Developing the Mansoura Early Feeding Skills Assessment Scale for Preterm Infants / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Purpose@#This study aimed to develop a new bedside scoring system scale that assesses preterm infants’ oral feeding skills (OFS) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). @*Methods@#A literature review and critical appraisal of available oral feeding assessment tools/ scores were performed. Subsequently, we developed the “Mansoura Early Feeding Skills Assessment” (MEFSA) scale, an 85-item observational measure of oral feeding skills with three main sections. Forty-one preterm infants who did not receive oral feeding but were clinically stable enough to initiate oral feeding were included in the study. Next, we applied and interpreted the MEFSA to describe and score their feeding skills. @*Results@#Applying the MEFSA resulted in a smooth feeding transition, early start of oral feeding, full oral feeding, and discharge with a shorter period of tube feeding in preterm infants. @*Conclusion@#The MEFSA is a successful bedside scoring system that assesses the OFS of preterm infants in the NICU.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic properties of olive leaf extract protect against L-arginine induced chronic pancreatitis in the adult male albino rat / 대한해부학회지

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an inflammatory disease affects the pancreas with upcoming fibrosis and notable parenchymal destruction. CP poses a high risk for pancreatic carcinoma. The present study aimed to investigate, for the first time up to our knowledge, the effect of olive leaf extract on L-arginine induced CP with referral to some of its underlying mechanisms. Forty adult male albino rats were divided equally into four groups; control, olive leaf extract treated (200 mg/ kg orally once daily), CP group (300 mg L-arginine/100 g body weight intraperitoneally, once daily for 3 weeks then every 3 days for the subsequent 3 weeks), and CP treated with olive leaf extract group. At the end of the experiment, body weight, serum glucose, serum insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), serum amylase and lipase as well as tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed. Pancreatic tissues were subjected to histological and immuno-histochemical studies. The CP group revealed significant decrease in body weight and increase in serum glucose, serum insulin, HOMA-IR score, serum amylase, and serum lipase levels. Significant increase in MDA level and decrease in SOD level were detected. Marked degenerative changes and fibrosis were detected. Upregulation of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), caspase-3, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) immunoreactions were implicated in CP pathogenesis. Olive leaf extract alleviated all the examined parameters via itsantioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic properties. Olive leaf extract can protect against CP and restore pancreatic functions.

Characterization of ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Commiphora myrrha and evaluating in vitro anti-diabetic and anti-obesity activities

Diabetes mellitus is a clinical disease categorized by hyperglycemia. Reduction of gastrointestinal glucose absorptionthrough the inhibition of carbohydrate digesting enzymes is one of in vitro anti-diabetic therapeutic approach. Thisinvestigation aimed to estimate the in vitro anti-diabetic and anti-obesity activities for ethyl acetate and methanolextracts of Commiphora myrrha oleo-gum as well as the identification of the bioactive compounds. Commiphoramyrrha was extracted with methanol and ethyl acetate. The two extracts were used to evaluate their α-glucosidase,α-amylase, and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities. Identification of the bioactive compounds of ethyl acetate wasanalyzed by GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). The results showed that the ethyl acetate extract hada stronger inhibition activity on α-amylase (IC50 = 54.60 µg/ml) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 58.7 µg/ml) than methanolextract on α-amylase (IC50 = 124.01 µg/ml) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 191.2 µg/ml). Also, ethyl acetate extract hada promising inhibitory effect on pancreatic lipase (IC50 = 107.8 µg/ml) than methanol extract (IC50 = 498.1 µg/ml).GC-MS analysis of ethyl acetate extract identified 31 compounds. Among them nobiletin (50.26%), metaproterenol(orciprenaline) (14.99%), morantel (8.86%), and tricetin (3.38%) were the main compounds. These findings provedthat C. myrrha has anti-diabetic and anti-obesity inhibition activity may be due to the bioactive compounds withinteresting medicinal properties.

