Levels of certain tumor markers as differential factors between bilharzial and non-biharzial bladder cancer among Egyptian patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background/Objective</p> <p>Bladder cancer is the commonest type of malignant tumors as a result of schistosomaisis which is a major healthy problem in many subtropical developing countries. The aim of this study is to comparatively elucidate the underlying biochemical tumor markers in schistosomal bladder cancer versus non-schistosomal bladder cancer when compared to normal healthy ones.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This work was performed on tissue specimens from total 25 patients and serum samples from total 30 patients versus ten healthy individuals served as control. The investigated parameters in serum are: xanthine oxidase (XO), fructosamine, lactate dehydrogense (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total proteins, essential and non- essential amino acids profile, hydroxyproline, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-<it>α</it>). In addition, the current investigation also extended to study some markers in tumor bladder tissues including, pyruvate kinase enzyme (PK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Results showed that biharzial bladder cancer patients recored more significant elevation in serum XO, fructosamine, LDH, AST, ALT, hydroxyproline, IgE and TNF-<it>α </it>than in bladder cancer patients when compared to control ones. While, in tissues there were significant increase in PK, LDH, AST & ALT activities of schistosomal bladder cancer than in bladder cancer as compared to control healthy patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It could be concluded that, bilharzial and non-bilharzial bladder cancer showed distinct biochemical profile of tumor development and progression which can be taken into consideration in diagnosis of bladder cancer.</p

A pandemic strain of calicivirus threatens rabbit industries in the Americas

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) is a severe acute viral disease specifically affecting the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus. As the European rabbit is the predominant species of domestic rabbit throughout the world, RHD contributes towards significant losses to rabbit farming industries and endangers wild populations of rabbits in Europe and other predatory animals in Europe that depend upon rabbits as a food source. Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease virus (RHDV) – a Lagovirus belonging to the family Caliciviridae is the etiological agent of RHD. Typically, RHD presents with sudden death in 70% to 95% of infected animals. There have been four separate incursions of RHDV in the USA, the most recent of which occurred in the state of Indiana in June of 2005. Animal inoculation studies confirmed the pathogenicity of the Indiana 2005 isolate, which caused acute death and pathological changes characterized by acute diffuse severe liver necrosis and pulmonary hemorrhages. Complete viral genome sequences of all USA outbreak isolates were determined and comparative genomics revealed that each outbreak was the result of a separate introduction of virus rather than from a single virus lineage. All of the USA isolates clustered with RHDV genomes from China, and phylogenetic analysis of the major capsid protein (VP60) revealed that they were related to a pandemic antigenic variant strain known as RHDVa. Rapid spread of the RHDVa pandemic suggests a selective advantage for this new subtype. Given its rapid spread, pathogenic nature, and potential to further evolve, possibly broadening its host range to include other genera native to the Americas, RHDVa should be regarded as a threat

Application of the Nagoya Protocol to veterinary pathogens: concerns for the control of foot-and-mouth disease

The Nagoya Protocol is an international agreement adopted in 2010 (and entered into force in 2014) which governs access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from their utilisation. The agreement aims to prevent misappropriation of genetic resources and, through benefit sharing, create incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. While the equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources is a widely accepted concept, the way in which the provisions of the Nagoya Protocol are currently being implemented through national access and benefit-sharing legislation places significant logistical challenges on the control of transboundary livestock diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Delays to access FMD virus isolates from the field disrupt the production of new FMD vaccines and other tailored tools for research, surveillance and outbreak control. These concerns were raised within the FMD Reference Laboratory Network and were explored at a recent multistakeholder meeting hosted by the European Commission for the Control of FMD. The aim of this paper is to promote wider awareness of the Nagoya Protocol, and to highlight its impacts on the regular exchange and utilisation of biological materials collected from clinical cases which underpin FMD research activities, and work to develop new epidemiologically relevant vaccines and other diagnostic tools to control the disease

Downregulated StAR gene and male reproductive dysfunction caused by nifedipine and ethosuximide

