The impact of β-glucan on the therapeutic outcome of experimental Trichinella spiralis infection

Trichinellosis is a cosmopolitan zoonosis that is caused mainly by Trichinella spiralis infection. The human disease ranges from mild to severe and fatality may occur. The treatment of trichinellosis still presents a challenge for physicians. Anti-inflammatory drugs are usually added to antiparasitic agents to alleviate untoward immuno-inflammatory responses and possible tissue damage but they are not without adverse effects. Thus, there is a need for the discovery of safe and effective compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the activity of β-glucan during enteral and muscular phases of experimental T. spiralis infection as well as its therapeutic potential as an adjuvant to albendazole in treating trichinellosis. For this aim, mice were infected with T. spiralis and divided into the following groups: early and late β-glucan treatment, albendazole treatment, and combined treatment groups. Infected mice were subjected to assessment of parasite burden, immunological markers, and histopathological changes in the small intestines and muscles. Immunohistochemical evaluation of NF-κB expression in small intestinal and muscle tissues was carried out in order to investigate the mechanism of action of β-glucan. Interestingly, β-glucan potentiated the efficacy of albendazole as noted by the significant reduction of counts of muscle larvae. The inflammatory responses in the small intestine and skeletal muscles were mitigated with some characteristic qualitative changes. β-glucan also increased the expression of NF-κB in tissues which may account for some of its effects. In conclusion, β-glucan showed a multifaceted beneficial impact on the therapeutic outcome of Trichinella infection and can be regarded as a promising adjuvant in the treatment of trichinellosis.

Microsatellite Instability and P53 Aberrant Expression in Gastric Adenocarcinoma: Immunohistochemical Assessment and Correlation with Clinico-pathological Characteristics

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is among the five most frequent cancer worldwide, following lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer. It is the 12th most prevalent cancer in both sexes in Egypt, accounting for 1.6% of all malignancies. Distinct molecular subtypes of gastric adenocarcinoma (e.g., microsatellite instable subtype and P53 aberrant subtype) have been reported by different classification systems. However, the relation of these molecular subtypes to different clinicopathological features is still controversial. Aim of the Work: To utilize the immunohistochemical expression of DNA MMR proteins (MLH1 and MSH2) and p53 to detect microsatellite unstable and P53 aberrant molecular types in gastric adenocarcinoma. Moreover, to correlate immunohistochemically detected microsatellite unstable and P53 aberrant molecular types of gastric carcinoma with different clinicopathological characteristics. Materials and Methods: The immunohistochemical expression of MLH1, MSH2 and P53 proteins was evaluated in 70 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma. Results: Microsatellite status/Mismatch repair status showed a statistically significant relation with WHO classification, tumor differentiation, lymph node status, and TNM staging. P53 aberrant type showed a statistically significant relation with tumor differentiation, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node status, and TNM staging. Conclusions and Recommendations: Microsatellite instable GC and P53 aberrant GC are two distinct molecular subtypes of gastric adenocarcinoma with distinct clinicopathological features and different prognostic outcomes. Microsatellite instable tumors are associated with good prognostic parameters while, P53 aberrant tumors are associated with poor prognostic parameters. Both subtypes could be detected using immunohistochemistry and could represent potential targets for future therapeutic agents.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of platelet rich plasma injection in treatment of rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease, with a high prevalence among adults. Treatment of rosacea is difficult, with high rate of recurrence. Due to the strong anti- inflammatory and antibacterial effects of platelet rich plasma (PRP), it was used in the medicine for treating many inflammatory diseases. To evaluate the role of PRP injection in treatment of rosacea. The study was carried on 40 patients with rosacea. They were treated by PRP injection in right side of the face (group A) and platelet poor plasma injection in left side (group B). They underwent one session every 2 weeks for 3 months (6 sessions). The patients were assessed clinically before and after treatment by the rosacea grading scale. Skin biopsies were taken to evaluate the clinical results. There was a statistically significant decrease in rosacea grading scale after treatment with PRP injection, 50% of the patients showed excellent improvement and 50% showed good improvement. The improvement was significantly better in group A than B. There was marked decrease in inflammatory cells by hematoxylin and eosin stain, and decrease in expression of nuclear factor kappa βeta after treatment with PRP. PRP was effective and safe technique in treatment of rosacea and alternative to other systemic modalities, especially if they are contraindicated.

