β-Aminobutyric Acid Raises Salt Tolerance and Reorganises Some Physiological Characters in Calendula officinalis L. Plant

Salt stress is one of the main factors limiting plant growth and yield globally. Seed priming technique with different chemicals including β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) is found to be effective in enhancing plant growth and development under biotic and abiotic stresses. Scarce reports have been found about BABA seed priming in medicinal plants under stress conditions; however, several studies have been conducted on other crops but have not made an in-depth study to investigate biochemical and physiological changes. In current study the shoot growth, relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, nutrient content (N, P, K, Na and Cl), proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, antioxidants enzymes (CAT, SOD and POD), membrane stability index (MSI), total phenolic and flavonoids contents lipid peroxidation and membrane permeability were investigated in Calendula officinalis L. leaves due to BABA seed priming and/or salt stress treatment. Salt stress treatment significantly reduced the growth characters, inflorescence number as well as its fresh and dry weights, N, P and K contents in leaves, RWC, chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, MSI and total phenolic and flavonoids contents of pot marigold. However, proline content, MDA accumulation, H2O2 content and antioxidant enzyme activity (CAT, SOD and POD) were increased due to salt stress. On the other hand, seed priming with BABA significantly improved the growth characters, inflorescence attributes and the previously mentioned physiological and biochemical parameters investigated relative to the control. Applying seed priming under salt stress conditions significantly mitigated the negative effects of salinity and enhanced the growth and productivity of pot marigold and therefore was suggested to be an effective technique prior to cultivation.

Relationship Between Coping Strategies And Thinking Styles Among University Students

This study aims at exploring the correlation between coping strategies and thinking styles. Methods: The study sample consisted of 62 students (30 females and 32 males) from the Medical Science College in Hodeidah University, Yemen. They responded to the Scale of Coping styles and Inventory of Thinking styles quetionnaire. Results: Active coping strategy was affected significantly by legislative, local and hierarchical thinking styles, while avoidance strategy was affected significantly by oligarchic thinking styles, behavioral conducts by judicial, global and anarchic thinking styles. Significant gender differences were found in behavioral conducts (from coping strategies), anarchic and internal thinking styles with advantage with females. Conclusion: Coping strategies are not independent of thinking styles. These results offer justification and support for future research in larger samples. Potential implications of the impact of thinking styles on coping strategies are also considered.

Associations between homocysteine levels and oxidative stress biomarkers in placental of preeclampsia Iraqi patients

Oxidative stress occurs when cellular levels of reactive oxygen species exceed antioxidant capabilities and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. In this study we measured the tissue levels of endogenous antioxidant proteins such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and in addition to the levels of homocysteine, lipid and protein oxidation in placental samples from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. Preeclamptic tissue homogenates demonstrated significantly increased levels of homocysteine 12.31 +/- 2.10 versus 2.31 +/- 3.22 micro mole/I, increased levels of lipid peroxidation 23.77 +/- 5.26 micro M/ mg protein versus 6.22 +/- 2.31 micro M/ mg protein [p< 0.01] and a significance increase in protein carbonyl concentration 250.44 +/- 48.23 versus 190.24 +/- 26 .46 units/mg protein when compared to controls, while levels of the other antioxidant proteins, superoxide dismutasel.55 +/- 0.22 versus4.42 +/- 0.32 U/mg protein p<0.05, Glutathionereductasel2.13+ 3.3 versus 22.24 +/- 7.71 U/mg protein [P<0.05], Glutathione68.12 +/- 14.22 versus 105 +/- 16ng/mg protein [P<0.01] and glutathione peroxidase 10. 22 +/- 5.33 versus 15.22 +/- 4.44 nmol/min /mg protein [P<0.05] were all found to be significantly reduced when comparing preeclamptic placental tissue homogenates to gestational age matched control placental from non preeclamptic pregnancies. The results of this study demonstrate placental oxidative stress through reduced antioxidant enzyme activities and hyperhomocystinemia which play a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia .These novel data further understanding the pathophysilology of preeclampsia and provides a new insight into the pathogenesis of clinical complications exhibited in this condition suggesting antioxidant therapy may be improving health of this condition

