Phytochemical, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of different fractions of Moringa oleifera leaves methanol extract against liver injury in animal model

Objective:To evaluate the potential antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of n-hexane, dichloromethane(DCM), ethyl acetate(EtOAc), n-butanol and aqueous fractions of Moringa oleifera(M. oleifera) leaves methanol extract against carbon tetrachloride(CClMethods:These fractions were prepared from the M. oleifera leaves methanol extract by solubilization in water and partitioning in n-hexane, EtOAc, DCM and n-butanol. Their phyto-components were identified by GC-MS analysis. The in vitro antioxidant effect of these fractions was carried out by assessment of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity. A total of 40 Sprague Dawley rats were allocated into 8 equal groups: group 1 given olive oil (1 mL/kg b.wt.), group 2 injected with CClResults:The GC-MS analysis of different fractions of the M. oleifera leaves methanol extract revealed that n-hexane, DCM, EtOAc, n-butanol, and aqueous fractions contained 17, 22, 23, 19 and 32 compounds, respectively. The percent and the molecular structure of each component in each fraction were identified. The n-butanol and EtOAc fractions exhibited the strongest in vitro antioxidant activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. CClConclusions:n-hexane, DCM, and aqueous fractions have the highest effectiveness against CCl

Phytochemical, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of different fractions of Moringa oleifera leaves methanol extract against liver injury in animal model

Objective: To evaluate the potential antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of n-hexane, dichloromethane(DCM), ethyl acetate(EtOAc), n-butanol and aqueous fractions of Moringa oleifera(M. oleifera) leaves methanol extract against carbon tetrachloride(CCl

prevalence of celiac disease in patients fulfilling Rome III criteria for irritable bowel syndrome

Background and study aims: the clinical presentation of coeliac disease can vary from a classical malabsorption syndrome to more subtle atypical gastrointestinal manifestations similar to irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of coeliac disease in Egyptian patients with clinically diagnosed diarrhoea-predominant IBS [according to Rome III criteria]

Patients and methods: this study was conducted on 100 patients with clinically diagnosed diarrhoea-predominant IBS [fulfilling Rome III criteria]. They were subjected to complete clinical evaluation, routine laboratory investigations, abdominal ultrasonography and serum anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody [anti-tTG] test as a predictor marker for coeliac disease. All patients who tested positive for serum anti-tTG underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with four to eight biopsy sample collected from the second part of the duodenum

Results: all of the studied 100 patients presented with abdominal pain or discomfort, flatulence and diarrhoea. Eight patients [8%] exhibited high levels of serum anti-tTG, and their duodenal biopsy samples satisfied the histopathological criteria of coeliac disease. The studied patients were divided into two group: Group I comprising 92 patients with IBS and negative anti-tTG results and Group II comprising eight patients with IBS and positive anti-tTG results. A non-significant difference was noted between the two groups in age, gender and duration of abdominal pain [p>0.05]. The haemoglobin level was found to be significantly reduced in anti-tTG-positive patients [p<0.01], as was the Na level in anti-tTG-negative patients [p<0.05]. A highly statistically significant inverse correlation was noted between anti-tTG and both serum total protien and serum albumin

Conclusion: some symptoms overlap between coeliac disease and IBS. A lack of awareness may lead to a diagnostic delay in these patients

Rice straw in building the Egyptian environmental friendly house as a case study

Rice is one of the strategic crops in Egypt. In 2013, 1.42 million feddans [acres] has been grown with an average production of about 4.3 million tons. It is mainly cultivated in the northern east part of the country especially in Kafr El-Sheikh, Al-Sharkia and Al-Dakahlia Governorates. But the processing of that large amount of rice yields approximately 4 million tons of rice straw as an agricultural residue annually. In Egypt, only 20% of the rice straw used for other purposes such as ethanol, paper, fertilizers production and fodders. The remaining part was left on the fields for burning, causing high degrees of environmental pollution known as the Black Cloud, despite the high economic value of these residues if they are recycled and reused. This paper explores the different architectural styles of straw construction worldwide, whether by the rice-cement bricks, straw panels or straw bales. With an aim to reach an economic environmentally adapted system for wide application of straw construction in Egypt. The paper presents an Egyptian environmental example of building a low-cost house which saving about 40% of the direct cost if it built by the traditional cement bricks method, in addition to the indirect cost saving in energy consumption, and thermal insulation

role of tri-modality treatment in bladder preservation of invasive bladder carcinoma: turt,concurrent irradiation and twice weekly gemcitabine

