Novel Insights about Synergistic Effect of Zamzam Water with SGL2 Inhibitors on Wound Healing in STZ-Induced Diabetic Rats: The Role of anti-Inflammatory and Proangiogenic Effects

Background: Hyperglycemia usually impairs wound healing by dysregulating the inflammatory response and angiogenesis. This study aimed to examine the synergistic effect of dapagliflozin and Zamzam water (ZW) on the healing of diabetic wounds and to explore their anti-inflammatory and proangiogenic effects.Materials and methods: A full-thickness excisional wound was made on the backs of all groups after two weeks of diabetes induction. Forty rats were divided into five groups, with eight rats per group; Group 1: Control non-diabetic rats; Group II: Untreated diabetic rats; Group III: Diabetic rats drinking ZW; Group IV: Diabetic rats receiving an oral dose of 1 mg/kg dapagliflozin; and Group V: Received both dapagliflozin and ZW. The healing of diabetic wounds was assessed by measuring wound closure, oxidative stress markers, immunohistochemical staining of NF-βB, VEGF, CD34, CD45, Ki-67, and eNOS, gene expression of MMP-9, TGF-β1, EGF-b1, FGF, and Col1A1, protein levels of TNFα, IL-1β, IL6, Ang II, and HIF-1α by ELISA assay, and histological examination with H & E and Masson's trichrome. Combined treatment with dapagliflozin and ZW significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the wound closure and antioxidant enzyme level, with apparent histological improvement, and shortened the inflammatory stage of the diabetic wound by decreasing the level of inflammatory markers NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL6, and CD45. Therefore, it improved angiogenesis markers VEGF, CD34, eNOS, EGF-β1, FGF, Ang II, and HIF-1α, increasing Ki-67 cellular proliferation. Moreover, it enhanced the remodeling stage by increasing MMP-2, TGF-β1, and Col1A1 levels compared to diabetic rats.

Zamzam Water Ameliorates Gentamicin-Induced Testicular Toxicity in a Rat Model via Targeting Sperm Parameters, Testicular Tissue Oxidative Insult, Inflammation, Apoptosis, and Pituitary-Gonadal Axis

Gentamicin is considered one of the most typical causes of testicular damage. Oxidative stress is a significant contributor to testicular tissue damage. Zamzam water (alkaline in nature) has an antioxidant effect. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential palliative effect of Zamzam water against gentamicin-induced testicular damage. Thirty Rats were separated into three groups, each with ten rats, as follows: The Control received only normal saline. The gentamicin group received 100 mg/kg/day of gentamicin intraperitoneally for six days from day 15 to the end of the experiment. The gentamicin +Zamzam Water group received a dose of gentamicin 100 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally with Zamzam water as their sole source of drinking from day one to day 21. Hormonal assay in serum, histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural examination of testicular tissue with a molecular study were obtained. Pretreatment with Zamzam water significantly p < 0.001 increased serum levels of testosterone, FSH, and LH, as well as the percentage of sperm motility and progressive motility. It also upregulated SOD, CAT, GPx enzymatic activity, gene expression of Nrf2/HO-1, and immunoexpression of PCNA. While the percentage of dead sperm and abnormal sperm, immunoexpression of NFκB, Caspase 3, inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, and MDA levels significantly (p < 0.001) declined with histological improvement. It was concluded that Zamzam water as alkaline water possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects against gentamicin-induced testicular toxicity in vivo.

Non-culture diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection in sexually active women

Infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) are one of the most prevalent of all sexually transmitted diseases (STD). This cross sectional study was carried out to diagnose genital CT infection on 108 (59 pregnant and 49 non-pregnant) women attending at Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH) during the period from January 2009 to December 2009. This non- culture technique was based on detection of CT major outer membrane protein (MOMP) by Direct Fluorescence Antibody Test (DFAT) from endocervical swab. Chlamydial inclusion bodies (IB) were looked for using Iodine stain. CT antigens were detected in 45.3% (49/108) cases by DFAT; IBs were detected in 5.5% cases (06/108) by Iodine staining technique. Majority of CT positive cases (65%) were found in the younger age group (15 to 25 years). The CT infection was found 47.2 % (35/74) in symptomatic cases, 41.1% (14/34) in asymptomatic cases and 47.4% in pregnant group, 42.8% in non-pregnant group. Although high incidence of genital chlamydia infection is common both in pregnant, non-pregnant, symptomatic and asymptomatic women in Bangladesh an early and reliable diagnostic method for genital chlamydia infection in Bangladesh should be further explored.

Sporadic congenital infantile cortical hyperostosis (Caffey's disease)

Prognosis of congenital infantile cortical hyperostosis (Caffey's disease) is poor particularly in premature babies. Two cases are presented of congenital Caffey's disease in premature babies. The first baby was hydropic at birth and had cortical hyperostosis involving the mandible and long bones of right upper limb and both lower limbs. The second baby had cortical hyperostosis of the nasal bones causing severe nasal nonchoanal stenosis that needed surgery, in addition to involvement of long bones of the four extremities. Both babies recovered from the disease and were discharged home well. These cases suggest that the improved outcome of congenital of infantile cortical hyperostosis may reflect improvement of neonatal mechanical ventilation and availability of neonatal total parenteral nutrition.