Tracheal resection and anastomosis: an 11 year management outcome

To evaluate the etiology, perioperative management and outcome of surgery in cases of tracheal stenosis. This was a retrospective analysis of patients with tracheal stenosis who underwent resection with anastomosis from January 2000 until December 2010. Ten patients, aged between 15 to 53 years old [mean of 34.4 years] were included. Post intubation injury was the major cause of tracheal stenosis [n=8], followed by external laryngeal trauma [n=2]. Using the Cotton-Myer classification, 60% of patients had Grade III stenosis whilst 40% had Grade IV stenosis. Intravenous corticosteroids were given 24 hours before extubation. Four patients were well post- operatively without complications. The most common complication in the other patients was granulation tissue in the anastomosis region [n=3], vocal cord paresis [n=2] and one restenosis [n=1]. Four of these patients underwent examination under anesthesia with removal of granulation tissue and/or laser dilatation. However, 2 cases needed Shian Lee operation and required T-tube until present. The success rate for tracheal resection and anastomosis is taken as the number of patients successfully decannulated, which was 80%. Tracheal resection with end-to-end anatomosis was a successful procedure for cervical tracheal stenosis, with low mortality and few complications related to it

Spectrophotometric determination of amlodipineand nicardipine in pharmaceutical formulations viabinary complex formation with eosin Y.

A validated simple and selective spectrophotometric method was developed for the selective determination of amlodipine and nicardipine in bulk powders and pharmaceutical formulation. The proposed method was based on the formulation of a binary complex between either of the studied drugs and eosin Y in aqueous buffered medium. The surfactant, methylcellulose, was added to enhance the solubility of the formed complex. The binary complexes showed absorption maxima at 549 nm. The different experimental parameters affecting the development of stability of the colors were studied and optimized. Under the optimum reaction conditions, linear relationship with good correlation coefficients (0.9981 and 0.9995) were found between the absorbances and the concentrations of amlodipine and nicardipine respectively in the range of 5-60 g/ml for both drugs. The limits of detection were 1.8 and 1.2 g/ml while the limits of quantitation were 6.0 and 3.6 g/ml for both drugs respectively. The analytical parameters were fully validated and results were satisfactory. No interference was observed from the excipients that are commonly present in pharmaceutical formulations. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of the cited drugs in some pharmaceutical formulations. The mean percentage recoveries were 100.04 ± 0.83 and 99.98 ± 0.80. The results obtained are reproducible with a coefficient of variation less than 2% and were in good agreement with those obtained using the reference methods.

Paranoid Delusions: A Review Of Theoretical Explanations

Objective: There are two general theoretical explanations for delusions, the deficit and the motivational. In the deficit approach, scientists have argued that delusions are the consequences of fundamental perceptual or reasoning deficits which cause the individual to misunderstand what is happening in the world. The second approach views delusions as serving a defensive, palliative function, as representing an attempt to relieve pain, tension and distress. Methods: The present review article is based on literature review about Paranoid Delusion theories. Results and Conclusion: This article reviews the most important theories in the above mentioned approaches and it has found that we need more studies to verify the results of these approaches. The deficits in reasoning ability for example, need more explanations to show how and why these deficits occur and cause persecutory delusions. In this article I suggest that there are basic cognitive impairments that lead to disturbances in the mental imagination. These disturbances result on the two cognitive deficits (two losses) and force a person to have delusional beliefs. This study is a qualitative study based on judgments of some cases which the researcher has had the opportunity to study

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of different parts of Tribulus terrestris L. growing in Iraq / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Antimicrobial activity of organic and aqueous extracts from fruits, leaves and roots of Tribulus terrestris L., an Iraqi medicinal plant used as urinary anti-infective in folk medicine, was examined against 11 species of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Serratia marcescens, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans using microdilution method in 96 multiwell microtiter plates. All the extracts from the different parts of the plant showed antimicrobial activity against most tested microorganisms. The most active extract against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria was ethanol extract from the fruits with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.15 mg/ml against B. subtilis, B. cereus, P. vulgaris and C. diphtheriae. In addition, the same extract from the same plant part demonstrated the strongest antifungal activity against C. albicans with an MIC value of 0.15 mg/ml.

Revascularização do miocárdio com emprego de ambas artérias mamárias internas em pacientes com diabetes mellitus / Coronary artery bypass grafting using both internal mammary arteries in patients with diabetes mellitus

Objetivo: Descrever a utilização de ambas artérias mamárias internas (MIs) em pacientes submetidos à operação de revascularização do miocárdio (RM), que sejam portadores de diabetes mellitus (DM)...

