The role of selenium and zinc oxide nanoparticles on mitigating side effects of obesity in rats.

Obesity and related diseases represent greatest threats to human health. Nanoparticles (NPs) serve to reduce toxicity; reinforce bioactivity and improve targeting. This study was intended to investigate the antiobesity and antioxidant activities of selenium and zinc oxide nanoparticles. METHODS: Twenty four adult male rats were divided into four groups, group1 control rats fed normal diet and the other three groups were fed high fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks to induce obesity and injected intraperitoneally with saline, SeNPs (30µg/kg b.wt) and ZnONPs (5mg/kg b.wt) respectively on the last two weeks of feeding (9th and 10th). RESULTS: HFD increased body weight, oxidative stress as indicated by elevated lipid peroxidation and decreased glutathione and catalase levels, increased significantly serum lipid fractions, leptin, liver enzymes, creatinine and uric acid. While causing a substantial decrease in HDL-C and thyroid hormone T4 levels. The results confirmed that treatment with SeNPs and ZnONPs significantly reduced body weight, MDA and improved liver and kidney functions, ameliorated serum lipid fractions level and significantly increased glutathione, catalase, HDL-C and thyroid hormone. CONCLUSION: SeNPs and ZnONPs significantly mitigate hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress. So, they might be potential candidate for obesity amelioration.

Predictive Value of the Pattern of ß-Catenin Expression for Pathological Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the association of ß-catenin expression pattern with pathological response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer (BC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective exploratory study, data for 50 BC patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were recorded. ß-catenin expression in tumours was assessed using immunohistochemistry and classified as either membranous or cytoplasmic according to the pattern of staining. Distributions of different clinico-pathological parameters according to ß-catenin expression were assessed using the Chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess any relation of the pattern of ß-catenin expression with the pathological response. RESULTS: Cytoplasmic ß-catenin expression was detected in 34% of BCs. Among our cases, 52% were hormonal receptor (HR)-positive, 24% were HER2-positive, 74% were clinical stage III and 74% received both anthracycline and taxane-based chemotherapy. Patients with cytoplasmic expression were more commonly younger than 40 years at diagnosis (cytoplasmic, 41.2% vs. no cytoplasmic expression, 12.1%, p=0.03). By doing t-test, cytoplasmic ß-catenin expression was linked with a higher body mass index compared to membranous-only expression (mean± SD 33.0 ± 4.47 vs. 29.6 ±6.01, respectively, p=0.046). No significant associations were found between ß-catenin expression and other parameters such as HR and HER2 status, or clinical stage. Complete pathological response (pCR) rate was twice as great in patients with membranous expression but without statistical signi cance (membranous- only, 33.3% vs. cytoplasmic, 17.6%, OR=2.3, 95% CI= 0.55-9.87, p=0.24). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that cytoplasmic ß-catenin expression may be linked with lower probability of achieving pCR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These data need to be validated in a larger cohort of patients.

Fast pyrolysis char - Assessment of alternative uses within the bioliq® concept.

Experiments with a process development unit for fast pyrolysis of biomass residues of 10kgh(-1) have been performed to quantify the impact of two different product recovery options. Wheat straw, miscanthus and scrap wood have been used as feedstock. A separate recovery of char increases the organic oil yield as compared to a combined recovery of char and organic condensate (OC). Furthermore, it allows for an alternative use of the byproduct char which represents an important product fraction for the high ash biomass residues under consideration. The char produced shows little advantage over its biomass precursor when considered as energy carrier due to its high ash content. Significant value can be added by demineralizing and activating the char. The potential to increase the economic feasibility of fast pyrolysis is shown by an assessment of the bioliq® process chain.

A typical case of myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibers (MERRF) and the lessons learned.

