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Objective: To evaluate the effect of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism on plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AA) levels in children with sickle cell disease (SCD), and ascertain their role in predicting high transcranial doppler velocity (TCD). Methods: We estimated MTHFRC677T gene polymorphism, plasma tHyc and PDGF-AA in 44 SCD patients and 44 healthy children. Results: The prevalence of mutant homozygous MTHFR (C677TT) in SCD was 13.6%. Significantly higher plasma tHcy was observed in mutant homozygous MTHFRC677TT patients. Significantly higher plasma tHcy and PDGF-AA levels were observed in SCD patients than in controls. Median (IQR) PDGF-AA levels were significantly higher in conditional and high-risk TCD patients as compared to low-riskTCD patients [325 (93.1-368) and 368 (111-480) vs 111 (56-201) pg/mL, respectively; P<0.001]. Mean (SD) tHcy levels were significantly higher in high-risk TCD children than low-risk TCD children (12.9 (2.7) vs 9.9 (2.5) µmol/L; P=0.006). The receiver operating characteristic revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) of PDGF-AA for high TCD velocity was 0.934 (95% CI 0.845-1.00; P<0.001) and tHcy had an AUC of 0.675 (95% CI 0.517-0.833; P=0.04). Conclusion: PDGF-AA and tHcy levels could be used as predictive markers for stroke in SCD children. MTHFR Polymorphism contributes to elevated tHcy levels.
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Background: The search for herbal remedies has gained significant attention due to chemical drugs’ potentially harmful side effects. Finding plants that can mitigate these adverse effects is crucial for enhancing the well-being of individuals undergoing chemical drug treatments. Aim: Numerous studies have demonstrated the potent antioxidant properties of ginseng. Azathioprine, a widely used drug, has been shown to induce detrimental side effects on various body tissues. Thus, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of ginseng in reducing the harmful effects of azathioprine on ovarian tissue. Materials and Methods: In this study, mice were divided into groups and injected with ginseng root extract and azathioprine. Ovarian weight and histological analysis were conducted to evaluate the number of ovarian follicles and corpus luteum. Furthermore, the levels of FSH, LH, and progesterone in the blood of the study groups were assessed using ELISA. Results: In treatment group 4 (ginseng extract and azathioprine), compared to treatment group 2 (azathioprine only), a significant increase in the weight of both left and right ovaries was observed. Treatment group 4 also exhibited a notable increase (P<0.05) in the number of primordial, primary, and atretic follicles. The concentration of progesterone significantly increased in treatment group 4 compared to treatment group 2 (p<0.01). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that azathioprine can have destructive effects on ovarian tissues, while ginseng extract demonstrates the potential to reduce these detrimental side effects. Furthermore, ginseng extract appears to positively regulate FSH and progesterone hormones.
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Pharmacovigilance is used to detect, assess, understand, and prevent the adverse effects of medications. The need for safety monitoring has evolved around unfortunate incidents in history, with deaths caused by anesthesia and congenital malformations from thalidomide use. Reports from adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are stored in a global database and can be used to evaluate the associations between various medications and associated ADRs. Clinicians play an important role in the recognition and reporting of ADRs to national pharmacovigilance centers (NPCs). The purpose of NPCs is to make the clinicians understand their functions, including the monitoring, investigation, and assessment of ADR reports, along with periodical benefit-risk assessments of medications via multiple sources. A case study on NPCs and the types of safety issues evaluated by them are provided to illustrate their role in medicine safety surveillance. ADR monitoring was also combined with vaccine safety surveillance approaches. Overall, this study will provide insights to clinicians on the importance of pharmacovigilance in maintaining patient safety with the proper use of medications.
