Microscopic characterization and HPTLC of the leaves, stems and roots of Fadogia agrestis - an African folk medicinal plant

ABSTRACT Fadogia agrestis Schweinf. ex Hiern (Vangueria agrestis (Schweinf. ex Hiern) Lantz), Rubiaceae, is an African traditional medicinal plant also used as a dietary supplement in the US. The present paper is the first report of the pharmacognostic study of the leaf, stem and root of F. agrestis by microscopy, HPTLC and total phenolic/flavonoid content analyses. Noteworthy microscopic features that can help in identification and quality control are septate and lignified non-glandular trichomes on leaf and stem epidermises, paracytic stomata on leaf abaxial epidermis, numerous cells containing yellow substances of presumably phenolic compounds in leaf and stem, calcium oxalate druses and prismatic crystals in leaf and styloids in stem, primary phloem fibers in stem, brachysclereids in stem and root, spherical starch grains in root, and vessels with vestured pits and simple perforated end walls. In addition to microscopy, a total phenolic/flavonoid content determination and an HPTLC method were also developed for rapid chemical fingerprint analyses of Fadogia samples and dietary supplements.

Xenomonitoring of Different Filarial Nematodes Using Single and Multiplex PCR in Mosquitoes from Assiut Governorate, Egypt

Wuchereria bancrofti, Dirofilaria immitis, and Dirofilaria repens are filarial nematodes transmitted by mosquitoes belonging to Culex, Aedes, and Anopheles genera. Screening by vector dissection is a tiresome technique. We aimed to screen filarial parasites in their vectors by single and multiplex PCR and evaluate the usefulness of multiplex PCR as a rapid xenomonitoring and simultaneous differentiation tool, in area where 3 filarial parasites are coexisting. Female mosquitoes were collected from 7 localities in Assiut Governorate, were microscopically identified and divided into pools according to their species and collection site. Detection of W. bancrofti, D. immitis, and D. repens using single PCR was reached followed by multiplex PCR. Usefulness of multiplex PCR was evaluated by testing mosquito pools to know which genera and species are used by filarial parasites as a vector. An overall estimated rate of infection (ERI) in mosquitoes was 0.6%; the highest was Culex spp. (0.47%). W. bancrofti, D. immitis, and D. repens could be simultaneously and differentially detected in infected vectors by using multiplex PCR. Out of 100 mosquito pools, 8 were positive for W. bancrofti (ERI of 0.33%) and 3 pools each were positive for D. immitis and D. repens (ERI 0.12%). The technique showed 100% sensitivity and 98% specificity. El-Nikhila, El-Matiaa villages, and Sahel Seleem district in Assiut Governorate, Egypt are still endemic foci for filarial parasites. Multiplex PCR offers a reliable procedure for molecular xenomonitoring of filariasis within their respective vectors in endemic areas. Therefore, it is recommended for evaluation of mosquito infection after lymphatic filariasis eradication programs.

Xenomonitoring of Different Filarial Nematodes Using Single and Multiplex PCR in Mosquitoes from Assiut Governorate, Egypt

Wuchereria bancrofti, Dirofilaria immitis, and Dirofilaria repens are filarial nematodes transmitted by mosquitoes belonging to Culex, Aedes, and Anopheles genera. Screening by vector dissection is a tiresome technique. We aimed to screen filarial parasites in their vectors by single and multiplex PCR and evaluate the usefulness of multiplex PCR as a rapid xenomonitoring and simultaneous differentiation tool, in area where 3 filarial parasites are coexisting. Female mosquitoes were collected from 7 localities in Assiut Governorate, were microscopically identified and divided into pools according to their species and collection site. Detection of W. bancrofti, D. immitis, and D. repens using single PCR was reached followed by multiplex PCR. Usefulness of multiplex PCR was evaluated by testing mosquito pools to know which genera and species are used by filarial parasites as a vector. An overall estimated rate of infection (ERI) in mosquitoes was 0.6%; the highest was Culex spp. (0.47%). W. bancrofti, D. immitis, and D. repens could be simultaneously and differentially detected in infected vectors by using multiplex PCR. Out of 100 mosquito pools, 8 were positive for W. bancrofti (ERI of 0.33%) and 3 pools each were positive for D. immitis and D. repens (ERI 0.12%). The technique showed 100% sensitivity and 98% specificity. El-Nikhila, El-Matiaa villages, and Sahel Seleem district in Assiut Governorate, Egypt are still endemic foci for filarial parasites. Multiplex PCR offers a reliable procedure for molecular xenomonitoring of filariasis within their respective vectors in endemic areas. Therefore, it is recommended for evaluation of mosquito infection after lymphatic filariasis eradication programs.

