Taurine as a Drug for Protection of Liver and Kidney against Toxicity of Dinitrotoluene on Male Rats (Applicable Study)

Technical grade dinitrotoluene (tg-DNT) [CH3C6H3 (NO2)2] nitroaromatic agents which are manufactured in theindustries and applied in both commercial and military in all over the world and Egypt. DNT causes malfunctions inkidneys, heart, liver, testes and mammary glands in animals and human beings, which may be considered as carcinogenic inexperimental animals and human. Moreover, taurine, a free β-amino acid with remarkable antioxidant activity, hasimportant beneficial effects on the human body; hepatoprotection, nephroprotection, cardiovascular protection,hypoglycemic impact and hypolipidemicaction. Currently, taurine level in the serum is used as early marker of breast,endometrial and colon cancers. The current research was aimed to explore the potential impacts of the antioxidantproperties of taurine as a protecting material on tg-DNT induced toxicity in the liver and kidney in male rats. 100apparently healthy male rats in 4 groups were included; the first is Frank control group, mouth feeding via gavage withdistilled water; the other groups were administered as following, taurine alone, tg-DNT alone (toxic group), taurine + tgDNT (protective group) in the second, third and fourth groups, respectively. In these groups, blood biochemistry and taurineconcentrations in serum were measured for all animals. Furthermore, histopathological examination studies for liver andkidney were done for all groups. The results showed that, the protective group has marked improvement in most biochemicalparameters than the toxic group. Histological studies revealed a significant marked disturbance in the histopathologicalarchitectures of the kidney and liver in all toxic rats. However, marked improvements in histological architectures wereobserved in protective group. The results support the ameliorative effect of taurine as a protective agent against tg-DNTtoxicity in experimental rats.

Congenital heart disease in a cohort of Sudanese patients with cleft defects

Background and objectives:Cleft defects are among the most visible congenital defects worldwide and congenital heart disease (CHD)being one of the most common associated anomalies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of CHD among a cohort of Sudanese patients with cleft lip and/or palate.Patients and Methods:All patients who presented to Soba University Hospital with cleft lip and/or palate from March 2009 toMarch 2015 were included.Results:Out of 381 patients included; 168 patients (44%) had cleft lip and palate (CLP), 156 (41%) had cleft lip (CL)and isolated cleft palate (CP) was found in 57 patients (15%). Facial dysmorphic features were identified in 57 (15%) and cardiac defects in 42 (11%) patients. Ventricular septal defect (VSD) was diagnosed in 16 patients (38%), and ASD in 12 (30.9%). Other macroscopic anomalies were identified in 57 patients (15%)and were associated with CHD (P<0.001). Significant association was found between the type of cleft andCHD (P<0.002), as cardiac defects were maximally observed among CP cases (21%) followed by CLP cases (13%) then CL cases (5.12%). Significant association was also found between facial dysmorphicoccurrence and CHD (P < 0.001).Conclusion:CHD is a common anomaly in cleft population. The pattern of CHD is consistent with the literature withVSD being the most frequent. The cardiac defects are most prevalent in CP group. Echocardiography isjustified for screening of CHD due to the relatively higher incidence of CHD among clefts patients than ingeneral population

Congenital heart disease in a cohort of Sudanese patients with cleft defects

Background and objectives: Cleft defects are among the most visible congenital defects worldwide and congenital heart disease (CHD) being one of the most common associated anomalies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of CHD among a cohort of Sudanese patients with cleft lip and/or palate. Patients and Methods: All patients who presented to Soba University Hospital with cleft lip and/or palate from March 2009 to March 2015 were included. Results:Out of 381 patients included; 168 patients (44%) had cleft lip and palate (CLP), 156 (41%) had cleft lip (CL) and isolated cleft palate (CP) was found in 57 patients (15%). Facial dysmorphic features were identified in 57 (15%) and cardiac defects in 42 (11%) patients. Ventricular septal defect (VSD) was diagnosed in 16 patients (38%), and ASD in 12 (30.9%). Other macroscopic anomalies were identified in 57 patients (15%) and were associated with CHD (P<0.001). Significant association was found between the type of cleft and CHD (P<0.002), as cardiac defects were maximally observed among CP cases (21%) followed by CLP cases (13%) then CL cases (5.12%). Significant association was also found between facial dysmorphic occurrence and CHD (P < 0.001). Conclusion: CHD is a common anomaly in cleft population. The pattern of CHD is consistent with the literature with VSD being the most frequent. The cardiac defects are most prevalent in CP group. Echocardiography is justified for screening of CHD due to the relatively higher incidence of CHD among clefts patients than in general population

