Attitudes of cairo university medical students toward smoking: the need for tobacco control programs in medical education

Tobacco smoking rates are increasing in developing countries and so are tobacco-related chronic diseases. Reported figures from the WHO show rates of smoking in Egypt as high as 20% but limited information is available about smoking specifically among physicians and medical students. Final-year medical students of Cairo University were surveyed regarding their tobacco behavior and attitudes using a modified Global Health Professions Student Survey. We approached 220 students by randomly selecting clinical units into which they were assigned and requested completion of the survey. Ever users of some form of tobacco comprised 46.7% of students sampled, current users of cigarettes comprised 17.4%, and current users of water pipe 'sheesha' comprised 17.6%. The vast majority [87.7%] of students believed that smoking is a public health problem in Cairo and supported restriction of tobacco. Yet, only 58.5% stated that they were taught it is important for physicians to provide tobacco education materials to patients. Among ever users of cigarettes, 54.4% believed health professionals do not serve as health role models for patients, and only a small percentage of all students [34.2%] stated that they had received some form of training on smoking cessation in their medical curriculum to be able to instruct patients. A high rate of smoking was revealed among medical students in Cairo. Overall, approximately 23.4% of students were currently smoking cigarettes and/or sheesha, and 46.7% were ever users of some form of tobacc o. A formal antitobacco program for medical students should be incorporated into their medical curriculum to change the attitudes of medical students and overcome the anticipated increase in chronic diseases in Egypt

Enhancement of tropane alkaloids production in Egyptian henbane [Hyoscyamus muticus L.] via Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformation

An efficient protocol for establishment of transgenic Egyptian henbane [Hyoscyamus muticus L.] root cultures using Agrobacterium rhizogenes is reported. Two strains of A. rhizogenes 15834 and A4, carrying the pBI121 binary vector, we're tested for their ability to produce hairy roots on wounded hypocotyl, leaf and stem explants as well as complete seedlings. One of the strains induced hairy root formation on all explants, whereas the other type caused the growth of tumorigenic calli or produced no response. The effectiveness of different concentrations of Kanamycin as antibiotic for selective medium of hairy root production was investigated. On other hand, the effect of transgenic hairy root cultures an enhancement of total tropane alkaloids, hyoscine and hyoscyamine production was investigated as compared with the production of tropane alkaloids from different calli cultures obtained

Study of cryoglobulinemia in patients with chronic hepatitis C viral infection

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] is involved in an increasing number of non hepatic diseases. Mixed cryoglobulinemia [MC] is considered a lymphoproliferative disorder. It is characterized by arthralgia, generalized weakness, purpura and organ involvement such as membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, peripheral neuropathy, vasculitis and chronic liver diseases. Cryoglobulinemia is quite frequent in chronic HCV infection and especially when appropriate techniques of cryoglobulin detection are applied. Its frequency is usually higher in older male cirrhotic patients and who have a longer duration of HCV infection. The term essential mixed cryoglobulinemia [EMC] has been used to describe the syndrome with no evidence of underlying disease. Chronic HCV infection is the main cause [90%] of EMC type II and III with or without clinical or biochemical evidence of liver damage. In addition, HCV was described as a lymphotropic virus and may play a direct role in the development of low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma which is usually associated with EMC. Aiming to estimate cryoglobulins in patients with CHC viral infection to identify the possible correlation between cryoglobulinemia and CHC viral infection, we conducted this study on 40 patients with CHC viral infection. Another group of 10 normal persons was considered a control group. Among our patients, there were 32.5% positive patients for cryoglobulinemia, those patients had increased incidence of cirrhosis and low C4. We suggested that EMC associated with HCV infection should no longer be referred to as essential but rather as hepatitis C associated with MC. In addition, every patient with chronic HCV infection may have MC, so that serum cryoglobulins and complement components must be evaluated repeatedly during the course of chronic HCV infection for avoiding their complications

Assessment of toxicological effects and persistence of the fungicide Zineb in laying hens

