Effect of transporting Oreochromis niloticus in water with and without sodium chloride on skin morphology and some immunity-related genes expression.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of salt addition on the skin gene expression of Mucin, Antimicrobial peptides, cortisol, and glucose in Oreochromis niloticus after 5-hour transportation in water. Three groups were compared: Control, post-transport without salt (PT-S), and post-transport with 5 g salt-1(PT + S), with a stocking density of 28.6 gL-1, 20 fish for each experimental group. The results showed that the PT-S group had more significant changes in gene expression than the PT + S group, suggesting that salt alleviated the stress and immune responses of O. niloticus. The PT-S group had higher expression of mucin- 2(MUC + 2) (7.58 folds) and mucin-5AC (MUC5-AC) (6.29 folds) than the PT + S group (3.30 folds and 4.16 folds, respectively). The PT-S group also had lower expression of ß-defensin-1 (Dß1) (0.42 folds), ß-defensin-2 (Dß2) (0.29 folds), and Cath1 (0.16 folds) than the PT + S group (0.82 folds, 0.69 folds, and 0.75 folds, respectively). The skin morphology of the PT-S group revealed some white patches with no goblet cell openings, while the PT + S group had better preservation of skin features with some goblet cell openings and slight white patches. This study indicates that O. niloticus can benefit from sodium chloride during transportation, as it helps to reduce stress and inflammation, balance mineral levels, enhance health and immunity, and regulate mucous secretion.

Detection and description of a novel Psychrobacter glacincola infection in some Red Sea marine fishes in Hurghada, Egypt.

An important food-producing sector in Egypt is aquaculture and fisheries; however, several pathogenic microorganisms lead to high mortalities and significant economic losses. The occurrence of Psychrobacter glacincola infection among 180 wild marine fishes collected from the Red sea at Hurghada, Egypt were investigated in the present study. The disease prevalence rate was 6.7%. The recovered isolates were subjected to biochemical and molecular identification. The study also investigated pathogenicity and the antibiogram profile of the recovered isolates. The clinical examination of the infected fish revealed various signs that included lethargy and sluggish movement, hemorrhages and ulcers on the body and the operculum, scale loss, and fin congestion and rot, especially at the tail fin. Furthermore, during postmortem examination, congestion of the liver, spleen, and kidney was observed. Interestingly, 12 isolates were recovered and were homogenous bacteriologically and biochemically. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene confirmed that MRB62 identified strain was closely related the genus Psychrobacter and identified as P. glacincola and was pathogenic to Rhabdosargus haffara fish, causing 23.3% mortality combined with reporting a series of clinical signs similar to that found in naturally infected fishes. The present study also showed that P. glacincola isolates were sensitive to all antibiotics used for sensitivity testing. Our findings add to the body of knowledge regarding the occurrence of pathogenic P. glacincola infection in Egyptian marine fishes and its potential effects on fish. Future large-scale surveys exploring this bacterium among other freshwater and marine fishes in Egypt would be helpful for the implementation of effective strategies for the prevention and control of this infection are warranted.

Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy with or without palbociclib in low-risk patients: a phase III randomized double-blind SAFIA trial.

BACKGROUND: The most prevalent subtype of breast cancer (BC) is luminal hormonal-positive breast cancer. The neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens have side effects, emphasizing the need to identify new startegies. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the complete pathologic response (pCR) rate and overall response in a low-risk hormone-positive subset of patients receiving neoadjuvant hormone treatment (NAHT) with or without Palbociclib (a CDK4/CDK6 inhibitor) to boost NAHT effectiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on the upfront 21-gene Oncotype DX or low-risk Breast Recurrence Score assay (RS™), the SAFIA trial is designed as a prospective multicenter international, double-blind neoadjuvant phase-III trial that selects operable with luminal BC patients that are HER2-negative for the induction hormonal therapy with Fulvestrant 500 mg ± Goserelin (F/G) followed by randomization of responding patients to palbociclib versus placebo. The pCR rate served as the study's main outcome, while the secondary endpoint was a clinical benefit. RESULTS: Of the 354 patients enrolled, 253 initially responded and were randomized to either F/G fulvestrant with palbociclib or placebo. Two hundred twenty-nine were eligible for the evaluation of the pathologic response. No statistically significant changes were observed in the pCR rates for the patients treated with the F/G therapy with placebo or palbociclib (7% versus 2%, respectively) per the Chevallier classification (Class1 + Class2) (p = 0.1464) and 3% versus 10% assessed per Sataloff Classification (TA, NA/NB) (p = 0.3108). Palbociclib did not increase the rate of complete pathological response. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy is feasible in a selected population with a low RS score of < 31 CLINICAL TRIAL: NCT03447132.

