Effect of Boswellia serrata on Alzheimer's disease induced in rats

Alzheimer's disease [AD] is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Increased oxidative stress has been shown to be a prominent and early feature in AD. Medicinal plants with antioxidant activities have been used traditionally in the treatment of several human diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the possible prophylactic and therapeutic effects of aqueous infusions of Boswellia serrata on AD induced in rats. Ninety adult male Sprague Dawley rats were enrolled in this study and were divided into 9 groups [ten each]. Groups 1-5 for the protective study, 6-9 for the therapeutic study as follows: 1st group: negative control group in which rats were given daily oral dose of 1ml tab water, 2nd group: induction of animal model mimicking AD by daily oral administration of aluminum chloride [AlCl[3]] to rats in a dose of 17 mg/kg for 4 successive weeks; 3rd, 4th, and 5th groups: rats were orally given rivastigmine [0.3 mg/kg/day], Boswellia serrata [45 and 90 mg/kg /day respectively], for two weeks followed by combination of each treatment with AlCl[3] for another four successive weeks. Groups 6-9 for the therapeutic study: 6th group: AD induced group which acted as a model mimicking AD in humans received orally 1ml of tab water only for 12 successive weeks and served as therapeutic untreated group. 7th, 8th and 9th groups: AD rats treated orally with rivastigmine [0.3 mg/kg/day], Boswellia serrata [45 and 90 mg/kg /day respectively] daily for 12 successive weeks. At baseline [before induction of AD], before treatment, then after each treatment, behavioral stress tests as activity cages, rotarod, and T-maze tests were done. At the end of all experiments rats' brains were dissected and divided sagitally into two portions, the first portion was homogenized for determination of acetylcholine [Ach] and acetycholinesterase [AchE] levels. The second portion was used for histopathologic examination. The present study indicated that Boswellia serrata when was used for treatment of AlCl[3] induced AD, its high dose only produced increased activity of rats in the activity cage, duration of rats revolving on the rotarod and reduction in the duration taken by rats to reach food in the T-maze test. Both doses produced elevation of Ach level and reduction of AchE activity in brain homogenates. These results were consistent with the histopathological findings in brain tissues where, the neurons appear more or less like normal ones. This study revealed that the treatment of AD-induced rats with aqueous infusions of B. serrata significantly ameliorates the neurodegenerative characteristics of ADs in rats

Relationship between organizational climate and empowerment of nurses in Menoufiya hospitals, Egypt

One factor influencing the outcome of care may be the nursing staff's experience of organizational work climate. We compared organizational climate and nurse's empowerment in specialty units at 2 hospitals in Egypt. Data were collected from 164 diploma school staff nurses using 2 tools: the situational outlook questionnaire to assess organizational climate and the psychological empowerment in the workplace questionnaire. There was no statistically significant difference in the level of organizational climate between the 2 hospitals, which the majority of nurses classified as moderate. Most nurses reported a moderate level of empowerment in both hospitals and there was a statistically significant positive correlation between organizational climate and nurse's empowerment

Cigarette smoking as an acute threat for the cardiovascular system

Cigarette smoking is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease as well as hyperlipidemia. Lecithin: Cholesterol acyl transferase [LCAT] activity represented a key factor in the esterification of serum cholesterol and reverse cholesterol transport. Leptin, the protein product of the ob gene, seems to regulate body fat stores. The present study was carried out to evaluate changes in the circulating levels of leptin, LCAT activity, insulin, glucose, cotinine and lipid profile [total cholesterol TC, triglycerides TG, HDLC, LDL-C], free fatty acids [FFA5] and apolipoprotiens [Apo Al and Apo B] in healthy smokers [n=48] and non smokers [n=32] group. The results showed remarkable increase in the levels of LDL-C, FFAs, cotinine, leptin [p<.000], TC[P<0.01] and glucose [p<0.05] in healthy smokers than non smokers group. However, the activity of LCAT and levels of HDL-C and Apo Al, were significantly reduced [p<.000] in smokers subjects than non smokers group. Present results showed, the significant increase in levels of leptin, FFAs, LDL-C and the significant decrease in HDL-C and LCAT activity during cigarette smoking which may implicate high risk for further vascular complications

When can carnosine be the magic stick for lead-induced tissue damage? A toxicological biochemical histological study on albino rats