Zineb, a fungicide of ethylenebisdithiocarbamate group, is widely used as a protective fungicide in agriculture purposes. The present work was carried out to assessment the toxicological effects and the fate of "zineb" in laying hens. Zineb and some of its degradation products have been prepared in our laboratory for the present investigation. Hens were treated with 50 and 100 ppm of zineb in the feed for two months followed by one month recovery period. At the end of the experimental period, both plasma and red blood cells [RBCs] - cholinesterase activities showed a moderate inhibition amounting to [24.4 and 31.0% for plasma and 8.0 and 10.5% for RBCs at two treated doses [50 and 100 ppm], respectively. Liver and kidney functions as well as lipid profile of the treated hens were increased, while concentration of total protein and albumin were decreased during the experimental period. All the blood parameters returned to control values after a one month recovery period except lipid parameters [Cholesterol and triglycerides]. The residual analysis of the extracts of whole eggs, blood and different organs of laying hens revealed that, a considerable amount of the parent compound was detected and amounted to, whole eggs [0.171 and 0.322 ppm], fat [0.071 and 0.135 ppm], liver [1.11 and 2.05 ppm], muscles [0.385 and 0.650 ppm], whole blood [0.160 and 0.305 ppm] and heart [0.155 and 0.270 ppm] for both doses [50 and 100 ppm], respectively at the end the experimental period. Chromatographic analysis by TLC and HPLC of the extracts of whole eggs, blood and different organs of laying hens showed the presence of five degradation products in addition to the parent compound zineb

Toxicological potential and the fate of the insecticide chlorpyrifos in laying hens

The present study was conducted to investigate the toxicological effect and the fate of the insecticide chlorpyrifos in laying hens. Chlorpyrifos and some of its degradation products have been prepared in our laboratory for the present investigation. Hens, were fed 40 ppm of chlorpyrifos in the feed for two months followed by one month recovery period. After 30 days of the experiment, both plasma and red blood cells-cholinesterase activity showed a moderate inhibition amounting to 32.4 and 17.9%, respectively. Liver and kidney functions as well as lipid profile of the treated hens were significantly increased during the experiment periods. All the blood parameters returned to the control values after one month recovery period except liver enzymes [ALT, AST and alkaline phosphatase]. The residual analysis of the extracts of both eggs and different organs of laying hens revealed that, there was a considerable amount of the parent compound which amounted to: eggs [0.02 ppm], fat [0.095 ppm], liver [0.093 ppm] and muscles [0.007 ppm] at the end the experiment. Chromatographic analysis by TLC and HPLC showed the presence of four degradation products in addition to the parent compound chlorpyrifos

Influence of ginger [Zingiber officinales Rosc] on chronic toxicity induced by the organophosphorus insecticide "chlorpyrifos" in laying hens

Pesticides may induce toxic symptoms and alteration of most blood enzymes in experimental animals. Ginger rhizome [Zingiber officinales] is one, of the best known spices, which has also been universally used throughout history for its health benefits. For evaluation of the toxic effect of subchronic exposure to chlorpyifos, the protective effect of ginger rhizome, an indigenous medicinal plant was studied through estimation of different blood parameters at different time intervals. These blood parameters are the red blood cells [RBCs] and plasma cholinesterase activity, liver and kidney functions, level of cholesterol and triglycerides as well as the main metabolites of chlorpyrifos in laying hens. Administration of diet contaminated by chlorpyrifos at a dose of 40 ppm for two months followed by one month recovery period led to a slight inhibition of RBC and plasma cholinesterase and significantly increased the activity of liver enzymes, namely alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP] activities. Total protein and albumin were slightly decreased and serum creatinine and blood urea were significantly increased. Cholesterol and triglycerides were slightly increased. The main metabolites detected in the extracts of eggs and different organs of laying hens were 3, 5, 6-Trichloro-2-hydroxypyridine, chlorpyrifos oxon, desethyl chlorpyrifos and desethyl chlorpyrifos oxon, in addition to the parent compound, which were identified and confirmed by tic and hplc. Feeding hens on a diet containing dursban at a dose of 40 ppm and Zingiber officinales Rose [ginger 1%, w/w], significantly ameliorate the toxic effect of chlorpyrifos. This results indicate the possible chemoperventive action of ginger and emphasize the potential of natural plant products as chemopreventive agents

Persistence of the vinyl phosphate insecticide 14C-dichlorvos in stored soybeans and its toxicological significance to experimental animals

