Home-Made Lateral Flow Test Strip Versus POC-CCA Assay for Detection of Active Schistosomiasis in Egypt.

Background: For years, the Kato-Katz (KK) technique has been considered the gold standard for diagnosing schistosomiasis. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of our previously developed gold nanoparticle-based lateral flow test strip (AuNPs-LFTS) for diagnosing active Schistosoma mansoni with that of the commercially available point-of-care Circulating Cathodic Antigen detection (POC-CCA) kit.

Methods: In this study, we collected sixty positive and twenty negative urine samples from patients in endemic hot spots in the Nile Delta, as well as from patients visiting the internal medicine clinic at Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI).

Modified streptavidin-biotin based lateral flow test strip for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 S1 antigen in saliva samples.

Compared to other infectious diseases, for which LFT development can take years, SARS-CoV-2 antigen LFTS were developed and deployed within months. LFTS for antigen detection were adopted on an unprecedented scale during the COVID-19 pandemic, but many of them lack the sensitivity especially for samples with low viral load. In our previous work, we developed an enhanced signal strip for detection of SARS CoV-2 SI antigens in saliva.

Gold conjugated nanobodies in a signal-enhanced lateral flow test strip for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 S1 antigen in saliva samples.

Despite the transfer of COVID-19 from the pandemic to control, we are still in a state of uncertainty about long-term success. Therefore, there is a great need for rapid and sensitive diagnostics to sustain the control status. After several optimization trials, we developed lateral flow test (LFT) strips for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike 1 (S1) antigen in saliva samples.

Lab-scale production of anti-Schistosoma monoclonal antibodies by hybridoma culturing in serum free medium: Enhancement of growth, cryopreservation survival rate, and diagnostic accuracy.

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of two commercially available serum-free culture media; serum free medium (SFM) and chemically defined medium (CDM), on the growth rate, antibody productivity and post adaptation cryopreservation and revival reactivity of hybridoma cells compared to the conventional serum based medium (SBM). In addition, the diagnostic efficacy of MAbs secreted in each culture medium was evaluated by testing their performance in sandwich ELISA for antigen detection. Anti- Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen hybridoma cell line (7A/8F) secreting previously characterized IgG Kappa mAbs, were retrieved and propagated in each of the three aforementioned media.

Non-Invasive Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Antigen in Saliva versus Nasopharyngeal Swabs Using Nanobodies Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles.

The development of sensitive, non-invasive tests for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigens is imperative, and it is still challenging to manage the extent of infection throughout the population. Here, we designed and optimized a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) protocol for SARS-CoV-2 S1 antigen detection in saliva. Both saliva samples and nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 220 real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)-confirmed positive and negative cases.

Cloning of human cord blood-mesenchymal stem cells for isolation of enriched cell population of higher proliferation and differentiation potential.

Heterogeneity of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) imposes limitations for their in vitro expansion and accounts for the lack of reproducibility in some clinical studies. So, this study was designed to isolate and enrich clones of multipotent and self-renewing MSCs from cord blood (CB). Enriched clones with higher proliferation and differentiation potential provide regenerative cells suitable for various clinical demands.

Induction of Hepatic Regeneration in an Experimental Model Using Hepatocyte-Differentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based liver tissue engineering on nanofibrous scaffold holds great promise for cell-based therapy in liver injuries and end-stage liver failure treatments. MSCs were generated from umbilical cord blood. Hepatogenic differentiation was induced on two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture system and characterized by morphology, scanning electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry, and gene expression.

Antifibrotic effects of gallic acid on hepatic stellate cells: mechanistic study.

Few studies reported the antifibrotic effects of gallic acid (GA) despite its known hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities. Accordingly, this study investigated the antifibrotic effects of GA through clarifying its mechanisms on hepatic stellate cells' (HSCs) activation, proliferation and/or apoptosis. effects of GA on HSC-T6 activation/proliferation, morphology and safety on hepatocytes were assessed.

Liver Macrophage Depletion Ameliorates The Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in a Murine Model of Injured Liver.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy show different levels of effectiveness in the context of different types of liver damage, suggesting that the microenvironment of the injured liver is a key determinant for effective stem cell therapy. The objective was to assess the modulatory effect of hepatic stem cell niche components on the transplanted MSCs during liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl). Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labeled human MSCs were injected intravenously into mice treated with CCl and subjected to hepatic macrophage-depletion.

Potentials of Differentiated Human Cord Blood-Derived Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cells in Treatment of Liver Cirrhosis.

Objectives: Liver transplantation is the well-known treatment for chronic liver diseases; however, postoperative complications and lack of donors continue to be limitations with this treatment. Investigating new modalities for treatment of chronic liver illness is a must. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the effects of an in vitro hepatocyte-differentiated human unrestricted somatic stem cell transplant as a new cell-based therapy in an experimental model of chronic liver failure.

Cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells with hepatogenic differentiation potential ameliorate chronic liver affection in experimental models.

Background: The liver is one of the major target organs for which cell-based therapies are very promising. The limitations of various cellular therapies, including bone marrow (BM)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), urges the exploration of stem cell sources more suitable for transplantation. Human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) can overcome these drawbacks with a favorable reparative outcome.

Transplant of Hepatocytes, Undifferentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells, and In Vitro Hepatocyte-Differentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Chronic Liver Failure Experimental Model: A Comparative Study.

Objectives: Liver transplant is the cornerstone line of treatment for chronic liver diseases; however, the long list of complications and obstacles stand against this operation. Searching for new modalities for treatment of chronic liver illness is a must. In the present research, we aimed to compare the effects of transplant of undifferentiated human mesenchymal stem cells, in vitro differentiated mesenchymal stem cells, and adult hepatocytes in an experimental model of chronic liver failure.

Monoclonal antibody-based dipstick assay: a reliable field applicable technique for diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection using human serum and urine samples.

A field applicable diagnostic technique, the dipstick assay, was evaluated for its sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing human Schistosoma mansoni infection. A monoclonal antibody (mAb) against S. mansoni adult worm tegumental antigen (AWTA) was employed in dipstick and sandwich ELISA for detection of circulating schistosome antigen (CSA) in both serum and urine samples.

Diagnostic efficacy of monoclonal antibody based sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of Fasciola gigantica excretory/secretory antigens in both serum and stool.

Background: This research was carried out to develop a reliable monoclonal antibody (MoAb)-based sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of active Fasciola gigantica infection in both serum and stool for comparative purposes.

Methods: From a panel of MoAbs raised against F. gigantica excretory/secretory antigens (ES Ags), a pair (12B/11D/3F and 10A/9D/10G) was chosen due to its high reactivity and strict specificity to F.

Mediastinal ganglioneuroblastoma-secreting vasoactive intestinal peptide causing secretory diarrhoea.

In this case report we describe a case of mediastinal ganglioneuroblastoma-secreting vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), causing secretory diarrhoea in an 18-month-old child. An 18-month-old girl presented with a 2-month history of diarrhoea, abdominal distension and weight loss. Investigations revealed secretory diarrhoea with hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia and hypochloraemia and metabolic acidosis.