Environmental sustainability assessment of wooden furniture produced in Pakistan

Abstract Life cycle assessment was carried out for a conventional wooden furniture set produced in Mardan division of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan during 2018-19. Primary data regarding inputs and outputs were collected through questionnaire surveys from 100 conventional wooden furniture set manufacturers, 50 in district Mardan and 50 in district Swabi. In the present study, cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment approach was applied for a functional unit of one conventional wooden furniture set. Production weighted average data were modelled in the environmental impacts modelling software i.e., SimaPro v.8.5. The results showed that textile used in sofa set, wood preservative for polishing and preventing insects attack and petrol used in generator had the highest contribution to all the environmental impact categories evaluated. Total cumulative energy demand for wooden furniture set manufactured was 30,005 MJ with most of the energy acquired from non-renewable fossil fuel resources.

Resumo A abordagem de avaliação do ciclo de vida foi realizada para um conjunto de móveis de madeira convencional produzido na divisão Mardan da província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa do Paquistão durante 2018-19. Os dados primários sobre entradas e saídas foram coletados por meio de pesquisas por questionário de 100 fabricantes de conjuntos de móveis de madeira convencionais, 50 no distrito de Mardan e 50 no distrito de Swabi. No presente estudo, a abordagem de avaliação do ciclo de vida do berço ao portão foi aplicada para uma unidade funcional de um conjunto de móveis de madeira convencional. Os dados da média ponderada da produção foram modelados no software de modelagem de impactos ambientais, isto é, SimaPro v.8.5. Os resultados mostraram que os têxteis usados no conjunto de sofás, o preservativo de madeira para polir e prevenir o ataque de insetos e a gasolina usada no gerador tiveram a maior contribuição em todas as categorias de impacto ambiental avaliadas. A demanda total acumulada de energia para o conjunto de móveis de madeira fabricado foi de 30.005 MJ, com a maior parte da energia adquirida de recursos de combustíveis fósseis não renováveis.

Tracing probiotic producing bacterial species from gut of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), South-East-Asia

Abstract Due to extensive application of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed, antimicrobial resistance has been increased. To overcome this challenge, rumen microbiologists search for new probiotics to improve the rate of livestock production. The present study was aimed to isolate and evaluate breed-specific lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as potential animal probiotics. The current study was conducted during 10 months from July 2020 to April 2021, in which a total of n=12 strains were isolated from different samples including milk, rumen, and feces of Nilli Ravi Buffaloes. These isolates were evaluated for their antimicrobial potential against common animal pathogens (Bacillus spp., E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Listeria spp.). All the isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and the phylogenetic analyses inferred that these strains showed close relations to the species of various genera; Enterococcus lactis, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Bacillus subtilis Weissella cibaria, Weissella soli, Bacillus tequilensis, Weissella bombi, Bacillus licheniformis, Lactococcus lactis, Bacillus megaterium, Lactobacillus ruminis, and Lactococcus lactis. NMCC-Ru2 has exhibited the enormous potential of antimicrobial activity, 28 mm, for Salmonella typhimurium;23 mm for Listeria monocytogenes 21 mm for E.coil. Highest resistance was seen in NMCC-Ru2 agasint test antbiotic, like 25.5 mm for Tetracycline. Overall results revesl that the probiotic profile of isolates was achieved using standard criteria, particularly with animal probiotic properties

Resumo Devido à extensa aplicação de antibióticos como promotores de crescimento na alimentação animal, a resistência aos antimicrobianos aumentou. Para superar esse desafio, os microbiologistas do rúmen buscam novos probióticos para melhorar a produtividade do gado. O presente estudo teve como objetivo isolar e avaliar bactérias lácticas específicas de raças (BAL) como potenciais probióticos animais. 12 cepas foram isoladas de diferentes amostras, incluindo leite, rúmen e fezes de búfalos Nilli Ravi. Esses isolados foram avaliados quanto ao seu potencial antimicrobiano contra patógenos animais comuns (Bacillus spp., E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Listeria spp.). Todos os isolados foram identificados por meio do sequenciamento do gene 16S rRNA e as análises filogenéticas inferiram que essas cepas apresentaram estreita relação com as espécies de vários gêneros; Enterococcus lactis, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Bacillus subtilis, Weissella cibaria, Weissella soli, Bacillus tequilensis, Weissella bombi, Bacillus licheniformis, Lactococcus lactis, Bacillus megaterium, Lactobacillus ruminis e Lactococcus lactis. O perfil probiótico dos isolados foi obtido usando critérios padrão, particularmente com propriedades probióticas animais.

