Dynamic patterns of expressed genes in granulosa cells during follicular and luteal stages in Egyptian buffaloes.

A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms in granulosa cells (GC) is warranted, during different follicular and luteal developmental stages in buffalo cows. We aimed to (I) study the expression of selected genes in GC during follicular and luteal phases, (II) evaluate correlations between GC gene expression and steroid concentrations {17-beta estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4)} in follicular fluid (FF), and (III) study effect of ovarian status on follicular population as well as follicular size frequency. Ovaries were collected in pairs from buffaloes (n = 178). Ovaries bearing corpus luteum (CL) were subdivided into hemorrhagic, developing, mature, and albicans. Follicles from luteal groups were classified only into small (< 4 mm) and large (9-20 mm), while follicles from follicular groups were classified into three subgroups: small (< 4 mm), medium (5-8 mm), and large (9-20 mm). The FF and GC were collected for steroid concentrations measurement and gene expression, respectively. In the follicular phase, luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) and cytochrome P450 aromatase (CYP19) in small follicles decreased compared to medium ones. Large follicle showed an increase in LHCGR and CYP19 compared to medium ones. Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) decreased in large compared to medium size follicles. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) increased in small and large follicles. Meanwhile, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and phospholipase A2 group III (PLA2G3) decreased in small and large follicles. The different stages of luteal phase had a profound impact on GC gene expression. There were strong (positive and/or negative) correlations between gene expression and steroid hormones. The different scenarios between expressed genes in GC and steroid concentrations are required for the proper growth and development of follicles and CL.

Low body mass index in long standing rheumatoid arthritis: relation to RA disease activity and functional indices.

The aim of the work was to study the relationship between the body mass index (BMI) in longstanding rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and RA disease activity and functional indices. This study included 105 RA patients. For all patients, we recorded the presence of erosions on radiographs, the presence of subcutaneous nodules (SCN), the 28-tender joint count (TJC), 28-swollen joint count (SJC) scores, the visual analogue scale (VAS), physicians' global assessments (PhGA), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and the rheumatoid factor (RF). The disease activity index (DAS28) and BMI were calculated and current treatment was recorded. Patients were divided into two groups: group I: BMI 25. Group I included 32 (30.5%) patients, whereas group II included 73 (69.5%) patients. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding each of the following: SJC (p=0.006), erosions (p=0.006), DAS28 (p=0.016) and PhGA (p=0.007). All were higher in group I (underweight and normal) than in group II (overweight and obese). No statistically significant differences emerged regarding age (p=0.11), smoking (p=0.69), disease duration (p=0.46), TJC (p=0.14), SCN (p=1.00), HAQ (p=0.26), VAS (p=0.16), ESR (p=0.25), RF (p=0.54) and steroid cumulative dose (p=0.08). Low BMI in longstanding RA patients may indicate more active and erosive disease and it may be considered as a poor prognostic factor.

Technetium-99m thyroid scan; does it have a diagnostic aid in sub-clinical auto-immune thyroid disease in systemic lupus erythematosus patients?

