Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in Diarrheic Immunocompetent Patients in Beni-Suef, Egypt: Insight into Epidemiology and Diagnosis

Cryptosporidium species is an important cause of gastrointestinal infections globally. This study aimed to shed light on its role in diarrheic immunocompetent patients in Beni-Suef, Egypt and to compare three diagnostic methods. Two hundred diarrheic patients, 37±16.8 year old, were enrolled. Stool samples were examined by light microscopy, using modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain (MZN) for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. Coproantigens were detected by sandwich ELISA. DNA molecular diagnosis was done by nested PCR. PCR yielded the highest detection rates (21.0%), compared to ELISA (12.5%) and MZN staining method (9.5%). The higher infection rates were in 20–40 year-old group, followed by 40–60 year-old. Association between epidemiologic factors was statistically not significant; positivity and gender, clinical manifestations, residence, source or water, or contact with animals. Cryptosporidiosis is an important enteric parasitic infection in Beni-Suef and PCR remains the gold standard for diagnosis.

Genito-urinary function after lateral node dissection with concomitant pelvic autonomic nerve preservation [PANP] for rectal cancer

Lateral node dissection for advanced rectal cancer, in which perirectal tissues are widely removed and superior as well as lateral nodes are dissected has contributed to improve the local failure and survival. Nevertheless urinary and sexual dysfunction frequently occur after lateral node dissection because of the damage of the intrapelvic nerves. A total of 31 male patients underwent lateral node dissection, 15 patients were eligible for the technique while 16 patients did not receive [PANP]. All the patients responded to standardized questionnaire regarding the current and preoperative urinary sexual function as well as follow-up examination six months after surgery. Regarding the bladder function, 10 patients out of 15 [67%] who were offered [PANP] maintained good urinary control p<0.04, compared to 5 patients out of 16 [19%] in the group that was not submitted to [PANP]. Regarding the sexual function, 9 patients out of 15 [60%] with [PANP] maintained satisfactory erection p<0.04, compared to 4 patients out of 16 [25%] who were not submitted to PANP]. Ejaculation was achieved in 2 patients out of 15 [13%] with [PANP], compared to 0% in the group without [PANP]. Lateral node dissection with either partial or complete [PANP] combines the curative benefit of enhanced perirectal tissue excision with a minium of voiding and sexual dysfunction in the majority of advanced rectal cancer patients

outcome of sphincter-saving resection and abdomino-perineal resection for distal rectal cancer

The advent of surgical techniques has enabled more patients with mid and low rectal cancer to have sphincter saving resections [SSR]. This procedure, however has provoked doubts regarding the adequacy of resection and fear of increased rates of recurrence compared with Abdomino-perineal resection [APR]. The introduction of Total Mesorectal Excision [TME] has much lowered the recurrence rate to nearly 4%. This study was performed to compare the oncological results of SSR for low and mid rectal cancer patients with those obtained APR before that period. A total of one hundred and fifteen patients [115] were enrolled in this study. The tumours were located between 3-12cm from anal verge. Fifty one patients [45%] underwent SSR between the years 2002-2007. The incidence of recurrence after radical SSR was compared with the historical control group of sixty patients [52%] which underwent APR. The two groups being matched for Duke's stage and tumour location. Four patients had local treatment. The mean follow-up period of patients was 2.3 years, range [1-5] years. After 2 years follow-up, the local recurrence cumulative rate was 10.3% after SSR and 16.5% after APR. Distant recurrence rates were 15% and 20% respectively. Six patients [12%] died of their disease within 2 years of radical SSR, nine patients [15%] after radical APR. The overall 5 years actuarial survival in the SSR group was 70.2% compared to 64% in the retrospective matched control group who underwent APR. SSR for mid and low rectal tumours appears to have a superior outcome over APR since there is no risk of increased recurrent disease compared to APR after an equivalent follow-up period

Targeting apoptosis in the heart of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

