In vitro evaluation of antioxidant, anticancer, and antiviral activities of exopolysaccharide from Streptomyces hirsutus NRC2018

An exopolysaccharide Exopolysaccharide (EPSNC2) produced from marine Streptomyces hirsutus NRC2018 whichwas isolated from marine sediments at North Coast, Egypt with accession number MK050544. EPSNC2 was a β-typeheteropolysaccharide contained uronic acid (72.73%) with no sulfate groups and overall average molecular weight(Mw) 4.25×105 g/mol. The monosaccharide composition was glucuronic:galacturonic:glucose:mannose:arabinosewith molar ratio 1.2:0.6:0.1:0.2:0.1, respectively. EPSNC2 was subjected to antioxidant, anticancer, and antiviralin vitro tests, showed high 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity whereas, the maximumantioxidant activity was 95.9% at 1,500 µg/ml after 120 minutes and the IC50 value was 158.5 µg/ml. Also, EPSNC2had the ability to scavenge H2O2 and the maximum activity was 75.6% with an estimated IC50 value 501.2 µg/ml.Furthermore, EPSNC2 showed a reducing power activity as well as a metal chelating activity in a dose dependantmanner and the activity reached 98.5% at 1,000 µg/ml. EPSNC2 had a significant and specific anticancer effect onCaCo-2 cell line without any effect on other cell lines and the IC50 was estimated to be 295.1 µg/ml. Our resultsregarding the antiviral activity against Herpes Simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), Hepatitis A virus, and Coxsackie B-4were 84.9%, 20.3%, and 45.4%, respectively at 125 µg/ml with no activity against adenovirus. Therefore, the EC50value against the enveloped virus HSV-1 was 32.4 µg/ml.

Protective effect of broccoli and ferulic acid on imidacloprid-induced hepatotoxicity in rat

Imidacloprid may induce oxidative stress leading to generate free radicals and alternate oxygen free radical scavenging enzyme system. This study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of broccoli water extract and ferulic acid on imidacloprid induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in male albino rats. Rats were co-treated with broccoli water extract [200 mg/kg] or ferulic acid [20 mg/kg] with imidacloprid [80 mg/kg] orally for 28 days. The results revealed that imidacloprid induced high serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]. However, administration of broccoli and ferulic acid reduced these parameters. Broccoli and ferulic acid significantly [Pbroccoli and ferulic acid treated groups. The possible mechanism of broccoli and ferulic acid extract on imidacloprid might be due to decreasing oxidative stress [LPO, NO and DNA damage] and increasing GSH content. Thus, broccoli and ferulic acid was suggested to protected rat's liver against imidacloprid-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in liver

Inactivation of avian influenza virus using commercial chemical disinfectants in small scale poultry production

Two commercial chemical disinfectants which are commonly used currently in the Egyptian markets were tested individually for effectiveness against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus [HPAIV]A/chicken/Egypt/13VIR3729/4/2013 [H5N1]., which currently hit the Egyptian poultry farms at 2013, The tested agents were sodium hypochlorite 5% available chlorine [NaOCL] and PERACLEAN 5%[registered][Peroxyacetic Acid4.9% and hydrogen peroxide 26.5%]. The test was performed in accordance to the guidelines of American environmental protection agency [EPA], using a carrier test with surfaces [coupons] designed specially to mimic the poultry house floor and made from concrete cement, [under dirty condition resembled phase two, step two of European Committee for Standardization [CEN]. At room temperature which mimic the field condition in the Egyptian poultry farms, both sodium hypochlorite with concentration [250ppm], and PERACLEAN 5%[registered]with concentration [1%], were not able to inactivate the virus after 5 minutes contact time, while inactivation was achieved within 30 minutes contact time, which proved one of the golden rules when applying a disinfectant, that was allowing the increase of contact time between the disinfectant and influenza virus

Sporicidal activity of some disinfectants against clostridium perfringens isolated from broiler poultry litter