PURPOSE: Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) thyroid scintigraphy is a well known diagnostic tool that shows the entire gland in a single image. We aimed to evaluate its additive diagnostic value in subclinical autoimmune thyroid disease (S-AITD) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. METHODS: We investigated 100 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients without overt thyroid involvement (eight men and 92 women; mean age 40±6.5 years) and 50 age and sex matched controls. All were subjected to thyroid evaluation using anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies; hormones (FT3; FT4 and TSH) and Tc-99m thyroid scintigraphy. RESULTS: 14/100 (14%) and none (0%) were positive for S-AITD in SLE and control groups, respectively (P = 0.0001). They were classified by thyroid scintigraphy and hormonal profile into 2/14 Hashimoto; 10/14 atrophic thyroiditis and 2/14 Graves' disease. Anti-TPO was elevated in 12 SLE cases, while anti-TG was elevated in only 2/14 (P = 0.0001). Thyroid scintigraphy showed statistically significant associations with FT4, TSH and anti-TPO. CONCLUSION: Tc-99m thyroid scintigraphy may have an additional diagnostic role in S-AITD among SLE patients, with an impact on patient management. This potential needs to be further evaluated in a larger series on a multicenter basis.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori treatment on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a multifactorial disorder characterized by reflux of acidic gastric contents into the esophagus leading to tissue damage and symptoms. The role of H. pylori in the pathogenesis of GERD is controversial. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis on the effect of H. pylori treatment on symptomatic as well as endoscopic changes associated with GERD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Multiple medical databases were searched (4/2011). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing H. pylori treatment with no treatment on symptomatic adults with GERD were included. The effects of H. pylori eradication were analyzed by calculating pooled estimates for new onset or changes in the symptoms of GERD or endoscopic reflux esophagitis. Separate analyses were performed for each outcome by using odds ratio (OR) or weighted mean difference (WMD) by fixed and random effects models. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plots. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed by calculating I² measure of inconsistency. RESULTS: Ten trials met the inclusion criteria. No statistically significant effect was found for symptomatic GERD (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.56-1.17, p = 0.27) or endoscopic evidence of reflux esophagitis (OR 1.13; 95% CI: 0.72-1.78, p = 0.59) between the two groups. A subgroup analysis of eradication data revealed a statistically significant lower incidence of GERD symptoms in the eradicated group (13.8%) compared with the non-eradicated group (24.9%) (OR 0.55; 95% CI: 0.35-0.87, p = 0.01). Funnel plot revealed no publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of H. pylori does not seem to increase GERD symptoms or reflux esophagitis. However, documented eradication of H. pylori appears to significantly improve GERD symptoms.

A novel viewpoint of an imidazole derivative ionic liquid as an additive for cobalt and nickel electrodeposition.

Thin films of Co and Ni electroplated onto a copper electrode from acidic sulfate and Watts baths, respectively, were investigated. The use of an ionic liquid additive in the electrolyte is widespread for producing thin films by electrodeposition. In the present work, the influence of a new ionic liquid, namely, 1-methyl-3-((2-oxo-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)amino)ethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium iodide (Im-IL), in the electrodeposition of two metals was investigated using cathodic polarization (CP), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and anodic linear stripping voltammetry (ALSV) measurements and cathodic current efficiency (CCE%). The surface morphology of the Co- and Ni-coated samples was examined using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The corrosion protection of the Co and Ni samples in a marine environment (3.5% NaCl solution) was studied by the potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The results show that the addition of Im-IL inhibits Co2+ and Ni2+ deposition, which leads to more fine-grained deposits, especially at low Im-IL concentrations. The inhibition of Co2+ and Ni2+ reduction in the presence of Im-IL ions occurs via adsorption, which obeys the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The CCE% is higher in the presence of Im-IL. SEM images show smoother deposits of Co and Ni in 1 × 10-5 M and 1 × 10-4 M Im-IL solution respectively. The results prove that Im-IL acts as an efficient additive for electroplating soft Co and Ni films.

Effect of Xylanase and Phytase Supplementation on Goat's Performance in Early Lactation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Supplementing diets of dairy animals with phytase and xylanase can enhance phosphorus availability and fiber degradation in the rumen and positively affect animal's health and productivity. In vitro and in vivo trials have been conducted to define the optimal addition level of xylanase and phytase to lactating Baldi goat's rations and investigate effects of these enzymes on animal's nutrients digestibility, blood chemistry, milk production and milk composition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro batch culture technique was used to evaluate the effect of phytase and xylanase supplementation at different levels (0, 1, 2 and 3 g kg-1 DM) on rumen fermentation characteristics. Eighteen early lactating Baldi goats were randomly assigned into three groups and fed 4% dry matter according to their body weight. The first group was fed control ration (35% yellow corn, 20% corn stalks, 20% berseem hay, 12.5% soybean meal and 12.5% wheat bran), the second group fed control ration+Penizyme at 2 g kg-1 DM (R1), while the third group fed control ration+Phtase-Plus® at 1 g kg-1 DM (R2). RESULTS: Xylanase and phytase supplementation increased the in vitro DM and OM degradability and ruminal NH3-N and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) concentrations, with no effect on total gas production (TGP) volume. All nutrients digestibility (except CP), blood serum glucose concentration, milk production and milk components yields were increased for enzymes supplemented goats than control. CONCLUSION: Inclusion of xylanase and phytase in lactating goat's rations improved their productive performance with no deleterious effects on their health.

