Cadmium (Cd) stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species and causes tissue damage. We investigated here the protective effect of Physalis peruviana L. (family Solanaceae) against cadmium-induced testes toxicity in rats. Twenty-eight Wistar albino rats were used. They were divided into four groups (n=7). Group 1 was used as control. Group 2 was intraperitoneally injected with 6.5 mg/kg body weight (bwt) of cadmium chloride for 5 days. Group 3 was orally treated with 200 mg/kg bwt of methanolic extract of physalis (MEPh). Group 4 was pretreated with MEPh before cadmium for 5 days. Changes in body and testes weights were determined. Oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes, and testosterone level were measured. Histopathological changes of testes were examined, and the immunohistochemical staining for the proapoptotic (caspase-3) protein was performed. The injection of cadmium caused a significant decrease in body weight, while a significant increase in testes weight and testes weight index was observed. Pretreatment with MEPh was associated with significant reduction in the toxic effects of Cd as shown by reduced testicular levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and caspase-3 expression and increased glutathione content, and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and testosterone were also increased. Testicular histopathology showed that Cd produced an extensive germ cell apoptosis, and the pretreatment of MEPh in Cd-treated rats significantly reduced Cd-induced testicular damage. On the basis of the above results, it can be hypothesized that P. peruviana L. has a protective effect against cadmium-induced testicular oxidative stress and apoptosis in the rat.

Introduction. Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) has been performed in many approaches such as open, laparoscopic and recently Single Port Access (SPAA). In order to elucidate its potential advantages, we compared the two laparoscopic approaches. Methods. 87 patients were included in a multicentric study for suspected appendicitis in order to perform (SPAA) appendectomy or laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). All outcomes, including blood loss, operative time, complications, and length of stay and pain were recorded prospectively. Results. There were 46 patients in the SPAA group and 41 in the LAG with a mean operative time of 40,4 minutes in the SPAA group and 35,0 minutes in the LA group. Only one patient was converted to an open approach. We described only 2 complications. Pain was graded 2,8 in the SPAA group and 2,9 in the LA group, according to the AVS after 24 hours. Patients in the SPAA Group were more satisfied (7,5 versus 6,9) (P < 0.05). Same results were found for the cosmetic result (8,6 versus 7,4) (P < 0.05). Conclusion. Using the single port approach feasible and safe. The true benefit of the technique should be assessed by new randomised controlled trials.

LC can be performed safely without the use of IOC, with acceptable low rates of biliary complications provided that proper detection of patients with silent CBD stones is done and facilities for pre- and postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography are available.

Diffusely enlarged thyroid glands (goitres) are becoming increasingly infrequent. However, in some geographical areas they are still relatively common and can cause compressive symptoms involving the trachea, oesophagus, and recurrent laryngeal nerve. Surgical treatment of diffusely enlarged thyroid glands requires a high level of expertise and may lead to severe complications. Here we present a case report of surgical treatment of an extremely enlarged thyroid gland, found in a 61-year-old female patient. The patient underwent surgery, and a thyroidectomy was performed. The resulting specimen weighed 4.7 kg (10.4 lbs). Histopathological examination revealed a multinodular goitre with multiple cysts and areas of haemorrhage and necrosis. Surgical excision can immediately resolve local symptoms and is often recommended when substernal extension is evident. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest thyroid gland ever reported in the literature. Only experienced surgeons should treat large thyroid goitres. Ideally, large thyroid goitres should be treated before they reach a substernal component, otherwise any sudden growth in gland size could seriously compromise respiration.

Keloids result from uncontrolled inflammation and fibrosis during wound healing. Vitamin D can regulate skin proliferation and inflammation. Fibroblasts are vitamin D-responsive target cells and are source of koebnerisin (an antimicrobial peptide released during inflammation and wound healing). This study aimed to assess the levels and correlations between the serum and tissue 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, tissue vitamin D receptors, and serum and tissue koebnerisin (S100A15) in patients with keloids. Nineteen patients with keloids and 20 matched controls were recruited. From each keloid patient, a serum sample and two biopsies were taken from the keloid (lesional) (Tissue A) and from normal skin (non-lesional) (Tissue B). From controls, a serum sample and a tissue biopsy from normal skin were taken. Serum and tissue 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, tissue vitamin D receptors, and serum and tissue koebnerisin were measured in retrieved samples using ELISA. Results revealed a significantly lower serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, tissue vitamin D receptors, as well as, serum and tissue koebnerisin in keloid patients compared to controls. Tissue

Injection of thyroid tissue suspension is a simple method for thyroid autotransplantation. TSH was elevated in the majority to maintain normal or near normal thyroid hormones. Ten-gram implants showed higher isotope uptake than 5-g, although this difference was not reflected by thyroid hormone profile. The implant seemed to function better with the passage of time from 2 months to 12 months.

It was demonstrated that some North Africa barley accessions have diverse tolerance sources for abiotic stresses and a good nutritional quality, but the studies done were incomplete since they were realized separately in each country apart.To implement a more complete analysis, 31 barley accessions originated from North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt) were analyzed using 11 SSR markers selected from the seven barley linkage groups for studying the genetic diversity among these chosen barley accessions.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic multisystem autoimmune disease with a vast spectrum of clinical presentations including almost all body organs and tissues. The incidence of lupus has tripled in the last 40 years, mainly due to the improved diagnosis. For more than 60 years the presence of autoantibodies in patients with SLE has been known. A great effort is being made for understanding the diagnostic, pathogenic and prognostic meaning of these autoantibodies. The study demonstrated the significance of autoantibodies test in Egyptian SLE patients. The results showed that 93.3% of patients have positive ANA test, 90% have positive anti-dsDNA. Anti-Sm antibodies were in 40% and 49.3% of patients have positive anti-nucleosome antibody test. Also, 30.6% of patients deve-loped a positive anti-histone test & 26% have positive anti-ribosomal test. Anti-phospholipids antibodies were found in 44.6% of patients. Levels of C3 & C4 (0.552±0.43 & 0.125±0.12, respectively) were lower than that of control group (1.2±0.35 & 0.42±0.54 for C3 & C4, respectively).