Effect of Moringa olifera leaves on growth and gut microbiota of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Moringa olifera on the growth and gut health of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The feed having 30% crude protein was prepared as an experimental diet with 4%, 8% and 10% M. olifera leaf supplementation, respectively. The control diet was devoid of M. olifera leaves. The 10 weeks feeding trial was carried out on 60 fish in aquaria. Fish was fed @ 3% of body weight twice a day. Diet with the high level of inclusion of M. olifera leaves significantly increased the growth rate, Survival Rate (SR), Specific Growth Rate (SGR) and Feed Conversion Efficiency (FCE) in all treatment groups compared to the control group. Similarly, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) gradually decreased and found highly-significant. To check the gut health of the Tilapia, random samples were selected and dissected. Nutrient agar was used as culture media to check the growth of bacteria. Pour Plate Method was used for viable colonies count by colony counter. Through staining method, the different bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were identify abundantly in the intestine of control diet fish but less number present in treatment diets groups. These results showed that M. olifera leaves up to 10% of dietary protein can be used for Nile tilapia for significant growth and healthy gut microbiota of fish.

Resumo O estudo foi conduzido para avaliar o efeito da Moringa olifera no crescimento e saúde intestinal da tilápia (Oreochromis niloticus). A ração com 30% de proteína bruta foi preparada como dieta experimental com 4%, 8% e 10% de suplementação de folhas de M. olifera, respectivamente. A dieta controle foi desprovida de folhas de M. olifera. O ensaio de alimentação de 10 semanas foi realizado em 60 peixes em aquários. O peixe pesava 3% do peso corporal duas vezes ao dia. A dieta com alto nível de inclusão de folhas de M. olifera aumentou significativamente a taxa de crescimento, taxa de sobrevivência (SR), taxa de crescimento de sobrevivência (SGR) e eficiência de conversão alimentar (FCE) em todos os grupos de tratamento em comparação com o grupo de controle. Da mesma forma, a taxa de conversão de alimentação (FCR) diminuiu gradualmente e foi considerada altamente significativa. Para verificar a saúde intestinal da tilápia, amostras aleatórias foram selecionadas e dissecadas. O ágar nutriente foi usado como meio de cultura para verificar o crescimento das bactérias. O método da placa de Verter foi usado para a contagem de colônias viáveis por contador de colônias. Através do método de coloração, diferentes como Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella e Pseudomonas aeruginosa foram identificados abundantemente no intestino de peixes da dieta controle, mas em menor número nos grupos de dieta de tratamento. Esses resultados mostraram que M. olifera deixa até 10% da proteína dietética e pode ser usado para tilápia do Nilo para um crescimento significativo e microbiota intestinal saudável de peixes.

Development of chitosan based microencapsulated spray dried powder of tuna fish oil: oil load impact and oxidative stability

Abstract The impact of fish oil concentration on the oxidative stability of microcapsules through the spray drying process using chitosan and maltodextrin as wall material was studied. Emulsions were prepared with different Tuna fish oil (TFO) content (TFO-10%, TFO20%, TF030% TF0-40%) while wall material concentration was kept constant. Microencapsulated powder resulting from emulsion prepared with high fish oil load have high moisture content, wettability, total oil and low encapsulation efficiency, hygroscopicity and bulk tapped density. Oxidative stability was evaluated periodically by placing microcapsules at room temperature. Microcapsules prepared with TFO-10% presented high oxidative stability in terms of peroxide value (2.94±0.04) and anisidine value (1.54±0.02) after 30 days of storage. It was concluded that optimal amounts of fish oil for microencapsulation are 10% and 20% using chitosan and maltodextrin that extended its shelf life during study period.

