Neuroprotective effect of renin angiotensin system blockers on experimentally induced Alzheimer’s disease in rats

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a major world-wide health problem. Much evidence points to a link between hypertension and AD. However, the exact effects of different antihypertensive drugs on AD need to be more assessed. The aim was to evaluate and compare the possible effects of perindopril, and candesartan on cognitive impairment, oxidative stress markers, and brain concentrations of amyloid beta-peptide (Aβ-P) in a rat model of induced dementia.Methods: Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats were distributed among 4 groups; (1) normal controls; (2) rats with dementia induced by intracerebroventricular administration of streptozotocin (ICV-STZ) and received no treatment; (3) ICV-STZ rats treated orally with perindopril for 3 weeks; and (4) ICV-STZ rats treated orally with candesartan for 3 weeks. The assessed parameters were spatial memory by Morris Water Maze test, brain tissue level of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde [MDA]), and Aβ-P.Results: Both perindopril and candesartan attenuated STZ-induced memory impairment, caused a significant increase in TAC and GSH levels, reduced MDA levels, whereas only candesartan significantly reduced Aβ-P levels.Conclusions: This study reports that candesartan and perindopril can reverse the free radical induced damages and resultant memory defects, and may suggest candesartan as worthy drugs for prevention of Aβ-P deposition in this animal model of AD

Seismic hazard studies in Egypt

Abstract The study of earthquake activity and seismic hazard assessment of Egypt is very important due to the great and rapid spreading of large investments in national projects, especially the nuclear power plant that will be held in the northern part of Egypt. Although Egypt is characterized by low seismicity, it has experienced occurring of damaging earthquake effect through its history. The seismotectonic sitting of Egypt suggests that large earthquakes are possible particularly along the Gulf of Aqaba–Dead Sea transform, the Subduction zone along the Hellenic and Cyprean Arcs, and the Northern Red Sea triple junction point. In addition some inland significant sources at Aswan, Dahshour, and Cairo-Suez District should be considered. The seismic hazard for Egypt is calculated utilizing a probabilistic approach (for a grid of 0.5° × 0.5°) within a logic-tree framework. Alternative seismogenic models and ground motion scaling relationships are selected to account for the epistemic uncertainty. Seismic hazard values on rock were calculated to create contour maps for four ground motion spectral periods and for different return periods. In addition, the uniform hazard spectra for rock sites for different 25 periods, and the probabilistic hazard curves for Cairo, and Alexandria cities are graphed. The peak ground acceleration (PGA) values were found close to the Gulf of Aqaba and it was about 220 gal for 475 year return period. While the lowest (PGA) values were detected in the western part of the western desert and it is less than 25 gal

The Lateral Distortional Buckling of I-Plate Girders

This paper presents a numerical study for lateral distortional buckling of I-plate girders (LDBIPGs) by using the general-purpose finite element package ABAQUS (version 6.13) software. 3-D finite element (FE) models for simply supported IPGs subjected to two cases of loading are built. The first case of loading was uniform end moment that was introduced by a couple of forces applied at the top and bottom flanges of the IPGs. The second case of loading was a concentrated load at the shear center in the mid-span. First, shell finite element models are validated by comparing the FE critical bending moment (������,����) by the critical bending moment in EC3 code (������,��,������). The results indicate that the ������,���� was in good agreement with ������,��,������. Secondly, a preliminary analysis is conducted to the relative girder slenderness (��) where the LDB too place. Finally, a parametric study is carried out on simply supported IPGs regarding to the span length, the flange cross-section dimensions and the thickness of the web. The results showed that increasing the length of girders decreases ������.���� and increase in the bending coefficient factor (����). Also, decreasing in the web plate slenderness ratio (��������⁄) works on increasing in ������.���� values and ����. The results also showed that the increasing in the thickness of flange increases ������.���� and increase the value of ���� with small value. As a result of parametric study, the mean value and standard deviation of ���� for LDB mode are 1.16 and 0.08 respectively for �� limits (90:130). For �� limits (131:175), the mean value and standard deviation of ���� are 1.27 and 0.03 respectively. As for �� limits (176:221), the mean value and standard deviation of ���� are 1.32 and 0.02 respectively

