Experimental evaluation of doxorubicin drug as anticancer agent using a natural component: an in virto study

HCC is the sixth commonest cancer worldwide and the third one to cause death. In Egypt, liver cancer forms 1.68% of total malignancies. HCC constitutes 70.48% of liver tumors. HCC represents the main complication of cirrhosis. Chemotherapy has an undesirable side effect, so the drugs are used instead. Bee venom and curcumin have been used as folk medicine since ancient times. This study examined the anticancer potential of bee [Apis mellifera] venom and curcumin compared with a synthetic anticancer of Doxorubicin [Dox] drug, and tested the effect of combination between the tested three components to decrease the chemotherapy side effect. Cytotoxicity activity of Bee venom and curcumin were determined using MTT assay. Cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry and apoptotic detection by using Annexin V-FITC Assay. RNA was extracted to evaluate the expression of P53, Bcl2 and NF-KappaB genes using semi-quantitative RT-PCR after 24hrs. HepG2 cell line was more save to test bee venom and curcumin onHepG2 cell line. Curcumin and bee venom had IC50 as 15.15 and 31Mug/ml with HepG2 cell line. Combination between Bee venom, curcumin, and doxorubicin drug had apoptotic effect against HepG2cell line through the elevation by increasing the level of p53 and NF-Kappa B genes and decrease the Bcl-2 gene expression

Dendritic cells in hepatitis C virus infection

Background: The global prevalence of chronic hepatitis C is estimated at 2.8%. There is markedly higher prevalence in the Middle East about 14.7% in Egypt. Dendritic cells [DCs] are one of the major Antigen presenting cells in the body. They bridge innate and adaptive immunity and impact priming of HCV-specific immune responses. The current study was aimed to investigate the DC activation status, and their role in interaction with natural killer [NK] cells utilizing different setups with healthy NK and HCV+ DC, HCV+ NK and healthy DC, healthy DC and healthy NK and finally HCV+ NK and HCV+ DC in the presence of HCV peptides and a ratio of 5 NK: 1DC

Results: DC-NK interaction in chronic HCV infection is mainly affected by the affection of DCs by HCV leading to a maturation defect [decreased expression of HLA DR, CD 86 and CD 83]. Healthy NK cells were able to stimulate the maturation of DCs particularly with core peptide whereas NS3-4 had no effect. When DCs were healthy, all peptides were able to produce significant maturation of DCs even when co-cultured with HCV+ NK cells. Co-cultured HCV+ NK cells and HCV+ DCs showed significantly higher apoptosis of both cells. This could be attributed to the immature moDCs more with chronic HCV infection due to the fact that immature DCs typically under express HLA-class I molecules that would protect from NK-mediated lysis

Conclusion: Cross-talk between DCs and NK cells plays an important role in the induction of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. HCV infection was found to impair the maturation of DCs. Thus consequently affecting its antigen presentation and T cell allostimulatory capacity and rendering them more liable to NK mediated lysis which could explain the persistence of infection and chronicity

Role of vitamin d in the induction of regulatory t cells producing interleukin 10 in children with cow milk allergy

Background: Various populations of regulatory T cells play a central role in the development of peripheral tolerance to allergens. Culturing of CD4+ T cells isolated from peripheral blood of allergic patients with vitamin D induces the generation of stable IL-10 producing CD4+CD25+ Treg cells suppressing the proliferation of T helper cells obtained from the same patients. The immune regulatory role of vitamin D in allergic patients has been controversial and obviously needs a more clarifying research work

Aim of the work: to determine the percentage of induced T regulatory cells producing interleukin 10 after stimulation of T regulatory cells with cow milk allergen in the presence of vitamin D in culture. This aims to further in-vitro study the immune regulatory role of vitamin D in cow milk allergic patients