This study aimed at the assessment of the possible level of defence line of carnosine in chronic lead exposure. Evaluation of the possible relation of antioxidants and other functioning enzymes versus chronic lead exposure is also to be percussed. For this purpose, the study included two parts: Part [1]: was performed to deduce the correlation between the dose of carnosine and the different biochemical parameters measured in the studied tissues; Part [2]: was a long term study in which [56] male Wistar albino rats, divided into [6] groups, eight in each group: Group [1]: Negative control; Group [2]: Rats were treated with carnosine in a dose of 0.05 mg/g rat; Group [3]: Rats were treated with carnosine in a dose of 0.12 mg/ g rat; Group [4]: Comprised rats treated with lead acetate in a dose of [0.01 mg/g rat]; Group [5]: Included rats treated with lead [0.01 mg/g rat] and carnosine [0.05 mg/g rat]; Group [6]: Included rats treated with lead [0.01 mg/g rat] and carnosine [0.12 mg/g rat]. Treatment was performed daily for 6 days/ week for 5 months. The neural [brain] and visceral [heart, kidneys and liver] tissues were collected and different biochemical variables were determined; as well as a histological examination. In all the studied tissues, carnosine would only act as a free radical scavenger in the low dose only; and it could be used as an adjuvant in a low dose with chelating agents, since it cannot chelate lead in the brain tissue. Renal impairment was most probably a direct action of carnosine in a high dose on renal tissue, rather than being a result of lead intoxication. On the other hand, when carnosine was given in a small dose, it acted as a free radical scavenger. In the liver, carnosine in a small dose could not act as a chelator for lead, while in a high dose, it acts as a chelating agent. On the contrary, in a small dose, carnosine acts as a free radical scavenger but not in the high dose. Overall, carnosine cannot prevent the production of free radicals but can scavenge them only in a small dose

Dehydrated apple products of newly introduced cultivars

Dried apple sheets and cubes were prepared from the pulp of 2 newly introduced cultivars; namely, Anna and Dorsett Golden. To prepare apple sheets, fresh fruits were washed, peeled, crushed, sulfated [by dipping for 90 sec. in 2500, 5000 and 7500 ppm SO2 solution], steamed and pulped, thereafter calcium chloride was added [2 mg/1000 ml]. Total solids were modified to reach 16% by sucrose, screened and dried at 55C air-steam Imperial type drier. Sugar coated apple slices were also prepared after being sulfating and CaCl2 treated as before and dipping in 70% sucrose solution [w/w] for 4 hr and dried under vacuum at 72 and 50 mmHg vacuum for 4 hr. Apple puree were shaped in cubes [3 x 3 x 3 cm] and dried by hot air in 2 stages. First stage at 140 - 150C to reach a moisture content of 20 - 30%, the 2nd stage at 95 - 98C to final moisture content of 7 - 9%, the air flow was 1.5 - 2 m/sec. The dried sheets, slices and cubes were packed in dense- polyethylene bags, sealed and stored at ambient temperature for subsequent analysis every 4 months

Regression of hypertrophy after aortic valve replacement for chronic aortic regurgitation

Factors influencing magnitude of regression of left ventricular hypertrophy after successful aortic valve replacement have been studied in 20 patients with chronic aortic regurgitation by cardiac catheterization, echocardiography and left ventricular muscle biopsy. Patients with preoperative value of left ventricular end diastolic pressure >20 mmHg and/or left ventricular end systolic dimension >5.6 cm are less likely to have normalization of their left ventricular mass index following aortic valve replacement. Preoperative left ventricular mass index does not predict changes following aortic valve replacement. Increased amounts of interstitial fibrosis appear to be related to incomplete regression of left ventricular hypertrophy after aortic valve replacement

Uterine and umbilical blood flow velocity wave form in patients with preterm labor

Doppler studies were performed on umbilical and uterine arteries of 20 patients with diagnosis of preterm labor. 10 patients received intravenous magnesium sulfate and 10 patients received intravenous ritodrine. Doppler velocity wave forms obtained before therapy, during therapy and post therapy. There was statistically significant [P <001] progressive decrease in the uterine and umbilical S/D ratio with concomitant increase in maternal and fetal heart rate associated with increase dosage of ritodrine. Both S/D ratio and heart rate returned to pretherapy range after discontinuing therapy. Magnesium sulfate tocolysis was not associated with any significant change in S/D ratio or maternal and fetal heart rate. So, it can be concluded that intravenous ritodrine affects umbilical and uterine vascular resistance. This response may be secondary to changes in maternal and fetal heart rate

