ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the synergetic effect of an ethanolic extract of Egyptian propolis in immunization of BALB/c mice with Taenia saginata (T. saginata) crude antigen against bovine cysticercosis, with reference to its effects on liver and kidney functions. METHODS: Sixty female mice BALB/c strain weighing 20 to 25 g and 6-8 weeks old were randomly allocated into six groups of ten mice each. Mice in groups 1 and 2 (G1 and G2) were immunized intraperitoneally with 100 μg of T. saginata crude antigen in 100 μL phosphate buffer saline emulsified in Freund's adjuvant. Besides, the mice in G2 were administered with propolis extract simultaneously with immunization. Control mice were either administered with propolis extract (G3) or injected with the same volume of phosphate buffer saline emulsified in Freund's adjuvant (G4). The mice in G5 were non-immunized infected control while, those in G6 were non-immunized non-infected control. Two weeks after the last immunization, each mouse was challenged intraperitoneally with 5 000 oncospheres except those of G6. Ethanolic extract of propolis was prepared at a dose 50 mg/kg body weight. RESULTS: After 24 weeks of challenge, the mice in G2 showed the highest level of protection (100%), with no cyst being detected rather than mice in G1 (33.3% protection). Additionally, the ELISA results, in this study, showed higher antibody titer in G2 with reduction the alteration in liver and kidney functions compared to G1. CONCLUSIONS: Egyptian propolis could increase the level of protection against experimental challenge infection with T. saginata eggs when administered simultaneously with immunization. Furthermore, it could enhance the production of antibodies to immunized antigen and decrease the alteration in liver and kidney functions.
ABSTRACT
To determine whether thermal balloon endometrial ablation can replace Roller ball ablation in treating premenopausal menorrhagia resistant to hormonal therapy. 57 premenopausal women complaining of abnormal uterine bleeding in the form of menorrhagia were enrolled in the study and were divided into 2 groups; group I included 27 women who had thermal balloon endometrial ablation while group II consisted of 30 women who had Roller ball ablation. No medication was used to suppress the endometrium in preparation for ablation in either group. Both procedures were performed under general anesthesia with pre-operative prophylactic antibiotics. All women were followed up for a period 12 months. Both groups were comparable in age, parity and body mass index. The improvement reported in the menstrual pattern after both procedures was not statistically different between both groups [p > 0.05]. Duration of ablation including the time for general anesthesia was significantly higher in group II [p < 0.05]. No significant difference was found in the intra and postoperative complications between the groups except vaginal discharge [p < 0.05]; this was a common postoperative complaint for all women [100%] in group II with a duration lasting between 9-19 days. Only 13 patient [54%] in group I complained of a serosanguious discharge for a period of 5-7 -days. No blood transfusion was required in either group. No fluid overload occurred in any case in group II. Thermal balloon endometrial ablation seems to be safe and effective alternative to Roller ball endometrial ablation in treating premenopausal menorrhagia resistant to hormonal therapy
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Endometrial Ablation Techniques/methods , Ablation Techniques/methods , Premenopause , Comparative StudyABSTRACT
To compare the efficacy of laparoscopic ovarian needle puncture versus laparoscopic ovarian electrocauterization in the treatment of the polycystic ovary syndrome and to assess the degree of postoperative adhesion formation after each procedure. Patients and methods: Forty women with anovulatory infertility due to polycystic ovary syndrome were enrolled in the study and were equally divided into 2 groups. Laparoscopic ovarian electrocauterization was performed for women in group I while laparoscopic ovarian needle puncture was performed for patients enrolled in group II. Blood samples were drawn before and 1 month after the laparoscopic procedures in both groups to determine levels of lutenizing hormone [LH], follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], LH/FSH ratio, testosterone, androstendione and insulin-like growth factor binding protein- 1. Doppler resistance index of the ovarian stromal vasculature was measured before surgery in both groups at days 11,13,15 and 17 of the menstrual cycle. All women enrolled in the study were followed up for a period of 1 2 months for regularity of the menstrual cycle, occurrence of ovulation and pregnancy. The hormonal profile and the Doppler resistance index of the ovarian stromal vasculature were reassesed 1 month after surgery at the same period of the menstrual cycle. There was no significant differences in the clinical characteristics of women enrolled in both groups. There was a highly significant postoperative improvement in cycle regularity, occurrence of ovulation and conception in both groups [p < 0.001]. There were a highly significant decrease in LH, LH/FSH, testosterone and androstendione levels after surgery in both groups [p< 0.0001]. FSH level increased significantly in both groups after surgery but the IGFBP showed a non significant increase [p > 0.05] in both groups. A significant rise in the Doppler resistance index of ovarian artery was noted at days 13, 15 and 17 of the cycle after both procedures. Second look laparoscopy for cases that did not get pregnant by the end of the 12 months follow up revealed a significant increase in the incidence of postoperative adhesion formation in group 1 compared to group II [p < 0.001]. laparoscopic ovarian needle puncture is an effective alternative to ovarian electrocauterization in the treatment of the polycystic ovary syndrome. In addition laparoscopic ovarian needle puncture results in statistically lower incidence of postoperative pelvic adhesions