To address the issue of cardiomyocyte apoptosis as a possible cause of diabetic cardiomyopathy and whether it would be possible to suppress this apoptosis by the use of PPAR gamma agonists [glitazones] and PPAR alpha agonists [fibrates], versus insulin. forty male rats were made diabetic by intraperitoneal [i.p.] streptozotocin [STZ] injection and were divided into four groups: group II [STZ-injected rats], groups III, IV and V [STZ-injected rats treated with insulin, PPAR gamma agonist [rosiglitazone] and PPAR alpha agonist [bezafirate] respectively, for twelve weeks starting one week following STZ injection]. Additionally, ten rats were injected i.p. by a single dose of saline and served as a control for group II. At the end of the experimental period, plasma glucose was measured. Left ventricular [LV] papillary muscles isometric force [developed tension [DT]] was determined. Oxidative stress as assessed by cardiac malondialdehyde [MDA] and reduced glutathione [GSH] concentrations as well as caspase-3 activity as an index of apoptosis were determined. STZ-injection induced diabetes, evidenced by significant higher mean value in plasma glucose concentration in group II compared to that of the control group I. Significant cardiomyopathy could be observed, in the form of significantly decreased DT of LV papillary muscles in group II compared to the control group I. STZ-injection resulted in oxidative stress evidenced by significant higher mean value in cardiac MDA concentration and significant lower mean value in cardiac GSH concentration in group II compared to the control group I. STZ-injection resulted in cardiac apoptosis evidenced by significant higher mean value in cardiac caspase-3 activity in group II compared to the control group I. The use of insulin, rosiglitazone as well as bezafibrate caused a significant decrease in plasma glucose concentration as well as a significant increase in body weight compared to group II. The use of insulin as well as rosiglitazone, but not bezafibrate, decreased cardiac caspase-3 activity and improved oxidative stress parameters evidenced by significant lower mean value in cardiac MDA concentration and significant higher mean value in cardiac GSH concentration compared to group II. Rosigitazone but neither insulin nor bezafibrate resulted in significant improvement of LV papillary muscle DT compared to group II. The results of the present study support the hypothesis that apoptosis plays a key role in the pathophysiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy and demonstrate that the use of PPAR gamma agonists might have a protective role against diabetic cardiomyopathy. We recommend further human studies to evaluate the role of the addition of PPAR gamma agonists to the treatment regimen of diabetes, from the onset of the disease, in protection against diabetic cardiomyopathy. Although the use of PPAR-alpha agonists seems counterintuitive in light of the current findings, the benefit of reduced delivery of fatty acids to the myocardium may outweigh the effects of activating the cardiac PPARalpha pathway in the diabetic patient

pathophysiology of hemodialysis-induced hypotension in end stage renal [ESRD] disease patients

The upsurge in the renal failure patients undergoing haemodyalisis has attracted the researcher to figure out the possible mechanism of the haemodyalysis associated with hypotension. the purpose of this study was to determine plasma levels of ghrelin, leptin, insulin, and nitric oxide in renal failure patients with and without haemodialysis-induced hypotension, and to examine the potential correlation between these parameters and mean blood pressure in those patients. Sixty-four renal patients were included in the study and, were divided into three groups The first group consisted of 21 patients with renal insufficiency who were not on dialysis [NHD], the second group consisted of 23 patients on regular maintenance hemodialysis with normal blood pressure [HDNT] and, the third group consisted of 20 patients on regular maintenance hemodialysis with hypotension [HDHT]. The control group consisted of 20 healthy volunteers. Body mass index [BMI] and waist-hip ratio [WHR] were assessed. Blood pressure was measured three times within an interval of 5 min and the average was estimated. Mean blood pressure [MBP] was calculated. Nitric oxide metabolites [nitrates + nitrites, NO[X]], plasma ghrelin, leptin and insulin levels were assayed. BMI was significantly lower in HDHT group than the control, NHD, and HDNT groups. While the waist/hip ratio was significantly higher in HDHT group than NDH group. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower in HDHT group than the other groups. Regarding the HDNT group, the systolic blood pressure was significantly lower than control and NHD group, while the diastolic one was significantly lower than the NDH group. Serum albumin was significantly lower in both HDHT and HDNT groups compared with NHD and control groups, however, it was significantly lower in HDHT compared with HDNT group. In addition, serum urea and creatinine, were significantly higher in the both HDHT, and HDNT groups compared with NHD and control groups, and it was significantly lower in HDHT compared with HDNT group. Plasma levels of Ghrelin, nitrate/nitrite [NO[X]] and leptin were significantly higher in patients compared with the control groups. Moreover, they were significantly higher in HDHT than HDNT and NHD groups, and in HDNT than NHD group. Regarding plasma levels of insulin it was significantly higher in the renal patients compared with the control group. However, there was no significant difference in insulin level between NHD and DHNT groups, while it was significantly higher in HDHT group compared with the two other renal patient groups [NHD, and HDNT. There was a significant negative correlation between changes of mean artrial blood pressure and ghrelin, leptin, insulin levels in both HDNT and HDHT patients. Our data suggest that excessive production of ghrelin, leptin, insulin and NOX contributes to HD-related hypotension in renal dialysis patients. The significantly elevated plasma levels of leptin and ghrelin is probably, at least in part, caused by impairment of their clearance by the kidney. Although being produced by the kidney, the physiological role of ghrelin in the kidney under normal and pathological conditions remains not fully elucidated. The elevated plasma insulin level may be caused by impaired glucose metabolism in uremic patients with alterations in insulin degradation and insulin secretion. The elevated NO[X] may be due to elevated serum leptin that modulates endothelial NO production, and /or elevated serum insulin that enhances NO release. However, we need to study the correlation between NO production and leptin and insulin levels in HD-related hypotension in renal dialysis patients to confirm this hypothesis

