Fibrosis represents a common outcome of almost all chronic liver diseases and leads to an impairment of liver function that requires medical intervention. The current study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-fibrotic effect of Saccharomyces cervisciae cell wall extract (SCCWE) against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis in rats (200mg/kg b.w. i.p. twice weekly for 6 weeks) using Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) as a reference anti-fibrotic product. SCCWE at two doses (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated the rise in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamide transferase (GGT) activities, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin, increased total protein and albumin. SCCWE significantly reduced glutathione depletion (GSH), Nitric oxide (NOx) and malondialdehyde (MDA), thioredoxin (Trx) contents and elevated nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf-2) content. Its anti-inflammatory effects were confirmed by observing a decrease in nuclear factor-κB (NF- κβ), interleukin-1b (IL-1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) content. The anti-fibrotic effects of SCCWE were explored by assessing fibrosis related markers as it significantly reduced transform growth factor-β (TGF-β) and autotaxin (ATX) contents. Administration of SCCWE significantly decreased matrix metalloproteinase-3 and 9 (MMP-3 and -9). Furthermore, it also decreased alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and caspase-3 as assessed immunohistochemically those results were similar to that of the standard drug UDCA. This study shows that SCCWE protects against TAA-induced liver fibrosis in rats, through attenuating oxidative stress, and inflammation, ameliorating MMPs, combating apoptosis and thereby fibrotic biomarkers in addition to improving histopathological changes.

Acute paracetamol over dose-induced hepatotoxicity is considered an important medical hazard especially among women. Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3 PUFAs) daily doses are nowadays recommended for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is considered a reliable method in analyzing cellular alterations and is now efficiently used to diagnose several diseases and the efficacy of drugs even in the early stages. The aim of our study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Omega-3 PUFAs against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats confirmed through measuring protein alterations in hepatocytes by FTIR. Rats were pretreated with Omega-3 PUFAs (50 and 100 mg/kg) for 21 days prior to oral ingestion of paracetamol. FTIR results revealed that Omega-3 PUFAs (50 mg/kg) limited the toxic effects of paracetamol by restoring the hepatic amide I to amide II ratio. In addition; biochemical analyses demonstrated that serum ALT, AST, Cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and Il-6 levels as well as hepatic TNF-α, MDA, NOx levels were decreased. Besides; serum HDL-cholesterol level and hepatic GSH level were increased. Histopathological examinations of hepatic sections validated the hepatoprotective potential. The overall effect of this dose was comparable to those of the usual recommended hepatoprotective supplement; silymarin. In conclusion; it would be recommended to use Omega-3 PUFAs in low doses on daily bases as a hepatoprotective agent.

Fibrosis is a common outcome of nearly all chronic diseases of liver that results in changes of its functions which requires medical attention. The current research aims to investigate the potential anti-fibrotic efficacy of Carvacrol against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis in male rats using Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) as a reference anti-fibrotic product. Carvacrol (25 and 50 mg/kg) markedly declined TAA-increased serum liver enzymes; alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) as well as total bilirubin (TB) and direct bilirubin (DB) levels as well as increased levels of total protein (TP) and albumin. Carvacrol significantly reduced glutathione depletion (GSH), Nitric oxide (NOX) and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation in liver tissue. Additionally, its anti-oxidant effect brightened up via affecting markers of stress found in the cell as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) where it still had high content and decreased Thioredoxin (Trx) level. The anti-inflammatory effect of Carvacrol was confirmed by decreasing nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) contents. Carvacrol showed anti-fibrotic effect clarified by turning down fibrosis-related markers; TGF-β1, matrix metalloproteinase-3 and 9 (MMP-3 and 9) and Autotaxin (ATX) contents. Furthermore, it decreased alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and caspase-3 immune-expression. The overall outcome of aforementioned markers results showed that Carvacrol suppresses the progression of liver fibrosis via its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic effect and its ability in lowering Thioredoxin and Autotaxin; hence it can be categorized as a hepatoprotective natural substance.

