Antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate extract fraction of Moringa oleifera leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats via inhibition of inflammatory mediators

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant and antidiabetic mechanism(s) of ethyl acetate extract fraction of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) leaves on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: A total of 24 adult male rats were segregated randomly into four groups (6 rats each group). Streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats were given (oral gavage) ethyl acetate extract fraction of M. oleifera (200 mg/kg b.w.) for 30 d. The rats of control and experimental groups were sacrificed after 24 hours of final dose of treatment, to extract blood and pancreatic tissue for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Results: The ethyl acetate extract fraction of M. oleifera significantly reversed (P<0.05) the manifestation of streptozotocin on the levels of serum glucose & insulin, lipid profile, hepatic damage markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase),malondialdehyde formation, antioxidants (glutathione, Vitamin C & Vitamin E), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α& IL-6). Histopathological analysis of pancreatic tissues was in concurrence with the biochemical results. Conclusions: These findings support that M. oleifera leaves have potent therapeutic effect on diabetes mellitus via increasing antioxidant levels and inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators.

"Wheat pill [aluminum phosphide] poisoning"; commonly ignored dilemma. A comprehensive clinical review

The number of deaths due to wheat pill poisoning is enormous and despite aggressive management only a few patients survive the fatal effects of the wheat pill poison. Despite the growing number of patients appearing in the emergency departments with this easily available poison in the market, very little effort has been put forth to study the subject scientifically and to prevent the ongoing loss of precious lives. This is a narrative review of the wheat pill poisoning, highlighting the important steps in diagnosis and management. Data sources include Pubmed, Scopus, Medline [1996 to date], Cochrane library and Google scholar. We included all clinical trials, systematic reviews and ongoing cohort studies. Wheat pill [Aluminum Phosphide] poisoning is a lethal toxin and its effective treatment requires prompt diagnosis and early, time-efficient management. Early transfer to a healthcare facility, good resuscitation, diagnosis, monitoring, gastric lavage and supportive therapy are the hallmarks of management and may result in improved outcomes. The governmental and legislative authorities must take appropriate steps towards limiting its availability at the grass-roots level. Aluminum Phosphide poisoning must be a part of the medical students' curriculum and long-term, well-designed comprehensive research studies are required to discover new modalities of treatment

Pramipexole induced recurrent pleural effusion

Recurrent pleural effusions are relatively uncommon and as clinicians we keep drug induced pleural effusion lower in our list of differentials. Pramipexole induced recurrent pleural effusion can be life threatening if not recognized early and has been reported in literature only a few times. A 44 years old man with history of traumatic brain injury presented with pneumonitis and p leural effusion which was tapped. Patient returned with pleural effusion within 2 weeks and a careful analysis of all the risk factor and drugs revealed that the most likely etiology was chronic use of Pramipexole leading to recurrent pleural effusion and early pulmonary fibrosis. Pramipexole induced recurrent pleural effusion can cause significant morbidity and should be recognized early. Physician prescribing this medication should be aware of this rare side effect of the medication

Postpartum hypercalcemia secondary to a neuroendocrine tumor of pancreas; a case report and review of literature

Parathyroid hormone-related protein producing pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors have been infrequently reported. Here-in, we report a case of an Iranian woman who had such a tumor during pregnancy, and gave birth to a female neonate with esophago-tracheal fistula and imperforated anus. Hypercalcemia was diagnosed at postpartum because of elevated serum calcium levels in the neonate and neurologic deterioration of the mother. Extensive literature review revealed 42 cases with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and hypercalcaemia. The clinical and laboratory findings of such patients are reviewed in this manuscript

Novel finding in BRCA1 from Malaysian breast cancer patients

The aim of the present study was to [1]. Investigate and analyze the role of genetic factor in breast cancer from Malaysian patients with either early-onset breast cancer [at age

Detection of sperm DNA fragmentation in IVF-ICSI patients and correlation with sperm quality and treatment outcome

The incidence of DNA fragmentation in the sperm head [DFl] is higher in infertile male population compared to the fertile one. Several methods can be used to detect sperm DNA fragmentation. Among this method TUNEL assay is reported to be the most related to the male fertility potential. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation and the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI]. Eighty-five couples undergoing ICSI procedure were recruited to this study. Sperm from the row ejaculate was examined for sperm DFI was using TUNEL assay. There was no relation between the sperm DFI and the conventional WHO semen parameter. There was also no significant difference in the fertilization and cleavage rate between couples with low, moderate or high DFI [<15%, 15-30%, >30% respectively]. Pregnancy rate was significantly lower when sperm DFI was higher than 15% and no pregnancy as achieved when the DFI was higher than 30%. These results demonstrate the negative effect of the DNA fragmentation on the ICSI outcome. This deleterious effect seems to affect later stages of embryonic development

Yq microdeletion in men with severe impairment of spermatogenesis undergoing intra cytoplasmic sperm injection