Surgical repair of penile fracture

To evaluate the preoperative diagnostic methods and the outcome of surgical treatment of penile fractures in patients treated at our institution. Retrospective study. Department of Surgery, Urology Unit, Al-Jahra Hospital, Kuwait. Eighteen patients treated surgically for penile fracture during the period from October 2007 to June 2012 were included. The diagnosis of penile fracture was made on clinical grounds and penile ultrasonography. Patients were treated by immediate surgery. Corpus cavernosum tear was repaired with absorbable sutures. Surgical repair with absorbable sutures. Evaluation of preoperative diagnostic methods and the results of early surgical treatment. Patients presented within 6 - 20 hours [median time 16 hours] after injury. With a mean follow-up of 18 months [range 12 to 24 months], all patients were able to achieve full erection. No penile deformities or penile plaques were reported. Penile fracture represents a true urological emergency. In nearly all cases diagnosis can be made on typical history and clinical examination. Early surgical exploration and repair of tunica albuginea can result in good functional outcome

Effects of vitamin E administration on Plasmodium berghei induced pathological changes and oxidative stress in mice

Abstract. The effects of daily intraperitoneal doses of 1000 i.u/kg body weight of vitamin E on the course of Plasmodium berghei NK 65 infection and the parasite-induced anemia as well as alterations in the relative weight of some selected organs and antioxidant status in mice were investigated. The number of parasitized red cells were not initially affected by the vitamin administration but were persistently lowered after 11th day post infection to the termination of the experiment. The P. berghei infection was found to induce anemia, significantly (P<0.05) increased the relative weight of liver, spleen and kidney but significantly decreased (P<0.05) the relative brain weight. However, all the parasite-induced changes in these parameters were significantly (P<0.05) ameliorated by the vitamin administration. Furthermore, malonydialdehyde concentration in the serum, liver and brain of infected animals was significantly (P<0.05) increased whereas superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were significantly (P<0.05) decreased by the infection. But vitamin E administration was found to, a significant degree (P<0.05), reversed the disease-induced alterations in these oxidative stress markers. It was concluded that vitamin E at the dose and route used prevented P. berghei induced anemia as well as alterations in relative organ weight and antioxidant status in mice

Use of anhydrous calcium phosphate and selected binders in the tablet formulation of a deliquescent crude plant extract: Vernonia galamensis (Asteraceae).

In this study, the effect of anhydrous calcium phosphate, an efflorescent pharmaceutical powder of reduced moisture content, ideal for moisture-sensitive materials; and the comparative binding effects of maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone and gelatin were investigated in the tablet formulation of the deliquescent crude extract of the leaves of Vernonia galamensis (Asteraceae). Materials used include; anhydrous calcium phosphate (BDH chemicals Ltd. Poole, England), maize starch and gelatin (May and Baker, Germany). Granule and tablet analyses were carried out according to standard procedures in the BP 2007. Preparations of the binders at varying concentrations of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% w/v were used to produce the granules by wet granulation method and compressed into tablets at 26.25KN. The mechanical strengths and drug release properties of the designed tablets were assessed using the crushing strengthfriability, disintegration time ratio (CSFR:DT) and dissolution rate. An increase in binder concentration led to an increase in crushing strength, decrease in friability and increase in disintegration time of the tablets. Anhydrous calcium phosphate used as diluent along with polyvinylpyrrolidone as binder produced the best quality tablets in terms of the CSFR: DT ratio and dissolution rate as compared to the diluent used with maize starch and gelatin as binders.

