A novel CNN architecture for accurate early detection and classification of Alzheimer's disease using MRI data

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that requires accurate diagnosis for effective management and treatment. In this article, we propose an architecture for a convolutional neural network (CNN) that utilizes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from the Alzheimer's disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) dataset to categorize AD. The network employs two separate CNN models, each with distinct filter sizes and pooling layers, which are concatenated in a classification layer. The multi-class problem is addressed across three, four, and five categories. The proposed CNN architecture achieves exceptional accuracies of 99.43%, 99.57%, and 99.13%, respectively. These high accuracies demonstrate the efficacy of the network in capturing and discerning relevant features from MRI images, enabling precise classification of AD subtypes and stages. The network architecture leverages the hierarchical nature of convolutional layers, pooling layers, and fully connected layers to extract both local and global patterns from the data, facilitating accurate discrimination between different AD categories. Accurate classification of AD carries significant clinical implications, including early detection, personalized treatment planning, disease monitoring, and prognostic assessment. The reported accuracy underscores the potential of the proposed CNN architecture to assist medical professionals and researchers in making precise and informed judgments regarding AD patients.

Unraveling the role of miRNAs in the diagnosis, progression, and therapeutic intervention of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by the impairment of the motor system, resulting in symptoms such as resting tremor, cogwheel rigidity, bradykinesia, difficulty with gait, and postural instability. The occurrence of striatal dopamine insufficiency can be attributed to a notable decline in dopaminergic neurons inside the substantia nigra pars compacta. Additionally, the development of Lewy bodies serves as a pathological hallmark of PD. While current therapy approaches for PD aim to preserve dopaminergic neurons or replenish dopamine levels in the brain, it is important to acknowledge that achieving complete remission of the condition remains elusive. MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miR) are a class of small, non-coding ribonucleic acids involved in regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. The miRNAs play a crucial part in the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of several neurodegenerative illnesses, including PD. The aim of this review is to explore the role of miRNAs in regulating genes associated with the onset and progression of PD, investigate the potential of miRNAs as a diagnostic tool, assess the effectiveness of targeting specific miRNAs as an alternative therapeutic strategy to impede disease advancement, and discuss the utilization of newly developed nanoparticles for delivering miRNAs as neurodegenerative therapies.

Ameliorating effect of selenium nanoparticles on cyclophosphamide induced hippocampal neurotoxicity in male rats: light, electron microscopic and immunohistochemical study

BACKGROUND

Cyclophosphamide (CPH) is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug that can affect the hippocampal neurocytes with a subsequent effect on memory and cognitive functions. Nanomedicine has the potential to overcome the current chemotherapeutic side effects, because of the unique nanoscale size and distinctive bioeffects of nanomaterials. So, the present study aims to investigate the potential ameliorative effect of the biologically synthesized nano-selenium (nano Se) on CPH induced hippocampal neurotoxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty four rats were randomly classified into four groups of 6 rats each: control group, nano Se group (dose of 0.5 mg biological nano Se /kg daily via oral gavage), CPH group (dose of 20 mg CPH/kg daily intraperitoneally), and CPH plus Nano Se group. After 4 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and the hippocampus was excised and processed. Sections were stained with H&E stain and immunohistochemically stained for caspase 3 (apoptosis marker) and GFAB (astrocytic activity marker). Morphometric analysis and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) examination were also done.

RESULTS

Control and nano Se groups revealed no structural changes. By light microscopy, CPH group showed degeneration and necrosis of hippocampal neurocytes, significantly reduced thickness of the neurocyte cell layers, increased expression of GFAB and caspase 3 immunostains and significantly elevated apoptotic index. Moreover, neurocytes damage, mitochondrial cristeolysis, mild dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum (Er), and disrupted neurolemmal sheaths of nerve fibers were also demonstrated by TEM. Nano Se cotreatment in the fourth group reversed all the aforementioned deleterious changes that induced by CPH in the hippocampal neurocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with CPH caused damage to hippocampal neurocytes that can be reversed by biological nano Se co-treatment.

Potential use of N-carboxyethylchitosan in biomedical applications: Preparation, characterization, biological properties

N-carboxyethylchitosan (CECS) was successfully prepared via Michael addition reaction of chitosan (CS) with acrylic acid in water. The structure of CECS was characterized by Fourier transform Infra-Red spectrometry (FT-IR), ¹HNMR, elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Antibacterial activity of CECS was evaluated against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) by using minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). The results showed that the prepared CECS soluble in water at wide range of pH values. In addition, it has amorphous character improve its chemical reactivity than CS itself, in addition it has been showed stronger antibacterial activity than chitosan itself due to the presence of both -COOH and -NH₂ groups and the CECS shows higher antibacterial activity towards S. aureus than E. coli. Finally, the cytotoxicity of CECS has been evaluated through Cell viability assay, which confirm that CECS is non-toxic and tissue compatible like CS.