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@#Introduction: The instantaneous centre of rotation (ICR) is the centre of motion with zero velocity where a rigid body moves in a particular plane. ICR, as a dynamic measurement, gives more accurate results in terms of quality and quantity of the vertebral motions compared to range of motion (ROM). We aimed to determine the effect of thoracic instrumentation on cervical movement of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients who had undergone thoracic level instrumentation by measuring pre-operative and post-operative ICR change in a pilot study Materials and methods: A total of 25 AIS patients were included in this study. C4-C5 and C6-C7 segmental ICR were determined by pre-operative and post-operative cervical flexion-extension radiographs. In addition, cervical sagittal parameters and global sagittal parameters were investigated. Results: There was no statistically significant change in ICR location post-operatively in both x and y coordinates at C4- C5 segment (p: 0.326 and p: 0.946, respectively) and C6-C7 segment (p: 0.209, p: 0.086, respectively). There was a positive correlation between LCL and C4-C5 ICR y coordinate (r: 0.481), but not with C6-C7 ICR y coordinate (r: -0.2, p: 0.398). T5-T12 kyphosis decreased (p: 0.002) and T1 pelvic angle (0.003), SVA (0.02) and sacral slope (0.049) increased significantly post-operatively. T1S was correlated with LCL (r: 0.595, p: 0.002), T5-T12 kyphosis (r: 0.423, p: 0.035), SVA (r: 0.658, p<0.001) and C2-C7 SVA (r: 0.416, p: 0.039). Conclusion: The ICR for cervical region was not changed post-operatively in AIS patients with thoracic instrumentation. There was no relationship found between the development of post-operative cervical kyphosis or lordosis and ICR, which represents the quality and quantity of intervertebral motion. The T1 vertebra plays a key role for cervical, thoracic, and global parameters interaction.
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Introduction:Malaria and dengue fever are the most prevalent vector-borne diseases in tropical areas and represent major public health problems.They are transmitted by mosquito namely Anophelesand Aedes aegypti, respectively. Hodeidah is a high density with these vectors. Also, co-infection of these diseases has (malaria and dengue) become undetected due to lack of suspicious clinical suspicion and overlapping symptoms.Aim of the Study:The study aimed to detect the prevalence of co-infection with malaria and dengue fever, determine the clinical presentation within febrile patients in Hodeidah city and determine some potential risk factors associated with co-infection.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted (from January to December 2017) in febrile patients. All patients were designedinto three groups: Group A (co-infected with malaria and dengue); Group B (malaria as mono-infection) andGroup C (dengueasmono-infection). The diagnosis of malaria was by microscopic and rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and the dengue virus was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The diagnosis was performed in Center of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases (CTMID),Authority of AL-Thawra Public Hospital-Hodeidah, in collaboration with the Tihama Foundation for Medical-Pharmaceutical Studies and Research (TFMPSR), Hodeidah, Yemen. Results: Out of 270 febrile patients, 82cases(30.4%) patients weremalaria –dengue coinfection, 100 cases (37.0%) of malaria, 21 cases (7.7%) ofdengue and 67 cases (24.8%) werenon-malaria and non-dengue. The most common symptoms were fever, headache, arthralgia, myalgia and retro-orbital pain, where the clinical symptoms of co-infected patients were more like dengue than malaria. One death was reported in malaria –dengue coinfection, with a case fatality rate (CFR%) of 1.2% (1/82).Conclusion:Our results show a high prevalence of malaria –dengue coinfecionin Hodeidah, Yemen as the first time. These due to a high density of vectors in this region and endemic areas for malaria and dengue. Furthermore, surveillance strategies, preventive measures and healthcare worker's education are critical for curtailing this problem and lifesaving.
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Sternalis muscle (SM) is an anatomical variant that lies parallel to the sternum. It is present in (8%) of human population. Awareness about its presence during thoracic imaging is important, since it might be misdiagnosed as a tumor.This study is the first that discusses the prevalence of SM in the Jordanian population and document the level of awareness about SM among intern doctors and surgery and radiology residents. Our aims are to know the prevalence of SM in the Jordanian population, using thoracic multi-detector computerized tomography (CT) images, and to assess the awareness about SM among a sample of intern and resident Jordanian physicians. Random anonymous axial thoracic multi-detector CT images of 1,709 (801 females and 908 males) Jordanian patients, were examined for the presence or absence of unilateral and/ or bilateral SM. A questionnaire aiming to identify SM was distributed among 175 intern doctors, 26 surgery resident and 28 radiology resident doctors, their answers were summarized. The prevalence of SM among Jordanians is 5.9%. The prevalence of unilateral SM is 2.1% on the right side of the thorax and 1.9% on the left side, bilateral prevalence was 1.8%. While 35.7% of the radiology residents could identify SM using CT and/or anatomy images, only 3.9% of surgery residents and none of the intern doctors could. We concluded that SM is present in the Jordanian population, with a prevalence of 5.9% which falls within the global average. Intern doctors and surgery and radiology residents are almost unaware and unfamiliar about SM.
