Comparison between Intra-Articular Injection of Infrapatellar Fat Pad (IPFP) Cell Concentrates and IPFP-Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) for Cartilage Defect Repair of the Knee Joint in Rabbits

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic method in regenerative medicine. Our previous research adopted a simple nonenzymatic strategy for the preparation of a new type of ready-to-use infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) cell concentrates. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of intra-articular (IA) injection of autologous IPFP cell concentrates and allogeneic IPFP-MSCs obtained from these concentrates in a rabbit articular cartilage defect model. IPFP-MSCs sprouting from the IPFP cell concentrates were characterized via flow cytometry as well as based on their potential for differentiation into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes. In the rabbit model, cartilage defects were created on the trochlear groove, followed by treatment with IPFP cell concentrates, IPFP-MSCs, or normal saline IA injection. Distal femur samples were evaluated at 6 and 12 weeks posttreatment via macroscopic observation and histological assessment based on the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) macroscopic scoring system as well as the ICRS visual histological assessment scale. The macroscopic score and histological score were significantly higher in the IPFP-MSC group compared to the IPFP cell concentrate group at 12 weeks. Further, both treatment groups had higher scores compared to the normal saline group. In comparison to the latter, the groups treated with IPFP-MSCs and IPFP cell concentrates showed considerably better cartilage regeneration. Overall, IPFP-MSCs represent an effective therapeutic strategy for stimulating articular cartilage regeneration. Further, due to the simple, cost-effective, nonenzymatic, and safe preparation process, IPFP cell concentrates may represent an effective alternative to stem cell-based therapy in the clinic.

Effects of Rhamnolipids on Growth Performance, Immune Function, and Cecal Microflora in Linnan Yellow Broilers Challenged with Lipopolysaccharides

This present study aimed to investigate the effects of rhamnolipids (RLS) on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, immune function, short-chain fatty acid content, and microflora community in broiler chickens challenged with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). A total of 450 broiler chickens were randomly allocated into three groups: basal diet with no supplement (NCO), basal diet with bacitracin (ANT), and basal diet with rhamnolipids (RLS). After 56 d of feeding, 20 healthy broilers were selected from each group, with half being intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and the other half with normal saline. Treatments with LPS were labelled LPS-NCO, LPS-ANT, and LPS-RLS, whereas treatments with normal saline were labelled NS-NCO, NS-ANT, and NS-RLS. LPS-challenged birds had lower jejunal villus height and higher crypt depth than unchallenged birds. LPS-RLS broilers had increased jejunal villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio (V/C) but lower crypt depth than LPS-NCO. Dietary supplementation with RLS reduced the LPS-induced immunological stress. Compared with LPS-NCO, birds in LPS-RLS had lower concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. In LPS-challenged broilers, RLS and ANT increased the concentrations of IgA, IgM, and IgY compared with LPS-NCO. In LPS treatments, RLS enhanced the contents of acetic acid, butyrate, isobutyric acid, isovalerate, and valerate more than LPS-NCO birds. High-throughput sequencing indicated that RLS supplementation led to changes in the cecal microbial community of broilers. At the species level, Clostridium-sp-Marseille-p3244 and Slakia_eqcsolifaciens were more abundant in NS-RLS than in NS-NCO broilers. In summary, RLS improved the growth performance and relative abundance of cecal microbiota and reduced the LPS-induced immunological stress in broiler chickens.

The role of mouthwash sampling in SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis

Background The current practice of COVID 19 diagnosis worldwide is the use of oro nasopharyngeal (ONP) swabs. Our study aim was to explore mouthwash (MW) as an alternative diagnostic method, in light of the disadvantages of ONP swabs. Methods Covid-19 outpatients molecular confirmed by ONP swab were repeatedly examined with ONP swab and MW with normal saline (0.9%). Other types of fluids were compared to normal saline. The Cq values obtained with each method were compared. Results Among 137 pairs of ONP swabs and MW samples, 84.6% (116/137) of ONP swabs were positive by at least one of the genes (N, E, R). However MW detected 70.8% (97/137) of samples as positive, which means 83.6% (97/116) out of positive ONP swabs, missing mainly Cq value>30. In both methods, the N gene was the most sensitive one. Therefore MW samples targeting N gene, which was positive in 95/137 (69.3%), is comparable to ONP-swabs targeting E and R genes which gave equal results; 95/137 (69.3%) and 90/137 (65.7%) respectively. Comparing saline MW to distilled water gave equal results, while commercial mouth-rinsing solutions were less sensitive. Conclusions MW with normal saline, especially when tested by N gene, can effectively detect COVID 19 patients. Furthermore, this method was not inferior when compared to R and E genes of ONP swabs, which are common targets in many laboratories around the world.

