Retropharyngeal schwannoma is rare. To the best of our knowledge, only 18 cases have been published in the English literature. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice for schwannomas. Transoral approaches have been applied for smaller lesions, and external cervical approaches are preferred for larger and more complex lesions. In this report, we present a case of large retropharyngeal schwannoma that was excised using an endoscopic-assisted transoral approach with palatal splitting. Postoperative functional and oncologic outcomes were satisfactory with no reported intraoperative/postoperative complications.

Objectives: To assess the predictive value of the initial uterine artery Doppler indices, the pulsatility index (PI), and resistance index (RI) in the prediction of heavy menstrual bleeding before and after copper intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) insertion. Methods: The current prospective clinical study included 100 women who intended to use a copper IUCD (Cu T-380A) and met the inclusion criteria. Uterine artery Doppler PI and RI indices were calculated before IUCD insertion and at three and six months after insertion. Based on the presence or absence of menorrhagia, all women were classified into two groups: non-bleeding (n=52) and extreme menstrual bleeding (n=48). Receiver operating curve analysis was used to determine the predictive value of uterine artery PI and RI in patients with menorrhagia relevant to IUCD. Results: The PI and RI indices displayed a highly significant difference between the IUCD groups at three and six months after insertion (P<0.001). Uterine artery PI ≤2.02 (sensitivity of 95.8%, specificity of 100%, and area below the curve [AUC] of 0.97 at P-value<0.001) and RI ≤0.83 (sensitivity of 93.8%, specificity of 100%, and AUC of 0.949 at P-value<0.001) were correlated with significant menstrual bleeding following insertion of IUCD. Conclusion The presented results confirmed our assumption that the initial studies of uterine artery Doppler can predict heavy-menstrual bleeding associated with IUCD and therefore, should be conducted in women pursuing reversible longacting contraception.

Objectives: To assess the predictive value of the initial uterine artery Doppler indices, the pulsatility index (PI), and resistance index (RI) in the prediction of heavy menstrual bleeding before and after copper intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) insertion. Methods: The current prospective clinical study included 100 women who intended to use a copper IUCD (Cu T-380A) and met the inclusion criteria. Uterine artery Doppler PI and RI indices were calculated before IUCD insertion and at three and six months after insertion. Based on the presence or absence of menorrhagia, all women were classified into two groups: non-bleeding (n=52) and extreme menstrual bleeding (n=48). Receiver operating curve analysis was used to determine the predictive value of uterine artery PI and RI in patients with menorrhagia relevant to IUCD. Results: The PI and RI indices displayed a highly significant difference between the IUCD groups at three and six months after insertion (P<0.001). Uterine artery PI ≤2.02 (sensitivity of 95.8%, specificity of 100%, and area below the curve [AUC] of 0.97 at P-value<0.001) and RI ≤0.83 (sensitivity of 93.8%, specificity of 100%, and AUC of 0.949 at P-value<0.001) were correlated with significant menstrual bleeding following insertion of IUCD. Conclusion The presented results confirmed our assumption that the initial studies of uterine artery Doppler can predict heavy-menstrual bleeding associated with IUCD and therefore, should be conducted in women pursuing reversible longacting contraception.

Objective: To analyze the phytochemical constituents, and to explore potential protective effect of the methanol extract of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) seeds and Egyptian propolis, each alone or concurrently administered on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Methods: Eight groups of 5 rats each were used: normal control group with distilled water, model group, two groups with M. oleifera seeds (100 and 200 mg/kg), two groups with propolis (50 and 100 mg/kg), one group with concurrent administration of both, and one group with prednisolone (reference drug). Macro-and microscopic picture, ulcer index and lesion scores, oxidative markers, inflammatory mediators, in vitro activity of the inflammatory enzymes and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals scavenging activity were evaluated. The phytochemical constituents of both extracts were explored by GC-MS analysis. Results: Both treatments modulated the macro-and microscopic picture, decreased the ulcerative index, lesion score, oxidative markers and inflammatory mediators, and inhibited the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Propolis appeared to be powerful free radicals scavenger. A powerful synergistic effect of both treatments in modulating the course of the disease was reported. GC-MS analysis of methanol extract of M. oleifera seeds and propolis revealed the presence of 50 and 34 compounds, respectively. Conclusions: M. oleifera seeds and propolis methanol extracts have modulated the course of acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis. Moreover, both treatments induce a good synergistic effect against the disease. Isolation of the active constituents is recommended.

