Loss of RAR-α and RXR-α and enhanced caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in N-acetyl-p-aminophenol-induced liver injury in mice is tissue factor dependent

Tissue factor (TF) activates the coagulation system and has an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Our previous study stated that retinoid receptors (RAR-α and RXR-α) are released as a lipid droplet in monocrotaline/ lipopolysaccharide-induced idiosyncratic liver toxicity in mice. Herein, the interdependence between the release of retinoid receptors RAR-α and RXR-α and TF in Nacetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP)-induced mice liver toxicity, is investigated. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) level, platelet and white blood cells (WBCs) counts, protein expression of fibrin, TF, cyclin D1 and cleaved caspase-3 in liver tissues are analyzed. In addition, histopathological evaluation and survival study are also performed. The results indicate that using of TF-antisense (TF-AS) deoxyoligonucleotide (ODN) injection (6 mg/kg), to block TF protein synthesis, significantly restores the elevated level of ALT and WBCs and corrects thrombocytopenia in mice injected with APAP. TF-AS prevents the peri-central overexpression of liver TF, fibrin, cyclin D1 and cleaved caspase-3. The release of RXR-α and RAR-α droplets, in APAP treated sections, is inhibited upon treatment with TF-AS. In conclusion, the above findings designate that the released RXR-α and RAR-α in APAP liver toxicity is TF dependent. Additionally, the enhancement of cyclin D1 to caspase-3-dependent apoptosis can be prevented by blocking of TF protein synthesis.

Loss of RAR-α and RXR-α and enhanced caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in N-acetyl-p-aminophenol-induced liver injury in mice is tissue factor dependent

Tissue factor (TF) activates the coagulation system and has an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Our previous study stated that retinoid receptors (RAR-α and RXR-α) are released as a lipid droplet in monocrotaline/ lipopolysaccharide-induced idiosyncratic liver toxicity in mice. Herein, the interdependence between the release of retinoid receptors RAR-α and RXR-α and TF in Nacetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP)-induced mice liver toxicity, is investigated. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) level, platelet and white blood cells (WBCs) counts, protein expression of fibrin, TF, cyclin D1 and cleaved caspase-3 in liver tissues are analyzed. In addition, histopathological evaluation and survival study are also performed. The results indicate that using of TF-antisense (TF-AS) deoxyoligonucleotide (ODN) injection (6 mg/kg), to block TF protein synthesis, significantly restores the elevated level of ALT and WBCs and corrects thrombocytopenia in mice injected with APAP. TF-AS prevents the peri-central overexpression of liver TF, fibrin, cyclin D1 and cleaved caspase-3. The release of RXR-α and RAR-α droplets, in APAP treated sections, is inhibited upon treatment with TF-AS. In conclusion, the above findings designate that the released RXR-α and RAR-α in APAP liver toxicity is TF dependent. Additionally, the enhancement of cyclin D1 to caspase-3-dependent apoptosis can be prevented by blocking of TF protein synthesis.

Effect of hypervitaminosis D[3] on the ovary of adult albino rat

Vitamin D is one of the fat soluble vitamins, it has a great role in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The effect of hypervitaminosis was studied on 75 adult female albino rats. The rats were divided into three groups, control, treated and recovered group. The control group consisted of 15 rats were divided in a groups 5 rats each and were sacrified at beginning, after one month and after two months of the beginning of the experiment without injection of vitamin D. The rats of treated groups were divided into 3 groups A, B and C [10 rats each], the treated group A received 2 doses of vitamin D [12000 IU] intraperitoneally 2 weeks interval, treated group B received 3 doses, 10 days interval and treated group C received 4 doses one week interval. All rats were sacrified after one week from last injected dose. The rats of recovered group were divided into 3 groups A, B and C [10 rats each]. Each group received the same doses as in treated groups A, B, C respectively, but all rats were left 4 weeks after last injected dose before sacrifice. The ovaries of all rats were extracted, cut in sections and stained with Haemotoxylin and Eosin to visualize the general architecture of the ovaries and with modified von Kossa for detection of calcium. The rats of the treated groups showed multiple changes in the form of decreased food consumption and decreased body weight. Histologically, the ovaries showed decreased total number of all types of follicles [primordial, primary, secondary and Graaffian follicles] and corpora lutea, dilated blood vessels, multiple areas of hemorrhage in the corpora lutea and their vaculations were decreased. The secondary and the Graaffian follicles showed distortion of their granulose cells and decreased number and size. All these changes were dose dependent, increasing with increased number of the total doses received. The recovered groups showed improvement of different degrees, increased markedly in the recovered group A, to a lesser extent in the recovered group B, and very minimal in the recovered group C. It is recommended that the proper manner of injection of vitamin D in the treatment of different types of malignancies is to give two doses separated by two weeks intervals and then the patient is left for two weeks to avoid any permanent harmful effects on the ovary and other tissues

