Using guinea pig as a model for evaluation of equine influenza vaccine

Equine influenza is a highly contagious viral disease, specially among 1-5 years old naive horses. Vaccination is considered the best way to control the disease spread and outbreaks. Although foals are the main animal used for evaluation of equine influenza vaccines, guinea pigs were chosen as an alternative model in the present work, as they have a negligible antibody titer against equine influenza virus and are cheaper and easier to handle than foals. Five equine influenza vaccine batches were evaluated in two animal models, foals and guinea pigs, by injection of two doses/animal with 4 weeks apart using 2 mL/animal/dose and evaluation of immune responses by hemagglutination inhibition test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. On the 7th week post vaccination, equine influenza antibodies titers reached maximum values of 9-10.2 and 8.7-10 hemagglutination inhibition units for foals and guinea pigs, respectively; sample/negative ratios were 0.126-0.464 and 0.128-0.445 for both animals, respectively. The use of guinea pigs as an animal model for the evaluation of equine influenza vaccines could be recommended instead of foals.

La gripe equina es una enfermedad viral muy contagiosa, especialmente entre los caballos jóvenes de 1 a 5 años de edad. La vacunación se considera la mejor forma de controlar la propagación y los brotes de la enfermedad. Aunque los potros son el principal animal utilizado para la evaluación de vacunas contra la gripe equina, en el presente trabajo se eligieron cobayos como modelo alternativo, ya que tienen un título insignificante de anticuerpos contra el virus de la gripe equina y son más baratos y fáciles de manejar que los potros. Se evaluaron cinco lotes de vacunas contra la gripe equina en dos modelos animales, potros y cobayos, mediante la inyección de dos dosis/animal con 4 semanas de intervalo utilizando 2 mL/animal/dosis y la evaluación de las respuestas inmunitarias mediante la prueba de inhibición de la hemaglutinación y el ensayo inmunoenzimático. En la 7ª semana posvacunación, los títulos de anticuerpos contra la gripe equina alcanzaron valores máximos de 9-10,2 y 8,7-10 unidades de inhibición de la hemaglutinación para potros y cobayos, respectivamente; las relaciones muestras/negativos fueron de 0,126-0,464 y 0,128-0,445 para ambos animales, respectivamente. Podría recomendarse el uso de cobayos como modelo animal para la evaluación de vacunas contra la gripe equina, en lugar de potros.

Diabetic microaneurysms detected by fluorescein angiography spatially correlate with regions of macular ischemia delineated by optical coherence tomography angiography

Purpose: To characterize the relationship between diabetic macular ischemia (DMI) delineated by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and microaneurysms (MAs) identified by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). Methods: Patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) who underwent OCTA and FFA were retrospectively identified. FFA images were cropped and aligned with their respective OCTA images using i2k Align Retina software (Dual?Align, Clifton Park, NY, USA). Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and ischemic areas were manually delineated on OCTA images, and MAs were marked on the corresponding FFA images before overlaying paired scans for analysis (ImageJ; National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA). Results: Twenty?eight eyes of 20 patients were included. The average number of MAs identified in cropped FFA images was 127 ± 42. More DMI was noted in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP; 36 ± 13%) compared to the deep capillary plexus (DCP; 28 ± 14%, P < 0.001). Similarly, more MAs were associated with ischemic areas in SCP compared to DCP (92.0 ± 35.0 vs. 76.8 ± 36.5, P < 0.001). Most MAs bordered ischemic areas; fewer than 10% localized inside these regions. As DMI area increased, so did associated MAs (SCP: r = 0.695, P < 0.001; DCP: r = 0.726, P < 0.001). Density of MAs surrounding FAZ (7.7 ± 6.0 MAs/mm2) was similar to other DMI areas (SCP: 7.0 ± 4.0 MAs/mm2, P = 0.478; DCP: 9.2 ± 10.9 MAs/mm2, P = 0.394). Conclusion: MAs identified in FFA strongly associate with, and border areas of, DMI delineated by OCTA. Although more MAs are localized to SCP ischemia, the concentration of MAs associated with DCP ischemia is greater. By contrast, few MAs are present inside low?flow regions, likely because capillary loss is associated with their regression.

Blood Pressure Values in Apparently Healthy Sudanese Population

Introduction: Blood pressure is one of the most often measured clinical parameters, and assessment of blood pressure has a considerable impact on diagnostic decisions. Objectives: To establish blood pressure normal reference values in Sudanese. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2016 to November 2018. Eight hundred eighty-eight healthy adult Sudanese between the ages of 18 and 60 (203 men and 685 women) were randomly selected from the states of Khartoum, Northern, Gezira, Red Sea, and North Darfur. Clinical, anthropometric, and blood pressure measurement data were collected. Results: The mean for all volunteers was 113.93 ± 9.917 mmHg, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 75.29 ± 6.79 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP). SBP in men was 118.6 + 7.642 mmHg compared to 112.53 + 9.121 mmHg in women, while DBP in men was 77.51 + 5.984 mmHg compared to 74.63 + 6.844 mmHg in women. Beside the gender variations, blood pressure values also showed geographical variability. There was a positive connection between blood pressures (SBP and DBP), BMI, and age. (P < 0.05) was used for significance. Conclusion: Blood pressure of Sudanese was found to be within the normal international range with gender and geographical variability. It showed positive correlation with age and BMI.

