Therapeutic potential of stem cell and melatonin on the reduction of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in experimental mice model

Liver fibrosis is initial stage of any chronic liver disease and its end stage is develops into cirrhosis. Chronic liver diseases are a crucial global health issue and the cause of approximately 2 million deaths per year worldwide. Cirrhosis is currently the 11th most common cause of death globally. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) treatment is the best way to treat acute and chronic liver disease. The aim of this study is to improve the therapeutic potential of MSCs combined with melatonin (MLT) to overcome CCl4-induced liver fibrosis and also investigate the individual impact of melatonin and MSCs against CCl4-induced liver impairment in animal model. Female BALB/c mice were used as CCL4-induced liver fibrotic animal model. Five groups of animal model were made; negative control, Positive control, CCl4+MSCs treated group, CCl4+MLT treated group and CCl4+MSCs+MLT treated group. Cultured MSCs from mice bone marrow were transplanted to CCl4-induced liver injured mice model, individually as well as together with melatonin. Two weeks after MSCs and MLT administration, all groups of mice were sacrificed for examination. Morphological and Histopathological results showed that combined therapy of MSCs+MLT showed substantial beneficial impact on CCl4-induced liver injured model, compared with MSCs and MLT individually. Biochemically, considerable reduction was observed in serum bilirubin and ALT levels of MLT+MSC treated mice, compared to other groups. PCR results shown down-regulation of Bax and up-regulation of Bcl-xl and Albumin, confirm a significant therapeutic effect of MSCs+MLT on CCI4-induced liver fibrosis. From the results, it is concluded that combined therapy of MSCs and MLT show strong therapeutic effect on CCL4-induced liver fibrosis, compared with MSCs and MLT individually.

Thin Split Thickness Skin Grafting on Human Acellular Dermal Matrix Scaffold for the Treatment of Deep Burn Wounds

BACKGROUND

Use of AlloDerm™ is highly suggested for the treatment of deep burns and burn sequela reconstruction. Scar formation and contracture are recognized as long-term consequences of split-thickness skin autografting, which is applied for full-thickness burn injuries. Mature fibroblasts, in the absence of dermis, seem to secrete collagen in the reformed scar pattern.

OBJECTIVE

To process AlloDerm™ from fresh allograft and use it as a dermal substitute for covering deep wounds in burn patients and evaluate its effectiveness.

METHODS

In this case-series, 7 patients with deep burn wounds involving different locations on the body surface were exposed to combined AlloDerm™ (processed from fresh human allograft) with thin split thickness skin autograft on it. On the 5^th post-operative day, wound dressings were changed to evaluate the graft survival with the human acellular dermal matrix scaffold. To determine the skin profiles, follow-ups continued for at least 6 months.

RESULTS

The results showed excellent graft take, good elasticity, acceptable thickness, and little contracture and scarring according to fix surgeon assessment in 6 patients. Graft rejection happened only in one patient with chronic electrical injury.

CONCLUSION

AlloDerm™ derived from cadaver skin and combination of it with thin split thickness skin auto grafting constitute a cost-effective and favorable option for the treatment of deep burn wounds in our center, considering the increased tendency of the population towards organ donation in the event of brain death.

Paediatric burn injuries requiring hospitalization in Fars, Southern Iran

The aim of this study was to determine the demographic characteristics of burnt children in need of hospitalization, causes of burns and associated complications in Fars province, Iran. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Files of all children under 15 years of age who were hospitalized in the only burn referral centre of Fars province were evaluated. Data regarding age, gender, location (urban, rural), burn surface area (BSA), cause of burn, length of hospital stay and complications were extracted from patients' files. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 22 and the Chi-square test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. A total of 122 patients (54.9% males) were studied. Children from rural areas were hospitalized 1.4 times more often than urban children. Overall, 31.2% of admissions occurred in winter. Burning with hot liquids (scalding) was the most common cause of burns (56.6%, n = 69). Mean BSA was 12.29 ± 21.18% and mean length of hospital stay was 7.59 ± 12.78 days. Burn complications were seen in 19 cases (15.6%). One child died due to inhalational thermal injury. This study showed that burns mostly occur in boys, in the winter and in rural areas of Fars province. Furthermore, scald burns are the most common type of burn injury. Since a significant number of children suffer from permanent complications following burn injuries, special planning is needed to prevent this type of injury.