Resumo Foi estudado o impacto da concentração de óleo de peixe na estabilidade oxidativa de microcápsulas por meio do processo de secagem por atomização, utilizando quitosana e maltodextrina como material de parede. As emulsões foram preparadas com diferentes teores de óleo de atum (TFO) (TFO-10%, TFO20%, TF030% TF0-40%), enquanto a concentração de material de parede foi mantida constante. O pó microencapsulado resultante da emulsão preparada com alta carga de óleo de peixe tem alto teor de umidade, molhabilidade e óleo total e baixa eficiência de encapsulação, higroscopicidade e densidade extraída a granel. A estabilidade oxidativa foi avaliada periodicamente colocando microcápsulas à temperatura ambiente. As microcápsulas preparadas com TFO-10% apresentaram alta estabilidade oxidativa em termos de valor de peróxido (2,94 ± 0,04) e valor de anisidina (1,54 ± 0,02) após 30 dias de armazenamento. Concluiu-se que as quantidades ideais de óleo de peixe para microencapsulação são de 10% e 20% usando quitosana e maltodextrina que prolongaram sua vida útil durante o período de estudo.

Effect of Moringa olifera leaves on growth and gut microbiota of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) / Efeito das folhas da Moringa olifera no crescimento e na microbiota intestinal da tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Moringa olifera on the growth and gut health of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The feed having 30% crude protein was prepared as an experimental diet with 4%, 8% and 10% M. olifera leaf supplementation, respectively. The control diet was devoid of M. olifera leaves. The 10 weeks feeding trial was carried out on 60 fish in aquaria. Fish was fed @ 3% of body weight twice a day. Diet with the high level of inclusion of M. olifera leaves significantly increased the growth rate, Survival Rate (SR), Specific Growth Rate (SGR) and Feed Conversion Efficiency (FCE) in all treatment groups compared to the control group. Similarly, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) gradually decreased and found highly-significant. To check the gut health of the Tilapia, random samples were selected and dissected. Nutrient agar was used as culture media to check the growth of bacteria. Pour Plate Method was used for viable colonies count by colony counter. Through staining method, the different bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were identify abundantly in the intestine of control diet fish but less number present in treatment diets groups. These results showed that M. olifera leaves up to 10% of dietary protein can be used for Nile tilapia for significant growth and healthy gut microbiota of fish.

Resumo O estudo foi conduzido para avaliar o efeito da Moringa olifera no crescimento e saúde intestinal da tilápia (Oreochromis niloticus). A ração com 30% de proteína bruta foi preparada como dieta experimental com 4%, 8% e 10% de suplementação de folhas de M. olifera, respectivamente. A dieta controle foi desprovida de folhas de M. olifera. O ensaio de alimentação de 10 semanas foi realizado em 60 peixes em aquários. O peixe pesava 3% do peso corporal duas vezes ao dia. A dieta com alto nível de inclusão de folhas de M. olifera aumentou significativamente a taxa de crescimento, taxa de sobrevivência (SR), taxa de crescimento de sobrevivência (SGR) e eficiência de conversão alimentar (FCE) em todos os grupos de tratamento em comparação com o grupo de controle. Da mesma forma, a taxa de conversão de alimentação (FCR) diminuiu gradualmente e foi considerada altamente significativa. Para verificar a saúde intestinal da tilápia, amostras aleatórias foram selecionadas e dissecadas. O ágar nutriente foi usado como meio de cultura para verificar o crescimento das bactérias. O método da placa de Verter foi usado para a contagem de colônias viáveis ​​por contador de colônias. Através do método de coloração, diferentes como Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella e Pseudomonas aeruginosa foram identificados abundantemente no intestino de peixes da dieta controle, mas em menor número nos grupos de dieta de tratamento. Esses resultados mostraram que M. olifera deixa até 10% da proteína dietética e pode ser usado para tilápia do Nilo para um crescimento significativo e microbiota intestinal saudável de peixes.