Mitochondrial diseases have a special predilection to involve the brain in view of its high metabolic demand and the tendency for the formation of excitatory neurotransmitters when there is deficiency of intracellular ATP. These diseases have a great phenotypic variation and need a high degree of suspicion. However, some specific syndromes are well defined, both genotypically and phenotypically. Some of the drugs are potentially fatal mitochondrial poisons and an insight into that may be lifesaving as well as prevent serious morbidities.We report a typical case of myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibers (MERRF) with classical phenotype and genotype. There was rapid multiaxial deterioration with the introduction of sodium valproate which partly reversed on introducing mitochondrial cocktail and withdrawal of the offending drug.Sodium valproate, phenobarbitone, chloramphenicol and many anti-viral agents are mitochondrial poisons that increase the morbidity and mortality in patients with mitochondrial disease. More harm to the patient can be avoided with insight into this information.

Differing effects of resibufagenin on cinobufatalin- versus marinobufagenin-induced preeclampsia in a rodent model.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated that the bufodienolide, marinobufagenin, causes a syndrome in the pregnant rat that resembles human preeclampsia. Furthermore, marinobufagenin urinary excretion is elevated in approximately 85% of preeclamptic patients. Resibufagenin, an antagonist to marinobufagenin, completely prevents the syndrome (hypertension, proteinuria, and intrauterine growth restriction) if given from early pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: We investigated the effects of another bufodienolide, cinobufatalin, to determine if it, likewise, could induce the rat "preeclamptic" syndrome, which it did. We then examined whether resibufagenin could prevent the syndrome due to cinobufatalin. RESULTS: Resibufagenin improved hypertension but not proteinuria, and did not prevent uterine growth restriction. CONCLUSION: We conclude that more than one bufodienolide may induce the preeclamptic syndrome and that each may require a specific antagonist to prevent (or treat) the syndrome.

Titan's atmospheric temperatures, winds, and composition.

Temperatures obtained from early Cassini infrared observations of Titan show a stratopause at an altitude of 310 kilometers (and 186 kelvin at 15 degrees S). Stratospheric temperatures are coldest in the winter northern hemisphere, with zonal winds reaching 160 meters per second. The concentrations of several stratospheric organic compounds are enhanced at mid- and high northern latitudes, and the strong zonal winds may inhibit mixing between these latitudes and the rest of Titan. Above the south pole, temperatures in the stratosphere are 4 to 5 kelvin cooler than at the equator. The stratospheric mole fractions of methane and carbon monoxide are (1.6 +/- 0.5) x 10(-2) and (4.5 +/- 1.5) x 10(-5), respectively.

Temperatures, winds, and composition in the saturnian system.

Stratospheric temperatures on Saturn imply a strong decay of the equatorial winds with altitude. If the decrease in winds reported from recent Hubble Space Telescope images is not a temporal change, then the features tracked must have been at least 130 kilometers higher than in earlier studies. Saturn's south polar stratosphere is warmer than predicted from simple radiative models. The C/H ratio on Saturn is seven times solar, twice Jupiter's. Saturn's ring temperatures have radial variations down to the smallest scale resolved (100 kilometers). Diurnal surface temperature variations on Phoebe suggest a more porous regolith than on the jovian satellites.

Jupiter's atmospheric composition from the Cassini thermal infrared spectroscopy experiment.

The Composite Infrared Spectrometer observed Jupiter in the thermal infrared during the swing-by of the Cassini spacecraft. Results include the detection of two new stratospheric species, the methyl radical and diacetylene, gaseous species present in the north and south auroral infrared hot spots; determination of the variations with latitude of acetylene and ethane, the latter a tracer of atmospheric motion; observations of unexpected spatial distributions of carbon dioxide and hydrogen cyanide, both considered to be products of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 impacts; characterization of the morphology of the auroral infrared hot spot acetylene emission; and a new evaluation of the energetics of the northern auroral infrared hot spot.

An intense stratospheric jet on Jupiter.

The Earth's equatorial stratosphere shows oscillations in which the east-west winds reverse direction and the temperatures change cyclically with a period of about two years. This phenomenon, called the quasi-biennial oscillation, also affects the dynamics of the mid- and high-latitude stratosphere and weather in the lower atmosphere. Ground-based observations have suggested that similar temperature oscillations (with a 4-5-yr cycle) occur on Jupiter, but these data suffer from poor vertical resolution and Jupiter's stratospheric wind velocities have not yet been determined. Here we report maps of temperatures and winds with high spatial resolution, obtained from spacecraft measurements of infrared spectra of Jupiter's stratosphere. We find an intense, high-altitude equatorial jet with a speed of approximately 140 m s(-1), whose spatial structure resembles that of a quasi-quadrennial oscillation. Wave activity in the stratosphere also appears analogous to that occurring on Earth. A strong interaction between Jupiter and its plasma environment produces hot spots in its upper atmosphere and stratosphere near its poles, and the temperature maps define the penetration of the hot spots into the stratosphere.

