Histopathological and immunohistochemical changes induced by Bisphenol A in reproductive tissues of female rat

Background: Bisphenol A [BPA] is an environmental chemical that has been widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins for many years. Due to its major applications in the production of plastic food or beverage containers and the coating of food cans, people of different ages are inevitably exposed to BPA in daily life. It is a contaminant with increasing exposure to it and exerts both toxic and estrogenic effects on mammalian cells

Aim of the work: the present study was designated to evaluate the histopathological and immunohistochemical effect of BPA on the histoarchitecture of pituitary ,adrenal, ovarian and uterine axis of female albino rats and the ameliorative effect of antiestrogen drug and stem enhance

Experimental model and methods: 20 female albino rats weighing 100 - 120 g. were kept under observation for about 15 days before the onset of the experiment for adaptation, then the rats were classified into 4 groups 5 rats for each , the first group was left without any treatment for 30 days as negative control group , the second group was administered with 20 mg/kg.bw of BPA for 15 consecutive days as positive control, the third group administered with 20 mg/kg.bw of BPA for 15 consecutive days and then treated with antiestrogen drug as 0.1 mg/100gm.bw for 15 day, the fourth group administered with the same dose for the same period and the treated with stem enhance [4.5 mg/100.bw] for 15 days. All rats are scarified and organs were histologically examined after processing

Results: The results showed that PA has a histopathological effects on vital organs [pituitary, adrenal, ovary, oviduct and uterus] even for a short period with minimal ameliorative effect of antiestrogen drug and stem enhance

Histological study and DNA changes in the kidneys of rat fetuses maternally treated with Clarithromycin

Introduction: macrolide antibiotics are a class of potent and well established antimicrobials that also possess anti-inflammatory and/or immunomodulatory properties. Because of their size, lower levels of macrolides are able to reach the developing fetuses

Materials and method: the pregnant rats were orally administered with clarithromycin at early and late gestational periods. The 20 day-old fetuses were dissected for excision of the kidney. Half of the kidney was processed and stained with H and E, PAS, Masson's trichrome and Feulgen techniques then followed by morphometric measurements and statistical study. The other half of the kidney was preserved for DNA fragmentation assay.Results: This study revealed that clarithromycin administration to pregnant rats showed different histopathological, histochemical and DNA changes in the kidneys of their fetuses

Conclusion: Administration of the antimicrobial agent; clarithromycin at early and late gestational periods exhibits nephrotoxicity in the developing fetuses

Histological and immunohistochemical studies on the kidneys of pregnant rats treated with Clarithromycin

Background: clarithromycin is a semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic, exhibits broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive and gram-negative aerobes. Macrolides are bacteriostatic antibiotics that inhibit protein biosynthesis via reversible binding to the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit. Macrolides are able to cross placenta and reach the fetus

Aim of the work: the present study is focused on evaluating the effects of antimicrobial drug, clarithromycin on the kidneys of pregnant rats

Material and methods: clarithromycin is orally given to the treated groups of the pregnant rats once daily at different periods of gestation by gastric tube at a dose of 45 mg/kg/day. The excised kidneys were dissected, processed and stained with H and E, PAS, Masson's trichrome, Feulgen reaction and anti-CD68 immunohistochemical stain then followed by morphometric measurements and statistical analysis. The kidneys were also preserved for DNA fragmentation assay

Results: this study revealed that clarithromycin administration especially to pregnant rats showed different histopathological and histochemical changes in kidney tissues and cellular DNA. Also immunohistochemical anti-inflammatory marker CD68 showed positive reactivity in all treated groups

Conclusion: The presence of histopathological and histochemical changes revealed nephrotoxicity in the pregnant rats after administration of the antimicrobial drug, clarithromycin

Cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles in mice liver cells: an ultrastructure study