Study of the relationship between type-1 diabetes mellitus, prolactin hormone and immune system in rats

The effects of prolactin [PRL] on lactation and reproductive organs are well known. However, its effects on other target organs and its physiological consequences remain poorly understood. Prolactin was shown earlier to act as a stimulating factor for the immune system and thus it might influence the development of autoimmune diseases, as in type-I diabetes mellitus [DM]. The aim of the present work was to clarify the role of PRL in the development of autoimmune type-1 DM aiming to answer the question of whether PRL may have a beneficial effect in type-1 DM or not. The study was conducted on sixty male albino rats matched for age and weight. Rats were divided into six groups each of ten rats; group 1: a control group [C], group 2: a vehicle-treated group [V], group 3: Streptozotocin [STZ] treated group [STZ was given intraperitoneally [i.p.] in a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight [b.w] daily for 5 consequetive days], group 4: a group of STZ + PRL [PRL was given i.p. in a dose of 4 mg/Kg b.w starting with STZ and continuing for 21 days, group 5: a group of STZ + Bromocriptine [BC], a PRL antagonist. BC was given i.p. in a dose of 10 mg/kg b.w for 21 days and group 6: a group of STZ + PRL + BC. The study showed significant elevations of serum glucose, glycosylated Hb, [HAlc], serum Interleukin-1 beta [IL-1 beta], and interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma] levels in STZ treated rats, compared to the control and vehicle treated groups. Administration of PRL with STZ induced a significant decrease in the mean values of the previous parameters compared to STZ-only treated rats, still these parameters were not close to the mean control values. BC administration with STZ and PRL prevented the induced changes found with STZ and PRL. The results of the present study indicated that PRL might affect the associated immunological changes occurring in the early phases of developing type-1 DM. The partial protective effect of PRL was suggested to be due to suppression of autoimmune mechanisms as indicated by the significant reduction of IL-1 beta and IFN-gamma in PRL + STZ treated group as compared to control mean values

Role of modulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in gastric ulcer healing in diabetic rats

To assess the role of modulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in gastric ulcer healing in streptozotocin [STZ]- induced diabetic rats. forty male rats were made diabetic by intraperitoneal [i.p] STZ infection and ten rats were injected i.p. by a single dose of saline and served as a control for group II Six weeks following STZ or saline injection, gastric ulcers were induced by serosal application of acetic acid. Three days after acetic acid application, rats were divided into: group I[normal control], group II [STZ-injected rats], groups III. IV and V [STZ-injected rats treated with insulin, insulin and phosphodiesterase [PDE] inhibitor [pentoxifylline] [PTX] and insulin and Hydroxymethylglutaryl Coenzyme A [HMG-CoA] reductase inhibitor [simvastatin] respectively, for seven days following acetic acid application. At the end of the experimental period, plasma glucose was measured. Gastric ulcer area as well as gastric tumor necrosis factor- alpha [TNF-alpha], vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and haemoglobin [Hb] concentrations were determined. STZ-injection induced diabetes, evidenced by significant higher mean value in plasma glucose concentration in group II compared to that of the control group [I] Significant delay in ulcer healing could be observed, in the form of significant increase in gastric ulcer area in group II compared to the control group I. STZ-injection resulted in significant increase in gastric TNF-alpha as well as a significant decrease in gastric VEGF concentrations together with a significant decrease in gastric angiogenic response evidenced by a significant decrease in gastric Hb concentration in group II compared to the control group I. The use of insulin, as well as combinations of insulin and PTX or simvastatin caused a significant decrease in plasma glucose concentration as well as a significant increase in gastric ulcer healing [evidenced by a significant decrease in ulcer area], gastric VEGF and gastric Hb concentration as well as significant decrease in gastric TNF-alpha compared to group II. A significant difference in gastric ulcer area and gastric TNF-alpha could be observed between rat that received combinations of insulin and PTX or simvastatin compared to rats that received insulin only. A significant difference in gastric VEGF and Hb was also found between the group that received combination of insulin and simvastatin compared to the group that received insulin only. Experimental DM impairs ulcer healing, depending upon the increased release of proinflammatory cytokines [e.g. TNF-alpha] and the attenuation of angiogenesis Insulin reversed this impairment of ulcer healing in diabetic rats, mainly due to the enhancement of angiogenesis and reduction in expression of TNF-alpha in the ulcer area. Phosphodiesterase [PDE] inhibitor [pentoxifylline], via suppressing TNF-alpha and hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A [HMG-CoA] reductase inhibitor [simvastatin]. via suppressing TNF-alpha and increasing VEGF, are beneficial in enhancing gastric ulcer healing. These findings support the notion that impairment of healing of gastric ulcers in DM results from impairment of angiogenic response of the gastric mucosa to injury together with upregulotion of gastric TNF-alpha and suggest the feasibility of a novel treatment strategy for patients in whom impairment of ulcer healing complication of DM

