Structural and molecular changes in the rat myocardium following perfluoroctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure are mitigated by quercetin via modulating HSP 70 and SERCA 2.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a man-made fluorinated compound employed in a variety of industrial and civilian applications. Due to its long elimination half-life and promotion of oxidative stress and inflammation, it is one of the most abundant organic contaminants. The present study was designed to determine the cytotoxic effect of PFOS on adult male rat cardiac tissue and to assess the cardioprotective role of the flavonoid quercetin (Que), which possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: Group I (Control). Group II (Que) received Que (75 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks) by oral gavage. Group III (PFOS group): supplemented orally with PFOS (20 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks) and Group IV (PF OS/Que). The rat heart was processed for histological, immunohistochemical, and gene expression studies. The PFOS group showed histological alterations in the myocardium that were partially reversed by the administration of Que. The inflammatory biomarkers (TNF, IL-6, and IL-1), lipid profile, TSH, MDA, and serum cardiac enzymes (LDH and CK-MB) were all altered. These findings collectively suggest that PFOS had adverse effects on the cardiac muscle structure, and these effects were alleviated by quercetin, which is a promising cardioprotective flavonoid.

Different normal anatomical variations of the transverse dural sinus in magnetic resonance venography (MRV): do age and sex matter?

The anatomical variations of the intracranial venous dural sinuses must be put in consideration in diagnosing magnetic resonance venography (MRV) to avoid the diagnostic pitfalls resulting from over-diagnosis of cerebral venous dural sinus occlusion or thrombosis. The available data regarding the age and sex difference of the magnetic resonance venography (MRV) anatomical variations is still limited. A retrospective study is done for 500 patients ranging from 20 to 70 years. Only 363 patients (142 males and 221 females) were included in our final analysis: all have normal MRI brain & posterior fossa. Magnetic resonance venography (MRV) is done to detect the presence or absence of the transverse venous dural sinuses and to detect any age-or sex-related differences. Also 64 dry Egyptian skulls (41 males and 23 females) were employed to detect symmetry of transverse sulcus and to determine age and sex difference. Hypoplastic left transverse sinus was by far the commonest asymmetrical transverse sinus variants representing 22.0% of total: it was noted in 38 male and 38 female. Even if the asymmetrical transverse sinus is more common in females, there is no significant difference between both genders. In the dry skull, symmetrical transverse sulcus was observed in 67.2% of total, while asymmetrical transverse sulcus was recorded in 32.8% of total, which were more observed in female skull 17.2% of total with no significant difference

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