The role of chamomile oil against ochratoxin A in quail breeders: productive and reproductive performances, egg quality, and blood metabolites.

This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial role of chamomile essential oil in improving productive and reproductive performances, egg quality, and blood metabolites and reducing the toxic effect of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in quail breeder's diets. A total of 144 mature quails, 8 wk old, were divided into 6 groups. The treatments were: G1 (the control), G2 (supplemented with OTA 1 mg/kg diet), G3 (supplemented with chamomile oil 0.5 g/kg diet), G4 (supplemented with chamomile oil 1 G/kg diet), G5 (supplemented with OTA 1 mg/kg diet + chamomile oil 0.5 g/kg diet), and G6 (supplemented with OTA 1 mg/kg diet + chamomile oil 1 g/kg diet). The OTA administration alone significantly decreased egg production and mass in quail breeders (P < 0.0001). Moreover, poor feed conversion ratio (FCR), fertility percentage (P < 0.0001), and hatchability percentage (P < 0.0009) were recorded. A significant decline (P < 0.05) in the levels of serum protein (total protein and globulin) was also recorded in OTA-contaminated groups, along with elevated serum levels of liver enzymes such as alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST) and kidney function test as urea and creatinine levels (P < 0.05). Ochratoxin A-contaminated feed resulted in a significant elevation (P < 0.05) in total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), along with a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in antioxidant status and immunological response. The supplementation of chamomile essential oil, either 0.5 g/kg or 1g/kg, to the basal diet or OTA-supplemented feed, revealed a significant increase in hatchability %, fertility, egg mass, and egg production and better FCR, egg quality, and immunological status when compared to OTA only. Moreover, chamomile essential oil supplementation improves liver and kidney function markers, decreases LDL, VLDL), TG, and TC. Along with a significant increase (P < 0.05) in terms of antioxidant status as glutathione peroxidase enzyme (GPX), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and significantly (P < 0.05) improves immunological response as IgM, IgG, lysozyme and complement 3. In summary, chamomile oil supplementation, either separate or combined with OTA, reduced the adverse effects of OTA and led to improved productive and reproductive performance, egg quality, and blood metabolites in Japanese quail breeders.

Hazardous effects of high voltage electromagnetic field on albino rats and protective role of Rosmarinus officinalis.

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are common in our everyday lives. They have many origins and severe effects on individuals and environments where they inflict a great deal of health and psychological harm. The current study investigated the impact of high voltage (H.V.) EMF 5.4 kV/m for 2 and 4 h per day with a frequency equal to 50 Hz alternating current (AC) on body weight (b.wt), blood indices, and certain liver enzymes of albino rats after 25 days of exposure to the electromagnetic field. This work focuses on the therapeutic action of methanol extract of Rosmarinus officinalis (R. officinalis) leaves at a dose (5 mg/kg b. wt) against harmful EMF-induced effects. The findings showed that electromagnetic field exposure induced a substantial decrease in red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), and catalase activity (CAT). Although white blood cells (WBCs), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels have increased significantly under EMF treatment. Treatment with R. officinalis showed attenuation in these parameters that were induced in rats exposed to H.V. These findings were followed by the histopathological analysis of the liver in the observations. Finally, we conclude that R. officinalis leaves extract offered substantial protection against H.V-induced liver damage and can be applied in drug production.

Lung injury prediction scores: Clinical validation and C-reactive protein involvement in high risk patients / Escalas de predicción de la lesión pulmonar: validación clínica e implicación de la proteína C reactiva en pacientes de alto riesgo