Doppler ultrasound of the uterine and ovarian blood flow in unexplained infertility

This study included 20 women with primary unexplained infertility, 20 with secondary unexplained infertility and 20 fertile women, as a control group. There was a significant difference between the group with primary unexplained infertility and control group as regards the follicular size when measured at preovulatory and ovulatory periods which may be due to the presence of 2 cases with unruptured follicle with persistent size at 20 mm. However, there was no such difference observed among the second group with secondary unexplained infertility for all 20 cases in relation to control group. It was a significant increase of the RI of the ovarian and uterine arteries for both groups of unexplained infertility during the preovulatory phase [days 7 to 19], when compared with RI of the control group during the same phase, also the RI showed significant increase during the ovulatory period [days 12-16] among both of infertile groups when compared with the control group. There was no similar difference of both the follicular size and endometrial thickness between infertile and fertile women so, it appears that suboptimal uterine blood flow during critical time of the menstrual cycle may affect the uterine environment

Significance of fetal hemoglobin determination in childhood leukemia

The aim of the present work is to study the pattern of fetal hemoglobin [HbF] in the different stages of leukemia and its value in following up and prognosis of the cases. We had studied 14 cases of childhood leukemia during the acute stage. 22 cases during remission and 4 cases during relapse. Their ages ranged between 2 to 13 years. Twenty normal children matched for age and sex served as a control groups. The cases and controls were subjected to a complete history a clinical examination and laboratory investigations including blood picture. HbF estimation by alkali denaturation method and cellulose acetate electrophoresis one and bone marrow examination [for cases] HbF was found to be statistically very highly elevated during the acute stage, during remisston and in relapse. There was a highly significant elevated level during remisson when compared to that in the acute attack. There was a significant difference between the 3 subgroups [acute, remission and relapse] as regards HbF level estimated by both methods where the relapse subgroup had the higher mean value by both methods. Also there was a direct relationship between HbF level estimated by the two methods and inverse relationship between blood blast cells and bone marrow blast cell to the level of HbF. Thus HbF estimation by both methods has a great value in diagnosis, prognosis and follow up of cases

comparative study of antithrombin 111 in fullterm and preterm newborns

The present study was intended to quantitate a major inhibitor of coagulation viz antithrombin III [AT III] in normal fullterm, healthy and sick preterm newborns and to make an evaluation of four main screening tests of homeostasis namely prothrombin time [PT], activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT], thrombin time [TT] and fibrinogen concentration. The study included 39 newborn infants subdivided into 13 fullterm infants as a control group, 13 healthy preterm newborns and 13 sick preterm ones. All neonates were sampled within 48 hours of birth to vitamin K administration. At III was highly significantly decreased in healthy and sick preterms in comparison to fullterm newborns. There was also a significant difference between healthy and sick preterms. Also, both healthy and sick preterm neonates showed a significant prolongation of PT and APTT when compared to fullterm ones. The prolongation of such times was of statistical significance in sick preterm versus healthy preterm neonates. A significant prolongation of TT was observed on comparing both healthy and sick preterms with normal fullterms or on comparing sick preterms with healthy ones. There was also a significant decrease in fibrinogen content in healthy and sick preterms when compared with the normal fullterm newborns. As a conclusion, the low fibrinogen content as well as the prolongation of TT may be responsible for the various hemorrhagic complications in sick preterm infants. Also the low AT III in preterm infants whether healthy or sick makes them at risk of thrombolic complications as disseminated intravaseular coagulopathy [D.I.C.]. So, early correction of hypoxia and acidosis in sick and healthy preterm neonates may help prevent such complications by preventing further drop in AT III

Specific IgA antibodies to herpes simplex virus type I in duodenal juice and saliva from patients with peptic ulcer

Fasting duodenal juice and saliva were collected from 28 duodenal ulcer patients and 18 non-ulcer controls. IgA antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1 [HSV-1] was- higher in duodenal juice and saliva from duodenal ulcer patients [32% and 46%] than those of non ulcer controls [22% and 39%]. The distribution of anti HSV-1 titer showed no marked difference between the two groups. The results need further studies to investigate whether HSV-1 is involved in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer or not

