Search

Objectives Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Conventional methods of cancer therapy are either invasive or have undesirable side effects. Therefore, exploring new therapeutic strategies to control the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma, such as cell-based therapies, is a key issue for prolonging patient survival. In this study, we aimed to evaluate tumor suppressive effects of mesenchymal stem cells on the in vivo progression of hepatocellular carcinoma in murine model. Materials and methods Hepatocellular carcinoma was induced in 40 rats with diethylnitrosamine. Rats were divided into 4 groups: 1 group injected with diethylnitrosamine only, 1 group injected with diethylnitrosamine and 1 dose of rat bone marrowderived mesenchymal stem cells, 1 group injected with diethylnitrosamine and 2 doses of rat bone marrowderived mesenchymal stem cells, and 1 group was injected with diethylnitrosamine and 3 doses of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Rats were killed after 1 month of dose 3. Liver specimens were histopathologically examined, and serum samples were examined for liver function and cytokines. Results Histopathological examination revealed that mesenchymal stem cell transplant induced liver regeneration. It also improved liver function as revealed by decreased levels of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase. Mesenchymal stem cells also repaired the immunopathology of the liver environment, as it decreased levels of interleukin 2 and 10, tumor necrosis factor α, and interferon γ. Conclusions Mesenchymal stem cell infusion significantly enhanced hepatic structure and function of livers in a rat hepatocellular carcinoma model.

This study aims at achieving social protection for the elderly residents of social welfare institutions to assess their social, psychological, health, and economic needs, and to identify the obstacles that face them inside the welfare institutions and reach a set of proposals that can satisfy the needs of the elderly residing in the social welfare institutions and achieve social protection for them. This study is a descriptive study that relies on the social survey of the elderly in the social welfare institutions in Assiut Governorate: (Social welfare for Men, Bilal bin Rabah Association for Older Women, House of Love and Mercy for the Care of the Elderly, House for the Elderly in the Islamic Cultural Center, Association for the Welfare of the Elderly in Mubarak Region). Their number is 138, using the data collection tool (a questionnaire prepared by the two researchers).

This work investigates ICSI outcome between LASER Artificial Shrinkage (LAS) and Micro-Needle Artificial Shrinkage (MNAS) before vitrification.Four hundred and nine women were included in the study; which were randomly divided into two groups according to the technique used for artificial shrinkage step of the blastocyst before vitrification: in the first group, Laser beam was used while in the second group the micro-needle was used. Ovarian stimulation was done before the ICSI procedure either by long, short or antagonist protocol.The statistical analysis of our study revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding age, number of cases, AMH, Basal FSH, BMI, male factor, usage ovarian stimulation protocol, high quality blastocysts, the mean number of transferred embryos. While, there was a statistically significant difference between two groups after thawing withLASER artificial shrinkage of human blastocysts is a promising technology that could be implemented on a wider basis to improve ART practice, as our study revealed that the usage of LASER pulse for artificial shrinkage of blastocysts before vitrification has better implantation rate as well as better chemical and clinical pregnancy rate in comparison to the usage of micro-needle artificial shrinkage of blastocysts before vitrification. There is a statistically significant difference regarding live birth rate being more in the LASER group as compared to needle group, also the number of twins ether identical or non-identical are larger in laser group than in needle group but with no statistically significant difference.

Introduction: Malignant ascites results from imbalance between protein in the peritoneal cavity and absorption of fluids via the lymphatic system. More than 20 interleukins (ILs) are known to play an important role in the protection against tumors. Materials and Methods: Ascitic fluid IL-1B, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels were assessed in 45 patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites as judged by histopathological and ultrasonographic findings. They were divided into 2 groups according to presence of hepatic focal lesions. Ten patients with focal hepatic lesions were randomly selected and subjected to analysis of serum levels of IL-2 and IL-10. Results: Ascitic fluid IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than patients with cirrhosis. TNF-α, and IFN-γ were also found to be higher in HCC than patients with cirrhosis but with no significance. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in levels of IL-1B and IL-2 between the 2 groups. Ascitic fluid IL-2 and IL-10 levels were found to be higher in ascitic fluid than in serum of the same patients. Conclusion: Ascitic fluid levels of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 are higher in HCC patients than patients with cirrhosis alone. Levels of ascitic fluid IL-2 and IL-10 proved to be a better prognostic tool than their levels in sera of the same patients. To conclude, patients with cirrhosis may be subjected to scheduled examination of ascitic fluid cytokines to predict transformation into HCC.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based liver tissue engineering on nanofibrous scaffold holds great promise for cell-based therapy in liver injuries and end-stage liver failure treatments. MSCs were generated from umbilical cord blood. Hepatogenic differentiation was induced on two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture system and characterized by morphology, scanning electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry, and gene expression. Albumin and α-1 antitrypsin (AAT) in culture supernatants were measured. Differentiated cells were administered intravenous into a murine model of carbon tetra induced liver cirrhosis. After 12 weeks of injection, liver pathology was examined. The hepatogenic differentiated MSCs stained positively for albumin, alpha fetoprotein, HepPar1, cytokeratin 7 and 18, and OV6 with more mature cells, hexagonal in shape with central nuclei forming large sheets in groups in 3D culture system. AAT secretion and indocyanine green uptake were significantly increased in 3D system. In experimental model, MSC-3D treated group exhibited maximal restoration of liver architecture with absent septal fibrosis and marked improvement of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), and mild increase in albumin. Both 3D and 2D culture system are effective in functional hepatogenic differentiation from MSCs and serve as a vehicle in liver tissue engineering. In vivo hepatogenic differentiation is more effective on 3D scaffold, with better functional recovery.