Development of chitosan based microencapsulated spray dried powder of tuna fish oil: oil load impact and oxidative stability / Desenvolvimento de pó microencapsulado por pulverização de óleo de atum à base de quitosana: impacto da carga de óleo e estabilidade oxidativa

Abstract The impact of fish oil concentration on the oxidative stability of microcapsules through the spray drying process using chitosan and maltodextrin as wall material was studied. Emulsions were prepared with different Tuna fish oil (TFO) content (TFO-10%, TFO20%, TF030% TF0-40%) while wall material concentration was kept constant. Microencapsulated powder resulting from emulsion prepared with high fish oil load have high moisture content, wettability, total oil and low encapsulation efficiency, hygroscopicity and bulk tapped density. Oxidative stability was evaluated periodically by placing microcapsules at room temperature. Microcapsules prepared with TFO-10% presented high oxidative stability in terms of peroxide value (2.94±0.04) and anisidine value (1.54±0.02) after 30 days of storage. It was concluded that optimal amounts of fish oil for microencapsulation are 10% and 20% using chitosan and maltodextrin that extended its shelf life during study period.

Resumo Foi estudado o impacto da concentração de óleo de peixe na estabilidade oxidativa de microcápsulas por meio do processo de secagem por atomização, utilizando quitosana e maltodextrina como material de parede. As emulsões foram preparadas com diferentes teores de óleo de atum (TFO) (TFO-10%, TFO20%, TF030% TF0-40%), enquanto a concentração de material de parede foi mantida constante. O pó microencapsulado resultante da emulsão preparada com alta carga de óleo de peixe tem alto teor de umidade, molhabilidade e óleo total e baixa eficiência de encapsulação, higroscopicidade e densidade extraída a granel. A estabilidade oxidativa foi avaliada periodicamente colocando microcápsulas à temperatura ambiente. As microcápsulas preparadas com TFO-10% apresentaram alta estabilidade oxidativa em termos de valor de peróxido (2,94 ± 0,04) e valor de anisidina (1,54 ± 0,02) após 30 dias de armazenamento. Concluiu-se que as quantidades ideais de óleo de peixe para microencapsulação são de 10% e 20% usando quitosana e maltodextrina que prolongaram sua vida útil durante o período de estudo.

Propofol-ketamine versus dexmedetomidine-ketamine for sedation during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in pediatric patients: a randomized clinical trial / Propofol­cetamina versus dexmedetomidina­cetamina para sedação durante endoscopia digestiva alta em pacientes pediátricos: estudo clínico randomizado

Abstract Background and objectives Day-case pediatric sedation is challenging. Dexmedetomidine is a sedative analgesic that does not induce respiratory depression. We compared dexmedetomidine to propofol when it was added to ketamine for sedation during pediatric endoscopy, regarding recovery time and hemodynamic changes. Methods We enrolled 120 patients (2−7 years in age) and randomly assigned them into two groups. Each patient received intravenous (IV) ketamine at a dose of 1 mg.kg-1 in addition to either propofol (1 mg.kg-1) or dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg.kg-1). The recovery time was compared. Hemodynamics, oxygen saturation, need for additional doses, postoperative complications and endoscopist satisfaction were monitored. Results There was no significant difference in hemodynamics between the groups. The Propofol-Ketamine (P-K) group showed significantly shorter recovery times than the Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine (D-K) group (21.25 and 29.75 minutes, respectively, p < 0.001). The P-K group showed more oxygen desaturation. Eleven and 6 patients experienced SpO2 < 92% in groups P-K and D-K, respectively. A significant difference was noted regarding the need for additional doses; 10% of patients in the D-K group needed one extra dose, and 5% needed two extra doses, compared to 25% and 20% in the P-K group, respectively (p = 0.001). The P-K group showed less post-procedure nausea and vomiting. No statistically significant difference between both groups regarding endoscopist satisfaction. Conclusions The P-K combination was associated with a shorter recovery time in pediatric upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, while the D-K combination showed less need for additional doses. Registration number Clinical trials.gov (NCT02863861).