Immunohistochemical and morphometrical evaluation of well-differentiated thyroid tumor of uncertain malignant potential

Context

Well-differentiated tumor of uncertain malignant potential (WDT-UMP) were encapsulated follicular pattern tumors with diffuse equivocal or focal unequivocal papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) type nuclear changes without definite invasion. These tumors are suggested to be borderline in its nature. Immunohistochemistry by CD56, P63, and CK19 are common markers used in differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid tumor. Computerized nuclear morphometry is an inexpensive objective and reproducible tool to evaluate histological features of thyroid tumors.

Aims

To categorize WDT-UMP using combined nuclear morphometry and immunohistochemistry of CD56, P63, and CK19.

Subjects and Methods

We used CD56, P63, and CK19 immunostaining and mean nuclear area and perimeter morphometry on 20 cases of WDT-UMP, 25 cases malignant thyroid tumors, and 25 cases benign thyroid lesions.

Statistical Analysis Used

Student's t-test (Unpaired), analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, and Chi-square tests by SPSS V. 20.

Results

Significant differences were obtained between WDT-UMP and benign group according to the three markers, but no significant difference between WDT-UMP and malignant group. The mean nuclear area and mean nuclear perimeter were significantly higher in WDT-UMP group in comparison with the benign group while there were no significant differences with the malignant group.

Conclusion

WDT-UMP are intermediate lesions differing from benign lesions of the thyroid and sharing some criteria with PTC to a certain extent.

Fecal microbiota profile in atopic asthmatic adult patients

Summary

Background. Studies proposed a link between gut microbiota and airway tract. Objective. Study the diversity and density of gut microbiota in healthy and asthmatic patients. Method. Semi-quantitative stool cultures were performed from fecal samples collected from 80 adult asthmatic patients and 40 healthy individuals. Data on gender, age, dietetic history, clinical examination and investigations as skin prick test and pulmonary function testing were also collected. Results.Lactobacilli were found to be higher among patient group than control group. E. coli density was statistically higher in patient than control group. No significant difference was detected between male and female patients or controls. Lactobacilli were statistically more prevalent in stool culture of male cases than that of male controls. No difference was found between female cases and controls. There was no relationship between type of microbial growth and disease related parameters including age, duration of illness, number of allergens and pulmonary function test in cases. Conclusion. Atopic asthma is significantly associated with gut microbiota Lactobacilli and E. coli. It is important to determine the organism involved, to focus on microbiome-driven disease and therapies.

Effect of dietary counseling on preventing excessive weight gain during pregnancy

OBJECTIVES

Excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) is associated with short- and long-term health problems among mothers and their offspring. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of dietary counseling on EGWG.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized controlled intervention trial.

METHODS

The study was conducted at the antenatal care (ANC) clinic, Center for Social and Preventive Medicine, Pediatrics Hospital, Cairo University, during the period from July 2015 to April 2016. A total of 200 primigravidae aged between 20 and 30 years were included and randomized into intervention and control groups. Based on data analysis from phase 1, nutritional practices of the studied participants were identified and tailored nutrition counseling sessions designed. Follow-up of the studied participants throughout ANC visits was done to enforce the healthy dietary intake and encourage weight gain according to the recommendations to avoid EGWG.

RESULTS

The intervention resulted in a significantly higher proportion of women in the intervention group who gained gestational weight within the Institute of Medicine recommendations compared to women in the control group (42.7% vs 13.9%, respectively) (P-value <0.001); this was detected between the 25th and 35th weeks of gestation. Dietary counseling had significantly improved the frequency of consumption of different food items and knowledge, attitude, and practice mean scores of the intervention group in comparison with the control group (P-value <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study demonstrated that dietary counseling given to pregnant women reduced the proportion of EGWG and improved dietary practices. There is a strong need for effective intervention strategies targeting EGWG to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes.