Significance of Bcl-2 and Bcl-6 immunostaining in B-Non Hodgkin's lymphoma

The determination of prognosis for B-Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is known to be related to the multiple differences in tumor cell biology. Bcl-2 and Bcl-6 are two markers linked to germinal center B cells. Both markers are thought to have an effect on prognosis of mature B-cell neoplasms. Forty-four patients with chronic B-cell neoplasm were included; Bcl-2 and Bcl-6 expression by immunohistochemistry was examined. Bcl-2 protein was positive in 36.4% (16 of 44) of cases (62.5% of follicular lymphoma, 16.7% of mantle cell lymphoma and 30% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma); the positive group implying a bad prognostic effect of the marker in NHL. Bcl-6 was positive in 13.6% (6 of 44) of cases (11.1% of mantle cell lymphoma and 40% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) and its positivity implies a better disease course. Bcl-2 and Bcl-6 can be used as prognostic marker in NHL

Effect of Designing and Implementing Nursing Guidelines on Nurses' Performance in Caring Women with Ectopic Pregnancy

Context: Ectopic pregnancy is a condition presenting a significant health problem for women of the childbearing period. Ectopic pregnancy remains one of the primary causes of maternal mortality. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of nursing guidelines for improving maternity nurses' performance regarding ectopic pregnancy. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used to achieve the aim of the study. The study was conducted at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Benha University Hospital. A convenient sample of all nurses (90 nurses) working in Obstetrics and Gynecology departments at Benha university hospital. Tools of data collection included a structured self-administered questionnaire to assess nurses' knowledge regarding ectopic pregnancy, an observational checklist to evaluate nursing practice regarding ectopic pregnancy before and after implementing the nursing guidelines. Results: 78.9% of the studied nurses had a total incorrect knowledge preprogram, which improved to 88.9% of them and had correct knowledge post-program. The study also shows that 47.2% of the studied nurses had unsatisfactory total practice score preprogram, which improved to 54.4% of the studied nurses who had high satisfactory total practice post-program. There was a highly statistically significant difference before and after nursing guidelines of the studied nurses’ knowledge and practice regarding ectopic pregnancy (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The study concluded that nursing guidelines positively affect the nurses' performance in terms of their knowledge and practice regarding ectopic pregnancy. The study recommended that simple guidelines regarding ectopic pregnancy nursing care should be distributed to nurses in the emergency obstetrics department to standardize and optimize nursing care provided to women with ectopic pregnancies. Continuous refreshment courses and follows up programs for nurses regarding ectopic pregnancy

Serum Soluble CD93 as a Biomarker of Asthma Exacerbation in Children

Background: Asthma is considered one of the most prevalent diseases affecting over than 300 million individuals worldwide. Soluble CD93 was normally detected in human plasma and induced by the inflammatory mediators TNF-α and LPS, suggesting that physiologic pathways trigger the cleavage event. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum soluble CD93 level in acute asthma exacerbation in children and to find if there is a relation between serum level of soluble CD93 and acute exacerbations of asthma among children. Patients and Methods: Our study included 30 patients who were diagnosed as acute asthmatics with acute exacerbation (diagnosed and classified according to GINA 2018) as group I. Group Π, which included the same 30 patients after receiving treatment and relieve of symptoms by clinical examination as well as routine laboratory investigations that confirmed their healthy state. Plasma sCD93 concentration using ELISA (at the time of exacerbation and repeated on the follow up day) and spirometry were done. Results: Regarding severity (after classification of cases into intermittent, mild and moderate), there was no statistical significance difference in severity either pre- or post-treatment. Regarding sCD93, there was statistical significance reduction in sCD 93 level post-treatment compared to pre-treatment in all cases. There were no statistical significance relation between gender, residence and family history and sCD 93 levels among the studied group. There were no statistical significance relation between WBCs and x-ray and sCD 93 levels among the studied group. Conclusion: sCD93 was not affected by gender or age and did not affect by reliever or controller medications. sCD93 showed a modest decrease in the controlled stage of asthma, which allowed to interpret its role as inflammatory biomarker

Maternal supplementation of diabetic mice with thymoquinone protects their offspring from abnormal obesity and diabetes by modulating their lipid profile and free radical production and restoring lymphocyte proliferation via PI3K/AKT signaling

