Role of macrophage colony stimulating factor and carcinoembryonic antigen in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer

Hematopoietic cytokines [HCs] induce proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Moreover, the HCs receptors have been found on non hematopoietic tumor cell lines including colorectal cancer [CRC]. Elevated concentrations of several circulating cytokines, among which macrophage colony stimulating factor [M-CSF], have been previously shown in patients with colorectal carcinoma. Elevated serum concentrations of M-CSF have been found in a variety of malignant diseases. The aim of our study was to study the significance of combined M-CSF and carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA] in the diagnosis of CRC and the association between of schistosomiasis endemicity and colorectal cancer

Patients and methods: The serum levels of M-CSF and CEA were assayed in 29 colorectal cancer, 29 colorectal adenoma patients and in 29 healthy subjects [control group]. We defined the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and areas under ROC curves for the measurands. Complete colonoscopic examination and rectal snip for bilharzial ova were done

Results: Median values of MCSF and CEA were signiJicantIy higher in colorectal cancer patients than those in healthy subjects. The diagnostic specificities and positive predictive value were higher for M-CSF. The highest values of diagnostic parameters were observed when M-CSF and CEA were combined. The M-CSF area under the receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve was larger than the area of CEA

Conclusions: M-CSF might be useful as a tumor marker, especially in combination with CEA, for diagnosis of colorectal cancer, but not in the differentiation between colorectal cancer and polyps

In vitro adhesion of oral candida dubliniensis isolates to acrylic denture surfaces following brief exposure to sub-cidal concentrations of polyenes, azoles and chlorhexidine

We aimed to investigate the effect of brief exposure to sub-cidal concentrations of nystatin, amphotericin B, ketoconazole, fluconazole and chlorhexidine gluconate on the adhesion of oral Candida dubliniensis isolates to the surface of acrylic dentures. After determining the minimum inhibitory concentration of each drug, 20 oral isolates of C. dubliniensis were exposed to sub-cidal concentrations of the drugs for 1 h. The drugs were then removed by dilution, and the adhesion of the isolates to denture acrylic strips was assessed by an in vitro adhesion assay. Compared to the controls, exposure to nystatin, amphotericin B, ketoconazole, fluconazole and chlorhexidine gluconate suppressed the ability of C. dubliniensis isolates to adhere to acrylic denture surfaces with a reduction of 74.68, 74.27, 57.31, 44.57 and 56.53% [p <0.001 for all drugs], respectively. Brief exposure to sub-cidal concentrations of anti-mycotics suppressed the adhesion of C. dubliniensis oral isolates to acrylic denture surfaces

Effects of antioxidants [antox] on the liver of adult male albino rat exposed to herbicides [paraquat]

Paraquat [PQ] is widely used as a herbicide. Although it is very toxic for humans and animals, it is still used in about 130 countries of the world to control harmful weeds in growing corn, fruit trees and vegetables. The aim of the present study was to elucidate histological changes of the possible protective role of antioxidant [Antox] on the adult male albino rat liver when given with the PQ. 21 male adult albino rats were used and were classified into three groups; Control group [G1], PQ given group [G2] and Antox with PQ-given group [G3]. Paraffin sections of liver parenchyma were prepared and stained with H and E. Others were prepared for electron microscope examination. The histological examination of the liver of PQ-given rats eith H and E revealed remarkable changes versus control animals. The liver parenchyma showed marked congestion with dilated blood sinusoid and congested central vein. Hepatocytes showed contracted, pyknotic nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm. There was markedly congested central vein invaded with inflammatory cells indicationg that there was severe hepatocyte necrosis. The histological examination of the livers of G3 given animals revealed that antox ameliorated the PQ induced liver injuries and improved the histological liver appearance. The electron microscopic examination of sections of G2 livers showed that the degenerated hepatocytes. The cytoplasm of the hepatocytes contained dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, bizarre-shaped mitochondaria, and lysosomes. Nuclei of degenerating hepatocytes were irregular or small shrunken and the parenchyma was infiltrated with a neutrophil with an indented nucleus. The electron microscopic examinations of sections of the livers of G3 showed apparently normal hepatocytes. There were some hepatocytes having euchromatic euchromatic nuclei. Other hepatocytes were having dark elongated nuclei. The cytoplasm contained a variable shaped mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes, a few lipid droplets and the cells canalicular border were facing relatively dilated bile canaliculi. The parenchyma was infiltrated with a neutrophil having fine granules. The present study demonstrated the effectiveness of the combination antioxidants [Antox] in reducing the paraquat-related degenerative histological changes in the liver parenchyma. It also demonstrated that the antox plays major role in ameliorating these delirious changes. It is recommended to investigate the other possible factors which may be involved in the PQ- associated liver damage [e.g. heavy metals]

