk of breast cancer in a group of Egyptian women

Estrogen receptor [ER] is a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates estrogen actions in target tissues. Several common polymorphisms of the ER-alpha gene have been reported to be associated with alterations in receptor expression and function. We evaluated the hypothesis that genetic polymorphisms in the ER-alpha gene may be associated with breast cancer risk in Egyptians. In this study the involvement of two RFLPs at the ER-alpha gene locus, denoted as PvuII and XbaI in breast cancer were examined in 40 breast cancer cases and 33 age frequency-matched controls. A case-control comparison was performed and the genotype distributions examined according to different tumor and population parameters. PvuII polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer [OR = 5.14, P=0.01], while there was no significant difference in genotype frequency of the XbaI polymorphism between controls and cases. The PvuII polymorphism was also associated with elevated breast cancer risk in premenopausal cases [OR=7.00, p=0.049]. In addition, significant association was found in patients with LN metastasis carrying the ER-alpha PvuII T allele [OR=7.14, p=0.013]. These results suggest that biomarkers for genetic polymorphisms could be used for the identification of breast cancer risk among Egyptian women

Reconstruction of subtotal and total tympanic membrane perforations using cartilage palisade technique

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of palisade cartilage technique for reconstruction of subtotal and total tympanic membrane [TM] perforations compared with temporalis fascia [TF] graft. Prospective study consists of ninety five patients suffering from chronic inactive suppurative otitis media with subtotal and total TM perforations. The patients underwent full history taking, clinical examination and audiological evaluation. The patients were classified into two groups: group A [75 patients] in whom cartilage palisade technique was used and group B [20 patients] in whom TF graft was used. Closure of TM perforation was achieved in 71 patients [94.6%] of group A and in 7 patients [35%] in group B. As regards hearing results, there was highly significant postoperative improvement in pure tone averages as well as air-bone gap averages in both groups. In group A, the air-bone gap was closed to less than 10 dB in 26.6% and from 10-25 dB in 56% and to more than 25dB in 17.4%. While in group B, the air-bone gap was closed to less than 10 dB in 25% and from 10 - 25 dB in 65% and to more than 25dB in 10%. In this study, the average pre and postoperative air-bone gap were 26.1 dB and 13 dB respectively for cartilage group and 25.3 dB and 13.1 dB for fascia group. This study revealed that, the palisade technique is an effective, straight foreword technique with high success rate and good hearing results without postoperative complications

Hepatotoxicity and metabolic changes in the rat following chronic administration of diethyl phthalate

This work was carried out on 20 adult male albino rats divided into two groups of 10 rats each. At the end of the treatment period, serum specimens were collected and the livers were excised for the determination of some serum enzymes and other biochemical parameters. It was observed that the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and gamma-glutamyl transferase [GGT] were increased significantly in diethyl phthalate [DEP] treated rats. Significant decreases were found in the liver AST, ALT and ALP levels. The serum and liver acid phosphatase [ACP] showed significant increases in DEP treated rats compared with the controls. On the other hand, liver glucose-6-phosphatase enzyme showed a significant decrease in DEP treated rats, while there was a significant increase in hepatic lipid peroxidation as manifested by an increase in malondialdehyde [MDA] concentration. There was a significant increase in liver glycogen levels, liver carnitine acetyl transferase and liver triglycerides in DEP treated rats. On the contrary, serum triglycerides levels showed a significant decrease

Gamma aminobutyric acid [GABA] and glutamate levels in the csf of epileptic children

Thirty-one children divided into 3 groups were studied. Group I included 13 neurologically free children, aged 3-9 years and not receiving any medications. Group II consisted of 7 recently diagnosed non medicated epileptic children, aged 3.5-8 years. Eleven medicated epileptic children; aged 4-9 years represented group III. All children were examined thoroughly. EEG and brain CT scan were done for epileptic children. Gamma Aminobutyric acid [GABA] and Glutamate levels in CSF were assessed for all children by HPLC. The mean CSF levels of GABA were lowest in non-medicated epileptic children. Control of the seizures by anti-epileptic drugs [AEDs] was associated by a concomitant re-increase in the CSF GABA levels. The mean glutamate CSF levels did not differ significantly among the three studied groups. Nevertheless, it was noticed that the GABA / Glutamate ratio was higher in medicated than in non-medicated epileptic children. It could be concluded that CSF GABA levels as well as the GABA / Glutamate ratio can reliably monitor the epileptic control by pharmacotherapy

Osmotic fragility of normal human erythrocytes in solutions of different cations and anions

Osmotic fragility curves for normal RBCs bathed with each of four different cations [Na[+],K[+],Ca[2] and Mg[2+] and five different anions [Lactate, H[2]PO[-4], Cl[-],HCo[-3] and HPO[--4] were constructed The curves for cations were typical "S" shaped. The divalent cations [Ca[+2] and Mg[+2]] produced more hemolysis than monovalent ones [Na[+] and K[+]] at each osmolal concentration of the curves. HCO[-3] has the least hemozytic effect while lactate the greatest. Divalent phosphate [HPO[--4] has less hemolytic effect than monovalent one H[2]PO[-4]] at high osmolal concentrations [150-300 mosm/L], The reverse effect occurs at lower osmosal concentrations [50-150 mosm/L], It is not only the total osmotic pressure [O.P] of the solution or the diameter of the ion but also the ion charge and the presence or absence of specific ion which determines the osmotic behaviour of the cell

Congenital anomalies at the external genitalia in a buck [clinical report]

A Balady buck with an abnormal position of the male external genitalia was received, where the penis did not reach its normal course and the testicles in the scrotal sheath were found in front of the penis. Urethral dilatation was also observed at the perineal region. The case suffered from urine retention which was successfully saved by urethrotomy. Surgical manipulations were also dealt within the testicles

Surgical management of tracheal fistula in a dog [clinical report]

A male wolf dog 2 years old was suffering from an old traumatic wound involving the ventral as well as the general aspect of the neck resulting in a tracheal fistula. Trials for treatment were done, by the owner, without improvement. Surgical interference for the case was successful

Meniscal damage of the horse stifle joint

Stifle lameness was diagnosed in 90 horses. Meniscal damages and clinical signs were recorded in 15 horses representing 16.5% of the total cases. A passive flexion and rotation test for the stifle joint was adopted to help in diagnosis of such damages. Necropsy was performed on the affected joints to assure the clinical findings. The medial meniscus was the one found affected in all the examined cases

Histology of the normal and cataractous lens

The histological picture of the normal lens taken from cadaver eyes were fully presented and discussed. In addition, the microscopic change of different types of mature cataract, either on its own [senile mature cataract] or complicated with other systemic diseases as glaucoma and diabetes, was also presented in this study. All lenses were subjected to three different types of decalcification to soften the lens and to overcome the difficulty of obtaining good histological sections. Also, different staining techniques were employed and they proved to be useful in studying both the normal structure of the lens and its histological changes in cataract