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Background Changes in synaptic structure and efficacy including dendritic spine number and morphology have been shown to underlie neuronal activity and size. Moreover, the shapes of individual dendritic spines were proposed to correlate with their capacity for structural change. Spine numbers and morphology were reported to parallel memory formation in the rat using a water maze but, so far, there is no information on spine counts or shape in the radial arm maze (RAM), a frequently used paradigm for the evaluation of complex memory formation in the rodent. Methods 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups, 8 were trained, 8 remained untrained in the RAM and 8 rats served as cage controls. Dendritic spine numbers and individual spine forms were counted in CA1, CA3 areas and dentate gyrus of hippocampus using a DIL dye method with subsequent quantification by the Neuronstudio software and the image J program. Results Working memory errors (WME) and latency in the RAM were decreased along the training period indicating that animals performed the task. Total spine density was significantly increased following training in the RAM as compared to untrained rats and cage controls. The number of mushroom spines was significantly increased in the trained as compared to untrained and cage controls. Negative significant correlations between spine density and WME were observed in CA1 basal dendrites and in CA3 apical and basal dendrites. In addition, there was a significant negative correlation between spine density and latency in CA3 basal dendrites. Conclusion The study shows that spine numbers are significantly increased in the trained group, an observation that may suggest the use of this method representing a morphological parameter for memory formation studies in the RAM. Herein, correlations between WME and latency in the RAM and spine density revealed a link between spine numbers and performance in the RAM.

Background Changes in synaptic structure and efficacy including dendritic spine number and morphology have been shown to underlie neuronal activity and size. Moreover, the shapes of individual dendritic spines were proposed to correlate with their capacity for structural change. Spine numbers and morphology were reported to parallel memory formation in the rat using a water maze but, so far, there is no information on spine counts or shape in the radial arm maze (RAM), a frequently used paradigm for the evaluation of complex memory formation in the rodent. Methods 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups, 8 were trained, 8 remained untrained in the RAM and 8 rats served as cage controls. Dendritic spine numbers and individual spine forms were counted in CA1, CA3 areas and dentate gyrus of hippocampus using a DIL dye method with subsequent quantification by the Neuronstudio software and the image J program. Results Working memory errors (WME) and latency in the RAM were decreased along the training period indicating that animals performed the task. Total spine density was significantly increased following training in the RAM as compared to untrained rats and cage controls. The number of mushroom spines was significantly increased in the trained as compared to untrained and cage controls. Negative significant correlations between spine density and WME were observed in CA1 basal dendrites and in CA3 apical and basal dendrites. In addition, there was a significant negative correlation between spine density and latency in CA3 basal dendrites. Conclusion The study shows that spine numbers are significantly increased in the trained group, an observation that may suggest the use of this method representing a morphological parameter for memory formation studies in the RAM. Herein, correlations between WME and latency in the RAM and spine density revealed a link between spine numbers and performance in the RAM.

We previously determined that augmented EGFR tyrosine kinase (EGFRtk) impairs vascular function in type 2 diabetic mouse (TD2). Here we determined that EGFRtk causes vascular dysfunction through NADPH oxidase activity in TD2. Mesenteric resistance arteries (MRA) from C57/BL6 and db-/db- mice were mounted in a wired myograph and pre-incubated for 1h with either EGFRtk inhibitor (AG1478) or exogenous EGF. The inhibition of EGFRtk did not affect the contractile response to phenylephrine-(PE) and thromboxane-(U46619) or endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) to acetylcholine in MRA from control group. However, in TD2 mice, AG1478 reduced the contractile response to U46619, improved vasodilatation and reduced p22phox-NADPH expression, but had no effect on the contractile response to PE. The incubation of MRA with exogenous EGF potentiated the contractile response to PE in MRA from control and diabetic mice. However, EGF impaired the EDR and potentiated the vasoconstriction to U46619 only in the control group. Interestingly, NADPH oxidase inhibition in the presence of EGF restored the normal contraction to PE and improved the EDR but had no effect on the potentiated contraction to U46619. Vascular function improvement was associated with the rescue of eNOS and Akt and reduction in phosphorylated Rho-kinase, NOX4 mRNA levels, and NADPH oxidase activity. MRA from p47phox-/- mice incubated with EGF potentiated the contraction to U46619 but had no effect to PE or ACh responses. The present study provides evidence that augmented EGFRtk impairs vascular function by NADPH oxidase-dependent mechanism. Therefore, EGFRtk and oxidative stress should be potential targets to treat vascular dysfunction in TD2.

BACKGROUND: The new modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) score, the recently used outcome measure for melasma, has not been tested to determine its sensitivity to change in melasma. OBJECTIVE: To determine the reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change overtime of the mMASI score in assessment of the severity of melasma. METHODS: Pearson correlation, Cronbach alpha, and intraclass correlation coefficient were calculated to assess the reliability of the mMASI score. Validity of the mMASI scale was carried out

BACKGROUND: The new modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) score, the recently used outcome measure for melasma, has not been tested to determine its sensitivity to change in melasma. OBJECTIVE: To determine the reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change overtime of the mMASI score in assessment of the severity of melasma. METHODS: Pearson correlation, Cronbach alpha, and intraclass correlation coefficient were calculated to assess the reliability of the mMASI score. Validity of the mMASI scale was carried out

BACKGROUND: The new modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) score, the recently used outcome measure for melasma, has not been tested to determine its sensitivity to change in melasma. OBJECTIVE: To determine the reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change overtime of the mMASI score in assessment of the severity of melasma. METHODS: Pearson correlation, Cronbach alpha, and intraclass correlation coefficient were calculated to assess the reliability of the mMASI score. Validity of the mMASI scale was carried out

Beetles (Coleoptera) have been recognized as significant entomological evidence in the medico-legal field in estimating the postmortem interval (PMI), particularly with reference to dry human skeletal remains in the later stages of decomposition. Beetles are found as adults, larvae, pupae and also as cast skins and all are of equal importance. Histeridae (histerid beetles) occur wherever there is decay and putrefaction. They feed primarily on the blowfly maggots and pupae. Dermestidae (dermestid beetles) are well known to feed on dried skin and bones. They are considered true carrion feeders, playing an important role in carcass degradation. There are few published works about the beetle fauna of forensic importance in Egypt; therefore their identification in given area should be established. The study herein aimed to describe adults Coleoptera species involved in carrion succession and document their fauna in relation to decomposition stages of exposed human tissues in Assiut (Upper Egypt), which is known for its arid weather. Human left over parts from orthopaedic theatre were used. Collected beetles were identified according to their taxonomic parts and characters: Two Families were recognized; Family Histeridae including Saprinus blanchei and Saprinus gilvicornis and family Dermestidae represented by Dermestes frischii. The presented findings should provide data for use in legal investigations and medical purposes in our region.