Sourdough bread as nutritional intervention tool for improvement of cognitive dysfunction in diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: The current research targeted to study the impact of nutritional intervention by two sourdough breads in improvement of cognitive dysfunction in diabetic rats. METHODS: Type-2 diabetes was induced in rats by Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide (STZ-NC). Diabetic rats were fed on balanced diet or balanced diet containing 20% of sourdough bread I or II for a month. Lipid profile, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers and cognitive functions were assessed in all rats. Gene expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nuclear respiratory factor 2 (NRF-2) were assessed in hippocampal tissue, while expression of phosphoenol pyruvate carboxy kinase (PEPCK), and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) genes were evaluated in hepatic tissue. Chemical composition and fatty acids profile were evaluated in the prepared sourdough bread. RESULTS: Sourdough bread II showed higher content of phenolic compounds, fat, fiber and carbohydrates. Fatty acids profile revealed that sourdough bread I was higher in saturated fatty acids (16.08%), while sourdough bread sample II was higher in unsaturated fatty acids (79.33%). Sourdough bread I or II feeding rats' showed significant improvement in hyperglycemia, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory markers, lipid profile, liver and kidney functions in association with improvement in cognitive function. Gene expression of BDNF and NRF2 in hippocampal tissue were increased significantly, while hepatic GLUT2 and PEPCK gene expression were down-regulated in diabetic given sourdough bread I or II. CONCLUSION: Sourdough bread II was superior in all the studied parameters. The anti-diabetic effect and protection from cognitive dysfunction of sourdough bread samples may be ascribed to the occurrence of dietary fibers, phenolic compounds, and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Protective effect of vitamin C against thiamethoxam-induced toxicity in male rats.

Background: Thiamethoxam (THM) is a neonicotinoid insecticide used to control different insect pests on fruits, vegetables, and field crops. The misuse and continuous exposure to THM cause many harmful effects on health and the reproductive system. Aim: This work aims to investigate the efficiency of vitamin C (vit C) in reducing or eliminating the harmful effects of THM on the testes, liver, and kidney of male rats. Methods: Forty-eight sexually mature male Wister albino rats (weight: 170-190 g; age: 10-11 weeks) were randomly allocated into six groups (8 males/group). The control group was orally given distilled water, vit C group was orally treated with 200 mg/kg b.wt of vit C, group 1/10 of THM LD50 orally treated with 156.3 mg/kg b.wt of THM, group 1/20 of THM LD50 orally treated with 78.15 mg/kg b.wt of THM, group 1/10 of THM LD50 + vit C orally treated with 156.3 mg/kg b.wt of THM + 200 mg/kg b.wt of vit C, and group 1/20 of THM LD50 + vit C orally treated with 78.15 mg/kg b.wt of THM + 200 mg/kg b.wt of vit C. All groups were treated for five days per week for a whole period of 58 days. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment, and serum was extracted for liver and kidney functions and antioxidant measurements. Reproductive organs (testis, epididymis, and seminal vesicles) were collected and weighed at the end of the experiment. Results: The results showed that groups exposed to 1/10 and 1/20 of THM LD50 significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the body weight, the reproductive organ weights (testis, epididymis, and seminal vesicles), spermatid count, sperm (count and motility), and testosterone concentration with an increase in abnormalities. In addition, the groups exposed to THM showed a decrease in protein concentration, albumin, and globulin, and caused an increase in glucose concentration. The activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), creatinine, urea, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were increased while caused decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) due to exposure to THM. The co-administration of vit C with HM modulated the harmful effects of the insecticide on testicular, liver, and kidney parameters, which confirmed in histopathological examination of testis. Groups orally treated with vit C showed a significant increase in spermatogenesis, spermatid numbers, and the weight of seminal vesicles. Conclusion: This study showed the importance of vit C in reducing toxic effects from exposure to THM. Accordingly, the intake of vit C by individuals who regularly handle this insecticide will be beneficial in reducing the adverse effects that may occur in the liver and kidney.

Residue Analysis and Risk Exposure Assessment of Multiple Pesticides in Tomato and Strawberry and Their Products from Markets.

