Effect of prenatal exposure to Bisphenol A on the endometrium of albino rats: a histological and an immuno-histochemical study

Aim of the work: bisphenol A [BPA] is a synthetic monomer that is polymerized to manufacture polycarbonate plastic products and resins, including those used in food packaging and dental sealants. It is used in the manufacture of a great variety of products including: compact disks, food can linings, plastic windows, car parts, adhesives, protective coatings and powder paints. This work aimed to study the effect of prenatal exposure to BPA on the endometrium of female rats

Materials and methods: thirty adult female albino rats were divided into three groups: rats in group 1 served as a control [G1] and received an equal amount of sesame oil to those of the treated groups; those in group 2 [G2] were administered by gavage 5.0 microg BPA/kg/day [low-dose group]; the third group [G3] received 50 microg BPA/kg/day [high-dose group]. The female offspring of each group were weaned at day 21 and maintained until 3 months old. The uteri were dissected for the histological and immuno-histochemical examination

Results: low-dose group showed degeneration of the epithelial lining of the endometrium with focal patches of increased epithelial cell layers. The high dose group revealed cytoplasmic hydropic degeneration and pyknotic nuclei of the epithelial cells. Estrogen receptors showed a significant decrease of positive cells in low dose treated group and this decrease markedly accentuated in the high dose one. Positive nuclei for Ki-67 were markedly increased with increasing doses of BPA

Conclusion: BPA showed obvious endometrial degenerative and proliferative histological changes. Therefore, the use of this substance in food packaging materials and in the manufacture of substances liable to come into contact with food and drink should be phased out

Anxiety and depression among patients with bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diffuse parenchymatous lung diseases

Psychosocial stressors, such as death of a spouse or divorce are closely related to relapses and aggravations of respiratory disease pointing to a link between psychological factors and chronic pulmonary disease. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] cannot cope adequately with everyday needs. This inadequacy may lead to heightened anxiety and depression, which in turn may worsen the everyday inadequacy. It has been reported that this is probably a factor that leads bronchial asthma [BA] and COPD patients to frequent hospital admissions, lower treatment adherence and even intensive care unit hospitalizations. To assess anxiety and depressive symptoms among a sample of Egyptian patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], bronchial asthma [BA], and diffuse parenchymatous lung diseases [DPLD]. A cross-sectional study conducted over a one year period on a sample of 258 Egyptian patients with chronic breathing disorders who attending the outpatient chest clinic at Al-Zahraa University Hospital. All patients diagnosed as having COPD, BA or DPLD were enrolled into the study. Anxiety and depression were assessed by using the Hospital anxiety and depression scale [HADS] and the Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]. Psychiatric disorders were most prevalent among DPLD cases [80.0%], followed by COPD patients [74.0%], while BA group showed the least reported cases [38.8%] with psychiatric disorders, with a statistically significant difference among the studied groups [P-value < 0.05].Depression was prevalent among 60.1% [155/258] of the studied cases, of them 23.2% had severe depression, followed by 38.7% had moderate depression and 38.1% had mild depression. DPLD cases had the highest proportion of severe depression [31.8], COPD cases had the highest proportion of moderate depression [52.4] and BA group had the highest proportion of mild depression [68.4%], with a statistically significant difference among the studied groups [P-value < 0.05]. Results of this study revealed that mixed anxiety depression disorders, depression and anxiety were common co-morbidities among the studied sample of the Egyptian patients with DPLD, COPD and those with BA. Physicians should take into consideration the assessment of psychiatric co-morbidities among cases with DPLD, COPD and BA

Effect of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor [sertraline] on some reproductive aspects of mature male rats and plasma trace elements concentration

Administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRI] interferes with male reproduction and trace element concentrations. The mechanism of action of antiserotonin [sertraline] is presumed to be linked to its ability to inhibit the neuronal reuptake of serotonin. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of sertraline on reproductive system of mature male rats and on some plasma trace element concentrations. Twenty mature male rats were divided into 2 equal groups [10 rats/group], one group was administrated with sertraline [10mg/kg.b.w.]via stomach tube for 70 days while the other group administrated 1ml saline and considered as control groups. Results showed that seminal vesicles were significantly [P<0.05] decreased in weight. Also, sertraline resulted in significant [P<0.05] decrease of sperm motility [30%] compared to [70%] in control group. Histological sections prepared from sertraline treated rats showed degenerative and necrotic changes with few spermatocytic giant cells. Seminal vesicles were activated in sertraline treated rats and increased eosinophilic secretions. Plasma concentration of testosterone was significantly [P<0.05] decreased in sertraline treated rats as compared to its level in control rats. Moreover plasma concentration of iron in sertraline treated rats showed significant [P<0.05] decrease compared to control group, while plasma concentration of copper in sertraline treated rats showed significant [P<0.05] increase, but was concluded that serotonin inhibitor adversely affect the reproductive aspects of male rats and induced alteration in some plasma trace element concentration

