DNA fragmentation damage as a predictive marker for diabetic nephropathy in Type II diabetes mellitus

Background: Increased production of free radicals and oxidative stress in type II diabetic patients could be one of the probable causes for development of complications. The authors hypothesise that such a mechanism also contributes to the development of diabetic nephropathy in those patients.Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of DNA fragmentation damage with diabetic nephropathy in type II diabetes mellitus, so as to use it as a future novel predictive marker.Patients and methods: The study population included 100 patients with diabetic nephropathy, 100 diabetic patients without nephropathy and 100 healthy volunteers as controls. Lipid profile, fasting and post-prandial blood glucose, micro-albuminuria (micro-alb) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were assessed in patients and controls. The technique of capillary electrophoresis was used to detect DNA damage.Results: The frequency of DNA damage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was 71% in diabetic nephropathy compared with 45% in non-nephropathy patients (p < 0.001). None of healthy controls showed such a finding. Oxidative DNA fragmentation in the diabetic nephropathy group was 3.06 times that in the non-nephropathy group. Neither poor glycaemic control nor dyslipidaemia contributed to DNA damage in diabetic patients. Multivariate analysis showed that positive oxidative DNA damage test (OR1.58, p = 0.02) and the duration of ongoing DM (OR 1.48, p = 0.004) were the only independent factors contributing to the occurrence of diabetic nephropathy.Conclusion: Type II diabetic patients have more liability to oxidative DNA damage in general with a significantly higher frequency in diabetic nephropathy. DNA fragmentation analysis can be used as a predictive diagnostic biomarker for diabetic nephropathy.Keywords: complications, diabetes, free radicals, oxidative stres

Calcareous Nannofossils Biostratigraphy of Gulneri Formation in Sulaimaniya, Northestern Iraq

Investigations on the calcareous nannofossils of the Gulneri Formation are being done in the northern Iraqi of Dokan and Pushen areas, Sulimani, Northern Iraq. In this work, one biozone was established based on the results of a detailed examination used to identify fifty species of calcareous nannofossils; Quadrum gartneri Biozone (CC11) and Lucianorhabdus maleformis Biozone (CC12) in Dokan section, although in this study, three biozones were suggested; Microrhabdulus decoratus Biozone (CC10); Quadrum gartneri Biozone (CC11) and Lucianorhabdus maleformis Biozone (CC12) in Pushen section. According to correlations with other calcareous nannofossil biozones from local region we sagestion the Cenomanian to Turonian for Pushen section and Turonian for Dokan section

Surveillance of the Most Prevalent Medical Diseases among Pediatric Age Groups and Evaluation of the Control Measures Used At Tabuk Hospitals, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: During the last decades, medical recordings has increased dramatically leading to more awareness of the diseases commonly affecting paediatric age groups opening a wide entrance to the prevention of possible complications and decrease its incidence.AIM: This article aims to assess the prevalence of the commonly encountered paediatric medical diseases by affected system among admitted paediatric patients of different age groups in Tabuk and to identify their burden.METHODS: This is a retrospective research studying disease pattern according to age, gender, nationality, admission status and length of stay.RESULTS: Admissions due to respiratory system disorders were the most common among children under the age of six years (39.7%). Acute gastroenteritis was the most common disease leading to hospitalisation of children below the age of three years and cast a financial burden heavily on family and society.CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory diseases and acute gastroenteritis constitute a significant burden of childhood illnesses in Tabuk City. Efforts are required to reduce the impact to achieve the Saudi ministry of health (SMOH) Goal. Even though Rota vaccine is added to the national Saudi program of vaccination schedule, other causes should be looked for, and preventive measures are important as a part of public education

Effects of Poly-MVA on the rheological properties of blood after in-vivo exposure to gamma radiation

