Amelioration of ethanol reprotoxicity by aqueous Spinacia oleracea extract in male rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus

Spinacia oleracea “Spinach” is a plant rich in antioxidants; it leads to improved male reproduction. For this reason, the objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract of this plant on the fertility of adult male rabbits after their administration with ethanol. The rabbits were divided into four groups: control group, group treated with 150 mg / kg / day of aqueous Spinacia oleracea extract (Ep), group treated with 40% ethanol (EtOH), and group treated with 150 mg / kg / day of aqueous Spinacia oleracea extract + 40% ethanol (Ep + EtOH), for a period of five successive weeks. Treatment was administered orally. After sacrificing the rabbits, the reproductive organs were removed and weighed. Certain sperm parameters (concentration, mobility, speed, and vitality), the testosterone level and the weight of the testes and epididymis were assessed. The results obtained showed a decrease in the concentration, mobility, speed and vitality of sperm, accompanied by a decrease in testosterone levels, and in the weight of the testes and epididymis in the group treated with ethanol, on the other hand, treatment with aqueous Spinacia oleracea extract revealed an increase in these parameters. In conclusion, treatment with aqueous Spinacia oleracea extract can repair the damage caused by ethanol.

Microhardness and Fracture Resistance of Radicular Dentin Treated with Different Concentrations of Calcium Hydroxide in Endodontic Regeneration Procedures

Purpose: to reveal the effect of different concentrations of prepared calcium hydroxide pastes (70%, 50%, and 30%) used in regenerative endodontic on microhardness and fracture resistance of radicular dentin. Material and methods: Different concentrations of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) were prepared with measured pH, then forty eight single rooted teeth were prepared and randomized into three groups according to Ca(OH)2 paste concentrations (12 samples each) and 12 samples were availed as control group. Group I: root canal contained 30% Ca(OH)2 paste. Group II: root canal contained 50% Ca(OH)2 paste. Group III: root canal contained 70% Ca(OH)2 paste. Samples were stored at 37 0C with 100% humidity for four weeks for subsequent microhardness and fracture resistance tests. Results: There was a statistically significant reduction of microhardness and fracture resistance between test groups and control group (P≤ 0.05), group III showed a significant reduction in both microhardness and fracture resistance compared to group I. However, there was no significant difference in pH between different concentration of Ca(OH)2. Conclusion: Increasing concentration of Ca(OH)2 paste can negatively affect microhardness and fracture resistance of radicular dentin in revascularization procedure.

Trial Control of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Isolated From Broiler Chicken Using Iron Oxide Chitosan Nanocomposite

A severe outbreak of Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) recorded in (30) chicken flocks at different districts in Sharqia Governorate during 2019 that showed high mortalities (30%) and severe immunosuppression. Attempts to control (IBD) by antiviral iron oxide chitosan nanocomposite (characterized nano-size 35.1±5 nm with a stable state, zeta potentials16.8 ± 10.9, the PDI. 0.91 and iron concentration in nanocomposite is 2625 mg/L,).Eighty Baladi broiler chicks at the age of 21 days were divided into 4 groups. Group A (as the negative control group), group B (as the positive control group), group C (as the nanocomposite treatment group), and group D (only received nanocomposite). The used treatment was iron oxide chitosan nanocomposite with the concentration of (1 mg/ 100ml) IC50 orally administered for 3 days post infection.The virus shedding showed marked significant decrease (P<0.05) in group C compared to group B was 0.5 to 1 log 10 compared to group B was 3 to 6.4 log 10.Histopathological lesions of bursa, spleen, thymus, liver, and kidney in group C after 6 days PI showed hyper activity of lymphoid population compared to chicks infected group which revealed necrosis and depletion of lymphoid elements of the bursa, thymus, and spleen with blood vessels had marked congestion and hemorrhages in parenchyma.Base on this study, iron oxide chitosan nanocomposite showed an antiviral activity that could significantly reduce viral shedding, and could decrease pathological changes in lymphoid organs which is considered to be better protection for solving health problems in infected chicks.