Necrotic enteritis and the subclinical form of Clostridium perfringens infection in poultry are caused by C. perfringens type A, producing the alpha toxin, and to a lesser extent type C, producing both alpha toxin and beta toxin C and have become serious threats to poultry health. This study was undertaken to determine the activity of 4 commonly available disinfectants against C. perfringens spores after 5,7.5,10,15,30 and 60 minutes of contact under dirty conditions, Of the 4 products tested, calcium hypochlorite 1% and Germicidan KOK 4% achieved the required reduction in microbial viability [>/=10[3]-fold] for relatively long contact times of 30 min, under dirty [3% yeast] conditions, One product [Biosentury 904, 2% conc] achieved the required reduction in microbial viability [>/=10[3]-fold] for contact times of 10 minutes, while Prophyl 75,1% concentration. achieved the required reduction in microbial viability [>/=10[3]-fold] for contact times of 5minutes.Upon addition of formic acid 2% and urea 1% the required reduction improved for [Biosentury 904, 2% conc] and Prophyl 75,1% concentration and achieved after 5 minutes and after 7.5 minutes for Germicidan KOK 4% while calcium hypochlorite was not improved by addition of formic acid 2% or urea 1%. Application of surface test using the four disinfectants was used alone and in combination with formic acid 2% or urea 1% showed nearly the same results obtained in the suspension test

Biological evaluation of fungal deteriorated archeological wood [Islamic period] and the impact of using some fungicides

EIGHTY SEVEN fungal isolates were obtained from the surface of biodeteriorated ceiling wood [No.1803, 1539] from the Islamic museum, Cairo. Egypt [Islamic period]. Isolates belonging to eight main genera of fungi were identified, in the following frequencies: Acremonium 2,3%,, Alternaria 11,5%, Aspergillus 37.8%, Botryotrichum 2.3%,, Epicoccum 3.5%,, Fusarium 6.9%,, Penicillium 29,9°/o and Stemphvlium 5.7%. In a series of trials cellulase production was maximal for all fungal strains when grown on medium containing 4-6% of wood straw [at pH 4.5-5 after 1015 days at 30°C, whereas the maximum production of pectinase was attained on medium containing 6% wood straw at pH 4.5-5 after 10-15 days at 30°C -35°C. Application of the fungicides dichioroxylenol, paracresol anc pentachiorophenol are recommended for use at 1000, 500 and 1000 ppm respectively, based on protection of artificially infected wood. Infected wood lost 40.1% of its bending strength, loss was attained increased density and water absorption compared with non infected wood. The lowest bending strength loss was attained with dichloroxylenol [14.5%] followed by wood treatment with pentachiorophenol or paracresol [34.2%]

Intercanthal Distance of a Sudanese Population Sample as a Reference for Selection of Maxillary Anterior Teeth Size

Background: The choice of the size of artificial teeth takes an important place in the removable prosthodontic treatment. However; the standards or proportions commonly used as a guide have been developed mainly on Caucasian populations. Objectives: to investigate the relationship between intercanthal distance and the anterior maxillary teeth size in Sudanese population. Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional study conducted in 114 subjects; (45 males - 69 females); from Khartoum and Juba Universities. The age range was from 18-46 years. The intercanthal distance (I.C.D) was the measurement taken between the median angles of the palpabral fissure. Maxillary intercanine distance was obtained by measuring a line from the tip of the canine on one side; to the canine on the other side. An electronic digital caliper (Narex - Czechoslovakia) was used for all measurements. Data were analyzed using Person chi-square test. Results: a significant correlation is found between intercanthal distance and maxillary intercanine distance in all subjects (P-value 0.015); and in females who had a (P-value of 0.006).Maxillary intercanine distance may be estimated by dividing I.C.D by factor 0.9. Conclusion: These results could be used as a helpful guide for selection of anterior teeth width in the Sudanese population

Transient ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrostomy is kidney saving procedure

This study was conducted to present the outcome of the transient ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrostomy [US-PCN] as a kidney saving procedure in cases with obstructive uropathy with or without ipsilateral infection. Between Jan 2000 and Jan 2009, 1283 transient percutaneous ultrasound-guided nephrostomy [unilateral or bilateral] were performed for 1105 patients. Patients were classified into three groups according to the main indications of PCN insertion. Group-I; 427 patients were suffering of obstructive uropathy and impaired renal function. In group-II, 522 PCN was performed for 516 patients with acute renal failure due to non-malignant obstructive uropathy. While in group-Ill, 162 patients with either pyonephrosis or infected hydronephrosis were urgently needed PCN drainage. The mean age was 51 +/- 4 years old [range: 16-87 years old], 852 males [77.1%] and 253 females [22.9%]. Two techniques were used to achieve the proper drainage; the one-shot for clear urine or Seldinger for cases with turbid urine. Transient unilateral US-PCN was inserted in 927, while the other 178 cases nephrostomy were bilaterally [356] performed. Significant improvement was determined in 79% of the patients [P<0.005] one month after drainage and they scheduled for definitive management. The mean serum creatinine of all patients was significantly dropped [P<0.01] from 4.7 mg/dL to 1.3 mg/dL after one month of the renal drainage. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrostomy was achieved without major complications in all patients apart of 3 cases with severe bleeding and 8 patients developed acute pyelonephritis. Transient PCN is a reliable, rapid, mostly easy, and effective method to save the kidney and it associated with low complications rate