The Brazilian Peritoneal Dialysis Multicenter Study (BRAZPD) : characterization of the cohort.

The Brazilian Peritoneal Dialysis Multicenter Study (BRAZPD) was launched in December 2004 aiming to collect data monthly and continuously from a representative cohort, allowing for a continuous snapshot of the peritoneal dialysis (PD) reality in the country. This is an observational study of PD patients comprising follow-up from December 2004 to February 2007 (mean follow-up of 13.6 months-ranging from 1 to 26 months) in 114 Brazilian centers. All centers report data through a central web-based database. After an initial baseline retrospective data collection, all patients are followed prospectively every month until they drop out from the PD program. Total number of patients recruited until February 2007 was 3226 (2094 incident patients). Mean age was 54+/-19 years (37% above 65 years old), with 55% females and 64% Caucasians. The more frequent causes of renal failure were diabetic nephropathy (34%), renal vascular disease associated with hypertension (26%), and glomerulopathies (13%). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (76%), diabetes (36%), and ischemic heart disease (23%). Automated PD (APD) was the modality utilized in 53%. The estimated overall peritonitis rate was 1 episode per 30 patient-months (most frequently due to Staphylococcus aureus). The total dropout rate was 33%, mainly due to deaths, whereas 20% of dropouts were due to renal transplant. The gross mortality was 17.6% and the main causes of mortality were cardiovascular diseases (40%) and infections (15%). The initial results of this first Brazilian PD registry provide a unique opportunity to develop future clinical studies addressing specific PD questions in the Brazilian reality and context.

Comparative morphological and computed tomographical measurements of the orbit in cattle and pig eyes / Mediciones morfológicas y tomográficas computarizadas comparativas de la órbita en ojos de bovinos y porcinos

SUMMARY: Understanding species intraocular parameters using computed tomography (CT) scanning is initial and crucial step in ophthalmology. There is a lack of studies that have specialized in estimating the cattle and pig eyes using CT scans. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the anatomical and computed tomography features of cattle and pig eyes and its internal structures. Animal heads that not suffer from any diseases related to the eye were disarticulated. CT scan was performed. Moreover, 10 % fixed buffered formalin Specimens were used for the anatomical description of the eye and the optic nerve in particular. The values of length, width of the lens and globe, radio density of the optic nerve, lens, the anterior chamber, the vitreous chamber, and orbital dimensions were measured. Statistically, all parameters of cattle optic nerve increased significantly than that of the pig except for radiodensity, and angle of the optic nerve. Furthermore, all intraocular parameters of cattle increased significantly than that of the pig except the radiodensity of aqueous and vitreous humor. There was no significant difference between species in the opening angle of the orbit. This study's findings represent a first step toward developing CT reference values for cattle and pigs intraocular structural assessments.

Comprender los parámetros intraoculares de especies mediante la tomografía computarizada es un paso inicial y crítico en oftalmología. Faltan estudios enfocados en la estimación de ojos de bovinos y porcinos mediante tomografías computarizadas. Por tanto, este estudio tuvo como objetivo describir las características anatómicas y de tomografía computarizada de los bulbos oculares de bovinos y porcinos y sus estructuras internas. Se desarticularon cabezas de animales que no padecieran alguna enfermedad relacionada con el ojo. Se realizó una tomografía computarizada. Se fijaron las muestras en formalina tamponada al 10 % para la descripción anatómica del bulbo ocular y del nervio óptico en particular. Se midieron los valores de longitud del bulbo ocular, ancho del lente y la radio densidad del nervio óptico, lente, cámara anterior, cámara vítrea y dimensiones orbitarias. Estadísticamente, todos los parámetros del nervio óptico del ganado aumentaron significativamente con respecto al del cerdo, excepto la radio densidad y el ángulo del nervio óptico. Además, todos los parámetros intraoculares del ganado bovino aumentaron significativamente respecto a los del cerdo, excepto la radio densidad del humor acuoso y cuerpo vítreo. No hubo diferencia significativa entre especies en el ángulo de apertura de la órbita. Los hallazgos de este estudio representan un primer paso hacia el desarrollo de valores de referencia de tomografía computarizada para evaluaciones estructurales intraoculares de ganado vacuno y porcino.