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Sternalis muscle (SM) is an anatomical variant that lies parallel to the sternum. It is present in (8%) of human population. Awareness about its presence during thoracic imaging is important, since it might be misdiagnosed as a tumor.This study is the first that discusses the prevalence of SM in the Jordanian population and document the level of awareness about SM among intern doctors and surgery and radiology residents. Our aims are to know the prevalence of SM in the Jordanian population, using thoracic multi-detector computerized tomography (CT) images, and to assess the awareness about SM among a sample of intern and resident Jordanian physicians. Random anonymous axial thoracic multi-detector CT images of 1,709 (801 females and 908 males) Jordanian patients, were examined for the presence or absence of unilateral and/ or bilateral SM. A questionnaire aiming to identify SM was distributed among 175 intern doctors, 26 surgery resident and 28 radiology resident doctors, their answers were summarized. The prevalence of SM among Jordanians is 5.9%. The prevalence of unilateral SM is 2.1% on the right side of the thorax and 1.9% on the left side, bilateral prevalence was 1.8%. While 35.7% of the radiology residents could identify SM using CT and/or anatomy images, only 3.9% of surgery residents and none of the intern doctors could. We concluded that SM is present in the Jordanian population, with a prevalence of 5.9% which falls within the global average. Intern doctors and surgery and radiology residents are almost unaware and unfamiliar about SM.
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ntroduction:West Nile Virus (WNV) infection is an important arthropod-borne zoonosis viral disease. This virus is neglected in Yemen especially in Hodeidah.Aim of the Study:The purpose of this study was to detect WNV infection,determinethe epidemiological and clinical characteristics within febrile patients in Hodeidah city and to determine some risk factors associatedwith WNVinfection.Materials and Methods: 136 febrile patients in a hospital base study were diagnosed in Center of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases (CTMID), Authority of General Al-Thawara Hospital Hodeidah, Yemen from January of 2017 to December of 2017. WNV infection was detected by enzyme linkage immune sorbent assay (ELISA) on serum samples. Results and Discussion:The results showed that 5 cases (3.67%) were WNV –positive namely IgM thatwas detected inwinter and spring seasons,the most prevalent antibodies of WNVwere IgG namely 75 cases (55.14%). Most common symptoms were fever, headache, fatigue, weakness, arthralgia, myalgiaand photophobia. The treatment based on the intravenoustherapy (IV)with anti-pyritic,plasma in some cases and all cases were recovered whilemortality rate was 00%. Conclusion:WNVwas detected in Hodeidah which placed in Tehama "western Yemen", as first time by our preliminary study that confirmed the evidence of WNV IgM and IG antibodies presence on 2017, in order to increase safety of diagnosis of febrile diseases, it is essential to continue surveillance of this emerging infection, suggesting that this emergence has been transported by migratory birds from winteringareas to Tehama region.
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Objectives: The objectives of this study were to measure pharmacists' attitudes toward management of diabetes, identify current levels of pharmacy service provided to patients with diabetes, and identify barriers for further provision of diabetes-related services
Subjects and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 198 pharmacists working in primary and secondary health care settings in one health region of Kuwait using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and comparative analysis were performed
Results: The response rate was 84.4% [n = 168]. Respondents had overall positive attitudes toward management of diabetes. Pharmacists regularly provided their patients with counseling on the appropriate time to administer their medications; however, services related to hypo-glycemia and management of comorbid diseases were rarely provided. A negative correlation was found between the positive overall diabetes-related attitudes and pharmacists' involvement in providing the following diabetes-related services: glucose monitoring [r = -0.25,p = 0.001], comorbid disease management [r = -0.243, p = 0.001], and healthy living choices [r = -0.237, p = 0.002]
The perception that some physicians and patients have of pharmacists as dispensers only was identified as the most important barrier to providing diabetes-related services
Conclusion: Pharmacists have positive diabetes-related attitudes; however, they provide limited diabetes-related services to their patients. Barriers to provision of pharmacy services to patients with diabetes should be addressed to enable optimum patient care delivery
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Diabetes Mellitus/therapy , Cross-Sectional Studies , Primary Health Care , CounselingABSTRACT
