Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to N M Khalil.
The hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) of the leaves of Dodonaea viscosa, given by oral route at dose of 300 mg/kg, significantly inhibited the paw edema induced by carrageenin injection. The extract did not show any sign of toxicity in mice up to 5000 mg/kg p.o. This result seems to support the use of D. viscosa leaves ethanolic extract in relieving inflammation.
Maytenus ilicifolia is an important plant with potential on cancer treatment and has been largely used in Brazil and other countries. We have evaluated the crude ethanolic extract of M. ilicifolia as a potential antioxidant source using an assay based on the bleaching of the radical monocation 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS(*+)) and by HOCl scavenger capacity. Trolox and uric acid were used as positive controls. The results indicated M. ilicifolia root bark as a great source of antioxidants based on its potential as scavenger of radicals.
The release of reactive oxygen specie (ROS) by activated neutrophil is involved in both the antimicrobial and deleterious effects in chronic inflammation. The objective of the present investigation was to determine the effect of therapeutic plasma concentrations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the production of ROS by stimulated rat neutrophils. Diclofenac (3.6 microM), indomethacin (12 microM), naproxen (160 microM), piroxicam (13 microM), and tenoxicam (30 microM) were incubated at 37 masculineC in PBS (10 mM), pH 7.4, for 30 min with rat neutrophils (1 x 10(6) cells/ml) stimulated by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (100 nM). The ROS production was measured by luminol and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence. Except for naproxen, NSAIDs reduced ROS production: 58 +/- 2% diclofenac, 90 +/- 2% indomethacin, 33 +/- 3% piroxicam, and 45 +/- 6% tenoxicam (N = 6). For the lucigenin assay, naproxen, piroxicam and tenoxicam were ineffective. For indomethacin the inhibition was 52 +/- 5% and diclofenac showed amplification in the light emission of 181 +/- 60% (N = 6). Using the myeloperoxidase (MPO)/H2O2/luminol system, the effects of NSAIDs on MPO activity were also screened. We found that NSAIDs inhibited both the peroxidation and chlorinating activity of MPO as follows: diclofenac (36 +/- 10, 45 +/- 3%), indomethacin (97 +/- 2, 100 +/- 1%), naproxen (56 +/- 8, 76 +/- 3%), piroxicam (77 +/- 5, 99 +/- 1%), and tenoxicam (90 +/- 2, 100 +/- 1%), respectively (N = 3). These results show that therapeutic levels of NSAIDs are able to suppress the oxygen-dependent antimicrobial or oxidative functions of neutrophils by inhibiting the generation of hypochlorous acid.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate visual function in migraine using visual evoked potentials. METHODS: Electroretinograms (ERGs) and visual evoked potentials (VEPs) to single flash (SF) and pattern reversal (PR) stimuli were studied in 92 migraine subjects and 62 controls. RESULTS: In subjects with migraine, ERGs to single flash were normal. Mean latencies of the P1 and P2 waves in the SFVEP were increased at the occiput by 6% and 4% respectively, but normal at the vertex. Mean latency of the P100 wave in the PRVEP was increased by 5%. These increases were not related to the presence or absence of an aura or to the duration of migraine. P100 amplitude showed a more complex abnormality. It was increased in migraine without aura by 23% compared with controls, regardless of duration of migraine. In migraine with aura it was similarly increased, by 23%, in cases of short duration, but in addition it showed a sharp decline with duration. In cases with a duration of 30 or more years it was 36% less than in cases of short duration, and 21% less than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with migraine have constitutionally prolonged VEP latencies and increased P100 amplitude, but the latter declines to below normal in cases with a long history of migraine with aura. This decline may reflect subtle neuronal damage within the visual system from repeated transient ischaemia experienced during the aura. Future electrophysiological and other studies will need to be controlled for duration of migraine history.
Two patients are described with clinical and neuroimaging features consistent with a diagnosis of multiple system atrophy (MSA). The patients are unusual in that facial myokymia became apparent clinically at some stage in their illness. In each patient, the nature and severity of the involuntary facial movements evolved over the course of the illness. Electrophysiologically the movement pattern was consistent with myokymia, and studies of blink-reflex responses suggested that the myokymic discharges were of brainstem origin. Involuntary facial movements described as facial action myoclonus with electrical characteristics consistent with myoclonus have been described previously in hereditary olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA). Our report describes electrical and clinical features of facial myokymia in MSA with electrical features suggesting hyperexcitability of the facial motorneurons in the brainstem. Such myokymic movements may occur more frequently in MSA than previously recognised but may be missed clinically because of their evolving nature.
