optimized method for ex vivo generation of dendritic cells

Dendritic cells are the most potent antigen presenting cells. They capture, process and present antigens to T cells and secrete various cytokines and soluble factors to initiate adaptive immune responses. Dendritic cells are also important in induction of immunological tolerance to self- antigens. Due to their crucial role in immune responses during infections, cancers, transplantations, allergies, and autoimmune diseases, they have become important targets for many biological and clinical studies. Usually large numbers of dendritic cells is essential for these studies; however, small numbers of these cells in blood and tissues makes the isolation very difficult. Therefore, In vitro generation of these cells is useful for research and clinical applications. The aim of this study was in vitro generation of dendritic cells from bone marrow-hematopoietic progenitor cells using a simple and efficient method. Murine bone marrow cells were cultured in medium supplemented with Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and Interleukin 4 without depletion of any cell population for 9 days. Fresh medium containing cytokines was added every 3 days. Analysis of the morphology and immunophenotype of cultured cells showed the generation of dendritic cells from day 2 of the culture period. But, the number of cells that possess morphological characteristics and typical cell surface markers [CD11c, MHC-II and CD86] of dendritic cells was elevated by increasing the culture period. The purity of dendritic cells was 86% by the end of 9 days culture. This method can be used as an efficient method for ex vivo generation of dendritic cells

Modulation of toxicological effect of carrageenan-induced paw oedema using sage oil from salvia officinalis as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant drug

The available anti-inflammatory drugs exert an extensive variety of side effects. The search for new anti-inflammatory agents [obtained from natural sources such as plant extracts] has been a priority of pharmaceutical industries. It is worth mentioning that, plants represent one of the most important sources of substances with biological activities. Moreover, plants continue to be an important source of new chemical substances with potential therapeutic effects. The aim of the present study was to assess the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activities and histopathological changes of sage oil from Salvia officinalis in paw oedema model induced by carrageenan [Carr] in mice. Using carrageenan-induced paw oedema model, the experiment included induction of inflammation with injection of 2% carrageenan solution dissolved in 0.9% saline intraplantarily to the right hind paw. The examined pro-inflammatory parameters were nitric oxide [NO] level, interleukin IL-1beta in paw tissue infiltrate and plasma, total and differential leukocytes count and paw volume [thickness]. Some antioxidant parametres were examined such as: catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and glutathione peroxidase [GPx] activities, in addition to, malondialdehyde [MDA] production in the paw tissue. The data indicated that, there were increase in the amount of nitric oxide level, interleukin IL-1beta in paw tissue infiltrate and plasma, total leukocytes count and that evidence of the occurrence of inflammation in this region. Furthermore, carrageenan administration caused increase in paw oedema volume. Also data indicated that there were decreases in the amount of CAT, SOD and GPx activities. On the other hand, an increase of MDA production in the paw tissue, these results demonstrated that there was an evidence of oxidative stress in the paw tissue after carrageenan induction. Pretreatment with sage oil extracted from the medicinal herb Salvia officinalis administered orally [20 ml/kg] body weight in a single dose 1 hr before injection with carrageenan solution resulted in significant increase of the antioxidant enzymes activity, in contrast, a significant decrease in the pro-inflammatory mediators; NO, IL-1beta and total leukocytes number compared to the treatment with diclofenac which used as a reference drug, administrated orally [50 mg/kg body wt.]. of paw oedema sections stained with Harris haematoxylin and eosin [H and E] revealed a significant increase in the infiltration of ploymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMNs] mainly neutrophils, a common occurrence with inflammation. However, pretreatment with sage oil showed a significant reduction in the thickness of oedema and inflammatory cells infiltration compared to the carrageenan inflamed group. The current results denoted that, sage oil may have significant potential for the development of novel anti-inflammatory and antioxidant drug and could be used as pharmacological agent in the treatment of some inflammatory disorders in which free radical formation is a pathogenic factor

Bactriological studies on some diseases causing broilers mortality with the possibility of vaccine production

