A lack of association between hyperserotonemia and the increased frequency of serum anti-myelin basic protein auto-antibodies in autistic children

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>One of the most consistent biological findings in autism is the elevated blood serotonin levels. Immune abnormalities, including autoimmunity with production of brain specific auto-antibodies, are also commonly observed in this disorder. Hyperserotonemia may be one of the contributing factors to autoimmunity in some patients with autism through the reduction of T-helper (Th) 1-type cytokines. We are the first to investigate the possible role of hyperserotonemia in the induction of autoimmunity, as indicated by serum anti-myelin-basic protein (anti-MBP) auto-antibodies, in autism.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Serum levels of serotonin and anti-MBP auto-antibodies were measured, by ELISA, in 50 autistic patients, aged between 5 and 12 years, and 30 healthy-matched children.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Autistic children had significantly higher serum levels of serotonin and anti-MBP auto-antibodies than healthy children (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Increased serum levels of serotonin and anti-MBP auto-antibodies were found in 92% and 80%, respectively of autistic patients. Patients with severe autism had significantly higher serum serotonin levels than children with mild to moderate autism (P < 0.001). Serum serotonin levels had no significant correlations with serum levels of anti-MBP auto-antibodies in autistic patients (P = 0.39).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Hyperserotonemia may not be one of the contributing factors to the increased frequency of serum anti-MBP auto-antibodies in some autistic children. These data should be treated with caution until further investigations are performed. However, inclusion of serum serotonin levels as a correlate may be useful in other future immune studies in autism to help unravel the long-standing mystery of hyperserotonemia and its possible role in the pathophysiology of this disorder.</p

Knowledge of Pediatric Critical Care Nurses Regarding Evidence Based Guidelines for Prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is a costly, preventable, and often fatal consequence of medical therapy that increases hospital and intensive care stays in mechanically ventilated patients. The prevention of VAP is primarily the responsibility of the bedside nurse whose knowledge, beliefs, and practices influence the health outcome of ICU patients. Unfortunately little is known about the degree of nursing knowledge on evidence based guidelines for  the  prevention  of  VAP. This descriptive study aimed to assess knowledge of pediatric critical care nurses regarding evidence based guidelines for prevention of VAP in both pediatric and neonatal  intensive care units. The current study revealed inadequate knowledge of pediatric critical care nurses regarding evidence based guidelines for prevention of ventilator associated. There is strong correlation between years of experiences, previous training on guidelines of prevention of VAP  and knowledge of nurses on the evidence based guidelines for prevention of VAP. Moreover, there is no correlation  between  age and knowledge of nurses on evidence based guidelines for prevention of VAP. The study concluded that written unit protocols should be present and reviewed regularly as updates and new evidence for best practice are constantly emerging and staff should be educated on the updated protocols. Keywords: Knowledge, pediatric critical care nurses, evidence based guidelines, Ventilator Associated      Pneumonia (VAP

Cancer Cells Treated by Clusters of Copper Oxide Doped Calcium Silicate

Purpose: Different compositions of copper oxide (CuO)-doped calcium silicate clusters wereused to treat the cancer cells.Methods: The influence of CuO content on the morphology, drug delivering ability,physicochemical properties and cytotoxicity was investigated.Results: The microcrystalline structure revealed the decrement of the size from (20-36 nm) to(5-7 nm) depending on the copper content percentages. Drug delivering ability of doxycyclinehyclate (Dox) was down regulated from 58% to 28%in the presence of the CuO. The inclusionof CuO and Dox didn’t show any remarkable changes on the physicochemical properties of theCuO-doped calcium silicate nanoparticles.Conclusion: The CuO-doped calcium silicate sample (5 weight %) exhibited great cytotoxicityagainst the tested cell lines compared to the CuO-free sample. CuO-doped materials displayedsignificant anticancer effect; this sheds light on its implication in the treatment of cancer

A lack of association between elevated serum levels of S100B protein and autoimmunity in autistic children

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>S100B is a calcium-binding protein that is produced primarily by astrocytes. Increased serum S100B protein levels reflect neurological damage. Autoimmunity may have a role in the pathogenesis of autism in some patients. Autoantibodies may cross the blood-brain barrier and combine with brain tissue antigens, forming immune complexes and resulting in neurological damage. We are the first to investigate the relationship between serum levels of S100B protein, a marker of neuronal damage, and antiribosomal P protein antibodies in autistic children.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Serum S100B protein and antiribosomal P antibodies were measured in 64 autistic children in comparison to 46 matched healthy children.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Autistic children had significantly higher serum S100B protein levels than healthy controls (<it>P </it>< 0.001). Children with severe autism had significantly higher serum S100B protein than patients with mild to moderate autism (<it>P </it>= 0.01). Increased serum levels of antiribosomal P antibodies were found in 40.6% of autistic children. There were no significant correlations between serum levels of S100B protein and antiribosomal P antibodies (<it>P </it>= 0.29).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>S100B protein levels were elevated in autistic children and significantly correlated to autistic severity. This may indicate the presence of an underlying neuropathological condition in autistic patients. Antiribosomal P antibodies may not be a possible contributing factor to the elevated serum levels of S100B protein in some autistic children. However, further research is warranted to investigate the possible link between serum S100B protein levels and other autoantibodies, which are possible indicators of autoimmunity to central nervous system in autism.</p

