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Background: Cryptorchidism, one or both hidden testes, is the most common abnormality of male sexual development. Subfertility or infertility is associated with both unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism. In this study, we investigate the possible ameliorative effect of curcumin (Cur) on the induced-unilateral cryptorchidism testicular injury in both cryptorchid (Cryp) and non-cryptorchid (non-Cryp) scrotal testes through histological, immunohistochemical and morphometrics. Materials and methods: Forty adult male albino rats were divided into: control group, Cur control group, Cryp group, and Cryp+Cur group. The rat model was surgically established by fixing the left testis in the abdomen. The treated groups were subjected to surgically induced-unilateral cryptorchidism on the left side then were given Cur (80 mg/kg) orally, for 20 days. Histological analysis using haematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid Schiff’s reaction was done. Immunohistochemistry was performed for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA); to estimate the proliferation in the germinal epithelium, and vimentin; to evaluate Sertoli cells. The results were confirmed by statistical evaluation of the spermatogenic epithelium height, the seminiferous tubules diameter, the basement membrane thickness, the number of PCNA immunostained cells and the area per cent of vimentin immunostaining. Results: Distorted seminiferous tubules, substantial degeneration of the germinal epithelium, thickening of the basement membrane with a significant decrease in PCNA and vimentin immunostaining were observed in Cryp group; mainly in the cryptorchid testis. These structural changes were significantly reversed in Crypt+Cur group. Conclusions: Curcumin proved to be an important and effective medical line for protecting against the unfavourable sequels of cryptorchidism in a rat model.

Modern enterprise organisations rely on dynamic processes. Generally these processes cannot be modelled once and executed repeatedly without change. Enterprise processes execution may evolve unpredictably according to situations that cannot always be prescribed. However, no mechanism exists to ensure an updated process does not violate any compliance requirements. This paper presents a novel enterprise system architecture to combine the techniques of adaptive and compliance workflow solutions and adopting the Business Process Modelling Notation (BPMN) standards. The proposed Adaptive and Compliance Workflow Management System (ACWfMS) enables the development of a workflow management tool to create or update a standard and user-defined model. It automatically validates compliance by comparing a user-defined model against a standard model, and in case of violations, visual feedback is presented to the user. In addition, the architecture facilitates process migration to manage instances with modified definition. An example application of a postgraduate research process is discussed.

One hundred and seven cases, 35 males and 72 females aging from 3 months to 32 years old were divided into 4 groups: ocular, neurological, cases with abortion and cases having Down's syndrome. 47 apparently healthy individuals were taken as control. All were serologically tested for Toxoplasma antibodies using IFAT and ELSA for detection of IgG. The positive cases as well as cases below one year old were tested by ELISA IgM for the detection of acute or congenital toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma antibodies (IgG) were found in 28 (26%) and 43 cases (40%) by IFAT and ELISA respectively. ELISA IgM was positive in 12 (20%) out of 60 serum samples. Two cases (11%) among 27 patients below one year old positive. Statistical significance was reported concerning the positive cases in the ocular group as well as patients with abortions. Results revealed that ELISA is more sensitive and specific than IFAT.

Fourty adult males with amaebiasis and a match control group of the same age and sex were subjected to complete blood examination. The results showed that the mean values for total serum protein, total serum bilirubin, A.L.P. and Hb % were within the acceptable limits i.e. statistically insignificant, whilst A.S.T. and A.L.T. were not within the acceptable limits, i.e. statistically significant. The percentages of normals as regards the frequency distribution test were as follows: Total serum protein (80%), total serum bilirubin (82.5%), A.L.P. (94.59%), A.S.T. (67.5%), A.L.T. (75%) and Hb. (86.21%). The regression analysis test, confirmed by the correlation test, were performed to indicate the relationship between the intensity of infection (indicated by the population of E. histolytica in stool analysis) and the serum levels of the tests to follow. Accordingly the serum levels of A.L.P., A.S.T. and A.L.T. showed a relatively slight increase, while the total serum protein level and Hb% showed a slight decrease. The serum bilirubin indicated no change whatsoever.