The prognostic values of the IL?10 (G1082A) and TNF?? (G308A) polymorphisms in Egyptian patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A single?center study

Background: Interleukin?10 (IL?10) and tumor necrosis factor?alpha (TNF??) genes contribute to oncogenesis. We evaluated the influence of the IL?10 (G1082A) and TNF?? (G308A) polymorphisms on the prognosis and outcomes of Egyptian patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Materials and Methods: We investigated 64 children and 76 adults with ALL, between 2016 and 2019, for the IL?10 (G1082A) and TNF?? (G308A) polymorphisms using allele?specific polymerase chain reaction and polymerase chain reaction杛estriction fragment length polymorphism. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan朚eier estimator and the log?rank test. Results: In children with ALL, the A allele of TNF?? and IL?10 polymorphisms was associated with older age (P = 0.04 and 0.03), more extramedullary disease (P = 0.02 and 0.001), positive breakpoint cluster region朅belson (BCR?ABL) rearrangement (p190; P = 0.04 and 0.001), and more relapse (P = 0.002). The IL?10 GG genotype was associated with higher overall survival in children (P = 0.026). Adults carrying the TNF?? A allele showed more extramedullary disease (P = 0.009) and relapse (P = 0.003). We also found a higher frequency of IL?10 A allele in adults with older age (P = 0.03), lower hemoglobin level (P = 0.04), positive BCR?ABL rearrangement (P = 0.001), more extramedullary disease (P = 0.001), more relapse (P = 0.002), and a longer time for the first complete remission (P = 0.003). Conclusion: A possible association exists between the A allele of IL?10 and TNF?? polymorphisms and poor prognosis in Egyptian patients with ALL, while the IL?10 GG genotype may be associated with better survival in children with ALL.

Cardiopulmonary effects of prolonged surgical abdominal retractors application during general anesthesia: a prospective observational comparative study

Abstract Introduction: Increasing abdominal pressures could affect pulmonary compliance and cardiac performance, a fact based on which the aim of the present study to detect the cardiopulmonary burden of multiple retractors application during supine versus lateral abdominal surgeries. We hypothesized that surgical ring multiple retractors application would affect the pulmonary and cardiac functions during both lateral and supine abdominal surgeries. Methods: Prospective observational comparative study on forty surgical patients subdivided into two groups twenty each, comparing pulmonary compliance and cardiac performance before, during and after retractors application, group (S) supine position cystectomy surgery, and group (L) lateral position nephrectomy surgery under general anesthesia, Composite 1ry outcome; dynamic compliance C-dyn and cardiac index CI and Other outcome variables ICON cardio-meter were also recorded. Results: C-dyn and C-stat were significantly decreased late during retractor application in lateral compared to supine surgery with significant decrease compared to basal values all over the surgical time. CI was significantly increased after retractor removal in both of the study groups compared to basal values. PAW P was significantly increased in -lateral compared to supine surgery -with significant increase compared to basal value all over the surgical time in both of the study groups. significant increase in DO2I compared to basal value during both supine and lateral positions. Conclusion: Surgical retraction results in a short-lived significant decreases in lung compliance and cardiac output particularly during the lateral-kidney position than the supine position compliance.

Quercetin and resveratrol are associated with the downregulation of TNFalpha/NF-kB/inos axis-mediated acute liver injury in rats induced by paracetamol poisoning / La quercetina y el resveratrol están asociados con la regulación decreciente de la lesión hepática aguda mediada por el eje TNF-alfa/NF-kB/inos en ratas inducida por envenenamiento con paracetamol

SUMMARY: Paracetamol (known as acetaminophen, or APAP) poisoning causes acute liver damage that can lead to organ failure and death. We sought to determine that APAP overdose can augment tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)/ nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB)/induced nitic oxide synthase (iNOS) axis-mediated hepatotoxicity in rats, and the anti-inflammatory polyphenolic compounds, quercetin (QUR) plus resveratrol (RES) can ameliorate these parameters. Therefore, we induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats using APAP overdose (2 g/kg, orally) and the protective group of rats were treated with 50 mg/kg QUR plus 30 mg/kg RES for one week before APAP ingestion. Animals were killed at day 8. APAP poisoning caused the induction of hepatic tissue levels of TNF-α, NF-kB, and iNOS, which were significantly (p<0.05) decreased by QUR+RES. QUR+RES, also inhibited liver injury biomarkers, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Additionally, a link between liver injury and TNF-α /NF-kB / iNOS axis mediated hepatotoxicity was observed. Thus, the presented data backing the conclusion that intoxication by paracetamol increases TNF-α / NF-kB / iNOS axis -mediated hepatotoxicity, and is protected by a combination of quercetin and resveratrol.