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of transurethral resection plus chemo radiation in achieving bladder preservation, using conformal radiotherapy and twice weekly Gemcitabine. Thirty seven TCC patients with good performance status, and maximum possible transuretheral resection .They received. 46 GY/23 fractions with twice weekly Gemcitabine 30mg/m2. An evaluation was done after 2 weeks by cystoscopy and biopsy from the tumor bed. Patients who had a complete response continued in phase II, 20 GY/2 weeks, with twice weekly Gemcitabine 30 mg/m2. Patients who had invasive bladder cancer were subjected to radical cvsteclomy. Thirty two patients had complete response. Treatment schedule was tolerable. It was associated with moderate toxicity that was tolerable apart of patients who developed G3 wxicity [hat required treatment interruption till improvement .After 2 years of follow up, 29 patients achieved good local control and the 2 years LRFS was 79%. The 2 years over al survival and bladder intact survival was 70%, 69%, respectively. Trimodality bladder-sparing approach consists of inmsureihral resection, chemotherapy twice daily using gemcitabine and radiotherapy is well tolerated with high rate of bladder preservation. This approach can be considered a reasonable alternative to cystectomy in the proper selected group

Therapeutic effect of lauric acid, a medium chain saturated fatty acid on giardia lamblia in experimentally infected hamsters

Giardia lamblia is a common cause of diarrheal disease in humans, particularly among children causing nutritional disorders. Metronidazole and other nitroimidazoles are commonly used as the mainstay of therapy for giardiasis. The present work was carried out to evaluate the effect of lauric acid, a natural product extracted from coconut oil, against G. lamblia in experimentally infected hamsters [Mesocricetus auratus]. Sixty five laboratory bred hamsters were used in the current experimental study. Ten served as normal non infected non treated control group [A]. Fifteen uninfected hamsters served as drug control group [B]: five received metronidazole group [B1]; five received lauric acid group [B2] and five received combined treatment [metronidazole and lauric acid] at a half doses of each drug [B3]. The remaining forty hamsters were orally infected by 10,000 G. lamblia cysts/hamster [group C], and were divided into 4 groups of 10 hamsters each: infected control [C1]; metronidazole treated [C2]; lauric acid treated [C3]; combined treatment at a half dose of each drug [C4]. Two weeks after treatment, compared with infected non treated controls, the highest percentages of reduction in the number of Giardia cysts and trophozoites were in the group that received combined treatment [98.83%, 96.95%, respectively]. Lower percentages of reduction were recorded for the metronidazole treated group [93.77%, 95.50%, respectively] and the lauric acid treated group [82.03%, 78.76%, respectively]. Histopathological examination and electron microscopic examination revealed complete healing of intestinal mucosa after the combined treatment, while partial healing of the lining epithelium of the intestine was noticed after metronidazole or lauric acid treatment alone. Lauric acid improved the therapeutic effect against giardiasis when combined with metronidazole

Anthelmintics resistance; How to overcome it?

