Nutrition and diet myths, knowledge and practice during pregnancy and lactation among a sample of Egyptian pregnant women: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, the burden of maternal malnutrition remains an enormous public health problem; malnourished pregnant women are at increased risk of having low-birth-weight (LBW) infants. Several reports suggest a possible association between malnutrition among lactating mothers and the production of smaller quantities of breast milk. Many women have incorrect nutrition knowledge during pregnancy due to false beliefs derived from popular practices. Our study was conducted to assess nutritional knowledge, myths, and practices among Egyptian women during pregnancy and lactation. METHODOLOGY: A pretested 2-page interview questionnaire was used to collect data from the study participants after written informed consent was obtained from them after clarification of the study's aim. Obstetrics and gynecology experts collected the data from pregnant females who agreed to participate in private and university hospital antenatal care clinics in Cairo, Egypt. RESULTS: A total of 468 pregnant females completed the interview questionnaire. The mean knowledge score was 5 ± 3, with a median score of 5 and an IQR of 3-7, and the mean holding myths score was 3 ± 2, with a median score of 2 and an IQR of 2-4. Regarding the correct answers to the knowledge questions, more than 70% of the participants correctly answered that during the first six months of life, breast milk is the only food a baby requires, and less than 20% of them correctly answered that caffeine consumption could provoke premature birth. Regarding the holding myths questions, more than half of the participants held the myth that drinking moghat and helba increases the breast milk supply. We found that the most common source of knowledge during pregnancy and lactation among the participants was family and friends' advice (60%), followed by others (doctors, previous education in school or university) (45%). CONCLUSION: Among a sample of Egyptian women, more than half held at least one myth about nutrition and diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so health education at antenatal outpatient clinics should be directed toward those myths to correct them. Older women with sufficient family income showed significantly higher knowledge scores than others.

Effect of counselling intervention on stress and expressed emotions among family caregivers of children with autism.

Parenting a child with autism represents an extraordinary challenge for families, resulting in prominent levels of stress and burden that subsequently affect their expressed emotions. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of counseling intervention on stress and expressed emotions among family caregivers of children with autism. The research used a pre-post interventional design, to evaluate 40 family caregivers of children with autism. The interviewing questionnaire assessed socio-demographic data, expressed emotions, and parenting stress, revealing that 57.5% of the evaluated family caregivers had severe stress pre-counseling, compared to 25% post-counseling intervention. Additionally, 80% of them had elevated levels of expressed emotions pre-counseling, compared to 32.5% during the post-counseling intervention. Most family caregivers of children with autism experienced significant levels of expressed emotions, and over half of them had severe levels of stress. However, these levels decreased following the implementation of the counseling interventions. Furthermore, there were highly statistically significant correlations between the total levels of expressed emotions and total stress levels among family caregivers before and after the implementation of the counseling intervention.

A study of miRNAs as cornerstone in lung cancer pathogenesis and therapeutic resistance: A focus on signaling pathways interplay.

Lung cancer (LC) is the most common cancer-related death globally, and many efforts have been made to improve the patient care of LC patients, as well as the development of efficient methods and a wider range of biomarkers for prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment purposes. MicroRNAs (miRs, miRNAs) regulate a wide range of cellular functions and play a key role in the development and spreading of LC by inhibiting or degrading the expression of their target protein-coding genes. Because of their dysregulation and disruption in function, miRNAs have been linked to the malignant pathophysiology of LC by influencing many cellular functions involved in the disease. These biological processes include increased invasive and proliferative potential, cell cycle abnormality, apoptosis evasion, promotion of angiogenesis, EMT and metastasis, and reduced susceptibility to certain treatments. Here, we discuss the findings from recent years that show the role of oncogenic and TS miRNAs in LC, as well as their significance in LC pathogenesis, and resistance to anticancer therapy. We also explore the biological relevance of miRNAs and their clinical application in LC diagnosis and prognosis.

Neuroprotective role of camphor against ciprofloxacin induced depression in rats: modulation of Nrf-2 and TLR4.

BACKGROUND: Depression affects people feeling to be anxious, worried, and restless. They also lose interest in activities, concentrating and appetite, they finally may attempt suicide. Depression is the second chronic disease, as a source of the global burden of disease, after heart disease. Its prevalence elevated seven times during the COVID-19. AIM: The current study was designed to evaluate camphor neuroprotective role against rats' ciprofloxacin-induced depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Depression was induced by administration of ciprofloxacin (50 mg/kg; orally) for 21 days. Wister albino male rats were divided into five groups. Group I (normal control): rats were given normal saline. Group II: rats received camphor (10 mg/kg; i.p.) for 21 days. Group III (depression control): rats received ciprofloxacin only. Groups IV and V: rats received camphor (5 and 10 mg/kg; i.p.) for 21 days concurrent with ciprofloxacin. Behavior tests as forced swimming test, activity cage, and rotarod were estimated. Oxidative stress and antioxidant biomarkers as malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), catalase, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) besides inflammatory biomarkers as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) as well as neurotransmitters were determined. Finally, histopathological examination was done. RESULTS: Camphor increased catalase and Nrf-2 activities, decreased NO, MDA, TNF-α, TLR4 serum levels, and elevating brain contents of serotonin, dopamine, gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) and P190-RHO GTP protein with normal neuronal cells of the frontal cortex. CONCLUSION: Camphor has neuroprotective effect via modulation of Nrf-2 and TLR4 against ciprofloxacin-induced depression in rats.