Steroid hormones that are controlled by steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) gene regulate sperm production. However, calcium ion is important for male fertility in vasodilation and sperm development. Calcium also serves as a second messenger to control acrosome reaction and sperm motility. Calcium channel-blockers (CCBs) as nifedipine and ethosuximide (used in hypertension and epilepsy treatment) can affect male fertility. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism of the male reproductive dysfunction and their side effects. The present study was designed to address the involvement of CCBs in inducing male infertility. Thirty-six male mice were orally treated by therapeutic dose of nifedipine and ethosuximide for 20 days followed by 10 days without treatment for drug withdrawal. Chromosome aberrations assay, sperm analysis and testicular expression level of biomarker steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR (mRNA were measured. In addition, histological structure of the testis was investigated to the process of spermatogenesis. Our results revealed that, CCBs significantly increased the percentage of chromosome aberration and sperm shape change. StAR-mRNA expression was significantly down regulated. Sperm count and motility were significantly decreased. However, slight improvement was observed in all tested parameters after drug withdrawal. Seminiferous tubules displayed total atrophy, disruption, severe damage and elongation of tubules with disorganization of germinal epithelium that detached from the basement membrane. The lumen of seminiferous tubules showed complete absence of sperm cells. Conclusions: Both nifedipine and ethosuximide significantly increase chromosome abnormalities, decrease sperm function, and down regulate StAR-mRNA expression. All these side effects may lead to irreversible male sterility

Foot-And-Mouth Disease In North American Bison (\u3ci\u3eBison Bison\u3c/i\u3e) And Elk (\u3ci\u3eCervus Elaphus Nelsoni\u3c/i\u3e): Susceptibility, Intra- And Interspecies Transmission, Clinical Signs, And Lesions

There is limited information about the pathogenesis and epidemiology of foot-andmouth disease (FMD) in North American bison (Bison bison) or elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni). In these two experimental infection studies, we compared the susceptibilities of bison and elk to FMD virus (FMDV), respectively, with that of cattle; determined whether intra- and interspecies transmission could occur in bison and cattle, and elk and cattle; determined suitability of conventional available laboratory tests to detect FMDV infection in bison and elk; and investigated whether bison or elk are efficient long-term carriers of FMDV. In both studies, after a period of acclimation to the containment at Plum Island Animal Disease Center, animals were infected by intraepithelial tongue inoculation with 10,000 bovine tongue infective doses of FMDV, strain O1 Manisa. Inoculated animals were kept with contact animals; subsequently, inoculated and/or exposed contact animals were placed in rooms with unexposed animals. All bison developed oral mucosal and foot lesions similar to those of cattle. Bison developed fever, lameness, inappetence, and ptyalism. Physical examinations on bison revealed numerous small vesicles and erosions affecting tongue, gingiva, muzzle, hard and soft palates, coronary bands, and interdigital skin. Inoculated elk developed transient fever and mild focal tongue and foot lesions. Contact elk developed neither clinical signs nor gross pathologic lesions of FMD. At necropsy, lesions in bison included numerous extensive vesicles, erosions, and/or ulcers in the oral cavities, feet, and rumen pillars depending on the stage of disease. Less extensive oral, foot, and rumen lesions were present in the inoculated elk. All bison and inoculated elk developed antibodies to FMDV and were positive for FMDV by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Transmission occurred between cattle and bison, and bison and bison. It did not occur between elk and cattle. Elk-to-elk transmission studies resulted in only one contact elk developing serologic evidence of a subclinical infection. Other exposed elk developed neither clinical, pathologic, virologic, nor serologic evidence of disease. FMDV was not isolated from animals past 28 days postinfection

Molecular Identification of Trypanosoma evansi Isolated from Arabian Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Riyadh and Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia

We analyzed the blood from 400 one-humped camels, Camelus dromedarius (C. dromedarius), in Riyadh and Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia to determine if they were infected with the parasite Trypanosoma spp. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) gene was used to detect the prevalence of Trypanosoma spp. in the camels. Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi) was detected in 79 of 200 camels in Riyadh, an infection rate of 39.5%, and in 92 of 200 camels in Al-Qassim, an infection rate of 46%. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses revealed that the isolated T. evansi was closely related to the T. evansi that was detected in C. dromedarius in Egypt and the T. evansi strain B15.1 18S ribosomal RNA gene identified from buffalo in Thailand. A BLAST search revealed that the sequences are also similar to those of T. evansi from beef cattle in Thailand and to T. brucei B8/18 18S ribosomal RNA from pigs in Nigeria

Impact of adding nano-selenium on the quality of diluted buck semen preserved by cooling during summer and winter

Bucks reproductive performance can be improved by artificial insemination technique, that affected by many factors the most important one is semen quality, which is affected by the methods of semen preservation cooling and freezing. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of adding different concentrations of antioxidant as Nano-selenium to the diluted buck semen during preservation by cooling in both summer and winter seasons. Eight mature healthy Zaraibi bucks were used in the study. Semen samples were collected by an electro- ejaculator twice per week during summer 2021 (August, September) and winter (January, February). Samples were pooled and diluted by extender then divided to experimental groups: Group 1: Nano-selenium: 100 μL / 100 ml and Group 2: 200 μL / 100 ml.  Then the groups cooled for measuring some semen parameters and seminal antioxidant activities after 1 h from adding and at 8 hours then every 8 hrs up to 64 hr. Nano selenium 200 μL / 100 ml has a favorable impact on diluted buck semen during cooling preservation during summer and winter

Impact of adding nano-selenium on the quality of diluted buck semen preserved by cooling during summer and winter

Bucks reproductive performance can be improved by artificial insemination technique, that affected by many factors the most important one is semen quality, which is affected by the methods of semen preservation cooling and freezing. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of adding different concentrations of antioxidant as Nano-selenium to the diluted buck semen during preservation by cooling in both summer and winter seasons. Eight mature healthy Zaraibi bucks were used in the study. Semen samples were collected by an electro- ejaculator twice per week during summer 2021 (August, September) and winter (January, February). Samples were pooled and diluted by extender then divided to experimental groups: Group 1: Nano-selenium: 100 μL / 100 ml and Group 2: 200 μL / 100 ml.  Then the groups cooled for measuring some semen parameters and seminal antioxidant activities after 1 h from adding and at 8 hours then every 8 hrs up to 64 hr. Nano selenium 200 μL / 100 ml has a favorable impact on diluted buck semen during cooling preservation during summer and winter

Ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block versus thoracic paravertebral block for perioperative analgesia in thoracotomy

Background: Thoracotomy needs adequate powerful postoperative analgesia. This study aims to compare the safety and efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) and thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) for perioperative analgesia in cancer patients having lung lobectomy. Patients and Methods: This clinical trial involved 90 patients with lung cancer scheduled for lung lobectomy randomly divided into three groups according to the type of preemptive regional block. Group TPVB received US-guided TPVB. In Group SAPB, US-guided SAPB was performed. The patients of the control Group received general anesthesia alone. The outcome measures were postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score, intraoperative fentanyl consumption, time of first rescue analgesic, total dose postoperative analgesic, and drug-related adverse effects. Results: Analgesia was adequate in TPVB and SAPB groups up to 24 h. VAS score was comparable in TPVB and SAPB groups and significantly lower compared to control group up to 9 h postoperatively. At 12 and 24 h, TPVB group had significantly lower VAS score relative to SAPB and control groups. Total intraoperative fentanyl consumption was significantly lower in TPVB and SAPB Groups compared to control group. The majority of TPVB Group cases did not need rescue morphine, while the majority of control group needed two doses (P < 0.001). The hemodynamic variables were stable in all patients. Few cases reported trivial adverse effects. Conclusion: Preemptive TPVB and SAPB provide comparable levels of adequate analgesia for the first 24 h after thoracotomy. TPVB provided better analgesia after 12 h. The two procedures reduce intraoperative fentanyl and postoperative morphine consumption