ABSTRACT
Nicotine neuronal interactions exert an adverse potential in some brain regions and a significant link has been established between tobacco smokeicotine and vascular impairment. This work addresses nicotine impact on various components of the substantia nigra compacta (SNc) in rat. Twenty adult male Albino rats were divided equally into two groups: Group I, vehicle-control group (received saline [1 ml/kg body weight intra peritoneally] for 11 days). Group II; nicotine group (received 1.5 mg/kg body weight/day Sc) for 11 days. Nicotine levels were detected in the serum. Specimens were taken from the mid brain, processed and examined using biochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and morphometric techniques. In nicotine group, biochemical analysis revealed reduction in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), decrease in dopamine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The mean number of light cells, and the mean surface area of nerve cells/field were significantly reduced, with an increase of dark cells were found in nicotine group compared to control.Immunoreactivity in nicotine group revealed an increase in neuronal α-synuclein, reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme, an increase in caspase 3 and ultrastructure changes suggestive of neuronal apopto. The blood capillaries were markedly affected. Nicotine induced endothelial and pericytic apoptotic changes, irregular lumena and indistinct endothelial junctional complex. Nicotine administered subcutaneously in a small dose may have a deleterious effect on SNc, mainly involving dopaminergic neurons and blood capillaries. This effect seems to be secondary to an oxidative stress that might be produced by reduced TAC and increased MDA levels.
ABSTRACT
Nicotine neuronal interactions exert an adverse potential in some brain regions and a significant link has been established between tobacco smokeicotine and vascular impairment. This work addresses nicotine impact on various components of the substantia nigra compacta (SNc) in rat. Twenty adult male Albino rats were divided equally into two groups: Group I, vehicle-control group (received saline [1 ml/kg body weight intra peritoneally] for 11 days). Group II; nicotine group (received 1.5 mg/kg body weight/day Sc) for 11 days. Nicotine levels were detected in the serum. Specimens were taken from the mid brain, processed and examined using biochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and morphometric techniques. In nicotine group, biochemical analysis revealed reduction in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), decrease in dopamine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The mean number of light cells, and the mean surface area of nerve cells/field were significantly reduced, with an increase of dark cells were found in nicotine group compared to control.Immunoreactivity in nicotine group revealed an increase in neuronal α-synuclein, reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme, an increase in caspase 3 and ultrastructure changes suggestive of neuronal apopto. The blood capillaries were markedly affected. Nicotine induced endothelial and pericytic apoptotic changes, irregular lumena and indistinct endothelial junctional complex. Nicotine administered subcutaneously in a small dose may have a deleterious effect on SNc, mainly involving dopaminergic neurons and blood capillaries. This effect seems to be secondary to an oxidative stress that might be produced by reduced TAC and increased MDA levels.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: World Health organization stated that, approximately one third of the world' population older than 15 years are smokers. Cigarette smoking affects reproductive health in both men and women with poorly understandable mechanisms. Some of the studies focused on the relation between cigarette smoking and the principal semen analysis' variables such as concentration, Morphology and Motility. In this study, we compared the semen parameters between smokers and non-smokers fertile men with time to pregnancy less than one year
Materials and Methods: this case control study was done on proved fertile men in Assiut university hospital between March 2013 and September 2015. The subjects of the study were classified into 2 groups; smokers and non-smokers and their semen parameters were compared
Results: 93 fertile men were included in the present study. 50 non-smokers and 43 smokers the mean age of subjects was not significantly different between the two groups. There were no significant differences among groups according to semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility and vitality. However, normal forms were statistically higher in nonsmokers than in smokers
Conclusion: according to our results, semen parameters [semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility and vitality] were lower in smokers but without significant differences between groups. Normal forms were higher significantly in nonsmokers than in smoker's fertile men
ABSTRACT
Introduction: the WHO periodically releases manuals for the laboratory examination and processing of human semen. The WHO [2010] semen analysis criteria are likely to have a significant effect on the management of male infertility as the adoption of the new WHO reference values will likely lead to more men being classified as fertile
Aim of the work: to study and analyze the different semen parameters of fertile men in Assiut and comparing this with both WHO manuals 1999 and 20 10 parameters
Materials and Methods: this case control study was done on proved fertile men with time to pregnancy less than 1 year in assiut university hospital between March 20 13 and September 20 15
Results: 93 fertile men were included in the present study. The lower fifth centile for semen parameters were as follow, semen volume: 1.7, sperm concentration: 20 mill/ml, total sperm count: 45 mill/ejaculate, progressive motility: 42%, vitality: 70%, normal forms: 5%
Conclusion: according to our results, semen parameters in Assiut governorate is close to WH0, 2010 parameters and our results may also serve as reference values for future studies of fertile men from the general population in Egypt
ABSTRACT
