Sildenafil ameliorates Alzheimer disease via the modulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in rats.

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease with multi-pathways pathogenesis. Sildenafil is a selective phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor with a potential benefit in the treatment of AD. This study investigated the possible mechanisms underlying the effect of sildenafil in AD with emphasis on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Twenty-four adult male rats were classified into four groups; control group: received vehicles, sildenafil-control: received sildenafil (15 mg/kg/day, p.o.), AD group received Aluminum (25 mg/kg/day, p.o.), AD-treated group: received sildenafil (15 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 6 weeks. AD was assessed by memory performance test and confirmed by histopathological examination and immunostaining of, neurogenesis marker nestin and α-synuclein. The levels of VEGF-A, VCAM-1, oxidative stress markers and TNF-α in brain tissue were evaluated. AD rats showed histopathological evidences of AD; along with increased latency time in the memory test. There was a decrease in VEGF-A, and an increase in VCAM-1, TNF-α, and oxidative stress markers. Immunohistochemical study showed a significant increase in α-synuclein and a significant decrease in nestin expressions in brain tissues. Sildenafil administration ameliorated the histopathological changes and decreased latency time. Such effect was associated with a decrease in VCAM-1, TNF-α and oxidative stress as well as an increase in VEGF-A. Sildenafil caused a significant increase in nestin and a decrease in α-synuclein immunostaining. These findings suggested a protective effect of sildenafil via modulation of VEGF-A, and VCAM-1.

PTEN/PI3K/VEGF signaling pathway involved in the protective effect of xanthine oxidase inhibitor febuxostat against endometrial hyperplasia in rats.

Endometrial hyperplasia (EH) is a medical condition that affects many females as it increases their uterine carcinogenic potential. EH results from entangling hormonal imbalance and inflammatory response. The study examined the role of a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, febuxostat, in a rat model of EH. Adult female Wistar albino rats were subjected to estradiol valerate (EV) 2 mg/kg for 10 days to induce EH. Another group was treated concomitantly with febuxostat 10 mg/kg for the same period. The uterine malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assessed by chemical methods. Gene expressions of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha were assessed by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histopathology and immunohistochemical techniques were used for the detection of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). The results revealed that EV administration induced complex EH with focal atypia and loss of PTEN expression by the histological examination. Uteri of the EV group showed a significant drop in GSH content and SOD activity and rise in the expressions of PI3K, Akt, VEGF, and IL-6. Febuxostat administration significantly improved the uterine GSH and SOD levels. It decreased the expressions of PI3K, Akt, VEGF, and IL-6. The endometrium showed a regression of the proliferative epithelium with the restoration of PTEN expression and the absence of the atypical features. In conclusion, febuxostat protected the endometrium against estrogen-induced EH and may be beneficial in the management along with the hormonal therapy.

Propagation of uncertainty in hourly utility NOx emissions through a photochemical grid air quality model: a case study for the Charlotte, NC, modeling domain.

One of the major hypothesized sources of uncertainties in air quality model inputs is the emission inventory. A probabilistic hourly NOx emission inventory for 32 units of nine coal-fired power plants in the Charlotte domain for the year 1995 was propagated through the Multiscale Air Quality Simulation Platform (MAQSIP). The inventory was developed using time series techniques. Time series for a 4-d episode were simulated and propagated through the air quality model 50 times in order to represent the ranges of uncertainty in hourly emissions and predicted ozone levels. Intra-unit autocorrelation in emissions and inter-unit dependence were accounted for. The range of uncertainty in predicted ozone was greater when inter-unit dependence was included as compared to when units were treated as statistically independent. Uncertainties in maximum ozone hourly or 8-h concentrations at a specific location could be attributed to a specific power plant based upon regression analysis. Out of 3969 grid cells in the modeling domain, there were 43 and 1654 grid cells with a probability greater than 0.9 of exceeding a 1-h 120 ppb standard and an 8-h 80 ppb standard, respectively. The time series of predicted ozone values had similar autocorrelation as compared to monitored data. The implications of these results for air quality management are addressed.

Cytogenetic profile of Down syndrome in Alexandria, Egypt

During 1992-2001, 673 Down syndrome patients were referred to the Department of Human Genetics in Alexandria. Regular [free] trisomy 21 constituted 95.4% of cases; Robertsonian translocation 2.7%; and mosaicism 0.7%. In 8 cases, regular trisomy 21 was associated with structural or numerical chromosome anomalies. Translocation was parentally inherited for 33.3% of cases and maternal transmission was twice as common as paternal. Two translocated Down syndrome fetuses were diagnosed prenatally in at [14;21] carrier mother. Mean maternal age was high in regular trisomy 21 [38.2 years] but not in translocation [25.3 years]. There was an excess of males in all groups except the mosaic group where the male:female ratio was 0.67. Cytogenetic investigations assist in patient management and family counselling

Measurement of non-specific antibodies in renal transplant patients and the incidence of certain postoperative viral infections.