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos A sedação ambulatorial pediátrica é um desafio. A dexmedetomidina é um analgésico sedativo que não induz à depressão respiratória. Comparamos a dexmedetomidina ao propofol quando associados à cetamina para sedação durante endoscopia pediátrica, quanto ao tempo de recuperação e às alterações hemodinâmicas. Métodos Foram recrutados 120 pacientes (2−7 anos de idade) que foram aleatoriamente alocados em dois grupos. Cada paciente recebeu cetamina IV na dose de 1 mg.kg‐1, além de propofol (1 mg.kg‐1) ou dexmedetomidina (0,5 µg.kg‐1). Comparamos o tempo de recuperação. A hemodinâmica, saturação de oxigênio, necessidade de doses adicionais, complicações pós‐operatórias e satisfação do endoscopista foram monitoradas. Resultados Não houve diferença significante entre os grupos no que diz respeito à hemodinâmica. O grupo Propofol‐Cetamina (P‐C) apresentou tempos de recuperação significantemente mais curtos do que o grupo Dexmedetomidina‐Cetamina (D‐C) (21,25 e 29,75 minutos respectivamente, p < 0,001). Observou‐se frequência maior de dessaturação de oxigênio no grupo P‐C. Onze e 6 pacientes apresentaram SpO2 < 92% nos grupos P‐C e D‐C, respectivamente. Uma diferença significante foi observada em relação à necessidade de doses adicionais; 10% dos pacientes no grupo D‐C precisaram de uma dose extra e 5% precisaram de duas doses extras, em comparação com 25% e 20% no grupo P‐C, respectivamente (p = 0,001). O grupo P‐C apresentou menos náuseas e vômitos após o procedimento. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os dois grupos em relação à satisfação do endoscopista. Conclusões A combinação P‐C foi associada a tempo mais curto de recuperação na endoscopia digestiva alta pediátrica, enquanto a combinação D‐C mostrou menor necessidade de doses adicionais. Número de registro Clinical trials.gov (NCT02863861).

Human platelet lysate efficiency, stability, and optimal heparin concentration required in culture of mammalian cells

BACKGROUND: Fetal bovine serum (FBS) has been used to support the growth and proliferation of mammalian cells for decades. Owing to several risk factors associated with FBS, several trials have been conducted to evaluate substitutes to FBS with the same efficiency and the lower risk issues.METHODS: In this study, human platelet lysate (HPL) derived from activated human platelets was evaluated as an alternative to FBS due to the associated risk factors. To evaluate the efficiency of the preparation process, platelet count was performed before and after activation. The concentrations of several growth factors and proteins were measured to investigate HPL efficiency. HPL stability was studied at regular intervals, and optimal heparin concentration required to prevent gel formation in various media was determined. The biological activity of HPL and FBS was compared by evaluating the growth performance of Vero and Hep-2 cell lines.RESULTS: Result of platelet count assay revealed the efficiency of HPL preparation process. Growth factor concentrations in HPL were significantly higher than those in FBS, while the protein content of HPL was lower than that of FBS. Stability study data showed that the prepared HPL was stable for up to 15 months at −20℃. Ideal heparin concentration to be used in different media was dependent on calcium concentration. Results of cell viability assay showed that HPL was superior to FBS in supporting the growth and proliferation of Vero and Hep-2 cells.CONCLUSION: The HPL prepared by the mechanical activation of platelets may serve as an efficient alternative to FBS in cell culture process.

effects of Salvia officinalis L. on granulosa cells and in vitro maturation of oocytes in mice

Background: Salvia officinalis L. has been used since ancient times but there are little data about effects of this herb on normal reproductive cells

Objective: To investigate the toxicity effects of Salvia officinalis L. on granulosa cells [GCs] and maturation of oocytes

Materials and Methods: GCs and oocytes were extracted from superovulated ovaries of immature mice. The cells were treated with concentrations of 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 microg/ml of Salvia officinalis hydroalcoholic extracts and compared with the control culture. Bioviability, chromatin condensation, estradiol and progesterone concentrations, lipid synthesis, apoptosis, and alkaline phosphatase activity of GCs were measured. In vitro maturation of oocytes by determination of different maturation stages of oocytes including germinal vesicle, germinal vesicle breaks down, and metaphase II were examined

Results: The results revealed that 500 and 1000 microg/ml concentrations of Salvia officinalis L. were toxic. The most of the GCs were in the early stages of apoptosis in 100 microg/ml treated culture and cell death happened with 500 microg/ml treatment. Progesterone concentration was reduced in 100 microg/ml and higher doses but estradiol concentration and alkaline phosphatase showed opposite effects. The lipid droplets content of GCs reduced significantly in all groups especially in 500 and 1000 microg/ml. Finally, oocyte's nucleus and cytoplasm showed a high level of condensation, and meiosis rate reduced in all treated cultures

Conclusion: Our findings suggested that higher dose of Salvia officinalis hydroalcoholic extracts inhibits, oocyte maturation, GCs bioviability, proliferation, and secretion

Application of Bromocresol Green and Bromothymol Blue for the Extractive Spectrophotometric Determination of Anti-hypertensive Drugs.