Metabolic derangements of skeletal muscle by aging and zymosan-induced critical illness in rats at rest and after electrical stimulation

The present work aimed to study the metabolic derangements of skeletal muscles in critically ill rats in relation to two different physiological factors, namely, age and electrical stimulation. The study was conducted on 80 male albino rats. Two study protocols A and B, each of 40 rats, were used. Each protocol consisted of 4 groups;10 rats each. Control young group [I]: consisted of 12 months old rats [vehicle-treated], Control old group[II]: consisted of 24 months old rats [vehicle-treated], Zymosan-treated young group[III]: consisted of 12 months old rats that were given zymosan [50 mg/100g body weight] by intra peritoneal [i.p.] route and Zymosan-treated old group[IV]: consisted of 24 months old rats, that were given zymosan [50mg/100g body weight] by i.p. route. Gastrocnemius muscles were prepared and excised from rats in resting state [protocol A] or after electrical stimulation [protocol B], then quickly frozen. The measured parameters included cytochrome c oxidase activity; as a mitochondrial content index, glycogen content, adenosine triphosphate [ATP], phosphocreatine [PCr], adenosine diphosphate [ADP], creatine, pyruvate and lactate concentrations as well as pH values in skeletal muscles of all rats of the study. At rest, the aging process was associated with significant decrease in ATP, glycogen and pH in normal control rats. However, after electrical stimulation, the aged control rats had significant lower cytochrome c oxidase activity and ATP, ADP, PCr, glycogen and pH values as compared to electrically stimulated young counterparts. Zymosan injection into young rats caused significant decrease in ADP, PCr, glycogen, pyruvate and pH at rest but with additional significant decrease in cytochrome c oxidase activity and ATP levels after electrical stimulation as compared to their corresponding control groups. Generally, zymosan-treated old group had the worst metabolic derangements especially after electrical stimulation. The young-aged rats could maintain ATP levels after electrical stimulation by effective anaerobic energy-producing pathways either with apparently well-acting aerobic pathway in control rats or with partially impaired aerobic pathway in zymosan-treated rats. However, old-aged rats can't maintain ATP levels after electrical stimulation even by enhanced anaerobic pathways possibly due to improper action of oxidative pathway. Zymosan injection produced metabolic derangements in skeletal muscles of rats by causing bioenergetic alterations which was more apparent after electrical stimulation especially in old-aged group

possible cytoprotective effect of vitamin E in aluminium-induced liver damage in rats

The aim of the present work was to assess the possible pro-oxidant effects of Al on rat liver, as well as the possible protective role of exogenous vitamin E. 40 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups each including ten animals: group I served as a control, group II treated with Al alone, group ill treated with Al and vitamin E, and group IV treated with vitamin E alone. For 4 weeks, Al and vitamin E were given in a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight. After 4 weeks, blood samples were collected for estimation of Al, vitamin E, and liver enzymes ALT and AST. Liver tissue homogenates were used for determining ROS and All. After 4 weeks of Al administration, Al levels increased in both plasma and liver. Treatment with Al alone significantly increased plasma levels of liver enzymes AST and ALT. On the other hand, the presence of vitamin E with Al caused a decrease in these elevated plasma liver enzymes yet it did not reach the control value. ROS was increased in liver homogenates from rats treated with Al compared to controls. This effect was attenuated by exogenous vitamin E administration. Oxidative stress clearly played a key role in Al-induced liver pathogenesis .Moreover; vitamin E supplementation alleviated the harmful effects of Al on all the measured parameters and improved liver functions

Cardiorespiratory fitness and pulmonary functions in athletes and non-athletes adults

Pulmonary ventilation is generally known to have a linear relationship with oxygen consumption at different levels of exercise. Lung function parameters tend to have a relationship with lifestyle such as regular exercise and non- exercise. Our main aim was to explore the relation between exercise, body mass index and lung function as well as cardio-respiratory fitness. A total of 39 male students from the University of Taibah volunteered in the study, aged 18-24 years [19.7 +/- 1.37]. The subjects were divided Into two groups, 20 were athletes who had exercised regularly in the past few years as a players in volleyball handball football and swimming teams, and the remaining 19 served as controls were non-exercising, and non-athletes. The weight and height were measured to determine the body mass index [BMI] and the lung functions were tested by spirometer [Forced vital capacity, FVC, and forced expiratory volume in the first second FEV 1%], and Cardio-respiratory fitness was measured by a maximal treadmill test [MTT]. FVC, and FEV, but not FEV1/FVC% was significantly higher in athletes than non-athletes. MTT was found to be significantly different in athletes when compared to the non-exercising group. Subjects who were athletes with significant low [BMI] was associated with better cardio-respiratory fitness and respiratory function. The results showed that exercise and body mass index are associated with better cardio-respiratory fitness, but respiratory function contributed little to this association in athletes and non-athletes