Patent omphalomesenteric duct of the vermiform appendix in a neonate: congenital appendicoumbilical fistula

Umbilical anomalies arise from fetal structures such as the omphalomesenteric duct (OMD) or urachus or from failure of closure of the umbilical fascial ring. Persistence of the OMD may lead to several anomalies including umbilical sinus, umbilical cyst, Meckel's diverticulum, or patent OMD (POMD). A POMD is usually associated with the ileum, but rarely may be with the caecum or appendix. We describe a POMD of the vermiform appendix and discuss the possible pathogenesis and management.

Is the determination of umbilical cord arterial blood gases necessary in all deliveries? Analysis in a high-risk population

Umbilical cord arterial blood gas (UCABG) analysis is recommended in addition to Apgar scoring for assessing newborns. A prospective study was performed to determine whether UCABG values should be obtained in all deliveries, or only in selected deliveries in which the UCABG values are likely to be informative. During a predefined study period, maternal and neonatal data were collected for all live births (n = 604). UCABG test results were available for 505 births. Of these, 98 (19.4%) had UCABG pH < 7.2 (acidotic group), and they were compared with the other 407 live births (nonacidotic group). There were significantly more primiparous women in the acidotic group, whereas grandmultiparity (parity > 7) was significantly lower. The first and second stages of labor were significantly prolonged and there were more assisted births in the acidotic group. Fetal distress and the incidence of Apgar scores < 3 were significantly higher in the acidotic group. The selective determination of UCABG values in primiparous pregnancies, prolonged labors, assisted deliveries. or in the presence of fetal distress may be more informative than universal UCABG determination. Although these factors were highly sensitive, their specificity was poor; thus we cannot recommend criteria for the selective determination of UCABG values.

Increased incidence of hyperbilirubinaemia in 'unchallenged' glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in term Saudi newborns

The incidence of severe hyperbilirubinaemia was significantly higher among the G6PD-deficient Saudi infants born at term than in non-deficient babies (34% vs 9%) (p less than 0.005). No apparent offending factors were detected in either the babies or their mothers. All babies who developed hyperbilirubinaemia did so during the 1st week of life. The highest mean bilirubin level for all jaundiced G6PD-deficient babies was recorded on the 4th postnatal day. Although the incidence of severe hyperbilirubinaemia among our neonates was relatively high, only two of them (7%), a boy and a girl, required exchange transfusions. Five of 29 jaundiced babies with G6PD deficiency were readmitted after discharge because of significant jaundice. One required exchange transfusion. Since G6PD deficiency seems to be a relatively common cause of neonatal jaundice in Saudi newborns, early detection of this enzymopathy by cord blood screening is justified to avoid morbidity and deaths.

Cord blood thyrotropin screening for primary hypothyroidism on Caribbean island: a rapid communication

Screening programs using determinations of serum thyroxine have demonstrated that congenital hypothyroidism occurs in one in 4,000 live births in North America. More than 90 percent of affected infants have primary hypothyroidism with elevated plasma thyrotropin (TSH) levels. Since the feasibility of newborn screening and incidence of congenital hypothyroidism in other less well developed areas of the world is not well defined, a study was undertaken of neonatal primary hypothyroid screening infants born on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia in the Lesser Antilles. Three hundred thirteen cord blood samples were collected on filter paper and transported 3,000 miles to Loyola University of Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine (LUMC). From LUMC, the samples were transported to the Illinois State Metabolic Screening Laboratory for determination of TSH by radioimmunoassay (RIA). In this group of newborns, the mean TSH level in cord blood was 10.23 +/- 0.29 microIU per ml (SEM). It is concluded that screening programs for neonatal primary hypothyroidism can be performed using reference laboratories far removed from the population under observation.

Intubation-related tracheal stenosis in very-low-birth-weight infants. Diagnosis and treatment

Five infants who developed intubation-related tracheal stenosis were treated surgically with an anterior cricoid split instead of a tracheostomy. This surgery allowed early extubation and discharge of these patients who, on follow-up, have had adequate phonation and no further respiratory compromise. We suggest that this surgery be considered for all infants who develop intubation-related tracheal stenosis.

A widespread epidemic of mild necrotizing enterocolitis of unknown cause

Within a 28-day period, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) developed in 20 of 38 infants (53%). Patients with NEC were compared with the remaining 18 infants hospitalized at the same time who did not acquire the disease. Complications of pregnancy and labor-delivery and infant care practices did not differ between groups. Mean chronologic age was significantly different between patients with NEC and those without, 29 days v 77 days. Mean postconceptional age at the time of the outbreak was also significantly different, 33.4 weeks v 42.3 weeks. None of the cultures demonstrated a specific common pathogen. The low mortality (5%) and the large number of infants affected suggest an atypical out-break of NEC. We could not isolate a causative agent despite extensive epidemiologic investigation, and suggest that postconceptional age delineates those at risk.