In this study we assess the level and incidence of panel reactive antibodies which are the main cause of hyperacute rejection in renal transplant. The patients sera were tested against the lymphocytes of standard individuals. The lymphocyte panel had adequate representation of most of known antigens. 11 out of 20 patients (55%) gave positive standard panel test utilizing the microlymphocytotoxic assay. The positivity was recorded at 20 degrees C suggesting that those patients were sensitized. When the recipient sera were treated with Dithiothreitol (DTT) 2 cases showed false cytotoxic antibodies as shown in the negative panel obtained after the DTT treatment. The other nine positive cases showed true cytotoxic by not reacting with DTT. 80% of active CMV infections occurred concomitantly to acute rejection episodes and/or its treatment, suggest a chronologic, possibly causal link between rejection and CMV infection.

Steroidal Sapogenins from Tacca leontopetaloides.

Diosgenin and its ring-F-hydroxylated derivatives isonarthogenin {spirost-5-ene-3,27-diol {3beta, 22 R, 25 S)} and isonuatigenin {spirost-5-ene-3,25-diol (3beta, 22 R, 25 S)}, together with the 22,25-epoxyfurost-5-ene isomer nuatigenin {furost-5-ene-3,26-diol-22,25-epoxy (3beta, 22 R, 25 S)}, were identified as the major steroidal sapogenins of the acid hydrolysate of an extract of leaves of TACCA LEONTOPETALOIDES by IR, (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, and mass spectroscopy. A diosgenin ester was isolated which apparently arose by ring closure of a glycosylated furostene during hydrolysis.

Fertility and family planning in Jordan: results from the 1985 Jordan Husbands' Fertility Survey.

The 1985 Jordan Husbands' Fertility Survey (JHFS) was designed to assess husbands' attitudes and behavior toward fertility and family planning. The 1985 JHFS was a follow-up survey to obtain data from husbands of women who were currently married in the 1983 Jordan Fertility and Family Health Survey (JFFHS). The results from the 1985 JHFS point to the usefulness of collecting fertility and family planning information from husbands. These findings showed that nearly 40 percent of the husbands do not believe in practicing contraception, and more than 50 percent of the husbands report that family size should be "up to God." How program officials address these issues will be important for the future success of the family planning program in Jordan.

PIP: The 1985 Jordan Husband's Fertility Survey (JHFS) was established to analyze husband's attitudes to birth spacing, breastfeeding, and family planning; compare husband's attitudes to family planning to their wives' attitudes; and to analyze husband's contraceptive usage. The 1985 JHFS was a follow-up to the 1983 Jordan Fertility and Family Health Survey (JFFHS). Currently married women who were used in the 1983 JFFHS (women 15-49 who lived on the East Bank of the Jordan River) were used as the sampling base for the 1985 study. 2626 interviews were done in 1985. In 1983, Jordan's total fertility rate was 6.6 for a yearly growth rate of 3%. More than 50% of the husbands in 1985 said that family size was "up to God." This was especially so in rural areas, and among less educated husbands. Jordan had the shortest birth interval of any country studied in the World Fertility Survey (WFS). In the 1983 study, the birth interval was 27 months. More than 60% of the husbands believed a birth interval of 25 months was ideal. 29 months was the husband's average desired interval. Husbands favored prolonged breastfeeding, believing it should last for 21 months, twice the actual reported time. 5% of the husbands believed that breastfeeding should last "as long as possible." Higher social status husbands believed in a shorter breastfeeding period than lower status ones. Less educated husbands believed in longer breastfeeding duration than more educated ones. Knowledge of family planning methods in 1985 is compared with their wives' knowledge in 1983. For each method, wives knew more than husbands. The overall usage level by husbands in 2985 was 26.5%, almost identical with the wives in 1983. 49% of the husbands said that they "do not believe in practicing contraception." These husbands do not feel that they should discuss family planning with their wives. Family planning programs in Jordan should be aimed at husbands.

Urinary calculi and pattern of fertility among women. A retrospective study.

The aim of this study is to reveal the relationship between urolithiasis and pattern of fertility among women as indicated by the age at first pregnancy, the number of pregnancies and the use of contraceptive pills as well as to determine the lateralization of stone. The study was conducted on 250 female patients suffering from urinary stones and a similar number of control randomly selected from the same hospital. Data were obtained by an interviewing questionnaire. The study demonstrated that the mean number of pregnancies of cases is significantly higher than that of control (t = 3.5797). However, history of pregnancy, the age at first pregnancy and the duration of use of contraceptive pills are not significantly related to urolithiasis (X2 = 0.3415, 0.7688 and 1.5120 respectively). Right side stone are more encountered in cases with history of pregnancy than those who have never been pregnant.

A case of de novo trisomy 12p syndrome.

A case of pure 12p trisomy was discovered in a 14-year-old boy during a cytogenetic survey of Egyptian students attending a school for mentally retarded children. The patient had a normal birth weight but later showed developmental delay. Clinical examination at 14 years of age revealed a high bulging forehead, broad and flat nasal bridge, large mouth with everted lower lip, folded upper ear helix with protuberant antihelix, pectus excavatum, undescended testes, flat feet, generalized hypotonia and moderate mental retardation. Chromosomes analyzed from blood lymphocytes showed an enlarged short arm with an additional band on one of the no. 12 chromosomes. The duplicated chromosomal material extended from 12pter----p12.2, including the LDH-B locus, which showed a gene-dosage effect. This extra chromosomal material arose de novo by tandem duplication. The parents' chromosomes were normal.

Epidermal naevus syndrome.

A case of the epidermal naevus syndrome is presented. Huge enlargement of both lower limbs was the presenting symptoms together with an extensive veavus unius lateris on the trunk.