Prenatal exposure to acrylamide differently affected the sex ratio, aromatase and apoptosis in female adult offspring of two subsequent generations.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of acrylamide (ACR) exposure during pregnancy on the ovary of female adult offspring of two subsequent generations. Sixty-day-old Wistar albino female rats were given different doses of ACR (2.5 and 10 mg/kg/day) from day 6 of pregnancy until giving birth. Females from the first generation (AF1) were fed ad libitum, and thereafter, a subgroup was euthanized at 8 weeks of age and ovary samples were obtained. The remaining females were maintained until they reached sexual maturity (50 days old) and then treated in the same way as the previous generation to obtain the second generation of females (AF2). The histopathological examination indicated a high frequency of corpora lutea along with an increased number of antral follicles that reached the selectable stage mainly at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day. Interestingly, ACR exposure significantly increased the mRNA levels of CYP19 gene and its corresponding CYP19 protein expression in AF1 females. The TUNEL assay showed a significantly high rate of apoptosis in stromal cells except for dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day. However, in AF2 females, ACR exposure significantly increased the number of degenerating follicles and cysts while the number of growing follicles was reduced. Moreover, in both ACR-treated groups, estradiol-producing enzyme CYP19A gene and its corresponding protein were significantly reduced, and an excessive apoptosis was produced. We concluded that the ovarian condition of AF1 females had considerable similarity to the typical early perimenopausal stage, whereas that of AF2 females was similar to the late perimenopausal stage in women.

Primary extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the uterine cervix.

BACKGROUND: Small bowel volvulus is defined as the torsion of the small intestine, potentially leading to bowel obstruction, gangrene and perforation. It is a rare condition, especially in adults. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old man was retrieved from the jungle with severe weight loss and abdominal symptoms. He succumbed to death despite 22 days of intensive medical treatment. An autopsy revealed a ruptured gangrenous ileal volvulus with peritonitis and subdiaphragmatic abscess. Further laboratory analysis detected systemic Candida tropicalis and intestinal gramnegative bacterial sepsis, systemic Zika virus viremia, leptospirosis complicating rhabdomyolysis and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, Type I Herpes Simplex virus infection of the tongue and upper gastrointestinal tract. The cause of death was the ruptured ileal volvulus, complicated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to Herpes simplex virus esophagitis in a malnourished patient with resolving leptospirosis and underlying Zika virus co-infection. CONCLUSION: Rare clinical scenarios of adult-onset intestinal volvulus with concomitant multiple infections precludes clinical diagnosis and early treatment, leading to devastating consequences of clinical outcome. The positive clinical and postmortem correlation is a good learning lesson in many disciplines of medicine and science.

Genomic and phenotypic characterization of Bacillus velezensis AMB-y1; a potential probiotic to control pathogens in aquaculture.

The aim of this investigation was to isolate and identify Bacillus species isolated from the internal microbiota of Red sea stingrays as potential probiotics. An initial assay on the ability of the isolates to control stingray pathogens of Vibrio species led to the selection of one highly antagonistic isolate. The most potent isolate was identified based on whole genome phylogeny as Bacillus velezensis AMB-y1. Genome mining for secondary metabolites identified five antibacterial biosynthetic clusters that produce, bacilysin, bacillaene, difficidin, macrolactin and mersacidin. Genome mining also identified two antifungal biosynthetic clusters which encode genes to produce bacillomycin D and fengycin. The genome mining also identified an unknown NRPS-transAT-PKS cluster that likely produced another compound with antibiotic activity. The strain was further characterized by the assessment of abiotic stress tolerances that are required in potential probiotic agents. The selected isolate had promising results in abiotic stress tolerance; pH tolerance within the range from 4.0 to 8.0, able to survive concentrations of bile salt up to 0.4% and sodium chloride from 0 to 6.5%. In addition, the strain showed a value of hydrophobicity (31%) along with a higher value of auto-aggregation (49.9%), which demonstrates its potential ability to adhere to the intestinal wall on the basis of its cell surface traits. The strain was evaluated for susceptibility to antimicrobials and the novel B. velezensis AMB-y1 has potential to be used as a probiotic in aquaculture to control marine fish and stingray pathogens.