Factors affecting the production of lactulose by Lactobacillus acidophilus NRRL 4495 β-galactosidase and its biological activity

Aim: Production of lactulose and other oligosaccharides by Lactobacillus acidophilus NRRL 4495 β-galactosidase and their biological activity. Methodology and Results: The transgalactosylation activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus NRRL 4495 β-galactosidase was investigated under different conditions for synthesis of lactulose and oligosaccharides. The synthesis was optimized with respect to pH; time; enzyme concentration and substrates ratio (lactose: fructose). Maximum production for lactulose was found to be 25 g/L at pH 6.6 with 40: 20% (w/v) lactose to fructose, respectively and enzyme concentration 4 IU/mL after 7 h. With respect to the other oligosaccharides the maximum yield (19 .68 g/L) was obtained under the same conditions but with enzyme concentration 2 IU/mL and after 10 h. As a new pharmaceutical application the produced lactulose and oligosaccharide and their sulfated derivative were found to have fibrinolytic activity, but they failed to act as anticoagulant. Conclusion significance and impact of study: the research leads to increase the production of lactulose and other oligosaccharides with a significant yield and discovered a new pharmaceutical application for all the products.

Removal Efficiency of the Heavy Metals Zn(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) by Saprolegnia delica and Trichoderma viride at Different pH Values and Temperature Degrees

The removal efficiency of the heavy metals Zn, Pb and Cd by the zoosporic fungal species Saprolegnia delica and the terrestrial fungus Trichoderma viride, isolated from polluted water drainages in the Delta of Nile in Egypt, as affected by various ranges of pH values and different temperature degrees,was extensively investigated. The maximum removal efficiency of S. delica for Zn(II) and Cd(II) was obtained at pH 8 and for Pb(II) was at pH 6 whilst the removal efficiency of T. viride was found to be optimum at pH 6 for the three applied heavy metals. Regardless the median lethal doses of the three heavy metals, Zn recorded the highest bioaccumulation potency by S. delica at all pH values except at pH 4, followed by Pb whereas Cd showed the lowest removal potency by the fungal species and vice versa in case of T. viride. The optimum biomass dry weight production by S. delica was found when the fungus was grown in the medium treated with the heavy metal Pb at pH 6, followed by Zn at pH 8 and Cd at pH 8. The optimum biomass dry weight yield by T. viride amended with Zn,Pb and Cd was obtained at pH 6 for the three heavy metals with the maximum value at Zn. The highest yield of biomass dry weight was found when T. viride treated with Cd at all different pH values followed by Pb whilst Zn output was the lowest and this result was reversed in case of S. delica. The maximum removal efficiency and the biomass dry weight production for the three tested heavy metals was obtained at the incubation temperature 20degrees C in case of S. delica while it was 25degrees C for T. viride. Incubation of T. viride at higher temperatures (30degrees C and 35degrees C) enhanced the removal efficiency of Pb and Cd than low temperatures (15degrees C and 20degrees C) and vice versa in case of Zn removal. At all tested incubation temperatures, the maximum yield of biomass dry weight was attained at Zn treatment by the two tested fungal species. The bioaccumulation potency of S. delica for Zn was higher than that for Pb at all temperature degrees of incubation and Cd bioaccumulation was the lowest whereas T. viride showed the highest removal efficiency for Pb followed by Cd and Zn was the minor of the heavy metals.

Errors by anaesthetists in calculating paediatric drug doses; can they be prevented by a paediatric drug doses chart?

