Effects of Vitamin D On Cisplatin Induced Heart and Lung Toxicity in Albino Rat

Background: While Cisplatin (CP) is a powerful DNA alkylating agent used to treat many malignancies, its clinical use is linked to a number of negative side effects. It has been proposed that vitamin D can shield biological systems against harm caused by CP. The current study’s objective was to look into how vitamin D protects the rat heart and lung against cisplatin-induced damage. Material and methods: Thirty adult male Albino rats; 180–220 g body weight were allocated into 3 groups; Group I (n=10) receiving saline, Group II (n=10); rats receiving CP (single dose of 6.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal) and Group III (n=10); receiving CP and 50 ng/kg/day alfacalcidol. Results: Alterations included a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the CP group compared with the other groups (p value for comparing between control and each other group, statistically significant at p < 0.05). Histopathologically, CP induced severe changes were observed. However, the CP-induced disturbances significantly improved by treatment with Vitamin D. Conclusion: According to this study, CP treatment significantly harmed rats’ hearts and lungs; however, treatment with vitamin D significantly lessened these harms.

Protective Role of Quercetin on Thioacetamide-Induced Renal Injury in Adult Male Albino Rats

Background: Thioacetamide (TAA) is a recognized industrial poisonous agent drastically used in animal studies for induction of hepatic necrosis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. It is additionally reported to be nephrotoxic through induction of oxidative stress. Quercetin (QE) has a high antioxidant capacity via free radical scavenging, transition metal ion binding, and lipid peroxidation inhibition. Aim of the work: The goal of this research was to see if QE may help reduce the negative effects of thioacetamide on renal tissue by histological examination of the kidney. Material and methods: Twenty four adult male Albino rats 7–9 weeks old around 180–200g body weight were allocated into 3 groups; Group I (n=8) receiving distilled water, Group II (n=8); rats receiving TAA and Group III (n=8); receiving TAA and QE. Results: Renal tissues were examined under a light microscope stained by Harris Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E stain), Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and Masson’s Trichrome for TAA-treated groups revealed severe histopathological changes, whereas specimens obtained from QE-treated groups showed only mild changes. Immunohistochemical results corroborated these findings. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the ameliorative consequences of QE in opposition to TAA-induced renal injury in rats. The result of this study might contribute in the development of a novel complementary alternative medication in combating and therapeutic intervention of TAA-induced renal injury.

Cyclic fatigue resistance of M-Pro and RaCe Ni-Ti rotary endodontic instruments in artificial curved canals: a comparative in vitro study

OBJECTIVES: To compare the flexural cyclic fatigue resistance and the length of the fractured segments (FLs) of recently introduced M-Pro rotary files with that of RaCe rotary files in curved canals and to evaluate the fracture surface by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six endodontic files with the same tip size and taper (size 25, 0.06 taper) were used. The samples were classified into 2 groups (n = 18): the M-Pro group (M-Pro IMD) and the RaCe group (FKG). A custom-made simulated canal model was fabricated to evaluate the total number of cycles to failure and the FL. SEM was used to examine the fracture surfaces of the fragmented segments. The data were statistically analyzed and comparisons between the 2 groups for normally distributed numerical variables were carried out using the independent Student's t-test. A p value less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: The M-Pro group showed significantly higher resistance to flexural cyclic fatigue than the RaCe group (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the FLs between the 2 groups (p ≥ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thermal treatment of nickel-titanium instruments can improve the flexural cyclic fatigue resistance of rotary endodontic files, and the M-Pro rotary system seems to be a promising rotary endodontic file.

Effective phacoemulsification time in femto cataract in comparison to conventional cataract

Background: cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgery in the world and the number of individuals with cataracts is predicted to reach 30 million by the year 20201. This number will continue to grow as the population ages. More and more patients pursue surgery at the early stage of cataract in order not to endure visual impairment. Phacoemulsification is the standard surgery procedure for cataract in the developed countries. In recent years, femtosecond laser [FSL] has been introduced into phacoemulsification cataract surgery to perform corneal incisions, capsulorhexis, and nuclear fragmentation. Numerous clinical studies have reported that using FSL to perform nuclear fragmentation before phacoemulsification significantly reduces the amount of ultrasound energy and effective phacoemulsification time [EPT] required in the surgery

Purpose: the goal of the present study is to assess the effect of FSL on effective phaco time in comparison to conventional phacoemusification procedure

Patients and Methods: a comparative study included 40 patients with senile cataract [nuclear cataract grade III or more] based on lens opacification classification system III [LOCSIII]. The patients were subdivided into 2 groups; group [A] included 20 patients with senile cataract underwent Femtosecond laser-assisted phacoemulsification [CATALYS FSL system [Abbott Medical Optics]] and group [B] included 20 patients with senile cataract underwent conventional phacoemulsification [ INFINTI phacoemulsification platform [Alcon]]. Effective phaco time had monitored and recorded in all patients

Results: as regarding conventional phaco group, mean EPT was 19.80+/-24.33 and in femto group, mean EPT was 1.05+/-1.28 with [p-value 0.001] which shows highly significant difference between the two groups

Conclusion: femto-second laser assisted cataract surgery reduces effective phacoemulsification time for grade 3 or more of nuclear cataract in comparison to manual procedure

Experimental evaluation of Odonata nymph in the biocontrol of schistosomiasis intermediate hosts

Objective To evaluate the predatory potential of the Odonata nymph on freshwater snails that serve as intermediate hosts for Schistosoma species (Bulinus truncatus and Biomphalaria alexandrina). Methods Observations on the searching, attacking and devouring of the two snail types with series of laboratory-based predation experiments, whose aims were to determine daily predation rate, differential predation, prey preference considering small-, medium- and large-sized snails were conducted. Results Laboratory evaluation revealed that, the Odonata nymph could kill and consume the two intermediate hosts. The number of snails consumed differed according to the snail type, size and density. The times taken for searching and handling times were dependent on the snail size, type and satiation of the predator. The predation rate varied also with respect to snail type, size and density. This study also evaluated that Odonata nymphs consumed more Bulinus truncatus than Biomphalaria alexandrina per unit time, and that there may be a preference for smaller than larger snails. Conclusions According to our observation, the predator, Hemianax ephippiger nymph may be a suitable biocontrol agent in connection with Schistosoma intermediate hosts.

Potential of Hemianax ephippiger (Odonata-Aeshnidae) nymph as predator of Fasciola intermediate host, Lymnaea natalensis

Objective: To evaluate the predatory capacity of the Odonata, Hemianax ephippiger nymph as a biocontrol agent for the freshwater snail Lymnaea natalensis, intermediate host of Fasciola gigantica. Methods: Observations on the searching, attacking and devouring of the snails with a series of laboratory-based predation experiments, whose aims were to determine daily predation rate, differential predation on small-, medium- and large-sized snails were carried out. Results: Laboratory evaluation revealed that, the Odonata nymph could kill and consume all three sizes of snails. Searching and handling time of the predator differed depending on snail size and predator vulnerability. The predation rate varied also with respect to snail size and density. Conclusions: Our observations suggested that the predator Hemianax ephippiger may be a suitable bio-control agent of Lymnaea natalensis snail population.