Crocin mediated amelioration of oxidative burden and inflammatory cascade suppresses diabetic nephropathy progression in diabetic rats.

Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is one of the main complications associated with diabetes mellitus. Persistently elevated blood glucose level drives histopathological changes in renal tissues that hinder normal kidney functions. In the current study, crocin; the main bioactive constituent of Crocus sativus was investigated as a reno-protective agent against DN by virtue of its numerous pharmacological activities.

Serum Vitamin D Levels in Treatment-naïve Chronic Hepatitis B Patients.

Background And Objectives: According to the demographic health survey conducted in 2015, Egypt had 10% documented prevalence of anti-HBc positive patients aged 1-59 and 1% viremic patients amongst the population in the same age group, with a domination of genotype D. Several studies claimed the possible role of vitamin D deficiency in hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and disease progression.

Patients And Methods: Serum vitamin D levels [25(OH D3] were assessed in 96 HBeAg negative non-cirrhotic chronic HBV patients and 25 healthy subjects classified as following: Group I: 48 chronic HBV patients with persistently normal ALT levels and HBV DNA level < 2000 IU/mL for ≥ 6 months; Group II: 48 chronic HBV patients with CHB with persistently elevated ALT and HBV DNA level ≥ 2000 IU/mL for ≥ 6 months; and Group III: 25 apparently healthy subjects with normal liver enzymes and negative hepatitis viral markers were taken as the control group.

Nifuroxazide, a STAT3 inhibitor, mitigates inflammatory burden and protects against diabetes-induced nephropathy in rats.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus. Moreover,it is amongst the most common causes of end-stage renal failure. Inflammation is a crucial player in both development and progression of DN.

Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission and Early Real-Time DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction Results Among HIV-Exposed Infants in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Background: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programmes aim to both eliminate vertical transmission of HIV and optimise the health and survival of infants born with HIV. Therefore, early infant diagnosis (EID) of HIV infection via DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is a key component of PMTCT programming. We assessed the effectiveness of EID and PMTCT interventions at health-care facilities in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Novel diphenylthiazole derivatives with multi-target mechanism: Synthesis, docking study, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities.

Over the last few decades, a growing body of studies addressed the anticancer activity of NSAIDs, particularly selective COX-2 inhibitors. However, their exact molecular mechanism is still unclear and is not fully investigated. In this regard, a novel series of compounds bearing a COXs privilege scaffold, diphenyl thiazole, was synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity against a panel of cancer cell lines.

Survival beyond the perinatal period expands the phenotypes caused by mutations in GLE1.

Mutations in GLE1 underlie Lethal Congenital Contracture syndrome (LCCS) and Lethal Arthrogryposis with Anterior Horn Cell Disease (LAAHD). Both LCCS and LAAHD are characterized by reduced fetal movements, congenital contractures, and a severe form of motor neuron disease that results in fetal death or death in the perinatal period, respectively. We identified bi-allelic mutations in GLE1 in two unrelated individuals with motor delays, feeding difficulties, and respiratory insufficiency who survived beyond the perinatal period.

Altered blood cytokines, CD4 T cells, NK and neutrophils in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: There are contradictory reports on the effects of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on the immune system. In order to clarify the effect of OSA on the different components of the immune system, we studied the association of OSA with changes in cytokine and chemokine levels, proliferative patterns of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes as well as NK cells ex vivo and neutrophil functions.

Methods: We investigated the association of OSA with potential alterations in 14 Th1/Th2 and inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, CD4 and CD8 T cells, NK cells, and the NADPH oxidase activation and phagocytic functions in neutrophils.

Crocin modulates IL-4/IL-13 signaling and ameliorates experimentally induced allergic airway asthma in a murine model.

Allergic asthma is a chronic respiratory disease with a prevalent T helper (Th2)-mediated immune reaction. Crocin, the major bioactive constituent of saffron, has been reported in multiple studies to have numerous pharmacological activities, including prominent anti-oxidant activities. In the current study, the anti-asthmatic potential of crocin was evaluated.

The role of apitoxin in alleviating propionic acid-induced neurobehavioral impairments in rat pups: The expression pattern of Reelin gene.

The efficacy of apitoxin (bee venom; BV) in ameliorating propionic acid (PPA) -induced neurobehavioral impacts was studied. Sixty rat pups were enrolled in a split litter design to six groups: a control group, a PPA-treated group, a BV-treated group, a BV/PPA protective group, a PPA/BV therapeutic group, and a BV/PPA/BV protective and therapeutic group. Exploratory, social, locomotor, and repetitive/stereotype-like activities were assessed and prosocial, empathy, and acquired behavior were evaluated.

Continuous Transversus Abdominis Plane Nerve Blocks: Does Varying Local Anesthetic Delivery Method-Automatic Repeated Bolus Versus Continuous Basal Infusion-Influence the Extent of Sensation to Cold?: A Randomized, Triple-Masked, Crossover Study in Volunteers.

Background: It remains unknown whether continuous or scheduled intermittent bolus local anesthetic administration is preferable for transversus abdominis plane (TAP) catheters. We therefore tested the hypothesis that when using TAP catheters, providing local anesthetic in repeated bolus doses increases the cephalad-caudad cutaneous effects compared with a basal-only infusion.