Background and Goal of Study: Errors in calculating paediatric anaesthetic and resuscitation drugs are not uncommon [Kozer et al, 2002] and can be fatal [Rowe et al, 1998]. We investigated whether the practical incidence of these errors can qualify for a quick assistance tool e.g. a paediatric drug doses chart

Materials and Methods: A questionnaire audit distributed to anaesthetists in Morriston Hospital, Swansea that included calculations of doses for a hypothetical 12 kg boy presenting for an emergency open reduction of a compound tibial fracture

Results and Discussion: 15 anaesthetists returned their answers; none of them was a dedicated paediatric anaesthetist. 44% of answers were either wrong or not known. Best performances were by specialist registrars and the highest score [80%] belonged to one of them. The worst answers belonged to consultants; one of them scored 20%. Anaesthetic drugs were marginally better answered than resuscitation drugs

Conclusion: The incidences of wrong and void answers were striking. Quick assistance tools e.g. a paediatric drug doses chart for each weight ready calculated in millilitres are advisable to prevent paediatric patients receiving wrong drug dosages. This presented chart is the first of its kind to appear in the medical literature

Peri-operative monitoring for major surgery, are there clear guidelines?

The Association of Anaesthtists of Great Britain and Ireland [AAGBI] guidelines although essential, arc not detailed, especially regarding invasive monitoring and monitoring for major and/or emergency surgery. This survey was aimed at establishing a perspective of relevant common practice and giving direction towards developing appropriate guidelines. A questionnaire was answered by 16 anaesthetists that analysed the anaesthetists' awareness of the AAGBI guidelines on monitoring, as well as their own practice with regard to monitoring. The majority claimed familiarity with the AAGBI guidelines. 86.2% monitored urine output for major cases. Of those, 88.2% measured urine on an hourly basis intra-operatively. 55.5% indicated they would measure preoperative body temperature in major or emergency cases, while 5.5% would measure it routinely, and 22.2% would not measure it at all. Intra-operatively, only 1 anaesthetist [5.9%] would measure temperature routinely. Different indications were given for insertion of arterial and CVP lines, however these were not affected by ITU beds unavailability. According to these surveyed anaesthetists. 19.5% of cases were done using CVP line without an arterial line. The majority [93.8%] of the anaesthetists had not inserted a Swan Ganz Catheter in the past one year. This was attributed to unfamiliarity by 31.3%, and absence of benefits by 66.6%, while non was waiting tor evidence of benefit. No alternative to Swan Ganz Catheterisation was used according to the majority of answers, although 11.8% used Transoesophageal Echocardiography [T.O.E.] and 17.6% used L.I.D.C.O. Only 18.8% of anaesthetists had used an awareness monitor in the past, but not in WWGH. There was a big diversity in monitoring practice among different anaesthetists regarding invasive monitoring and monitoring for major surgery. This reflects the absence of clear guidelines and absence of clear benefits from some monitoring devices

study of male reproductive toxicity in workers occupationally exposed to benzene

Introduction and objectives: There has been recently growing concern about the possible effect of environmental agents on male reproductive health. A number of studies have reported reduced semen quality among men occupationally exposed to chemicals. This study was carried out to determine the influence of occupational exposure to benzene on male reproductive function

Settings and participants: In gasoline service stations located in El-Minia governorate, a total of 88 gasoline distributor workers, aged between 24 and 52 years [33.51+/-5.72], were included in this study. Participants were exposed to benzene with duration of exposure varied from l to 28 years [8.57+/-5.39]

Methods: After complete history taking and physical examination with measuring the size of both testes, semen analyses were performed to all participants. In addition, we measured morning sample serum testosterone and follicular stimulating hormones. We analyzed the available data and studied the correlation between semen analysis parameters and hormonal profile, and the duration of exposure to benzene

Results: According to World Health Organization standardization, 31.8% of participants had abnormal semen parameters. The most evident abnormal semen characteristics include reduction in sperm concentration, motility, normal morphological forms, and the semen volume. The duration of exposure correlates with the declined quality of seminal variables after 5 years regarding sperm motility and concentration and after 7 years regarding sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and the seminal volume

