Antiparasitic activity of silver and copper oxide nanoparticles against Entamoeba Histolytica and Cryptosporidium Parvum cysts

Nanoparticles [NPs] have received more attention as antiparasitic agents. In the present study, silver and copper nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using scanning electron microscopy [SEM], transmission electron microscope [TEM] and X-ray fluorescence [XRF]. The antiparasitic activity of Ag and CuO nanoparticles were tested against two of the most environmentally spread parasites in Egypt [Entamoeba histolytica and Cryptosporidium parvum]. The average sizes of synthesized Ag NPs and CuO NPs were 9 and 29 nm respectively and a significant reduction for cysts viability [p > 0.05] was observed for CuO NPs against E. histolytica cysts and Ag NPs against C. parvum oocysts. Moreover, LC[50]-3h of CuO NPs for E. histolytica and C. parvum were 0.13 and 0.72 mg/l, while Ag NPs recorded 0.34 and 0.54 mg/l respectively. Accordingly, these NPs could be suggested as a new nanoform agent for safe and effective treatment of E. histolytica and C. parvum parasites

Biweekly peglated liposomal doxorubicin/oxaliplatin for ovarian cancer resistant to taxane-platinum treatment: A Phase II study.

Aim: The aim of this Phase II study was to evaluate the activity and safety of biweekly pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and oxaliplatin (L-OHP) in patients with platinum-taxane resistant ovarian cancer. Materials and Methods : Treatment consisted of PLD (20 mg/m 2 ) on Day 1; and L-OHP (50 mg/m 2 ) administered on Days 1 and 2, every two weeks. Response to therapy was assessed using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors RECIST ; toxicity was evaluated by the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria. Results: Forty patients pretreated with platinum/taxane chemotherapy, with a median age of 61 years, were recruited for the study. Thirty-eight patients were available for response evaluation: three complete responses and nine partial responses were registered; resulting in an overall response rate of 31.5%. Twenty-eight patients gained clinical benefit (73.7%) from this chemotherapy regimen. Median time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) were 5.5 and 10 months respectively. The hematological and non-hematological toxicity profile was favorable. No Grade 4 toxicity was observed. Major toxicities included Grade 3 neutropenia (13.2%), Grade 2 palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (7.9%), and Grade 1-2 neuropathy in 15.8% of patients. Conclusion: Biweekly PLD and L-OHP combination has high activity, with less than anticipated adverse toxicity, for treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. A comparison of the doublet PLD/L-OHP with single-agent treatment is warranted.

Prospective Study of Bronchial Asthma.

Bronchial asthma is an atopic disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness. Severe acute asthma is a medical emergency and sometimes difficult to treat. This prospective study was done at Dhaka Medical College Hospital from January 1997 to January 1998. Total 30 patients of bronchial asthma were included in this study. Diagnosis was established on the basis of symptoms, evidence of airflow obstruction and its reversibility by bronchodilator therapy. The age range was 18 to 80 years with a mean 36.64±4.91. Of them, 63% were male and 37% were female. It revealed that all patients had classical triad of dyspnoea, wheeze and cough. Almost all patients (80%) had some precipitating agents for their attack. Regarding treatment of severe acute asthma - Nebulized salbutamol is superior to conventional intravenous aminophylline, as p value of nebulized salbutamol group is <0.001 which is significant. So, severe acute asthma should be managed with nebulized salbutamol instead of intravenous aminophylline.

population frequency analysis of the FABP2 gene polymorphism in the Egyptian population

Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein [IFAPB] is expressed only in intestinal enterocytes. It may participate in the uptake, intracellular metabolism and/or transport of long chain fatty acids. A polymorphism at codon 54 in exon 2 of the FABP2 gene, which encodes for the IFAPB, exchanges an alanine [Ala] for threonine [Thr]. The goal of this study was to determine the frequency of the Ala54Thr FABP2 polymorphism in the Egyptian population. Genotyping was carried out in 180 unrelated Egyptian subjects. DNA was extracted from blood samples for genotype analysis. A PCR-RFLP assay was applied for the determination of Ala54Thr FABP2 polymorphism. Allele frequencies were calculated by direct counting. Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium was evaluated using a Chi-square goodness of fit test. Showed that 102 [56.7%] of the studied Egyptian subjects were homozygous for the Alo54/Alo54 genotype, 60 [33.3%] were heterozygous for the Alo54/Thr54 genotype and 18 [10.0%] were homozygous for the Thr54/ Thr54 genotype. The frequencies of the allele A1a54 and the allele Thr54 of the FABP2 Gene were found to be 0.733 and 0.267, respectively. The results revealed a similar population polymorphism frequency as in previous European studies. This is the first study to look at the population frequency of the Thr54 allele in Egypt