Total and LDL combined vitamin E concentrations in plasma patient with non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Patients with diabetes mellitus are susceptible to oxidant-antioxidant imbalance. Diabetic complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy increase 'this susceptibility. Other traditional atherogenic risk factors such as hypertension, cigarette smoking and dyslipidemia can also induce oxidant stress. It is possible that the existence of two or more of the atherogenic risk factors may enhance oxidant-antioxidant imbalance. However, this proposal has not been fully studied. Aim: To determine plasma vitamin E concentrations, both total and the fraction within LDL particles in patients with sole noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [N-1DDM] or N1DDM associated with one or more of the other risk factors of atherosclerosis. This study was conducted on 60 patients with NIDDM [32 males and 28 females]. They were classified into four groups: [1] sole diabetic [n=20], [2] diabetic-hypertensive [n=10], [3] cigarette smoking diabetic [n=10] and [4] diabetic with multiple atherogenic risk factors [n=20]. Also, twenty clinically healthy individuals were investigated as a control group. Vitamin E was measured by high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC] while a plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substance [malondialde-hyde] was determined colorimetrically. Plasma total vitamin E [VE] and vitamin E in LDL [VE-LDL] concentrations were significantly decreased while plasma malondialdehyde [MDA] levels were significantly increased in sole N1DDM, diabetic hypertensive, smoking diabetic and diabetic with multiple atherogenic risk factors groups in comparison to the corresponding values of the control group. These changes were noted more frequently and more severely in patients with multiple risk factors than those with single DM or DM with another risk factor. In these groups, vitamin E content in HDL showed significant negative correlation with LDL-C concentrations and significant positive correlation with HDL-C concentrations. Multiple regression analysis showed that vitamin E in HDL particles was an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. The subnormal vitamin E content in LDL panicles may be a result of enhanced LDL oxidation in patients

Aging is an inevitable risk factor for insulin resistance

The present work looks into the different aspects of glucose homeostasis in the elderly patients in comparison to healthy younger subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, relying on intravenous glucose tolerance test. A clinicobiochemical study was carried out comprising forty apparently healthy non-diabetic non-obese old individuals [mean age 65 +/- 4.8 years]. Forty type 2 diabetic patients compared to thirty healthy young subjects. The senile group had no family history of diabetes. Cases with renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal, or endocrine abnormalities were excluded from the study. Intravenous glucose tolerance test [ivGTT] was done with sampling at 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min after glucose load and the following estimations were undertaken: glucose constant decay [KG], glucose and insulin area under the curve, insulnogenic index, first phase insulin response, insulin resistance index and fractional insulin clearance. The senile and diabetic groups, when compared to the control, had non-significantly different fasting plasma glucose in senile group but it was higher in diabetic patients, while fasting serum insulin was significantly higher in the studied groups than in healthy control group. The senile group showed significant reduction in glucose tolerance [KG 1.36 +/- 0.3%/min], decreased insulin sensitivity index [5.19 +/- 1.4 10[-4] min[-1] /[uIU/ml]] and marked reduction of first phase insulin response [2.45 +/- 0.78 uIU/ml per mg/dl], when compared with the control group. However, the degree of glucose intolerance and insulin insensitivity of the senile group was still significantly less than of type 2 diabetic patients. This study revealed that the insulin resistance seems to be characteristic feature of normal aging process and senility could be considered as an inevitable risk factor for glucose intolerance and metabolic syndrome with its accompanying health hazards. Insulin secretion, insulin clearance and interaction between insulin and target tissues are defective in elderly subjects. These functions are intermediate between healthy controls and type 2 diabetic patients and may predispose the elderly population to the risk of impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes mellitus with its attendant macrovascular and microvascular complications

