effect of stem cells as an adjuvant on the immunogenicity of a potential anti-schistosomal vaccine in mice

Vaccination against schistosomes can be targeted towards the prevention of infection and/or to the reduction of parasite fecundity and pathology. However, as eggs are responsible mainly for schistosomiasis pathology, so crude soluble egg antigen [SEA] seems suitable to be used as a potential vaccine. Many studies have provided new insights establishing a role for mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] in liver regeneration and improvement of schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis, in addition to the need for standardized and effective adjuvant-vaccine formulations. So, the aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of stem cells when used as an adjuvant of a potential antischistosomal vaccine [crude SEA] in murine models. The current work was carried out on 100 mice [30 males for harvesting MSCs + 70 females for seven study groups, each of 10]. A schedule of vaccination and challenge infection was followed so, G1 [control healthy], G2 [control infected only] infected subcutaneously with S. mansoni cercaria [80-90 Schistosorna mansoni cercariae suspended in 0.2 ml distilled water], G3 [FCA then infected] received Freund's complete adjuvant [FCA] then infected, G4 [MSCs then infected] received MSCs then infected, 05 [SEA then infected] received SEA vaccine then infected, G6 [SEA+FCA then infected] received SEA vaccine and FCA then infected, 07 [SEA+MSCs then infected] received SEA vaccine and MSCs then infected. The current work was assessed by histopathological study and morphometric analysis [using H and E and Masson's Trichrome stains] to highlight number, size arid type of liver granulomas and percentage of liver fibrosis, immunological and molecular studies [RNA extraction, Reverse Transcriptase and PCR technique] for detection of interleukin-1 0 mRNA gene expression in liver tissue by reverse transcriptase and polymerase chain reaction [RT and PCR]. The results showed that a- SEA alone as a potential anti-schistosomal vaccine was more or less moderately protective, b- MSCs alone before the infection had mild prophylactic effects, c- MSCs as an adjuvant of the crude SEA increased its capabilities with highly significant results regarding the decrease in granuloma number, size, percentage and density of hepatic fibrosis, and d-There was significant increase in IL-10 mRNA gene expression on using [SEA+MSCs] [G7] if compared to other tested groups

Tuberculous versus pyogenic spondylodiscitis: MR imaging evaluation

Infective spondylitis is a condition that involves one or more of the components of the spinal column. MRI represents a major advance in the examination of the spine because of the direct multiplanar capabilities, increased tissue contrast and improved resolution without the need of iodinated contrast or ionizing radiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of MRI in the diagnosis of Spondylodiscitis and in the differentiation between tuberculous and pyogenic Spondylodiscitis. This study included 23 patients, 10 males and 13 females with age ranging from 19 to 75 years and a mean age of 42.3 years. These patients were subjected to complete clinical and neurological examination, laboratory investigations and MR imaging. T1 WIs and T2 WIs were obtained for all patients and Diffusion study was done in 18 patients. Post contrast [Gd-DTPA] TlWIs in at least two orthogonal planes was also obtained. Patients in this study were divided into pyogenic Spondylodiscitis [16 cases] and tuberculous Spondylodiscitis [7 cases]. MR imaging was an ideal method for evaluating infections of the spine and it is extremely sensitive in detecting and delineating the actual extent of these lesions. Characteristic magnetic resonance findings included destructive lesions involving 2 adjacent vertebrae and the intervening disk, low intensity changes in bone and disc were seen on Tl-weighted images, whereas high intensity changes were seen in those structures on T2-weighted images. Intravenous injection of Gd-DTPA shows enhancement of the involved structures. Paravertebral infection, collections under the posterior longitudinal ligament, and epidural abscesses were also seen in this study. MR imaging is sensitive in diagnosing Spondylodiscitis, demonstrating actual extent of the inflammatory process and in differentiation between pyogenic and tuberculous Spondylodiscitis in most cases

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

Induction of root tuberization in turnip under unfavourable environmental conditions

Tuberization of turnip roots was highly attenuated under unfavorable conditions [high temperature and long photoperiod]. Under these conditions, induction of the root tuberization was obtained, to various extents, by foliar treatment with alar, coumarin, cycloheximide, kinetin and maleic hydrazide. On the other hand, retardation of tuberization was observed in the plants treated with auxin [IAA], gibberellins [GA3] and coumarin

Mycroparasitic effect of trichoderma harzianum rifai against cephalosporium acremonium corda

Trichoderma harzinuam was found to parasitize Cephalosporiurn acremonium, the incirant of Cephalosporium-wilt disease of gain sorghum. Inhibition and death of the host hyphae were: brought about by close contact. T. harzianurn penetrated and grew within the hyphae of the host, C. acremonium. Abundant sporulation of T. harzianum occurred on the colony of the host. Culture filtrates obtained from T. harzianum isolates showed a toxic effect on C. acremontium mycelial growth and inhibited it by more than 35% compared with the control. Sucrose and glucose [as carbon sources], ammonium tartrate and ammonium nitrate [as nitrogen sources], acidic pH and low C/N ratio were the most favourable factors for mycoparasitism. Based on a preliminary pot experiment, the possibility of controlling the disease by soil inoculationwith T. harzianum is suggested. Adding T. harzianum to C. acremonium infested soil decreased the incidence of the disease significantly