Protective effect of distillated Nerium oleander on heart of type 2 diabetic rats

OBJECTIVES

The current study aims to investigate the possible role of NO distillate either for therapeutic or for protective potential in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND

Protective and restorative effects of distillated Nerium oleander (NO) on the diabetes-induced electrophysiological and structural alterations were investigated.

METHODS

Type 2 diabetes was induced by combination of single dose streptozotocin injection and high fat diet for four weeks. Experimental groups were designed as follows: control, diabetic, restorative-NO treated diabetic and protective-NO treated diabetic. Intracellular action potentials (AP) and contractile activities were measured form left ventricular papillary muscle strips as well as histopathological examination of heart tissue and biochemical examinations of serum were performed.

RESULTS

Type 2 diabetes induced AP prolongation was prevented with both ways of NO treatments. Moreover, treatments produced nearly complete restorations of diabetes-induced depressed amplitude and altered kinetics of contractile activities. In parallel to electrophysiological parameters, both histopathological and biochemical results indicates the NO induced beneficial effects on the diabetes related alterations.

CONCLUSION

Distillated Nerium oleander (NO) can be a highly potential therapeutic or preventive agent on the diabetes induced excitation-contraction coupling alterations (Tab. 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 23).

The effects of estradiol on cardiac muscle electrophysiology in orchiectomized rat model: a new insight to side effects caused by castration

OBJCTIVE

Although the testosterone has a protective effect on heart, patients having maximal androgen blockade due to prostate cancer resembles endothelial dysfunction and cardiac problems when compared to normal population. We aimed to test the effect of 17 beta estradiol on the orchiectomized male rat heart electrophysiology and ion channel expression levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was conducted on 27 male rats with 4 groups (healthy, orchiectomized, orchiectomized+17 beta estradiol treated and orchiectomized+vehicle treated). Action potentials and contractions were recorded simultaneously, while expressions of the calcium and potassium ion channels were measured.

RESULTS

Testosterone depletion for 4 weeks has caused a significant prolongation in the action potential durations and decrease in maximal contraction force as well as a deceleration. While this depletion suppressed expression of potassium channels, it increased the expression of calcium ion channels. Application of estradiol on the other hand, except for the calcium ion channel expression, had no positive effect on the tested parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Testosterone has a markedly important and protective effect on male cardiac muscle preparations while estrogen does not have any. It is predicted that testosterone has showed this effect by means of modulation of some key points of excitation-contraction pairing of cardiac muscle.

Human split-thickness skin allograft: skin substitute in the treatment of burn

BACKGROUND

Human skin allograft has been used as wound coverage for a long time; it is one of the most successful and widely used dressings for burn wounds in the world.

OBJECTIVE

To prepare a freeze-dried human split-thickness skin allograft and evaluate its cytotoxicity, the structure and physical properties after processing methods and clinical efficacy in burn patients.

METHODS

After ensuring tissue safety, we lyophilized human cadaveric partial thickness skin and exposed it to gamma radiation. Histopathological and immunohistochemical properties, tensile strength and in vitro cytotoxicity were assayed for the skin samples. Then, we tested the samples in 11 patients with deep skin burn.

RESULTS

On histological and histopathological examinations, we found a normal skin structure. The tensile strength of the rehydrated freeze-dried human skin allograft was not lesser than the fresh human skin. Cell viability in MTT testing was more than 95%. None of our patients showed any signs of immunological reactions or complications.

CONCLUSION

Gamma-irradiated freeze-dried human split-thickness skin is safe and non-toxic and can be used for the treatment of patients with deep skin burn.

Characterizing the mesencephalon using susceptibility-weighted imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The mesencephalon is involved in a number of human neurodegenerative disorders and has been typically imaged with T1-, T2- and T2*-weighted methods. Our aim was to collect high-contrast susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) data to differentiate among and within the basic mesencephalic structures: namely, the red nucleus, substantia nigra, and crus cerebri.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

High-resolution SWI, 3D T1-weighted, and T2-weighted data were collected to study contrast in the mesencephalon at 1.5T and 4T. Contrast between structures was calculated for SWI high-pass (HP)-filtered-phase, T1 gradient-echo, and spin-echo T2-weighted data.

