Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, its prevalence approximately from 0.5% to 2% of the general population. Generalized seizures could lead to several morphological changes in the brain. This study aimed to investigate the morphological effects of a single convulsive dose of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) on rat dentate gyrus at different postnatal ages. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were used at the following postnatal ages: P10, P21, and P90 (12 rats per each age). The animals in each age were equally divided into two groups: group I, control and group II, treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of PTZ (55 mg/kg). After confirmation of generalized tonic-clonic seizures, specimens from the right dentate gyrus were processed for light and electron microscopy. In PTZ-treated groups, the number of granule cells significantly decreased. Dark granule cells appeared in the deep layers of the granule cells in P10 and with the progress of age, they significantly increased in number and extended into the superficial layers of the granule cells. The dendritic spines diminished. Glial fibrillary acidic protein and caspase-3 expression increased. Ultrastructurally, granule cells showed irregular shaped nucleus, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) cisternae, mitochondria with damaged cristae, large vacuoles, lysosomes, and lipofuscin granules. Dark granule cells characterized by electron-dense nucleus and cytoplasm containing disorganized Golgi bodies, swollen mitochondria with damaged cristae, numerous free ribosomes and few long strands of RER. Astrocytes had hypertrophied cell body. Acute treatment with PTZ-induced epileptic seizures caused toxic effect on the structure of rat dentate gyrus at different postnatal ages.

Tissues such as the lung, liver, and pancreas that have a low steady-state cell turnover yet can respond robustly after injury to replace damaged cells. The airway epithelium is exposed to inhaled particles and pathogens that may lead to the development of a many infectious and inflammatory respiratory diseases. Lung transplantation is an accepted modality of treatment for end-stage lung diseases. Since the early 1990 s, more than 26,000 lung transplants have been performed at centers worldwide. However, the availability of donor tissues and organs is limited, which presents a serious limitation for widespread transplantation surgery. The appearance of bioengineered lung and tracheal tissue transplants is considered a promising alternative to the classical transplantation of donor organ/tissue. Stem cells therapy arises as a new therapeutic approach, with a wide application potential.
Epithelium ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung Diseases ; Lung Transplantation ; Lung* ; Pancreas ; Regeneration* ; Stem Cells* ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: In severe chronic stages of emphysema the only treatment is lung transplantation. SO, an urgent need exists for the development of effective treatments. Stem cells therapy arises as a new therapeutic approach. AIM OF THE WORK: To investigate whether bone marrow mononuclar cells (BMMNCs) can promote lung regeneration and decrease apoptosis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced pulmonary emphysema in C57Bl/6 mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 14 weeks old female mice (C57Bl/6), weighing around 25 g were used in this study. The mice were divided into 4 groups (10 in each group): group A: mice received no treatment, group B: mice received intranasal instillation of LPS with no further treatment, group C: mice received intranasal instillation of LPS then given a dose of BMMNCs and evaluated 21 days later and group D: the mice that received intranasal instillation of LPS then given a dose of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) and evaluated 21 days later. Imaging analysis was done using imagej program. To measure apoptotic index, Anti-caspase 3 polyclonal antibody staining was done. RESULTS: Analysis of the mean of airspace equivalent diameters (D0) and its statistical distribution (D1) for the different groups allowed to observe that group treated with BMMNCs (group C) showed the significant improvement in D0 and D1 than the group received LPS only (group B). Analysis of apoptotic index showed significant difference between BMMNCs treated group (group C) and that received LPS only (group B). CONCLUSIONS: BMMNCs effectively promote lung regeneration and reduction of apoptosis in pulmonary emphysema.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Bone Marrow* ; Emphysema ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Transplantation ; Lung* ; Mice ; Pulmonary Emphysema* ; Regeneration* ; Stem Cells

Background: The absorption rates of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) may be influenced by the concomitant use of omeprazole. Methods: One hundred kidney transplant patients were recruited during their outpatient visits, including 50 on MMF and 50 on EC-MPS. At the clinic, a predose mycophenolic acid (MPA) sample (C0) was collected; subsequently, the participants received the proton-pump inhibitor omeprazole along with either MMF or EC-MPS. Two more blood samples were collected at 1.5 and 3.5 hours and used to estimate an area under the curve (AUC) from zero to 12 hours [AUC (0-12)]. Results: The mean number of months after transplant was 92 months. The median AUC (0-12) and C0 results were 62.2 mg·h/L and 2.0 mg/L for the MMF group and 71.9 mg·h/L and 1.8 mg/L for the EC-MPS group (P = 0.160 and 0.225, respectively). Interestingly, 54% of the MMF group and 62% of the EC-MPS group showed AUCs above the target values. The correlation between MPA C0 and the predicted AUC was poor in both groups. Conclusion Omeprazole can be safely co-administered with either MMF or EC-MPS, as it did not compromise the MPA exposure. Unexpectedly, however, a high percentage of patients presented MPA AUCs exceeding the target value, highlighting the importance of periodically assessing MPA level.