Prevention of Intra-Abdominal Adhesions Using the Combination of Mediclore® and a Statin

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> This study investigated the antiadhesive effects of Mediclore®, rosuvastatin, and a combination of Mediclore and rosuvastatin in a rat adhesion model. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The adhesion models (a total of 58 adult male rats) were divided into 4 groups. The control group (group C) received no special materials except for a saline. The experimental groups were treated with 5 mL of Mediclore (group M), rosuvastatin (group R), or rosuvastatin and Mediclore (group RM), and these materials were intraperitoneally placed under the incision. At postoperative day 14, the rats underwent re-laparotomy and adhesiolysis. Three investigators blinded to group assignment scored the extent of adhesion formation, the numbers of remote adhesions, and the extent of acute/chronic inflammation, fibrosis, edema, and congestion on resected specimens via histologic examination. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The macroscopic adhesion score in group RM (7.27 ± 3.51) was significantly lower than those in groups C (13.36 ± 2.24) and R (11.71 ± 1.98); group M (9.13 ± 4.09) had a significantly lower adhesion score than group C. The number of remote adhesions was significantly lower in groups R and RM than in group C. The acute inflammation score, chronic inflammation score, and fibrosis score in group RM; the acute inflammation score in group R; and the fibrosis score in group M were significantly lower than those in group C. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The intraperitoneal application of Mediclore and a combination of Mediclore and rosuvastatin effectively reduced postoperative adhesions.

Effects of white vinegar on carbohydrate contents in hepatorenal tissues in rats.

White vinegar is mildly acidic with a pH of 2-3 that has long been used as a relish and traditional medication that depends on its concentration. Yet even a small amount of white vinegar in a small concentration may cause serious poisoning. Recently, many sorts of white vinegar have been developed using fundamental sources and technologies to satisfy customer needs. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of white vinegar on carbohydrate contents in hepatorenal tissues in rats. Thirty female rats were used, they were divided into three groups, group 1 was given distilled water as the normal control group, group 2 was given white vinegar with a dose (1 ml/kg (5 %)) and group 3 was given white vinegar with a dose (1 ml/kg (10 %)) for two weeks. PAS stain in all treated tissues showed a decrease in carbohydrate contents when compared with the control group. In conclusion, white vinegar consumption has adverse effects on carbohydrate contents in hepatic and renal tissues in rats, hence the quantity of white vinegar should be discouraged or reduced.

Protective effect of LIF-huMSCs on the retina of diabetic model rats

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) modified by the LIF gene on the retinal function of diabetic model rats and preliminarily explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: A stably transfected cell line of hUCMSCs overexpressing leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) was constructed. Overexpression was verified by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Forty-eight adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal control group (group A), streptozotocin-induced diabetic control group (group B), diabetic rats at 3mo injected with empty vector-transfected hUCMSCs (group C) or injected with LIF-hUCMSCs (group D). Four weeks after the intravitreal injection, analyses in all groups included retinal function using flash electroretinogram (F-ERG), retinal blood vessel examination of retinal flat mounts perfused with fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran), and retinal structure examination of sections using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Expression levels of adiponectin (APN), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) in each group was detected using immunohistochemistry, PCR, Western blotting, and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: A stable transgenic cell line of LIF-hUCMSCs was constructed. F-ERG and FITC-dextran examinations revealed no abnormalities of retinal structure and function in group A, severe damage of the retinal blood vessels and function in group B, and improved retinal structure and function in group C and especially group D. qPCR, ELISA, and Western blot analyses revealed progressively higher APN and NT-4 expression levels in groups B, C, and D than in group A. hs-CRP expression was significantly higher in group B than in groups A, C, and D, and was significantly higher in group C than in group D (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: LIF-hUCMSCs protect the retina of diabetic rats by upregulating APN and NT-4 expression and downregulating hs-CRP expression in the retina.

A Blumgart-Anastomosis Based Half-Invagination Pancreaticoenterostomy With Better Applicability to Laparoscopy and Lower Incidence of Pancreatic Leakage

Background The Blumgart anastomosis has been established as one of the safest anastomoses for pancreas remnant reconstruction, with low rates of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) and postoperative complications. However, how to make laparoscopic pancreaticoenterostomy easier and safer is still a subject to be discussed. Methods Data of patients undergoing laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy from April 2014 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Results 20 cases of half-invagination anastomosis (Group HI) and 26 cases of Cattell-warren anastomosis (Group CW) were included. Intraoperative blood loss, Operative time and Postoperative drainage tube placement time of Group HI was significantly less than those of Group CW. Patients of Clavien-Dindo grade III and above in Group HI was significantly less than Control Group. Group Incidence of POPF in Group HI was significantly lower than that in Group CW. No high-risk group emerged during Fistula risk score analytical phase, and the highest risk of moderate-risk group was pancreatic leakage. Respectively, incidence of pancreatic leakage in Group HI and Group CW was 7.7% and 46.67%, while incidence of Group HI was significantly lower than that in the Group CW. Conclusions The Blumgart-anastomosis based half-invagination pancreaticoenterostomy with better applicability to laparoscopy can effectively reduce the incidence of postoperative pancreatic leakage.