Environmental sustainability assessment of wooden furniture produced in Pakistan / Avaliação da sustentabilidade ambiental de móveis de madeira produzidos no Paquistão

Abstract Life cycle assessment was carried out for a conventional wooden furniture set produced in Mardan division of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan during 2018-19. Primary data regarding inputs and outputs were collected through questionnaire surveys from 100 conventional wooden furniture set manufacturers, 50 in district Mardan and 50 in district Swabi. In the present study, cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment approach was applied for a functional unit of one conventional wooden furniture set. Production weighted average data were modelled in the environmental impacts modelling software i.e., SimaPro v.8.5. The results showed that textile used in sofa set, wood preservative for polishing and preventing insects attack and petrol used in generator had the highest contribution to all the environmental impact categories evaluated. Total cumulative energy demand for wooden furniture set manufactured was 30,005 MJ with most of the energy acquired from non-renewable fossil fuel resources.

Resumo A abordagem de avaliação do ciclo de vida foi realizada para um conjunto de móveis de madeira convencional produzido na divisão Mardan da província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa do Paquistão durante 2018-19. Os dados primários sobre entradas e saídas foram coletados por meio de pesquisas por questionário de 100 fabricantes de conjuntos de móveis de madeira convencionais, 50 no distrito de Mardan e 50 no distrito de Swabi. No presente estudo, a abordagem de avaliação do ciclo de vida do berço ao portão foi aplicada para uma unidade funcional de um conjunto de móveis de madeira convencional. Os dados da média ponderada da produção foram modelados no software de modelagem de impactos ambientais, isto é, SimaPro v.8.5. Os resultados mostraram que os têxteis usados ​​no conjunto de sofás, o preservativo de madeira para polir e prevenir o ataque de insetos e a gasolina usada no gerador tiveram a maior contribuição em todas as categorias de impacto ambiental avaliadas. A demanda total acumulada de energia para o conjunto de móveis de madeira fabricado foi de 30.005 MJ, com a maior parte da energia adquirida de recursos de combustíveis fósseis não renováveis.

Tracing probiotic producing bacterial species from gut of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), South-East-Asia / Rastreando espécies bacterianas produtoras de probióticos de intestino de búfalo (Bubalus bubalis), sudeste da Ásia

Due to extensive application of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed, antimicrobial resistance has been increased. To overcome this challenge, rumen microbiologists search for new probiotics to improve the rate of livestock production. The present study was aimed to isolate and evaluate breed-specific lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as potential animal probiotics. The current study was conducted during 10 months from July 2020 to April 2021, in which a total of n=12 strains were isolated from different samples including milk, rumen, and feces of Nilli Ravi Buffaloes. These isolates were evaluated for their antimicrobial potential against common animal pathogens (Bacillus spp., E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Listeria spp.). All the isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and the phylogenetic analyses inferred that these strains showed close relations to the species of various genera; Enterococcus lactis, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Bacillus subtilis Weissella cibaria, Weissella soli, Bacillus tequilensis, Weissella bombi, Bacillus licheniformis, Lactococcus lactis, Bacillus megaterium, Lactobacillus ruminis, and Lactococcus lactis. NMCC-Ru2 has exhibited the enormous potential of antimicrobial activity, 28 mm, for Salmonella typhimurium;23 mm for Listeria monocytogenes 21 mm for E.coil. Highest resistance was seen in NMCC-Ru2 agasint test antbiotic, like 25.5 mm for Tetracycline. Overall results revesl that the probiotic profile of isolates was achieved using standard criteria, particularly with animal probiotic properties

