An electron microscopic study of the antifertility potential of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L) in male albino rats / Estudio de microscopía electrónica del potencial antifertilidad del Romero (Rosmarinus officinalis L) en ratas macho albinas

The present work was aimed at studying the antifertility potential of the commonly used herb, rosemary in the male albino rats using electron microscopy as the method of investigation. Ethanolic extract of the rosmary prepared and administered orally in two different doses for a period of three months to the animals. At the end of the experiment animals were sacrificed and testes removed. Sections for the electrone microscopy prepared and changes were observed. The present results showed evident microscopic changes in the testis of the animals received higher dose of the drug. Most of the seminiferous tubules were compressed, having irregular basement membrane and devoid of any spermatogenic cells. The present work revealed a clear morphological evidence of the dose dependent antifertility potential of the rosemary in the male albino rats.

El trabajo tuvo como objetivo estudiar el potencial anti-fertilidad de la hierba de uso común, el romero, en ratas albinas macho utilizando microscopía electrónica como método de investigación. El extracto etanólico del romero se preparó y administró por vía oral a los animales en dos dosis diferentes durante un período de tres meses. Los animales experimentales se sacrificaron y se retiraron sus testículos. Se prepararon secciones para microscopía electrónica y se observaron los cambios. Los resultados mostraron cambios microscópicos evidentes en los testículos de los animales que recibieron una dosis mayor del medicamento. La mayoría de los túbulos seminíferos se observaron comprimidos, con una membrana basal irregular y carente de células espermatogénicas. El presente trabajo revela una clara evidencia morfológica de una posible anti-fertilidad dependiente de la dosis del romero administrada en las ratas albinas macho.

Antiviral activity of freshwater algae.

Five freshwater algal species were isolated from Nile River and studied for their biological (cytotoxic and antiviral activity) in order to test their benefit in the Egyptian drinking water source. The algal species were isolated and identified as: Anabaena sphaerica, Chroococcus turgidus, Oscillatoria limnetica, and Spirulina platensis (blue – green algae, Cyanobacteria) and Cosmarium leave (green algae). They were cultivated using a Photobioreactor and purified using BG11 media. Twenty five grams of each of the five powdered algal species were extracted with MeOH till exhaustion to give five methanolic extracts for Anabaena sphaerica, Chroococcus turgidus, Oscillatoria limnetica, Spirulina platensis and Cosmarium leave respectively. The residues left were extracted with distilled H2O at 50oC to give five aqueous extracts respectively. The cytotoxicity of all the extracts was tested on Hep-2 cell line and their antiviral assays were tested on Adenovirus Type 40 as a preliminary testing. Nested PCR was carried out for confirmation of Adenovirus. Antialgal inhibitory effect on algal community was carried out. Results revealed that the non toxic concentrations for all the extracts were 2mg/ml and Spirulina platensis methanol and water extracts were active alga as antiviral (50% and 23.3% of reduction respectively).

Detection of fluoroquinolone resistance in mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates as determined by gyrA / B gene mutation by using PCR technique

Fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents that have been used with increasing frequency over the past decade. Fluoroquinolones have in vitro and in vivo activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, resistance to fluoroquinolones in cases of tuberculosis is not routinely assessed. Mutations in a small region of gyrA, called quinolone resistance-determining region [QRDR] and, less frequently, in gyrB are the primary mechanism of FQ resistance in M. tuberculosis. PCR-based techniques provide new possibilities for the rapid diagnosis of first- and second-line drug resistance. There were 40 consecutive adults, who had culture confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis during the study period. Mutations were observed in the QRDRs of both gyrA and gyrB in 22 isolates [55%]. Only gyrA +ve in 7[17.5%] isolates. Only gyrB +ve in 5[12.5%] isolates. Total gyrA +ve in 29[72.5%] and total gyrB +ve in 28[70%] isolates. Both gyrA and gyrB -ve in 6 [15%]. The incidence of FO-resistant M. tuberculosis is gradually increasing to alarming levels this may be due to wide spread use of this vital groups of drugs in community-acquired pneumonia and urinary tract infections

Anthropometric and hemodynamic profiles of athletes and their relevance to performance in the mount cameroon race of hope

