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Background The fish pancreas has been reported to be composed of two portions: compact and disseminated. However, little has been elucidated in catfish. The present study describes a unique localization of the disseminated pancreas in African catfish. Methods The sections were obtained and used for either routine histological examination following staining with haematoxylin and eosin (H & E), periodic acid-Schiff's, or were subjected to immunohistochemical staining for detection of both insulin-producing beta cells and glucagon-producing alpha cells. Results Our investigation showed that the pancreas of catfish consisted of both compact and disseminated portions. The compact pancreas was embedded in the mesenteric adipose tissue between the spleen, stomach and liver. However, the disseminated one showed unique localization in the tunica adventitia of the middle portion of the oesophagus. The pancreas consisted of two portions, exocrine and endocrine. Furthermore, in both types of pancreas, the female showed a significantly higher ratio for the endocrine islet area/pancreatic tissue area than that of the male and also a significantly higher ratio for both insulin- and glucagon-positive area/islet area in the female pancreas (compact and disseminated) than that of the male. In conclusion The present study provides evidence on a unique localization of the disseminated pancreas in the oesophagus of catfish. Furthermore, we revealed sex-related difference in the endocrine portion in both pancreatic tissues with more development in the female. The study suggests that sex hormones could be contributed to such sexual dimorphism. However, further investigation is required to compare the degree of development during the spawning and resting seasons.

Arwa Khaled,1 Hoda A Salem,2 Dina A Ezzat,3 Hadeel M Seif,4 Hoda Rabee51Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University Hospital, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, 62515, Egypt; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al–azhar University, Girl Branch, Cairo, 12655, Egypt; 3Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, 12568, Egypt; 4Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University Cairo, Cairo 8582, Egypt; 5Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, EgyptBackground: Mortality rates increase due to iron deposition in the cardiac muscles of thalassemia major (TM) patients. Iron overload cardiomyopathy could be treated with a combination therapy of an iron chelator and an L-type calcium channel blocker. We designed a randomized controlled study to assess the potential of amlodipine, alongside chelation, in reducing myocardial iron concentration in TM patients compared with a placebo.Objectives: This study aims to estimate the change in myocardial iron concentration (MIC) determined by magnetic resonance imaging after 6months of treatment with amlodipine, as well as measuring the changes in the secondary outcomes (liver iron concentration (LIC), serum ferritin level (SF), and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF)) of study participants.Methods: A single, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was performed in 40 β-Thalassemia major patients aged between 6 and 20years old, who received either oral amlodipine 2.5–5mg/day or a placebo, in addition to a Deferasirox chelation regimen in a 1:1 allocation ratio.Results: After 6months, a significant reduction was noted in the MIC of patients receiving amlodipine (n=20), compared with the patients receiving the placebo (n=20). At baseline, the mean was 0.76±0.11mg/g dry weight, while at 6months, the mean was 0.51±0.07mg/g dry weight (p

Arwa Khaled,1 Dina A Ezzat,2 Hoda A Salem,3 Hadeel M Seif,4 Hoda Rabee51Department Of Clinical Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University Hospital, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt; 2Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt; 3Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al – Azhar University, Girl Branch, Cairo, Egypt; 4Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 5Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, EgyptBackground: The use of T2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been promoted by recent studies as a noninvasive method for the detection of iron overload in thalassemia major patients. This study aims to estimate the iron load in the heart and liver of thalassemia major patients using T2* MRI and to determine its correlation with the left ventricle ejection fraction and serum ferritin level.Methods: Forty β-Thalassemia major patients were included in the study. We evaluated the serum ferritin level, echocardiography, cardiac T2*, myocardial iron concentration (MIC), liver iron concentration (LIC) and hepatic T2* in all patients. CMR T2* findings were categorized as normal cardiac T2* (T2* >20ms) or abnormal cardiac T2* (T2*