Devido à extensa aplicação de antibióticos como promotores de crescimento na alimentação animal, a resistência aos antimicrobianos aumentou. Para superar esse desafio, os microbiologistas do rúmen buscam novos probióticos para melhorar a produtividade do gado. O presente estudo teve como objetivo isolar e avaliar bactérias lácticas específicas de raças (BAL) como potenciais probióticos animais. 12 cepas foram isoladas de diferentes amostras, incluindo leite, rúmen e fezes de búfalos Nilli Ravi. Esses isolados foram avaliados quanto ao seu potencial antimicrobiano contra patógenos animais comuns (Bacillus spp., E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Listeria spp.). Todos os isolados foram identificados por meio do sequenciamento do gene 16S rRNA e as análises filogenéticas inferiram que essas cepas apresentaram estreita relação com as espécies de vários gêneros; Enterococcus lactis, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Bacillus subtilis, Weissella cibaria, Weissella soli, Bacillus tequilensis, Weissella bombi, Bacillus licheniformis, Lactococcus lactis, Bacillus megaterium, Lactobacillus ruminis e Lactococcus lactis. O perfil probiótico dos isolados foi obtido usando critérios padrão, particularmente com propriedades probióticas animais.

Study of Clinical and Outcome Profile of Neonatal Sepsis with Thrombocytopenia Patients Admitted at Tertiary health care Centre Nanded

Background: Thrombocytopenia is a frequent problem in neonatal sepsis and is among the most predic?ve, independent risk factors for sepsis-associated mortality. The present study was undertaken to correlate neonatal sepsis and thrombocytopenia in terms of severity, clinical course, organism specificity and outcome. Method: Total 384 neonates age <28 days with sepsis and thrombocytopenia were studied and analyzed with their clinical profile, symptoms, lab findings and outcomes. Results: Male babies (55.86%), age <72 hrs (80.35%), preterm (68.70%) and LBW babies (85.58%) were more prone to sepsis. Maternal fever (67.44%), foul smelling liquor (53.79%) and PROM >18 hrs (66.74%) make babies more prone to neonatal sepsis. The Commonest clinical features were not accepting feed (69.95%), lethargy (67.85%) and breathing difficulty (79.04%). Early onset sepsis (82.54%) and probable sepsis (40.26%) were more common and associated with preterm and LBW babies. Leucocytosis was seen in 64.57%, thrombocytopenia moderate degree 45.67% and severe degree 34.65%, MPV >12 69.11%, ANC <1800 47.50%, micro ESR >15 mm 72.16% and CRP posi?vity 28.60%. Severe degree thrombocytopenia (<50000) was more common with PROM >18 hrs (83.02%), maternal fever (83.09%) and gram-nega?ve organism(61.29%). Leucopenia (<4000) was more common with maternal fever (75.79%), proven sepsis (43.16%) and gram-nega?ve organism (70.31%). Severe degree thrombocytopenia (61.29%), leucopenia (70.31%) and mortality (64.51%) were more commonly associated with gram-nega?ve organism. Outcome was bad with severe degree of thrombocytopenia (62.32%), leucopenia (73.91%), and gram-nega?ve organism (64.51%). Conclusion: Proper antenatal mother care, hygiene and early evalua?on for illness can prevent early onset of sepsis in neonates. Severity of degree of thrombocytopenia directly propor?onal to the worst outcome.

Green synthesis of gold nanaoparticles using Delphinium Chitralense tuber extracts, their characterization and enzyme inhibitory potential

Abstract Green synthesis has been introduced as an alternative to chemical synthesis due to the serious consequences. Metal nanoparticles synthesized through green approach have different pharmaceutical, medical and agricultural applications. The present study followed a green and simple route for the preparation of potentially bioactive gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). Au NPs were prepared via green synthesis approach using crude basic alkaloidal portion of the tuber of Delphinium chitralense. The green synthesized Au NPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Morphological analysis shows that Au NPs have cubic geometry with different sizes. UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis confirmed the synthesis of Au NPs while XRD proved their pure crystalline phase. The Au NPs showed promising dose dependent inhibition of both AChE and BChE as compared to the crude as well as standard drug.

Resumo A síntese verde foi introduzida como uma alternativa à síntese química devido às graves consequências. As nanopartículas metálicas sintetizadas através da abordagem verde têm diferentes aplicações farmacêuticas, médicas e agrícolas. O presente estudo seguiu uma rota verde e simples para a preparação de nanopartículas de ouro potencialmente bioativas (Au NPs). As NPs de Au foram preparadas via abordagem de síntese verde usando a porção alcaloide básica bruta do tubérculo de Delphinium chitralense. As NPs de Au sintetizadas verdes foram caracterizadas por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), difração de raios X (DRX), infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR) e espectrofotômetro UV-Visível. A análise morfológica mostra que as NPs de Au possuem geometria cúbica com tamanhos diferentes. A análise espectroscópica UV-Vis confirmou a síntese de Au NPs enquanto a XRD provou sua fase cristalina pura. O Au NPs mostrou inibição dependente da dose promissora de AChE e BChE em comparação com a droga bruta e padrão.