Effect of the pattern of colonization of the maternal genital tract at the time of delivery on early onset neonatal sepsis

Early onset neonatal sepsis increases significantly in the presence of vaginal and cervical colonization with pathogenic organisms. The aim of this study was to study the effect of the pattern of colonization of the maternal genital tract at the time of delivery on early onset neonatal sepsis. A prospective clinical study was conducted in Cairo University Hospitals on 352 pregnant women coming for delivery and their newborns. Vaginal swabs were taken from the mothers before first vaginal examination [PV] and just before delivery. Surface swabs from the body of babies were taken. The neonates were clinically evaluated and prospectively followed up in the first week of their life for clinical evidence of sepsis and blood cultures were done for clinically septic neonates. Swabs were taken from different environmental sources in the Obstetric and Neonatology wards. Microbiological typing was conducted by biotyping and antibiogram to prove the similarity between microorganisms isolated from maternal or environmental sources and the corresponding neonates. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis was used for genotyping of phenotypically similar isolates. Microbiological similarity between culture results of mothers and their newborns was proven in 86% of cases. The correlation between clinical sepsis and microbiological agreement was also highly significant [p value=0.001]. Positive vaginal swab cultures were highly predictive of positive blood culture [p-value=0.09]. We found that, multiple vaginal examinations [more than 3 times] was the most frequent maternal risk factor of neonatal bacteremia [p-value=0.049]. Contamination of environment [gel and gloves] and equipment [suction sets] used for mothers and their babies during delivery was probably an important source of microorganisms. Maternal colonization and the contaminated environment were important risk factors for neonatal sepsis. Hence, limitation of PV and strict infection control measures should be followed in delivery room

Quality assessment of primary health care services provided for diabetes mellitus control in Alexandria

The present study was conducted aiming at: assessment of the quality of primary health care [PHC] services provided for the control of diabetes mellitus [DM] in Alexandria; and opportunistic screening of high risk individuals attending PHC facilities for DM. Accordingly, the availability of human and non-human resources for DM control in two r h and two urban PHC centers in Alexandria [one of them was sewing a desert area] was assessed by a pre-designed checklist 920 adult PHC attendants were screened for risk factors of DM. Individuals having more than one of the following risk factors: age above 50 years, overweight [body mass index >27 kg/m2], family history of DM in first degree relatives, history of hypertension, hypertension [systolic blood pressure >140 mm Hg and /or diastolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg], history of hyperlipidemia and history of gestational diabetes or birth of a large sized baby in females- were subjected to random capillary blood glucose [RCBG] testing. Cases were considered likely diabetic if RCBG was >200 mg/dl. The performance of all PHC physicians examining and managing 560 diabetic patients was observed over a period of two months. One fourth of the diabetic cases were checked for the level of glycaemic control by fasting capillary blood glucose testing

role of primary health care in patient education for diabetes control

The aim of the present work was to study the role of primary health care [PHC] in patient education for diabetes control in Alexandria. Accordingly, the knowledge and perception concerning diabetes and its management of all PHC physicians [88] and nurses [104] working in 2 rural health centers and 2 randomly chosen urban health centers of Alexandria Governorate were assessed by a pre-designed self-administered questionnaire. All diabetic patients [560] over 20 years of age attending the study health facilities over a period of 2 months were assessed for their knowledge and attitude concerning diabetes and self-management and asked about their degree of satisfaction with the provided PHC services by a pre-designed interview questionnaire. It may be concluded that there is a serious gap in the provision of basic education services to the majority of diabetic patients attending PHC facilities in Alexandria

Environmental survey and the occurrence of some helminthic parasites in Abis 7 and Abis 8, Alexandria

