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Purpose Recent studies suggested that the non-familiar form of Alzheimer's disease (AD) could be consequence of metabolic syndrome and neuroinflammation. Elettaria cardamomum extract (EC) has exhibited antidiabetic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of EC on AD-like alterations in rats induced by high fructose and high fat diet coupled with a single small dose of STZ (25 mg/kg) (T2DM rats). Methods Phytochemical analysis was carried out. Behavioral tests, immunohistochemical examination, biochemical analysis and gene expression determination were performed in treated and controls rats. Results The majority of EC compounds were terpenoids. EC extract administration for 8 weeks attenuated AD-like alterations. It reversed a T2DM-induced decline in cognitive functions in passive avoidance task and Morris water maze test. It significantly lowered the elevated hippocampal level of AChE activity and caspase-3 activity, an indicator of degeneration in T2DM rats Also, it reduced the accumulation of Aβ and p-tau in the brain of T2DM rats. Furthermore, it elevated the suppressed glutamate receptor expression (AMPA GluR1 subunit and NMDA receptor subunits NR1, NR2A, NR2B). EC treatment reduced hippocampal lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA) and augmented antioxidant defensive system, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Meanwhile, it lowered hippocampal TNFα, IL β1but not IL6 and reduced GSK-3β in brainT2D rats. Conclusion EC treatment could ameliorate AD-like alterations in T2DM rats through activation of blunted insulin signal transduction in the brain, attenuation of associated oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of implanting MyoRing into a femtosecond created corneal pocket on corneal asphericity in patients with keratoconus. Methods: This prospective, non-randomized, interventional clinical study included 38 eyes with Keratoconus. Femtosecond assisted implantation of MyoRing was done for all cases. The intrastromal pocket was 7.4 mm in diameter and deep at a level equal to 80% of central corneal thickness. Corneal asphericity, curvature, thickness & elevations were evaluated 3 months after surgery. Results: The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 24.53±5.18 years. The same diameter of the MyoRing was used in all cases. Both UCVA and CDVA significantly improved after implantation of MyoRing, UCVA improved from 0.05 ± 0.01 to 0.31 ± 0.01 and CDVA improved from 0.29±0.14 to 0.34±0.10. The postoperative changes in all measured refractive parameters were significantly better in comparison to preoperative measures. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent of refractive error was -9.87±2.91, while the postoperative SE was -0.89±0.30. The refractive sphere and cylinder improved also from a preoperative -8.31± 2.55 and -3.11±1.93 to a postoperative values of -0.46±0.21 and -0.86±0.32 (sphere and cylinder respectively). Q value of anterior corneal surface significantly improved to a less prolate shape, from -0.49±0.11 preoperative to 0.23±0.01 postoperative. On the other hand, Q value of posterior corneal surface showed no statistical significant change after MyoRing implantation. Conclusion: MyoRing implantation improves the anterior corneal asphericity of advanced prolate shape towards the optimal prolate Q value of -0.52 and “spherical aberration free” human corneal Q value of -0.46. This improvement in corneal asphericity may have a role in increasing postoperative visual acuity.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of implanting MyoRing into a femtosecond created corneal pocket on corneal asphericity in patients with keratoconus. Methods: This prospective, non-randomized, interventional clinical study included 38 eyes with Keratoconus. Femtosecond assisted implantation of MyoRing was done for all cases. The intrastromal pocket was 7.4 mm in diameter and deep at a level equal to 80% of central corneal thickness. Corneal asphericity, curvature, thickness & elevations were evaluated 3 months after surgery. Results: The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 24.53±5.18 years. The same diameter of the MyoRing was used in all cases. Both UCVA and CDVA significantly improved after implantation of MyoRing, UCVA improved from 0.05 ± 0.01 to 0.31 ± 0.01 and CDVA improved from 0.29±0.14 to 0.34±0.10. The postoperative changes in all measured refractive parameters were significantly better in comparison to preoperative measures. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent of refractive error was -9.87±2.91, while the postoperative SE was -0.89±0.30. The refractive sphere and cylinder improved also from a preoperative -8.31± 2.55 and -3.11±1.93 to a postoperative values of -0.46±0.21 and -0.86±0.32 (sphere and cylinder respectively). Q value of anterior corneal surface significantly improved to a less prolate shape, from -0.49±0.11 preoperative to 0.23±0.01 postoperative. On the other hand, Q value of posterior corneal surface showed no statistical significant change after MyoRing implantation. Conclusion: MyoRing implantation improves the anterior corneal asphericity of advanced prolate shape towards the optimal prolate Q value of -0.52 and “spherical aberration free” human corneal Q value of -0.46. This improvement in corneal asphericity may have a role in increasing postoperative visual acuity.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of implanting MyoRing into a femtosecond created corneal pocket on corneal asphericity in patients with keratoconus. Methods: This prospective, non-randomized, interventional clinical study included 38 eyes with Keratoconus. Femtosecond assisted implantation of MyoRing was done for all cases. The intrastromal pocket was 7.4 mm in diameter and deep at a level equal to 80% of central corneal thickness. Corneal asphericity, curvature, thickness & elevations were evaluated 3 months after surgery. Results: The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 24.53±5.18 years. The same diameter of the MyoRing was used in all cases. Both UCVA and CDVA significantly improved after implantation of MyoRing, UCVA improved from 0.05 ± 0.01 to 0.31 ± 0.01 and CDVA improved from 0.29±0.14 to 0.34±0.10. The postoperative changes in all measured refractive parameters were significantly better in comparison to preoperative measures. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent of refractive error was -9.87±2.91, while the postoperative SE was -0.89±0.30. The refractive sphere and cylinder improved also from a preoperative -8.31± 2.55 and -3.11±1.93 to a postoperative values of -0.46±0.21 and -0.86±0.32 (sphere and cylinder respectively). Q value of anterior corneal surface significantly improved to a less prolate shape, from -0.49±0.11 preoperative to 0.23±0.01 postoperative. On the other hand, Q value of posterior corneal surface showed no statistical significant change after MyoRing implantation. Conclusion: MyoRing implantation improves the anterior corneal asphericity of advanced prolate shape towards the optimal prolate Q value of -0.52 and “spherical aberration free” human corneal Q value of -0.46. This improvement in corneal asphericity may have a role in increasing postoperative visual acuity.