Green synthesis of gold nanaoparticles using Delphinium Chitralense tuber extracts, their characterization and enzyme inhibitory potential / Síntese verde de nanaopartículas de ouro utilizando extratos de tubérculos Delphinium chitralense, sua caracterização e potencial inibitório enzimático

Greeen synthesis has been introduced as an alternative to chemical synthesis due to the serious consequences. Metal nanoparticles synthesized through green approach have different pharmaceutical, medical and agricultural applications. The present study followed a green and simple route for the preparation of potentially bioactive gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). Au NPs were prepared via green synthesis approach using crude basic alkaloidal portion of the tuber of Delphinium chitralense. The green synthesized Au NPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Morphological analysis shows that Au NPs have cubic geometry with different sizes. UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis confirmed the synthesis of Au NPs while XRD proved their pure crystalline phase. The Au NPs showed promising dose dependent inhibition of both AChE and BChE as compared to the crude as well as standard drug.

A síntese verde foi introduzida como uma alternativa à síntese química devido às graves consequências. As nanopartículas metálicas sintetizadas através da abordagem verde têm diferentes aplicações farmacêuticas, médicas e agrícolas. O presente estudo seguiu uma rota verde e simples para a preparação de nanopartículas de ouro potencialmente bioativas (Au NPs). As NPs de Au foram preparadas via abordagem de síntese verde usando a porção alcaloide básica bruta do tubérculo de Delphinium chitralense. As NPs de Au sintetizadas verdes foram caracterizadas por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), difração de raios X (DRX), infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR) e espectrofotômetro UV-Visível. A análise morfológica mostra que as NPs de Au possuem geometria cúbica com tamanhos diferentes. A análise espectroscópica UV-Vis confirmou a síntese de Au NPs enquanto a XRD provou sua fase cristalina pura. O Au NPs mostrou inibição dependente da dose promissora de AChE e BChE em comparação com a droga bruta e padrão.

Assessment Of Analgesic Activity Of Nelumbo Nucifera Fruit Ethanol Extract

Objective: Utilization of herbal remedies rich in flavonoids and vitamins have increased significantly these days to treat various disorders, thus existing research work encircled to appraise the analgesic effect of Nelumbo nucifera fruit (NNF) for evaluating its traditional use pharmacologically in disorders which are associated with pain and inflammation. Methods: Central analgesic activity in mice was assessed by tail flick test and the latency time i.e. the removal of tail from the stimulus was recorded. Similarly acetic acid induced writhing test was also conducted for the assessment of peripheral analgesic effect in mice and number of writhes was counted along with percent inhibition of writhes. Results: In tail flick test the peek anti-nociceptive effect at all doses of fruit was observed at 90 min. However, the percentage of tail elongation time was highest at a dose of 200 mg/kg i.e. 82% at 90 min. Number of writhes was highly significantly reduced at all doses of NNF but maximum effects were observed at dose 200 mg/kg as compared to control, indicating 48.41 % inhibition of writhes. Conclusion: NNF have exhibited strong analgesic effect in both animal models, which may be connected with the synergistic actions of flavonoids, saponins and tannins on arachidonic acid pathway inhibition. Hence NNF seems to have a great potential in disorders associated with pain but more experimental trials in this field are required to confirm these findings.

Ureteral orifice involvement by urothelial carcinoma: long term oncologic and functional outcomes

ABSTRACT Purpose: Bladder cancer (BC) may involve the ureteral orifice, and the resection of the orifice has oncological and functional consequences such as development of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), vesicoureteral reflux or ureteral stenosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the oncological and functional outcomes of the ureteral orifice resection in BC patients and determine the predictive factors for UTUC development. Materials and Methods: A total of 1359 patients diagnosed with BC, between 1992 and 2012, were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were grouped with respect to orifice resection and compared for development of UTUC, survival and functional outcomes. Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare survival outcomes. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of UTUC development. Results: Ureteral orifice involvement was detected in 138 (10.2%) patients. The rate of synchronous (10.1% vs. 0.7%, p=0.0001) and metachronous (5.3% vs. 0.9%, p=0.0001) UTUC development was found to be higher in patients with ureteral orifice involvement. Orifice involvement and tumor stage were found to be associated with development of UTUC in the regression analysis. Overall (p=0.963) and cancer specific survival rates (p=0.629) were found to be similar. Hydronephrosis was also significantly higher in patients with orifice involved BC, due to the orifice obstruction caused by the tumor (33.3% vs. 13.9%, p<0.05). Conclusions: BC with ureteral orifice involvement has significantly increased the risk of having synchronous or metachronous UTUC. However, orifice involvement was not found to be associated with survival outcomes. Development of stricture due to resection is a very rare complication.