Nanoparticles of silver have many important applications and are among the most commonly used nanomaterials. They are increasingly used in a variety of both medical and consumer products which includes: spectrally selective coating for solar energy absorption and intercalation material for electrical batteries, as optical receptors, polarizing filters, catalysts in chemical reaction and bio-labeling. Nanosilver [Ag-NP] has both antibacterial and antiviral activity. Yet, the knowledge about the systemic toxicity of nanosilver is relatively limited. The aim of work: To evaluate the potential toxicity of small size 10nm silver nanoparticles using two different doses [0.1 ml and 0.4 ml] focusing on the ultrastructural changes occurring in mice hepatocytes. This study was performed using three groups of mice. The animals of the first group were given a daily intravenous injection of 0.1 ml of silver nanoparticles for 28 consecutive days. The second group was treated with 0.4 ml of silver nanoparticles for 28 consecutive days. The third group served as a control group in which the animals did not receive any vehicle. The study was focused on the ultrastructure of the liver. Ultrastructure observations of liver cells of mice Treated with any of the two doses [0.1 and 0.4 ml] of 10 nm Ag-NP indicated severe accumulation of dark deposits of Ag-NP in the cytoplasm and the cell organelles. Our study revealed that nanosilver used in doses of 0.1 and 0.4 ml led to deposits in the cells and induced damage of cell components especially the nucleus, mitochondria and chromatin

Histopathological and immunohistochemical changes induced by contraceptive pills in the cervix of female rabbits

Oral contraceptive pills [OCPs] are the most popular form of hormonal contraception in young women. The present study focused on evaluating the effects of two different contraceptive pills including combined pills [estrogen and progesterone] and mini pills [progesterone only] on the cervix of female rabbit. After three months of daily oral administration of these contraceptive pills the animals were sacrificed. The excised organs were dissected, processed and stained with H and E, PAS reaction and Masson's trichrome stain and orcein stain. This was followed by morphometric measurements and statistical study. This study revealed that contraceptive pills administration - specially the combined one - caused marked alterations in the form of hyperplastic cervical mucosal cells and hypertrophied muscular layer. Also, there was a significant increase in collagenous and elastic fibres content in the muscular layer of the cervix. There was also a statistically significant increase in PAS positive materials in the lumina of the mucosal glands of the cervix. All these changes were less marked in the case of mini pill treatment. Pills of progesterone only showed marked histopathological change, in the cervix as a contraceptive mean, but in less manner than the combined pills [estrogen and progesterone]

Histological and immunohistochemical study on the changes induced by contraceptive pills in the female rabbit's kidney

The mechanism for the development of overt hypertension due to the oral contraception ingestion remains unclear. Experimental evidence favors a role for the renin-angiotensin system. The present study focuses on evaluating the effect of two different contraceptive pills including combined pills [estrogen and progesterone] and mini pills [progesterone only] on the kidney of female rabbit. After three month of daily oral administration of these contraceptive pills the animals were sacrificed. The excised kidneys were dissected, processed and stained with H and E, PAS and Masson's trichrome and anti-angiotensin II immunohistochemical stains. This was followed by morphometric measurements and statistical study. This study revealed that contraceptive pills administration specially the combined one caused marked alterations in the form of damaged kidney tubules with cell swelling and loss of brush border and enlarged glomeruli with hypercellularity. Also, a statistically significant increase in collagenous content peritubular and peri and intraglomerular was observed. There was also a statistically significant increase in the anti-Angiotensin II immunoreactivity in renal tubules as well as intra-glomerular and in the interstitial cells. All these changes were less marked after mini pill treatment. Progesterone only pills could be safer on the kidney as a contraceptive mean when compared to combined pills

study of patients with community acquired abscesses at Khartoum north teaching Hospital

