Febuxostat ameliorates methotrexate-induced lung damage.

BACKGROUND: The intention of the present study was to assess the structural affection of the lung following methotrexate (MTX) overdose. The proposed underlying mechanisms involved in lung affection were studied. The possible modulation role of febuxostat over such affection was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four rats were divided into three groups: control, MTX-treated, febuxostat-treated. The study was continued for 2 weeks. Lung was processed for histological and immunohistochemical (inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS] and cyclooxygenase [COX]-2) studies. Inflammatory markers (tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF-a], interleukin 1 [IL-1]), Western blot evaluation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) and oxidative/antioxidative markers were done. RESULTS: Methotrexate-treated group exhibited inflammatory cellular infiltrations, thickened interalveolar septa, dilated congested blood vessels, extravasated blood, and apoptosis. The collagen fibres content increased 3-fold. MTX induced lung affection through oxidative stress (increase MDA/decrease GSH, SOD) and apoptosis. It induced sterile inflammation through an increase of NF-kB (2-fold), IL-1 (3-fold) and TNF-a (3-fold), COX-2 cells (2.5-fold) and iNOS (6-fold). With the use of febuxostat, the normal lung architecture was observed with a bit thickened interalveolar septum and extravasated blood. The collagen fibres content was minimal. Decrement of oxidative stress and sterile inflammation (COX-2 cells and iNOS were comparable to the control group. NF-kB, IL-1 and TNF-a became higher by 34%, 64% and 100%). CONCLUSIONS: The overdose of MTX displays inflammatory lung affection with residual fibrosis. It induces lung affection through oxidative stress, apoptosis and sterile inflammation. With the use of febuxostat, the normal lung architecture was preserved with a little structural affection or fibrotic residue. Febuxostat exerts its lung protection through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant features.

Enhanced electrical and broad spectral (UV-Vis-NIR) photodetection in a Gr/ReSe2/Gr heterojunction.

Vertical integration of two dimensional (2D) layered materials is indispensable in making van der Waals (vdWs) heterostructures for promising electronic and optoelectronic devices. Herein, we report excellent electrical and photoelectrical measurements where the current ON & OFF ratio of FET is increased by decreasing the temperature in the graphene/ReSe2/graphene heterojunction. We investigated the photoresponsivity in broad spectral range (UV-Vis-NIR) and achieved high photoresponsivity of 1.5 × 107 A W-1 and external quantum efficiency of ∼64% at λ = 220 nm. Further, the photovoltaic effect was examined, which significantly modulated the short circuit current (Isc) from 4.2 × 10-8 A to 2.6 × 10-7 A and open-circuit voltage (Voc) from 0.21 V to 0.44 V at different wavelengths (1064, 840, 514 and 220 nm), attributed to the photo-generation and recombination rate of the carriers. Moreover, photoresponsivity was observed near 1.2 × 106, 8.6 × 106 and 1.5 × 107 A W-1 by applying different gate biases (0, 20 and 40 V), respectively. Further, we have explored the photocurrent and photoresponsivity at different intensities of incident light (200, 260, 400, 620 and 850 µW cm-2). In addition, we calculated the rise and decay response times of photodetectors at different wavelengths and power densities, which depend upon the trap sites in the energy band of ReSe2. These devices opened up new ways to improve the performance of photodetectors from the UV to the NIR region.

Influence of level of inclusion of Azolla leaf meal on growth performance, meat quality and skeletal muscle p70S6 kinase α abundance in broiler chickens.

The interest in biodiesel production from oil-bearing seeds rather than soybean necessitates the scientific validation of other good quality protein sources that could substitute soybean meal in animal diets, particularly, broiler chickens where soybean meal constitutes a large portion of their diet. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of sun-dried Azolla leaf meal (ALM) as an unconventional dietary protein source in broiler chicken diet on growth performance, meat quality, skeletal muscle cell growth and protein synthesis through regulation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6 kinase α). A total of 120 male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments. Each treatment had four cages (i.e. replicates) with 10 birds/cage. The control group was fed with a corn-soy-based diet, the AZ5 group was supplemented with 5% ALM and the AZ10 group was supplemented with 10% ALM for 37 days. A 5-day trial was also conducted to measure the apparent nutrient digestibility. Growth performance parameters were measured weekly. At the end of the experiment, 12 birds from each group (3/cage) were euthanized and used for samplings. Inclusion of ALM tended to improve BW gain (P = 0.06) and increased feed intake (P < 0.01). Additionally, ALM decreased the percentage of breast meat cooking loss linearly (P < 0.01). In addition, ALM at a dose of 5% increased the production of propionate in the cecum (P = 0.01). Activation of breast muscle p70S6 kinase was higher when ALM was included in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). The inclusion of ALM increased breast meat redness (P < 0.01); however, the lightness was within the normal range in all groups. Findings from our study suggest that ALM could be included in a broiler chicken diet up to 5% without any major negative effect on meat quality or performance, and it regulates muscle protein synthesis through activation of mammalian target of rapamycin/6S kinase signaling.