Epidermal growth factor receptor [egfr] immunohistochemical expression in gastric carcinoma

Background: Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Gastric cancer is a major cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide

Objective: To estimate the immunohistochemical expression of epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR] in the gastric cancer in relation to other parameters like grade and stage

Methods: Formaline fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks from 51 patients [29 male and 22 female] with gastric carcinoma were included in this study. Ten biopsies of normal gastric tissue were selected as a control group. Envision [DAKO] technique was applied to study the immunohistochem- ical expression of EGFR in paraffin embedded sections of gastric cancer

Results: Positive immunohistochemical expression of EGFR was seen in 41.2% of cases as both membranous and cytoplasmic brown staining while there was negative staining in the normal control group [p<0.05]. EGFR immunoexpression was correlated with the histological type [more in the intestinal variant than the diffuse type] [p<0.0.5]

Conclusion: These findings provides further evidence for the role of EGFR in the tumorgenensis of gastric cancer. However, EGFR could not be well correlated with stage of tumor and hence may be poor prognostic parameters of the state of malignancy

Experience in the management of the true ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint: a suggested protocol for treatment

Background and objectives: True ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint may be defined as joint surfaces fusion. It can affect the function adversely and when occurs during childhood, it can adversely affect mandibular growth. The treatment is usually surgical, but, unfortunately, poses a significant challenge because of the high recurrence rate. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the outcome of following a definitive protocol in the treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis

Methods: Seventy-seven patients, 36 unilateral and 41 bilateral ankylosis [118 ankylosed joints] were diagnosed clinically and radiologically as having true ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint during the period between 2001 and 2013. Resection of the ankylosed bone or horizontal ramus osteoctomy of the affected side with interpositional autogenic or alloplastic material, with possible ipsilateral and/or contralateral coronoidectomy to achieve the definitive interincisal opening of not less than 35mm

Results: The postoperative measurement of interincisal opening of >/= 35mm with lateral and protrusive movement was the criteria for success of surgery. Reankylosis occurred in 7 unilateral and 12 bilateral cases

Conclusion: Postoperative jaw opening exercises are crucial for lasting success and failure of patient compliance is the cause of reankylosis

Isolation of Mycobacterium fortuitum in sputum specimens of a patient with chronic cough: Is it clinically significant?

Managing chronic cough is diagnostically challenging especially in primary care. This case report highlights the difficulties experienced in approaching a case of chronic cough from a primary care perspective. The discussion also involves the clinical significance and treatment dilemma of M. fortuitum chelonae complex that was isolated from the sputum cultures of an elderly woman who presented with chronic cough for more than a year.

Trends in ultrasound examination in family practice

Ultrasound examination is very frequently used for the evaluation of abnormalities in various organs of the body. Our aim was to determine whether the requests by family physicians [FPs] for ultrasound examinations were appropriate. Our secondary objective was to enumerate positive and negative ultrasound reports for various diagnostic indications. This cross-sectional study was conducted during the period of month between June and August 2010, at the Family Medicine Department of North West Armed Forces Prince Salman Hospital, Tabuk. We reviewed the ultrasound requests of all patients included in this study and the findings of the procedure. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences [SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL], version 16.0. The requests and reports of 815 patients for ultrasound were reviewed. Females comprised 58.7% of the referred cases. The mean age of the sample at referral was 30 +/- 18.5 for females and 34 +/- 20.7 for males. Only 46% of the request forms contained conclusive information and instructions. Abdominal/pelvic ultrasounds were the most frequently requested; Nearly 71.2% of the ultrasound scans were normal. Abdominal/pelvis ultrasound was more likely to be reported as normal than ultrasound scans of other regions [P = 0.007]. Patients aged 41-60 years were more likely to have an abnormal ultrasound [P = 0.02]. Our findings suggest that FPs have to be educated about imaging referral protocols in order to achieve better outcomes

