Cortical excitability in amyotrophic; lateral sclerosis

The primary purpose of this study was to provide insight into the central changes that occur in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with a view to pointing out that these could contribute to symptoms, Seventeen patients with definite ALS and 17 control healthy volunteers were included in the study. Clinical examination, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis severity score [ALSSS] and transonic magnetic stimuli investigations including measurement of resting and active motor threshold [RMT, and AMT], motor evoked potential [MEP], input-output curve, contralateral silent period and transcallosal inhibition [CSP and TI] were measured for each participant. There were no significant differences in RMT or AMT in either hemisphere between patients and the control group. Despite this there was a significant negative correlation between ALSSS and RMT, and AMT meaning that increased seventy was associated with higher thresholds. MEPs were significantly smaller in ALS patients in comparison to the control group [P=0.03]. There was a significant decrease in the slope of the I/O relationship of MEP amplitude to TMS intensity in patients group in comparison to controls. ALS patients had a significant prolongation of CSP and TI for both hemispheres. There was a tendency for there to be a significant negative correlation between left TI and ALSSS [P= 0.051]. Measurements of cortical motor excitatory and inhibitory changes in ALS confirm the presence of hypoexcitability and GABAb dysfunction, that was correlated with the severity of ALS

Chemistry of oral saliva related to dental caries in a group of Egyptian Turner syndrome children

Research on salivary functions and the underlying molecules has been intensive for the last three decades. Saliva acts as an ocean of anions, cations, nonelectrolytes, amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids flowing in waves against and into the plaque. There are only a few references on caries prevalence in patients with Turner syndrome with the majority of investigators observing the low incidence of dental caries among the permanent teeth of Turner syndrome children. This study was undertaken to assess the chemistry of saliva in relation to caries in a group of Egyptian Turner syndrome children. Caries index was recorded and 5 ml saliva was collected from thirty children aged 8 to 14 years. Samples analyzed for pH, viscosity, immunoglobulin A, electrolytes and streptococcus mutans counts. Caries incidence in Turner children was lower than that of the control ones. Salivary electrolytes, pH and immunoglobulin A have significant higher values in Turner group; the reverse occurred for viscosity and Streptococcus mutans count. Low caries index in Turner syndrome children can attribute to lower viscosity, lower streptococcus mutans count, alkaline pH and rise in immunoglobulin A

Neuropsychological status and health related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A variety of neuropsychological factors may influence the quality of life of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] patients beyond the extent of physical problems. This study aimed to investigate sub-clinical neuropsychological changes in patients with COPD; having different degrees of hypoxemia and their health related quality of life. the study included 54 COPD patients compared with 40 normal healthy volunteers matched for age and sex as controls. COPD patients included 21patients without respiratory failure [RF] [38.9%] and 33 patients with RF [61.1%]. All subjects underwent: study of Events Related Potentials [ERPs], Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE], Kaufman Short Neuropsychological Assessment Procedure [K-SNAP] and Symptom Chick List-90-Revised [SCL-90-R]. Patients were subjected to, spirometry, blood gases, conventional wakeful electroencephalography [EEG], and St. George Respiratory Questionnaire [SGRQ] examination. Diffuse slowing in EEG reported in 54.5% of patients with RF and in 23.8% of patient without RF. There was a significant prolongation in P2L, N2L, and P3L in COPD patients without and with respiratory failure than controls; also, there was significant lower amplitude of P300 [P3A] in COPD patients with RF than the other groups. Both COPD patients without and with respiratory failure have mean total score and language score of MMSE significantly lower than the controls. The mean scores of Impairment Index on K-SNAP of COPD patients with and without RF were statistically significantly higher than the controls. Higher percentages of COPD patients with and without respiratory failure showed tendency to perform on the medium complex cognitive tasks better than the high complex cognitive tasks. COPD patients had significantly higher scores for many psychiatric symptoms than the controls and this was more remarkable among those with respiratory failure. Scores of all items of SCL-90-R were positively correlated to duration of COPD affection, severity of the disease and to different SGRQ components. COPD patients with RF have scores in all items of SGRQ significantly higher than those without RF. There were sub-clinical diffuse organic brain affection, associated with impairment of cognitive functions and many psychological troubles in COPD patients which were related to severity and duration of illness, which represent additional problems to physical effect of COPD, both reflecting more impairment in quality of life. So, early discovery and correction of these factors might help in improvement of quality of life of COPD patients

