Phytochemistry and Antiviral Properties of Tw o Lotus Species Growing in Egypt / Fitoquímica y propiedades antivirales de dos especies de Lotus que crecen en Egipto

Background:Lotus arabicus L and Lotusglaber Mill. belong to the family Fabaceae, and they grow in the wild in Egypt and have different therapeutic uses in folk medicine. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profile, antimicrobial and antiviral properties of the methanolic extracts of two Lotus spp. growing in Egypt, L. arabicus and L. glaber.Material and methods: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify the compounds of the extracts of two Lotus species. An MTT colorimetric assay and the disc diffusion method were performed to investigate the antiviral and antimicrobial activities of two lotus species, respectively. Results: The n-hexane and methanol extracts of L. arabicuscontained high percentages of alkane hydrocarbons, such as 5-methyloctadecane, while L. glaber contained dodecane. The major compounds in the methanol extract of L. arabicuswere hexadecanoic acid methyl ester and dodecanoic acid,2,3-bis(acetyloxy)propyl ester. The major compounds in the methanol extract of L. glaber were palmitic acid and lucenin 2. The indole alkaloid ditaine was found only in L. arabicus. This alkaloid was identified for the first time in the genus Lotus. The antimicrobial properties of the extracts of the two Lotus species showed that the n-hexane extract of both Lotus species may have potential antifungal activity against Candida parapsilosis and Aspergillus flavus. Moreover, the methanolic extracts of both Lotus species have potential antiviral activity against the coxsackie B virus, but only the L. arabicus extract showed activity against the hepatitis A virus. Conclusion:Lotus arabicus might have potential antifungal or antiviral activity greater than L. glaber

Antecedentes:Lotus arabicus L y Lotus glaber Mill. pertenecen a la familia de las fabáceas y crecen en estado silvestre en Egipto y tienen diferentes usos terapéuticos en la medicina popular. Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el perfil fitoquímico y las propiedades antimicrobianas de los extractos metanólicos de dos especies de Lotus que crecen en Egipto, L. arabicus y L. glaber. Material y métodos: Se utilizó la cromatografía de gases-espectrometría de masas para identificar los compuestos de los extractos de las dos especies de Lotus. Se realizó un ensayo colorimétrico MTT y el método de difusión en disco para investigar las actividades antiviral y antimicrobiana de las dos especies de Lotus, respectivamente. Resultados: Los extractos de n-hexano y metanol de L. arabicus contenían altos porcentajes de hidrocarburos alcanos, como el 5-metiloctadecano, mientras que L. glaber contenía dodecano. Los principales compuestos del extracto de metanol de L. arabicus eran el éster metílico del ácido hexadecanoico y el éster dodecanoico, 2,3-bis(acetiloxi)propilo. Los principales compuestos del extracto de metanol de L. glaber fueron el ácido palmítico y la lucenina 2. El alcaloide indólico ditaína sólo se encontró en L. arabicus. Este alcaloide fue identificado por primera vez en el género Lotus. Las propiedades antimicrobianas de los extractos de las dos especies de Lotus mostraron que el extracto n-hexano de ambas especies de Lotus puede tener una potencial actividad antifúngica contra Candidaparapsilosis y Aspergillus flavus. Además, los extractos metanólicos de ambas especies de Lotustienen una potencial actividad antiviral contra el virus coxsackie B, pero sólo el extracto de L. arabicus mostró actividad contra el virus de la hepatitis A. Conclusión: L. arabicus puede tener una potencial actividad antifúngica o antiviral mayor que L. glaber

[Soft-tissue profile changes produced by treatment of class II- malocclusion using skeletal anchorage miniplates "a prospective comparative study"]