The exposure event to parasites is related to the persons' behavior and household environment, which are further influenced by the cultural and economic circumstances of the community, in Egypt, human fascioliasis has been considered as an important public health problem and recently, several cases have been reported from Alexandria and Abis villages. The present work aimed at studying the occurrence of helminthic parasites in Abis 7 and Abis 8, Alexandria and their possible association with the personal, socioeconomic, and environmental variables in the corresponding villages. This work was conducted in Abis 7 and Abis 8 villages, which are located 15 Kilometers south east of Alexandria city, in the period from December 1994 to March 1995. The study included 4423 subjects from 506 houses that were selected as a fifty percent systematic random sample. All sample members were subjected to respond to a pre-designed questionnaire sheet which included age; sex; and occupation of the residents of the household, and data concerning drinking water supply; water closets; sewage disposal; animals; and irrigation. All subjects were asked to give a stool sample. Two Kato slides were prepared for every sample and examined by two observers. Drinking water supply, sanitary sewage disposal, and proper disposal of animal wastes are still deficient in some houses of Abis 7 and Abis 8 villages. Schistosoma mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Fasciola species were the major helminthic parasites encountered in Abis 7 and Abis 8, Alexandria. They were found to affect 24.2%, 11.9%, and 5.7% of subjects in Abis 7 and 37.8%, 6.2%, and 10.4% of persons in Abis 8, respectively. In Abis 7, 5.3% of subjects using canals for irrigation were positive whereas none of persons using drains were positive and it was found to be statistically significant. In Abis 8, an apparent difference was observed. Drains are usually polluted by agricultural effluents with pesticides residues and thus affecting the snail intermediate host of Fasciola

Prevalence of hepatitis G virus in Pakistani children with transfusion dependent beta- thalassemia major.

We ought to obtain data on the prevalence of the newly discovered tranfusion transmittable hepatitis G virus in polytransfused b- thalassemia major children. Each individual had received multiple blood transfusions, from 12 to 36 per year. No documentation of prior hepatic infection was available. Serum samples were collected prospectively from the randomly selected subjects and were analyzed for HGV RNA by polymerase chain reaction using primer specific for two different regions of the HGV genome. Among the 100 individuals examined 21 were positive for HGV RNA. Four patients had evidence of dual infection, both HGV RNA and HCV RNA were isolated from their sera. While in one sample presence of both HGV RNA and HBV DNA was established. Only one child was positive for hepatitis E antibodies. The sera of 10 children were reactive for hepatitis B surface antigen whereas 35 individuals were positive for hepatitis C virus antibody. The ALT levels were variable in HGV infected children. Four out of 16 (25%) showed peak ALT levels of 218 IU/I, 8/16 (50%) children demonstrated slightly elevated ALT levels whereas 25% individuals showed normal ALT levels. Alkaline Phosphatase levels were elevated in 90% of the children and 20% patients of this series also had higher GGT levels. The observed AP levels were not statistically different among HGV, HGV/HCV or HGV/HBV groups. Even though the ALT levels were deranged in the children with HGV alone but none of the children had demonstrated symptoms of liver disease, their direct and total bilirubin levels were normal and no complain of jaundice was recorded. In conclusion, our findings suggested that like other blood borne hepatic viruses, HGV is also prevalent in the high risk group of multiple transfused patients in Pakistan but our results support the absence of any causal relationship between HGV and hepatitis.

Helicobacter pylori mitigates upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage: trick or truth?

Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage [UGIH] constitutes a serious health problem arising mainly from bleeding oesophageal varices [OV] or peptic ulcer disease [PUD] in Egypt.Conflicting results concerning antagonism or synergism between Helicobacter pylori [H.pylori] and UGIH deserves paramount interest .In the present case-control study 300 patients [150 bleeders and 150 non bleeders crossly-matched for age, sex, residence and endoscopic findings] were examined clinically, endoscopically and investigated for H. pylori infection in an essay to identify the relationship of H. pylori to UGIH. OV [37.3%] followed by duodenal ulcers [DU] [26%], gastric erosions [GE] [24.7%] and gastroesophageal reflux [GOR][12%] were the causes of UGIH which yielded positive connection to each of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] [33/150=22%], chronic liver disease [CLD] [86/150=57%], and HCV [39/150 =26%] [P<0.05]. Strikingly H. pylori showed only an eminent inverse association with UGIH due to PUD [Z = 2.09] and NSAIDs consumption [P<0.05]. After controlling for confounders-logistic regression analysis presented H. pylori, NSAIDs and HCV as powerful effective independent factors with significant negative impact of H. pylori on UGIH [OR = 0.4, Cl = 0.4-0.86] and a positive one of NSAIDs [OR = 2.1, Cl = 1.2-3.4] and HCV [OR = 1.6, Cl = 1.1-4.0]. In conclusion our study confirmed the principal role of OV followed by PUD in causation of UGIH in addition to the increased risk of UGIH associated with NSAIDs, HCV and CLD. On the contrary H. pylori behaved as if a protective weapon against UGIH arising only from PUD [DU and GE]. No relation was found between H. pylori and UGIH from OV. In the meanwhile ulcer-like dyspepsia [ULD] and dysmotility like dyspepsia [DLD] might be a striking clinical presentation of H.pylori infection

