Histological and immunohistochemical study of nitric oxide synthase and effects of angiotensin receptor blockade in early phase of diabetes in rat kidney

Several studies have demonstrated that the pathophysiological and morphological changes in early diabetic nephropathy were mediated by an increase or decrease in nitric oxide [NO] production and/or activity. There are few reports suggesting a relationship between NO and the renin-angiotensin system. The present study was designed to determine the effects of early diabetic state on NO production and also to assess the possible effects of angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs] on these changes. Thirty adult male albino rats were included in this study. Twenty were injected with streptozotocin for induction of diabetes. The other 10 were injected with the vehicle and served as control. Two days after injection, the diabetic animals were randomly divided into two groups of 10 animals each. One group was given valsartan as an ARB and the other group received no further treatment. Three weeks later, all animals were sacrificed and the kidneys were processed for obtaining paraffin sections. The sections were stained with H and E, Masson's trichrome, and periodic acid-Schiff. The sections were also stained with an immunohistochemical stain against endothelium-derived nitric oxide synthase [eNOS]. Diabetes induced histological changes in the form of glomerular hypertrophy, increased glomerular matrix, focal areas of tubular atrophy, medullary congestion, and slight fibrosis. Immunostaining was present in the control kidney in the glomeruli and in the collecting tubules of the medulla. Diabetes induced a positive reaction in the proximal and distal convoluted tubules and increased immunoreactivity in the collecting tubules. Treatment with valsartan resulted in an improvement in the morphology of the kidney and a reduction in the intensity of eNOS immunostaining. NO increases in early diabetic kidney and ARB in the form of valsartan could be recommended for preventing the development of diabetic nephropathy

Case Report: giant retroperitoneal presacral ancient schwannoma

Ancient schwannoma, is a rare variant of schwannoma with characterization of degenerative changes and diffuse hypercellularity. Retroperitoneal presacral form is often found incidentally, because they present with vague symptoms or symptomless. Schwannoma occurring in this area occasionally presents with enormous dimensions, known as a giant schwannoma. The tumor removal is a surgical challenge due to the difficult approach and abundant vascularity. In this report we describe a 61 year old female presented to ER with vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain. The case diagnosed on clinical, CT and MRI findings to be a fibroma of the left ovary. Exploration by the gynecology team revealed a huge retroperitoneal presacral tumor compressing the left external iliac vessels and displacing the left ureter; they took a biopsy and closed the abdomen. Histopathological result was benign schwannoma. The patient were referred to our hospital [Al Hada Armed Forces Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia] to be managed from postoperative DVT when her family asked our department of surgery for further management and signed a high risk consent. We explored the case after insertion of IVC filter and ureteric catheter. A 20x20 cm mass was thoroughly dissected and resected with part of sacrum. The final histopathological result was benign nerve sheath tumor with features consistent with degenerated [ancient] schwannoma and the tumor was completely resected. The patient was discharged from the hospital without complications and follow up for three years revealed no recurrence. The clinical, radiological, and pathological features of this disease are discussed in this report. To conclude, retroperitoneal giant ancient schwannomas are a rare variant of the benign schwannoma and often present as unrecognized slow growing masses. Keep in mind potentially severe bleeding and neurological deficit risk of surgical intervention without away from oncologic principle. Therefore, careful preoperative evaluations and postoperative monitoring are necessary

Impact of vitamin A supplementation on diarrhea and acute respiratory infection among children

Clinical manifested vitamin A deficiency predisposes to increased diarrhea and respiratory morbidity. To study impact of vitamin A supplementation on acute respiratory tract infection and diarrhea of children. A clinical trial study was carried out in Azazi village- Sharkia governorate, Egypt- through the year of 2009. Of 430 children aged 12-60 months attending the local health centre to get medical care for diarrhea. 300 children were included in this study. Those children with history of acute diarrhea of less than seven days' duration were divided into two groups. vitamin A group children [150] who received vitamin A 200000 IU and the other 150 [control group] were not given vitamin A. Incidence and prevalence of acute lower respiratory tract infections and diarrhea during the 90 days after termination of diarrheal episode were measured by twice weekly home visits. The incidence [relative risk 1.07; 95% confidence interval 0.92 to 1.26] and average number of days spent with acute lower respiratory tract infections were similar in the vitamin A supplemented and control groups. The incidence of diarrhea was also similar [relative risk 0.95; 95% confidence interval 0.86 to 1.05] in the two groups. There was a reduction in the mean daily prevalence of diarrhea associated with fever in the vitamin A supplemented children older than 23 months. Results showed a lack of impact of vitamin A supplementat ion on acute respiratory tract infection, but there was a reduction in the severity of diarrhea in older children. Parents are advised to give their Children vitamin A during the obligatory program of immunization and during diarrheal attacks because this may lower incidence and severity of diarrhea especially in older children

Histological study on the effect of aluminium chloride on frontal cortex of adult male albino rats

