Nephroprotective effects of silymarin and its fabricated nanoparticles against aluminum-induced oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, and genotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: Aluminum (Al) is a ubiquitous element with proven nephrotoxicity. Silymarin (SM) is a mixture of polyphenolic components extracted from Silybum marianum and exhibited protective influences. However, SM bioactivity can be enhanced by its incorporation in chitosan (CS) through the use of nanotechnology. This work proposed to assess the protective influence of SM and its loaded chitosan nanoparticles (SM-CS-NPs) on aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced nephrotoxicity. METHODS: Six groups were created randomly from 42 male Wistar rats and each one contains 7 rats (n = 7). Group I, acted as a control and received water. Group II received SM (15 mg/kg/day) and group III administered with SM-CS-NPs (15 mg/kg/day). Group IV received AlCl3 (34 mg/kg) and groups V and VI were treated with SM and SM-CS-NPs with AlCl3 respectively for 30 days. RESULTS: AlCl3 administration significantly elevated TBARS, H2O2, and kidney function levels besides LDH activity. Whereas GSH, CAT, SOD, GPx, GST, and GR values were all substantially reduced along with protein content, and ALP activity. Additionally, significant alterations in lipid profile, hematological parameters, and renal architecture were observed. Moreover, TNF-α, TGF-ß, and MMP9 gene expression were upregulated in kidney tissues. The administration of SM or its nanoparticles followed by AlCl3 intoxication attenuated renal dysfunction replenished the antioxidant system, and downregulated TNF-α, TGF-ß, and MMP9 gene expression in renal tissues compared to the AlCl3 group. CONCLUSION: SM-CS-NPs have more pronounced appreciated protective effects than SM and have the proficiency to balance oxidant/antioxidant systems in addition to their anti-inflammatory effect against AlCl3 toxicity.

Association Between Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Symptoms Screener (SAMISS) Scores and HIV Care Continuum Outcomes in People Newly Diagnosed with HIV in the US South.

Mental illness (MI) and substance use (SU) are highly prevalent among people with HIV (PWH) and impact care outcomes. The Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Symptoms Screener (SAMISS) is a validated screener for MI and SU, but it is unknown how screening results at entry to care correlate with subsequent HIV outcomes. This is a retrospective chart review of individuals newly diagnosed with HIV between 2016 and 2019 in a Southern US, safety-net clinic. Baseline demographics, HIV risk factors, socioeconomic variables, and SAMISS screening scores were collected. Outcomes included retention in care, achieving virologic suppression (VS), and continuous VS. Data analyses included stepwise Cox and logistic multivariate regression modeling. Among the 544 newly diagnosed PWH, mean age was 35, 76% were male, 46% non-Hispanic Black, 40% Hispanic/other. Overall, 35% screened positive for SU and 41% for MI. A positive SU (odds ratio (OR) 0.66, p = 0.04) or MI (OR 0.65, p = 0.03) SAMISS screening was associated with lower retention in care in univariate analysis, but was not statistically significant after adjusting for other variables. Positive SAMISS screening for SU and MI were both associated with reduced continuous VS in univariate and multivariate analyses (SU: adjusted OR (aOR) 0.67, p = 0.05; MI: aOR 0.66, p = 0.03). SAMISS is a useful tool for prospectively identifying individuals at risk for low retention in care and for not achieving sustained VS. Future interventions guided by SAMISS may improve HIV care continuum outcomes.

Efficacy and safety of geranium-oregano-thymol formulations to control of dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato under laboratory and field conditions.