Pesticides are used on fruit and vegetable crops to obtain greater yield and quality. Residues can be detected in these crops or their products if applied pesticides do not degrade naturally. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate pesticide residues in some strawberry and tomato-based products available in the market for human consumption and associated dietary risks. Contamination with 3-15 pesticides in the tested samples was found. The total number of pesticides detected in the tested samples was 20, belonging to the group of insecticides (84%) and fungicides (16%). Pesticides of cypermethrin, thiamethoxam, chlorpyrifos, and lambda-cyhalothrin appeared at 100% in a number of samples, where the most detected was cypermethrin followed by thiamethoxam. The average values of pesticide residues detected in the tested samples ranged from 0.006 to 0.568 mg kg-1, where it was found that cypermethrin had the highest residue value and appeared in strawberry jam obtained from the market. The recovery rate of pesticides from fortified samples with pyrethroids ranged from 47.5% (fenvalerate) to 127% (lambda-cyhalothrin). Home processing of fortified tomato and strawberry samples had a significant effect on reducing residues in tomato sauce and strawberry jam, where the reduction reached 100%. The results of acute and chronic risk assessment showed that their values were much lower than 100%, indicating minimal risk of dietary intake.

Pesticide Residues in Vegetables and Fruits from Farmer Markets and Associated Dietary Risks.

The use of pesticides leads to an increase in agricultural production but also causes harmful effects on human health when excessively used. For safe consumption, pesticide residues should be below the maximum residual limits (MRLs). In this study, the residual levels of pesticides in vegetables and fruits collected from farmers' markets in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt were investigated using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS. A total number of 40 pesticides were detected in the tested vegetable and fruit samples. Insecticides were the highest group in detection frequency with 85% and 69% appearance in vegetables and fruits, respectively. Cucumber and apple samples were found to have the highest number of pesticide residues. The mean residue levels ranged from 7 to 951 µg kg-1 (in vegetable samples) and from 8 to 775 µg kg-1 (in fruit samples). It was found that 35 (40.7%) out of 86 pesticide residues detected in vegetables and 35 (38.9%) out of 90 pesticide residues detected in fruits exceeded MRLs. Results for lambda-cyhalothrin, fipronil, dimothoate, and omethoate in spinach, zucchini, kaki, and strawberry, respectively, can cause acute or chronic risks when consumed at 0.1 and 0.2 kg day-1. Therefore, it is necessary for food safety and security to continuously monitor pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables in markets.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome: An unfamiliar cause of upper-limb deep venous thrombosis.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS), which is also called "effort thrombosis," is a venous variant of thoracic outlet syndrome. We report a rare case of upper-limb deep venous thrombosis (ULDVT) in a young patient who was later diagnosed as PSS. PSS is a rare cause of ULDVT, and it is usually seen in young adults who are involved in strenuous physical activity. PSS is either due to anatomical abnormality of the thoracic outlet or due to repeated microtrauma to the endothelium of the subclavian/axillary vein. Clinically, the patient usually presents with signs and symptoms of ULDVT. Noninvasive Doppler ultrasonography is the initial investigation of choice, but computerized tomography and digital subtraction angiography are the gold standards for diagnosis. Treatment consists of therapeutic anticoagulation, catheter-directed thrombolysis, first rib resection, and postoperative oral anticoagulation. Although the PSS less likely causes pulmonary embolism, it can contribute to postthrombotic syndrome. PSS is a rare and distinct clinical entity, and most emergency care or primary care physicians are unaware of this condition. PSS requires rapid diagnosis, timely thrombolysis, and prompt referral to a vascular and thoracic surgeon.

Prostatic Artery Embolization for the Treatment of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia: Initial Experience From Bahrain.

