Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the devastating complications in diabetes mellitus (DM). Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is one of the incretins secreted from L cells in the intestine. Crocin (a carotenoid component of saffron) has antioxidants properties. We investigated the renal effects of Exendin-4 as a GLP-1 agonist and Crocin in DN.Thirty male rats were divided into five groups: control, type II DM, type II DM + Exendin-4, type II DM + Crocin ‏ and type II DM + Exendine-4 + Crocin. At the end of the experimental period, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured, and GFR was calculated. Blood and urine samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Tissue samples were collected from the kidney for histological examination and biochemical measurements of protein expression.Treatment with GLP-1 agonist or Crocin caused a significant improvement in renal function. Better results were achieved with simultaneous administration of both drugs with inhibition of notch signalling pathway and the related proteins.

BACKGROUND: Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate [MDP] bone scan is the basis of the skeletal imaging in nuclear medicine being a highly sensitive tool for detecting bone diseases. Mechanical stimulation induced by low grade exercise or whole-body vibration appears to be advantageous regarding the maintenance and/or improvement of skeletal mass in humans. We aimed to assess the physiological influence of low grade exercise on the quality of skeletal scintigraphy using Tc-99m MDP.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Tc-99m MDP bone scan was done for 92 volunteers [Group 1; G1]. Five days later, the same subjects were re-scanned [Group 2; G2] after an exercise on treadmill for 5 minutes. Image quality was assessed using quantitative measures whereby equal regions of interest (ROI) were drawn over the femoral diaphysis, and the contralateral adductor area. The total number of counts from the bone [B] ROI and soft tissue [ST] ROI was expressed as a ratio [B:ST ratio] and a mean value for each was established.

RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was found between the B:ST ratio means [p = 0.001] in G1 and G2.

CONCLUSION: This study raised a physiological influence of low grade exercise on the image quality of tc-99m MDP skeletal scintigraphy by increasing MDP osseous uptake.

Abstract--- Device-to-device communication (D2D) is an emerging technology aiming at enhancing the performance of next generation wireless communication systems. D2D communication enables two mobile stations to communicate directly without traversing the Base Station (BS). Smart techniques should be applied to manage the interference between the BS and the D2D communicating devices. In this paper, we investigate the problem of BS precoder design and Power Allocation (PA) to deploy D2D communication in a single-cell network. We assume that the BS uses a very large number of antennas, referred to as Massive Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO). We propose solution algorithms to maximize the sum of the achievable data rates of the D2D pairs, or their minimum, while maintaining some Quality of Service (QoS) constraints on the Cellular User Equipments (CUEs) which communicate with the BS. Simulation results show that the proposed solutions are superior to the conventional power allocation schemes.

This paper examines the role of heterogeneous agents in the study of voluntary contributions to public goods. A human-subject experiment was conducted to classify agent types and determine their effects on contribution levels. Data from the experiment was used to build and calibrate an agent-based simulation model. The simulations display how different compositions of agent preference types affect the contribution levels. Findings indicate that the heterogeneity of cooperative preferences is an important determinant of a population’s contribution pattern.

BACKGROUND: Stem cell-based therapy has received attention as a possible alternative to organ transplantation. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of autologous transplantation of bone marrow (BM)-derived stromal cells in post-HCV liver cirrhosis patients.

METHODOLOGY: 10 × 10(6) of isolated human bone marrow (HBM)-stromal cells in 10 mL normal saline were injected in the spleen of 20 patients with end-stage liver cirrhosis guided by the ultrasonography, and then patients were followed up on monthly basis for six months.

RESULTS: A statistically significant decrease was detected in the total bilirubin, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) (p-value<0.01), prothrombin time (PT), and international normalized ratio (INR) levels (p-value<0.05), while a statistically significant increase in the albumin and PC (p-value<0.05) after follow-up.

CONCLUSION: This study suggested the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of the intrasplenic injection of autologous BM stromal cells in improving liver function in Egyptian patients with cirrhosis.

Govemance in one of the controversial concept which emerged in late of 1980
in international organizations arena as a justification to the failure of the aids in
achieving its goals in developed countries. The controversial of the concept is due
to its multiple dimensions, and different societal sectors which play vital role in
addition to the government in managing the state affairs, one of the main players
in media which play an important role in connecting different sectors in society by
sharing and providing information to each sector and to public. So, this study aims
to discover how Egyptian newspaper tackles good governance indicators and
concept, and the media role. Using content analysis methodology to a sample of
newspapers taking into account the representation of different political orientation,
during a period from November 2010 to February 2011, in which three different
issues emerged during this period parliament election 2010, the explosion of al
kedassen church in Alexandria, and the 25 Jan. revolution. The research problem
is to identify and analysis indicators of good governance in Egyptian newspaper
according to their different political orientation, towards some of the major issues
in Egypt, and to detect the variance after 25 Jan. Revolution. The study depends
mainly in its analysis to good governance indicators on the worldwide governance
indicators due to its wide geographical coverage, and it's inclusive to various fields
related to the indicators. The main results were: all newspapers addressee good
governance indicators, but they differ according to the political orientation of the
newspapers and the issues. As for the media role the results show that newspapers
work as information provider, and watchdog, and they present their vision for
reform.

Introduction: Behçet’s disease (BD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disease. 40-70% of BD patients display rheumatic features with a 9% incidence as an initial presentation. However, there are no pathognomonic laboratory tests in BD and the diagnosis depends on the occurrence and grouping of sufficient clinical manifestations to allow the physician to either suspect, or definitely diagnose the condition. Our aim was to assess the utility of Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate (Tc-99m MDP) bone scintigraphy for the detection of articular involvement in BD patients and its impact on disease activity & severity scoring.
Methods: 25 BD patients diagnosed according to the international study group criteria for BD diagnosis (ISG) [18 male, 7 female, mean age 32.44±7.78, disease duration 6.98±4.61year] were included and subjected to selected joint x-ray and bone scintigraphy.
Results: 25/25 was scintigraphically positive for arthritis [100%, 64%, 44%, 40%, 36% & 20% in wrist, Metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal (PIPs), distal interphalangeal (DIPs), Knees & ankles respectively]. 13/25 were clinically negative while scintigraphically positive for arthritis. 11/25 (44%) and 8/25 (32%) turned from inactive to active BD and from mild to moderate disease severity, based on their positive hand scintigraphy with treatment modification. 4/25 (16%) had recurrent oral ulcers with normal laboratory data and only positive hand scintigraphy; with follow-up they met ISG criteria.
Conclusion: skeletal scintigraphy is a simple diagnostic modality with a low radiation burden, when compared to conventional radiology. Hence, when used appropriately in the diagnostic algorithm of BD, bone scintigraphy can be used for detection of early joint involvement, assessment of the extent and activity status with guidance for the selected therapy.