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Background: Breast cancer is a prevalent disease that requires intense and prolonged treatments. Because of improved detection and treatment options, the mortality rate from breast cancer has decreased, greatly increasing the number of survivors who are living with the disease and its side effects. Fatigue is one of the most common debilitating symptoms experienced by patients with cancer. It is a persistent feeling of exhaustion and decreased physical and mental capacity unrelieved by rest or sleep. The purpose of current study was to evaluate the effect of high intensity physical training exercise program in improving breast cancer related fatigue. Methods: Forty six patients suffering from breast cancer related fatigue, were randomly divided into two groups of equal number. Exercise group (E); received high intensity physical training program while Control group (C) received usual medical care and kept their habitual activity. The intensity of fatigue and quality of life score were measured at the beginning and after eight weeks of treatment. Results: Results of the study showed that there was significant reduction of fatigue after eight weeks in exercise (E) group more than control group with the percentage of improvement was 53%, 2% respectively. As regard to QOL measurements, there was significant increase of QOL score after treatment in exercise (E) group more than control group with the percentage of improvement was 43%, 3% respectively. Conclusion: High intensity physical exercise program may have beneficial effects in reduction of fatigue intensity and thereby improving quality of life in breast cancer patient.

Herein, we designed and synthesized certain anilinoquinazoline derivatives bearing bulky arylpyridinyl, arylpropenoyl and arylpyrazolyl moieties at the 4′ position of the anilinoquinazoline, as potential dual HER2/EGFR kinase inhibitors. A detailed molecular modeling study was performed by docking the synthesized compounds in the active site of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The synthesized compounds were further tested for their inhibitory activity on EGFR and HER2 tyrosine kinases. The aryl 2-imino-1,2-dihydropyridine derivatives 5d and 5e displayed the most potent inhibitory activity on EGFR with IC50 equal to 2.09 and 1.94 μM, respectively, and with IC50 equal to 3.98 and 1.04 μM on HER2, respectively. Furthermore, the anti-proliferative activity of these most active compounds on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, known to overexpress EGFR, showed an IC50 range of 2.4 and 2.5 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: To investigate the possible modulating role of ' Nigella sativa' (NS), a plant commonly used in Egyptian traditional medicine, on premalignant perturbations in three glycol-regulatory enzymes in an experimental rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Thirty-six (36) male albino rats were divided into four groups ( n = 9). Group 1 served as a normal control, group 2 was treated with methanolic extract of Nigella sativa (MENS) (1 g/kg/day, orally) for 14 weeks, group 3 received a single intraperitoneal dose of diethyl nitrosamine (DENA) (200 mg/kg), followed 2 weeks later by a subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl, 3 ml/kg/week/6 weeks) and group IV was treated with MENS for 2 weeks prior to administration of the carcinogenic combination (DENA + CCl, as in group 3) until the end of the experiment. The total period of the experiment was 14 weeks. Results: In the DENA + CCl-treated group, there was a significant increase in the relative liver weight, serum alpha fetoprotein level and the activities of hexokinase, glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase and glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase in both the serum and liver homogenate; this was accompanied by a subsequent decrease in body weight. Pre-treatment with MENS significantly maintained these parameters close to the normal condition. Conclusion: Based on these results, we conclude that MENS has a chemo-preventive effect against the progression into liver malignancy through its modulation of the energy metabolic pathways (i.e. glycolysis) that may be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the primary cancer of the liver. The present study aimed to assess the potential role of the endogenous regulators of angiogenesis like neurotransmitters, as possible HCC biomarkers. Five groups of rats were used in this study (8 rats per each): control healthy group (I), four intoxicated groups (II, III, IV, and V) used for induction of HCC with a single IP dose of diethylnitrosamine (DENA), 200mg/kg. Groups II, III, IV, and V were sacrificed after 8, 16, 24, and 32 weeks of DENA injection respectively. Serum levels of epinephrine, nor-epinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine of all animals were estimated using high performance liquid chromatography technique coupled with fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). Development of HCC was confirmed histopathologically. Our results showed a significant increase in 3 neurotransmitters (epinephrine, nor-epinephrine, and serotonin) in DENA intoxicated HCC rat model. Only serotonin exhibited a significant increase in early histological stage HCC development (16 weeks post DENA injection) in comparison to alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), (24 weeks post DENA injection). These results suggest that neurotransmitters (Epinephrine and Norepinephrine) may have a role as a biomarker for late histological stage HCC. Like AFP, while serotonin may be used for early stage HCC., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: There is deficiency of data about congenital heart defects (CHDs) in cholestatic disorders of infancy other than Alagille syndrome (AGS). We aimed to define the prevalence and types of CHDs in infants with various causes of cholestatic disorders of infancy., Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 139 infants presenting with cholestasis whether surgical or non-surgical. The study was carried out at the Pediatric Hepatology Unit, Cairo University Children's Hospital, Egypt. Full examination and investigations were done in an attempt to reach an aetiologic diagnosis for cholestasis, in addition to a comprehensive echocardiographic study., Results: The age at the onset of cholestasis ranged from 1 day to 7 months. Males constituted 61.2%. Biliary atresia (BA) was diagnosed in 39 patients (28%), AGS in 16 patients (11.5%), 27 patients had miscellaneous diagnoses and 57 cases had indeterminate aetiology. CHDs were detected in 55 patients (39.5%). Shunt lesions were detected in 24 patients (43.6%), pulmonary stenosis in 18 patients (32.7%) and combined lesions in 9 patients (16.4%). Three patients (5.5%) had abnormal cardiac situs. Only seven patients had clinical presentation suggestive of CHD. CHDs were detected in 14 patients with BA (35.9%), 15 patients with AGS (93.7%) and 26 patients in the remaining group (30.9%)., Conclusion: CHDs are not uncommon among cholestatic infants and are mostly asymptomatic. Echocardiographic examination of cholestatic infants is recommended particularly for patients with BA before undergoing hepatic portoenterostomy as presence of CHD may impact the anaesthetic planning and affect the outcome of hepatobiliary surgery., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/)

