Study of cases of children with mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis attending Alexandria university children's hospital

Objective: the present study was conducted to study files of pediatric mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis [MesPGN] cases attending Alexandria university children's hospital [AUCH] nephrology clinic during the period from [2001-2012] to identify their clinical presentations, course, complications, management and outcome

Methods: this was a retrospective study of children with MesPGN over the mentioned period. It included 37 patients. Data were collected from the files of all children diagnosed as having MesPGN and included personal characteristics, initial clinical presentation, investigations, renal biopsy reports, complications and treatment

Results: the mean age of disease onset in the studied cases was 4.51 years +/- 3.16. There was no significant difference in gender distribution. The most common presentation of primary MesPGN was nephrotic syndrome, while the secondary MesPGN mainly presented with lupus nephritis. Almost all patients had proteinuria. Hematuria was present in nearly half of the patients. Immunofluorescence studies were done only for 17 renal biopsies, 10 of them revealed deposits for immunoglobulins and 32.4% underwent remission while 10.8% died. Different treatment modalities were used according to the presentation

Conclusion: MesPGN is a heterogeneous disease with a wide range of presentations and its outcome varies accordingly, so it can't be considered a special entity like FSGS

Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in Egyptian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria [ASB] and associated risk factors were investigated in 100 Egyptian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 100 age and sex matched healthy controls. All were subjected to clinical evaluation and assessment of mean random blood glucose, mean glycosylated hemoglobin [HbAlc]; microalbuminuria and midstream urinary samples were collected for complete urine analysis and two consecutive urine cultures and sensitivity tests. The prevalence of ASB was higher among diabetics than controls [30% versus 14%, p<0.01] and was more among older age [p=0.033] and female patients [p<0.001]; especially postpubertal. Microalbuminuria [36.7%] and microvascular complications [50%] were significant risk factors for ASB in patients while metabolic control and disease duration were not relevant to ASB [p>0.05]. Pyuria was a strong predictor of bacteriuria in patients [80%] and controls [100%]. The most common isolates were E. coli in patients [30%] and Pseudomonas in controls [57.1%]. Gram positive isolates were detected in 46.7% of diabetic patients but not in controls. ASB is more prevalent among type 1 diabetic patients in the pediatric age group. Screening for ASB is warranted in diabetic patients with risk factors especially if pyuria is detected in their urine analysis

Changes produced by "nandrolone" in the general structure and ultrastructure of skeletal muscle fibers

Anabolic androgenic steroids [AAS] are compounds formed from testosterone or one of its derivatives, which are largely used by amateur and professional athletes to improve the athletic performance. Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid widely used in some sports in which muscle mass and strength are important factors. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of nandrolone on skeletal muscle general structure and ultrastucture. Male albino rats were used in this study. They were divided into two groups, control and treated groups. The treated group received i.m. injections of Deca-Durabolin for 10 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the animals were anaesthetized, and blood samples were obtained for determination of both lactate dehydrogenase [LD] and creatine kinase [CK] activity then soleus muscles were removed for light and electron microscopic studies. Nandrolone treatment caused variation in size and shape of muscle fibers. Small atrophic angular fibers next to hypertrophic ones were seen. Muscle fibers were separated with increased connective tissue. Cross sectional area [CSA] of muscle fibers were slightly increased. The mean LD activity was increased and the mean CK activity was markedly increased. In conclusion nandrolone produced hypertrophy of the skeletal muscles

Apoptosis in normal and diabetic human placenta: light and electron microscopic study

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is an active process by which dysfunctional cells are eliminated to maintain normal tissue function. Apoptosis is important for normal placental development. Apoptotic cells have been identified in both the maternal and fetal compartments of the placenta during normal pregnancy. The aim of this work was to study the physiologically occurring phenomenon "apoptosis" in full term normal placentas compared with diabetic ones. Ten multipara full term pregnant women were used in this study. They were divided into two groups, control group contained five normal women, and diabetic group, contained five diabetic women treated with insulin during pregnancy. Placental specimens were obtained immediately after normal vaginal delivery and were processed for both light and electron microscopic examination. Light and electron microscopic examination of normal specimens showed the normal structure of chorionic villi of full term placenta. Apoptotic cells were detected normally in all layers of placental villi. Light microscopic examination, of the diabetic placental specimens showed many degenerated chorionic villi. Its, syncytiotrophoblastic covering was thin, degenerated and necrotic. Syncytial knots were more frequently observed. Collagen fibers were increased in stroma of the degenerated villi. Fetal capillaries were dilated, congested and lined by degenerated endothelial cells. Apoptotic cells appeared more numerous in all layers of diabetic placental villi compared to controls. Electron microscopic examination of diabetic placental villi revealed destruction of syncytial microvilli. Syncytial cytoplasm was markedly vacuolated. Trophoblastic basement membrane was irregularly thickened. Marked increase of collagen fibers was observed in the villous stroma. Fetal capillaries were extremely dilated and were lined by degenerated endothelial cells. Apoptotic cells were more frequently seen in all layers of placental villi compared to normal ones. In conclusion, apoptosis occurred physiologically in normal placenta and increased dramatically in diabetic placenta

