Comparative immunomudulating effects of five orally administrated bifidobacteria species in male albino rats

Bifidobacteria belong to effective probiotics in preventing and reducing the severity of some diseases by modulating the host immune response. Each probiotic species is unique, and thus its properties and effects have to be assessed separately. We investigate here the effects of B.infantis, B.longum, B.adolescentis, B.bifidum, B.breve and B.bifidum on immune parameters of albino rats orally administrated a yogurt fermented with one of the five bifidobacteria species for 30 days.B.adolescentis (adult-type bifidobacteria) induced a significant increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion (IL-1, IL-4, IL-12 and TNF-alpha) relative to B.breve and B.infantis (infanttypebifidobacteria). B.bifidum, B.longum and B.adolescentis induced significantly high levels of the anti-inflammatory IL-10. B.adolescentis stimulated and increased the release of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, glutathione and catalase), and also stimulated secretion of high levels of total serum Ig. All studied bifidobacteria species, particularly B. adolescentis, caused significant reduction of the number of the pathogenic bacteria. In conclusion, B. adolescentis is superior tothe other studied species of bifidobacteria in enhancing immune parameters

Technetium-99m Sestamibi Scintigraphy Pattern in Patients with Secondary Hyperparathyroidism

complications of end stage renal disease (ESRD). We aimed in this investigation to explore the role of Technetium-99m sestamibi (99mTc MIBI) scintigraphy in the pre-operative assessment of refractory hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: Dual-phase 99mTc MIBI parathyroid scintigraphy was performed for 23 patients with ESRD who have persistent intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels exceeding 300 pg/ml. Based on scintigraphy results, 13 patients underwent neck exploration during which only glands with positive scintigraphy findings were removed. Results: Among the six patients who had iPTH levels < 800 pg/ml, only one patient had positive scintigraphy findings (16.7%). Among the 17 patients who had iPTH levels ≥ 800 pg/ml, 16 patients had positive scintigraphy findings (94.1%). 99mTc MIBI scan detected 23 positive sites of focal trace uptake in those 17 patients. Partial parathyroidectomy was performed for 13 patients, removing in total 19 glands, while four patients declined surgery. On histological examination, 12 glands showed diffuse hyperplasia, four glands showed nodular hyperplasia and three glands revealed parathyroid adenoma. The three glands with parathyroid adenoma were correctly identified prior to surgery by 99mTc MIBI scintigraphy. The long-term outcomes of these patients are now being monitored. Conclusion: ESRD patients with iPTH level ≥ 800 pg/ml are more likely to have positive sites of focal tracer uptake on MIBI scan than patients with lower iPTH levels. Dual-phase 99mTc MIBI scintigraphy has the ability to correctly identify parathyroid adenoma prior to surgical exploration in these patients. Keywords: Hyperparathyroidism, parathyroid adenoma, parathyroid hyperplasia, scintigraphy, 99mTc sestamib

Effect of the Velocity Second Slip Boundary Condition on the Peristaltic Flow of Nanofluids in an Asymmetric Channel: Exact Solution

The problem of peristaltic nanofluid flow in an asymmetric channel in the presence of the second-order slip boundary condition was investigated in this paper. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this parameter was here incorporated for the first time in such field of a peristaltic flow. The system governing the current flow was found as a set of nonlinear partial differential equations in the stream function, pressure gradient, nanoparticle concentration, and temperature distribution. Therefore, this system has been successfully solved exactly via a very effective procedure. These exact solutions were then proved to reduce to well-known results in the absence of second slip which were published very recently in the literature. Effect of the second slip parameter on the present physical parameters was discussed through graphs and it was found that this type of slip is a very important one to predict the investigated physical model. Moreover, the variation of many physical parameters such as amplitudes of the lower and upper waves, phase difference on the temperature distribution, nanoparticle concentration, pressure rise, velocity, and pressure gradient were also discussed. Finally, the present results may be viewed as an optimal choice for their dependence on the exact solutions which are obtained due to the highly complex nonlinear system

New Analytical and Numerical Solutions for Mixed Convection Boundary-Layer Nanofluid Flow along an Inclined Plate Embedded in a Porous Medium

Two different analytical and numerical methods have been applied to solve the system describing the mixed convection boundarylayer nanofluids flow along an inclined plate embedded in a porous medium, namely, homotopy perturbation method (HPM) and Chebyshev pseudospectral differentiation matrix (ChPDM), respectively. Further, ChPDM is used as a control method to check the accuracy of the results obtained by HPM. The analytical method is applied using a new way for the deformed equations, and the resulted solution was expressed in terms of a well-known entire error function. In addition, using only two terms of the homotopy series, the approximate analytical solution is compared with the numerical solution obtained by the accurate ChPDM approach. The results reveal that good agreements have been achieved between the two approaches for various values of the investigated physical parameters