Effects of replacement of Moringa oleifera for berseem clover in the diets of Nubian goats on feed utilisation, and milk yield, composition and fatty acid profile.

Replacement of conventional feedstuffs with cheap non-conventional ingredients may improve livestock performance and the quality of their products, particularly milk. The study considered the effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) foliage in replacement of berseem clover (BC) on feed utilisation and lactational performance in Nubian goats. A total of 16 lactating Nubian does, weighing 36.2±0.8 kg, were randomly assigned to four experimental treatments containing 0, 125, 250 and 375 g of MO per kg diet to replace 0 (M0), 25 (M25), 50 (M50) and 75% (M75) of BC (on dry matter (DM) basis) in a quadruplicated 4×4 Latin square design. The MO diets increased (P<0.01) feed intake and nutrient digestibility. Feeding MO diets improved (P<0.01) ruminal volatile fatty acids, acetate and propionate but reduced (P<0.01) valerate and iso-butyrate. Moringa diets increased (P<0.01) serum total protein, albumin and glucose but decreased (P<0.05) cholesterol and triglycerides. Milk yield and energy corrected milk, and milk total solids, fat and energy content were increased (P<0.01) in MO diets. Yields of milk components and energy were greater (P<0.05) for MO diets than for control diet. Milk total saturated fatty acids and athrogenicity index were lower (P<0.01), and unsaturated fatty acids, conjugated fatty acids and UFA/SFA ratio higher (P<0.05) for MO diets. It is concluded that feeding MO to replace 75% DM of BC improved feed utilisation, ruminal fermentation, and milk yield and quality in lactating Nubian goats.

Development of the New Zealand White Rabbit Eye: I. Pre- and Postnatal Development of Eye Tunics.

The New Zealand white (NZW) rabbit has been and is right now regularly utilized in ophthalmic surgery evaluation. Inside NZW rabbit eye, the visibility of ocular structures throughout surgical procedure is fantastic. Younger rabbits are used in different ages for the evaluation of ophthalmic surgery. Complete studies of ocular development in the NZW rabbits have not been reported previously. The aim of the present investigation was to describe the major landmarks and the time course of the pre- and post-natal development of the complete eye tunics of the NZW rabbit to give a superb model as well as a fruitful area for further ophthalmological investigations. Serial histological sections of NZW rabbit prenatal (E13-E28) and post-natal (P1-P14) stages were examined, respectively. The eye of the NZW rabbit developed in a similar manner to that of the human and domestic animals eyes; the principal differences were at the time of occurrence of certain developmental events, absence of pigmentation which represent an exploited benefit for ophthalmic surgery, remarkable Bowman's membrane at E25, poor developed ciliary stroma and juvenile retinal layer until P9. In human, the basic morphogenetic processes of the development of eye tunics are completed towards the end of the first half of gestation period. However, the latter represents the beginning stage of the development of eye tunics in the rabbit. Thus, allowing various extensive ophthalmic researches to be performed.

Characterization of recovery profiles using gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry for the determination of pesticide residues in meat samples.

The assessment of the recovery factor with the analyte concentration in meat samples has been studied for the determination of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides in meat by gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). For that purpose, recent IUPAC recommendations, which distinguishes between two terms, recovery factor and apparent recovery, have been followed. Besides, the systematic error due to the matrix effect has been evaluated by a new term recently proposed, calibration recovery. Recovery profiles were obtained analyzing spiked blank matrix, where the analytes were added before and after the extraction procedure. In a first step, the quantification of the compounds was carried out using a solvent calibration curve. The systematic errors due to the matrix effect during the quantification step and the error due to the sample treatment have been evaluated. Both apparent and calibration recovery components depend on the actual analyte concentration in the sample while the recovery factor remains constant except for analyte concentration close to quantification limit. In addition, the concentration limits, from which an acceptable recovery value (70-110%) can be obtained, are given. If spiked samples are quantified by matrix-matched calibration, the matrix effect is minimized and the calibration recovery component is 100%, and apparent recovery only depends on the recovery factor. The obtained values indicate recovery factor does not depend on the analyte concentration, except for those values closed to quantification limit.