Potential Role for a Panel of Immunohistochemical Markers in the Management of Endometrial Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: In order to improve the efficacy of endometrial carcinoma (EC) treatment, identifying prognostic factors for high risk patients is a high research priority. This study aimed to assess the relationships among the expression of estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), Ki-67, and the different histopathological prognostic parameters in EC and to assess the value of these in the management of EC. METHODS: We examined 109 cases of EC. Immunohistochemistry for ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 were evaluated in relation to age, tumor size, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage and grade, depth of infiltration, cervical and ovarian involvement, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), and lymph node (LN) metastasis. RESULTS: The mean age of patients in this study was 59.8 ± 8.2 years. Low ER and PR expression scores and high Ki-67 expression showed highly significant associations with non-endometrioid histology (p = .007, p < .001, and p < .001, respectively) and poor differentiation (p = .007, p < .001, and p <. 001, respectively). Low PR score showed a significant association with advanced stage (p = .009). Low ER score was highly associated with LVSI (p = .006), and low PR scores were associated significantly with LN metastasis (p = .026). HER2 expression was significantly related to advanced stages (p = .04), increased depth of infiltration (p = .02), LVSI (p = .017), ovarian involvement (p = .038), and LN metastasis (p = .038). There was a close relationship between HER2 expression and uterine cervical involvement (p = .009). Higher Ki-67 values were associated with LN involvement (p = .012). CONCLUSIONS: The over-expression of HER2 and Ki-67 and low expression of ER and PR indicate a more malignant EC behavior. An immunohistochemical panel for the identification of high risk tumors can contribute significantly to prognostic assessments.

GC-MS Analysis, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Mentha spicata

Aims: Mentha spicata medicinal properties are well known. In this study, Total phenolic and flavonoid contents and the antioxidant activity of the methanol extract of Mentha spicata were determined as well as evaluation of the cytotoxic activity of it. Also, the identification of some bioactive compounds in the plant was analysed. Place and Duration of Study: Extraction and antioxidant at Medicinal Chemistry Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, cytotoxic evaluation and GC-Ms analysis at Al-Azhar University, Egypt. Methodology: The antioxidant activity was determined by two methods, DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2-2՝azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) while, the cytotoxic assay was determined by MTT assay on HepG-2 (Human hepatocellular carcinoma) and MTC-116 (Human colon carcinoma). Regarding to the chemical identification of methanol extract was carried out by GC-MS analysis. Results: The study proved that Mentha spicata has high Total phenolic and flavonoid contents (388.20±2.38mg GAE/gm of extract &204.01±17.93mg RE/gm of extract) respectively. Also, exhibited promising antioxidant activity by DPPH & ABTS (IC50=65.13±1.29 µg/ml & 52.31±0.81 µg/ml) respectively. The methanol extract of the plant showed a good cytotoxic effect on HepG2 and HTC-116 (IC50=25.2±3.6µg/ml & 62.1±4.9µg/ml) respectively. GC-MS analysis of the methanol extract of Mentha spicata showed 43 oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds. The major ones are Hexadecanoic acid, methylEster (palmitic acid ester) (31.51%) followed by 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid,methyl ester (CAS)(methyl linolenate) (22.10%), 2-Pentadecanone,6,10,14-trimethyl- (CAS)(6.82%), Phytol (6.20%), 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid(Z,Z)-, methyl ester (6.18%), Hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid ) (5.95%) and Methyl stearate (4.49%). Conclusion: Mentha spicata is a potential antioxidant and anticancer agents.

Perception and Practice of Road Safety among Medical Students, Mansoura, Egypt

OBJECTIVES: To assess the knowledge and attitude of medical students towards road safety and to determine their driving behavior and its relation to different related factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 480 medical students at Mansoura University, Egypt. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect student personal data, knowledge about road safety, attitude towards road safety, and driving practices. RESULTS: More than 40% of students experienced an injury in the previous year, mainly as a pedestrian (56%), and 15.2% practiced driving, although only 9.6% had a driving licence. Most of the students had correct road safety knowledge except for awareness that the safe time to read maps is when your vehicle is parked (44%), one should drive in the left lane (29.6%), and one should overtake from the right-hand lane only (25.8%). The majority of the students reported that road traffic injuries can be prevented (89.2%). The mean score of the driving practices of the students ranged from 0.66±1.04 to 2.44±6.28 and rural residents showed significantly higher score regarding errors and lapses. CONCLUSION: Good road safety knowledge and a favorable, low risk attitude, did not translate into improved road traffic behavior and this highlights the importance of stricter implementation of the existing rules and including road safety in medical education programs.