Many parasitic helminthes of veterinary importance have genetic features that favor development of anthelmintic resistance, this becoming a major worldwide constrain in livestock production. The development of anthelmintic resistance poses a large threat to future production and welfare of grazing animals. Development of variable degrees of resistance among different species of gastrointes final nematodes has been reported for all the major groups of anthelmintic drugs. It has been observed that frequent usage of the same group of anthelmintic; use of anthelmintics in sub-optimal doses, prophylactic mass treatment of domestic animals and frequent and continuous use of a single drug have contributed to the widespread development of anthelmintic resistance in helminthes. The degree and extent of this problem especially with respect to multidrug resistance in nematode populations is likely to increase. Maintaining parasites in refugia and not exposed to anthelmintics, seems to be a key point in controlling and delaying the development of resistance, because the susceptible genes are preserved. Targeted selective treatments attract the interest of scientists towards this direction. Additionally, adoption of strict quarantine measures and a combination drug strategy are two important methods of preventing of anthelmintic resistance. Experience from the development of anthelmintic resistance suggests that modern control schemes should not rely on sole use of anthelmintics, but employ other, more complex and sustainable recipes, including parasite resistant breeds, nutrition, pasture management, nematode-trapping fungi, antiparasitic vaccines and botanical dewormers. Most of them reduce reliance on the use of chemicals and are environmental friendly. Finally, if new anthelmintic products are released, an important question will be raised about how they should be used. It is suggested that slowing the development of resistance to a new class are likely to be gained by releasing it in combination with one or more of the older anthelmintic classes, especially where efficacy of the older active[s] remains high

Comparative assessment of in vivo effect of artemether and triclabendazole on juvenile fasciola gigantic

The targeting of the juvenile flukes is a necessity of any potential fasciolicide. Comparative anthelmintics efficacy study, between artemether and triclabendazole [TCBZ] in treatment of rabbits exjperimentally infected with Fasciola gigantica, was done in the current research. The evaluation of the efficacy of the two drugs was based on assessment of tegumental changes of juvenile flukes using scanning electron microscopy [SEM]. SEM analysis of the juvenile flukes recovered from the livers of rabbits treated with artemether revealed evidence of minor disruption of the tegument. Extensive furrowing was visible on the tegumental surface of mid-body and tail regions. While, a partial extra layer over the surface of the anterior and posterior mid-body regions of the juvenile flukes recovered from the livers of rabbits treated with TCBZ was observed. Besides, the tegument and both oral and ventral suckers appeared to be distorted. The electron microscope results had shown that artemether was capable of exerting an effect on the juvenile F. gigantica. However, the disruption to the tegument of the juvenile flukes induced by TCBZ was more severe than that caused by artemether. Theses differences of the tegumental disruption might be due to differences in drug pharmacokinetics in the host

Prospects of effective microorganisms technology in wastes treatment in Egypt

Sludge dewatering and treatment may cost as much as the wastewater treatment. Usually large proportion of the pollutants in wastewater is organic. They are attacked by saprophytic microorganisms, i.e. organisms that feed upon dead organic matter. Activity of organisms causes decomposition of organic matter and destroys them, where the bacteria convert the organic matter or other constituents in the wastewater to new cells, water, gases and other products. Demolition activities, including renovation/remodeling works and complete or selective removal/demolishing of existing structures either by man-made processes or by natural disasters, create an extensive amount of wastes. These demolition wastes are characterized as heterogeneous mixtures of building materials that are usually contaminated with chemicals and dirt. In developing countries, it is estimated that demolition wastes comprise 20% to 30% of the total annual solid wastes. In Egypt, the daily quantity of construction and demolition (C&D) waste has been estimated as 10 000 tones. That is equivalent to one third of the total daily municipal solid wastes generated per day in Egypt. The zabbaliin have since expanded their activities and now take the waste they collect back to their garbage villages where it is sorted into recyclable components: paper, plastics, rags, glass, metal and food. The food waste is fed to pigs and the other items are sold to recycling centers. This paper summarizes the wastewater and solid wastes management in Egypt now and future.

