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Background: Postmenopausal weight gain sounds an alarm for women's health and may lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Flaxseed is rich in antioxidants and may improve liver functions. However, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. Objective: This work was designed to evaluate the possible hepatoprotective role of flaxseed in ovariectomized obese female albino rat model. Materials and Methods: Adult female albino rats were divided into three groups: Group I (control), Group II (High fat diet group) and Group III (bilaterally ovariectomized group) which then subdivided equally into; GIIIa (ovariectomized only group), GIIIb (ovariectomized rats fed on a high fat diet) and GIIIc (ovariectomized rats fed on high-fat diet contained ground flaxseed) till the end of the experiment. After 12 weeks, body weight, serum lipid profiles and liver enzyme levels were estimated. liver specimens were processed for light and electron microscopic studies. Morphometric measurements and statistical analyses were done. Results: Ovariectomy and high-fat diet caused a significant increase in body weight, lipid profiles and destructive changes within the liver tissue in the form of vacuolated cytoplasm, pyknotic nuclei, congested blood vessels and mononuclear inflammatory cells infiltration that was supported by a significant elevation in the liver enzymes coupled to a significant increase in the area percentage of collagen fibers and reduction in the Periodic-Acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction. The ultrastructural assessment confirmed these distortions. In contrast, flaxseed significantly corrected hyperlipidemia and hepatic biochemical parameters with critical improvement in the liver histopathological changes depicted previously. Conclusion: Flaxseed may have a hepatoprotective role against steatohepatitis and fibrosis in ovariectomized obese rat model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. T1D in children and adolescents is considered a high-risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease afterward in adulthood. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) number and function were found to influence endothelial function and vessels repair. Carotid intima medial thickness (CIMT) measurement has been a method to detect subclinical cardiovascular changes in children and adolescents with T1D, along with lipid profile and markers of glycemic control. Methods: Sixty children and adolescents with T1D with disease duration exceeding 5 years were recruited from Diabetes clinic Ain Shams University Hospitals. They were compared to 60 age and sex-matched healthy controls attending the outpatients' clinics. All subjects were subjected to history taking, examination and blood sample withdrawal for - EPCs, lipid profile; total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, as well as mean random blood sugar (RBS) and mean HBA1c. Also, early morning samples of urine were collected for microalbumin, measurement of carotid intema media thickness was done and nerve conduction velocity study was performed on all patients as well as fundus examination. Results: EPCs number and percentage were significantly lower in the patients' group (p=0.001). The mean CIMT in the patients' group was significantly higher in the patients' group compared to the control group (p=0.003). Moreover, the patients' group had significantly higher levels of total serum cholesterol (p=0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (0.015), and lower levels of HDL-cholesterol (p=0.003) than the control group. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between EPCs percentage and mean RBS (p=0.022), mean HbA1c% (p=0.013), the presence of diabetic retinopathy (p=0.001) but not with diabetic nephropathy nor diabetic neuropathy, total serum cholesterol (0.003), LDL cholesterol (p=0.015) and mean CIMT (p=0.021). Conclusion: EPCs percentage is a good predictor for increased CIMT in children with T1D. Yet, further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this relationship. Children and adolescents with T1D are at increased risk for atherosclerosis and macrovascular complications supported by the increased levels of harmful lipids (total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol) and increased mean CIMT. This may contribute to new strategies for early detection of diabetes-related complications and intervention to prevent macrovascular complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is associated with a high risk for early atherosclerotic complications especially risk of coronary heart disease. Objective To evaluate the impact of six months exercise prgram on glycemic control, plasma lipids values, blood pressure, severity and frequency of hypoglycemia, anthropometric measurements and insulin dose in a sample of adolescents with T1DM. Research design and methods A total of 196 type 1 diabetic patients participated in the study. They were classified into three groups: Group (A) did not join the exercise program(n = 48), group (B) attended the exercise sessions once/week (n = 75), group (C) attended the exercise sessions three times/week (n = 73). Studied parameters were evaluated before and six months after exercise programe. Results Exercise improved glycemic control by reducing HbA1c values in exercise groups (P = 0.03, P = 0.01 respectively) and no change in those who were not physically active (P = 0.2). Higher levels of HbA1c were associated with higher levels of cholesterol, LDL-c, and triglycerides (P = 0.000 each). In both groups, B and C, frequent exercise improved dyslipidemia and reduced insulin requirements significantly (P = 0.00 both), as well as a reduction in BMI (P = 0.05, P = 0.00 respectively) and waist circumference(P = 0.02, P = 0.00 respectively). The frequency of hypoglycemic attacks were not statistically different between the control group and both intervention groups (4.7 ± 3.56 and 4.82 ± 4.23, P = 0.888 respectively). Reduction of blood pressure was statistically insignificant apart from the diastolic blood presure in group C (P = 0.04). Conclusion Exercise is an indispensable component in the medical treatment of patients with T1DM as it improves glycemic control and decreases cardiovascular risk factors among them.

Introduction: Gastric ulcer is a serious health problem of worldwide concern. Caffeine is affirmed globally as a safe dietary element as a result of its high antioxidant content. Aim of the Work: To assess the cytoprotective impact of caffeine on the intact gastric mucosa and aspirin-induced gastric ulcer in adult male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Forty-two adult male albino rats were divided into four groups. Group I (control group). Group II (caffeine group), received aqueous caffeine (300 mg /kg/day) by gastric tube. Group III, overnight fasted rats received aspirin solution (200 mg/kg/day) orally for 5 consecutive days, then rats were further subdivided equally into: Subgroup IIIa (gastric ulcer group), sacrificed six hours after the last aspirin dose, subgroup IIIb, left without treatment for 4 weeks and subgroup IIIc received caffeine orally for 4 weeks. Group IV (caffeine prophylactic group) before ulcer induction. Serum was maintained for antioxidants activity assay; total antioxidant capacity (TAC), prostaglandin (PGE2) and tumour necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-α). Specimens of stomach body were processed for light and electron microscopic studies. Morphometric and statistical analysis was done. Results: Light microscopic study of the gastric ulcer group depicted deep erosion, damage of parietal and chief cells with vacuolated cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei, congested blood vessels and aggregated mononuclear inflammatory cells that were supported by a significant increase of (TNF-α) expression coupled to a significant decrease in PGE2 and TAC levels and a significant reduction of Periodic-Acid-Schiff reaction coupled to a significant increase in area percentage of collagen fibers upon aspirin administration. The ultrastructural assessment confirmed these distortions. Whereas, caffeine prophylactic and treated groups revealed greater improvement in the histological changes depicted previously. Conclusion:Caffeine has protective impacts on the intact gastric mucosa. Additionally, it alleviated aspirin-induced gastric mucosal lesions in adult male albino rats that might be related to its high antioxidant content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consistent increase in the incidence of diabetes and its complications represents an obsession of health care providers worldwide. Diabetic nephropathy is responsible for nearly half of the chronic kidney diseases. The morbidity and mortality rates of diabetes patients admitted to dialysis is much higher than non-diabetic cases. These facts are behind the tremendous efforts undertaken to understand the pathogenesis and therapeutic modalities of this disease. Over the last four years, a plethora of data has evolved to revive the hope not only to slow the rate of progression of this disease but possibly to prevent its evolution. In this review, we are going to discuss the most relevant and novel pathogenic mechanisms of diabetic nephropathy and the most suitable approach to prevent its development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25 OH D) is common among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This cross-sectional study is looking for the different factors associated with serum 25 OH D among pre-dialysis CKD. 1624 adult stage 3–5 CKD patients were studied beside 200 normal control subjects. All candidates were tested for body mass index (BMI), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), parathormone (PTH), 25 OH D, albumin, and uric acid (UA), and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR). Multivariate linear regression analysis was done to determine predictors of 25 OH D. 98.6% of CKD patients have inadequate level of 25 OH D vs 48% of normal subjects. Serum 25 OH D was significantly lower in CKD patients (mean ± S.D = 16.54 ± 5.8 vs 37.79 ± 3.58 ng/mL for CKD vs control group respectively, p <.001). Serum level of 25 OH D has significant positive correlation with Ca (r = 0.337, p <.001), and significant negative correlation with P, PTH, UA, and ACR (r = −0.440, −0. 