Effect of Fentanyl Infusion on Heart Rate Variability and Anaesthetic Requirements in Isoflurane-Anaesthetized Horses

Controversy continues to surround the use of opioids in equine anaesthesia, with variable effects reported. This blinded clinical study aimed to investigate the influence of a low-dose fentanyl continuous rate infusion (CRI) on isoflurane requirements, parasympathetic tone activity (PTA), and anaesthetic parameters in horses during general anaesthesia. All of the twenty-two horses included in the research underwent a standard anaesthetic protocol. Eleven horses in the fentanyl group (Group F) received a loading dose of fentanyl at 6 µg/kg, followed by a CRI of 0.1 µg/kg/min during anaesthesia. A further 11 horses in the control group (Group C) received equivalent volumes of normal saline. Anaesthetic parameters and PTA index were recorded during anaesthesia. The achieved mean fentanyl plasma concentration was 6.2 ± 0.83 ng/mL. No statistically significant differences between groups were found in isoflurane requirements, MAP values, and mean dobutamine requirements. However, horses in Group F required a significantly lower dose of additional ketamine to maintain a sufficient depth of anaesthesia. Significantly higher PTA values were found in the fentanyl group. Further research is warranted to determine the limitations of PTA monitoring, and the influence of various anaesthetics on its values.

Observation on the stability of rat myelosuppression model established by different doses of cyclophosphamide solution

Objective to investigate the stability of different doses of cyclophosphamide solution in establishing rat myelosuppression model. Methods In this study, 30 SD rats were randomly divided into control group (Group C) and model group (M1, M2, M3, M4). The rats in the model groups were injected with cyclophosphamide solution by intraperitoneal injection at doses of 30、40、(30+15) and (40+20) mg/kg respectively to establish a bone marrow suppression rat model. The changes of WBC, lym, Mon, GRA, RBC, Hb and PLT in peripheral blood were observed on the 1st, 5th and 13th day after modeling. Results （1）After modeling, the weight of rats in the model group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). （2）On the 5th day, the levels of WBC, lym, mon and gra in the serum of each model group were lower than those before modeling(P < 0.05). The content of RBC in M1 and M2 groups was lower than that before modeling (P < 0.05), the content of Hb in M1, M2 and M3 groups was lower than that before modeling (P < 0.05), and the content of PLT in M1, M2, m3 and M4 groups was lower than that before modeling (P < 0.05). （3）On the 13th day, the levels of WBC, lym, mon and gra in M1 and M2 groups were higher than those on the 5th day, except for the GRA in M2 group.The levels of WBC and lym in m3 and M4 were lower than those in M1 and M2 (P < 0.05); The contents of RBC and Hb in M1 and M2 groups were lower than those before modeling (P < 0.05); Compared with M1 and M2, the content of Hb in m3 and M4 groups was higher (P < 0.05); The PLT content in the peripheral blood of M3 and M4 rats was higher than that of the 5th day, but lower than that of M1 and M2 groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion The improved method can maintain the stability of rat myelosuppression model.

Inflammatory cytokines and sleep parameters response to life style intervention in subjects with obese chronic insomnia syndrome

Background: Chronic primary insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder that is associated with adverse effects on health out- comes. Sleep disturbance is usually associated with abnormal level of systemic inflammation biomarkers. Objective: The aim of this study was to detect changes in sleep quality and inflammatory markers following weight loss among subjects with chronic primary insomnia. Material and Methods: Eighty previously sedentary subjects with chronic primary insomnia subjects enrolled in this study, their age ranged from 32-51 year were randomly assigned to life style intervention group (group A, n=40) or control group (group B, n=40). Polysomnographic recordings for sleep quality assessment, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α were measured before and at the end of the study after six months. Results: There was a significant increase in the total sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency and IL-10 in addi- tion to significant reduction in awake time after sleep onset, REM latency, IL-6 and TNF-α after 6 months of in group(A) as a result of weight loss program; while the results of the control group (group B) were not significant. Also, there were significant differences between both groups at the end of the study. Conclusion: Life style intervention modulates systemic inflammatory parameters and sleep quality among subjects with chronic primary insomnia. Keywords: Chronic primary insomnia; inflammatory cytokines; life style intervention; sleep quality.