Comparative study of IgG binding to megakaryocytes in immune and myelodysplastic thrombocytopenic patients.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a disorder in which autoantibodies are responsible for destruction and decreased production of platelets. In the meantime, thrombocytopenia is frequent in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and immune clearance of megakaryocytes could be a reason. The aim of the present study is to evaluate and compare IgG binding to megakaryocytes in bone marrow of ITP and MDS patients to determine megakaryocytes targeting by autoantibodies in vivo as a mechanism of platelet underproduction in these disorders. The study was carried out on 20 ITP (group I) patients, 20 thrombocytopenic patients with (MDS) (group II), and 20 non-ITP patients as a control (group III) who were admitted to Minia University Hospital. Serial histological sections from bone marrow biopsies were stained for IgG. All patients in group I and 50% of group II patients showed bleeding tendency and the difference was significant (p < 0.001). No patient experienced fatigue in group I while 35% of patients in group II complained of easy fatigability, and the difference was significant (p < 0.008). High IgG antibody binding was found in ITP and MDS compared to the control group but no significant difference between ITP and MDS patients (14/20 (70%) vs. 13/20 (65%)) (p value = 0.736). Antibody binding to megakaryocytes in a proportion of MDS patients suggests that immune-mediated mechanism underlies platelet underproduction in those patients.

Optimizing the Growth, Health, Reproductive Performance, and Gonadal Histology of Broodstock Fantail Goldfish (Carassius auratus, L.) by Dietary Cacao Bean Meal.

The potential effects of cacao bean meal, Theobroma cacao L., (CBM) on the growth, health status, blood biochemical parameters, antioxidant, immune status, physiological parameters, female reproductive performance, and gonadal histological features of fantail goldfish (Carassius auratus, L.) were evaluated using a complete randomized block design with sex as a block. The trial lasted for 60 days. A total of 54 healthy fantail goldfish (36 broodstock females and 18 broodstock males) were randomly allocated into three treatments with supplementation of three levels of cocoa powder 0, 5, and 10 g kg-1 diet, CBM0, CBM5, and CBM10, respectively, with the sex ratio being four females:two males per replicate. The body weight gain and feed conversion ratio of males were increased in the CBM10 treatment (p < 0.05). The CBM10 diet improved relative feed costs (p < 0.05). Females fed on the CBM10 diet had an increase in the serum level of total protein (p = 0.001). Females fed on a diet supplemented with CBM5 showed a decrease in the serum level of triglyceride compared to females fed on CBM0 and CBM10 diets (p = 0.03). CBM10 diet increased the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of fish compared to CBM0 and CBM5 diets (p = 0.004). Serum levels of testosterone and estradiol were significantly increased in males fed on the CBM10 diet. The female reproductive performance was improved by CBM supplementation (p < 0.05). Ovarian histology exhibited increased granulation and follicle numbers after dietary CBM supplementation compared to the control treatment. Therefore, cacao bean meal can be used as a feed supplement in the diets of fantail goldfish for improving the growth, health status, and female reproductive performance, economic efficiency, and gonadal histological structure.

Methylcellulose, a healing inhibitor factor in an animal model of trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: To use an experimental animal model to study the effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) of methylcellulose 2% application in trabeculectomy, followed by histologic assessment. METHODS: Trabeculectomy was performed on albino rabbits' eyes. The study comprised two groups, each group consisting of five rabbits. The right eyes were subjected to trabeculectomy, and the left eyes served as the control. In both groups 1 and 2, trabeculectomy was performed in the right eyes, but in group 2, trabeculectomy was followed by injection of methylcellulose 2% into the anterior chamber. The methylcellulose was allowed to pass through the trabeculectomy site into the subconjunctival space, and an extra amount was injected by the same cannula under the conjunctiva in the area of the trabeculectomy from the edge of the periotomy. Measurement of IOP was performed with a Shiotz tonometer once weekly for 4 weeks. Specimens were obtained from the operative site, and semithin sections were prepared, stained with toluidine blue, and examined by light microscopy (LM). RESULTS: A significant difference in the decrease of IOP (P<0.0001) was observed between the two groups after 4 weeks of surgery. During the 4 weeks after trabeculectomy, the mean IOP was 18.2+/-0.45 mm Hg without methylcellulose injection and 18.3+/-0.77 mm Hg in the control eyes, and 9.8+/-0.84 mm Hg with methylcellulose injection, 18.25+/-0.7 mm Hg in the control eyes. The histopathological findings in group 1 (without methylcellulose injection) showed the subscleral spaces to be less fenestrated, with deposition of dense collagen bundles intermingled with the fibrocytes, some of which were active with prominent mitosis. In contrast, in group 2 (injected with methylcellulose), the subscleral space appeared fenestrated with irregularly and widely spaced segmented collagen bundles. CONCLUSIONS: Methylcellulose may have antihealing properties that serve to decrease IOP in trabeculectomy. Although more work is needed in humans, because human tissue may be different in its response to the same procedure, the use of methylcellulose could be very promising.