The effects of acupressure on postoperative nausea and vomiting among patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in general surgery, with fewer side effects and rapid recovery. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) remains the main challenge that confronts the prognosis of this minimally invasive surgery. We aimed to evaluate the effect of acupressure, a nonpharmacological non-invasive method, on the incidence of nausea and vomiting following laparoscopic surgery within the early phase (first six hours postoperatively) and the extended phase (for at least 24 h postoperatively). METHODS: We searched PubMed, Cochran, Scopus, Web of Science, Google scholar, and Wiley for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effect of acupressure on PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopy. Data were extracted and analyzed in a random model, and pooled risk ratios (RRs) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: Eleven trials were included in the meta-analysis, comprising 941 patients. Most of the included patients were females undergoing gynecological laparoscopy or laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Acupressure significantly lowered the incidence of nausea and vomiting, within the early phase (RR = 0.62, 95% CI [0.44 to 0.88]; p = 0.008), (RR = 0.5, 95% CI [0.30 to 0.84]; p = 0.008), and the extended phase (RR = 0.65, 95% CI [0.52 to 0.83]; p = 0.0003), (RR = 0.44, 95% CI [0.32 to 0.61]; p < 0.00001), respectively. Moreover, acupressure significantly reduced the need for rescue antiemetic drugs in both phases (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupressure is an effective procedure for reducing nausea, vomiting, and the need for antiemetic drugs after laparoscopic surgery.

Therapeutic Role of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Controlling Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Murine Model.

OBJECTIVES: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Conven - tional methods of cancer therapy are either invasive or have undesirable side effects. Therefore, exploring new therapeutic strategies to control the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma, such as cell-based therapies, is a key issue for prolonging patient survival. In this study, we aimed to evaluate tumor suppressive effects of mesenchymal stem cells on the in vivo pro - gression of hepatocellular carcinoma in murine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hepatocellular carcinoma was induced in 40 rats with diethylnitrosamine. Rats were divided into 4 groups: 1 group injected with diethylnitrosamine only, 1 group injected with diethylnitrosamine and 1 dose of rat bone marrowderived mesenchymal stem cells, 1 group injected with diethylnitrosamine and 2 doses of rat bone marrowderived mesenchymal stem cells, and 1 group was injected with diethylnitrosamine and 3 doses of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Rats were killed after 1 month of dose 3. Liver specimens were histopathologically examined, and serum samples were examined for liver function and cytokines. RESULTS: Histopathological examination revealed that mesenchymal stem cell transplant induced liver regeneration. It also improved liver function as revealed by decreased levels of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase. Mesenchymal stem cells also repaired the immunopathology of the liver environment, as it decreased levels of interleukin 2 and 10, tumor necrosis factor α, and interferon γ. CONCLUSIONS: Mesenchymal stem cell infusion significantly enhanced hepatic structure and function of livers in a rat hepatocellular carcinoma model.

Effect of Filgrastim on adult male rats' fertility and reproductive performance.

Filgrastim is a recombinant protein used in treatment neutropenia caused by myelosuppressive medications for patients with non-myeloid cancer. However, its effect in male fertility is not clear. So, the current work aims to clarify the effect of Filgrastim on the reproductive state in Wistar rats. Eighteen (18) male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (6/each). Group (I) where the rats were injected with 0.5 ml/kg/day of distilled water and served as Control Group. The Group (II) animals received intraperitoneal injection of therapeutic dose of 30.83 mcg/kg/day of Filgrastim for one week. The Group (III) rats received the same dose by the same route of Filgrastim for two weeks. Sera of blood samples were processed for serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (TS). Semen analysis and resazurine reduction test (RRT) were performed. Assaying for malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) was done. The testes were retrieved for histopathological and immunohistochemical studies for caspase-3 detection. Our results revealed that filgrastim affects sperm morphology, significantly decreased the RRT and the reproductive hormones level, elevated the oxidative stress status and induced several histopathological changes in testes with an increased in immunoexpression of caspase-3 in testes tissues. The results of this work demonstrated that Filgrastim may had a deleterious effect on male fertility.