Purpose: In absence of liver protective drugs, a large number of hepatopathies may arise during drug administration. This study was executed to investigate the possible new pathways underlying the hepatoprotective effect of Tempol (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl), following oral administration of carbon tetrachloride in mice., Methods and Results: Thirty albino mice were randomized into 3 equal groups. The duration of study was 28 days. The groups were classified as follows: Group I (healthy control): received saline, in the same volume of CCl4 dose, daily, orally, for 14 days, then sacrificed. Group II: received CCl4, as a single oral dose only, of 1 ml/kg body weight, dissolved in olive oil (1:1 v/v), the animals of this group were sacrificed 14 days after CCl4 single dose intoxication. Group III (protective Tempol treated): received a single dose of Tempol, 20mg/kg, orally, daily for 14 days. Two hours after the last Tempol dose, animals of group III received a single oral dose of CCl4. Fourteen days later, animals were scarified to collect blood and liver tissues for analysis. Tempol pretreatment significantly captured elevated levels of ALT and AST activities, lipid peroxidation, total bilirubin and increased total thiol and catalase contents. Notably, it significantly reduced the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Caspase-3 and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) inositol-requiring enzyme 1(IRE1) mRNAs, which is an ER trans membrane sensor that activates the unfolded protein response (UPR) to maintain the ER and cellular function., Conclusion: Pretreatment with Tempol has potential hepatoprotective effects against acute liver injury, induced by CCl4, through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Aim: Create a record of the role given to members of the psychological professions in CPDPN Centers (multidisciplinary prenatal diagnosis). After more than 10 years in operation, describe the work methods of the different centers and their members, evaluate the possible diversity of practices and clarify the scope of interventions used by psychologists with patients and members of the CPDPN., Method: A descriptive survey consisting of 71 questions sent to psychologists, paediatricians and psychiatrists involved with the 48 CPDPN Centers in France. The main parameters studied are the means used by the CPDPN and their organization in the field of psychology, pre-medical counseling for the termination of pregnancy (IMG), conditions of hospitalization and post-IMG counseling., Results: The survey revealed a high-level of homogeneous practices in the French CPDPN Centers between members of the medical and psychological professions, through joint consultations, ethical committees or specific case meetings for complex fetal pathologies., Conclusions and Perspectives: This study has established a working relationship between members of the psychological professions working in the French CPDPN Centers and has led to the creation of a listing/directory, which facilitates the exchange of information. Video-conferencing is currently being considered in order to share respective practices., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Unlabelled: It has been known that chronic liver treatments interfere with blood glucose metabolism. It was recognized that diabetes mellitus among chronic hepatitis C was greater in other types of chronic liver diseases. Hepatitis C directly promotes insulin resistance through the proteosomal degradation of insulin resistance substrate. It suppressed hepatocyte glucose uptake through down-regulation of surface expression of glucose transporter. Long-term exposure to cytokine over expression seems to be cytotoxic to both beta cells of the pancreas and to hepatocytes. Elevated tumor necrosis factor-a, or its neutralization, increased insulin sensitivity. Interferon-a may also elevate the serum level of interleukin-1 which is cytotoxic to pancreatic islet cells. Both diabetes mellitus and resistance to interferon-a therapy are abnormally mediated by over-expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 in hepatocytes of chronic hepatitis C patients., Conclusion: These data suggest that interferon-a therapy should be administered with caution in patients showing any predisposition to Diabetes mellitus. Anti inflammatory therapy is critically recommended as a protector against disease development due to cytokine mediated Diabetes mellitus during hepatitis C therapy, since inflammation seems to be a main candidate to interferon suspected diabetogenesis.

