[The effect of aqueous extract thymus kotschyanus boiss. et hohen on glycemic control and dyslipidemia associated with type ii diabetes: a randomized controlled trial]

Introduction: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, a major cause of death and disability, is increasing worldwide. Considering the data available on folk medicine in Iran, this study aimed to investigate hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of the aqueous extract of the plant, Thymus kotschyanus Boiss. et Hohen [Thymus. K] in patients with type II diabetes

Materials and Methods: This study is a clinical trial in which 64 patients, aged 30-60 years, with confirmed diagnosis of Type II diabetes treated with usual anti-diabetic drugs normally were randomly divided into two groups, 1. [receiving usual drugs] and 2. (Receiving Thymus. K aqueous extracts 20 gr/day with conventional therapy]. Three months later, indicators of glycemic control and lipid profiles were reassessed in both groups and compared with baseline values respectively

Results: Results showed that the groups receiving the aqueous extract Thymus. K [20 gr/day for three months] in addition to usual drugs, showed a significant decrease [p<0.05] in FBG and Hb A1C levels and a significant increase [p<0.05] in the beta cell function index [HOMA-Beta] while significantly reducing [p<0.05] is LDL-C levels

Conclusion: The aqueous extract of the plant Thymus. K in patients with type II diabetes along with the usual anti-diabetic drugs, led to better control glucose levels and also helped lower of LDL-C levels

Risk factors for neonatal intensive care unit admission in Amman, Jordan

A better understanding of risk factors for neonatal intensive care unit [NICU] admission can inform interventions to improve neonatal survival. This study aimed to describe a population of newborns admitted to a NICU in Amman Jordan, and compare them with newborns discharged to home. Newborns born within 96 hours at Al-Bashir Hospital were enrolled from February 2010 to June 2011. Demographic and clinical data were collected for mothers and newborns. Of 5466 enrolled neonates, 373 [6.8%] were admitted to the NICU. The median gestational age of NICU infants was 36 weeks, median birth weight was 2.2 kg and 49.5% were delivered by non-elective caesarean section. Lower gestational age, lower birth weight, delivery by caesarean section and birth in the month of May were statistically significant risk factors for NICU admission. Risk factors for NICU admission were consistent with other populations worldwide; however, median gestational age and birth weight were higher than in developed countries

Incomplete Kawasaki Disease in a Three Month Old Infant.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis of unknown aetiology that has largely replaced rheumatic heart disease as a cause of acquired heart disease in children of many developed countries. We report a case of incomplete KD in a threemonth- old girl. The diagnosis of incomplete KD was made after exclusion of conditions with similar presentation. She was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin following which she made an uneventful recovery but demonstrated thrombocytosis in the second week of convalescence. It is important for the treating physicians to become aware of the incomplete KD as prompt diagnosis and early treatment of these patients with intravenous immunoglobulin is vital for the prevention of lethal coronary complications. Physicians need to have a "high index of suspicion" for KD and even, higher for IKD.

Acceleration of Domiati Cheese ripening by new and promising proteolytic enzymes

Domiati cheese were traditionally manufactured with addition of ripening enzymes [Milezyme Apl 440; HT-proteolytic L.175; Brome lain or Papa-in] before rennetting at 0.4 unit/kg milk, then they were pickled in their own whey until full ripening was attained. Utilization of these enzymes caused a marked reduction of ripening period from 90 to 30 days, on the other hand they induced slight reductions in cheese yield. Better organoleptic properties were obtained with all utilized enzymes. The best results were obtained with HT-proteolytic. The lowest score were obtained with Milezyme Apl and Bromelain. Total solids and total nitrogen were lower in all treated cheese correspond to their controls, while cheese acidity, total volatile fatty acids and all ripening indices were higher. This trend was mush more pronounced in cheese treated with HT-proteolytic or Bromelain enzymes. Changes in soluble protein compounds during pickling were followed by using gel filtration applied on Sephadex G-50. The absorbance patterns of all cheese extracts revealed the presence of two peaks. When the ripening period was extended to 30 days, the absorbance patterns did not change for all treatments, but for Bromelain treatment cheese had higher peaks. The electrophoretic patterns of fresh cheese and cheese after ripening showed slight changes in alpha s-and beta-caseins regions. There wer considerable differences with respect to number and area of peaks. The peaks number and shapes were completely different from each other, indicating that these enzymes have different proteolytic actions. Papian seemed to be the strongest proteolytic agent and Milezyme Apl was the second strongest

End-tidal carbon dioxide and oxygen saturation compared with arterial blood gases during anaesthesia for laparoscopic oocyte recovery

Twenty- four patients undergoing laparoscopic oocyte were the subject of this study. The procedure was conducted under general anaesthesia with endotracheal tube and controlled ventilation. Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone followed by atracurium and maintenance with 70% N2 O in oxygen and 1% isoflurane. During the laparoscopic procedure the end- tidal CO2 tension was continuously monitored with the CO2 monitor and the SaO2 was also continuously monitored by the pulse oxymeter. Arterial blood gases before and during CO2 pneumoperitonium insufflation and after CO2 deflation were compared and the arterial to end- tidal CO2 tension difference was evaluated during the laparoscopic procedure. Also the arterial SaO2 and SaO2 of the non-invasive pulse oxymeter were compared. The result of this study shows that there was no significant changes in the blood gas values among the three arterial samples with good oxygenation in all the samples. The mean arterial to end- tidal carbon dioxide tension difference was 1.8.4. 0.45 mm Hg. On the other hand during CO2 insufflation an increase of 1% in the SaO2 was observed in both the arterial and pulse oxymeter values. From this study we reach to a conclusion that in practice, end- tidal CO2 tension values can be used to monitor the PCO2 status during anaesthesia, being safe and reliable. On the other hand the pulse oxymeter SaO2 is a reliable guide for the state of oxygenation and with its use the need for arterial invasive techniques is very much minimized. Also we can conclude that general anaesthesia with endotracheal tube and controlled ventilation is a safe anaesthetic technique procedures needing prolonged CO2 insufflation like laparoscopic oocyte recovery