Results: there is association between decreased level of vitamin D and milk-allergy, as serum level of 25[OH] D3 was insufficient in 16 [80 %] patients [10- 29.9 ng/ml] while 4 [20%] patients were sufficient [30-100 ng/ml]. Addition of vitamin D, in culture, induces the production of CD4+ CD25hi Foxp3+ IL10+. Treg cells within peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PMNCs] isolated from allergic children who had insufficient vitamin D, but not in allergic children who had normal level of vitamin D

Conclusion: this work provides further evidence for an important role of 1,25[OH]2D3 as an immune-modulatory molecule and suggests that supplementation of vitamin-D-deficient individuals, who are reported to have reduced numbers of circulating and Foxp3+ IL10+ Treg cells, may represent an attractive therapy for enhancing endogenous populations of Treg cells in allergy

Isolation and molecular genotyping of group a rotavirus strains circulating among egyptian infants and children

Group A rotaviruses are the most important cause of"acute 'diarrhea in o children throughout the world. They are the cause of more than 450,000 annual deaths. There are few data available about rotavirus types circulating in Egypt. Genotyping by reverse transcription- CR [RT-PCR] has been widely used to analyse circulating strains. This study comprised 450 stool specimens* collected from, children,, less than 5 years old suffering from acute diarrhea, from three different governorates in Egypt -[Cairo, Sharkia and Fayoum) from May 2009 to April 2010. Rotavims was detected by RT-PCR in 158 [35%] of patients stool samples. Gl was the predominant genotype detected in 87/158 cases [55%]. G3 was the second most common cause and was responsible for 35 cases [22.2%], whereas 04 represented only 8.2% [13/158] of all strains. Our study identified G9 in 23 [14.5%] of positive cases. No untypeabte strains were detected and mixed infections behveen Gl and G4 in 1.9% [3/158] of the samples were detected. G8, G2 were not detected among collected samples. These results underline the importance of continued detailed epidemiological and virological studies to identify rotavirus genotypes responsible for severe diarrhea, including characterization of the less common and or unusual strains. Focusing on the more prevalent strains circulating in the Egyptian community will aid in assessing the most suitable strain candidates used for vaccine production to protect against current circulating and uncommon strains, also for evaluation of cross immuno genie ity among variable strains?

Physiological and immunological evaluation of rabies vaccine adsorbed to two different vaccine vehicles

Introduction: Rabies virus a zoonotic disease causing >55 million annual deaths. 5 generations for the development of rabies vaccine for both animal and human uses were developed. In low income countries it is essential to develop the cell culture vaccine to substitute the traditional goat brain vaccine for its severe dangerous adverse events recorded by the WHO. Mass production is money costing so maximizing productivity throughout the theutical formulation of vaccine is a matter to concern regarding the immune response , and the biological changes are considered. Methodology: Rabies vaccine was prepared by enhancing propagation of Rabies virus in Vero cells. Harvests were clarified; concentrated by hollow fibre cartridge and inactivated using j3-propiolactone [BPL] as a more safe and has a fast inactivating potential ED50 inactivated vaccine was evaluated using mice inoculation assay [MIA] and then loaded on 2 different vaccine delivery vehicles namely Alum and calcium phosphate nanoparticles [CPN] and Alum. Immune responses, pathological events and physiological changes were monitored. Results: BPL showed fast inactivation potentials for rabies virus within 2 hrs and depletion rate was 1.8 log10/15 min and related ED50 was with accordance to WHO recommendations [>2.5 IV/dose]. Humoral and cellular immune responses were monitored revealing a time and route of administration dependence and the Ab and IFN-y and IL-10 peaking was on the 3[rd] week and 96 hrs post immunization respectively. Histopathological changes were detected in liver, kidney but not the spleen. Additionally, traceability of accumulated Al and Ca ions in liver and brain tissues were not significantly changed than control group. Conclusion: It can be concluded that CPN is a promising vaccine vehicle than the current used Alum. It has good antibody stimulation potentials. As well as the least and short durative pathological changes and its degradability as a cell content is reduced. As well as its accumulation rate that enhance biological and histological status of different organs is decreased?