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is very common worldwide. The infection causes chronic gastritis which significantly increases the risk of developing gastric or duodenal ulcer, gastric adenocarcinoma, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. This study was undertaken for the detection of cagA gene in biopsy specimens from patients with gastrointestinal diseases by real time PCR test, in addition to serological detection of anti H. pylori IgG and IgM antibodies by ELISA and direct strip tests. A total of 50 antral biopsy and serum specimens were subjected to real time PCR test conducted together with ELISA test for serological diagnosis. Stomach cancer comprised the lowest frequency by admission diagnosis, 1(2%). PCR test was positive in 45 (90%) of study group. Specimens from patients with gastric ulcer, gastritis & dudenitis, stomach cancer, and multiple polyps recorded 100% positive PCR test. Out of total, ELISA-IgM was positive in 16 (32%) of study group, whereas IgG was positive in 23 (46%) of study group. Direct strip test was positive in 18 (36%) of study group. Our study suggested that stomach cancer is unusually rare in Iraq, despite the high prevalence rate of H. pylori infection in this developing country. ELISA-IgM and IgG and direct strip tests showed a low sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection in a group of Iraqi patients. Polymerase chain reaction is highly specific and may be more sensitive than other biopsy-based diagnostic techniques. Although PCR is a time consuming and expensive procedure with need for highly trained staff performing it, our study demonstrated that using PCR methods for detection of H. pylori have a high diagnostic accuracy rate. Further research is needed to study virulence markers and genetic heterogeneity of H. pylori in patients with gastrointestinal illnesses.
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Background: The prevalence of childhood vaccine-preventable diseases can be significantly reduced through adherence to confirmed vaccination schedules. However, many barriers to vaccination compliance exist, including a lack of awareness regarding the importance of vaccines, missing due dates, and fear of complications from vaccinations. The aim of this study is to review the existing tools and publications regarding vaccination adherence, and to propose a design for a vaccination adherence application [app] for smart phones
Methods: Android and iOS apps designed for vaccination reminders have been reviewed to examine six elements: educational factor; customizing features; reminder tools; peer education facilitations; feedback, and the language of apps'interface and content. The literature from PubMed has been reviewed for studies addressing reminder systems or tools including apps
Results: The study has revealed insufficient [n = 6] technology-based interventions for increasing childhood vaccination rates by reminding parents in comparison to the fast growth in technology, out of which are two publications discussed mobile apps. Ten apps have been found in apps stores; only one out of them was designed for the Saudi vaccination schedule in Arabic language with some weaknesses. The study proposed a design for a vaccination reminder app that includes a number of features in order to overcome the limitations discussed in the studied reminders, apps, and systems. The design supports the Arabic language and the Saudi vaccination schedule; parental education including peer education; a variety of reminder methods, and the capability to track vaccinations and refer to the app as a personal health record
Conclusion: The study discussed a design for a vaccination reminder app that satisfies the specific requirements for better compliance to children's immunization schedules based on reviewing the existing apps and publications. The proposed design includes element to educate parents and answer their concerns about vaccines. It involves their peers and can encourage the exchange of experiences and overcome vaccine fears. In addition, it could form a convenient child personal health record
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The excessive application of pesticides for agricultural production has raised quite some concern about environmental safety and sustainability. To reduce environmental impact of pesticide overuse, there is an increasing interest in using different elicitors including Jasmonic acid (JA) to induce resistance against pathogen and insect in crop. Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.), which is an important vegeTable cum spice crop around the world. The aims of this study were to compare the effectiveness of Jasmonic acid on growth, Phyto-physiological responses, yield and viruses control in chilli plant. It was evaluated the effectiveness of single spray of JA (JA1), double spray of JA (JA2), conventional pesticide (Malathion 50%) and without any of those or control. The experimental results showed that pesticide-treated plants perform much better at early growth stages and become less competitive to JA2 treatment at maturity. Double spray of jasmonic acid showed less stress symptoms in different antioxidant enzymes activities (GPX, APX and CAT), reduce percentage of disease incidence and severity as well as improve growth and yielding characters of chilli plant. Therefore application of Jasmonic acid in chilli could be a possible alternative of pesticide application and its two times exogenous spray (0.5mM) is most effective.