Correlation between cognitive function, gross motor skills and health - Related quality of life in children with Down syndrome

Background: Children with Down syndrome [DS] have delayed motor and cognitive development and have problems in health related quality of life [HRQOL]

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between cognitive function; attention/concentration, gross motor skills; standing and walking, running, jumping domains and HRQOL in children with DS

Subjects and methods: Seventy children with DS of both sexes [37 boys and 33 girls] were selected from El Tarbia El Fekria School for children with Special Needs and Education and National Institute of neuro motor system. They were selected to be ranged in age from 8 to 12 years and to be free from visual, hearing or perceptual problems. They were divided into two age groups; group A [8-10 years], and group B [10-12 years]. The Rehacom was used to evaluate the cognitive function [attention/concentration], the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 [GMFM-88] was used to evaluate the gross motor skills and the Pediatric quality of life inventory parent-proxy report [PedsQL TM] was used to evaluate the HRQOL

Results: There was a weak to moderate correlation between the cognitive function, GMFM and HRQOL in both age groups. The level of difficulty of attention/concentration was moderate, positively and significantly correlated with GMFM; standing and walking, running, jumping domains in both age groups. There was a moderate, positive and significant correlation was found between the physical score of HRQOL and walking, running, jumping domain in age group B and between the psychosocial score of HRQOL and standing domain in age group A

Conclusion: The cognitive function and HRQOL should be considered in the evaluation of children with DS in addition to gross motor skills as there was a correlation between the cognitive function, HRQOL and GMFM

Surgical management of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage

Aim of work: We conducted a case study to evaluate the surgical management of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage

Patients and Methods: This study included 20 patients who were diagnosed with Lobar ICH between January 2017 and December 2017, All cases were managed surgically. ICH is a neurological emergency and medical care should starts rapidly with stabilization of airway, breathing functions, circulation and other associated pathologies as fits and elevated blood pressure. CT scan was the standard diagnostic tool in the 1ry management of the cases. A routine preoperative investigation as CBC, PT was done. Cases admitted to a postoperative ICU for at least 48 hours and a follow up CT scan was done. Results: We observed all survivors for at least 2 months and asses our outcome using Glasgow Outcome Scale

Conclusion: Care of such cases and rehabilitation plays an important role to have a good prognosis

Work profile and associated health hazards among nursing students at Mansoura University, Egypt

Nursing students are increasingly undertaking paid term-time employment to finance their living expenses and studies. The objectives of this study are to estimate its prevalence, factors associated, and possible health hazards. A cross-sectional study was conducted of nursing students using a questionnaire that included sociodemographic and employment data, reasons for working, possible health hazards in the workplace, and perceived effects on academic performance. The prevalence of student paid employment was found to be 23.3%. Being male and belonging to a low social class were independently associated with the likelihood of working while studying. Financial support was the main reason for student employment. Workplace hazards included noise, temperature extremes and psychosocial stressors. Sleep disorders were the most frequent health effects followed by musculoskeletal complaints. Nursing students are at risk from many deleterious health effects which are not covered by occupational health and safety programmes

Urea and creatinine levels in vaginal fluid as a predicator for length of latency period in prelabour membranes rupture

Background: the diagnosis of equivocal cases of prelabour rupture of membranes [PROM] with traditional methods has been unreliable therefore various biochemical markers have been sought to confirm the same, this study aims to determine the relation between the concentration of urea and creatinine in vaginal fluid and length of latency period in women with PROM between 32 and 35 weeks gestation

Methods: sixty patients were included in our study with PROM of their singleton pregnancies, their gestational age ranged between 32- 35 gestational weeks by reliable menstrual history and confirmed by pelvi-abdominal ultrasound. All samples were obtained within 6 hours after membranes rupture before vaginal examination and the administration of any drugs All women will be put under observation for 48 hours and time of onset of delivery will be documented, the onset of labor will be diagnosed by either: frequent uterine contractions more than 2 contractions in 10 minutes or CTG showing frequent contractions

Results: the current study was conducted on a total number of 60 pregnant women, 20-35 year old; pregnant between 32 and 35weeks. Our study demonstrated that patients with higher levels of vaginal fluid urea and creatinine concentrations had earlier onset of labor. Patients with vaginal fluid urea and creatinine concentrations above cut-off levels [urea >/=26.0 [mg/dL], creatinine >/=0.64 [mg/dL]] went into labor early within a 48 hours latency period. This suggests vaginal urea and creatinine levels measurement in the prediction of early delivery

