Efficacy of low level laser therapy on quality of life and neurophysiological studies among patients with diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of low level LASER therapy on quality of life and neurophysiological studies in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. Two groups of patients complaining of diabetic polyneuropathy were randomly assigned to one of two groups: First group [The study group]: included patients who were treated with LASER. Second group [Placebo group]: included patients who received LASER without activation of the laser beam [placebo LASER]. Baseline assessment for each patient by questionnaire, examination, investigations, and electrophysiological studies was done in the first visit then after 8 weeks of LASER therapy. Low level LASER therapy for 8 weeks had significant effect in improving severity of pain, quality of life and nerve conduction velocities of posterior tibial and common peroneal nerves in patients who received LASER therapy compared to placebo group. We concluded that low level LASER therapy is a safe, feasible and applicable method of treating and prophylaxis from diabetic polyneuropathy

[Evaluation of intraperitoneal use of sodium carboxymethylcellulose solution for prevention of experimentally induced abdominal adhesions in donkeys]

The present study was conducted to evaluate the of intraperitoneal use of sodium carboxy-methylcellulose solution [1% and 2% ] in prevention of experimentally induced abdominal adhe-sion. 15 healthy adult donkeys were allocated in 3 groups each of 5 animals. Group I as control while group II and III used as treated roups. In control group, donkeys were treated a sterile solution of sodium chloride 0.9% jintraperitoneally. In treatment groups, donkeys [were treated with a sterile solution of sodium car-boxymethylcellulose [SCMC] in a dose of 7 ml/ kg of body weight intraperitoneally in concentra-on of 1% for group II and 2% for group III. After end of the experimental period, histopatholog-examination was done to all groups. Results aled intraabdominal adhesions associated lith abraded, anastomotic sites and a distant seg-of jejunum in all cases of control group. In treated donkeys with 1% SCMC solution, there were no adhesions detected in 4 donkeys but one case had adhesion between the jejunal abrasion site and the adjacent peritoneum. No adhesion was noticed at the anastomotic sites. In treated donkeys with 2% SCMC solution, all cases had ecchymotic serosal hemorrhage at abrasion sites and mesentery with developed peritonitis

Detection of DNA of W. bancrofti in blood samples by QC-PCR-Elisa-based

An internal control was used in a polymerase chain reaction PCR-ELISA-based technique to detect the DNA repeat of the filarial parasite W. bancrofti. The sensitivity of the test could detect as low as one single microfilania added to 200 micro litre of blood. The assay was evaluated on field samples from persons living in areas endemic for filariasis. Examination of night blood of 113 individuals for the presence of microfilania by filtration revealed 44 microfilaria carriers. All microfilaria carriers were positive in the PCR-EL1SA and, in addition, 14 more samples were proven to contain parasite DNA. All the 58 proven cases had circulating filarial antigens in their serum samples. Assuming a sensitivity of PCR-ELISA on night blood of 100%, the sensitivity of night blood filtration was 74% and that of circulating filarial antigens is 100%. The data showed that the described PCR-ELISA method was capable of detecting the filarial infections. Consequently, this method facilitated the identification of the filarial endemic areas and the monitoring of control programs

In vitro effect of mirazid on schistosoma mansoni worms

Measuring mirazid ability for contracting the worm muscle and its effect on the worm surface ultrastructure can be used to monitor the in vitro effect of any drug. This study aimed to investigate the actual effect of mirazid [a new schistosomicide, purified oleo-resin extract of myrrh, derived from Commiphora molmol plant] on S. Mansoni worms by detecting its in vitro effect. Three groups of white albino mice [five mice in each group] were infected by 100 cercariae for each mouse. The 3rd group served as a control group. Seven weeks post- infection, the mice were sacrificed, perfused and worms were collected. Muscle tension of the worms collected from the first group of mice was assayed in response to mirazid in rising concentrations of 100, 200, 300 and 400 nM. The in vitro effect of mirazid on the muscle tension of single S. Mansoni worm was determined using a special device to determine the percentage of change in work length [% shortening]

Specific anti-toxoplasma antibodies in relation to infection and reinfection using different infective stages

Two groups of rats were infected with either intra-peritoneal injection of 1000 trophozoites of virulent toxoplasma strain or 1000 oocysts through oral routes. IgA, IgM and IgG were detected 15, 30, 60 and 120 days post infections. IgA and IgM appeared as early as 15 days post infection but declined afterwards. IgA antibody response was more prominent with oocyst infection and IgM was more prominent with tachyzoite infection with insignificant statistical difference. On the other hand, IgG started to increase 60 days post infection, then increased gradually till the end of the experiment [120 days]. The primary orally infected rats were either re-infected orally with oocysts or intra-peritoneal trophozoites and re-examined after 15 and 120 days for the same immunological parameters. Those rate which primary infected with intra-peritoneal trophozoites were re-examined after oral infection with oocysts or injection of trophozoites intra- peritoneal. The level of IgA and IgM in one rat of group A and 2 rats of group B were significantly increased and this occurred in presence of anti-toxoplasma IgG from the primary infection

Circulating schistosomal antigens among neonates of mothers infected with schistosoma mansoni

This study was carried out to evaluate the possibility of circulating schistosomal antigens transfer from mothers to their neonates and the time of antigen clearance on 20 full-term newborns to mothers infected with Schistosoma mansoni and passing viable eggs in their stools. The results revealed that the antigen capture ELISA could detect 17 infected mothers with active Schistosoma mansoni infection. A significant direct increase in mean antigen levels was found with infection intensity evaluated by egg counting and the progress of the clinical stages of the disease. A positive correlation was found between newborn serum antigen and the severity of infection in their mothers. A significantly higher antigen levels were found in neonates of antigen positive mothers compared with that of infants at three months of life and the antigen level was decreased gradually with advancement of age. All infants at six month had completely free antigenemia. This study documented the possibility of antigen transfer through placenta even alone or incorporated in immune complex form