Objective: To evaluate the potential antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of n-hexane, dichloromethane(DCM), ethyl acetate(EtOAc), n-butanol and aqueous fractions of Moringa oleifera(M. oleifera) leaves methanol extract against carbon tetrachloride(CCl

No abstract available.
Killer Cells, Natural* ; Psoriasis*

No abstract available.
Killer Cells, Natural* ; Psoriasis*

Objective To evaluate the effects of ethanol–water (80:20) extract of Marrubium vulgare (M. vulgare) on the hematological parameters, macroscopic and histological aspects of the uterus and fetus in non-pregnant and pregnant rats. Methods Female rats were divided into 4 equal groups (n = 9), group N (normal rats) and group G (pregnant rats) considered as control groups, group NE (normal rats treated with the ethanol–water (80:20, v/v) extract of M. vulgare) and group GE (pregnant rats treated with the extract). The ethanol–water (80:20) plant extract was administered in a single daily dose 1 g/kg at the morning, during 19 d. On the 19 day of the experiment, animals were sacrificed, the uterus and fetuses were removed for the morphological and histological studies and the blood was collected in EDTA tubes for the measurement of hematological parameters with the use of an automate ‘HORIBA ABX Micros 60 Hematology Analyzer’. Results Our results showed, in group NE and GE, a significant decrease on hematological parameters: red blood cells (NE: 18.6%; GE: 38.4%), hematocrit (NE: 13.8%; GE: 20.4%), hemoglobin (NE: 12.1%; GE: 8.3%) and mean corpuscular volume (NE: 6.4%; GE: 2%) with P more less a 0.05. Indeed, the extract of M. vulgare caused a significant decrease on the mean implantations of fetuses (82.5%, P < 0.001) and their size (47.2%, P < 0.01). As for the macroscopic and histological appearance of uterus, our data showed no change in normal treated rats. In contrast, the treated pregnant rats showed a severe histological change characterized by the existence of location of stopped gestation. Furthermore, it was also found in the uterus of these rat lyses placental and embryo tissue. Conclusions All these results support the hypothesis of an abortifacient effect of M. vulgare.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Depression is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders. Endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) could replace damaged Hippocampal neurons in depression. This work was planned to evaluate Rhodiola rosea (Rr) extract possible role in stimulation of NSCs proliferation and in depression improvement. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into three groups; control, untreated depressed model and Rr model. After depression induction by chronic mild stress, rats received Rr extract 1.5 g/kg/day for three weeks. The sucrose preference test (SP) was done before, after depression induction and 3 weeks after supplementation of Rr. The brain was removed and processed for H&E and immunohistochemical staining for caspase 3, glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Rr group revealed improved sucrose preference, increased undamaged neurons and decreased dark neurons. Moreover, Caspase 3 +ve cells were not detected, GFAP +ve cells increased and PCNA +ve cells were detected only in Rr group. CONCLUSIONS: This work points to the role of Rr in depression improvement and in stimulation of NSCs proliferation.
Adult ; Animals ; Brain ; Caspase 3 ; Depression* ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Humans ; Male ; Neural Stem Cells* ; Neurons ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Rats* ; Rhodiola ; Sucrose

A field applicable diagnostic technique, the dipstick assay, was evaluated for its sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing human Schistosoma mansoni infection. A monoclonal antibody (mAb) against S. mansoni adult worm tegumental antigen (AWTA) was employed in dipstick and sandwich ELISA for detection of circulating schistosome antigen (CSA) in both serum and urine samples. Based on clinical and parasitological examinations, 60 S. mansoni-infected patients, 30 patients infected with parasites other than schistosomiasis, and 30 uninfected healthy individuals were selected. The sensitivity and specificity of dipstick assay in urine samples were 86.7% and 90.0%, respectively, compared to 90.0% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity of sandwich ELISA. In serum samples, the sensitivity and specificity were 88.3% and 91.7% for dipstick assay vs. 91.7% and 95.0% for sandwich ELISA, respectively. The diagnostic efficacy of dipstick assay in urine and serum samples was 88.3% and 90.0%, while it was 90.8% and 93.3% for sandwich ELISA, respectively. The diagnostic indices of dipstick assay and ELISA either in serum or in urine were statistically comparable (P>0.05). In conclusion, the dipstick assay offers an alternative simple, rapid, non-invasive technique in detecting CSA or complement to stool examinations especially in field studies.
Animals ; Antibodies, Helminth/diagnostic use/isolation & purification ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/diagnostic use/isolation & purification ; Antigens, Helminth/*blood/*urine ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine/*methods ; Humans ; Immunoassay/methods ; Parasitology/*methods ; *Point-of-Care Systems ; Schistosoma mansoni/immunology/*isolation & purification ; Schistosomiasis mansoni/*diagnosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity