Impact of maternal HBsAg carrier status on pregnancy outcomes in Duhok city, Iraq

Objective:To investigate the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) positivity and pregnancy outcomes.Also,the association between HBV-related risk factors and HBV status was studied.Methods:A total of 100 HBV positive pregnant women were recruited and the pregnancy outcomes were compared with 301 HBV negative women.Blood samples were collected and tested for HBV by HBsAg ELISA.Data were collected for recruited subjects using interview questionnaire.Results:Data analysis showed that 51/100 (51％) of the HBV-positive subjects gave a history of HBV in the family which was significantly higher than that of HBV-negative patients [41/301 (13.6％) P =0.001].A significant association was found between positive history of surgery and HBsAg positivity (P =0.009).Then,pregnancy outcomes were stratified according to the HBV positivity.No significant association was found between HBV status and pregnancy outcomes (P ＞ 0.05 for all).Conclusions:Positive family history of HBV and previous surgical procedures are associated with higher rate of HBV positivity.No association is found between HBV positivity and pregnancy outcomes.

Impact of maternal HBsAg carrier status on pregnancy outcomes in Duhok city, Iraq

Objective To investigate the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) positivity and pregnancy outcomes. Also, the association between HBV-related risk factors and HBV status was studied. Methods A total of 100 HBV positive pregnant women were recruited and the pregnancy outcomes were compared with 301 HBV negative women. Blood samples were collected and tested for HBV by HBsAg ELISA. Data were collected for recruited subjects using interview questionnaire. Results Data analysis showed that 51/100 (51%) of the HBV-positive subjects gave a history of HBV in the family which was significantly higher than that of HBV-negative patients [41/301 (13.6%) P = 0.001]. A significant association was found between positive history of surgery and HBsAg positivity (P = 0.009). Then, pregnancy outcomes were stratified according to the HBV positivity. No significant association was found between HBV status and pregnancy outcomes (P > 0.05 for all). Conclusions Positive family history of HBV and previous surgical procedures are associated with higher rate of HBV positivity. No association is found between HBV positivity and pregnancy outcomes.

How teachers' knowledge of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder makes difference in doctors' diagnostic decisions and management?

Objectives: The teacher's knowledge plays a key role in the process of assessing, screening, and diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This was a cross-sectional study aimed at surveying teachers' knowledge about attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder, one of the most prevailing neurodevelopmental disorders

Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirteen female elementary school teachers were randomly chosen from six regular female public and private schools in Al-Khobar in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. They completed a self-reported questionnaire on their general "factual" knowledge of the nature of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and the management "action knowledge" of the condition. Factors which might affect their knowledge were also examined

Results: About 48.7% of the total sample had adequate factual knowledge, but only 27 [23.9%] showed adequate action knowledge about how to deal with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Teachers' knowledge of attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder [factual and action] was not significantly correlated with their years of experience, level of education [qualification] and duration of training in educational methodology

Conclusions: It was concluded that teachers in female primary schools had inadequate knowledge about attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder. Implications and recommendation for health and educational professional are outlined

Utilization of blackboard among undergraduate medical students: where we are from the reality?

This study aimed to evaluate undergraduate medical students' perceptions to Blackboard [Bb] utilization learning management systems in terms of benefits and difficulties. The study was conducted at the College of Medicine, King Saud University. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the students. The questionnaire consisted of three parts including demographic information, utilization of Bb and difficulties while using Bb. A total of 808 questionnaires were distributed with 42% response rate. Among the participants, 224 [65.7%] were male and 116 [34.3%] were female students. Of them, 78.1% reported "disagreement and strong disagreement" on "Bb usefulness in communicating with the instructor". However, 74.1% students reported "disagreed and strongly disagreed" on "Bb usefulness in communicating with other students", whereas majority of the students [71.8%] did not use multimedia available in Bb system. Also, 61% students agreed that there is a "lack of formal training" on the use of Bb in the college, and 37.2% students agreed that the using "Bb system is a time consuming". However, 39.2% students did not know about the Bb systems add any additional burden on the students. The disagreement trend of male and female students concerned with the Bb utility and difficulties were almost same. The finding of the study showed a poor utilization of Bb learning features. Students faced technical difficulties while using Bb. The findings of this study indicate the need of compulsory students training of any newly introduced learning management systems including Bb in the educational institute

