Impact of occupational cadmium exposure on bone in sewage workers

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the environmental risk factors for bone loss. The present study included 40 sewage workers occupationally exposed to Cd. Forty nonexposed men were included as a control group. Current smokers represented 65% and 47.5% of the exposed and control groups, respectively.

The study aimed to investigate the hazard of occupational Cd exposure on bone health. This was achieved through measuring serum and urinary Cd, and calcium (Ca), in addition to serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) and estrogen receptor-α gene. Results showed significant elevation in serum Cd, OPG, and urinary Ca levels in the exposed compared to the controls. Bony aches and joint pain were more prevalent among the exposed workers. Serum and urinary Cd increased in exposed smokers relative to control smokers. Also, serum OPG levels showed significant rise among exposed smoker and nonsmoker compared to control smoker and nonsmoker groups. Serum Cd level increased significantly in PP and pp genotypes in exposed workers compared to controls, while elevated levels of serum OPG was observed in PP and Pp genotypes in exposed workers relative to controls.

Urinary Cd exhibited significant rise in both PP and pp genotypes in exposed workers, while Ca excretion was elevated in pp genotype only. The study reflected an association of genetic predisposition and Cd exposure in progression of osteoporosis. Further research is needed to explain the mechanisms of Cd impact on bone. The role of smoking is important and hence smoking cessation programs are essential for sewage workers.     

A 5′ AMP‐Activated Protein Kinase Enzyme Activator,Compound 59, Induces Autophagy and Apoptosis in Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

5′ AMP‐activated protein kinase enzyme (AMPK), a master regulator of cellular metabolism, is recognized for its association with various metabolic diseases, inflammation and cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of compound 59, an AMPK activator, in a panel of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines. The antiproliferative effects of compound 59 were assessed by MTT assays, flow cytometry, Western blotting, confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Relative to OSCC cells, normal human oral keratinocytes were almost insensitive to compound 59 treatment. Compound 59 induced apoptosis as indicated by caspase activation and PARP cleavage. In addition, it inhibited JAK/STAT3 signalling, arrested cells in the G1 phase, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and promoted autophagy. Interestingly, pre‐treatment with a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PP2A) inhibitor, cantharidin, partially reversed compound 59‐induced down‐regulation of p‐JAK2 and p‐STAT3, thereby suggesting the involvement of a protein tyrosine phosphatase. Together, these findings substantiate the potential of compound 59 for the treatment of OSCC patients.     

Insulin resistance and idiopathic infertility: A potential possible link

Among various health issues, infertility has been always considered as one of the major health problems. Idiopathic infertility is still a matter of debate since the underlying mechanisms stay obscure. Idiopathic infertility is related to expanded chance of metabolic syndrome components, obesity and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to assess insulin resistance and serum levels of irisin as one of the adipokines in patients with idiopathic infertility. This study included 50 male patients aged 25–50 years old suffering from idiopathic infertility, together with 50 healthy individuals of matched age as controls. Patients showed significantly increased homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance values than controls. For irisin results, idiopathic infertility patients had significantly decreased values than controls indicating the potential effect of irisin in development of insulin resistance in idiopathic infertility patients.     

Three-dimensional characterisation of the globe position in the orbit

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - Current methods to analyse the globe position, including Hertel exophthalmometry and computed tomography (CT), are limited to the...     

Modification of Serum Galectin-3 and Reversal of Cardiac Remodeling Following Pediatric Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defect Closure

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effect of percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in children using right heart indices and serum galectin-3 (Gal-3), as potential biomarkers of right heart remodeling. Methods: This case–control prospective study included 40 children with ASD and 25 control subjects. An echocardiographic evaluation was performed before the procedure, as well as 24 h, 1 month, and 6 months after intervention. Serum Gal-3 was measured before, and 1 month after the procedure. Results: Serum Gal-3 concentration, right atrial (RA) dimensions, right ventricular (RV) dimensions, indexed RA area, and right index of myocardial performance (RIMP) were significantly increased in children with ASD compared with control subjects while tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was significantly decreased. Six months after closure, RA, and RV dimensions significantly decreased and RV function improved (RIMP decreased and TAPSE increased). Gal-3 oncentration significantly decreased 1 month after ASD closure, but it did not reach normal range compared with control subjects. A positive correlation between Gal-3 and age at closure, RA area, RV dimensions, and RIMP was observed. A positive correlation was observed between the decrease in Gal-3 concentration and the decrease in RA area and RV dimensions 1 month after ASD closure. A significant negative correlation was observed between TAPSE and Gal-3 concentration before and after intervention. Conclusions: Percutaneous ASD closure can improve right-sided indices and decrease serum Gal-3 concentration. Gal-3 can be used as a sensitive biomarker of right heart remodeling, with a decrease in Gal-3 concentration suggesting reversal of maladaptive remodeling.     

