Teratogenic effects of ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin in pregnant rats

The adverse effects of ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin on rat fetuses following oral administration to the pregnant rats were studied. Ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin were given daily to pregnant rats at two [therapeutic and double therapeutic] dosage levels during the period of organogenesis [from the 6[th] to the 15[th] of gestation]. Oral administration of ciprofloxacin at 4.5 and 9 mg/100 g.b.wt. to pregnant rats induced fetal resorption, death and growth retardation. Visceral examination of live fetuses showed microcephaly, hypoplasia of the heart and lungs and dilatation of renal pelvis. Skeletal examination reveated incomplete ossification of skull bones and absence of some coccygeal vertebrae. Pefloxacin at 7.2 6 mg/100 g. b. wt. decrease the number of live fetuses and caused microcephaly, hypoplasia of the heart and lungs, dilatation of the renal pelvis. It also induced incomplete ossification of skull bones and absence of sternbrae and phalanges of forelimbs. A great attention should be considered during the clinical use of ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin in pregnant women and animals to avoid their teratogenic effects

study of new potential risk factors for down syndrome in upper Egypt

Down syndrome is a common chromosomal anomaly causing multiple congenital malformations and mental retardation [MR] in humans. The well-established risk factor, advanced maternal age, was not found in many of the Down syndrome cases in Egypt, while other possible risk factors have not been well studied yet. In view of this, we have conducted the present study to clarify that issue and throw some lights on other potential risk factors in Down syndrome. During this cross sectional study, conducted during the period between March 2006 and Feb 2008, 48 clinically suspected cases of Down syndrome aged between 6 months and 9 years were referred for chromosomal investigation [karyotyping] from the outpatient and inpatient sections of the pediatric department, University Hospitals at the Upper Egyptian governorate Sohag. Chromosomal study was done in those patients after obtaining an informed consent. Twenty apparently healthy children were randomly selected as controls. Statistical study was carried out using logistic regression analysis. Out of the 48 cases of Down syndrome, 45 had free trisomy 21, two were mosaic trisomy 21, and one had translocation. Logistic regression of case-control study of Down syndrome children revealed that the odds ratio of uncle-niece marriages, or second cousin marriages, or parents lived in rural region, or exposure of the parents to drugs or chemicals, or parents education status, or habits [cigarettes/coffee used] of father, or mother not undergone ante-natal scanning as a part of ante-natal care, or mothers with previous abortions were significant when all the variables of that category were used one at a time. Besides the known risk factors, consanguinity, region [rural/ urban] of residence of parents, exposure of parents to chemicals, educational status of parents habits of father, prenatal scanning, and reproductive performance of mother are possible risk factors for Down syndrome

Effect of some plants as functional food supplement on kidney function and structure in experimentally hyperuricemic rats

Hyperuricemia is associated with renal insufficiency and commonly used as a useful early biomarker for chronic kidney diseases. Celery leaves contain a valuable volatile oil and an organic substance called apiol. Celery leaves, chicory and barley are known to have beneficed effect for humans in health and disease. This work was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary fiber supplementation with celery, chicory and barley, alone and in combination, on body weight, food efficiency radio, kidney function and renal histology in experimentally hyperuricemic rats. The experiment was performed using 4 groups of Sprague Dawley rats fed on basal diet supplemented with potassium oxonate [uricase inhibitor] at 2% for 6 weeks to induce experimental hyperuricemia and one group was fed on basal diet only and used as a negative control group. Four experimental diets were prepared by adding the dry powder of celery seeds, chicory leaves or barley grains at 10% or mixture of three plants at 15% [5% from each] to basal diet. The feeding period was 4 weeks. Biochemical analysis of blood urea nitrogen, uric acid and creatinine concentrations in the serum as well as histopathological examination of kidney were performed. Results showed that feeding of celery, chicory and barley mixture at 15% to hyperuricemic rats for 4 weeks increased body weight and improved feed efficiency. It decreased the elevated serum urea nitrogen, uric acid and creatinine concentrations. It also produced an excellent effect on renal histology as it ameliorated the renal damage caused by elevated serum uric acid. The study suggests that dietary intake of plant mixture of celery, chicory and barley at 15% concentration for 4 weeks may be beneficial to patients suffering from hyperuricemia and kidney disease because it improves the function and structure of kidney in hyperuricemic rats