Two hundred and seventy samples were randomly collected from Sharkia Government and Peasantry Farms in various localities. These samples were subjected from bacteriological investigation allover the year to explore the actual bacterial causative agents. The obtained data revealed that, 65 isolates were E. coll, 20 isolates were Salmonella spp, 15 isolates were Staph aureus and 15 isolates were Campylobacter jejuni with incidence percentages of 24%, 7.4%, 5.5%, and 5.5% respectively. From the results of this study it can be concluded that the E. coli infection is incorporated in complicated respiratory infection and almost need for use of sensitive antibiotic for control measures considered and an important direction to avoid loss of body weight, prolonged respiratory signs and economic losses. Vaccination against E. coli infection induced protection immune response especially vaccinated at 6 days of age. Sensitivity tests related that E. coli were sensitive for lincospectin, doxycydine, gentamicin, colistin sulphat, chloramphicol and amoxicillin while it resistance to erthromycic. Concerning salmonella were sensitive to chloramphenicol, lincospectin, doxycyclin and less sensitive to erythromycin and colistin sulphate. In case of Staph. aureus were sensitive to amoxicillin, gentamycin and lincospectin and less sensitive to erythromycin and resistance to colistin sulphate. In case of Campylobacter jejuni were sensitive to lincospectin, doxycycline, amoxicillin and gentamycin, while no effect could be observed with erythromycin

Mirazid in treatment of three zoonotic trematodes in Beni-Sweif and Dakhalia governorates

A total of 60 patients with schistosomiasis [40], fascialiosis [15] and heterophyiasis [5] were selected Beni-Swejf and Mansoura Districts and subjected to history taking, clinical examination, Kato thick smear, sedimentation and hatching test [for schistosomiasis cases] at the beginning of the study, 2 and 3 months after treatment with Oleo-resin of Myrrh [Mirazid] in a dose of 10mg/kg/day for 6 consecutive days an hour before breakfast. The results showed a significant improvement in symptoms with minimal negligible or no side effects. The cure rates, 2 and 3 months after treatment were 80.7% and 11.8% for schistosomiasis, 93.3% and 6.6% for fascioliasis, and 100% for heterophyiasis. The clinical picture of schistosomiasis before treatments were easy fatigability, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, epigastria pain, abdominal distention, right upper guardant pain, colicky abdominal pain, left upper andlor lower guardant pain, abdominal rumbling, dysentery, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, constipation, and alternating bowel habit. Those of fascioliasis were abdominal distention, dripping of saliva, right upper guardant, colicky abdominal pain, weight loss, easy fatigability, intermittent jaundice, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, epigastria, left upper and/or lower quadrant pain, right layer quadrant pain, loin pain, abdominal rumbling, diarrhea, constipation, and alternating bowel habit The safety and efficacy of C. molmol extract in treating heterophyiasis [100%], fascioliasis [100%] and schistosomiasis [92.5%] were documented

Evaluation of "myrrh extract" against schistosoma mansoni: a histological study

This study investigated the effect of myrrh extract on different developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni. Sixty albino mice were used and divided into three main groups: GI [control group], Gil [infected group] and Gill [infected-treated group]. The last group was further divided into 3 subgroups where the drug was administered in a dose of 500mg/kg body weight for 5 days starting on the 1[st] day PI for IIIA, on the 21[st] day PI for IIIB and on the 45[th] day PI for IIIC. A morphometric study was performed for the mean number and perimeter of granulomas. In Gil, typical bilharzial granulomas were frequently encountered in the portal tracts with numerous eosinophils, collagen fiber deposition and reticular fiber condensation. Hepatocytes revealed vacuolation, nuclear affection and depletion of glycogen. In GIII, granulomas were less frequently observed with apparent decrease of eosinophils. The maximum effect of the drug was observed in SGs IIIB and IIIC as detected by significant decrease in the mean number and size of granulomas, paucity of eosinophils, decreased fibrosis and reticular fibers and the restoration of the glycogen content in the hepatocytes. The present data proved that myrrh has a valuable schistosomicidal effect against different stages of S. mansoni. This chemotherapeutic effect was more evident when the drug was given to infected mice on the 21[st] as well as on the 45[th] day PI

Efficacy of myrrh in controlling coccidioses in chickens

Myrrh was used for controlling the infection with Eimeria species in chickens. A total of 120 one-day-old native breed chickens bought from commercial hatchery were used in the experiment. Birds were feed on starter balanced ration free from anticoccidial drugs. At age of 2 weeks the chickens were divided into 4 groups [1-4], 30 chicks each. Chickens of first group were inoculated by 50000 sporulated oocysts of mixed local field isolated Eimeria species and served as infected non treated control group. Birds of the second group were infected similarly and received simultaneously 10 mg Myrrh/ bird by oral route. Birds of group 3 was supplied with Myrrh 10 mg/ bird one day before infection by coccidia [50000 oocyst /bird] .Last chicken group was left as non-infected non treated control group Measurements to evaluate the efficacy of Myrrh as anticoccidial drug included; mortality percentage; lesion score at 5 day post infection and the total oocyst output/gm of fecal dropping. The results showed that the mortality rate reached 10% and 3.33% in groups 2 and 3 respectively, while it reached 26.66% in infected non treated control group. High lesion score was recorded in infected non treated group followed by infected treated chicken groups regardless the time of treatment. The feed conversion rates reached 3.14 in infected non treated chicken group against 2.47 and 2.21 in treated chickens groups, 2 and 3 respectively. Mean oocyst count per gram faecal dropping [OPG] was reduced significantly in group 3 when compared with other infected treated or infected non treated chicken groups