Background: The absorption rates of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) may be influenced by the concomitant use of omeprazole. Methods: One hundred kidney transplant patients were recruited during their outpatient visits, including 50 on MMF and 50 on EC-MPS. At the clinic, a predose mycophenolic acid (MPA) sample (C0) was collected; subsequently, the participants received the proton-pump inhibitor omeprazole along with either MMF or EC-MPS. Two more blood samples were collected at 1.5 and 3.5 hours and used to estimate an area under the curve (AUC) from zero to 12 hours [AUC (0-12)]. Results: The mean number of months after transplant was 92 months. The median AUC (0-12) and C0 results were 62.2 mg·h/L and 2.0 mg/L for the MMF group and 71.9 mg·h/L and 1.8 mg/L for the EC-MPS group (P = 0.160 and 0.225, respectively). Interestingly, 54% of the MMF group and 62% of the EC-MPS group showed AUCs above the target values. The correlation between MPA C0 and the predicted AUC was poor in both groups. Conclusion Omeprazole can be safely co-administered with either MMF or EC-MPS, as it did not compromise the MPA exposure. Unexpectedly, however, a high percentage of patients presented MPA AUCs exceeding the target value, highlighting the importance of periodically assessing MPA level.

Objective: Pain is one of the most common nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD), with variable characteristics among populations. This multicenter Egyptian study aimed to translate and validate the King’s Parkinson’s Disease Pain Scale (KPPS) and Questionnaire (KPPQ) into Arabic versions and to investigate the pain characteristics in Egyptian people with PD (PWP). Methods: A total of 192 PWP and 100 sex- and age-matched controls were evaluated by the KPPS-Arabic and KPPQ-Arabic. Both tools were assessed for test–retest reliability, floor or ceiling effects, construct validity and convert validity. PWP were also assessed by the Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr scale (H&Y), Non-Motor Symptom Scale (NMSS), PD Questionnaire-39, and Non-Motor Fluctuation Assessment (NoMoFA). Results: The KPPS-Arabic and KPPQ-Arabic showed inter- and intrarater consistency and high validity, with an acceptable ceiling effect. A total of 188 PWP (97.9%) reported at least 1 type of pain (p < 0.001). The severity and prevalence of all pain domains in the KPPS-Arabic were significantly higher among PWP than among controls (p < 0.001). Fluctuation-related and musculoskeletal pains were the most common (81.3% and 80.7%, respectively). In the PD group, the total and domains of KPPS-Arabic were significantly correlated to the MDS-UPDRS total score and the scores of Parts I, II, III, postural instability gait disorder, axial, and H&Y but not with age or age of onset. The predictors of KPPS-Arabic scores included the total MDS-UPDRS, the part III-OFF, disease duration, the total NMSS, and the NoMoFA scores. Conclusion The current multicenter study provided validated Arabic versions of the KPPS and KPPQ, which exhibited high reliability and validity, and demonstrated a high prevalence and severity of pain within Egyptian PWP and characterized its determinants.

Objective: Pain is one of the most common nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD), with variable characteristics among populations. This multicenter Egyptian study aimed to translate and validate the King’s Parkinson’s Disease Pain Scale (KPPS) and Questionnaire (KPPQ) into Arabic versions and to investigate the pain characteristics in Egyptian people with PD (PWP). Methods: A total of 192 PWP and 100 sex- and age-matched controls were evaluated by the KPPS-Arabic and KPPQ-Arabic. Both tools were assessed for test–retest reliability, floor or ceiling effects, construct validity and convert validity. PWP were also assessed by the Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr scale (H&Y), Non-Motor Symptom Scale (NMSS), PD Questionnaire-39, and Non-Motor Fluctuation Assessment (NoMoFA). Results: The KPPS-Arabic and KPPQ-Arabic showed inter- and intrarater consistency and high validity, with an acceptable ceiling effect. A total of 188 PWP (97.9%) reported at least 1 type of pain (p < 0.001). The severity and prevalence of all pain domains in the KPPS-Arabic were significantly higher among PWP than among controls (p < 0.001). Fluctuation-related and musculoskeletal pains were the most common (81.3% and 80.7%, respectively). In the PD group, the total and domains of KPPS-Arabic were significantly correlated to the MDS-UPDRS total score and the scores of Parts I, II, III, postural instability gait disorder, axial, and H&Y but not with age or age of onset. The predictors of KPPS-Arabic scores included the total MDS-UPDRS, the part III-OFF, disease duration, the total NMSS, and the NoMoFA scores. Conclusion The current multicenter study provided validated Arabic versions of the KPPS and KPPQ, which exhibited high reliability and validity, and demonstrated a high prevalence and severity of pain within Egyptian PWP and characterized its determinants.