Several studies implicated aluminium in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders especially Alzheimer disease, although the underlying histopathological changes in the brain were not clear with many controversies. So we aimed to elucidate these histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural changes that might occur in the rat brain after aluminium exposure. In this study we used 18 adult male albino rats divided into 2 groups; a control group and an experimental group taking 600 mg/ kg aluminium chloride orally daily for 4 weeks. At the end of the fourth week, samples from the frontal cortex were obtained and stained with H and E, and glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]. Other samples were processed for electron microscopic examination. Morphometric study was done for GFAP immunostaining. The group taking 600 mg/ kg aluminium chloride showed decreased body weight and had developed some neurological symptoms. Routine H and E revealed presence of some shrunken pyramidal cells with pyknotic nuclei; immunoreactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP] was decreased compared to control group. Ultrastructurally; some neurons showed shrunken nuclei, swelling and damage of the mitochondria and dilated saccules of Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum with the appearance of vacuolated areas in the cytoplasm with splitting of myelin sheath and degeneration of some nerve fibres. Aluminium in high doses can cause alterations in neurons and nerve fibers with decreased immunoreactivity for GFAP in astrocytes in the brain, so further studies would be needed to evaluate the effects of chronic exposure in apparently healthy individuals

Effect of kupffer cell modulation in rat liver fibrosis: histological and immunohistochemical study

The process of Ito cell activation, which is thought to be the central pathogenic mechanism in liver fibrogenesis, may involve distinct interactions with Kupffer cells [KCs] mediated by various cytokines and growth factors. The aim of the present study was to determine whether targeting KC function using gadolinium chloride [GdC13] interferes with the carbon tetrachloride [CC14]-induced hepatic fibrosis. Thirty-six male rats were divided into CC14 alone [group I]; CC14+GdC13 [group II]; and control groups, and were given CC14 only [0.3ml/kg, sc]; CC14+GdC13 [10mg/kg, ip]; or vehicles or GdC13 alone, respectively, for either 1 or 8 weeks. Hepatic injury was assessed by histological evaluation of the liver tissue, and by serum AST and ALT determination. Collagen and reticular fiber content of the liver was determined in Masson's trichrome-stained and silver-impregnated sections, respectively. In addition, activated Ito cells were detected by alpha-SMA immunohistochemistry. As expected, CC14 alone treatment resulted in a significant increase in connective tissue deposition in the liver [fibrosis], with a significant elevation of serum liver enzymes; massive cell necrosis; and an increase in alpha-SMA immunoreactive cells, especially after 8 weeks. In contrast, such manifestations of hepatic injury were significantly attenuated by simultaneous GdC13 administration, especially the fibrous tissue deposition. However, extensive fatty changes and cell death were still observed in one specimen. Therefore, it could be concluded that modulation of macrophage function may be a useful approach in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis

Effect of ACE inhibiting therapy in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in the rat: histological and immunohistochemical study

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome [OHSS] has become a common problem since the introduction of assisted reproductive technologies and ovarian stimulation methods into infertility practice. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible effects of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril in the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a rat model. Thirty young adult virgin female rats were randomly divided into 2 experimental and one control groups of ten rats each. Ovarian hyperstimulation was induced in all experimental animals by using 30 IU FSH [sc] for 5 consecutive days, followed by 30 IU of hCG [im] on day 6. Oral enalapril tablets [2mg/kg] were given twice daily to ten rats only [group II] for 6 consecutive days. The remaining ten rats did not receive enalapril [group I]. Control animals received injections of saline solution to mimic the conditions of the study animals. Body weights of animals were recorded on days 1 and 8, and percentage of weight gain was calculated for each group. All animals were sacrificed on day 8, ovaries were removed and weighed to obtain ovarian weight. Histological changes in the ovaries were evaluated, and corpora lutea were counted to estimate the number of ovulations in each ovary. Blood samples were also taken to determine serum estradiol and progesterone levels. In addition, ovaries were subjected to immunohistichemical staining with anti-VEGF antibodies. Administration of the stimulation regimen to group I rats resulted in a significant increase in weight gain, ovarian weight, number of ovulations, serum estradiol and progesterone levels, as well as VEGF immunoreactivity in the ovaries, compared with the control rats. Moreover, a significant positive correlation between ovarian weight and body weight gain was also found in both experimental groups. Enalapril administration, in group II rats, significantly reduced all study parameters, including the VEGF immunohistochemical expression in the ovaries. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibiting therapy with enalapril was significantly effective in reducing the severity of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in the rat model

[Studies on transformation of resistant plasmid between salmonella and e. col1]

Plasmid profile analysis of 10 multiple drug resistant Salmonella serovars with [resistant to am-picillin, chloramphenicol, oxytetracycline, nali-dixic acid and streptomycin] was performed using agarose gel electrophoresis. There were 8 isolates harbouring plasmid with molecular weight ranged from 16 - 31.5 kbp while the plasmid of 2 isolates could not be detected. Successful transformation of resistant plasmid was done between S. Kentucky and S. Typhirnurium as donor bacteria and E. coli XL1 as recipient bacteria by electroporation. Transconjugants were obtained by conjugation assay between multiple drug resistant [MDR] S. Typhimurium as donor bacteria and each of S. Enteritidis , S. Typhi, E. coli: XL1 and E. coli: O157H7 as recipient bacteria?