Postmortem detection of methylphenidate [ritalin] in different tissues and organs of rats

In this study, methylphenidate [Ritalin] was detected and estimated in postmortem specimens at different time intervals after treatment of rats with a single toxic dose of the drug Albino Wistar rats of both sexes were injected with Ritalin I.P in a dose of 170 mg/kg.The animals were then divided into 2 groups. Rats of group A were sacrificed 30 min after injection and those of group B were sacrificed 3 hours after injection. Ritalin was detected and measured in rat tissues immediately after sacrification and after 2 weeks 2, 4, 6 and 7 months of putrefaction. By means of colour tests, the drug was detected in brain, liver and kidney tissues immediately after sacrification in both groups of animals. Also, the drug was detected in the brain tissue of group A after 2 weeks and in the kidney tissue of group B animals after 2 months of putrefaction. The drug was not detected in the heart and muscle tissues of both groups of animals at all postmortem intervals. In addition, thin layer analysis detected the drug in all tissues immediately after sacrification in both group of animals. The concentration of the drug in the brain tissues as measured by high performance liquid chromatography was found to be higher in group A than in group B animals immediately after sacrification and after 2 weeks of putrefaction. Through the whole interval of putrefaction, the concentration of the drug in kidney tissues was higher in group B and in the liver and heart tissues was similar in both groups. It is concluded that ritalin toxicity can be diagnosed by postmortem detection and measurements of the drug concentration in brain, liver, kidney, heart and muscle in a period less than 7 months after death

Cardioprotective effect of glutathione in isoproterenol - induced myocardial necrosis in albino rats

The present study was designed to investigate the cardioprotective effect of oral administration of reduced glutathione [GSH] in the isoproterenol [ISO]-induced cardiac lesions in rats; an animal model for myocardial infarction in man. Eighteen adult male albino rats were randomly allocated into 3 groups; each of 6 rats. Rats of control group were subcutaneously injected daily with 2 ml normal saline on days 14 and 15. Rats of ISO group were subcutaneously injected with isoproterenol hydrochloride [Lab. Renaudin, France] with a daily dose of 85 mg/kg body weight [b.wt.] on days 14 and 15. Rats of ISO/GSH group received orally GSH with a daily dose of 500 mg/kg. b.wt. for fifteen days. In addition, animals of ISO/GSH group were injected with ISO with the same regimen as mentioned in ISO group. On day 16, all animals were sacrificed and the hearts were excised and processed for histological and immunocytochemical microscopic examinations. The results of the present study confirmed the ISO-induced myocardial lesions including cardiomyocyte necrosis accompanied by mononuclear inflammatory cells infiltration, interstitial edema as well as mild increase of collagen fibers. Administration of reduced glutathione with and before ISO injections markedly prevented almost all of these changes. These findings proved that oral administration of reduced glutathione exerts a strong cardioprotective effect in ISO-induced cardiac damage in rats

Effect of cyclosporin [A] administration and withdrawal on the mesenteric lymph nodes in albino rats

The present study investigated the histological changes induced in the mesenteric lymph nodes of albino rats by short-term cyclosporin A [CsA] administration and to determine the reversibility of these changes after CsA withdrawal. Eighteen adult male albino rats were randomly allocated into 3 groups; each of 6 rats. Control rats received a daily subcutaneous [s.c.] injection of olive oil at a dose of 1 ml/kg body weight [b.wt.] for 5 days. Control rats were sacrificed either 24 hours or one week after the last injection. Rats from CsA-treated group received a daily s.c. injection of CsA at a dose of 15 mg/kg b.wt. for 5 days. Rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the last injection. Rats from CsA-withdrawal group received a daily s.c. injection of CsA at a dose of 15 mg/kg b.wt. for 5 days. Rats of this group were sacrificed one week later. The results showed that CsA administration induced decreased cellularity of the mesenteric lymph nodes with decrease of CD3 positive T cells, CD57 positive cells and CD20 positive B cells. In contrast, CD68 positive macrophages increased. The germinal centers of lymphoid follicles were enlarged with a thin mantle. Numerous tingible-body macrophages were found in the germinal centers with multiple apoptotic bodies giving the starry-sky appearance of the germinal centers of the follicles. These histological changes showed regression or complete resolution with withdrawal of CsA administration