Prevalence of sleep deprivation and relation with depressive symptoms among medical residents in King Fahd university hospital, Saudi Arabia

Sleep deprivation is common among medical residents of all specialties. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sleep deprivation and depressive symptoms among medical residents in King Fahd University Hospital [KFUH] in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the association between sleep deprivation, sleepiness and depressive symptoms was examined. This cross-sectional study took place between February and April 2012 and involved 171 KFUH medical residents of different specialties. Data were collected using a specifically designed questionnaire eliciting demographic information, working hours and number of hours of sleep. In addition, validated Arabic versions of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory-2 [BDI-2] were used. The prevalence of acute sleep deprivation and chronic sleep deprivation among residents in KFUH was 85.9% and 63.2%, respectively. The prevalence of overall sleepiness was 52%; 43.3% reported being excessively sleepy in certain situations while 8.8% reported being excessively sleepy regardless of the situation. Based on the BDI-2, the prevalence of mild, moderate and severe depressive symptoms was 43.3%, 15.2% and 4.7%, respectively. Significant associations were found between sleep deprivation and depressive symptoms; depressive symptoms and sleepiness, and depressive symptoms and being a female resident. The vast majority of medical residents had acute sleep deprivation, with more than half suffering from chronic sleep deprivation. The number of hours and quality of sleep among the residents were strongly associated with depressive symptoms. New regulations are recommended regarding the number of working hours and night duties for medical residents. Further studies should assess these new regulations on a regular basis

Endovascular intervention for infrapopliteal chronic arterial occlusive disease

Abstract: This study aims at determining the effectiveness of infrapopliteal [IP] percutaneous transluminal angioplasty [PTA] techniques for treatment of infrapopliteal Peripheral arterial disease [PAD]

Methods: This study is a case series, combined prospective and retrospective, including 108 limbs in 104 patients with infrapopliteal PAD of Fontaine IIb, III and IV stages/ Rutherford categories 3, 4, 5 and 6. Patients underwent PTA using balloon dilatation in 73.1%, bare metal stents in 17.6%, Drug eluting balloon in 7.4%, and Drug eluting stent in 0.9% between February 2009 and January 2015

Results: Technical success was 94.2%. Primary patency at 3, 6, 12, 24 months are 92.9%, 79.3%, 69.5%, and 58.3% respectively, and was adversely affected by smoking [p=0.005]. Limb salvage at 1 year was 92.6%, and was adversely affected by smoking [p=0,027], diabetes [p=0.009], and Updated TASC II [p=0.023]

Conclusion: Infrapopliteal PTA is a safe, successful, and effective technique for treatment of critical limb ischemia, with an excellent technical success rate, good limb salvage rate, and a low pen-procedural morbidity and mortality