Effect of high-fat diet-induced obesity on thyroid gland structure in female rats and the possible ameliorating effect of metformin therapy

BACKGROUND

Obesity is known to induce a state of lipotoxicity that affects the different organs of the body. Metformin is an antidiabetic drug commonly used in obesity treatment. It was known to improve thyroid function and its regulating hormones. Structural changes in the thyroid gland associated with obesity have not been well investigated. So, the aim of the present study is to detect structural changes in thyroid gland induced by obesity and to investigate the possible protective role of metformin therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty adult female albino rats were divided into three groups (10 rats each). Group I (control group), group II (rats fed with a high-fat diet), and group III (rats fed with a high-fat diet and treated with metformin therapy). After 12 weeks, rats from all groups were sacrificed. Blood samples were taken for measurement of lipid profile, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free T3 and free T4. Thyroid glands were extracted and processed for histological and ultrastructural study. Morphometric measurements for the colloid area of thyroid follicles and height of the follicular cells were done.

RESULTS

Group I displayed normal biochemical parameters and architecture of the thyroid gland. Group II revealed disordered lipid profile, high TSH, free T3 and T4. Microscopically, large thyroid follicles with excessive colloid accumulation and decreased follicular cells height were seen. Some follicular cells showed pyknotic nuclei, vacuolated cytoplasm and disrupted basement membrane with mast cell infiltration of the thyroid tissue. Ultrastructurally, group II follicular cells showed loss of apical microvilli, dense shrunken nuclei, dilated endoplasmic reticulum, swollen damaged mitochondria with large intracellular vacuoles and colloid droplets. In group III, the biochemical parameters and structure of thyroid follicles were improved, and they had a near-normal appearance.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity induced by high-fat diet in female rats structurally and functionally changed the thyroid gland in a way that may explain hypothyroidism associated with obesity. These changes were improved by metformin therapy.

The protective role of the opioid antagonist LY255582 in the management of high fat diet-induced obesity in adult male albino rats

OBJECTIVES

The involvement of the opioid system in energy balance has been known for several decades but many questions remain unanswered. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effect of the non-selective opioid receptor antagonist (LY255582) on high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity.

METHODS

Twenty-four adult male albino rats were divided into 4 groups: Control, HFD non-treated, HFD+LY255582 treated during the first 4 weeks and Obese-LY255582- treated groups during the following 4 weeks after the induction of obesity. LY255582 (0.31 mg/kg, s.c.) was administrated daily with HFD feeding. Blood samples were collected for measurement of lipid profile, glucose, insulin, and leptin. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), and food intake were also measured.

RESULTS

Consumption of HFD resulted in a significant increase in body weight, body mass index (BMI), glucose, insulin, leptin levels, and induced a state of dyslipideamia. Opioid antagonist LY255582 administration with HFD decreased food intake, body weight and BMI, in addition to the improvement of HFD related metabolic abnormalities (dyslipidemia and insulin resistance) during the dynamic phase of obesity development than in animals with already developed dietary obesity.

CONCLUSION

The use of opioid antagonist may be a promising approach in treatment of HFD-induced obesity.

Determinants of stillbirths in katsina, Nigeria: a hospital-based study

Every year, about 3 million stillbirths occur globally, almost a third occurring during the intra-partum period. Almost all stillbirths (98%) occur in low and middle income countries, with Nigeria having the third largest burden. The aim of this study was to determine the stillbirth rate and its determinants in the Federal Medical Centre Katsina, located in north western Nigeria. This study was a retrospective review of all deliveries conducted between 1(st) March 2010 and 31(st) December 2012 in Federal Medical Centre Katsina. Data were extracted from labor room and theatre records, and patient folders. Cases were matched with controls by booking status. The privacy and confidentiality of information retrieved from cases and controls was also ensured by anonymizing the data retrieved. No conflict of interest was identified. The data was analyzed with SPSS 20. During the period under review, there were 6628 deliveries, out of which 331 of the products were stillborn. The stillbirth rate was 46.9±3.6 per 1000 deliveries. Determinants of stillbirths were antepartum hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, uterine rupture, low birth weight and congenital fetal malformations. The study highlighted the poor perinatal health in the study population.