Many factors influence athletes' performance including anthropometric, physiological and environmental parameters. High altitude is characterized by adverse environmental conditions that are not found at sea level. We investigated the influence of some anthropometric and physiological factors on performance in the context of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope. Age, height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate of 83 finisher athletes of both genders were collected during medical checkup, and race time was recorded at the arrival line. Measured and calculated data association with performance was assessed. The race time was significantly influenced by the area of training [p=0.0022], and gender [p=0.0036] of athletes; BMI showed significant association with race time in the overall athletes' population; this was confirmed in male [r=0.565; p= 0.034] but not in female athletes [r= 0.749; p= 0.058]. Weight class showed significant association to performance, the lighter athletes performing better than the heavier [p<0.00001]. None of the investigated physiological parameters showed association to the race time. We hypothesized that high altitude training and body size are significantly influential on athletes' performance in the Mount Cameroon race of hope and similar mountain races.

Can lidocaine protect against cerebral dysfunction of patients with cardiopulmonary bypass surgery?

The objective of this study was to investigate whether intraoperative administration of lidocaine can reduce the incidence of cerebral dysfunction in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass [CPB]. 60 patients scheduled for cardiac surgery with CPB enrolled randomly into 2 groups: control group and lidocaine group. They were subjected to the same methods of anesthesia, monitoring process and CPB, and myocardial preservation techniques, lidocaine group received of 2 mg/kg bolus over 5 minutes and then infusion of 4 mg/min until the end of operation. The control group received normal saline at the same volume, rate and time. A brief battery of neuropsychologic tests was obtained preoperatively and on the tenth postoperative day. Jugular bulb oxygen [SJVO[2]] and S100beta protein were determined at different measuring points. The incidence of postoperative cognitive decline was significantly less in lidocaine group. SJVO[2] was significantly reduced during rewarming, only in the control group. S100beta was significantly elevated 24hs after CPB in both groups. The elevation was more significant in the control group. The cognitively declined patients tended to have significant fewer years of education, significant longer cross clamp time, longer CPB time, longer time to recovery and to extubation and higher S100beta. S100beta 24 hours after the bypass, was found in significant correlation with aortic cross clamp time, CPB time, time to recovery and to extubation, besides performance in Rey AVLT and Trial Making tests. We can conclude that lidocaine has a protective effect against cerebral insult of CPB

Teenage cigarette smokers with schistosoma mansoni: Effect of multifacet management on hepatic and bronchio-alveolar disposition

Schitosomiasis and cigarette smoking are among the common health hazards in young Egyptians worthy of concern. The present study aims to investigate the influence of cigarette smoking and management strategy on serum and branchioalveolar lavage [BAL] parameters in teenage male cases with and without S.mansoni. Certain indices of immuno-inflammatory response, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, vasoactive mechanisms and anti-oxidant defense capacity would be evaluated. The study included forty selected cigarette smoker male cases [mean age 15.9 +/- 2.6 years] who were sub-classified equally into two groups involving cases with S.mansoni [G I] and without S.mansoni [G II]. Ten age-matched non Schistosomal individuals non-smokers were included as a control [G Ill]. Biochemical assessment of serum and BAL included the evaluation of cotinine, total thiols, ceruloplasmin, uric acid, lipid peroxidation product, interleukin-5, eotaxin, RANTES, surfactant proteins A and D, procollagen Ill, trace elements and hepatocyte growth factor. Management strategy was evaluated after six months of quitting smoking and treatment with praziquantel, Nigella sativa, Garlic extract and antioxidants. The result showed that alterations in assessed parameters were greatly influenced by cigarette smoking more profoundly in cases with S mansoni. The management strategy identified the alleviation of reactive oxygen species [ROS] determinants on immuno-inflammatory response with beneficial outcome in assessed parameters. In conclusion, the proposed strategy for management of smoking in teenagers especially those with liver disposition was effective and identified the greater benefits of early intervention alongside smoking cessation

Hormone-receptor negative status and outcome of sequential adjuvant docetaxel for node-positive breast cancer patients