Simple, selective and highly sensitive spectrophotometric methods are proposed for the rapid and accurate determination of anti-hypertensive drugs namely telmisartan (TEL), propranolol (PRO), bisoprolol (BIS) and carvedilol (CRV) in tablets and biological fluids using bromocressol green (BCG) and bromothymol blue (BTB). The developed methods involve formation of stable yellow colored dichloromethane extractable ion-pair complexes of the amino derivative of four antihypertensive drugs such as TEL, PRO, BIS and CRV with two sulphonphthalein acid dyes, namely; BCG and BTB in acidic buffer. The effect of optimum conditions via pH on the ion-pair formation, reagent concentration, time and temperature and solvent was studied. The composition of the ion-pairs was found 1: 1 by Job’s method. The established methods having high sensitivity and good selectivity could be applied to the determination of the studied drugs in pharmaceutical, urine and blood serum samples with satisfactory results. The results obtained are good agreement with experimental data. The reaction mechanism was also discussed.

Extractive Spectrophotometric Method for the Determination of Some Antipsychotic Drugs Using Eriochrome Black T.

Simple, accurate, precise, and rapid extractive spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of four antipsychotics drugs, namely sulpiride (SUP), olanzapine (OLP), clozapine (CLP) and aripiprazole (ARP) both in tablets and in biological fluids. The method was based on the formation of red colored ion-pair complex between the studied drugs and eriochrome black T (EBT) with absorption maxima at 514 nm. The stoichiometry of the complexes in either case was found to be 1: 1 and the conditional stability constant (Kf) of the complexes have been calculated. Reaction conditions were optimized to obtain the maximum color intensity. Beer’s law was obeyed in the concentration ranges of 4-30, 4-20, 2-18 and 4-26 μg/ml with SUP, OLP, CLP and ARP, respectively. Various analytical parameters have been evaluated and the results have been validated by satistical data. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of commercial tablets containing the drugs and the results were in good agreement with those obtained with reported methods. The proposed method was further applied to the determination of the studied drugs in spiked human serum and urine. A proposal for the reaction pathway was postulated.

Interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha: novel biomarkers for assessment of different grades of hepatic periportal fibrosis due to Schistosoma mansoni infestation

Background: Schistosomal hepatic periportal fibrosis, which affects 5-10% of individuals infected with Schistosoma mansoni, is caused by the T-cell-dependent granuloma that develops around schistosome eggs. Experimental models of infection have shown that granuloma and fibrosis are tightly regulated by cytokines. However, it is unknown why advanced periportal fibrosis occurs only in certain individuals

Aim: The goal of the present study was to evaluate interferon gamma [IFN-gamma] and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha] in sera obtained from a large number of individuals with different degrees of schistosomal hepatic fibrosis, relate them to fibrosis levels determined by echography, and correlate them with age and sex of the patients

Patients and methods: IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha levels in the sera of 80 patients [49 male and 31 female patients] with S. mansoni infection were determined by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Periportal fibrosis as defined by ultrasound examination was graded from F-0 to F-III. Each grade included 20 patients. The relation of age and sex to fibrosis intensity and serum levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha was studied

