A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol was developed for detecting the presence of Schistosoma mansoni sporocysts in intermediate host snails of the genus Biomphalaria. To accomplish this, rDNA genes encoding the 18S rRNA of S. mansoni and Biomphalaria alexandrina from Egypt were sequenced, as were 18S-encoding genes of the 13-16-R1 and Salvador strains of Biomphalaria glabrata. Based on a comparison of host and parasite sequences, a nested set of PCR primers was designed to allow specific amplification of portions of S. mansoni 18S rDNA. These primers allowed detection of as little as 10 fg of S. mansoni DNA diluted in 100 ng of snail DNA and did not allow amplification of snail 18S sequences. Using nested PCR, the presence of a single S. mansoni sporocyst within an adult snail could be detected at 1 day postexposure. In DNA samples extracted from each of 74 snails of the M-line strain of B. glabrata exposed to from 1 to 10 S. mansoni miracidia for intervals ranging from 1 to 44 days, use of the outside primer pair alone detected the parasite's presence in 51% of the snails, whereas the sequential use of outside and nested primer pairs detected parasites in 92% of the snails. This approach has utility in determining if snails in endemic areas bear prepatent or inactive infections and in assessing the degree of compatibility between local snail and schistosome populations. It will also facilitate studies of resistance of snails to infection.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common degenerative diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Alpha-synuclein (A-syn) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of PD. The close relation between the salivary glands and the CNS could render the A-syn secretions in the saliva useful biomarkers for PD. Aim of the work: To study the salivary A-syn levels in a cohort of PD Egyptian patients and to correlate these Asyn levels with the patients' clinical data and disease severity. Patients and methods: Twenty-five PD patients and 15 age-and sex-matched healthy subjects, as a control group, were enrolled. Evaluation of PD patients was performed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and modified Hoehn and Yahr scale (HYS). Samples of the saliva were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique for the specific anti A-syn total and anti A-syn oligomer (A-synolig). Results: There was a statistically significant increase in A-synolig level and A-synolig/A-syn total ratio and a decrease in A-syn total level among PD patients. A statistically significant increase in A-synolig level was detected among patients having bradykinesia and rigidity as predominant symptoms. Also, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between A-synolig level and the disease duration. No statistically significant correlation was found between A-syn concentrations and disease severity. Conclusion: Salivary A-syn total and A-synolig can be used as potential biomarkers for PD diagnosis.

The mucosal lesions in the lower urinary tract were examined in 86 cystectomy specimens of bilharzial bladder cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma occurred in 66 cases, transitional cell carcinoma in 18 cases, and adenocarcinoma in two cases. Multiple infiltrative carcinomas were found in 19 cases (22.1%), and these were commonly of the transitional cell type (63.9%). Squamous metaplasia was found in 65.1%, columnar metaplasia in 52.3%, and carcinoma in situ in 40.7%. The ureters, trigone, and urethra were rarely affected by these lesions. Carcinoma in situ was more commonly associated with multiple carcinomas (68.4%) than with single tumors (32.8%). Squamous metaplasia was found in 81.8% of squamous cell carcinomas and in 16.7% of transitional cell carcinomas. The two cases of adenocarcinoma were associated with columnar metaplasia in the adjacent mucosa. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma probably arise from metaplastic epithelium. Total or subtotal cystectomy is recommended because of the high incidence of carcinoma in situ (40.7%) and multiple carcinomas (22.1%).

The up-regulation of angiotensin II AT1 receptors has been implicated as a major mediator in the development of hypertension and progressive nephropathy in experimental diabetes. In spite of the documented potential of garlic treatments in ameliorating diabetic complications, the possible involvement of the angiotensin II AT1 receptor, as a central target for the anti-diabetic potential of garlic, has not been explored. Three groups of rats were studied after 8 weeks following diabetes induction: normal, streptozotocin-induced diabetic (control diabetic), and garlic-treated diabetic rats. A polyclonal antibody of proven specificity to the AT1 receptor, as verified by western blotting, indicated in immunohistochemical assays that AT1 receptor labeling was significantly increased in adrenal and renal tissues of control diabetic rats compared to the normal group. The increased AT1 receptor labeling involved all cortical zones and medullary chromaffin cells of the adrenal gland. Except for glomerulii, increased AT1 receptor labeling was also evident in proximal convoluted tubules in the renal cortex, and all tubular segments and interstitial cells outlining the vasa recta bundles in the inner stripe of the outer renal medulla. Compared with control diabetic rats, the labeling of the AT1 receptor in the garlic-treated diabetic group was significantly reduced throughout adrenal and renal regions to levels comparable to those observed in normal rats. The capacity of garlic to modulate diabetes-induced AT1 receptor up-regulation may be implicated in reversing the detrimental consequences of excessive Ang II signaling, manifested by the development of hypertension and nephropathy.

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