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Abstract Background Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a recently used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) perfusion technique in acute cerebrovascular stroke conditions; it can detect the hypo perfused areas on basis of qualitative and quantitative measurements and also identify the area at risk known as penumbra by detecting the diffusion/perfusion mismatch. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of ASL perfusion technique in management of acute ischemic stroke and its ability to predict the clinical outcome of acute stroke patients. The study was prospectively carried out on 33 patients clinically presented with acute stroke from the first of August 2020 till the first of August 2021. All cases were clinically assessed by stroke consultant followed by brain imaging including conventional MRI and ASL perfusion technique, based upon which management was established. These imaging data were correlated with the clinical outcome after 3 months using Modified Rankin Scale. Results Sixteen cases (48.48%) showed ischemic penumbra with diffusion perfusion mismatch with three cases presenting within the first 4 h managed by intravenous thrombolytic therapy and 13 cases presenting later than 4 h, 10 of whom were managed by endovascular intervention. The group with ischemic penumbra showed significant positive correlation with favorable clinical outcome while the group without ischemic penumbra showed significant positive correlation with poor clinical outcome. Quantitative ASL values were statistically significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in patients with favorable clinical outcome than those with poor clinical outcome. The estimated cut off values of ASL absolute cerebral blood flow and relative cerebral blood flow to predict favorable or poor outcome using ROC curve analysis were 19 ml/100gm/min and 74% compared to the contralateral side respectively. Conclusion The use of MRI as a primary diagnostic tool in arterial ischemic stroke with the application of non-contrast ASL perfusion sequence allows precise detection of perfusion deficit and diffusion perfusion mismatch (penumbra) and provides a reliable insight into outcome prediction.

Abstract Background Cervicofacial vascular lesions are one of the most challenging diseases managed by intervention radiologists and specialized surgeons. These lesions were diagnosed to be vascular in origin by other imaging techniques such as Duplex and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All patients underwent computed tomographic angiography (CTA) to confirm the diagnosis as well as to decide the most effective choice of management based on multidisciplinary team (MDT). Then, Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was done as it is offering an accurate vascular map for the vascular lesions which is inevitable for successful super-selective endovascular embolization which can be done at same sitting. Small cases of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) were sufficiently managed by only embolization, whereas cases of adequately embolized large AVMs as well as juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) cases were followed by surgery with the advantage of less blood loss and decreasing operation time as well as complications. This prospective study was done to highlight the role of combined CTA and DSA in cervicofacial vascular lesion management. Results Twenty patients were included in our study: 16 patients were males, and 4 were females; 17 of them were under 40 years, and three were above 40 years. Preoperative embolization was done in 12 patients, which were all the cases of JNAs and large AVMs. Four patients were managed by only embolization as a definitive treatment. Complete technical success rate was about 94%, while only 6% (single case) of the partial technical success rate which was due to a very small accessory feeder that could not be catheterized even with repeated trials. Conclusions Combined CTA and DSA is the cornerstone for managing vascular lesions in the cervicofacial region, which necessitates a MDT to decide the most beneficial and least complicated way for management.

The Neoproterozoic basement rocks in Ar Rayn terrane set as parts in the Eastern Arabian Shield. It focus the petrological and kinematic vorticity for high deformed volcanic and granitoids rocks in the Al-Amar locality. The volcanic rocks divide into two main series, the eastern sequence cycle represents dacite, rhyodacite, rhyolite and ignimbrites, and the western sequence cycle characterizes andesite and pyroclastics. Furthermore, the granitoids rocks content monzodiorite, tonalite, granodiorite and alkali-feldspar granite. For assessing the proportions of pure and simple shear contributions in penetrative deformed rocks, the kinematic vorticity number (Wm) to the mean appreciation by applying porphyroclast, rotating in a flowing matrix is crucial. In the Ar Rayn terrane of Arabian shield, kinematic vorticity numbers for high deformed metavolcanics and granitoids gneisses vary from 0.4 to 0.6. The deformation in the studied area varied from simple shear, according to vorticity and strain studies. Nappe stacking getting ready during the thrusting activity only through the Al Amar –Idsas fault, according to the results, most likely due to brittle imbrication. A penetrative sub-horizontal foliation formed sub-parallel to the nappe contacts with the beneath laying nappes, showing that the ductile strain was superimposed on the construction of the nappe under high pressure. The Ar Rayn terrane was created sub-horizontal foliation by the buildup of ductile strain during under plating, which was induced by a vertical shortening component. This foliation was formed in the majority of cases during the thrusting nappes upon each other, implying that nappe stacking was related to vertical shortening due to a massive scale by the active Al Amar –Ideas fault.

