Effect of Thymoquinone on skeletal muscle regeneration via assessment of Pax-7 and Myo-D expression in the DMBA-treated hamster pouch / Efeito da Timoquinona na regeneração muscular esquelética através da avaliação da expressão das proteínas Pax-7 e Myo-D em bolsa jugal de hamsters tratados com DMBA

Objective: Pax-7 and Myo-D regulate satellite cells' activation and differentiation, thus muscle regeneration following damage. This research aimed to investigate the effect of Thymoquinone (TQ) on skeletal muscle regeneration following 7,12-dimethylbenz-(a)-anthracene (DMBA)-induced injury in the hamster buccal pouch via immunohistochemical assessment of Pax-7 and Myo-D expression. Material and Methods: 65 male golden Syrian hamsters were divided into 3 groups: Group 1: (n=5) received no treatment. Group 2: (n=20) served as a positive control. The left buccal pouches were painted with the carcinogen 3/week/ 6weeks. Group 3: (n=40) were subdivided into two equal sub-groups as follows: Group 3a: (n=20) were given one i.p. TQ injection. Group 3b: (n=20) were given two i.p. TQ injections. Five animals from each group (2 and 3) were euthanized at 24, 48 hrs, one, and two weeks after the last injection. A blood sample (2 ml) was withdrawn for assessment of TNF-α levels in serum. Serial sections of the pouches were examined histologically (H&E), and immunohistochemically (IHC) for the detection of Pax-7 and Myo-D proteins. Results: double i.p injections of TQ resulted in a significant elevation in the level of TNF-α from the second-day post-injection with a progressive formation of the muscle fibers (MFs) and mononuclear cells (MNCs) around the deeper blood vessels. At 14 days, no statistically significant difference was found between this group and group '2', while the difference remained significant compared to groups '1' and '3a'. The muscle fibers were more mature and compact. IHC results showed positive expression of the perivascular mononuclear cells (MNCs) to both Pax-7 and Myo-D with positive reactivity of the peripheral nuclei of muscle fibers to Pax-7 compared to the negative reaction in the positive control group. Conclusion: early and two TQ injections had a promising effect on the induction of striated muscle regeneration, mainly by non-myogenic stem cells (AU)

Objetivo: Pax-7 e Myo-D regulam a ativação e diferenciação de células satélites durante a regeneração muscular pós-trauma. Assim, objetivamos investigar o efeito da timoquinona (TQ) na regeneração muscular esquelética após injúria causada por 7,12 dimetilbenzantraceno (DMBA) em bolsa jugal de hamsters, através da análise imuno-histoquímica de Pax-7 e Myo-D. Material e Métodos: 65 hamsters-sírios machos foram divididos em 3 grupos: Grupo 1: (n=5) controle negativo, sem tratamento. Grupo 2: (n=20) controle positivo. A bolsa jugal do lado esquerdo recebeu aplicação do DMBA por 3 e 6 semanas. Grupo 3: (n=40) receberam aplicação de DMBA e foram então subdivididos em: Grupo 3a: (n=20) que recebeu 1 injeção intraperitoneal (ip) de TQ e Grupo 3b: (n=20) que recebeu duas injeções ip de TQ. Cinco animais dos grupos 2 e 3 foram eutanasiados em 24 horas, 48 horas, 7 dias e 14 dias após a administração de DMBA e da última injeção de TQ. Amostras de sangue (2 ml) foram coletadas para avaliação dos níveis séricos de TNF-α. Cortes seriados da bolsa jugal dos animais foram analisados histologicamente (H&E), e através de imunohistoquimica (IHC) para avaliação das proteínas Pax-7 e Myo-D. Resultados: duas injeções ip de TQ aumentaram os níveis séricos TNF-α à partir do segundo dia pós-administração com formação progressiva de fibras musculares (MFs) e células mononucleares (MNCs) ao redor dos vasos sanguíneos. No dia 14, não houve diferença estatística entre o grupo 3b e o grupo 2, enquanto a diferença permaneceu entre o grupo 1 e 3a. As MFs apresentavam-se mais maduras e compactas. A IHC mostrou expressão de Pax-7 e Myo-D nas MNCs ao redor dos vasos, e houve expressão nuclear de Pax-7 nas MFs no grupo 2. Conclusão: ambos regimes de administração do TQ, 1 ou 2 aplicações ip, apresentaram efeito promissor na indução da regeneração muscular esquelética, principalmente nas células não-miogênicas.(AU)

Diagnostic and prognostic value of pro-adrenomedulim in neonatal sepsis

Background: Neonatal sepsis [NS] is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality both among term and pre term infants. Early diagnosis of NS is difficult because of non specific signs and symptoms and non infectious disease may mimic NS. Rapid diagnosis of bacterial infections is crucial for early initiation of adequate antibiotic treatment. Systemic inflammation and sepsis lead to an increased release of Pro-Adrenomedullin [pro- ADM] into circulation thus it could be helpful in the early diagnosis of sepsis and in monitoring such conditions

