Effectiveness of cannabidiol (CBD) on histopathological changes and gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model in male rats: the role of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway

The third most prevalent malignancy to cause mortality is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is activated by binding to the transmembrane receptor Patched-1 (PTCH-1), which depresses the transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor Smoothened (SMO). This study was performed to examine the preventative and therapeutic effects of cannabidiol in adult rats exposed to diethyl nitrosamine (DENA)-induced HCC.A total of 50 male rats were divided into five groups of 10 rats each. Group I was the control group. Group II received intraperitoneal (IP) injections of DENA for 14 weeks. Group III included rats that received cannabidiol (CBD) orally (3-30 mg/kg) for 2 weeks and DENA injections for 14 weeks. Group IV rats received oral CBD for 2 weeks before 14 weeks of DENA injections. Group V included rats that received CBD orally for 2 weeks after their last injection of DENA. Measurements were made for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and alpha fetoprotein (AFP). Following total RNA extraction, Smo, Hhip, Ptch-1, and Gli-1 expressions were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A histopathological analysis of liver tissues was performed.The liver enzymes, oxidant-antioxidant state, morphological, and molecular parameters of the adult male rat model of DENA-induced HCC showed a beneficial improvement after CBD administration. In conclusion, by focusing on the Hh signaling system, administration of CBD showed a beneficial improvement in the liver enzymes, oxidant-antioxidant status, morphological, and molecular parameters in the DENA-induced HCC in adult male rats.

Study of the pattern of Widal test in infants and children; II. Pattern of Widal test in children with enteric fevers. An attempt to define the diagnostic titer for upper Egypt

The study embodied 45 children with enteric fevers proved by bacteriological culture of blood, stools and urine and 20 children with rheumatic fever. Widal test was done for the rheumatic fever cases and was done repeatedly at weekly intervals for the enteric fever cases. The clinical features of children with enteric fevers was discussed. By contrasting the results of Widal test in children with enteric fever with the results in apparently normal infants and children from the same locality, a minimal diagnostic dual Widal titer was suggested. This combines "O" agglutinin in a titer of 1/160 provided that the other "H" agglutinins are at a lower titer. This suggested diagnostic titer improved the specificity of Widal test. This titer is encountered only in 0.58% of normal individuals and in none of 20 children with rheumatic fever. This titer also yielded an excellent sensitivity to diagnose actual enteric fever cases reaching up to 93.3%. Bacterial isolates from enteric fever cases were S. typhi in 55.5%, S. paratyphi A in 33.3% and S. paratyphi B in 11.1%. Chloramphenicol therapy resulted in a higher cure rate and a more rapid defervescence than ampicillin therapy. Regarding the effect of these antibiotic therapies on the rise of Widal agglutinin titers in children with enteric fevers there are two observations : 1--A four fold rise, is uncommon. A two fold rise is the common finding. 2--There is no consistent difference between chloramphenicol and ampicillin as regards their effect on the rise of agglutinin titers.

Study of the pattern of Widal test in infants and children. I. Pattern of Widal test among apparently normal infants and children

690 apparently normal infants and children from Assiut-Upper Egypt--were submitted to Widal test. They were 0-15 years old, of both sexes (382 males and 308 females) and from both the urban and rural localities (433 and 257 respectively). --The frequency of single agglutinin titers is discussed. --The dual Widal titer combining "O" agglutinin in a titer of 1/40 or more with "H" agglutinin 1/80 or more, was fulfilled by 252 (36.5%) :-- A--106 (15.3%) showed a simultaneous rise of T."H", paratyphi A "H" and paratyphi B "H" agglutinins suggesting an effect of recent previous T.A.B. vaccination. B--146 persons (21.1%), showed a rise of only one or two "H" agglutinins, probably an effect of natural exposure to enteric fever agents reflecting the endemicity of infection. Further study of this group revealed: 1--There is a past experience with a single enteric fever agent in 63 persons (9.1%) with the following order of frequency : S.typhi (5.2%), S. paratyphi A (2.9%) and S. Paratyphi B. (1.01%). 2--The distribution of the group with rise of only one or two "H" agglutinins, by age, sex and locality is discussed. Apparently there is an initial high rate in the first year of life that declines in the age group 1--5 years to increase in the age group 6--9 years and the older age groups.

Study of the pattern of Widal test in infants and children. III. Effect of T.A.B., diphtheria tetanus, pertussis and measles vaccinations on the level of enteric fever agglutinins

Widal test was done before and 15 days after the last dose of T.A.B. (33 Children) Diphtheria (13) Tetanus (16), Pertussis (7) and Measles (7) vaccinations. The tremendous rise of Widal agglutinin titers after T.A.B. vaccination could not foul up the results of the Widal test if we follow closely the suggested diagnostic Widal criterion combining a titer of 1/80 or more for "O" and 1/60 or more for one"H" agglutinin with the other "H" agglutinins at a lower titer.