El envenenamiento por paracetamol (conocido como acetaminofeno o APAP) causa daño hepático agudo que puede provocar una insuficiencia orgánica y la muerte. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar si la sobredosis de APAP puede aumentar la hepatotoxicidad mediada por el eje del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (TNF-α)/factor nuclear kappa B (NF-kB)/óxido nítico sintasa inducida (iNOS) en ratas, y si el polifenólico antiinflamatorio compuesto por quercetina (QUR) más resveratrol (RES) pueden mejorar estos parámetros. Por lo tanto, inducimos hepatotoxicidad aguda en ratas usando una sobredosis de APAP (2 g/kg, por vía oral). El grupo protector de ratas se trató con 50 mg/ kg de QUR más 30 mg/kg de RES durante una semana antes de la ingestión de APAP. Los animales se sacrificaron el día 8. El envenenamiento con APAP en el tejido hepático provocó la inducción de niveles de TNF-α, NF-kB e iNOS, que se redujeron significativamente (p<0,05) con QUR+RES. QUR+RES, también inhibió los biomarcadores de daño hepático, la alanina aminotransferasa (ALT) y el aspartato aminotransferasa (AST). Además, se observó una relación entre la lesión hepática y la hepatotoxicidad mediada por el eje TNF-α /NF-kB/iNOS. Por lo tanto, los datos presentados respaldan la conclusión de que la intoxicación por paracetamol aumenta la hepatotoxicidad mediada por el eje TNF-α /NF-kB / iNOS, y está protegida por una combinación de quercetina y resveratrol.

Regenerative Strategies in Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Injuries in Different Animal Models

BACKGROUND@#Peripheral nerve damage mainly resulted from traumatic or infectious causes; the main signs of a damaged nerve are the loss of sensory and/or motor functions. The injured nerve has limited regenerative capacity and is recovered by the body itself, the recovery process depends on the severity of damage to the nerve, nowadays the use of stem cells is one of the new and advanced methods for treatment of these problems.METHOD: Following our review, data are collected from different databases ‘‘Google scholar, Springer, Elsevier, Egyptian Knowledge Bank, and PubMed’’ using different keywords such as Peripheral nerve damage, Radial Nerve, Sciatic Nerve, Animals, Nerve regeneration, and Stem cell to investigate the different methods taken in consideration for regeneration of PNI.RESULT: This review contains tables illustrating all forms and types of regenerative medicine used in treatment of peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) including different types of stem cells ‘‘ adipose-derived stem cells, bone marrow stem cells, Human umbilical cord stem cells, embryonic stem cells’’ and their effect on re-constitution and functional recovery of the damaged nerve which evaluated by physical, histological, Immuno-histochemical, biochemical evaluation, and the review illuminated the best regenerative strategies help in rapid peripheral nerve regeneration in different animal models included horse, dog, cat, sheep, monkey, pig, mice and rat. @*CONCLUSION@#Old surgical attempts such as neurorrhaphy, autogenic nerve transplantation, and Schwann cell implantation have a limited power of recovery in cases of large nerve defects. Stem cell therapy including mesenchymal stromal cells has a high potential differentiation capacity to renew and form a new nerve and also restore its function.

Impact of H5N8 duck and chicken viral isolates on the immunological profile of vaccinated specific pathogen free chickens

Nowadays, there is a global concern about outbreaks caused by the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4 which caused devastating losses in the poultry industry sector. This clade was subdivided into two waves: clade 2.3.4.4A from 2014 to 2015 and clade 2.3.4.4b from 2016 until now. In this literature we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of recently used inactivated commercial avian influenza vaccines against two new Egyptian highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N8 isolates of clade 2.3.4.4b, A/chicken/Egypt/1526v/2020/H5N8 (H5N8-CH) and A/Duck/Egypt/Qalubia321/2021 (H5N8-D). Three-week-old specific pathogen free chickens were vaccinated with eight types of the most recently used inactivated avian influenza vaccines containing homologous and heterologous virus to the circulating H5N8 isolates. All specific pathogen free chicken groups were bled weekly post vaccination for antibody analysis using two H5N8 isolates of chicken and duck origin as antigen in hemagglutination inhibition test. Also, all vaccinated chicken groups were challenged 4 weeks post vaccination against the H5N8 duck isolate with a dose of 109 EID50/0.1 mL per chicken to measure the protection percentage of the commercial vaccines used. The results showed that vaccines with homologous and heterologous virus showed variable degrees of accepted protection percentage ranged from 90percent to 100percent, thus it was concluded that not only the genetic and antigenic match of the vaccine strains with the circulating highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses influences vaccine efficiency; other factors, such as manufacturing procedures, adjuvant, antigen content, vaccine dose and administration factors could affect vaccine efficacy, therefore, further vaccine development studies are needed to improve the percentage of protection and prevention of viral shedding against local highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 viruses in Egypt(AU)

