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The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of dystocia in camel herds, its forms in primi- and multipara, the risks to fetus and dam, and the associated hematobiochemical changes. A total of 1890 calvings were surveyed for the prevalence of dystocia. Cases with dystocia (n=107) were examined for causes and treated with traction, fetotomy or Cesarean section. Logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors. The dependent variables were the fetal and maternal mortality, while the independent variables were parity, duration of dystocia, causes of dystocia, and method of treatment. Blood samples were collected from all dystocia camels and six controls for hematology and concentrations of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), estradiol-17β (E2), progesterone (P4), total protein, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The overall prevalence of dystocia was 8.6%. Risk of dystocia was higher in camels managed in an intensive system than in those in a free system (Odds ratio=1.9, P=0.0003) and higher in primipara than in multipara (Odds ratio 1.7, P=0.005). Abnormal posture was the most important cause of dystocia (51.4%). Uterine torsion was the second most important cause (23.4%) and was mainly observed in multipara (P=0.0006). Dystocia was linked to high fetal mortality (87.9%). A significant relationship was found between fetal death and duration of dystocia (Odds ratio=8.04, P=0.005). The percentage of dam mortality was 17.8%. Significant associations were detected between dam mortality rate and the duration of dystocia (Odds ratio=4.74, P=0.03) and fetal viability (Odds ratio=5.82, P=0.02). Increasing duration of dystocia was associated with significant increases in SAA, Hp, BUN and AST, but with decreases in E2 (P

This study aimed at elucidating effects of replacing sorghum with blue panic (BP) on total dry matter intake (TDMI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), apparent nutrient digestibility, blood biochemical constituents, rumen fermentation patterns and economic feasibility of Barky male lambs. Fifteen lambs (av. BW, 22.5 ± 1.6 kg) were randomly allotted into 3 treatments (n = 5/group). Control lambs were given a diet of concentrate mixture (CM) plus sorghum (S), BP

Prevalence of C. perfringens in Egyptian poultry causes severe economic losses in poultry industry which evokes innovative solutions for enhanced future prospects. The objective of this study was to employ probiotic cell-free supernatants for inhibition of Clostridium perfringens in poultry meat to control its prevalence in the Egyptian market. Four probiotic strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus EMCC 1105, Lactobacillus fermentum EMCC 1346, Pediococcus acidilactici EMCC 1690 and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis EMCC supernatants’ anti-clostridial effect was assessed using agar disk diffusion assay, while antioxidant potentials and phenolic compounds were determined through colorimetric methods; DPPH, Folin-Ciocalteu and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Fifteen out of 50 chicken samples collected from Alexandria Governorate, Egypt, with percent of 30%, showed positive results for presence of C. perfringens with counts reached 3.71 ± 0.25 Log10 CFU/g. L. rhamnosus EMCC 1105 showed higher anti-clostridial potentials with inhibition zone diameter of 30 mm at concentration of 100 mg/ml and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 6.25 mg/ml. Furthermore, L. rhamnosus revealed the best antioxidant potentials with IC50 46.59 μg/ml, total phenolic content 172.08 mg/ml and total flavonoid content 17.22 mg/ml. When different concentrations of its supernatant 25, 50 and 100 mg/g were applied, 100 mg/g were able to eliminate C. perfringens EMCC1574 from chicken meat on the 4th day of cold storage. For antagonistic potentials against clostridial infections, this probiotic strain could be recommended for further trials in other applications targeting food safety.

Impotentia generandi (IG) is a major problem in male dromedary camels. The objective of this research was to characterize the FSH, LH and testosterone profiles and their association with clinical findings and semen characteristics in IG-male dromedaries. Semen was collected by electroejaculation from camels with IG (n = 17) and from a fertile group (FERT, n = 5) and was evaluated for motility, viability, abnormality and concentration. According to their sperm counts, the IG-camels were categorized into three groups: those with normal sperm concentration (IG-NC, n = 8), those with oligospermia (IG-OLIGO, n = 5) and those with azoospermia (IG-AZOO, n = 4). Jugular blood was collected from all camels for analysis of FSH, LH and testosterone (T) concentrations. Results showed that the FSH, LH and T levels were higher in the IG-OLIGO and IG-AZOO groups than in the FERT and IG-NC groups (P

Introduction L’apremilast complete depuis octobre 2016 l’arsenal therapeutique du psoriasis. Il n’existe cependant aucune donnee prospective sur son utilisation en pratique courante en France. Materiel et methodes Nous avons mene une etude observationnelle prospective, multicentrique (centres liberaux et hospitaliers), en vie reelle entre mai 2018 et mai 2019, ayant pour objectif d’evaluer la tolerance et l’efficacite de l’apremilast dans le psoriasis. Les criteres d’inclusion etaient : âge > 18 ans, psoriasis en plaques, primo-prescription d’apremilast. Les donnees demographiques, comorbidites, histoire du psoriasis, scores de severite (PASI, PGA, DLQI), tolerance etaient recueillis a l’initiation, puis a 4, 12 et 24 mois. Resultats Deux cent dix-huit patients ont ete inclus ; 110 avaient une visite a 4 mois disponible, analyse en intention de traiter. Nous en rapportons ici les caracteristiques. Soixante hommes et 50 femmes etaient inclus d’âge moyen 55,9 ans. L’âge moyen au diagnostic du psoriasis etait de 34,4 ans, l’indice de masse corporelle moyen de 27,8 kg/m2. Il existait des comorbidites : diabete 18,8 %, hypertension arterielle 29,1 %, dyslipidemie 18,2 %, tabagisme 24,5 %, alcoolisme 8,2 %, rhumatisme psoriasique peripherique 10 %, et axial 2,7 %. Soixante-douze patients (65,4 %) avaient deja recu un traitement systemique : phototherapie n = 41, retinoides n = 29, methotrexate n = 31 et ciclosporine n = 9. Cinq patients avaient deja recu une biotherapie. Le nombre moyen de traitements systemiques anterieurs etait de 1 (1,5 en excluant les patients naifs de traitement systemique). A l’inclusion, les PASI, PGA et DLQI moyen etaient respectivement de 10,4, 2,8 et 10. A 4 mois, les PASI, PGA et DLQI moyen etaient respectivement de 5,6, 1,7 et 4,9. Un score PASI 50, 75 et 90 etait atteint respectivement pour 45,5 %, 38,6 % et 10,9 % des patients. Parmi les patients, 21,8 % augmentaient leur score PASI a 4 mois. Un DLQI 0 ou 1 etait note chez 41 patients a 4 mois (versus 3 a l’inclusion). A la visite a 4 mois les effets secondaires suivants etaient rapportes : diarrhees 40,2 %, vomissements 8,9 %, troubles digestifs 17 % et somnolence 4,5 %. Aucun evenement indesirable grave n’etait rapporte. Discussion Dans cette etude, les patients ont un profil habituel en termes de comorbidites cardiovasculaires et metaboliques, avec un taux de rhumatisme psoriasique bas (qui peut s’expliquer par la place limitee de l’apremilast dans la strategie therapeutique du rhumatisme psoriasique). Les patients presentent a l’initiation un psoriasis de severite moderee. Les donnees d’efficacite a 4 mois sont comparables a celles des etudes de phase III de l’apremilast, celles des effets secondaires, en particulier digestifs, superieures, ce qui est habituel dans les etudes en vie reelle. Conclusion L’analyse de ces resultats intermediaires confirme le niveau d’efficacite a 4 mois de l’apremilast dans le psoriasis en plaques.