Hospital-prepared low-dose atropine eye drops for myopia progression control using atropine sulfate injection diluted in normal saline and lubricants

Background As commercial low-dose atropine eye-drops for myopia progression control are available in some countries, in-house preparation by diluting the 0.1% atropine eye-drop with sterile water or normal saline has been a common practice. Atropine injection is readily available and could be a more feasible alternative.Objective To assess the properties of the in-house low-dose atropine eye-drops prepared by diluting the atropine injection in two solvents and tested in two temperature conditions.Method The 0.01% atropine eye-drops (15ml) were prepared by diluting atropine sulfate injection with normal saline and lubricant eye-drops and stored at room temperature and in a refrigerator. All samples were daily dropped for 12 weeks to mimic real-life use, one of which was assessed every two weeks for the biological contamination and chemical properties. The active substance was compared with freshly prepared samples at the 12th week.Results The 0.01% atropine eye-drops contains no bacteria, fungi, or particulate matter. The levels of atropine sulfate on all samples were comparable to the freshly prepared samples at the 12th week, regardless of the solvents used or storage conditions.Conclusion The low-dose atropine eye-drops prepared from readily available atropine sulfate injection at healthcare facilities could be alternative to commercial products

Comparison between Morphine and Hyaluronidase Added to Local Anesthetic in Sonar Guided Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block; Randomized Double Blinded Controlled Study

Background: Huge volumes of local anaesthetics used in conventional blocks may be associated with complications. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that hydrolyses hyaluronic acid in the tissue. It has been shown to aid the spread of local anaesthetics (LA) through tissue. The aim of this study was to compare between the addition of morphine or hyaluronidase to local anaesthetic in sonar guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block regarding the onset and duration of the block, postoperative analgesia and the total analgesic requirements in the first 24 hours. Patient and methods: Seventy-five patients of American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I & II, aged 18-60 years, scheduled to acute or elective elbow, forearm or hand surgery under sonar guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block at Tanta University Hospital were randomly allocated into three equal groups; Group I (Control group) received 20 ml containing 9 ml bupivacaine 0.5% and 9 ml lidocaine 2% plus 2 ml normal saline, group II (Morphine group) received 20 ml containing 9 ml bupivacaine 0.5% and 9 ml lidocaine 2% plus 5 mg morphine in 2 ml normal saline and group III (Hyaluronidase group) received 20 ml containing 9 ml bupivacaine 0.5% and 9 ml lidocaine 2% plus 1500 units of hyaluronidase in 2 ml normal saline. The onset of sensory and motor block, duration of sensory and motor block, postoperative VAS, time to first rescue analgesia, total morphine consumption and possible side effects were recorded. Results: Onset of the sensory block and motor block was significantly shorter in the hyaluronidase group than control group and morphine group. Duration of the sensory block and motor block was significantly prolonged in morphine group than hyaluronidase group & control group. VAS started to increase at 6 hours in the control group, at 10 hours in morphine group and at 8 hours in hyaluronidase group. Time to first rescue analgesia was significantly prolonged in morphine group than control group and hyaluronidase group. Total analgesic consumption of morphine was significantly lower in morphine group than control group and hyaluronidase group. Conclusion: Morphine was superior to hyaluronidase as regarding to improving the post-operative pain. The incidence of complications was nil and self-limited in the three groups.

Effects of MOF6 Fraction from Ethanolic Extract of the Leaves of Moringa oleifera against Sodium Arsenite-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Moringa oleifera (MO) is a plant of significant medicinal importance. The dried leaves of MO were pulverized, extracted with ethanol and fractionated using column chromatography to provide seven fractions (MOF1-7) with MOF6 having the best preliminary antioxidant potential. Therefore, this study evaluated the hepatoprotective potentials of MOF6 in sodium arsenite (SA)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Thirty-five adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups of five rats each. Control Group I received normal saline. Groups II and III received 20 mg/kg body weight (bw) of SA for 3 and 6 weeks, respectively. Groups IV and V received 20 mg/kg bw of SA for 3 weeks followed by treatment with 5.0 and 7.5 mg/kg bw of fraction MOF6, respectively, for 6 weeks. Groups VI and VII received only 5.0 and 7.5 mg/kg bw of fraction MOF6, respectively, for 6 weeks. Antioxidant (lipid peroxidation) and biochemical analyses of liver enzymes of all rats were carried out after the completion of experimental procedures. Results showed statistically significant lower mean values (p ≤ 0.05) of malondialdehyde (MDA), acid phosphatase (ACP) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in rats of Groups IV and V compared with Group III. However, there were statistically significant higher mean values (p ≤ 0.05) of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in Groups IV and V compared with Groups I and III. In conclusion, these results implied that fraction MOF6 has antioxidant and hepatoprotective potentials. However, results of ALP analyses implied that MOF6 possibly augmented SA-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.