Genomic DNA-based hMSH2 and hMLH1 mutation screening in 32 Eastern United States hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer pedigrees.

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is an autosomal dominant cancer syndrome characterized by early age of onset colorectal cancer (mean 45 years) as well as endometrial, urinary tract, and upper gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas. The HNPCC phenotype has been shown to segregate with germline mutations in the human homologues of the DNA mismatch repair genes MSH2, MLH1, PMS1, and PMS2. However, the majority of published DNA mismatch repair gene mutation surveys associated with HNPCC kindreds report multiple levels of preselection, including 2p and 3p chromosomal linkage analysis and the evaluation of microsatellite instability of proband colorectal cancers prior to mutation analysis. For this reason, the concise contribution of each of the known DNA mismatch repair genes to the HNPCC phenotype remains unknown. We report the results of a genomic DNA-based analysis of hMSH2 and hMLH1 germline mutations in 32 unrelated Eastern United States HNPCC kindreds. These families were selected for study on the basis of phenotype only. We identified three hMSH2 and six hMLH1 mutations in eight families, for a positive mutation rate of 25%. Two mutations were identified in one of the families. Four of the mutations detected have not been reported in the literature previously. One of the mutation-positive families is African American; the others were of European-American ancestry. These results provide a clarification of the contribution of hMSH2 and hMLH1 to the HNPCC phenotype and suggest that in the majority of Eastern United States HNPCC kindreds selected by phenotype alone, the molecular genetic basis for the disease remains unknown.

Age of Diagnosis is Associated with Disease Presentation and Therapeutic Complications in Patients with Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Although Crohn's disease (CD) is usually diagnosed at a younger age, a growing population of patients with inflammatory bowel disease is diagnosed above age 60 (elderly). The aim of this study was to compare disease phenotype, behavior, and therapy in elderly patients with CD to young patients diagnosed between 18 to 25 years. METHODS: This retrospective case-control study identified patients diagnosed with CD at age 60 or above (elderly) and matched them by gender and disease duration with 2 "young" controls diagnosed between 18 and 25 years. Demographic data, disease information, and medical and surgical history were collected from the University of Chicago Medicine inflammatory bowel disease database. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were identified in the "elderly" group and matched to 64 "young" patients. Crohn's colitis was more common in older patients (37.5% versus 15.6%, P = 0.02) who were also less likely to have ileocolonic, perianal, or penetrating disease with less extraintestinal manifestations. After 1998, there was no difference in the use of steroids, 5-aminosalicylates, immunomodulators, biologics, or immunomodulators + biologics. No difference was found in the rates of bowel surgery between the 2 groups. Elderly patients developed fewer therapy-related noninfectious complications and Crohn's-related abscesses. Three serious infections (staphylococcal septicemia, pneumonia, and cryptococcal meningitis) were identified in 3 elderly patients on combination immunomodulators + biologics. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly CD is more likely to present with Crohn's colitis and less likely to present with ileocolonic, perianal, or penetrating disease with less extraintestinal manifestations. Elderly are more likely to develop serious therapy-related infectious complications. Larger prospective trials are needed to evaluate the risks of CD immunosuppressive therapy in elderly patients.

Acute cholecystitis associated with infection of Enterobacteriaceae from gut microbiota.