Posterior capsule opacification in pseudophakic eyes

To report the incidence of posterior capsule opacification with different types of intraocular lenses. 72 patients [72 eyes] with senile cataract were divided into 3 groups. Their ages ranged between 65 and 72 years. Group I underwent large incision extracapsular cataract extraction [ECCE] and received all PMMA IOL, group II underwent phacoemulsification and received polyacrylic IOL, and group III underwent phacoemulsification and received silicon IOL. All patients were followed up for 2 years to detect PCO. At 2 years PCO was less significant in patients who had implanted polyacrylic IOL than those with silicon or PMMA [P < 0.001]. The lower incidence of PCO with polyacrylic IOL suggests that the IOL material may reduce the incidence of PCO

Mirazid alone or combined with paromomycin in treating Cryptosporidiosis parvum in immunocompetent hospitalized patients

Sixty cryptosporidiosis patients from Mansoura University Hospitals, 36 males and 24 females, with age from few months to ten years [mean age 6.1] were divided into three cross-matched groups of 20 patients each. All patients received the glutamine-based oral rehydration solution with 111 mmol/1 glutamine, 20 mg zinc acetate once a day and vitamin A supplementation [200,000 IU] once a day for 2 weeks. For cryptosporidiosis treatment, Gl received Mirazid [10mg /kg for 2 weeks], G2 received Paromomycin [500 mg qid for 2 weeks], and G3 received a combination of Mirazid [10mg/kg] and Paromomycin [500 mg] for two weeks. The result was assessed according to the scales: 0= no improvement, 1= symptoms began improvement [reduction of diarrhea frequency and stool volume, less abdominal pain, less nausea and vomiting], 2= diarrhea eradication, 3= weight gain, 4= oocyst counts reduction, 5= reduction in diarrhea and oocyst counts, 6= eradication of diarrhea and oocysts. G3 showed significantly higher difference than Gl and G2 in the 1[st] week [p=.036, 0.025 respectively], no significant difference in 2[nd] week, a significantly higher difference than in Gl [0.003], and G2 [0.006] in 3[rd] week, and a significantly higher difference than Gl [0.014], and G2 [0.01] in 4[th] week, but without significant differences in oocyst shedding in the 3 groups

Single staged surgery [SSS] for left sided colonic obstruction [LSCO]

There are controversial opinions for management of left sided colonic obstruction. The orthodox surgeons prefer to do twice or triple sittings for the treatment of this situation. Because of the safety and avoid time consuming and cost-effectiveness, single staged colonic surgery is a safe and definitive procedure. From a period of four years duration between March 2000 to March 2004, 37 cases [22 men and 15 women] were under went to this single-typed technique for left sided colonic obstructive patients. We performed resection anastomosis [one layer] without fecal [bowel] diversion. The results were good and encouraging the surgeon to continue and perform this single-staged procedure for selected patients presented with left-sided colonic obstruction. This decreases the hospital stay, cost-effectiveness and reduce surgical intervention

Spot light survey on fresh-water snails of medical importance in Al Fayoum governorate, Egypt

In a survey carried out during summer and autumn of 2004, for snails of medical importance, nine species were recovered. They were Biomphalaria alexandrina, B. glabrata, B. pfeifferi, Bulinus truncatus, B. forskalii, Lymnaea natalensis, Bellamya [=Vivipara] unicolor, Physa acuta and Hydrobia mesaensis. Parasitological examination revealed that B. alexandrina, B. glabrata and L. natalensis harboured immature stages of their concerned trematode parasites. Moreover, P. acuta harboured the immature stage of the nematode parasite Parastrongylus cantonensis

Light microscopic study of the effect of new antischistosmal drug [Myrrh extract] on the liver of mice