Purpose: To study the influence of age, sex, refractive error and axial length on choroidal thickness in normal myopic eyes, among Egyptian population, using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods: Choroidal thickness (CT) was measured by a SS-OCT in 97 eyes of 49 normal myopic volunteers. The subjects were classified into groups according to age, the degree of myopia and axial length. Correlation between CT and age, axial length and myopia were done for different groups. Axial length was measured using IOL Master. OCT measurements were performed using Topcon DRI-1 SS-OCT. CT was automatically calculated and shown as a colored topographic map with nine subfields defined by the ETDRS-style grid. Results: CT tends to decrease with advance of age. A negative correlation found between the central subfoveal CT and the age (r= -0.329, P= 0.001, R²= 0.108). Although there was no significant correlation between CT and degree of myopia (r= 0.159, P= 0.120, R²= 0.025), CT decreases with increase of myopia except with > -8 D group. CT tends to decrease as the axial length increase. A negative correlation was found between the central subfoveal CT and axial length (r= -0.340, P= 0.001, R²= 0.115). Conclusion: Axial length and age have a negative correlation with choroidal thickness, while the sex and spherical equivalent of refractive error in myopes don’t affect choroidal thickness. Keywords: Choroidal thickness, swept source, OCT, myopic eyes.

Purpose: To study the influence of age, sex, refractive error and axial length on choroidal thickness in normal myopic eyes, among Egyptian population, using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods: Choroidal thickness (CT) was measured by a SS-OCT in 97 eyes of 49 normal myopic volunteers. The subjects were classified into groups according to age, the degree of myopia and axial length. Correlation between CT and age, axial length and myopia were done for different groups. Axial length was measured using IOL Master. OCT measurements were performed using Topcon DRI-1 SS-OCT. CT was automatically calculated and shown as a colored topographic map with nine subfields defined by the ETDRS-style grid. Results: CT tends to decrease with advance of age. A negative correlation found between the central subfoveal CT and the age (r= -0.329, P= 0.001, R²= 0.108). Although there was no significant correlation between CT and degree of myopia (r= 0.159, P= 0.120, R²= 0.025), CT decreases with increase of myopia except with > -8 D group. CT tends to decrease as the axial length increase. A negative correlation was found between the central subfoveal CT and axial length (r= -0.340, P= 0.001, R²= 0.115). Conclusion: Axial length and age have a negative correlation with choroidal thickness, while the sex and spherical equivalent of refractive error in myopes don’t affect choroidal thickness. Keywords: Choroidal thickness, swept source, OCT, myopic eyes.

Purpose: To study the influence of age, sex, refractive error and axial length on choroidal thickness in normal myopic eyes, among Egyptian population, using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods: Choroidal thickness (CT) was measured by a SS-OCT in 97 eyes of 49 normal myopic volunteers. The subjects were classified into groups according to age, the degree of myopia and axial length. Correlation between CT and age, axial length and myopia were done for different groups. Axial length was measured using IOL Master. OCT measurements were performed using Topcon DRI-1 SS-OCT. CT was automatically calculated and shown as a colored topographic map with nine subfields defined by the ETDRS-style grid. Results: CT tends to decrease with advance of age. A negative correlation found between the central subfoveal CT and the age (r= -0.329, P= 0.001, R²= 0.108). Although there was no significant correlation between CT and degree of myopia (r= 0.159, P= 0.120, R²= 0.025), CT decreases with increase of myopia except with > -8 D group. CT tends to decrease as the axial length increase. A negative correlation was found between the central subfoveal CT and axial length (r= -0.340, P= 0.001, R²= 0.115). Conclusion: Axial length and age have a negative correlation with choroidal thickness, while the sex and spherical equivalent of refractive error in myopes don’t affect choroidal thickness. Keywords: Choroidal thickness, swept source, OCT, myopic eyes.

The role of proinflammatory cytokines in adiposity is well established. The anti-inflammatory and antihyperglycemia effects of Boswellia serrata (B. Serrata) gum have been demonstrated by many investigators. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity potential of B. serrata extract. Methods The effects of B. serrata extract on lipase activity and acute food intake were investigated. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity potential of B. serrata extract. The effects on lipase activity and acute food intake were investigated. Body weight changes, biochemical and histopathological markers were demonstrated in rats fed a high-fat diet. Results Boswellia serrata extract inhibited alterations in pancreatic lipase activity, but orlistat was more efficacious. B. serrata and ephidrene, but not orlistat, significantly