Assessment of cryptodiag for diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis and genotyping Cryptosporidium species.

The performance of a new commercial PCR-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Cryptodiag; Bio Advance, France) for the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis and the identification of Cryptosporidium hominis and C. parvum from stool samples was examined. This test is based on PCR amplification of Cryptosporidium DNA extracted from stools, followed by an ELISA based on hybridization with Cryptosporidium sp.-, C. hominis-, or C. parvum-specific probes. In spiking experiments, approximately five oocysts were detected either in water or in stool suspensions while assessing for the efficient removal of stool PCR inhibitors. No cross-reactivity was observed in the detection of C. parvum and C. hominis using the respective specific probes. Thirty-three fecal samples from patients with microscopically proven cryptosporidiosis and 118 from patients with or without other digestive protozoan infections were tested by Cryptodiag, blinded to the results of microscopy. Compared to microscopy, the sensitivity of Cryptodiag was 97.0% (32/33) and 100% (33/33), including the gray zone, and specificity was 98.3% (116/118) and 96.6% (114/118), including the gray zone. Among 34 positive results, Cryptodiag identified 19 due to C. hominis, 8 due to C. parvum, and 7 due to Cryptosporidium spp. Genotyping by Cryptodiag agreed with reference typing methods in 85% of cases of C. parvum or C. hominis infections. Cryptodiag proved to be reliable and sensitive for the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis. The use of specific probes allowed the identification of C. hominis and C. parvum, i.e., the two main species responsible for human cryptosporidiosis, and rapidly provided information on the possible source of infection.

The antipyretic activity of some Moroccan medicinal plants.

The antipyretic activity of different extracts from Calotropis procera, Cotula cinerea and Zygophyllum gaetulum was investigated experimentally in rats. The antipyretic effect was retained in all extracts tested and was comparable to that of acetylsalicylic acid used as the standard drug.

The hypoglycemic activity of Zygophyllum gaetulum extracts in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rats.

The aqueous infusion of the aerial parts of Zygophyllum gaetulum Emb. and Maire was tested orally (1 g/kg body weight) for hypoglycemic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The infusion was partitioned between water and butanol to yield a butanol soluble fraction (B), and an aqueous fraction (W) which on reduction in volume gave a precipitate (WP) and supernatant (WS). Fractions (B) and (WP) caused significant reduction in blood glucose concentration, while the ingestion of (WS) produced no significant reduction in blood glucose level.

Hypoglycaemic response to Zygophyllum gaetulum extracts in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Zygophyllum gaetulum leaves are one of several traditional remedies used for diabetes treatment in Morocco. Its ability to lower the blood glucose was studied in 13 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The reaction time of the Z. gaetulum aqueous extract at a single oral dose (440 mg/kg) producing a significant hypoglycaemic effect is 6 h after administration. The same dose ingested twice daily resulted in a significant reduction of blood glucose during the first week, and maintained the patient in normoglycaemia throughout the 2 week course of treatment, with no change in body weight.

[Acute toxicity of 10 Moroccan plants reported to be hypoglycemic agents]. / Etude de la toxicité aiguë de dix plantes marocaines réputées hypoglycémiantes.

An acute toxicity study of twelve medicinal plants on Swiss albino mice has been carried out. The extracts were administered orally at a dose of 1 g/kg body weight. Animals were observed for 7 days and changes in weight and behaviour were noted. On the eighth day, the animals were sacrificed and an anatomo-histopathologic survey was undertaken. The results showed a change in behaviour and some histologic modifications following the administration of certain plant extracts.

Concentration and hydroxyapatite binding capacity of plasma osteocalcin in chronic alcoholic men: effect of a three-week withdrawal therapy.

Plasma concentrations of osteocalcin (OC) were studied in 40 chronic alcoholic men (age range: 21-56 years) before and after 3 weeks of ethanol withdrawal therapy and in 50 non-alcoholic controls selected in respect to age and sex. Plasma OC level in alcoholic subjects was significantly lower than in the controls (3.0 +/- 2.6 micrograms/l and 4.7 +/- 2.8 micrograms/l, respectively). After 21 days of withdrawal therapy, plasma OC level was significantly higher than at the day of admission (5.8 +/- 3.5 micrograms/l, P < 0.001). This level was not statistically different from that of the controls. We also demonstrated that the hydroxyapatite binding capacity of plasma OC before as well as after the withdrawal period was not different from that of the controls. The acetaldehyde adduction of purified bovine OC in vitro did not change any of its immunoactivity and hydroxyapatite binding capacity. The results emphasize the fact that the decrease of plasma osteocalcin in chronic alcoholics is reversible within 3 weeks of alcohol withdrawal and that the circulating protein seems to be similar to that present in controls.

Avidin-biotin enzyme immunoassay of osteocalcin in serum or plasma.

We describe a competitive enzyme immunoassay, the ExtrAvidin-biotin system, for determining osteocalcin in human serum or plasma. Antibodies were raised against bovine osteocalcin. Binding of the antibodies to osteocalcin was calcium-dependent. Limit of detection is 0.07 nmol/L (0.4 microgram/L). The standard curve for method is linear between 0.3 and 17.6 nmol/L (1.9 and 100 micrograms/L). Interassay CV over the range 0.9 to 14.8 nmol/L (5.3 to 84 micrograms/L) is 7.5% to 11.7%. Analytical recovery is 105% +/- 5% (mean +/- SD). The measurement, which is adapted to microtiter plates, requires only 20 microL of serum and 5 h. The coefficient of correlation between the concentrations measured by this method and by a commercially available radioimmunoassay kit (CIS Biointernational) is 0.91. Osteocalcin can be measured in serum or heparinized plasma. Hemolysis (174 mumol/L hemoglobin) reduces osteocalcin concentration by 54%. High concentrations of triglycerides (7 mmol/L) give an overestimation of 63%. Serum concentrations of osteocalcin measured in 130 healthy subjects (ages 15-64 years) and 86 children (ages 4-14 years) were 1.4 +/- 0.8 and 4.0 +/- 1.5 nmol/L (8.1 +/- 4.6 and 22.5 +/- 8.6 micrograms/L), respectively (mean +/- SD).

Acesso posterior para correcao das hernias inguinal e femoral. / Posterior approach for repair of inguinal and femoral hernias

Em um periodo de um ano, 25 pacientes com hernia inguino-femoral foram submetidos a hernioplastia atraves do acesso posterior ou pre-peritoneal.Dezesseis pacientes eram do sexo masculino e nove do feminino. Oito hernias eram indiretas, nove diretas, duas indiretas e diretas e seis eram femorais.Em dois pacientes a correcao da hernia foi realizada atraves de uma incisao de Pfan nenstiel, uma feita para histerectomia e outra para cesariana. Durante um periodo de seguimento medio de oito meses nao foi observada nenhuma recidiva das hernias