The present study evaluated, in laboratory and field, the efficacy and safety of formulations of Pelargonium graveolens (geranium - G), Origanum majorana (oregano - O) commercial essential oils (EO) and thymol (T) to control of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. In the laboratory, three formulas (A: 2% tween 80%, B: powder and C: nanoemulsion) by a mixture of these components (GOT) were prepared and evaluated, and the best one was used to assess its safety and field application against R. sanguineus s. l. on naturally infested dogs. Besides the major compounds of the EO used were identified. The results of the lab study showed that formula A (2.5 g of each G + O + T + 2% tween 80 to complete 100 mL) was significantly more effective than the other two formulas tested and exhibited highly effective adulticidal, larvicidal, and ovicidal activity against R. sanguineus s.l. Significant LC50 and LC90 values of GOT were evaluated (13.4 and 21.5 mg/mL, respectively) for the adulticidal activity, (2.81 and 4.46 mg/mL, respectively) for ovicidal activity and (2.44 and 4.45 mg/mL, respectively) for larvicidal activity. The safety of formula A has been proven by the absence of its cytotoxicity on a cell line of human epidermoid carcinoma. Citronella and carvacrol were the major compounds identified in the commercial essential oils of P. graveolens and O. majorana, respectively. Formula A was used in a field control trial for almost 8 months, during the tick infestation season (April to November, 2022). Fourteen naturally infested dogs were divided into two groups, each with seven dogs. One group received formula A spraying five times during an experiment that continued for 8 months, while the other group received treatment with commercially available malathion acaricide. The animals were sprayed on five occasions throughout the experiment (April, June, July, August, and September). The results showed a substantial percentage of effectiveness after the first application of formula A with a 99.3% reduction in tick count at day 28 post-application (PA). In the case of severe infestation 60 days after the first application of formula A (more than 180 ticks per dog), the second application was done, achieving an efficacy of 54.9% at day 3 PA, so an emergency spray was done at day 5 PA to combat the rest of the tick infestation, achieving efficacy of 99% after 3 days. Consequently, a regular spray (third, fourth, and fifth application) was done every 35 days. This regular spray revealed 100% effectiveness at 14 days PA. Biochemical parameters of treated dogs were evaluated to confirm the safety of formula A. Creatinine, ALT, and albumin of the dogs treated with formula A were within the normal range of dogs, while urea and AST were higher than the normal range. In conclusion, formula A can safely treat R. sanguineus s.l. infestations in dogs with regular application every 5 weeks.

Punica granatum peel extract modulates levofloxacin-induced oxidative stress and testicular damage in rats.

Levofloxacin (LEV) is one of the Fluoroquinolones antibiotic groups, which are utilized in the therapy of numerous diseases, particularly in reproductive organs. Punica granatum peel is a waste byproduct rich in phytochemicals that are known for their different biological activities. The current research was designed to assess the capability of pomegranate peel extract (PGPE) in counteracting LEV-induced oxidative stress and testicular injury in rats. Rats groups were divided as follows: control, PGPE (500 mg/kg BW), LEV (300 mg/kg BW), and PGPE plus LEV. Rats were treated orally for two weeks daily. The chemical and nutritional content of Punica granatum peel (PGP) were investigated. GC/MS analysis showed the major phytochemical constituents in PGPE as gallic acid, ellagic acid, 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl, and caffeic acid with DPPH, ABTS, and NO radical scavenging activity, as well as Fe3+- reducing antioxidant activity. Results revealed that LEV increased TBARS and H2O2 concentrations and LDH activity in rat testes significantly. While the activities of antioxidant enzymes, phosphatases, aminotransferases, and reduced glutathione content as well as protein levels, were significantly reduced. Worthy changes in testosterone, luteinizing, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels, as well as sperm characteristics, were also discovered. LEV was also found to trigger apoptosis, as evidenced by elevated p53 and caspase-3 levels and decreased Bcl2 levels. Furthermore, alterations in histological and immunohistochemical PCNA expression were observed in rat testes, confirming the biochemical findings. Furthermore, PGPE pretreatment of LEV-treated rats restored the majority of the tested parameters when compared to the LEV-treated group. In conclusion, pomegranate peel extract had a powerful modulating role against the adverse effects of levofloxacin in rat testes and represents a perspective of the utilization of food waste by-products.

Virtual versus paper-based PBL in a pulmonology course for medical undergraduates.

BACKGROUND: Problem-based learning (PBL) remains a valid and effective tool for small-group medical education. Using Virtual patients (VP) case simulation in PBL is a recognizable educational method that has successfully prepared students to focus learning on core information that uses realistic patient-based cases relating to everyday clinical scenarios. Using other modalities as the virtual patient in PBL instead of the paper-based methods remains debatable. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using VP case simulation mannequin in PBL versus the PBL in paper-based cases in improving the cognitive skills by comparing the grades of a multiple-choice question test and assess its ability to reach students' satisfaction using questionnaire with Likert survey instrument. METHODS: The study was conducted on 459 fourth-year medical students studying in the pulmonology module of the internal medicine course, Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University. All students were divided into 16 PBL classes and randomly divided into groups A and B by simple manual randomization. The groups were parallel with a controlled cross-over study between paper-based and virtual patient PBL. RESULTS: The pre-test showed no significant difference between both, while post-test scores were significantly higher in both VP PBL cases 1 discussing COPD (6.25 ± 0.875) and case 2 discussing pneumonia (6.56 ± 1.396) compared to paper-based PBL (5.29 ± 1.166, 5.57 ± SD1.388, respectively) at p < 0.1 When students in Group A experienced PBL using VP in case 2 after paper-based PBL in case 1, their post-test score improved significantly. (from 5.26 to 6.56, p < .01). Meanwhile, there was a significant regression in the post-test score of the students in Group B when they experienced the paper-based PBL session in case 2 after using PBL using VP in case 1, (from 6.26 to 5.57, p < .01). Most of the students recommended using VP in PBL as they found VP was more engaging and inducing concentration in gathering the information needed to characterize the patient's problem than in a classroom- paper-based cases session. They also enjoyed the teaching of the instructor and found it a suitable learning style for them. CONCLUSION: Implementing virtual patients in PBL increased knowledge acquisition and understanding in medical students and was more motivating for students than paper based PBL to gather the needed information.

Spindle Epithelial Tumor With Thymus-Like Differentiation (SETTLE) Misdiagnosed as Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Case Report.

Spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like differentiation (SETTLE), a rare tumor of the thyroid gland, is difficult to diagnose irrespective of its unique morphology. It is usually misdiagnosed as synovial sarcoma, thymoma, teratoma, or other thyroid carcinomas. In the current case report, we detail a case of a 36-year-old male patient who presented with thyroid swelling that was initially misdiagnosed as papillary thyroid carcinoma instead of SETTLE. Based on fine needle aspiration, the tumor showed a variable pattern with features suggestive of follicular neoplasm in the right lobe and atypia of undetermined significance in the left lobe. Pathological examination showed multiple nodules on both the right and left lobes, with the largest nodule measuring 4.8 x 4.5 x 3 cm. On microscopic examination, a predominant papillary pattern was observed along with spindle cell areas. Immunohistochemistry revealed positive staining for thyroglobulin, CK, HMWCK, CD99, and BCL-2, which led to the diagnosis of SETTLE. The rare nature of the condition and the reduced awareness about it make this tumor a diagnostic challenge. This case report concludes that in case of any biphasic tumor with epithelial and spindle cells in the thyroid gland, it is important to consider the differential diagnosis of SETTLE. Immunohistochemistry is more useful for diagnosing SETTLE, and thus pathologists are encouraged to judiciously advise the patients for immunohistochemistry to establish accurate and efficient diagnosis.

In vitro propagation for conservation and genetic fidelity of the near threatened Dimocarpus longan plant.