Role of histamine in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats

It has been reported that histamine increases osteoclast activity and number through H1 and H2 receptors, respectively, whereas other studies indicated that the histamine effects on bone resorption were indirect. The present study was designed to assess the possible effect of the H1 receptor antagonist [promethazine] and the H2 receptor antagonist [ranitidine], alone and in combination compared with the bisphosphonate [alendronate], as a standard treatment of osteoporosis, on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats. The present study was conducted on 60 female albino rats that were divided into 6 groups, each of JO rats. Group I: sham-operated, Group II: non-treated ovariectomized [OVX] rats, while groups III, 1V V and VI were OVX rats treated with alendronate, promethazine, ranitidine and combination ofpromethazine and ranitidine, respectively. The results of the present study demonstrated that urinary deoxypyridinoline [DPY]/creatinine and serum osteocalcin concentration significantly increased in the OVX non-treated group compared to the sham-operated group, indicating an increased bone turnover. In addition, serum alkaline phosphatase [ALP] activity and serum phosphorus [F] concentration were significantly higher in the OVX non-treated group than in the sham-operated group. Meanwhile, no significant dfference among groups I to VI was observed in the mean serum calcium [Ca] concentration. Treatment of OVX rats with alendronate significantly decreased urinary DPY/creatinine as compared to the OVX non-treated group. Moreover, alendronate significantly decreased serum osteocalcin and F concentrations and serum ALP activity as compared to the OVX non-treated group. Similarly, treatment of OVX rats with promethazine, ranitidine or their combination significantly deceased urinary DPY/creatinine as compared to the OVX non-treated group. Furthermore, the combination of both drugs .reased urinary DPY/creatinine at a higher significant level when compared to each drug alone. In addition, e was no significant difference, regarding this parameter, between the combination, alendronate and shamyrerated groups. Moreover, treatment of OVX rats with promethazine, ranitidine or their combination sigi4ficantly serum osteocalcin and F concentrations and serum ALP activity as compared to the OVX non-treated-group. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference, regarding these parameters, between the pnethazine, ranitidine, their combination and alendronate-treated groups. However, there were statistically significant differences, regarding these parameters, between all the drug-treated groups and the sham-operated. It may be concluded from the findings of the present study that the use of the H1 and H2 receptor agonists [promethazine and ranitidine] could be effective in decreasing bone resorption, increasing bone formation and diminishing ovariectomy-induced osteoporotic changes. These findings might be of help in developing therapeutic regimens to protect against postmenopausal osteoporosis in women

Evaluating the indoor and outdoor environment: using a simple method

Housing is the conjunction of the dwelling, the home, the immediate environment and the community. Between 1960 and 1980, the urban population in developing countries more than doubled and is expected to reach 56% of the total population by the year 2025. In many cities, the development of squatter settlements and shanty towns had grown rapidly causing the destruction of green areas. The number of people living in urban slums and shanty towns is an indicator of conditions in the cities and the United Nations had estimated that about one-third of urban dwellers in developing countries live in such settlements. Poverty is highly prevalent among the residents of these areas. Outdoor environmental degradation, together with the social degradation affects the health of the urban population especially the poor causing a burden of ill-health, disability, poor indoor housing, and high maternal and infant mortality. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the indoor and outdoor environment using a simple method and to assess its reliability and validity. The scoring system, which was developed for the assessment of the indoor and outdoor environmental levels included 36 items [18 for the indoor and 18 for the outdoor] using a questionnaire. Results revealed that the proposed scoring system was able to reveal significance difference between served [water, electricity, and sewerage system were available] and unserved areas when using t-test, z-test, and chi-square testing. The proposed scoring system was reliable and valid especially in indoor assessment. Outdoor scores might need more modifications to improve its reliability

Drug-induced hepatotoxicity: study the effect of sulphonylurea on the labilization of four marker lysosomal enzymes in rat liver in-vitro

We have studied the effect of tolbutamide as a first generation sulfonylurea, and gliclazide as a second generation sulfonylurea on the labilization of four market rat liver lysosomal enzymes namely: Acid phosphatase [ACP], beta-Galactosidase [beta-GAL], N-Acetyl beta Glucosaminidase beta-NAG] and beta-Glucuronidase [beta-GLU]. Three therapeutic concentrations of these drugs were used after three incubation periods 30, 60 and 120 minutes The results indicated that both tolbutamide and gliclazide exhibited a marked increase in the labilization of the four lysosomal enzymes. The labilizing effect of gliclazide was greater than that of mlhutamide especially on ACP, beta-NAG, while, beta-GLU activity was changed. The labilizing effect of these drugs on the lysosomal membrane was time and dose dependent

Corrosion behaviour of nickel in molten Li2CO3-Na2CO3-K2CO3- ternary mixture

The corrosion behavior of nickel was studied in molten Li2CO3-Na2CO3-K2CO3 mixture at temperatures of 475, 500, 525 and 550°C. The following techniques of measurements used were: corrosion potential under open circuit, galvanic current, galvanostatic polarization, and impedance. The amount of nickel dissolved in the melt was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. These measurements showed that the oxidation and passivation of nickel may be due to the formation of NiO, which can be formed by dissolution-reprecipitation mechanism. It was proposed that the dissociation of the carbonate ions and diffusion of nickel oxide near the surface are probably the slowest steps in the oxidation and passivation of nickel, while the other steps proceed fast. At temperatures of 525 and 530°C, under open circuit conditions some NiO, oxide may dissolve in the melt, this as indicated from the obtained results. Under high polarization conditions the oxidation of divalent nickel to trivalent nickel, may occur in the solid state. The reaction occurring at passivation breakdown region is represented by the anodic decomposition of carbonate ions and evolution of CO2 and O2 gases. The high resistance of oxide scales, formed on nickel, and diffusion processes occurring there greatly affect the results of impedance measurements