Learning styles of the undergraduate nursing students

The student population in universities is very diverse ranging ages, experiences cultures, level of preparedness and learning styles. This diversity presents academic with increasing challenges to motivate and promote student understanding. In recent years increased attention has been directed toward assessing and improving academic quality and enhancing learning opportunities in higher education in Egypt. [Helal 2008]. The phrase learning style refers to the method one's uses to obtain and use information to learn. Kolb's Learning Style Inventory was used to assess preferences for learning styles. KoIb Learning style inventory [LSI] remains one of the most widely distributed instruments used in higher education, since it is based on a wounded theoretical base of Experiential learning theory [Honigsfeld and Schiering, 2004 and KoIb 2007]. Identify the dominant learning style of the undergraduate nursing students. This study is a descriptive study. The study done at Faculty of Nursing Ain Shams University. A total of 210 undergraduate nursing students were included in the study [54 male and 156 female]. The mean age of the study group was [21.3 +/- 2.8] years. Regarding the student's learning mode the higher score obtained in the stage cycle of learning for the first, second, third and fourth year students was [AE] active experimentation or 'doing'. The concrete experience [CE] or "feeling" was the last learning stage cycle preferences selected by the first, second, and third year students. Fourth year students second stage of learning cycle was abstract conceptualization [AC] or "thinking" and their last choice was reflective observation or [RO] "watching". The results of[AC-RO] indicate that the student's dominant learning dimension was processing dimension. The dominant learning style for the first, second and fourth year students was "converge" which and "accommodator" for the third year students. There was a statistical significant difference amongstudents regarding their learning style. Undergraduate nursing students vary in their learning style. The four Kolb learning styles were represented among the study sample. The processing dimension is the dominant learning dimension among undergraduate nursing students and the majority of the undergraduate nursing students in the study sample were "converger". Further research in the field of students learning still needed using a larger sample size

Prevalence of bovine infection with mycobacterium bovis some Egyptian Governorates

One hundred and thirty seven [4.6%] out of 3000 cattle at different ages from seven governorates of Egypt [Qualubia, Sharkia; Gharbia, Giza, Behira, Sohag and Ismailia] were found positive for tuberculosis by single inradermal [SID] tuberculin Bacteriological examination of tested samples from slaughtered reactor cattle revealed the isolation and identification of Mycobacterium bovis [M. bovis] and Mycobacterium other than tuberculosis [MOTT] in 90 [65.7%] and 7 [5.1%] samples, respectively. One hundred and eight [78.83%] serum samples out of 137 tuberculin reactors were found positive for enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] by using test. Post mortem [PM] examination of slaughtered reactor cattle revealed tuberculous visible lesions [VL] and non-VL [NVL] in 94 [68.6%] and 43 [31.4%] animals, respectively. Tuberculous lesions were observed in 41 29.9%], 19[13.9%], 20 [15%] and 14 [10.2%] in 137 slaughtered reactor cattle with pulmonary, digestive, mixed and generalized VL, respectively. M.bovis synthetic early secretory antigenic target 6 peptide antigen [ESAT6-p]. Polymerase chain reaction [PCR] amplification assay was performed on selected tissues samples from 10 slaughtered tuberculin reactors with pulmonary, digestive, mixed or generalized VL, or NVL. Eight [80%] out of the 10 samples gave positive results with PCR assay. On the other side, only 6 [60%] and 7 [70%] of these samples were found positive for M.bovis isolation and ELISA, respectively. The results obtained in the present study point to the importance of the periodical tuberculin testing of animals, use of ELISA assays with M.bovis-specific antigens as a complimentary diagnostic toot to tuberculin test and application of PCR test for direct and rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis. Improvement of diagnostic assays for M.bovis may be of value in the effectiveness of test and slaughter eradication programs of bovine tuberculosis in governorates of Egypt