Thymoquinone and curcumin modify inducible nitric oxide synthase, caspase 3, and thioredoxin immunohistochemical expression in acetaminophen hepatotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: Acetaminophen (APAP) hepatotoxicity is characterised by an extensive oxidative stress due to depletion of glutathione (GSH), which results in massive lipid peroxidation and subsequent liver injury. The current paradigm suggests that mitochondria are the main source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which impair mitochondrial function and are responsible for cell signalling resulting in cell death. This study was designed to compare the potential impact of thymoquinone (THQ), and/or curcumin (CURC) on liver injury induced by APAP toxicity in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, total bilirubin, and total protein were measured. In addition, liver nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were estimated. Moreover, these biochemical parameters were confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations for the expression of thioredoxin, iNOS and caspase 3. RESULTS: Acetaminophen toxicity elevated most of the above-mentioned parameters but decreased GSH, SOD, and total protein levels. Histologically, liver sections demonstrated liver injury characterised by hepatocellular necrosis with nuclear pyknosis, karyorrhexis and karyolysis. Immunohistochemical study revealed increased expression of iNOS and caspase 3 proteins, while the thioredoxin protein expression was decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with the THQ and CURC regulated the biochemical and histopathological alterations induced by APAP toxicity. It was concluded that the combination strategy of THQ and CURC might be considered as a potential antidote in combating liver injury induced by APAP with minimal side effects.

Effects of alpha lipoic acid on acrylamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Acrylamide (ACR) is a neurotoxicant, reproductive toxicant, and carcinogen in animal species.  It is used in many industries and has been found to form naturally in foods cooked at high temperatures. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring antioxidant whose therapeutic effect has been related to its antioxidant activity.  This study was carried out to study the protective effect of alpha lipoic acid on acrylamide induced perturbations in rat liver.  Four groups of rats were studied viz., control rats, acrylamide treated rats, alpha lipoic acid treated rats, and alpha lipoic acid plus acrylamide treated rats. ACR and ALA treatment alone and together caused a signifi-cant increase in hepatic reduced glutathione content while a decrease in hepatic ascorbic content was observed when compared to control group.  ALA pretreatment of acrylamide exposed rats caused no a signifi-cant alteration in superoxide dismutase activity but resulted in a tendency towards restoration of glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity to near normal levels.  Gel electrophoresis showed fragmentation of DNA in the treated groups.  The dose of ALA used in the present study afforded partial restoration of oxidative indices altered by ACR in rat liver.

ß-Catenin accumulation and S33F mutation of CTNNB1 gene in colorectal cancer in Saudi Arabia.

Several risk factors associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) have been identified including ß-catenin/CTNNB1 hotspot mutations. The levels of ß-catenin within a cell are regulated via phosphorylation of the N terminus of ß-catenin by GSK-3ß. Thus far three serines (S33, 37, 45) and one threonine (T41) are considered to be the substrates for GSK-3ß phosphorylation. In the present investigation an attempt was made to study the role of ß-catenin mutations in exon-3 in 60 colorectal cancer patients from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The hot spot mutation region of ß-catenin exon 3 was evaluated in matched tumor and normal tissues using PCR and direct sequencing. Sequencing of exon 3 of the CTNNB1 gene revealed an activating mutation (S33F) in one of the tumor samples as compared to the normal tissue from the same patient where there was no such mutation found. Immunohistochemical staining showed the accumulation of ß-catenin protein both in cytoplasm and in the nuclei of cancer cells as compared to normal tissue.

Nodular fasciitis of the hand: excision preserving 'vital' structures.