Characterization of bioflocculants produced by bacteria isolated from crude petroleum oil

The aim of this study was to look for high efficient bioflocculant-producing microorganisms. Among 36 bacterial colonies isolated from a crude petroleum oil sample, three of them CPO8, CPO13 and CPO14 exhibited flocculation activity exceeding 90% after 3 days of cultivation. They were identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis as Bacillus subtilis [CPO8, CPO13] and Pseudomonas sp. [CPO14]. Spectroscopic analysis of the polymers by nuclear magnetic resonance [1H NMR] and Fourier-transform infrared [FT-IR] revealed that the polymers were glycoproteins. These polymers were soluble in water and insoluble in any organic solvents tested. The effects of bioflocculant dosage, temperature, and pH on the flocculation activity were evaluated. The maximum bioflocculation activities were observed at an optimum bioflocculant dosage of 3.5 mg/l [strains CPO8 and CPO13] and 5.0 mg/l [strain CPO14], respectively. In addition, these biopolymers were able to flocculate kaolin suspension [5 g/l] over a wide range of pH [pH 3-9] and temperature [5-50 °C] tested in the presence of CaCl2. The highest flocculation activities of strains CPO8, CPO13 and CPO14 were 96.03%, 92.17% and 97.59%, respectively in the early stationary phase [at 24 h], while the cell production reach its maximum in the stationary phase [at 72 h]. Their efficient flocculation capabilities suggest potential applications in industries

Isolation and molecular characterization of some copper biosorped strains

TThe biosorption of copper [II] from aqueous solution using different bacterial strains was studied. Copper-biosorbing bacteria were isolated from tannery effluent collected from Borg Al-Arab, Alexandria, Egypt. These isolates displayed different degrees of copper biosorption under aerobic conditions. Based on 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis, three of them [S2, S5 and S7] were identified as Chryseobacterium sp., Enterobacter sp. and Stenotrophomonas sp., respectively. Initial copper [II] ion concentrations from 25-250 mg/L at constant temperature 30°C were studied. The residual copper [II] concentration and its toxicity effect in solution were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer and bioluminescent bioreporter. The bioluminescence inhibition of strain [S5] reached to 91.4% as compared with the strain [S7] reached to 83.3% at 225 mg/L of copper ion where the maximum biosorption efficiency for S5 and S7 were 71% and 70.1% correspondingly using atomic absorption. The biolumi-nescent bioreporter was proved to be fast and accurate technique for measurement the toxicity effect of residual copper [II] in solution

Synthesis and antitumor activity of some 5H-pyrrolizine, pyrimido [5, 4-a] pyrrolizine pyrimido [4, 5-b] pyrrolizine derivatives

Seven new series of condensed pyrrolizine derivatives of anticipated antitumor activity have been synthesized. Comprises ethyl-1-cyano-3-phenylcarbamoyl-6, 7-dihydro-5H- pyrrolizin-2-yl-carbamate, 2, 4-dioxo-1H-pyrimido [4, 5-b] pyrrolizine-9carbonitrile, 1-cyano-2 [3-substituted ureido]-3N-phenyl-6, 7-dihydro-pyrrolizine-3-carboxamide, 3- [alkyl / phenyl]-4-imino-2-oxo-9N-phenyl-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7-hexahydro-1H-pyrimido [5, 4-a] pyrrolizine-9-carboxamide, 4-arnino-3-[alkyl / phenyl]-2-oxo-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7-hexahydro-1H-pyrimido [5, 4-a] pyrrolizine-9-carboxamide, of 2-amino-3N-phenyl-6, 7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolizine-1, 3-dicarboxamide and 4-oxo-9N-phenyl-4. 5, 6, 7-tetrahydro-3H-pyrimido [5, 4-a] pyrrolizin-9-carboxamide derivatives. Eleven were screened for their in vitro antitumor activity and ten compounds proved to possess moderate to weak activities

Electrical conductivity, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis of manganites of some transition metals

Different samples of some manganite of cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc were prepared and subjected to thermal analyses and electrical conductivity measurements. Thermogravimetric analysis showed a thermal stability of the system from 150 degree C up to 500 degree C. the DTA curves indicated that there is no change in phase as a function of temperature. The a.c. conductivity as a function of temperature range 25-390 degree C showed that all the prepared samples behave as semi conductor materials. There are a distinct change in the slop [knee]for all samples, The samples of formula with X=1 contain the least impurity content. Diffuse reflectance measurements show a common absorption at 3.53 [eV] which is independent on the sample composition. From the result it may be canceled that adding Co, Ni, Cu and Zn ion to Mn2O3 almost exhibits nochange in the structure of the spinel