Preeclamptic toxemia in chlamydia pneumoniae seropositive pregnant women

Women who develop preeclampsia may have an intense inflammatory response which may be caused by a concurrent or preceding inflammatory stimulus such as infection. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that there is an association between Chlarnydia pneumoniae [C.pneumoniae] immunoglobulin [Ig] G seropositivity and development of preeclampsia in pregnant women. A prospective observational study was carried out on 355 healthy pregnant women attending the outpatient clinic at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. All women were normotensive primigravidae after 20 weeks of gestation. A single venous blood sample was collected from each of these women and tested for the presence of C.pneumoniae specific IgG antibodies using microimmunofluorescence technique [MIF]. Subsequently, women were classified as either seropositive or seronegative. Women in both groups were followed-up to detect the development of preeclampsia. A total of 248 women continued follow-up till delivery and were enrolled in the study. Seropositive group had a higher incidence of development of preeclampsia; 10% [11 cases developed preeclampsia of 107 seropositive women], compared to seronegative group; 2.8% [4 cases of 141,] and this difference was statistically significant using Chi-square test [p<0.05]. The longitudinal data of this study suggest a possible association between C.pneurnoniae seropositivity and preeclampsia and also support the evidence on infection hypothesis for the development of preeclampsia

[ analysis of qualitative study data using software]

The use of softwares for analyzing research data is increasing everyday. Making use of softwares specified for the analysis of qualitative data has begun since 20 years ago, and has been exposed to so many changes so far. Researchers have used the existing softwares such as word processors to facilitate the analysis practice, even before using specific softwares. Different softwares have several capabilities from encoding the text and searching through the text for repetitions of the codes to proposing hypothesis. Furthermore, other fe Autres such as determining the codes occurring simultaneously or at the same place, finding the associations between the codes, attaching notes to the codes, searching the notes to find common instances, and displaying data in different modes are some other potentialities of these softwares. Making use of these fe Autres leads to saving time, managing large volume of information, enhancing the accuracy and validity of the data, and possibility of performing more complicated analysis. Beside these benefits, there are some limitations in using these softwares such as uniformity of the approaches used to analyze qualitative data, emphasizing too much on coding the data, separating the researcher from data, and the trading aspects of the softwares. Presence of such benefits and limitations brings up the question that whether or not to use these softwares for analyzing qualitative data. Although there is no clear answer to this question, it is the researcher's job to decide for this issue, considering different aspects of his own study. There are so many points to consider in choosing the type of software which will be mentioned in this article. In general, the available softwares are just to facilitate the analysis process, not to analyze the data by themselves. In other words, the analysis and interpretation of the qualitative data is always the researcher's main responsibility

[Association between chronic periodontitis and acute myocardial infarction]

Chronic periodontitis has been associated with cardiovascular diseases. The hypothesis that oral espically periodontal, infections systemic implications, is now gaining evidence. In this Case- control study, cases were 45-60 years old patients who had been hospitalized in one of cardiologic care units or emergency wards of Isfahan city such Chamran and Khorshid Shahr hospitals, for acute myocardial infarction [AMI]. Control group had no evidence of acute myocardial infarction, all receiving comprehensive periodontal examination. Information such as age, socioeconomic state, smoking and Dm history were obtained from hospital records and direct interview. Dependent variants attachment loss [AL] and lost teeth have been considered as characteristics of periodontal disease. In this research a total of 56 samples participated in our study, based on informed consent. The association between mean attachment level and number of missing teeth with studied groups were analyzed with paired t -test and SPSS 15 software. Research findings showed that AL index mean in patients group [MI patients] and control group [healthy group] was 3.11 +/- 1.05 and 2.46 +/- .85 and lost teeth index mean in patients group and control group was 7.78 +/- 5.12 and 4.67 +/- 3.47 respectively. The statistical test showed that these differences in both indexes with p<0.05 are significant. According to the findings, we can advise if elders in ordinary dentistry examinations show signs of periodontal disease and have some lost teeth may have higher risks for cardiovascular disease