This trial compared six cycles of fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide [FAC] with a sequential regimen of three cycles of FAC followed by three cycles of docetaxel [FAC-D] as adjuvant treatment for women with node-positive, hormone-receptor negative breast cancer. Eighty-five patients with node-positive, hormone receptor negative breast cancer women were randomly assigned to either FAC every 21 days for six cycles, or three cycles of FAC followed by three cycles of docetaxel [FAC-D], both given every 21 days. Radiotherapy was performed after the 6 cycles of chemotherapy. The primary end-point was disease-free survival. Median follow-up was 44 months, disease-free survival was 60.5% with FAC, and 78.5% with FAC-D, demonstrating 47% reduction in the risk of relapse. The high risk of an event was found during the first 2 years. Overall-survival rates were 69.8% with FAC and 81% for FAC-D, demonstrating 33% reduction in the risk of death. The incidence of neutropenia and parasethia, were higher in the sequential arm of the study [p- 0.03, 0.017, respectively]. Though non-significant difference, incidence of amenorrhea was higher in the FAC group [p=0.06]. Sequential adjuvant chemotherapy with FAC followed by docetaxel resulted in significant improvement in disease-free survival but no significant improvement in overall-survival in node-positive, hormone-receptor negative breast cancer patients and has an acceptable toxicity

Prevalence of oral candida infections in diabetic patients

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, species distribution and antifungal susceptibility profile among oral cavity isolates of Candida species from diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. The contribution of smoking and dental status to the prevalence and distribution of Candida species was also evaluated. Retrospective study of oral cadidiasis in diabetic patients between January and October 2003 was undertaken. Three private clinics in Amman, Jordan and Department of Biological Sciences at Hashemite University. A total of 262 individuals were enrolled in the study, 132 were diabetics and 130 healthy controls. None of the non-diabetic controls had any clinical evidence of oral candidiasis, 8.3% of diabetics had clinical evidence of oral candidiasis, of which, 36% were overnight denture wearers and tobacco smokers. An imprint culture method was used to determine the frequency of isolation and density of Candida species at up to nine intra-oral sites. Yeast-like colonies were identified by classical methods and CHROMagar Candida medium. Broth macrodilution technique was used to determine the antifungal susceptibility pattern of Candida isolates. Positive yeast was detected in 58.3% of diabetics compared with 30% in healthy controls [P<0.001]. C. albicans was the most prevalent species in both diabetics [81.8%] and controls [76.9%] followed by C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata. C. kefyr and C. krusei were isolated only from diabetics at a combined rate of 1.3%. Candida was detected more frequently in diabetic denture wearers than in control counterparts in all anatomic sampled sites [P<0.05]. The frequency of Candida isolation was significantly higher in smokers than in the non-smokers in both diabetics and controls [P<0.001]. All C. albicans recovered from diabetics and controls were susceptible to amphotericin B, ketoconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole. Non-albicans Candida isolates were shown to have higher azole MIC values than C. albicans isolates. Our findings show that smoking and continuously worn dentures, promote oral candidal colonization in diabetics

Effects of pregnancy on chronic hepatitis "C" patients

Information available regarding the natural history and outcome of chronic HCV during pregnancy has been limited and inconclusive. Aims: To assess the effect of pregnancy on female infected with HCV. A review of 29 patients before and during pregnancy with established HCV-RNA positive attending our clinics between 2002 and 2004 for clinical presentation and laboratories. From 29 pregnant HCV-RNA positive women, 13 were spontaneously cleared from HCV during pregnancy, 9 with low vireamia, and 7 with moderate viaremia. The transminases reaching normal values during pregnancy. The above values remaining as that 3 months after delivery. completion of pregnancy in chronic HCV women is recommeded without any antiviral therapy, pregnancy is an immunological balancing act.

6 Months follow-up study of patients treated by direct stenting versus those treated by conventional predilatation and stenting

Objectives: The aim of our study was to compare the long-term clinical outcomes of direct coronary stenting compared to balloon predilatation followed by stent placement

Methods: We studied the clinical outcomes after 6 months for 2 groups of patients. The 1[st] group included 40 patients who had direct stenting; the 2nd group included 40 patients who had a stern only if the post balloon residual restenosis was > 30%. The 2 groups were matching regarding risk factors as well as type and length of lesions

Results: Incidence of complications During the follow up period, in group I; no patient died, one patient developed MI [2.5%] and one patient developed angina [2.5%]. In group II one patient developed MI [2.5%] and 2 patients developed unstable angina [5%]; p value > 0.05 with no significant difference between the 2 groups. Incidence of restenosis: In this study 11 patients in GI had significant target artery restenosis [27.5%] versus 13 patients in GII [32.5%] with no significant statistical difference between the 2 groups