The oil of garlic, Allium sativum L. (Amaryllidaceae), as a potential protectant against Anisakis spp. Type II (L3) (Nematoda) infection in Wistar rats.

The consumption of inadequately thermally treated fish is a public health risk due to the possible propagation of Anisakis larvae. The present study demonstrated the physiological and histopathological changes that accompanied an oral inoculation of crude extracts from fresh and thermally treated Anisakis Type II (L3) in rats. Worms were isolated from a marine fish and examined and identified using light and scanning electron microscopy. The study was performed in 6 rat groups: control (I), garlic oil (GO) inoculated (II), fresh L3 inoculated (III), thermally treated L3 inoculated (IV), fresh L3 + GO inoculated (V), and a thermally treated L3 + GO inoculated (VI) groups. Rats inoculated with fresh and thermally treated L3 showed abnormal liver and kidney functions associated with the destruction of normal architecture. GO produced a protective effect in rat groups inoculated with L3 extracts + GO via the amelioration of liver and kidney functions, which was confirmed by the marked normal structure on histology. Cooking of L3-infected fish induced severe alterations compared to uncooked fish. The administration of garlic before and after fish eating is recommended to avoid the dangerous effect of anisakids, even if they are cooked.

The oil of garlic, Allium sativum L. (Amaryllidaceae), as a potential protectant against Anisakis spp. Type II (L3) (Nematoda) infection in Wistar rats / O óleo de alho, Allium sativum L. (Amaryllidaceae), como potencial protetor contra Anisakis spp. Infecção tipo II (L3) (Nematoda) em ratos Wistar

Abstract The consumption of inadequately thermally treated fish is a public health risk due to the possible propagation of Anisakis larvae. The present study demonstrated the physiological and histopathological changes that accompanied an oral inoculation of crude extracts from fresh and thermally treated Anisakis Type II (L3) in rats. Worms were isolated from a marine fish and examined and identified using light and scanning electron microscopy. The study was performed in 6 rat groups: control (I), garlic oil (GO) inoculated (II), fresh L3 inoculated (III), thermally treated L3 inoculated (IV), fresh L3 + GO inoculated (V), and a thermally treated L3 + GO inoculated (VI) groups. Rats inoculated with fresh and thermally treated L3 showed abnormal liver and kidney functions associated with the destruction of normal architecture. GO produced a protective effect in rat groups inoculated with L3 extracts + GO via the amelioration of liver and kidney functions, which was confirmed by the marked normal structure on histology. Cooking of L3-infected fish induced severe alterations compared to uncooked fish. The administration of garlic before and after fish eating is recommended to avoid the dangerous effect of anisakids, even if they are cooked.

Resumo O consumo de peixe inadequadamente tratado termicamente representa um risco para a saúde pública, com a possibilidade da propagação de larvas de Anisakis. O presente estudo demonstrou as alterações fisiológicas e histopatológicas acompanhadas de inoculação oral de extractos brutos de Anisakis tipo II (L3) frescos e termicamente tratados em ratos. Os vermes foram isolados de um peixe marinho, examinados e identificados por microscopia de luz e eletrônica de varredura. O estudo foi conduzido em 6 grupos de ratos: controle (I), óleo de alho (GO) inoculado (II), L3 fresco inoculado (III), L3 tratado termicamente inoculado (IV), L3 fresco + GO inoculado (V), e um grupo L3 + GO tratado termicamente inoculado (VI). Observou-se que ratos inoculados com L3 fresco e tratados termicamente mostraram funções hepáticas e renais anormais, associadas à destruição da sua arquitetura normal. GO produziu um efeito protector em grupos de ratos inoculados com extractos L3 + GO através da melhoria das funções do fígado e dos rins, o que foi confirmado pela estrutura normal marcada da sua histologia. A cozedura de peixes infectados com L3 induziu alterações mais graves do que os peixes não cozidos. Recomenda-se a administração de alho antes e depois do consumo de peixe, para evitar o efeito perigoso dos anisakids, mesmo que sejam cozidos.

Neurochemical, neurobehavioral and histochemical effects of therapeutic dose of l-dopa on striatal neurons in rats: Protective effect of virgin coconut oil.