Genetic aberration is an important etiological factor in infertile male. Among these microdeletion of the long arm of the Y chromosome is the most common. The aim of this study was to check the incidence and the type of microdeletion in men with severe impairment of spermatogenesis and the relationship between these deletions and the ICSI procedure. Three hundred and ninety male were recruited to this study. The incidence of the microdeletion was 4% in patients with severe oligospermia and 8.5% in azoospermia patients. Deletion in AZFc region was the most common type of deletion encountered the degree of impairment of spermatogenesis was related to the size of the deletion rather than the type of the deletion. Sperm recovery in patients with microdeletion was less than those without deletion. Fertilization and pregnancy rate were comparable to genetically free couples. We conclude that microdeletion have negative effect on spermatogenesis depending on the size of the deletion bur not on the sperm quality

Higher incidence of chromosomes 13, 18, 21 X and Y aneuploidy in spermatozoa from patients with severe oligospermia and repeated ICSI failure versus fertile control

The incidence of numerical chromosomal abnormalities is higher in spermatozoa compared with somatic cells in normal population. The aim of this study is to examine the incidence of sperm aneuploidy for the chromosomes 13, 18, 21 X and Y using dual colour FISH technique in two groups of men. Group A: are 14 infertile men with severe oligospermia [sperm density less than 2 million sperms/ml] and had history of repeated ICSI failure. Group B: 8 fertile men with normal semen parameters. The mean total aneuploidy rate in men of group [A] is significantly higher than the fertile men of group [B] [3.18 Vs 0.73] [p<0.01]. The mean aneuploidy rate for each examined chromosome was significantly higher in group [A] compared with group [B]. The highest aneuploidy rate affected the gonosomes [X and Y]. This results support the hypothesis that increased incidence of chromosomal aneuploidy a negative effect on embryonic development and implantation rate. Screening of men attempting ICSI procedure for sperm chromosomes aneuploidy is a potential prognostic tool

Normal value of BMD [bone mineral density] in Pakistani student nurses and its relation with age and other factors

The aim of this study was to evaluate the BMD in younger age group. It was a cross-sectional observational study done in January 2003. 223 subjects were taken [all females] of age group 16-25 years. Heel Ultrasound procedure was done on all these subjects using a "Clinical Bone Sonometer" and their T-score was plotted against age. The results of the study showed that young female nurses gain bone minerals with increasing age in this group

Sensitivity and resistance of microorganisms in infected surgical wounds on surgical floor of Mayo hospital

There is an overwhelming concern around the world regarding the increasing number of resistant strains of microorganisms in all sorts of wounds. There is hardly any information about the prevalence and incidence of such resistance pattern in our local hospitals This study was done to probe into the common microorganisms and their culture sensitivities to antibiotics in surgical wound infections in general surgery wards of Mayo hospital. The study material included the pus specimens sent to pathology lab from general surgical wards. There culture sensitivity results were interpreted to find out the prevalence of individual microorganisms in surgical wounds and sensitivities and resistance to different antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism cultured [54.87%], followed by E.Coli [10%], pseudomonas[10%], proteus [7.9%] and kleibsiella [5.3%]. 20 percent of wounds had mixed growth of organisms. Mixed growth of microorganisms was seen in 20% of cases. Most of the bacteria cultured were resistant to routinely used antibiotics

Xeroderma pigmentosum

Xeroderma pigmentosum comprises of a heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive hereditary diseases, which are characterized by a number of clinical characteristics and abnormal DNA repair mechanism. These patients are prone to multiple cutaneous malignancies at an early stage in life. We present 2 cases of xeoderma pigmentosum with malignant melanoma and conclude that such cases must be identified at an early stage and properly educated to protect themselves from malignancies

correlation between serum lactate at the time of admission and the final outcome of neonates admitted in the intensive care unit, an initial assessment

An assessment of neonates in order to pinpoint early recognition of circulatory failure, institution of appropriate treatment, and in assessing response in sick neonates in intensive care units and their outcome is one of the major concerns of the neonatologists. None of the routine assessments such as ABG, and scoring systems [SNAP II PE, CRIB] are highly sensitive in this regard. Tissue hypoperfusion, resulting from any threatening illnesses, leads the neonate to anaerobic metabolism and lactate generation. Blood lactate concentration has been used widely as reliable indicator of tissue hypoxia in this regard. We evaluated the possible relationship between arterial blood lactate level at time of admission and the outcome of 50 neonates who were admitted in neonatal intensive care unit [NICU] of Children's Medical Center in 2004. Other parameters such as clinical findings, SNAP II PE and CRIB scores, ABG indices, a possible need for mechanical ventilation and the duration of assisted ventilation were also considered along with the predictive value of blood lactate concentration. In alive neonates, lactate levels [21.3 +/- 10.6 mg/dl] were significant, comparing to those who died [42.0 +/- 26.5 mg/dl] [p=0.037]. The significant correlation between blood lactate concentrations and 02 saturation in ABG [p=0.02], and lactate levels and respiratory system involvement were relatively correlated [p=0.049] Blood lactate concentrations could be a useful tool in the prognosis of outcome in sick neonates in the intensive care units