Erythropoietin and curcumin showed promising neuroprotective effects in various models of Alzheimer's dementia. This study was designed to compare the beneficial effects of erythropoietin and/or curcumin in intracerebro-ventricular (ICV) streptozotocin-induced Alzheimer's like disease in rats. Rats received ICV injection of either saline (control, n=8 rats), or streptozotocin. Three weeks following surgery, streptozotocin-injected rats were assigned into 4 groups (8 rats each); vehicle, curcumin (80mg/kg/day, orally), erythropoietin (500 IU/kg every other day, intraperitoneally) and combined (curcumin and erythropoietin)-treated groups. After 3 months of treatment, rats were subjected to neurobehavioral testing, and then killed for biochemical and histological assessment of hippocampus. Fas ligand protein and caspase-8 activity as mediators of extrinsic apoptotic pathway, oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione) and β-amyloid (1-40 and 1-42) peptides were measured. The results showed that administration of erythropoietin suppressed extrinsic apoptosis better than curcumin, while curcumin was more effective in combating oxidative stress in ICV-streptozotocin injected rats. Both erythropoietin and curcumin treatments (individually or combined) equally reduced the hippocampal β-amyloid accumulation and improved cognitive impairment in Morris water maze and passive avoidance tasks. The combined treatment was the most effective in ameliorating apoptosis and oxidative stress rather than behavioral responses or β-amyloid burden. In conclusion, ICV-streptozotocin-induced Alzheimer's dementia activates hippocampal Fas ligand-mediated apoptosis, which could be reduced by erythropoietin and/or curcumin treatment. Curcumin supplementation alone could ameliorate cognitive deficits and reverse biochemical alterations in ICV-streptozotocin Alzheimer's rat model without the hazardous polycythemic effect of long-term erythropoietin injection.

This study was conducted to investigate effects of supplementing two doses of quebracho tannins (QT; 100 or 200 g/cow/d; QT100 or QT200) pre and post parturition to thirty Holstein dairy cows on Dry Matter Intake (DMI), milk yield and composition, blood metabolites and reproductive performance for 12 weeks. There were no significant changes in DMI due to QT at transition period of dairy cows. QT supplementation at either level decreased (P 0.05) the total number of ovarian follicles, number of large follicles, diameter of largest follicle, number of small follicles, number and diameter of corpus luteum, and progesterone concentration. The inclusion of QT increased days open and number of services per conception, which consequently decreased conception rate, compared to the control cows. QT100 decreased (P < 0.05) serum total protein, globulin, glucose and triglycerides concentrations as compared with their values in control cows. Thus, the supplementation of commercial QT to dairy cows at their transition period had negative impacts on productive and reproductive performance.

A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was designed to test effects of supplementation of a low (L, 75 mg/kg BW) vs. high (H, 150 mg/kg BW) L-arginine given at early (first 56 days) vs. late (last 56 days) pregnancy on maternal hormones and neonatal traits. Thirty Najdi pregnant ewes were randomly allocated into 6 groups. Ewes in G1 and G2 served as controls (C), given 50 ml saline at either early (CE) or late (CL) pregnancy, respectively. G3 and G4 ewes in early pregnancy received low (LE) and high L-arginine (HE), respectively. G5 and G6 ewes in late pregnancy received low (LL) and high (HL) L-arginine, respectively. A weekly blood sample was collected from initiation of the treatment till parturition. Serum growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin, progesterone (P4) and estradiol 17 β (E2) profiles were determined. Neonatal traits were also determined. Insulin was higher (P 0.05). Lamb survival rates at birth in LE ewes were highest (100%) compared to other treatments. In conclusion, supplementing pregnant ewes with low dosage of L-arginine at early stage of gestation increased lamb birth weight and survival, and improved maternal health.

The effect of inclusion of three antioxidants (Vitamin E, cysteine and glutathione) in ram semen extender on the release of antioxidant enzymes and free radicals was studied. A 3 × 3 factorial experiment was conducted to test effects of supplementing ram semen extender with Vitamin E (1, 5 and 10 IU), cysteine (1, 5 and 10 mM) or glutathione (0.5, 1 and 2 mM) on the sperm survival and release of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Eighty ejaculates of eight fertile Najdi rams were collected, assessed for the gross examination and the good ejaculates (≥90% motility) were pooled and sperm count was assessed. Therefore ten extenders; control (C) and 9 treated (C plus antioxidant) were tested. Extended semen was stored at 5°C for 96 h, examined for motility and survival and sperm cells were separated from plasma, sonicated, homogenized and exposed to the determinations of SOD, GPX and TBARS. The highest sperm survival was found in diluents containing 5 IU Vitamin E/ml, 1 and 2 mM glutathione (55.5% survival), while the lowest survival was found in 10 mM cysteine (11.1%). TBARS concentration was highest (P < 0.05) in control than other treatments, however, Vitamin E and glutathione exhibited low values. Contrariwise, activities of SOD and GPX increased (P < 0.05) within sperm cells and seminal plasma in diluents containing 5 IU E, 1 mM and 2 mM glutathione. The enzymatic activities were generally higher in seminal plasma than in sperm cells. It was concluded that supplementing ram semen extender during chilled storage with 5 IU Vitamin E per ml or 1 - 2 mM glutathione enhanced sperm survival and reduced free radicals.

The residues of the sex steroid hormones were determined in the milk, eggs and their products. Sixty five samples of eggs (Baladi and Pure Breeds), milk (liquid, powder and condensed), cheese (soft, semi-soft and hard), ice cream, chocolates, butter (local and imported) and yoghurt were used in addition to 97 processed samples were used in this study. Five grams of each sample was taken out after homogenizing the sample in an electric blender, mixed with 10 ml hexane in a conical flask (100 ml) and incubated under shaking in a shaking water bath for 2 hours (30oC). The sample was poured off into a clean centrifuge tube and centrifuged (3000 rpm/15 minutes, 5°C). The supernatant was aspirated and poured into a clean labeled glass tube. The steroid extract was then exposed to a weak stream of nitrogen gas while samples were incubated on a warm (25oC) metal block until the whole liquid was evaporated. The precipitate was reconstituted in 5 ml phosphate buffer saline (PBS, pH 7.2). Hormone determinations of progesterone (P4), estradiol17 (E2), testosterone (T) and androstenedione (A2) were conducted by commercial ELISA kits. Results exhibited that the highest residues of the four hormones were detected in fresh eggs followed by milk due to the condensed and powder milk, then cheeses. However, the lowest levels of the four hormones existed in yoghurt. Butter, sweets, ice creams and bakeries contained intermediate levels of the four hormones. Also, baladi eggs contained less residues of the four hormones than in white eggs. Also imported food products (i.e. milk, butter, cheese) contained higher residues of the four hormones than their local counterparts.Despite the detection of some residues of the four sex steroid hormones in the food products studied, these levels still far below the maximum allowable levels approved by WHO guidelines in this respect. In conclusion, the consumers especially the children and adolescents must not exceed consuming more than 3 eggs per day and it is better to consume local fresh milk than the imported condensed milk to avoid the accumulation of such hormone residues in their bodies which might affect their future sex life. Keywords: Testosterone, progesterone, estradiol 17, androstenedione, eggs, milk products

Introduction Les traitements systemiques sont utilises depuis de nombreuses annees dans le psoriasis en plaques. L’apremilast (APR) a une AMM proche de celle du methotrexate (MTX). L’objectif de cette etude etait d’evaluer le profil des patients a l’introduction de ces traitements, en vie courante. Materiel et methodes Il s’agissait d’une etude non interventionnelle, retrospective, multicentrique realisee entre le 22 janvier et le 9 avril 2018. Etaient inclus les patients ≥ 18 ans atteints de psoriasis chez qui avait ete debute du MTX ou de l’APR entre le 3 octobre 2016 (date de l’AMM de l’APR) et le 19 janvier 2018 (debut de l’etude). Les donnees colligees comprenaient le lieu de prescription (ville/hopital), le type de traitement (MTX/APR), l’âge, le sexe, les caracteristiques du psoriasis (âge de debut, type, severite (PGA), rhumatisme psoriasique, traitements anterieurs), l’indice de masse corporelle, la presence d’un diabete, d’une dyslipidemie, d’une hypertension arterielle (HTA), le tabagisme, un antecedent de pathologie cardiovasculaire, de cancer, une depression, une infection chronique, la preference du patient pour le traitement. Resultats Cinq cent soixante-quinze patients etaient inclus ( Tableau 1 ). En analyse univariee, l’APR etait utilise chez des patients plus âges (p Conclusion Dans cette etude, l’APR a majoritairement ete initie apres echec a au moins un traitement systemique et ce conformement a l’avis de commission de transparence. Il a ete privilegie chez les patients avec antecedent de cancer, chez qui une biotherapie etait contre indiquee et chez les patients plus âges, souvent consideres comme plus fragiles.

Introduction L’echelle SKIN-Contraintes associees aux traitements ou Constraints Associated Treatments (SKIN-CAT) est une echelle visant a evaluer le fardeau therapeutique associe au traitement dans le psoriasis. Materiel et methodes La methodologie de validation de cette echelle a suivi plusieurs etapes qualitatives. Afin de degager tous les aspects contraignants des traitements du psoriasis, des interviews semi structurees ont ete realisees par une psychologue aupres de 23 patients et 13 dermatologues. Le verbatim de ces interviews a permis de recenser tous les elements de contraintes associes aux traitements (contraintes relationnelles, organisationnelles, impact sur la vie quotidienne, inconfort d’application/prise…). Cette premiere version comprenant 27 questions a ete soumise a une analyse Delphi a un groupe de dermatologues afin d’evaluer la clarte et la pertinence de chaque item. Cette seconde version reduite a 15 questions a ete soumise ensuite a un groupe de 45 patients psoriasiques afin d’etudier les effets plancher/plafond et la redondance de chaque item, aboutissant a une version 3. Resultats La version 3 du questionnaire comprenant 12 questions a fait l’objet d’une ultime etape de validation au travers d’une etude multicentrique impliquant 23 centres du GEM Resopso sur tout le territoire. Cette etude menee du 1 septembre 2018 au 30 avril 2019 a inclus 243 patients. Etaient inclus les patients psoriasiques âges de plus de 18 ans quelque soit le traitement en cours pris depuis plus de deux mois. Le patient remplissait le questionnaire SKIN-CAT a j0 puis j30 afin de verifier la permanence des reponses et le questionnaire Burden of Treatment Questionnaire (TBQ), seule autre echelle publiee analysant le fardeau therapeutique des maladies chroniques. Les donnees recueillies sont en cours d’analyse afin de valider les proprietes metrologiques du questionnaire. Discussion Un nombre croissant de patients presente une ou plusieurs maladies chroniques. L’evaluation d’une therapeutique repose traditionnellement sur le binome benefice/risque mais oublie les contraintes inherentes a chaque therapeutique. Ces contraintes associees aux traitements font pourtant partie prenante du fardeau global lie a chaque maladie (confort de prise ou d’application, necessite de rendez-vous medicaux, surveillance biologique…). Depuis 10 ans une nouvelle litterature met l’accent sur le fardeau therapeutique (treatment burden) et la necessite d’une medecine la moins contraignante possible (minimally disruptive medicine). Des echelles d’evaluation de ce fardeau lie au traitement ont ete developpees mais sont peu appropriees a la dermatologie [1] (fardeau particulier des topiques, de la phototherapie). Conclusion Le questionnaire SKIN-CAT est la premiere echelle a evaluer le fardeau des therapeutiques dans une maladie cutanee chronique.

This study aimed at investigating the ameliorative effects of probiotic and/or dandelion aqueous extract to reducing the risk of arsenic (As) intoxication on male rats. Fifty rats were randomly allotted into five groups, group 1(C-) given regular diet and water daily for 56 days, group 2 (C+) given sodium arsenate in drinking water, group 3 (PRO) given sodium arsenate in addition to probiotic, group 4 (PRE) given dandelion aqueous extract plus sodium arsenate (prebiotic) and group 5 (SYN) given sodium arsenate plus probiotic/dandelion extract (synbiotic). At the experiment conclusion rats were sacrificed and blood and testes were collected and taken for analysis and histopathological study, respectively. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), Alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) activities and creatinine, triglycerides (TG) and testosterone(T) concentration were determined and testes histopathology was studied. Creatinine, AST and TG were lower (P

This study aimed at investigating effects of dandelion/probiotic on the testis histology and semen characteristics of male lambs. Twelve prepuberal Noemi male lambs (2 ± 0.4-month-old and 20 ± 3.5 kg B.W) were randomly allocated into four groups. Animals in group 1 were controlled, orally given normal saline as the same schedule of treated animals. In group 2 animals were given daily oral 50 ml of an aqueous extract of dandelion leaves. In group 3 animals were given a daily 50 ml of cow’s milk probiotics, and in group 4 animals were given 50 ml of a 1:1 mixture (dandelion extract: probiotic). Animals were treated for 8 consecutive weeks. At puberty, semen ejaculates were collected weekly for further 10 weeks. Thereafter, animals were sacrificed and testicles were obtained, weighed and a histopathological study was performed on the testis. Results revealed that oral administration of the dandelion aqueous extract to prepuberal lambs exhibited disturbances in the histological architecture of the testicular semeniferous tubules. Additionally, dandelion resulted in edematic interstitial tissues with evident vaculations. These deteriorations were reflected in less spermatogenesis (i.e. less sperm concentration and ejaculate volume by 10% and 20%, respectively than controlled group). Also, the percentage of sperm progressive motility was lower (P eminiferous tubules architecture, however, very little vaculation with rare edema was observed. Administration of the synbiotic mixture revealed intermediate histopathological appearances. The highest sperm concentration, testosterone concentration and advanced motility were obtained when probiotic was administered. In conclusion, although dandelion cures some hepatic malfunctions in human, caution must be taken into consideration of the frequent ingestion of dandelion for its harmful effect on male fertility.