Soybeans were treated with the recommended dose of dichlorvos insecticide [12.0mg pesticide/kg seeds] and its duplicate [24 mg pesticide / kg seeds] and stored for 7 months under normal local storage conditions. The rate of penetration of the pesticide through the seeds and the percentage of bound residues were apparently not dose dependent. The amount of surface residues decreased with time to 18% of the applied dose while the amount of extracted and bound residues inside the seeds showed a slow but definite increase with time of storage and reached more than 61% and 9%, respectively, at the end of the experiment. The incomplete recovery of the applied radioactivity by extraction and combustion may be attributed at least to volatilization of the parent substance. Toxicity of the total internal residues of dichlorvos in stored soybeans was studied in mice through a subchronic feeding experiment for three months. The maximum inhibition in plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterase activity was 60% and 52% after the first month, respectively. Blood picture showed a slight decrease in hemoglobin concentration [18%] and red blood cell counts [19%] and a significant decrease [55%] in white blood cell-counts at the end of experimental period. Treated mice suffered from deterioration of hepatic and renal functions as indicated by the obtained results. Percentage increase in alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] reached to about 93, 61, and 20%, respectively as compared with control animals at the end of feeding period. A significant increase in blood urea [65%] was observed whereas creatinine concentration showed only a slight increase [17%] as compared with control group

Evaluation of ginger effect on induced chronic toxicity by the dithiocarbamate fungicide "Zineb" in laying hens

Ginger rhizome, an indigenous medicinal plant, has a long history of both culinary and medicinal use in a Chinese, Japanese and Indian medical care. The protective effect of ginger on induced chronic toxicity by the dithiocarbamate fungicide "Zineb", was studied in laying hens through the estimation of different blood parameters at different time intervals. These blood parameters are, cholinesterase activities of both red blood cells [RBCs] and plasma, liver and kidney functions, level of cholesterol and triglycerides as well as residue levels and the main metabolites of zineb in laying hens. The obtained results showed that administration of diet treated with zineb at a dose of 100 ppm for two months followed by one month recovery period led to a slight inhibition of RBCs and plasma cholinesterase activities and to a slight decrease in total protein and albumin content. On the other hand, zineb toxicity increased serum creatinine, blood urea, total cholesterol and triglycerides levels. In addition, liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] activities showed moderate increase in the zineb treated group. The main metabolites detected in the extracts of different organs, blood and whole eggs of laying hens in group I were, ethylene thiourea, ethylene thiuram monosulifde, ethylene thiuram disulfide, ethylene urea, Jaffe's base in addition to the parent compound, while zineb and ethylene thiourea were detected only in all examined samples in group II which were identified and confirmed by TLC, HPLC and spectral analysis. Addition of Zingiber officinales Rosc [ginger 1%, w/w], on a diet containing zineb at a dose of 100 ppm, significantly ameliorate the toxic effect of zineb to a large extent. Also addition of ginger to contaminated diet with zineb led to decrease the levels of zineb and ethylene thiourea and to disappearance of the other metabolites Hence, the present findings will provide a potential scope for future use of ginger as chemopreventive agent against fungicides toxicity and emphasize the potential of natural plant products as chemopreventive agents

fig causing small bowel obstruction

Old patients, especially those who have no teeth, swallow the bolus of food without proper mastication and these food materials might be large enough to cause obstruction of the small intestine. We report an old patient who developed intestinal obstruction because of improper mastication of figs marmalade. Laparotomy and enterotomy were done for him. What is more interesting is that; the patient developed signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction in the fourth post operative day after swallowing pieces of cucumber that was impacted at the site of enterotomy

Blood supply of the skin of the long posterior flap in blow knee amputation-surgical importance

The objective of this work was to study the blood supply of the posterior aspect of the leg and the soleus muscle. Material and methods: The present study was done on twelve cadavers [five preserved, five fresh and two stillborn]. Both femoral arteries of each cadaver were injected with a mixture of lead oxide and red latex in equal proportions The skin of the posterior calf was reflected to visualize the blood vessels supplying it. The soleus muscle was dissected to identify the arterial pedicles supplying it. The blood supply of the skin of the posterior calf was found to arise from three sources: the axial, the septal perforating arleries and the midposterior perforators. A constant axial artery was the saphenous ariery while the sural artery was a more variable artery. The septal perforating arteries were arranged in four approximale vertical lines or rows The midposterior perforaiors were arising from the vesseis within the gastrocnemius muscle. The soleus muscle got seven arierial pedicles, four pedicles from the peroneal artery and three arterial pedicles were arising from the posterior tibial artery. In all studied cases, the skin of the posterior calf was not supplied by vessels arising from or passing through the soleus muscle. There are logical reasons for advising excision of the soieus muscle from the long posterior flap during below-knee amputation. The use of the myoplastic flap that contains the soleus muscle should be avoided

Color doppler velocimetry of the uterine and ovarian arteries in different stages of endometriosis