Oxidative stress and interleukin-1 beta in serum and skin lesions of patients with generalized vitligo

The etiology of vitiligo is unknown. Increased oxidant stress may explain melanocyte dysfunction and destruction. Increases in pro-oxidants as well as decreases in anti-oxidant agents have been reported in patients with vitiligo. In this study we investigated the role of oxidative stress by determining the levels of the free radical nitric oxide [NO] and the antioxidant systems: superoxide dismutase [SOD], and L-ascorbic acid in addition to interleukin-1beta [IL-1beta] in both serum and tissue of lesional skin in patients with generalized vitiligo. Levels of NO and IL-1beta were significantly higher in the serum and tissue of lesional skin of patient with generalized vitiligo compared to the control group. While L-ascorbic acid and superoxide dismutase levels were significantly reduced in patients compared to controls. Extent of vitiligo showed a significant positive correlation with tissue levels of IL-1beta. Oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of generalized vitiligo with increased production of NO and decreased SOD activity and ascorbic acid levels. IL-1beta could have a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo possibly through the induction of NO production

Effect of soybean on bone and gonad hormones in lead intoxicated rats

Protective and treated dietary soybean against lead toxicity in male rats was investigated in bone and hormonal changes of reproductive system. Sixty adult male rats were divided into the following groups: Group I: 30 rats fed on standard casein and were divided into three equal subgroups Group la: control casein. Group Ib: [casein-protected] rats fed casein before lead intoxication Group I c: [casein-treated] rats fed casein after lead intoxication. Group II: 30 rats fed on standard soybean. They were also divided into three equal subgroups. Group IIa: control soybean. Group IIb: [soybean-protected] rats fed soybean before lead intoxication. Group IIc: [soybean-treated] rats fed soybean after lead intoxication. Results demonstrated that accumulation of lead in soft tissues [liver, kidney and testis] was much greater in protective groups than curative ones. There was slightly significant increase in femoral bone mass density [BMD] in soybean protected group as compared with either soybean treated or casein protected group. Serum testosterone was slightly significantly increased in soybean treated group compared to soybean protected group but these levels of hormone do not reach to normal level. Serum LH hormone level was not changed between both groups. It can concluded that soybean diet ameliorate the bone and testis intoxicated with lead

Tissue levels of Interleukin-1 Beta are positively correlated with nitric oxide in patients with Generalized Vitiligo

Recent studies indicated that interleukin-1 beta [IL-1beta] enhance the activity of nitric oxide [NO] synthase resulting in release of excess amounts of NO. The later has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. The objective of this study was to determine the correlations between levels of IL-1beta and NO in both tissues and sera from patients with generalized vitiligo. Our study included 30 patients with generalized vitiligo and 15 normal controls. Tissue and serum levels of IL-1 beta and NO were measured using enzyme immunoassay and a spectrophotometer, respectively. Tissue and serum levels of NO were significantly higher in patients with generalized vitiligo than controls [0.58 +/- 0.19 vs 0.41 +/- 0.17 and 58.05 +/- 12.19 vs 28.82 +/- 3.98; p <0.01 and p <0.001; respectively]. Tissue and serum levels of IL-1 beta in patients with generalized vitiligo were significantly higher than controls [4.86 +/- 1.94 vs 2.18 +/- 0.71 and 22.09 +/- 2.64 vs 15.34 +/- 3.55; p <0.001 and p<0.001; respectively]. A significant positive correlation was found between tissue levels of NO and IL-1 beta [r = 0.82, p <0.001]. Tissue levels of IL-1 beta were significantly correlated with extent of vitiligo [r = 0.57, p <0.01]. Patients with generalized vitiligo had significantly increased tissue and serum levels of NO and IL-1 beta. Tissue levels of IL-1 beta were positively correlated with tissue levels of NO, and extent of vitiligo

Imaging findings of radiation enteritis

In this report the authors describe the imaging features of subacute and chronic radiation enteritis in two patients. Although surgery remains the definitive treatment of complicated chronic radiation enteritis, the potential role of interventional techniques that can be used for management of poor surgical candidates is discussed

Free radicals and hyaluronic acid relationship in rheumatoid arthritis and the effect of corticosteroid therapy

Oxygen-derived free radicals [ODFRs] are important inflammatory mediators. Evidence of ODFRs contribute to rheumatoid disease, include changes in the activities of antioxidant compounds. In the present study, acute phase proteins concentrations; C-reactive protein [CRP], haptoglobin alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein [AGP] were estimated as indicators for inflammation. Antioxidant activities, ferroxidase activity of caeruloplasmin and iron-binding of transferrin against organic oxygen radicals, iron-binding and iron-oxidizing proteins, chain-breaking substances and superoxide dismutase against inorganic oxygen radicals were measured as the protective response to tissue injury. Hyaluronic, uronic acids and mucin-clot test were also determined in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and osteoarthritis [OA] patients. These parameters were measured in blood and synovial fluid of four groups: normal subjects, OA and RA patients treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] or steroid drug in an attempt to explain the cause of inflammation which which might account for disease activity of RA. Serum increase of CRP, AGP and haptoglobin levels can serve as an indicator of increase RA disease activity. Corticosteroid treatment may suppress inflammation, where their effects include inhibition of lysosomal proteinase enzyme release, which indicated by lowering alpha1-antitrypsin level in the steroid treated RA patients than in NSAIDs treated ones. The serum antioxidant activity against organic oxygen radicals was significantly higher in the OA and RA patients than that in the normal subjects. This may be a part of the inflammatory response of the body and may also involve protection against lipid peroxidation. Red blood cells [RBCs] superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity was significantly lower in the RA patients than that in the normal subjects or OA patients. Therefore, it would seem that the red blood cells in patients with active RA were easily damaged by exposure to oxidative stress. The increase of iron-binding, iron-oxidizing proteins and chain-breaking substances as antioxidant activities against inorganic oxygen radicals in the RA synovial fluid than OA may be indicator of oxidative damage and reflect major differences in the synovial fluid of patients with RA and those with OA. However, it would appear, that these defense mechanisms are inadequate in fully protection of hyaluronic acid [HA] in the synovial fluid, which was manifested by HA in RA was fragmented and depolymerized than that in the OA synovial fluid. Absence of SOD activity in the synovial fluid RA and OA patients indicated that these patients have less protection against O[2]

Transient tachypnea in neonates of mothers receiving glucose 5% and oxytocin during labour

The aim of this work was to study the frequency of transient tachypnea of the newborn [TTN] and the possible relation to the use of oxytocin and glucose 5% during labour Subjects investigated were enrolled into two groups: the first [study] group consisted of 100 newborn infants born to mothers who have received IV infusion of aqueous glucose solution 5% and oxytocin. The second [control] group consisted of 30 newborns whose mothers did not receive any IV infusion. In the study group, the amount and rate of infusion of oxytocin and glucose 5% were calculated. The blood samples [maternal and cord] were drawn just after delivery in the study and control groups. Newborns were diagnosed as having TTN if they fulfilled the following criteria: persistent tachypnea with onset within 1/2 hour after birth, minimal grunting and retractions, with or without cyanosis in room air, necessity for oxygen therapy, spontaneous improvement starting within 24 hours after birth, Fi02 not more than 0.4 and suggestive radiological findings. Our results showed that maternal and cord serum sodium levels of the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group with a significant negative correlation between the maternal and cord serum sodium and the amount of oxytocin and glucose 5%. No significant difference between maternal and related cord serum sodium in both groups. Hyponatremia developed in 25 out of 100 cases of the study group and in 2 out of 30 cases of the control group with a significant difference. TTN developed in 17% of the study group and in none of the control group. The difference was significant. Serum sodium in the newborns who developed TTN was lower than in those who did not develop TTN. Out of 25 cases with hyponatremia, 8 developed TTN [32%] while out of 75 cases without hyponatremia, only 9 [12%] developed TTN with a significant difference. The amount and rate of infusion of oxytocin were higher in the TTN group than the non-TTN group. TTN was more frequent when the amount of oxytocin exceeded 10 units and the rate of infusion exceeded 25 mu/min. The amount and rate of infusion of glucose 5% did not differ in the TTN group from the non-TTN group. We concluded that the amount of oxytocin and glucose 5% infusion are related to the development of maternal and neonatal hyponatremia and the amount and rate of infusion of oxytocin are related to the occurrence of TTN. To decrease the incidence of TTN, We recommend that the dose of oxytocin should not exceed 10 units at a rate of infusion of less than 25 mu/min

relation between infection of schistosoma mansoni and free amino acids and total proteins of biomphalaria alexandrina

