Cryptosporidium species is an important cause of gastrointestinal infections globally. This study aimed to shed light on its role in diarrheic immunocompetent patients in Beni-Suef, Egypt and to compare three diagnostic methods. Two hundred diarrheic patients, 37±16.8 year old, were enrolled. Stool samples were examined by light microscopy, using modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain (MZN) for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. Coproantigens were detected by sandwich ELISA. DNA molecular diagnosis was done by nested PCR. PCR yielded the highest detection rates (21.0%), compared to ELISA (12.5%) and MZN staining method (9.5%). The higher infection rates were in 20–40 year-old group, followed by 40–60 year-old. Association between epidemiologic factors was statistically not significant; positivity and gender, clinical manifestations, residence, source or water, or contact with animals. Cryptosporidiosis is an important enteric parasitic infection in Beni-Suef and PCR remains the gold standard for diagnosis.
Animals ; Cryptosporidiosis ; Cryptosporidium ; Diagnosis ; DNA ; Egypt ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epidemiologic Factors ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Methods ; Microscopy ; Oocysts ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Water

A study of amoxicillin pharmacokinetics was conducted in healthy goats and goats with chronic lead intoxication. The intoxicated goats had increased serum concentrations of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase), blood urea nitrogen, and reactivated delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase compared to the controls. Following intravenous amoxicillin (10 mg/kg bw) in control and lead-intoxicated goats, elimination half-lives were 4.14 and 1.26 h, respectively. The volumes of distribution based on the terminal phase were 1.19 and 0.38 L/kg, respectively, and those at steady-state were 0.54 and 0.18 L/kg, respectively. After intramuscular (IM) amoxicillin (10 mg/kg bw) in lead-intoxicated goats and control animals, the absorption, distribution, and elimination of the drug were more rapid in lead-intoxicated goats than the controls. Peak serum concentrations of 21.89 and 12.19 microg/mL were achieved at 1 h and 2 h, respectively, in lead-intoxicated and control goats. Amoxicillin bioavailability in the lead-intoxicated goats decreased 20% compared to the controls. After amoxicillin, more of the drug was excreted in the urine from lead-intoxicated goats than the controls. Our results suggested that lead intoxication in goats increases the rate of amoxicillin absorption after IM administration and distribution and elimination. Thus, lead intoxication may impair the therapeutic effectiveness of amoxicillin.
Amoxicillin/blood/*pharmacokinetics/urine ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/blood/*pharmacokinetics/urine ; Area Under Curve ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/veterinary ; Goat Diseases/*chemically induced/metabolism ; Goats ; Half-Life ; Injections, Intramuscular/veterinary ; Injections, Intravenous/veterinary ; Lead Poisoning/etiology/metabolism/*veterinary ; Male