Abstract Background Diabetes mellitus type 1 is an autoimmune disorder caused by lymphocytic infiltration and beta cells destruction. Curcumin has been identified as a potent inducer of heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a redoxsensitive inducible protein that provides protection against various forms of stress. A novel water soluble curcumin derivative (NCD) has been developed to overcome low in vivo bioavailability of curcumin. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the anti diabetic effects of the “NCD” and its effects on diabetes-induced ROS generation and lipid peroxidation in experimental type- 1 diabetes mellitus. We also examine whether the up regulation of HO-1 accompanied by increased HO activity mediates these antidiabetic and anti oxidant actions. Materials and methods Rats were divided into control group, control group receiving curcumin derivative, diabetic group, diabetic group receiving curcumin derivative and diabetic group receiving curcumin derivative and HO inhibitor ZnPP. Type-1 diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Curcumin derivative was given orally for 45 days. At the planned sacrification time (after 45 days), fasting blood samples were withdrawn for estimation of plasma glucose, plasma insulin and lipid profile . Animals were sacrificed; pancreas, aorta and liver were excised for the heme oxygenase - 1 expression, activity and malondialdehyde estimation. Results NCD supplementation to diabetic rats significantly lowered the plasma glucose by 27.5% and increased plasma insulin by 66.67%. On the other hand, the mean plasma glucose level in the control group showed no significant difference compared to the control group receiving the oral NCD whereas, NCD supplementation to the control rats significantly increased the plasma insulin by 47.13% compared to the control. NCD decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol levels. Also, it decreased lipid peroxides (malondialdehyde) in the pancreas, aorta and liver. Conclusion The (NCD) by its small dose possesses antidiabetic actions and that heme oxygenase induction seems to play an important role in its anti-diabetic effects. NCD also improves the lipid profile and oxidative status directly, proved by decreasing lipid peroxides (malondialdehyde) in pancreas, liver & aorta. The new water soluble curcumin derivative still retains the essential potencies of natural curcumin.

Abstract Background The present study was conducted to evaluate the tumor suppressive effects of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in an experimental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model in rats and to investigate the possible role of Wnt signaling in hepato-carcinogenesis. Methods Ninety rats were included in the study and were divided equally into: Control group, rats which received MSCs only, rats which received MSCs vehicle only, HCC group induced by diethylnitroseamine (DENA) and CCl4, rats which received MSCs after HCC induction, rats which received MSCs before HCC induction. Histopathological examination and gene expression of Wnt signaling target genes by real time, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in rat liver tissue, in addition to serum levels of ALT, AST and alpha fetoprotein were performed in all groups. Results Histopathological examination of liver tissue from animals which received DENA-CCl4 only, revealed the presence of anaplastic carcinoma cells and macro-regenerative nodules type II with foci of large and small cell dysplasia. Administration of MSCs into rats after induction of experimental HCC improved the histopathological picture which showed minimal liver cell damage, reversible changes, areas of cell drop out filled with stem cells. Gene expression in rat liver tissue demonstrated that MSCs downregulated β-catenin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D and survivin genes expression in liver tissues after HCC induction. Amelioration of the liver status after administration of MSCs has been inferred by the significant decrease of ALT, AST and Alpha fetoprotein serum levels. Administration of MSCs before HCC induction did not show any tumor suppressive or protective effect. Conclusions Administration of MSCs in chemically induced HCC has tumor suppressive effects as evidenced by down regulation of Wnt signaling target genes concerned with antiapoptosis, mitogenesis, cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation, with subsequent amelioration of liver histopathological picture and liver function.