Neuroprotektivni učinci eugenola protiv aluminijem izazvane toksičnosti u mozgu štakora

Aluminium (Al) is a neurotoxic metal that contributes to the progression of several neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of dietary eugenol supplementation against aluminium (Al)-induced cerebral damage in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: normal controls, rats fed a diet containing 6,000 μg g-1 eugenol, rats intoxicated daily with aluminium chloride (84 mg kg-1 body weight) p. o. and fed either a basal diet or a eugenol-containing diet. Daily oral administration of Al for four consecutive weeks to rats significantly reduced brain total antioxidant status (TAS) (11.42±0.31 μmol g-1 tissue, p<0.001) with a subsequent significant enhancement of lipid peroxidation (MDA) (32.55±1.68 nmol g-1 tissue, p<0.002). In addition, Al enhanced brain acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) (46.22±4.90 U mg-1 protein, p<0.001), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (118.72±11.32 pg mg-1 protein, p<0.001), and caspase 3 (Casp-3) (8.77±1.26 ng mg-1 protein, p<0.001) levels, and in contrast significantly suppressed brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (82.74±14.53 pg mg-1 protein, p<0.002) and serotonin (5-HT) (1.54±0.12 ng mg-1 tissue, p<0.01) levels. Furthermore, decreased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining was noticed in the striatum of Al-intoxicated rats, compared with untreated controls. On the other hand, co-administration of dietary eugenol with Al intoxication restored brain BDNF (108.76±2.64 pg mg-1 protein) and 5-HT (2.13±0.27 ng mg-1 tissue) to normal levels, enhanced brain TAS (13.43±0.24 μmol g-1 tissue, p<0.05), with a concomitant significant reduction in TNF-α (69.98±4.74 pg mg-1 protein) and Casp-3 (3.80±0.37 ng mg-1 protein) levels (p<0.001), as well as AChE activity (24.50±3.25 U mg-1 protein, p<0.001), and increased striatal GFAP immunoreactivity, compared with Al-treated rats. Histological findings of brain tissues verified biochemical data. In conclusion, eugenol holds potential as a neuroprotective agent through its hydrophobic, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties, as well as its neurotrophic ability against Al-induced brain toxicity in rats.Aluminij (Al) je neutrotoksični metal koji pridonosi razvoju nekoliko neurodegenerativnih bolesti. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je procijeniti zaštitni učinak eugenola protiv aluminijem izazvanog moždanog oštećenja u štakora. Mužjaci Wistar soja štakora bili su podijeljeni u četiri skupne: kontrolna skupina, štakori čija je hrana sadržavala 6,000 μg g-1 eugenola, štakori kojima je oralnim putem svakodnevno davan aluminijev klorid (84 mg kg-1 tjelesne težine) uz uobičajen režim prehrane ili uz prehranu obogaćenu eugenolom. Dnevna doza aluminija tijekom četiriju uzastopnih tjedana značajno je smanjila ukupni antioksidacijski status (TAS)(11,42 ± 0,31 μmol g-1 tkiva, p < 0,001) te je povećala lipidnu peroksidaciju (MDA)(32,55 ± 1,68 nmol g-1 tkiva, p < 0,002). Nadalje, tretman s Al potaknuo je aktivnost acetilkolinesteraze u mozgu (AChE)(46,22 ± 4,90 U mg-1 protein, p < 0,001) te povisio razine tumornoga nekroznog faktora alfa (TNF-α)(118,72 ± 11,32 pg mg-1 protein, p < 0,001) i kaspaze 3 (Casp-3)(8,77 ± 1,26 ng mg-1 protein, p < 0,001), a značajno je smanjio razine neurotrofnoga moždanog faktora (BDNF)(82,74 ± 14,53 pg mg-1 protein, p < 0,002) i serotonina (5-HT)(1,54 ± 0,12 ng mg-1 tkivo, p < 0,01). Isto tako, u usporedbi s kontrolnom skupinom koja nije bila tretirana, u strijatumu štakora tretiranih aluminijem primijećeno je imunobojenje glijalnih fibrilarnih kiselih proteina (GFAP). S druge strane, istovremenim uzimanjem eugenola i aluminija ponovo su uspostavljene normalne razine BDNF-a (108,76 ± 2,64 pg mg-1 protein) i 5-HT-a (2,13 ± 0,27 ng mg-1 tkiva), a moždani je TAS povećan (13,43 ± 0,24 μmol g-1 tkiva, p < 0,05). Nadalje, istodobno su se razine TNF-α (69,98 ± 4,74 pg mg-1 protein) i Casp-3 (3,80 ± 0,37 ng mg-1 protein) značajno smanjile (p < 0,001), kao i aktivnost AChE (24,50 ± 3,25 mg-1 protein, p < 0,001), te je imunoreaktivnost GFAP-a u strijatumu povećana u usporedbi sa štakorima koji su tretirani aluminijem. Histološki nalazi moždanog tkiva potvrđuju biokemijske podatke. Zaključno, eugenol ima potencijal kao neuroprotektivna tvar ne samo zbog svojih hidrofobnih, antioksidacijskih i antiapoptotskih svojstava nego i zbog svoje neurotrofne sposobnosti djelovanja protiv aluminijem izazvane toksičnosti u mozgu štakora