Regulation of C-fos protein in gonadotrope cells by oxytocin and gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

The integrated regulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary gland is vital to the functioning of the ovulatory cycle in the female and consists of several components acting at different time points. The best-studied is the rapid release of LH elicited by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). The so-called primary (immediate early) response genes (PRGs), including c-fos, regulate relatively long-term activities, such as mitosis, protein synthesis, protein release and cell differentiation. Regular ovulatory cycles occur as a result of interaction of several peptide factors including the primary factor, GnRH and oxytocin, although GnRH and oxytocin do not have identical activities. We wished to determine whether oxytocin could mediate changes in expression of c-fos protein and compare its effects with those of GnRH. Anterior pituitary glands were collected from female rats at proestrus and a single-cell suspension prepared. Cells were incubated with oxytocin or GnRH at selected concentrations for various times. C-fos protein was extracted and submitted to Western blot analysis. Other cells were stained immunohistochemically for c-fos and LH following incubation with the peptides and fixation. There was an increase in c-fos protein from 15 to 60 min in Western blots of cells from all incubations. After immunohistochemistry, it was observed that both oxytocin (100 nM) and GnRH (100 nM) increased the percentage of cells that expressed c-fos protein (p < 0.001) and of cells that expressed LH (p < 0.001). The responses to the peptides were concentration dependent. We found that neither all LH-containing cells expressed c-fos, nor all c-fos-containing cells immunostained for LH. The effects of the peptides were not the same. High concentrations of GnRH (1 microM) induced the appearance of a higher percent of LH-containing cells having c-fos than did 10 nM GnRH (p < 0.01), whereas a lower percent of LH-containing cells with c-fos were observed when the oxytocin concentration was raised from 10 nM to 1 microM (p < 0.02). It appears, therefore, that the two peptides have different regulatory effects on LH-containing cells, indicating the possibility of specialized function. The results emphasize the suggestion that stimulation of LH secretion is not the sole index of gonadotrope-directed activity by a peptide. Collectively, these results indicate that the peptides oxytocin and GnRH are able to modulate processes that are associated with longer-term activities of gonadotropes and also demonstrate that specific subpopulations of LH-containing gonadotropes are stimulated to express c-fos.

GnRH and oxytocin have nonidentical effects on the cellular LH response by gonadotrophs at pro-oestrus.

For full fertility in the female ovulation is necessary, which is dependent on the production of a surge of LH. An understanding of the processes which result in the high levels of LH requires delineation of the activities of individual component cells. In this study the responses of gonadotrophs to two signalling hypothalamic peptides, GnRH and oxytocin, were investigated. A cell immunoblot method was used to identify and distinguish between cells which secrete LH and those which contain LH but do not secrete the glycohormone. Rats were killed on the morning of pro-oestrus, the pituitary collected and the cells dispersed onto a protein-binding membrane for study. Cells were then incubated with GnRH and oxytocin, after which the membranes including the attached cells were stained by immunocytochemistry for LH. GnRH increased the total number of immunopositive cells which were present in a concentration-dependent manner. The most prominent change after 2 h incubation was in the number of secreting cells, whereas after 4 h there was also a marked increase in numbers of nonsecreting cells. Oxytocin also increased the total number of immunopositive cells in a concentration-responsive manner, however the profile of action of oxytocin was different from that observed for GnRH. Oxytocin had a relatively greater effect on numbers of immunopositive nonsecreting cells. Thus, the results reveal the potential for gonadotrophs to be flexibly and appropriately modulated by selected hypothalamic peptides. When cells were preincubated with oxytocin prior to GnRH there was not an additive increase in the numbers of immunopositive cells, suggesting that the two agonists act, in a nonidentical manner, on similar cells. The increase in the total number of immunopositive cells implies that there was a production of LH or post-translational processing, induced by exposure to GnRH or oxytocin. The results confirmed the heterogeneity of gonadotrophs and the existence of functionally distinguishable subpopulations, and revealed a difference between the effects of GnRH and oxytocin on expression and secretion of LH.