Correlation between caries risk factors and caries development in a group of preschool children

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease, thus the clinical outcome varies depending on which factor, or combination of factors, is promoinent in a particular individual. Thus it is wise to target preventive programmes to those group who are classified as high caries risk subjects to minimize cost and man power. In this study we tried to highlight on the most accurate factor [s] which can be used as indicators for future caries. Among 43 children, only 34 children of both sexes completed the study, with main age 56 +/- 5.4 months. For each child complete dental examination including dmfs and oral hygiene index were taken. Diet history analysis was also taken. Salivary Streptococcus Mutans, lactobacilli as well as rate, buffering and viscosity of saliva were also meassured. This was followed by complete dental treatment [if needed] and a preventive dental programme. After one year follow up, it was found that the most effective caries risk indicators were Streptococcus Mutans, number of food snakes per day, past and present caries experience and the younger the child with caries, the higher the risk for development of caries

Clinical evaluation of three different materials used as pit and fissure sealants

Fissure sealant is a well established comonent in prevention of dental caries of the occlusal surface in the newly erupted molars. The purpose of the present study was evaluate the retention and caries-preventive effect of a glass ionomer cement [Vitremer], a flowable compomere [Dyract Flow] and a flowable composite [Tetric Flow]. 160 first molars of 40 children aged 6-8 years with mean age 7.25 +/- 0.4 years of both sexes completed this study. Their lower and upper first molars had been newly erupted. They were previously classified as a high caries risk group as they had dmfs not less than 4 surfaces. They were divided into 4 equal groups. 10 children in each group had only one type of a sealant. The other 10 children were the control group. All children and their parent were educated how to use oral hygiene methods as well as proper diet to control caries. It was found that Tetric flow had the best retention followed by Vitremer and finally Dyract Flow had the least retention. While for caries development, control group showed at the end of the study 34 sound molar, Dyract flow group had 36 sound molar, Vitremer group had 38 sound molar while Tetric Flow had 39 sound molar. It was concluded that flowable composite is superior in its use as a fissure sealant followed by glass ionomer cement and finally compomer is not that good as a fissure sealant material

Influence of mixed bee-pollen on rat a health

Mixed bee pollens were collected from fields cultivated by sunflower, palm and oxeye daisy plants at Fayoum governorate. The gross chemical composition and the profiles of amino acids and minerals of bee collected mixed pollens were determined. Nutritional experiments were preformed on adult and elderly female rats fed on basal diet and orally supplemented by mixed bee pollen at 2% and 4% levels. Blood samples of adults and elderly female rats were collected at start and after 10, 20, and 30 days of the experiments. Serum total lipids, high-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, total lipids, progesterone and calcium levels were estimated for both adults and elderly female rats. At the end of the experiment, the adult and elderly female rats were allowed to mate and the numbers of fetuses in both cases were counted. The basal diet supplemented with mixed bee pollen induced a lowering lipid effect, increased HDL-cholesterol, progesterone, calcium levels and fertility of elderly female rats

Preparation, thermogravimetric and spectroscopic studies of transition metal complexes of schiff base condensation ligands

Schiff-base compound of beta- alanine with benzaldehyde [1] was prepared and allowed to react with urea under retluxing condition and the resulting product[II] was reacted with two moles of oxalic acid to obtain compound [III]. The behavior of the prepared compound [111] as a ligand [L] towards metal acetate to form metal complexes were studied. The metal-L complexes were prepared in the mole ratio 2L: 1 M and the prepared complexes were characterized on the basis of the following: elemental analyses UV, IR, [1]H NMR spectra, conductometric titration, magnetic susceptibility and theimogravemrtric analysis [TGA]

Fieid study on plastic recycling in alexandria city: case study in montazah district

Recycling is an important factor in helping to reduce the demand on resources and the amount of waste. This work aims to study the pathway of plastic wastes in domestic solid waste [DSW], estimation of the generation rates of DSW and its total plastic [TP] components, salvable plastic [SP], and finally optimizing the recycling of plastic. The DSW from 200 apartments from each level in motazah district were collected. The field survey included a visit to four plastic industrial enterprises. The processing units were studied from the time of receiving plastic wastes until prepared for marketing. Almost all the mean weights of DSW increase as the standard level increases. The generation rate DSW in all levels in winter was greater than that of summer. The annual generation rate of DSW is 427/g/c/day. During winter, the highest mean weights of TP and SP/c/day were recorded for high level. The generation rates of TP and SP in high and low levels in summer were greater than that in winter. In summer and winter, the middle level generated the highest percentage of TP and SP while the low level generated the least. The annual generation rates of TP and SP are 4.5 and 3.2 g/c/day. It has been found that SP and rejected plastics [RP] represent 72% and 28% of TP respectively. Polythylene [PE] and polystyrene [PS] represent 59.3% and 14.9% of TP. On the other hand, PE constitutes 77% of SP and PS represents 66.7% of RP. The highest percentage of PS in RP during summer was recorded for the low level and the least percentage was recorded for the high level. While during winter, the highest percentage was recorded for the low level and the middle level generated the least. Winter percentage of PE in SP and PS in RP are higher than that of summer. In summer and winter, the highest percentage of PE was recorded for the middle level. During the survey of the four industrial enterprises, it has been found that the current methods of processing recycled plastics include many environmental problems espicially air and waste water pollution and safety of workers which required correction. For optimization of plastic recycling, it has been recommended to implement minimization of plastic waste and/or recycling programs.