Aim: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It directs glucose to sorbitol and fructose in polyol pathway (PP). To pursue contribution of PP in hepatocarcinogenesis., Methods: We utilized ascorbic acid (AA) and diallyl sulfide (DAS) in experimental DM and HCC against control. HCC was induced by diethyl nitrosamine (DENA, one intraperitoneal (IP) dose 125 mg/kg), DM, by streptozotocin (STZ, IP dose 65 mg/kg). AA was given as 7.4 g/kg/d, I.P., DAS 200mg/kg/d, orally. All animals were killed after 10 weeks., Results: DENA elevated serum AFP, erythrocyte sorbitol (ES), neoplastic changes in liver, lowered blood glucose, increased hepatocyte aldose reductase (AR) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), significantly alleviated by DAS/AA combination. DM elevated ES activating AR, inhibiting SDH, improved by DAS and AA., Conclusion: Co-induction of DM and HCC increased liver tissue lesion, serum AFP, ES, liver AR and SDH. Co-administration of DAS/AA reduced ES, AR without changing SDH. DAS/AA co-therapy lowered ES by depressing AR without affecting SDH, meaning that AR is activated by cancer and DM in different ways. PP is early marker for HCC detection and response to chemoprevention. DAS/AA combination is promising cost effective chemopreventive and anti-diabetic combination., (Crown Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

5-Acyl-8-hydroxyquinoline-2-(3'-substituted-4'-aryl-2,3-dihydrothiazol-2'-ylidene)hydrazones, 5a-e to 10a-c, were prepared by the reaction of appropriate 5-acyl-8-hydroxyquinoline-4-substituted thiosemicarbazones 3a-e and phenacyl bromides 4a-e. Structures of the new compounds were verified on the basis of spectral and elemental analyses. Twenty-eight new compounds were tested for their possible antimicrobial activities. Most of the tested compounds showed weak to moderate antibacterial activity against most of the bacterial strains used in comparison with gatifloxacin as a reference drug. The test compounds showed weak to moderate antifungal activity against tested fungi in comparison with ketoconazole as a reference drug. On the other hand, the newly synthesized compounds were tested for their anti-inflammatory effects and most of them showed good to excellent anti-inflammatory activity compared to indomethacin. Moreover, ulcerogenicity and the median lethal dose (LD(50)) of the most active anti-inflammatory compounds 6b and 9e were determined in mice; they were non-toxic at doses up to 400 mg kg(-1) after i.p. administration.

Both phytic acid (PA) and catechin (CA) are well known antioxidants of natural origin. They were frequently tried on experimental level as hepatoprotectants, relying only on their antioxidant properties. The present study was conducted mainly to outline the other biochemical pathways underlying the hepatotherapeutic potential of both drugs and to check a possible synergistic action if prescribed concomitantly. As both materials are frequently taken on a daily basis in food and drinks, it will be helpful to pursue their possible utility and/or to check if their value is really of medical importance. For this purpose, CCl(4) was used as a hepatotoxin, we evaluated plasma total sialic acid (TSA), serum ascorbic acid (AA) levels, liver tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) as a marker for lipid peroxidation and total protein (TP) content as a rough marker to measure hepatic synthetic capability in 80 male Wistar rats as experimental models. Animals were classified into 8 groups (10 rats each), the first as control, the second as PA treated (0.3 mg kg (-1)), orally, the third as CA treated (30 mg kg (-1)) intraperitoneally, the fourth given both drugs, as a single daily dose for 2 weeks. The same design was repeated 24 hours after CCl(4)-intoxication (1mL kg (-1)), intraperitoneally, as a single dose. The results revealed that both PA and CA when used individually, significantly down-regulated TSA in both physiologic (no CCl(4 )treatment) and pathologic (CCl(4)- intoxication) states accompanied by significant decrease in lipoperoxidation. The therapeutic action against TSA and the antioxidant power were abolished by co-administration of both drugs . AA was only decreased by PA and the combination in the physiologic state. Both PA and CA showed significant therapeutic effect for protein synthesis against CCl(4)-intoxication, but the combination abolished this effect. We conclude that both drugs can be considered as a chemotherapeutic against hepatopathies and we for the first time contraindicate the concomitant use of both drugs.

The activities of alkaline phosphatases of kidney and urine appear similar and identical in action. Both are magnesium-dependent and inhibited by higher concentrations of 2-glycerophosphate. A band of similar mobility is obtained on electrophoresis of kidney and urine enzymes. In vitro magnesium competitively inhibits their activities when the ratio of Mg-+2 ions/2-glycerophosphate is above a definite level. Their activities are not affected by exogenous zinc and follow the Michaelis-Menten equation only when attention is given to the ratio of Mg-+2 ions/substrate. Nitrofuranfuradroxyl is a mixed type inhibitor showing a second-order rate of reaction with kidney and urine phosphatases.