Inhibition of Naja nigricolis (Reinhardt) venom protease activity by Luffa egyptiaca (Mill) and Nicotiana rustica (Linn) extracts.

Luffa egyptiaca and Nicotiana rustica are used in traditional medicine to treat snakebites and were evaluated for inhibitory activities on Naja nigricolis venom protease. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of L. egyptiaca significantly reduced the maximum velocity (Vmax) and the computed index of physiological efficiency (Kcat) of the enzyme in a dose dependent fashion. The protease activity was non-competitively inhibited by the aqueous extract of N. rustica with the Vmax significantly decreased and the KM remained unchanged. However, the N. rustica ethanol extract completely inhibited the protease activity. Ethyl acetate fractions partitioned from ethanol extracts of both plants were also found to completely inhibit the N. nigricolis venom protease activity at 0.1 and 0.05%. The use of these plants could be important in the treatment of snakebites.

Histological changes of some organs in the offspring of mice due to mother malnutrition

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of low carbohydrate diet during pregnancy and lactation on the histological pictures of some organs in the offsprings. The animals were classified into two groups: The first one was kept as a control group; the second group was fed with a 30% low carbohydrate diet from the mating with male to 21 day after delivery. The specimens were examined histologically. The skin of fetuses fed maternally with low carbohydrate diet showed on aggregration of granules in stratum granulosum that became discontinuous, and a decrease in the epidermal thickness. Kidneys of fetuses fed maternally with low carbohydrate diet showed patchy areas of vacuolar degeneration in the tubular epithelium that became accompanied with hemorrhage later on. Pancreatic tissue from fetuses fed maternally with low carbohydrate diet showed lack of basal basophilia of acinar cells and increase in size of islets of Langerhans. It is concluded that getting a balanced diet by pregnant and lactating mother is very important as our work revealed a great effect of the decrease of carbohydrates on the development of some important organs, which may have a relation to some diseases in the adulthood

Transvaginal uterine artery ligation: a possible alternative treatment modality for the symptomatic fibroids

To determine the efficacy of Transvaginal Uterine Artery Ligationfor the management of symptomatic fibroids. 19 women, aged from 33 to 46 years, with symptomatic, single uterine fibroid, not exceeding 14 weeks, were recruited. Objective measurement of menstrual blood loss [MBL] by the alkaline hematin technique [Hallberg, et al, 1966], and ultrasonographic measurement of the fibroid volumes were determined preoperatively and at 3, 6 and 12 month post operative follow up. Improvement of the presenting symptoms -was observed during follow up. There was a significant decrease in the sonographic myoma volume at 3 month [P> 0.05], 6 months [P> 0.01], and 12 month [P> 0.01] postoperatively. The MBL was significantly lower in the postoperative follow up, when compared with the preoperative levels; at 3 month [P< 0.05], 6 month [P< 0.01], and 12 month [P< 0.01]. Rise in hemoglobin concentration was observed at 3 month postoperative [P>0.05]. Statistically significant higher hemoglobin concentrations were observed at 6 and 12 month postoperatively [P< 0.05]. There were no cases of ureteric injury, and none needed a second procedure. Transvaginal uterine artery ligation could be considered a possible, simple, alternative treatment modality for the symptomatic fibroids

effect of hysterectomy on psychiatric morbidity [anxiety and depression]