Management of traumatic upper limb arterial injuries: three years study

Upper limb vascular injury conditions requiring surgical intervention are multivarious and so are the surgical techniques employed. In the developing countries traumatic events predominate and the mechanism by which varies from society to another. Upper limb vascular injury must be approached promptly to avoid debilitating morbidity and mortality. is to assess the current management approach and to evaluate the outcome of patients with upper limb vascular trauma in Assiut University hospital. Forty two patients requiring operative intervention for upper limb vascular trauma from October 2009 - October 2012 were included. Patients were underwent full physical examination and resuscitation. The diagnosis of vascular injury is initially made by clinical examination as part of the full trauma assessment, plain x-ray, Doppler, Duplex and CT-angiography when indicated. Types of vascular repairs, orthopedic fixation, nerve repair, fasciotomy procedure and state of limb function after management were recorded. Forty two patients [37 males and 5 females] with mean age of 27H2.6 years [range 1.5 -70 ys] were included. The right upper limb was affected in 22 patients and the left was affected in 20 patients. Brachial artery was the most frequently affected 57.1%, followed by the axillary artery 31%, subclavian artery 9.5% and the ulnar artery 2.4%. The patients were presented 1-10 hours after injury [mean 6 +/- 2.1 hrs] with bleeding in 42.9%, ischemia 30.9%, ischemia 4 bleeding 9.5%, ischemia + hematoma 7.2% and expansile hematoma 9.5%. Penetrating trauma was in 90.4% and blunt trauma was in 9.6%. Injury by fire arm was in 40.4%, sharp objects 26%, motor car and train accidents 21%, iatrogenic 2.1% and fall from height 9.5%. Concomitant vein and/or nerve injuries were in 73%. Isolated nerve injury [brachial plexus or median nerve] was in 9.5%, isolated vein injury in 7.2% and both were injured in 57%. Orthopedic injuries occurred in 33% [open fracture 19%, closed fracture 12% and dislocation 2.4%]. Orthopaedic repair was done firstly before vascular repair except in delayed cases. Arterial repair in the form of end to end anastmosis in 42.8%, interposition vein graft 33.4%, simple repair 12%, ligation 4.7%, or thromboembolectomy in 4.7% were done. Heparin was applied both intralesional and systemic. Prophylactic fasciotomy with other vascular repair was also done in 30%. Primary nerve repair in non thermal [firearm] injuries was obtained while delayed repair was decided in thermal injuries. Small veins are ligated and large veins are managed by simple repair. The success rate of vascular repair was 39/42 [92.8%] assessed by the return of distal pulses at the end of the operation and limb salvage in follow up period. Three patients [7.2%], one of them [2.4%] died because of major head injury and above elbow amputation was done for the other two [4.8%]. All surviving patients were followed for one year for hand function and distal pulse. Clinical examination of the injured upper limb is a reliable diagnostic approach for evaluation of the vascular injury. Factors could help promoting good prognosis are; not wasting time with preoperative diagnostic tests, early intervention within 10 hours after trauma, performing orthopaedic repair firstly before vascular repair except in delayed cases, assessment and management of nerve injuries, use of intralesional and systemic anticoagulants, and prophylactic fasciotomy performance

Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms in female schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] is the most common seen developmental disorder, with significant impacts on the child's social, psychological, and scholastic functioning. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of ADHD in female primary schoolchildren. A cross-sectional study conducted in Al-Khobar Town, Eastern Saudi Arabia. A random sample of six primary schools for girls was chosen, from which samples of 1009 students were selected by systematic random sampling, with ages ranging between 6 and 15 years [mean and standard deviation, 9.2 [1.9]]. All subjects were screened for different types of ADHD using the Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation Scale. The overall prevalence of ADHD was 3.5%. The prevalence of children with ADHD/ inattentive type was 2.1% and the prevalence of children with ADHD/hyperactive-impulsive type was 5.6%. This rate decreased significantly with increase in age. The prevalence was higher in government school students, among Saudi citizens, later born siblings, higher number of siblings, and lower parental education. It was concluded that the prevalence of ADHD in female primary schoolchildren is comparable with what has been reported in other studies. Some demographic factors should be taken into consideration when interpreting this result. Implications and recommendations to the concerned authorities are outlined to improve the health and educational care services to help these children

Non invasive management of haemangioma using intralesional bleomycin injection [IBI]