Computerized image cytometric analysis of: KI-67 and BCL-2 markers in: benign endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma

The normal endometrium is a tissue subjected to rapid cycling proliferation and differentiation followed by breakdown under hormonal influences .Endometrial hyperplasia [EH], which is a frequent disorder seen in majority of endometrial biopsy samples, embraces a group of lesions with different biological potential with tendency to progress into endometrial adenocarcinoma [EC]. The reproducibility of the histopathologic diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia is poor as regarding intra and inter observer errors as well as the over and under diagnosis of malignant changes. Strict criteria, good sampling and use of additional ancillary molecular techniques are expected to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of this diagnosis. To evaluate the immnohistochemical expression of Ki-67 and Bcl-2 in various types of endometrial hyperplasia versus endometrioid variant of endometrial adenocarcinoma. 2-To correlate the immunohistochemical expression with grade and stage of EC and 3-To evaluate the prognostic value of morphometric D-score in prediction of endometrial hyperplasia- cancer progression. Paraffin embedded-tissue specimens obtained from 57 female patients were studied. Cases were categorized into the following groups: Control group [5 cases of normal proliferative endometrium], fifteen cases of various degrees of hyperplastic lesions including 10 cases of [EH] and 5 cases of intra epithelial neoplasia [EIN]. Fifteen cases of combined lesions [EH+EIN+grade 1EC] and lastly 22 cases of various grades of endometrioid variant of EC. All 57 studied cases were subjected to:Immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67 and Bcl-2 markers. The percent of positivity was calculated using computerized image cell analysis. In addition computerized morphometric analysis for D-score calculation were performed on standard diagnostic hematoxylin and eosin [H and E] stained sections of all cases of endometrial hyperplasia. Normal proliferative endometrim [5 cases, 100%] expressed high score of both Ki-67 and Bcl-2 markers. Also, in the hyperplastic group; the peak immunoreactivity for Ki-67 was seen in the EIN subgroup [5/5,100%]. In contrast, Ki-67 immunoreactivity was seen in only 80% of EH subgroup. However, the difference was statistically insignificant [p>0.05]. KI index was higher in carcinoma compared to EH. The difference between both groups was statistically significant [p=0.001]. Bcl-2 immunopositivity was seen in three cases of EIN [60%] and eight cases of EH cases [80%].Endometrial carcinoma showed Bcl-2 expression in [11 out of 22 cases50%]. Bcl-2 was expressed in the majority of cases of EH [8 cases out of 10 cases 80%] and showed uniform glandular positivity, but it was diminished in EIN subgroup [2 out of 5 cases, 60%]. Ki-67 was expressed in the majority of endometrial adenocarcinoma [20/22 cases, 90.9%]. Bcl-2 expression was decreased as the grade increased but this relation was statistically insignificant [p=>0.05]. Ki-67 and Bcl-2 scores were found to be negatively correlated in the same histologic group and this inverse relation was statistically significant [p=0.00]. Finally, D-score calculation revealed that: D-score value was more than 1 in cases of EH and less than 1 in EIN cases and the cut off value was 2.33. Normal proliferative endometrium expressed high levels of both Ki-67 and Bcl-2. It was shown also, that Ki-67 was sequentially increased from EH through EIN to EC. In contrast, Bcl-2 positivity was decreased significantly in cases of EC mainly the high grades. Such inverse relation between both markers [Ki-67and Bcl-2] was proved to be statistically significant. The imbalance between proliferation and apoptosis may be an important factor in the development of different endometrial lesions; benign and malignant. Precancerous endometrial lesions [EIN] could be identified, by using morphometric analysis for D-score calculation based on combination of architecture and cytological features with consideration to volume percentage stroma parameter