RESULTS

SWI HP-filtered-phase data revealed similar contrast for the red nucleus and substantia nigra when compared with T2-weighted imaging. However, SWI was able to show structures within the red nucleus, substantia nigra, and medial geniculate body that were invisible on T2-weighted imaging. T1-weighted imaging, on the other hand, did not reveal measurable contrast for any of the structures of interest. SWI HP-filtered-phase data at 4T agreed well with india ink-stained cadaver brain studies, which appear to correlate with capillary density.

CONCLUSIONS

With SWI, it is possible to create better anatomic images of the mesencephalon, with improved contrast compared with conventional T1- or T2-weighted sequences.

Bupivacaine and ropivacaine: comparative effects on nerve conduction block

Unlike other drugs which act in the region of the synapse, local anesthetics are agents that reversibly block the generation and conduction of nerve impulses along a nerve fiber. This study aims to investigate the comparative inhibitions of bupivacaine and ropivacaine on the frog sciatic nerve. Isolated nerves were transferred to the nerve chamber which includes Ringer's solution. The nerves were stimulated by standard square wave pulse protocols and the responses were recorded with conventional systems. Bupivacaine (n = 8) and ropivacaine (n = 8) were administered in the nerve chamber bath with cumulative concentrations (10(-9) to 10(-3) M) and the effects were monitored for variable time periods (5, 10 and 15 min). Both bupivacaine and ropivacaine significantly depressed the compound action potential (CAP) parameters in a dose-dependent (p < 0.05) and reversible manner. Difference in the effects of these two drugs was detectable only when the dose (> or =10(-5) M) and exposure time (15 min) were increased. Percent inhibitions in maximum derivatives and latency-period measurements have shown that ropivacaine is not only fast but also much more powerful in conduction block for longer and higher doses. Bupivacaine, on the other hand, is effective in the group of fibers with relatively slower conduction velocity for all the measured doses and time periods. In conclusion, ropivacaine has a sensory specific side of action, when compared with the bupivacaine.

Avian influenza in Pakistan: outbreaks of low- and high-pathogenicity avian influenza in Pakistan during 2003-2006

From November 2003 to June 2004 an epidemic of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus of subtype H7N3 affected the major layer and broiler-breeder raising areas of the country. This was accompanied by an outbreak of low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) virus of type H9N2 in broilers and layers, which continued during 2005. Subsequently, in February 2006 avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H5N1 was for the first time found in two isolated commercial flocks in this country. The HPAI outbreak of 2003-2004 was eventually overcome by enforcing biosecurity measures, controlling poultry movements, using inactivated vaccines, and introducing a comprehensive AI surveillance network throughout the country. However, similar measures undertaken to control H9N2 outbreaks have not been successful in the affected areas, with continuing increased mortality and heavy production losses in broilers and layers, respectively. A similar strategy has been devised to combat the spread of newly introduced H5N1 HPAIV. The description of these outbreaks and the results of the control strategy are reported here.

Vegetable oils used as vitamin E vehicle affect the electrical activity of the rat heart

The aim of this study is to define the possible effects of vegetable oils used as vitamin E vehicle on the electrical activity of the rat heart. To test the possible effects of vitamin E vehicles we studied the effect of i.p. injected corn oil, hazelnut oil or peanut oil on the action potential parameters recorded in both papillary and left atrial muscle strips. Four experimental groups were used. The control group was injected (i.p.) with distilled water, while the three remaining groups received injections of corn oil, hazelnut oil, or peanut oil for five weeks (in a dose of 0.4 ml/kg/day--minimum amount of oil in which vitamin E could be dissolved). We used borosilicated (15-20 megaohms) capillary electrodes and intracellular action potentials (AP) were recorded in isolated papillary and left atrium muscle strips. While administration of three different types of vegetable oil had no significant effect on AP parameters of papillary muscle, they significantly prolonged the repolarization phase of AP in atrial strips. These results show that vegetable oils used as vitamin E vehicles may alter the electrical activity of the heart in a tissue-dependent manner. The present data indicate that the possible effect of vegetable oil vehicles should be kept in mind while evaluating the possible effects of in vivo vitamin E administration.