Conclusion: measurement of urea and creatinine in vaginal fluid is a cheap and rapid method with high sensitivity and specificity for the delivery interval after PROM. Therefore, these methods can be integrated as non-invasive tests for the predication of delivery interval after PROM

Detection of Helicobacter pylori vacA, cagA and iceA1 virulence genes associated with gastric diseases in Egyptian patients

Background: Helicobactor pylori [H. pylori] virulence markers would be useful to predict peptic ulcer disease [PUD] or gastric cancer

Aim: In Egypt, since inadequate data are present regarding H. pylori virulence-related genes in different age group patients with gastro-duodenal diseases, it becomes crucial to study the clinical status of cagA, vacA and iceA1 genotypes of H. pylori strains recovered from patients with dyspepsia

Subjects and methods: The study included 113 dyspeptic patients who were exposed to upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination. Four antral biopsies were obtained from each patient for the analysis of H. pylori infection by rapid urease test and detection of 16S rRNA

Results: Sixty [53.1%] patients were confirmed to be infected with H. pylori. Upon endoscopy, gastritis was revealed in 27 patients [45%] and10 patients [16.7%] had PUD. Of the 60 H. pylori strains, 39 [65%] had at least one virulence gene. Six different genotypic forms were recognized; vacA [9/60], iceA1 [1/60], vacA/cagA [7/60], vacA/iceA1 [13/60], vacA/cagA/iceA1 [8/60] only one of cagA/iceA type and we could not detect cagA. The overall vacA, iceA1and cagA genes identified were 61.6%, 38.8%, 26.6% respectively, by PCR-based molecular testing. The vacA gene status was highly significant related to gastritis patient [P ? 0.036]. The vacA s1m1 and s2m2 alleles were significantly found in 50% of H. pylori infected patients with PUD and with gastritis 57.1% respectively [P

Conclusion: In conclusion, the main genotype combinations in the studied Egyptian patients were; vacAs2m2/iceA1, vacAs1m1/cagA, mostly associated with gastritis, and vacAs1/cagA/icA, mainly in PUD. The less virulent [s2, s2m2] H. pylori genotypes were found in patients aged over 43 years

Seropositivity of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. in Children with Cryptogenic Epilepsy, Benha, Egypt

The present study aimed to investigate the possible association of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. infections with cryptogenic epilepsy in children. The study was carried out between June 2014 and March 2015. Total 90 children (40 with cryptogenic epilepsy, 30 with non-cryptogenic epilepsy, and 20 healthy control children) were evaluated to determine the anti-Toxocara and anti-T. gondii IgG seropositivity using ELISA kits. Epileptic cases were selected from those attending the pediatrics outpatient clinic of Benha University Hospital, Pediatrics Neurology Unit, and from Benha Specialized Hospital of children. The results showed that the level of anti-T. gondii IgG seropositivity was significantly higher among children with cryptogenic epilepsy (20%) than among children with non-cryptogenic children (0%). In healthy controls (10%), there was no association between toxocariasis seropositivity and cryptogenic epilepsy (only 5.7%; 4 out of 70 cases) among cases and 10% (2 out of 20) among controls. Among toxocariasis IgG positive cases, 3 (7.5%) were cryptogenic, and only 1 (3.3%) was non-cryptogenic. These statistically significant results support the association between T. gondii infection and cryptogenic epilepsy while deny this association with toxocariasis.