Conclusion: Occupational exposure to benzene could adversely interfere with the human reproduction and fertility

light microscopic study on the effects of the eletromagnetic waves arising from the mobile phone onthe rat cerebellum

This work was performed to study the effects of the electromagnetic waves emitted from the mobile phone on the cerebellum cortex of adult albino rats. A total number of 48 rats was used in this study. The animals were divided into three groups [control, sham-exposed and exposed]. Mobile phones were switched on for 20 minutes daily for two months. The animals of each group were sacrificed at the end of the experiment. Intra-cardiac perfusion with a fixative was performed. The cerebellum of each animal was extracted and processed for examination. For examination by light microscope, gallocyanine stain, toluidine blue stain and Golgi impregnation technique were used. Gallocyanine stain was performed for the evaluation of the layering pattern and cellular constituents of each layer. Toluidine blue stain was used for the examination of semithin sections. Golgi impregnation technique was limited for evaluating the cerebellar granular and Golgi neurons. In the control group, there was a complete and mature layering pattern of the cerebellar cortex. The cerebellar cortex consists of an outer molecular layer, middle Purkinje cell layer and an inner granular cell layer. There were no observable changes in either the layering pattern or the cell constituents in all layers of the cerebellar cortex in the sham-exposed group. In the exposed group, there were no observable changes in the layering pattern of the cerebellar cortex. However, there were darkly stained neurons and empty spaces in the granular cell layer denoting a suggested neuronal loss

Evaluation of Two Biologically Active Compounds for Control of Wheat Root Rot and its Causal Pathogens

The main aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of two biologically active compounds (Strom and F-760) in control of wheat root rot disease and its causal organisms. Fusarium graminearum, F. oxysporum, F. solani and Bipolaris sorokiniana were used as target organisms. In vitro, the two compounds showed fungicidal effect on all investigated pathogens resulted in suppression of radial growth and mycelial dry weight of them. Under greenhouse conditions, treatment of wheat grains with either Strom or F-760 before cultivation significantly reduced the percent of disease distribution as well as the mean disease rating of plants in both seedling and flowering stages. Fresh and dry weights of plants as well as water maintenance capacity were increased as the result of applying these compounds as seed dressing. Also data showed that the membrane stability of plants was injured as a result of infection with all investigated organisms, while this injury was alleviated when F-760 and Strom were applied. The K+ efflux and the leakage of UV-absorbing metabolites was stimulated with fungal infection. However, F-760 and Storm treatment partially retarded the stimulatory effect on leakage of K+ and UV-absorbing metabolites of fungal infected plants. On the other side, the fungal infection had inhibitory effects on pigment fractions (chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids) biosynthesis in wheat leaves. This retarding effect was partially or completely alleviated as the grains were treated with the applied compounds.

Effects of cigarette smoking and its cessation on body weight and plasma leptin levels in old male

To determine whether the weight reducing effect of cigarette smoking is mediated by leptin, fasting leptin levels in 22 male smokers [mean age 62 +/- 1 year] and 22 non-smoker males [mean age 64 +/- 1 year] with an age average of 60-65 years for both groups were measured. Mean body mass indices were 27.61 +/- 0.7 and 27.6 +/- 0.07 kg/m2, respectively. Mean leptin levels were 8.4 +/- 1.3 and 5.2 +/- 0.6 ng/ml, respectively. Smokers had a significantly higher leptin levels than nonsmokers. Fasting leptin levels and BMI were re-measured in 13 smokers who successfully gave up smoking for 6 months. Although body weight and BMI significantly increased after six months of smoking cessation, the mean leptin level did not decline significantly. These findings suggested that cigarette smoking directly elevates circulating plasma leptin concentration and this increase may be one of the mechanisms for lowering body weight of smokers in comparison with nonsmokers. However, the effect of cigarette smoking on body weight does not appear to be directly due to the changes in leptin level as evidenced by an insignificant difference between leptin levels in smokers and ex-smokers. Other factors such as hormones involved in body weight regulation and influencing the weight gain after cessation of cigarette smoking should be investigated