En la actualidad, existe una preocupación mundial por los brotes causados por el virus de la gripe aviar altamente patógena H5N8 clado 2.3.4.4 que causó pérdidas devastadoras en el sector de la industria avícola. Este clado se subdividió en dos oleadas: clado 2.3.4.4A de 2014 a 2015 y clado 2.3.4.4b de 2016 hasta ahora. En el presente trabajo, dos aislamientos egipcios de la gripe aviar altamente patógena H5N8 del clado 2.3.4.4b, A/chicken/Egypt/1526v/2020/H5N8 (H5N8_CH) y A/Duck/Egypt/Qalubia321/2021 (H5N8_D), se utilizaron para evaluar la eficacia de vacunas comerciales inactivadas contra la gripe aviar de reciente utilización. Pollos libres de patógenos específicos de tres semanas de edad fueron vacunados con ocho vacunas inactivadas contra la influenza aviar, de uso reciente, que contenían virus homólogos y heterólogos a los aislamientos circulantes de H5N8. Todos los grupos de pollos libres de patógenos específicos fueron sangrados semanalmente tras la vacunación para el análisis de anticuerpos; dos virus H5N8 aislados de pollo y pato se utilizaron como antígeno en la prueba de inhibición de la hemaglutinación. Además, todos los grupos de pollos vacunados fueron retados 4 semanas después de la vacunación con el virus H5N8 aislado de pato, con una dosis de 109 EID50/0,1 mL por pollo, para medir el porcentaje de protección de las vacunas comerciales utilizadas. Los resultados mostraron que las vacunas con virus homólogos y heterólogos presentaron grados variables de aceptada protección, la que osciló entre el 90 por ciento y el 100 por ciento, por lo que se concluyó que no sólo la coincidencia genética y antigénica de las cepas vacunales con los virus circulantes de la influenza aviar altamente patógena influye en la eficacia de la vacuna; otros factores, como los procedimientos de fabricación, el adyuvante, el contenido en antígenos, la dosis de la vacuna y los factores de administración podrían afectar a la eficacia de la vacuna, por lo que es necesario seguir estudiando el desarrollo de vacunas para mejorar la protección y la prevención de la excreción viral contra los virus H5 de la influenza aviar altamente patógena locales en Egipto(AU)

Potential impact of fluorescein angiography as a primary imaging modality in the management of diabetic retinopathy

Purpose: To evaluate current practice patterns for Egyptian ophthalmologists in the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and explore potential implications of these approaches on management. Methods: Cross?sectional survey conducted in Egypt amongst practicing ophthalmologists. Results: The study had 203 responses (~6% of all Egyptian ophthalmologists). A majority of respondents were general ophthalmologists (78.2%), practicing for five to ten years (41.9%). In patients with DR and no diabetic macular edema (DME), 33.0% of respondents would use FA in patients with mild DR, 44.3% in patients with moderate DR and 51.2% in patients with severe non?proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Color imaging (CI) was used by less than 1% as the sole imaging modality for any level of DR. Approximately 70% of respondents used fluorescein angiography (FA) to grade and base treatment decisions for DR, either alone or in conjunction with dilated eye exams and/or CI. Given the known more severe appearance of DR on FA than on standard color imaging upon which treatment guidelines are based, use of FA as the primary modality over a one?year period could result in PRP that would otherwise not be suggested in approximately 78,820 eyes at an additional cost of $10.1 million US dollars. These numbers are projected to double by 2045. Conclusion: Given that FA detects significantly greater pathology than CI, and that treatment and follow?up recommendations are based on CI, its use as the primary imaging modality in DR grading may result in apparently significantly higher DR severity, with subsequently increased procedures and associated costs

A Review of Antifungal Activity of Combined Plant Extracts or Plant Exudates from Medicinal Plants either together or with Known Antifungal Agents

Medicinal plants provide humanity with important phytochemical compounds and extracts which are widely used in treatment of many diseases. Fungal infections are one of these diseases which are widely distributed especially in developing countries; medicinal plants are extensively used in developing countries. There are few antifungal agents, most of them are expensive and have many adverse effects, also there is high incidence of drug resistance among some available antifungal agents, hence for these mentioned reasons many people, especially in developing countries, use medicinal plants (either alone, combined together or combined with known antifungal drugs) in treatment of many fungal infections. This rise a new and important issue about plant(s) – plant(s) and plant(s) - drug interactions. The aim of this review is to try to fill the gap in understanding the interactions of plant(s) - plant(s) and plant(s) – drug(s) combinations by providing an overview of some evidence-based researches done in this field, so our review highlights many interactions between medicinal plants constituents with current available antifungal agents, these interactions may be synergistic, additive, indifferent or antagonistic, so, if there is any antagonistic effect, we recommend to avoid using the combination which caused this effect. We collected a lot of studies which studied the interactions between plant(s) (including extracts, isolated active constituents, essential oils, plants latexes and other phytochemicals) used either together or with conventional antifungal agents. This will not only bring about better understanding of both phytochemicals and antifungal activity, but also may help in searching and developing new safely and effective drugs, specially with those combinations which showed synergistic effect.

Metformin and resveratrol suppress type 2 diabetes mellitus-induced articular cartilage damage in rats associated with the inhibition of inflammation and augmentation of proteoglycans / La metformina y el resveratrol suprimen el daño del cartílago articular inducido por la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en ratas asociado con la inhibición de la inflamación y el aumento de proteoglicanos

SUMMARY: Induction of osteoarthritis (OA) following diabetes is characterized by a sever inflammation of the joints that can lead to disability. The cartilage content of proteoglycans can substantially be reduced, following the induction of diabetes mellitus associated with inflammation as well as knee joint injury, and the antidiabetic drug metformin combined with the anti-inflammatory agent resveratrol can prevent these deleterious effects. Therefore, insulin-independent diabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was induced in Albino rats by streptozotocin (STZ) injection (50 mg/kg) after being fed on a high carbohydrate and fat diets for 2 weeks. The protective group of rats which also received a single injection of STZ was treated daily with metformin (Met; 200 mg/kg) and resveratrol (Res; 30 mg/kg) for 12 weeks. Harvested knee joint tissues were prepared for basic histology stain and for proteoglycans staining using light microscopy. Histology images showed in diabetic rats (T2DM) OA development as demonstrated by profound injury to the knee joint and severe decrease of articular cartilage proteoglycans content, which were substantialy protected by Met+Res. Met+Res also significantly (p< 0.0001) decreased diabetes induced glycemia, dyslipidemia, and the inflammatory biomarkers, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). In addition, there was a significant correlation between OA and glycemia, dyslipidemia, and inflammation. Collectively, we demonstrate an association between knee joint damage and biomarkers of glycemia, dyslipidemia, and inflammation in diabetes-induced OA, with metformin plus resveratrol providing protective effects.