Background: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) remains one of the most serious complications in IVF cycles. hCG the gold standard for ovulation trigger carries the risk of initiating the cascade of events leading to OHSS, especially in patients with high ovarian response. In patients undergoing IVF using the GnRH antagonist protocol with GnRH agonist trigger instead of hCG there is a lower risk of OHSS but on the expense of a lower pregnancy rate than patients receiving the traditional hCG trigger. Aim of work: To evaluate whether a single dose of hCG 1500 units given to patients using the GnRH agonist trigger would improve pregnancy rates, without increasing the risk of OHSS. Patient and Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial, set in Adam International IVF Hospital from December 2014 till June 2015. 154 patients undergoing IVF using the GnRH antagonist protocol and triggered with GnRH agonist. Administering a single dose of hCG 1500 units immediately after ovum pick-up, compared to no hCG. Main outcome measure is chemical pregnancy rate. Other outcome measures include clinical pregnancy rate and incidence of OHSS. Results: There was a significant difference in chemical and clinical pregnancy rates (58.8% vs 35.9%, P 0.0485, 51.6% vs 20.0%, P 0.0001) in favour of intervention. No cases of severe OHSS were recorded in either groups. Conclusion: Giving a single dose of hCG 1500 units immediately after ovum pick-up significantly improves pregnancy rates without increasing the incidence of severe OHSS. The trial was registered with Pan African Clinical Study Registry (www.pactr.org), no. PACTR201512000952372.

Objective: To develop a new sandwich based lateral flow immunochromatographic strip for rapid detection of circulating Schistosoma mansoni antigen in serum and urine samples of patients with active schistosomiasis. Methods: This lateral flow immunochromatographic strip was prepared by using anti-Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen monoclonal antibody conjugated gold nanoparticles (MAb-AuNPs) as antigen-detecting antibody, while crystalline material (MCM)-41-MAb bioconjugate was immobilized at the test line as antigen-capturing antibody. Both antigen capturing and detecting antibodies formed sandwich complexes with circulating Schistosoma mansoni antigen in the positive samples. Sandwich complexes immobilized at the test line gave distinct red color. The assay reliability was examined by using urine and serum samples of 60 Schistosoma mansoni infected patients, 20 patients infected with parasites other than Schistosoma, and 20 healthy individuals as negative controls. Results were compared with those obtained via sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The detection limit of circulating Schistosoma mansoni antigen by lateral flow immunochromatographic strip was lower (3 ng/mL) than the detection limit by ELISA (30 ng/mL). The sensitivity and specificity of lateral flow immunochromatographic strip in urine samples were 98.3% and 97.5%, respectively compared to 93.5% and 90.0% by ELISA. In serum samples, they were 100.0% and 97.5%, respectively compared to 97.0% and 95.0% by ELISA. The strip test took approximately 10 min to complete. Conclusions: This new lateral flow immunochromatographic strip offers a sensitive, rapid, and field applicable technique for diagnosis of active schistosomiasis.

