Albumin to creatinine ratio as a predictor to the severity of coronary artery disease

Introduction: Microalbuminuria (MA) is a well-known risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). It is associated with higher cardiovascular mortality, especially in diabetics. However, there are few data linking angiographic severity of CAD to MA.Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the albumin to creatinine ratio as a new predictor for CAD and to correlate with its severity apart from other traditional CAD risk factors.Methods: Our study included 100 patients with documented CAD by coronary angiography in Alexandria main university hospital. The severity of CAD was scored on the basis of the number and the extent of lesions within the coronary arteries by using Syntax score. Urine albumin excretion was measured for all patients in morning spot urine samples by immune precipitation technique. We correlate between MA and severity of CAD.Results: In a total of 100 patients (74 males and 26 females), (mean age 55.71± 8.99 y) MA was present in 34 patients only. Patients were divided into two groups; group I included those without MA and group II with MA. CAD occurred more frequently in males than in females and in smokers than in non-smokers. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia between the two groups. A direct relationship between MA and extension of atherosclerotic coronary lesions was noticed (P = 0.009).Conclusion: Patients with MA having more severe angiographic CAD were compared to those without MA. This relation is independent of other risk factors. MA could be utilized as an independent risk factor for CAD.Keywords: Coronary artery disease (CAD); Microalbuminuria (MA); Albumin–creatinine rati

Gold nanoparticles induced cloudy swelling to hydropic degeneration, cytoplasmic hyaline vacuolation, polymorphism, binucleation, karyopyknosis, karyolysis, karyorrhexis and necrosis in the liver

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nanoparticles (NPs) can potentially cause adverse effects on organ, tissue, cellular, subcellular and protein levels due to their unusual physicochemical properties. Advances in nanotechnology have identified promising candidates for many biological and biomedical applications. The aim of the present study was to investigate the particle-size, dose and exposure duration effects of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) on the hepatic tissue in an attempt to cover and understand the toxicity and their potential therapeutic and diagnostic use.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 70 healthy male Wistar-Kyoto rats were exposed to GNPs received 50 or 100 ul of GNPs infusion of size (10, 20 and 50 nm for 3 or 7 days) to investigate particle-size, dose and exposure duration effects of GNPs on the hepatic tissue.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In comparison with respective control rats, exposure to GNPs doses has produced alterations in the hepatocytes, portal triads and the sinusoids. The alterations in the hepatocytes were mainly vacuolar to hydropic degeneration, cytopasmic hyaline vacuolation, polymorphism, binucleation, karyopyknosis, karyolysis, karyorrhexis and necrosis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The hepatocytes swelling might be exhibited as a result of disturbances of membranes function that lead to massive influx of water and Na⁺due to GNPs effects accompanied by leakage of lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes that lead to cytoplasmic degeneration and macromolecular crowding. Hydropic degeneration is a result of ion and fluid homestasis that lead to an increase of intracellular water. The vacuolated swelling of the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes of the GNPs treated rats might indicate acute and subacute liver injury induced by the GNPs. Binucleation represents a consequence of cell injury and is a sort of chromosomes hyperplasia which is usually seen in regenerating cells. The induced histological alterations might be an indication of injured hepatocytes due to GNPs toxicity that became unable to deal with the accumulated residues resulting from metabolic and structural disturbances caused by these NPs. These alterations were size-dependent with smaller ones induced the most effects and related with time exposure of GNPs. The appearance of hepatocytes cytoplasmic degeneration and nuclear destruction may suggest that GNPs interact with proteins and enzymes of the hepatic tissue interfering with the antioxidant defense mechanism and leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation which in turn may induce stress in the hepatocytes to undergo atrophy and necrosis. More histomorphologcal, histochemical and ultrastrucural investigations are needed in relation of the application of GNPs with their potential role as a therapeutic and diagnostic tool.</p

Renal tissue alterations were size-dependent with smaller ones induced more effects and related with time exposure of gold nanoparticles

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have important application for cell labeling and imaging, drug delivery, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes mainly in cancer. Nanoparticles (NPs) are being increasingly exploited for medical applications. The aim of the present study was to investigate the particle-size and period effects of administration of GNPs on the renal tissue in an attempt to address their potential toxicity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 70 healthy male Wistar-Kyoto rats were exposed to GNPs received 50 or 100 μl of GNPs infusion of size (10, 20 and 50 nm for 3 or 7 days) to investigate particle-size effect of GNPs on the renal tissue. Animals were randomly divided into groups, 6 GNPs-treated rats groups and one control group. Groups 1, 2 and 3 received infusion of 50 μl GNPs of size 10 nm (3 or 7 days), size 20 nm (3 or 7 days) and 50 nm (3 or 7 days), respectively; while groups 4, 5 and 6 received infusion of 100 μl GNPs of size 10 nm, size 20 nm and 50 nm, respectively. Stained sections of control and treated rats kidneys were examined for renal tissue alterations induced by GNPs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In comparison with respective control rats, exposure to GNPs doses has produced the following renal tubular alterations: cloudy swelling, vacuolar degeneration, hyaline droplets and casts, anisokaryosis, karopyknosis, karyorrhexis and karyolysis. The glomeruli showed moderate congestion with no hypercelluraity, mesangial proliferation or basement membrane thickening. The histological alterations were mainly seen in the cortex and the proximal renal convoluted tubules were more affected than the distal ones.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The induced histological alterations might be an indication of injured renal tubules due to GNPs toxicity that became unable to deal with the accumulated residues resulting from metabolic and structural disturbances caused by these NPs. The findings may suggest that GNPs interact with proteins and enzymes of the renal tissue interfering with the antioxidant defense mechanism and leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation which in turn may induce stress in the renal cells to undergo atrophy and necrosis. The produced alterations were size-dependent with smaller ones induced more affects and related with time exposure of GNPs.</p