Intraluminal infusion of Penta-Galloyl Glucose reduces abdominal aortic aneurysm development in the elastase rat model.

BACKGROUND: An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a progressive chronic dilatation of the abdominal aorta with terminally rupture when the aortic wall is so weakened that aortic wall stress exceeds wall strength. No effective medical treatment exists so far. We aimed to test whether intraluminal admission of Penta-Galloyl Glucose (PGG) treatment in a rodent AAA model could hold the potential to inhibit aneurysmal progression. METHOD: Male Sprague Dawley rats had either intraluminal elastase infused for AAA induction or saline to serve as controls. In two independent experimental series, elastase was used to induce AAA followed by an intraluminal PGG (directly or by a drug eluting balloon) treatment. All rats were followed for 28 days and euthanized. In both series, maximal infrarenal aortic diameter was measured at baseline and at termination as a measure of AAA size. In series 2, maximal internally AAA diameter was followed by ultrasound weekly. AAA tissues were analyzed for elastin integrity by millers stain, collagen deposition by masson trichrome staining. In other AAA tissue samples the mRNA level of CD45, lysyloxidase (LOX), lysyloxidase like protein 1 (LOXL1) were determined by qPCR. RESULTS: Direct administration of PGG significantly reduced AAA expansion when compared to controls. PGG treatment resulted in a higher number and more preserved elastic fibers in the aneurysmal wall, while no significant difference was seen in the levels of CD45 and LOX mRNA levels. The drug eluting balloon (DEB) experiment showed no significant difference in AAA size observed neither macroscopically nor ultrasonically. Also the aneurysmal mRNA levels of CD45, LOX and LOXL1 were unchanged between groups. CONCLUSION: A significant reduced expansion of AAAs was observed in the PGG group, suggesting PGG as a drug to inhibit aneurysmal progression, while administration through a DEB did not show a promising new way of administration.

Evaluation of Topical Capislow Extract and Long Pulsed Nd-YAG Laser in the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism.

Introduction: Hirsutism is a condition that affects 10% of women worldwide. In many cultures, hirsutism is regarded as loss of femininity and can be psychologically traumatizing to the suffering females. The aim of the present study was to evaluate how topical capislow would affect or enhance the efficacy of laser hair removal. Methods: A randomized, monoblinded, placebo controlled split face study of combined topical capislow and long pulsed Nd-YAG laser on one side of the face versus long pulsed Nd-YAG laser alone on the opposite side of the face. Laser sessions were done at 4 weeks interval for maximum seven sessions. Topical capislow and placebo were applied once daily from the day of the first laser session to the day of the last laser session. Patients were evaluated both subjectively and objectively in each laser session and for six months after the last laser session. Results: Both treatment modalities were well tolerated and accepted with significantly better results in combined capislow and laser group versus laser alone. Conclusion: Topical capislow can represent a safe and effective synergistic method for laser with faster results but this is a temporary effect retained only to the time of its application.

Spirulina platensis attenuates the associated neurobehavioral and inflammatory response impairments in rats exposed to lead acetate.

Heavy metals are well known as environmental pollutants with hazardous impacts on human and animal health because of their wide industrial usage. In the present study, the role of Spirulina platensis in reversing the oxidative stress-mediated brain injury elicited by lead acetate exposure was evaluated. In order to accomplish this aim, rats were orally administered with 300 mg/kg bw Spirulina for 15 d, before and simultaneously with an intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg bw lead acetate [6 injections through the two weeks]. As a result, the co-administration of Spirulina with lead acetate reversed the most impaired open field behavioral indices; however, this did not happen for swimming performance, inclined plane, and grip strength tests. In addition, it was observed that Spirulina diminished the lead content that accumulated in both the blood and the brain tissue of the exposed rats, and reduced the elevated levels of oxidative damage indices, and brain proinflammatory markers. Also, because of the Spirulina administration, the levels of the depleted biomarkers of antioxidant status and interleukin-10 in the lead-exposed rats were improved. Moreover, Spirulina protected the brain tissue (cerebrum and cerebellum) against the changes elicited by lead exposure, and also decreased the reactivity of HSP70 and Caspase-3 in both cerebrum and cerebellum tissues. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that Spirulina has a potential use as a food supplement in the regions highly polluted with heavy metals.

Behavior of Thiophanate Methyl and Propiconazole in Grape and Mango Fruits Under the Egyptian Field Conditions.