A aplicação excessive de pesticidas na produção agrícola tem provocado algumas alterações na segurança ambiental e na sustentabilidade. Para reduzir este impacto ambiental aumentou o interesse no uso de elicitores incluindo o ácido Jasmônico (AJ) para induzir resistência contra os patógenos e insetos na cultura da pimenteira (Capsicum annum L.), a qual é uma importante hortaliça ou planta olerícola ao redor do mundo. Neste estudo foi comparada a eficácia do ácido Jasmônico no crescimento, resposta fisiológica, produção e controle de viroses na pimenteira. Foi avaliada uma simples aplicação (AJ1), duas aplicações (AJ2), inseticida malathion 50 % e uma testemunha (controle). Os resultados experimentais demonstraram uma redução nos sintomas de doenças viróticas pela atividade das enzimas anti oxidantes (GPX, APX e CAT), que reduziram a porcentagem da incidência e severidade das mesmas e promoveram o crescimento e melhoram os caracteres da produtividade da pimenteira. Portanto, a aplicação do ácido jsmônico em pimenteira pode ser uma alternativa para reduzir o uso de inseticidas e sua aplicação em duas vezes durante o ciclo (0,5 mM) foi mais eficiência.
Subject(s)
Pesticides , Plant Diseases , Capsicum , Crop ProductionABSTRACT
Tamarind is a nutritious fruit with a variety of uses. The properties of this species have been extensively studied, particularly with reference to the components of the seed. The study revealed that the seed is rich in protein [13.6%] while the seed coat is rich in fibers [21.6%]. The seed has high content of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc and manganese [190, 155, 113, 510, 13, 2.3 and 1.1 mg/100g ] respectively compared with pulp. The total content of phenolics of T.indica L. seeds was high 180.1 milligrams gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry weight [ mg GAE g DW -1 ]. Also, total flavonoids content was high for T.indica L. seeds 164.4 milligram catechin equivalent per gram dry weight [ mg CE gDW -1]. Total phenolic content, total flavonoids content and total antioxidant activity of tamarind pulp soaked with different concentrations of tamarind seed powder showed an increase compared with control [ tamarind soaked without TSP ]. Also, addition of tamarind seed powder to tamarind soaked to level of 2.0 % [w/v] did not result in any significant difference in the perceived sensory attributes of tamarind pulp and seed soaked [ p> 0.05] as compared to the control tamarind soaked without tamarind seed powder. But, the content of moisture, protein, crude fiber and ash in tamarind seeds by-products substituted biscuits increased with increased level of addition of tamarind seed flour to biscuits. Also, the total calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc and iron in tamarind seed by-products substituted biscuits increased with the increased level of addition of tamarind seeds flour to biscuits. The mean values of physical characteristics of wheat biscuit and fortified wheat biscuits with tamarind seeds flour showed that gradual increment of spread ratio of fortified biscuits with three studied tamarind seeds flour ranging from 5.22 to 5.30 for 3.6% tamarind seeds flour supplemented biscuits and 9%. That sensory evaluation of seeds tamarind by-products substituted biscuits containing different levels of tamarind seeds improvement with the increased level of addition of tamarind seeds to biscuits from 3 until 12% compared to the control biscuit for all organoleptic characteristics. Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and total antioxidant activity of seeds tamarind by-products substituted biscuits increased with the increased levels of addition
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Aim: Otitis media with effusion in children can result in impairment of speech and language development secondary to the effects of conductive hearing loss from the disease. The review was conducted as part of a clinical practice guideline to assist healthcare providers in the management of this condition. Study Design: Systematic review. Place and Duration of Study: Development Group on Otitis Media with Effusion in Children Clinical Practice Guidelines, Medical Development Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, between 17 August 2010 and 21 February 2012 Methodology: Literature search was carried out on multiple electronic databases. In addition, the reference lists of all retrieved articles were searched to identify relevant studies. Experts in the field were also contacted to identify further studies. All searches were officially conducted between 17 August 2010 and 21 February 2012. All literature retrieved was appraised using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (Oxford) by at least two members and presented in the form of evidence tables and discussed during development group meetings. The articles used in this review were graded using the US/Canadian Preventive Services Task Force Level of Evidence [7]. Results: A total of 356 relevant titles were identified and 147 abstracts were screened Thirty one articles were used in the results. There was good evidence for non surgical intervention as the initial mode of management. It consists of active observation and medical therapy. Short term (less than six weeks) intranasal steroid can be used for otitis media with effusion (OME) with concurrent allergic rhinitis and adenoid hypertrophy (p<0.001). There was good evidence that oral steroids, prolonged intranasal steroids, antibiotics, antihistamines or decongestants, auto inflation, homeopathy and mucolytics are not beneficial. Surgical intervention should be considered after three months of persistent otitis media with effusion with in children with hearing loss >25 dB (at three frequency average). Myringotomy with ventilation tube (VT) insertion is the procedure of choice. Combined adenoidectomy should be considered in children with persistent OME and hypertrophied adenoids (p<0.001). Conclusion: The initial management of OME in children consists of active observation. Short term (up to 6 weeks) use of intranasal steroids can be used in children with concurrent adenoid hypertrophy or allergic rhinitis. Surgical management is considered after three months of persistent OME. Myringotomy with VT insertion is the procedure of choice.