Immunotherapy for B-cell neoplasms using T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors. From antigen choice to clinical implementation

Immunotherapy with T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors [CAR] is being evaluated as a potential treatment for B-cell neoplasms. In recent clinical trials it has shown promising results. As the number of potential candidate antigens expands, the choice of suitable target antigens becomes more challenging to design studies and to assess optimal efficacy of CAR. Careful evaluation of candidate target antigens is required to ensure that T cells expressing CAR will preferentially kill malignant cells with a minimal toxicity against normal tissues. B cells express specific surface antigens that can theoretically act as targets for CAR design. Although many of these antigens can stimulate effective cellular immune responses in vivo, their implementation in clinical settings remains a challenge. Only targeted B-cell antigens CD19 and CD20 have been tested in clinical trials. This article reviews exploitable B cell surface antigens for CAR design and examines obstacles that could interfere with the identification of potentially useful cellular targets

Insulin therapy induced adiposity evaluted by computed tomography is not visceral

In individuals with type 2 diabetes, weight gain during treatment with insulin and other agents prevents the attainment of glycemic targets and probably limits the success of treatment. Studies have attempted to elucidate the mechanisms behind the apparent paradox of insulin improving glycemic control and cardiovascular risks, while causing weight gain. The aim of this study is to clarify the influence of insulin therapy on body weight and differential fat distribution [visceral or peripheral] in newly insulin treated type 2 diabetic male patients. The study was conducted on 26 type 2 diabetic male patients evaluated at baseline and 12 months after instituting insulin therapy. Body mass index [BMI], absolute waist circumference [AWC], systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HbA1c% were estimated. Abdominal Computed tomography was applied to evaluate areas of subcutaneous fat [SF] and visceral fat [VF] before and after insulin therapy. There is significant reduction in HbA1c [9.03 +/- 0.72 vs. 7.50 +/- 0.58, p<0.001] and significant increase body mass index [BMI =28.92 +/- 1.39 vs. 29.81 +/- 1.27, p=0.02] .However there was non significant changes in the AWC 103.27 +/- 3.87 Vs 105.14 +/- 3.25, P=0.065, VF 121.01 +/- 5.84 Vs 123.01 +/- 5.55, p=0.213, SF 206.54 +/- 9.93 Vs 212.12 +/- 11.62, P = 0.069and V/S ratio 0.59 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.58 +/- 0.03, P=0.365. Weight gain in the newly insulin treated type 2 diabetic patients during 12 months duration is equally distributed in both peripheral and visceral fat. So, insulin therapy does not appear to increase the visceral fat in type 2 diabetic patients which is strongly liked to atherosclerosis. Longer-term follow up and bigger sample size are necessary to address the issue of the kinetics of weight gain and to establish the possible correlation with other cardiovascular risk markers

Subclinical varicocele: is there any need for diagnosis and treatment?

This study was done to assess whether there is any benefit from diagnosis and treatment of subclinical varicocele in infertile men with poor semen quality. A total of 208 infertile men without clinical varicocele was examined by color duplex imaging [CDI] and 61 of them were diagnosed to have subclinical varicocele [SCV]. SCV patients were randomly assigned into two groups. Postoperative [one year] spermiogram in group II showed a significant increase in sperm count, but no changes were found in sperm motility and morphology. In group I, sperm parameters remained unchanged after one year of follow up. The pregnancy rate in group I was 13% compared with 14.8% in group II with no significant difference between them. It was concluded that diagnosis and treatment of SCV provided no benefit to infertile men with a poor semen quality

One-stage treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip in children

A prospective and retrospective study of the results of primary operative treatment in 23 patients [31 hips] having congenital dislocation of the hip was conducted. At the follow up period, the results were excellent in eight hips, good in 16, fair in six and poor in one hip. Avascular necrosis was developed in two hips. Twenty-one patients were reviewed with respect to the range of motion and recovery from limb-length discrepancy. It was concluded that extensive one-stage operation consisting of open reduction combined with pelvic osteotomy and often femoral shortening was a safe procedure in children of 18 months or older and had a congenital dislocation of the hip

Interlocking nail femur

Fifty two patients were.treated with the Grosse-Kempf femoral nail. Patients were followed both clinically and radiologically till union. We had 38 excellent results. 6 good results and 5 fair results. We had 3 poor results. This technique allows stabilization of complicated fractures of the femoral shaft. It is concluded that it is a rather safe procedure and can be performed in any center where closed intramedullary nailing is practiced. It is a solution to many unstable and complicated fractures of the femoral shaft. Means of reducing complications and radiation dose are discussed