Laparoscopic reconstruction of the ureter: a survival canine study

Laparoscopic reconstruction of the ureter is a rarely visited domain in literature. Such reconstructive procedures, performed via conventional surgery, are common in our practice for management of Bilharzial and Tuberculous ureteric strictures, congenital malformations and iatrogenic trauma to the ureter. Ureteroneocystostomy, Boari flap and ileal replacement of the ureter are the procedures of choice in management of the whole spectrum of ureteral defects with high success rates for the open surgical procedures. To present our initial experience with experimental laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy, Boari flap and ileal replacement of the ureter aiming at evaluation of such procedure and gaining experience prior to clinical application. Twelve healthy Mongrel dogs stratified into three groups. Each dog was subjected to one of three different levels of ureteric obstruction for one renal unit. Group 1 included 4 females for which juxtavesical obstruction of one ureter was done, Group 2 included 4 females for which obstruction was made at the lower part of the lumbar ureter and Group 3 which included 3 males and 1 female for which high lumbar obstruction was performed. Laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy was performed for group I dogs, laparoscopic Boari flap for group 2 and laparoscopic ileal replacement of the ureter for group 3. All dogs survived the procedures, operative time ranged from 140 to 360 minutes [mean 253 +/- 70 minutes] and overall success rate was 83.33% as one renal unit lost function and one dog died on the second postoperative day. Laparoscopic reconstruction of the ureter with simple or complex procedures is technically feasible and safe. Standard laparoscopic armamentarium is quite sufficient for such procedures. Further experimentation is needed to outline the learning curve and to evaluate more techniques. Owing to our initial experience, we can conclude that clinical application of such procedures would be an achievable target in the hands of devoted laparoscopic surgeons who have good experience with reconstructive laparoscopic surgery

Molecular detection, isolation and characterization of avian rotavirus from broiler chicken

Chicken rotaviruses [CRVs] were detected, identified and characterized in broiler chicken with diarrhea for the first time in Egypt Fecal samples were collected from 85 naturally occurring diarrheal outbreaks in commercial chicken broilers fmis that are located in a wide range of geographical areas including many Egyptian govemorates mainly 6th Octobar, Elfayom, Giza, Qaluobea, Menofla and Elmansoura during year 2008. CRV was detected in the fecal samples by ELISA using monoclonal antibodies [Mabs] against VP6, Electron Microscopy [EM], Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction [RTPCR] and the virus was isolated using SPF chickens. The obtained results confirmed the isolation and identification of group A chicken rotavirus while the molecular characterization analysis using different primers sets suggested that the isolated chicken rotavirus does not belong to the same cluster of Chi rotavirus strain but most likely more related to Po-13 strain [mammalian like chicken rotavirus strains]. This study reports the importance of rotaviruses in broiler chickens with delayed growth and diarrhea

Construction of a recombinant baculovirus expressing the major capsid protein [VP6] of bovine rotavirus

The present study reports the expression of VP6, the major inner capsid protein of bovine rotavirus Nebraska calf diarrhea virus [NCDV] strain in a baculovirus expression system. The full-length DNA copies of RNA segment 6 [coding for VP6 protein] of NCDV were inserted into a baculovirus expression vector. A recombinant baculovirus carrying the VP6 gene was constructed through homologous recombination between the baculovirus recombinant plasmid carrying the VP6 gene and Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus [AcNPV] under the control of the polyhedrin promotor. Infection of Spodoptera frugiperda [Sf9] cells with the recombinant baculovirus expressing VP6 protein revealed a high-level of expression when tested by immunoflurescence and solid phase ELISA tests using BRV-specific polyclonal antibodies. The VP6 expressed protein was detected in Coomassie blue stained SDS-PAGE and produced a detectable band in Western blot assay. The high degree of reactivity with BRV-specific polyclonal antibodies confirmed that the antigenic determinants of the expressed protein were unaltered. The use of the in vitro expressed VP6 protein in the field diagnosis and vaccine development to control rotavirus infection is of considerable intere

Expression of the bovine coronavirus spike glycoprotein subunits in insect cells using recombinant baculoviruses

In the present study, the bovine coronavirus [BCV] spike glycoprotein cleavage products [S1 and S2] were individually expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda [Sf9] insect cells, using a baculovirus expression system. The coding sequence of S1 and S2 gene fragments were amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into the baculovirus shuttle vector pBlueBac4.5/V5-His TOPO [R] TA. The cloned fragments were inserted into the genome of Autographa californica nuclear polyhydrosis virus [AcMNPV] under control of the polyhedrin promoter, through a process of homologous recombination between the shuttle vector and a linearized replication-defective baculovirus DNA [Bac-N-Blue[TM]]. Recombinant baculoviruses were selected by plaque purification; verified for the presence of target sequences using PCR and propagated for generation of high-titer viral stocks. Infection of insect cells with the recombinant baculoviruses revealed high-level expression of the target proteins as indicated by immunofluoresent test and solid phase ELISA using BCV-specific polyclonal antiserum

