Dysfunctional cardiac energy transduction, mitochondrial oxidative stress, oncogenic and apoptotic signaling in DiNP-induced asthma in murine model.

Diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) has been associated with the development of allergies, asthma, and allergic airway inflammation. Through a complex interplay of signals and feedback mechanisms, the lungs communicate with the heart to ensure maintenance of homeostasis and supporting the body's metabolic demands. In the current study, we assessed the crosstalk between DiNP-induced asthma and cardiac cellular respiration, oxidative stress, apoptotic potential, and induction of oncogenic factors. Ten male BALB/c mice with a weight range of 20-30 g were divided into two groups, each comprising five mice. Group 1 (control), was administered saline orally for a duration of 30 days. In contrast, group 2 (DiNP group), received 50 mg/kg of DiNP to induce asthma. After the final administration and asthma induction, the mice were euthanized, and their hearts were excised, processed, and subjected to biochemical analyses. The DiNP group had downregulated (P < 0.05) activities of the enzymes of glycolysis, tricyclic acid cycle, and electron transport chain except the hexokinase and succinate dehydrogenase activity which were upregulate relative to control. Also, oxidative distress markers (GSH, CAT, and MDA and SOD) were also perturbed. Biomarkers of inflammation (MPO and NO) were considerably higher (P < 0.05) in the heart of DiNP-induced asthma mice as compared with the control group. Furthermore, DiNP-induced asthma group has an increased cardiac caspase-3, Bax, c-Myc and K-ras, and p53 while the Bcl2 decreased when compared with control. Overall, the findings indicate that DiNP-induced asthma impairs cardiac functions by induction of key cardiac oncogenes, downregulation of cardiac energy, transduction of enzymes, and promotion of oxidative stress and cellular death.

COVID-19 and ß-thalassemia: in lieu of evidence and vague nexus.

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing acute systemic disorders and multi-organ damage. ß-thalassemia (ß-T) is an autosomal recessive disorder leading to the development of anemia. ß-T may lead to complications such as immunological disorders, iron overload, oxidative stress, and endocrinopathy. ß-T and associated complications may increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2, as inflammatory disturbances and oxidative stress disorders are linked with COVID-19. Therefore, the objective of the present review was to elucidate the potential link between ß-T and COVID-19 regarding the underlying comorbidities. The present review showed that most of the ß-T patients with COVID-19 revealed mild to moderate clinical features, and ß-T may not be linked with Covid-19 severity. Though patients with transfusion-dependent ß-T (TDT) develop less COVID-19 severity compared to non-transfusion-depend ß-T(NTDT), preclinical and clinical studies are recommended in this regard.

Primary Hypothyroidism and Alzheimer's Disease: A Tale of Two.

Hypothyroidism (HPT) HPT could be a risk factor for the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition, progressive neurodegeneration in AD may affect the metabolism of thyroid hormones (THs) in the brain causing local brain HPT. Hence, the present review aimed to clarify the potential association between HPT and AD. HPT promotes the progression of AD by inducing the production of amyloid beta (Aß) and tau protein phosphorylation with the development of synaptic plasticity and memory dysfunction. Besides, the metabolism of THs is dysregulated in AD due to the accumulation of Aß and tau protein phosphorylation leading to local brain HPT. Additionally, HPT can affect AD neuropathology through various mechanistic pathways including dysregulation of transthyretin, oxidative stress, ER stress, autophagy dysfunction mitochondrial dysfunction, and inhibition of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Taken together there is a potential link between HPT and AD, as HPT adversely impacts AD neuropathology and the reverse is also true.

Laparoscopy in the management of impalpable testis (Series of 64 Cases).

BACKGROUND: The undescended testis represents one of the most common disorders of childhood. Laparoscopy has been widely used both in the diagnosis and treatment of non-palpable testis. In this study, we investigated and evaluated the usefulness of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of no palpable testis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2003 to January 2008, we used laparoscopy in the management of 64 patients with 75 impalpable testes. Their ages varied from 1 to 15 years (median age = 4.6 years). The site and the size of the testes were localised by abdominopelvic ultrasonography in all 64 children for accurate diagnosis. One stage laparoscopic orchiopexy was performed in 26 testes, staged Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy was underwent in 17 testes, while laparoscopic orchidectomy was done in 5 testes. Follow-up by clinical examination and colour Doppler ultrasound was performed in every patient who underwent orchiopexy. RESULTS: There were 11 patients with bilateral non-palpable testes. The overall diagnostic agreement of ultrasound with laparoscopy was seen in only 16 out of 75 testes (21.3%). The results of diagnostic laparoscopy were varied and showed various pathological. Conditions and positioned of the testes, such as 20 low intra-abdominal testes (26.6%), 17 testes were high intra-abdominal (22.7%), and 18 testes (24%) entered the inguinal canal. Associated inguinal hernia was present in 4 patients. After a mean follow-up period of 26 months (6 months - 5 years), all testes were in the bottom of the scrotum except 3 testes were retracted to the neck of the scrotum and atrophy of the testis occurred in 2 patients (2.7%). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy has proven to be the only diagnostic modality where the findings provide a clear dependable direction for the definitive management of impalpable testes, so it allows an accurate diagnosis and definitive treatment in the same sitting.

Breast Cancer Sentinel Node Detection: An Alternative Solution for Centers Lacking Nuclear Technology.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) has become the gold standard for all cases with no axillary nodal metastasis. The combined radioisotope and blue dye technique is adopted in most centers. The lack of the technology for radioisotope in our institution encouraged us to study the feasibility of methylene blue (MB) for SLN detection in breast cancer patients admitted to Alexandria Surgical Oncology Unit. METHODS: A total of 144 cases were subjected to SLN detection by injecting 2 ml of MB 1%. This was followed by standard axillary lymph node dissection. The safety and accuracy of MB as a tracer for detection of SLN were studied. RESULTS: The identification rate was 93.15%. The number of SLN identified ranged from 1 to 8 nodes with a mean of 1.75 ± 1.17. The sensitivity of MB dye technique was 96.3%. The false negative rate was 3.7%. The negative predictive value was 97.6% and the accuracy was 98.5%. CONCLUSIONS: MB is a safe, reliable, cheap, and accurate alternative tracer for detection of SLN.