Amniotic Fluid-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cut Short the Acuteness of Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Sprague-Dawley Rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cisplatin is a nephrotoxic chemotherapeutic agent. So, preventive measures worth to be evaluated. Human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) in prevention or amelioration of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in Sprague-Dawley rates have been tested. METHODS: 80 Sprague-Dawley rats (250~300 g) were used and divided into 4 major groups, 20 rats each. Group I: Saline-injected group. Group II: Cisplatin-injected group (5 mg/kg I.P). Group III: Cisplatin-injected and hAFSCs-treated group (5×106 hAFSCs I.V. one day after cisplatin administration). Group IV: Cisplatin-injected and culture media-treated group. Each major group was further divided into 4 equal subgroups according to the timing of sacrifice; 4, 7, 11 and 30 days post-cisplatin injection. Renal function tests were done. Kidney tissue homogenate oxidative stress parameters malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) were determined. Histopathological scoring systems for active injury, regenerative and chronic changes were analyzed separately. RESULTS: hAFSCs characterization and differentiation was proved. Cisplatin injection resulted in a significant increase in serum creatinine and MDA and decrease in SOD, GSH and creatinine clearance. These changes were attenuated early by day 4 with the use of hAFSCs. Cisplatin injection induced tubular necrosis, atrophy, inflammatory cells infiltration and fibrosis. The use of hAFSCs was associated with significantly lowered injury score at day 4, 7, 11 and 30 with marked regenerative changes starting from day 4. CONCLUSION: hAFSCs have both a protective and regenerative activities largely through an antioxidant activity. This activity cut short the acuteness of cisplatin nephrotoxicity.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding travel health among Muscat International Airport travelers in Oman: Identifying the gaps and addressing the challenges

Although the majority of travel-associated communicable diseases can be prevented, the public health burden of these diseases remains significant. Relatively little is known about how travelers know and perceive the health risks associatedwith the travel and how they utilize preventive measures before and while Travel medicine- traveling abroad. This study was conducted to determine the level of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices [KAP] of Muscat International Airport travelers about travel health in order to assess the knowledge gap and the need for travel health services in Oman. A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 1 week using a self-administered questionnaire. The overall level of knowledge about vaccine-preventable diseases, food safety, and preventive measures against insect bites of the participants was inadequate. The practice concerning preventive travel health measures, such as the use of specific immunizations and antimalarial prophylaxis, was very limited, and influenced by some personal and travel-related factors. The inadequate level of travelers' knowledge and poor utilization of travel medicine services highlights the need for the provisions of specialized travel medicine services at the national level and to develop educational materials promoting the importance of pre-travel health advice

Effects of transcutaneous electrical stimulation of lower limb muscles on experimental fatty liver

Background and aims: Although the beneficial effects of exercise on fatty liver have been described, a previous study conducted at our department showed that transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation [TEMS] of lower abdominal muscles aggravated fatty liver. The present study aims to evaluate the ability of TEMS of the lower limb muscles to improve fatty liver infiltration

Material and methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into three groups: control; fructose-fed [F], fed fructose-enriched diet for 6 weeks; and fructose-fed with transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation [F + TEMS], fed fructose-enriched diet for 6 weeks and lower limb muscles subjected to TEMS during the last 3 weeks of feeding, five sessions/week. Body weight, length, body mass index [BMI], and abdominal and lower limb circumferences were all recorded. Fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], total protein, serum albumin, high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], triglyceride [TG], and total cholesterol [TC] levels were measured. LDL cholesterol [LDL-C] and the atherogenic index [AI] were calculated. Absolute and relative hepatic weights as well as histological examination of the liver were assessed

Results: Final body weight, abdominal and lower limb circumferences, absolute liver weight, homoeostasis model assessment [HOMA] score, and TG, LDL-C, AI, serum ALT, and AST levels were all significantly reduced in the [F + TEMS] group compared to the [F] group. There was a significant increase in GPx and HDL-C levels, HDL/LDL ratio, and total protein and serum albumin content in [F + TEMS] rats compared to [F] rats. Histologically, hepatic tissue from [F + TEMS] rats had minimal steatotic changes that were restricted to zone 1 and less marked inflammatory cell infiltration compared to [F] rats

Conclusion: TEMS was able to reverse steatosis, hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, and fatty liver caused by fructose feeding. The study confirmed that the variation in the anatomical site of skeletal muscle contraction affects fatty liver in different ways

Essential hypertension among Egyptian adults

Background: hypertensive diseases represent a major disease burden in Egypt. The prevalence of hypertension in Egypt in 2008 among adults of age>/= 25 was 17.6%. In 60% of patients, hypertension is usually associated with cardiovascular risk factors. This leads to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Management of hypertension in Egypt is not easy because of treatment costs and inefficient primary health care system. There is a need for developing national hypertension guidelines to improve the rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension with the final goal of preventing and decreasing mortality and morbidity

Aim of work: to assess the essential hypertension status among the Egyptian adult population of age>/= 25 and to study the modifiable social and environmental risk factors, health consequences, and assess the cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular complications to help disease prevention and limitation of complications

