Tissue Engineering Scaffold Slowly Releasing Neurotrophic Factors to Bridge Long Peripheral Nerve Defect

Consistent application of neurotropic factors is necessary in peripheral nerve regeneration, yet challenging to achieve. Here we used a novel neurotropic factor controlled release system consisted of fibrin, fibronectin and hydrogel to slowly release two neurotrophic factors. At the same time, physiological saline and reverse nerve suturing were used as negative and positive control. A year after surgery, animals which were treated by neurotrophic factor slow release system achieved far better neural regeneration and myelination, as well as superior recovery of hindfoot than the negative control group. In the meanwhile, the results in the experimental group are still inferior to the nerve allograft group. In can be concluded from those results that, consistent releasing of neurotrophic factors can significantly promote long peripheral nerve regeneration, but still short of achieving the results same as the gold standard of autologous nerve grafting.

Effects of Exogenous Hydrogen Sulfide in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus on Gastric Function in Rats

Background: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a new type of gas neurotransmitter discovered in recent years. It plays an important role in various physiological activities. The hypothalamus paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is an important nucleus that regulates gastric function. This study aimed to clarify the role of H2S in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus on the gastric function of rats.Methods: An immunofluorescence histochemistry double-labelling technique was used to determine whether cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) and c-Fos neurons are involved in PVN stress. Through microinjection of different concentrations of NaHS, physiological saline (PS), D-2-Amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (D-AP5), and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), we observed gastric motility and gastric acid secretion.Results: c-Fos and CBS co-expressed the most positive neurons after 1 h of restraint and immersion, followed by 3 h, and the least was at 0 h. After injection of different concentrations of NaHS into the PVN, gastric motility and gastric acid secretion in rats were significantly inhibited and promoted, respectively (p < 0.01); however, injection of normal saline, D-AP5, and PDTC did not cause any significant change (p > 0.05). The suppressive effect of NaHS on gastrointestinal motility and the promotional effect of NaHS on gastric acid secretion could be prevented by D-AP5, a specific N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist, and PDTC, an NF-κB inhibitor.Conclusion: There are neurons co-expressing CBS and c-Fos in the PVN, and the injection of NaHS into the PVN can inhibit gastric motility and promote gastric acid secretion in rats. This effect may be mediated by NMDA receptors and the NF-κB signalling pathway.

Parasitic contamination of fresh vegetables sold in open markets: a public health threat

Vegetables eating raw are a leading source of transmission of infective forms of pathogenic internal parasites among human beings. This research was conducted from April to October, 2017 to assess the parasitic contamination of vegetables sold at main vegetable markets in districts Lower Dir and Peshawar, Pakistan. Eight hundred specimens of different vegetables were purchased and soaked in physiological saline solution, shaken with a mechanical shaker for 20 minutes and processed by sedimentation concentration method. Results revealed that only 19.7% (n=158/800) of the vegetables were found to be contaminated with single or multiple parasite species. Ascaris lumbricoides (the large round worm) 12.3% (n=99/800) was the most commonly detected pathogen and Taenia saginata (the beef tapeworm) 1.62% (n=13/800) was the least frequently detected one. Interestingly, significant p value (p>0.05 at 95%CI) between the number of examined and contaminated for all the variables studied including education status of the vendors, markets location, type of vegetables, means of display, washed before display, washing source of water and market type. The findings of this study evidenced that consumption of raw vegetables possesses great risk of getting parasitic infections in Lower Dir and Peshawar districts, Pakistan. Instructing the sellers and the public about parasitic disease transfer and their hygiene can reduce the infection rate of parasites of human origin.