RESUMEN: La inducción de osteoartritis (OA) después de la diabetes se caracteriza por una inflamación severa de las articulaciones que puede conducir a la discapacidad. El contenido de cartílago de proteoglicanos se puede reducir sustancialmente, luego de la inducción de diabetes mellitus asociada con inflamación y lesión en la articulación de la rodilla sin embargo, el fármaco antidiabético metformina combinado con el agente antiinflamatorio resveratrol puede prevenir estos efectos nocivos. Por lo tanto, se indujo diabetes insulino dependiente, diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (T2DM) en ratas albinas mediante inyección de estreptozotocina (STZ) (50 mg/kg) después de haber sido alimentadas con dietas ricas en carbohidratos y grasas durante 2 semanas. El grupo protector de ratas que también recibió una inyección única de STZ fue tratado diariamente con metformina (Met; 200 mg/kg) y resveratrol (Res; 30 mg/kg) durante 12 semanas. Tejidos de la articulación de la rodilla fueon retirados y teñidos con histología básica y tinción de proteoglicanos usando microscopía óptica. Las imágenes histológicas en ratas diabéticas mostraban (T2DM) desarrollo de OA visualizadas por una lesión profunda en la articulación de la rodilla y una disminución severa del contenido de proteoglicanos del cartílago articular, los cuales estaban sustancialmente protegidos por Met+Res. Met+Res. También disminuyó significativamente (p< 0,0001) la glucemia inducida por la diabetes, la dislipidemia y los biomarcadores inflamatorios, el factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (TNF-α), la interleucina-6 (IL-6) y la proteína C reactiva de alta sensibilidad (PCR-hs). Además, hubo una correlación significativa entre la OA y la glucemia, la dislipidemia y la inflamación. En conjunto, demostramos una asociación entre el daño de la articulación de la rodilla y los biomarcadores de glucemia, dislipidemia e inflamación en la OA inducida por diabetes, con metformina más resveratrol que brindan efectos protectores.

Effect of replacing fish meal in fish diet with shrimp by-product meal on growth performance, feed utilization, length-weight relationship and condition factors of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) / Efecto de reemplazar la harina de pescado en la dieta de pescado por harina de subproducto de camarón sobre el rendimiento del crecimiento, la utilización del alimento, la relación longitud-peso y los factores de condición de la tilapia del Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)

SUMMARY: The present work aimed to study the effect of replacing fish meal (FM) in the fish diet with shrimp by-product meal (SBM) on the growth performance parameters of the Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. A total of 200 specimens of monosex O. niloticus fries were obtained from a private fish farm at Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate. They were transported to the fish laboratory at the Animal House of Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University. After two weeks for acclimation, the fish were divided into 5 groups, 2 replicates for each group (20 fish in each replicate). The five experimental diets were: C: control group with20 % fish meal (FM) and 0 % shrimp by-product meal (SM); T1, T2, T3, and T4 FM was replaced with SBM as 25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 %, respectively. Results indicated that the highest final length, growth in length, length gain, daily length gain and other growth performance parameters including the relationship between length and weight and condition factors of O. niloticus were recorded in T4 group (fed diet in which fish meal was completely replaced with shrimp by-product meal); while, their lowest values were recorded in control group. On the other hand, feed utilization parameters (feed intake, food conversion ratio, the maximum values of feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio) were recorded in T4 group and the minimum values were recorded in T3 group (fed diet in which 75 % of fish meal was replaced with shrimp by-product meal).

RESUMEN: El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo estudiar el efecto de sustituir la harina de pescado (HP) en la dieta del pescado por harina de subproductos de camarón (HSC) sobre los parámetros de rendimiento de crecimiento de la Tilapia del Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus. Se obtuvieron un total de 200 especímenes de monosexo de O. niloticus de una piscifactoría privada en la gobernación de Kafr El-Sheikh. Fueron transportados al laboratorio de peces en el Departamento de Zoología de la Facultad de Ciencias, de la Universidad Al-Azhar. Después de dos semanas de aclimatación, los peces se dividieron en 5 grupos: Se realizaron dos repeticiones para cada grupo (20 peces en cada repetición). Las cinco dietas experimentales fueron: C: grupo control con 20 % de harina de pescado (HP) y 0 % de harina de subproductos de camarón (HSC); T1, T2, T3 y T4 FM se reemplazó con HSC con 25 %, 50 %, 75 % y 100 %, respectivamente. Los resultados indicaron que la longitud final más alta, el crecimiento en longitud, la ganancia de longitud, la ganancia de longitud diaria y otros parámetros de rendimiento del crecimiento, como además la relación entre la longitud y el peso, y los factores de condición de O. niloticus, se registraron en el grupo T4 (con una dieta reemplazada con harina de subproducto de camarón); mientras que, sus valores más bajos se registraron en el grupo control. Por otro lado, los parámetros de utilización del alimento (ingesta de alimento, índice de conversión de alimento, los valores máximos de índice de eficiencia alimenticia e índice de eficiencia proteica) se registraron en el grupo T4 y los valores mínimos se registraron en el grupo T3 (alimentación con dieta en la que el 75 % de la harina de pescado fue reemplazada por harina de subproductos de camarón).