Methods: Bilateral TAP catheters (posterior approach) were inserted in 24 healthy volunteers followed by ropivacaine 2 mg/mL administration for a total of 6 hours.

Sulforaphane protects against sodium valproate-induced acute liver injury.

Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is one of the most commonly encountered obstacles in the field of medical practice. Sodium valproate (VPA) is among many drugs with reported hepatotoxic effects. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a thiol compound found in wide abundance in cruciferous plants that has numerous reported therapeutic efficacies.

Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil mitigates high-cholesterol diet-induced hypercholesterolemia and vascular damage.

The current study was designed to investigate the potential beneficial therapeutic outcome of Rho kinase inhibitor (fasudil) against hypercholesterolemia-induced myocardial and vascular injury in rabbits together with diet modification. Sixteen male rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group which received standard rabbit chow, hypercholesterolemic control group, and treated groups which received cholesterol-rich rabbit chow (1.5% cholesterol) for 8 weeks.

Implication of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in the coloprotective effect of coenzyme Q10 against experimentally induced ulcerative colitis.

Purpose: Given the increased incidence of ulcerative colitis worldwide, the current study was designed to investigate the coloprotective potential of CoQ10 against experimentally induced ulcerative colitis (UC) and specify the implicated mechanisms.

Methods: Ulcerative colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of [2 ml, 3% v/v acetic acid (AA)]. Rats in the different experimental groups received CoQ10 (10 or 30 and 100 mg/kg, orally) for eight consecutive days, either in a protective or curative regimen.

DiGeorge phenotype in the absence of 22q11 deletion - a case report.

DiGeorge syndrome is polytopic developmental field defect which is usually associated with 22q11.2 microdeletion. However, this phenotype may be caused by other conditions.

Diagnosis and management of Silver-Russell syndrome: first international consensus statement.

This Consensus Statement summarizes recommendations for clinical diagnosis, investigation and management of patients with Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS), an imprinting disorder that causes prenatal and postnatal growth retardation. Considerable overlap exists between the care of individuals born small for gestational age and those with SRS. However, many specific management issues exist and evidence from controlled trials remains limited.

Tadalafil reduces airway hyperactivity and protects against lung and respiratory airways dysfunction in a rat model of silicosis.

Silicosis is a crippling respiratory disorder characterized by massive lung inflammation and fibrosis. The current study provides evidence on the protective potential of tadalafil; a specific phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor against experimentally-induced pulmonary silicosis in rats. Silicosis was induced by intranasal instillation of crystalline silica (50mg/rat).

Percutaneous endoscopic colostomy: a useful technique when surgery is not an option.

Percutaneous endoscopic colostomy (PEC) is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that offers an alternative treatment for high-risk patients with sigmoid volvulus or intestinal pseudo-obstruction who have tried conventional treatment options without success or those who are unfit for surgery. The procedure acts as an irrigation or decompressing channel and provides colonic 'fixation' to the anterior abdominal wall. The risk of complications highlights the importance of informed consent for patients and relatives.

Clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor in hepatitis C related hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian patients.

Background And Aims: Several angiogenic factors are involved in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a hypervascular tumor. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a primary driving force for angiogenesis, and its overexpression has been reported in HCC. However, the significance of plasma and tissue VEGF levels in HCC in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection is understudied.

HCV RNA Activates APCs via TLR7/TLR8 While Virus Selectively Stimulates Macrophages Without Inducing Antiviral Responses.

The innate and adaptive immune systems fail to control HCV infection in the majority of infected individuals. HCV is an ssRNA virus, which suggests a role for Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 7 and 8 in initiating the anti-viral response. Here we demonstrate that HCV genomic RNA harbours specific sequences that initiate an anti-HCV immune response through TLR7 and TLR8 in various antigen presenting cells.

High Levels of IgA Antibodies to Helicobacter Pylori among Omani Women during Pregnancy and after Delivery.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), is a common infection in pregnant women accompanied by variations in the levels of the IgM, IgA and IgG antibody isotypes. The variations of anti-H.

Increased CD86 but Not CD80 and PD-L1 Expression on Liver CD68+ Cells during Chronic HBV Infection.

Background: The failure to establish potent anti-HBV T cell responses suggests the absence of an effective innate immune activation. Kupffer cells and liver-infiltrating monocytes/macrophages have an essential role in establishing anti-HBV responses. These cells express the costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86.

Frequency of TLR4 (1063A/G and 1363C/T) polymorphisms in healthy and HIV-infected Omani individuals and their relationship to viral load and T cell count.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are essential elements of the innate immune response to different infections including the infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TLRs such as TLR4 1063A/G and 1363C/T have been found to be associated with changes in CD4 count, viral load (VL), and disease progression during HIV infection. However, the association of these SNPs with the pathogenesis during HIV infection is controversial.

A Potential Inhibitory Profile of Liver CD68+ Cells during HCV Infection as Observed by an Increased CD80 and PD-L1 but Not CD86 Expression.

Aim: The lack of potent innate immune responses during HCV infection might lead to a delay in initiating adaptive immune responses. Kupffer cells (KCs) and liver-infiltrating monocytes/macrophages (CD68+ cells) are essential to establish effective anti-HCV responses. They express co-stimulatory molecules, CD80 and CD86.