Modulation of Magnetoresistance Polarity in BLG/SL-MoSe2 Heterostacks.

Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials have an atomically thin and flat nature which makes it an ultimate candidate for spintronic devices. The spin-valve junctions (SVJs), composed of 2D materials, have been recognized as unique features of spin transport polarization. However, the magnetotransport properties of SVJs are highly influenced by the type of intervening layer (spacer) inserted between the ferromagnetic materials (FMs). In this situation, the spin filtering effect at the interfaces plays a critical role in the observation of the magnetoresistance (MR) of such magnetic structures, which can be improved by using promising hybrid structure. Here, we report MR of bilayer graphene (BLG), single-layer MoSe2 (SL-MoSe2), and BLG/SL-MoSe2 heterostack SVJs. However, before annealing, BLG and SL-MoSe2 SVJs demonstrate positive MR, but after annealing, BLG reverses its polarity while the SL-MoSe2 maintains its polarity and demonstrated stable positive spin polarizations at both interfaces due to meager doping effect of ferromagnetic (FM) contacts. Further, Co/BLG/SL-MoSe2/NiFe determines positive MR, i.e., ~ 1.71% and ~ 1.86% at T = 4 K before and after annealing, respectively. On the contrary, NiFe/BLG/SL-MoSe2/Co SVJs showed positive MR before annealing and subsequently reversed its MR sign after annealing due to the proximity-induced effect of metals doping with graphene. The obtained results can be useful to comprehend the origin of polarity and the selection of non-magnetic material (spacer) for magnetotransport properties. Thus, this study established a new paragon for novel spintronic applications.

Cellulosic/wool pigment prints with remarkable antibacterial functionalities.

Several bio-active agents namely choline chloride, triclosan derivative, PEG-600 and 4-hydroxybenzophenone were successfully included into solvent-free pigment formulations, in a single-stage process, followed by screen printing and microwave-fixation to obtain antibacterial functionalized cellulosic/wool pigment prints. Results obtained signify that both the improvement in functionalization and coloration properties are governed by type of antibacterial agent, kind of substrate as well as pigment colorant. The imparted antibacterial activity of the loaded bio-active agents follows the decreasing order: G+ve (Staphylococcus aureus)>G-ve (Escherichia coli), keeping other parameters constant. The imparted functional and coloration properties showed no significant decrease even after 15 washings. Mode of interactions among the nominated substrates, the pigment paste constituents and the bioactive agents were also proposed.

Smart options for simultaneous functionalization and pigment coloration of cellulosic/wool blends.

The present innovative research work deals with the individual use of chitosan (2.5 g/kg), Aloe vera (10 g/kg), triclosan (10 g/kg), TiO2-nanoparticles (TiO2-NP's, 10 g/kg), silicon micro-emulsion (20 g/kg) or a water/oil-repellent agent (40 g/kg) for modifying the pigment print paste to produce functionalized cotton/wool and viscose/wool pigment prints in one step process. The imparted functional properties such as antibacterial, antibacterial/UV-protection, soft-handle or water/oil-repellency together with the change in the printing properties were evaluated. Some of the obtained pigment prints were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive X-rays (EDX) to confirm deposition of certain functional additives on printed fabrics. The wide-range of imparted functional properties together with the depth of the obtained pigment prints were maintained over 80% even after 15 consecutive laundering cycles. The extent of retention in functional and pigment printing properties is influenced by the type of functional additive as well as the kind of substrate.

Combined UV-protecting and reactive printing of Cellulosic/wool blends.