Purpose: One of the essential goals regarding the successful control of rabies infection is the development of a safe, effective, and inexpensive vaccine. the current study aimed to evaluate the inactivation potential of β-propiolactone (βPL), binary ethyleneimine (BEI), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Materials and Methods: Estimating the inactivation kinetics of βPL, BEI, and H2O2 revealed that the tested inactivants could completely and irreversibly inactivate rabies virus within 2, 12, and 4 hours, respectively while maintaining its viral immunogenicity. The potency of βPL, BEI, and H2O2 inactivated vaccines was higher than the World Health Organization acceptance limit and were in the order of 3.75, 4.21, and 3.64 IU/mL, respectively. Monitoring the humoral and cellular immunity elicited post-immunization using Staphylococcus aureus derived hyaluronic acid (HA) and bacillus Calmette-Guérin purified protein derivative (PPD) adjuvanted rabies vaccine candidates were carried out using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Results: demonstrated that both adjuvants could progressively enhance the release of anti-rabies total immunoglobulin G as well as the pro-inflammatory mediators (interferon-gamma and interleukin-5) relative to time. However, a higher immune response was developed in the case of HA adjuvanted rabies vaccine compared to PPD adjuvanted one. The harmful consequences of the tested adjuvants were considered via investigating the histopathological changes in the tissues of the immunized rats using hematoxylin and eosin stain. Lower adverse effects were observed post-vaccination with HA and PPD adjuvanted vaccines compared to that detected following administration of the currently used alum as standard adjuvant. Conclusion Our findings suggested that HA and PPD could serve as a promising platform for the development of newly adjuvanted rabies vaccines with elevated immune enhancing potentials and lower risk of health hazards.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the effect of the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on various cardiometabolic risk factors and hormonal parameters in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We searched PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases without language restrictions until May 2023 to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the impact of ALA supplementation on anthropometric, glycemic, lipid, oxidative stress, and hormonal parameters in women with PCOS. Outcomes were summarized using the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in a random-effects model. An I2 statistic of >60% established significant between-study heterogeneity. The overall certainty of the evidence for each outcome was determined using the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluations system. Seven RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The ALA group had significant reductions in fasting blood sugar (fasting blood sugar (FBS), n=7 RCTs, SMD, -0.60; 95% CI, -1.10 to -0.10; I2=63.54%, moderate certainty of evidence) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), n=4 RCTs, SMD, -2.03; 95% CI, -3.85 to -0.20; I2=96.32%, low certainty of evidence) compared with the control group. However, significant differences were observed between the groups in body mass index, insulin, estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, low-density lipoprotein, highdensity lipoprotein, triglyceride, total cholesterol, malondialdehyde, or total antioxidant capacity profiles. ALA supplementation improves FBS and HOMA-IR levels in women with PCOS. ALA consumption is an effective complementary therapy for the management of women with PCOS.

BACKGROUND: Insufficient vascularization hampers bone tissue engineering strategies for reconstructing large bonedefects. Delivery of prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitors (PHIs) is an interesting approach to upregulate vascular endothelialgrowth factor (VEGF) by mimicking hypoxic stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1a). This studyassessed two PHIs: dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) and baicalein for their effects on human adipose tissue-derivedmesenchymal stem/stromal cells (AT-MSCs). METHODS: Isolated AT-MSCs were characterized and treated with PHIs to assess the cellular proliferation response.Immunostaining and western-blots served to verify the HIF-1a stabilization response. The optimized concentrations forlong-term treatment were tested for their effects on the cell cycle, apoptosis, cytokine secretion, and osteogenic differentiationof AT-MSCs. Gene expression levels were evaluated for alkaline phosphatase (ALPL), bone morphogeneticprotein 2 (BMP2), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), secretedphosphoprotein 1 (SPP1), and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1). In addition, stemness-related genes Kruppel-like factor 4(KLF4), Nanog homeobox (NANOG), and octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) were assessed. RESULTS: PHIs stabilized HIF-1a in a dose-dependent manner and showed evident dose- and time dependent antiproliferativeeffects. With doses maintaining proliferation, DMOG and baicalein diminished the effect of osteogenic inductionon the expression of RUNX2, ALPL, and COL1A1, and suppressed the formation of mineralized matrix. Suppressedosteogenic response of AT-MSCs was accompanied by an upregulation of stemness-related genes. CONCLUSION PHIs significantly reduced the osteogenic differentiation of AT-MSCs and rather upregulated stemnessrelatedgenes. PHIs proangiogenic potential should be weighed against their longterm direct inhibitory effects on theosteogenic differentiation of AT-MSCs.