Protective role of ginger and curcumin against some toxicological effects induced by thermoxidized frying cotton oil

In Egypt, the bad economic situation in many homes often demand that oil previously fried is reused and this may constitute health risk to consumers. The aim of the present work was to investigate the protective role of ginger and curcumin powders against some toxicological effects of thermoxidized frying cotton oil (OFO). Thirty five male albino rats were divided into seven groups: negative control, ginger-treated group (1 g/100 g in diet), curcumin treated group (0.2 g/100 g diet), fresh cotton oil treated group (15 mL/kg orally), OFO – treated group (15 mL/kg orally), OFO (15 mL/kg orally) + ginger (1 g/100 g in diet) – treated group and OFO (15 mL/kg orally) + curcumin (0.2% in diet) – treated group. After 28 days of experiment, the results indicated that OFO treated group showed significant (p≤ 0.05) increase in both liver enzymes (AST and ALT) and glucose levels. Significant increase in the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations in somatic and germ cells were encountered. Histopathological changes in liver in form of fatty changes and central vein congestion were observed. The addition of ginger or curcumin to diet of OFO treated group produced improvement in the liver function, decrease in the glucose level, increase in the level of total antioxidants, reduction in the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and improvement of the hepatic pathological changes.  In conclusion, ginger and curcumin can protect against toxicity of frying oil, but, curcumin needs further investigation to find the effective and safe dose.In Egypt, the bad economic situation in many homes often demand that oil previously fried is reused and this may constitute health risk to consumers. The aim of the present work was to investigate the protective role of ginger and curcumin powders against some toxicological effects of thermoxidized frying cotton oil (OFO). Thirty five male albino rats were divided into seven groups: negative control, ginger-treated group (1 g/100 g in diet), curcumin treated group (0.2 g/100 g diet), fresh cotton oil treated group (15 mL/kg orally), OFO – treated group (15 mL/kg orally), OFO (15 mL/kg orally) + ginger (1 g/100 g in diet) – treated group and OFO (15 mL/kg orally) + curcumin (0.2% in diet) – treated group. After 28 days of experiment, the results indicated that OFO treated group showed significant (p≤ 0.05) increase in both liver enzymes (AST and ALT) and glucose levels. Significant increase in the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations in somatic and germ cells were encountered. Histopathological changes in liver in form of fatty changes and central vein congestion were observed. The addition of ginger or curcumin to diet of OFO treated group produced improvement in the liver function, decrease in the glucose level, increase in the level of total antioxidants, reduction in the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and improvement of the hepatic pathological changes.  In conclusion, ginger and curcumin can protect against toxicity of frying oil, but, curcumin needs further investigation to find the effective and safe dose Função protetora de gengibre e curcumina contra alguns efeitos toxicológicos induzidos por óleo de algodão frito termoxidadoResumoNo Egito, a má situação econômica em muitos lares, geralmente exige que o óleo previamente frito seja utilizado novamente o que pode constituir um risco para a saúde dos consumidores. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi investigar o papel protetor de gengibre e curcumina contra alguns efeitos toxicológicos do óleo de algodão frito termoxidado (OFO). Trinta e cinco ratos albinos machos foram divididos em sete grupos: controle negativo, grupo tratado com gengibre (1 g/100 g de dieta), grupo tratado com curcumina (0,2 g/100 g de dieta), grupo tratado com óleo de algodão fresco (15 mL/kg por via oral), OFO grupo tratado (15 mL/kg por via oral), OFO (15 mL/kg por via oral) + gengibre (1 g/100 g de dieta) e OFO (15 mL/kg por via oral) + curcumina (0,2 % na dieta). Após 28 dias de experimento, os resultados indicaram que o grupo tratado com OFO apresentou significativo aumento (p ≤ 0,05) de ambas as enzimas do fígado (AST e ALT) e níveis de glicose. Aumento significativo nas freqüências de aberrações cromossômicas em células somáticas e germinativas foi observado. Alterações histopatológicas no fígado em forma de modificações de gordura e congestão venosa central foram identificadas. O grupo tratado com adição de gengibre ou curcumina à dieta de OFO produziu melhoria na função hepática, diminuição do nível de glicose, aumento do nível de antioxidantes totais, redução da freqüência de aberrações cromossômicas e melhoria das alterações hepáticas patológicas. Em conclusão, gengibre e curcumina podem proteger contra a toxicidade do óleo de fritura, mas, a curcumina necessita de mais pesquisas para encontrar a dose eficaz e segura para seu uso.