Therapeutic effects of an ethanolic olive leaves extract or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells against liver injury induced by gamma radiation

Background: Ionizing radiation absorption causes immediate biochemical, sub cellular and cellular damage, while its morphological expression and organ dysfunction are often considerably delayed. This study was aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic effects of ethanolic olive leaves extract or bone marrow derived-mesenchymal stem cells [BM-MSCs] transplanted in the liver of rats exposed to gamma radiation. For this purpose, hematological and biochemical parameters were determined

Materials and methods: 50 adult male albino rats [Sprague dawely strain] were used in this study. They were divided into 5 groups [C group: Untreated control rats; R group: rats exposed to a single dose of gamma-radiation [6 Gy], OLE group: rats treated with olive leaves extract [15 mg /kg body weight / day for 30 days], R+OLE group: animals of this group were irradiated with 6Gy then treated with OLE [15 mg /kg body weight/ day] after 3 hours post irradiation for 30 days. and R+MSCs group: Mesenchymal stem cells-irradiated animals [MSCs +R]: animals of this group were irradiated with 6Gy then injected after 6hours post irradiation with [BM-MSCs] 3x10[6] cells/ml suspension through caudal vein. All these groups were subjected to hematological and biochemical investigations

Results: Hematological and liver function changes were shown in gamma irradiated rats, these changes included a significant depression in hematological parameters of blood such as [RBCs, Hb, Hct and WBCs] and a significant increase in liver parameters [ALT,AST and ALP] at different intervals of the experiment in comparison with the control group. These changes manifested good amelioration in the exposed groups by using either olive leaves extract [OLE] or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells [BM-MSCs]

Conclusion: Ethanolic olive leaves extracts and mesenchymal stem cells have ameliorated hematological and biochemical parameters changes in liver of the irradiated group. Their actions may be due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

Expression of heparanase gene in Egyptian acute leukemia patient

Heparanase is an endoglycosidase that degrades heparin sulfate, the main polysaccharide constituent of the extracellular matrix and basement membrane. Expression of the heparanase gene is associated with the invasive, angiogenic, and metastatic potential of diverse malignant tumors and cell lines. to investigate possible relation/correlation between Heparanase gene expression and quantitation in pediatric Acute leukemia patients and clinicopathologic variables as well as patients outcome in an attempt to determine it's prognostic value and the possibility of using it as a new target for treatment. Forty pediatric acute leukemia patients [20 acute myeloid leukemia [AML] and 20 acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL] as well as 11 normal volunteers were analyzed for the expression and level of Heparanase gene using real time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RTQ-PCR] to investigate a possible relation, association, or correlation with the clinical and laboratory features of patients at diagnosis, and patient outcome after treatment and follow up. Comparing the 3 groups as regards the Heparanase gene level there was high statistical significant difference [p<0.001] being maximum in AML and minimum in controls, with mean Relative quantitation [RQ] level 2336.2 +/- 10405.2 in AML ,median 8.0 and range [3.1-46543.0], while mean RQ in ALL was 1.7 +/- 1.0 ,median 1.7 and range [0.1-3.1] and in controls mean was 0.8+/-0.3, median 0.8 and range [0.4-1.4].Comparison between each 2 groups as regards heparanase level was of high statistically significant difference, p value being [p<0.001] when comparing AML/ALL and AML/controls and [p=0.035] when comparing ALL/controls. Cut off value for heparanase gene was calculated using Roc curve and was found to be 1.413 with 80% sensitivity and 100% specificity. According to this cut off level, 20/20 [100%] AML cases were heparanase positive, 12/20 [60%] [[ALL] cases were heparanase positive and 8/20 ALL patients were negative, while all controls [100%] were negative. This was of high statistical significance [p<0.001]. Comparing the overall survival [OS] of AML/ALL there was no statistically significant difference [p=0.2916], while comparing the disease free survival [DPS] of AML/ALL was of statistical significant difference [0.0312]. Comparing the final status of the disease [complete remission [CR]/ progressive disease [PD] or death] as regards the heparanase gene level RQ, showed a high statistical significant difference [p<0.005] with the level being higher in patients with PD/death. There was no significant correlation between all group and heparanase gene level as regards age, TLC, hemoglobin, platelets and peripheral blood blasts [p=0.353,0.704,0.844,0.54 and 0.097] respectively, while there was significant negative correlation on comparing bone marrow blast% and heparanase gene level [r=-0.408 and p=0.09]. Heparanse gene is expressed in acute leukemia being higher in AML than ALL and controls. Patients with higher heparanase gene showed poorer outcome. These findings suggest that heparanase gene may be a novel significant therapeutic target for acute leukemia

Impact of eversion technique in carotid endarterectomy: Mansoura experience

To review our experience in eversion technique in carotid endarterectomy in patients with carotid artery stenosis with particular attention to restenosis, occlusion, recurrent stroke or TIA. This prospective study included 12 patients with symptoms of unilateral carotid artery stenosis who were investigated, operated and followed up in Vascular Surgery Unit of Mansoura University Hospital during the period from July 2004 to January 2008. Eversion carotid endarterectomy [ECEA] was carried out for all patients. Carotid restenosis rate [>50%] during follow up was [0%] after eversion CEA at the end of the study. The cumulative stroke free survival rate was 85.7% at the end of the study. ECEA is a feasible and safe alternative technique for management of extracranial carotid stenosis, an excellent technique for handling of the kink, spiral or redundant internal carotid artery. It can be performed while patients under local or general anesthesia according to the general condition and cooperation of the patient