Vascular anomalies like haemangiomas are among the most common forms of congenital and neonatal dysmorphogenesis. Various treatment regimens have been documented including laser therapy, sclerotherapy, embolization, surgical resection or sometimes combination of these. Percutaneous sclerotherapy was developed as a minimally invasive treatment modality for these lesions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of intra-lesional bleomycin injection [IBI] in management of haemangiomas as a sclerosing therapy. 45 patients [29 female and 16 male] aged [6 months - 3 years] presented with haemangioma were studied between August 2007 and February 2012. Patients were subjected to IBI and its effect was evaluated. Patients under six months of age or with recurrent haemangioma were excluded from the study. Complete resolution [excellent] in 27 patients [60%], marked improvement [good] in 10 patients [22.2%], mild improvement [fair] in 6 patients [13.3%] and poor in 2 patients [4.4%]. Complications were recorded in 13 [28.7%] of patients. Local complications were pain and swelling in 6 [13.3%], superficial ulceration in 4 [8.8%] and scaring in 1 [2.2%]. Systemic complication in the form of flu-like symptoms was recorded in 2 [4.4%] of patients. None of the patients presented with haematological toxic effects or signs of pulmonary involvement. During the follow up period [6 to 18 months] all treated cases did not have re-enlargement or recurrence of their lesions. IBI is an effective treatment in haemnangiomas. It obviates the need for invasive primary surgery or other systemic treatment regimens

Curcumin protects against testicular damage and genotoxicity induced by acrylamide in male albino mice

Acrylamide is a chemical used in many industries. Although it is found to be harmful, human are exposed to varying amounts of it in the diet, especially fried food. Curcumin is a herbal agent used in medicine and proved to be protective against many harmful agents. This study was undertaken to assess the protective effect of curcumin against the reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity induced by acrylamide in male albino mice. Twenty-eight male albino mice were divided into four groups: group 1 [control group], group 2 [curcumin group], group 3 [acrylamide group], and group 4 [curcumin + acrylamide group]. Both curcumin and acrylamide were given through oral intubation for 5 days. Seventy-two hours after the last administration, blood samples were taken for random amplified polymorphism DNA PCR [RAPD PCR] analysis and testes were used for both light and transmission electron microscopic examination. Sperm smears were also performed and their results were statistically analyzed to detect any sperm abnormalities. Acrylamide resulted in atrophy and exfoliation of the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules with thickening of their basement membranes. There was also a significant increase in the percentage of abnormal sperms, compared with the control group. Transmission electron microscopic examination confirmed these results. Genotoxicity was also detected as genomic template stability was lower than that of the control group. The use of curcumin produced a significant protection against the all of the above-mentioned changes. Curcumin is effective in protection against reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity induced in male albino mice by the use of acrylamide

Reliability of agglutination test to detect alloantibodies in patients with repeated blood transfusion

Blood transfusion is an integral part in the management of sickle cell disease patients. Allogeneic blood transfusion is a form of temporary transplantation. A recipient often mounts an immune response to the donor antigens resulting in various clinical consequences including delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions. Delayed reaction is often seen in individuals who have received repeated transfusion of ABO compatible blood that incompatible for other blood group antigens because of minor allelic difference stimulate the production of IgG antibodies. In the patients who have sickle cell disease the majority of tests may have low sensitivity and in turn may fail to show the autoantibodies. This study has been conducted for detection of allo-antibodies in patient with sickle cell anaemia and hemophilia who received repeated blood transfusions using newly introduced test system; the DiaMed-Immuno-Diffusion microtyping system. Samples were collected randomly from 60 patients with repeated blood transfusions. Micro column gel test as well as agglutination method were performed for all samples. All the results were analyzed using Statistical Packages of Social Sciences [SPSS]. This test provides clear and stable reactions that improve result interpretation. It proved to be more sensitive than the conventional tube agglutination technique as it captures agglutinate in a semi solid medium and on the other hand it has the capacity to detect unexpected antibodies. This in turn enhances visibility of agglutination compared to the traditional Tube techniques

Biological activity resulting from exposure to aquatic environmental genotoxic pollutants in northern Egypt

We estimated pollution in Lake Edku and the Mediterranean Sea, El-Maadiya Region, with 3 aromatic amines [1-naphthylamine, 2-naphthylamine and benzidine] in the muscle tissue of fish. There were marked seasonal variations in the aromatic amine levels. We also determined oxidative stress [blood glutathione, and catalase activity] and genotoxic effects [chromosomal aberrations and urinary metabolites] in fishermen from each area. The fishermen suffered from oxidative stress and had high levels of the urinary metabolite sulfanilamide [mean [microg/mg creatinine]: Lake Edku 20.7, Mediterranean 14.5, controls 5.3]. Frequencies for total chromosomal aberrations were significantly raised in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of fishermen in both areas [frequency [per 100 metaphases]: Mediterranean 67, Lake Edku 45, controls 14]