Patients and methods: this study was conducted on 312 patients of age>/= 25 with essential hypertension. All patient were subjected to full medical history and physical examination that including measurement of blood pressure [BP] and fundus examination. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, waist circumferences, and hip circumferences were also measured. Waist to hip ratio and body mass index [BMI] were calculated. Laboratory investigations were performed including complete blood count [CBC], fasting blood glucose, measurement of creatinine, uric acid and lipid profile. Microalbuminuria was also assessed. Other investigations including electrocardiogram and echocardiograph were done

Results: Male patients were 134[42.9%], while females were 178[57.1%]. Their ages ranged from 30 to 85 years with a mean +/- SD of 55.16 +/- 9.4years.Dyslipidemia was found in 152 [49%] patients. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction [LVDD] was represented in160 [51%] patients. Uncontrolled BP was represented in [73%], [66%] and [55%] of non-educated, mild to moderate educated and high educated patients respectively. Retinopathy was found in 121 [38.8%] patients, 76 [60%] patients were hypertensive diabetic and 45 [24%] patients were hypertensive non-diabetic. Albumin in urine was present in 20%of patients

Conclusion: strategies that enhance public awareness of hypertension and increase access to affordable medications are urgently needed. Prevention of hypertension needs both a population strategy and an intensive strategy focused on individuals at high risk. The complications of hypertension can be prevented by adequate blood pressure control with screening programs to identify the population at risk

Therapeutic effects of olive leaf extract or bone marrow Mesenchymal stem cells against lung damage induced in male albino rats exposed to gamma radiation

Aim of the work- This study aimed to investigate the histological and histochemical changes in the lung tissue of male albino rats post exposure to gamma radiation and the possible therapeutic effect of both olive leaf extract and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Matrerial and methods-The current study was carried out on 40 adult male albino rats [Sprague dawely strain]; they were divided equally into 5 groups [C group: control rats; O group: rats treated with olive leaves extract[15 mg /kg body weight/daily] ; R group: rats exposed to a single dose of gamma-radiation[3 Gy]; RO group: rats of this group treated with olive extract 15 mg /kg body weight/daily one week before and one week after irradiation; RS group: rats of this group irradiated with 3Gy then treated with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells [BMSCs] 3×10[6] cells/ml suspension through caudal vein about 5h post radiation exposure. Histopathological and histochemical changes were studied

Results: Rats exposed to gamma radiation showed numerous histological and histochemical changes, these changes were ameliorated by using either olive leaf extract or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. BMSCs showed more obvious therapeutic effect than olive leaf extract

Conclusion: The present work showed that olive leaf extract or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells [BMSCs] have lung tissue radiotherapeutic effects against whole body gamma radiation in male albino rats

Evaluation of heat shock protein70 expression in liver biopsies of chronic hepatitis C Egyptian patients

Background/Aim: Heat shock protein 70 [HSP70] is a member of heat shock protein family It has strong cytoprotective properties that prevent cell death triggered by stressful stimuli The aim of this work was to study the immunohistochemical expression of HSP70 in chronic HCV biopsies among Egyptian patients

Methods: Immunohistochemical stain using HSP70 was performed on 30 chronic hepatitis C needle biopsies, with different degrees of disease severity

Results: Positive HSP70 immunoreactivity was detected in 12/30 [40%] of the chronic hepatitis specimens with weak to moderate intensity. No statistically significant difference was detected between the mean of HSP70 expression and the following parameters; age, gender, necroinflammatory grade and stage of fibrosis [p=0.109, p=0.874, p=0.342 and p=0.182] respectively

Conclusion: Detection of HSP70 in chronic hepatitis specimens suggested that chronic inflammation and fibrosis act as stressful conditions which result in induction of HSP70 expression. HSP70 prevents stress induced apoptosis which may enhance viral replication by preserving the viral factory. Therefore, we can suggested that HSP70 may act as a therapeutic target to treat HCV infection by targeting host proteins as opposed to viral proteins to minimize the development of resistance to therapy

Effect of atorvastatin [ATOR] on the cardiac muscle fibres in hyperlipidemic adult male albino rats [structural and biochemical study]