OBJECTIVE: A study was made to validate two previously derived lung injury prediction scores (LIPS) for the prediction of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in high risk intensive care patients, with the incorporation of C-reactive protein (CRP) for improving score accuracy. DESIGN: A prospective, observational cohort study was carried out. PATIENTS: A total of 200 patients with APACHE II score ≥15 and at least one ARDS risk factor upon ICU admission were included. INTERVENTIONS: Calculation of LIPS using formulas developed by Cartin-Ceba et al. (2009) and Trillo-Alvarez et al. (2011) (LIPS-2009 and LIPS-2011). C-reactive protein was measured upon admission (CRP-0) and after 48h (CRP-48). Main variables of interest: Independent variables: LIPS-2009, LIPS-2011 and CRP values. Dependent variable: development of ARDS. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients (44%) developed ARDS after a median (Q1-Q3) of 2.5 (1.3-6.8) days. The LIPS-2009 and LIPS-2011 scores were 4 (3-6) and 5 (3.6-6.5) in ARDS patients compared to 2 (1-4) and 3.5 (1.5-4.5) in non-ARDS patients (p < 0.001). CRP-48 was 96 (67.5-150.3)mg/L and 48 (24-96)mg/L in the two groups, respectively (p < 0.001). ΔCRP (i.e., CRP-48 minus CRP-0) was significantly higher in the ARDS patients (p < 0.001). The AUC was 0.740 and 0.738 for LIPS-2011 and LIPS-2009, respectively - the difference being nonsignificant (p = 0.9, 0.9 and 0.8 for pairwise comparison of the different ROC curves). Integrating ΔCRP with LIPS-2011 using binary logistic regression analysis identified a new score (LIPS-N) with AUC 0.803, which was significantly higher than the AUC of LIPS-2011 (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both LIPS scores are equally effective in predicting ARDS in high risk ICU patients. Integrating the change in CRP within the score might improve its accuracy

OBJETIVO: Se llevó a cabo un estudio para validar 2 puntuaciones de predicción de la lesión pulmonar (LIPS) previamente obtenidas para la predicción del síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA) en pacientes de alto riesgo ingresados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos, con la incorporación de la proteína C reactiva (PCR) para aumentar la precisión de la puntuación. DISEÑO: Se llevó a cabo un estudio prospectivo y observacional de cohortes. PACIENTES: Se incluyó un total de 200 pacientes con una puntuación APACHE I I≥ 15 y al menos un factor de riesgo de SDRA en el momento de su ingreso en la UCI. INTERVENCIONES: Se calcularon las puntuaciones por medio de las fórmulas desarrolladas por Cartin-Ceba et al. (2009) y Trillo-Alvarez et al. (2011) (LIPS-2009 y LIPS-2011). La concentración de PCR se midió en el momento del ingreso (PCR-0) y al cabo de 48horas (PCR-48). Principales variables de interés: Variables independientes: LIPS-2009, LIPS-2011 y valores de PCR. Variable dependiente: desarrollo de SDRA. RESULTADOS: Ochenta y ocho pacientes (44%) desarrollaron SDRA tras una mediana (Q1-Q3) de 2,5 (1,3-6,8) días. Las puntuaciones LIPS-2009 y LIPS-2011 fueron 4 (3-6) y 5 (3,6-6,5) en los pacientes con SDRA, frente a 2 (1-4) y 3,5 (1,5-4,5) en pacientes sin SDRA (p < 0,001). El valor de PCR-48 fue 96 mg/l (67,5-150,3) y 48 mg/l (24-96) en los 2 grupos respectivamente (p < 0,001). ΔPCR (esto es, RCR-48 menos PCR-0) fue significativamente mayor en los pacientes con SDRA (p < 0,001). El AUC fue 0,740 y 0,738 para LIPS-2011 y LIPS-2009 respectivamente y la diferencia no fue significativa (p = 0,9, 0,9 y 0,8 para la comparación por parejas de las distintas curvas ROC). La integración de ΔPCR con LIPS-2011 mediante un análisis de regresión logística binaria identificó una nueva puntuación (LIPS-N) con un AUC 0,803, el cual era significativamente mayor que el AUC de LIPS-2011 (p = 0,01). CONCLUSIONES: Ambas puntuaciones LIPS resultan igualmente eficaces en cuanto a la predicción del SDRA en pacientes de alto riesgo ingresados en la UCI. La integración en esta puntuación del cambio en la PCR podría aumentar su precisión

Lung injury prediction scores: Clinical validation and C-reactive protein involvement in high risk patients.