Trends of home drug storage and use in different regions across the northern United Arab Emirates

To investigate the habits of use and home storage of over-the-counter [OTC] and prescription drugs. A pretested questionnaire was distributed to university students who represented 300 household units in different regions of the northern United Arab Emirates. Household chairs [parents] answered questions on various aspects of home use and storage of OTC and prescription medicines. The number of drugs stored at home was collapsed into 5 unequal groups [1-3, 4-6, 7-10, 11-15 and 16-20]. The response rate was 300 [100%]. The average number of drugs per household unit was 6 items. Almost 40% of the participants stored between 16 and 20 drugs. More than half [56%] of the household units stored medicines in a home pharmacy kept either in the bedroom [n=66; 39%] or in the kitchen [n=71; 42%]. No correlation was found between the level of education and the number of family members [r=0.29] or drugs stored at home [r=-0.35]. Only 2 [0.7%] of the participants did not keep drugs at home. There was a clear discrepancy in either OTC or prescription drugs stored, and the variation in the utilization and preference of drugs was obvious among the pooled sample. Various problems related to the use and storage at home of OTC and prescription drugs were revealed. Discussing the results of this survey with students who participated as members of the household units that took part in the study may prove to be a helpful intervention. The need for public educational efforts on the rational use of medicines at home is urgent to foster awareness of the proper use of drugs

Comparative study on three different imported isolates of avian influenza virus

Three imported strains of low pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza [AI] from the United State Department of Agriculture [USDA] of the United States [A/Ty/CA/209092/02, A/Chicken/ PA/13609/93 and A/Ty/MN/3689-1551/81] were used to prepare 3 experimental batches of oil emulsion vaccine against AI designated as [1, 2 and 3] in order. Evaluation of the prepared vaccines was carried out using standardized hemagglutination inhibition test [HI]. Evaluation was based on using the same antigen used for preparation of vaccine as HI antigen [homologous strain]. Cross reactivity test was carried out between the three different strains and the prepared vaccines. Moreover, the H5N1 locally isolated highly pathogenic avian influenza [HPAI] A/Ch/Eg/2009 H5N1 was used as a heterologous antigen for HI test against the prepared vaccines. Obtained results revealed that a protective titer was obtained by vaccine 1 and 2. Using homologous virus as an antigen produce high titer rather than using other viruses, the vaccines failed to produce HI antibodies against locally isolated H5N1 AI virus

Molecular studies and antibiotic resistance of E.coli isolated from different hosts

Out of 35 rectal swabs [23] from calves and [12] from sheep. E.coli isolated from calves by about [69.56%] and [66.66%]. And more over 31 cloacal swabs from chicken 6 [19.35%] E.coli were isolated with total percent of [45.5%].Eight E.coli isolates from cattle were O grouped and 8 were unidentified. The O grouping revealed of isolation of different [6] O serogroups [O6, O1, O25, O18, O153and O119]. Serogrouping of 5 E.coli isolates from sheep resulted in 3 different serogroups [O169, O27 and O8] and 3 samples were ungrouped. Serogrouping of 5 E.coli isolates from chicken resulted in different 3 serogroups [O27, O169, and O20]. The result of invitro sensitivity testing of 30 isolates of E.coli against 8 different antibiotics by using disc diffusion method indicated that nearly all isolates of all animals isolated were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, garamycin and levofloxacin with percent of [3.33%], [6.66%] and [10.0%] respectively. High resistance were observed to both streptomycin and colistin .aspartame antibiotic with rate of [56.6%] and [66.6%] respectively. The present study also showed that the presence of multiple resistances. The results of polymerase chain reaction [PCR] using bacterial DNA with a percent of 7.69%. indicated that the aad A1 gene responsible for resistance of E.coli to streptomycin, and it found in 7.69% of the isolates but the other isolates were negative for aadA1 gene