BACKGROUND: Dimocarpus longan is a tropical tree that produces edible fruit. It is a neglected plant species that is listed as near threatened. In spite of its economic value, the propagation of longan cultivar using conventional methods is extremely difficult. The goal of this research is to produce and conserve this plant through in vitro propagation. RESULTS: In order to form new shoots, sterilized shoot tip explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with benzyl adenine (BA) or 2-isobentenyl-adenine (2ip). For direct organogenesis, young leaves of new shoots were cultured on MS medium fortified with various concentrations of Thidiazuron (TDZ) or 6-(4-Hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enylamino purine) (Zeatin). Gibbrellic acid (GA3) at different levels alone or in combination was used for shoot elongation. Also, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) were used for root formation. MS medium supplemented with 1.00 mg/l 2ip was suitable for inducing axillary shoots from shoot tips (4.0 axillary shoots/explant). The highest significant 76% and numbers of adventitious buds from leaf base were achieved on MS medium containing 1.0 mg/l TDZ. These buds developed into the longest plantlets on GA3 at 3.0 mg/l and rooted well in ½MS containing 1.50 mg/l IBA plus 0.50 mg/l (NAA). About 70% in vitro plants were successfully acclimatized. The AFLP profile illustrated the genetic stability of gene expression action. The amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) profile illustrated the progenies were extremely similar to the mother plants. According to our findings, MS medium containing 25 ppm salicylic acid (SA) and 5 ppm methyl jasmonate (MeJA) produced the highest percentage of apigenin in longan calli (77.09 and 2.637%, w/w). CONCLUSION: A successful and efficient micropropagation protocol has been developed and described here for the first time, and it will be very useful for the clonal propagation and conservation of the near-threatened Dimocarpus longan plant. Micropropagated plants are genetically identical to the donor plant using the AFLP technique. The usefulness of salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate as elicitors for increasing in vitro production of secondary metabolites in plants is demonstrated in this work.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest During a Prolonged Liposuction and Lipofilling Procedure: A Case Report.

Liposuction is a popular cosmetic procedure. Recently, there has been an increase in the reported complications. Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a rare life-threatening condition with challenging diagnosis. A young lady was admitted for liposuction and lipofilling procedure. After 180 minutes, cardiac arrest happened. She was revived after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. She was tachypneic, hypoxic, and feverish. Her chest x-rays were suggestive of acute respiratory distress syndrome. After exclusion of other differential diagnoses, she was diagnosed as post-arrest state on top of FES. Fortunately, she showed a gradual improvement, starting from the fourth day and was discharged to a regular ward on the sixth day. Sudden cardiac arrest during liposuction is a dreadful complication that may occur in healthy persons due to FES. Its diagnosis depends on high index of clinical suspicion and use of special criteria and scoring systems. The management depends on conservative measures with/without steroids administration.

A Practical Tool for Risk Management in Clinical Laboratories.

Risk management constitutes an essential component of the Quality Management System (QMS) of medical laboratories. The international medical laboratory standard for quality and competence, International Standards Organization (ISO) 15189, in its 2012 version, specified risk management for the first time. Since then, there has been much focus on this subject. We authors aimed to develop a practical tool for risk management in a clinical laboratory that contains five major cyclical steps: risk identification, quantification, prioritization, mitigation, and surveillance. The method for risk identification was based on a questionnaire that was formulated by evaluating five major components of laboratory processes, namely i) Specimen, ii) Test system, iii) Reagent, iv) Environment, and v) Testing. All risks that would be identified using the questionnaire can be quantified by calculating the risk priority number (RPN) using the tool, failure modes, and effects analysis (FMEA). Based on the calculated RPN, identified risks then shall be prioritized and mitigated. Based on our collective laboratory management experience, we authors also enlisted and scheduled a few process-specific quality assurances (QA) activities. The listed QA activities intend to monitor new risk emergence and re-emergence of those previously mitigated ones. We authors believe that templates of risk identification, risk quantification, and risk surveillance presented in this article will serve as ready references for supervisors of clinical laboratories.

Evaluation of the Role of KIM-1 in Detecting Early Nephrotoxicity in Lead-Exposed Workers.

