Objective: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the potent anti-obesity effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. (M. oleifera) ethanolic extract and to clarify the link between these mechanisms and the associated metabolic and vascular risks in the experimental model of visceral obesity. Methods: M. oleifera ethanolic extract was orally administered at 600 mg/kg body weight in obese female rats daily for 12 weeks. At the end of treatment, body weight was deter-mined, and the atherogenic index, coronary artery index, glucose level, insulin resistance status, liver and kidney functions were assessed. Also, the mRNA of leptin, adiponectin and resistin in visceral adipose tissue was determined by quantitative real time-PCR. Results: The results showed that M. oleifera extract down-regulated mRNA expression of leptin and resistin, while it up-regulated adiponectin gene expression in obese rats relative to untreated obese control counterparts. This amelioration of genes expression was paralleled by a reduction in body weight and improvement of the atherogenic index and coronary artery index, as well as glucose level and insulin resistance value without adverse effects on liver or kidney functions, versus the untreated obese control ones. Conclusions: It is reasonable to assume that the anti-obesity, anti-atherogenic and anti-diabetic properties of M. oleifera are mechanistically achieved via working directly on the adipokines of the visceral adipose tissue. Therefore, M. oleifera may be a good thera-peutic candidate for the symptoms of metabolic syndrome.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effect of acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) as pre-refrigeration and pre-freezing processing steps for chicken meat in regard to the behavior of S. Typhimurium and E. coli during storage. Methodology and results: AEW (free available chlorine 30 ppm and pH 2.7) was tested against S. Typhimurium and E. coli in growth media (brain heart infusion broth) and by exposing inoculated chicken fillets. The in vitro study appointed 10 minutes as the straightening exposure time of fresh prepared AEW for S. Typhimurium and E. coli. The reduction effect of AEW was significant (p<0.05) for both S. Typhimurium and E. coli along the 8 days of refrigerated storage with a maximum reduction after 24 h of post-treatment reaching 23.3% (1.4 log CFU/g) and 32.43% (2.15 log CFU/g) for S. Typhimurium and E. coli, respectively. AEW resulted in a significant reduction (p<0.05) as a pre-freezing application for both microorganisms, where the maximum reductions of 20% (1.2 log CFU/g) and 31.84% (2.14 log CFU/g) for S. Typhimurium and E. coli, respectively, were reported at zero time (just after dipping). In exposed samples to AEW, S. Typhimurium could not be detected by the 6th week of frozen storage while E. coli continued detectable until till 10th week but with a reduced population of 30% compared to control. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The findings of the present study suggest the application of AEW as a pre-refrigeration and pre-freezing treatment for chicken products. AEW application significantly improved the safety of chicken products.
Electrolytes ; Chickens--microbiology ; Salmonella typhimurium ; Escherichia coli

Epigenetics involved in multiple normal cellular processes. Previous research have revealed the role of hepatitis C virus infection in accelerating methylation process and affecting response to treatment in chronic hepatitis patients. This work aimed to elucidate the role of promoter methylation (PM) in response to antiviral therapy, and its contribution to the development of fibrosis through hepatocarcinogenesis-related genes. A total of 159 chronic hepatitis Egyptian patients versus 100 healthy control group were included. The methylation profile of a panel 9 genes (SFRP1, p14, p73, APC, DAPK, RASSF1A, LINE1, O6MGMT, and p16) was detected in patients’ plasma using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). Clinical and laboratory findings were gathered for patients with combined pegylated interferon and ribavirin antiviral therapy. Regarding the patients’ response to antiviral therapy, the percentage of non-responders for APC, O6MGMT, RASSF1A, SFRP1, and p16 methylated genes were significantly higher versus responders (P<0.05). Of the 159 included patients, the most frequent methylated genes were SFRP1 (102/159), followed by p16 (100/159), RASSF1A (98/159), then LINE1 (81/159), P73 (81/159), APC (78/159), DAPK (66/159), O6MGMT (66/159), and p14 (54/159). A total of 67/98 (68.4%) cases of RASSF1A methylated gene (P=0.0.024), and 62/100 (62%) cases of P16 methylated gene (P=0.03) were associated with mild-degree fibrosis. To recapitulate, the PM of SFRP1, APC, RASSF1A, O6MGMT, and p16 genes increases in chronic hepatitis C patients, and can affect patients’ response to antiviral therapy. The RASSF1A and P16 genes might have a role in the distinction between mild and marked fibrosis.