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Castration is the most common routine surgical procedure in animals.The present investigation aimed to compare between two techniques of surgical castration [prescrotal and pinhole] in dogs. The study was performed on nine clinically healthy dogs weighing 20-30 kg and aged from 1-2 years, these animals were divided into three groups [prescrotal, bilateral pinhole and unilateral pinhole] and each group consists of three animals. Castration was done under the effect of xylazine -ketamine anaesthesia. Intra-operative and post-operative complications together with cortisol concentration and histopathological examination were reported. The result of this study revealed that no major intra and post-operative complications were observed in prescrotal technique. Healing score is better in prescrotal than pinhole technique while cortisol level was significantly higher in pinhole technique. It was concluded that prescrotal castration technique proved advantageous than pinhole one as it was less painful, simple and effective for male dog sterilization
Subject(s)
Animals , Dogs , Intraoperative Complications , Postoperative Complications , HydrocortisoneABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to evaluate our experience in transperitoneal laparoscopic and laparoscopic assisted pyeloplasty in children with pelviureteric junction obstruction. The data of all patients undergoing laparoscopic and laparoscopic assisted pyeloplasty at Queen Rania Hospital for Children, King Hussein Medical Center were retrospectively reviewed from prospectively collected data over four years [June 2009-2013]. The medical records of 80 children who underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic and laparoscopic assisted Anderson Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty were reviewed. The sample included 34 females and 46 males; the mean age was 6.4 years [range 2 months to 12 years]. Out of the 80 patients, six underwent bilateral pyeloplasty in the same operation, two of whom had bilateral pyeloplasty for crossing vessels. Mean operating time for the totally laparoscopic pyeloplasty was 200 minutes [range 120-400], while for the laparoscopic assisted pyeloplasty was 70 minutes [range 50-95] [P<0.05]. Hospital stay ranged from two to five days. There were no peri-operative complications, no conversion to open pyeloplasty. Seventy four patients showed improvement of renal function after removal of JJ stent by ultrasound and diuretic dynamic renogram [MAG3] scan, six patients underwent balloon dilation for anastomotic stenosis three months post-operatively. Transperitoneal laparoscopic and laparoscopic assisted pyeloplasty in children are feasible, effective and safe techniques with minimal complications and give excellent long-term cosmetic and functional results. The hospital stay and convalescence are short and hence rapid return to normal activity is expected with less analgesia requirements. These procedures should be standardized and practiced in pediatric surgical units under the supervision of expert pediatric laparoscopic surgeons with high experience in pediatric urology to achieve the best outcome and learning curve
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The present study aims to investigate the possible cardioprotective role of garlic on adult male Sprague-Dawely albino rats after stress exposure. Animals were exposed to stress by immersion in hot water for one day, one week and three weeks of stress. The myocardial activity was evaluated by estimating ECG, heart to body weight ratio, serum creatine phosphokinase [CPK-MB] activity, antioxidant enzymes activities, as well as histopathological alterations in cardiac muscle. Garlic was administered to the animals at a dosage of 250 mg/kg b.w.. Exposure for one day stress was of weak effect, while one week and three weeks of stress exposure were nearly of the same effect, causing significant changes in ECG, cardiac hypertrophy, elevation in serum CPK [MB] activity, significant decrease in the antioxidant enzyme activities and increase in MDA content, and significant alterations in histopathological analysis when compared with control. Supplementation of garlic [250 mg/kg b.w.] orally for one day stress exposed and one week stress exposed animals could not produce any significant change when compared to untreated stress exposed animals. However, after 28 days aqueous garlic homogenate supplementation has significantly improved ECG, decreased cardiac hypertrophy, decreased serum CPK [MB] activity, increased all the antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased MDA content as well as improved the myocardial histopathology compared the three weeks stress exposed group. The results indicated that stress exposure affects the myocardial function through direct effect: on the heart muscle, leading to arrhythmia and hypertrophy, and indirect effect: by generating free radicals and oxidative stress