To evaluate the psychiatric morbidity [anxiety and depression] in women underwent an abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy of a benign indication. This is a prospective observational study which was done in the Obstetric and Gynecology and Neuropsychiatry Departments, Sohag University Hospital. One hundred and two women were scheduled for undergoing hysterectomy after fulfilling the inclusion criteria. All women underwent a thorough history taking, clinical examination and complete psychiatric history. General health questionnaire [GHQ-28] was used to assess women with psychiatric co-morbidity before and after the operation. All women with psychiatric co-morbidity were re-evaluated by Beck depression inventory [BDI] and Hamilton anxiety scale [HAMA] before and after hysterectomy. On screening for psychiatric co-morbidity using the GHQ-28 for the 96 women who completed the follow up protocol of the study 35 [36.46%] scored >/= 4 [Group I] with psychiatric co-morbidity, and 61 [63.54%] scored <4 [Group II] without psychiatric co-morbidity. GHQ-28 was reapplied to all women in group II [post-operatively] where 48 [78.69%] scored >/= 4 [group IIa] and 13 [21.31%] scored <4 [group IIb. Severe anxiety and depressive symptomes were the most common presentation after the operation and represented 8 [40%] and 8 [53.3%], of patients of group I, respectively. In patient, of group II [without psychiatric morbidity] after hysterectomy, depressive and anxiety symptoms was the most common presentation in nulliparous women and was found in 7 [63.64%] and 3 [27.27%], respectively. However, the least depressive and anxiety symptoms was observed in women with parity >/= 5 and was found in 12 [38.7%] and 9 [29.03%], respectively. It is not worthy that the majority of women free from psychiatric co-morbidity was observed in women with parity >/= 5 and represented 10 [32.5%] of patients. It was clear that there was a definite significant relation between hysterectomized women and psychiatric morbidity of a depressive and anxiety nature. So we recommend that before hysterectomy in benign conditions, gynecologists should exhaust great effort of using the available recent less invasive modalities of treatment as first option

Prophylactic B-lynch suture during elective cesarean section in high risk cases of postpartum hemorrhage

This study was aiming at comparing prophylactic B-Lynch suture and classic ecbolics during elective cesarean section [CS] in high risk patients for postpartum hemorrhage. This is a prospective randomized controlled study which was conducted at Sohag University Hospital during the period from July 2005 to April 2007. Twenty three patients with a valid indication for elective CS, who have one or more risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage such as placenta previa, repeated CS, or previous history of postpartum hemorrhage, were recruited. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups. Group A [12 patients] was subjected to B-Lynch suture during their elective CS, and group B [11 patients] received classic ecbolics such as IV oxytocin and rectal prostaglandins El analogue [Misopristol 200 mcg tab.]. Both groups were compared regarding intra- and postoperative blood loss, need for blood transfusion, maternal and neonatal morbidities and mortalities. Both groups were similar with regard to the indication of elective CS, risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage, and preoperative hemoglobin level. Intraoperative blood loss and the need for blood transfusion was significantly higher in group B compared to group A. Also, postoperative blood loss through the weight of a special disposable bed linen was significantly higher in group B than in group A in the first 24 hours. Only one patient in group B had subtotal hysterectomy secondary to severe uncontrollable postpartum hemorrhage. All women underwent C.S. with B-lynch in group A were menstruated and one pregnancy occurred at the end of a year of follow up. B-Lynch suture is an appropriate prophylactic technique [safe, effective, and simple] during elective caesarean section in women with potential high risk of developing postpartum hemorrhage

Short Paper - Reclosure Efficiency of Plastic Container Used for Multidose Packaging of Moisture Sensitive Aspirin Tablets

This study was conducted to determine the suitability of packaging aspirin tablets in one thousand tablet packs that require reclosure after dispensing each dose. The reclosure efficiency of the push-fit type closure of a plastic container in preventing moisture entry was determined and compared to a control container. Aspirin tablets used in this study were shown to be susceptible to moisture degradation leading to significant losses of potency (p less than 0.05). Loose placement of closure on container allowed significant gain of moisture into the container (p less than 0.05) and this could lead to significant loss of potency of aspirin tablets. However; if the closure is properly pushed down to fit; the moisture gain is not significant (p greater than 0.05). It can; therefore; be concluded that the proper use of push-fit closures on containers for packaging aspirin tablets provides effective protection and the use of more expensive single unit strip packaging; for example; is therefore not necessary

Six strategies for effective and relevant medical education as adopted in Gezira Medical School

The undergraduate medical curriculum adopted at the Gezira Medical School is described, emphasizing: [1] making students learn by solving problems; [2] early involvement of students in community health matters and identification of community problems; [3] an integrated three-phase curriculum instead of one based on traditional separate academic disciplines; [4] active co-operation between non-university health workers and academic staff in educating students and giving them practical experience