Attitude variations among health professionals regarding rights of sick children in Assiut and Alexandria

The present study was conducted to identify attitude variations among health professionals regarding rights of sick children in Assiut and Alexandria. The sample consisted of 141 staff nurses, 35 nursing supervisors, and 28 physicians working in the prediatric departments in Assiut University Hospital and in the medical and outpatient departments affiliated to El-Shatby Children's Hospital in Alexandria. A questionnaire sheet including rights of sick children was used to identify attitudes of the participants. It involved 22 items divided into 4 parts, mainly rights for information disclosure, right for consideration, acceptance and respectful care, rights for privacy and confidentiality, and rights for decision making. Likert scale consisting of strongly agree, agree, undecided, disagree, strongly disagree, was used to analyze these items. Data were collected over a period of 6 months starting from the first of July to the end of December 2003. The results of the present study indicated that 74.3% of nursing supervisors followed by 57.1% of physicians and 43.3% of staff nurses had positive attitudes towards rights of the sick child. The total mean score was 91.321 +/- 10.144 and 82.619 +/- 7.801 among staff nurses, 95.200 +/- 8.265 and 93.600 +/- 10.625 among nursing supervisors, and 94.500 +/- 8.959 and 85.250 +/- 10.763 among physicians working in Assiut and Alexandria respectively. Attitudes of nurses and physicians working in Assiut were more positive than attitudes of those working in Alexandria. The opposite was observed among nursing supervisors working in Alexandria. Therefore, it is recommended that sick children's rights should be emphasized in the curriculum of all nursing and medical schools/faculties. Sick children's bill of rights should be available in all health agencies serving children to be referred to whenever needed

Effect of early skin to skin contact on stabilization of neonates' body temperature

Skin to skin contact in the immediate postnatal period is beneficial to the mother and her child. Stabilization of neonate's body temperature is one of its important benefits. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of skin to skin contact on stabilization of neonate's body temperature in the early postnatal period. Data were collected from El Maternite hospital in Alexandria. The sample consisted of 80 term neonates. Normal delivery was the criteria of choice. Mothers and their neonates were divided equally into experimental and control groups. Neonates in the experimental group were placed naked except from diaper between mother's bare breasts soon after birth. Control babies were placed in cots and covered with blankets. Body temperature was measured immediately after birth then every one hour for the first eight hours. Findings revealed that skin to skin contact was effective in controlling and stabilizing neonates' body temperature. Significant difference was found between the neonates and stabilization of their body temperature. The study suggested that hospital policies should consider skin to skin contact. Nurses should encourage mothers or practice skin-to skin contact during the first few hours after birth to protect their neonates from hazards of hypothermia

Inhibition of bleomycin-induced lung damage in mice by curcumin

The present study investigated the protective effect of curcumin administration on the development of lung injury produced by intranasal instillation of a single dose of bleomycin hydrochloride in adult male mice. Twenty four adult male mice were used for the present study. The animals were divided into four groups. All animals were intranasally instilled with either normal saline or bleomycin hydrochloride [0.5 mg for each mouse]. Curcumin was administered by gastric intubation to half of both bleomycin-instilled and normal saline-instilled animals ten [lays before intranasal instillation, and then daily until fifteen days post-instillation. At the end of the study, all animals were sacrificed and the lungs were dissected and processed for histological and immunocytochemnical examinations. The results showed that daily oral administration of curcumin reduced the lung damage induced by bleomycin instillation as evidenced by less inflammatory cells, less deposition of collagen, less thickening of alveolar sepia and less collapse of alveolar spaces. Compared to those receiving bleomycin alone, the results of this study suggested that administration of curcumin was useful in reducing lung damage induced by bleomycin and raised the possibility of efficient treatment of human pulmonary fibrotic disease