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have shown that the offspring of mothers who experience diabetes mellitus during pregnancy are seven times more likely to develop health complications than the offspring of mothers who do not suffer from diabetes during pregnancy. The present study was designed to investigate whether supplementation of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic pregnant mice with thymoquinone (TQ) during pregnancy and lactation improves the risk of developing diabetic complications acquired by their offspring. METHODS: Three groups of pregnant female mice were used: non-diabetic control dams (CD), diabetic dams (DD), and diabetic dams supplemented with TQ (DD + TQ) during pregnancy and lactation (n = 10 female mice in each group). RESULTS: Our data demonstrated a marked decrease in the number of neonates born to DD, and these neonates showed a marked increase in their mean body weight (macrosomic pups) compared to those born to CD and DD + TQ. The induction of diabetes during pregnancy and lactation resulted in macrosomic pups with several postpartum complications, such as a marked increase in their levels of blood glucose, free radicals, plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), and lipids, and a tendency toward abnormal obesity compared to the offspring of CD. By contrast, macrosomic offspring born to DD exhibited a marked reduction in plasma cytokine levels (IL-2, -4 and -7), an obvious reduction in the number of circulating lymphocytes, decreased proliferation of superantigen (SEB)-stimulated lymphocytes and aberrant AKT phosphorylation. Interestingly, the supplementation of DD with TQ during pregnancy and lactation had an obvious and significant effect on the number and mean body weight of neonates. Furthermore, TQ significantly restored the levels of blood glucose, insulin, free radicals, plasma cytokines, and lipids as well as lymphocyte proliferation in the offspring. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the nutritional supplementation of DD with the natural antioxidant TQ during pregnancy and lactation protects their offspring from developing diabetic complications and preserves an efficient lymphocyte immune response later in life

Signaling mechanisms of a water soluble curcumin derivative in experimental type 1 diabetes with cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Curcumin exhibits anti-diabetic activities, induces heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and is an inhibitor of transcriptional co-activator p300. A novel water soluble curcumin derivative (NCD) has been developed to overcome low invivo bioavailability of curcumin. We evaluated the effect of the NCD on signaling mechanisms involved in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and studied whether its action is mediated via inducible HO-1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were divided into controls, controls receiving NCD, diabetic, diabetic receiving NCD, diabetic receiving pure curcumin, diabetic receiving HO inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP IX) and diabetic receiving NCD and ZnPP IX. NCD and curcumin were given orally. After 45 days, cardiac physiologic parameters, plasma glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin (GHb), HO-1 gene expression and HO activity in pancreas and cardiac tissues were assessed. Gene expression of p300, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2A and MEF2C) were studied. RESULTS: NCD and curcumin decreased plasma glucose, GHb and increased insulin levels significantly in diabetic rats. This action may be partially mediated by induction of HO-1 gene. HO-1 gene expression and HO activity were significantly increased in diabetic heart and pancreas. Diabetes upregulated the expression of ANP, MEF2A, MEF2C and p300. NCD and curcumin prevented diabetes-induced upregulation of these parameters and improved left ventricular function. The effect of the NCD was better than the same dose of curcumin

Clinical Profile of Non-Motor Symptoms in Patients with Essential Tremor: Impact on Quality of Life and Age-Related Differences

Background: Identifying the clinical phenotypes of non-motor symptoms (NMSs) of essential tremor (ET) among different populations is necessary due to their impact on the quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to investigate the clinical phenotype and impact of NMSs on QoL in Egyptian patients with ET. Methods: Thirty ET patients were compared to 30 matched controls. Subjects were evaluated by the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating Scale, Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep quality Index, and the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire. Both groups were divided into two subgroups of younger (45 years, 16 patients) groups, to investigate age-related differences. Results: ET patients showed significantly worse cognition, depression, anxiety, sleep and NMSS domains (p < 0.001), compared to controls, that negatively affected and predicted QoL. Older patients had more cognitive impairment (p = 0.003) and worse sleep/fatigue (p = 0.032) and sexual functions (p = 0.006), compared to younger group. Discussion: The study supports that NMSs are integral part of ET, negatively affect QoL, and similarly affect younger and older patients. Therefore, NMSs should be explored for proper care of ET patients

Immunophenotyping of chronic B-cell neoplasms: flow cytometry versus immunohistochemistry

Morphological differentiation between benign and malignant lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) can be challenging. Immunophenotyping (IPT) by either technique, flow cytometry or immunohistochemistry (IHC), is an important step in solving such difficulty. Thirty-five newly diagnosed patients with chronic B-cell neoplasms (11 chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 22 non Hodgkin lymphoma and 2 hairy cell leukemia) were included in this study with age range from 20 to 70 years. Monoclonal antibodies surface expression using lymphoproliferative disorders panel (CD45, CD19, CD5, CD10, CD11c, CD20, CD22, CD23, CD38, CD79b, FMC7, CD103, CD25, kappa and lambda light chains) by flow cytometry was done on bone marrow samples. CD20, CD5, CD23, Bcl-2, Bcl-6, kappa and lambda light chain immunostaining were performed on fixed bone marrow trephine biopsy specimen. The sensitivity of IHC was 81.8% in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and 100% in non Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) as regards CD20, 100% in both groups as regards CD5, 46% in CLL and 66.7% in NHL as regards CD23, 33.3% in CLL and 50% in NHL as regards kappa chain, 20% in CLL and 33.3% in NHL as regards lambda chain. We found that IHC and flow cytometry are equally effective in diagnosing CLL; however, IHC might be slightly more sensitive than flow cytometry in detecting bone marrow infiltration in NHL and hairy cell leukemia (HCL)