INTRODUCTION: Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is a common problem in elderly men. The current gold standard is surgical transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) is an alternative treatment of BPH, which avoids surgical complications. This is a single-center prospective study from the Kingdom of Bahrain to evaluate the effectiveness of PAE. METHODS: This prospective, single-center study included consecutive patients eligible for PAE. Patients were evaluated at one, three, six, and 12 months. Clinical success was defined as a decrease of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥ 3 points, quality of life (QoL) score ≤ 3 or decrease by three points, and no need for surgical intervention. Correlation between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at 24 hours and reduction in prostate volume and IPSS score was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients underwent the procedure between June 2015 and August 2018. Bilateral embolization was achieved in 26 patients. Clinical success was achieved in 26 patients (89.65%). No major adverse events were encountered. Significant improvement for storage (-4.54 ± 2.93, p < 0.005) and voiding symptoms score (-7.54 ± 4.74, p <0.005) were seen. There was no significant correlation between 24 hours PSA and reduction of the size of prostate and IPSS score at 12 months. CONCLUSION: PAE is a minimally invasive procedure that is safe and effective for the management of BPH. PAE is effective for the management of both storage and voiding symptoms.

Characterization of stirred yoghurt enriched with probiotics and beetroot and its therapeutic potential in experimental type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Type-2 diabetes is the most prevalent metabolic disease, which calls for researchers to find many natural products that are effective in fighting diabetes and its complications. METHODS: Stirred yoghurt samples were prepared, enriched with probiotics, and fortified with either 1% or 2% of the fine powder of beetroots. The chemical, physical, sensorial, and microbial properties of the yoghurt samples were studied over a 15-day storage period. The total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, antioxidant activity as well as the reducing power of the dried beetroot and the yoghurt samples were assessed.The prepared yoghurt samples were evaluated in type 2 diabetic rats. RESULTS: Fortification with beetroot led to an increase of the total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and the probiotic counts in the prepared yoghurt. The intervention with the prepared yoghurt samples resulted in an increase in the number of beneficial bacteria in diabetic rats’ feces, hypoglycemic effect, and suppression in the elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that stirred yoghurt enriched with probiotics and fortified with beetroot have therapeutic potential for type 2 diabetes.

Association of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and rheumatoid factor isotypes with HLA-DRB1 shared epitope alleles in Egyptian rheumatoid arthritis patients.

INTRODUCTION: The most common genetic risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is human leucocyte antigen DRB1 (HLA-DRB1) shared epitope (SE). AIM: To investigate the relationship between anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), rheumatoid factor (RF), immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgM and IgA and HLA-DRB1 SE among Egyptian patients with RA. METHODS: Serum levels of anti-CCP antibodies and RFIgG, RFIgM, RFIgA were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for 157 Egyptian RA patients and 150 healthy controls attending the outpatient clinics of National Research Center and Kasr El Aini Hospital. HLA-DRB1 genotyping was performed by the DynalAllSetTM polymerase chain reaction (PCR) single specific primer low-resolution typing kits. Amplified PCR product was checked using 3% agarose gel. RESULTS: HLA-DRB1-SE was found among 129 (82.2%) RA patients and 67 (44.7%) controls (odds ratio [OR] 5.7, CI 3.4-9.6, P < .0001). The risk of RA development was higher with the presence of SE two alleles (OR 11.6, P < .0001), while the OR for 1 copy SE allele was 4.4 (P < .0001). HLA-DRB1-SE was significantly associated with positive as well as negative anti-CCP and RF isotypes. The stronger association was with anti-CCP positivity with OR 11 (5.1-23.6), P < .0001. Furthermore, the risk of development of positive anti-CCP and RF isotypes was higher with the presence of 2 copies of SE alleles than with 1 copy. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HLA-DRB1-SE is high in Egyptian RA patients. The role of SE in RA patients is most probably related to the development of anti-CCP positive RA rather than the development of anti-CCP positivity.

