N-acetylcysteine attenuates cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity in male albino rats

Cyclosporine A [Cs A] is used for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. However, Cs A-induced nephrotoxicity remains an important clinical problem, and oxidative stress has been implicated as a possible responsible mechanism. We assessed the protective ability of N-acetylcysteine [NAC], an antioxidant, against Cs A-induced nephrotoxicity. Thirty adult male albino rats were used to study the effect of cyclosporine [Cs A] and the action of N-acetylcysteine [NAC] on certain renal parameters; Blood Urea Nitrogen [BUN] and creatinine. Malondialdehyde [MDA] and catalase [CAT] levels were used as biomarker for testing the antioxidant potential of the drug. Endothelin-l[ET-l] levels were estimated in plasma. Animals were randomly assigned into three groups. Group I rats as control, group 2 were treated with Cs A and group 3 with Cs A plus NAC. Cs A administration for 21 days produced elevated levels of MDA and decreased in antioxidant enzyme CAT and deteriorated the renal function as assessed by increased serum Blood Urea Nitrogen [BUN] and creatinine. Plasma ET-l was also elevated as compared to control groups. Oral administration of NAC [140 mg/kg/day] significantly attenuated renal dysfunction, reduced elevated levels of MDA, increased the level of CAT and decreased level of ET- 1. These results indicate that NAC produces a protective mechanism against Cs A-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and suggest a role of Cs A for oxidative stress and the nephroprotective role of NAC against Cs A-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Studying the effect of L-ascorbic acid on oral hypoglycemic drug [gliclazid] in treatment of diabetic albino rats

In this work, thirty adult male albino rats were used to study the effect of L - ascorbic acid on oral hypoglycemic drug [gliclazid] in treatment of diabetic rats. Rats were divided into three equal groups, I, II, III. Rats subjected to induction of diabetes by alloxan 100 mg /kg body weight. Rats showing fasting blood glucose level above 150 mg/dl were selected for the study. Group I received gliclazid 7 mg/Kg body weight Group II received gliclazid 7 mg/kg + L .ascorbic acid [L .A .A] 40 mg/Kg body weight. Group III received gliclazid 7 mg/kg + L .A .A 60 mg/kg body weight. Blood glucose level determined at different time interval after administration of drugs. The study showed that L.A.A produced hypoglycemic effect in a dose dependent manner in diabetic rats. Also, L.A.A/gliclazid produced early onset of action and maintained for long period compared to gliclazid treatment only

Effects of alpha-lipoic acid on induced gastric ulcer in albino rats

This work was designed to study the protective effect of Alpha lipoic acid [ALA] on stress-induced gastric ulcers and to evaluate its effect on gastric secretions in rats exposed to cold restraint stress [CRS], The rats were divided into 2 main groups; [A] and [B] to study the effect of CRS on gastric secretion and ulceration, respectively, and their modulation by Alpha lipoic acid. Group [A] was subdivided into [4] subgroups each consisted of [10] Rats and received ALA in a dose of [50 and 100 mg/kg/day, respectively] for [14 days]. Group [B] was subdivided into [3] subgroups each consisted of [10] Rats and received ALA in a dose of [50 and 100 mg/kg/day, respectively] for [14 days]. The present study showed that, orally administered A LA, in a dose of [50 and 100 mg/kg/day] produced statistically significant reduction of the mean acid concentration and the mean acid output. The mean pepsin concentration was also significantly increased with [P<0.05]: ALA also, produced statistically insignificant reduction of the volume of gastric contents in comparison to the CRS group. ALA [50 mg/kg/day] also, reduced the incidence of ulceration, where the mean ulcer severity score and the ulcer index were significantly reduced with [P<0.05]. The preventive index was [48.8 4%] while ALA in dose [100 mg/kg/day] reduced the incidence of ulceration. The mean ulcer severity score and the ulcer index were insignificantly reduced with [P> 0.05]. With preventive index [28%]. These significant protective effects of ALA may be due to one or more of the following mechanisms; stimulation of PGs synthesis [one of the main inhibitors of gastric acid secretion], increase of the volume of gastric juice probably by an increase in gastric mucus and water secretion and as an antioxidant [ALA is considered as one of the most potent antioxidant, acts intra-and extra-cellular, recycling other antioxidants and possesses metal chelating activity]. It was concluded that; ALA used in the study showed statistically significant effect on all parameters of gastric secretion in comparison to the control group. They also significantly reduced the incidence of ulceration, the mean ulcer severity score and the ulcer index with a good preventive index. This protective anti-ulcer effect may be mediated through PGs whose synthesis is regulated by ALA