Effect of gamma radiation on the infected yellow corn and peanuts by a.flavus

Pure aflatoxins and deliberately infected yellow corn and peanuts with A. flavus were separately exposed to gamma radiation at 5, 10 and 20 KGy. The levels of pure aflatoxins were decreased by increasing the radiation dose. The pure aflatoxins G1 and B1 were the most radio- sensitive while B2 was the most radio-resistant than the other isomers. B1 and G1 toxins were completely destroyed at irradiation doses of 10 and 20 KGy, respectively. The reduction percentages of aflatoxins in the deliberately infected yellow corn and peanuts demonstrated that, the aflatoxins B2 and G2 were the most radio- sensitive than that of their analogy compounds [B1 and G1]. The toxicity index values for the infected yellow corn and peanuts were decreased by increasing the irradiation dose. The gamma-rays even at 20 KGy was not effective in destroying completely the toxins since only 83% reduction of aflatoxins was achieved

Biochemical and nutritional studies on some obese and non-obese Egyptian females

Total number of 218 females, aged between 17 and 59 years, were randomly chosen and classified into non-obese [29.8%] and obese [70.2%] according to the body mass index [BMI]. Obese group was moreover classified into three subgroups: Mild [50.9%], moderate [13.3%] and severe [6%] obese cases. Based on waist/hip [W: H] ratio, obese women were categorized as gynoid [80.4%] and android [19.6%]. The highest obesity cases were shown in married cases. Serum lipid components [total serum lipids, TSL, triglycerides, TG, total cholesterol, TC, and apo-lipoprotein, Apo-B] were determined for 29 and 116 normal and obese females, respectively. The obese cases had significantly [P <0.01] higher values of the aforementioned serum lipid components than that of the non-obese group. Positive correlation was only obtained between BMI and each of TG and Apo-B for obese females. As a function of fat distribution, no significant difference was obtained between the gynoid and android groups for any of serum lipid components of obese women

Effect of obesity on blood glucose and hormonal levels of women

Serum blood glucose and hormonal levels of insulin, prolactin, progesterone, estradiol, cortisol, growth hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyroxine, triiodothyronine and free thyroxine of 139 randomly chosen women were estimated. The levels of progesterone, estradiol and growth hormone were significantly decreased in all obese women in comparison with the non- obese. In contrast, the level of follicle stimulating hormone of obese women was higher than that of non-obese cases. Comparison between gynoid and android obese women groups indicated that fat distribution had no significant effect on both serum glucose and hormonal levels

Comparative studies on blood serum components and the activities of certain enzymes of non-obese and obese Egyptian women

Blood serum components and enzyme activities of 23 non-obese and 116 obese women were estimated. The obese group was categorized into two subgroups based on fat distribution [android and gynoid]. The results demonstrated that total serum proteins, globulins, uric acid and calcium to inorganic phosphorus ratio were significantly higher in obese groups in comparison with the non-obese group. Conversely, serum albumin to globulin ratio and inorganic phosphorus were significantly lower in obese groups than the non-obese women group. However, these parameters showed also that there was no significant effect on the difference between android and gynoid women groups and consequently the fat distribution had no relation with the serum constituents. The activities of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase were the same for non-obese and obese groups and also between gynoid and android groups. Conversely, significant increase of creatine phosphokinase and lactic acid dehydrogenase activities were noted in all obese groups in comparison with the non-obese group

Effect of certain fungi on the lipids of wheat kernels, sesame and soybean seeds

Physical and chemical properties of the oils extracted from healthy and infected seeds rich in carbohydrates [wheat], proteins [soybean] and oil [sesame] were studied. The results showed a decrease in refractive index and iodine value and an increase in acid value in infected oil. The fungal infection caused qualitative and quantitative differences in the free and bound fatty acids of the seeds in this study. Fungal infection led to the appearance of some new fatty acids and disappearance of some medium chain-length fatty acids