Results: Levels of IFN-gamma in the sera of patients with no [F-0] or mild [F-I] fibrosis were significantly higher than those of patients with moderate [F-II] or severe [F-III] fibrosis [mean +/- SD in pg/ml for groups F-0, F-I, F-II, and F-III, respectively: 70.3 +/- 13.5, 72.01 +/- 14.5, 60.7 +/- 11.9, and 55.7 +/- 15.6]. Similar results were obtained when comparing male patients alone or female patients alone. In contrast, levels of TNF-alpha in the sera of patients with severe [F-III] or moderate [F-II] fibrosis were significantly higher than those found in patients with mild [F-I] or no [F-0] fibrosis [mean +/- SD in pg/ml for groups F-III, F-II, F-I, and F-0, respectively: 130.4 +/- 11.4, 126.3 +/- 13.9, 115.5 +/- 12.9, and 108.9 +/- 15.4]. However, in male patients they were significantly higher in those at F-III and F-II, whereas in female patients they were not. The prevalence of fibrosis at different grades was uniform in male patients, independent of age, whereas female patients had moderate and severe fibrosis at more advanced ages

Conclusion: Serum levels of IFN-gamma are elevated in patients with no or mild fibrosis irrespective of sex, whereas serum levels of TNF-alpha are elevated in patients with extensive fibrosis only among male patients. Severe fibrosis in female patients occurs at advanced age and has no relation to TNF-alpha levels. The results strongly suggest that IFN-gamma plays a key role in the protection of S. mansoni-infected patients against periportal fibrosis, whereas TNF-alpha may aggravate the disease, especially in male patients

Hyperphosphatemia. The hidden killer in chronic kidney disease

Hyperphosphatemia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. The association between hyperphosphatemia and increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease/vascular calcification has been well established for a long time. This review explores the new aspects of pathogenesis of vascular calcification, as demonstrated by recent advances showing a recognized regulating role of phosphorus in vascular smooth muscle cell calcification. This novel mechanism may help in finding a new pharmacological therapy to reduce, or prevent blood vessel calcification. Furthermore, recent experimental and clinical studies involved in the treatment of hyperphosphatemia are reviewed in this article

Fabrication and Optimization of Novel Lornoxicam Matrix Tablets Using 3-Factor 3-Level Box-Behnken Statistical Design: Invitro and Invivo Evaluation.

In the present study efforts have been made to prepare sustained release matrix tablets of Lornoxicam. Matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression method by using Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose K15 (HPMC- K15), Ethyl cellulose (EC) and Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose (Na-CMC) as polymers in different concentrations. A 3-factor 3- level Box-Behnken statistical design was used as an optimization tool having total of 17 experimental runs with 5 central points. All three polymers were selected as independent variables while %age drug release at various time intervals and hardness were used as dependant variables. In vivo studies were conducted on human plasma using Tenoxicam as internal standered. All the detections were made on SYKNM HPLC. Foriour Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetery (DSC) studies were conducted and no chemical interaction was found between drug and polymers. The drug release mechanism was mainly governed by non-fickian (anomalous) diffusion and zero-order (case II) transport diffusion. Regression analysis was performed on dissolution data obtained with the selected response variables and polynomial models were constructed. Polynomial models were further validated using one way ANOVA and results indicated that all the polymers used have significant effect on selected response (p>0.05). Contour plots and three dimensional response surface curves were drawn. In- vivo studies were conducted on two tablet formulation indicating slow and sustained release of the drug from matrix. From Behnken design it is possible to successfully formulate and optimize Lornoxicam sustained release matrix tablets with three polymers (HPMC- K15, EC and Na-CMC) in combination.

Association of vitamin D metabolite levels with relapse rate and disability in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central system. It estimated to affect more than 2.5 million people worldwide. It is the most common non-traumatic cause of disability in young adults. Although the cause of multiple sclerosis remains undetermined, number of risk factors for MS have been identified and they can loosely be put into one of two categories; genetic or environmental components. Epidemiologic studies have suggested there is an increase in incidence and prevalence of MS with increasing latitude north and south of the equator. Latitude has implicate vitamin D status as a determinant of risk. To study the association of vitamin D level with relapse rate and disability in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis in Iraq. Thirty patients [6 males and 24 females] with relapsing remission multiple sclerosis [RRMS], their age range from 16 to 45 years, recruited from MS clinic of neurology department of Baghdad teaching hospital in the medical city in Baghdad and twenty five completely healthy controls [6 males and 19 females] from general population and their age range from 20 to 40 years were enrolled in this study in the period from April 2011 to the end January 2012. The present study shows low vitamin D levels for both patient with RRMS and control group. There is significantly lower 25[OH]D level in patients with relapse compared with patients without relapse in the last 6 weeks. Also we found higher expanded disability status scale [EDSS] in patients with relapse compared with patients without relapse in the last 6 weeks. Lastly, we didn't find any correlation between vitamin D level and EDSS in patients group study. We concluded from this study that there is low circulating level of 25[OH]D in RRMS patients, especially during relapses. Also there is no effect of vit D on disability

Biochemical and Parasitological Studies on the Effect of hUCB-Selected CD34+ Progenitor/Stem Cells in Mice Infected with Schistosoma mansoni

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Placenta and blood that remained in the umbilical cord is routinely available as a discarded tissue after deliveries and it is free of any legal, moral, ethical or religious objections, providing a high number of multipotent CD34+ progenitor and stem cells. Using ex vivo isolated CD34+ cells from human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) have emerged as promising candidates to treat various diseases, including exogenous pathogenic infections. We have expanded to build a rational approach to study the effect of CD34+ cells after damaged liver tissues by the devastating human parasitic flatworm Schistosoma mansoni. METHODS AND RESULTS: Experimental studies were conducted in the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science and Departments of Parasitology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, SCU, Egypt. We have studied the impact of ex vivo preparation of CD34+ cells from hUCB on S. mansoni-induced liver fibrosis de novo, and treated for shorter and longer periods in vivo. Ova count, ALT and albumin were measured at specific time interval and histopathological examination of liver was conducted to confirm the biochemical results. The data obtained were statistically analyzed by ANOVA between groups. It was found that the administration of CD34+ cells have modestly reduced liver damage; reduced the S. mansoni infection associated elevation in serum levels of ALT; significantly improved serum levels of albumin and reduced egg granuloma diameter in the livers. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that CD34+ cells can markedly ameliorated liver fibrosis in vivo and may be beneficial for therapy to recover organ structure and/or function of S. mansoni-infected mice.

Association of Polymorphisms in DAZL Gene with Male Infertility.

Objectives: To investigate the association between A260G (Thr12Ala) and A386G (Thr54Ala) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in deleted in azoospermia-like gene (DAZL) and infertility in Jordanian males. Methods: Infertile 170 patients with azoospermia or oligozoospermia and 176 fertile subjects were recruited in the study. DAZL SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP). Results: The data showed that the A260G SNP is common in the Jordanian population with frequency of 10.3% for 260G mutant allele. However, the A386G SNP is absent in the studied population. No significant association was found between the examined SNPs in DAZL gene and men infertility. Conclusion: The A260G and A386G polymorphisms of DAZL seem to play no role in men infertility in Jordanian population.

Breast cancer management: Past, present and evolving.

Breast cancer is known from ancient time,and the treatment strategy evolved as our understanding of the disease changed with time. In 460 BC Hippocrates described breast cancer as a humoral disease and presently after a lot of studies breast cancer is considered as a local disease with systemic roots. For most of the twentieth century Halsted radical mastectomy was the "established and standardized operation for cancer of the breast in all stages, early or late". New information about tumor biology and its behavior suggested that less radical surgery might be just as effective as the more extensive one. Eventually, with the use of adjuvant therapy likeradiation and systemic therapy, the extent of surgical resection in the breast and axilla got reduced further and led to an era of breast conservation. The radiation treatment of breast cancer has evolved from 2D to 3D Conformal and to accelarated partial breast irradiation, aiming to reduce normal tissue toxicity and overall treatment time. Systemic therapy in the form of hormone therapy, chemotherapy and biological agents is now a well-established modality in treatment of breast cancer. The current perspective of breast cancer management is based on the rapidly evolving and increasingly integrated study on the genetic, molecular , biochemical and cellular basis of disease. The challenge for the future is to take advantage of this knowledge for the prediction of therapeutic outcome and develop therapies and rapidly apply more novel biologic therapeutics.