Objectives Liver transplantation is the well-known treatment for chronic liver diseases; however, postoperative complications and lack of donors continue to be limitations with this treatment. Investigating new modalities for treatment of chronic liver illness is a must. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the effects of an in vitro hepatocyte-differentiated human unrestricted somatic stem cell transplant as a new cell-based therapy in an experimental model of chronic liver failure. Materials and methods Human umbilical cord blood-derived unrestricted somatic stem cells were isolated, cultured, propagated, and characterized. Cells were directed to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. An animal model of carbon tetrachloride cirrhotic liver failure was prepared, and the human in vitro differentiated unrestricted somatic stem cells were transplanted into the experimental model. Animals that did not receive transplant served as the pathologic control group. Animals were euthanized 12 weeks after transplant, and liver functions and histopathology were assessed. Results Compared with the pathologic control group, the transplant group showed improvements in levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, and bilirubin. Histopathologic examination of the transplant group also showed improvements in hydropic degeneration and fibrosis. Conclusions The use of unrestricted somatic stem cells, isolated and propagated from cord blood and then differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells, improved both fibrosis and normal function of cirrhotic livers. These cells could be considered as a line of cell-based therapy in cases of chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND The liver is one of the major target organs for which cell-based therapies are very promising. The limitations of various cellular therapies, including bone marrow (BM)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), urges the exploration of stem cell sources more suitable for transplantation. Human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) can overcome these drawbacks with a favorable reparative outcome. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of MSCs in 2 groups of chronic liver injury experimental models. MATERIAL AND METHODS Propagation and characterization of MSCs isolated from cord blood (CB) samples were performed and differentiation into osteogenic, adipogenic and hepatogenic lineages was induced. The 1st experimental model group (80 mice) included a negative control, a pathological control and 60 mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) and transplanted with MSCs. The 2nd experimental model group (30 hamsters) included 10 healthy hamsters serving as a negative control and 20 hamsters injected with repeated doses of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) to induce liver fibrosis; 10 of them were treated with an intrahepatic (IH) injection of 3 × 106 MSCs and the other 10 were untreated pathological controls. Mice and hamsters were sacrificed 12 weeks post-transplantation and their liver sections were stained immunohistochemically for the detection of human hepatocyte-like cells. Moreover, the sections were examined for the levels of fibrosis. RESULTS In both models, the transplantation of CB-derived MSCs (CB-MSCs) resulted in the engraftment of the fibrotic livers with newly formed hepatocytes, as evidenced by positive immunohistochemistry staining with human Hepatocyte Paraffin 1 (Hep Par 1), alpha-fenoprotein (AFP), cytokeratin 18 (CK18), cytokeratin 7 (CK7), and OV6 monoclonal antibody. The transplanted liver sections showed markedly reduced hepatic fibrosis with a significantly lower fibrotic index, as well as significantly improved liver functions compared to the pathological control (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This data provides hope that human CB-MSCs can be utilized as multipotent stem cells with unlimited potentiality in regenerative medicine and supports the concept of cellular therapy for the cure of hepatic fibrosis.

Liver transplant is the cornerstone line of treatment for chronic liver diseases; however, the long list of complications and obstacles stand against this operation. Searching for new modalities for treatment of chronic liver illness is a must. In the present research, we aimed to compare the effects of transplant of undifferentiated human mesenchymal stem cells, in vitro differentiated mesenchymal stem cells, and adult hepatocytes in an experimental model of chronic liver failure.Undifferentiated human cord blood mesenchymal stem cells were isolated, pro-pagated, and characterized by morphology, gene expression analysis, and flow cytometry of surface markers and in vitro differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells. Rat hepatocytes were isolated by double perfusion technique. An animal model of chronic liver failure was developed, and undifferentiated human cord blood mesenchymal stem cells, in vitro hepato-genically differentiated mesenchymal stem cells, or freshly isolated rat hepatocytes were transplanted into a CCL4 cirrhotic experimental model. Animals were killed 3 months after transplant, and liver functions and histopathology were assessed.Compared with the cirrhotic control group, the 3 cell-treated groups showed improved alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, and bilirubin levels, with best results shown in the hepatocyte-treated group. Histopathologic examination of the treated groups showed improved fibrosis, with best results obtained in the undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cell-treated group.Both adult hepatocytes and cord blood mesenchymal stem cells proved to be promising candidates for cell-based therapy in liver regeneration on an experimental level. Improved liver function was evident in the hepatocyte-treated group, and fibrosis control was more evident in the undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cell-treated group.

