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The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effects of Quercetin (QCT) on Hydroxychloquine (HCQ)-induced myocardial affection in rats. HCQ has been found to produce toxic effects including cardiac manifestation. Adding QCT to HCQ ameliorates its effects and prevents cardiac manifestations. For this purpose, eighty adult male rats were divided into four groups (n = 20). Group 1 (control) and group 2 (QCT-treated). Group 3 (HCQ treated) received 20 mg/kg of HCQ and group 4 (QCT + HCQ treated) received quercetin (50 mg/kg; orally) combined with HCQ for 4 weeks. Cardiac troponin-I and oxidative markers (Malondialdehyde (MDA), and total serum antioxidant) were estimated in serum. In addition, histopathological and morphometric changes of the rat heart were assessed. The HCQ treated group showed increased serum levels of cardiac troponin-I, MDA and decreased serum levels of total antioxidant. Pathological picture of myocardial hypertrophy and degeneration together with depleted cardiac tissue expression of troponin T were also observed. The characteristic features were presence of whorled myelin bodies and curvilinear bodies by EM examination. These parameters improved better in the group receiving combination of QCT together with HCQ. So, Adding QCT to HCQ could be prophylactic measure against its cardiotoxic effect compared with HCQ treatment alone.

Seasonal influenza viruses constitute a major global concern. Currently, H3N2 and H1N1pdm09 are the commonly circulating influenza A viruses. The haemagglutin and neuraminidase genes of influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses from Egyptian paediatric patients with respiratory distress were sequenced. Mutational analysis of all published sequences from Egypt was evolutionary tracked for both HA and NA genes. Phylogenetic analysis of H3N2 HA showed that the Egyptian strains belong to 3C2 subclade while Egyptian A(H1N1)pdm09 strains belong to 6B1 subclade. Some Egyptian A(H1N1)pdm09, 2013-2014, strains form a new subclade; 6B3. High score of mutations were recorded in HA of H1N1pdm09 but higher was recorded in H3N2 strains. These findings confirmed a high mutation rate of influenza A subtypes specially H3N2 strains.

This work is concerned with the development of a simple and accurate procedure for trace elements determination in infusion of medicinal plants using neutron activation analysis. The developed scheme involves irradiation of herb (tea in the present work) before immersion into boiled water and then analyzing the induced radioactivity in the infusion using HPGe detector to determine the concentration levels of the extracted elements. Results were corrected for geometry and γ-ray attenuation effects using Monte Carlo simulation. The effects of irradiation dose and infusion period on the extraction process were also evaluated. The developed method proved its efficiency and capability for evaluation of the daily intake of elements reach our body through consumption of medicinal plants.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) has been linked to heart disease in adulthood. This study aimed to examine the effect of gestational protein restriction during fetal and early postnatal life on the cardiac muscle structure and function in adult offspring. Pregnant female rats were randomly divided into two dietary groups: normal-protein diet (NP) and low-protein diet (LP). Fifteen male offspring from each group were included in the study. Offspring body weights were recorded at birth and monthly from weaning until 24 weeks of age while systolic blood pressure was measured weekly. At the end of the experiment, hearts were weighed and processed for light and electron microscopy and immunohistochemical study. Immunohistochemical staining for localization of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and connexin 43 proteins was performed. The gestational protein restriction induced deleterious effects on adult offspring including decreased birth weight, heart weight, and heart rate, and increased systolic blood pressure. Histologically, the number of cardiomyocytes decreased and cardiac fibrosis increased. Signs of degeneration at both structural and ultra-structural levels of cardiomyocytes were also seen. The iNOS was up regulated in LP offspring which was a promoter for apoptosis, while connexin 43 was down regulated which would affect heart conductivity and contractility. Our results demonstrate that adult offspring body weight and cardiac muscle structure and function can be programmed by maternal gestational nutrition. These adverse outcomes suggest the criticality of dietary behavior during pregnancy on long-term offspring cardiac health.

Background: Neonatal HIE is still one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the perinatal period. The effective management and early intervention for these infants depends on early identification of the condition. This study aimed to identifying biomarkers of inflammation in HIE in Saudi Arabia and their association with serum level of S100 protein.Patients and methods: 100 cases of full-term infants were classified into two groups. The first was comprised of normal healthy infants, while the second was composed of infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Blood gases, electrolytes, liver and renal functions were evaluated, along with some inflammatory cytokines IL1, IL6 and TNFα. Correlation between cytokine levels and S100 protein level was adjusted with time.Results: The hypoxic infants recorded decreased pH level and disturbed blood electrolytes in comparison with healthy control. Also, significant increase in serum levels of IL1, IL6 and TNFα was detected in hypoxic group. Positive correlation between serum cytokine levels and S100 protein was evident.Conclusion: The data revealed some of the vital inflammatory cytokines that were most affected due to a decreased blood pH in newborn babies. Such information is useful for predicting treatment to overcome the severe side-effects arising in cases of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The study predicted early diagnosis and treatment as important for the avoidance of serious complications.

Background Aging is associated with structural, functional and biochemical alterations in the nervous system. Calorie restriction (CR) was found to retard most physiological indices of aging. Objectives This work aimed to investigate the effect of CR on age-related changes in sciatic nerves. Materials and methods Thirty male albino rats aged 1 month were equally divided into three groups; Group I [control adult-ad libitum AL]: fed a regular diet and sacrificed at the age of 6 months, group II (aged-AL group): fed a regular diet AL and sacrificed at the age of 18 months, and group III (aged CR) fed a 40% calorie restricted diet and sacrificed at the age of 18 months. Rats were anesthetized and sciatic nerves were processed for light, electron microscope and morphometric studies. Oxidative stress in sciatic nerves was investigated by estimation of lipid perioxidation by product malondialdehyde (MDA) tissue level and antioxidant enzyme; superoxide dismutase activity (SOD). Results The aged (AL) sciatic nerves appeared disorganized, with thick perineurium and increased collagen fibers associated with decreased g -ratio. Abnormal myelin forms were seen as outfolded myelin loops, thin denuded myelin, splitting of myelin into myelin figures and interlamellar vacuoles. Schwann cells revealed vacuolated cytoplasm. There was also significant increase in MDA level and a significant decrease in SOD activity in comparison to control adult (AL). Apparent structural and histomorphological improvement were noticed after CR in aged rats. Conclusion Aging caused structural and biochemical alterations in sciatic nerves with alleviating effect of calorie restriction on such effects.