Objective: To determine serum levels of pro-ADM in newborns with sepsis and its relation to diagnosis and prognosis

Methodology: Our study included fifty neonates fulfilled the criteria of sepsis [group1], they were subclassified into 2 subgroups; 29 cases with proven sepsis who had positive blood cultures [group1a] and 21 cases with clinical sepsis who had negative blood cultures [group1b], forty healthy gestational age, birth weight and sex matched neonates served as a control [group 2]. Serum levels of Pro-ADM were measured by ELISA in all neonates and blood cultures were done in septic ones

Results: Serum level of Pro-ADM was significantly higher in group1as compared with group 2 [P=0.000] and in group1a as compared with group1b [P < 0.001]. There was highly significant increase in serum level of pro-ADM with increased severity of NS [P = 0.000] and in non- survived neonates compared to those who survived [P = 0.000]. Serum levels of Pro-ADM were positively correlated with WBCs count, I/T ratio [immature-to-total neutrophil ratio] and CRP serum level [r = 0.361, P = 0.010, r = 0.320, P = 0.024, r = 0.343, P = 0.015] respectively

Conclusions: Pro-ADM can be considered as valuable biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of NS

Effectiveness of using electronic school broadcasting to meet the needs of secondary school students

Aims: The study aims to identify the extent of measurement the effect of using the electronic school broadcasting for meeting some psychological and social needs of students in the secondary schools, and aims at presenting model of specialized electronic school broadcasting for the secondary school students, in addition to providing tool for welfare of talent students in the fields of school broadcasting out of the school, to train students on the production of electronic school broadcasting that can help them to career orientation in the future in the fields of media

Methods: The researcher used semi-empirical approach

Sample: A sample of 100 subjects in ages between [15-18] of [Male-Female] students in the experimental schools.Tools: The researcher used the scale of psychological and social needs, and used the questionnaire form in the interview to be applied to the experimental group to answer the questions of the study and survey the opinions of the experimental group students the sample of the study in the experiment of designing electronic school broadcasting of their own during the school year [2014]

Results: The key results of the study: there are statistically significant differences between the average scores of the experimental group students on the dimensions [belonging, security, self-esteem, independence and achievement] and the average scores of the control group students on the psychosocial needs scale in the dimensional measurement for the experimental group for the favor of the average scores of the experimental group students. In addition, there are statistically significant differences between the average scores of the experimental group and the control group on the average scale of psychological and social needs in the pre measurement. There are also statistically significant differences between the average scores of the experimental group students on the scale of social and psychological needs in the pre measurement and their average scores in the post measurement on the scale of psychological and social needs for the favor of the post measurement. Moreover, there are no statistically significant differences between the average scores of females in the experimental group and the average scores of males in the same group on the score of psychological and social needs scale

Adiponectin to leptin ratio as a potential antiatherogenic index in Egyptian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

It has been demonstrated in recent studies that abnormal levels of adipocytokines may contribute to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. We aimed to assess the potential role of the adiponectin to leptin ratio [A/ L ratio] as a biomarker for atherosclerosis and glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients. The serum levels of adiponectin, leptin were measured simultaneously by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Their levels and ratio were correlated to CRP, glycemic status and lipid profile in 60 type 2 diabetic patients compared to 30 healthy subjects. We found a significant higher leptin and C-reactive protein [CRP] with lower adiponectin and A/L ratio in non-controlled type 2 diabetes comparing to health and controlled diabetic patients. Moreover, obese subjects had higher Leptin with lower adiponectin and A/L ratio than non-obese subjects. Persons with complicated diabetes mellitus were higher among uncontrolled DM; they had higher leptin with lower A/L ratio compared to non complicated diabetic patients. Leptin was negatively correlated to adiponectin [r= -0.63]. Atherogenic index was positively correlated to leptin [r= 0.778] and negatively correlated to adiponectin [r= -0.756] and A/L ratio [r= -0.713]. Moreover, A/L ratio correlated negatively to CRP, HbAlc, FBG and BMI. This study confirms the role of adiponectin and leptin levels in DM control and severity of dyslipidemia. We found A/L ratio is better than each marker alone to evaluate atherogenicity in DM and may serve as an anti-atherogenic index and may be act as a new marker of metabolic control for individuals with high risk of cardiovascular complications of atherosclerosis in type II diabetes

Possible protective effect of nigella sativa oil against piroxicam-induced gastric mucosat damage in adult male albino rats [light and scanning electron microscopic study]

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID] Piroxicam is widely used especially in treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, it has many side effects; the most common of them is gastrointestinal intolerance and ulceration. The Nigella Sativa Oil [NSO] was reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. To investigate the histopathological effects of piroxicam on the gastric mucosa of adult male albino rats and the possible protective role of Nigella Sativa Oil [NSO]. Fourty adult male albino rats were randomized into 4 groups [n=10]. They received 2 ml of the following oral treatments through an orogastric tube: Group I [Control] received a single dose of saline, Group II [1450] received a single dose of NSO; 10 ml and g BW, Group III [Piroxicam] received piroxicam 20 mg/kg BW and Group IV [NSO/ piroxicam] received NSO one hour before administration of piroxicam. The gastric mucosa from the body of the stomach was processed for histological stains [H and E and PAS] and for examination with scanning electron microscope [SEM]. Piroxicam produced erosions, congestion, extravasated RBCs and inflammatory cell infiltration. It also led to increase in the gastric mucus. The SEM results revealed marked damage of the gastric mucosal surface and complete loss of the normal architecture. In NSO prior to piroxicam group, the structure of the mucosa was nearly similar to control by both light and SEM however, there was marked increase in mucus secretion. NSO can partly protect the gastric mucosa against piroxicam induced damage

Nutritional evaluation of some different formula using as a diet for lacto-vegetarian

Four types of formula were prepared from vegetable protein and milk products were evaluated using chemical score and biological methods. Forty adult male albino rats Sprague Dawley strain weighing 80-90gm were divided into five group's eight rats each. The first group was control fed casein diet at standard level, while the second group and the third fed formula containing [brand 1 and brand 2] respectively at 14% protein level while the forth and fifth groups of rats fed a formula containing [brand 3 and brand 4] respectively at the same level of protein. Food and water were provided ad libitum during 6 weeks of experiment after that all animals were sacrificed under ether anesthesia and blood sample were taken and organs were removed and washed in saline solution then dried and weighed. Serum were separated and subjected to biochemical analysis. The results revealed that chemical score was higher in the formula of [brand 4] while methionine was the first limiting amino acid in the all formula and control. The highest food intake and changes in body weight were found in the group of rats fed [brand 4]. No significant differences in hemoglobin and hematocrit values than control group; also total serum protein was not significant between groups, while serum albumin showed significantly higher [p<0.01] than control in group of rats received [brand 2 and brand 4] however no significant differences in globulin between all groups and control group. However serum urea and uric acid were significantly higher [p<0.01] than control in group of rats fed [brand 3]

Assessment of the environmental and operational factors affecting the bioremediation of H[2]S gas as air pollutant

This study aims at optimizing environmental and operational factors affecting the bioremediation of H[2]S as air pollutants. Sulfur gases are emitted from many industrial sources and have adverse effects on the public health and the environment. Bioremediation of waste gases represents a new treatment alternative that has been seen as a competitive to the physicochemical treatment technologies. Sulfur gases, such as H[2]S were among the inorganic gases that have been proven to be suitable candidates to Bioremediation. The process of biological treatment depends on using sulfur eating bacteria which can use the target sulfur gas or compound as energy or supplementary source converting it to another sulfur form. Sulfur bacteria are dominant microorganisms in many natural media. The bioreactor used was an aerobic reactor for oxidizing H[2]S to elemental sulfur by Sulphur Oxidizing Bacteria [SOB]. It consisted of aerobic bioreactor, a settler, and H[2]S-laden gas producing system. The microorganism used is SOB isolated from sewage sludge. Microbial activity is affected by environmental factors and operational factors. The results revealed that the optimum CO[3] concentration range for complete removal and conversion, i.e. 100% recovery of H[2]S is 61.5 to 615 g/m[3]. The SOB was highly preferment within a nitrogen concentration range of 30.8 to 123.1 g/m[3], achieving 100% removal or conversion efficiency. The minimum P concentration that maintained maximum activity of the resident SOB was about 24.6 g/m[3]. The mesophilic range was the optimum for the SOB used in this study [38-43 C°]. The highest performance of the bioreactor was attained at pH range from 7.5 to 9 with optimum operation at pH 8. Results explained that the resident SOB at pH 8 tolerated total sulfide concentrations higher than at pH 7. 100% removal efficiency of the bioreactor reaching at O[2]/H[2]S range 0.5- 1.5. The maximum elemental sulfur yield obtained was 92.4%. The increase of H[2]S inlet concentration required increase of contact time. The measurements of SOB concentration in the suspension reported average about 3.56x10[8] cells/ml [range from 3.5 to 3.62x10[8] cells/ml]. This implies that the maximum cell capacity was about 1.23x10[-12] g H[2]S/cell.h. The activity of the SOB was not affected at SO[4] concentrations below 20,000 g/m[3]. The removal efficiency was 100% below this concentration. The S[2]O[3] concentrations higher than 10,000 to 15,000 g/m[3] may be inhibitive to the SOB. This study recommended encourages the using of air pollutant gases bioremediation in industries scale

Characterization of an aspartic protease purified from the infective juveniles of entomopathogenic nematode heterorhabditis bacteriophora

Purified acidic protease [PII] from the infective juveniles [IJs] of entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora EB7, as an effective biocontrol agent against a wide variety of insect pests, has been characterized. The effect of temperature stress on infectivity of the IJs was also examined. Exposure of IJs of H. bacteriophora EB7 to high temperatures above 35[degree]C accounts for a rapid decline in nematode survival and infectivity. Temperatures above 35[degree]C have deleterious effect on the activity and stability of H bacteriophora protease PII. Enzyme activity was maximal at pH 5.0 and 35[degree]C. H. bacteriophora protease PII degraded a variety of protein substrates including azocasein, azocoll, casein, hemoglobin, collagen and gelatin with different ratios. Enzyme activity was totally abolished by 1 microM pepstatin A, not affected by activators or inhibitors of cysteine, serine and metalloprotease. Substrate specificity, pH optimum and inhibitors sensitivity studies revealed that it is an aspartic protease and comparable with cathespsin D-like enzyme. H. bacteriophora aspartic protease seems to be implicated in tissue penetration and plays a specific role during molting of the IJs within an insect host. It is recommended to spray IJs as potential biocontrol agent on the field at the sunset or in the early morning to avoid the temperature stresses on IJs. These results were compared with other previously reported proteases from animal parasitic nematodes

Effect of rice bran oil on hypercholesterolemia and tibial calcium in rat

The data from the epidemiological study indicate that increases in serum cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of death from coronary heart disease. A number - of studies in humans and animals have shown that rice bran oil [RBO] is as effective as other vegetable oils in lowering plasma cholesterol levels. The present study was undertaken to compare the effects of two concentrations [6%] and [3%] of Egyptian-RBO on hypercholesterolaemia and calcium content of tibia in rats. Four groups of six rats were used, the first group was fed on basal diet [control], while the second group was fed on basal diet plus 1% cholesterol The groups 3 and 4 were fed on basal diet +1% cholesterol + RBO [3 and 6% respectively]. Non significant differences were noticed in the mean value of body weight, organ weight and relative organ weights [organ wt/body wt] between different experimental groups. The results obtained showed no significant change in transaminase [AST and ALT] activities between different treated groups. No significant effect was observed in plasma urea and creatinine or hemoglobin in different treated groups compared to control group. Significant decrease in malodialdehyde [MDA] value was observed in group 4 [6%, rice bran oil] compared to control. Total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol showed significant increase in hypercholesterolemic group [52% and 169%] compared to control. Supplementation of rice bran oil in groups 4 decreased its level compared to cholesterol group 2. The data obtained revealed that triacylglycerol was significantly decreased due to supplementatjon with rice bran oil of groups 3 [by 17.26%] and 4 [by 16.07%] compared to hypercholesterolemia in rats of group 2. The results showed that the rats fed on the rice oil [6%] diet had significantly higher bone calcium [by 17.48% of control] of right tibia. tibial Phosphorus, magnesium and zinc in all treated groups were not significantly changed compared to control

Conclusion: Rice bran oil seems to be a very promising phytochemical alternative to classic lipid-lowering agents and increasing tibial calcium

Casbases, DNA fragmentation, and oxidative stress: implications for the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and relationship with the maternal risk factors and perinatal outcome

For preeclampsia [PE], no specific etiological factor has been defined until now. This study focused on the implication of some apoptotic and lipid peroxidation markers in PE. In addition to malondialdehyde [MDA] measurement in the serum, the MDA, caspases-8, -9 activities and % DNA fragmentation were measured in fifty human term normal and PE placentas. In vitro MDA formation was assessed in relation to time and the presence of prooxidants [FeCl2, low dose of aseorbate] and the antioxidant alpha- tocopherol. The MDA, % DNA fragmentation and craspase-9 activity were significantly increased in PE than control women. The serum MDA was significantly elevated in PE women delivered by cesarean section [C.S.] than vaginally delivered PE women. The addition of 0.5 mM Fe2+ , 0.1 mM ascorbate caused increase production sf MDA in PE than normal placentas [P < 0.015]. Vitamin E [100 micro M] caused significantly lower inhibition of in vitro lipid peroxidation in PE placentas. The % DNA fragmentation and caspase-9 activity were related to the severity of the PE [ANOVA test]. They could differentiate between PE and control women with 100%, 88% sensitivity and 100%, 96% specificity respectively. Caspases-8 and/or -9 activity positively correlates with the maternal age and negatively correlates with neonatal and placental weights

Conclusion: in preeclampsia, the placenta represents a considerable source of the elevated circulating MDA. The enhanced apoptosis correlates with the maternal age and perinatal outcome