Discovery of Novel Peptidomimetics as Irreversible CHIKV NsP2 Protease Inhibitors Using Quantum Mechanical‐Based Ligand Descriptors

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito‐borne alphavirus. Recent outbreaks of CHIKV infections have been reported in Asia, Africa, and Europe. The symptoms of CHIKV infection include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, myalgia, rash, and chronic persistent arthralgia. To date, no vaccines or selective antiviral drugs against this important emerging virus have been reported. In this study, the design, synthesis, and antiviral activity screening of new topographical peptidomimetics revealed three potential prototype agents 3a , 4b, and 5d showing 93–100% maximum inhibition of CHIKV replication in cell‐based assay having EC₉₀ of 8.76–9.57 μg/mL. Intensive molecular modeling studies including covalent docking, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energies, and the atomic condensed Fukui functions calculations strongly suggested the covalent binding of peptidomimetics 3a , 4b, and 5d to CHIKV nsP2 protease leading to permanent enzyme inactivation via Michael adduct formation between α/β‐unsaturated ketone functionality in our designed peptidomimetics and active site catalytic cysteine1013. Furthermore, small molecular weight peptidomimetics 3a and 4b satisfied the Lipinski rule of five for drug‐likeness and showed promising intestinal absorption and aqueous solubility via computational admet studies making them promising hits for further optimization.     

Effect of educational program on pediatric nurses' knowledge and practice regarding selected nonpharmacological techniques to relive pain in neonates

BackgroundNewborn infants have an increased sensitivity to pain and are more reactive to pain than older children and adults. Nurses play a crucial role in assessing pain, implementing and evaluating interventions to minimize neonatal pain using available resources especially nonpharmacologic techniques.Aim of the studyto develop and apply an educational program on pediatric nurses regarding selected nonpharmacologic techniques to relieve pain in neonates.Research designA pre/post quasi-experimental research design was utilized in the present study. The study was carried out at Minia University for Obstetric and Pediatric and General Hospitals at neonatal care units. A convenient sample of 41 nurses was included in this study. Educational program for nurses was done through using the following data collection tools 1) Pre-designed questionnaire sheet, 2) Observation checklists sheet and 3) Educational and training program.ResultsIt was revealed that there was an obvious increase in the total mean scores of knowledge and practice in post and follow up program phase compared with pretest phase, with a very highly significant difference (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe education program had a significant impact on pediatric nurses' knowledge and practices regarding selected nonpharmacologic techniques to relieve pain in neonates.RecommendationsA continuous training and educational program should be planned and offered on regular basis for nurses regarding nonpharmacologic techniques to relieve pain in neonates.     

Microbiological infections in HIV positive Bahraini patients with low CD4+ T-lymphocyte count

The correlation of CD4+ T-lymphocyte count and the distribution of pathogenic or opportunistic microbial infection most commonly found in HIV positive individuals differ from one area to the other. The present study reports such findings in 67 HIV positive Bahraini patients in the period May 1997 to Nov. 1998. CD4+ T-lymphocyte count was measured using flow cytometry. Bacterial and fungal cultures were performed. Serological diagnosis was performed when indicated. Viral study was done serologically. The distribution of CD4+ T-lymphocyte count in the studied group was: 21 patients (31.3%) less than 100 cells/microl, 5 patients (7.5%) 100-200 cells/microl, 25 patients (37.3%) 201-500 cells/microl and 16 patients (23.9%) with count more than 500 cells/microl. Among patients with low CD4 count (less than 100 cells/microl) (n=21), microbial infections varied from fungal infections 66%, bacterial infections 57% and viral infections 4.8%. Bacterial infections included Salmonellosis (14.3%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (14.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.5%), H. influenzae (9.5%), Legionellosis (4.8%) and E. coli (4.8%). Fungal infection included Candida albicans (52.4%), Pneumocystis carinii (9.5%), Cryptococcus neoformans (4.8%). Viral infection included H. simplex to (4.8%). Fungal infections were the highest common infection in thus study. The most common microbial infection was Candida albicans. P. carinii and Cryptococcus neoformans were less common than found in other studies world wide.