Quality characterization of burger affected by soybean additives (Natto & protein hydrolysate) and ascorbic acid

Soy protein is a common ingredient added to processed meats to enhance the products' functional characteristics. In our study, soybean products (fermented soy Natto and protein hydrolysate) with or without ascorbic acid were added to burger in order to improve its quality characterization. Results showed that soy additives significantly increased moisture and protein content and reduced (P < 0.05) fat values. Ash content did not affect (P < 0.05) with Natto addition. Color tools, lightness and yellowness were higher (P<0.05) for the samples with added soybean products (with or without ascorbic acid), while redness decreased. Both of protein hydrolysate and ascorbic acid increased the softiness while, Natto additive increased the hardness of samples. Natto & protein hydrolysate additives increased the total volatile basic nitrogen while, samples with ascorbic acid decreased TVBN values at significant levels. On the other hand, soy additives were improved both of cooking quality and sensory evaluation of the burger

Quality characterization of burger affected by soybean additives (Natto & protein hydrolysate) and ascorbic acid

Soy protein is a common ingredient added to processed meats to enhance the products' functional characteristics. In our study, soybean products (fermented soy Natto and protein hydrolysate) with or without ascorbic acid were added to burger in order to improve its quality characterization. Results showed that soy additives significantly increased moisture and protein content and reduced (P < 0.05) fat values. Ash content did not affect (P < 0.05) with Natto addition. Color tools, lightness and yellowness were higher (P<0.05) for the samples with added soybean products (with or without ascorbic acid), while redness decreased. Both of protein hydrolysate and ascorbic acid increased the softiness while, Natto additive increased the hardness of samples. Natto & protein hydrolysate additives increased the total volatile basic nitrogen while, samples with ascorbic acid decreased TVBN values at significant levels. On the other hand, soy additives were improved both of cooking quality and sensory evaluation of the burger

Quality characterization of burger affected by soybean additives (Natto & protein hydrolysate) and ascorbic acid

Soy protein is a common ingredient added to processed meats to enhance the products' functional characteristics. In our study, soybean products (fermented soy Natto and protein hydrolysate) with or without ascorbic acid were added to burger in order to improve its quality characterization. Results showed that soy additives significantly increased moisture and protein content and reduced (P < 0.05) fat values. Ash content did not affect (P < 0.05) with Natto addition. Color tools, lightness and yellowness were higher (P<0.05) for the samples with added soybean products (with or without ascorbic acid), while redness decreased. Both of protein hydrolysate and ascorbic acid increased the softiness while, Natto additive increased the hardness of samples. Natto & protein hydrolysate additives increased the total volatile basic nitrogen while, samples with ascorbic acid decreased TVBN values at significant levels. On the other hand, soy additives were improved both of cooking quality and sensory evaluation of the burger

Quality characterization of burger affected by soybean additives (Natto & protein hydrolysate) and ascorbic acid