Acaricidal activity of different extracts from Syzygium cumini L. Skeels (Pomposia) against Tetranychus urticae Koch

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the acaricidal activity of different extracts from Syzygium cumini (S. cumini) (Pomposia) againsst Tetranychus urticae Koch (T. urticae) and the biochemical changes in antioxidants enzymes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six extracts of S. cumini (Pomposia) at concentrations of 75, 150 and 300µg/mL were used to control T. urticae (Koch).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ethanol extract showed the most efficient acaricidal activity agent against T. urticae (98.5%) followed by hexane extract (94.0%), ether and ethyl acetate extract (90.0%). The LC50 values of the promising extract were 85.0, 101.0, 102.0 and 98.0µg/mL, respectively. The activities of enzymes including ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in susceptible mites were increased. The activities of all antioxidant enzymes reach the maximum value in mites at LC50 with ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The extract of S. cumini has acaricidal acivity against T. urticae, and the ethanol extract is the most efficient.</p>

Vitamin A status in wheezing Saudi children

To examine the serum retinol levels of wheezing children, and to investigate the relation as an biochemical indicator of vitamin A status in wheezing children between serum levels of retinol and severity of wheezing. A prospective cohort study including 400 wheezing Saudi children aged 3-36 months, who were treated in the pediatrics ward of Ohoud Public Hospital in Al-Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between January 2009 and August 2010. Patients were subdivided according to the course of wheeze into 93 patients with persistent wheeze, and 307 patients with acute wheeze. Severity of wheeze was graded mild, moderate, and severe. Among the persistent wheezing patients 9.7% had deficient, and 20.4% had marginal serum vitamin A concentration, while in the acute wheezing patients, 1.6% had deficient, and 8.1% had marginal serum vitamin A concentrations. Results revealed that the prevalence of deficient and marginal vitamin A concentration is higher in the persistent than in the acute wheezing group [p<0.05]. Serum vitamin A was related to wheezing severity. Deficient serum vitamin A was found only in severe wheezing groups. Wheezing Saudi infants had prevalent deficiency and marginal deficiency of vitamin A. Serum vitamin A concentrations were related to the wheezing severity and course

Study of zinc phosphide intoxicated cases admitted to poison control centre - Ain shams university hospitals - Egypt [A retrospective study]

Acute poisoning with pesticides is a global public health problem and accounts for as many as 300.000 deaths worldwide yearly. Zinc phosphide has been widely used as a rodenticide since 1942-43 and its easy availability pushed up the incidence of self poisoning. This retrospective study was designed to highlight and evaluate the problem of zinc phosphide intoxicated cases presented and admitted to poison control centre [PCCA] during the year 2007, and was compared with its incidence during the previous 5 years, 2002-2006. The comparative study of the previous five years included the number of all cases of intoxication presented to the PCCA from 2002-2006, the number of zinc phosphide intoxication cases during the same period and their classification according to hospital admission: Intensive care unit [ICU], inpatient and emergency room [ER]. Regarding the retrospective study of zinc phosphide cases during the year 2007, it was carried out on the medical records of all patients admitted to PCCA during the year 2007, with a discharge disgnosis of zinc phosphide. The following parameters were reviewed and analyzed: Sociodemographic data [age, sex, residence and social class], intoxication data [delay time, mode and route of intoxication], presenting symptoms, vital signs, laboratory investigations and ECG monitoring. Different treatment modalities were analyzed and the outcome was recorded. The percentage of zinc phosphide poisoning during the period 2002-2006 in relation to the total number of poisoning cases admitted to PCCA ranged from 2.09%-5.38% and during 2007 it was 3.03%. The inpatient group showed the highest number of cases followed by the ER and then the ICU group. Death rate ranged from 0.3%-0.7% during the years 2002-2006, while during 2007, it was only 0.15%. The total number of cases during the year 2007 were 650 cases. The inpatient group comprised most of the cases followed by ER and ICU groups. The majority of patients were in the age group of 10-

Teratogenic effects of ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin in pregnant rats

