Minor psychiatric morbidity in young Saudi mothers using mini international neuropsychiatric interview [MINI]

To determine the prevalence of postpartum psychiatric disorders in young mothers using a brief structured psychiatric interview, the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview [MINI]. A cross-sectional study. The Primary Health Care Centres [PHCCs] in Al-Ahsa region, Saudi Arabia, during the period 2008 to 2009. Young primigravid mothers [in their teen age] were interviewed using MINI. Psychiatric morbidity was analyzed in relation to the different sociodemographic, psychiatric and obstetric characteristics. The distribution and frequency of the MINI subscales were presented in number and percentage. To quantify the risk, Univariate analysis was employed with reporting of crude Odds Ratio [OR] and 95% Confidence Intervals [CI]; p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 22.6% with preponderance of anxiety disorders due to increased prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder and social phobia. Postpartum anxiety disorders were significantly associated with urban residency, poor husband support, past history of psychiatric illness, anemia, caesarean mode of delivery and female baby gender. These results highlighted importance of addressing screening for psychiatric morbidity particularly anxiety disorders in the implementation of perinatal care for the pregnant Saudi adolescents

Effects of electrical stimuli in skeletal muscle fatigue in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in albino rats

In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the possible mechanisms involved in skeletal muscle fatigue by using electrical stimulation in STZ-induced diabetes in albino rats. Animals were randomly classified into three main groups: Normal Non-treated Group, Diabetic Group [in which rats were intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of streptozotocin [STZ] solution 50 mg/Kg body wt.] and Insulin-treated Group [in which diabetic rats were injected subcutaneously with insulin]. All experimental muscles are stimulated at 10Hz frequency. Each group of the three main groups was further subdivided into the following subgroups: early fatigue subgroup: in which stimulation was immediately terminated at early fatigue [10% force decline], mid Fatigue Subgroup: in which stimulation was immediately terminated at mid fatigue [50% force decline] and late Fatigue Subgroup, in which stimulation was immediately terminated at late fatigue ll. 90% force decline]. Immediately after the end of the stimulation protocol, circulation was cut to prevent recovery of the metabolite levels. The muscles were excised, frozen in liquid nitrogen [N2] and then kept at -80 c[degree] for determination of glycogen content lactate, nitric oxide [NO] and antioxidant status. Stimulation of experimental caused a gradual and progressive decrease in muscle power [i.e. fatigue] recorded at 10, 50 and 90% force decline. The loss of power was accompanied with significant progressive increase in lactic acid levels, reaching its maximal level at to 90% of force decline with a corresponding decrease in glycogen content that reached its minimal level also at 90% of force decline compared to CC [controlled contralateral] limb. It also caused a significant increase in NO level that reached its maximal level at 90% of force decline. This was accompanied with a significant progressive reduction in GSH level with a corresponding increase in GPX activity. In STZ-induced diabetic rats, marked acceleration of fatigue was observed evidenced by a significant decrease in the time required to achieve fatigue at every level recorded compared to normal non-treated rats. This was .accompanied with a significant reduction in lactate, glycogen and NO levels. The antioxidant defense was also attenuated evidenced by a significant reduction in GSH concentration with a marked increase in GPX activity. Insulin treatment delayed the onset of fatigue in stimulated rats, evidenced by a significant improvement in the time required to achieve fatigue at every level recorded compared to the corresponding diabetic rats but still significantly accelerated compared to .the corresponding normal rats. This improvement was accompanied with a significant increase in lactate, glycogen and NO levels as well as antioxidant status compared to the corresponding diabetic rats

In Conclusion, there is a causal relationship between DM and accelerated fatigability in muscles tested. Insulin treatment failed to restore the normal contractile status. It is probably that diabetes induces changes in the contractile filaments that accelerate the onset of fatigue, and these structural changes could not be corrected by insulin treatment. Reduced NO synthesis as well as GSH depletion as causal factors for fatigue in the present work are quite evident in diabetic rats

Impact of implementation of standard infection control measures on the reduction of vascular access infection among hemodialysis patients at Alexandria university student hospital

