Corpus callosum MRI study in multiple sclerosis and small vessel ischemic stroke

Damage to corpus callosum visible by MRI in multiple sclerosis may be simulated by other CNS diseases [e.g. ischemia, SLE, Behcet's disease, other vasculitides, sarcoidosis]. Ischemic lesions, in particular, make MRI criteria much less reliable for the diagnosis of MS pateints over the age of 50. To study the difference between MRI abnormalities of the corpus callosum in patients with MS versus small vessel ischemic stroke. 76 patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1, comprising 26 patients with clinically definite, relapsing remitting, MS; and group 2, including 50 hypertensive and /or diabetic patients with history and clinical evidence of ischemic stroke proved by MRI to be of small vessel ischemic type. They were all subjected to minimental state examination [MMSE] and MRI brain study for corpus callosum lesions and atrophy. The mean MMSE score in the stroke group was 27.75 +/- 3.21 while in the MS group it was 23.62 +/- 3.76 with a significant difference between them [P < 0.05]. In both groups, the score inversely correlated with corpus callosum atrophy. The latter was significantly more in MS group [X[2] = 47.045, P <0.05]. The mean number of corpus callosum lesions was 2.3 +/- 2.4 in the stroke group and 8.1 +/- 2.6 in MS group with significant difference [P<0.05]. The predilection of location of corpus callosum lesions was significantly different in the 2 groups [P<0.05], being more inner callosal [42%] and ventriculocallosal [49%] in MS group while the outer callosal was more common in the stroke group [35%]. Corpus callosum atrophy would be used as a relatively morphological marker for cognitive decline in MS and small vessel ischemic stroke, being significantly more in MS. The more atrophic the corpus callosum is, the more weighing down of MS versus small vessel ischemic stroke in clinically and radiologically overlapping cases

Epinephrine ameliorating response of serum proteins and protein fractions to whole body gamma irradiation in albino rats

The present study was carried out to investigate the role of epinephrine in modifying the radiation induced effects on serum protein as presented by total protein, protein fractions and albumin/globulin [A/G] ratio in adult albino rats. Epinephrine was intraperitoneally injected at a concentration of 200 microg/kg body weight, 15 min, pre-[or just after] whole body gamma-irradiation of rats at a dose of 6 Gy [single dose]. Studies have been undertaken at periods of 1 hr, 4 hrs, 1, 3 and 7 days after irradiation. Data of the present study revealed that whole body gamma-irradiation induced significant decreased in the total content of serum protein and albumin at 1, 3 and 7 days post radiation exposure alpha[1] -globulin significantly increased only on the 1[st] hr post-irradiation, however alpha[2]-globulin significantly increased along all the experimental periods. Beta-globulin insignificantly changed after irradiation but gamma-globulin significantly decreased during the experimental periods. These changes were associated with significant decreases in A/G ratio at 3 and 7 days post-irradiation. Administration of epinephrine pre-or after radiation exposure produced some amelioration in the radiation induced changes in the studied parameters. So, it could be concluded that epinephrine plays a beneficial radioprotective role through its pharmacologic properties

Epinephrine as a metabolic regulatory hormone in irradiated rats

The role of epinephrine as a regulatory hormone was examined in normal and irradiated rats. Epinephrine was intraperitoneally injected into rats at a concentration of 200 microg/kg body weight. Epinephrine was injected either 15 minutes before or just after whole body gamma irradiation 6 Gy [single dose]. The variations in serum epinephrine, norepinephrine, triglycerides, lipase activity, glucose and lactic acid were selected as biochemical markers in this study. Biochemical estimations were undertaken at 1 hr, 4 hrs, 1, 3 and 7 days after treatment [after irradiation]. The data obtained revealed that the treatment of normal rats with epinephrine induced a significant increase in serum epinephrine level 1 hr after injection, while the level of norepinephrine significantly increased at 4 hrs. Lipase activity significantly increased on the 1[st] hr post treatment. A significant decrease in the level of triglycerides was recorded 1 and 4 hrs post treatment. Serum glucose significantly increased at 1 and 4 hrs post treatment, while no significant changes were recorded for lactic acid. In gamma irradiated rats, the level of serum epinephrine significantly decreased at 1 hr followed by significant increases recorded at 1, 3, and 7 days after irradiation. Norepinephrine levels significantly decreased after irradiation during all the experimental time periods. The levels of triglycerides show significant increases accompanied by a decrease in lipase activity. A temporary decrease of glucose level was recorded at 1 hr followed by significant increase recorded at 1, 3, and 7 days post irradiation. Lactic acid levels show significant increase during all the experimental time periods. The data revealed that treatment of rats, with epinephrine, either pre or post irradiation, has diminished the radiation induced changes in most of the studied parameters. Accordingly, it could be concluded that epinephrine could exert a beneficial protective role against certain radiation induced disorders through acting as a regulatory hormone of the metabolic pathways