Effect of substitution of soy protein for dietary casein on blood glucose, liver enzymes, lipid profile and kidney function in diabetic rats

The present study was carried out to investigate effects of substitution of Soy protein [SP] for dietary casein [CA] on blood glucose level, liver enzymes, total cholesterol, lipoproteins and kidney function in diabetic rats. The experiment was performed on 60 mature male rats distributed into 6 groups. One group was kept as a -ve control [non diabetic], while the other groups were rendered diabetic by subcutaneous injection of alloxan. The diabetic rats were assigned to one of five diets viz.: 20% casein [CA]; 5% Soy protein [SP] + 15% [CA]; 10% [SP] + 10% [CA]; 15% [SP] + 5% [CA] or 20% [SP]. At the end of dietary period [6 weeks], the rats were sacrificed and blood was collected for separating the serum. Blood glucose, liver enzymes [AST, ALT and ALP], total cholesterol and lipoprotein fractions as well as urea nitrogen, uric acid and creatinine concentrations were determined in the serum. The obtained results showed that substitution of Soy protein for dietary casein significantly decreased the levels of blood glucose, AST, ALT and ALP enzymes and reduced serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, VLDL-c, while increased the level of HDL-c in diabetic rats. It decreased also the concentrations of blood urea nitrogen, uric acid and creatinine. In conclusion, consumption of Soy protein instead of casein may be useful for diabetic patients as it lowers blood glucose and reduces the adverse effects of diabetes on kidney and liver

Effect of feeding by three formulas of herbs and vegetables on the healing of gastric ulcer in male rats

The present article was carried out to investigate the effect of feeding by 3 formulas consisting of three herbs [licorice, thyme and chamomile]; two vegetables [cabbage and artichoke] and a combination of both on the healing of gastric ulcer induced with aspirin in male rats. The obtained results revealed that feeding rats with induced gastric ulcer on herbal or vegetable dried powdered formula or a combination both at 2% for 2 weeks caused significant decreases in the gastric ulcer index, volume and total acidity of gastric juice. The curative ratios from gastric ulcer due to feeding by herbal formula or vegetable formula or both were 43.0 or 22.1 or 57.7%, respectively. The corresponding ratios of the decrease in volume of gastric juice were 27.73 or 39.07 or 39.84%, and in total acidity of gastric juice were 37.07 or 37.09 or 54.83%, respectively. Feeding of these rats on herbal formula or vegetable formula or both of them did not significantly affect the body weight. Histopathological examination of stomachs of rats fed on the above mentioned formulations showed alleviation of gastric mucosal damage and ulceration induced by aspirin. Combination of both herbal formula and vegetable formula showed higher anti-ulcer activity than either of them alone. It can be concluded that feeding diet mixed with a formula consisting of licorice, thyme, chamomile, cabbage and artichoke at 2% to rats with aspirin induced gastric ulcer for 2 weeks produced a marked anti-ulcer effect. This study recommends conducting the experiment on patients suffering from gastric ulcer

Effect of phoxim and amitraz insecticides on fetal development and newborns in rats

The present work was carried out to study the effect of phoxim and amitraz insecticides on fetal development and newborns in rats. Oral administration of phoxim in doses of 110 and 220 mg kg[-1] b.wt. to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis significantly increased the number of resorbed fetuses and decreased the number, body weight and length of viable ones. Dilatation of cerebral ventricles, pulmonary hypoplasia and dilatation of renal pelvis were reported as visceral malformations. Skeletal examination of fetuses revealed incomplete ossification of skull bones and aplasia of pelvic girdle bones and sternebrae. Large dose of phoxim caused aplasia of some vertebrae, metacarpals, metatarsals and digits. Pregnant rats were given amitraz orally in doses of 40 and 80 mg kg[-1] b.wt. during the period of organogenesis had resorbed, dead and growth retarded viable fetuses. Anencephaly and dilatation of cerebral ventricles and renal pelvis were observed in the examined fetuses. Skeletal abnormalities of viable fetuses were incomplete ossification of skull bones and aplasia of sternebrae. Large dose of amitraz induced aplasia of some vertebrae, metacarpals, metatarsals and digits. Oral administration of phoxim in doses of 110 and 220 mg kg[-1] b,wt. to pregnant rats from the 15[th] day of gestation till the end of weaning period [the 21[st] day post-parturition] caused a significant decrease in the weight of delivered offsprings. Death of all newborns occurred in the 21[st] and the 14[th] day post-parturition by the small and large doses respectively. Oral administration of amitraz in doses of 40 and 80 mg kg[-1] b.wt. to pregnant rats for the same period significantly decreased the number of delivered offsprings. Death of all newborns occurred in the 14[th] and 4[th] day post-parturition by the small and large dose respectively