Acacia trees on the cultural landscapes of the Red Sea Hills

This paper examines interactions between five pastoral nomadic culture groups of the Egyptian and Sudanese Red Sea Hills and the acacia trees Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne subsp. tortilis and subsp. raddiana growing in their arid environments. A. tortilis is described as a keystone species both ecologically and culturally: the trees play such critical roles in ecosystems and social groups that their removal would greatly impact both systems. Interviews in the field with the Semitic, Arabic-speaking Ma‘aza and Ababda, and the Cushitic, Beja, Bidhaawyeet-speaking Bishaari, Amar Ar and Hadandawa nomads probed the cultural and ecological contexts of acacias in pastoral nomadism, revealing deep insight into traditional ecological knowledge and traditional perceptions and uses of the trees. The paper describes how this knowledge guides pastoral decision-making, with acacias as a particularly critical component of the pastoral livelihood in both normal and stressful circumstances. A. tortilis is the most important reliable vegetation resource for nomads while also providing fuel and other useful products, ecosystem services for people and animals, and increased biodiversity by providing diverse microhabitats and resources for other species. We describe aspects of kinship, territorial organization, spiritual beliefs and tribal law underlying the significance of trees on the cultural landscape. We discuss environmental and economic challenges to human/tree relationships and to pastoral livelihoods. We challenge views of nomads as agents of ecological destruction, and propose maintenance and restoration of traditional pastoralism as viable alternatives in dryland development.publishedVersio

Comparison between two shock wave regimens using frequencies of 60 and 90 impulses per minute for urinary stones

PURPOSE: Two different regimens of SWL delivery for treating urinary stones were compared. METHODS: Patients with urinary stones were randomly divided into two groups, one of which received 3000 shocks at a rate of 60 impulses per minute and the other of which received 4000 shocks at 90 impulses per minute. Success was defined as stone-free status or the detection of residual fragments of less than or equal to 3 mm three months after treatment. Partial fragmentation was considered to have occurred if a significant reduction in the stone burden was observed but residual fragments of 3mm or greater remained. RESULTS: A total of 143 procedures were performed with 3000 impulses at a rate of 60 impulses per minute, and 156 procedures were performed with 4000 impulses at 90 impulses per minute. The stone-free rate was 53.1% for patients treated with the first regimen and 54.8% for those treated with the second one (p = 0.603). The stone-free rate for stones smaller than 10 mm was 60% for patients treated with 60 impulses per minute and 58.6% for those treated with 90 impulses per minute. For stones bigger than 10 mm, stone-free rates were 34.2% and 45.7%, respectively (p = 0.483). Complications occurred in 2.3% of patients treated with 60 impulses per minute and 3.3% of patients treated with 90 impulses per minute. CONCLUSION: No significant differences in the stone-free and complication rates were observed by reducing the total number of impulses from 4000 to 3000 and the frequency from 90 to 60 impulses per minute

Aplicaciones farmacéuticas e impactos ambientales de la Spirulina (Arthrospira). Una visión general

Recently, microalgae cultivation for different applications, including the production of nutritional and pharmaceutical active compounds has received increasing attention. Among the different genera, Spirulina (Arthrospira sp.) is one of the most promising blue-green microalgae (Cyanophyta) because it is rich in antioxidants, essential amino acids (EAAs), minerals, proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamins. It has a high protein content (60-70% of the dry weight), which is a complete protein, i.e. containing all EAAs. Therefore, Spirulina is currently a commercial product with high nutritional value and also a significant source of complementary and alternative medicine. The objective of the present work was to review the pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications of Spirulina, especially its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity and anti-toxicity properties. The results were obtained from experiments in the literature performed in vitro and in vivo using experimental animals. The main reported active ingredients in Spirulina include phycocyanin, tocopherol, β-carotene, caffeic acids and chlorogenic acid, which showed individual or synergetic effects. In addition, the present review discusses the future perspectives of genetically modified Spirulina as a source for industrial products while producing valuable biomass photoautotrophically. Furthermore, the consequent environmental impacts of large-scale cultivation of Spirulina are discussed.Recientemente, el cultivo de microalgas para diferentes aplicaciones, incluida la producción de compuestos activos nutricionales y farmacéuticos, está recibiendo una atención cada vez mayor. Entre los diferentes géneros, Spirulina (Arthrospira sp.) es una de las microalgas azul-verde más prometedoras (Cyanophyta) porque es rica en antioxidantes, aminoácidos esenciales (EAAs), minerales, proteínas, ácidos grasos poliinsaturados y vitaminas. Tiene un alto contenido de proteína (60-70% del peso seco) es una proteína completa, es decir, contiene todos los EAAs. Por lo tanto, la Spirulina es actualmente un producto comercial con alto valor nutricional y también una fuente importante parala medicina complementaria y alternativa. El objetivo del presente trabajo es revisar las aplicaciones farmacéuticas y terapéuticas de Spirulina, especialmente propiedades antioxidantes, antiinflamatorias, anticancerígenas, antimicrobianas, antidiabéticas, antiobesidad y antitóxicas. Los resultados se obtienen a partir de trabajos experimentales realizados in vitro e in vivo utilizando animales de experimentación. Los principales ingredientes activos reportados en Spirulina incluyen ficocianina, tocoferol, β-caroteno, ácidos caféicos y clorogénico que mostraron efectos individuales o sinérgicos. Además, en la presente revisión se discute las perspectivas futuras de la Spirulina genéticamente modificada como fuente de productos industriales, al mismo tiempo que se produce una valiosa biomasa fotoautotrófica. Además, se discutieron los impactos ambientales consiguientes del cultivo a gran escala de la Spirulina