A novel approach for attaining reactive cotton/wool and viscose/wool prints with outstanding UV-protection functions was achieved via inclusion of certain UV-absorbers namely 4-hydroxybenzophenone and UV-SUN(®) or UV-blockers like ZnO-NPs and TiO(2)-NPs along with MCT-ßCD, as a reactive additive, in the printing paste formulation using Na-alginate as a thickening agent. Experimental results reveal that the inorganic UV-blockers exhibit better UV-protection functions compared with the used UV-absorbers, and the improvement in the imparted UV-protection capacity follows the decreasing order: ZnO-NPs>TiO(2)-NPs>4-hyroxybenzopherone≥UV-SUN(®)>>none>untreated. The enhancement in UV-protection functionality is governed by the type of substrate, cotton/wool>viscose/wool, extent of modification and loading of the used nano-metal oxides or organic absorbers onto the fabric surface as well functionality and ability of the used reactive dyes to absorb the hazardous UV-B radiation. The obtained functional prints exhibited outstanding UV-protection efficiency even after 15 washing cycles.

Utilization of monochloro-triazine ß-cyclodextrin for enhancing printability and functionality of wool.

Monochloro-triazine ß-cyclodextrin (MCT-ßCD) was successfully utilized to modify the wool fabric structure. The modified wool exhibited better post-printing, using different dyestuffs, and outstanding antibacterial activities most probably due to the remarkable capacity of grafted ßCD moieties to form guest-host inclusion complexes in addition to the positive role of wool's active sites. The following treatment sequence: pre-modification, post-printing, followed by after-treatment with Ag-NP's colloid or triclosan derivatives was investigated. The extent of improvement in the aforementioned properties is governed by the degree of pre-modification, type of dyestuff and extent of fixation, type of antibacterial agent, its mode of interaction and extent of loading onto the modified printed wool. The imparted antibacterial functionalities were retained, more than 75%, even after 15 washing cycles.

Radiological airway changes following bipolar radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction.

OBJECTIVE: To characterise the appearance of lesions of the tongue base and soft palate induced by bipolar radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction, using magnetic resonance imaging up to six weeks post-procedure. METHODS: Five men with sleep-disordered breathing were treated with one session of bipolar radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction to a number of sites, including the tongue base and soft palate. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed pre-operatively and one week and six weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Lesions were visible from day one. T1 (spine lattice relaxation Time)-weighted images demonstrated areas of central hyperintensity, reflecting haemorrhagic, coagulative necrosis, surrounded by hypointensity, representing oedema; corresponding short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequences showed central hypointensity with surrounding high signal. The lesions expanded up to day three and then gradually diminished, but were still evident at week six on short tau inversion recovery images. CONCLUSION: The characterisation of lesions induced by bipolar radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction enables us to elucidate the pathophysiology of this procedure, to optimise treatment benefits and clinical outcomes, and to explain patient symptoms.

A clinico-radiological study of the contralateral ear in acquired unilateral cholesteatoma.

OBJECTIVE: Clinico-audiological and CT scan assessments of the contralateral ear in patients with unilateral cholesteatoma can be a good predictive method for the fate of these ears. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients with unilateral cholesteatoma and 25 control subjects with bilateral normal ears were subjected to otomicroscopical and audiological assessment. Axial and coronal computed tomography (CT) for the mastoid bone at 1 mm slice thickness was done for all ears. A simplified method was used to find out the surface area (SA) of the air cells at each individual section and semi-automatically calculate the total volume of the matstoid air cells. RESULTS: Otomicroscopically, 72% of the contralateral ears showed signs of retraction pockets, granulation tissues and other signs of chronicity. Audiologically 20% of the control ears showed moderate to severe conductive hearing loss while 10% showed mixed hearing loss. As regards mastoid pneumatization, the mean air cell volumes were 6.1, 12.68 and 29.92 CC in cholesteatomatous, contralateral and control ears respectively. This indicates a highly significant difference in the mean air cell volume between the control ears and the other two groups. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that continuous follow up of the contralateral ear in cholesteatomatous ears is mandatory to detect subtle pathological changes and manage them early. Volumetry of contralateral ear using the applied simple method can lead to a reduction in major surgery and can affect the choice of the surgical approach.

Lacrimal gland abscess complicating acute sinusitis.