Quality of flaxseed oil obtained by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) was evaluated and compared with that of the conventional solvent extraction (SE). The oil yield obtained by SFE, ASE and SE was 36.49, 41.90 and 42.40 g/100 g, respectively. There were no significant differences between ASE and SE oils in their physicochemical properties and fatty acid profiles; however SFE oil showed significantly lower melting point (MP), peroxide value (PV) and saturated fatty acids and higher iodine value (IV) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Furthermore, SFE oil showed significantly higher phenolic acid content (47.58 μg/g) as compared to 20.88 μg/g and 15.69 μg/g in ASE and SE oils, respectively. The main flaxseed lignan; secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG) was found only in the SFE oil (32.28 μg/g). Oils did not differ significantly in their tocopherol contents which ranged from 34.47 to 34.88 mg/g. These results advocate the use of SFE for flaxseed oil extraction.

This experiment was designed to scrutinize effects of inclusion of Gum Arabic versus egg yolk in either fresh or frozen extender for Herri ram’ semen on subsequent pregnancy rate. Semen ejaculates were collected from two rams. Two trials were attempted. Trial I, semen ejaculates were diluted with freshly prepared extenders either contained 10% EY (Control) or 6% GA (GA). Ewes were randomly selected and subdivided into 2 groups and inseminated. Trial II, extenders were frozen (-20°C) for 30 days before using, thawed and semen ejaculates from same rams were diluted and used in inseminations. Ewes were subdivided into 2 groups and inseminated with semen diluted in either control or GA6 extender. Results revealed that using fresh extender surpassed frozen one in achieving better pregnancy of the artificial insemination. Pregnancy rate derived of inseminations prepared by GA6 extender was significantly higher (P

This study aimed to clarify the phenomenon of erectile dysfunction (ED) in male camels and monitor the associated changes in nitric oxide metabolite (NOM), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and testosterone concentrations. A total 18 camels with ED and 10 controls were included in this study. The breeding history was recorded and a thorough breeding soundness examination was performed. Total nitrates and nitrites were determined in sera using the Griess assay. Serum cTnI and testosterone were assessed using ELISA. A complete blood count was also carried out. The results showed that 13/18 male camels with ED had no detectable pathologic lesions in the genital tract (ED-N), while 5/18 males showed pathology in the penis, prepuce, and testicles (ED-P). The ED-P group exhibited higher concentrations of NOMs (P = 0.003), white blood cells (P = 0.0001), and neutrophils (P = 0.001) than the ED-N and control groups. The ED-P and ED-N groups had higher concentrations of cTnI than the control group (P = 0.0001). Testosterone concentration did not differ among the groups. In conclusion, the ED in the camels was associated with a rise in cTnI, probably due to myositic damage. Most of the ED cases in the camels had apparently normal genital organs. In the cases of ED in male camels with detectable pathologic lesions on their genital organs, a rise in NOMs, white blood cells, and neutrophils was observed.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the quality of pita bread fortified with different levels of flaxseed cake flour (FCF) as an under-utilized functional ingredient. FCS was then used as a partial substitute for wheat flour 82% extraction at 5, 10, 15 and 20% substitution levels. The chemical composition of flours, the rheological characteristics of doughs and the quality of the produced bread were investigated. Substitution of FCF for wheat flour increased the protein, fat, fibers, ash and mineral contents and remarkably improved the protein quality of the composite flours. It had also decreased the moisture loss and increased the alkaline water retention capacity (AWRC) of bread as freshness indicators and improved its textural characteristics without significant effects on the physical and sensorial properties until 15% substitution level. The results of the present study in addition to the eminent nutritional and functional roles of flaxseed cake strongly advocate its incorporation into the formula of pita bread and similar bakery products for nutritious, healthy and functional foods.

Pomegranate fruit contains high content of phytochemical constituents which have many health benefits. Peel and rind are wastes of pomegranate fruit processing, represent up to 50% of its weight. This study aimed to evaluate the ethanolic extract of pomegranate fruit parts: arils, rind and peel as sources of bioactive compounds as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities for their application as an active edible film. Results clearly demonstrated that peel extract (PE) had the highest content of total phenolics and flavonoids (342 mg GAE /g and 82.33mg catechol /g, respectively ) followed by rind extract (RE) containing 213.00 mg GAE/g and 70.50 mg catechol /g, respectively, and finally arils extract (AE) ( 108.22 mg GAE /g and 55.58 mg catechol/g), respectively. Results indicated that total anthocyanins content was concentrated in PE (15.24mg Cynidian-3-glycoside/g) and AE (11.04 mg Cynidian-3-glycoside/g), while RE (6.51 mg Cynidian-3-glycoside/g) had the lowest value. Peel extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity followed by RE and were significantly higher than that of AE. These results were confirmed with the DPPH and ABTS+ assays. Consequently, PE followed by RE had higher antimicrobial activity against several pathogenic strains than AE and can be used as natural preservative for food. Peel extract and RE were incorporated into pectin film at concentration of 15 mg/ml to develop an active edible film. Pectin film without the tested fruit parts extract was used as the control film. The obtained results revealed that the film prepared from pectin with PE and RE was successfully developed and considers as an active edible film with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

A three-year crossbreeding program between Aradi Saudi breed (A) with Syrian Damascus breed (D) was carried out in two experiments (one in Jouf and the second in Qassim, Saudi Arabia) to produce four genetic groups of AA, DD, 1/2D1/2A and 3/4D1/4A in each experiment separately. A total number of 677 kids fathered by 36 sires and mothered by 335 dams were used to evaluate performance of kids in terms of growth, carcass and meat composition traits. A generalized least squares procedure was used to estimate direct additive genetic effects and direct and maternal heterosis. All estimates of direct additive effects for growth traits in Jouf experiment were significantly high and in favour of Damascus kids by 12.0–31.9% for body weights and 13.7–30.6% for daily weight gains compared to the founder breeds (p < 0.01), while in Qassim experiment the estimates ranged from 17.1 to 34.2% for body weights and from 12.3 to 37.2% for daily weight gains (p < 0.01). Estimates of direct genetic effects for carcass traits were mostly significantly in favour of Damascus goats, but these estimates were in favour of Aradi goats for meat compositions. Moderate and significant direct genetic effects for some carcass traits were in favour of Damascus goats by percentages ranging from 11.7 to 48.6% (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) relative to the average of founder breeds. Lean of Aradi kids had higher direct additive effects by 15.7% for dry matter content (p < 0.01) and by 2.8% for ether extract than lean of Damascus kids. Crossbred kids were associated with significant direct heterosis in the majority of growth traits since heterotic increments were 0.16, 0.76, 0.93, 1.20, 0.79, 0.55 and 1.39 kg in Jouf experiment (p < 0.05) at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks of age, while the respective increments in Qassim experiment were 0.31, 0.52, 1.39, 1.49, 1.43, 1.80 and 1.56 kg (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Pre-slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, and weights of head, skin, heart, and kidneys showed favourable positive estimates of direct heterosis of 1.35, 0.8 kg, 125, 93, 62, and 16 g, respectively. Estimates of maternal heterosis for growth traits in Jouf experiment are mostly positively significant since these estimates were ranging from 2.4 to 10.7% for body weights and 2.4–8.4% for daily weight gains, i.e. crossbred dams of kids had moderate heterotic maternity over their purebred dams in most growth traits studied.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mastitis on CL development and function and pregnancy rate in buffaloes. Sixty-six buffaloes (Bubalus bubalus) reared in a commercial farm at El-Beheira governorate, north of Egypt were used in this study. According to the visual observation of milk, physical examination of the udder and actual somatic cell count in milk, buffalo cows were divided into three groups: without mastitis (W), n = 23; subclinical mastitis (SC), n = 18; and clinical mastitis (C), n = 25. All buffalo cows were synchronized by double dose of PGF2α (11-day interval) and inseminated by frozen-thawed semen of fertile bull. Mean CL diameter was ultrasonically examined on Days 5, 9, 12, 16, 21, and 25 after artificial insemination (AI). Blood samples were taken on the days of ultrasonography for progesterone (P4) assay. Results indicated that pregnancy rates were lower (P < 0.05) in C (28.00%) and SC (55.56%) compared with W (69.57%) on Day 25 after first AI. Pregnancy rates reduced to 60.87%, 44.45%, and 16.00% in W, SC, and C, respectively, at Day 45 after insemination. Thus, the embryonic loss was 8.7%, 11.11%, and 12.00 % in W, SC, and C cows, respectively. Pregnancy rates decreased between 44.32% and 50.51% when mastitis occurred during Day −15 before to Day +30 after AI, compared with 59.22% in the uninfected cows. The diameter of CL was greater (P < 0.05) in W than SC and C cows starting at Day 9 postbreeding onward. Likewise, P4 concentrations on Days 9 through 25 after AI were greater (P < 0.05) in W cows as compared to SC and C cows. Positive correlations (P < 0.01) were found on Days 5, 9, 12, 16, 21, and 25 after AI between CL diameter and P4 concentrations. Similar trend was found among CL diameter, P4 concentrations, and pregnancy rate. Accordingly, incidence of mastitis revealed suppression to both CL diameter and function leading to significant reduction in pregnancy outcome of buffalo cows.

Mandibular fracture is one of the most common facial skeletal injuries. Although its main causes are road crashes and violence, the relation between these causes varies from one country to another. We made a retrospective study of the medical records and radiographs of 509 patients treated for mandibular fracture at the University of Alexandria Hospital between 1991 and 2000. The data that we collected included age, sex, aetiology, date of injury, anatomical site of the fracture, associated maxillofacial trauma, and treatment. The prevalence of mandibular fractures was higher in male subjects in all age groups, and the male:female ratio was 3.6:1. Most fractures were sustained by men in the age group 21-30 years and girls between 0 and 10 years, and the monthly incidence was constant. Road crashes were the main cause, followed by falls and assaults. Fractures of the angle were the most common (22%) followed by parasymphyseal fractures (21%) and the lowest was in the coronoid region (1%).

Quality of medical care should be the highest priority with every department in every hospital, and this is especially true for the emergency department [ED], Guidelines should be seen as only one strategy that can help improve the quality of care that patients receive. This study conducted to determine the effect of development and dissemination of practice guidelines on the quality of care provided to patients presenting with three selected complaints, namely: dyspnea, abdominal pain, and chest pain at ED of Abou Kir General Hospital. The study was carried out at ED of Abou Kir General Hospital in Alexandria, a 180-bed hospital affiliated to Ministry of Health and Population. The study was a quasiexpermental, before and after approach and consisted of three phases. Comparison of process of care before and after intervention was done. The intervention was educational. Observation check lists were used for assessment of adherence to certain elements of process of care based on the developed and validated clinical practice guidelines of dyspnea, abdominal pain, and chest pain during pre- and post-intervention phase. The guidelines were presented to emergency physicians during the three-week interval between the pre- and post-intervention phases and after conduction of workshop. All physicians [18 physicians] working in ED were included in the study. All [258] patients presenting at ED with the three selected complaints: dyspnea, abdominal pain, or chest pain, were included in the study. The study concluded that development and implementation of guidelines for patients presenting at ED with acute dyspnea, acute chest pain, and acute abdominal pain improved compliance of physicians with these guidelines and improve the process of care. The lowest compliance weighted mean score percent concerning the three selected conditions was for history items during both pre-intervention phase [ranging between 4.7% and 28.4%] and post-intervention phase [ranging between 19.7% and 48.9%]. With respect to physical examination area, there was statistically significant improvement in weighted mean score percent for the three selected conditions with highest improvement for abdominal pain [from 30.7% to 50.4%]. As regards management area, there was no statistically significant improvement in weighted mean score percent for the three selected conditions. With highest improvement for dyspnea [from 88.7% to 99.0%]. Based on this study it is recommended to target improvement of the overall knowledge and skills of Emergency Department physicians, as most physicians are not emergency medicine specialists. More time must be allocated to training in the accident and emergency departments than at present; this should be supported by making available more detailed and comprehensive clinical guidelines. Also greater use of complementary educational methods such as practical skill training, case presentation, and clinical audit are very important.

The drug dependency problem in Egypt and worldwide is currently one of the major issues of concern to the public as well as the professionals. This study was conducted on all addicts with acute poisoning by drugs and or substances abuse (n= 149). They were admitted to Alexandria Poison Center (APC) and critical care unit (CCU) at Alexandria Main University Hospital (AMUH) during six months period from January to June 2003. In this study, all addicts were clinically examined. Routine investigations, arterial blood gases and acid base status were done with detection of drug or substance of abuse in urine by Axsym and gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for negative urine samples. The study showed that 71.2 % of addicts were encountered in the age group 20

Over the last decades, the cultivation of fibrous flax declined heavily. There are number of reasons for that fact; one of them is flax susceptibility to the pathogen infection. Damages caused mainly by fungi from genus Fusarium lead to the significant losses when cultivating flax, which in turn discourage farmers to grow flax. Therefore, to launch the new products from flax with attractive properties there is a need to obtain new flax varieties with increased resistance to pathogens. In order to obtain the better quality of flax fiber, we previously generated flax with reduced pectin or lignin level (cell wall polymers). The modifications altered also plants' resistance to the Fusarium infection. Undoubtedly, the plant defense system is complex, however, in this article we aimed to investigate the composition of modified flax seeds and to correlate it with the observed changes in the flax resistance to the pathogen attack. In particular, we evaluated the content and composition of carbohydrates (cell wall polymers: pectin, cellulose, hemicelluloses and mucilage), and phenylpropanoid compounds (lignin, lignans, phenolics). From the obtained results we concluded that the observed changes in the vulnerability to pathogens putatively correlate with the antioxidant potential of phenylpropanoids accumulated in seeds, seco-isolariciresinol and coumaric acid diglycosides in particular, and with pectin level as a carbon source for pathogens. Surprisingly, relatively less important for the resistance was the physical barrier, including lignin and cellulose amount and cellulose structure. Certainly, the hypothesis should be verified on a larger number of genotypes.