679, −0.724, and −0.781respectively, p <.001 in all). The independent predictors of 25 OH D were Ca, P, UA, PTH, and ACR (R square = 0.7, β = −0.087, −0.226, −0.313, −0.253, and −0.33 respectively, p <.001 in all). In conclusion, pre-dialysis CKD patients frequently suffer low 25 OH D. Among the different abnormalities related to CKD, urine albumin excretion rate and UA are the most important predictors of 25 OH D in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, the world faces an unprecedented environmental crisis. Since the Industrial Revolution, the accelerated climate change is believed to be a result of human activities; that increase the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere - to which carbon dioxide is the largest contributor. It made a must beginning to reverse the damage inflicted on the planet. Egypt is exerting great efforts to reduce the emissions of Green House Gases and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and deal with the main challenges that affect sustainable development. Based on an empirical analytical study, the paper examines all of the environmental factors and its effect on carbon dioxide concentration taking into consideration the characteristic of the urban fabric and conditions of Alexandria one of the biggest cities in Egypt as an applied case study of a big willing costal city. The paper simultaneously aims the management of the carbon dioxide emissions through several recommendations based on the stated study, while creating a vibrant urban environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current study investigated the possible role of the cell cycle regulator, cyclin-dependent kinases regulatory subunit-2; the angiogenic factor, platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor; and the cell adhesive molecule, neural cadherin, as prognostic factors in schistosomal and non-schistosomal-associated urothelial carcinomas. We also investigated the possible correlation between cyclin-dependent kinases regulatory subunit-2, platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor, neural cadherin, tumor grade, and stage. Methods: The study included 40 patients with primary bladder cancer (25 nonschistosomal-associated and 15 schistosomal-associated) who had no prior anticancer treatment. Tumor specimens were collected at the time of the transurethral resection. The vivid portions of the resected tumors were subjected to routine pathological examinations to determine stage, grade, and schistosomal infestation. Control bladder tissues (5 cases) were obtained by cystoscopic biopsies from patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate. Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor and neural cadherin protein expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. RNA was extracted, reverse transcribed, and amplified by PCR using cyclin-dependent kinases regulatory subunit-2 specific primers. Relative expression was detected by a comparison of the expression in normal and tumor samples relative to GAPDH (housekeeping) gene expression. Results:We detected a positive correlation between neural cadherin and plateletderived endothelial cell growth factor proteins in schistosomal-associated and non-schistosomal-associated bladder cancer. Significant overexpression of relative cyclin-dependent kinases regulatory subunit-2 gene, neural cadherin, and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor proteins were detected in invasive stages and higher grades of bladder cancer. Differential expressions of neural cadherin and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor proteins, tumor recurrence, and tumor progression were detected between schistosomal-associated and non-schistosomal-associated bladder cancer. Conclusion: Cyclin-dependent kinases regulatory subunit-2, neural cadherin, and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor may be used as biomarkers for predicting bladder cancer outcome and aid in selecting patients for more aggressive treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Glucocorticoids are essential in protocols of therapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Objectives To assess the incidence, severity, morbidity, and risk factors of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) suppression in children with ALL, and the time course of recovery. Design Forty standard risk ALL children treated in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit, Ain-Shams University, Egypt, were classified into dexamethasone (DXM) group: 20 patients on children cancer group protocol and prednisone (PDN) group: 20 patients on modified Berlin-Frankfurt-Muenster (BFM) study group 90 protocol. Patients were followed clinically and by laboratory assessment of morning s.ACTH, basal and after low-dose adrenocorticotrophic hormone stimulation test of cortisol and DHEAS, at diagnosis and every 2 weeks till adrenal recovery. Results HPA recovery was earlier in PDN than DXM group (P < 0.05). In induction phases 1 and 2: 65 and 75% of PDN group recovered on week 2, while 45 and 50% of DXM group recovered in week 4. Adrenal recovery was predicted 2 weeks earlier by normalized s.DHEAS. Children below 5 years of age had earlier recovery in PDN group (P = 0.04), no age effect in DXM group. Conclusion Adrenal suppression is an inevitable consequence of ALL therapy. Monitoring of cortisol levels and steroid coverage during stress is recommended, and gradual steroid tapering is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]