Suppression of nitrosative stress and inflammation of the knee joint synovium in collagen type ii-induced rheumatoid arthritis by the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3ß / Supresión del estrés nitrosativo e inflamación de la sinovial de la articulación de la rodilla en la artritis reumatoide inducida por colágeno tipo ii mediante la inhibición de la glucógeno sintasa quinasa-3 ß

SUMMARY: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes cartilage degradation and tissue destruction, can affect synovial joints such as the knee joint. The link between the nitrosative stress enzyme inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1β) in RA-induced knee joint synovial membrane damage with and without the incorporation of the GSK3β inhibitor TDZD-8 has never been studied. As a result, we used active immunization method with collagen type II (COII) for twenty one days to induce RA in rats. TDZD-8 (1 mg/kg; i.p.) was given daily into matched immunized rats for three weeks after day 21 (COII+TDZD-8). Blood and tissue samples were taken 42 days after immunization. A dramatic increase in rheumatoid factor (RF) blood levels, as well as considerable synovial tissue damage and inflammatory cell infiltration of the synovial membrane, were used to validate the onset of RA following COII immunization. COII immunization increased tissue levels of iNOS protein and IL- 1β mRNA and protein expression, which TDZD-8 suppressed considerably (p<0.0001). Furthermore, there was a significantly (p<0.001) positive correlation between iNOS, inflammatory biomarkers, and RF. We concluded that TDZD-8 reduced RA-induced IL-1β -iNOS axis-mediated arthritis in the rat knee joint synovium.

RESUMEN: La artritis reumatoide (AR), es una enfermedad autoinmune inflamatoria que causa la degradación del cartílago y la destrucción del tejido, pudiendo afectar las articulaciones sinoviales, como la articulación de la rodilla. No se ha estudiado el vínculo entre la óxido nítrico sintasa inducible por la enzima del estrés nitrosativo (iNOS) y la citocina interleucina-1 (IL-1β) en el daño de la membrana sinovial de la articulación de la rodilla provocado por AR con y sin la incorporación del inhibidor de GSK3β TDZD-8. Utilizamos el método de inmunización activa con colágeno tipo II (COII) durante veintiún días para inducir AR en ratas. Se administró TDZD-8 (1 mg/kg; i.p.) diariamente a ratas inmunizadas emparejadas durante tres semanas después del día 21 (COII+TDZD- 8). Se tomaron muestras de sangre y tejido 42 días después de la inmunización. Se observó un gran aumento de los niveles sanguíneos del factor reumatoideo (FR), así como un daño considerable del tejido sinovial e infiltración de células inflamatorias en la membrana sinovial, para validar la aparición de la AR después de la inmunización con COII. La inmunización con COII aumentó los niveles tisulares de la proteína iNOS y la expresión de proteína y ARNm de IL-1β, que TDZD-8 suprimió considerablemente (p<0,0001). Además, hubo una correlación positiva significativa (p<0,001) entre iNOS, biomarcadores inflamatorios y FR. Concluimos que TDZD- 8 redujo la artritis mediada por el eje IL-1β-iNOS inducida por la AR en la sinovial de la articulación de la rodilla de rata.

Green-synthetized selenium nanoparticles using berberine as a promising anticancer agent / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#The chemo-preventative and therapeutic properties of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have been documented over recent decades and suggest the potential uses of SeNPs in medicine. Biogenic SeNPs have higher biocompatibility and stability than chemically synthesized nanoparticles, which enhances their medical applications, especially in the field of cancer therapy. This study evaluated the potential of green-synthetized SeNPs by using berberine (Ber) as an antitumor agent and elucidated the mechanism by which these molecules combat Ehrlich solid tumors (ESTs).@*METHODS@#SeNPs containing Ber (SeNPs-Ber) were synthesized using Ber and Na@*RESULTS@#Treatment with SeNPs-Ber significantly improved the survival rate and decreased the body weight and tumor size, compared to the EST group. SeNPs-Ber reduced oxidative stress in tumor tissue, as indicated by a decrease in the lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels and an increase in the glutathione levels. Moreover, SeNPs-Ber activated an apoptotic cascade in the tumor cells by downregulating the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression rate and upregulating the Bcl-2-associated X protein and caspase-3 expression rates. SeNPs-Ber also considerably improved the histopathological alterations in the developed tumor tissue, compared to the EST group.@*CONCLUSION@#Our study provides a new insight into the potential role of green-synthesized SeNPs by using Ber as a promising anticancer agent, these molecules could be used alone or as supplementary medication during chemotherapy.

