Protective effect of tadalafil in diabetic nephropathy induced rat model

Background: Among various mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN), abnormalities in renal nitric oxide (NO) generation has attracted a lot of attention. Tadalafil, a competitive inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 commonly used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction was suggested to play a potential prophylactic role for DN. However, this role has not been fully elucidated. The present study was designed to explore the potential beneficial effect of low- dose tadalafil on the progression of diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rat model.Methods: After injection of STZ and verifying establishment of diabetes, rats were divided into 4 groups: control, diabetic-control, tadalafil-treated non-diabetic, and tadalafil-treated diabetic groups. Biochemical and hemodynamic parameters affecting the renal function such as blood glucose level, serum level of urea and creatinine, renal blood flow, urine volume, urinary albumin excretion, Na+ and K+ excretion, renal level of nitrite and nitrate, plus renal tissues antioxidant parameters (total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione content) were detected 8 weeks after administration of tadalafil. Histopathological and electron microscopy examination were performed.Results: Our results demonstrated that tadalafil attenuated the glycemic, renal biochemical, microscopic and ultramicroscopic changes/injuries caused by STZ- induced diabetes. Tadalafil could effectively increase renal blood flow and ameliorate glomerular basement membrane thickening.Conclusions: From the results it can be concluded that tadalafil protects rats against streptozotocin-induced DN possibly, in part, through its effect on renal nitric oxide level and its antioxidant activity

Correction of anterior hypospadias without urethroplasty: glanular rotation procedure (the Hay technique)

Objectives: The aim was to present a simple technique for the correction of anterior hypospadiases without meatal advancement or urethroplasty.Background: Most of the techniques described for the correction of anterior hypospadias had the risk of complications: recession, flaying of the glans, fistula, and meatal stenosis that is not accepted when dealing with a trivial anomaly that is done only for cosmetic correction. A simple technique for correcting granular and some forms of coronal hypospadias without meatal advancement or urethroplasty is presented.Patients and methods: From June 2013 to June 2016, 183 patients presented for surgical repair of glanular or coronal hypospadias. The technique of glanular rotation procedure (GRP) was applied only for those cases that matched the criteria settled after degloving of the penis with an incision made 2mm proximal to the meatus touching the glans on both sides for 3–4 mm. Once the uppermost part of the meatus is at the same line with the upper end of the glans on both sides, the technique is applicable. The patients were followed in the OPD for 1 year after the repair for the evaluation of the results of the technique: the urinary stream, meatal size and position, presence of fistula, and the final cosmetic appearance.Results: Ninety-eight out of 183 (53.6%) boys had matched the criteria for application of the GRP technique. Their age ranged from 6 months to 3 years. All but three had an apical, slit-like meatus with good stream without stenosis and 2–3mm glans tissue encircling the ventral side of the meatus. Four cases had complications in the form of meatal stenosis in two cases, disruption of the glans in one case, and coronal fistula in one case. The overall complication rate was 4.1%.Conclusion: In properly selected cases, GRP is a simple efficient technique that has the advantage of reconstructing the glans over the urethra without the need of meatal advancement or urethroplasty.Keywords: coronal hypospadias, glanular hypospadias, without urethroplast

THE EFFECT OF THE EXOGENOUS GIBBERELLIC ACID ON TWO SALT STRESSED BARLEY CULTIVARS

An alternative strategy to ameliorate salt stress could be to use exogenous application of plant growth regulators. The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of exogenous application of GA3 on germination, some growth parameters, protein banding pattern, nucleic acids content and some minerals of salt stressed two cultivars of barley. The grains of both cultivars Giza 126 and 123 were individually pre emergence treated with different concentrations of NaCl or mixture of NaCl and GA3 for 7 days. The results of germination percentage revealed that cv. Giza 123 had higher response to the interaction between salinity and GA3 than cv. Giza 126. The morphological characters revealed inhibition in all plant growth parameters by salinity stress and this inhibition was significantly alleviated after treatment with GA3. The protein electrophoresis of seedlings of cv. Giza 123 induced formation of unique newly protein bands including certain units may acting as protein receptors for gibberellins (M.W. 71.41 kDa). In addition, the DNA and RNA content of cv. Giza 123 showed its priority to the interaction between salinity and GA3. Regarding to minerals the data showed that cv. Giza 123 had the ability to discard salts and prevent the accumulation of them in its tissues especially Na+, k+ and Ca+2 elements. cv. Giza 123 seedlings could overcome the inimical effects of salt stress whereas cv. Giza 126 seedlings appeared to have an attenuated potential to do so resulting in an efficient tolerance of cv. Giza 123 seedlings

Experimental investigation of long-term performance of fiber-reinforced epoxy and polyurethane polymer composites