Orthodontic treatment is considered successful only if optimal esthetic and function are achieved.The objective of this study was to compare facial soft tissue profile changes produced by a new technique [elastic forces based on skeletal anchorage mini-plates] with changes produced by conventional class-II elastic forces. The study sample consisted of 30 patients with skeletal class-II malocclusion caused by retro-gnathic mandible with a mean age [11.5 +/- 0.5 years]. They were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: the first group included 15 patients [6 males, 9 females] treated by elastic forces based on skeletal anchorage mini-plates. The second group included 15 patients [7 males, 8 females] treated by conventional elastic forces. Lateral cephalographs were taken immediately before and after skeletal treatment. Nine linear and angular measurements related to the facial profile were determined in each cephalograph pairs. Dependent and independent t-tests were performed to evaluate the difference within each group and between the two groups respectively P >/= 0.05. Both techniques were effective in producing changes in facial soft tissue profile. However, those changes produced by elastic forces based on skeletal anchorage mini-plates [G'-Sn'- Pog', G'- Sn', Pog'- G', distance of Li from Pog'-Sn', Stms -Stmi and distance of Ls from Pog'-Sn'] were significantly better compared to that produced by the conventional elastic forces. Both techniques induce changes in facial soft tissue profile. The elastic forces based on skeletal anchorage mini-plates induce desirable facial profile changes in comparison with some undesirable changes induced by the conventional class-II elastic forces

Trans-perineal VS. trans-rectal repair of rectocele in obstructed defecation: a prospective randomized trial

To evaluate functional outcome of transperineal [TP] versus transrectal [TR] repair of rectocele presented with obstructed defecation. 48 multiparous females with obstructed defecation due to rectocele were randomly allocated into 3 groups: Group A [16 patients]: TP repair with levatorplasty [LP].Group B [16]: TP repair without LP.Group C [16]: TR repair. The study included defecographic assessment, anal manometry / /[Maximum anal resting pressure [MARP], maximum reflex volume [MRV] and urge to defecate volume [UTDV] and functional score [0 -26]. These were done preoperative and 6 months postoperative. Defecography showed significant reduction in size of rectocele in all groups. Constipation improved significantly in the groups of transperineal but not in transrectal repair. We had significant reduction in MARP, UTDV and MRV only in transperineal approach. Functional score was significantly improved in group A [P<0.001] and B [P<0.001] while the improvement was insignificant in group C. LP significantly improved the overall functional score in group A compared to group B and C [P= 0.032] Rectocele repair improves anorectal function by improving the rectal urge sensitivity. TP repair of rectocele is superior to TR repair in both the structural and functional outcome. Levatorplasty improves functional outcome, but should be avoided in young sexually active females

Comparative study between open vs closed methods of partial division of puborectalis in treating patients with anismus

To revive the results of partial division of the puborectalis and to compare the efficacy of open and a newly designed closed method in treatment of anismus. This prospective randomized study included 30 patients. They were 29 males and one female, with a mean age 42.30 +/- 13.01 years. Diagnosis was made by clinical examination, barium enema, colonoscopy, colonic transit time, anorectal manometry, balloon expulsion test, defecography, and EMG. Patients were randomized into: Group [I]: included 15 patients who underwent bilateral open division of the puborectalis and group [II]: included 15 patients who underwent bilateral closed method. Follow up was conducted for about one year. Improvement was considered when patients returned to their normal habits. Both open and closed methods significantly reduced the preoperative constipation scores. There was 100% initial success. Long term success existed only in 66.6% and 53.3% in group [I] and [II] respectively with no significant difference between the two methods [chi 2:0.556-P: 0.456]. Recurrence was observed in 5 and 7 patients following open and closed methods respectively. Minor degrees of incontinence were confronted in 13.3% in each group with no significant difference. Bilateral partial; division of puborectalis was found to be an effective method in treatment of anismus. Moreover, closed method seems to be simple and attractive

Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick allergy in asthmatic patients; diagnosis and immunotheraputic trial