Although treatment of one unusually aggressive case of postmenopausal endometriosis with an aromatase inhibitor has been strikingly successful, large clinical trials are required to establish whether aromatase inhibitors will have a significant role in the medical management of endometriosis. Introduction of aromatase inhibitors into the treatment of endometriosis underscores the importance of basic research leading to the development of novel strategies in reproductive disorders. It was shown earlier that aromatase activity was not detectable in normal endometrium. Aromatase, however, is expressed inappropriately in endometriosis and stimulated by prostaglandin E2. Aromatase activity gives rise to local biosynthesis of oestrogen, which, in turn, stimulates prostaglandin E2 production, thus establishing a positive feedback cycle. This favours accumulation of oestrogen and prostaglandins in endometriosis, which is an inflammatory disorder dependent on oestrogen for growth.

We previously demonstrated that 17beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, the enzyme that inactivates estradiol to estrone, is expressed in luteal eutopic endometrium in response to progesterone but not in simultaneously biopsied peritoneal endometriotic tissue. This molecular evidence of progesterone resistance, together with the clinical observation of resistance of endometriosis to treatment with progestins, led us to determine the levels of progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms PR-A and PR-B in eutopic endometrial and extra-ovarian endometriotic tissues. It was proposed that progesterone action on target genes is mediated primarily by homodimers of PR-B, whereas the truncated variant PR-A acts as a repressor of PR-B function. Immunoprecipitation, followed by Western blot analysis, was performed to detect bands specific for PR-A and PR-B in paired samples of endometriotic and eutopic endometrial tissues simultaneously biopsed from 18 women undergoing laparoscopy during various phases of the menstrual cycle. PR-B was present in 17 of 18 eutopic endometrial samples, and its level increased in the preovulatory phase, as expected, whereas PR-A was detected in all samples (n = 18) with a similar, but less prominent, cyclic variation in its levels. In endometriotic samples, however, no detectable PR-B could be demonstrated, whereas PR-A was detected in all samples (n = 18), albeit in much lower levels and without any cyclic variation in contrast with the eutopic endometrium. Levels of PR-A and PR-B in endometriotic and eutopic endometrial tissues were determined and compared after normalization to total protein and estrogen receptor-alpha levels. Using RNase protection assay, we also demonstrated indirectly that only PR-A transcripts were present in endometriotic tissue samples (n = 8), whereas both PR-A and PR-B transcripts were readily detectable in all eutopic endometrial samples (n = 8). This was indicative that failure to detect PR-B protein in endometriotic tissues is due to the absence of PR-B transcripts. We conclude that progesterone resistance in endometriotic tissue from laboratory and clinical observations may be accounted for by the presence of the inhibitory PR isoform PR-A and the absence of the stimulatory isoform PR-B.

In contrast to normal endometrium, the expression of aromatase is aberrant in endometriosis and is stimulated by prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ). This results in local production of estrogen, which induces PGE 2 formation and establishes a positive feedback cycle. Another abnormality in endometriosis – deficient 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) type 2 expression – impairs the inactivation of estradiol (E 2 ) to estrone (E 1 ). These molecular aberrations collectively favor accumulation of increasing quantities of E 2 and PGE 2 in endometriosis. The clinical relevance of these findings was exemplified by the successful treatment of an unusually aggressive case of postmenopausal endometriosis with an aromatase inhibitor.

Objective: To provide a clinically useful model illustrating the molecular aberrations affecting estrogen biosynthesis and metabolism in endometriosis and to discuss the therapeutic role of aromatase inhibitors. Design: Literature review. Result(s): Several molecular aberrations were found in endometriotic lesions (in contrast to eutopic endometrium) that favor increased local concentrations of E 2 . Endometriotic stromal cells aberrantly express aromatase, which converts C 19 steroids to estrogens. Aromatase activity in these cells is stimulated by prostaglandin (PG)E 2 . Estrogen stimulates cyclooxygenase-2, giving rise to increased PGE 2 formation. Thus, this positive feedback loop produces increasing quantities of E 2 and PGE 2 in endometriosis. The lack of aromatase expression in eutopic endometrium is maintained by binding of an inhibitory transcription factor, COUP-TF, to the aromatase promoter. In endometriosis, however, an aberrantly expressed factor, SF-1, displaces COUP-TF to bind to this same promoter and activates aromatase expression and thus local estrogen biosynthesis. Additionally, endometriotic glandular cells are deficient in 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, which converts E 2 to estrone in the eutopic endometrium in response to P. Deficiency of this enzyme in endometriosis impairs the inactivation of E 2 and may be a consequence of insensitivity to P. Conclusion(s): Molecular aberrations that increase local E 2 concentrations may be important in the etiology of endometriosis. These molecules may be targeted to develop novel therapeutic strategies. The clinical relevance of aromatase expression in endometriosis was shown recently by the successful treatment of an unusually aggressive case of postmenopausal endometriosis with use of an aromatase inhibitor.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravaginal Crinone 8% (Columbia Research Laboratories, Miami, FL) versus IM progesterone for luteal phase support after IVF-ET. Design: Prospective open trial with comparison to historical controls. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): Two hundred six women undergoing IVF-ET. Intervention(s): One hundred patients received Crinone vaginal progesterone gel (90 mg once daily) and 106 patients received IM progesterone (50 mg once daily) beginning on the evening of oocyte retrieval. Main Outcome Measure(s): Pregnancy and miscarriage rates, and midluteal serum progesterone levels. Result(s): Positive β-hCG pregnancy rates, clinical pregnancy rates per transfer, and ongoing pregnancy rates were similar for the Crinone and IM progesterone groups. Women who received Crinone had higher rates of biochemical pregnancy loss but lower rates of clinical pregnancy loss (i.e., spontaneous abortion) than women who received IM progesterone. Midluteal serum progesterone concentrations were significantly higher in the IM progesterone group (94.3 ± 8.8 ng/mL versus 57.7 ± 7.4 ng/mL). Several women who received Crinone had vaginal bleeding 11–13 days after oocyte retrieval. Conclusion(s): For all age categories, positive β-hCG and ongoing pregnancy rates were similar when Crinone or IM progesterone was given for luteal phase support in IVF-ET cycles, despite lower serum progesterone concentrations and higher rates of biochemical pregnancy loss with Crinone. Although the results of this study support the use of Crinone as an acceptable alternative for luteal support after IVF-ET, differences in bleeding patterns and rates of biochemical pregnancy loss demonstrate the need for a prospective randomized study.