Effects of iron chelating therapy and / or HBV-vaccination on beta-thalassemia major patients

Thalassemia is a genetic inherited blood disorder in which the body makes abnormal hemoglobin with excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to anemia. For many years, hepatitis B virus was a major problem for patients with thalassemia substantially contracted from blood transfusions. The development of effective vaccine has further reduced the magnitude of the problem of hepatitis B. Iron chelators are used to remove excess iron that accumulates due to repeated blood transfusion. To compare thalassemic patients either have or haven't HCV with healthy persons as regards biochemical indices taking in consideration effect of vaccination against HBV or not and using iron chelating therapy or not by the studied persons. A case control study in which 40 thalassemic, blood transfusion dependent patients were chosen randomly to act as a case group from thalassemic patients attending the VACSERA Company. The cases [40 patients] they were classified to patients having HCV, patients were HBV vaccinated, other non vaccinated, using iron chelating therapyor don't use it. Another 10 healthy and non thalassemic persons were chosen randomly among persons attending the same company as a control group to be matched with the case group. 50% of studied thalassemic patients had HCV seropositivity. Biochemical blood indices which were found to be significantly elevated among thalassemic patients than controls were ALT, AST, ALP, GGT and LDH enzymes in addition to serum iron, ferritin and globulin mostly in HBV non-vaccinated and iron chelating therapy non dependent patients while, other biochemical indices which were significantly decreased among thalassemic patients compared to controls included: total cholesterol, total protein, albumin and albumin/globulin ratio mostly in HBV vaccinated and iron chelating non dependent patients. This study illustrated the effectiveness of iron chelators agentsand the importance of vaccination for reduction of morbidity and mortality

Glutathione and male fertility

Considerable efforts are now focused on the identification of ultrastructural and/or molecular defects in the seminal fluid from infertile men. The tripeptide glutathione is the most abundant non-thiol protein in mammalian cells. It is a part of the protein identified as the major constituent that embeds the helix of mitochondria in the midpiece of spermatozoa. The objective of this work is to clarify the role played by seminal plasma glutathione on male fertility. A randomly selected group of 25 nonazoospermic infertile patients were included in this study, who attended the Institute of Embryo Research and Infertility Treatment at Al-Kadhimiya City/ Baghdad, with a history of infertility of at least 1 year duration between March and June 2009. Controls consisted of samples obtained from healthy donors of proven fertility [n = 10]. The seminal plasma glutathione concentration and percentage of spermatozoa with low mitochondrial membrane potential [MMP] were studied in the ejaculate from infertile patients against control donors. Results were compared with the standard semen characteristics [concentration, motility and morphology]. Infertile patients had significantly lower amount of GSH in the seminal plasma [P = 0,00001], lower progressive motility [grades a and b] [P = 0,002] and poorer sperm morphology [P = 0.00001]; while they had higher percentage of spermatozoa with low MMP [P = 0,00001] as compared to controls. Most of infertile patients were non oligozoospermic therefore; no significant concentration difference was found compared to controls. Seminal glutathione concentration was significantly inversely correlated with low MMP [r = - 0.665, P = 0.001], yet it was positively related to progressive motility [r = 0.51, P = 0.02] and normal morphology [r = 0.611, P = 0.004]. Comparison between patients with asthenoteratozoospermia [low percentage of progressive motility and normal morphology] [n = 18] against other patients [n = 7] revealed significantly lower seminal GSH concentration [P = 0.02] and higher percentage of low MMP [P = 0.00001]. This further support the relation between GSH and mitochondrial status, motility and normal morphology of spermatozoa. Seminal plasma GSH levels may play an important role in male fertility through protection against oxidative damage and preserving the mitochondrial integrity and function of the spermatozoa as the main energy source