Cephalexin complexes with some 3d transition-metal ions

The protonation constants of cephalexin and the stability constants of its complexes with Fe [III], Cu [II], Ni [II] and Mn [II] have been determined by pH-metric titration in aqueous medium at 30 and 40 and 0.1 M ionic strength [KCI]. The metal-ligand formation constants [long beta 2] calculated, show the order as Fe [III]> Cu [II]> Ni [III]> Mn [II]. Thermodynamic parameters [delta G, delta H and delta S] calculated at 30C and 0.1 M ionic strength, show that the interaction of cephalexin and these metal ions is chelation-reaction between ionic species. Thus, the entropy change plays important role in giving the observed stability

Effect of antischistosomal drug [oxamniquine] of the liver function in normal and schistosomal infected mice

Effect of oxamniquine [oral single dose of 50 mg/Kg. body weight [b.w] on the liver function in normal and schistosoma manson [S. mansoni] infected mice was, biochemicaly and histopathologicaly studied. The experiments tested for 2 months. Schistosomiasis caused abnormality in the liver after 3 months from the infection characterized by marked elevation in S. GPT, S. GOT and alkaline phosphatase [AP]. Oxamniquine had no side effect in the normal mice. Moreover it had desirable effect in the infected mice as evidenced by decreasing the highly significant elevations indicated in the test enzymes. Meanwhile, no pathological alteration was observed in the liver cells of either normal or infected mice after oxamniquine administration

Clinical and histopathological study of pulp condition in cases of furcation involvement

Sixty six patients with furcation involvement were studied clinically through careful examination including grade of furcation involvement [Grade I, II, III and IV], pulp vitality and x-ray pictures. In this work, no definite relationship was found between pulp tester readings and the pathological condition of the pulp. Histological examination was done on serial paraffin sections prepared from 36 molar teeth of which 6 were of grade, I, 6 of grade II, 12 of grade III and 12 of grade IV. It was found that teeth presented with grade I and II furcation involvement usually have almost normal pulp Grade III showed partial and total pulpitis in nearly half of the cases Grade IV revealed pulp abscess formation, degeneration and necrosis in most of the cases. This study showed the necessity of proper treatment planning in the form of Careful periodontal therapy. 2. Occlusal adjustment to minimize further resorption of the bony septum in the furcation. 3. Cases presented with grade III furcation involvement, treatment should be done as before together with endodontic treatment as normal pulp was not found and changes as pulp death may occur in this grade following deep periodontal therapy 4 Cases presented with grade IV furcation involvement are mostly hopeless, however careful clinical and radiographic examination may necessitate endodontic treatment together with root resection and hemisection in suitable conditions

study of the sealing qualities of interim filling materials

Class; V cavities were prepared in the buccal surface of eighty extracted human premolars. The cavities were filled by different interim filling materials. They were then tested for radio-active isotope penetration [[35]S]. It is clearly seen that after 24 hours of 7 days intervals the radioactive tracer did not reach to the base of the interim filling materials suggesting quite reduction in marginal penetration. The data showed that superior sealing qualities was provided by zinc oxide-eugenol, the best next seals were obtatined by caviton and cavit at either 24 hours or 1 week intervals Improvine provides superior sealing qualities at 24 hours and showed increased leakage qualities at 1 week. The results obtained favours the use of these interim materials in restorative dentistry except improvine, however their effect on the pulp tissue will be studied in part II

Reactivity of sympathetic nervous system in patients with borderline hypertension

Different components of the sympathetic nervous systems, of patients with border line hypertension, have been studied, by some physiologic, and pharmacologic tests and compared with those of the normotensives control volunteers. The study showed that, patients with border line hypertension, have increased reactivity of various parts of their sympathetic nervous systems including efferent sympathetic fibres, and the adrenergic receptors both alpha and beta

Reactivity of sympathetic nervous system in patients with fixed essential hypertension

The reactivity of different components of the sympathetic nervous system has been achieved through a number of physiologic and pharmacologic tests, in patients with fixed essential hypertension [FEH], and compared with those of the normotensive control subjects. Change of posture [standing], was used to study the whole baroreceptor reflex arc. The cold pressure test was used to test the discharge in the efferent sympathetic fibres. The reactivity of the alpha, and beta adrenergic receptors were studied through their responsiveness to infusions of nor-epinephrine and isoproternol respectively. Beta receptors activity was also investigated by the blocking effect of propranolol hydrochloride injection, through its cardiac slowing effect. The results of the study showed that patients with FEH have significant increase in both the efferent sympathetic fiber discharge [P < .05], and in the reactivity of alpha adrenergic receptors [P < 0.001] than in the normotensive control subjects