Paracetamol poisoning induces acute liver injury in rats: inhibition of miR-155/cd45 axis-mediated antioxidant depletion and hepatotoxicity using quercetin and resveratrol / La intoxicación por paracetamol induce daño hepático agudo en ratas: inhibición de la depleción de antioxidantes mediado por el eje miR-155/cd45 y hepatotoxicidad usando quercetina y resveratrol

SUMMARY: Ingestion of an overdose of paracetamol (also called acetaminophen, or APAP) induces hepatotoxicity that can lead to liver failure. The link between the pro-inflammatory microRNA-155 (miR-155) and leukocyte infiltration (CD45) in APAP- antioxidant depletion and liver toxicity with and without the natural polyphenolic compounds, quercetin (QUR) plus resveratrol (RES) has not been previously studied. Therefore, acute hepatic injury was induced in rats by 2 g/kg APAP (single dose, orally) and another group started QUR (50 mg/kg) plus RES (30 mg/kg) treatment one week prior to APAP ingestion. Animals were culled 24 hours post the paracetamol treatment. APAP overdose induced hepatic and blood levels of miR-155 expression, CD45 (leukocyte common antigen) immunostaining, degenerated hepatocytes, and hepatic injury enzymes; alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), which were markedly decreased by QUR+RES. Whereas, APAP intoxication ameliorated liver tissue levels of the antioxidants, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase that were augmented by QUR+RES. Moreover, a significant (p<0.05) correlation between miR-155/CD45 axis and liver tissue injury was observed. These findings show that paracetamol intoxication augments miR- 155/CD45 axis-mediated modulation of antioxidants and liver injury in rats, and is protected by QUR+RES.

RESUMEN: La ingestión de una sobredosis de paracetamol (también llamado acetaminofeno o APAP) induce hepatotoxicidad que puede provocar insuficiencia hepática. El vínculo entre el microARN-155 proinflamatorio (miR-155) y la infiltración de leucocitos (CD45) en el agotamiento de APAP- antioxidante y la toxicidad hepática con y sin los compuestos polifenólicos naturales, quercetina (QUR) más resveratrol (RES) no ha sido previamente investigado. En este estudio, se indujo daño hepático agudo en ratas con 2 g/kg de APAP (dosis única, por vía oral) y otro grupo comenzó el tratamiento con QUR (50 mg/ kg) más RES (30 mg/kg) una semana antes de la ingestión de APAP. Los animales se sacrificaron 24 horas después del tratamiento con paracetamol. La sobredosis de APAP indujo niveles hepáticos y sanguíneos de expresión de miR-155, inmunotinción de CD45 (antígeno leucocitario común), degeneración de los hepatocitos y daño hepático enzimático; alanina aminotransferasa (ALT) y aspartato aminotransferasa (AST), disminuyeron notablemente con QUR+RES. Mientras que la intoxicación con APAP mejoró los niveles de antioxidantes, glutatión peroxidasa y superóxido dismutasa en el tejido hepático los que aumentaron con QUR+RES. Además, se observó una correlación significativa (p<0,05) entre el eje miR-155/CD45 y la lesión del tejido hepático. Estos hallazgos muestran que la intoxicación por paracetamol aumenta la modulación mediada por el eje miR-155/CD45 de los antioxidantes y la lesión hepática en ratas, y está protegida por QUR+RES.

Development and optimization of cosolvent-based blended Sertraline orodispersible films - A step to personalized medicine

Abstract Personalized medicine is gaining importance in pharmacotherapeutics as it allows tailoring the drug treatment to achieve the best patient response. Orodispersible film (ODF) is easy to formulate in hospitals, produces dose flexibility to suit an individual needs, particularly for patients suffer from swallowing issues or prohibited to take fluids. Sertraline Hydrochloride (SRT) was solubilized in several cosolvents, then different SRT ODFs based on five hydrophilic polymers namely; polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), hydroxylethyl cellulose (HEC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E5 LV (HPMC E5 LV), sodium alginate (NaAlg) and gelatin at two concentrations (2% and 4%) were developed and characterized. The outcomes were exposed to response surface analysis to obtain the desirability results to obtain the optimized formulation. Blended ODFs were developed from 4% PVA and 2% HEC in different blends and then potassium chloride (KCl) as a pore-forming agent was added to the best formulation to investigate its dissolution enhancement effect. F14 containing 4% PVA: 2% HEC 2:1 with 5% KCl showed best physicochemical properties of suitable pH (5.6), disintegration time (6 sec), good folding endurance which released 91 % SRT after 15 min. SRT ODF is an encouraging delivery system in the course of personalized medicine for the management of depression.

Solid Phase Extraction and Simultaneous Chromatographic Quantification of some Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Residues; an Application in Pharmaceutical Industrial Wastewater Effluent

Abstract Two sensitive and selective methods were developed for the simultaneous determination of four commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), namely; paracetamol (PCM), diclofenac sodium (DCF), ibuprofen (IBP), and indomethacin (IND) in wastewater effluents. The first method used HPLC for the determination of the studied drugs using a mobile phase consisting of phosphate buffer (pH 3.0) and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. in gradient elution mode and detection at 220 nm. The separation process was performed on BDS Hypersil Cyano column (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 µm). The second method was a TLC-densitometric one which was performed using n-Hexane: ethyl acetate: acetic acid in the ratio (6:3.5:0.5) as a developing system. The proposed chromatographic methods were successfully applied for the selective determination of the four studied drugs in simulated and real pharmaceutical wastewater samples after their solid-phase extraction

Application of stereology in liver volume measurements using computed tomography scan / Aplicación de la estereología en mediciones de volumen hepático mediante tomografía computarizada