Vascular endothelial growth factor a diagnostic and prognostic factor in neonatal bacterial meningitis

This study was designed to evaluate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] in the pathophysiology of neonatal bacterial meningitis and the significance of using it as a diagnostic and prognostic factor in this important neonatal problem. The study comprised 50 newborn infants presenting with signs of neonatal sepsis who underwent routine lumbar puncture for diagnosis of their condition and were further classified according to their cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] characteristics specific for bacterial meningitis and culture results into 3 groups: group I comprised 18 proven bacterial meningitis patients, group II, 22 partially treated or viral meningitis, and group III, 10 non meningitis infants serving as controls. All newborns were subjected to evaluation of VEGF in CSF and serum by enzyme immunoassay technique. No significant difference of mean serum VEGF levels were observed in meningitis groups whether culture proven [group I] or not [group II], when compared to the controls and in group I when compared to group II, while VEGFCSF was detected in 10 [56%] of 18 proven bacterial meningitis patients, 6 [22%] of partially treated or viral meningitis patients and none of control group. No correlation existed between VEGF in serum and CSF; however, detectable VEGFCSF levels were more frequently associated with higher clinical sepsis scores and hematological indicators of sepsis in addition to more mortality rate

Conclusion: the increasing concentrations of VEGF in CSF of septic newborn infants developing bacterial meningitis suggests a physiologic role of this growth factor in pathophysiology of this severe disease and points to the possibility of using it an indicator and prognostic sign in the follow up of these cases

Effect of denervation on rat soleus muscle: light morphometric and electron microscopic study

This study described the light, morphometric and ultrastructure of denervated rat soleus muscle, with a particular emphasis on understanding the ultrastructural changes and cellular basis for the reduced restorative capacity of denervated muscle. The right hind limbs of adult male Wister rats were denervated for periods of one, two, three and four weeks and the samples were processed for light and electron microscopy. Atrophy of muscle fibers was prominent from the first week. At further periods of denervation, atrophy of all muscle fibers was seen most clear with morphometry. As denervation progressed, the morphology of individual muscle fibers varied. Most of muscle fibers contained well-organized myofilaments; whereas in others, local areas of sarcomeric disorganization were evident. Mitochondria became smaller and rounded, the elements of the sarcoplasmic reticulum proliferated and became more disorganized, the autophagic vesicles were well present in the cytoplasm of atrophic muscle fibers. The satellite cells did not show signs of activation at four weeks after denervation

Morphological and radiological study of the Egyptian calcaneal articular facets and trabecular pattern of the calcaneus

Three hundred normal adult dry calcanei were collected from different anatomical departments in Egypt. The calcanei were subjected to study the morphology of the articular facets. Also, radiological examinations and longitudinal sections were done to study the trabecular patterns of the calcanei. According to the morphology of calcaneal articular facets, type I calcanei represented 63% of the total number of bones and showing one continuous facet situated on the sustentaculum tali and extending to the anteromedial corner of the distal part of the calcaneus. This type divided into two subtypes according to the absence or the presence of the constriction i.e. subtype Ia [40%] and subtype Ib [23%]. Type II calcanei represented 30% of the total number of bones and showing two articular facets which were presented with variable degree of separation between the two facets. Accordingly, this type divided into three subtypes i.e. subtype IIa with narrow separation, subtype IIb with moderate separation and subtype IIc with wide separation. Type III calcanei represented 5% of the total number of bones and showing a single facet on the sustentaculum tali with absence of anterior talar facets. Type IV calcanei represented 2% of the total number of bones and showing a single confluent facet due to fusion of medial, anterior and posterior talar articular facets

Morphology of the apical surface of endometrium on 1st, 6th and 22nd days of pregnancy in rats [Transmission and scanning electron microscopic study]

Morphology of the apical surface of the luminal epithelial cells of the endometrium of the rats on the 1st, 6th and 22nd days of pregnancy was examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopes. Twenty adult female and five adult male rats were used in this study. The animals were subsequently euthanized on either the 1st, 6th and 22nd days of pregnancy [term=23 days]. Using transmission electron microscope, the microvilli covering the apical surface of the luminal epithelial cells were long and irregularly spaced on the 1st day of pregnancy. They became shorter in length, numerous fewer in number and showed pinopods on the 6th day of pregnancy. Finally, they became numerous, long and slender on the 22nd day of pregnancy. Using the scanning electron microscope, it was observed that the uterine luminal epithelium was covered with long and slender microvilli on the 1st day of pregnancy. As pregnancy advanced, they became shorter and sparsely distributed with the presence of membranous protrusions on the 6th day of pregnancy. Late in pregnancy, on the 22nd day, the microvilli became longer and more numerous but no membranous protrusions could be observed

