Assessment of in vitro maturation and fertilization of BDF1 mice germinal vesicle oocytes with and without cumulus cell after vitrification

Improving pregnancy rate associated with the use of cryopreserved oocytes would be an important advancement in human Assisted Reproductive Technology [ART]. Vitrification allows glasslike solidification of a solution, a physical process, without ice crystal formation in the living cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the viability of the oocytes, in vitro maturation and embryo development vitrified germinal vesicle oocytes after single and stepwise exposure to cryoprotectants. Germinal vesicle oocytes or without cumulus cells were transferred to a verification solution composed of 30% M sucrose [v/v] ethylene glycol, 18% [w/v] Ficoll-70, and 0.3 M sucrose either by single step or in a step-wise fashion. After verification and storage in liquid nitrogen, the oocytes were thawed and washed twice in the medium TCM 119 and then subjected to in vitro maturation, the capacity of fertilization and embryonic development to 2-cell were examined in vitro. The oocytes surviving, maturing to MII, fertilization developmental rate in the step-wise exposure were significantly higher [P<0/05], compared with the corresponding rate in single step procedure. The results of the present study indicated that oocytes vitrified with cumulus cells and stepwise procedure had a positive effect on the maturation and developmental rate than oocytes without cumulus cells and single step procedure

Application of western blotting using native antigen B for serodiagnosis of human cystic echinococcosis

Hydatidosis is one of the most important helminthic diseases causing serious health and economic problems in many countries including Iran. Currently available diagnostic approaches for diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis [CE] are not satisfactory since they have not achieved a reasonable validity in diagnosis of CE. This study aimed to assess the performances of Western blotting [WB], using native antigen B, for serological diagnosis of human hydatidosis. Antigen B was prepared from sheep hydatid cyst fluid. Serum samples obtained from 40 surgically proven cases of hydatidosis along with serum samples from non-hydatidosis patients and samples from healthy persons were tested by immunoblotting, using native antigen B. From 40 sera of hydatidosis patients, 32 cases [80%] detected 8 kDa subunit, 29 cases [72.5%] recognized the 16 kDa component and 29 cases [72.5%] detected 24 kDa subunit of antigen B. The highest sensitivity [80%] was achieved with 8 kDa subunit of antigen B while the other components [16 and 24 kDa] showed a lower sensitivity [72.5%]. Samples from healthy controls and non-hydatidosis patients did not yield any detectable band in the Western blotting assay. Accordingly, specificity of the system was found to be 100%. Considering the use of native antigen B, application of western blotting, based on 8 kDa subunit of antigen B, is highly recommended for the confirmatory diagnosis of hydatidosis

[Superficial fungal infections. Epidemiology, clinical and mycological study over years period]

The object of our study is to release the epidemiological, clinical and mycological characteristics of superficial fugal infections. A retrospective study was carried out during three years [1996-1998]. Direct microscopy was positive in 86% cases, the culture in 62% cases. Trichophyton rubrum accounts for 85% of the dermatophytic flora. The superficial fugal infections account for 15% of the reasons for consultation in our service. They would touch according to data's of literature 2 to 13% of the general population. Trichophyton rubrum in accordance with the various series published, is the fungi most frequently insulated with variable rates between 46 and 82% of the superficial fugal infections. Any time, Candida albicans is prevalent on the level of the hands