Soy protein is a common ingredient added to processed meats to enhance the products' functional characteristics. In our study, soybean products (fermented soy Natto and protein hydrolysate) with or without ascorbic acid were added to burger in order to improve its quality characterization. Results showed that soy additives significantly increased moisture and protein content and reduced (P < 0.05) fat values. Ash content did not affect (P < 0.05) with Natto addition. Color tools, lightness and yellowness were higher (P<0.05) for the samples with added soybean products (with or without ascorbic acid), while redness decreased. Both of protein hydrolysate and ascorbic acid increased the softiness while, Natto additive increased the hardness of samples. Natto & protein hydrolysate additives increased the total volatile basic nitrogen while, samples with ascorbic acid decreased TVBN values at significant levels. On the other hand, soy additives were improved both of cooking quality and sensory evaluation of the burger

Mucormycosis related knowledge among a sample of the general population in Egypt

In the fight against COVID-19, the mass usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics and steroids may result in the development or worsening of a pre-existing fungal disease. The researchers conducted the current study among a sample of the general population in Egypt to assess their mucormycosis-related knowledge. The current work was an exploratory cross-sectional study performed via an online survey. The investigators conducted a convenience sampling by looking for large-networked groups on Facebook; 473 completed the questionnaire. It included: socio-demographics, 28 knowledge questions addressing definition, risk factors, modes of transmission, symptoms, and prevention of mucormycosis, and sources of knowledge. The median total knowledge percent score was 58 (9-38). The least median percent score was 25 (0-83) for prevention knowledge. The comparison between knowledge percent score and participants' demographics showed no statistically significant difference. However, the participants working in the medical field had a higher median knowledge percent score, with a p-value &lt;0.05. The major sources of information were cited as being the internet and social media. Despite being educated, and most of the enrolled individuals were university graduates, most participants had insufficient mucormycotic knowledge. This emphasizes the importance of conducting mucormycosis awareness campaigns for the public

ASSESSMENT EFFECT OF ALOE VERA, AZADIRACHTA INDICA AND MORINGA OLEIFERA AQUEOUS EXTRACTS ON CARBON TETRACHLORIDE-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS

Objective: This experiment aims to investigate the hepatotherapeutic effect of Aloe vera (AV), Azadirachta indica (N), and Moringa oleifera (MO).Methods: Eighty albino rats have been divided into ten groups. The first group was fed on a basal diet while the second group was administered paraffin (10 ml/kg body weight) through gavage for four days. The third to the tenth groups received (5 ml/kg body weight) CCl4: liquid paraffin (2:1) for three days followed by (10 ml/kg body weight) CCl4: liquid paraffin (2:1) for one day through gavage. Group three kept without any treatment, other groups then received (AV) (60 mg/kg body weight), (MO) (200 mg/kg body weight), (N) (200 mg/kg body weight), bi-extract of (AV+N), bi-extracts of (AV+MO), bi-extract of (MO+N), and tri-extracts of (AV+N+MO) respectively for 36 d. The liver and blood were studied for hepatotoxicity and antioxidant indices.Results: Biochemical and histopathological analysis revealed that CCl4 elevated plasma liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma glutamyl transferase). Carbon tetrachloride also caused an elevation in erythrocyte content of glutathione with a concomitant increase in the plasma malondialdehyde content, along with marked atrophy of hepatocytes. However, these effects were ameliorated by the treatment of rats with the different extracts.Conclusion: Results showed that administration of the aquatic extracts of Aloe vera, Neem, and Moringa (separately/mixedly) played a therapeutic role against CCl4-induced liver damage by improving liver enzyme activities, antioxidant blood parameters, and a liver histopathological picture of intoxicated rats.Keywords: Aloe vera, Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera, CCl4 hepatotoxicity, Antioxidant, Rat hepatocyte

Effect of Long Term Pulsed Electromagnetic Field on Postmenopausal Stress Urinary Incontinence