AbstractThis study aims to examine the radio-prophylactic effects of poly-MVA against exposure to acute dose of gamma radiation. Adult male rats, weighing 200 gm, were exposed to 6 Gy gamma radiation from Cs-137 source. The animals received daily oral administration of 2 ml/kg body weight of poly-MVA for different time intervals. The prophylactic effect was examined by two modes of administration: two weeks before irradiation and another group which received continuous administration for two weeks before and two other weeks after irradiation (total time of administration 28 days). Different parameters were performed, which include determination of cellular antioxidant enzymes (Glutathione (GSH), catalase and superoxide dismutase) in hepatic cells, the rheological properties of blood, osmotic fragility and scanning electron microscope photography of red blood cells. Exposure to radiation resulted in a significant decrease in cellular antioxidant enzymes (GSH, Catalase and SOD) and decrease in Bingham viscosity, yield stress and aggregation index of blood. Furthermore it induced slightly increase in average osmotic fragility of red blood cells accompanied by decrease in osmotic dispersion and remarkable modification of red blood cell morphology. Administration of Poly-MVA showed markedly elevation in GSH, Catalase and SOD content in liver cells in all treated groups. It also showed improvement in all observed parameters. The obtained results showed that oral uptake of poly MVA posses a radio-prophylactic effect that might be used in planned radiation exposure in diagnosis and radiotherapy

Radio-mitigation effect of poly-MVA after exposure to an acute dose of gamma radiation

AbstractAdult male rats were exposed to a 6Gy single dose from a Cs-137 source. The radio-mitigation effect of poly-MVA was evaluated by daily administration of 2ml/kg of body weight immediately after irradiation for two weeks. The morphological changes in the red blood cells were studied. The osmotic fragility and rheological properties of blood, the alteration in the contents of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase) and lipid peroxidation in hepatic cells were determined. The results showed that exposure to radiation resulted in significant changes in cellular antioxidant enzymes (GSH, catalase and SOD) and a decrease in the blood Bingham viscosity, yield stress and aggregation index. Furthermore, it induced a slight increase in the average osmotic fragility of red blood cells accompanied by a decrease in osmotic dispersion, as well as a modification of red blood cell morphology. It also caused a significant increase (75%) in the lipid peroxidation 1 day after exposure to radiation, which persisted until the 14th day recorded after irradiation. Oral administration of poly-MVA after irradiation reduced the radiation-induced damage, as seen in the non-significant change in lipid peroxidation compared to the control. It also resulted in improvement in the observed parameters

Antioxidant properties of leaves extracts of acanthaceae species

The objective of this study is to determine the antioxidant properties of leaves extracts of 24 Acanthaceae species: Asystasia guttata, Ballochia amoena, Barleria aculeata, B. orbicularis, B. parviflora, B. prionitis, B. ventricosa, Blepharis cayaniense, B. maderaspatensis, Crossandra, johanninae, Dicliptera effusa, D. paniculata, D. verticillata, Ecbolium gymnostachyum, Hypoestes pubescens, H. triflora, Justicia caerulea, J. heterocarpa, J. odora, Megalochalmyas violacea, Phaulopsis imbricata, Trichocalyx orbicular, Ruellia grandiflora and R. paulayana. The radical scavenging activities of 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, and total phenolic compounds of species were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. Blepharis cayaniense has the highest phenolic compounds (995.5 mg of gallic acid per g of sample) while Hypoestes pubescens, and Ruellia paulayana (10 mg/mL gallic acid equivalent) have the lowest concentration of phenolic acid but less radical scavenging activities (DPPH) and reducing ferric power. Only Trichocalyx orbiculatus has the highest concentration in phenolic content, radical-scavenging activities, and reducing power. Interestingly, the antioxidant activities of different Acanthaceae species exhibit unique medicinal properties

Psychological Assessment in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease on Regular Hemodialysis

Introduction: Interestingly, health care professionals have the tendency to focus on the biological dimension of the disease or other technical issues related to hemodialysis machine and usually underestimate symptoms from mental sphere. Encouraging patients to express their feelings and addressing their psychological needs may be an essential measure to confront with this debilitating disease. Aim of Study: The objective of our study were to assess the presence, possible factors related and consequences of psychological disorders in children with CKD on regular hemodialysis. Methods: This study was cross sectional study which carried out in nephrology unit of the pediatric department during the period from February 2021 to January   2022.It were comprised (141) children with CKD on regular hemodialysis of both sexes after obtaining informed consent from children\u27s parents. All patients were subjected to history (age, sex, residence, birth order, level of education, socioeconomic status), examination and specific investigations. Results: This study showed that, a male predominance. Regarding anxiety grade, mild were 18 (12.8%), moderate were 54 (38.3%) and severe were 69 (48.9%). Regarding depression grade, mild were 50 (35.5%), moderate were 54 (38.3%), and severe were 19 (13.5%) while no depression was found among 18 (12.8%). There were statistically significant positive correlations between anxiety score and duration of dialysis. There were statistically significant positive correlations between anxiety score and depression score. Conclusion: Frequency of anxiety and depression is high in CKD Patients. There were statistically significant positive correlations between anxiety score and depression score