Infections of the lacrimal gland are uncommon, with suppuration and abscess formation being exceedingly rare. Acute bacterial dacryoadenitis may develop secondary to an adjacent infection, from blood-borne spread or after trauma. We report a paediatric case of lacrimal gland abscess thought to be caused by spread of infection from the paranasal sinuses. The possible mechanisms of spread of infection to the lacrimal gland are discussed as well as the management of this unusual complication of sinusitis.

Interleukin-4, immunoglobulin E and immunoglobulin A and resistance to re-infection with Schistosoma haematobium before and after chemotherapy.

The role of serum IL-4, IgE and IgA in protective immunity had been determined in 88- S. haematobium infected-individuals before and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after treatment with a single dose of praziquantel. Before treatment, IL-4 level was found to be highly significant in all stages of infection, there was a positive correlation between IL-4 levels and egg count. Whereas serum IgE and IgA levels were significantly high in late infected group showing a negative correlation with egg count. After praziquantel treatment, IL-4 levels decreased gradually while IgE and IgA levels were significantly increased in all patients. At 9 and 12 months, viable ova were detected in 11 cases (12.5%), they were re-infected after treatment showing an increase in IL-4 levels, and a decrease in both serum IgE and IgA. These results indicate that IL-4 plays an important role in suppression of severe inflammatory responses associate with persistence of the parasitic stages. Also, serum IgE and IgA participate in protective immunity against S. haematobium infection. It may be essential to administer a second dose of praziquantel to all persons living in endemic areas who are likely to be in contact with infested water.

Role of recombinent interleukin-12 as an adjuvant on vaccine-induced immunity in murine Schistosoma mansoni infection.

In the present work, the role of recombinent Interleukin-12 (rIL-12) as an adjuvant to soluble worm antigen preparation (SWAP) in protection against primary murine S. mansoni infection, using certain immunization protocol, was studied. A highly significant statistical increase in resistance (P<0.001) was observed between the group immunized with SWAP and rIL-12 (group I) and those immunized with SWAP only (group II), when each was compared to the infection control group (group III). Moreover, resistance to challenge infection was higher in group I (73.6%) than in group II (66.1%). In comparison to group III, histopathological examination of liver sections of groups I and II showed marked reduction in granuloma sizes, with more reduction in group I to the extent that some ova were seen without cellular reaction around them. Liver necrosis and fibrosis were detected only in the infection control group. In contrast to group III, sections in the small intestine did not show any granulomatous reaction in groups I and II. rIL-12, when administered with SWAP could inhibit mesangial cells proliferation in the kidney glomeruli of mice in group I. However, minimal mesangial cells proliferation was observed in the kidney sections from mice in group II, when compared to the prominent proliferation seen in group III. rIL-12 has a prominent role when administered as an adjuvant to SWAP, against primary murine S. mansoni infection and for preventing granulomatous reaction, decreasing worm burden and increasing resistance to infection.

Variations of direct fluorescent antibody test and serum bile acids levels following praziquantel treatment in Schistosoma mansoni experimentally infected mice.

This study was performed to evaluate the efficiency and use of an immunopathological test viz "Direct Fluorescent Antibody Test (DFAT) for detection of IgG and IgM deposits in liver and kidney biopsies" and a biochemical test viz "estimation of serum bile acids by enzymatic colorimetric technique" for follow up Schistosoma mansoni infection using Swiss albino mice. Test were done during infection and after Praziquantel (PZQ) treatment. Mice were classified according to the duration of infection and post-therapy periods. It was found that both tests should be used together to provide good parameters to demonstrate S. mansoni infection and to test the regression of the disease after treatment.

Study of interleukin-2 receptor in schistosomiasis mansoni and its analogous changes in collagen diseases and schistosomal arthropathy.

An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in the serum of patients with different stages of S. mansoni infection, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and schistosomal arthropathy. The results demonstrated significant higher level of sIL-2R in different patient groups compared to the control group. The highest level of sIL-2R was recorded in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis complicated with ascites. The difference was statistically significant compared to other groups. There was no significant difference in sIL-2R regarding rheumatoid arthritis and SLE. Schistosomal arthropathy group showed significant higher level of sIL-2R compared to rheumatoid arthritis, SLE and early S. mansoni infection while the difference was insignificant compared to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis without ascites.

Immune complexes as monitors of cure in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice.