Objective To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the potent anti-obesity effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. (M. oleifera) ethanolic extract and to clarify the link between these mechanisms and the associated metabolic and vascular risks in the experimental model of visceral obesity. Methods M. oleifera ethanolic extract was orally administered at 600 mg/kg body weight in obese female rats daily for 12 weeks. At the end of treatment, body weight was determined, and the atherogenic index, coronary artery index, glucose level, insulin resistance status, liver and kidney functions were assessed. Also, the mRNA of leptin, adiponectin and resistin in visceral adipose tissue was determined by quantitative real time-PCR. Results The results showed that M. oleifera extract down-regulated mRNA expression of leptin and resistin, while it up-regulated adiponectin gene expression in obese rats relative to untreated obese control counterparts. This amelioration of genes expression was paralleled by a reduction in body weight and improvement of the atherogenic index and coronary artery index, as well as glucose level and insulin resistance value without adverse effects on liver or kidney functions, versus the untreated obese control ones. Conclusions It is reasonable to assume that the anti-obesity, anti-atherogenic and anti-diabetic properties of M. oleifera are mechanistically achieved via working directly on the adipokines of the visceral adipose tissue. Therefore, M. oleifera may be a good therapeutic candidate for the symptoms of metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is gaining importance in the diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms. Diagnosis is based on the clinical presentation of esophageal dysfunction and pathological findings in the absence of other causes of tissue eosinophilia. Our study was designed to evaluate EoE prevalence in patients with UGI symptoms in our locality (El-Minia, Egypt). METHODS: This single-center, cross-sectional study recruited all patients with UGI symptoms who agreed for endoscopic evaluation. Esophageal biopsy samples were obtained and histological evaluation for the presence of eosinophils was performed for every patient. EoE was defined when at least 15 eosinophils were present in a single high-power field, in the absence of other causes of esophageal eosinophilia. RESULTS: Between 2013 and 2015, 218 of 476 adult patients with UGI symptoms underwent upper endoscopy after giving consent. Among the 218 patients, only 4 (1.87%) had the diagnosis of EoE based on the presence of eosinophils in esophageal biopsies and exclusion of other causes of esophageal eosinophilia. Three patients with EoE presented mainly with dysphagia (75%) and/or other UGI symptoms, such as heartburn. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a low prevalence of EoE in our locality. The diagnosis of EoE should be considered in patients with dysphagia and/or heartburn.
Adult* ; Biopsy ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Egypt* ; Endoscopy ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophilic Esophagitis* ; Eosinophils* ; Heartburn ; Humans ; Prevalence*

Aims: Salmonella is one of the most common foodborne illnesses worldwide. Poultry meat and products are the main sources of human infection. Therefore, the main objective of the current study was to assess the genetic virulence of biofilm-forming Salmonella isolated from chicken sausage and nuggets. Methodology and results: Isolation of Salmonella was carried out using XLD agar; suspected colonies were identified biochemically and then serotyped using the Kauffman-White scheme for detection of somatic (O) and flagellar (H) antigens. Congo red (CR) medium was used for the assessment of biofilm formation of the isolated strains. The invasion gene (invA), the heat-labile Salmonella enterotoxin gene (stn), plasmid-encoded fimbriae (pefA) genes, the protein effectors sopB, sopD and biofilm genes in six Salmonella isolates were investigated using mPCR, following QIAamp® DNA Mini Kit instructions and 1.5% agarose gel electrophoreses. Salmonella was detected in 12%, 8% and 4% of the examined frozen packaged raw chicken sausage, frozen packaged raw chicken nuggets and ready-to-eat sausage. The isolated strains were S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, S. Essen and S. Montevideo. Moreover, mPCR indicated the presence of biofilm gene (csgD gene), stn, sopB and sopD virulence genes in all isolated strains (100%); however, pefA gene failed to be detected. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The current findings showed that every Salmonella isolate examined was capable of creating biofilm at room temperature. As a result, these isolates are more likely to persist on abiotic surfaces, which raises the danger of cross-contamination and foodborne outbreaks.
Salmonella Food Poisoning