AbstractBackground: The foetal kidney development is important for its normal function. The Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) is used to assess the amniotic fluid volume. The main source of the amniotic fluid is the foetal urine. Aim of the Work: To establish reference values for the foetal kidney length and the AFI throughout the second and third trimesters of the normal Upper Egyptian pregnancies and to clarify the correlations between these measurements. Subject and Methods: An ultrasonographic examination was performed to measure the foetal kidney length and the AFI on 232 normal pregnant women from the 14th week to the 42nd week of gestation. The correlations between the measurements were analysed statistically. Results: The foetal kidney length increased gradually with gestation. There was a significantly positive correlation between the foetal kidney length and the gestational age. The linear regression showed that the gestational age could be assessed by using the foetal kidney length with an accuracy of ±1.078 week. From the 14th week, the AFI increased progressively until the 24th week. There was a positive correlation between the AFI and the gestational age and between the AFI and the foetal kidney length. From the 25th week to the 32nd week, the AFI demonstrated little variations. From the 33rd week, the AFI declined gradually. There was a negative correlation between the AFI and the gestational age and between the AFI and the foetal kidney length. Conclusion: The present study introduces reference values for both the foetal kidney length and the AFI in the normal Upper Egyptian pregnancies. It also discusses the correlation …

AbstractBackground: The foetal kidney development is important for its normal function. The Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) is used to assess the amniotic fluid volume. The main source of the amniotic fluid is the foetal urine. Aim of the Work: To establish reference values for the foetal kidney length and the AFI throughout the second and third trimesters of the normal Upper Egyptian pregnancies and to clarify the correlations between these measurements. Subject and Methods: An ultrasonographic examination was performed to measure the foetal kidney length and the AFI on 232 normal pregnant women from the 14th week to the 42nd week of gestation. The correlations between the measurements were analysed statistically. Results: The foetal kidney length increased gradually with gestation. There was a significantly positive correlation between the foetal kidney length and the gestational age. The linear regression showed that the gestational age could be assessed by using the foetal kidney length with an accuracy of ±1.078 week. From the 14th week, the AFI increased progressively until the 24th week. There was a positive correlation between the AFI and the gestational age and between the AFI and the foetal kidney length. From the 25th week to the 32nd week, the AFI demonstrated little variations. From the 33rd week, the AFI declined gradually. There was a negative correlation between the AFI and the gestational age and between the AFI and the foetal kidney length. Conclusion: The present study introduces reference values for both the foetal kidney length and the AFI in the normal Upper Egyptian pregnancies. It also discusses the correlation …

Background: Excess fluorides intake produces histopathological changes of many organs. Methionine is a potential natural antioxidant against oxidative radicals. Aim of the Work: To evaluate the possible protective role of methionine against sodium fluoride (NaF)-induced pancreatic toxicity. Material and Methods: Thirty 3-months (200-250gm) adult male albino rats were divided into three equal groups: group I (control), group II (Fluoride group) and group III (Fluoride+methionine group). Control group; was given 1ml distilled water. Fluoride group; was given 10 mg NaF/kg b.w. Fluoride+methionine group; was given 10 mg NaF/kg b.w. and 2 mg methionine/rat. All the treatment was given orally by gastric tube once daily for 35 days. After anesthesia, all groups were sacrificed. The pancreatic specimens were prepared for light and electron microscopic studies and anti-insulin antibody immunohistochemical staining. The mean numbers of zymogen granules and insulin positive β-cells of all groups were counted. Results: The mean numbers of zymogen granules and insulin positive β-cells of the fluoride group were significantly decreased when compared to control. The pancreatic specimens of the fluoride group revealed congested blood vessels, extravasated blood cells, vacuolated pancreatic acini, loss of the acinar cell architecture, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and degenerated mitochondria. By anti-insulin antibodies immunohistochemistry, there was a weak positive reactivity in the fluoride treated group when compared to control. The concomitant administration of NaF and methionine improved these changes. Conclusion: The concurrent administration of NaF and methionine ameliorates the structural alterations developed in the pancreas following excess NaF intake.