Two hundred and thirty nine children (114 boys and 125 girls, aged 6-12 years, infected with Enterobius vermicularis worm (E.v.) were selected from 637 originally examined children (329 boys and 308 girls)., derived from El-Katta village, Giza Governorate. The diagnosis was made according to history, physical examination, urine and stools examination, as well as peri-anal swab. The physical growth of these children was investigated by taking some anthropometric measurements which included body weight, standing height, head circumference, upper arm circumf., and triceps skinfold thickness. I.Q. was determined by using Goodenough "draw-a-ma" test. Blood hemoglobin concentration was also determined using a spectrophotometric method. The prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis among our original sample was 43.8%. Mean I.Q. of Enterobius vermicularis infected children was statistically lower than that of their non-infected peers (t = 2.02, P = 0.04), while the non-infected peers (t = 2.42, P = 0.02). Infected male children showed significantly lower I.Q. than infected females (t = 2.02, P = 0.04) while the non infected children showed no sex difference. However physical growth and hemoglobin concentration of Enterobius vermicularis infected children were not statistically different from those of the non-infected control peers, in all age and sex subgroups.
In this study we used Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) infected mice were used to assess the pathological changes in the liver at various stages of the disease as well as the effectiveness of Praziquantel (PZQ) treatment on hepatic pathology also at different stages. The S. mansoni infected mice were divided into 7 groups and subgroups according to post infection and/or post treatment periods. The various hepatic pathological changes were recorded and it was concluded that PZQ is an effective yet, safe non hepatotoxic drug and that the earlier the application of treatment in the course of the disease the better cure we can get with minimal or no insult to the liver tissue.
Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL.) which is called Espundia, and Uta is confined to South and Central America. In this form of leishmaniasis, the reticulo-endothelial system of the mucous membrane of the mouth, nose and throat is parasitized. It causes chronic ulceration of the mucous membranes with destruction of the bone and cartilage of the nose and mouth. In this study, two cases of mucosal leishmaniasis were recorded in two boys. In one patient, a primary lesion was identified on the patient's neck. In the second patient, no lesion or scar of old lesion or even history of leishmaniasis was reported. The causative agent was typed biochemically and proved to be Leishmania tropica.
An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in the serum of patients with different stages of S. mansoni infection, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and schistosomal arthropathy. The results demonstrated significant higher level of sIL-2R in different patient groups compared to the control group. The highest level of sIL-2R was recorded in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis complicated with ascites. The difference was statistically significant compared to other groups. There was no significant difference in sIL-2R regarding rheumatoid arthritis and SLE. Schistosomal arthropathy group showed significant higher level of sIL-2R compared to rheumatoid arthritis, SLE and early S. mansoni infection while the difference was insignificant compared to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis without ascites.
This study was done to assess the use of immune complexes estimated by micro-ELISA as monitors of cure of schistosomiasis mansoni experimentally infected Swiss albino mice which received praziquantel (PZQ) treatment. They were grouped according to duration of infection (4, 8, 12, 16w) and then subgrouped owing to post-treatment life span (4, 6, 8w). It was found that the changes observed in serum level of immune complexes (IC) would provide a good parameter to demonstrate the severity of infection and being an indication of improvement after treatment. The recorded changes confirmed the relationship between schistosomal hepatic affection and serum levels of IC. The study showed the potent anti-schistosomal effect of PZQ. It cured completely when it was given early after infection or improved moderately when given late.
Serum levels of TNF-alpha was quantitatively estimated by the use of solid enzyme amplified sensitivity immunoassay (EASIA) in different stages of schistosomiasis mansoni, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and schistosomal arthropathy. Statistically, significant higher levels were detected in the different groups compared to the normal control group. The level was found highest in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis with ascites (group 1c). The difference was significantly higher compared to cases of early S. mansoni infection (group Ia) and insignificant compared to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis without ascites (group 1b). No significant difference was detected comparing groups 1a and 1b, or groups 2a (RA) and 2b (SLE). Cases of schistosomal arthropathy (group 3) showed significantly higher level compared to groups 1a and 1b, although the level in group 1c was still significantly higher compared to group 3, the level was also significantly higher in group 3 compared to cases of RA but not to cases of SLE.
Schistosomiasis continues to be major health problem throughout the developing world. Infection with Schistosoma haematobium is associated with very high morbidity. The work aimed at the determination of role of cellular immune response (IL-2, and IFN-gamma) and specific humoral IgE in protective immunity in human urinary schistosomiasis, as a function of both age and infection intensity including examination of changes in immunoresponsiveness following curative therapy. The study revealed that IL-2,IFN-gamma level were higher in all patients compared to the normal control group and the levels were higher in lightly infected groups than heavily infected ones with no respect to age. IgE levels showed higher values compared to normal individuals and IgE levels were higher in children groups than in adults regardless of the intensity of infection. IL-2, IFN-gamma and IgE levels were higher in patients with mixed S. mansoni and S. haematobium infections than monoinfected patients. Follow up of patients 2 months, 4 months and 12 months after Praziquantel treatment showed that the level of IL-2 and IgE fell back to normal values after 4 months while IFN-gamma remained high, IL-2, IFN-gamma and IgE were raised once more after 12 months.