The variation in the free amino acids and total proteins in the non- infected and infected Biomphalaria alexandrina with Schistosoma mansoni were studied. There were 17 amino acids in each of non- infected and infected snails. Most of the levels of the free amino acids and total proteins were lower in infected snails than non- infected ones. This may be due to retardation of protein metabolism developed after infection

Histological and histochemical studies on the digestive gland of bulinus truncatus infected with schistosoma haematobium

The structure of the uninfected and infected digestive gland of the freshwater snail, Bulinus truncatus, was studied histologically and histochemically. The digestive gland consists of two types of cells clearly differentiated from each other. The pathological effects of infection of the snail with cercariae of Schistosoma haematobium have resulted in considerable structural and histochemical alterations in the digestive gland. Generally, the main effects were reflected by increased cellular vacuolation and marked diminution of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids of the gland cells

Biochemical changes in serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3, parathyroid hormone, calcium and phosphorus during pregnancy and lactation

In this thesis, 25-hydroxy vitamin D[3] [25-[OH]D[3]], 1.25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 [1.25[OH[2]]2D[3]] and other relaIed serum constituents were determined in non-pregnant, non-lactating women, pregnant women at different periods of gestation and lactating mothers. The results showed a significant decrease in serum 25-OHD3 level in the early stage of pregnancy [8-16 week] as compared to the controls, while there was no difference between its values in both mid [20-28 week] and late [32-40 week] stages pregnant women, lactating mothers and the controls. The mean serum levels of [1.25[OH][2]D[3]] were progressively decreased till [20-28] weeks of gestation as compared to the controls, after that period, the level were non-significantly increased and nearly the same as that of the controls till the end of pregnancy and during lactation. During [8-16] and [32-40] week of gestation, the mean serum level of parathyroid hormone were significantly decreased than that of the non-pregnant controls, while there was no difference between its values in both mid stage pregnant women, lactating mothers and the control nonpregnant women. No statistical difference were found in the mean serum calcium level of the pregnant women during the different periods of pregnancy and the lactating women as compared to the control non-pregnant women. The mean serum phosphorus levels during the different periods of gestation were significantly higher than in the controls, while lactating mothers and the nonpregnant women had the same serum phosphorus levels

Congenital talipes equinovarus: clinical observations on the biomechanical behaviour of the triceps surae and their significance

In a prospective study on the biochemical behaviour of the triceps surae in idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus during treatment with plaster of Paris, three observations were made: [1] The muscle, put at maximum physiological length in plaster, will elongate during the time it is in the plaster. [2] The elongation of the gastrocnemius may lag behind the soleus unless the position of the knee is taken into consideration. [3] Rocker-bottom deformity may develop even if the forefoot is not actively dorsiflexed and the plaster is moulded to maintain the arch. The implications of these observations are discussed: [1] It is proposed that the methods of 'fixation' - cast, splint or strapping - are actually methods of correction acting under the biochemical law that soft tissues maintained uninterruptedly at their maximum physiological length will gradually elongate. The role of the manipulations is to reset the muscle to its new maximum physiological length each time the plaster is changed so as to maintain the stretch stimulus. [2] When applying a below-knee plaster the knee must be fully flexed. When an above-knee plaster is used the angle used while applying the below-knee part of it should be maintained when completing the plaster to above the knee. The lag in gastrocnemius response should be looked for with each change of plaster. [3] It is also proposed that the triceps surae, by levering down the distal end of the os calcis within the plaster, may actively produce a rocker-bottom deformity if the forefoot is not allowed to follow that are of movement. It is essential to arch the cast on the lateral side under the anterior part of the calcaneus to prevent it from levering downwards and to maintain the relationship of the forefoot to the hindfoot. [4] The causes of failure of the methods are either biological or mechanical and form indications for surgery