Nodular fasciitis is an extremely rare benign fibrous tumour of the hand. Although benign, the tumour is frequently adherent to tendons/nerves and joints of the hand. However, the tumour may spontaneously regress and does not tend to recur following excision with histologically positive margins. For the last 20 years, the author has adopted a specific management approach for these and other benign fibrous tumours of the hand. Following the clinical/radiological diagnosis, tumour excision is done preserving 'vital' structures within the hand. The diagnosis is confirmed histologically and by immune stains, and the patient is then followed up for local recurrence. Over a 20-year period, the author has treated four cases of nodular fasciitis of the hand using this management approach. Despite the positive margins in all cases, there were no recurrences at a minimum follow-up interval of 3 years.

Nasopharyngeal T-cell monomorphic posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders and combined IgA nephropathy and membranous glomerulonephritis in a patient with renal transplantation: a case report with literature review.

Recurrent and/or de novo glomerular diseases occurring in a renal allograft have been reported in the literature and are an important cause of graft dysfunction and eventual loss. The simultaneous occurrence of two glomerulonephritis, although reported in the literature, is a rare phenomenon. Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are well known and one of the most serious and potentially fatal complications of chronic immunosuppression in the solid organ transplant recipient. Here, we are reporting the first case, to the best of our knowledge, of simultaneous occurrence of nasopharyngeal monomorphic monoclonal PTLD and two distinctive glomerular diseases (IgA nephropathy and membranous glomerulonephritis) in a 49-year-old patient who was 5 years post-renal transplantation. We have provided the clinical history of our patient who presented with nephrotic range proteinuria, microscopic hematuria, and a nasopharyngeal mass as well as a review of the literature.

The influence of dexamethasone and the role of some antioxidant vitamins in the pathogenesis of experimental bronchial asthma.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma is a disease characterized by paroxysmal and reversible obstruction of the airways. The imbalance between the oxidant and antioxidant system that is called oxidative stress is critical in asthma pathogenesis. It is likely, therefore, that antioxidants may be effective in the treatment of asthma. Systemic treatment with glucocorticoids has been reported to inhibit smooth muscle hypercontraction which may account partially for their beneficial effects in the treatment of asthma. OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted in order to study the effect of dexamethasone and some antioxidant vitamins on interleukin-4 (IL-4), immunoglobulin E (IgE) and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in bronchial asthma in rats, and to recognize their possible beneficial role. METHOD: The study was conducted on 60 adult male albino rats randomly divided into 4 groups (15 for each group): including normal control group (group A); asthma model group where rats were sensitized by ovalbumin and challenged with antigen aerosol producing bronchial asthma (group B); asthma model group treated with antioxidant vitamins (vitamin E and vitamin C) (group C); asthma model group treated with dexamethasone (group D). Blood and lung samples were collected from all groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Our results revealed a significant decrease of serum reduced glutathione (GSH) levels among groups B, C and D as compared to group A, while there was a significant increase in group C and D as compared to group B. Antioxidant and dexamethasone treatment resulted in a significant decrease of serum IL-4, malondialdehyde (MDA), and serum IgE levels in group C and D as compared to group B. Antioxidant treatment resulted in a significant decrease of serum Hsp70 level as compared to group B, while dexamethasone treatment resulted in a significant increase of serum Hsp70 level as compared to group B. This study suggests that it is likely that a combination of antioxidant vitamins may be effective in the treatment of asthma, considering their reported effects on lowering MDA, IL-4, and IgE levels, and the similar beneficial effects of dexamethasone in addition to increasing the expression of Hsp70 in the studied model of bronchial asthma.

Intracranial extraosseous chondroblastoma simulating meningioma.

Extraosseous chondroblastoma had been reported in different parts of the body but not intracranially. We report a case of a pathologically proven intracranial extraosseous chondroblastoma of the right cavernous sinus in an 18-year-old woman with CT, MR, and conventional angiographic features simulating meningioma.

Prevalence of bicuspid aortic valve and mitral valve prolapse in a healthy Saudi population and the clinical implications of their association.

In this study, 103 Saudi males and 172 Saudi females were referred for medical check-up for employment purposes and/or as undergraduate students. Clinical evaluation of all participants included full cardiovascular examination, with the following investigations being performed: ECG, chest x-ray, and cross-sectional echocardiography. Bicuspid aortic valve was detected in three males and in four females, for a total percentage of 2.5%. Isolated mitral valve prolapse was detected in seven males (6.7%) and six females (3.5%). Association with mitral valve prolapse was reported in five males and seven females, with a total percentage of 4.3%. This association seems to have important etiological, medical and surgical implications.

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma associated with renal schistosomiasis: a case report and review of literature.

A 77 year old Saudi male admitted to the surgical unit of our hospital because of a left renal mass. A diagnosis of left renal carcinoma was subsequently made and a left nephrectomy was performed. Histological examination of the nephrectomy specimen showed a renal cell carcinoma containing a large sarcomatoid component. In addition, numerous schistosoma ova, some of them calcified, were identified within the carcinomatous part of the tumor. To the best of knowledge, this is the first report of simultaneous renal schistosomiasis and sarcbmatoid renal cell carcinoma.

Mitral restenosis and mitral regurgitation 1 year after Inoue mitral balloon valvotomy in a population of patients with pliable mitral valve stenosis.

To determine the rate of mitral restenosis and mitral regurgitation increase 1 year after mitral valvotomy using the Inoue balloon catheter, 66 consecutive patients with severe, pliable mitral stenosis had their mitral valve area (MVA) calculated by two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and Doppler before, immediately after balloon valvotomy, and at 1-year follow-up. Color Doppler studies were also done to detect small atrial septal defects (ASDs) and mitral regurgitation. The mean age of the patients was 31 +/- 12 years. Three patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II and 63 patients were in NYHA class III to IV. Sixty-two of the 66 patients had an echo score (Boston) of < or = 8. After Inoue balloon valvotomy (IBV), the MVA (2DE) increased from 0.8 +/- 0.2 to 1.9 +/- 0.3 cm2 (p < 0.001), and the Doppler MVA increased from 0.8 +/- 0.2 to 1.8 +/- 0.3 cm2 (p < 0.001). We detected 4 of 66 cases (6%) with significant residual mitral stenosis (MVA < 1.5 cm2). Mitral regurgitation increased in 14 of 66 patients (21%), but no patient developed severe mitral regurgitation. Fourteen out of 66 patients (20%) had ASDs that were detected on color Doppler. At 1-year follow-up the mean Doppler MVA was maintained at 1.8 +/- 0.4 cm2, with 6 of 66 patients (9%) exhibiting significant mitral valve restenosis. Residual significant mitral stenosis must be differentiated from mitral restenosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The role of antiplatelet agents in modifying the extent of restenosis following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

We previously reported that a combination of aspirin and dipyridamole given before, during, and for 6 months following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) did not reduce the incidence of restenosis. In that trial, a total of 272 successfully dilated segments in 243 patients reached final quantitative angiography and of these, 86 segments (31.6%) had restenosed (46 of 130 segments in the group of patients given placebo and 40 of 142 segments in the aspirin-dipyridamole group). A secondary analysis of these 86 segments revealed that at follow-up angiography the severity of restenosis was greater in the 46 segments in the placebo group than in the 40 segments in the active treatment group (mean minimal luminal diameter at the stenosis = 0.76 +/- 0.52 and 1.03 +/- 0.45 mm, respectively, p = 0.01). The frequency of total or subtotal occlusions was higher in the placebo group (17.4%) than in the active treatment group (5.0%), but this observation did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.07). Although long-term treatment with aspirin and dipyridamole after successful PTCA does not reduce the incidence of recurrence, this secondary analysis suggests that it is associated with a decreased likelihood of severe restenosis.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of stenotic saphenous vein right coronary bypass grafts utilizing a peripheral balloon dilatation catheter without a guiding catheter.

Effective angioplasty of stenosed saphenous vein coronary bypass grafts may be impossible with the standard-size coronary dilatation catheters because the large diameter of these grafts results in unacceptable balloon-to-vessel ratios. We avoided this problem by using a peripheral arterial dilatation catheter with an inflation diameter of 6 mm and obtained a satisfactory short- and long-term result in two patients in whom previous attempts with the largest coronary dilatation catheter (4 mm) had failed. This technique, which precludes the use of a guiding catheter, is suitable only for right bypass grafts.