Phytochemical investigation of glinus lotoides growing in Egypt

Phytochemical investigation of Glinus lotoides [Molluginaceae] led to the isolation and identification of beta-amyrin, campesterol, alpha- spinasterol, beta-sitosterol and lupeol from the unsaponifiable fraction of the petroleum ether extract. From the chloroform extract, three prenylisoflavones were isolated: 5,7,2'4'-tetrahydroxy-6-[3,3- dimethylallyl] isoflavone; 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,3'-di-[3,3-dimethylallyl] isoflavone and 5,7,2',4'-tetrahydroxy-6,3'-di-[3,3-dimethylallyl] isoflavone. Also, from the ethyl acetate extract, three flavonoid glycosides were isolated: Apigenin-7-0-glucoside; isovitexin and luteolin-7-0-glucoside. The identification of the isolated compounds was established through spectral analysis as well as direct comparison with reference materials. GLC of the methylated fatty acids revealed the presence of 22 fatty acids

Radioprotective role of vitamin E and testosterone against radiation effects on serum cholesterol and free fatty acids of irradiated rats

The present study has been carried out to evaluate the radioprotective efficiency of vitamin E and testosterone for protecting the levels of serum total cholesterol and free fatty acids from deleterious radiation effects. Whole body gamma irradiation of rats at the dose of 7 Gy induced significant increase in the level of serum total cholesterol. This increase was 35.9, 103.3, 46.3, 47.3 and 40.0% on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 10th and 14th days post irradiation respectively, as compared to normal control values. As for free fatty acids content, a significant decrease was observed at the 3rd and 14th days post irradiation, while insignificant changes were recorded on the 1st, 7th and 10th days after irradiation. The treatment of rats with intraperitoneal injection of either vitamin E or testosterone pre-whole body gamma irradiation reduced the changes induced in the levels of studied parameters. The observed recovery was more clearly pronounced in the rats treated with vitamin E than in treated rats with testosterone

Prophylactic action of testosterone on lipid metabolism of liver and serum in gamma irradiated albino rats

The present study has been carried out to investigate the efficiency of testosterone as a radioprotector agent. The levels of total lipids and triglycerides as well as the lipolytic activity of liver and serum in gamma irradiated rats were selected for this study at periods of 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14 days post irradiation.The results indicated that whole body gamma irradiation at the dose of 7 Gy caused different significant changes in the levels of total lipids and triglycerides of the liver. However an evident elevation in serum total lipids and triglyceride contents produced at all post irradiation days. The enzymatic activity of serum and liver lipase significantly increased on the 3rd and 7th days post-irradiation and decreased at the other experimental times. Pre-treatment of rats with testosterone, 10 days, before whole body gamma irradiation [7 Gy] has minimized the variation occurred in the levels of the studied parameters in both liver and serum

Some studies on internal parasites of cattle

In the present study, 116 cattle calves aged between 6-12 months old showed clinical signs varied from anorexia to weight loss, diarrhea, anemia and subm and ibular edema, were investigated for helminthiosis. Only 13.7% of the fecal samples were positive for strongyle eggs with a mean EPG of 240. Mixed infection with Fasciola was observed in 8.6% of cases [10 out of 116]. Most of the recovered larvae from fecal culture were Ostrtagia spp., followed by Trichostrongylus spp. and Cooperia spp. Estimation of pepsinogen level of 26 animals including the infested one showed significant increase. Anthelmintic treatment using Invermectin plus Clorsulon or Albendazole revealed that both drugs were highly effective against adult and developing stages of parasitic gastro-enteritis as well as Fasciola infestation

Management of complicated transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy in children

48 cases of complicated transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy [DCR] in children were studied. Possible causes of failure of this procedure were discussed. These cases were managed by classical DCR. A success rate of 93.75% was achieved with minimal complications

use of nigella sativa oil as a natural preservative agent in processed cheese spread

Nigella sativa oil as a natural preservative agent was added at concentrations ratio of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% to processed cheese spread. Microbial count, chemical composition, and organoleptic properties of the processed cheese were investigated. The oil used had acid number of 29.5%, saponification value of 176.8% and iodine value of 129.5. Physical properties of the oil were 0.9251 specific gravity, refractive index of 1.472 at 25 degrees, and 0.55 polenske number. The fatty acid composition of the oil were 48.54% linoleic, 38.35% oleic, 13.2% palmitic, 3.25% stearic, 1.9% linolenic and 0.18% myristic acids. Nigella sativa oil had no effect on the chemical properties of processed spread. The treatment of processed cheese spread with sodium bisulfite or Nigella sativa oil at different concentrations led to reduce the microbial groups investigated, the reduction depended upon the concentration of preservative used and the resistance nature of the microbial groups