This research aims at determining residues of thiophanate methyl and propiconazole in grape and mango fruits as an indication for their persistence in this environmental compartment. Fruit extracts were analyzed for thiophanate methyl using High Performance Liquid Chromatography and using Gas Chromatography Electron Capture Detector (GC/ECD), respectively. The results indicated that propiconazole had a less environmental impact since propiconazole had shorter residue half-lives which were 1.24 and 1.19 days in grape and mango fruits, respectively, while thiophanate methyl had half-lives of 2.49 and 2.64 days in mango and grape, respectively. The degradation rates of propiconazole in grape and mango fruits did not change significantly and neither did those of thiophanate methyl. According to the maximum residue level, the pre-harvest intervals of propiconazole were set to be 3 and 7 days for grape and mango fruits, respectively, and the pre-harvest intervals for thiophanate methyl were 15 days for both grape and mango fruits. Propiconazole was generally considered to be less hazardous to humans and will leave the environment less altered because of its faster degradation than that of thiophanate methyl.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls Water Pollution along the River Nile, Egypt.

Ten polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners were determined in water samples collected along the River Nile using gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD). PCB concentrations ranged from 14 to 20 µg/L, which were higher than those reported in previous studies, indicating serious PCB pollution in the River Nile. PCB congener profiles varied depending on the sampling sties. PCB-138 was the predominant congener accounting for more than 18% of total PCBs. The composition of PCB congeners in the water revealed that highly chlorinated PCB technical mixtures such as Aroclor 1254 was the main PCB production historically used in Egypt. An increasing trend in PCB levels from the upper stream to the Nile estuaries was observed. The calculated flux of PCBs indicated that 6.8 tons of PCBs is dumped into the Mediterranean Sea each year from the River Nile. The hazard quotients and carcinogenic risk caused by PCB pollution in the River Nile were above the acceptable level indicating that PCBs in the River Nile water pose adverse health effects for all age groups. Our findings revealed that PCBs possess a serious risk to the Egyptian population that depends mainly on the River Nile as a source of water. Thus, stricter legislation and regulatory controls should be applied to reduce the risk of PCBs in Egypt.

Hepatoprotective effects of Solanum nigrum Linn fruits against cadmium chloride toxicity in albino rats.

The present work is aimed to investigate the toxicity of 1/20 LD50 of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) on male albino rats by oral ingestion and to determine the hepatoprotective effect of Solanum nigrum Linn (SN) dried fruits and their ethanolic extract against CdCl2 toxicity using biochemical parameters. Rats were divided into six groups; the first group is control, second group is CdCl2-intoxicated rats, third group is fed with a semi-modified diet with S. nigrum fruits, fourth group rats ingested with dried extract, and intoxicated rats (groups 5 and 6) were treated with fruits and ethanolic extract of S. nigrum, respectively. The results showed that rats exposed to CdCl2 induced remarkable decrease in body weight gain, feed efficiency, and Hb, Hct, RBC, and WBC count and MCHC, but increase in MCV and MCH values. In the case of plasma enzymes, there were significant stimulations observed in ALT and AST, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and LDH activities of CdCl2-intoxicated rats (group 2) compared to control (group 1). Plasma protein profile showed decreases in total soluble protein and albumin; also globulin content was decreased by CdCl2 ingestion. Under the same condition, plasma total bilirubin and glucose levels were increased in group 2. In addition, lipid peroxidation and antioxidative system (GSH, catalase, and SOD) of liver were harmed by CdCl2 ingestion. Whereas, normal rats treated with SN showed insignificant changes in groups 3 and 4 as compared to control (group 1). The treatment with dried fruits and their ethanolic extract in CdCl2-intoxicated rats (groups 5 and 6) ameliorated and improved these harmful effects in all above parameters either for blood or liver. The results of this study suggest the protective effect of S. nigrum against liver injury happened by CdCl2 which may be attributed to its hepatoprotective activity and thereby.

Residue levels of organochlorine pesticides in some ecosystem components of Manzala Lake.

To evaluate the organochlorine pesticide (OCP) contamination of Manzala Lake, its ecosystem was investigated during the winter season (December to March). The studied ecosystem components were water, sediment, aquatic weeds, and fishes in four locations. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detector. Pollutant levels of total OCPs showed significantly high levels in the water areas of Round road (46.253 ng/ml), Port-Said Damietta road (19.301 ng/ml), followed by Bughas El-Rasoah (5.539 ng/ml), then Ashtoum El Gamel (natural reserve area now) (0.289 ng/ml). Organochlorines were detected in sediment only in Round road (3.359 µg/kg) and Port-Said Damietta road (0.171 µg/kg) by significant order while they were undetectable in Ashtoum El Gamel and Bughas El-Rasoah. Total OCPs in aquatic weeds ranged between 0.194 µg/kg in Port-Said Damietta and 0.026 µg/kg in Ashtoum El Gamel. While OCPs were 0.160 and 0.153 µg/kg in Round road and Bughas El-Rasoah, respectively. Concerning fish muscles OCPs were significantly higher in the Round road area (0.397 µg/kg) followed by the Port-Said Damietta road (0.258 µg/kg), and finally, Ashtoum El Gamel samples (0.126 µg/kg). The results revealed the direct relation for the accumulation of OCPs between studied ecosystem parameters at the Manzala Lake during the winter season. Results also demonstrated that fish samples collected from the Manzala Lake in the studied areas were contaminated with levels of organochlorines, not higher than the maximum permissible level recorded by FAO/WHO, and that the public is not at risk with fish consumption.