Cessation of ovarian estrogen secretion is the key event during the climacteric. An enzyme termed aromatase in a number of human tissues and cells, including ovarian granulosa cells, the placental syncytiotrophoblast, adipose and skin fibroblasts, bone, and the brain, catalyzes the conversion of C19 steroids to estrogens. Aromatase expression in adipose tissue and possibly the skin primarily accounts for the extraglandular (peripheral) formation of estrogen and increases as a function of body weight and advancing age. Sufficient circulating levels of the biologically active estrogen, estradiol, can be produced as a result of extraglandular aromatization of androstenedione to estrone, which is subsequently reduced to estradiol in peripheral tissues, to cause uterine bleeding and endometrial hyperplasia and cancer in obese anovulatory or postmenopausal women. Extraglandular aromatase expression in adipose tissue and skin (via increasing circulating levels of estradiol) and bone (via increasing local estrogen concentrations) is of paramount importance in slowing the rate of postmenopausal bone loss. Moreover, excessive or inappropriate aromatase expression was demonstrated in adipose fibroblasts surrounding a breast carcinoma, endometriosis-derived stromal cells, and stromal cells in endometrial cancer and gave rise to increased local estrogen concentrations in these tissues. Whether systemically delivered or locally produced, elevated estrogen levels promote the growth of these steroid-responsive tissues. Finally, local estrogen biosynthesis by aromatase activity in the brain may be important in the regulation of various cognitive and hypothalamic functions. The regulation of aromatase expression in human cells via alternatively used promoters, which can be activated or inhibited by various hormones, increases the complexity of estrogen biosynthesis in the human body. Aromatase expression is under the control of the classically located proximal promoter II in the ovary and a far distal promoter I.1 (40 kb upstream of the translation initiation site) in the placenta. In adipose tissue, two other promoters (I.4 and I.3) located between I.1 and II are used in addition to the ovarian-type promoter II. To add a further twist, promoter use in adipose fibroblasts switches between promoters II/I.3 and I.4 upon treatment of these cells with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) versus glucocorticoids plus cytokines. Moreover, the presence of a carcinoma in breast adipose tissue causes a switch of promoter use from I.4 to II/I.3. Molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for estrogen formation and their physiologic and clinical relevance will be reviewed in this article.

In the last few years several studies were published about the relationship between oral contraceptive use, estrogen dose, different types of progestogens, cigarette smoking and the risk of stroke. There is a persistent association between the use of oral contraceptives containing more than 50microg of ethinylestradiol and the risk of stroke. Also, cigarette smoking seems to be a strong additive risk factor, especially in women35 years old even with lower doses (or =30microg) of estrogen. Unlike oral contraceptives containing50microg of estrogen, currently there is no convincing evidence that the use of oral contraceptives containing50microg in the absence of smoking is associated with any meaningful increase in the risk of ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke. Progestogen-only pills are not associated with an increased risk of stroke. A specific type of progestogen in combined pills was associated with an increased risk of stroke in a few studies. Data regarding this issue is, however, inconsistent and controversial and needs further investigation. There were few if any studies that have addressed the effects of new types of progestogens (i.e. norgestimate, norgestrel or gestodene) and formulations containing 20microg of ethinylestradiol. At the present time we find no reason to alter the current practice in prescribing oral contraceptives. We do concede, however, that there might be a slight causal relationship between use of oral contraceptives containing50microg of ethinylestradiol and stroke that did not reach statistical significance. This relationship is rare and should be viewed in context with the many benefits of oral contraceptives. Underlying risk factors for stroke such as factor V Leiden mutation and other thrombophilias might explain the role of oral contraceptive-induced stroke.

Aberrant aromatase expression in stromal cells of endometriosis gives rise to conversion of circulating androstenedione to estrone in this tissue, whereas aromatase expression is absent in the eutopic endometrium. In this study, we initially demonstrated by Northern blotting transcripts of the reductive 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17betaHSD) type 1, which catalyzes the conversion of estrone to 17beta-estradiol, in both eutopic endometrium and endometriosis. Thus, it follows that the product of the aromatase reaction, namely estrone, that is weakly estrogenic can be converted to the potent estrogen, 17beta-estradiol, in endometriotic tissues. It was previously demonstrated that progesterone stimulates the inactivation of 17beta-estradiol through conversion to estrone in eutopic endometrial epithelial cells. Subsequently, 17betaHSD type 2 was shown to catalyze this reaction, and its transcripts were detected in the epithelial cell component of the eutopic endometrium in secretory phase. Because 17beta-estradiol plays a critical role in the development and growth of endometriosis, we studied 17betaHSD-2 expression in endometriotic tissues and eutopic endometrium. We demonstrated, by Northern blotting, 17betaHSD-2 messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA) in all RNA samples of secretory eutopic endometrium (n=12) but not in secretory samples of endometriotic lesions (n=10), including paired samples of endometrium and endometriosis obtained simultaneously from eight patients. This messenger RNA was not detectable in any samples of proliferative eutopic endometrium or endometriosis (n=4) as expected. Next, we confirmed these findings by demonstration of immunoreactive 17betaHSD-2 in epithelial cells of secretory eutopic endometrium in 11 of 13 samples employing a monoclonal antibody against 17betaHSD-2, whereas 17betaHSD-2 was absent in paired secretory endometriotic tissues (n=4). Proliferative eutopic endometrial (n=8) and endometriotic (n=4) tissues were both negative for immunoreactive 17betaHSD-2, except for barely detectable levels in 1 eutopic endometrial sample. Finally, we sought to determine whether deficient 17betaHSD-2 expression in endometriotic tissues is due to impaired progesterone action in endometriosis. We determined by immunohistochemistry the expression of progesterone and estrogen receptors in these paired samples of secretory (n=4) and proliferative (n=4) eutopic endometrium and endometriosis, and no differences could be demonstrated. In conclusion, inactivation of 17beta-estradiol is impaired in endometriotic tissues due to deficient expression of 17betaHSD-2, which is normally expressed in eutopic endometrium in response to progesterone. The lack of 17betaHSD-2 expression in endometriosis is not due to alterations in the levels of immunoreactive progesterone or estrogen receptors in this tissue and may be related to an inhibitory aberration in the signaling pathway that regulates 17betaHSD-2 expression.

Koryakov recently asked the following question: when a pseudovariety V does not satisfy any non-trivial identity, does there exist an embedding from any finitely generated V-free profinite semigroup into the 2-generated V-free profinite semigroup? During the conference “Semigroups, Automata and Languages” in Porto (June 1994 [2]), a positive answer to this question was conjectured. We give here a counterexample to this conjecture.