Pulmonary ventilatory functions and obesity in Kuwait

To study the relationship between obesity and pulmonary ventilatory functions in Kuwaiti adults. A total of 200 male and 180 female Kuwaiti adults aged 20-65 years were investigated in six medical centers from April 2004 to March 2006. Parameters measured included forced expiratory volume in 1 s[FEV[1]], forced vital capacity [FVC], FEV[1] as a percentage of FVC [FEV%]; body mass index [BMI in kg/m[2]] and waist-to-hip ratio [W/H]. For the whole group, males or females, BMI [kg.m[2]] and W/H were poor individual predictors of pulmonary ventilatory functions. However, central adiposity [W/H] was associated with restrictive respiratory impairment [10.6-13.9% decrease in FEV[1] And 10-12.3% decrease in FVC], independent of sex, age or height. In obese females and males [BMI >30], increasing severity of obesity was significantly associated [p < 0.05, R[2] >0.06] associated with increasing restrictive respiratory impairment [8.7-14.4% decrease in FEN[1] And 8-11.7% decrease in FVC], with no evidence of obstructive disease [FEV[1]/FVC >0.8]. In adult Kuwaiti males and females, increase in body fat at BMI >30 or W/H >1 was associated with a restrictive effect on pulmonary ventilation

effect of organic acids and nisin at sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations on growth of a strain of bacillus cereus isolated from cheese

One of the methods for preserving foods is decontamination by using food preservatives. Food preservatives exert antagonistic effects on microorganisms through interference with the structure and function of their cell membrane, enzyme action, or genetic structure. The effects of different preservatives on the growth of Bacillus cereus isolated from cheese were determined. First the growth curve of the bacteria was studied without addition of the preservatives. Then the curve was re-drawn after adding acetic acid and nisin as a chemical and a natural preservative, respectively, at sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations [sub-MIC]. Finally growth curves were drawn in the presence of both citric acid and potassium sorbate at different concentrations, the pH changes being determined. Bacillus cereus did not grow well in acetic acid at a concentration of half-MIC, and the pH was 5 and did not change. However, it caused changes in the pH at 1/4-MIC and 1/8-MIC of acetic acid and grew. Furthermore, it could increase the pH in the presence of nisin and grow after a lag phase of 12 hours. The simultaneous use of citric acid and potassium sorbate showed a synergistic preservative effect. Bacillus cereus isolated from cheese is resistant to sub-MIC concentrations of different preservatives. Therefore, it is recommended not to use preservatives at such concentrations

Adult onset polymyositis-dermatomyositis: Findings from Sudan

Polymyositis [PM] and dermatomyositis [DM] are rare inflammatory muscle diseases affecting children and adults. Resulting disability is very variable. To the best of our knowledge no study addressed this problem before in Sudan. The objective of this study is to determine the patterns of presentation of PM/DM in adult Sudanese patients. This is a prospective hospital based descriptive study conducted in Elshaab and Khartoum Teaching Hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan. The study was conducted in the period from July 1997 to January 2007.During this period all patients with PM/DM admitted to these hospitals and fulfilling the criteria for the diagnosis of PM/DM were included in the study. Thirty patients were included in this study. Twenty two were females [73.3%] and 8 were males [22.7%]. Their ages ranged between 15-65 years [mean age 34.8 +/- 14.7 years]. Twenty patients [66.7%] were found to have PM and 10 [33.3%] have DM.. The commonest presentation was proximal muscle weakness in 30 patients [100%], joint pain in 29 patients [96.7%] and muscle pain in 28 patients [93.3%]. Overlap syndrome was found in 3 patients [10%], malignancies in two patients [6.7%] and interstitial lung disease in 1 patient [3.3%]. Muscle enzymes were found to be high on presentation in 28 [93.3%] patients and were normal in 2 [6.7%] patients. The results show that the pattern of presentation of PM/DM in this study does not differ much from disease elsewhere world

Role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy in adult male albino rats

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of TNF- alpha on liver regeneration after seventy percent partial hepatectomy of male rats. Rats were divided into three groups: control, untreated partially hepatectomised group and Pentoxifylline [a drug which blocks TNF-alpha] treated hepatectomised group. Each group had thirteen rats. Rats were killed on the 1[st], 3[rd], 5[th] and 7[th] days posthepatectomy. The removed part of the liver was weighed to detect the increase of the total liver weight on the previous days. A sample of the liver was taken for histological and immunohistochemical studies. The weight of liver in the untreated group showed gradual increase up to more than ninety nine per cent of the original liver weight on the7[th] day posthepatectomy. In the treated group, it reached only fifty five per cent of the original liver weight on the 7[th] day posthepatectomy. Mitotic activity in the untreated group was sharply increased on the 1[st] day then gradually decreased and disappeared on the 7[th] day. Treated group showed a decreasing in mitotic activity from the1[st] day and disappearing on the 3[rd] day. Immunohistochemical studies in untreated group showed intense cytoplasmic overexpression for TNF- alpha on the 1[st] and the 3[rd] days, moderate overexpression on the 5[th] day and mild overexpression on the 7[th] day. Treated group showed mild overexpression on the 1[st] day and no expression on other day posthepatectomy. The study demonstrated that TNF- alpha promoted the regenerative changes that occur in the liver after partial hepatectomy

use of ELISA and immunohistochemistry techniques for detection of toxoplasma gondii antigen in tissues of experimentally infected mice