The efficacy of purified oleo-resin extract of myrrh derived from Commiphora molmol tree, [known as Mirazid R] was studied against an Egyptian strain of Schistosoma mansoni in mice. Seventy adult male mice were used in this study. They were divided into 4 groups: G.I: consisted of control non- infected non treated mice. G.II: comprised the non infected treated mice and was subdivided into two subgroups, subgroup II-A: included mice which received Myrrh extract dissolved in cremophore EL and subgroup IIB: included mice which were treated with cremophore EL. G.III: consisted of the infected non treated animals and G.IV: included infected mice which were treated with myrrh extract. The drug was given 8 weeks post infection in a dose of 500 mg/ kg body weight/ day for 5 successive days. All animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks from the beginning of the experiment. Liver paraffin sections were prepared and stained with H and E, Masson's Trichrome stain. PAS stain and Wilder's technique. A morphometric study was performed for the mean number and perimeter of the granulomas. Area percentage of the total collagen content around central veins as well as in portal areas was also estimated. The livers of the animals in G.II which received either myrrh extract [subgroup II-A] or cremophore EL [subgroup II-B] showed a more or less normal histological profile when compared to G.I [non infected-non treated group]. G.IV [Infected treated G.] showed complete preservation of the hepatic architecture. Most of the hepatocytes appeared almost normal. The reticular network in the central part of the granulomas as well as in the portal tracts appeared rarefied. The hepatic reticular network was preserved. A significant decrease in the number and size of granulomas with significant reduction in the collagen content deposition in portal tracts and around central veins was detected when compared to G.III [infected non treated mice]. The data of this study proved the efficacy of myrrh as a promising anti-schistosomal drug

Paravertebral nerve block vs general anaesthesia in cancer breast surgery

The aim of this study to evaluate the effect of thoracic paravertebral nerves block[PVB] as an alternative for general anaesthesia [GA] in cancer breast surgery on haemodynamic, stress responses, pulmonary function tests[PFT] and postoperative pain relief. Fifty patients undergoing for elective simple mastectomy and clearance of axilla allocated for 2 groups. Group 1 [GAG] and group II [PVB]. All patient premedicated by fentanyl 1micro g/kg and 40 micro g midazolam. Group 1 [GAG] received general anaesthesia by propofol 2 mg/kg and 80 mirco g / kg vecuronium and anaesthesia was maintained by gas, oxygen and isoflurane. In PVB group single injection of 0.3 mg/kg bupivacain 0.5% at T4 spine and the patients were sedated by propofol infusion. PVB decreased HR, MABP, blood glucose and plasma cortisol significantly when compared with GAG and significantly improved pulmonary functions tests [FVC and FEVI]. PVB produced significant increase in duration of analgesia and decreased visual analogue scale scores [VAS] when compared with GA. PVB with bupivacain 0.5% at T4 in conjunction with intraoperative sedation was safe and effective for surgical anaesthesia in patient undergoing major breast surgery and attenuated the stress response to surgery and provided complete pain relief postoperative

Posterior subscapularis release combined with transfer of latissimus dorsi and teres major for treatment of shoulder internal rotation contracture secondary to Erb's plasy

Fifteen children complaining of internal rotation contracture of the shoulders after obstetrical palsy, their mean age was 8.3 years, were included in this study. The preoperative average abduction and external rotation were 70 and 50 degrees, respectively. All patients had subscapularis release from the scapula and transfer of latissimus dorsi and teres major to rotator cuff. At the final follow up, all patients had an improvement of abduction and external rotation. The mean active abduction was improved to 120 degrees postoperatively. The average postoperative external rotation was 57 degrees. Subscapularis release and Hoffer transfer improved the shoulder abduction and external rotation in cases of birth palsy. All patients noticed an improvement of their functional activities of daily living as well as cosmoses

Fractures of the ulnar styloid in young adults: to fix or not?

In this study, 44 cases of fracture base of the ulnar styloid were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using tension band wiring. 68% of the cases were associated with unstable distal radius fracture. In 10% of the cases, the ulnar styloid fracture was isolated; in 11% of the cases, it was associated with carpal injuries, fractures and or dislocation as well as 11% were associated with Galeazzi fracture. The assessment of stability of the distal radio-ulnar joint was tested after fixation, during surgery. An additional percutaneous fixation of distal radio ulnar joint [DRUJ] by KW was done in four cases. The results were encouraging, 85% of the patients had painless free range of supination-pronation. A residual prominence of the ulnar head was observed in two cases

Percutaneous reduction and fixation of transscaphoid perilunate fracture dislocations

In this study, 12 manual worker men sustained high energy trauma presented with this injury were treated by closed reduction under fluoroscopic image intensifier control and percutaneous fixation. Their mean age was 31.4 years. The injury involved the undominant hand in eight patients. The average duration of follow up was 16.3 months. At the end of follow up, 11 patients were satisfied, had no or mild pain. Eight patients had more than 75% of the range of motion of that of the uninjured side. Ten patients had excellent and good results

Dose sentinel lymph node biopsy [SLNB] reduce the necessary of axillary lymph node dissection [ALND] in female breast cancer?