Effect of garlic on endogenous antioxidant enzymes and hyperlipidemia induced by cyclosporin - A in albino rats

In this work thirty adult male albino rats were used to study the effect of garlic on antioxidant enzymes and hyperlipidemia induced by cyclosporin A [CsA]. Rats were divided into three equal groups Rats of the first group [control group] were given 1 ml distilled water orally rats of second group were given [25 mg/kg] cyclosporin A intraperitoneally, rats of third group were given [25 mg/kg/daily] cyclosporin A intrapertioneally+garlic tablets 400 mg/kg/daily. At the end of experimental period [28 days] blood level of glutathion peroxidase [G.Px] superoxide dismutase [SOD] and plasma level of malonaldhyde, cholesterol, high density lipoproteins [HDL], low density lipoproteins [LDL] and triglycerides [TG] were determined. The study showed that cyclosporin A produce significant decrease G.Px, SOD, and malonaldhyde and significant increase plasma cholesterol, triglycerides LDL but insignificant changes in HDL as compared to control group. Also the study showed that garlic administration leads to significant increase G.Px, SOD and significant decrease plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL but insignificant changes in plasma malonaldhyde as compared to group treated by cyclosporin A

KTP laser debulking of recurrent nasal polyps: a preliminary report

Surgery for recurrent nasal polyposis is a challenging task. Although surgical lasers were introduced more than 30 years ago, their use and popularity in nasal and sinus disease have been limited. This study was conducted in a prospective manner with the aim of reporting the results of the endoscope assisted KTP laser in debulking recurrent nasal polyps. 25 Patients with recurrent nasal polyps complaining of nasal obstruction refractory to medical therapy were subjected to KTP laser debulking of these polyps under local anesthesia. Five patients were lost in the follow-up period. Subjective assessment of the patients symptoms revealed improvement of all patients at 3 months and of 90% of the patients at 6 and 12 months. Endoscopic examination revealed no polyps at 3 months. Recurrent polyps were detected in 4 patients [20%] at 6 months, 2 of them were symptomatic, so they were subjected to further laser debulking of these polyps. None of our patients had recurrent polyps at 12 months. KTP laser has proved to be an effective tool in debulking recurrent nasal polyps with minimal complications, excellent patients tolerability and recurrence rate which is comparable to conventional endoscopic techniques

Synthesis and mass spectra of some aryl aldehyde thiosemicarbazones

The reaction of ethyl beta-aryl-alpha-cyanoacrylate [1] with thiosemicarbazide in the presence of potassium carbonate gave arylaldehydethiosemicarbazone [3]. Treatment of compound 3 with acetic anhydride, benzoyl chloride and ethyl chloroacetate yielded the corresponding 4-[substituted benzaldehyde-2, 4-diacetytl hiosemicarbazone] [4], 4 [substituted benzaldehyde -2, 4-dibenzoyl thiose micarbazones] [5], and 3-substituted-2-thioxo-imidazolidin-4-one [6]. The mass spectral fragmentation patterns of the compounds 3, 4, 5 and 6 are described

Human telomerase enzyme activity in human hepatoma cell line [HEPG2] and its interaction with the heme oxygenase gene

Objective: to examine the contribution of telomerase and HO-1 in the adaptive cellular response to survive exposure to oxidative stresses in human hepatoma cell line [HepG2]

Materials and Methods: induction and activities of HO and telomerase enzymes were assessed in HepG2 cells in response to oxidative stress [represented by treatment with heme, SnC12 and H202] and in the presence of the HO inhibitor stannic mesoporphyrin [SnMP]. Induction of HO and telomerase mRNA were assessed using RT-PCR and western blotting techniques, while HO and telomerase enzyme activities were assessed spectrophotometrically Cytoprotection against oxidative stress was measured by assessing cell viability using a novel colorimetric method

Results: upregulation of HO-1 provided cytoprotection against oxidative stress while its downregulation increased oxidative stress mediated cell injury without altering telomerase activity. Telomerase was active in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line [HepG2] and human telomerase enzyme catalytic subunit [hTERT] was expressed in telomerase positive cancer cells. However, telomerase activity was not affected by oxidants, heme and H[2]O[2] or downregulation of HO gene activity by SnMP, similarly. hTERT, which is considered as the major regulator of telomerase activity, was not affected by oxidants, inducers or inhibitors of HO activity. On the other hand, HO-1 gene induction stimulated cell proliferation and accelerates cell cycle in HepC2 cells, while inhibition of HO activity augmented the damaging effects of oxidants

Conclusion: Induction of HO-1 gene mediates protection against oxidants and increases cell survival by a mechanism independent of telomerase enzyme activity

Serum transforming growth factor beta1 and prostate specific antigen as markers for localized and metastatic prostate cancer

Objectives: To assess any additional benefits of the estimation of serum TGF-beta 1 over serum prostate specific antigen [PSA] for differentiating localized from metastatic prostatic carcinoma

Patients and Methods: Forty-seven prostate cancer patients [23 with and 24 without metastases] and ten controls were included in the study. Serum PSA was estimated using the chemiluminescent immunometric assay, and serum TGF-beta1 was assessed using the enzyme immunoassay

Results: The mean serum PSA in the localized and metastatic disease groups was significantly higher than that in the control group [p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively], while the mean serum TGF-beta 1 in the metastatic disease group only was significantly higher than in the control group [p<0.01]. The mean serum PSA and TGF-beta 1 in the metastatic disease group were significantly higher than the values in the localized disease group [p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively]. Serum PSA was directly correlated with the Gleason score in both patient groups [localized group: r=0.427, p<0.05; and metastatic group: r=0.425, p<0.05], while serum TGF-beta 1 was directly correlated with the Gleason score in the localized disease group only [r=0.686, p<0.001]. Serum PSA was directly correlated with serum TGF-beta 1 in the metastatic disease group only [r=0.418, p<0.05]

Conclusion: Although we found that both serum PSA and TGF-beta 1 are useful markers for metastatic prostate cancer, we could not detect a specific advantage of TGF-beta 1 over PSA. In the localized form of the disease PSA is a more reliable marker

Ptyrggium and tear film abnormalities

The purpose of this study was to assess state of the precorneal tear film in eyes with pterygium. Thirty patients with unilateral primary pterygium were enrolled. Schirmer's I, basic tear secretion, marginal tear strip and tear film break-up time tests were evaluated in both eyes of each patient. A conjunctival biopsy was taken from both eyes of 12 patients to evaluate goblet cell density. Values of Schirmer's I and basic tear secretion tests were not significantly different between the pterygium and control eyes. BUT, goblet cell density were significantly reduced, as well as abnormalities in the marginal tear strip were detected in eyes with pterygium. Accordingly, tear film dysfunction can be considered as a predisposing factor in the pathogenesis of pterygium

Synthesis and reactions of 2- [2, [2, 4, 6-trimethyl benzoyl] Vinyl] -4H-3, 1-benzoxazin-4-one of expected biological activity

Beta-[2,4,6-trimethyibenzoyl]- acryloyl chloride reacts with anthranilic acid to give [1] which is easily cyclized by the action of acetic anhydride to give the Benzoxazone[2]. Condensation of [2] with hydrazine hydrate give [3]. The behaviour of [3] towards the action of aromatic aldehydes, ketones, phthalic anhydride and phthalyl amino acid chlorides has been investigated. Reactions of [2] with o-phenylene diamine, ammonia, grignard reagents, friedl-crafts reaction and bomine has been described

Warpage and transverse strength evaluation of a micro wave cured acrylic resin bases before and after relining procedure

Microwave processing can produce denture bases with physical properties equal to those processed by conventional methods. This research was carried out to evaluate warpage and transverse strength of microwave cured acrylic resins before and after relining procedures for [warpage test]: The waxed up casts were classified into two groups after being prepared from 10 identical experimental stone casts, 5 for each. The first group flasked, packed and cured acrylic flask using Kichen type microwave oven. The second group was cured by the same previous method. Warpage measured by using a traveling microscope. For transverse strength test [T.S.], 12 specimens were used and divided into two equal groups having the dimension of 65 mm in length, 10 mm in width and 2.5 mm in thickness. The first group was cured by using the Kitchen type microwave, the second group was cured by the same method as in second group for measuring the warpage. All the specimens were kept in a jar containing distilled H20 for 24 hours before testing. They were measured using a hydrolic type machine. This study revealed that there was no significant difference before and after relining procedure with microwave energy as regards of warpage and transverse strength

Use of UV-visible spectrophotometer as a new approach in measuring the residual monomer released from recurring acrylic resin denture base using microwave energy

Release of monomer from a four groups of cured acrylic samples, were prepared by self curing, conventional heat curing and by microwave energy in acrylic and fiber glass flasks. The amount of monomer released were determined by using UV-visible spectrophotometer as a new method. The release data indicated that the self cured samples release a much higher amount of monomer and continue to release a long time in comparison with the other cured samples. While the conventional cured specimens showed the lowest amount of released monomer. On the other hand, the amount of released monomer from the specimens produced by the acrylic flask was slightly higher than that by the fiber glass flasks and both of them showed slightly higher amount of monomer than that produced by the conventional method

Work sampling of nurses activities at Tanta University hospital

The purpose of this study was to determine how nursing service personnel at TUH use their time inn direct and indirect care. The results indicated that for all the components of activities, direct nursing care received the least attention. The highest proportion of time was utilized by nursing personnel on personal and standby activities including administration, clerical, house keeping, dietary and messenger activities. In general nursing personnel were found to provide more indirect care to patient and less direct care on all in- patient units. In view of these findings, the study seeks to place some emphasis on the problem of the utilization of nurses' skill at TUH and to relate some relevant patterns of their performance to certain institutional factors

Use of daily census data in determining the efficiency of hospital units and examining the concept of consolidation

This study was conducted to investigate the use of the daily census to determine the operational efficiency of hospital units and to examine the effect of consolidation of these units within and between hospitals on operational efficiency. The study was conducted in the 3 surgical sections of Abdel-Nasser Hospital and the corresponding 3 sections of Karmouz Hospital. Results of the study indicated that the coefficient of variation and the overfilling rate are important indices complement the occupancy rate for measuring the efficiency of hospitals and units. Results also indicate that great savings in terms of hospital beds and operating expenses can be accomplished by consolidating the 3 sections within each hospital as well as consolidating the 6 sections in the two hospitals

Determination of population's opinion regarding utilization of Mahelet Marhoum Hospital

A previous study by Amer et al., [1984], revealed that MMH continuously showed the lowest utilization rates among El-Gharbia hospitals. Therefore, this population survey study was carried out with the aim of revealing the reasons why MM population refrained from using their district hospital. The most frequently mentioned reasons stated by those admitted to other hospitals and those never hospitalized were related to unavailability of doctors, equipment and facilities in MMH. Technical inefficiency was the main reason of dissatisfaction from doctors as mentioned by those admitted to MMH, while lack of "caring" for patients was the major reason of dissatisfaction from nurses and other subprofessionals. Other reasons included geographic inaccessibility of the hospital. Cost formed no barrier to utilization, while problems related to uncleanliness were few. Finally, it was revealed that the higher the level of education of respondents the more inclined they were not to use MMH

study of patients with acute poisoning admitted to Alexandria main university hospital during the year 1977

During the year 1977, 1830 patients with acute poisoning were admitted to Alexandria Main University Hospital, constituting 12% of the total medical admissons. These cases were analysed as regards age, sex, days of admission, duration of stay in hospital and type of poisoning. The females outnumbered males. More than half the cases were in the age group 15 to 25 years. Saturday showed most of the admissions. More cases were admitted during July and August. Moharem Bey is the district referring most of the cases. The highest load of admission was during the night shift. The type of poisoning was known in 67.3%. Three quarters of the patients stayed in the hospital less than one day