The capability of double antibody sandwich enzyme-linkad immunosorbent assay [ELISA] for detecting antigens of Toxoplasma gondii [T. gondii] in different mice tissue specimens was evaluated in comparison to the immunohistochemistry [IHC] technique. Results proved that tissue antigens were detectable in liver, kidney and mesenteric lymph node [LN] specimens by both methods from the second day of infection, with statistically significant increase in its amount in all organs throughout the period of the study. Using ELISA technique, the highest antigen level was recorded on the second day [0.120 +/- 0.0015] and the fourth day [0.147 +/- 0.0034] of infection in LN specimens, while, the liver showed the highest antigen level at the sixth day post infection [PI][0.165 +/- 0.0066]. On the other hand, using the IHC technique, the highest number of tachyzoites was recorded in LN sections in all studied durations, the second, the fourth and the sixth days PI [1.1 +/- 0.875, 1.6 +/- 1.173 and 3.1 +/- 1.370 respectively]. Thus, sandwich ELISA technique might offer a valuable aid for rapid diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis in human tissues, and it has proved to be more accurate than IHC technique, since its results was coincided with the pathogenesis of the disease.

Preoperative factors that determine technical difficulty during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic calcular cholecystitis

The increasing experience in laparoscopic cholecystectomy has led to more difficult cases being performed The methods to identify a potentially difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy would be a valuable indicator for good management policies with improvement of the outcome. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between preoperative clinical and abdominal sonographic findings in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic calcular cholecystitis and the technical difficulty at operation. All consecutive patients with calcular cholecystitis undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for the last 8 years [531 patients] were reviewed. The clinical preoperative factors assessed involved patient's age, sex, body weight and body mass index, of the disease, associated diabetes mellitus, the occurrence of biliary colic within the last 3 weeks, the presence of symptoms and signs of acute cholecystitis at presentation and history of acute cholecystitis. The laboratory preoperative factors assessed involved, full blood picture including total leucocytic count, liver functions including serum transaminases, serum bilirubin and prothrombin time. The preoperative abdominal sonographic findings assessed involved gallbladder size, gallbladder wall thickness, peri-cholecystic fluid, gallstones number and size and the liver condition. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted in all patients. Operative data were compared to preoperative data of all patients and statistically analyzed. It was found that the following 7 parameters are independently predictive of a difficult operation: male sex [p<0.01], the presence acute cholecystitis [p<0.01], thickening of the gallbladder wall [p<0.01], shrunken gallbladder [p<0.01], mucocele of the gallbladder [p<0.05] and enlarged liver [p<0.05] or liver cirrhosis [p<0.05]. The above-mentioned factors are important and should help to select patients for either laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy based on the expected difficulties

Association between chronic periodontitis and acute myocardial infarction: a case-control study in Isfahan

Chronic periodontitis has been associated with cardiovascular diseases. The hypothesis that oral, especially periodontal, infections have potentially serious systemic implications, is now gaining credence. Cases were 45-60 years old patients who had been hospitalized in one of cardiologic care units or emergency wards of Isfahan Medical University, for acute myocardial infarction [AMI]. Controls had no evidence of acute myocardial infarction, all receiving comprehensive periodontal examination. Information such as age, socioeconomic state, smoking, and diabetes history were obtained from hospital records and direct interview. A total number of%6 people participated in our study, based on informed consent, were designated as two groups of case and control. The association between mean attachment level and number of missing teeth with studied groups were analyzed with SPSS statistical software. The association of the mean attachment level and also the number of missing teeth with case status were statically significant associated [P<0.05]. The results are in accordance with those reports that show the positive association between these two diseases. Our findings suggest that the patients who demonstrate evidence of attachment loss around several teeth, at routine dental visit can be identified as being at risk for future AMI. Such subjects should be referred for medical and periodontal examination and treatment