Assessment of splenic functions in patients with hepato-splenic schistosomiasis using non-invasive techniques.

This study was carried out on forty cases, classified into 3 groups; group I: 10 healthy controls subjects, group II: 20 patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and group III: 10 bilharzial patients who underwent total splenectomy. All cases were subjected to clinical examination, abdominal ultrasonography, rectal snips and laboratory investigations which included: stool and urine analysis, complete blood picture, IHAT for bilharziasis, liver function tests, viral markers, estimaton of T-lymphocyte subpopulations (CD(+)3, CD(+)4, & CD(+)8) by flow Cytometry, silver stained blood films to detect argyrophilic inclusions and 99mTc sulphur colloid splenic scan which was applied to group II only. The present results revealed varying degrees of hypersplenism (anaemia, leukopenia & thrombocytopenia) in GII. Seventy percent of this group was positive for HbsAg, HCV or both in association with schistosomiasis. Abnormal red blood cells (acanthocytes, target cells, pitted cells & normoblasts) and inclusion bodies (Howell Jolly bodies, argyrophilic inclusions & pappenhiemer bodies) were detected with different values in GIII. CD(+)4 cells were moderately reduced in GII while they were markedly decreased in GIII. CD(+)8 cells were elevated in GII and returned nearly to the normal values in GIII with decrease in number of total T-lymphocytes. Most patients of GII showed marked squestration of 99mTc labelled R.B.Cs. in the spleen with reversed hepatic/splenic ratio (normally hepatic/splenic ratio is over two). IHAT showed positivity in 90% of patients in GII while it was 50% in GIII. Although total splenectomy improved the haematological pattern and the cytopenias, which are prominent features in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, yet the immunological profile was still altered. So, it is recommended to perform segmental splenectomy with retention of a normal mass of functioning residual spleen to preserve more immunological function and to protect against life-threatening occurrence of post-splenectomy sepsis.

Evaluation of FAST-ELISA for the diagnosis of experimental trichniosis.

In order to compare between FAST-ELISA and ELISA for the diagnosis of experimental trichinosis and study the kinetics of antibody and eosinophilic responses, six New Zeland rabbits were infected orally by Trichinella spiralis larvae. Blood was collected every other day for the first 2 weeks, then weekly for eleven weeks post infection. T. spiralis crude larval antigen was prepared for coating of ELISA plates and FAST-ELISA beads. Blood was examined for eosinophilic count and for serum antibody level by ELISA and FAST-ELISA techniques. The burden of infection was assessed by counting encysted larvae in muscle samples of the infected rabbits. By FAST-ELISA antibodies were detected seven days post infection (P.I.), while with ELISA technique antibodies were detected after 10 days. Both tests detected maximum antibody levels on the 4th week. The eosinophilic count reached its peak by the 2nd week. There was a significant inverse correlation between the mean eosinophilic count and the mean larval count. FAST-ELISA proved to be more sensitive than ELISA in early detection of infection, besides being a simple, fast and sensitive assay for antibody detection against T. spiralis.

Study of trichomoniasis among Egyptian male patients.

In the present study, Trichomonas vaginalis was diagnosed in 28.8% male patients with urethral discharge and in 8.2% suffering from impotence and infertility. Diagnosis was based on examination of urethral discharge, urine, semen and prostatic massage fluid by wet mount, stained films and culture inoculation. Diamond's culture proved to be the method of choice.

Causes of minimal hepatic periportal fibrosis present in Egypt.