Recurrent hydatidiform mole: Prognosis for the future

A case of three consecutive complete hydatidiform moles in a women with no previous normal conception is reported. The importance of endocrinological follow up is highlighted. Prognosis regarding malignant sequelae and reproductive outcome is discussed to facilitate counseling such patients. A review of literature is also presented

Trends in pediatrics emergency services

The utilization of Pediatrics emergency services were studied in Petromin medical center [Saudi Arabia], as a model to a free of charge high quality health insurance system. These services represented 38 percent of the total outpatient attendance in this center. The peak attendance was in the age group 2-6 years, in the winter months, in the weekends, and in the time period from 9 p.m to 1 a.m. Referrals to hospitals and emergency room procedures represented 0.79 percent and 8. 2 percent of the studied cases. Respiratory [62.3 percent] and gastrointestinal [28.7 percent] problems were the most common presenting cases. The abuse of pediatrics emergency services was demonstrated

Cyclosporin A: a new promising and striking cercaricidal agent

The antischistosomal activity of cyclosporin A [CsA] was tested both in vitro and in vivo. All CsA-exposed cercariae died within less than 2.5 minutes. The number of dead cercariae showed direct association with the concentration of CsA [the higher the concentration, the more the cercaricidal activity]. In the same time, CsA was injected subcutaneously in male mice at a daily single dose of 50 mg/kg body weight/day for 3 [experiment I] and 2 [experiment II] successive days before infection with Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. Similarly, CsA exerted a remarkable protective lethal effect with mean efficacy of 100% and 98.7% in experiments I and II, respectively. Again, no significant differences in the weight and histopathology of either the liver or spleen between CsA-treated and control mice were noticed in either experiment. This was attributed to the unisexual cercarial infection with subsequent absence of Schistosoma eggs. In conclusion, CsA is emerging as an extremely valuable schistosomicidal agent

Colorimetric determination of D-Penicillamine in bulk form and in capsules using 4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofuran

A simple and selective colorimetric method for the quantification of D-penicillamine in the presence of some penicillin preparations, common penicillin degradation products, EDTA and vitamin C is described. The method is based on the interaction between D-penicillamine in aqueous solution and 4-chloro-7-nitro-benzofurazan [NBD-C1], 0.1% w/v in methanol, in presence of 0.1 M borax solution. The developed colored product, after dilution with presence of 0.1 M borax solution. The developed colored product, after dilution with acetone, could be measured quantitatively at 612 nm. All variables were studied to optimize the reaction conditions. Regression analysis of Beer's plot showed good correlation [r=0.9990] in a general concentration range of 4-20 micro g ml-1 with a detection limit of 0.078, which represent the minimum absorbance value that can be measured. No interference could be observed from the presence of somepenicillins, penicillin degradation products and common pharmaceutical adjuvants. However, benzathine penicillin degradation and Vitamin cinterfere with analysis of the named drug by the proposed method. This method was applied successfully for the analysis of D-penicillamine in bulk from and in capsules. The results obtained are in good agreement with those obtained by the USP XXII method

Candida associated diarrhoea in hospitalized children

Human candidosis is receiving considerable medical interest because of the widespread use of antibiotics, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. A total of 180 hospitalized children, who developed diarrhea after being medicated, were interviewed for inquiry about the characteristics of diarrhea and drugs prescribed to them. Candida positive diarrhea was detected in 114 cases [63.33%], 52.6 of them were caused by C. albicans. However, no significant variation by age, sex and drugs could be detected

Study of some health problems among school aged swimming pool swimmers

One hundred school aged swimmers were selected, interviewed and examined for symptoms and signs of infection and/or irritation. Stool and urine samples as well as swimming pool water, floor water and articles swab samples were collected from analysis and/or culture. From the results obtained, it was concluded that chemical irritation of the mucous membranes and skin due to hyperchlorination of the pool water was the most common striking health problem. With proper maintenance and obey of the health instructions swimming pool will be quite safe when used. Therefore, the followings were recommended: Proper adjustment of chlorination of the pool water, strict application of the pool health instructions by all swimmers, health education of swimmers and parents about the importance of changing the unhealthful practices, periodic chemical and microbial analysis of the pool water and its surroundings to make sure that it is safe and nonhazardous