Many advances have been made in the care and treatment of those with renal insufficiency and End Stage Renal Diseases [ESRD]. However, infection is still the second highest cause of death, after cardiovascular causes, with 71.6% of this mortality associated with sepsis is 50 times greater in renal patient than that seen in the general population. It accounts for around 30% of all hospital admissions. Additionally, in the hemodialysis [HD] population between 25-50% of infection are associated with vascular access most notably central venous catheter [CVCs] causing major morbidity rates for these patients. The study was conducted on 52 patients on maintenance [HD] in Alexandria University student hospital for 9 months before and after implementation of standard infection control measures [S1CM]. The sample included 45 patients with native vein arteriovenous fistula [AVF], 2 with prosthetic graft [PG-A VF] and 5 with central venous catheters [CVCs]. From the start of infection control program, orientation and training of dialysis unit staff on [SICM] together with supervision from assigned personnel from the unit and infection control team in the hospital. Sign and symptoms of infection, lab investigations, hospital admission and antibiotic therapy were recorded. Data collected were compared to registered records 9 months before the start of infection control program. Remarkable reduction of infection rates were observed. Before the implementation of infection control program the rates were 20% in [AVE], 27% in PGA VF and 50% of [CVCs] and later were reduced to 4%, 10% 15% respectively after 9 months from the start of [S1CM] and the difference were found to be statistically significant [p<0.001]. It is concluded that compliance to SICM; have resulted in a remarkable reduction of infection rates of vascular access among HD patients. These results will be used to improve the quality of health care and will help to evaluate the efficiency of SICM

Toxic effects of paroxetine on sexual and reproductive functions of rats

This study determined some appropriate parameters to detect male and female reproductive, endocrine, and teratological toxicity besides genotoxic effects of paroxetine. Several parameters concerning fertility were measured in male and female rats given oral doses of paroxetine [0.36mg/100g b.wt./day] for a month. In addition, estimation of the drug residues in male, female and fetus were carried out. There were alterations in serum concentration of gonadotraphins: FSH, LH, PRL and in the sex hormones: testosterone, progesterone and estradiol in male and female rats. These alterations were accompanied by sperm reduction, sperm abnormalities, irregular shaped of seminiferous tubules, hypertrophy of geominal cells and structural chromosomal aberrations in male rats. A reduction in mating and fertility indices were observed with an increase in the number of resorbed fetuses, and a decrease in body weight and crown rump length of rat embryos

Effect of nitric oxide, antioxidants and pravastatin on experimental atherosclerosis in male New Zealand white [NZW] rabbits

Atherosclerosis is considered one of the major causes of human morbidity and mortality all over the world. In this work, an attempt was done to investigate the possible role of nitric oxide [NO] on modulation of experimentally-induced atherosclerosis in male New Zealand White [NZW] rabbits. For this purpose, 64 male NZW rabbits were left for 2 weeks to acclimatize to laboratory conditions before being included in this experiment. Rabbits were then randomly classified into 8 equal groups. The first group [control, C] was fed commercial chow and the second group [atherosclerotic, A] was fed an atherogenic diet [containing 1% cholesterol]. The last 6 groups [VCA, AA, NSA, NA, PA and PNA groups] were fed the atherogenic diet in addition to the following respectively [vitamin C, L-arginine, Nigella sativa [NS], N-Nitro- L-arginine methyl ester [L-NAME], pravastatin and L-NAME with pravastatin]. The different feeding regimen and treatments were continued for 2 months. After 2 months, rabbits were killed to evaluate the severity of atherosclerosis and the effect of the different treatments given. The following parameters were assayed [plasma lipid profile, malondialdehydes [MDA], total antioxidant status [TAS] and nitrites; aortic tissue prostaglandin E[2][PGE[2]] and histological examination]. The atherogenic diet induced a significant increase in plasma total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], low density lipoprotein [LDL], high density lipoprotein [HDL] and MDA compared to C group. The TAS, nitrites and aortic PGE[2] were significantly decreased compared to control values. These atherogenic changes were reflected on the histopathological changes observed in aortic tissues from the A group. Vitamin C [500 mg/kg/day, orally] improved the atherogenic changes when given to atherosclerotic rabbits. There was a significant increase in TAS, nitrites and aortic PGE[2] associated with a significant decrease in MDA associated with improvement in the histopathological picture of aortic tissue of VCA group compared to A group. Administration of NS to atherosclerotic rabbits produced significant decrease in TC, TG, LDL and MDA and significant increase in HDL, TAS, nitrites and PGE[2] in NSA group compared with A group. These effects were associated with improvement in the histopathological picture of aortic tissue of NSA group compared with A group. L-arginine produced significant decrease in MDA and significant increase in TAS nitrites and PGE[2] in AA group compared with A group. In NA group, L-NAME aggravated atherosclerosis as evidenced by a significant increase in MDA, significant decrease in TAS, nitrites and PGE[2] and aggravation of the atherogenic changes in aortic tissue compared with A group. Pravastatin improved all atherogenic changes in PA group compared with A group. There were significant decrease in TC, TG, LDL and MDA with significant increase in HDL, TAS, nitrites and aortic PGE[2]. This protective effect of pravastatin was reflected on the histopathological picture of aortic tissue. In PNA group, L-NAME antagonized the protective effect of pravastatin. It was concluded that atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease. The increase in free radicals [FR] and lipid peroxidation and the decrease in NO and PGE[2] are the main contributors of atherosclerosis. The antiatherogenic effects of pravastatin depend upon its plasma lipid lowering and antioxidant effects, in addition to increase intimal NO and PGE[2] production. L-NAME antagonized the antiatherogenic effects of pravastatin. The antiatherogenic effects of Nigel/a saliva and vitamin C depend mainly on their antioxidant action. Other mechanisms may contribute such as decrease in lipid profile [Nigella saliva] and increase in NO and PGE[2] production [Nigella saliva and Vitamin C]. These findings suggest that pravastatin is the most effective antiatherosclerotic agent followed by Nigella saliva and high dose of vitamin C. So, it is recommended that addition of Nigella saliva and/or antioxidant vitamins [such as vitamins C] to potentiate the antiatherogenic effects of pravastatin in atherosclerotic patients. This will also reduce the cost of treatment and side effects of drugs