Evaluation of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Harpagophytum procumbens in albino rats: a comparative study with indomethacin and rofecoxib

Harpagophytum procumbens [Harpago.] is a herpaceous plant. It has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of many diseases including headache, rheumatic diseases and inflammations. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the herpal plant on the experimentally-induced acute inflammation [carrageenan-induced edema test] and chronic inflammation [Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis] in adult male albino rats. In addition, these actions were compared with that of indomethacin and rofecoxib. The results of the present work revealed that Harpago. aqueous extract and indomethacin, completely, prevented the carrageenan-induced paw edema. Also, they significantly increased the paw withdrawal latency [reaction time] that reflects the analgesic effect of the drugs. The intensity of the latter effects reached maximum level when measured after 1-2 hours for both drugs. Meanwhile, rofecoxib produced significant reduction in the paw edema that induced by carrageenan and elicited an analgesic effect that reached maximum level after 3-4 hours from carragednan injection. Concerning the chronic anti-inflammatory effects, Harpago-protected the knee joint from the Freund's adjuvant-induced degenerative changes, however, this protection is much less than that produced by each of indomethacin or rofecoxib. Thus, it could be concluded that Harpagophytum procumbens has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect in the acute and chronic inflammatory conditions which is more prominent in the acute and subacute inflammations; and its duration of action is similar to indomethacin, but shorter than that of rofecoxib

Can selective serotonin retuptake inhibitor [SSRI] antidepressants induce anxiety?

This study concerns with the investigation of the potential anxiogenic-like effects of two antidepressants, having selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor [SSRI] characteristic, sertraline and clomipramine "tricyclic antidepressant with a very effective SSRI effect" through studying and characterizing rat exploratory behaviour. The experiments were performed on adult female albino rats in exploration box and classic open field paradigms. In the open field test the effects of acute intraperitoneal [i.p] administration of both drugs, in single doses of 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg, on rat exploratory behaviour were studied. In the exploration box the effects of acute [single dose] and chronic [3 weeks pretreatment] intraperitoneal administration of sertraline [10 mg/kg] and clomipramine on rat exploratory behaviour were studied on 5 consecutive days. Our results showed that acute sertraline and clomipramine [10 mg/kg] treatments, in the open field test, induced a dose-dependent significant reduction of rat exploratory behaviour. Moreover, both drugs attenuated rat exploratory behaviour in the exploration box test after chronic pretreatment. Meanwhile, only acute clomipramine treatment produced the same effect. The results of the present study clarified that attenuation of the exploratory behaviour, caused by sertraline and clomipramine, could be explained on the basis of diminished motivation and not that of increased anxiety. Both drugs should be.considered as non specific suppressors of behaviour rather a real anxiogenic drugs

Sacral nerve stimulation for treatment of anal incontinence [preliminary report]

Neurostimulation is a new treatment option for patients with end- stage faecal incontinence in whome there were failure of all conservative measures and operative interventions to repair the sphincter, where colostomy is the only remaining option. To evaluate the efficacy of sacral nerve stimulation as a neurostimulation in restoration of anal function of incontinent patients. Seven patients have successfully completed the temporary nerve stimulation. All seven patients showed a significant improvement of pre test symptoms with reduction of more than 50% of their symptoms, and reported significant improvement of modified Williams score and anal manometry both resting and squeeze pressure. All these seven cases were submitted for permanent implantation of implantable pulse generator [IPG]. Sacral nerve stimulation is a useful method in a certain group of patients, as it is easy to carry out, well tolerated by the patients and its result can be predicted by the results of temporary nerve stimulation