Efficacy of preoperative duplex scanning in planning for infrainguinal revascularization procedures

To evaluate safety and efficacy of preoperative duplex scanning in planning for infrainguinal revascularization procedures. Thirty patients [mean age 70 years] underwent elective DSA of lower extremity arteries at the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery unit of Perugia, Italy and were included in the study. Duplex evaluation of arterial lesions was performed for the site and degree of severity. Results were compared with DSA serving as the standard reference. Our study showed that duplex was able to determine significant lesions [either critical stenosis or occluded segments] in the femoral region with an overall sensitivity and specificity of 96.5% and 93.3% respectively and 77.7% and 99.1% as the positive predictive and negative predictive values respectively. At the popliteal region, we estimated the sensitivity and specificity as 84% and 89.2% respectively and 75% and 93.5% as the positive and negative predictive values. The overall accuracy measurements of duplex scanning at the region of leg vessels were 82.9%, and 89.4% for combined anterior and posterior tibial arteries. It seems feasible to perform infrainguinal arterial reconstructions, without preoperative angiography. Technical limitations of duplex scanning leading to inaccurate assessment of the inflow and outflow arteries, or non-visualized distal runoff arteries, should prompt angiographic evaluation

protective role of alpha-Lipoic acid against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in male albino rats [a light and transmission electron microscopy study]

Doxorubicin [DOX] is an important anti-neoplastic agent. Cardiotoxicity, which mediated by free radicals, is the main side effect of it, leads to induce left ventricular systolic dysfunction and congestive heart failure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the postulated preventive role of alpha-lipoic acid [LA] which is capable of neutralizing a wide variety of free radicals against doxorubicin [DOX]-induced cardiotoxicity. Twenty adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were randomized into four groups [5 rats! group]. Group I [control] received a single intraperitoneal [IP] injection of 3 ml of sterile distilled water. Group II [control LA] received a single IP injection of 3 ml of sterile distilled water and LA [100 mg/kg BW!day] orally for 7 days. Group III [Dox-injected group] received a single IP dose of Dox [1 5mg/kg BW in 3 ml of sterile distilled water]. Group IV received LA as in group II for 5 days before and 2 days after DOX injection. Animals were sacrificed 48 hours after DOX injection. Specimens from the left ventricle of the heart were processed for histological [H and E; Masson's trichrome] and ultra-structural study. Quantitative measurements [cardiomyocyte diameter and color area percentage of collagen] were done using image analyzer [Super eye-Heidi soft]. Group I and II showed no changes. Light microscopic results of group III showed damage and necrosis of cardiomycytes in addition to congestion and mononuclear cellular infiltration. The cardiomyocytic diameter and the surrounding fibrous tissue were significantly increased in this group compared to other studied groups. Ultrastructural results showed loss of cross striation and mitochondrial degeneration. These deleterious changes were significantly improved in group IV. DOX induced cardiotoxicity can be protected by using LA

accurate prediction of rare hemoglobin variants using a combination of high performance liquid chromatography, retention time and isoelectric focusing electrophoresis position

To investigate the predictive accuracy of using a combination of the high pressure liquid chromatography [HPLC] retention time and the relative isoelectric focusing [IEF] position to diagnose rare hemoglobin variants. A selected group of 40 patients with a rare beta-chain variant were assigned a presumed diagnosis following HPLC and IEF screening and then the variant identified in each case by DNA analysis. The study was conducted at the National Hemoglobinopathy Reference Laboratory, Oxford, United Kingdom, from August 2008 to October 2008. Thirteen out of 14 different variants were predicted accurately in 39 [97.5%] cases, compared to only one each for HPLC and IEF when used individually. A novel amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction test was developed for Hb J-Baltimore and used successfully to provide a simple, rapid, and inexpensive diagnosis. The use of both HPLC retention time and isoelectric focusing position provides an accurate presumed diagnosis of a rare hemoglobin variant in the majority of cases. Amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction test can provide a simple, rapid and inexpensive molecular diagnostic method for rare beta-chain variants

Histological and immunohistochemical study of the postulated protective effect of L-arginine on glycerol induced acute renal failure in adult male albino rats

L-arginine, a semi essential amino acid, is the main source for the generation of nitric oxide via nitric oxide synthase. Nitric oxide plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of acute renal failure. This study aimed to investigate if L-Arginine has a protective role in glycerol induced renal failure in rats. Forty adult male albino rats were randomly allocated into four equal groups. Group I [Control 1]: The rats were intramuscularly injected with a single dose of saline solution. Group II [Control 2]: L-arginine was once given through nasal gastric tube [125 mg/kg body weight]. Group Ill: Acute renal failure was induced by single intramuscular injection of 50% glycerol [10 ml/kg body weight]. Group IV: L-arginine was given as in group II an hour before glycerol which was injected similarly to group III. Eighteen hours after the end of treatment in each group, blood samples were extracted for estimation of renal functions. Kidneys were removed and used for light and transmission electron microscopical studies. For light microscopic purpose, paraffin sections were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, Periodic Acid Schiff and immunohistochemically for tissue inducible nitric oxide. Using image analyzer, quantitative measurements and analysis of the optical densities for Periodic Acid Schiff and inducible nitric oxide positive reactions were done. One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's test and Chi square test were used to determine the significance between the groups. Glycerol in group III led to deterioration of renal functions; degeneration, necrosis, sloughed brush borders, increased inducible nitric oxide staining density, dense nuclei and small atrophic mitochondria of the proximal convoluted tubules, thickness of foot processes, distorted and thickened glomerular basal lamina, as well as swollen glomerular capillaries endothelial cells with electron dense deposition. These changes were markedly reduced by using L-arginine in group IV. The findings implied that L-arginine plays an important role in protection against glycerol induced acute renal failure

Histological and immunohistochmeical studies on the postulated protective and therapeutic roles of pentoxifylline on thioacetamide induced hepatic injury in adult male albino rats

Thioacetamide induces liver injury, with histological alterations similar to those observed in human cirrhosis, through releasing of tumour necrotising factor-alpha. Pentoxifylline is an anti-tumour necrotising factor-alpha which might decrease the hepatic injury. This study investigated the histological and imniunohistochemical basis for the postulated beneficial role of pentoxifylline on the thioacetamide induced liver injury. Fifty adult male albino rats were divided into 5 equal groups; group I [Control 1]: Rats were intraperitoneally injected once daily with distilled water for 8 days; group II [Control 2]: Rats were intraperitoneally injected with pentoxifylline [200 mg/kg body wt] once daily for 8 days; group III [Liver injury induced group]: Rats were intraperitoneally injected with thioacetamide [50 mg/kg] once daily for 8 days; group IV [Preventive group]: rats were concomitantly intraperitoncally injected with pentoxifylline and thioacetamide in doses and duration similar to groups II and III, respectively; group V [Therapeutic group]: Rats were injected with thioacetamide for 8 days as in group III and then injected with pentoxifylline from day 9 to day 16 in similar doses as in group II. Blood samples were collected for estimation of liver enzymes. Liver was removed and used for light and transmission electron microscopical studies. For light microscopic study, the paraffin sections were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin, Periodic Acid Schiff, Azan stain and immunohistochemically for tissue tumour necrotising factor-alpha. Using image analyzer, quantitative measurements and analysis of the optical densities for the Periodic Acid Schiff, Azan and tumour necrotising factor-alpha positive reactions were done. One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's test and Pearson's correlation coefficient [r] were used. Thioacetamide [Group III] led to elevated liver enzymes. Light microscopical study revealed degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes, reduced glycogen, increased collagen and increased expression of tumour necrotising factor-alpha in the liver tissue. Electron microscopic study revealed degeneration of the cellular organelles. These changes were attenuated by using the pentoxifylline in preventive and to some extent in therapeutic groups. Thioacetamide induced hepatic injury can be prevented and treated by using pentoxifylline