Laparoscopic Heller's cardiomyotomy in achalasia with harmonic scalpel

Mucosal perforation is one of the most serious complications of laparoscopic myotomy which is less common in patients treated via laparotomy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of harmonic scalpel as a possible safe method during laparoscopic Heller's cardiomyotomy, which may help in reduction of this complication. Ten consecutive patients with primary achalasia underwent laparoscopic Heller's cardiomyotomy with Dor anterior fundoplication using the harmonic scalpel. The procedures were completed laparoscopically in nine patients. A conversion to an open procedure was required in one patient because of the presence of esophageal diverticulum The main operative time was 156 min. None of the patients had mucosal perforation. One patient developed recurrent dysphagia and treated by pneumatic dilatation. Another patient developed reflux esophagitis with - good response to medical treatment. Cardiac achalasia can be safely treated through laparoscopy with the use of harmonic scalpel. Laparoscopic myotomy has resulted hi shorter patient hospital stay and reduced morbidity, making the procedure an attractive initial option for patients with achalasia

Electron microscopic study on clara cells in the lung of adult mice in response to naphthalene injection

The present work aimed at studying the effect of intraperitoneal administration of naphthalene, an organic chemical, on nonciliated [Clara] cells in terminal bronchioles and lobar bronchi. Adult mice were divided into four groups, each given a single intraperitoneal injection of the following doses respectively [50, 100, 200 and 300 mg / kg] of naphthalene in corn oil. The animals were sacrificed 48 hours later. Retrograde recovery changes were studied fourteen days following naphthalene administration. Epithelial changes included cellular swelling, vacuolation and exfoliation of Clara cells. Minimal bronchiolar epithelial changes were observed in the first group [50 mg / kg]. In the second group [100 mg / kg], the number of Clara cells that showed vacuolation increased. In the third and fourth groups [200 and 300 mg / kg], almost all of the nonciliated eels lining terminal bronchioles were vacuolated and exfoliated. No detectable changes were noted in lobar bronchi except in the fourth group [300 mg / kg] where lobar bronchi showed vacuolation and exfoliation of Clara cells. Nonciliated cells in both terminal bronchioles and lobar bronchi resembled controls in recovery mice

Chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction in children, management options and problems

This study has presented 21 cases of chronic idiopathic pseudo intestinal obstruction that have been diagnosed and managed in the Pediatric Surgery Unit and the Pediatric Gastroenterology Specialized Clinic, Ain-Shams University in the years 1998 and 1999. The diagnosis was based on the clinical picture of repeated attacks of intestinal obstruction with no compromise of the lumen. Radiological features included dilated loops of bowel with air fluid levels. Histopathology demonstrated the presence of ganglion cells in the enteric plexuses. Conservative measures were the mainstay of treatment although its results were poor. Surgical interventions were used as a last resort with a variable success rate

Experience in pediatric laparoscopic surgery

An analysis of 306 cases [their age ranged from one month to 15 years with a mean of 7.5 years] of different pathological natures managed by laparoscopy over five years was presented. Laparoscopy was used for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purpose. One hundred and eleven cases had abdominal pain; 91 of them had settled preoperative diagnosis [appendicitis 78, cholecystitis 10 and ovarian cyst 3]. The remaining 20 cases were diagnosed by laparoscopy; subacute appendicitis [5], Meckel's diverticulitis [3], intussusception [1], adhesions [3], acute pancreatitis [2], eosinophilic gastritis [1], torsion of ovarian cyst [2] and no cause was detected in 3 cases. The results of laparoscopy in the remaining 195 cases have shown 75 cases of impalpable testes, 20 cases of intersex, 40 cases of congenital hernia, 13 cases of blunt abdominal trauma, 20 cases of neonatal jaundice, 13 cases of laparoscopic splenectomy for blood diseases, eight cases of idiopathic intussusception and six cases of varicocele ligation. No mortality was recorded in this series. Eight cases were converted to open procedure, three due to technical problems and five for completion of the procedure by laparoscopic assisted technique. The indications, advantages and disadvantages of laparoscopy have been discussed

Pulmonary function tests in posthepatitic cirrhosis

Pulmonary function tests were studied in II patients with documented posthepatitic cirrhosis by liver biopsy as well as 20 matched healthy subjects. all the patients and the control subjects were non-smokers and their chest were clinically and radiologically free. The pulmonary function tests included Flow - Volume Loop [F/V Loop] before and after sulbutamol inhalation [bronchodilator] and diffusion studies. Front the F/V Loop the following measurements were calculated: forced vital capacity [FVC], farced expiratory volume first second [FEVI], FEVI / FVC, Peak Expiratory Flow [PEF], Peak Inspiratory Flow [PIF] and Flow at 25 - 75% of vital capacity [F 25 - 75]. The diffusion studies included Pulmonary Diffusion Capacity for Carbon monoxide [DLco], Alveolar Volume [VA] and Diffusion Coefficient [Kco: DLco/Va]. The results of this study showed a mild significant obstructive ventilatory pattern at the level of both small and large airways and a significant diffusion defet among posthepatitic patients