Effects of estrogen and/or progesterone on methylphenidate-induced behavioral response in female rats

This study aimed to investigate whether female steroid sex hormones [estrogen E and/or progesterone P] affect behavioral sensitivity of female rats to methylphenidate or not. The experiments were performed on adults Sprague Dawley rats. The animals were categorized into two groups: The first to study gender difference and estrous cycle effects on methylphenidate-induced locomotor activity and the second to study effect of hormone replacement on methylphenidate-induced locomotor activity of ovariectomized females. The ovariectomized [OVZ] animals were administered intramuscularly with E and/or P hormones in a dose of 1 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg, respectively, for four weeks. After the treatment period, horizontal and vertical locomotor activity was monitored and recorded in response to the administration of 0.5 mg/kg methylphenidate intramuscularly

Prospective therapeutic effects of fosinopril on some complications of experimentally-induced diabetes in rats

This study investigated potential therapeutic beneficial effects of fosinopril on some complications of diabetes in streptozotocin [STZ] diabetic and STZ diabetic hypertensive rats. The experiments were performed on adult female albino rats and diabetes was induced by STZ [45 mg/kg iv]. Fosinopril was administered daily in a dose of 10 mg/kg po for four weeks. The diabetic rats manifested hypertension, bradycardia, loss of body weight and increase in index of heart hypertrophy. A tangible mortality rate was observed. The biochemical profile of both diabetic groups exhibited hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, hypothyroidism, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and an increased activity of liver enzymes. Fosinopril treatment prevented blood pressure elevation, resumed heartbeats to normal levels and significantly decreased the index of heart hypertrophy and body weight loss. It also ameliorated STZ- induced hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia and hypothyroidism of diabetic and diabetic hypertensive rats. The lipid profile and liver enzymes pictures were also improved

Some pharmacological effects of captopril, Lisinopril and perindopril in experimental hypertensive rats

The present work is an experimental study of the effects of chronic administration [two and four weeks] of three angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors [ACEIs] [captopril, lisinopril and perindopril] on arterial blood pressure [BP], glomerular filtration rate [GFR], renal plasma flow [RPF], serum electrolytes [Na+ and K+], serum glucose and serum lipids [cholesterol, HDL and LDL] in experimental hypertensive rats. Hypertension had been induced in rats by ligation of the left renal artery. The three test drugs produced reduction in BP, captopril showed the less effect. GFR decreased, while RPF increased with the three drugs, perindopril produced the most marked increase in RPF. Also, the three drugs produced decrease in serum Na+ with increase in K+ level. Fasting serum glucose and serum lipids showed no change with the three drugs. It can be concluded that captopril, lisinopril and perindopril are recommended in hypertension, especially with that associated with the decreased RPF, diabetes and hyperlipidemia

potential effects of ranitidine [H2 receptor antagonist] on female fertility in rats

The present study dealt with the possible effects of chronic administration of histaminergic H2 receptor antagonist [ranitidine] on female fertility, as indicated by the variations in the number of Graffian follicles, corpora lutea and the serum concentration levels of estradiol [E2] and progesterone [P]. Ranitidine was daily administered [either 75 mg/kg i.v. or 150 mg/kg p.o.] to adult female albino rats for 8 weeks. Blood samples for hormonal radioimmunoassay [RIA] were collected from the retro-orbital venous plexus. The animals were then sacrificed for the histopathological study of their ovaries. Chronic administration of ranitidine either orally or intravenously could exhibit a significant inhibition effect on female fertility with subsequent inhibition of ovulation as well as significant drop in the serum concentration levels of both estradiol and progesterone. The inhibitory effect of ranitidine could be reversed completely after injection of pregnant mare serum [PMS] gonadotrophin in a dose of 10 IU for 7 days and after stopping the administration of the drug for 8 weeks [after 8 weeks of daily intravenous or oral administration]