Breast-feeding and complementary feeding practices in Egypt and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

An interview survey was conducted on 639 and 340 mother-child pairs from Ismailia, Egypt and Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA] respectively. The children were 12-36 months old. Mothers were selected randomly from primary health care centers. The study aimed at comparing breast-feeding practices in the study areas and to identify some determinants of exclusive breast-feeding and early complementary feeding. The study has shown that 39.7% of Egyptian mothers and 66.4% of Saudi mothers initiated exclusive breast-feeding at 4-6 months. Most of Egyptian mothers [60.3%] started complementary feeding early [before 4 months] as compared to [33.6%] of the Saudis. Egyptian mothers tended to terminate breast-feeding later than Saudi mothers. More than one-third of Saudi mothers did that during the first 6 months of child age, as compared to only 6.7% in Egypt. The majority of Egyptian mothers [77.2%] gave sugar water or infant formula soon after giving birth, the comparable figure in Saudi mothers was only [34.4%]. Women's primary sources of information and support for breast-feeding were: nobody [i.e personal decision], mother or close relatives, and medical personnel. In both study areas, early complementary feeding increased with higher levels of mothers' education, younger mother's age, mother's employment, shorter maternity leave, longer hospital stay after delivery, and narrower inter-pregnancy spacing. Early initiation of breast-feeding within the first hour of birth showed no association with early complementary feeding neither in Egypt nor in KSA. The study recommends that efforts to improve breast-feeding should include a variety of strategies and target groups, as well as modifying key behaviors found to be most detrimental to exclusive breast-feeding by trying innovative strategies in health education and mass media programs

Role of oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy in rats

To assess the contribution of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy and the possible protective effect of L-carnitine, coenzyme Q 10 [CoQ10] and acetylsalicylic acid [ASA] in streptozotocin-included diabetic neuropathy in rats. We also examined whether the studied drugs can promote satisfactory regeneration of sciatic nerve fibers following sciatic nerve crushing. Twenty rats were used as control and were divided into two groups. 10 rats each: Group I a was injected intraperitoneal [i.p.] by a single dose of saline and served as a control for group II a, group I b similar to group I a but with induced sciatic nerve crushing and served as control for group II b. Eighty rats were made diabetic by i.p streptozotocin [STZ] injection and were divided into: group II a [STZ-injected rats], group II b [STZ-injected rats with sciatic nerve crushing], groups III a, IV a and V a [STZ-injected rats treated with L-carnitine, CoQ1O and ASA respectively, for six weeks starting one week following STZ injection], groups III b, IV b and V b [STZ-injected rats,with sciatic nerve crushing, that received the same drugs as groups III a, IV a and V a]. At the end of the experimental period, distal motor latency [DL], maximum peak and peak to peak amplitude of compound muscle action potential [CMAP] were measured by percutaneous sciatic nerve stimulation. Blood samples were collected for measurement of plasma glucose and malondialdehyde [MDA] concentrations. The sciatic nerve was isolated for measuring reduced glutathione [GSH] concentration. STZ-injection induced diabetes, evidenced by significant higher mean value in plasma glucose concentration in groups IIa and IIb compared to that of the control groups Ia and Ib respectively. Significant sciatic nerve dysfunction could be observed, in the form of significantly prolonged DL and significantly decreased maximum peak and peak to peak amplitude of CMAP, in groups IIa and IIb compared to the control groups Ia and Ib respectively. STZ-injection resulted in oxidative stress evidenced by significant higher mean value in plasma MDA concentration and significant lower mean value in sciatic nerve GSH concentration in groups IIa and IIb compared to the control groups Ia and Ib respectively. Sciatic nerve crushing in group I b resulted in significant prolongation of DL and significant decrease in maximum peak and peak to peak amplitude of CMAP compared to group I a. Sciatic nerve crushing in group I b also resulted in significant lower mean value of sciatic nerve GSH concentration compared to group I a. The use of L-carnitine, CoQ10 as well as ASA, did not cause a significant change in plasma glucose concentration nor in body weight compared to groups IIa and IIb. The use of the above mentioned drugs improved oxidative stress parameters evidenced by significant lower mean value in plasma MDA concentration and significant higher mean value in sciatic nerve GSH concentration compared to groups IIa and IIb. The increase in sciatic nerve GSH concentration in groups III b and IV b that received L-carnitine and CoQ10 respectively, was significant compared to group Vb that received ASA as an antioxidant, whereas no significant difference in plasma MDA was found between different drug-treated groups. The use of the studied drugs resulted in significant improvement of DL as well as significant increase in maximum peak and peak to peak amplitude of CMAP compared to groups IIa and IIb. Group V a showed significant higher mean value in the maximum peak and peak to peak amplitude of CMAP compared to groups III a and IV a. Also group V b showed significant higher mean value in the maximum peak and peak to peak amplitude of CMAP compared to group III b. The results of the present study support the hypothesis that oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy and demonstrate that the use of antioxidants might have a protective role against diabetic neuropathy as well as a role in enhancing regeneration of functional nerve fibers. We recommend further human studies to evaluate the role of the addition of natural antioxidants, like L-carnitine or CoQ10, as well as ASA to the treatment regimen of diabetes, from the onset of the disease, in protection against diabetic neuropathy

