Immunohistochemical evaluation of interleukin-23 and cyclooxygenase-2 in the muscles of mice infected with Trichinella spiralis

@#The course of Trichinella (T.) spiralis infection includes intestinal and muscle phases. The aims of this work were to evaluate IL-23 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) by immunohistochemistry in the muscles of T. spiralis infected mice in a time-course study and to correlate their level with the serum levels of IL-23, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 cytokines. The mice were divided into an un-infected control group (UC) (10 mice) and 5 infected mouse groups (each 10 mice/group. Each mouse was infected with 200 T. spiralis larvae) and sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 post-infection (dpi). IL-23 showed weak expression (+1) on the 21st dpi, then it became moderately expressed (+2) on the 28th dpi and on day 35 pi, the immunoreactivity was strong (+3). COX-2 expressed weakly on 14 dpi, while the other mouse groups (21, 28 and 35) showed strong (+3) expression. IL-23 serum concentrations increased gradually in a significant pattern, in comparison to that of UC mice, from the 21st dpi to the end of the experiment. IFN-γ increased gradually and was significantly higher than those of UC mice from the 7th dpi, reached its maximum level on the 21st dpi, after which it decreased non-significantly. IL-4 up-regulated significantly in all infected groups in comparison to UC mice achieving its highest level on the 21st dpi and decreased after that. IL-10 increased significantly on the 7th dpi, but dropped at the 14th dpi, then reached its peak on the 21st dpi, and decreased again on the 28th and 35th dpi. In conclusion, T. spiralis infection caused increased expression of IL-23 and COX-2 in the muscle of infected mice, the effect being strongest on the 35th day. Also, the infection induced a mixed Th1/Th2 profile with a predominance of Th2 at the early muscle phase, after which the immune repose became mainly Th2.

Plastibell circumcision; evaluation of a technique in 800 cases

Purpose: evaluation of plastibell device as an option for circumcision in neonates and infants

Material and Methods: between August 2002 and July 2004,800 cases had been circumcised by the authors using the plastibell device. Eighty five percent [680 boys] were circumcised before their mothers were discharged from the hospital after delivery. This was performed as an office procedure under local anesthesia. The babies were reviewed one to two weeks later by the same surgeon

Results: the mean time for executing the procedure was 5 minutes. In 584 cases [73%] the bell fell off spontaneously between the fifth and the 7th days. Complications occurred in 48 cases [6%]. Twelve cases [1.5%] had minor bleeding during the procedure. In five cases, the bell had to be taken off and circumcision proceeded in the conventional suturing technique to control bleeding. Twenty-seven cases [3.4%] had minor infection in the form of yellowish slough that responded to simple in ensures at home. The results were satisfactory for the parents in [792] cases [99%]. Eight cases developed phimosis [1%], only four cases required re-circumcision

Conclusion: plastibell device is a simple, safe and convenient option for circumcision. It is easily learned, less time consuming and having satisfactory outcome

Endoscopic macroplastiqueTM injection for the treatment of female stress incontinence. Role and efficacy

Objectives To evaluate the role; safety and efficacy of endoscopic MacroplastiqueTM implants in the management of female stress incontinence. Material and Methods Between 1995 and 1999; transurethral submucosal injection of MacroplastiqueTM was performed in 68 women (mean age 58 years; range 32 - 85 years) for the treatment of genuine stress incontinence. Fourteen patients had undergone previous surgery for incontinence that had failed to correct the problem. Under general or regional anaesthesia; the Macroplastique was injected sub-mucosally 1 cm distal to the bladder neck at 3; 6 and 9 o' clock positions. In 26 cases the 12 o' clock position was chosen to ensure a good occlusion of the bladder neck. The mean volume of Macroplastique injected was 3 ml. Results At a mean follow-up of 19 months; 24 patients (35.3) were dry; 18 patients (26.5) were improved and 26 patients (38.2) were still wet. Complications were all minor. Conclusion Transurethral submucosal injection of MacroplastiqueTM should be used in women with mild to moderate stress incontinence who have failed to respond to physiotherapy. Being a minimally invasive day case procedure with low morbidity which can be repeated if necessary and has a satisfactory success rate; we believe Macroplastique implantation could be a good alternative line of treatment for stress incontinence

Major histocompatibility [MHC] antigen expression in immune mediated glomerulonephritis

We have demonstrated, by immune histochemistry, the expression of Major Histocompalibility, [MHC] Class I antigens in kidney tissue in murine models of exogenous and endogenous immune-mediated glomerulonephritis. The expression occurred principally in the proximal tubular cells, in the mesangium, and in the interstitium. A strong statistical correlation existed between the intensity of MHC antigen expression and the level of proteinuria in the two groups of animals studied

Role of glomerular cells in immunologically mediated glomerulonephritis

We have demonstrated by immunohistochemistry the upregulated expression of activation antigens MECA 32 and MECA 325 in murine models of exogenous and endogenous immune mediated glomerulonephritis. The upregulated expression occurred principally in the mesangium, in the proximal tubules, and in the peritubular capillaries. MECA 32 occurred in the tubular basement membrane, while MECA 325 occurred in the tubular cell cytoplasm and brush border. A strong correlation existed between the intensity of MECA antigen expression and the degree of proteinuria in both models