Acetaminophen is one of the most popular OTC analgesics and antipyretics especially among women unfortunately; its miss use can result in serious hepatic injury. In the present study hepatoprotective activity of L-carnitine plus Vitamin C against acetaminophen induced hepatic damage in Adult Female Wistar albino rats was evaluated. L-carnitine at dose levels of 25 and 50mg/kg p.o. /day plus Vitamin C 100 mg/Kg p.o. /day were administered for 21 days. On day twenty-one; hepatic injury was induced by administering a single dose of 600mg/Kg body wt. p.o. of acetaminophen. Results revealed that combining L-carnitine and vitamin C reduced serum liver enzymes; Aspartate amino Transferase (AST) and Alanine amino Transferase (ALT), decreased cholesterol level and low density lipoproteins (LDLCholesterol), increased high density lipoproteins (HDL-Cholesterol), dropped interleukin-6 (IL6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), hindered the progression of oxidative stress as foreseen by increasing glutathione (GSH) level and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NOx) contents. In conclusion; we can recommend the use of vitamin C in combination with l-Carnitine to protect against adverse effects that could result from over dosage of acetaminophen.

Purpose: American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging system has been widely used for prognosis prediction of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Although NPC patients can be classified according to their clinical stage in this system, their prognosis may vary significantly. Therefore, it is important to search for novel molecular biomarkers, which can help in improvement of the prognostic prediction. So, this study aimed to evaluate survivin expression and assessment of nuclear morphometric features of nasopharyngeal carcinoma to investigate their prognostic significance. Material and Methods: Forty nine cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with clinical follow-up data were collected and expressions of survivin in tumor tissues were investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Nuclear Morphometry was also studied for all cases. Results: Patients’ follow-up revealed 30 cases (61.2%) developed lymph node metastasis, 18 (36.7%) developed distant metastasis, among them 13 (63.3%) died. Survivin expression was significantly correlated with TNM stage of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Patients with low survivin expression had better 3-year survival rate than the group with high survivin expression (75% vs. 25%, respectively, p<0.05). Mean nuclear area in cases with low survivin expression was 37.88, which was significantly lower than that in those with survivin over-expression (52.81) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma cases express high survivin levels, which may play an important role in tumor progression. Survivin over-expression and high mean nuclear area (MNA) were associated with poor prognosis. So, we suggest that determination of tumor survivin expression and MNA may provide valuable predictive informations on NPC patients.

This study was designed to investigate clinical and pathologic characteristics of acute and subacute lumpy skin disease (LSD) among naturally infected cattle and to study the localization of LSDV capsid antigen within different cells of the skin and regional lymph nodes using immunohistochemistry. Herein, we describe the gross, histologic, and immunohistochemical findings in 13 dairy cattle, 11 beef calves and 2 newly born calves that were naturally infected with LSDV. Prominent gross changes in all cases included numerous 1-6 cm well circumscribed, round cutaneous nodules with severe enlargement of superficial lymph nodes. Histologic changes in all acute cases consisted of severe ballooning degeneration of the epidermis, lymphoplasmacytic dermatitis, folliculitis, furunculosis, with severe vasculitis affecting the dermal capillaries, venules and arterioles. Rare intracytoplasmic inclusions were present in degenerated epidermal cells. Subacute cases showed multifocal areas of pannicular infarction with severe vasculitis affecting the neighboring arterioles and venules. Strong positive immunoreactivity for LSDV was identified primarily within macrophages and in degenerated epidermal cells. However, no viral antigen was present in endothelial cells. It can be concluded that vasculitis is a constant lesion in acute and subacute LSD and is most likely of an immune-mediated mechanism rather than a true tropism of the LSDV to endothelial cells.