Medical ethics and organ transplantation

The objections to live-organ donation are hidden under philosophical, religious and cultural reasons. On the other hand, the foundations of live-organ donation include short time on the waiting list, better quality of the graft, promotion of autonomy and ultruism as well as the benefits of both the donor and the recipient. The study concluded that live-organ donation is an ethical medical practice as it satisfies the human need, promotes the highest moral values like love and compassion, has a quasi-religious tone and satisfies the psycho- social needs of both the donor and the recipient. There are strict rules to be considered in this practice, such as the consideration of the free and the well-informed consent, neither harming nor reciprocating harm, the assurance of clear motivations behind and the consideration of human dignity in life and death

Micropouch vertical banded gastroplasty - new technique evaluation

In this study, 500 patients underwent the micropouch vertical banded gastroplasty [VBG], the median age was 35 years with a median preoperative BMI of 70 kg/m. The micropouch was constructed using single TLH55 stapler through a mini incision. The outlet of the tubular micropouch was banded with a prolene mesh. 98% of the patients showed a good control of their weight within five years and 2% started to gain weight after the first year. The mean operating time was 35 minutes. The use of small single stapler allowed the procedure through a mini incision. The incidence of intraoperative gastroesophageal perforation was 0.6%. The incidence of postoperative leak was 0.2%. Thirty patients were complaining of solid food intolerance. The mortality rate was 0.6%

strategy of wide local excision followed by postoperative radiotherapy in adult rhabdomyosarcoma: is it worthwhile?

This study was done on 20 patients with adult rhabdomyosarcoma of lower extremities. They were subjected to careful history taking, general and local examination. Investigations were done to confirm the diagnosis and to be sure that there was no distant metastasis. They included biopsy [Tru-Cut, incision and excision], plain X-ray chest, computed tomography [CT] chest, bone scan and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] on the tumor area. The preoperative investigations included complete blood picture, liver functions, serum creatinine, blood sugar and ECG. Operation was done in the form of wide local excision [conservative surgery or limb salvage technique]. Radiotherapy was applied at the tumor area after surgery in the form of 6000 rad divided on six doses over six weeks. A long-term follow up for two years was done regarding local recurrence, distant metastasis and other complications

T2 versus T2 and T3 endoscopic sympathetic ablation in primary palmar hyperhidrosis

Between June 2000 and April 2002, 112 sympathectomies were performed on 56 patients suffering from isolated palmar hyperhidrosis. Both sides were operated during the same surgical procedure using 5 mm 0-degree laparoscope. All patients were placed in a semi-sitting position under single lumen endotracheal anesthesia. Electrocute ablation of T2 ganglion and any Kuntz fibers was performed in 28 patients [group I] and similar procedure on T2 and T3 ganglion was performed in the other 28 patients [group II]. The procedure was accomplished within 12 minutes [range 7-20 minutes] for both sides. All patients were discharged within eight hours after conventional chest X-ray. Fifty-four patients were followed up for a mean of 17 months [2 patients lost the follow up]. The study concluded that the incidence of compensatory hyperhidrosis can be greatly decreased by limiting sympathetic ablation to T2 only in the treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis with a high subjective patient-satisfaction

Klatskin tumour prelimenary results with multimodality treatment

In this study, 24 patients with bile duct cancers were evaluated for the possibility of a surgical intervention. Eleven patients were excluded from the study due to advanced disease and late presentation, advanced cirrhosis and patients factors. Thirteen patients were operated on. The most common presenting symptoms were jaundice [77%], weight loss [61%] and vague abdominal pain [54%]. Two patients had a history of biliary procedure [cholecystectomy] for symptoms of biliary tract disease. The mean duration of symptoms ranged from 3 months to 1.5 years

Human leucocyte antigen [HLA] class one [A1, B7] and class two [DR-11] are new factors affecting the incidence of colonic carcinoma

The problem of colonic carcinoma is still a dilemma regarding, diagnostic and therapeutic strategy. Many factors have been found to affect the incidence of this type of cancer such as age, sex, diet and previous abdominal surgery. A survey study revealed that in normal [control] population HLA-A1 was positive in about 50%. HLA-B7 was positive in about 8% and HLA-DR11 was positive in about 40%. The aim of this study was to find a relation between the above-mentioned types of HLA and the increased or decreased risk of incidence of colonic carcinoma. Thirty patients were diagnosed after using: careful history taking, clinical examination, laboratory, and radiological investigations. Finally colonoscopy and biopsy were done. Detection of [HLA- A1. B7] was done serologically using Sigma USA. Detection of [HLA-DR 11] was done using lymphobeads method [Biotest Great Britain [UK] Itd]. HLA-A1 was found to be positive in eight patients while HLA-B7 was positive in seven patients, and HLA-DR 11 was positive in ten patients. HLA-A1 positive results were associated with increased risk of incidence of colonic carcinoma by 45%, while HLA-B7 positive results were associated with increased risk of incidence by 233% and presence of HLA-DR11 positive results were associated with decreased risk incidence by 80%. So we can consider the above-mentioned HLA types as new factors affecting the incidence of colonic carcinoma