This study aimed to elucidate the common causes of minimal periportal fibrosis in Egypt. Out of 50 patients having minimal periportal fibrosis, 22 (44%) had schistosomiasis as a sole aetiology, 33 (66%) had combined schistosomiasis with both HBV and HCV. Rare causes were tuberculosis in 4% of the patients and HIV in 2%. No cause could be elicited in 14% of the patients. It is concluded that although schistosomiasis is the commonest cause of minimal hepatic fibrosis in Egypt, yet it is not the sole aetiological factor.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus antibodies in patients with chronic renal failure.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibodies in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) with and without haemodialysis. To achieve this goal, 60 patients with CRF in addition to 20 healthy controls were investigated. Patients were classified into 3 groups, group 1 comprised 20 patients with CRF who haven't any haemodialysis sessions (under conservative treatment) group II comprised 20 patients with CRF due to primary renal diseases already on haemodialysis and group III comprised 20 patients with renal failure secondary to collagen disease or accompanied by liver disease undergoing haemodialysis. Out of 60 patients, Toxoplasma antibodies were detected in 38.3% and in 15% of the normal controls with a statistical significant difference. From the present results, it was noticed high percentages of positivity for Toxoplasma and CMV antibodies in patients with CRF undergoing haemodialysis which was also correlated to the number of the dialysis sessions. So, it can be concluded that CRF patients undergoing haemodialysis should be screened for Toxoplasma and cytomegalovirus before dialysis to prevent the dissemination of these infections through dialysis procedure.

Inhibition of growth of a murine squamous cell carcinoma by a cyclooxygenase inhibitor increases leukotriene B4 production.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of metabolites of arachidonic acid in the growth of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. DESIGN: Investigation of the effect of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, piroxicam, on the growth of squamous cell carcinoma in a murine model. INTERVENTION: C3H/HeJ mice bearing squamous cell carcinoma (SCCVII) were treated with piroxicam (0.08 mg/d, orally) for 30 days beginning 1 day before tumor inoculation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Decrease in tumor volumes and tumor growth rates. RESULTS: Significant inhibition of tumor growth (P = .002) and final tumor weight (P = .0007) was noted in the group receiving piroxicam therapy. Prostaglandin E2 levels in the tumor tissue were unrelated to treatment or tumor size. Increased levels of leukotriene B4 were observed in the piroxicam-treated group (P = .03), and larger tumors were associated with decreased leukotriene B4 levels (P = .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Cyclooxygenase inhibitors may be effective in the treatment of some squamous cell carcinomas. The therapeutic effect of cyclooxygenase inhibitors may result from shunting into the lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism.

Detection of Schistosoma mansoni antigen in the liver and antibodies in serum of patients with hepatic schistosomiasis.

Liver biopsies were taken from 28 patients with chronic hepatitic schistosomiasis for histopathological study and S. mansoni antigen detection by indirect immunofluorescence test. Circulating antibodies were estimated by indirect haemagglutination test. Thirteen cases (46.4%) revealed diffuse S. mansoni antigen in the liver blood sinusoids and in the formed granulomata. Circulating antibodies were detected in 21 cases, 11 of them showed antigen in the liver. Five cases only revealed definite granulomatous reactions around bilharzial ova, while the remaining 23 cases showed periportal fibrosis. So, for proper diagnosis of chronic hepatic schistosomiasis, it is recommended to examine the liver for S. mansoni antigen together with circulating antibodies detection.

Effect of immunosuppression of the virulence of Giardia lamblia cysts.

This study was done to evaluate the pathological effects of Giardia lamblia cysts obtained from immunosuppressed host on the small intestine and liver of immunocompetent hosts. Thirty mice, subdivided into two groups, were infected with G. lamblia cysts in a dose of 5000 cysts/mouse. The first group (10 mice) was inoculated with Giardia cysts obtained from immunocompetent patients and the second group (20 mice) was inoculated with Giardia cysts obtained from already immunosuppressed mice (injected with cyclophosphamide). Stool examination revealed that mice in both groups passed cysts on day 6 +/- 1 after infection. The pathological changes of small intestine in both groups were more or less similar. The changes were in the form of shortening and widening of the villi with cellular inflammatory infiltrate in the lamina propria. The liver of both groups showed no pathological changes. It can be concluded that, although immunosuppression affects the immune system and the defensive mechanism of the host, yet it has no effects on the virulence of the excreted Giardia lamblia cysts.