Plasma and erythrocytes antioxidant status and trace element levels in proteinuric patients with moderate glomerular function

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of moderate glomerular dysfunction on oxidative stress. We determined the plasma and erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as a marker of lipid peroxidation, erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) levels and activities of GSH-Px, GSH Red and SOD as an antioxidant enzymes, and plasma trace element levels containing Fe, Cu and Zn in twenty proteinuric patients (6.8 +/- 5.1 g/day) with moderate glomerular function and in 20 anemic control subjects. We found that the erythrocyte and plasma MDA levels and erythrocyte GSH-Px activities were significantly higher (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively) and the erythrocyte GSH levels and activities of GSH-Red and SOD activities were significantly lower (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively) in the patients than in the anemic subjects. Plasma Fe and Zn levels were not to be found significantly different in the patients compared to the anemic subjects. But plasma Cu levels were significantly higher in the patients (p < 0.05) when compared with the levels of anemic subjects. This study was concluded that cellular antioxidant activity decreases in proteinuric patients with moderate glomerular function. This may increase lipid peroxidation reactions by causing oxidative stress in erythrocyte membranes.

Prospective validation of single plasma sample 99mTc-ethylenedicysteine clearance in adults

99mTc-L,L-ethylene, L, dicysteine (EC) clearance shows strong correlation with orthoiodohippurate clearance, and it is possible to estimate effective renal plasma flow from 99mTc-EC clearance. In routine clinical studies, it is practical to use the one or two plasma sample method instead of multiple plasma samples for clearance determination. A single-sample technique was developed for 99mTc-EC, and a regression formula was generated. A prospective study tested the validity of this regression formula.

METHODS

The study population was composed of 26 patients with a wide range of renal function. Multiple plasma sample 99mTc-EC clearances were calculated from all patients using the open two-compartment model. Single plasma sample clearances were also determined from the 54-min plasma sample using the regression formula published previously.

RESULTS

The multiple-sample plasma clearance of 99mTc-EC ranged from 46 to 668 mL/min with a mean of 300.76 +/- 150.73 mL/min. The clearances obtained from the 54-min plasma sample ranged from 49 to 699 mL/min, with a mean of 297.39 +/- 152.23 mL/min. There was an excellent correlation between the clearances obtained by the two techniques (r = 0.99, slope = 0.9911). The standard error of estimation was found to be 25.9 mL/min.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that 99mTc-EC clearance can be estimated from 54-min plasma samples with an acceptable error of estimation for most routine clinical studies.

The role of oxygen free radicals in acute renal failure complicating obstructive jaundice: an experimental study

Oxidant injury is considered to be an important mechanism in the pathophysiology of acute renal failure. It has been thought that decrease in extracellular and intracellular fluid and endotoxemia seen in obstructive jaundice may cause an increase in production of oxygen free radicals and impairment in antioxidant defense mechanism. This study is designed to investigate the possible role of oxidant injury in renal failure seen in jaundiced patients. In this study, 28 rats were divided into four groups: Control (C)(N = 7); Renal ischemia (RI)(N = 7); Obstructive jaundice+renal ischemia (OJ+RI)(N = 7); Obstructive jaundice (OJ)(N = 7). All groups were compared with each other according to renal failure findings and enzyme activities, such as Xanthine oxidase (XOD), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase in renal cortex and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px), in blood at 3rd day after ischemia and reperfusion. Renal failure findings monitored by blood urea and creatinine levels, seemed more evident in OJ+RI than RI group (p < 0.05). When compared with RI, in OJ+RI group, increase in XOD activity at 3rd day was statistically significant [0.259 +/- 0.01 U/g (tissue) and 0.362 +/- 0.03 U/g (tissue) respectively] (p < 0.05). SOD and GSH-Px activities of each ischemic group at 3rd day were decreased compared to non-ischemic groups. This fall was significant (p < 0.05). But there was no statistical difference between jaundiced and non-jaundiced groups. Alterations in catalase activities also had no statistical significance. These findings may suggest that the injury induced by oxygen free radicals at re-oxygenation of tissue after ischemia may also play a role in the pathogenesis of acute renal failure developed in obstructive jaundice.

Functional evaluation of renal transplants with scintigraphy

A variety of techniques have been employed to assess renal function and its evolution after transplant surgery. Since initial perfusion studies are easy to perform, one may be tempted to rely on 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) scanning alone. Some discrepancies have been observed between perfusion studies and clinical outcome of the renal transplant patients however. We therefore decided to evaluate both 99mTc-DTPA and 131I-hippuran renal scanning in 28 renal transplant patients. Sixty 99mTc-DTPA perfusion and 131I hippuran scintigraphies were performed using a same-day protocol. The examinations were repeated in 14 patients at weekly or monthly intervals to monitor the clinical trend of these patients. The results of this study indicate that, for early detection of the kidney problems, 131I-hippuran scintigraphy was superior to 99mTc-DTPA perfusion scans, but for the proper clinical management of renal transplant patients, both procedures should be utilized.