Gold nanoparticles administration induced prominent inflammatory, central vein intima disruption, fatty change and Kupffer cells hyperplasia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Advances in nanotechnology have identified promising candidates for many biological, biomedical and biomedicine applications. They are being increasingly exploited for medical uses and other industrial applications. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of administration of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) on inflammatory cells infiltration, central vein intima disruption, fatty change, and Kupffer cells hyperplasia in the hepatic tissue in an attempt to cover and understand the toxicity and the potential threat of their therapeutic and diagnostic use.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 70 healthy male Wistar-Kyoto rats were exposed to GNPs received 50 or 100 μl of GNPs infusion of 10, 20 and 50 nm GNPs for 3 or 7 days. Animals were randomly divided into groups, 12 GNPs-treated rats groups and one control group (NG). Groups 1, 2 and 3 received infusion of 50 μl GNPs of size 10 nm (3 or 7 days), size 20 nm (3 or 7 days) and 50 nm (3 or 7 days), respectively; while groups 4, 5 and 6 received infusion of 100 μl GNPs of size 10 nm, size 20 nm and 50 nm, respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In comparison with respective control rats, exposure to GNPs doses has produced alterations in the hepatocytes, portal triads and sinusoids. The alterations in the hepatocytes were mainly vacuolar to hydropic degeneration, cytopasmic hyaline vacuolation, polymorphism, binucleation, karyopyknosis, karyolysis, karyorrhexis and necrosis. In addition, inflammatory cell infiltration, Kupffer cells hyperplasia, central veins intima disruption, hepatic strands dilatation and occasional fatty change together with a loss of normal architechiture of hepatic strands were also seen.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The alterations induced by the administration of GNPs were size-dependent with smaller ones induced more affects and related with time exposure of GNPs. These alterations might be an indication of injured hepatocytes due to GNPs toxicity that became unable to deal with the accumulated residues resulting from metabolic and structural disturbances caused by these NPs. These histological alterations may suggest that GNPs interact with proteins and enzymes of the hepatic tissue interfering with the antioxidant defense mechanism and leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation which in turn may induce stress in the hepatocytes to undergo necrosis.</p

Experimental Performance Characterization of Photovoltaic Modules Using DAQ

AbstractThis paper presents a simple electronic circuit for testing the photovoltaic (PV) modules by tracing their I-V characteristics. A precise PV module electrical model is also introduced. The circuit consists of a fast varying electronic load based on power MOSFET and operational amplifier. A DAQ system with LabVIEW application was developed for controlling the MOSFET gate-source voltage. The circuit is designed, implemented and tested under real conditions. The experimental results verified with simulation results and another way of testing which is resistor method

Carry-Over Effect in Forage Rotations on Newly Reclaimed Sandy Soil in Egypt

This study was carried out to investigate the carry-over effect of a preceding crop on the productivity of the following crop in various rotations in newly reclaimed lands in Egypt. The productivity of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), soyabean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), maize (Zea mays L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) in summer season were much higher following berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) or lentil (Lens culinaris Medic) than after wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) or barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in both years of the study. Soyabean was the best summer season pre-crop for lentil and berseem, whereas peanut was best for barley. Maize was a suprisingly good pre-crop in this study. The carry-over effect from pearl millet was inferior to that of maize. Of the winter season crops berseem had the most positive effect on the four summer crops studied. Winter season crops had a decreasing positive effect in the order: berseem, lentil, barley and wheat. The data suggest that, cropping systems on newly reclaimed sandy soils should include legume crops (soyabean or peanut in summer, and berseem or lentil in winter) to maximise production of the following crop

Forage Production from Perennial vs. Annual Crop R~ on in Sandy Soils in Egypt

Forage production was studied on newly reclaimed sandy soil in Egypt trom perennial lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) and two annual crop rotations. The cropping systems were: A) lucerne, B) berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) in the winter followed by pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum R. Br. Emend. Stantz.) in the summer and C) triticale (XX Triticosecale Wittm.) (forage cut + grain harvest) in the winter followed by maize (Zea mays L.) (grain + stover) in the summer. Mean annual dry matter yields (t ha-1 ) were 20.65, 26.59 and 27.48 from A, B and C, respectively. However, lucerne provided the most even seasonal forage production

Progesterone utility in the synthesis of steroidal heterocyclic compounds with antitumor activity

One–pot and efficient method for the synthesis of progesteronpyridine 5a-c, 6a-c and 7a,b and/or progesteronpyran derivatives 9a-c and 10a,b by condensation reaction of progesterone 1 with different aldehydes and active methylene compounds in the presence of ammonium acetate or piperidine.  New progesteronopyrimidine derivatives 12a-d and 13a, b were synthesized via interaction of progesterone 1 with urea or thiourea and/or guanidine reagents and aldehyde. Progesterone 1 was examined to synthesize heterocyclic compound 16 containing ?-Lactone chiral carbon via the reaction of hydrazone derivative 14 with phenyl isothiocyanate followed by boiling with chloroacetic acid in benzene. The biological activity of compounds 5a, 5b, 6b, 7a, 9b, 9c, 12a, 12c, and 13a were evaluated as growth inhibitors of the liver and the breast carcinoma human cell line (HEPG2 &amp; MCF7). Compounds 13a, 12a and 7a showed a higher potency than the standard. Key Words: Progesterone, MCR’s (multicomponents reaction), (pyridine, pyran, pyrimidine, ?-Lactone) derivatives, HEPG2 &amp; MCF7