Protective effect of vitamin E from cisplatin induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats

Cisplatin is a potent drug which is commonly used in treatment of many tumors; however, its high toxicity limits its use. This work was undertaken to study the histo-chemical and ultrastructural changes in the liver of adult albino rats after injection of cisplatin alone and in association with vitamin E. In rats administrated cisplatin alone, the histochemical study showed a significant decrease in both Periodic acid Schiff's reaction and succinic dehydrogenase activity accompanied with an elevation of acid phosphatase reaction in hepatocytes all over the hepatic lobules. In respect to these light microscopic observations, concomitant electron microscopic study revealed deficiency of glycogen aggregates, mitochondrial changes including; decrease in the number, deformity in shape, and loss of some aristae, beside an increase in the number of lysosomes. In addition, nuclear chromatin condensation and widening of the perinuclear cisternae were commonly observed. On the other hand, administration of vitamin E prior to cisplatin led to relief of these histochemical and ultrastructural abnormalities probably owing to the protective anti-oxidant nature of vitamin E. It would be concluded that the use of cisplatin drug alone is highly hepatotoxic, so it is better to prescribe Vitamin-E together with cisplatin to limit its toxic effects

role of Magnetic resonance urography in the etological diagnosis of upper urinary tract obstruction

We evaluated the role of magnetic resonance urography [MRU] in the diagnosis of the cause and level of. upper urinary tract obstruction as non-invasive technique when the conventional IVU is non conclusive or contraindicated. Our study included 62 patients of them 33 patients with unilateral obstruction, 20 patients with bilateral obstruction and 9 patients with obstructed solitary kidney. Non enhanced T2-weighted MRU was done to diagnose the etiology of uretral obstruction compared to the gold standard of diagnosis of obstruction which was retrograde or antegrade urography, uretroscopy or open surgery. We found that in calcular obstruction the sensitivity specificity and overall accuracy were respectively [70.6%, 97.1% and 83,5%] while for non-caleular obstruction were [95.8%, 97.1% and 96.3%] there was a statistically significant difference between the sensitivity of MRU in diagnosing the cause of obstruction in calcular and non-calcular etiology in favor of non-caleular obstruction [p value = 0.01]. The overall sensitivity of MRU in diagnosis of the cause of obstruction was 85.4%, specificity of 97.1% overall accuracy of 89.2%. In conclusion MRU is a sensitive test for diagnosis of the level and cause of upper tract obstruction when IVU is contraindicated or non-conclusive in non-caleular obstruction, but the sensitivity is lower in detection of calcular obstruction. The addition of KUB and abdominal ultrasonography increase the sensitivity of MRU in diagnosis of calcular upper urinary tract obstruction

role of unenhanced helical computed tomography scan in the diagnosis of acute renal colic

Patients presenting in the emergency room [ER] with flank pain suggestive of renal or ureteric stones may have alternative underlying conditions mimicking urolithiasis. An early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for urolithiasis and other causes of flank pain is important. The majority of centers around the world are increasingly using un-enhanced helical CT [UHCT] for evaluation of renal colic. This study was conducted to define the importance of UHCT as an alternative to US and IVP in cases of acute renal colic with suspected renal or ureteric stones as a cause of pain and to define the incidence and spectrum of significant incidental diagnosis other than renal or ureteric stones. 43patients presented at ER with acute loin pain were reviewed with UHCT for suspected renal or/ureteral stones. Radiological diagnosis of clinical entities not suspected otherwise was analyzed. All other relevant radiological, biochemical and serological investigations and per-operative findings were also noted. Renal stones were identified in 11 patients [25.6%], ureteral calculi were identified in 16 patients [37.2%], findings of recent passage of calculi in 2 patients [4.7%] and no calculi in 14 patients [32.5%]. Overall the incidental findings [additional or alternative diagnosis] were found in 3 [6.9%] CT scans of all patients; and [21%] of nonurinary calcular patients. Diagnosis was confirmed by peri-operative findings, and other radiological and biochemical investigations or on clinical follow up. UHCT is more beneficial than US and IVP in ER for accurate and rapid management of cases of acute renal colic as a wide spectrum of significant incidental diagnosis - other than stones - can be identified on UHCT performed for suspected renallureteral stones. In the present series of 43 CT examinations, Urolithiasis was appeared in 67.5% of cases. The incidence of incidental diagnosis of pathologies other than urolithiasis was 6.9% of all patients 21% of patients with no calculi

Enumeration and characterization of aeromonas species isolated from farm bulk milk in Mansoura, Egypt

A total of 150 farm bulk-milk samples were collected from different dairy farms in Mansoura province, Egypt and analysed for occurrence of Aeromonas in raw milk samples. Aeromonas species were isolated from 32% of the milk samples, with counts ranged from 10-1x10[5] cfu/ml and a mean value of 3.8 x 10[3] cfu/ml. Of 210 Aeromonas isolates, it was possible to identify as A. hydrophila [57.6%], A. caviae [23.3%], A. sobria and unclassified Aeromonas strains [9.1%]. All motile Aeromonas spp. isolated were tested for capability of growing to refrigeration temperature; protease and lipase activities

IL-10 dynamically regulates granuloma formation in human schistosomiasis: in vitro studies

An in vitro model of granuloma formation was used to study the role of one key cytokine, IL-10, in the regulation of granuloma formation in human schistosomiasis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from unexposed controls and patients who were acutely or chronically infected by Schistosoma mansoni. The cells were cultured in vitro in the presence of polyacrylamide beads, coated with S. mansoni soluble egg antigen [SEA] to assess their ability to form granulomas in vitro. Anti-IL-10 monoclonal antibody was added to these cultures to evaluate the role of IL-10 on granuloma formation. Cells obtained from acutely infected humans formed larger granulomas in vitro than did cells from chronically infected humans. Cells from uninfected individuals did not form significant granulomas in vitro. Anti-IL-10 increased in vitro granuloma formation by cells obtained form chronically infected donors to the level of granuloma formation shown by the cells obtained from acutely infected donors. Anti-IL-10 had no significant effect on granuloma formation by cells obtained from acutely infected or uninfected donors. Therefore, IL-10 is a major cause of the spontaneous modulation of granuloma formation observed in chronic schistosomiasis

Prevalence of enterotoxigenic bacillus cereus in raw and pasteurized milk

A total of 150 milk samples collected from different dairy farms and supermarkets were analyzed for the presence of Bacillus cereus and detection of Bacillus diarrheal enterotoxin using two immunological tests BCET-RPLA and TECRA-VIA kits. Of the 150 milk samples, 40% and 30% of raw and pasteurized milk, respectively, were yielded. B. cereus colonies on Bacillus cereus selective medium were identified biochemically using API 50 CHB and API 20 kits. Twenty-six Bacillus cereus strains showed visible growth at 7C within 10 days. Two different immunological kits for the detection of the diarrheal toxin were compared. TECRA-VIA kit seems to be a reliable and productive than RPLA fit for detection the toxin

Abdominal tumours in infancy and childhood, study of 240 cases

A total of 240 infants and children having abdominal tumors was admitted to the Pediatric Surgery Unit, Mansoura University Hospital, during the period from 1989 to 1994. Their ages ranged from 1 month to 12 years with a mean age 3.1 years. They included 135 males [56.3%] and 105 females [43.7%]. They were presented mainly by abdominal enlargement with other symptoms varying from simple dyspepsia to acute abdomen. This study discussed 5-year experience in different abdominal tumors in infancy and childhood