This study was done to assess the use of immune complexes estimated by micro-ELISA as monitors of cure of schistosomiasis mansoni experimentally infected Swiss albino mice which received praziquantel (PZQ) treatment. They were grouped according to duration of infection (4, 8, 12, 16w) and then subgrouped owing to post-treatment life span (4, 6, 8w). It was found that the changes observed in serum level of immune complexes (IC) would provide a good parameter to demonstrate the severity of infection and being an indication of improvement after treatment. The recorded changes confirmed the relationship between schistosomal hepatic affection and serum levels of IC. The study showed the potent anti-schistosomal effect of PZQ. It cured completely when it was given early after infection or improved moderately when given late.

Serum levels of tumour necrosis factor- alpha in schistosomiasis mansoni and their analogous changes in collagen diseases and schistosomal arthropathy.

Serum levels of TNF-alpha was quantitatively estimated by the use of solid enzyme amplified sensitivity immunoassay (EASIA) in different stages of schistosomiasis mansoni, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and schistosomal arthropathy. Statistically, significant higher levels were detected in the different groups compared to the normal control group. The level was found highest in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis with ascites (group 1c). The difference was significantly higher compared to cases of early S. mansoni infection (group Ia) and insignificant compared to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis without ascites (group 1b). No significant difference was detected comparing groups 1a and 1b, or groups 2a (RA) and 2b (SLE). Cases of schistosomal arthropathy (group 3) showed significantly higher level compared to groups 1a and 1b, although the level in group 1c was still significantly higher compared to group 3, the level was also significantly higher in group 3 compared to cases of RA but not to cases of SLE.

Detection of cellular and humoral markers (IL-2, IFN-gamma and IgE) in sera of patients with urinary schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis continues to be major health problem throughout the developing world. Infection with Schistosoma haematobium is associated with very high morbidity. The work aimed at the determination of role of cellular immune response (IL-2, and IFN-gamma) and specific humoral IgE in protective immunity in human urinary schistosomiasis, as a function of both age and infection intensity including examination of changes in immunoresponsiveness following curative therapy. The study revealed that IL-2,IFN-gamma level were higher in all patients compared to the normal control group and the levels were higher in lightly infected groups than heavily infected ones with no respect to age. IgE levels showed higher values compared to normal individuals and IgE levels were higher in children groups than in adults regardless of the intensity of infection. IL-2, IFN-gamma and IgE levels were higher in patients with mixed S. mansoni and S. haematobium infections than monoinfected patients. Follow up of patients 2 months, 4 months and 12 months after Praziquantel treatment showed that the level of IL-2 and IgE fell back to normal values after 4 months while IFN-gamma remained high, IL-2, IFN-gamma and IgE were raised once more after 12 months.

"Effects of Enterobius vermicularis infection on intelligence quotient (I.Q) and anthropometric measurements of Egyptian rural children".

Two hundred and thirty nine children (114 boys and 125 girls, aged 6-12 years, infected with Enterobius vermicularis worm (E.v.) were selected from 637 originally examined children (329 boys and 308 girls)., derived from El-Katta village, Giza Governorate. The diagnosis was made according to history, physical examination, urine and stools examination, as well as peri-anal swab. The physical growth of these children was investigated by taking some anthropometric measurements which included body weight, standing height, head circumference, upper arm circumf., and triceps skinfold thickness. I.Q. was determined by using Goodenough "draw-a-ma" test. Blood hemoglobin concentration was also determined using a spectrophotometric method. The prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis among our original sample was 43.8%. Mean I.Q. of Enterobius vermicularis infected children was statistically lower than that of their non-infected peers (t = 2.02, P = 0.04), while the non-infected peers (t = 2.42, P = 0.02). Infected male children showed significantly lower I.Q. than infected females (t = 2.02, P = 0.04) while the non infected children showed no sex difference. However physical growth and hemoglobin concentration of Enterobius vermicularis infected children were not statistically different from those of the non-infected control peers, in all age and sex subgroups.

Effect of praziquantel treatment on hepatic pathology of Schistosoma mansoni experimentally infected mice.

In this study we used Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) infected mice were used to assess the pathological changes in the liver at various stages of the disease as well as the effectiveness of Praziquantel (PZQ) treatment on hepatic pathology also at different stages. The S. mansoni infected mice were divided into 7 groups and subgroups according to post infection and/or post treatment periods. The various hepatic pathological changes were recorded and it was concluded that PZQ is an effective yet, safe non hepatotoxic drug and that the earlier the application of treatment in the course of the disease the better cure we can get with minimal or no insult to the liver tissue.