Evaluation of vegetables grown in dry mountainous regions for soil transmitted helminths contamination

Infection caused by geo-helminth parasites are called geohelminthiasis are one of the global health problems. Vegetables eaten raw is the principal source of transmission of geo-helminth parasites. Pakistani people believe that eating raw vegetables are a significant source to get important vitamins and minerals. Based on the high incidence of pathogenic parasites and cultivating different vegetable types in the study areas, we conducted this study to evaluate the geo-helminth contamination of raw vegetables in northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This is a descriptive study comprised, 1942 samples of 25 various types of vegetables. The samples were examined in physiological saline solution using sedimentation and centrifugation methods. The findings were analyzed by Graph-Pad version 5. P value less than 0.05 (95% CI) was considered significant. Results showed that 16.5% (n=322) of all vegetables were contaminated with one or more type of geo-helminth parasites. Garlic was the highest (35%) and cauliflower the lowest (4%) contaminated samples respectively. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most common geo-helminth found followed by hook worm species while Trichuris trichura was the least in all the vegetable samples. Leafy vegetables were highly contaminated 25.3% than vegetables with root parts 21.2% and fruity 9.09%. More than half of the contaminated vegetables were contaminated with single species of geo-helminth (P<0.05) while less than half with multiple types of geo-helminth contamination. Ninety two vegetables samples were contaminated with 2 species of parasites (P<0.05) and 45 with 3 (P>0.05) species of geo-helminth parasites. Education level of vendors and means of display were not significantly associated while types of vegetable used were significantly associated with the prevalence of parasites. The findings of this study provide evidence that consumption of raw vegetable has a high risk of acquiring geo-helminth infections. The authors believe that preventing the human to enter to the vegetable farmland for defecation, avoiding the irrigation of agricultural fields via night soil, and educating the people on proper washing and cooking of vegetables may be useful in reducing parasitic infections.

Effect of lidocaine on oxidative activity of peripheral blood phagocytes

BACKGROUND: Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by leukocytes can cause damage to intrinsic tissues. The pathogenesis of sepsis is based on an excessive inflammatory response of the body. Several studies have reported the inhibitory effect of lidocaine on neutrophilic granulocytes. AIM: This study aimed to analyze the effect of lidocaine on the oxidative activity of phagocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood from 16 healthy donors was used in this study. Leukocyte mass was extracted using spontaneous sedimentation. Half of the leukocyte samples were incubated in buffered physiological saline with lidocaine. The other half of the leukocyte samples were incubated in physiological saline without lidocaine. The generation of ROS was studied using two methods. Method 1 included a nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) test), which is based on the ability of ROS to reduce NBT to insoluble diformazan. Method 2 was based on the chemiluminescence reaction. A culture of S. Aureus was used to induce the production of ROS. RESULTS: NBT test revealed a decrease in the oxidative activity of leukocytes in the presence of lidocaine by 18% (p 0.05). The study of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of leukocyte suspension in the presence of lidocaine revealed a significant 2-fold decrease in both spontaneous and stimulated respiratory activity of cells. CONCLUSIONS: After incubation with lidocaine, phagocytes generated ROS to a significantly lower extent. However, their complete blockade was not recorded. This property of lidocaine may be used in clinical practice to treat an excessive inflammatory response in sepsis.

Effect of garlic and ginger extracts on the levels of glucose and Peptide-c in diabetic mice: تأثير مستخلصي الثوم والزنجبيل في مستوى سكر الدم والببتيد c عند الفئران المستحدث عندها داء السكري

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the alcoholic extract of garlic and ginger together on the levels of glucose, peptide -c and body weight in diabetic white mice. The study included 40 male white mice, Balb/c strain, which were divided into four experimental groups (10 mice in each group). The first group was a physiological control that was injected with physiological saline (0.9%) until the end of the experiment. As for the second group, diabetes was induced with a dose of 200 mg/kg of Alloxan hydrate weight of the mouse only, while the third group developed diabetes, and then it was treated with alcoholic extract of garlic and ginger together at a dose of 500 mg/kg of mouse weight for 10 days. While the fourth group developed diabetes and was treated with Glibenclamide. At the end of the experiment, the animals were anesthetized and blood was drawn from them by cardiocentesis. The results showed the effectiveness of garlic and ginger extracts in reducing blood glucose concentration by 35.75% and returning Peptide-c levels to their normal levels, equivalent to Glibenclamide (glyburide), which is known as an oral hypoglycemic agent.

