Effectiveness of low-power laser therapy in improvement of the peripheral neuropathy induced by xenobiotics in rats

BackgroundPeripheral neuropathy (PN) is the damage and dysfunction of neurons of the peripheral nervous system. The present study was conducted to estimate the effectiveness of low-power laser therapy (LPLT) in the management of PN in a rats’ model.MethodsPN was induced by giving dichloroacetate (DCA) (250 mg/kg/day) for up to 12 weeks. Four groups of rats were used: control group, PN group, PN group treated with gabapentin and PN group treated with LPLT. The study was conducted for 8 weeks. The management of PN was estimated by behavioral tests which included hot plate and Morris water maze tests. Blood biochemical analysis were carried out.ResultsUsing of hot plate test indicated thermal hypoalgesia and using Morris water maze test showed cognitive decline in PN rats. Treatment with LPLT or gabapentin improved both the pain sensations and deteriorated memory that occurred in the PN rats. Biochemical analysis showed that LPLT significantly decreased the elevated beta-endorphin level in PN rats, while gabapentin could not reduce it. Treatment PN rats with LPLT or gabapentin shifted the high levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 cytokines back to their normal values. Serum nitric oxide and MDA significantly increased in the PN group together with significant reduction in the rGSH level, these values were significantly improved by LPLT application while this was not the case with gabapentin treatment. Furthermore, treatment with gabapentin or LPLT significantly reduced serum ALAT and ASAT activities which are otherwise increased in the PN group. S100B, PGE2, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, urea and creatinine showed insignificant changes among all groups.ConclusionsOur results showed that treatment with LPLT is more efficient than gabapentin in ameliorating the peripheral neuropathy induced by xenobiotics.     

Pure choriocarcinoma of the testis presenting with jaundice: a case report and review of the literature

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Testicular cancer is the most common malignancy in men 15- to 35-years-old. The North American standard classification divides testicular cancers into germ cell tumors and non-germ cell tumors. The lymphatic spread of germ cell tumors usually involves the retroperitoneal lymph nodes. However, this spread to the retroperitoneum rarely involves the hepatic hilum. We describe an unusual case of metastatic choriocarcinoma of the testis that was clinically mimicked by a cholestatic jaundice. This is an unusual presentation of testicular cancer and, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of this kind in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 28-year-old Moroccan man presented with a four-week history of progressive obstructive jaundice, and weight loss to our emergency department. Abdominal ultrasound showed a dilatation of the biliary ducts due to pathologically enlarged lymph nodes of the hepatic hilum. A complete clinical and radiologic assessment to discover the primary tumor was negative except for pulmonary metastasis. In the laboratory findings at admission there were signs of cholestasis with an abnormal increase in the rate of testicular tumor markers (serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin level was 11,000IU/ml), which subsequently led to the suspicion of a testicular tumor. Further evaluation included testicular palpation and ultrasound which revealed a testicular nodule. The patient underwent an inguinal orchidectomy of the right testis and histopathological examination confirmed a pure choriocarcinoma. The prognosis was poor due to lymph node involvement at the hepatic hilum. He died one month later, despite general chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical presentation of the disease and the rarity of this entity are two remarkable characteristics described in this case report which are rarely reported in literature.     

Initiation of Flowering and Changes in Endogenous Inhibitors and Promoters in Olive Buds as a Result of Chilling

Olive trees require a period of chilling temperatures, either diurnally fluctuating, or at a constant—but definite—level before inflorescences develop. In this study, bud and leaf samples were taken at weekly intervals during this critical period from trees receiving temperatures favorable for flowering and from trees under temperature conditions known to prevent flowering. Extracts were obtained from these samples, separated by paper chromatography and the different growth-active materials were bioassayed by the mung bean rooting test for the presence of promoters and inhibitors. Extracts from buds on trees under conditions unfavorable for flowering generally consisted only of promoters. Extracts from buds on trees placed under conditions favorable for flowering showed a definite and consistent pattern for the presence of rooting inhibitors and promoters. Within one or two weeks after being placed under such conditions a strong inhibitor band appeared from R_f 0.50 to 0.70. This persisted for 6 to 7 weeks, gradually decreasing in intensity, followed by promoters at these bands. During this period all other bands, at different R_f values, showed strong promoters. Extracts from leaves on shoots under temperature regimes favorable for flowering showed a pattern like the buds in the appearance and disappearance of inhibitors and at the same R_f values but with about one week lag in time. Bud extracts from defoliated shoots on trees under temperature conditions known to result in inflorescence production failed to show the characteristic inhibitor pattern associated with flowering. Such defoliated shoots do not form inflorescences.     

Occurrence and toxigenicity of shape Fusarium moniliforme from freshly harvested maize ears with special references to fumonisin production in Egypt

Using the seed-plate technique, 18 different isolates of Fusarium moniliforme were isolated on pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) agar medium from 18 samples of a local variety of corn collected from locations in Minia Governorate. The isolates of F moniliforme were screened for their ability to produce fumonisins on polished rice grains using the solid state fermentation technique. Based on thin layer chromatographic (TLC) analyses using silica gel plates, 14 of the 18 isolates tested produced FB₁ and FB₂ with R _f (0.17) and (0.24), respectively. Concentration of FB₁ was estimated using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Production of FB₁ by the 14 isolates of F. moniliforme tested ranged from 69 to 4495 ppm indicating that mouldy corn may represent a health hazard to consumers. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.