The adverse effects of ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin on rat fetuses following oral administration to the pregnant rats were studied. Ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin were given daily to pregnant rats at two [therapeutic and double therapeutic] dosage levels during the period of organogenesis [from the 6[th] to the 15[th] of gestation]. Oral administration of ciprofloxacin at 4.5 and 9 mg/100 g.b.wt. to pregnant rats induced fetal resorption, death and growth retardation. Visceral examination of live fetuses showed microcephaly, hypoplasia of the heart and lungs and dilatation of renal pelvis. Skeletal examination reveated incomplete ossification of skull bones and absence of some coccygeal vertebrae. Pefloxacin at 7.2 6 mg/100 g. b. wt. decrease the number of live fetuses and caused microcephaly, hypoplasia of the heart and lungs, dilatation of the renal pelvis. It also induced incomplete ossification of skull bones and absence of sternbrae and phalanges of forelimbs. A great attention should be considered during the clinical use of ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin in pregnant women and animals to avoid their teratogenic effects

study of new potential risk factors for down syndrome in upper Egypt

Down syndrome is a common chromosomal anomaly causing multiple congenital malformations and mental retardation [MR] in humans. The well-established risk factor, advanced maternal age, was not found in many of the Down syndrome cases in Egypt, while other possible risk factors have not been well studied yet. In view of this, we have conducted the present study to clarify that issue and throw some lights on other potential risk factors in Down syndrome. During this cross sectional study, conducted during the period between March 2006 and Feb 2008, 48 clinically suspected cases of Down syndrome aged between 6 months and 9 years were referred for chromosomal investigation [karyotyping] from the outpatient and inpatient sections of the pediatric department, University Hospitals at the Upper Egyptian governorate Sohag. Chromosomal study was done in those patients after obtaining an informed consent. Twenty apparently healthy children were randomly selected as controls. Statistical study was carried out using logistic regression analysis. Out of the 48 cases of Down syndrome, 45 had free trisomy 21, two were mosaic trisomy 21, and one had translocation. Logistic regression of case-control study of Down syndrome children revealed that the odds ratio of uncle-niece marriages, or second cousin marriages, or parents lived in rural region, or exposure of the parents to drugs or chemicals, or parents education status, or habits [cigarettes/coffee used] of father, or mother not undergone ante-natal scanning as a part of ante-natal care, or mothers with previous abortions were significant when all the variables of that category were used one at a time. Besides the known risk factors, consanguinity, region [rural/ urban] of residence of parents, exposure of parents to chemicals, educational status of parents habits of father, prenatal scanning, and reproductive performance of mother are possible risk factors for Down syndrome

Assessment of vitreoretinal interface and clinically significant macular edema by OCT and fluorescein angiography

To assess the changes occurring at the vireoretinal interface with clinically significant macular edema using optical coherent tomography [OCT] and fundus fluorescein angiography [FFA]. Ninety nine eyes of 84 patients suffering from macular edema of different etiologies were included in this study. They were divided according to the cause of macular edema into 6 groups. Treatment modalities were done to be evaluated in the follow up. All cases were followed up at regular visits one week, one month, and six months with routine ocular examinations. FFA and OCT changes were determined and evaluated at one month and 6 months after treatment. In diabetic group [40 eyes], there were 22 eyes with different stages of PVD seen by OCT in comparison to 5 eyes only demonstrated by FFA, ERM seen by OCT of different stages in 14 eyes while in FFA 10 eyes only, In the RVO group [15 eyes], there were 6 eyes with different stages of PVD seen by OCT in comparison to no eyes demonstrated by FFA, In the IGS group [10 eyes], there were 3 eyes with different stages of PVD seen by OCT in comparison to no eyes demonstrated by FFA, In the CNV group [17 eyes], there were 4 eyes with different stages of PVD seen by OCT in comparison to no eyes demonstrated by FFA, ERM seen by OCT of different stages in 3 eyes while in FFA one eye only, In the RP group [10 eyes], there were 2 eyes with different stages of PVD seen by OCT in comparison to no eyes demonstrated by FFA. In the TME group [7 eyes], there were 3 eyes with different stages of PVD seen by OCT in comparison to no eyes demonstrated by FFA, ERM seen by OCT and FFA of different stages in 4 eyes. OCT provided us with valuable information on the retinal morphologic changes associated with ME of different etiologies and analyzing vitreomacular relationship and detecting macular SRD undetectable on biomicroscopy and FFA