Formulation and Evaluation of Functional Cookies for Improving Health of Primary School Children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: School children especially in Egypt need a safe meal which is able to meet their daily nutrient needs and ameliorate cognition. So, the current study aimed to evaluate formula prepared as cookies to be served as a meal for primary school children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wheat, roasted chickpea, milk protein concentrate, cinnamon and brewer's yeast were used to prepare cookies which have been exposed to sensory, chemical and biological evaluation. Peroxide number, amino acids, vitamins (D, B12, folic acid and E) and minerals (calcium, zinc, iron and selenium) were determined. Twenty four rats of weaning age were used, 12 rats to estimate the true protein digestibility and 12 rats to estimate the protein efficiency ratio and the effect of feeding on cookies (28 days) on hemoglobin, glucose, total protein, liver and kidney functions and antioxidant status. RESULTS: Palatability and acceptability of cookies were insured via the sensory evaluation results. The value of peroxide number indicated that there is no possibility of rancidity during the storage. The cookies showed high contents of protein (14.88%), fat (16.83%) and carbohydrate (55.1%). Also cookies showed acceptable levels of amino acids, minerals and vitamins that meet a large amount of daily requirements of children. Results of the animal experiment declared the complete safety of the cookies and high nutritional and biological quality. CONCLUSION: Cookies can serve as a meal for the governmental school children to provide them with their needs from nutrients that reducing hunger and improving health benefits and scholastic achievement.

NT-proBNP in Children With Left to Right Shunt and Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are elevated in children with congenital heart disease involving a left-to-right shunt (LRS) and are also raised in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). As far as we know, there are few reports in the literature comparing the change of the NT-proBNP in LRS and DCM especially in the pediatric age group. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the changes of the NT-proBNP in pediatric patients with LRS and DCM. Correlation between the levels of NT-proBNP and the echocardiographic parameters in both groups was determined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 30 children (13 males and 17 females) participated in the study. There were 11/30 (36.7%) DCM and 19/30 (63.3%) LRS. The control group consisted of 44 healthy infants and children. Manifestations of heart failure (decompensation) were recorded. The NT-pro BNP levels were measured. The following Echo parameters were assessed: systolic function (ejection fraction and fraction shortening), pulmonary to systemic flow (Qp/Qs) in LRS, pulmonary flow and pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) and LV diastolic function (E-wave, A-wave, E/A ratio and deceleration time). RESULTS: Clinically 17/30 (56.7%) (11 of the LRS and 5 of the DCM) were decompensated. Significant shunt was present in 15/19 (78.9%) in LRS. Systolic dysfunction was presented in 5/30 (16.7%) cases (4 patients were DCM and one case was LRS). Two types of diastolic dysfunction, impaired relaxation in 5/22 (22.7%) patients and restrictive-like filling pattern in 5/16 (31.2 %) were observed. The NT-Pro BNP level was significantly elevated 11 and 16 times in the LRS and DCM groups respectively. Negative significant correlations were observed between the levels of NT-ProBNP and the following echo variables; EDD, LAD, E wave and E/A ratio in the LRS patients. Positive significant correlations were observed between the levels of NT-ProBNP and the following echo variables; PAP and QP/QS in the LRS. Both the PAP and QP/QS were higher in the elevated NT-Pro BNP group compared to the normal level group. The NT-Pro BNP level was elevated in all 17/30 (56.7%) decompensated patients (11 were LRS, 6 were DCM) (P = 0.002). However, the level was elevated in only 7/13 (23.3%) of the compensated patients (3 were LRS, 4 were DCM) (P = 0.002). The NT-Pro BNP level was also elevated in 18/19 cases with pulmonary hypertension (P = 0.01). Finally, we conclude that the NT-ProBNP level is elevated in both LRS and DCM in pediatric age. This elevation is more remarkable with heart failure and increased PAP in both diseased groups. The level was also elevated and correlated to Qp/Qs in the LRS patients. CONCLUSIONS: So, we recommend the use of NT-ProBNP as a routine marker for following up patients with heart failure and pulmonary hypertension in LRS and DCM.

Endovascular management of splenic arteriovenous fistula with giant venous aneurysmal dilatation.

Although splenic artery aneurysm is the commonest visceral and third most common intra abdominal aneurysm after aorta and iliac artery, aneurysm of splenic artery along with aneurysm of splenic vein and arteriovenous fistula is a rare entity. Most of them are <3 cm in diameter. Giant true splenic artery aneurysms are rare and very few lesions >10 cm have been reported. We report a case of 11 cm × 8 cm giant splenic vein aneurysm with splenic arteriovenous fistula as the 1st case of giant splenic venous aneurysm with arteriovenous fistula managed by endovascular treatment.