OBJECTIVE: A study was made to validate two previously derived lung injury prediction scores (LIPS) for the prediction of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in high risk intensive care patients, with the incorporation of C-reactive protein (CRP) for improving score accuracy. DESIGN: A prospective, observational cohort study was carried out. PATIENTS: A total of 200 patients with APACHE II score ≥15 and at least one ARDS risk factor upon ICU admission were included. INTERVENTIONS: Calculation of LIPS using formulas developed by Cartin-Ceba et al. (2009) and Trillo-Alvarez et al. (2011) (LIPS-2009 and LIPS-2011). C-reactive protein was measured upon admission (CRP-0) and after 48h (CRP-48). MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Independent variables: LIPS-2009, LIPS-2011 and CRP values. Dependent variable: development of ARDS. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients (44%) developed ARDS after a median (Q1-Q3) of 2.5 (1.3-6.8) days. The LIPS-2009 and LIPS-2011 scores were 4 (3-6) and 5 (3.6-6.5) in ARDS patients compared to 2 (1-4) and 3.5 (1.5-4.5) in non-ARDS patients (p<0.001). CRP-48 was 96 (67.5-150.3)mg/L and 48 (24-96)mg/L in the two groups, respectively (p<0.001). ΔCRP (i.e., CRP-48 minus CRP-0) was significantly higher in the ARDS patients (p<0.001). The AUC was 0.740 and 0.738 for LIPS-2011 and LIPS-2009, respectively - the difference being nonsignificant (p=0.9, 0.9 and 0.8 for pairwise comparison of the different ROC curves). Integrating ΔCRP with LIPS-2011 using binary logistic regression analysis identified a new score (LIPS-N) with AUC 0.803, which was significantly higher than the AUC of LIPS-2011 (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both LIPS scores are equally effective in predicting ARDS in high risk ICU patients. Integrating the change in CRP within the score might improve its accuracy.

Expression of Toll­like receptors 3 and 9 in Egyptian systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a common complex disease characterized by chronic generalized inflammation which may involve several tissues and organs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to study the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR) 3 and 9 in SLE patients, and to investigate their relationship to clinical features, disease activity, and damage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The current study included 24 Egyptian female SLE patients and 15 matched controls. Disease activity was assessed using the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and damage using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) index. Expression of TLR3 and TLR9 in B- (CD19-positive) and T-lymphocytes (CD3-positive) was studied using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Patient age ranged between 17 and 42 years (mean 26.17 ± 5.78 years). There was a significant difference between patients and controls regarding TLR3/CD3, TLR3/CD19, TLR9/CD3, and TLR9/CD19 expression (p < 0.0001). There were significant correlations of TLR3/CD3, TLR3/CD19, and TLR9/CD19 with serum creatinine (r = 0.52, p = 0.009; r = 0.504, p = 0.012; and r = 0.58, p = 0.003; respectively) and negative correlations with ALT levels (r = -0.42, p = 0.04; r = -0.49, p = 0.016; and r = -0.472, p = 0.02; respectively). CONCLUSION: The results of the study suggest that TLR3 and TLR9 play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE, and have an impact on organ involvement in this disease. More studies concerning the biology and function of TLRs are required in larger patient cohorts, and may lead to development of a new class of drugs.

p53 alterations but no human papillomavirus infection in preinvasive and advanced squamous esophageal cancer in Italy.

Geographic differences in exposure to suspected carcinogens have been identified in esophageal carcinogenesis, and both p53 alterations and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection have been reported in esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESC) from high-risk areas, including China and South Africa. The status of p53 alterations and HPV infection in ESC has not been determined in northern Italy, where the incidence of ESC is low. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded esophageal samples containing normal, dysplastic, and carcinomatous tissue from 18 patients were examined for p53 protein accumulation with immunohistochemistry, p53 mutation (exons 5-8) with PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing, and HPV infection with PCR using general primers to amplify the L1 gene. Accumulation of p53 protein was observed in both precancerous and carcinomatous lesions. p53 mutations were rare in dysplastic lesions but were detected in 9 of 18 carcinomas, a finding consistent with reports from other geographic areas. Examination of the p53 mutation spectrum revealed no hot spot mutation. In contrast, HPV was not found in any of these 18 cases. This is consistent with the findings from other low ESC risk areas in which HPV infection may not play a crucial role in esophageal oncogenesis, whereas the high risk of ESC in China and South Africa may be attributed to frequent HPV infection.

A comparative evaluation of liquid antacids commercially available in the United Kingdom.

Twenty-six liquid antacids have been assessed using a procedure which permits comparisons to be made in terms of 'antacid efficiency' parameter which reflects both the ability to maintain pH above 3 and the duration of the effect. A wide variation in activity was demonstrated in the preparations tested and it was concluded that antacids could be classified into four categories according to potency.