Comparative study of the toxic and histopathological effects of domestic butane and town gases mice

This work aimed to study pathological changes in different parenchymatous organs of mice acutely exposed to different concentrations of butagas and town gas. It was conducted on 35 mice divided into seven groups of five mice each, one group acted as a control. The animals were decapitated and blood samples were taken to detect level of COHb. Brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys were studied histopathologically to detect different pathological changes. No significant morphological difference between both gases of the same concentration was detected. The changes were in the form of edema, hemorrhage and mild inflammatory infiltrate with sublethal doses; while with lethal doses, necrotic foci were detected in some organs

Histophysiologial changes in renal functions of hypercholesterolaemic ovariectomized adult rat

The current study was designed to elucidate the histophysiological changes in renal functions as well as the structural and ultrastructural changes in renal functions as well as the structural and ultrastructural changes of kidneys in hypercholesterolaemic intract and ovariectomized rats. Sixty female albino rats were used, half of them were fed on high cholesterol diet for four months, while the other half were fed on ordinary diet. Compared to control intact rats either fed on ordinary diet or high cholesterol diet, ovariectomy produced a significant decrease in serum levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL], while serum levels of total cholesterol showed marked elevations. Serum albumin level decreased in both groups after ovariectomy, while albuminurea was present in intact hypercholesterolaemic group and ovariectomized hypercholesterolaemic group. Ovariectomy induced elevation of serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid and calcium levels in both groups. Body weight and blood pressure significantly increased after ovariectomy in both groups. Also, ovariectomy induced marked elevation in serum levels of luteinising hormone [LH] and follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] in rats fed on ordinary diet and high cholesterol diet. The histological results showed that, in ovariectomized rats fed ordinary diet, many glomeruli remained intact, moderate glomerular mononuclear cell infiltration and minimal tubular dilatation was observed. In hypercholesterolaemic ovaraiectomized group. Glomerular focal atrophy or necrosis with mononuclear cell infiltration was observed. Collagen laydown in the intersitium with atrophic dilated tubules containing the protein casts. We conclude that sex-related factors regulated by the ovaries may play an inhibitory role in the development of glomerulosclerosis

Electrolytes profile in IDDM: special emphasis on calcium metabolism

This study was carried out to detect the changes in serum electrolytes including calcium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium in children with IDDM. Kidney functions as well as full urine examination were done together with the calcium in 24 hours urinary specimens to detect hypercalciuria and its relation to any kidney damage in these children. The study included 40 children, 22 males and 18 females [mean age 9.1 +/- 2.2 years]. They were classified into Group Ia and Ib i.e. those who did not present clinically and those who presented clinically with diabetic ketoacidosis. Twenty healthy children of the same age and socioeconomic status served as control group [Group II]. All children were subjected to full history taking and thorough clinical examination. They were investigated for random blood glucose, serum creatinine, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum electrolytes [sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus]. Urine was examined for glucose, nitrites, ketones, albumin and casts. A 24 hours urinary specimen was tested for calcium as well as for creatinine levels. The results showed significant increase in level of serum alkaline phosphatase in Groups Ia +Ib when compared to controls. There was no significant difference in serum sodium level in group Ia while a significant decrease was detected in Group lb when compared to control. There was no significant difference in levels of both groups Ia, Ib when compared to control group. There was significant increase in serum phosphorus in group Ia but no significant difference in group Ib when compared to controls. Serum creatinine showed no significant difference in both groups Ia, lb when compared to control group. Hypercalcemia was detected in both groups Ia and lb when compared to control group. Correlation studies were carried out between variants and showed significant positive correlation between glycosuria and hypercalcemia in group Ia and significant positive correlation was detected between ketonemia and hypercalcemia in group Ib and perfect positive correlation between urinary calcium excretion in mg/kg/24 hours and urinary calcium/creatinine ratio in both groups Ia and lb. No significant correlation was detected between duration of IDDM and height or weight percentiles and urinary calcium excretion in groups Ia and Ib. So routine laboratory examination of urinary calcium excretion is recommended in diabetic children to avoid or to early predict hypercalciuria in these children which may result in bone mineral toss and to formation of stones