Nutritive content of Balanites aegyptiaca fruits and effect of its alcoholic extract on levels of blood glucose and cholesterol in rats

The present study was carried out to determine the nutritive content of Balanites aegyptiaca fruits and to investigate effects of its alcoholic extract on the blood glucose level in alloxan - diabetic rats and on serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins in experimentally hypercholestrolemic rats. Nutritional analysis of Balanites aegyptiaca fruits revealed that percents of the major nutrients were 7.2% crude protein, 14.8% total lipids and 23.0% total carbohydrates. From the essential amino acids, leucine, valine and threonine were high in the crude protein fraction of the fruits, while histidine, tryptophan, phenylalanine and methionine were low. Proline, glutamic acid and aspartic acid from the non essential amino acids were high. Fatty acid analysis showed that the lipid fraction of Balanties aegyptiaca fruits contained palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids, while it was devoid of myristic, alpha - linolenic and arachidonic acids. Oral administration of the alcoholic extract of Balanites aegyptiaca fruits in doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.wt. to alloxan - diabetic rats significantly decreased, in a dose-dependent manner, the serum glucose level by 13.6, 22.8 and 42.4% respectively. In experimentally hypercholesterolemic rats, the same doses of the extract significantly reduced the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL- cholesterol, while increased HDL-cholesterol. In conclusion, Balanites aegyptiaca fruits possess a low nutritive value and marked medicinal properties. These fruits are may be useful for the treatment of diabetes which accompany with hypercholesterolemia because its extract produces marked hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic effects and improves serum lipid profile in rats

Rehabilitation outcomes in patients with spinal cord injury: one year follow up

There are many scales and methods for evaluation of spinal cord disability. Only few data are reported about the effect of either early or delayed rehabilitation programs. This study used a simple and reproducible index [Modified Barthel Index] to evaluate patients of spinal cord injury in different stages of their rehabilitation within one year. Forty patients with spinal cord injury were evaluated in this study to find the functional outcomes from rehabilitation program using the 100 point modified Barthel Index [MBI]. Also a comparative study was done between the functional outcome and the level of sensory and motor recovery using Sensory Index Score [SIS] and Motor Index Score [MIS]. Twenty patients had spinal cord injury at the level of cervical spine [tetraplegic] and the other twenty patients were paraplegic [lumbar cord injury]. Serial clinical assessment was done at admission, one month, three months, six months and one year for muscle power, sensation, self care and mobility activities. For the tetraplegic patients, our results showed significant improvement in the self care subscore assessed after six months [P<0.005] and one year [P<0.05] of rehabilitation while the mobility subscore was insignificant in the first 6 months [P> 0.05] and became significant after one year [P<0.02] of training program . The mean MIS showed insignificant improvement during the same period [P>0.05] while the Mean SIS was significantly increased [P<0.05]. A good positive correlation was found between MIS and SIS as well as between them and self care and mobility subscores. The paraplegic patients showed a significant improvement in the self care subscore in the first six months and while the mobility subscore showed a significant increase during the total rehabilitation course [P<0.05], the mean MIS and SIS was insignificantly increased. Correlation studies found a good positive association between MIS and SIS as well as between them and the self care subscore but no correlation was found between the MIS and the mobility subscore. In tetraplegic patients, improvement in self care started after 6 months, while mobility did not improve until 1 year of rehabilitation. Sensory scores improved significantly, but not mobility scores in those patients. Paraplegic patients had early mobility improvement, but the motor and sensory scores did not. Positive correlations were detected between MIS, SIS, self care and mobility in tetraplegics and the same was found in paraplegic patients with the exception of mobility subscores

Interleukin-6 in maternal and umbilical cord blood as a predictor of chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes

This study included 80 pregnant women with preterm-PROM and their newborns. Maternal serum was obtained at time of admission and delivery for measuring total leucocytic count [TLC], C-reactive protein [CRP] and IL-6. Chorioamnionitis was diagnosed clinically and histologically. Umbilical cord blood at time of delivery was obtained for measurement of IL-6. The clinical outcome of neonates was followed up and documented. IL-6 [maternal and umbilical cord blood] seemed to be a promising predictor for early onset chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis

Production of monoclonal antibodies against bovine parvovirus

Monoclonal antibodies [MAbs] against bovine parvovirus [BPV] were successfully produced after fusing the spleen cells of an immunized mouse with myelorna cells. A total of six hybridomas were found to produce MAbs against BPV with different reactivities using heamagglutination inhibition [HI] test. These clones are: 3B[10], 3C[5], 3D[6], 2H[6] and 1E[6]. The first three clones produced MAbs of IgG class, but the last three clones produced those of the IgM class and all of them contained K light chain

Anastomotic urethroplasty; for the treatment of urethral stricture

The development in the field of urethroplasty over the past two decades enables the urologist to offer both restoration of efficient voiding and freedom from follow- up instrumentation to most patients. The present study included 13 male patients suffering from obliterative urethral strictures, attending the department of urology, El-Minia University hospital over a period of two years. All cases were subjected to clinical examinations and full investigations to determine the site and length of the urethral strictures. Nine cases had their strictures in the membranous urethra and four cases in the bulbo - membranous urethra. Five patients were operated upon previously [recurrent strictures] transperineal anastomotic urethroplasty was done for ten cases resulting in complete cure in seven patients [70 percent], improvement in two patients [20 percent] as they needed dilatation every 6-9 months and failed operation in one patient due to long obliterated segment. Transpubic anastomotic urethroplasty was performed in three cases, two of them were associated with rectal fistulae and the third case was operated upon by perineal bulbo - prostatic anastomotic urethroplasty previously. All the cases were symptom - free and have improved completely on the follow up period from three to twelve months

immune suppressive effect of Marek's Disease virus vaccine [Rispen strain] on the immune response of chickens to New Castle Disease virus vaccine

In the present study the effect of MDV vaccine Rispen Strain [R-MDV] on the immune response of chicken to NDV vaccine [Losota strin] was studied. 3 major components were determined: humoral immunity, cell mediated immunity and macrophage function. The obtained results revealed that MDV vaccine [R-MDV] has a clear immunosuppressive effect manifested by: significant depression of antibody production to NDV, decrease in the number of ASC in the spleens of MDV vaccinated chicks, slight influence of the total serum protein with decrease in globulin percentage, significant depression in lymphocyte blastogenesis induced by PHA, decrease in macrophage activity and percentage, slight changes in the weight of lymphoid organs and clear reduction in the protection rate as measured by intramuscular challenge with velogenic viscerotropic strain of NDV

Effect of bovine virus diarrhea on the immune response of Egyptian buffalo calves

Five buffalo calves were experimentally infected with Singer strain of bovine viral diarrhea virus [BVDV]. The haematological changes and immune response were investigated. Transient leucopenia followed by leucocytosis was recorded. BVD viral infection induced immunosuppresion which was demonstrated by monitoring phagocytic activity of peripheral blood monocytes and rosette formation of T-cells. The cell-mediated immune response was tested by the lymphocyte transformation test. Serum neutralization test was performed to determine the humoral response

Some pharmacological properties of lupinus termis seeds

The ethanolic extract, total alkaloid, flavonoid and saponin fractions of Lupinus termis seeds were prepared. These plant materials were pharmacologically tested for hypoglycemic and antiinflammatory activities in rats and for the antmicrobial effect against certain bacteria and fungi in vitro. The extract and the total alkaloids fraction of Lupinus termis seeds caused a significant hypoglycemic effect in both fasted and diazoxide-treated rats, whereas the total flavonoid and saponin fractions were devoid of this property. In alloxan diabetic rats, all tested plant material had no antidiabetic effect. Both the extract and the total saponins fraction of lupinus termis seeds evoked a marked anti-inflammatory effect as manifested by the significant decrease in thickness of the inflamed paw in rats after oral administration and local application. However, the total alkaloid and flavonoid fractions of the seeds were devoid of this activity when given orally. Results of antimicrobial study showed that both the ethanolic extract and total flavonoid and saponin fractions of Lupinus termis seeds caused pronounced antibacterial and antifungal effects against certain microorganisms in vitro. On the other hand, the total alkaloids fraction of the seeds had neither antibacterial nor antifungal activity against the selected microorganisms

Electron microscopy of urinary bladder carcinoma. A histocytological study

Urinary bladder carcinoma in Schistosoma cases presented a pllomorphic character; it shared many properties with transitional and squamous cell carcinomata though it had certain specific features. Electronumicrographs of exfoliated tumour cells in urine sediment showed clearly the criteria of malignancy. A cytopathological correlation was markedly noticed. As the medical library is still deficient in an easy and reliable mean for early detection of carcinoma in bilharzial urinary bladder a method was suggested for the use of electromicroscopy in urinary cytology for diagnosis of malignancy