Despite the fact that levodopa has proven its effectiveness in treating the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), increasing concerns have emerged about its possible long-term toxic effects on dopamine (DA) neurons. The study investigated the possible ameliorative effect of virgin coconut oil against l-dopa- induced neurotoxicity in adult rats. A total number of 40 rats were divided into four groups. Briefly, the first served as control, the second was orally administered virgin coconut oil (1.42 mL/kg), the third group was administered a single daily dose of l-dopa/carbidopa (100/10 mg/kg/day, p.o) and the fourth group pre-treated with virgin coconut oil then administered a single daily dose of l-dopa/carbidopa. The different treatments were extended for 30 days. l-dopa treated group exhibited aggressive behavior and behavioral abnormalities in open field test compared to control group. In addition, l-dopa treatment caused significant increase in the levels of striatal dopamine and norepinephrine and their metabolites with concomitant decrease of serotonin and its metabolite. Moreover, l-dopa treatment increased histamine and GABA levels. In addition, l-dopa treatment induced oxidative stress and energy crisis. The histological and immunohistochemical studies showed that l-dopa caused a remarkable neurodegeneration and increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoexpression in the striatal area. Virgin coconut oil co-treatment significantly minimized the harmful effects of l-dopa. In conclusion, the present study revealed that virgin coconut oil provided a notable protection against l-dopa's untoward effects.

Liraglutide treatment effects on rat ovarian and uterine tissues.

Liraglutide is a Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue used for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus and obesity. The present study aimed at investigating the effect of Liraglutide in ovarian and uterine tissues in albino rats. 30 female rats were divided into 3 groups, 10 rats each. Group (I) served as control group, group (II) animals administrated therapeutic doses of liraglutide for 5 weeks and group (III) animals were injected with Liraglutide as the pervious group. Then they were left for 2 weeks after drug termination as a recovery period. The biochemical results showed a decrease in the female reproductive hormones profile, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) and an increase in the level of testosterone (T). Liraglutide administration caused a significant decrease in the antioxidant markers, glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and a significant increase in the activity of malondialdehyde (MDA). The histopathological examination revealed apoptosis of granulosa cells of different types of follicles with an increase in atretic and disorganized follicles. Vacuolar degenerative changes, and Atrophied muscle with sever inflammatory cell infiltrate in endometrium with congested, dilated blood vessels could be detected in uterine tissues. However, most of the deleterious effects of liraglutide decreased after drug discontinuation. In this study, we clarify the harmful effect of the liraglutide on ovarian and uterine tissues, thus potentially causing reproductive health malfunction and reducing the chances of pregnancy.

New Egyptian sauropod reveals Late Cretaceous dinosaur dispersal between Europe and Africa.

Prominent hypotheses advanced over the past two decades have sought to characterize the Late Cretaceous continental vertebrate palaeobiogeography of Gondwanan landmasses, but have proved difficult to test because terrestrial vertebrates from the final ~30 million years of the Mesozoic are extremely rare and fragmentary on continental Africa (including the then-conjoined Arabian Peninsula but excluding the island of Madagascar). Here we describe a new titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur, Mansourasaurus shahinae gen. et sp. nov., from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) Quseir Formation of the Dakhla Oasis of the Egyptian Western Desert. Represented by an associated partial skeleton that includes cranial elements, Mansourasaurus is the most completely preserved land-living vertebrate from the post-Cenomanian Cretaceous (~94-66 million years ago) of the African continent. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrate that Mansourasaurus is nested within a clade of penecontemporaneous titanosaurians from southern Europe and eastern Asia, thereby providing the first unambiguous evidence for a post-Cenomanian Cretaceous continental vertebrate clade that inhabited both Africa and Europe. The close relationship of Mansourasaurus to coeval Eurasian titanosaurians indicates that terrestrial vertebrate dispersal occurred between Eurasia and northern Africa after the tectonic separation of the latter from South America ~100 million years ago. These findings counter hypotheses that dinosaur faunas of the African mainland were completely isolated during the post-Cenomanian Cretaceous.