OBJECTIVES: Lead nephropathy usually starts silent. This study aimed to evaluate using kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) as an early nephrotoxicity predictor of long-term low-level occupational lead exposure. METHODS: History, examination, and laboratory investigations including: blood lead, urinary KIM-1, serum uric acid, creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium, serum albumin, and urine analysis were done on 35 lead-exposed workers and a matched control group. RESULTS: Higher blood lead levels were found among the exposed group compared to the control one. No statistically significant difference was found regarding renal failure manifestations or standard renal functions (uric acid, blood urea, and creatinine). Urinary KIM-1 was statistically significantly increased among the exposed group. CONCLUSION: Renal adverse effects were associated to lead fumes exposure. KIM-1 can be used as biomarker for detecting early renal affection among lead-exposed workers.

Evaluation of Acid-Suppressive Medications Prescribing and Usage in Central Hospitals in Abha Region, Saudi Arabia / Evaluación de la prescripción y uso de medicamentos supresores de ácido en hospitales centrales en la región de Abha, Arabia Saudita

Objective: The aim of this study was to study and assess the indications of acid suppressive drugs and to find out percentage of irrational prescriptions with acid suppressive drugs. Material/Methods: It is a prospective observational study conducted in the Armed Forces Hospitals Southern Region and Abha Maternity Hospital, both in Abha in Assir region (Saudi Arabia). The sample size of study was 185 patients. The case sheets of the patients' prescription order were reviewed for acid suppressive drugs prescription and relevant data was taken. Patients’ age above 18 were identified. The duration of study was 8 weeks, between May and June 2017. Results: Our results showed that the majority of the prescriptions of proton pump inhibitors (68.1%) were unjustifiable and that proton pump inhibitor was the most commonly prescribed acid suppressive drugs for the patients (97.8%). The frequency of prescribing for the autism spectrum disorders in our study was found to be higher in patients with an existing risk factor and was mostly recommended by physicians as concomitant medications (67.6%). The most common concomitant medications used with the proton pump inhibitors were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (29.2%) in which aspirin composed 13.5% of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed followed by antimicrobials (9.2%). Conclusion: Acid suppressive drugs are the most commonly prescribed drugs with no proper indications hence irrational. Based on the results of this study, creating awareness about reasonable use of acid suppressive drugs is a necessity

Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue estudiar y evaluar las indicaciones de los medicamentos supresores de ácidos y averiguar el porcentaje de recetas irracionales con medicamentos supresores de ácidos. Material / Métodos: es un estudio observacional prospectivo realizado en los Hospitales de las Fuerzas Armadas del Sur y en el Hospital de Maternidad Abha, ambos en Abha en la región de Assir (Arabia Saudita). El tamaño muestral del estudio fue de 185 pacientes. Se revisaron las hojas de casos de orden de prescripción de los pacientes para la prescripción de medicamentos supresores de ácido y se tomaron los datos pertinentes. Se identificó la edad de los pacientes mayores de 18 años. La duración del estudio fue de 8 semanas, entre mayo y junio de 2017. Resultados: nuestros resultados mostraron que la mayoría de las prescripciones de inhibidores de la bomba de protones (68,1%) eran injustificables y que este era el fármaco supresor de ácido más comúnmente prescrito para los pacientes (97,8%). La frecuencia de prescripción para los trastornos del espectro autistas en nuestro estudio, fue mayor en pacientes con un factor de riesgo existente y fue recomendada principalmente por los médicos como medicamentos concomitantes (67,6%). Los medicamentos concomitantes más comunes que se usaron con los inhibidores de la bomba de protones fueron los antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (29.2%) en los cuales la aspirina supuso el 13,5% de los antiinflamatorios no esteroideos prescritos, seguidos por los antimicrobianos (9.2%). Conclusión: los medicamentos supresores de ácido son los medicamentos más comúnmente recetados sin indicaciones adecuadas, por lo que son irracionales. Basado en los resultados de este estudio, crear conciencia sobre el uso razonable de los medicamentos supresores del ácido es una necesidad