The Effect of Mycotoxins in naturally Contaminated Diet on the Pathogenicity of Escherichia coli in Broiler Chickens

Contamination of feedstuffs with mycotoxins is considered a huge issue plaguing the poultry sector of Egypt. Therefore, the current study was conducted to examine the effect of the neglected natural mycotoxin contamination of ration on the clinicopathological picture of Escherichia coli infection in broiler chickens. A total of 240 one-day-old chicks were divided into 5 groups. The first 3 groups (1, 2, and 3) were further equally subdivided into 2 subgroups (A and B). Those in group A were fed on commercial ration treated with antimycotoxin while group B was fed on ration contaminated with mycotoxins. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were inoculated at one-day-old with E. coli O78, O128, and O157, respectively while group 4 was kept as a negative control and fed on a ration treated with antimycotoxin. Finally, group 5 was kept as positive controls and fed on a mycotoxin contaminated ration and inoculated with physiological saline. All groups contained 30 chicks. Results showed that the challenged groups fed on a ration containing mycotoxin had high mortality (23.3%) and also a high feed conversion ratio. Moreover, severe clinical symptoms, postmortem lesions, histopathological pictures, and a high rate of bacterial re-isolation were recorded. The pathological lesions were congestion of the liver, spleen, and kidneys in addition to severe pericarditis, perihepatitis, air sacullitis, ascites, and unabsorbed yolk sac. The histopathological changes included degeneration, necrosis, and liver inflammation with lymphoid depletion in the spleen and enteritis associated with sloughing of the mucosal epithelium. The obtained results were less severe in the challenged groups fed on a ration treated with antimycotoxin indicating combined action of both Escherichia coli and mycotoxins. In conclusion, the obtained results revealed that the mycotoxins even at low concentrations can augment the pathogenisity of Echerichia coli in broiler chickens.

Analysis of the effects of caffeine and dioxidine on biochemical indicators of blood in mouse

Relevance . In connection with the widespread use of caffeine, an important issue is the study of its interaction with substances that can exhibit toxic effects. Objective. The aim of the study is to assess the degree of influence of caffeine and dioxidine on the biochemical parameters of blood in mice in the forced swimming test. Materials and methods. The studies were carried out on 6 groups of male mice: control and five experimental. During 15 days of the experiment, the animals of the control group were injected with physiological saline, and the experimental animals were injected with caffeine at a dose of 40 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg (1 and 2), dioxidine in an amount of 200 mg/kg (3), and caffeine was combined and dioxidine (4 and 5). Biochemical parameters were used to determine the content of glucose, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, the activity of aspartic and alanine aminotransferases. Results . The introduction of caffeine at a dose of 40 mg/kg led to a decrease in glucose levels below normal and an increase in cholesterol and urea concentrations. The use of caffeine at a dose of 100 mg/ kg caused a decrease in glucose levels below normal and an increase in urea concentration. With the introduction of dioxidine at a dose of 200 mg/kg, an increase in the level of glucose, cholesterol, urea, as well as the activity of AST and ALT was taken. The combined use of caffeine and dioxidine by the 15th day led to 100 % mortality in experimental animals. Conclusions . The results of the experiment indicate that the introduction of caffeine at a dose of 40 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg leads to an increase in most of the measured parameters relative to the control values, but they do not go beyond normal values, however, a decrease in glucose levels is noted. These changes in indicators are due to the predominance of catabolic processes over anabolic ones. In animals treated with dioxidine, a significant increase in the concentration of metabolites and the activity of blood enzymes was found, especially an increase in AST and ALT was noted, which indicates a predominant lesion of cardiomyocytes. The mortality rate of the experimental groups receiving caffeine and dioxidine together by the last day of the experiment is due to the action of an excessive stress factor leading to the depletion of the adaptive capabilities of the organism and the death of experimental animals.

Clinical Audit of Two Standard Surgical Site Treatments Following Dental Extractions and The Impact on Incidence of Alveolar Osteitis Within a Specialist Dental Clinic

Background Alveolar osteitis is a painful condition following dental extraction associated with absence of blood clot and consequent exposure of underlying alveolar bone. It is a condition whose exact aetiology is unresolved and a known complication in up to 30-40% of dental extractions. The following report details a retrospective evaluation of two approved, long-standing wound care treatments used, post-extraction, within our clinic to assess for relationship with alveolar osteitis incidence. Methods Patients undergoing non-acute dental extraction at a dental out-patient clinic in the UK had received two different standard treatments for a period from 2000 to 2014. The treatments were mouth rinse with physiologic saline or surgical site irrigation and mouth rinse with physiologic saline-low dose aqueous chlorine used in wound and burn-site care. Retrospective, post-operative outcome analysis suggested improved outcomes with one of the standard treatments versus the other. A full retrospective audit of consecutive treatment outcomes was implemented to test the hypothesis. The audit data-collection was blinded to the treatment administered and to the identity of the treating clinician. Statistical analysis was carried out independently and blinded to the treatment modality. Results All patients were routinely reviewed within seven days and a determination of un-complicated healing vs alveolar osteitis (requiring further intervention) was made. Our results show that treatment with of aqueous chlorine in physiological saline significantly reduced the incidence of alveolar osteitis versus the control group who received physiologic saline without socket irrigation and chlorhexidine oral rinse home-care. (Odds Ratio 0.0146 Relative Risk 0.029 (95%CI 0.0093 to 0.0928) significance (p<0.001). Conclusions This is the first report to show an extremely significant reduction in the incidence of alveolar osteitis following treatment with low dose aqueous chlorine in physiological saline compared with those receiving the physiologic saline and saline mouth rinse or Corsodyl mouth rinse. This shows an approach to surgical site care is superior to the most common, reported, standard of care treatment. The impact of this has led to improved antibiotic stewardship within the clinic for dental extraction or elective oral surgery, including third molars.

Dose Dependent Degeneration of Leydig Cells Following Kisspeptin-10 Administration: An Ultrastructural Study

Background: The discovery of kisspeptin signaling as a key regulator of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from the hypothalamus enhanced our understanding of the neuroendocrine regulation of mammalian reproduction. Effects of central and peripheral administration of kisspeptin on plasma gonadotropins, testosterone and spermatogenesis are studied in detail. Objective: The present study was conducted to check the ultrastructure of Leydig cells in prepubertal male rats in response to the administration of a range of kisspeptin doses. Method: To this end, we administered a range of kisspeptin-10 doses (1µg, 1ηg and 10ρg) intraperitoneally, to prepubertal male Sprague-Dawley rats (PND 35) twice daily after every 12 hours. Control rats were injected with physiological saline in parallel. Results: At the end of the treatment, plasma concentrations of testosterone was measured by competitive binding radioimmunoassay and small pieces of rat testicular tissue were processed for electron microscopy to examine the ultrastructure of Leydig cells. Plasma testosterone concentration was reduced significantly at 1ηg (P<0.05) and 1μg (P<0.01) doses as compared to control. Distinct ultrastructural changes categorized as dilatation of cytoplasmic organelles, irregular shaped nuclei with nuclear membrane invaginations, reduced nuclear sizes, degeneration and vacuolation were observed in the kisspeptin-10 treated Leydig cells as compared to control. Quantification of the data showed reduced Leydig cell indices and hyperplasia of the interstitial cells. Conclusion: It is concluded that chronic intermittent administration of kisspeptin-10 has a dose dependent degenerative effect on the plasma testosterone levels and Leydig cells ultrastructure in prepubertal male rats.