For evaluation of bioavailability of amoxicillin in chickens during prophylactic treatment by salinomycin ( 60 ppm ), 66 one day old chicks were divided into 2 groups, non-treated one (G1) and treated group (G2). Serum concentrations of amoxicillin after single intravenous, oral and intramuscular doses ( 15 mg / kg b.wt. ) were determined. Multiple oral doses (same dose twice daily for 5 consecutive days) were also given for tissue residue studies . Non-compartmental calculations of pharmacokinetic parameters after single intravenous dosing revealed that half-life of distribution ( t 0.5 α ) was 0.19 ± 0.05 h and 0.14 ± 0.03 h, while, half-life of elimination ( t 0.5  ) was 2.57 ± 0.07 h and 2.06 ± 0.08 h in G1and G2 , respectively . Central volumes of distribution of amoxicillin (Vc) were 0.20 ± 0.03 and 0.19 ± 0.04 L/kg , respectively . Area under curve (AUCIV) was 95.74 ± 4.22 mg.h/L in G1 and significantly decreased to 74.76 ± 3.24 mg.h/L in G2 , respectively . Mean residence times (MRT) were 3.35 ± 0.73 and 2.67 ± 0.81 hours in G1and G2, respectively .After single oral dose maximum concentration ( C max ) , maximum time ( T max ), MRT and bioavailability ( F%) were 0.99 ± 0.06 and 0.89 ± 0.08 μg/ml , 3.25 ± 0.35 and 3.48 ± 0.14 hours , 8.19 ± 1.08 and 7.48 ± 0.85 hours , 20.41 ± 2.05 and 23.87± 1.51 % in G1 and G2 , respectively . After single intramuscular dose C max , T max, MRT and F% were 0.89 ± 0.14 , 0.85 ± 0.13 μg/ml 1.85 ± 0.24 and 1.88 ± 0.15 h , 7.23 ± 1.88 and 6.21 ± 2.13 h, 12.28 ± 1.82 h and 13.42± 2.21% in G1and G2 , respectively . Prophylactic dose of salinomycin slightly improved bioavailability of amoxicillin in chickens.

٤،٧،٦،٣ ' --Seven flavonoids were isolated viz., 3,6,7,4'-tetramethoxy-5,3'-dihydroxy flavonol, 5,7,4'trihydroxy-6-methoxy flavone (hispedulin), apigenin, 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-6-methoxy flavone, luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, acacetin-7-O-rutinoside, in addition to -sitosterol and sitosterol glucoside from Onopordon heteracanthum.The structures of these compounds were established through the chemical and spectral studies.All the isolated compounds were reported for the first time from the titled plant, while the compounds 3,6,7,4'-tetramethoxy-5,3'dihydroxy flavonol, 5,7,3'4'-tetrahydroxy-6-methoxy flavone and acacetin-7-O-rutinoside were isolated for the first time from the genus Onopordon.

1. Disposition kinetics of doxycycline (doxy) was studied in healthy chickens and chickens experimentally intoxicated with aflatoxin B1 by intravenous, oral or intramuscular (i.m.) injection, in a single dose of 15 mg/kg body weight. In addition, the tissue distribution and residual pattern of the drug were determined in healthy and intoxicated chickens. 2. The maximum serum concentrations of doxy were reached 1.97 and 2.37 h after oral, and 1.57 and 2.92 h after i.m. dosage in healthy and aflatoxic birds, respectively. 3. The volumes of distribution and total body clearances were higher in aflatoxic birds (1.75 l/kg and 14.61 ml/kg/min) than in healthy chickens (0.93 l/kg and 4.6 ml/kg/min). Data relating to intravenous injection were analysed using a two-compartment open model curve fit. 4. Lower values of systemic bioavailability were observed in intoxicated birds (30.9 and 33.9%) than healthy ones (43.7 and 57.3%) after oral and i.m. administration, respectively. 5. The highest concentration of doxy residues were present in liver, kidney and serum followed by heart and muscles. Doxy residue concentrations in edible tissues was below the EEC limit 6 d after cessation of oral or i.m. medication with 15 mg/kg body weight twice daily for 5 successive days.