Conclusion: The long term clinical outcomes in patients undergoing coronary intervention are equivalent when comparing direct stenting with stenting after predilatation

Purification and characterization of bacterial CM-cellulase from camel rumen fluid [Camelus dromedarius]

Bacterial CM-cellulase [1,4-beta-D-glucanohydrolase, [EC 3.2.1.4]] from camelrumen fluid, an enzyme that causes a random secession of cellulose chainyielding glucose and cellotriose, was purified and characterized. Thepurification procedure included ammonium sulfate precipitation andchromatographies on DEAE-cellulose, and Sepharose 6B columns. By ion exchangeon DEAE-cellulose, five isoenzymes of CM-cellulase were obtained. CM-cellulase CII, CIV and CV were purified 11.2, 13.9 and 25.9 fold with 17.3%, 12.5% and 13.7% recovery in activities, respectively. The molecularweights of CM-cellulase CII, CIV and CV were estimated to be 12000, 13000 and 14600, respectively, for the native and 13000 for the denatured enzymes,respectively, suggesting that isoforms are monomeric. Amino acid compositionof the three CM-cellulases were detected. CM-cellulases CII, CIV and CV hadisoelectric points at 5.1, 6.6 and 5.1 and km values of 8.3, 6.25 and 5 mgCM-cellulase/ml, respectively, with more affinity toward CM-cellulase. CM-cellulases CII and CV had similar temperature optima at 40C, while themaximum activity for cellulase CIV was at 50C and had identical pH optimaat 5.5. The effect of divalent metal cations and different inhibitor on thethree isoenzyme activities was examined

effect of perfusion pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass on gastric mucosal pH

The objective of this prospective randomized study was to investigate the effect of high and low perfusion pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass [CPB] on the gastric mucosal pH [pHim]. The study was carried out on 30 patients scheduled for elective valve replacement surgery and allocated randomly into one of two groups: group I [n=14] managed by perfusion pressure of 70-90 mmHg during CPB and group II [n= 16] managed by perfusion pressure < 60 mmHg during CPB. All patients were subjected to the same method of anesthesia, monitoring, anticoagulation and myocardial protection. ABG, PCO[2] [R-a], pHim were recorded before, during, at the end of and one hour after CPB. The results of this study revealed that in contrast to high perfusion pressure low perfusion pressure was associated with significant gastric mucosal acidosis during and after CPB. So we can concluded that the use of perfusion pressure >/= 70 mmHg can prevent or attenuate gastric mucosal acidosis during open cardiac surgery

Serum homocysteine in patients with acute myocardial infraction

A number of risk factors are known to predispose to coronary artery disease. Some of these for example age; sex and family history can not be modified, whereas others can be changed. These associations include dyslipidemia, hypertension, tobacco use and diabetes mellitus. Other risk factors include physical inactivity, obesity, family history of CAD, age, gender, hemostatic factor, homocysteine, alcohol consumption and psychosocial factors. Hyperhomocysteinemia is an emerging risk factor, independently associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease, cerebral vascular disease and peripheral vascular disease. To compare scrum TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-Q and total homocycteine levels in patients with documented acute myocardial infarction with the serum levels of controls without established myocardial infarction. Thirty one patients < 60 years of age fulfilling the WHO criteria for acute myocardial infarction were selected from NICVD Karachi and were matched with thirty one controls having a normal ECG and no history of IHD. Patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction had a mean total homocysteine level 14.97 +/- 1.13 while in the control the mean total homocysteine level is 10.57 +/- 0.31 [p<0.001], other lipid parameters i.e. TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C are significantly different in patients with acute myocardial infarction as compared to controls. Although the serum total cholesterol level [192.85 +/- 10.84] is higher in patients with acute myocardial infarction as compared to controls [166.14 +/- 11.89], but is not significant statistically. The patients with acute myocardial infarction have higher levels of scrum total homocysteine than control subjects suggesting that this variable may strongly predispose to CAD in our country