The primary challenge encountered by polymers and their composites when exposed to saline water is their inadequate ability to withstand wear and tear over time. With a potential to replace conventional materials the long-term performance of FRP composites is still a novice area. This manuscript thus, reports an experimental investigation and prediction of the durability of fiber-reinforced polymer composites exposed to seawater at different temperatures. E-glass/epoxy and E-glass/polyurethane samples were exposed to 23 °C, 45 °C and 65 °C seawater for up to 2700 days (90 months). Tensile tests evaluated the mechanical performance of the composite as a function of exposure time, and strength-based technique was used to assess the durability. The experimental results revealed that the tensile strength of E-glass/epoxy composite decreased by 6.3% and 48.9% after 90 months in seawater at 23 and 65 °C, respectively, whereas it declined by 37.6% and 63.6% respectively for E-glass/Polyurethane composite. The prolonged immersion in seawater results in plasticization and swelling in the composite material, which accelerates the fiber/matrix debonding. SEM micrographs indicate fiber/matrix debonding, potholing, fiber pull-out, river line marks, and matrix cracking which showcases deterioration in the tensile properties of both composites

Hepatocyte Lysosomal Membrane Stabilization by Olive Leaves against Chemically Induced Hepatocellular Neoplasia in Rats

Extensive efforts are exerted looking for safe and effective chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Specific and sensitive early biomarkers for HCC still in query. Present work to study proteolytic activity and lysosomal membrane integrity by hepatocarcinogen, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), in Wistar rats against aqueous olive leaf extract (AOLE).TCA showed neoplastic changes as oval- or irregular-shaped hepatocytes and transformed, vesiculated, and binucleated liver cells. The nuclei were pleomorphic and hyperchromatic. These changes were considerably reduced by AOLE. The results added, probably for the first time, that TCA-induced HCC through disruption of hepatocellular proteolytic enzymes as upregulation of papain, free cathepsin-D and nonsignificant destabilization of lysosomal membrane integrity, a prerequisite for cancer invasion and metastasis. AOLE introduced a promising therapeutic value in liver cancer, mostly through elevating lysosomal membrane integrity. The study substantiated four main points: (1) the usefulness of proteolysis and lysosomalmembrane integrity in early prediction of HCC. (2) TCA carcinogenesis is possibly mediated by lysosomal membrane destabilization, through cathepsin-D disruption, which could be reversed by AOLE administration. (3) A new strategy for management of HCC, using dietary olive leaf system may be a helpful phytotherapeutic trend. (4) A prospective study on serum proteolytic enzyme activity may introduce novel diagnostic tools

Using Dynamic Modeling and Simulation to Improve the COTS Software Process

In the last several years, software industry has undergone a significant transition to the use of existing component products in building systems. Nowadays, more and more solutions are built by integrating Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) products rather than building from scratch. This new approach for software development has specific features that add new factors that need to be taken into account to successfully face software development. In this paper, we present the first results of developing a dynamic simulation model to model and simulate the COTS-based software development process with the aim of helping to understand the specific features of this kind of software development, and design and evaluate software process improvements. An example of how to use these dynamic simulation models to study how the system integration starting point affects the main project variables is shown.CICYT TIC2001-1143-C03-0

Wi-Fi Sensing: Applications and Challenges

Wi-Fi technology has strong potentials in indoor and outdoor sensing applications, it has several important features which makes it an appealing option compared to other sensing technologies. This paper presents a survey on different applications of Wi-Fi based sensing systems such as elderly people monitoring, activity classification, gesture recognition, people counting, through the wall sensing, behind the corner sensing, and many other applications. The challenges and interesting future directions are also highlighted

Gastrografin in the management of adhesive small bowel obstruction in children: a pilot study

Background/purpose Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is a common emergency problem in children with previous abdominal surgery. Management protocols usually start with a conservative approach that may be successful in some cases, whereas in others it will end eventually by laparotomy with its associated morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to assess the role of water-soluble contrast, gastrografin, in the conservative management of ASBO. Patients and methods During the period January 2009 to July 2010, 33 patients with ASBO were presented at the Pediatric Surgery Unit at the Ain Shams University Hospitals. Patients who failed to improve after 48 h of conservative management in the absence of signs of strangulation were subjected to gastrografin administration. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically to determine the resolution of the adhesive attack, with estimation of hospital stay time. Results An oral administration of gastrografin successfully completed the conservative management in eight of 12 patients (66.6%), thus avoiding surgery and subsequently reducing hospital stay. Conclusion Gastrografin may have a valuable role in the management of ASBO, whether diagnostic or therapeutic, but a randomized controlled trial is needed to prove its effectiveness in reducing surgical intervention rate and hospital stay time.Keywords: adhesive, bowel obstruction, gastrografi

Biodegradable Scaffolds for Gastric Tissue Regeneration

Tissue engineering has been viewed as a valid approach toward the partial or total replacement of defective tissues and organs. Recent advances in nanotechnology have made it possible to develop biocompatible materials at the micro- and nano-scales to be used as scaffolds for cellular growth and regeneration of defective tissues. Gastric mucosal lining is an example of soft tissues that are highly susceptible to damage due to various reasons including cancer or ulcer development. Current therapeutic approaches to these diseases have some limitations. This chapter describes the basis for development of a novel modality combining nanotechnology, stem cells, and tissue engineering for the replacement of defective gastric tissues using synthetic biocompatible scaffolds. These microfibrous scaffolds are seeded with gastric stem cells, which are studied for their proliferation and differentiation into functional gastric mucous cells