Microbiological Quality of Tehineh Manufactured in Saudi Arabia

Tehineh is a product obtained by the milling of dehulled and roasted white sesame seeds. A total of 50 tehineh samples was collected from ten processing plants in Saudi Arabia. These samples were examined by standard procedures for aerobic plate counts (APC) and counts of coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus , Bacillus cereus , Clostridium perfringens , molds and yeasts and detection of salmonellae. APC of tehineh ranged from 20 to 170,000 CFU/g. The counts for coliforms, S. aureus , B. cereus , C. perfringens , and molds and yeasts ranged from <10 to 300, <10 to 400, <10 to 250, <10 to 100, <10 to 120 and <10 to 50 CFU/g, respectively. Two out of ten tehineh plants (20%) were positive for four Salmonella serotypes. Four Salmonella serotypes recovered were Salmonella hadar , Salmonella agona , Salmonella einsbuettel and Salmonella ubrecht , with S. hadar being the most predominant. The results of this investigation indicate that foodborne pathogens present in tehineh may constitute a potential public health hazard.

Circulation parameters during intravenous and intra-arterial administration of increasing doses of prostaglandin E1 in healthy subjects

Increasing doses of prostaglandin E1 given intravenously do not influence the hemodynamic parameters up to a dosage of 1500 ng/min. Intra-arterial administration of a mixture of nucleotides and nucleosides in therapeutic doses induces an increase in the blood flow volume at rest of up to 400%. With dosages of 20 ng/min and more, intra-arterial administration of PGE1 induces only a slight increase in the blood flow volume of the extremity under treatment. The therapeutic effects of the substance, therefore, are probably more due to other mechanisms of action than to hemodynamic effects.

Microbiological Quality of Shawarma in Saudi Arabia

A total of 108 shawarma (cooked meat) samples were aseptically collected from various fast-food restaurants in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. These samples were examined by standard procedures for determination of aerobic plate count (APC), and counts of coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus , Clostridium perfringens , and the detection of salmonellae. The APC ranged from 10² to 3.0 × 10⁸ CFU/g. The counts for coliforms, S. aureus and C. perfringens ranged from <10 to 10⁶, <10 to 10⁵ and <10 to 10⁶ CFU/g, respectively. Twelve percent of the shawarma samples was positive for Salmonella . The results of this investigation indicate that foodborne pathogens present in shawarmas constitute a potential public health hazard.

Inhibition of growth rate of Escherichia coli induced by extremely low-frequency weak magnetic fields

Cultures of Escherichia coli kept at 0 degree C in a phosphate buffer solution were exposed to a sinusoidal weak 60- or 600-Hz magnetic field of strength 2 X 10(-3) Tesla. A decrease of more than 40% in bacterial count was observed after a 60-h exposure to the magnetic field. Electron micrographs of exposed bacteria show ruptured cell walls, possibly due to the breaking away of flagella under the influence of the sinusoidally varying electromotive force.

Antimicrobial Effect of Butylated Hydroxyanisole and Butylated Hydroxytoluene on Staphylococcus aureus 1

The antimicrobial effect of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on three enterotoxigenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus in Brain Heart Infusion broth (BHI) was evaluated by turbidity measurements. Also, the interaction of these compounds with pH and NaCl on growth of S. aureus strain 100 was measured. Inhibition of S. aureus growth increased with an increase in the concentration of BHA and/or BHT. Complete inhibition of S. aureus growth occurred in BHI with 1.12 μmole of BHA/ml or 0.70 μmole of BHT/ml as well as with a combination of 0.25 μmole of both BHT and BHA/ml. Inhibition of S. aureus growth by BHA or BHT was substantial at pH 7.0 and with 2% NaCl. When 0.84 μmole or greater of BHA/ml and 0.47 μmole or greater of BHT/ml were added to BHL, growth of S. aureus 100 was inhibited to the extent that enterotoxin A could not be detected after 24 h of incubation.