Biochemical and histological study on the effect of levetiracetam on the liver and kidney of pregnant albino rats

Background: Levetiracetam is a broad-spectrum antiseizure agent and one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for epilepsy. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of levetiracetam at its therapeutic range on the liver and kidney of pregnant albino rats. Materials and methods: Forty pregnant rats were divided equally into two groups (I–II), Rats in the group I were gavaged 1.5 mL/day distilled water in two divided doses throughout pregnancy. Rats in the group II were gavaged 1.5 mL/day distilled water (containing 36 mg levetiracetam) in two divided doses throughout pregnancy. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken and the sera were separated and used for biochemical analysis. The kidneys and livers of both groups were excised and used for light and electron microscopic examination. Results: Treatment with levetiracetam induced undesirable histopathological changes in the liver and kidney of pregnant albino rats. These changes were in the form of distortion of the hepatic architecture, dilatation of the central and the portal veins, widening of the Bowman’s spaces, thickening and disruption of the glomerular basement membrane, fusion and effacement of secondary foot processes, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and swollen mitochondria with loss of their cristae. Such changes were confirmed by alteration of certain biochemical parameters related to the liver and kidney functions. Conclusions: Levetiracetam induced deleterious effects on the liver and kidney of pregnant albino rats. Further investigations are recommended to clarify the mechanism of levetiracetam toxicity

Improving growth and productivity of tomato by some biostimulants and micronutrients with or without mulching

Two field experiments were doled out during 2014 and 2015 growing seasons to assess tomato growth and yield as affected by some biostimulants and micronutrients with or without mulching type. Certain physiological characters were also examined, plant height, the number of branches per plant chlorophyll a, nitrogen %, red fruit weight and total yield per plant as well as fruit firmness and ascorbic acid concentration in fruit was increased in tomatoes under black plastic mulch compared with bar soil. Application of either biostimulants or micronutrient used to increase all growth and yield characters as well as photosynthetic pigments, ions percentage, and fruit quality. Additive effects were shown under mulching, seaweed extract proved to be the most effective in this respect. It could be recommended that spraying tomato crop at 35 and 50 days from transplanting with 500 mg/l seaweed extract under clear or black plastic mulch in order for inducing the highest yield and improve fruit quality

Real-Life International Normalized Ratio Profile in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation Prescribed Vitamin K Antagonist

Coagulation status with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) needs to be monitored carefully to ensure maximal efficacy with minimal complication rates.Aim. To study the international normalized ratio (INR) values in patients on VKAs in selected area, find out which patient characteristics that is associated with good INR control and calculation of the time in the therapeutic range (TTR) according to the number of INR/Patient.Material and methods. A total of 200 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation prescribed vitamin K antagonist as anticoagulant were evaluated. They were divided into two groups: group I with TTR≥65% (n=93) and group II with TTR<65% (n=107). Stroke and hemorrhagic risks were calculated by means of the CHA2DS2-VASc score and HAS-BLED score, respectively. Presence of comorbid diseases was assessed by the Charlson index. TTR was calculated using Rosendaal method.Results. Patients in group I (TTR≥65%) were younger (p<0.001), more often men (p<0.074) with a high level of education (p<0.001), had lower stroke and hemorrhagic risks (mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 1.0 and HAS-BLED score – 0.0), and also had fewer comorbidities (mean Charlson index was 0.0; p<0.001) compared to patients in group II (TTR<65%). The rate of inadequate control with VKAs (TTR<65) was 52%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to see the significant independent predictors for a good INR control i.e. TTR≥65%. It was found that high level of education compared to lower levels is the only significant independent predictor for obtaining good INR control (odds ratio=133, 95% confidence interval 34.24-514.44, p<0.001).Conclusion. It was found that high level of education compared to lower levels is the only significant independent predictor for obtaining good INR control