From Sept.2002 to Sept 2003, all cases of female breast masses attended at surgical clinic, Al Zahraa university Hospital Al-Azhar uni. were subjected in this study. 200 cases were subjected in this study, of them 27 cases were diagnosed as breast cancer the rest of cases were excluded [173 cases] as they were diagnosed as benign breast diseases. All cases were underwent to thorough careful history, perfect examination and different investigatory tools [ultrasonography, mammography and FNAC], open excisional biopsy was the last resort and technique for diagnosis which revealed positive for cancer in only 27 cases those later on subjected in the present study to determine the status of SLN[sorguis node] after injection of blue dye and axillary dissection with axcision of this node with staining it either with H and E or with cytokeratin [IHC stain]. all positive cases [20 cases with SLNB underwent immediately to simple mastectomy and axillary clearance, while those of negative SLNS [7 cases] reprepared for straining with cytokeratin IHC stain which revealed positive malignant cells in 3 cases of seven. The results encourage the surgeons who interested in breast surgery to use this recent technique to reduce the necessary of axillaty dissection in breast cancer, this dissection may disturbe immune status of the patient as well as associated with complications such as arm oedeina and nerve injury as well as vascullar injury to the great vessles in the axilla

Effect of myrrh extract on the liver of normal and bilharzially infected mice, an ultrastructural study

In the present work, the efficacy of purified oloe-resin extract of myrrh derived from Commiphora molmol tree [commercially known as Mirazid] as a new, natural antischistosomal drug was investigated. The effect of myrrh on the ultrastructural profile of the noninfected normal mice liver was also studied. Sixty male mice were used throughout this work and they were divided into three main groups [20 animals each]: Group I [noninfected control animals], group II [infected animals] and group III [infected animals treated with myrrh extract at eight weeks post infection, 500 mg/kg body weight]. The drug was given orally on an empty stomach after overnight fasting for five successive days. All animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks from the beginning of the experiment and small pieces of the liver were excised and prepared for an ultrastructural study. The liver of the noninfected animals, which received myrrh extract [group IA] showed a more or less normal ultrastructural profile. The infected groups showed alterations of the ultrastructure of most of the hepatocytes with extensive intercellular fibrosis with abundant granulomas in the portal tract. In the infected treated group, most of the hepatocytes showed normal organelles with numerous microvilli extending into patent spices of Disse. A marked reduction of granulomas in the portal areas and an amelioration of the intercellular fibrosis were also observed. On the bases of the observed results, it was concluded that myrrh extract has a promising antischistosomal non-hepatotoxic activity

Study of some immune aspects in patients with fascioliasis before and after commiphora molmol [mirazid] treatment

This study was planned to evaluate the in vitro production of IL-1 beta and IL-4 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs] and total IgE in patients with fascioliasis before and three months after treatment with purified extract of myrrh from Commiphora molmol tree [mirazid], to determine the role of these variables in the immunopathogenesis of the disease in relation to this new drug. The study was carried out on a total of 35 patients with chronic fascioliasis with an age range from 9 to 45 years, in addition to 10 healthy subjects with matched age and sex serving as controls. Serum IgE and in vitro IL-1 and IL-4 were estimated by enzyme immunoassay [ELISA] before and three months after therapy. The study concluded that mirazid is an effective fasciolicidal drug. IL-1 may be involved in the disease immuno-pathogenesis and the depressed IL-4 may be a phenomenon of the parasite immune suppression. A complete decline of total IgE is not an early criterion of cure

Compatibility of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails to Infection with Schistosoma mansoni after exposure to sublethal concentations of Myrrh

The effect of exposing B. alexandrina to the sublethal dose [LC10 and LC20] of myrrh, on its susceptibility to infection with S. mansoni miracidia were determined. At three weeks post miracidial exposure, cercarial shedding was monitored. No shedding of cercariae was observed from snails treated with LC20. In snails treated with LC10, longer prepatent cercarial and shorter cercarial production periods than those of the control group were recorded. The number of infected snails and shedding cercariae was decreased. The study revealed that the sublethal values of myrrh decreased the compatibility of B. Alexandrina to S. mansoni infection, thus proved to have an important role in the control of schistosomiasis