From a methanolic ext. of the leaves of Juglans nigra L. (black walnut; Juglandaceae)​, kaempferol-​3-​O-​β-​glucoside, quercetin-​3-​O-​β-​glucoside and quercetin-​3-​Oβ-​glucuronide-​6-​Et ester were isolated for the first time, along with stigmasterol-​3-​O-​β-​glucoside. Most of the structures were established on the basis of UV, MS and NMR (1H, 13C-​NMR and DEPT) spectroscopic data. Moreover, hypotensive and toxicol. studies were done.

A new nor-​oleanane having the structure 3β,​28-​dihydroxy-​19-​oxo-​27-​noroleanane (I) has been isolated from the stem bark of Vitis vinifera L variety Thompson seedless, beside the known compds., β-​sitosterol, betulin and betulinic acid.  The identification of these compds. was based on different methods of phys. and spectral anal.

The detailed macro- and micromorphological characters of the leaf, stem and root of juglans nigra Linn. (Black Walnut) cultivated in Egypt have been studied in order to find out the diagnostic features which can help in the identification of the plant in both entire and powdered forms.

The macro- and micromorphological character of both male and female flower, as well as fruit of Aberia caffra (Hook.f. & Harv.) Warb. are presented. They were found helpful in identifying them in both the entire and powdered forms.

The effect of lead acetate (20 and 40 mg kg(-1) bodyweight daily) administered via the crop from day old to 56 days of age on the immune response to Newcastle disease virus vaccine (NDVV, La Sota strain) was studied in 354 Lohman chickens. Lead decreased the mitogenic response of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) to phytohaemagglutinin-P (pHA-P) in birds vaccinated with NDVV. It also decreased the weights of the bursa of Fabricius, the thymus glands and the spleen relative to bodyweight. Lead administration decreased the antibody titre to NDVV in the vaccinated groups. The percentage mortality due to a challenge with a virulent velogenic Newcastle disease virus was higher in the lead intoxicated birds.

From the chloroformic fraction of the ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Asteriscus pygmaeus (DC.) Coss & DR (Syn. Odontospermum Pygmaeum) five flavonoids were isolated and identified as apigenin, luteolin-7-O-methylether, luteolin, quercetin-3-O-methylether and quercetin. Apigenin 7-O-glucoside, luteolin 7-O-glucoside and luteolin 7,4'-di-O-glucoside were isolated from the ethyl acetate and butanol fractions. Their structures were established by physical, chemical and spectral methods.

The effect of Phoxim (Volaton) at two dosage levels (23 and 46 mg/kg b.wt.) on male reproduction tissues and their residues in rats were studied. The tested doses were given orally to male rats for 60 consecutive days. Sex organs weight analysis, semen picture, testosterone and cholinestrase enzyme (ChE) levels, histochemistry, histopathological changes and mating trials were the criteria used to evaluate the reproductive efficiency of the treated rats. There was a dose-related decrease in the weights of testicles and sperm motility associated with an increase in the percentages of dead and morphologically abnormal spermatozoa of treated rats. A decrease in plasma testosterone levels was observed in the treated groups. Histopathological examination revealed that phoxim caused testicular lesions characterized by moderate to severe degenerative changes of spermatogonial cells and by partial arrest of spermatogenesis. Plasma, brain and testicular ChE levels were reduced in treated rats. Phoxim and its oxygen analog concentrations were progressively increased by the time of exposure and represented double fold in liver as compared to that in skeletal muscles and testicles. The histochemical examination of testicles of treated rats showed a marked decreament in the ChE activity in tunica albuginea and sperms. A decrease in this enzyme was also noticed in liver hepatocytes, granular layer of the cerebral cortex and medulla of suprarenal gland.