Laparoscopic deroofing of simple liver cysts: the merits of a new approach

In this study, wide laparoscopic deroofing was performed for ten patients with symptomatic simple liver cysts. Females were affected in 60% of cases, the mean age of the studied patients was 47 years. Upper abdominal pain was the commonest presenting symptom [80%], while right hypochondrial or epigastric mass was present in 60% of cases. Investigations to confirm the diagnosis and to exclude hydatid cyst disease of liver and malignancy were performed. The cysts were solitary in nine patients and mainly presented in the right lobe of liver and their mean diameter was 7 cm. The laparoscopic procedure was successfully completed in nine patients and the mean duration of the operation was 71 minutes. Postoperative pain was mild to moderate in all cases and was relieved by one or two doses of opiates during hospital stay, however, only one patient needed oral analgesics for two days after hospital discharge. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.4 days and follow up for one year revealed no recurrence. Laparoscopic fenestration of symptomatic primary liver cysts is simple, effective and minimally invasive procedure and should be considered as the main surgical treatment for these cases

Electroconvulsive therapy practice in Kuwait

Electroconvulsive therapy [ECT] continues to be one of the most effective psychiatric treatments. This study examined all patients who received ECT in the Kuwait Psychological Medicine Hospital during the year 1992. Medical records were examined retrospectively to determine the sociodemographic and diagnostic characteristics, indications for ECT, duration of hospitalization and duration of any treatment prior to ECT administration. One hundred randomly selected patients who were admitted in the same period but did not receive ECT were used as a control group. ECT was used in 196 patients representing 8.7% of all admissions. Schizophrenia [39.3%] followed by Depressive Disorders [29%] and mania [15.3%] were the main indications for ECT. The findings revealed some aspects of divergence from the modern contemporary ECT practice and the need for their revision and modification is suggested

Comparison between clonidine and verapamil as additives to local anesthetic for intravenous regional anesthesia

This study compared the effect of addition of clonidine or verapamil to 0.5% lidocaine for intravenous regional anesthesia [IVRA] on the onset of sensory and motor block, duration of postoperative analgesia, recovery of sensory function and hemodynamic response to tourniquet. Sixty patients scheduled for minor orthopedic surgery in the hand and forearm were randomly allocated into one of three groups. All patients received 40 ml of 0.5% of lidocaine together with 5 ml of an additive. The additive was saline in group A, clonidine 2 mug kg -1 in group B and 5 mg verapamil in group C. The results revealed that the onset of complete sensory block proved to be significantly faster in patients received clonidine and verapamil than the control group. The return of sensory function was significantly slower in clonidine group and verapamil group, the tourniquet pain scores were significantly better in clonidine and verapamil groups and the hypertensive response to the tourniquet was attenuated in both groups

Plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid [balf] prostaglandin F2 [PGF2] in bronchial asthma patients

Plasma and BALF PGF[2alpha] were estimated in 30 patients with bronchial asthma and 10 apparently healthy subjects in order to clarify its role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma and its possible relation to the disease severity.The results showed a significant increase in plasma PGF[2alpha] [3 folds] and a highly significant increase in BALF PGF[2alpha] [5 folds] in bronchial asthma pateints. This rise was apparent in different subgroups of asthmatic pateints [extrinsic intrinsic mild, moderate and severe] when compared with the control group. A significant positive correlation was observed between plasma PGF[2alpha] and BALF PGF[2alpha] While a non-significant negative correlation between both plasma PGF[2alpha] and BALF PGF[2alpha] and either FEV[1]/FVC% or blood eosinophil count. In conclusion the highly raised bronchoalveolar lavage fluid PGF[2alpha] [5 times] in bronchial asthma patients suggests its local release and the slightly raised plasma PGF[2alpha] [3folds] in bronchial asthma patient may be a reflection of its local production

role of oxidative stress in Egyptian patients with zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis [ZCL] is endemic in North Sinai Governorate. It is a parasitic disease in which the immune system is implicated in its pathogenesis. The erythrocyte lipid peroxidation [ELPO], erythrocyte reduced glutathione [ERGT], glutathione peroxidase [GTPo] and serum vitamin C [SVC] were estimated in 19 patients with ZCL and 16 controls. The ELPO and ERGT were significantly higher in the patient group, while the GTPo and SVC were relatively lower. These results showed that the oxidative stress has a role in active ZCL, probably induces the endogen anti-oxidant system. That is to say, the oxidant-anti-oxidant balance system changes to the oxidative side with marked increase of erythrocyte lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte reduced glutathione