Protective Role of Nanocurcumin in Cyclophosphamide-induced Cardiac Toxicity in Adult Male Albino Rat: A Histological, Immunohistochemical, Biochemical Study

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CYP) is a cardiotoxic agent with antineoplastic and immunosuppressive properties. Objectives: To detect the histological, immunohistochemical, biochemical cardiac toxicity of CYP and determine the protective effectiveness of nanocurcumin on the cardiac muscle of albino rats. Material and methods: The current work used forty Wistar rats allocated into four groups; normal control (I), sham control (II), CYP-treated (III) and concomitant protective CYP + nanocurcumin (IV). Results: CYP-treated group (III) showed fragmented, disrupted cardiac myocytes with cellular infiltrates and interstitial edema. Blood vessels were dilated congested. Cardiac myocytes showed pyknosis, vacuolations and some showed karyolysis. Much improvement was observed in group IV. The area percentage of fibrous tissue, TNF-α and iNOS immunoreactivity in CYP-treated group III showed statistically significant increase in contrast to that of the control group. Use of nanocurcumin in groups IV ameliorate these changes. Biochemically, there were significant increase in means of CK-MB, cTn-1, MDA, levels and decrease of GPx activity in group III (CYP -treated group) compared to the control group. Uses of nanocurcumin has been observed to improve these changes. Conclusion: Cyclophosphamide (CYP) had deleterious effects on the histological structure of the heart, cardiac enzymes, collagen fibers deposition and myofibroblast proliferation in albino rats. Administration of nanocurcumin with CYP injection could largely ameliorate these changes

Impact of the follicular fluid Coenzyme Q10 level in women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on the pregnancy rate

Background: The most crucial problem with in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles is still oocyte quality. The women age and the condition of their ovarian reserve are the primary determinants of oocyte quality. Objectives: to assess the effects of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on the result of pregnancies and the coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) value in follicular fluid (FF) in the women who had the procedure. Patients and methods: this cohort investigation was conducted on 81 infertile patients (age between 20-42 years, both normal or poor responders’ patients and patients with unexplained infertility) who underwent ICSI cycles. Results: patients were divided into two groups: the pregnant group (n= 32) and the non-pregnant group (n= 49).There was a statistically insignificant difference in antral follicle count (AFC), number of retrieved oocytes, number of embryos, number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes, and maturation index between pregnant and non-pregnant females. CoQ10 level in FF was substantially greater in pregnant than non-pregnant females. Conclusion: FF CoQ10 levels were positively correlated with eventual embryo quality and rates of conception. Our findings might be in favour of CoQ10 supplementation in women undergoing IVF for enhancement of the ovum and embryo quality

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in camels recently imported to Egypt from Sudan and a global systematic review.

INTRODUCTION Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are closely related intracellular protozoan parasites of medical and veterinary concern by causing abortions and systemic illness. Limited or ambiguous data on the prevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum in camels triggered us to conduct this study. METHODS Camels (n = 460) recently imported from Sudan and destined mainly for human consumption, were tested for specific antibodies against these protozoans using commercially available ELISAs. From the two only quarantine stations for camels from Sudan, 368 camels were sampled between November 2015 and March 2016 in Shalateen, Red Sea governorate, and 92 samples were collected between September 2018 and March 2021 from Abu Simbel, Aswan governorate. RESULTS & DISCUSSION Overall, seropositive rates in camels were 25.7%, 3.9% and 0.8% for T. gondii, N. caninum and mixed infection, respectively. However, marked differences were found between the two study sites and/or the two sampling periods: For T. gondii, a higher rate of infection was recorded in the Red Sea samples (31.5%, 116/368; odds ratio 20.7, 5.0-85.6; P<0.0001) than in those collected in Aswan (2.2%, 2/92). The opposite was found for N. caninum with a lower rate of infection in the Red Sea samples (0.82%, 3/368; odds ratio 23.7, 6.7-83.9; P<0.0001) than in the samples from Aswan (16.3%, 15/92). Additionally, our systematic review revealed that the overall published seroprevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum was 28.6% and 14.3% in camels worldwide, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first record of seroprevalence of both T. gondii and N. caninum in recently imported camels kept under quarantine conditions before delivery to other Egyptian cities and regions. In addition, our review provides inclusive data on the prevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum in camel globally. This knowledge provides basic data for the implementation of strategies and control measures against neosporosis and toxoplasmosis