Cell proliferation of esophageal squamous epithelium in erosive and nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] is a major public health problem that may cause erosive or nonerosive esophagitis in symptomatic patients. The severity of esophagitis in GERD seems to be correlated not only to the amount of reflux and altered motor activity but also to the ability of the mucosa to resist injury and repair the damage. This study aimed to evaluate the cell proliferation status of esophageal epithelium in both normal individuals and patients with GERD with or without erosions and its correlation with the degree of inflammation of the esophagus. This study was carried out on 33 individuals; their ages ranged between 17 and 74 years. All participants were subjected to a clinical assessment and an endoscopic evaluation. Four biopsies were taken using an endoscope at 5 cm from the Z-line; histological esophagitis was identified and graded. Cell proliferation was evaluated by Ki-67 immunostaining. The prevalence of GERD was the highest in the 15-29 years age group [46.43%] and decreased with age. Cell proliferation [estimated by the Ki-67-labeling index [Ki-67 LI]] was reduced in esophageal epithelium in erosive [13.44%] and nonerosive [36.83%] reflux disease in relation to normal individuals [68%]. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between cell proliferation [Ki-67 LI] and the endoscopic grade of esophagitis among patients with erosive disease. However, there was no significant correlation between cell proliferation [Ki-67 LI] and the histological grade of esophagitis in both erosive and nonerosive reflux disease. The ability of the mucosa to resist injury and to repair the damage should be considered a key factor in the development of GERD. Esophageal mucosa exposed to chronic acid insult show reduced cell replication, estimated by the Ki-67 LI. Erosive esophagitis in GERD seems to be related to a low cell proliferation rate of esophageal epithelium rather than the amount of reflux

Biomarkers of the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome

To investigate the association between oxidant/anti-oxidant balance [MDA and paraoxonase] with the degree of severity of metabolic syndrome [MS] that was measured by the pro/anti-inflammatory markers [TNF-alpha and adiponectin] and other clinical and biochemical criteria to find biomarkers identifying patients at risk for cardiovascular disease [CVD]. The study included eighty patients [20 obese diabetics, 20 non-obese diabetics. 20 obese non-diabetics and 20 controls]. Serum levels of adiponectin and TNF-allpha, were analyzed by ELIZA. MDA and paraoxonase activity [PON] were determined by colorimetric method in all patients with or without MS. The international Diabetes Federation [IDF] proposal identified a greater percentage of MS. The highest prevalence was found in females. Serum levels of adiponectin and paraoxonase activity were significantly decreased but serum levels of TNF-alpha and MDA were significantly increased in MS subjects. There was an inverse correlation between number of features of metabolic syndrome [BMI, waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance, blood pressure, TGs and LDL] and protective markers [serum adiponectin and paraxonase levels]. Positive correlation existed with serum TNF-alpha and MDA levels. Metabolic syndrome patients had a higher accumulate [from 3/25 to 9/25 to 13/25]. Triglycerides and TG/HDL-C ratio were significantly positively correlated with TNF-alpha and negatively correlated with adiponectin. Hypoadiponectemia and decreased paraoxonase are associated with higher degree of metabolic alterations of MS. These could be contributing factors to the increased incidence and severity of CVD. These markers levels were significantly changed before accumulation of metabolic criteria indicating their role in production of metabolic syndrome

Effect of prolonged period of starvation on the structure of the testis of albino rat

The adult male albino rats with an average weight of 300 gm were subjected to complete food removal for 7, 11 and 15 days. The testes were then examined histologically and histochemically. The first effect of starvation on the testes was progressive shrinkage of the seminiferous tubule. However, each stage in the maturation process was still evident, especially after 7 days of starvation. After 11, 15 days of starvation there was increased destruction of the luminal cells and the tubular sizes were diminished. These changes were accompanied with progressive thickening of both basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules and the testicular capsule. Additionally there was a marked fibrosis of the interstitial connective tissue. The interstitial Leydig cells were gradually shrank and became masked by the fibrosis

postnatal development of the visual cortex of albino rat and inorganic lead

Albino rats were used in the present study. Two groups of pregnant female animals, one served as control and other as experimental. The experimental mothers were fed with chow, tap water and libitum and 1% lead carbonate, from the first day of parturition. The pups from both groups were taken at the postnatal ages of 3, 9, 12, 15 and 21 days from both groups. Brains were extracted and fixed in 10% neutral formalin. The primary visual cortex was located according to Krieg [1946] map. It was processed for histological technique. Sagittal sections were cut at 10 u thick and stained with Einarsons gallocyanine. This study showed that the development of rat visual cortex is competed about day 21, when the neurons achieve their mature appearance as indicated by the increased size of cell body and nuclei; differentiation of the cells; the nuclei became vesicular with prominent nucleoli and increase Nissl's granules and there was also an increase in thickness of the cortex and a decreased packing of the neurons. The offsprings of rats fed on the inorganic lead starting from day 89, had an extensive changes compared to age matched control. Stratification of the visual cortex comes less distinct all over the ages used. Maturation of layer V and layer II/III is delayed. There is also cavitation, and neurocytic chromatolysis which is pronounced at day 12 and is clearly distinct at day 15. Pericapillary and capillary dilatation are noticed

Cyclophosphamide induced diabetes and histological changes of the endocrine pancreas in mice

This experimental study was done on thirty mice of both sexes. Twenty mice were given the therapeutic dose of cyclophosphamide which was 0.08 mg/kg body weight by intraperitoneal injection weekly for six weeks. The other ten mice were used as controls and were injected with saline. It was found that administration of cyclophosphamide induced hyperglycemia and pancreatic islet changes in eight mice, while the other mice seemed to be unaffected. Microscopical findings in the affected animals revealed hydropic degeneration of the cells islet of Langerhans. Diminution in the amount and marked atrophy of beta cells were also observed. Moreover, there was lymphocytic infiltration in the parenchymatous tissue of the pancreas