The effect of some cryoprotectants on dromedary camel frozen-thawed semen.

The cryopreserved camel semen is often associated with poor quality and fertility. This study aimed to improve the dromedary frozen semen quality by comparing the efficiency of four cryoprotectant agents (CPAs) on sperm freezability. Semen samples were collected from seven male Maghrabi camels, diluted with Shotor diluent supplemented with glycerol (Sh-G), dimethyl formamide (DMF, Sh-DF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, Sh-DS) or ethylene glycol (EG, Sh-EG), all at 6% final concentration, and the samples were subjected to cryopreservation. The results revealed the superiority of Sh-DF over Sh-G and Sh-DS in terms of post-thaw motility (55.83 ± 2.20 vs. 47.50 ± 4.33 and 45.00 ± 2.89%, respectively), sperm membrane (49.00 ± 0.58, 39.33 ± 3.33 and 42.67 ± 1.45%, respectively) and acrosomal integrities (53.00 ± 0.58, 57.33 ± 0.88 and 52.33 ± 1.45%, respectively). Sh-EG group showed the lowest post-thaw motility, plasma membrane and acrosome integrities (12.50 ± 1.44, 22.67 ± 1.45 and 30.67 ± 1.45, respectively). In conclusion, the protocols of dromedary camel semen cryopreservation could be enhanced using 6% DMF as a cryoprotectant agent.

Interleukins 12 and 13 levels among beta-thalassaemia major patients.

The role of inflammatory cytokines in the pathophysiology of beta-thalassaemia is still unclear. In this study production levels of interleukins (IL)-12 and IL-13 were measured by commercial ELISA in culture supernatants of mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells-from 30 non-splenectomized beta-thalassaemia cases with iron overload and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. IL-12 levels were significantly lower among cases compared with controls (91.4 pg/mL versus 154.6 pg/mL), while IL-13 levels were significantly higher (42.5 pg/mL versus 5.7 pg/mL). There was a significant negative correlation between IL-12 and lL-13 levels among beta-thalassaemia cases (r= -0.42). Patients with beta-thalassaemia alone had higher IL-12 levels than beta-thalassaemia patients who were seropositive for chronic hepatitis B or C virus infection (140 pg/mL versus 50 pg/mL); IL-13 levels were slightly lower (65 pg/mL versus 67 pg/mL). An imbalance in the IL-12/IL-13 axis may be relevant to the pathophysiology of beta-thalassaemia.

Interleukins 12 and 13 levels among beta-thalassaemia major patients

The role of inflammatory cytokines in the pathophysiology of beta-thalassaemia is still unclear. In this study production levels of interleukins [IL]-12 and IL-13 were measured by commercial ELISA in cultureI supernatants of mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 30 non-splenectomized beta-thalassaemia cases with iron overload and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. IL-12 levels were significantly lower among cases compared with controls [91.4 pg/mL versus 154.6 pg/mL] while IL-13 levels were significantly higher [42.5 pg/mLversus 5.7 pg/mL]. There was a significant negative correlation between IL-12 and IL-13 levels among beta-thalassaemia cases [r= -0.42]. Patients with beta-thalassaemia alone had higher IL-12 levels than beta-thalassaemia patients who were seropositive for chronic hepatitis B or C virus Infection [140 pg/mL versus 50 pg/mL]; IL-13 levels were slightly lower [65 pg/mL versus 67 pg/mL]. An imbalance In the IL-12/IL-13 axis may be relevant to the pathophysiology of beta-thalassaemia

Could the MMR vaccine replace the measles vaccine at one year of age in Egypt?

This cross-sectional study evaluated the immune status of non-vaccinated healthy infants to determine if it is possible to replace both measles vaccine (at 9 months) and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine (at 18 months) with a single dose of MMR at 12 months. Serum samples from 566 children in Alexandria, Egypt showed a significant decrease in the seropositive rate to the 3 viral diseases with increasing age, but a significant increase in the seropositive rate among infants who were ranked 1st or 2nd in their family, full-term or born to mothers with no history of hypertension during pregnancy. We recommend administration of the first dose of MMR vaccine between 9 and 12 months of age, and a booster dose of MMR vaccine at 4 years of age.

Could the MMR vaccine replace the measles vaccine at one year of age in Egypt?

This cross-sectional study evaluated the immune status of non-vaccinated healthy infants to determine if it is possible to replace both measles vaccine [at 9 months] and measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine [at 18 months] with a single dose of MMR at 12 months. Serum samples from 566 children in Alexandria, Egypt showed a significant decrease in the seropositive rate to the 3 viral diseases with increasing age, but a significant increase in the seropositive rate among infants who were ranked 1st or 2nd in their family, full-term or born to mothers with no history of hypertension during pregnancy. We recommend administration of the first dose of MMR vaccine between 9 and 12 months of age, and a booster dose of MMR vaccine at 4 years of age

Association of abnormal vaginal flora with increased cervical tumour necrosis factor--alpha and interferon--gamma levels in idiopathic infertility.

This study was conducted to evaluate the presence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and its association with cervical tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) levels in idiopathic infertility. Forty idiopathic infertile women and twenty fertile controls were recruited from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, El Shatby Maternity Hospital, Alexandria. High vaginal swabs were smeared and assessed by Gram staining for the presence of BV using Nugent's scoring system. Cervical mucus samples were collected at midcycle and assayed for IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Bacterial vaginosis was identified in 25% (10/40) of the infertile group and in 10% (2/20) of controls. The mean concentrations of TNF-alpha (232.2 +/- 51.6 pg/ml) and IFN-gamma (127 +/- 26.8 pg/ml) were significantly higher in the infertile group compared with controls (P < 0.001). Infertile women with BV showed significantly higher cervical levels of TNF-alpha (649 +/- 126.8 pg/ml) and IFN-gamma (350 +/- 59.2 pg/ml) than those with normal (62.2 +/- 8.1, 31.4 +/- 4.1 pg/ml respectively) and intermediate (252.5 +/- 21.4, 170 +/- 17.3 pg/ml respectively) vaginal flora (P < 0.001). A significant correlation was found between TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma concentrations in the idiopathic infertile group (r = 0.984, P < 0.001) as well as the fertile control group (r = 0.881, P < 0.001). In conclusion, BV is associated with elevated cervical mucus levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. The induction of these proinflammatory cytokines by an altered vaginal ecosystem may play a role in the etiology of idiopathic infertility. This may have potential applications in the diagnosis and treatment of female infertility.