Objective: Pain is one of the most common nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD), with variable characteristics among populations. This multicenter Egyptian study aimed to translate and validate the King’s Parkinson’s Disease Pain Scale (KPPS) and Questionnaire (KPPQ) into Arabic versions and to investigate the pain characteristics in Egyptian people with PD (PWP). Methods: A total of 192 PWP and 100 sex- and age-matched controls were evaluated by the KPPS-Arabic and KPPQ-Arabic. Both tools were assessed for test–retest reliability, floor or ceiling effects, construct validity and convert validity. PWP were also assessed by the Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr scale (H&Y), Non-Motor Symptom Scale (NMSS), PD Questionnaire-39, and Non-Motor Fluctuation Assessment (NoMoFA). Results: The KPPS-Arabic and KPPQ-Arabic showed inter- and intrarater consistency and high validity, with an acceptable ceiling effect. A total of 188 PWP (97.9%) reported at least 1 type of pain (p < 0.001). The severity and prevalence of all pain domains in the KPPS-Arabic were significantly higher among PWP than among controls (p < 0.001). Fluctuation-related and musculoskeletal pains were the most common (81.3% and 80.7%, respectively). In the PD group, the total and domains of KPPS-Arabic were significantly correlated to the MDS-UPDRS total score and the scores of Parts I, II, III, postural instability gait disorder, axial, and H&Y but not with age or age of onset. The predictors of KPPS-Arabic scores included the total MDS-UPDRS, the part III-OFF, disease duration, the total NMSS, and the NoMoFA scores. Conclusion The current multicenter study provided validated Arabic versions of the KPPS and KPPQ, which exhibited high reliability and validity, and demonstrated a high prevalence and severity of pain within Egyptian PWP and characterized its determinants.

Objective: Pain is one of the most common nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD), with variable characteristics among populations. This multicenter Egyptian study aimed to translate and validate the King’s Parkinson’s Disease Pain Scale (KPPS) and Questionnaire (KPPQ) into Arabic versions and to investigate the pain characteristics in Egyptian people with PD (PWP). Methods: A total of 192 PWP and 100 sex- and age-matched controls were evaluated by the KPPS-Arabic and KPPQ-Arabic. Both tools were assessed for test–retest reliability, floor or ceiling effects, construct validity and convert validity. PWP were also assessed by the Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr scale (H&Y), Non-Motor Symptom Scale (NMSS), PD Questionnaire-39, and Non-Motor Fluctuation Assessment (NoMoFA). Results: The KPPS-Arabic and KPPQ-Arabic showed inter- and intrarater consistency and high validity, with an acceptable ceiling effect. A total of 188 PWP (97.9%) reported at least 1 type of pain (p < 0.001). The severity and prevalence of all pain domains in the KPPS-Arabic were significantly higher among PWP than among controls (p < 0.001). Fluctuation-related and musculoskeletal pains were the most common (81.3% and 80.7%, respectively). In the PD group, the total and domains of KPPS-Arabic were significantly correlated to the MDS-UPDRS total score and the scores of Parts I, II, III, postural instability gait disorder, axial, and H&Y but not with age or age of onset. The predictors of KPPS-Arabic scores included the total MDS-UPDRS, the part III-OFF, disease duration, the total NMSS, and the NoMoFA scores. Conclusion The current multicenter study provided validated Arabic versions of the KPPS and KPPQ, which exhibited high reliability and validity, and demonstrated a high prevalence and severity of pain within Egyptian PWP and characterized its determinants.

OBJECTIVE: Nutraceutical products are widely used for their claimed therapeutic benefits. However, falsified or adulterated nutraceuticals present a major health threat to consumers. This study investigates the pharmaceutical quality, safety and anti-inflammatory effects of six male enhancement nutraceuticals that claim to be 100% natural. METHODS: Three batches of six male enhancement products were tested to detect the presence and levels of adulterants via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The pharmaceutical quality of the selected nutraceuticals was tested with near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and SeDeM. The cytotoxic effects of these products on HepG2 cells were determined through cell proliferation (XTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assays. Lastly, the in vitro inflammatory effects of these products were investigated using murine J774 macrophages through cytokine release analysis. RESULTS: HPLC analysis detected the presence of sildenafil citrate, a vasodilator, and the active ingredient in Viagra and Revatio, in all batches of the products we analyzed. Amount of sildenafil citrate ranged from 0.45 mg to 51.85 mg among different batches. NIR assessment showed inter- and intra-batch heterogeneity in product composition. Results of the XTT and LDH assays showed significant cytotoxic effects of the analyzed products. XTT analysis revealed that the viability of HepG2 treated with tested products varied from 27.57% to 41.43%. Interestingly, the male enhancement products also showed anti-inflammatory effects. CONCLUSION Despite their labeling as 100% natural, all products tested in this study contained levels of sildenafil citrate, which was not reported on the packaging. There was a lack of pharmaceutical uniformity among products of the same batch and across different batches. Additionally, the products we tested had cytotoxic effects. These study findings highlight the adulteration, poor quality and hazard of these nutraceuticals. Therefore, strict regulation of these products and standardization of the definition of nutraceuticals are urgently needed. Further, these falsely advertised products should be withdrawn from the market due to potential adverse effects on the health of their consumers.