Background: Excess fluorides intake produces histopathological changes of many organs. Methionine is a potential natural antioxidant against oxidative radicals. Aim of the Work: To evaluate the possible protective role of methionine against sodium fluoride (NaF)-induced pancreatic toxicity. Material and Methods: Thirty 3-months (200-250gm) adult male albino rats were divided into three equal groups: group I (control), group II (Fluoride group) and group III (Fluoride+methionine group). Control group; was given 1ml distilled water. Fluoride group; was given 10 mg NaF/kg b.w. Fluoride+methionine group; was given 10 mg NaF/kg b.w. and 2 mg methionine/rat. All the treatment was given orally by gastric tube once daily for 35 days. After anesthesia, all groups were sacrificed. The pancreatic specimens were prepared for light and electron microscopic studies and anti-insulin antibody immunohistochemical staining. The mean numbers of zymogen granules and insulin positive β-cells of all groups were counted. Results: The mean numbers of zymogen granules and insulin positive β-cells of the fluoride group were significantly decreased when compared to control. The pancreatic specimens of the fluoride group revealed congested blood vessels, extravasated blood cells, vacuolated pancreatic acini, loss of the acinar cell architecture, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and degenerated mitochondria. By anti-insulin antibodies immunohistochemistry, there was a weak positive reactivity in the fluoride treated group when compared to control. The concomitant administration of NaF and methionine improved these changes. Conclusion: The concurrent administration of NaF and methionine ameliorates the structural alterations developed in the pancreas following excess NaF intake.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with complex immunopathogenesis. Dysbiosis has been linked to many autoimmune diseases, but its detailed role in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) still needs rigorous evaluation, especially in Egypt. We aimed to identify the shift in the gut microbiota profile and resultant metabolic pathways in AIH Egyptian patients compared to healthy individuals. Stool samples were collected from 15 AIH-naive patients and from 10 healthy individuals. The V3-V4 hyper-variable regions in16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq platform. Significantly lower bacterial diversity in AIH patients was found compared to the controls. A phylum-level analysis showed the overrepresentation of Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Proteobacteria. At the genus level, AIH-associated enrichment of Faecalibacterium, Blautia, Streptococcus, Haemophilus, Bacteroides, Veillonella, Eubacterium, Lachnospiraceae and Butyricicoccus was reported in contrast to Prevotella, Parabacteroides and Dilaster, which were significantly retracted in such patients. Overall, the predicted metabolic pathways associated with dysbiosis in AIH patients could orchestrate the potential pathogenic roles of gut microbiota in autoimmune disease, though not in a disease-specific manner, calling for future large-scale studies.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with complex immunopathogenesis. Dysbiosis has been linked to many autoimmune diseases, but its detailed role in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) still needs rigorous evaluation, especially in Egypt. We aimed to identify the shift in the gut microbiota profile and resultant metabolic pathways in AIH Egyptian patients compared to healthy individuals. Stool samples were collected from 15 AIH-naive patients and from 10 healthy individuals. The V3-V4 hyper-variable regions in16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq platform. Significantly lower bacterial diversity in AIH patients was found compared to the controls. A phylum-level analysis showed the overrepresentation of Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Proteobacteria. At the genus level, AIH-associated enrichment of Faecalibacterium, Blautia, Streptococcus, Haemophilus, Bacteroides, Veillonella, Eubacterium, Lachnospiraceae and Butyricicoccus was reported in contrast to Prevotella, Parabacteroides and Dilaster, which were significantly retracted in such patients. Overall, the predicted metabolic pathways associated with dysbiosis in AIH patients could orchestrate the potential pathogenic roles of gut microbiota in autoimmune disease, though not in a disease-specific manner, calling for future large-scale studies.