Serum inhibin as predictor marker of pre echampsia

This work was done on 150 pregnant women. Serum inhibin was measured to assess the use of inhibin level as a sensitive predictor of preeclampsia and its relation to the clinical presentation. Inhibin level was significantly higher among mild preeclampsia group than severe preeclampsia and the control groups. However, its level among severe preeclampsia group was significantly higher than the control group. So, it can be used as a sensitive predictor for preeclampsia

Biochemical assessment of the extent operative trauma in laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy

The measurement of prolactin, cortisol, and blood glucose levels as stress indicator markers can be used to differentiate between the conventional open cholecystectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy pre and post operative. 40 patients were studied, 20 patients underwent conventional open cholecystectomy group [A] while the other 20 underwent Laparoscopic cholecystectomy group [B] both groups were suffering from uncomplicated chronic calcular cholecystitis. Our result shows a significant increase in the level of serum prolactin hormone [ng/ml] in patients of group [A] in relation to pre and postoperative state t: 5.91, P<0.005. While there was no significant changes in the level of prolactin hormone in patients of group [B] pre and post operatively t: 1.41, P<0.5, this means that the body response to surgical trauma in patients of group [B] is minimal. Also, there was a significant increase in the level of serum cortisol hormone [ng/ml] in patients of group [A] in relation to pre and postoperative state t: 4.04, P<0.001. While there was no significant changes in the level of cortisol hormone in patients of group [B] pre and post operatively t: 1.19, P<0.2, this means that the body response to surgical trauma in patients of group [B] is minimal, the difference between pre and post operative is not significant. As regard of blood glucose level, the difference between pre and post operative blood glucose level were highly significant in both group of patients, so blood glucose measurement is not a sensitive marker to assess the body response to surgical trauma. We conclude that Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a much less traumatizing technique than open cholecystectomy with consequently a smooth and short postoperative discomfort

Comparative study of endoscopic laser ablation and transurethral resection of the prostate

Bladder outflow obstruction due to Benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH] forms a major part of the urologist's practice. Transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP] stood the test of time for over 5 decades. However, it is accompanied by a relatively high morbidity rate. The continuous search for minimally invasive therapy for BPH has lead to the development of Endoscopic Laser Ablation of the prostate [ELAP]. Fifty two patients with bladder outflow obstruction were treated in a randomized prospective study with ELAP [25 patients] and TURF [27 patients]. ELAP is performed using the Nd: YAG laser and the right angled side firing laser fiber. Although initially the TURF group did better, the results were comparable at 6 months and were maintained through to one year. Evaluation parameters included improvement in American Urological Association [AUA] symptom score, Maximum flow rate [Q max] and decrease in post void residual urine volume. Complications in the ELAP group included 7 post operative retentions [20.8%], 2 of whom [8%] underwent TURF and 1 patient developed bladder neck contracture [4%], rendering a total of 3 patients [12%] undergoing reoperation. Post operative urinary tract infection occurred in 8 patients [32%]. In the TURF group, 5 patients [18.5%] required blood transfusion, 4 patients [14.8%] developed urinary tract infection and 1 patient developed a urethral stricture. Retrograde ejaculation occurred in 1 patient in the ELAP group and in 19pts [90.4%] in the TURP group. ELAP can produce results at one year comparable to TURF in terms of improvement of maximum flow rate, decrease in both AUA symptom score and post void residual urine volume. However, the cost is still high and it is accompanied by significant post operative irritative symptoms and a higher postoperative retention and reoperation rates. This raises the question of the suitability of the use of ELAP for mass treatment in our health service. Longer periods of follow up are still required

Value of ureteric visualization in management of patients with hydrouretero nephrosis

The surgical management of hydro-ureteronephrosis depends on many factors including the site and aetiology of obstruction as well as residual kidney function in a retrospection study of 80 cases of hydro-ureteronephrosis due to obstruction, simple strictures were found in 26 cases, stones in 50 cases and ureteral tumours in 4 patients. The value of visualizing the ureter in patients with poor kidney function or non-functioning kidneys is of utmost importance for proper management in these patients especially if the cause of obstruction is due to malignant aetiology