Efficacy and safety of oral paracetamol versus oral ibuprofen for closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral paracetamol versus oral ibuprofen in the treatment of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) in preterm infants. Study design: An interventional randomized case-control study, registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03265782), was conducted on 60 preterm infants with gestational age ≤34 weeks, postnatal age of 2-7 d and color Doppler echocardiographic evidence of hsPDA. Neonates were randomly assigned to two groups: 30 received oral ibuprofen and 30 received oral paracetamol. With failure of ductal closure, a second course of ibuprofen or paracetamol was given. The included newborns were subjected to detailed history, clinical examination, laboratory investigations that included complete blood count, renal, and liver function tests and echocardiographic evaluation. Results: Oral paracetamol was as effective as ibuprofen for the closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with one course of treatment (p > .05). Moreover, oral paracetamol was superior to ibuprofen among neonates who needed second course of treatment with significant decrease in end diastolic flow velocity in the left pulmonary artery (0.35 ± 0.09 versus 0.19 ± 0.06, p = .014), right ventricular systolic pressure (40.50 ± 12.91 versus 20.50 ± 0.58, p = .016) and left atrium to aortic root ratio (1.23 ± 0.14 versus 1.07 ± 0.04, p = .046) when compared to ibuprofen group. Furthermore, the mean difference between pre- and post-treatment PDA size was significantly higher in the paracetamol group compared with ibuprofen group after the second course of treatment (1.07 ± 0.32 versus 0.73 ± 0.38, p = .024). Oral paracetamol was comparable with ibuprofen in terms of the rate of non-surgical ductal closure [28 (93.3%) versus 24 (80%), p = .591]. In addition, oral paracetamol was as safe as oral ibuprofen in terms of gastrointestinal perforation or bleeding, necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, hepatic or renal dysfunction. Conclusions: Oral paracetamol is an effective and well-tolerated first-line drug treatment for PDA in premature infants.

Relation of Osteoprotegerin, Visfatin and Ghrelin to Metabolic Syndrome in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

BACKGROUND: It is now realized that insulin resistance plays a principal role in initiating the pathologic manifestations of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the possible role of osteoprotegerin, visfatin and ghrelin in the pathogenesis of MetS among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum blood samples were obtained from 116 subjects (39 T2DM; 48 T2DM with MetS; 29 healthy controls). Glycemic status and lipid profile were assessed by enzymatic method. Osteoprotegerin, visfatin, ghrelin and insulin were measured by ELISA method. RESULTS: Osteoprotegerin and visfatin were significantly higher, while ghrelin was significantly lower in diabetic patients compared to healthy control group (p<0.05). Moreover, Osteoprotegerin and visfatin showed significant higher levels in T2DM patients with MetS than those without MetS (p<0.05). The best cut-off values for the investigated markers were determined by ROC curve. Osteoprotegerin (1.06 ng/mL), visfatin (32.27 ng/mL) and ghrelin (33.65 pg/mL) presented sensitivity of 76%, 92% and 39.1%; respectively and specificity of 41%, 69.2% and 62.9%; respectively, in predicting MetS among T2DM. Among the investigated parameters, Visfatin was the one which predicts MetS among diabetic patients [AUC=0.88, p<0.05]. CONCLUSION: Osteoprotegerin, visfatin and ghrelin might be implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Moreover, osteoprotegerin and visfatin may have additional potential role in the development of the metabolic syndrome. Visfatin was superior among studied parameters in predicting MetS among T2DM.

Twelve myxosporean species of the family Myxobolidae infecting freshwater fishes of the River Nile, Egypt, with the description of four novel species.

