Screening of antileishmanial activity from marine sponge extracts collected off the Tunisian coast

The present study reports on the in vitro antileishmanial activity of two Ircinidae (Dictyoceratida, Demospongiae, Porifera) Ircinia spinosula and Sarcotragus sp. Sampled from the east coast of Tunisia. The ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and aqueous extracts were tested against Leishmania major promastigotes. The anti-proliferative activity was checked using different extracts concentration during 72 h. We found that the IC50 (sub-inhibitory concentration) values ranged from 1.39 to 264.67 μg/ml. The most active extract was that from sarcotragus sp dichloromethane extract. Microscopic observations showed that the extracts promoted cellular alterations and induce enlargement of the nucleus and modification of the parasite shape. These promising results in relation with in vitro antileishmanial activity open the way for complementary investigation in order to purify and identify active molecules.     

Amnion graft following hysteroscopic lysis of intrauterine adhesions

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of amnion grafting after hysteroscopic lysis of intrauterine adhesions. METHODS: In a pilot study involving 25 patients with moderate or severe intrauterine adhesions, hysteroscopic adhesiolysis was followed by intrauterine application of a fresh amnion graft over an inflated balloon of a Foley's catheter for 2 weeks. Follow-up hysteroscopy was performed after 4 months. Outcome measures included recurrence of adhesions, achievement of normal menstrual flow, and improvement in the uterine length. RESULTS: Moderate (group A) and severe (group B) adhesions were found in 12 and 13 subjects, respectively. Uterine perforation occurred in two patients in group B, one treated conservatively and the other via laparoscopy. No clinical evidence of infection was observed, and spontaneous expulsion of the balloon occurred within days in three patients, with easy removal after 2 weeks in the rest of the subjects. Significant improvement in uterine length was found in both groups. Despite improvement, failure to achieve normal menstrual flow was found in 16.7% in group A versus 23.1% in group B. Follow-up hysteroscopy revealed adhesion reformation in 48%, all belonging to group B, all with minimal adhesions. Moderate adhesions were found in only two subjects with previous tuberculous endometritis. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic lysis of intrauterine adhesions with amnion grafting seems to be a promising procedure for decreasing recurrence of adhesions and encouraging endometrial regeneration. Randomized comparative studies are needed to validate its benefits, including reproductive outcome.     

The benefit of the reverse transfer function in the fitting process of the Vibrant Soundbridge middle ear implant

From an otological standpoint, Lyme disease can manifest itself as Ménière's disease both clinically and electrophysiologically. The aim of this study was to describe the findings of routine clinical, auditory and vestibular tests in patients with Ménière's and Lyme disease and to use electrocochleography (ECoG) to assess the presence of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) in both diseases. Transtympanic ECoG was performed in 91 patients with Ménière's disease and in 11 patients with confirmed Lyme disease. In both diseases the majority of patients had more than one complaint. There was one case with isolated hearing loss in the Lyme disease group. Typical clinical manifestations of Ménière's disease (vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus) were found in 6 11 patients (54.5%) in the Lyme disease group. The ECoG results indicated that there were 65 91 patients (71.4%) with Ménière's disease and 5 patients (45.5%) with Lyme disease who presented with EH. No statistically significant difference was found between the incidence of different symptoms of Ménière's and Lyme disease. On the basis of these results, patients with Lyme disease should undergo careful examination and investigation, especially in endemic regions. The presence of EH does not exclude the presence of infection with borreliosis as a cause of Ménière's disease-like symptoms.