BACKGROUND: Insufficient vascularization hampers bone tissue engineering strategies for reconstructing large bonedefects. Delivery of prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitors (PHIs) is an interesting approach to upregulate vascular endothelialgrowth factor (VEGF) by mimicking hypoxic stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1a). This studyassessed two PHIs: dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) and baicalein for their effects on human adipose tissue-derivedmesenchymal stem/stromal cells (AT-MSCs). METHODS: Isolated AT-MSCs were characterized and treated with PHIs to assess the cellular proliferation response.Immunostaining and western-blots served to verify the HIF-1a stabilization response. The optimized concentrations forlong-term treatment were tested for their effects on the cell cycle, apoptosis, cytokine secretion, and osteogenic differentiationof AT-MSCs. Gene expression levels were evaluated for alkaline phosphatase (ALPL), bone morphogeneticprotein 2 (BMP2), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), secretedphosphoprotein 1 (SPP1), and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1). In addition, stemness-related genes Kruppel-like factor 4(KLF4), Nanog homeobox (NANOG), and octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) were assessed. RESULTS: PHIs stabilized HIF-1a in a dose-dependent manner and showed evident dose- and time dependent antiproliferativeeffects. With doses maintaining proliferation, DMOG and baicalein diminished the effect of osteogenic inductionon the expression of RUNX2, ALPL, and COL1A1, and suppressed the formation of mineralized matrix. Suppressedosteogenic response of AT-MSCs was accompanied by an upregulation of stemness-related genes. CONCLUSION PHIs significantly reduced the osteogenic differentiation of AT-MSCs and rather upregulated stemnessrelatedgenes. PHIs proangiogenic potential should be weighed against their longterm direct inhibitory effects on theosteogenic differentiation of AT-MSCs.

OBJECTIVETo analyze in vivo neuro-pharmacological effects of Alpinia nigra as anxiety is a particular form of behavioral inhibition that occurs in response to novel environmental events.

METHODSIn present study, the extract of Alpinia nigra was evaluated for its central nervous system depressant effect using mice behavioral models, such as hole cross, open field and thiopental sodium induced sleeping time tests for its sedative properties and an elevated plus-maze test for its anxiolytic potential, respectively.

RESULTSIn anxiolytic study, the extract displayed increased percentage of entry into open arm at the dose of 400 and 200 mg/kg. The extract produced a significant (P<0.01) increase in sleeping duration and reduction of onset of sleep compared to sodium thiopental at both doses (200 and 400 mg/kg). The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) also showed a dose-dependent suppression of motor activity and exploratory activity of the mice in both open field and hole cross test.

CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrates that the treated extract has significant central nervous system depressant effect. Further studies on active constituent of the extract can provide approaches for therapeutic intervention.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf ethanol extract as an adjunct treatment on lead acetate induced hepato-nephrotoxicity in rabbits. Methods: Thirty-six male New Zealand White rabbits were assigned into two main groups. The first group (14 rabbits) served as normal control. The secondgroup (22 rabbits) was administered orally with lead acetate at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks. At the 4th and the 8th week of treatment, 6 animals (3 animals at each period) of the second group were sacrificed while the remaining animals (16 rabbits) were assigned randomly into 2 subgroups (8 rabbits each): treated and non-treated. The first subgroup was orally given 1 mL phosphate-buffered saline for further 4 weeks while the second subgroup was administered orally with Moringa oleifera leaf ethanol extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg/day for the same period. Blood samples were collected to determine hematological and serum biochemical indices. Tissue specimens were collected from the liver and kidney for evaluation of the oxidant/antioxidant markers and for histopathological examinations. Results: Lead acetate exposure decreased the mean body weight gain, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and lymphocytes count. Moreover, it markedly increased counts of monocytes and platelets, serum enzyme activity, levels of creatinine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Malondialdehyde level was markedly increased while the reduced glutathione content was significantly decreased in liver tissue of lead intoxicated-rabbits. Histopathological alterations were also noticed in the liver and kidney of lead intoxicated rabbits. Moringa oleifera leaf ethanol extract significantly improved hematological and serum biochemical parameters and histopathological structure of the liver and kidney. Conclusions: Moringa oleifera leaf ethanol extract ameliorates hemato-biochemical and histopathological alterations caused by lead acetate and improveshepatic and renal functions.