Acute cholecystitis (AC) is one of the most common surgical diseases. Bacterial infection accounts for 50% to 85% of the disease's onset. Since there is a close relationship between the biliary system and the gut, the aims of this study were to characterize and determine the influence of gut microbiota on AC, to detect the pathogenic microorganism in the biliary system, and to explore the relationship between the gut and bile microbiota of patients with AC. A total of 185 713 high-quality sequence reads were generated from the faecal samples of 15 patients and 13 healthy controls by 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing. Patients' samples were significantly enriched in Akkermansia, Enterobacter and Escherichia/Shigella group. The healthy controls, however, showed significant enrichment of Clostridiales, Coprococcus, Coprobacillaceae, Paraprevotella, Turicibacter and TM7-3 in their faecal samples. Escherichia coli was the main biliary pathogenic microorganism, among others such as Klebsiella spp., Clostridium perfringens, Citrobacter freundii and Enterobacter cloacae in the bile of the patients. Additionally, the amount of bile endotoxin significantly correlated with the number of Enterobacteriaceae, especially E. coli. Our data indicate that Enterobacteriaceae might play essential role in the pathogenesis and/or progress of AC. This was verified in an in vivo model using a pathogenic E. coli isolated from one of the patients in guinea pigs and observed marked gallbladder inflammation and morphologic changes. This study thus provides insight which could be useful for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of AC and related diseases by controlling the growth of Enterobacteriaceae to alleviate the infection.

Challenges in renal transplantation in Yemen.

Background Renal replacement therapy was first introduced in Yemen in 1978 in the form of hemodialysis. Twenty years later, the first renal transplantation was performed. Kidney transplantations were started in socially and financially challenging circumstances in Yemen in 1998. A structured program was established and has been functioning regularly since 2005. A pediatric transplantation program was started in 2011. Material and Methods This was a prospective study of 181 transplants performed at the Urology and Nephrology Center between May 1998 and 2012. All transplants were from living related donors. The immunosuppressive protocol consisted initially of double therapy with steroid and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Subsequently, triple therapy with addition of a calcineurin inhibitor was introduced. Primary graft function was achieved in 176 (97.2%) recipients. Results Cold ischemia time was 48-68 min. Episodes of acute rejection in 12 patients were treated with high-dose steroids. Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) was used in cases of vascular or steroid-resistant rejection in 2 patients. The post-transplant complications, either surgical or medical, were comparable to those recorded in the literature. Conclusions Renal transplantation is a good achievement in our country. The patients and graft survival rates are comparable to other reports.

Inhibitors of caspase homologues suppress an apoptotic phenotype in cultured rabbit corpora lutea.

Apoptosis is a morphologically defined type of cell death initiated by various stimuli that results in the activation of caspases (cysteine-containing aspartate-specific proteases). In the present study, it was determined that caspases are present during, and play a role in, corpus luteum (CL) apoptosis in vitro. Pseudopregnancy was induced in rabbits with 100 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin. On Day 11 of pseudopregnancy, CL were isolated and cultured for 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h in the absence of trophic support to induce spontaneous apoptosis. Total RNA was extracted and analysed for caspase-I expression by Northern blot analysis. The results demonstrated caspase-I expression from 4 h. In the second part of the study, CL were incubated without trophic support for 4 h with increasing concentrations of three general caspase inhibitors, sodium aurothiomalate (SAM), iodoacetic acid (IAA) and N-tosyl-L-phenylalanylchloromethylketone (TPCK), and two specific caspase inhibitors, N-acetyl (Ac)-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp (YVAD)-chloromethylketone (CMK) (Ac-YVAD-CMK) and Ac-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp (DEVD)-aldehyde (CHO) (Ac-DEVD-CHO). At completion, DNA was isolated and integrity assessed. Treatment of CL with SAM, IAA or Ac-DEVD-CHO effectively suppressed apoptotic DNA fragmentation. The final component of the study was to examine caspase-3 protein expression. Western blot analysis revealed a significant increase in caspase-3 expression over the experimental time-course. The results of the present study clearly demonstrate a time-dependent link between the caspases, specifically caspase-3 and spontaneous apoptosis in the rabbit CL.

Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions: clinical applications and technical considerations.

Otoacoustic emissions are defined as sound energy emitted by the cochlea. They are believed to be generated by the outer hair cells of the Organ of Corti. Several types of evoked otoacoustic emissions have been described. At present, transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) equipment is readily available commercially for clinical purposes. This paper describes our early experience with this equipment from a clinician's perspective. It reviews some of the technical problems we have encountered and their solutions. It also presents selected clinical examples where TEOAEs were particularly helpful in the clinical setting, thus illustrating the potential usefulness of this new clinical tool.

Antimony-resistant Leishmania donovaniin eastern Sudan: incidence and in vitro correlation.