C19 steroids are converted to estrogens by aromatase P450 (P450arom). Aromatase expression in humans is regulated by use of tissue-specific promoters in the placenta (promoter I.1), adipose tissue (promoters I.4, I.3, and II), and gonads (promoter II). The use of each promoter gives rise to a population of P450arom messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) species with a unique untranslated 5'-terminus. Aromatase is not expressed in the endometrium of disease-free women. We demonstrated, however, the presence of P450arom mRNA in pelvic endometriotic implants and eutopic endometrial curettings of women with endometriosis. In the current report, aromatase activity and P450arom gene expression were investigated in cultured stromal cells derived from eutopic endometrium and ovarian endometriomas of women with pelvic endometriosis. We also investigated the hormonal regulation of aromatase expression and alternative promoter use in these cells. The effects of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-2, IL-6, IL-11, oncostatin M, IL-15, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, PGE2, estradiol, R5020, dexamethasone, and dibutyryl cAMP (Bt2cAMP) on aromatase activity in endometriosis-derived stromal cells were assessed. We chose treatments with PGs and ILs because of the inflammatory nature of endometriosis. PGE2 stimulated aromatase activity in endometriosis-derived stromal cells by 19- to 44-fold (37-221 pmol/mg protein-4 h), whereas Bt2cAMP induction was 26- to 60-fold the baseline level. No stimulation was observed by estradiol or R5020 or by IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-11, IL-15, or TNF alpha in the presence or absence of glucocorticoids. A modest induction of aromatase activity (2-fold) was observed in dexamethasone- plus oncostatin M-treated cells. These changes in aromatase activity were accompanied by comparable changes in the levels of P450arom mRNA levels, determined by a quantitative reverse transcription-PCR method. Promoter-specific 5'-ends of P450arom transcripts in total RNA from endometriosis-derived stromal cells treated with PGE2 and Bt2cAMP were amplified employing a novel modified rapid amplification of cDNA5'-ends/Southern hybridization method using exon-specific oligonucleotide probes. The majority of P450arom transcripts in these cells contained the gonadal-type promoter II-specific sequences, whereas very few transcripts contained adipose-type promoter I.3- and I.4-specific sequences. PGE2 appears to be the most potent known stimulator of aromatase in endometriosis. Aromatase expression in PGE2-stimulated stromal cells of endometriosis is regulated primarily by the classically located promoter II, which, in turn, is regulated by cAMP. As PGE2 is known to increase intracellular cAMP levels, estrogen biosynthesis in endometriosis may be primarily regulated by PGE2 that is locally produced. Consequent local estrogen production may promote the growth of endometriotic implants.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing-remitting condition that afflicts millions of people throughout the world and impairs their daily functions and quality of life. Treatment of IBD depends largely on 5-aminosalicylic acid (5- ASA) and corticosteroids. The present study aimed to clarify the effects of 5-aminosalicylic acid, budesonide and currcumin on 90 male albino rats against trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNB) induced colitis. TNB was injected intrarectally to 50 rats. The other 40 rats served as control groups. Both 5-ASA (in a dose of 120 mg/kg) and budesonide (in a dose of 0.1 mg/kg) were administered daily for one week whereas currcumin was injected intraperitonially (in a dose of 30 mg/kg daily) for 14 days after injection of either TNB in the colitis rats (group B) or saline in control groups (group A). The study included estimation of macroscopic score index, histological examination of H&E stained sections of the colonic tissue, biochemical estimation of myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO), and caspase-3 levels, in addition to studying the effect of tested drugs on colonic motility. It was found that budesonide and curcumin improved mucosal healing, reduced both NO production and caspase- 3 level. They had the best impact on the disturbed colonic motility in TNBS-model of colitis., {"references":["","Goldman L, Ausiello D. Gastrointestinal diseases. In: Cecil Medicine.\n23rd ed. Elsevier publication, 2008:951-1083.","Hugot J, Zouali H, Lesage S, Thomas G. Etiology of inflammatory\nbowel diseases. Int J Colorectal Dis. 1999; 14:2-9.","Torres MI, Ríos A. Current view of the immunopathogenesis in\ninflammatory bowel disease and its implications for therapy. World J\nGastroenterol 2008; 14(13):1972-80.","Sartor RB. 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The effect of season on ovarian follicular dynamics was studied using 32 Brahman ( Bos indicus ) cows exhibiting normal estrous cycles. Observations were made during September and October (fall: 10 cows) and during April and May (spring: 22 cows). The cows were observed for estrous behavior twice daily, and ultrasound scans of the ovaries were performed per rectum daily throughout 1 complete estrous cycle. Daily blood samples were collected via puncture of a coccygeal vessel and processed to yield serum; serum progesterone (P4) was determined by RIA. Length of the estrous cycle was not influenced by season (P > 0.10); however, serum P4 remained above 1 ng/mL 1.7 ± 0.4 d longer (P 0.10) between seasons, and 53% (n = 17) of the cows had 3 follicular waves, 38% (n = 12) had 2 follicular waves and 9% (n = 3) had 4 follicular waves. Estrous cycle lengths were similar in cows with 2 (20.3 ± 0.4 d) and 3 (20.8 ± 0.3 d) follicular waves, but cows with 4 follicular waves had longer (P

Distilled fatty acids from Egyptian waste soapstock were blended with cottonseed or olive oils and interesterified via pancreatic lipase. The reaction was conducted at 55 °C for 10 h to reach equilibrium at which point 45% interesterification was accomplished. The specificity of 1,3 lipase was apparently reduced by the acid environment of the interesterification reaction. Acyl migration was observed among all the carbons of the glycerol moiety of the interesterified triacylglycerol products. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to evaluate changes in melting and crystallizing properties of vegetable oil–soapstock fatty acid blends before and after enzymic interesterification. Melting and crystallizing temperatures of the interesterified blends were significantly lowered.

Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the esthetic and functional outcomes after surgical excision of nonmelanomatous malignant lesions of the face, followed by a suitable tool of reconstruction. Background Neoplasm of the skin is found most often on the face. Cosmetically, the face is the most important anatomic area for most patients. Because of this, malignant tumors of the facial skin pose a great challenge in treatment, prohibiting compromises between oncologically responsible surgery and functional and cosmetic outcomes. Patients and methods This prospective study included 25 patients, all of them suffering from nonmelanomatous skin cancer and managed at Menoufia University Hospitals and Damanhur Oncology Center by different modalities of reconstruction during the period from April 2012 to December 2014. The appropriate technique was selected for every patient, taking in consideration the location and size of the lesion. Results Eighteen cases had reconstructive procedures with local flaps only, five cases had more combined reconstructive tools in the form of local flaps (rotational flaps) plus split-thickness graft to close the secondary defect, and two cases required reconstruction with a full-thickness graft. Conclusion Our experience showed that the postoperative defects gave the best cosmetic results when reconstructed by using a nearby tissue, fulfilling all patient and surgeon expectations with a minimum rate of morbidity. Clear guidelines and a multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of skin cancer are important to ensure that patients receive optimal care with satisfactory end results for tumor control as well as reconstructive esthetic outcome.