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with complex immunopathogenesis. Dysbiosis has been linked to many autoimmune diseases, but its detailed role in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) still needs rigorous evaluation, especially in Egypt. We aimed to identify the shift in the gut microbiota profile and resultant metabolic pathways in AIH Egyptian patients compared to healthy individuals. Stool samples were collected from 15 AIH-naive patients and from 10 healthy individuals. The V3-V4 hyper-variable regions in16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq platform. Significantly lower bacterial diversity in AIH patients was found compared to the controls. A phylum-level analysis showed the overrepresentation of Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Proteobacteria. At the genus level, AIH-associated enrichment of Faecalibacterium, Blautia, Streptococcus, Haemophilus, Bacteroides, Veillonella, Eubacterium, Lachnospiraceae and Butyricicoccus was reported in contrast to Prevotella, Parabacteroides and Dilaster, which were significantly retracted in such patients. Overall, the predicted metabolic pathways associated with dysbiosis in AIH patients could orchestrate the potential pathogenic roles of gut microbiota in autoimmune disease, though not in a disease-specific manner, calling for future large-scale studies.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with complex immunopathogenesis. Dysbiosis has been linked to many autoimmune diseases, but its detailed role in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) still needs rigorous evaluation, especially in Egypt. We aimed to identify the shift in the gut microbiota profile and resultant metabolic pathways in AIH Egyptian patients compared to healthy individuals. Stool samples were collected from 15 AIH-naive patients and from 10 healthy individuals. The V3-V4 hyper-variable regions in16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq platform. Significantly lower bacterial diversity in AIH patients was found compared to the controls. A phylum-level analysis showed the overrepresentation of Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Proteobacteria. At the genus level, AIH-associated enrichment of Faecalibacterium, Blautia, Streptococcus, Haemophilus, Bacteroides, Veillonella, Eubacterium, Lachnospiraceae and Butyricicoccus was reported in contrast to Prevotella, Parabacteroides and Dilaster, which were significantly retracted in such patients. Overall, the predicted metabolic pathways associated with dysbiosis in AIH patients could orchestrate the potential pathogenic roles of gut microbiota in autoimmune disease, though not in a disease-specific manner, calling for future large-scale studies.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with complex immunopathogenesis. Dysbiosis has been linked to many autoimmune diseases, but its detailed role in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) still needs rigorous evaluation, especially in Egypt. We aimed to identify the shift in the gut microbiota profile and resultant metabolic pathways in AIH Egyptian patients compared to healthy individuals. Stool samples were collected from 15 AIH-naive patients and from 10 healthy individuals. The V3-V4 hyper-variable regions in16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq platform. Significantly lower bacterial diversity in AIH patients was found compared to the controls. A phylum-level analysis showed the overrepresentation of Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Proteobacteria. At the genus level, AIH-associated enrichment of Faecalibacterium, Blautia, Streptococcus, Haemophilus, Bacteroides, Veillonella, Eubacterium, Lachnospiraceae and Butyricicoccus was reported in contrast to Prevotella, Parabacteroides and Dilaster, which were significantly retracted in such patients. Overall, the predicted metabolic pathways associated with dysbiosis in AIH patients could orchestrate the potential pathogenic roles of gut microbiota in autoimmune disease, though not in a disease-specific manner, calling for future large-scale studies.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with complex immunopathogenesis. Dysbiosis has been linked to many autoimmune diseases, but its detailed role in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) still needs rigorous evaluation, especially in Egypt. We aimed to identify the shift in the gut microbiota profile and resultant metabolic pathways in AIH Egyptian patients compared to healthy individuals. Stool samples were collected from 15 AIH-naive patients and from 10 healthy individuals. The V3-V4 hyper-variable regions in16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq platform. Significantly lower bacterial diversity in AIH patients was found compared to the controls. A phylum-level analysis showed the overrepresentation of Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Proteobacteria. At the genus level, AIH-associated enrichment of Faecalibacterium, Blautia, Streptococcus, Haemophilus, Bacteroides, Veillonella, Eubacterium, Lachnospiraceae and Butyricicoccus was reported in contrast to Prevotella, Parabacteroides and Dilaster, which were significantly retracted in such patients. Overall, the predicted metabolic pathways associated with dysbiosis in AIH patients could orchestrate the potential pathogenic roles of gut microbiota in autoimmune disease, though not in a disease-specific manner, calling for future large-scale studies.