A longitudinal study was done in a leishmaniasis -endemic region in eastern Sudan during the period November 2001-February 2003 to determine the incidence of failure of sodium stibogluconate treatment. We studied 820 confirmed visceral leishmaniasis patients. All were treated with sodium stibogluconate, 20 mg/kg body weight for at least 28 days. Parasites were isolated from lymph node aspirates from 22 participants identified as relapsed patients. All isolates were typed as Leishmania donovanibased on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of parasite kDNA. Six parasites showed in vitro resistance to sodium stibogluconate using murine J774 macrophage amastigote testing method. The resistant isolates showed different restriction profiles when the amplified kDNA PCR products were digested with ALU1 restriction enzyme, indicating that resistance was mediated by different parasite clones.

Prenatal development of the eye tunics in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius).

Studies of ocular development in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) have not been reported previously. The aim of the present investigation was therefore to document the major landmarks and the time course in the prenatal development of the eye tunics in dromedary camel and its accommodation with the surrounding hard environment of the desert. Serial histological sections of dromedary camel embryos and foetuses were used. Age estimation was made on the basis of gestational size, crown vertebral-rump length (CVRL), which ranged 1.2-110 cm. The eye of the dromedary camel developed in a similar manner to that of the human and domestic animals eyes; the principal differences were in the time of occurrence of certain developmental events, pigmented peripheral cornea near the limbus, a remarkably thickened Descemet's membrane and pigmentation in the corneo-scleral junction, which represent an adaptive modification in relation to a severe environment.

Phenolic content, antioxidant potential and Aedes aegyptii ecological friend larvicidal activity of some selected Egyptian plants.

Polyphenols constitute a distinct group of natural compounds of medicinal importance exhibiting wide range of physiological activities as antioxidant, immunestimulant, antitumor and antiparasitic. Yellow fever and dengue fever are mosquito-borne infectious diseases transmitted by Aedes aegyptii, the presence of yellow fever in Sudan and dengue fever in Saudi Arabia are threats to Egypt with the reemerging of Ae. aegyptii in Southern Egypt, larvae control is feasible than flying adults. This work was conducted targeting estimation of the relative levels of total phenolic content, antioxidant potential and larvicidal activity of 110 selected Egyptian plants. The highest total phenolic contents were estimated in aqueous extracts of Coronilla scorpioides L., Forsskaolea tenacissima L., Crataegus sinaica Boiss., Pistacia khinjuk Boiss. and Loranthus acacia Benth.; they were 916.70 +/- 4.80, 813.70 +/- 4.16, 744.90 +/- 4.93, 549.00 +/- 3.93& 460.80 +/- 4.02 mg% while those of methanol extracts were estimated in Coronilla scorpioides, Forsskaolea tenacissima, Crataegus sinaica, Loranthus acacia and Pistacia khinjuk, they were 915.60-4.86, 664.60 +/- 4.16, 659.30 +/- 4.80, 590.80 +/- 4.49 & 588.00 +/- 3.85 mg% respectively. Investigation of the antioxidant potentials revealed that the most potent plants were Co-ronilla scorpioides, Forsskaolea tenacissima, Crataegus sinaica, Pistacia khinjuk and Loranthus acacia with calculated values of 454.80 +/- 4.83, 418.4 +/- 4.16, 399.10 +/- 4.90, 342.5 +/- 2.72 & 239.7 +/- 2.91% for aqueous extracts and 452.9 +/- 4.94, 389.6 +/- 4.6, 378.48 +/- 3.84, 352.3 +/- 3.06 & 346.5 +/- 2.98% for methanol extracts respectively while screening of larvicidal activity proved that Coronilla scorpioides, Forsskaolea tenacissima, Crataegus sinaica, Pistacia khinjuk and Loranthus acacia exhibited highest potency calculated as 22.53 +/- 2.01, 23.85 +/- 2.07, 28.17 +/- 2.06, 31.60 +/- 2.93 & 39.73 +/- 4.58 mg% aqueous extracts and 18.53 +/- 1.95, 18.8 +/- 1.67, 20.17 +/- 1.85, 23.28 +/- 2.7 & 28.48 +/- 3.9 mg% methanol ones respectively.