Retinoids medication and schistosomiasis: a potential beneficial use

The present study dealt with the possible beneficial uses of retinoids medication in modulating the adverse effects induced by schistosomiasis in experimental animals. Retinoic acid [RA] and retinyl palmitate [RP] [two chemically related forms of retinoids] were utilized in this study. The selected daily oral doses of these compounds were 75,000 IU/kg and 30 mg/kg body weight for retinyl palimitate and retinoic acid, respectively, being given for a maximum period of 9 weeks. Retinoids medication courses were initiated one week prior to percutaneous exposure of the host to this parasitic infection to explore any modulating influence of these retinoids on the susceptibility of the host to cutaneous penetration by the cercaria and on the degree of severity of the induced bilharzial lesions. Only retinoic acid RA treatment for 9 weeks had caused a significant reduction of schistosomiasis splenomegaly, a delay in the pathologically induced granulomas in the liver. Both retinoids had impaired the metabolic activity of the parasite, this was reflected by a significant decrease in the hematin pigment deposition in the liver. The liver of infected mice treated with retinoids showed absence of necrotic lesions and presence of giant cells especially in case of retinoic acid

Cellular metabolites as a criteria for differentiation between candida species

The thin layer paper chromatography was used for detection of amino acid groups in fifty-one strains of Candida, representing seven species, showed that C. Albicans contain five groups, C. Kreusi four groups, each of C. stellatoidea and C. tropicalis three groups, each of C. pseudotropicalis and C. parapsilosis two groups and C. guillermondii one group. Cellular fatty acids were extracted from yeast cells by saponification and analyzed as methyl esters by the use of gas liquid chromatography. Very few or no differences were observed among the chromatographs of different species grown on media containing glucose, maltose or sucrose. When species were grown on lactose medium only, each produced certain fatty acids characterized by the presence or absence of peaks on the chromatogram. With this method, it was possible to identify Candida species within a short time [about three hours] after they were cultured for 24-48 hours on lactose medium

Mycological and therapeutic studies on tinea capitis

A total of 321 cases of tinea capitis representing scaly [60%], favus [29%], kerion [10%] and black dot [1.4%] clinical types were studied. The microscopic and cultural examinations were positive in 63% and 84.5%, respectively. 267 strains of dermatophytes representing Trichophyton violacium [106 strains], Trichophyton schoenleinii [77], Trichophyton mentagrophytes [5], Microsporum canis [68] and Microsporum audounii [11] were recovered. The hair brush and soil- bait techniques seem to be much better in the isolation of T. Schoenleinii and M. audounii. M. canis was isolated by direct method more frequently than the other methods, M. Audounii was only isolated by using the hair brush and soil-bait procedures. The growth of all tested strains was inhibited at different concentrations of dehydroemetine. T. mentagrophytes and T. schoenleinii were more sensitive, while M. canis was least sensitive. DHE was prepared in 0.8% concentration to form an ointment which was used for treatment of 15 selected patients. After three-six weeks, all lesions were cured completely. Clearance of infection was detected mycologically and histopathologically

Serology of human candidiasis in Egypt

A total of one hundred and fifty-two strains of different Candida species was obtained from five hundred and ten human aces of candidiasis. The isolates could be identified as 67 Candida albicans, 20 C. Krusei, 18 C. tropicalis, 10 C. utilis, 9 C. pseudotropicalis, 8 C. parapsilosis, 6 C. lipolytic; 5 each of C. guilliermondii and C. stellatoidea and 4 C. tenusi. Experimental infection in mice showed that C. albicans and C. Krusei were most pathogenic than other species. The study of immune response after experimental injection in rabbits with the most pathogenic strains of each Candida species by agglutination, double diffusion, passive hemagglutination and ELISA was carried out. All the techniques were done using the whole cell antigen and extracts with ether, petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanol. Cross antigenic reaction was demonstrated between the six Candida species. Using the agglutination, precipitation and hemagglutination techniques were able to detect specific antibodies in eight out of seventy-five patients serum samples. The number of serologically positive cases was higher [22.6%] by using the ELISA method