Hormonization of traditional medicine with modern medicine.

To evaluate the contemporary role of traditional medicine in maintaining health, to develop a scientific approach to policy–making in traditional medicine, and, ultimately, to assess how traditional medicine can be harmonized with modern medicine. There is dire need for identifying research requirements in traditional medicine on the past research, barriers to the acceptance of traditional medicine, research methodology and evidence–based medicine. In the course of these discussions, we concluded that there were challenges to the harmonization of traditional and modern medicine. Better access to information, facilitating appropriate clinical trials, improving rigour in clinical trials, improving education and collaboration of practitioners and researchers, and respecting traditional practices in research were all identified as important steps towards achieving harmonization. We should be believed that evidence–based research could be an essential step towards the harmonization. Findings of well–designed and well–performed research should be disseminated as widely as possible. This should include the preparation and dissemination in English and native languages of rigorous systematic reviews based on the research literature from various countries. Research that establishes the value of traditional medicine in promoting health and wellness beyond treating diseases should be encouraged. Clinical trials of widely used and established traditional remedies should be encouraged and undertaken prior to obtaining the results of extensive ‘pre–clinical’ basic research. This is done by support training in research methodologies by encourage in conducting of high quality research.

Xanthine oxidase inhibition by some medicinal plants.

Xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity has been reported from different plants such as Cinnamomum cassia, Chrysanthemum indicum, Lycopus europaeus, Polygonum cuspidatum, Acacia confuse, Coccinia grandis, Datura metel, Strychnos nux-vomica, Vitex negundo, Coccinia grandis, Vitex negundo, Fraxinus angustifolia, Pistacia lentiscus, Hyptis obtusiflora, H. lantanaefolia, Artemisia vulgaris, Caesalpinia sappan, Blumea balsamifera, Chrysanthemum sinense, Tetracera scandens, C. sinense, Allium Cepa, Pistacia integerrima, Caesalpinia sappan and Caesalpinia sappan. This review very clearly specify that plants could be utilized for the inhibition of xathine oxidase and out of them Clerodendrum floribundum, Eremophila maculata, Stemodia grossa Benth, Eucalyptus deglupta, Syzygium malaccense and Larix laricina exhibited 84%, 61%, 57%, 51%, 64%, 86 % xanthine pxidase inhibition at concentration of 50 μg/ml, 50 μg/ml, 50 μg/ml, 44.5 μg/ml, 51 μg/ml, 6.26mg/dl respectively.

Evaluation of synthetic vs. autologous bony graft fusion in acute thoraco-lumbar burst fractures

In present need to fuse bony elements of the spine. Autologous bone from the iliac crest or rib is often used for these purposes but harvesting this bone necessitates the removal of the graft from another site. Moreover, grafts of autogenic bone may be resorbed to a significant degree with time. These shortcomings have provided the impetus for the use of bone substitutes in spinal surgery. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of reinforcing short-segment pedicle screw fixation with postero-lateral fusion with synthetic bone substitute in thoraco-lumbar burst fracture.We enrolled 48 patients with thoraco-lumbar burst fractures for treatment with short-segment pedicle screw fixation. Group A [n = 23] were reinforced with postero-lateral fusion with synthetic bone substitute during surgery. Group B [n = 25] underwent pedicle screw fixation and postero-lateral fusion with cancellous iliac bone graft. The radiographic and clinical results were compared between the two groups. In both groups, no significant difference in terms of solid bony fusion or clinical symptoms or radiological evidences of spinal instability. Patients in group A had short duration of surgery, less blood loss and short hospital stay as compared to patients in group B. The Frankel performance scale scores increased by nearly one in both groups. Group A had more patients with no pain, minimal or occasional pain [grade P1 or P2] than group B [86% [n = 20] vs. 44% [n = 11]]. One patient [4.3%] of group A and 6 patients [24%] of group B had severe and constant pain [grade P4, P5] [P < 0.001, two tailed Fischer's exact test]. The synthetic bone substitutes are effective graft materials in postero-lateral thoraco-lumbar spine fusion. They are available in unlimited quantities and associated with no donor site morbidity