Ticks belonging to the superfamily Ixodiodea have a potential role in allergic diseases including atopic skin diseases and atopic asthma. Tick extracts or vaccines were not prepared before, nor used in diagnosis or in specific immunotherapy of allergic patients. Therefore this study was carried out to diagnose and differentiate ticks allergy in asthmatic patients and to valuate the role of specific immunotherapy in those patients. The study included fourty patients with bronchial asthma and twenty healthy control persons. Patients were examined and classified according to their clinical staging [respiratory function test, presence of day time symptoms, exacerbations and presence of night time symptoms]. All subjects were investigated by skin prick test serum specific Ig E level, blood eosinophils and basophils phagocytic function test, lymphocytic population test and Immunogram including serum Ig M, and Ig G levels. After diagnosis of tick allergy by perivous investigations tick allergic patients were subjected to specific immunotherapy by tick vaccine using conventional updosing protocol by subcutaneous injection route and reevaluated both clinically and laboratory. Diagnosis of tick allergy was demonstrated by positive skin test and by highly significant statistical difference [P < 0.01] between patients and control group as regard the serum specific Ig E using tick extract. After immunotherapy the patients were clinicaly improved with highly statistical difference [P < 0.01] than before specific immunotherapy. Also, there were highly significant decrease [P < 0.01] in eosinophils count, basophils count, serum specific Ig E for tick allergen, and Ig M level while there were significant [P < 0.05] increase in phagocytic function test, lymphocytic populations test and Ig G level. Tick allergy was differentiated in Egyptian asthmatics and tick specific immunotherapy is highly successful in their management

Allergen-specific IgE analysis in blown nasal secretions for the diagnosis of chronic allergic respiratory airway syndromes: comparative study

The unavoidable perennial allergens as House dust mites [HDM] is the commonest cause of chronic allergic respiratory airway syndrome [CARAS] frequently seen nowadays either in the form of allergic rhinitis [AR] and/or bronchial asthma [BA] recently this is best treated with immunotherapy. Although there are many investigations for the diagnosis of these allergic conditions most of the used tests are unsafe, non-specific or invasive. Thus the aim of this study was to detect the validity of local HDM allergen-specific IgE assay in blown nasal secretion for diagnosis of CARAS as a specific safe easy test and to show its value for future immunotherapy in comparison to other allergic investigations. So, this study involved 45 patients with CARAS and had positive skin prick test for HDM allergens and elevated serum total IgE level. They were 26 males and 19 females with a mean age 31.8 years. The patients were classified into 3 groups: group-I including 15 patients with AR, group-II with 15 patients having allergic nasal polypi and group-III involving 15 patients presented with BA only. While, 15 normal volunteers were included as controls with age and sex matched. All individuals were subjected to pulmonary function test [FEV1], nasal scraping cytology [for local eosinophilic count], HDM-speciflc IgE assay in serum, induced sputum and blown nasal secretion by ELISA technique and transmission electron microscopic [TEM] examination of 4 nasal biopsies [one from each group and one control]. The TEM examination showed intense allergic changes in the nasal mucosa of the patients in comparison to the control in the form of infiltration with active allergic cells. Also, local eosinophilic count was highly significantly increased in all patients, while the FEV1 was significantly reduced only when there is marked airway obstruction as in BA and nasal polypi patients. On the other hand, local HDM-specific IgE in airway secretions [induced sputum and blown nasal secretion] were significantly increased in the patients of the three groups but highly significantly increased in nasal secretion of patients with nasal polypi. In contrast serum HDM-specific IgE was non-significantly increased in patients with allergic rhinitis with or without nasal polypi and only significantly raised in BA patients. From these results we concluded that HDM-specific IgE assay in blown nasal secretion is a specific easy safe non-invasive invitro test for the diagnosis of CARAS suitable for immunotherapy with identification of the specific allergen to be used

Detection of specific secretory IGA in saliva and stool of patients for diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection

A total of thirty enzyme-linked immunosorbent [ELISA] assays detecting serum and secretory immunoglobulins against Schistosoma mansoni cercarial antigen preparation [CAP], soluble egg antigen [SEA], and adult worm antigen [AWA] were evaluated for diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infections. For each antigen, serum IgM, IgG, IgA, IgE, IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 and secretory IgA in unstimulated saliva, stimulated saliva arid stool were quantitatively determined in samples from 116 Schistosoma mansoni infected subjects and 50 normal controls. Cut off values and evaluation parameters were calculated from receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve. With serum samples, CAP-IgG, CAP-IgG1, SEA-IgG, SEA-IgG1, AWA-IgG1 and AWA-IgG4 were the best assays showing sensitivities of 94.8, 91.4, 95.7, 94.8, 91.4, and 94.8%, respectively, and specificities of 100, 92, 96, 100, 92, and 100%, respectively. With secretory IgA, stimulated saliva SEA and AWA-IgA, and stool SEA-IgA showed the best results with sensitivities of 85.4, 93.1, and 89.7%, respectively, and specificities of 100, 92, and 96%, respectively. In conclusion, different antibody classes determined showed high sensitivities and specificities in diagnosis of active schistosomiasis. Secretory IgA against Schistosoma mansoni antigens showed promising sensitivities and specificities, which make it a helpful tool in diagnosis of active schistosomiasis in the future, as it is an easy non invasive technique, which may help in epidemiological studies

Risk factors for candidal species colonisation and candedemia in preterm neonates

A prospective study was performed on 50 preterm neonates and 20 full- term neonates as controls to determine risk factors from Candida colonization. In the first 24 hours after birth, umbilical stump, oropharyngeal swab, endotracheal aspirate and urine specimens were collected from each newborn. They were subjected to mycological examination, which was repeated if the patient proved negative for Candida after one week for patients and controls. Blood cultures were done for colonization patients. Candidal colonization was detected in 16 out of 50 of 50 preterm infants and only 2 cases out of 20 full- term infants. Candida albicans was the most common isolate accounting for 75% of the recovered isolates, followed by Candida parapsilosis, which grew in 5%, Candida tropicalis 4% and Candida stellatoidea 2%. There was a positive blood culture for only one positive colonized patient. The risk factors identified by multiple logistic regression analysis were lowest gestational age, use of antibiotics and diabetic mothers, whereas delivery by cesarean was protective

retrospective analysis of needle and trocar laparoscopic injuries

The insertion of the Veress needle and principal trocar is responsible for most of the injuries taking r ace during laparoscopic surgery. This retrospective study reviews such injuries in the Department of General Surgery, Kasr El-Eini Hospitals, between May 1992 and May 2000. The purpose of this paper is to describe the injuries associated with the closed insertion of the needle and primary trocar, the different risk factors which increase the incidence of such injuries, and the importance of delay in suspecting or diagnosing such injuries, in a trial to clarify the way to minimize the risk

Laparoscopic management of the impalpable undescended testis

Laparoscopy has been applied for diagnosis and management in ten patients having 13 undescend testes. Their mean age was 17.1 ranging from 1 to 47 years. Three patients had bilateral, three left and four right undescended testes.2 patients had been previously unsuccessfully explored for the undescended testes. All the patients except one stayed for one day at hospital. 4 testes out of 13 were not present even no vas could be seen in one of them. Due to lack of equipment the procedure was only diagnostic in 2 cases. Fowler stephen's orchidopexy was attempted for four testes and succeeded in three. The authors think this manoever is the best for dealing with the impalpable testis because it allows good localization, satisfactory mobilization avoidance of extensive retroperitoneal dissection and decreasing postoperative adhesions and they adivse its usage

value of low dose streptokinase [sk] as adjuvant therapy in acute deep vein thrombosis [DVT]

From 1989 to 1992 40 deep vein thrombosis selected patients [22 females and 18 males], their ages ranging from 18 to 52 years with a mean age 32 years, were treated with streptokinase with a loading dose 500,000 units then subsequent maintenance doses of 250,000 units every 12 hours for 3 days. The clinical signs of DVT subsided in 75% of treated patients within 28 days of completing SK therapy. A repeat phlebography was performed on admission and within 7-28 days after SK therapy and a total recanalization or partial thrombolysis was achieved in 75% of the studied cases. Four patients developed severe bleeding needed interruption of SK administration and 3 patients developed pulmonary embolism, none of them died. This report emphasizes the clinical and radiological effectiveness as well as the risk of bleeding complication during SK therapy and if streptokinase is to be used, therefore careful selection of patients and meticulous monitoring are mandatory