USING THE POLICY ANALYSIS MATRIX TO EVALUATE THE ECONOMIC POLICY OF TOMATO AND POTATO CROPS IN EGYPT

Agricultural policy in Egypt has tended in recent years to make some structural changes in order to maximize the economic return in light of the technical possibilities and local and international economics of agricultural production determinants. some Food crops, industrial and export important in Egypt, and is a source of agricultural income, In order to determine the features of agricultural price policy for most important vegetable crops in Egypt, it was possible to calculate the matrix of agricultural policy analysis, to clarify the extent of deviation of lacal market prices for tomato and potato crops and world prices to identify the levels of distortions in the commodity markets and the degree of nonemployment of resources, as well as the calculation of the nominal and effective protection factors. To identify the price policies adopted by the state, whether the policy of subsidies or taxation of producers of agricultural crops, as well as the calculation of the cost factor of the local resource to determine the comparative advantage. We conclude from the above and based on the results of the Matrix of Agricultural Policy Analysis for Tomato and Potato Crops in Egypt during the average period (2011-2017) that the country’s productive policy during the study period had any affection crop producers represented in tax rate 14.742, 12.489 pounds. Which do not compare with the support provided to them, which averaged about 93,189 pounds per acre, respectively. Tomato and potato crops have an advantage that can be used to increase their exports in the global markets, which require integration between the state and the private sector to activate the ability of crop producers to export. And Egyptian potatoes, and on this the study recommends the necessity of improving the prices of production requirements for the crops under study in a manner commensurate with the continuous increase in production costs in order to work on increasing farm income and addressing negatives arising from C Tax of SAT in high production costs and made available at affordable prices

A randomized controlled trial for comparing the results of early endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and conservative treatment in patients with acute gallstone pancreatitis

Introduction: Gallstone pancreatitis is one of the most dangerous complications of gallstone disease with a high risk of complications and death. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and timely management of acute gallstone pancreatitis are very important. Most guidelines recommend urgent ERCP in cases of biliary obstruction with cholangitis. However, the best time to perform an ERCP in patients suffering from acute gallstone pancreatitis without cholangitis is not universally agreed upon. Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of early ERCP versus conservative management in patients with acute gallstone pancreatitis in terms of complications, mortality, and length of hospital stays. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out at the Suez Canal University Hospitals between January 2020 and January 2022. After meeting the inclusion criteria, forty patients were enrolled in this study and were allocated randomly into ERCP and Conservative groups. A written informed consent form was taken from all patients. Patient demographics, symptoms, and a detailed history were all collected. Laboratory tests were performed and reported. ERCP's findings were reported. A total of 40 patients were included in the study. The average age was 42 years in the ERCP group and 39 in the conservative group

Small dense low-density lipoprotein as a potential risk factor of nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: The risk for diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes is about 30-40%, and it is considered the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) particles are believed to be atherogenic, and its predominance has been accepted as an emerging cardiovascular risk factor. This study aimed to assess small dense LDL as a potential risk factor and a possible predictor for diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients. Patients and Methods: According to microalbuminuria test, 40 diabetic patients were categorized into two groups: Diabetic patients without nephropathy (microalbuminuria negative group) and diabetic patients with nephropathy (microalbuminuria positive group), each group consists of 20 patients and all were non-obese and normotensive. The patients were re-classified into three sub-groups depending on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Results: The mean of small dense LDL level in the microalbuminuria positive group was higher than that in the microalbuminuria negative group, but without statistical significance. It was significantly higher in patients with either mild or moderate decrease in estimated GFR than in patients with normal estimated GFR. There was statistically significant correlation between small dense LDL and albuminuria and significant inverse correlation between small dense LDL and estimated GFR in all patients in the study. Based on microalbuminuria, the sensitivity and specificity of small dense LDL in the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy was 40% and 80%, respectively, with cutoff values of small dense LDL >55.14 mg/dl. On the other hand, based on GFR, the sensitivity and specificity were 88.24% and 73.91% respectively, with cutoff values of small dense LDL >41.89 mg/dl. Conclusion: Small dense LDL is correlated with the incidence and severity of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients. It should be considered as a potential risk factor and as a diagnostic biomarker to be used in conjunction with other biochemical markers for early diagnosis, assessment, and follow-up of diabetic nephropathy