The objective of this study was to establish a role for echography and to assess whether color Doppler velocimetry of the uterine and ovarian arteries may have application either as a screening or a diagnostic tool in different stages of endometriosis. Fifty women with primary infertility were subjected to premenstrual diagnostic laparoscopy with premenstrual and postmenstrual evaluation of CA 125, transvaginal ultrasonography [TVS] and color Doppler velocimetry for uterine and ovarian arteries. Endometriosis was diagnosed in 42% of the studied population. Plasma CA 125 levels were significantly high in women with endometriosis with sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 75%. Sensitivity in the detection of focal implants by TVS was 14% which was poor. It was concluded that the use of CA 125 as well as color Doppler velocimetry can improve the diagnostic accuracy of TVS. Also, they can be noninvasive screening and diagnostic methods for different stages of endometriosis. In addition, they may be helpful in detecting the recurrence of endometriosis in post-therapy follow up, thus allowing more timely intervention

Influence of psychotrophic bacterial growth on some properties of stored raw and heat treated milks

The influence of the growth of psychrotrophic bacteria in raw, pasteurized and high heat treated milk [HHT for 96%/5 min] on some microbiological and chemical parameters during storage at 4 and 10 degree was investigated. With the exception of coliforms and staphylococci counts, all psychrotrophic groups increased during storage with a higher rate at 10 degree as compared to 4 degree. The rate of increase in proteolytic bacterial count was much higher than that of lipolytic bacteria. All chemical parameters increased during storage at 10 degree more than at 4 degree. Titratable acidity increased rapidly in raw milk than in pasteurized and HHT milks. The rate of development of NPN/TN and the free fatty acids was higher in pasteurized than in raw and HHT milks either at 4 or 10 degree. The rate of tyrosine increase in raw milk was higher than in pasteurized milk until the tenth day of storage at 4 and 10 degree, respectively; its content in HHT milk was much higher than that in raw and pasteurized milk

Evaluation of different methods of peribulbar anaethesia

Peribulbar anesthesia is a technique proposed as an alternative to retrobulbar anesthesia in anterior and many posterior segment age surgeries. Different methods are used for the application of this anesthetic modality. The effectiveness, merits, and disadvantages of each of these methods is studied and reported

Myocardial performance in patients with chronic renal failure

The present work has been designated to re-assess the left ventricular morphofunctional changes by echocardiography in a group of non- dialyzed uremic as well as continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis [CAPD] and hemodialysis [HD] cases, together with clinical and laboratory assessment with a special attention to serum Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Co. Myocardial suppression by uremic toxins was suggested but no such specific uremic toxins were isolated, yet trace metals were suggested to play an important role. The study involved 20 cases on conservative treatment, 20 cases on CAPD and 20 cases on HD, in addition to 20 control subjects. Patients with valvular heart disease, pericardial effusion, diabetes, manifested heart failure or any acute illness were excluded. The results of this work reflected the basal left ventricular function and represent a high prevalence of subclinical myocardial dysfunction, as well as significant morphological alterations. On the other hand, the studied biochemical parameters [serum creatinine, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu and Fe] were not correlated to the studied left ventricular morphofunctional parameters

Ras cheese manufacture from buffaloes milk using different renneting systems

Buffalo's milk was made into cheese and served as a control [T1]. It was compared to aging of milk at 2+/- 0.1C for 24 hr with half the amount or rennet [T2] and treatment with enzyme mixture of Neutrase L + Piccantase# A before renneting [T3]. Results indicated that titratable acidity [TA], soluble protein coefficient and free amino acids were higher in T3 than the other two treatments. These results were confirmed by electrophoretic patterns. For amino acids glutamic acid as responsible for good flavour increased during ripening and was higher in T3 than in T1 and T2 while arginine which is responsible for abnormal flavor decreased during ripening. Also the total free volatile fatty acids [TFVFA] was higher in T3 than in T1 and T2 during ripening. No big differences were observed between T1 and T2 in most of the parameters measured. Organoleptically, Ras cheese manufactured from buffalo's milk treated with enzyme mixture was more preferable and therefore was recommended for manufacturing Ras cheese from buffalo's milk

Effect of miotics and glaucoma surgery on the field of vision in cases of primary glaucoma

The history of perimetry and development of modern techniques of visual field testing are intimately linked with the study of glaucoma. Even with better understanding of the disease through gonioscopy, tonography, and increasing knowledge of the physiology and dynamics of aqueous outflow, perimetry remains of paramount importance in early diagnosis of the disease and of even greater value in assessing its progress and prognosis