Background: Although non-specific, transabdominal bowel ultrasonography, in real time or in color Doppler; has been beneficial in evaluating the location, extent and activity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Aim: To assess the potential role of bowel transabdominal bowel ultrasonography in the diagnosis and follow-up of IBD. Patients and Methods: A cohort of 30 adults histologically-proven active IBD patients; ulcerative colitis (UC) (n = 20), Crohn’s disease (CD) (n = 10) were prospectively assessed in addition to 20 non-IBD participants representing the control group. All participants underwent the full colonoscopy in addition to real time and color Doppler ultrasonography. Bowel wall thickness, peri-enteric changes, and hemodynamic changes in the portal vein and mesenteric arteries were recorded at initial enrollment and after complete remission in 10 IBD patients. Results: Bowel wall was significantly thickened in all active IBD patients with a significant decrease after disease quiescence in CD patients; p value p value was

The present work was undertaken to improve the efficacy of praziquantel (PZQ, CAS 55268-74-1, EMBAY 8440) by its combination with the anti-fecundity vaccine, recombinant glutathione S-transferase 26 (rSm GST26). Five groups of mice were used. One group received multiple doses of rSm GST26 (1 microgram x 4) 2 days apart starting 7 days before infection. The second group received PZQ (2 x 500 mg/kg) 8 weeks post infection. The third group received combined therapy of PZQ and multiple rSm GST26 in the same doses and at the same previously mentioned timings. Infected untreated and multiple bacterial lysate treated groups served as respective controls. All animals from all groups were sacrificed 10 and 12 weeks post infection. Hepatic histopathology granuloma diameter, liver functions, parasitological and immunological parameters were studied. Multiple injections of rSm GST26 alone decreased worm count, number of eggs per female worm, viability of eggs, granuloma diameter and accelerated the ova destruction. Treatment with PZQ alone induced incomplete eradication of worms, moderate reduction in granuloma diameter, decreased number of ova per g tissue and normalized the liver function. Combined therapy with rSmGST26 and PZQ showed dual effects as evident by the complete eradication of worms, pronounced reduction in the number of ova per g tissue, acceleration of egg destruction, marked reduction in granuloma diameter and amelioration of egg-induced pathology with increase in anti-GST immunoglobulin G.

An electrochemical assay for sensitive and selective determination of mercury was suggested. Preparation, characterization, and testing the electro-catalytic activity of Crown-ether/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) / CPEs were performed. The voltammetric responses of modified electrodes with various sensing elements and nanomaterials were carefully investigated. Consequently, improving the sensitivity and selectivity were achieved using a combination of 12-crwon-4- ether and MWCNTs (10% w/w for each). A linear response was observed from 5 -110 µg/ml, with the detection limit (S/N=3) of 0.25 µg/ml. The method was interference free from many species and successfully applied for the determination of mercury in blood, urine or tab-water samples with a high accuracy and precision comparable with the reference method (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy AAS). Figure 1

The anti-miracidial potential of recombinant Schistosoma mansoni glutathione S-transferase 26 (rSmGST26) or native crude soluble egg antigens (SEA) was assessed. The associated dynamics of granuloma formation and immune responses were evaluated. Naive C57BL/6 mice were injected intravenously with multiple doses of either SEA (SEA-group) or rSmGST26 (GST-group) 7 days before cercarial infection. The immunized groups and the respective controls were sacrificed 6, 8 and 16 weeks postinfection (p.i.). Acceleration of ova destruction and reduction of granuloma diameter were greater in the GST-group than the SEA-group, mainly at 8 weeks p.i. However, the amelioration of hepatic pathology and function was more evident in the SEA-group. Concurrently, serum-specific IgG1 levels were elevated throughout the course of infection in the immunized groups compared to the infected controls. Initial rise of all splenic cytokines and serum anti-SEA IgE levels at 6 weeks p.i. was observed, followed by a dramatic drop in the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-2, IFNgamma, IL-4 and TNF-alpha and IgE at 8 weeks of infection. IL-10 level was lower at 8 weeks p.i. than at 6 weeks, but was higher in immunized groups than in infected controls. Several responses may be implicated as an outcome of the present immunization protocol, such as increased levels of blocking antibody (IgG1) and IL-10 with decreased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and IgE.

Elevated serum levels of transforming growth factors alpha and beta-1 with over-expression of tissue TGF-β1 are associated with cancer invasion. This study was performed to address the role of serums TGF-α, TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 expression in bladder tissue as prognostic biologic markers of bladder cancer. Serum levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay; TGF-β1 tissue expression was assayed by immunohistochemical staining. Mean serum levels were significantly increased in malignant gp compared to control gp and chronic cystitis. Among transitional cell carcinoma gp, serum levels of growth factors were increased in patients with invasive, high-grade tumours compared to those with superficial, low-grade ones. Schistosomal infestation increases TGF-α serum levels. A positive correlation was found between TGF-β1 level of tissue expression; its circulating serum level in chronic cystitis and malignant gps. Data indicate that serum levels of TGF-α and TGF-β1 and bladder tissue expression of TGF-β1 could be used as predictive indicators for clinical outcomes of bladder carcinoma. This may help in selecting patients for intensive surgical or chemotherapeutic approaches.