Abscess incision and drainage [I and D] operation represents the bulk of surgical procedures in the emergency department [ED]. Nevertheless, epidemiological, clinical, and bacteriology data are lacking or non-existent on patients with abscesses. Information is also lacking on the magnitude of the problem of community acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [CA-MRSA], and their susceptibility to the most commonly used antibiotics. To identify and document epidemiological and clinical variables of patients with superficial abscesses, and isolate the causative organism [s] in the pus and determine their antibiotic susceptibility. Also, to determine the prevalence of CA-MRSA and their antibiotic susceptibility and ao audit our practice of I and D of abscess. A prospective observational study, involving a convenience sample of patients who presented with community acquired skin and soft tissue [superficial] abscesses to a single unit at Khartoum North Teaching Hospital [KNTH] emergency department [ED], was done during the period 2009-2010.A pro-forma was designed to record the personal, epidemiological, and clinical data of each patient. The I and D of the abscesses was performed as a day case. Swabs of pus drained from the abscess were sent to the laboratory for culture. Micro-organisms isolates underwent susceptibility testing against a group of the most commonly used antibiotics. A total of 248 patients were included in the study. The majority [84%] were below the age of 40 years. Males [69%] were twice as many as females [31%]. The majority of patients did not have a known predisposing factor, but 13% had a previous history of an abscess. A history of trauma was found in 27% of the patients, whereas diabetes mellitus history was obtained in only 6%. The most common site of the abscess was the upper limb [46%] followed by the lower limb [20%]. The study showed that 85% of the abscesses were drained under local anaesthesia. Susceptibility tests were performed on 151 pus specimens using a group of commonly used antibiotics. 123 [81.5%] specimens grew micro-organisms. Of those, Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest organism grown [90%], followed by Klebsiella spp [6.5%]. The proportion of CAMRSA was 24%. High proportions of S. aureus were resistant to other antibiotics too. Lists of antibiotics and their efficacy in the treatment of S. aureus and Klebsiella were constructed. This study documents some epidemiological and bacteriological data on one of the most common surgical problems. The study showed the presence of a significant proportion of CAMRSA. This reflects the abuse of antibiotics in the community and stresses the importance of health education. Standardized surgical and anaesthetic guidelines on I and D of abscess should be followed to avoid recurrences. Further studies are urgently needed

Molecular diagnosis of trichomoniasis in negative samples examined by direct smear and culture

Trichomoniasis is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection [STI] worldwide and is associated with important public health problems, including amplification of HIV transmission. This disease is in forms of symptomatic and asymptomatic in women and may depend on host as well as parasite variables. Most of the studies reported from females are based on examination of vaginal secretions and urine samples by direct smear and culture in modified Diamond's media. The aim of this study was checking the samples, which were negatively by direct smear and culture, with PCR technique. The urine samples and vaginal discharge of patients attending Gynecology Clinics of Mazandaran Province, Iran with different symptoms rechecked for Trichomonas vaginalis by PCR technique using primers targeting a conserved region of the beta-tubulin genes of the parasite. Data were analyzed by Epi Info software program. Out of 161 negative samples by direct smear and culture, seven samples [4.3%] were positive by PCR technique. Diagnosis of trichomoniasis by PCR is a sensitive and specific method that could play important role to help the physicians for properly treatment and control of infection

Ultrastructural and histological studies on the ameliorative effects of some antioxidants on liver tissue of aged mice

One of the biological changes associated with aging is increased free radical formation, with subsequent damage to cellular processes. Aging increased oxidative injury and apoptosis in the liver of aging animals. Antioxidants play an important role in preventing free radical damage associated with age by interfering with the generation of these radicals or by scavenging them. This study were done to know the capability of damage and dysfunction of liver and the ameliorative effects of some antioxidants. Vitamin E [1.56 mg/kg] as lipid soluble antioxidant, vitamin C [1.9 mg/kg] as water soluble antioxidant and zinc sulfate [0.12 mg/kg] as metalloenzyme antioxidant were orally administrated to different groups of 15 months [aged] mice each for 30 consecutive days to improve age-associated liver dysfunction. The present study showed that zinc treatment of aged mice was associated with a significant increase in glycogen granules storage and protein deposition in the hepatocyte, also histological improvement in the liver architecture was noticed as an organized cords, intact hepatocytes cytoplasm without vacuolation and the nucleus were of normal size and blood sinusoids were more or less similar to those of the liver of adult animals, while treated with vitamin E appeared nearly normal with some little vacuoles in the cytoplasm of its cells, and high increase of glycogen and protein contents was observed in the hepatocytes. Vitamin C treatment showed fairly improvement to the general architecture of the liver tissue while the hepatocytes still showed vacuolated cytoplasm, and moderate increase in glycogen and protein content were observed in the hepatic cells. The present study suggested that zinc sulfate is the best antioxidant improve aging liver histology, then, vitamin E and vitamin C. Administration of these drugs where there is no need have bad and dangerous effects