Utilization of whey protein concentrate for the manufacture of some foods

Whey protein concentrate was used at levels of 3, 5 and 7% for preparation of flavored whey jelly, chocolate whey jelly, flavored whey custard and chocolate whey custard. Jelly and custard products were evaluated chemically and organoleptically. The results showed that with increasing whey protein concentrate, total solids, protein, fat and energy value markedly increased and both lactose and ash slightly increased. By increasing the percentage of whey protein concentrate, some essential amino acids increased and others decreased moderately. Leucine was the limiting amino acid, the control, 3% and 7% samples and in the control custard sample, while histidine was the limiting amino acid for jelly [5%] and custard 3, 5 and 7%. The addition of whey protein concentrate improved the nutritional value of jelly and custard products as indicated by a decrease of most gram daily requirements. Values were related to the limiting essential amino acids, the consumption of which met the daily requirements of man for limiting amino acid, and also for all other essential amino acids

molluscicidal, cercaricidal and miracidial activity of basis muriate and cornulaca monocantha

The dry powders of some local plants were screened for molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria alexandrina and Bulinus truncatus. Bassia muricata and Cornulaca monocantha showed considerable molluscicidal activity [LC90 for Bassia muricata was 165 and 160 ppm while, the LC90 for Cornulaca was 140 and 120 ppm] against Biomphalaria alexandrina and Bulinus truncatus, respectively. The molluscicidal activity of the dry powders of the two plants showed stability under the effect of some simulated field conditions. On the other hand, the dry powders of both plants killed Schistosoma mansoni cercariae and miracidia at the molluscicidal concentration

suggested mechanism of the ocular hypotensive effect of mitomycin during glaucoma surgery

Mitomycin is an antibiotic-antimetabolite, used topically or subconjunctivally, as adjunct chemotherapy during selected cases of glaucoma filtering surgery to promote lowering of intraocular pressure [IOP]. In normal eyes of anesthetized spontaneously breathing rabbits, subconjunctival mitomycin was found to be devoid of any significant effect on IOP, while intravenous injection of the same drug elicited a delayed statistically significant drop of IOP. No change in blood pressure was noticed after subconjunctival or intravenous mitomycin. A potent antiproliferative effect on subconjunctival fibroblasts was proved to promote drop in IOP with intraoperative application of mitomycin. The initial sharp drop in IOP seen postoperatively could, according to this work, be explained by a possible intravenous absorption of the drug from the traumatized local vasculature of the eye occurring during surgical procedures

Isolation of diterpene esters from synadenium grantii as molluscicidal agent

The acetone extract of dried latex of Synadenium grantii [Euphorbiaceae] showed high molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria alexandrina and Bulinus truncatus [LC 90 = 1.5 and 1 ppm] respectively. Chromatographic fractionation of acetone extract led to three molluscicidal diterpene esters [I-III]. The structures of these active principles has been established by IR, 1HNMR and mass spectroscopy

Field evaluation of anagallis arvensis [SSP latifolia] [saboon el gheit] [primulaceae] as a molluscacidal plant in snail control

A field trial in Egypt of the plant molluscicide Anagallis arvensis is described. The application of 132 and 100 mg/Litre powdered whole plant material was made to drain water in October and November 1989. The treatment effect took 24 hours to become fully established. The reduction in the number of alive Biomphalaria alexandria, Bulinus truncates and Lymnaea natalensis was generally more than 90% at a concentration of 100 mg/Liter dry powdered plant material. Lymnaea natalensis snails showed the highest susceptibility to the action of both sooked and dry powder at the different concentrations used. The easy availability of the plant in the rural areas, the high molluscicidal activity of the dry powder of whole plant material and the simple technique of its application recommend the field application of Anagallis arvensis for snail control

molluscicidal properties of Agavaceae Agave filifera and Agave Lophantha

The susceptibility of the fascioliasis intermediate host lymnaea cailliaudi to the toxicity of the boiled water extracts of Agave filifera and Agave lophantha has been to amount, in LC[90] expression, to 11 and 19.4 mg/L respectively post exposure period of 24 hours. The steroidal saponin active consitutuents in yields of 5% and 3.6% in their water exbvocts showed much higher activity than they gave after their isolation from the water extracts. The activity of theses active saponins has been found to be stable under the effect of sunlight, high mud concentration and a wide range of temperatures and significantly increased by increasing the exposure period to 48 hours. The use of water for extraction provides an economic importance and possibly simple technique in field application