Forty Guinea pigs were experimentally infected with Egyptian strain of Leishmania d. infantum. At necropsy, materials for histopathological studies were taken from spleen, liver & lymph nodes and for smears from the same organs and bone marrow as well. Also, serum samples were examined for the elevation of immunoglobulins (IgG., IgM. & IgA.). Amastigotes of Leishmania parasites were demonstrated in the kupffer cells in the liver and in the macrophages in the spleen and lymph nodes as well as the smears of the bone marrow. The immunoglobulins showed varying levels. The IgG increased with the decrease in number of tissue amastigotes. The splenic materials were positive in all the experimentally infected Guinea pigs which means that splenic puncture is the best method of diagnosing VL. However, it may be dangerous in soft spleen. The results were photographed and discussed.
A total of 70 bilharzial mansonian patients (Group I: 20 early intestinal mansonian patients, Group II: 20 hepatosplenic mansonian patients without ascites, Group III: 30 hepatosplenic mansonian patients with ascites) and 30 normal controls were studied. Using the circumoval percipitin test (COPT), there was a statistically significant difference between sensitivities in Group I and Group III with higher sensitivity for Group I. Using either the indirect haemagglutination test (IHA) or the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), there was no statistically significant difference between the sensitivities in the different bilharzial groups. No statistically significant difference was found between the 3 tests in Group I, II respectively. A statistically significant difference was found between the sensitivities of COPT and IHA in Group III. A highly significant difference was found between the sensitivities of COPT and IFAT in Group III also. No statistically significant difference was found between the sensitivities of IFAT and IHA in Group III. There was no statistically significant difference between the percentages of positivity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBSAg) in the different bilharzial groups while each of the 3 groups showed highly statistically significant difference with the control group. No statistically significant difference was found between the positivities of HBSAg and the different titers of either IHA of IFAT in each group.
The effect of splenectomy on cell mediated immunity was studied in 15 male patients with mean age 28 years +/- 9 s.d. with bilharzial splenomegaly and oesophageal varices, for comparison, ten healthy control males with mean age 28 years +/- 4 s.d. were included. The cellular immune response was assessed before and one month after splenectomy. The assessment included the enumeration of T lymphocyte subsets in vitro using monoclonal antibodies and in vivo by intradermal skin test for delayed reaction using specific Schistosoma mansoni adult antigen and non specific purified protein derivatives (P.P.D.). The result showed that the possibility of the delayed skin reaction was higher after splenectomy, also there was an increase in the number of T helper cells and reduction in number of T suppressor cell but the number of pan T cell did not significantly change. This result indicates that the ratio of T helper/T suppressor ratio improved after splenectomy with a concomitant improvement of the immunological response of the patients.
Specific and total immunoglobulins antibodies levels to Schistosoma antigens were determined in 44 patients with S. mansoni infection. No Significant increase was observed in parasitic specific IgG, IgM, and IgA levels in both acute and chronic infections. On the other hand, Significant increased specific IgE antibodies was demonstrated in both acute and chronic infections of bilharziasis. The results revealed that increased immunoglobulins was not Specific to Schistosomiasis infection. Also, No correlation was observed between clinical course of the infection and immunoglobulins levels.
Stool specimens of 100 cases attending the outpatient clinic of Cairo Medical Center Hospital suffering from gastro-intestinal disturbances were examined for intestinal parasites by direct smear, trichrome stained smear and formol ethyl acetate concentration methods. Although formol ethyl acetate concentration method gave the best results (45%), followed by trichrome stain (37%) then direct smear (32%) yet, for a reliable diagnosis a combination of several techniques is required.
A total of 52 bilharzial mansoni patients were examined, 20 patients with early intestinal infection with living ova in stools, 20 patients with hepatosplenomegaly but without ascites, also with viable ova in stools, and 12 patients with hepatosplenomegaly and ascites without ova in stools; but in the rectal snip. Also 20 normal persons were examined. An IDT test was performed by S. mansoni adult worm antigen. S. mansoni adult worm and egg antigen extracts were used for performing CIEP, IHAT and ELISA tests showed statistically the same high sensitivity. In cases with hepatosplenomegaly whatever the clinical (with or without ascites) or the parasitological status (passing or not passing ova in stools) of the patients, the ELISA test with egg antigen is found to be a highly sensitive and a specific test.