Echocardiographic features of indirect Gerbode defect in a cat / 대한수의학회지

This report describes the echocardiographic features of an indirect Gerbode defect in a young cat. Echocardiography revealed high-velocity, turbulent systolic flow directed from left ventricle to right ventricle through a ventricular septal defect. The flow immediately entered the right atrium through a tricuspid septal leaflet. The indirect-type Gerbode defect was confirmed through necropsy. When a high-velocity turbulent flow in the RA without pulmonary hypertension is observed on echocardiography, Gerbode defect should be considered.

Estimation of the novel antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antihyperlipidemic effects of silymarin in Albino rats and mice

Objective: To evaluate the other pharmacological actions of silymarin in Albino rats and mice such as antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antihyperlipidemic effects. Methods: Rats were injected intramuscularly with pyrogenic dose of brewer's yeast for the antipyretic test of silymarin. Another group of rats injected with 0.1 mL of 1% carrageenan solution in saline at the subplanter area of the right hind paw for the antiinflammatory test of silymarin. Another group of mice tested by hot plate method for determination of antinociceptive effect of silymarin. Hyperlipidemia was induced using high fat diet for 2 months to estimate the antihyperlipidemic activity of silymarin. Results: Silymarin showed a significant antipyretic effect of both doses (50 and 100 mg/ kg) compared with control untreated group. Moreover, silymarin elucidated a significant anti-inflammatory effect of both doses reflected on the decrease of the rat paw edema every hour interval for 4 h after administration in comparison with control positive group. By the same taken, both doses of silymarine revealed a significant antinociceptive action in hot plate method at 30 and 60 min post administration. Besides, it lowered significantly the serum levels of prostaglandin E2, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 beta after 2 h of silymarin administration in carrageenan induced rat paw edema besides the significant decrease of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein and significantly elevated high density lipoprotein after 2 weeks of silymarin administration. Conclusions: These outcomes delivered a new vision into the possible pharmacological mechanisms by which silymarin advances antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antihyperlipidemic effects.

Role of hepatic stellate cells in fibrogenesis in a model of pomegranate-treated fatty liver induced by junk food in male albino rats immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study

Hepatic fibrogenesis is a common result of liver injury. It is believed to be a critical factor that leads to hepatic failure. A critical event in fibrogenesis is activation of hepatic stelate cells [HSCs]. The aim of this investigation was to study the role of HSCs in figrogenesis in a model of pomegranate juice [PJ]-treated fatty liver induced by junk food using immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study. Thirty young male albino rats were divided into control [1] and experimental [II] groups. Group II was further divided into two subgroups: II-a [junk food] and II-b [pomegranate juice + junk food]. After 8 weeks, blood samples were collected for detection of leptin and tumour necrosis factor alpha TNF-alpha. Then half of the liver samples were processed for light microscopic examination, whereas the other half were prepared for electron microscopic examination. Praffin sections were stained using H and E, glial ibrillary acid protein, alpha -smooth muscle actin, TNF- alpha, and transforming growth factor -beta-1 TGF-beta1. Morphometric and statistical studies for assessing immunoexpression were carried out. HSC's markers glial fibrilar acid protein and alpha -smooth muscle actin and cytokines TNF- alpha and TGF- beta1 in subgroup II-a showed strong positive immunoexpression. Electron microscopic study showed activated - HSCs containing granules and collagen fibrils. Proliferative and myofibroblast -HSCs were also seen in the same group. Subgroup II-b showed a nonsignificant increase in immunoexpression of HSC s markers and cytokines. However, only activated -HSCs were seen. Immunoexpression of HSC markers and cytokines may be used as an indicator for liver fibrosis. Presence of different types of HSCs in fatty liver explains their role in fibrosis. Further experimental and clinical studies directed toward inhibiting the activity of HSC may delay or prevent liver fibrosis occurs in many pathological conditions

Egyptian genotyping of Giardia lamblia

In this study, out of 105 patients infected with Giardia, 38 patients had genotype I, 13 had genotype II, 10 had genotype III, 16 had mixed genotype infection and 28 with undetermined Giardia infection by polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. None of the control group gave positive results for Giardia in stool by PCR. So, the sensitivity of the test for the detection and identification of Giardia genotypes from the original stool samples was 73.33% and the specificity was 100%. Out of 61 cases in the symptomatic group, the prevalence of Giardia genotype I was 32.79%, genotype II was 16.39%, genotype III was 9.84%, mixed genotype infection was 16.39% and undetermined genotype was 24.59% as compared with 40.91%, 6.82%, 9.09%, 13.64% and 29.55% in the asymptomatic group, respectively. There was a statistically insignificant difference between both groups regarding the prevalence of the different Giardia genotypes