Protein expression of metastasis-related genes in human bladder carcinoma

The discovery of genetic alterations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes that accompany tumor formation has encouraged the search for genes that may promote or suppress tumor metastasis. This study aimed to investigate, by immunohistochemical analysis, protein expression of the metastasis-related genes metalloproteinase-2 [MMP-2] and nm-23 in human bladder carcinoma. Their role as prognostic factors against established clinicopathological variables in bladder carcinoma was evaluated. A total of 60 specimens of bladder carcinoma were obtained by radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. In addition, 10 tissue samples from normal mucosa adjacent to tumors were examined and served as controls. Immunohistochemical expression of MMP-2 and nm-23 was correlated with histological grade, tumor stage, lymph node metastases, and the presence or absence of bilharziasis. MMP-2 was expressed in 63% of patients with human bladder carcinoma and was shown to be positively correlated with histological grade, lymph node metastasis, and tumor stage. In contrast, nm-23 was expressed in 61% of patients with carcinoma but with insignificant correlation between its expression and the previous variables. Both proteins showed insignificant correlation with the presence or absence of bilharziasis. The study revealed that nm-23 expression was nonsignificantly correlated with MMP-2 expression and that nm-23 does not behave as a metastasis suppressor gene in bladder carcinoma. MMP-2 overexpression seems to be related to more aggressive tumors with advanced stages and grades; therefore, it may be used not only as a promoting prognostic marker for bladder carcinoma but also as a novel target for clinical therapy

Oral tori in edentulous patient

This study aimed to determine the prevalence, size, shape and location of tori in partially and completely edentulous patients attending the College of Dentistry/ Hawler Medical University from 2009-2011. In a retrospective study four hundred and fifty patients case file from Erbil city were examined for the presence of oral tori in prosthodontic department, College of Dentistry, Hawler Medical University. The size, shape and location of tori were recorded and related with the age and sex of patients. The overall prevalence of tori was 14.2% [64 cases]. The prevalence of torus palatinus was 60.9% [39/64], while that of torus mandibularis was significantly lesser 23.5% [15/64].Both types of tori were associated with each other in 15.62% of cases [10/64]. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of tori between males and females. There was a significant relationship between the presence of mandibular and palatal tori

Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] receptor expression correlates with histologic grade and stage of colorectal cancer

Colorectal carcinoma [CRC] is the seventh-most common malignancy and is the main cause of death in Iraq. The incidence of this cancer has increased sharply after the invasion of Iraq in 2003. To estimate immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] in CRC in relation to other parameters, such as grade and stage of tumour. Formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks from 52 patients [27 male and 25 female] with CRC were included in this study. A group of 22 patients with non-cancerous colonic tissues were included as a control group. Avidin-biotin complex method was employed for immunohistochemical detection of VEGF. VEGF immuno-expression was positive in 51.9% of CRC, while it was 18.2% in the normal colonic tissue [p<0.05]. VEGF immunostaining was positively correlated with grade of colonic malignancy [p<0.05]. These findings provide further evidence for the role of VEGF in the carcinogenesis of CRC. However, VEGF could not be well correlated with stage of tumour and hence may be a poor prognostic parameter of state of malignancy of colonic carcinoma

Extraamniotic versus vaginal misoprostol for ripening the unfavorable cervix

To compare the efficacy of two different routes of administration of misoprostol for ripening the unfavorable cervix. Labor room in Basra Maternity [teaching] Hospital with 400 bed capacity. A prospective comparative study was conducted to compare two different routes of administration of misoprostol [Cytotec] for ripening the unfavorable cervix. The cervix was ripped using a 2cc of misoprostol solution [25 micro g] installed into e upper vagina. The cervix was ripped using a Foley's catheter, which was inserted to the extraamniotic space and 2cc misoprostol solution [25 micro g] was infused through the catheter into the extraamniotic space. The clinical trial involved a total of 180 pregnant women, in method I [92], and method II [98],the success rates in achieving cervical ripening were 100% for both groups. the ripening times in group II [primigravidae [6.05 +/- 2.25], multiparae [3.97 +/- 1.1]] were significantly shorter than those in group I [primigravidae [10.3 +/- 1.3], multiparae [9.22 +/- 1.32]. The induction delivery times were a slightly deferent in both groups in primigravidae; where as it was significantly shorter in multgravidae in group II. The vast majority of the women [100% in group I and 97% in group II] had vaginal delivery. This study confirms that vaginal and extra-amniotic misoprostol [which was evaluated for first time in this study] were effective in achieving cervical ripening but we recommend the use of vaginal misoprostol in stead of extraamniotic misoprostol because although it takes a longer priming time, it achieves a higher post ripening score, it is easily administered and do not requires special method for application as in the extraamniotic one. We also recommend that extraamniotic misoprostol is reserved for use in patient in whom quick cervical ripening is indicated