Myxosporidian parasites infecting fish are very dangerous parasites causing severe damage to a large number of economically important fishes especially in aquaculture. A survey of myxosporean parasites infecting four species of fishes from the River Nile in Egypt is conducted. One hundred and ninety-five out of 316 fish specimens with a percentage of 61.7% were found to be naturally infected with these parasites. Light microscopic examination of different tissues revealed the presence of 12 myxosporean species belonging to the family Myxobolidae. Four of the identified species are novel and the other eight species are redescribed. Myxidium sp.nov. a coelozoic species inhabiting the gallbladder of Labeo niloticus with its mature spores float free in bile was detected. These spores possess a fusiform, straight, or slightly crescentic shape with less pointed ends and two equal polar capsules. Three novel histozoic Myxobolus species infecting Oreochromis niloticus were identified. Myxobolus sp(1).nov. is a species inhabiting kidney tissue with ovoid spores exhibiting a small intercapsular appendix. Myxobolus sp(2).nov. and Myxobolus sp(3).nov. recovered from kidney and intestinal tissues. Spores of Myxobolus sp(2).nov. are elliptical in shape with an anterior end wider than posterior one. Their two polar capsules are ovoid to pyriform occupied nearly the first third of the spore body. Spores of Myxobolus sp(3).nov. are broader than long with nearly rounded or ovoid two polar capsules. Eight species of the recovered myxosporean parasites are redescribed, Myxobolus niloticus Fahmy et al., 1971 from pectoral, dorsal, and tail fins of L. niloticus, Henneguya suprabranchiae Landsberg, 1987, and Henneguya branchialis Ashmawy et al., 1989 are recovered from the gills and suprabranchial organ of the catfish Clarias gariepinus, respectively, Myxobolus naffari Abdel-Ghaffar et al., 1998 and Myxobolus imami Ali et al., 2002 are found in the kidney of Barbus bynni and L. niloticus, Myxobolus caudatus Ali et al. & Parasitol Res (2002) from Tail fin of B. bynni, Myxobolus fomenai Abdel-Ghaffar et al., 2008 from kidney and intestinal tissues of O. niloticus, Thelohanellus niloticus Abdel-Ghaffar et al., 2012 are observed in the gills of L. niloticus.

Evaluation of nestin in lung adenocarcinoma: relation to VEGF and Bcl-2.

CONTEXT: Nestin is a marker of multipotent precursor cells that is up regulated in cancer. OBJECTIVE: To explore its diagnostic role and its relationship to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Bcl-2 in lung adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Evaluation of nestin expression in lung biopsies by real-time PCR and serum VEGF and Bcl-2 by ELISA in 27 adenocarcinoma patients and 15 control subjects. RESULTS: Nestin was significantly higher in lung adenocarcinoma patients especially with advanced grade and stage and it was significantly correlated to VEGF and Bcl-2. CONCLUSION: Nestin can be considered as a potential diagnostic marker in lung adenocarcinoma.

HER1 R497K and HER2 I655V polymorphisms are linked to development of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Polymorphism of the genes of Human Epidermal growth factor receptor1 (HER1) and receptor2 (HER2) have been reported to be linked to pathogenesis of several malignant tumors but still there is contradiction regarding their association with breast cancer. OBJECTIVE: In this case control study we aimed to analyze the frequency of HER1 R497K (rs 11543848) and HER2 I655V (rs 1136201) Polymorphisms in breast cancer. SUBJECT AND METHOD: The frequency of HER1 Arg(R) 497Lys (K) and HER2 Ile (I) 655Val (V) polymorphisms were tested in 64 breast cancer patients and 86 normal control by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment polymorphism detection. Immunohistochemical analysis was done for HER2 protein on the available 18 malignant tissue samples. RESULTS: HER1 497K and HER2 655V variant had significantly increased breast cancer risk (OR=2.6, 95% CI 1.6-4.2, OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.1, p< 0.05) respectively. Moreover, combined HER1 K497 and HER2 V655 variant was detected in 26.6% malignant in comparison to 8.14% of control group (OR=4.1, 95% CI 1.58-10.57), but, no significant association was noticed between both Polymorphisms and clinicopathological features of the disease. As regard HER2 immunohistochemical expression no significant correlation was revealed with HER2 655V polymorphism. CONCLUSIONS: our findings suggest that HER1 497K and HER2 655V polymorphisms are potential risk factor for development of breast cancer.

HLA-G expression in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a significant prognostic tumor biomarker.

Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a non-classical major histocompatibility class Ib antigen with multiple immune regulatory functions including the induction of immune tolerance in malignancies. The goal of our study was to investigate the expression of membrane form of HLA-G in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) before and after therapy in a trial to evaluate its role as a tumor escape mechanism and prognosis. So we measured its expression by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 25 (ALL) patients and 15 healthy controls and correlated our findings with a variety of clinical and laboratory variables and two important cytokines, IL-10 and INF-γ, and with natural killer (NK) cells. Serum levels of IL-10 and INF-γ were measured by ELISA. NK cells were quantitated by flow cytometry. The best cutoff values for the investigated markers were determined by ROC curve. The current study showed that membrane-bound HLA-G expression levels and positivity rates above the cutoff value 0.37 were significantly higher in ALL patients at diagnosis compared to after therapy and both showed significant higher levels than in normal control group (P < 0.01). Moreover, IL-10 and INF-γ serum levels were significantly elevated in ALL patients at time of diagnosis compared to healthy controls with a significant reduction in their levels in ALL patients after receiving chemotherapy. Membrane HLA-G expression showed a significant positive correlation with lactate dehydrogenase, peripheral and bone marrow blast cells and with IL-10 and INF-γ. The positive correlation of membrane HLA-G expression with both IL-10 and INF-γ serum levels supports the speculation that both cytokines may be involved in the control of HLA-G expression. HLA-G showed a negative correlation with NK cells confirming its importance in tumor escape through down-regulation of NK cells. In conclusion, HLA-G expression could be used as a prognostic tumor marker to monitor disease state and improvement in ALL.

Neurotoxic effect of lead on rats: Relationship to Apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Lead toxicity has been subjected to intensive research work, but some aspects of its mechanism needs to be elucidated. OBJECTIVES: In the current study we aim to investigate the impact of lead toxicity on some different intermediates of apoptotic signaling pathway in experimental rats. DESIGN AND METHODS: We measured caspase-8 and caspase-9 [by chemilumenescence], Bax and Bcl-2 [by ELISA] in Experimental rats, injected intraperitoneally with lead acetate for 7days at the dosage of 25, 50 and l00 mg/kg body weight and compared to control rats injected with deionized distilled water instead. instead. RESULTS: Lead acetate significantly increased the levels of caspase 8, caspase 9 and Bax in liver, kidney and brain of experimental animals especially those with high doses. Meanwhile, caspase 8 and Bax significantly increased in brain tissue at low dose of lead, while Bcl-2 significantly increased only with advanced toxicity. Furthermore, Bax/bcl2 ratio was significantly high in kidney (p<0.05), liver (p<0.01) and brain (p<0.01) at higher doses of lead toxicity. However, brain tissues showed significant Bax/Bcl2 ratio (p<0.05) at low lead dose. A significant positive correlation was noticed between the blood level of lead and enzymatic level of caspase 8, caspase 9 and Bax in different tissues. CONCLUSION: : we concluded that lead might have toxic effect through intrinsic and extrinsic induction of apoptotic pathway with prominent effect on brain tissue even at low dose.

Passive smoking as a risk factor of dry eye in children.

Purpose. Adult active smoking is a risk factor for dry eye. We hypothesize that passive smoking in children can also produce the same effects. Methods. We included 112 school children presenting with eye discomfort. Assessment of eye dryness and its severity levels depending on symptoms of dry eye, visual symptoms, tear breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer-1 test, and corneal fluorescein staining were done for all of them. Exposure to cigarette smoking was assessed by history-taking and urinary cotinine levels. Results. Dry eye was found in 80/112 children. Passive smoking was documented in 76/112 children. Number of cigarettes to which the child was exposed per day and the duration of exposure to passive smoking were significantly higher in children with dry eye compared to those without. Urinary cotinine, and cotinine/creatinine ratio (CCR) was significantly higher in children with dry eye compared to those without dry eye. Multiregression analysis showed that the most important determinants of dry eye were CCR and number of cigarettes/day. Conclusion. Passive smoking represents a significant risk factor of dry eye in children comparable to that shown with active adult smoking. Male children are more prone to this effect.