Pulsed electromagnetic therapy is used to activate the pudendal nerve, which then activates the pelvic floor musculature, which is supposed to increase urethral closure and improve the stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Aim of the study: was to detect the long-term efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic therapy on post-menopausal SUI. Subjects and Methods: Forty postmenopausal females complaining from mild or moderate degree of SUI. They were recruited randomly from outpatient clinic of gynecological department in Al-Mataria teaching hospital, Egypt. Their ages ranged from 50 to 60 years old. The BMI of the patients was not exceeding 35 Kg/m2. They were multipara. Their deliveries were normal vaginal delivery. All women were treated by pulsed electromagnetic field 2 sessions/ week for 8 weeks. The vaginal squeeze pressure and symptoms of SUI were assessed pre-magnetic therapy, post magnetic therapy at the end of 8 weeks, follow up at 3, 6& 12 months by biofeedback (Myomed 632v) and (UDI-6) respectively. Results: The vaginal squeeze pressure was significantly increased (p= 0.001), and UDI-6 was significantly decreased (p= 0.001), at post magnetic therapy, follow up at 3, 6& 12 months when compared with their corresponding values measured pre-magnetic therapy. There was no significant difference (p\u3e 0.05) between post magnetic therapy measurements compared at different time assessment at 3, 6& 12 months. Conclusion: The encouraging results of our study supported that PEMF has long -term effect as a unique therapeutic modality for the treatment of postmenopausal SUI

STUDY THE EFFECT OF MYCOPLASMA CONTAMINATION OF EGGS USED IN VIRUS TITRATION AND EFFICACY OF SOME LIVE ATTENUATED POULTRY VIRAL VACCINES

Objective: The study of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection is needed, not only to understand the disease process but also to understand theinterference with the evaluation of some live viral poultry vaccines. This study aims to investigate the titration and potency of some live attenuatedpoultry viral vaccines; Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, infectious bursal disease, and Reo in both specific pathogen-free (SPF) embryonatedchicken eggs (ECEs) and chickens.Methods: Titration of live attenuated viral poultry vaccines in ECEs was carried out by dividing the inoculated eggs into four groups; the pre-,simultaneously-, post-, and non-MG contaminated. MG effect on the potency test was carried out using seventeen groups of SPF chickens (25 chicken/group) placed into separate isolators. Each live attenuated viral poultry vaccine was inoculated into 4 groups.Results: The highest titer of these vaccines that appeared in MG pre- contaminated ECEs were 1011, 107.5, 107.9, and 10, respectively. The lowest vaccinetiters that appeared in non-MG contaminated ECEs were 108, 106, 106.8, and 1067.5, respectively. Although the potency of these previous vaccines indicated thatthe highest antibodies titer that appeared in MG pre-infected vaccinated chickens were 7.5 log, 36 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay unit (EU), and42 EU, respectively; the lowest antibodies titer that appeared in non-MG infected vaccinated chickens were 6.5 log22, 12 EU, 17 EU, and 10 EU, respectively.Conclusion: The present study findings underline the importance of using Mycoplasma -free eggs or chicken for the production of virus vaccines.Keywords: Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Newcastle disease virus, Infectious bronchitis virus, Infectious bursal disease virus, Reo virus, Chicken, Specificpathogen-free eggs. Keywords: Mycoplasmagallisepticum,Newcastlediseasevirus,Infectiousbronchitisvirus,Infectiousbursaldiseasevirus,Reovirus,Chicken,Specific pathogen-free eggs.Â

Efficacy of fetal echocardiography in prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart diseases

Background: Congenital heart diseases are the commonest fetal congenital defects and until nowadays most of them are bypassed without prenatal diagnosis to be still considered as unexplained stillbirths or perinatal deaths. In this study, we tried to prove the importance of routine fetal cardiac screening in the ANC visits and also confirming its high accuracy.Methods: This study was prospective longitudinal one, including doing ISUOG extended fetal cardiac screening for one hundred foetuses  scheduled at certain gestational age visits, whom their half were at risks for CHDs and the other were not, with comparing the results to antenatal and postnatal detailed fetal echocardiography.Results: The best gestational age for the fetal cardiac screening was at 18-22 weeks gestation. The accuracy of the screening to the antenatal echocardiogram was 96%-100% and to the postnatal one was 96%-98%.Conclusions: CHDs are still the commonest congenital fetal defects and the antenatal fetal cardiac screening by extended basic views has high accuracy. Making this screening a routine in ANC visits will be of great help in improving the fetal outcome