Wies procedure combined with anterior lamellar recession in the management of cicatricial entropion of the upper eyelid

To evaluate the efficacy of the Wies procedure combined with anterior lamellar recession in the management of cicatricial entropion of the upper eyelid. Nineteen patients [24 upper lids] with severe cicatricial entropion, trichiasis, and tarsal shortening were included in this study. Previous Snellen's operation was recorded in 6 patients [8 eyelids]. All cases underwent anterior lamellar recession and wies procedure. No residual entropion [no lash-cornea touch] was recorded in all lids [100%]. All cases developed postoperative edema that subsided gradually within one week. Over correction occurred in 2 lids [8.3%], and three eyelids developed infection [12.5%], which healed in few days after antibiotic therapy. The mean follow up was 9 months [range; 6 to12 months]. Wies procedure combined with anterior lamellar recession in the management of cicatricial entropion of the upper eyelid are effective especially for recurrent cases and short tarsus; no lid shortening developed postoperatively, and gave cosmetically accepted results

Efficacy of volatile oils [curzerene, furanoeudesma-1, 3-diene and lindestrene] on avian coccidiosis under laboratory conditions

The coccidicidal efficacy of volatile oils [curzerene, furanoeudesma-1, 3- diene and lindestrene] against unsporulated and sporulated chicken Eimeria species oocysts was tested in three concentrations: 1, 2 and 3 micro g/ml. Marked reduction in the number of living oocysts was recorded in exposed groups. The concentration of 3 micro g/ml volatile oils induced the highest destructive effect. 58.1% of viable unsporulated oocysts were destroyed. A mean number of 153,800 oocysts was the difference between the total number of the produced oocysts per gram faeces in the group infected with exposed oocysts and that of the group infected with nonexposed oocysts being less in the exposed group with more reduction in the vitality of shedding oocysts in the former group. At the meantime, the postmortem and histopathological microscopical examination of the intestine and caecum of' the tested group revealed a reduction in the intestinal lesions in the group infected with the exposed oocysts

Amelioration of carbendazim-induced testicular dysfunction by vitamin E and pumpkin seed oil in rats

Carbendazim, a carbamate fungicide, is one of the most widespread environmental contaminant of major concern to human and animal reproductive health. The present study was undertaken to investigate the ameliorating effect of vitamin E and Pumpkin seed oil on carbendazim-induced testicular toxicity in male rats. Safety profile of vitamin E and pumpkin seed oil was firstly examined on normal rats and found to be safe on all the examined parameters. Adult Sprague dawley male rats were used in this study. Carbendazim [100 mg/ kg] was administered alone or combined with either vitamin E [200 mg/ kg] or pumpkin seed oil [40 mg/ kg] for 48 successive days. Carbendazim exposure significantly reduced the weights of testes, prostates and seminal vesicles. Also, serum testosterone, sperm count, motility and viability were diminished. The incidence of sperm abnormalities and testicular cholesterol content, were markedly elevated. In addition, carbendazim caused oxidative stress as observed by elevation of malondialdehyde [MDA] and lactate dehydrogense [LDH]. The antioxidant system including superoxide dismutase [-SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSHPX] and glutathione [GSH] were also reduced. Carbendazim also produced marked histopathological changes including degeneration of most seminiferous tubules with absence of spermatogenic series in tubular lumen in the testis. Co-administration of either vitamin E or pumpkin seed oil with carbendazim significantly ameliorated most of these deleterious effects where weights of testes, prostates and seminal vesicles were regained. They also elevated serum testosterone level, sperm count, sperm motility and sperm viability. Furthermore, administration of vitamin E and pumpkin seed oil with carbendazim reduced the incidence of sperm abnormalities and nearly normalized the testicular cholesterol content, They also reduced the oxidative stress caused by carbendazim which was associated with normal histopathological features of the testis