N-Acetylcysteine an Allium Plant Compound Improves High-Sucrose Diet-Induced Obesity and Related Effects

This study was designed to determine whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC, C5H9–NO3S), a compound from Allium species may be used as a complementary therapeutic agent, to inhibit high-sucrose induced-obesity and its effects on glucose tolerance, in vivo low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-oxidation and serum oxidative stress in rats. Initially, 24 male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: controls receiving standard chow (C, n = 6) and those receiving high-sucrose diet (HS, n = 18). After 22 days, (HS) group was divided into three groups (n = 6/group); (HS-HS) continued to eat high-sucrose diet and water; (HS-N) continued to eat high-sucrose diet and received 2 mg l−1-NAC in its drinking water; (HS-CN) changing high-sucrose to standard chow and receiving 2 mg l­1-NAC in its drinking water. After 22 days of the HS-group division (44 days of experimental period) body weight, body mass index and surface area were enhanced in HS-HS rats (P < .001). HS-HS rats had glucose intolerance, increased serum triacylglycerol (TG), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), oxidized-LDL (ox-LDL) and lipid-hydroperoxide (LH) than the others (P < .01). NAC in HS-N and HS-CN rats reduced the obesity markers, feed efficiency, LH and ox-LDL, as well normalized glucose response, TG and VLDL (P < .01) in these groups compared with HS-HS. Total antioxidant substances, GSH/GSSG ratio and glutathione-reductase, were higher in HS-N than in HS-HS (P < .01). In conclusion, NAC improved high-sucrose diet-induced obesity and its effects on glucose tolerance, lipid profile, in vivo LDL-oxidation and serum oxidative stress, enhancing antioxidant defences. The application of this agent may be feasible and beneficial for high-sucrose diet-induced obesity, which certainly would bring new insights on obesity-related adverse effects control

Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy: the first multicentric Brazilian experience

The objective of this study is to report the first multicentric Brazilian series and learning curve of robotic radical cystectomy (RARC) with related intra- and postoperative outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed 37 RARC prospectively collected at four different centers in Brazil, from 2013 to 2019. We analyzed the patient’s demographics, pathological tumor, and nodal status, as well as intra- and postoperative outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed with the IBM (SPSS version 25) software. Overall, 86% were male, and the median age was 69&nbsp;years. 83% had muscle-invasive bladder cancer, and 17% a high-grade, recurrent non-muscle-invasive tumor. The median operative time was 420&nbsp;min with 300&nbsp;min as console time. Median blood loss was 350&nbsp;ml and transfusion rate was 10%. In 68% of the cases, we performed an intracorporeal Bricker urinary diversion, 24% intracorporeal neobladder, and 8% ureterostomy. Six patients (16%) had a Clavien 1–2, 8% had Clavien 3, 2.5% had a Clavien 4, and 5% had Clavien 5. The median length of hospital stay was 7&nbsp;days. The final pathological exam pointed out pT0 in 16%, pT1 in 8%, pT2 in 32%, ≥ pT3 in 27%, and 16% pTis. 95% had negative surgical margins. The survival at 30, 90, and 180&nbsp;days was 98%, 95%, and 95%, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first multicentric series of RARC reporting the learning curve in Brazil; even if still representing a challenging procedure, RARC could be safely and effectively faced by experienced surgeons at centers with high volumes of robotic surgery