Prevalence of vaginal candidiasis among pregnant women with abnormal vaginal discharge in Maiduguri

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy represents a risk factor in the occurrence of vaginal candidiasis.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence and clinical features associated with abnormal vaginal discharge and C. albicans infection in pregnant women.

METHODS

High vaginal swab samples and data on epidemiological characteristics were collected from 400 pregnant women with complaints of abnormal vaginal discharge at booking clinic of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. The data was analysed using SPSS 16.0 statistical software.

RESULTS

The prevalence of abnormal vaginal discharge in pregnancy was 31.5%. The frequency of abnormal vaginal discharge was 183 (45.8%) among those aged 20-24 years, 291 (72.8%) in multipara, 223 (55.8%) in those with Primary education and 293 (73.2%) in unemployed. Vulval pruritus 300 (75.0%) was significantly related to abnormal vaginal discharge (P < 0.001). The prevalence of C. albicans was 41%. The frequencies of Vulval itching, Dyspareunia and vulval excoriation among those with candidiasis were 151 (50.3%), 14 (56.0%) and 75 (75.0%) respectively (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of abnormal vaginal discharge in pregnancy was high in this study and C. albicans was the commonest cause. It is recommended that a pregnant woman complaining of abnormal vaginal discharge be assessed and Laboratory diagnosis done in order to give appropriate treatment.

Pattern of gynaecological malignancies at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria

Gynaecological malignancies contribute to the global burden of diseases and are of public health interest. The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of distribution of gynaecological malignancies seen between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2006, at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria. It was a retrospective descriptive study. A total of 166 cases of gynaecological malignancies were encountered, cervical cancer was the most common (59.6%). This was followed by ovarian cancer (21.1%), trophoblastic tumour (7.8%) and corpus uteri cancer (6.0%). Others included cancer of the vulva (3.6%) and cancer of the vagina (1.8%). Squamous cell carcinoma accounted for 96.0% of cervical cancers. Epithelial tumours represented 60.0% of ovarian cancers, and serous cyst adenocarcinoma was the most common histological variety. All the vulval and vaginal cancers were of squamous cell type. In conclusion, genital malignancies are common and cervical cancer remains the leading gynaecological malignancy in this centre.

Maternal deaths: initial report of an on-going monitoring of maternal deaths at the Federal Medical Centre Katsina, Northwest Nigeria

OBJECTIVES

To assess the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) from data collected as maternal deaths occurred over a 4-year period.

METHODS

A Departmental database established in 2008 was used to keep data on deliveries and maternal deaths as they occurred. The causes of death were decided after a meeting reviewed the case. Analysis was done using Microsoft Excel software and results presented in means and frequencies.

RESULTS

Eight thousand two hundred and twenty live deliveries that occurred were complicated by 68 maternal deaths. The MMR was 827/100 000 live births. The MMR for unbooked women was four times higher than for booked women. Obstetric haemorrhage was the main (21.6%) direct cause of death followed by preeclampsia/eclampsia (18.9%). While anaemia was the leading (8.1%) indirect cause of death, tetanus in the puerperium reared its head as an emerging (5.4%) indirect cause of maternal death. None of the women ever used contraceptives. Most deaths occurred in teenage mothers (23.5%), unbooked women (86%) and in the postpartum period (69%).

CONCLUSION

The MMR was high and tetanus in puerperium emerged as an indirect cause of maternal deaths. There is a need to curb the emergence of tetanus in the puerperium as a cause of maternal death.

Treating impaired cognition in schizophrenia

Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia that substantially accounts for poor functional outcomes associated with this disease in areas such as work, independent living and social relationships. Until recently, drug development in schizophrenia has focused on developing compounds that mainly target the positive psychotic symptoms of the illness. Although current antipsychotic drugs treat psychosis in schizophrenia rather well, their impact on cognitive dysfunction is minimal. In recent years there has been growing interest in developing novel treatments for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. In this review we discuss pharmacologic strategies considered most likely to improve cognition. These putative molecular targets include receptors for acetylcholine, dopamine, glutamate, g-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin and histamine. In addition, we propose that not only pharmacological, but also psychological treatments should be considered to enhance cognition in schizophrenia.