Light and electron microscopic study of the effect of experimentally-induced colitis on the adrenal gland of albino rats

This study was performed to investigate adrenal changes in chemically-induced colitis in rats. Twelve adult male albino rats were used for the present study. The animals were allocated into two groups. Animals of control group received a single intracolonic instillation of 0.8 ml of normal saline for each rat while those of colitis group received 0.8 ml of 4% acetic acid for each rat. After seven days, all animals were sacrificed and the adrenal glands were dissected and processed for histological, immunocytochemical and electron microscopic examinations. The results showed light and electron microscopic changes in the adrenal glands of animals with colitis. Many adrenocortical cells showed abnormal large cytoplasmic vacuoles, representing large extracted lipid droplets. Many medullary chromaffin cells revealed obvious cellular damage and marked depletion of secretory granules. These changes could be attributed to the effect of certain inflammatory cytokines on the adrenal gland. The results of this study provide evidence to support the hypothesis that an excessive stress, such as prolonged inflammatory stress, may contribute to the development of obvious lesions in the adrenal gland

effect of early initiation of breast feeding on the amount of vaginal blood loss during the fourth stage of Labor

Post partum hemorrhage is a major problem that jeopardizes maternal health. Its prevention can save mothers' life postnatal, through early initiation of breastfeeding. So, the study aimed to explore the effect of early initiation of breast feeding on the amount of vaginal blood loss during the fourth stage of labor. A convenient sample of one hundred primiparae was selected from the delivery unit and post partum unit of El-Shatby Maternity University Hospital in Alexandria. The study subjects were divided equally into experimental group [early breast feeding group] and control group [late breast feeding group]. Two tools were developed and used for data collection. A specially designed interview questionnaire was used during early first stage of labor to collect data about general characteristics of the study subjects. An observational checklist was used during the fourth stage of labor to collect data about uterine characteristics, number of feeds and the amount of blood loss. The early breast-feeding group started feeding immediately after placental delivery, while late breast feeding group started breast- feeding after the first two hours postnatally. The amounts of blood loss for both groups were calculated. The findings of the study revealed that early initiation and increased frequency of breast-feeding could decrease the amount of blood loss during the fourth stage of labor. Therefore, maternity and pediatric nurses have to encourage mothers to start breast-feeding early. They have to explain how breast-feeding is beneficial for both mother and child

Maternity nurse's evaluation of sources of information about HIV/AIDS in Alexandria

The aim of this study was to identify the sources of human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS] information among maternity nurses in Alexandria and to examine how each source was evaluated by them in terms of frequency, usability and usefulness. A simple random sample of 150 maternity nurses of all levels working in three different organizations participated in the study. Data were collected by an anonymous questionnaire to elicit the professional characteristics and the frequency of the use of the identified sources as well as three-point Likert scale to rate the sources of information according to two dimensions [usability and usefulness]. A scoring system was developed and used to show the frequency, usability and usefulness of the sources. The results indicated that in-service training, professional colleague and academic study were among the highly evaluated sources in relation to usability and usefulness; while, the professional colleague and posters were the most frequently used sources. The recommendations and implications for future provision of HIV/AIDS information were discussed

M - Mode and doppler tissue imaging analysis of mitral annulus for detecation of pseudonormal mitral inflow pattern

This study was designed to assess whether M-mode and/or Doppler tissue imaging of mitral annulus are accurate parameters for the diagnosis of pseudonormal left ventricular [LV] diastolic pattern and the relation of these parameters to LV diastolic pressure measured during cardiac catheterization. The study comprised 30 patients [age 49.0 +/- 8.3 years, 14 males and 16 females]. All of them performed echocardiography to record transmitral flow velocity including E and A velocities, deceleration time of early mitral filling and IVRT. Patients with pseudonormal pattern were included in this study. M- mode of lateral aspect of mitral annulus was done. The amplitude Em and Am as well as slope E and slope A of early and late diastolic motion were measured

