Menna Abdel-Dayem

Abstract
Background: Neurodegenerative diseases represent a great medical challenge with marked consequences on quality of life of the patients and their families. Parkinson's disease (PD) constitutes a relatively common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by defect in dopaminergic neurons. The regenerative effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) stimulated research into their effect in treatment of PD. Subjects and Methods: Leukapharesis-derived MSC were isolated from 10 leukapharesis products using plastic adherence. Isolated MSCs were passaged, and passage III cells were induced to dopaminergic neurones using two-step protocol applying sequentially nerve growth factor and addition of ascorbic acid. Neuronal induction was evaluated by immunostaining against neurofilament protein, while dopaminergic neurons induction was evaluated using immunostaining against tyrosine hydroxylase. Results and Conclusions: MSCs were isolated in a rate of 0.12%-0.15% of leukapharesis cells, with viability ranging from 70-96%. NF positivity was 15.38±3.84, while the percentage of cells stained for TH was 5.94±0.65.MSCs could be successfully induced to dopaminergic neuron-like cells in vitro.

Hypothesis: Several studies demonstrated that the patho-physiologic and morphologic changes in early diabetic nephropathy were mediated by either an increase or decrease in the nitric oxide (NO) production and/or activity. There are few reports suggesting a relationship between NO and renin-angiotensin system. Objectives: The present study was designed to determine the effects of early diabetic state on NO production and also to assess the protective effects of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) on these changes. Material and Methods: Thirty adult male albino rats were included in this study. Twenty were injected with streptozotocin for induction of diabetes. The other ten were injected with the vehicle and served as control. Two days after injection, the diabetic animals were randomly divided into two groups of ten animals each. One group was given Valsartan as an ARB and the other group received no further treatment. Three weeks later, all animals were sacrificed and the kidneys were processed for paraffin sections. The sections were stained with H & E, Masson trichrome and PAS reaction. Also, the sections were stained with immunohistochemical stain against endothelium-derived nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Results: Diabetes induced histological changes in the form of glomerular hypertrophy, increased glomerular matrix, focal areas of tubular atrophy, medullary congestion and slight fibrosis. eNOS immunostaining was present in the control kidney in the golumeruli and the collecting tubules of the medulla. Diabetes induced positive reaction in the proximal and distal convoluted tubules and increased eNOS immunoreactivity in the collecting tubules. Treatment with Valsartan induced improvement of the morphology of the kidney and reduction in the intensity of eNOS immunostaining. Conclusion: NO increases in early diabetic kidney and ARB as Valsartan could be recommended in the prevention of the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Background
Estrogen therapy is widely used nowadays in women to treat many postmenopausal symptoms but it may have some undesirable effects due to multiple organs affection. So, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of chronic estradiol treatment on the structure and function of the thyroid gland in ovarictomized rats as a model simulating menopause.

Findings
Thirty adult female Wistar rats divided into three groups were used in this study; the first group was sham-operated, while the second and third groups were ovariectomized. The first and second groups were injected with olive oil while the third group was injected with estradiol dipropionate daily for three months, after that; hormonal assay for T3, T4, TSH and specimens of the thyroid were taken and processed to be examined by light and electron microscopy. The results of this study revealed that serum levels of T3 and T4 decreased in ovariectomized animals and significantly increased after estradiol treatment, while TSH increased in ovariectomized animals and decreased with estradiol treatment. Histological and morphometric study in ovariectomized group revealed marked accumulation of colloid in follicular lumens with decreased epithelial height in addition to increased connective tissue amount. After estradiol treatment the follicles became smaller in size, having small amount of colloid with increased epithelial height in addition to decreased connective tissue content. Ultrastructural study supported these results in addition to the presence of large amount of intracytoplasmic colloid vesicles after estradiol treatment.

Conclusion
Low estrogen level may lead to mild thyroidal hypofunction while estradiol treatment may lead to hyperactivity so it should be used very cautiously in the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms to avoid its undesirable stimulatory effect on the thyroid.

Introduction: Varicoceles are present in about 30-50% of infertile men. However, the histological changes in the testes
are not well-defined. Also, Resveratrol (RES) is a powerful antioxidant used recently in the treatment of infertility with
other causes.
Aim of the Study: So, this study aimed to elucidate the histological and immunohistochemical changes of both testes
after left experimental varicocele and to evaluate the possible protective role of RES.
Materials and Methods: This study included forty adult male albino rats divided into four equal groups: Control group
(I); sham-operated group (II); left varicocele group (III) and left varicolcele+RES group (IV). Varicocele was induced
by partial ligation of the left renal vein. RES was orally administered to group IV in a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight
every day for five weeks. At the end, all animals were sacrificed and testes were excised. Paraffin sections were prepared
and stained with H&E, PAS reaction and immunohistochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).
PCNA-labeling index was calculated to assess spermatogenesis.
Results: Left experimental varicocele was shown to affect both ipsi- and contra-lateral testes. The changes in the
ipsilateral testes were in the form of irregular degenerated seminefirous tubules with numerous blood vessels and
thickened basement membranes. These changes were present in some tubules in the contralateral testes. PCNA-LI
values were significantly lower than the control and sham-operated groups. Treatment with RES proved to improve
these changes.
Conclusion: Left experimental varicocele has deleterious effects on the structure of both testes and supplementation
with RES in cases of infertility with varicocele may have a protective effect.