The efficacy of 10gram intramuscular loading dose of MgSO(4) in severe preeclampsia/ eclampsia at a tertiary referral centre in Northwest Nigeria

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The efficacy of 10g intramuscular loading dose of magnesium sulphate in women with severe preeclampsia/eclampsia was assessed at a tertiary health centre for potential use at primary health level.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Intramuscular 10g loading dose and 14g loading dose of Pritchard were compared in women with severe preeclampsia/eclampsia. Primary outcome measures were the occurrence of fits in women with severe preeclampsia, further fits in those with eclampsia and maternal death. Other outcome measures were mode of delivery and severe birth asphyxia at 5 minutes of life.

RESULTS

One hundred and three women were enrolled; 54 and 49 women had 10g and 14g loading dose respectively. No significant convulsions (p= 0.1424) occurred in women with severe preeclampsia who had 10g intramuscular loading dose and repeat convulsion was averted in 93% of women with eclampsia. 10g loading dose did not increase the likelihood of caesarean section in women with preeclampsia (p=0.2832) or eclampsia (p=0.9112). The mean Apgar score at 5 minutes of life of neonates whose mothers had 10g and 14g loading dose for preeclampsia was 8 and 8.46 respectively, and 8.9 and 8.8 respectively for eclampsia. There was no statistically significant difference in maternal death between the two groups for severe preeclampsia (p= 0.2020) and eclampsia (p=0.3496).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests a potential use of intramuscular 10 gram loading dose of MgSO at the primary health care level in Nigeria.

The efficacy of intramuscular loading dose of MgSO4 in severe pre-eclampsia/ eclampsia at a tertiary referral centre in Northwest Nigeria

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The efficacy of 10g intramuscular loading dose of magnesium sulphate in women with severe preeclampsia/eclampsia was assessed at a tertiary health centre for potential use at primary health level.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Intramuscular 10g loading dose and 14g loading dose of Pritchard were compared in women with severe preeclampsia/eclampsia. Primary outcome measures were the occurrence of fits in women with severe preeclampsia, further fits in those with eclampsia and maternal death. Other outcome measures were mode of delivery and severe birth asphyxia at 5 minutes of life.

RESULTS

One hundred and three women were enrolled; 54 and 49 women had 10g and 14g loading dose respectively. No significant convulsions (p= 0.1424) occurred in women with severe preeclampsia who had 10g intramuscular loading dose and repeat convulsion was averted in 93% of women with eclampsia. 10g loading dose did not increase the likelihood of caesarean section in women with preeclampsia (p=0.2832) or eclampsia (p=0.9112). The mean Apgar score at 5 minutes of life of neonates whose mothers had 10g and 14g loading dose for preeclampsia was 8 and 8.46 respectively, and 8.9 and 8.8 respectively for eclampsia. There was no statistically significant difference in maternal death between the two groups for severe preeclampsia (p= 0.2020) and eclampsia (p=0.3496).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests a potential use of intramuscular 10 gram loading dose of MgSO4 at the primary health care level in Nigeria.

The Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Clinician Rating (IDS-C) and Self-Report (IDS-SR), and the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Clinician Rating (QIDS-C) and Self-Report (QIDS-SR) in public sector patients with mood disorders: a psychometric evaluation

BACKGROUND

The present study provides additional data on the psychometric properties of the 30-item Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS) and of the recently developed Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS), a brief 16-item symptom severity rating scale that was derived from the longer form. Both the IDS and QIDS are available in matched clinician-rated (IDS-C30; QIDS-C16) and self-report (IDS-SR30; QIDS-SR16) formats.

METHOD

The patient samples included 544 out-patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 402 out-patients with bipolar disorder (BD) drawn from 19 regionally and ethnicically diverse clinics as part of the Texas Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP). Psychometric analyses including sensitivity to change with treatment were conducted.

RESULTS

Internal consistencies (Cronbach's alpha) ranged from 0.81 to 0.94 for all four scales (QIDS-C16, QIDS-SR16, IDS-C30 and IDS-SR30) in both MDD and BD patients. Sad mood, involvement, energy, concentration and self-outlook had the highest item-total correlations among patients with MDD and BD across all four scales. QIDS-SR16 and IDS-SR30 total scores were highly correlated among patients with MDD at exit (c = 0.83). QIDS-C16 and IDS-C30 total scores were also highly correlated among patients with MDD (c = 0.82) and patients with BD (c = 0.81). The IDS-SR30, IDS-C30, QIDS-SR16, and QIDS-C16 were equivalently sensitive to symptom change, indicating high concurrent validity for all four scales. High concurrent validity was also documented based on the SF-12 Mental Health Summary score for the population divided in quintiles based on their IDS or QIDS score.