SUMMARY: The application of stereology in hepatobiliary conditions is essential in liver volume estimation. Computerized topographic scan with contrast is a reliable method in liver scanning for precise boundaries demarcation. Liver volumetry varies in relation to different factors. Reports showed a correlation of liver volume with sex and body mass index. Steady relation between age and ethnicity is not established. This study aimed to design a protocol for liver volume measurement and apply it in the estimation of volume among the Sudanese population use stereology. Recruitment of the study population was obtained in the royal scan clinic in Khartoum by making an announcement for participation in the study. Patients with a history of hepatobiliary diseases were excluded. CT abdomen with contrast was obtained in DICOM format and transferred to computer-based software for image analysis. A protocol was designed and validated and then applied in volume estimation using software MRIcro for image display, ImageJ for volume estimation, and Onis 2.6 as image viewer. 300 apparently healthy volunteers were recruited. The protocol reliability result was 0.805. Absolute mean liver volume was 3261.32 ± 1365.313 cm3. High liver volume among females was detected than among males. A positive correlation was detected between volume and body mass index (p-value 0.001) regardless of sex. Relation with age showed a rough steady rise till the age of 50 years then it started to decline steadily. The relationship was detected in liver volume with sex and body mass index. More studies are needed to investigate the relationship between ethnicity and age groups.

RESUMEN: La aplicación de la estereología en condiciones hepatobiliares es fundamental en la estimación del volumen hepático. El escaneo topográfico computarizado con contraste es un método confiable en el escaneo del hígado para la demarcación precisa de sus límites. La volumetría hepática varía en función de diferentes factores. Los informes mostraron una correlación del volumen del hígado con el sexo y el índice de masa corporal. No se establece una relación estable entre la edad y la etnia. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo diseñar un protocolo para la medición del volumen hepático de la población sudanesa usando la estereología. El reclutamiento de la población de estudio fue realizado en la clínica de exploración real en Jartum mediante un anuncio de participación. Se excluyeron los pacientes con antecedentes de enfermedades hepatobiliares. Se obtuvo TC de abdomen con contraste en formato DICOM y se transfirió a un software informático para el análisis de imágenes. Se diseñó y validó un protocolo y luego se aplicó en la estimación de volumen utilizando el software MRIcro para la visualización de imágenes, ImageJ para la estimación de volumen y Onis 2.6 como visor de imágenes. Se reclutaron 300 voluntarios sanos. El resultado de la fiabilidad del protocolo fue 0,805. El volumen hepático medio absoluto fue 3261,32 ± 1365,313 cm3. Se detectó un volumen más elevado de hígado en las mujeres que en los hombres. Se detectó una correlación positiva entre el volumen y el índice de masa corporal (valor de p 0,001) independientemente del sexo. La relación con la edad mostró un aumento continuo y brusco hasta los 50 años, luego comenzó a disminuir de manera constante. Se detectó la relación del volumen hepático con el sexo y el índice de masa corporal. Se necesitan más estudios para investigar la relación entre la etnia y los grupos etarios.

Variations of Arterial Supply of the Liver: C.T. Angiographic Study Among Sudanese Adults

Hepatobiliary surgery through laparoscopic approach is becoming a routine. Knowledge of extrahepatic arterial tree is essential for surgical and imaging procedures. Anatomical complexity is expected since the liver is developed by mergingof lobules with its separate blood supply. This makes a wide range of variations in the pattern of vascular arrangement and so reinforces the need for an accurate understanding of full spectrum of variations. This study aimed to investigate the variations in origin and distribution of extrahepatic arterial supply. Fifty volunteers (32 males and 18 females) aged 20­70 years were randomly recruited from the department of CT scan in Al Amal Hospital, Khartoum North, Sudan. The patients were already candidates for CT angiography with contrast for conditions other than hepatobiliary diseases. The reported data is related to those who accepted to participate in the study. Patients with history of hepatobiliary disease were excluded. 3D views of the scans were treated and the extrahepatic arterial tree was traced in a computer-based software. Key findings suggest that Michel's classification was considered the standard template for description ­ 76% of them showed Michel's type I classification. Types III and V constituted about 2%. About 4% of the cases were represented by types VI and IX. Other types of variations constituted about 12%. To conclude, although type I classification which describes the textbook pattern of hepatic artery distribution was significantly detected among the Sudanese population, other variants were to be considered since they are related to major arteries like aorta and superior mesenteric.

Albumin- bilirubin score as a non-invasive serum biomarker for advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C infection: A case-control study

Background: In many health systems, primary care is the main source of health care services. Liver cirrhosis is a silent disease that causes no signs or symptoms until decompensation occurs. Therefore, a simple and readily accessible tool for predicting advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis is needed to aid general practitioners in primary care settings. Aim: To explore the predictive performance of Albumin Bilirubin (ALBI) score as a non-invasive serum biomarker for advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt, and comprised 400 participants divided into two equal groups. Group (I): 200 chronic HCV patients with advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis [F3-F4] and Group (II): 200 healthy controls. ALBI score was calculated for all study participants. Results: The AUROC for the ALBI score was 0.832 (95% CI: 0.787-0.872) (p-value) Conclusion: ALBI score is reliable for predicting advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and could be valuable in primary care