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Concern is mounting regarding the human health and environmental effects of bisphenol A [BPA], a hormone-disrupting chemical used in plastic and epoxy resin industries. Geraniol [a plant-derived terpene] has cytoprotective and antioxidant potential. This work aimed to study the effect of BPA on the lung of adult male albino rats, assess different dose responses of BPA, and evaluate the possible protective role of geraniol supplementation using histological and immunohistochemical methods. Thirty-five adult male albino rats were divided into seven equal groups. All treatments were given by oral gavage for 8 weeks. Group I served as the untreated control group. Group II received corn oil [0.5 ml/day]. Group III was given geraniol [150 mg/kg body weight/on alternate days]. Groups IV, V, and VI received BPA [5, 50, and 500 mg/kg body weight/day, respectively]. Group VII was treated with BPA [500 mg/kg body weight/day] along with geraniol at a similar dose. Lung specimens were taken and processed for H and E, Masson's trichrome stains, and for immunohistochemical staining of alveolar macrophages [CD68] and inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS]. The area percentage of positive iNOS immunoreactivity and the count of alveolar macrophages in immunostained sections were morphometrically and statistically analyzed. Group IV revealed similar results to the control group. Groups V and VI showed disrupted lung architecture with collapsed alveoli, inflammatory cellular infiltration, congested thickened pulmonary vessels, extravasated red blood cells, and collagen fiber deposition. There was a significant increase in the area percentage of positive iNOS immunoreaction and in the count of alveolar macrophages, compared with the control group. These effects were more pronounced in group VI. Coadminstration of BPA and geraniol [group VII] preserved a near-normal lung structure. Long-term administration of BPA caused dose-dependent lung damage, which could be significantly ameliorated by concomitant treatment with geraniol
Subject(s)
Male , Animals, Laboratory , Lung Injury/therapy , Protective Agents , Terpenes , Immunohistochemistry/statistics & numerical data , RatsABSTRACT
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] is now regarded as hepatic component of the metabolic syn-drome. In addition, NAFLD has emerged as a growing public health problem worldwide and an important challenge for health authorities. NAFLD is associated with insulin resistance and hyperlipidaemia and this appears as the potential pathogenic role of NAFLD in the development and progression of chronic kidney disease [CKD]. Interestingly, NAFLD and CKD may share common pathogenic mechanisms like obesity, abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and inflammation. Importantly, the association between NAFLD and CKD is also being shown to be independent of obesity, hypertension, and other potentially confounding features of the metabolic syndrome, and it occurs both in patients without diabetes and in those with diabetes. How the liver communicates with kidney in individuals with NAFLD is not well known and indeed an urgent research is needed to further elucidate the complex and intertwined mechanisms that link NAFLD and CKD. One potential pathway for future exploration may be inflammatory mediators in NAFLD that may lead to deterioration in renal function. In addition, large clinical studies are needed to study the impact of NAFLD on the progression of CKD and in particular during dialysis and transplant and importantly how treatment of NAFLD and weight loss will have reversible potential benefit in improving renal function
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To investigate the accuracy and reliability of implant site measurements, recorded from low-dose cone beam computed tomography [CBCT] images. CBCT reformatted images of five skulls were obtained using 40, 20 and 7 s exposure protocols. From these protocols, edentulous ridge dimensions were recorded by two observers and compared with measurements recorded directly from the bone. The measurement errors and intra-and inter-examiner reliability were calculated for each exposure protocol and compared with each other. The mean absolute errors from the 40, 20 and 7 s protocols were 0.50, 0.46, and 0.51 mm, respectively. The intra-examiner reliability scores were 0.996, 0.995 and 0.998, respectively. The inter-examiner reliability scores were 0.993, 0.998 and 0.994, respectively. There was no significant difference in accuracy or reliability between the three protocols. In imaging of dry skulls, lowering the CBCT exposure time from 40 s to 20 or 7 s does not affect the reliability or accuracy of implant site measurements