Exposure to organic solvents has been associated with many neurological deficits. However, not all solvents are equally neurotoxic. The association of clinically significant polyneuropathy with long term occupational exposure to organic solvents, alone or in combination, is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of chronic occupational exposure to a mixture of certain organic solvents upon the peripheral nervous system [PNS] in exposed painting workers and detection of sub-clinical affection. The population of this cross-sectional study included two groups. The exposed group comprised 40 male workers recruited from a paint factory. Twenty male workers, age matched, with no contact with the exposure environment, from the same factory were eligible as a control group. The exposed workers were further divided into two groups group [I] and group [II] according to frequency and the pattern of usage of personal protective equipment [PPE]. The materials frequently used in painting process were included; epoxy, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, n-butanol, titanium dioxide, xylene and zinc oxide. All workers were subjected to a structured interview questionnaire about their exposure and medical history as well as complete general and neurological examinations. Bilateral nerve conduction studies [NCSs] for motor [common peroneal, median and ulnar] nerves and sensory [sural, median and ulnar] nerves were performed for all the study population using a standardized protocol. The diagnosis and classification of neuropathy was established using a combination of symptoms, signs, and NC measures consistent with standard clinical practice. Potential confounders of NC measures were examined. Mean values for nerve conduction velocities [NCVs] for all studied motor and sensory nerves were highly significantly slower in exposed workers compared to control group [p<0.01]. The same results were recorded for the mean values for SNAP amplitudes. Regarding motor nerves CMAP amplitudes, there was significant difference only for tibial nerve. There was no significant difference of distal latencies for any estimated nerve either sensory or motor. For whole exposed group [n=40], 19 workers [47.5%] had at least one abnormal NC measure in two or more of evaluated nerves; 11 workers [27.5%] fulfilled criteria for confirmed clinical neuropathy whereas 8 workers [20%] fulfilled the criteria for sub-clinical neuropathy. The results NCSs of exposed workers with regular and complete protection [group I], exposed workers with partial protection [group II] and controls demonstrated significant differences regarding all parameters of all studied nerves except sensory latency of ulnar sensory nerve and motor amplitudes of median motor and tibial motor nerve. Regarding the inter-group comparisons, there were significant differences between the three groups for all SNCVs and only the MNCV of tibial nerve [p<0.01]. Other evaluated parameters of both motor and sensory nerves were affected with different significant degrees except distal latency of ulnar sensory nerve and motor amplitudes of median motor and tibial motor nerves[p>0.05]. The median sensory nerve was the only nerve which showed highly significant differences between the 3 groups regarding all its evaluated parameters [p<0.05]. Also only ulnar motor nerve showed highly significant differences between workers of group I and workers in group II regarding its all evaluated parameters of [p<0.05]. In the studied population [n=60], exposure, age and smoking were found to have significant effects on some NC measurements on logistic regression analysis. In the exposed group [n=40] using of PPE, type of job [regarding the spray painters] and duration of exposure, in years, had significant effects on certain NC parameters based on the same model of logistic regression analysis. Chronic exposure to the mentioned organic solvents was associated with solvent induced toxic polyneuropathy [SITP] as proved by the results of abnormal electrophysiological parameters of the evaluated peripheral nerves for all exposed workers group. Appropriate medical strategies to reduce such morbidity as periodic medical evaluation and electrophysiological assessment should be implemented
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Organic Chemicals , Occupational Exposure , Paint , Neurologic Manifestations , Polyneuropathies/diagnosis , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Neural Conduction , Electrophysiology , SmokingABSTRACT
In this study plasma fibronectin [FN] and its relation to bone mass in patients with end stage renal disease [ESRD] on maintenance hemodialysis was evaluated for this purpose. Two groups were included: Group I, 15 patients with ESRD on maintenance hemodialysis, and group II, 10 normal healthy subjects as controls. The main parameters on which this study depend were evaluation of parathyroid functions, measurement of plasma FN as an index of extracellular matrix activity and collagen turnover, radiodensitometric study of distal end of radius [cortical bone] and bases of metacarpal bones [trabecular bone] of both h and s. In the present study, the patients group showed manifestations of hyperparathyroidism with hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia and elevated alkaline phosphatase [an indicator of bone changes]. Plasma FN was significantly reduced as compared with control group and showed a significant negative correlation to serum alkaline phosphatase. Both cortical and trabecular bones showed significant reduction of bone densities, with statistical positive correlation to reduced plasma FN. The correlations of all parameters had been discussed. This revealed that optical bone density is a reflection of the established osteodystrophy and FN mirrors are the activity of cellular process. This might be of diagnostic importance in assessing the treatment of bone changes in such patients
Subject(s)
Fibronectins/analysis , Renal Dialysis/methods , Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapyABSTRACT
One hundred eyes from 1000 patients suffering from corneal ulcer diagnosed for the first time. Ulcers were fully evaluated and swabs were taken for culture. The commonest bacterial organism was Staphylococcus epidermidis. Central ulcers were Pseudomonas pyocyaneus and moraxella, peripheral ulcers were Staph. epidermidis and Staph. aureus, while paracentral ulcers were mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Small ulcer [less than 2 mm] usually caused by Staph. aureus. Round ulcers were caused by Staph. epidermidis, Staph. aureus, Strepto. viridans or hemophillus. Ulcers of irregular shapes were caused by Pseudomonas pyocyaneus. In streptococcal infection, the ulcers showed loss of anterior 2/3 of the corneal stroma. Ulcers caused by streptococcal infection or diphtheroids showed decreased or absent sensation at the ulcer site, but normal corneal sensation around. Almost all ulcers caused by Strepto. pneumonias, Pseudomonas pyocyaneus and moraxella showed marked corneal edema with folds in descemets membrane and signs of iridocyclitis