Atorvastatin [ATOR] used as a cholesterol-lowering drug. Ator is one of statins widely used, commercially available and increasingly used day by day. Few studies and limited data were existed on atorvastatin induced histological and ultrastructural changes in the cardiac muscle fibres. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential toxicity of the human equivalent therapeutic doses of Atorvastatin on cardiac muscle fibres in induced hyperlipidemic adult male albino rats. Thirty adult male albino rats were used in this study, the rats used weighing [150 +/- 10] gm. Rats were divided into groups, Group one [5 rats], served as the control group [C] .Other twenty five rats were subjected to high fat diet [25% fat and 2% cholesterol] for 3 weeks and then they subdivided into three groups. Group two [five rats] was considered as a hyperlipidemic group [H].Group three, treated group one [T1] [ten rats] received atorvastatin[Ator 20mg] [1.5 mg / day / rat]for three weeks, by the end the third week five rats were sacrificed and other five rats were considered as the recovery group one [R1], they received normal diet only for another three weeks. Group four, treated group two [T2] [ten rats] received Atorvastatin [Ator 20mg] [1.5 mg / day / rat]for other six weeks, by the end of the 6[th] week five rats were sacrificed and other five rats were considered as the recovery group two [R2], they received only normal diet for another six weeks. At the end of each step of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and specimens of cardiac muscle fibres prepared by different methods for light and electron microscopic studies. Also blood sampling was obtained forthebiochemical study. The histological data obtained from the different groups showed many changes, in hyperlipidemic group [H] indistinct and distorted

striation and separation of cardiac muscle fibres, vesicular nuclei, presence of myofibroblasts with congested and dilated blood vessels, loss of some nuclei and condensation of nuclear chromatin with normal mitochondria were detected. Treated group one [T1] showed that cardiac muscle fibres restored their striation with separated and splitted myofibres and pyknotic nuclei, increased myofibrobasts ,lymphocytic infiltration ,congested blood vessels and mitochondrial vacuolation with disorganization of their cristae. In treated group two [T2] patchy loss of striation was observed with splitted cardiac muscle fibres ,pyknotic nuclei of cardiomyocytes, margination of nuclear chromatin ,congested blood vessels, lymphocytic infiltration, swelling of mitochondria with disorganization of their cristae. In recovery group one [R1] cardiac muscle fibres restored their striation. In recovery group two [R2] cardiac muscle fibres restored their normal architecture. The statistically evaluated data showed a significant difference in parentage of collagen and optical density of PAS + ve materials in the different groups when compared to the control group specially in T2.The laboratory evaluated data showedsignificant increase inlevels of cholesterol [C], triglycerides [TG], low density lipoprotein- cholesterol [LDL-C], Very low density lipoprotein [vLDL], Atherogenic index[AI] and decrease in high density lipoprotein- cholesterol [HDL-C] between the control and the hyperlipidemic group. Administration of ATOR to the treated groups induce significant decrease inlevels of C, TG, LDL-C, [vLDL], [AI] and increase of HDL-C when compared with the hyperlipidemic group .Also there were significant decreasein levels of C, TG, LDL-C and increase of HDL-Cin recovery groups when compared with the hyperlipidemic group. Administration of ATOR for long time led to adverse degenerative effects on structure of the cardiac muscle fibres, although it has a potent lowering effect on lipid profile in hyperlipidemia

Effect of methanol extracts of three dietary plants growing in Egypt on mice fed with high fat diet.

The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the preventive effect of methanol extracts of three dietary plants growing in Egypt; Cassia fistula (Family Fabaceae), Cynara scolymus (Family Asteraceae) and Glycine max (Family fabaceae) on body weight gain, hepatic and kidney index, food intake, lipid profile and serum enzymes in mice fed high fat diet during different periods 4, 11 and 17 weeks. For this purpose, the mice were divided into groups of eight mice each group as follows; normal group, high fat diet (HFD) group , HFD + methanol extract of C. fistula group, HFD + Methanol extract of C. scolymus group and HFD + methanol extract of G. max group, the dose of plant extract in each treated group was 100 mg /Kg body weight. After 4 weeks to 17 weeks the body weight, the relative liver weight, lipid profile and serum enzymes increased in the control group (HFD) compared to the normal. Treatment with each plant plant extract led to reduction in body weight and improvement of lipid and serum enzymes of the treated mice compared to the control groups. Extract of G.max showed the highest activity. These results were supported by hepatic histology examination which showed improvement of fatty liver tissue.