Trichomoniasis in asymptomatic patients

Trichomoniasis is an extremely common infection worldwide and is associated with important public health problems, including amplification of HIV transmission. This disease is in forms of symptomatic and asymptomatic in women and may depend on host as well as parasite variables. Thus the aim of this study was to evaluate the patients attending gynecology clinic with different symptoms and checked them for Trichomonas vaginalis infection. The vaginal secretion and urine samples of the patients attending gynecology clinic, Imam Reza Hospital, Amol City, were checked by direct smear and cultured in TYI-S-33 culture media. Out of 853 samples collected, 8[0.9%] were positive for T. vaginalis and the number of asymptomatic patients for trichomoniasis were 1.3 times more than infected samples belong to symptomatic ones. Per speculum examination revealed that 75% of T. vaginalis positive subjects had normal appearance of vagina and cervix. According to the epidemiological aspects, these asymptomatic patients are very important as healthy carriers, and T. vaginalis infections are commonly associated with other STDs and are a marker of high-risk sexual behavior. Thus laboratories could play important role for diagnosis of infection and help the physicians for proper treatment

Antioxidant activity for a novel phenolic glycoside from koelreuteria elegans

Reactive oxygen species [ROS] have been implicated in the pathophysiology of many diseases such as atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Additional evidence also suggests ROS may play a role in the decline in neuronal function during normal aging. Phytochemical investigation of koelreuteria elegans resulted in isolation of a new benzoic acid monoglycoside, its structure was established as: benzoic acid 4-0-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside [compound 1] which exhibited strong radical scavenging properties on lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion generation. Three other known flavonol glycosides; quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranside [compound 2], kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside [compound 3] and ombuin 3-O-alpha-L-rharnnopyranosyl-6-D-glucopyranosyl [compound 4], in addition to a triterpene saponin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl[1-2][alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl[1-3]] beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl 28-0-angeloyl-camelliagenin A [comped 5] were also isolated

Modeling and simulation of EEG signals for diagnosis of epilepsy

AR [autoregressive modeling] and ARMA [autoregressive moving average modeling] are very popular in modeling processes, in the present work they were used to simulate the EEG [brain activity] to investigate which of them is better for simulating the brain activity. Two groups were investigated; control group and Epileptic group [patients suffer from brain disorder and convulsions], it was found that AR model is efficient to simulate the brain activity, because of its stability and its coefficients of variation fluctuate in a limited range. ARMA model showed higher values for the calculated variation coefficient of model parameter. The coefficient of variation was reached 182% for 80% of the model coefficients. This variation was obvious over the studied time intervals. In addition, ARMA model needs more time of computation, therefore AR model is preferred to simulate the brain activity

Prolactin suppression inhibits the prostatic dysplasia induced by testosterone and estradiol-17 Beta in sprague-dawley rats

The treatment of Sprague-Dawley rats for 16 weeks with testosterone [T] and estradiol-17 beta [E2] induces prostatic dysplasia by 80%. The combined hormonal treatment also induces hyperprolactinemia. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the dual hormone action is mediated via E2-induced hyperprolactinemia. Bromocriptine [Brc] was used to suppress pituitary prolactin [PRL] release. Serum PRL levels were lowered from values of 329 +/- 41 ng/ml in T + E2 treated rats to 35 +/- 9 ng/ml in Brc co-treated animals and this were comparable to PRL levels in untreated rats. Brc not only blocked the hyperprolactinemia but also blocked the dysplasia induced by T + E2 treatment. However, it remains to be defined whether estrogen exerts direct trophic effects, independent of PRL induction, on the rat prostate and thereby participates in the development of dysplasia in the prostate. To address this question, we used ICI 182, 780 [ICI] to antagonize the action of estrogen at the tissue level in T + E2- treated rats. Initially, we used ICI to block the E2 local effect on the prostate but surprisingly, we observed that ICI was able to block hyperprolactinemia and significantly decrease the number and percentage of the prostatic dysplasia in the rates treated with T + E2. These findings indicate that prostatic dysplasia is mediated through a PRL-dependent as well as PRL-independent mechanisms and suggest a new action for ICI to block the hyperprolactinemia

possible antidiabetic role of selective beta-3 adrenoceptor agonist in animal models of diabetes mellitus

Control of blood glucose is a key objective in the management of type I and type II diabetes mellitus [DM] as well. The basis for development of new antidiabetic drug is the proper control of the hyperglycemia and furthermore could manage accompanying [isomers especially dyslipidemia. The aim of this study was to investigate a newly developed Beta-3 adrenergic agonist [BRL 37344] to confirm its effect on blood glucose in two animal models of DM. which induced by streptozotocin [STZ] in a dose of 70 or 40 mg/kg for induction of type I or II D. M, respectively and try to explore for the possible underlying mechanism this effect. Oral administration of BRL 37344 for 4 successive days in either STZ type I or STZ type II diabetic rats produced significant reduction in mean serum glucose level and non-significant change in mean serum insulin level in comparison with non treated STZ diabetic rats. BRL treatment significantly increased glucokinase activity and decreased glucose-6-phosphatase activity in hemogenated hepatic tissues which were isolated from both STZ diabetic rat models. In in-vitro study, BRL. produced non-signiticant changes in insulin secretion from isolated pancreatic tissue of STZ type II diabetic rats, while BRL showed significant increase in glucose uptake by isolated soleus muscle from both STZ diabetic rat models. These results showed that selective stimulation of the [Beta-3 -adrenoceptors in diabetic rats, produced significant antihyperglycemic effect. This effect is not through stimulation of pancreatic insulin secretion but it is through inhibition of hepatic glucose output or enhanced glucose utilization by skeletal muscles

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital Toxoplasmosis: validity of PCR using amniotic fluid against indirect fluorescent antibody assay in mothers

Maternal infection with Toxoplasma gondii acquired during pregnancy may result in congenital infection of developing fetuses. Up to now, decision on informed therapeutic abortion of fetuses suspected of having T gondii infection in Iran has been made based on serological findings in mothers. This might have led to unnecessary abortion of many uninfected children. We evaluated the Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR] assay on amniotic fluids against serological findings in mothers. PCR results in this study indicated that only about one third of Indirect Fluorescent Antibody [IFA] positive mothers had passed the infection to their children. It was a sigh of relief for the majority of mothers who learned that their infants were uninfected. On the other hand it helped the mothers of infected fetuses out of an awkward predicament by making them able to make a solid decision to terminate the pregnancy or carry their children to term

GIS-based prediction of malaria risk in Egypt

Environmental variables in a malaria geographic information system [GIS] database were analysed to discriminate between governorates at high and low risk of malaria. Only Fayoum governorate was categorized as a high risk area for malaria during the last 2 decades. Discriminant models correctly classified 96.3% of the risk categories and indicated that the most important predictor of risk is hydrogeology. Further GIS spatial analysis indicated that the high malaria risk in Fayoum is associated with a unique environmental envelope of biotic [presence of both efficient malaria vectors] and abiotic [hydrogeology and soil] variables. Recommendations for surveillance and control are discussed

Nebulized dexamethasone in comparison to oral prednisone and intravenous hydrocortisone in the treatment of acute attacks of bronchial asthma in children

The primary therapies for acute asthma exacerbations are the administration of a rapid-acting beta 2 agonist, the early introduction of systemic glucocorticosteroids, and oxygen supplementation. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of dexamethasone when given by inhalation in combination with saibutamol in the treatment of acute asthma attacks of moderate severity and to compare it with systemic steroids given by conventional methods, namely, the oral and parenteral routes. The study was conducted on a total of 60 children, 1 to 12 years old, with a history of stable bronchial asthma and suffering from acute exacerbations of moderate severity. Asthmatic children were divided at random into 3 equal groups each of 20, and within 5 minutes of their first saibutamol nebulization, they were given either [a] Nebulized dexamethasone in a dose of 1mg/kg, maximum 16mg [group I], [b] Oral prednisone in a dose of 1mg/kg [group II], or [c] Intravenous hydrocortisone in a dose of 4 mg/kg [group III]. Nebulized saibutamol was repeated for all patients an hourly basis for 3 hours and later every 2 hours. Comparison was made between the three groups by repeating a pulmonary index [PI] score at 3 and 6 hours after steroid administration. Assessment after 3 hours revealed that: [1]. The mean PI and respiratory rate in the dexamethasone group were significantly lower than in the oral prednisone group with no significant difference in these parameters between the dexamethasone and the parenteral hydrocortisone group. [2]. There was a significant improvement in the PI, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation in all studied groups when compared to baseline data. Assessment after 6 hours revealed no statistically significant differences between the three studied groups as regards the PI, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation. Conclusion: Dexamethasone, when given by inhalation in combination with saibutamol is at least as effective as oral and parenteral steroids for first line therapy of acute asthma exacerbations of moderate severity, moreover, it is associated with more rapid improvement when compared to oral steroids

Effect of exchange transfusion on oxygen free radicals and some antioxidants in newborn infants

Exchange transfusion rapidly produces variable changes in pro-oxidants and antioxidants plasma concentrations in neonates which may be responsible for free radical metabolism. So our study aimed to evaluate the effect of exchange transfusion on some pro-oxidants [iron, and ferritin] and primary antioxidants [ceruloplasmin and transferrin] in newborn infants. The study included 25 neonates [16 males and 9 females] with mean gestational age of 34.4 +/- 3.9 weeks. They were divided into 2 groups according to clinical presentation, 17 with hyperbilirubinemia [6 haemolytic and 11 non haemolytic] and 8 hyperbilirubinemia with sepsis. All neonates were subjected to full clinical history, Gestational age assessment, thorough clinical examinations for all systems and laboratory investigations [before and after exchange transfusion] in the form of complete blood count, serum levels of total and direct bilirubin, serum levels of ferritin, Iron and T.I.B.C., serum level of malondialdehyde and serum levels of ceruloplasmin and transferrin.Regarding to our results, serum level of total bilirubin showed statistically highly significant decrease after exchange transfusion [E.T.] and primary antioxidant [ceruloplasmin and transferrin] were significantly elevated after E.T. As regard pro oxidants, there was highly significant decrease in serum levels of ferritin, iron and malondialdehyde after E.T. and highly significant rise in serum level of T.I.B.C. after E.T. The differences between the mean values of serum ferritin, iron, T.I.B.C., transferrin and - ceruloplasmin before and after exchange transfusion were statistically significant in preterm and neonates with birth weight less than 2kg. Transferrin showed positive correlation with gestational age.After exchange transfusion there was significant decrease in serum levels of ferritin and iron and significant increase in T.I.B.C. in both groups of neonataI hyperbilirubinemia and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia with septicemia. Serum levels of transferrin and ceruloplasmin were also increased after exchange transfusion in both groups but without significant statistical difference. Finally we can conclude that elevation of serum levels of primary antioxidants [ceruloplasmin and transferrin] and lowering serum levels of oxygen free radicals [MDA as an index] after exchange transfusion indicate its important role not only in decreasing the serum bilirubin level but also in improving the defence mechanism against oxygen free radical injury especially in preterm neonates. Preterm and neonates with low birth weight are more vulnerable to neonatal oxygen radical diseases because of their developmentally low iron associated antioxidant proteins [transferrin]

Self-reported adolescents' health and gender: an Egyptian study

To identify self-reported health problems among adolescents, a multistage, stratified random sample of 1002 adolescents from preparatory and secondary schools in Cairo [67.6% of the total sample] and the rural district of Qaliubia [32.4%] was surveyed. Of 863 completed questionnaires analysed, 54% were from males and 46% from females [age range: 12-18 years]. The study showed that more boys than girls perceived their health as very healthy whereas more girls considered their health to be average. Significantly, more adolescent females reported weekly occurrence of abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, backache, morning tiredness, sleep disturbance and nervousness. Awareness-raising of parents and adolescents is necessary to allow determination of the relationship between gender and health