Mother's awareness regarding the effect of different aspects of environmental pollution health

This study was carried out on 605 mothers having infants and/or preschool children aiming to assess mothers' awareness regarding the effect of different aspects of environmental pollution health. The results revealed that illiterate and primary educated mothers were less aware of environmental pollution and its effect on health than university graduates as well as the different methods used to prevent environmental pollution. The outcome of this study can help the policy makers to establish a baseline data to emphasize on the public awareness regarding pollution in the community at large

Management of common bile duct stones in the laparoscopic era: an alternative pathway

The aim of this study was to evaluate a modified pathway of management of stones in the common bile duct. Twenty-five patients with gallstone disease were included in this study. All had clinical and/or chemical evidence of bile duct obstruction. For each patient, an abdominal ultrasound was done, followed by magnetic resonance cholangiography. The results were compared. Then, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was performed, essentially for the removal of bile duct stones. Ultrasound revealed bile duct stones in 11 patients; while, in the rest of the patients, it was inconclusive. Magnetic resonance examination was normal in four patients [i.e. no obstruction found]; while it confirmed the presence of biliary obstruction in 21 patients; 17 due to stones and 2 due to other causes and in 2 patients, there was no obvious cause of obstruction. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was attempted in 23 patients. It was possible to insert endoscopic stents in two patients with malignant obstruction who needed no further surgery. The stones were endoscopically removed in 18 patients. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was successfully performed in 20 patients. Open cholecystectomy and bile duct exploration were done in three patients

Effect of an educational film on the Health Belief Model and breast self-examination practice

A longitudinal study of four phases was conducted to identify the effect of an educational film on the Health Belief Model and breast self-examination practice of second-year nursing students in Alexandria University. Findings showed that the health belief parameters [perceived susceptibility to breast cancer, benefits of and barriers to practising breast self-examination] were influenced differently by the film. A positive influence was observed between breast self-examination practice and film viewing; one-year post-film follow-up data revealed a high continuation rate of breast self-examination. The main reason cited for BSE practice was early detection of abnormalities

Epidermal growth factor [EGF] receptors expression in myometrium and leiomyomas

Fifty patients were included in this work, they all were premenopausal women who underwent hysterectomy at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. They were divided into two main groups Group [1] [The study group] : 30 patients who underwent hysterectomy for symptomatic uterine fibroids; Group [2] [The control group] : 20 patients who underwent hysterectomy for other gynecological problems than myoma. After pathological examination, tissue samples of myomas and myometria were collected for immunohisto-chemical study for epidermal growth factor receptors assay. As regards the relation between age of women distributed according to their groups and the EGF receptors expression; it was found that there was no relation between age of women and the expression of EGF receptors. Also for the relation between parity and the expression of EGF receptors; it was found that there was a relation between parity of women in the study group [with leiomyoma] and the expression of EGF receptors [P < 0.01] i.e. highly significant difference, and this may be attributed to the elevated estrogen regulated genes in leiomyomas when the uterus is exposed to circulating levels of estrogen that are many-fold higher through subsequent pregnancies than those seen during menstrual cycle As regards the relation between the receptor level and the phase of menstrual cycle; it was found that there was no cyclic variation of EGF receptors either in the proliferative phase or in the secretory phase and hence estrogen and progesterone play an important equal role in the expression of EGF receptors whether in myometrium or in the growth of leiomyomas. As regards the relation between the receptors level with different pathological subtypes of leiomyomas; it was found that there was no significant difference between these types and the expression of EGF receptors. Concerning the relation between EGF receptors expression in leiomyomas compared to normal myometrium; it was found that although both leiomyomas and myometria showed expression for EGF receptors and may be the expression was slightly elevated in leiomyoma, but we could not find any significant difference [P > 0.05] between EGF receptors expression in leiomyoma compared to myometrium. These findings suggest EGF receptors as a potential regulator for uterine leiomyoma and also suggest that estrogen and progesterone effects on leiomyomas may be partly mediated by EGF receptors