CONCLUSION

The QIDS-SR16 and QIDS-C16, as well as the longer 30-item versions, have highly acceptable psychometric properties and are treatment sensitive measures of symptom severity in depression.

Acceleration of curing period of pastrami manufactured from buffalo meat: Chemical and microbiological properties

Usually the curing period of meat used for pastrami manufacture is three weeks at room temperature. In the present work a trial aimed to accelerate the curing period of pastrami (dry cured meat) prepared from buffalo lean round muscles by heat treatment (approximately 71 degrees C--internal; for partial drying) was carried out to investigate the probable changes during processing and in quality parameters of the end product. Results showed that pH value and the residual NaNO2 content decreased, while lactic acid and conversion in meat pigment percentages were increased. The determined data indicated remarkable decrease of moisture content during aging and curing periods, while the NaCl content in the investigated product was noticeably increased. During pastrami processing soluble proteins were decreased; the sarcoplasmic protein fraction denatured more rapidly than myofibrillar protein. On the other hand, the non-protein nitrogen and the insoluble protein nitrogen were increased gradually during ageing and after the heat treatment step. Slight variations in their values were observed during ripening of pastrami (complete curing and drying in air at room temperature up to 6 days). Heat treatment caused apparent decrease in Aerobic Plate Count (APC). Salmonella and Coliform bacteria were not detected through meat curing and in the end product. The suggested heat-treated pastrami was of good quality and nearly similar to the traditional sample.

Ionotropic glutamate receptor binding and subunit mRNA expression in thalamic nuclei in schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

Both thalamic and glutamatergic dysfunction have been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The authors examined ionotropic glutamate receptor expression in postmortem samples from patients with schizophrenia and comparison subjects, using the hypothesis that glutamate receptor expression differs in limbic nuclei of the thalamus in schizophrenia.

METHOD

N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), AMPA, and kainate receptor expression was determined in six thalamic nuclei from 12 subjects with DSM-III-R diagnoses of schizophrenia and eight psychiatrically normal individuals. The authors used in situ hybridization to determine NMDAR1, NMDAR2A-NMDAR2D, gluR1-gluR7, KA1, and KA2 subunit mRNA levels and receptor autoradiography to determine binding to glutamate binding sites of the three receptor subtypes and to the glycine, polyamine, and ion channel binding sites of the NMDA receptor.

RESULTS

Glutamate receptor expression was lower at both transcriptional (NMDAR1, NMDAR2B, NMDAR2C, gluR1, gluR3, and KA2 subunit mRNAs) and posttranscriptional ([(3)H]ifenprodil and [(3)H]MDL105,519 binding to polyamine and glycine sites of the NMDA receptor) levels in the thalamus in patients with schizophrenia than in comparison subjects, but differences were most prominent in nuclei with reciprocal projections to limbic regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormalities in NMDA, AMPA, and kainate receptor expression in limbic thalamus are suggestive of the NMDA receptor hypoactivity hypothesis of schizophrenia and are consistent with diminished glutamatergic activity in the thalamus in schizophrenia. Alternatively, these results could suggest abnormal glutamatergic innervation in afferent and/or efferent regions, which are limbic structures that have been implicated in this illness. These results may provide a neurochemical anatomical substrate for antipsychotic therapies targeting ionotropic glutamate receptors.

Placental transfusion: umbilical cord clamping and preterm infants

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical effects of early versus late cord clamping in preterm infants.

STUDY DESIGN

A total of 32 premature infants were prospectively randomized. The following parameters were measured: Initial spun hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hgb), red blood cell (RBC) counts, frequency of blood transfusions, peak serum bilirubin, mean blood pressure (MBP), oxygen index, intraventricular hemorrhage, and significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

RESULTS

Over the 4-week study period, the delayed cord clamping (DCC) group exhibited a decrease in the frequency of blood transfusion (p < 0.001) and also a decrease in albumin transfusions over the first 24 hours (p < 0.03). MBP in the first 4 hours was higher in the DCC group (p < 0.01), and there were statistically significant increases in Hct (21%), Hgb (23%), and RBC count (21%) compared with the early cord clamping group. The risks of patent ductus arteriosus, hyperbilirubinemia, or intraventricular hemorrhage were similar in both groups. Late clamping of the umbilical cord had little or no effect on the oxygen index.

CONCLUSION

DCC significantly reduced the requirement for blood and albumin transfusion. It also increased the initial Hct, RBC count, Hgb levels, and MBP.