The health-related quality of life in normal and obese children

AbstractBackgroundOverweight and obesity have a major impact on the quality of life (QOL) in different patterns and magnitudes.ObjectiveTo assess the effect of obesity on the quality of life in children.Patients and methodsThe study was carried out on 111 children aged from six to twelve years in National Nutrition Institute. They were divided according to age into two groups; group I for children ⩽8years (n=42) and group II for children >8years (n=69). Only obese children of nutritional cause of obesity were included in this study. The data were collected by different tools, questionnaire and clinical Assessment.ResultsResults showed that; in group I (⩽8years); 20 children were of normalweight (47.6%) and 22 were obese (52.4%), while in group II (>8years old); 29 of them were of normal weight (42.0%) and 40 were obese (58.0%). The Mean±SD of body mass index (BMI), height and weight in normal and obese children were significantly different. The socioeconomic class relation between normal and obese children was significantly different. The total quality of life score was ⩾75 (very good QoL) in 95.0% and 82.8% of normal weight children, while the percentage was only 4.5% and 5.0% in obese children (⩽8years and >8years, respectively). On the other hand, the total score was ⩽25% (bad QoL Life) in only 0.0% and 6.9% of normal weight children, while it was 31.8% and 17.5% in obese children (⩽8years and >8years, respectively).There was a negative correlation relationship between total quality of life scores and BMI, waist circumference, weight and a positive correlation relationship between quality of life scores and father’s and mother’s education and father’s occupation.ConclusionObesity in children had a negative impact on their quality of life

Structural and Functional Abnormalities in the Caudate Nucleus of Schizophrenic Patients with and without Obsessive Symptoms

Background: Obsessive\u2013compulsive symptoms (OCS) have been frequently described in schizophrenic populations. There is a controversy on whether this co-occurrence is more than just comorbidity or represents a distinct subgroup in schizophrenia. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are possible underlying structural and functional differences between schizophrenic patients with and those without OCS. Patients and methods: Participants in this study were divided into three groups: 20 patients having schizophrenia with OCS; 20 patients having schizophrenia without OCS (both were diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR); and 20 matching controls. All participants underwent an MRI for volumetric measurement of the caudate nucleus and a magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure choline (Cho), creatine, and N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) in the caudate nucleus. Results: Caudate volume was found to be reduced in schizophrenic patients with or without OCS (P 640.05). Magnetic resonance spectroscopy findings showed that schizophrenic patients without OCS had significant increase in Cho concentration (P 640.05), but average NAA concentration. In contrast, schizophrenic patients with OCS had significant reduction in NAA concentration (P 640.05) with average Cho concentration. Conclusion: Schizophrenic patients with OCS may have an atypical set of neuroradiological characteristics that would specifically categorize it within the schizophrenia spectrum

Impact of severity, duration, and etiology of hyperthyroidism on bone turnover markers and bone mineral density in men

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hyperthyroidism is accompanied by osteoporosis with higher incidence of fracture rates. The present work aimed to study bone status in hyperthyroidism and to elucidate the impact of severity, duration, and etiology of hyperthyroidism on biochemical markers of bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fifty-two male patients with hyperthyroidism, 31 with Graves' disease (GD) and 21 with toxic multinodular goiter (TNG), with an age ranging from 23 to 65 years were included, together with 25 healthy euthyroid men with matched age as a control group. In addition to full clinical examination, patients and controls were subjected to measurement of BMD using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometery scanning of the lower half of the left radius. Also, some biochemical markers of bone turnover were done for all patients and controls.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Biochemical markers of bone turnover: included serum bone specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, carboxy terminal telopeptide of type l collagen also, urinary deoxypyridinoline cross-links (DXP), urinary DXP/urinary creatinine ratio and urinary calcium/urinary creatinine ratio were significantly higher in patients with GD and TNG compared to controls (P < 0.01). However, there was non-significant difference in these parameters between GD and TNG patients (P > 0.05). BMD was significantly lower in GD and TNG compared to controls, but the Z-score of BMD at the lower half of the left radius in patients with GD (-1.7 ± 0.5 SD) was not significantly different from those with TNG (-1.6 ± 0.6 SD) (>0.05). There was significant positive correlation between free T3 and free T4 with biochemical markers of bone turnover, but negative correlation between TSH and those biochemical markers of bone turnover. The duration of the thyrotoxic state positively correlated with the assessed bone turnover markers, but it is negatively correlated with the Z-score of BMD in the studied hyperthyroid patients (r = -0.68, P < 0.0001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Men with hyperthyroidism have significant bone loss with higher biochemical markers of bone turnover. The severity and the duration of the thyrotoxic state are directly related to the derangement of biochemical markers of bone turnover and bone loss.</p