Effect of some plants as functional food supplement on kidney function and structure in experimentally hyperuricemic rats

Hyperuricemia is associated with renal insufficiency and commonly used as a useful early biomarker for chronic kidney diseases. Celery leaves contain a valuable volatile oil and an organic substance called apiol. Celery leaves, chicory and barley are known to have beneficed effect for humans in health and disease. This work was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary fiber supplementation with celery, chicory and barley, alone and in combination, on body weight, food efficiency radio, kidney function and renal histology in experimentally hyperuricemic rats. The experiment was performed using 4 groups of Sprague Dawley rats fed on basal diet supplemented with potassium oxonate [uricase inhibitor] at 2% for 6 weeks to induce experimental hyperuricemia and one group was fed on basal diet only and used as a negative control group. Four experimental diets were prepared by adding the dry powder of celery seeds, chicory leaves or barley grains at 10% or mixture of three plants at 15% [5% from each] to basal diet. The feeding period was 4 weeks. Biochemical analysis of blood urea nitrogen, uric acid and creatinine concentrations in the serum as well as histopathological examination of kidney were performed. Results showed that feeding of celery, chicory and barley mixture at 15% to hyperuricemic rats for 4 weeks increased body weight and improved feed efficiency. It decreased the elevated serum urea nitrogen, uric acid and creatinine concentrations. It also produced an excellent effect on renal histology as it ameliorated the renal damage caused by elevated serum uric acid. The study suggests that dietary intake of plant mixture of celery, chicory and barley at 15% concentration for 4 weeks may be beneficial to patients suffering from hyperuricemia and kidney disease because it improves the function and structure of kidney in hyperuricemic rats

Evaluation of neutrophil CD 64 and CD 11b expression as early predictors of sepsis severity and outcome

CD64, the high affinity Fcy receptor 1, and CDllb, an alpha-subunit of the beta[2] integrin adhesion molecule, are specific neutrophil-surface antigens activated in response to systemic inflammation, therefore, they could potentially be used as early predictors of sepsis and the associated mortality in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome [SIRS]. Sixty-one SIRS patients with clinically suspected infection were enrolled and subjected to sepsis work-up, within the first 24 hours of sepsis onset, including complete blood count, blood culture, serum C-reactive protein [CRP] in addition to flow cytometric analysis of CD64 and GD11b. Patients were classified prospectively on the basis of clinical observation and blood culture results into two groups: SIRS with sepsis group [n=36] and SIRS without sepsis group [n=25] served as patient control. According to outcome, patients with sepsis were classified after a follow-up period up to 28 days after inclusion into two groups: survivors [n=29] and non-survivors [n=7]. A highly significant increase of neutrophil CD64 and CD11b expression was detected in the sepsis group as compared to the non-infected group. CD64 and CDllb expression had the best diagnostic performance for prediction of early-onset sepsis. Expression of CD64 at a cut-off value of 49% had 88.9% sensitivity, 92% specificity and 90.2% efficacy, while CD1 Ib expression at a cut-off value of 71% had 86.1% sensitivity, 84% specificity and 85.2% efficacy. Combined use of both markers yielded 91.7% sensitivity, 96% specificity and 93.4% efficacy. Sepsis survivors showed significantly lower expression of CD64 and CDllb as compared to non-survivors. An optimal cut-off value of 70% expression for CD64 predicted mortality with 100% sensitivity, 96.6% specificity and 97.2% efficacy. Meanwhile, a cut-off value of 86% for CDllb predicted mortality with 85.7% sensitivity, 93.1% specificity and 91.7% efficacy. Assessment of neutrophil CD64 and CDllb expression is superior to standard laboratory tests for early detection of sepsis, within the first 24 hours of sepsis onset, before the evolution of clinical signs which would facilitate therapeutic decisions. Prediction of outcome is an additional advantage borne by these two biomarkers