Nucleus-specific expression of ionotropic glutamate receptor subunit mRNAs and binding sites in primate thalamus

Thalamic afferents and efferents utilize glutamate as their primary neurotransmitter. There are four families of glutamate receptors that can transduce this activity, as well as regulate glutamate release from thalamic relay neurons. The three ionotropic subtypes are of particular importance, because subunit composition confers variability in functional properties of each subtype. We have quantified the expression of NMDA, AMPA and kainate receptors in the thalamus of the macaque using receptor autoradiography and in situ hybridization. NMDA receptors are multimeric associations of NR1 and NR2A-NR2D subunits that form ligand-gated ion channels. Particular subunits are associated with modulatory binding sites that affect receptor activity. NR1 was the most abundant subunit mRNA; NR2A, NR2B, and NR2D subunit mRNAs were also present, but were expressed in nucleus-specific patterns. Very high levels of [3H]ifenprodil binding to the polyamine site of the NMDA complex were detected in a fairly homogeneous distribution. Binding of the ion channel ligand [3H]MK-801 was also abundant, and limbic nuclei expressed higher levels than motor nuclei or the reticular nucleus. [3H]CGP39653 binding to the glutamate site of the NMDA receptor was the least abundant of the NMDA receptor binding sites. There was variability in the stoichiometric relationships of binding sites across nuclei, suggesting that there is heterogeneity in the pharmacological properties of NMDA receptors expressed in the thalamus. AMPA and kainate are also multimeric associations of specific subunits that form ligand-gated ion channels. These subunits are encoded by specific genes: gluR1-gluR4 for AMPA receptors, and gluR5-gluR7 and KA1-KA2 for kainate receptors. GluR4 and gluR6 mRNAs were, respectively the most abundant of the AMPA and kainate receptor subunit transcripts. Both AMPA and kainate receptor subunit transcripts were expressed in a nucleus-specific pattern. The binding of [3H]kainate was higher than that of [3H]AMPA throughout the thalamus, but AMPA subunit mRNA levels were three to five orders of magnitude higher than those encoding the kainate receptor subunits. The mismatch between the levels of expression of kainate receptor subunit transcripts and binding sites is suggestive of a presynaptic localization of kainate receptors on thalamic afferents. These results suggest that ionotropic glutamate receptors are heterogeneously expressed in the thalamus of the primate, and that their differential expression is both subunit- and nucleus-specific.

Microbial hazard of salted OM El-Kholoul (wedge shell Donax trunculus)

Sixty samples of salted OM El-Kholoul were collected from different localities in Giza, Alexandria and Ismailia. The samples were examined organoleptically and bacteriological examination of samples were performed for enumeration of aerobic, Enterobacteriaceae, Staph. aureus, Enterococci counts as well as isolation and identification of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The mean counts/gm of aerobes, Enterobacteriaceae, Staph. aureus, Strept. faecalis and Strept. faecum were 4.9 x 10(5), 4.8 x 10(4), 1.9 x 10(5), 1.5 x 10(5) and 8 x 10(2), respectively. V. parahaemolyticus was isolated from all examined samples. Moreover, the weight, pH and sodium chloride percentage of ten samples were estimated. Trial was done to investigate the inhibitory effect of lemon juice (Citrus aurantifolia) on the microbial load of Om El-Kholoul, where the inhibitory effect of this juice was noticed. The public health significance of isolated microorganisms was discussed, moreover the suggestive measures for improvement of the microbial quality of the product were mentioned.

Head growth in cocaine-exposed infants: relationship to neonate hair level

Intrauterine brain growth retardation is the most common brain abnormality in infants of cocaine-abusing mothers. We report a cross-sectional study of "at-risk" pregnancies with 34 infants born to mothers urine positive for cocaine at delivery compared to 33 infants born to urine-negative mothers from the same clinic. Degree of cocaine exposure was assessed by radioimmunoassay of combined cocaine and benzoylecgonine (BE) levels in neonatal hair samples. Twenty-eight neonates were hair-positive for BE (mean 2507.40 +/- 1248.88 ng/g hair; range 716 to 5440 ng/g) and differed significantly from the control infants (n = 33) in head circumference and head growth percentiles. A negative correlation approaching significance was found between mean BE and head circumference (r = -.36; p < .06) in the group of newborns with hair positive for BE (n = 28). The study demonstrates for the first time head growth abnormalities in association with levels of cocaine exposure.