Effect of L-arginine on the blood levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9, caspase-3 and some liver functions in cadmium chloride-induced hepatic inflammation in rats

The intent of the present work was to study the changes of some hepatic parameters upon exposure to cadmium and to study the role of L-arginine in that experimental model of hepatocellular injury. The study was conducted on thirty two adult male albino rats that were divided into four groups, a control group, a cadmium [Cd] treated group [0.1mg/kg b.w] subcutaneously for 30 days, a cadmium and saline treated group and a cadmium and L-arginine treated group [100mg/kg b.w orally] for 30 days. Cadmium significantly [P<0.05] increased the mean values of the measured parameters, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate amino transferase [AST], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-a], interleukin-6 [IL-6], hepatic caspase-3 activity and serum matrix metallo-proteinase-9 [MMP-9], compared to control and to [cadmium and L-arginine]- treated rats. Concomitant administration of L-arginine with cadmium prevented the occuranee of these changes. Mean while the reduction of MMP-9 mean values, induced by L-arginine, did not return to basal control value. It was concluded that Cd-hepatocellular dysfunction, in that model, is induced through the activation of apoptosis and increased MMP-9 activity. It was also concluded that L-arginine, through the release of NO, induced a partial hepato-protective effect possibly due to the interaction of other mechanisms which may modulate MMP-9 activity

Respiratory chain activity in myopathies

Aim: The present study was conducted to find out whether disturbances of respiratory chain enzymes were involved in the pathogenesis of three types of myopathy: Duchenne muscle dystrophy [DMD], limb girdle muscular dystrophy, and steroid-induced myopathies; to assess the extent and nature of these deficits among the three myopathic groups, and to investigate the relation between the severity of muscular disorders- assessed by creatine phosphokinase [CPK] level- and the extent of respiratory chain impairment. Subjects and Fourty myopathic patients as group I [GI]; 10 DMD [GIA], 16 limb girdle dystrophy [GIB], and 14 steroid-induced myopathy [GIC]; and 20 healthy controls as group II [GII] that matches the general features of GI. Cases and controls were subjected to history taking as well as physical examination. Diagnosis of myopathy was established using routine motor and sensory conduction study and concentric needle EMG. Cases and controls were subjected to estimation of respiratory chain complexes; RCI, RCII, RCIII, and RCIV, in neutrophil mitochondria. Results were analysed using t-test between GI and II and F test in between GIA, GIB and GIC. The results revealed a significant decrease of all respiratory chain complexes; RCI, RCII, RCIII, and RCIV; in GI as compared to controls [2878.04 +/- 1085.96 versus 5867.93 +/- 1000.03 micro mol/min/mg protein for RCII, 549.7 +/- 21574 versus 80382+/=119.41 micro mol/min/mg of protein for RCIV, 60654 +/- 162.35 versus 95949 +/- 136.14 micro mol/min/mg of protein for RCIII, and 58.73 +/- 18.08 versus 97.88 +/- 19.06 micro mol/min/mg protein for RCIV. On comparing the 3 subgroups; IA, IB, and IC; the following was found [1] A significant decrease of GIC when compared to GIA and when compared to GIB and when compared to GIB as regards RCI [3234.526 +/- 716.363, 3385.13 +/- 218.603, and 2043.894 +/- 631.967 micro mol/min/mg protein for GIA. GIB, and GIC, respectively, F - 4.331, and P = 0.03]; [2] A significant decrease of GIA when compared to GIB and when compared to GIC as regards RCIV [42.584 +/- 22,9177, 66.947 +/- 10.861, and 60.88 +/- 1532 micro mol/min/mg protein for GIA, GIB, and GIC, respectively, F = 3.67 and P = 0.47]. [3] Nonsignificant difference between GIA, GIB and GIC as regards RCII, and RCIII. Using multiple linear regression analysis between respiratory chain enzymes and CPK, only RCIV showed a statistically significant correlation with CPK. Conclusions: Myopathy could be associated with alterations in respiratory chain enzyme complexes that result in effort intolerance. Such an alteration could be detected in neutrophil mitochondria by an easier noninvasive technique. RCIV could be used as a predictive marker for the occurrence of muscle damage in myopathy