Influence of gender difference on cold restraint gastric ulcer development in albino rats

The aim of the present work was to study the effect of sex difference on the development of gastric ulcer induced by cold restraint stress [CRS] in albino rats. The study is a trial to evaluate the role of gonadal sex hormones in the pathophysiologic mechanism of CRS-induced gastric mucosal lesions through either exclusion by gonadectomy or resupplementation by exogenous administration of sex hormones [testosterone, T; estrogen, E and progesterone, P]. For this purpose, 112 adult albino rats [48 males and 64 non pregnant females] weighing between 200-250 grams were used in this study. Male rats were randomly classified into 6 equal groups: control [CM], orchidectomized [OM], orchidectomized with testosterone supplementation [OT], stressed [SM], orchidectomized stressed [OSM] and orchidectomized stressed with testosterone supplementation [OST]. Female rats were randomly classified into 8 equal groups: Control [CF], ovariectomized [OF], ovariectomized with estrogen supplementation [OE], ovariectomized with progesterone supplementation [OP], stressed [SF], ovariectomized stressed [OSF], ovariectomized stressed with estrogen supplementation [OSE] and ovariectomized stressed with progesterone supplementation [OSP]. Bilateral gonadectomy was done; in either sexes; 2 weeks before exposure to CRS. Hormonal supplementations were given for 7 days by subcutaneous injections starting 2 weeks after gonadectomy in respected groups. In male rats, orchidectomy significantly increased gastric juice [GJ] volume and pH and gastric mucosal [GM] nitrates; while it significantly decreased GJ acidity in OM group compared with CM group. No ulcerative lesions were observed in CM and OM groups. Injection of T significantly decreased GJ volume and pH and GM nitrates but significantly increased GJ acidity in OT group compared with CM and OM groups. T administration induced ulcerative lesions in OT group achieving an ulcer index [UI] of 11.33. CRS significantly reduced GJ volume, pH and mucin concentration [MC] and GM nitrates while it significantly increased GJ acidity and pepsin concentration [PC] and GM peroxides in SM group compared with CM group. CRS induced ulcerative lesion in all male rats achieving an UI of 21.25 in SM group. Orchidectomy before exposure to CRS significantly increased GJ volume and pH and GM nitrates and significantly decreased GJ acidity and GM peroxides in OSM group compared with SM group. Orchidectomy exhibited considerable protection against CRS ulcer development achieving U1 of 16.5 and protective index [PI] of 22.4 % in OSM group. Injection of T significantly reduced GJ volume and pH and GM nitrates and significantly increased GJ acidity and GM peroxides in OST group compared with OSM group and aggravated the ulcerative lesions achieving an UI of 22.6 and PI of 36.97% in OST group. In female rats, ovariectomy, significantly increased GJ acidity and MC; while it significantly decreased GJ pH and PC and GM nitrate in OF group compared with CF group. No ulcerative lesions were observed in CF and OF groups. Administration of E significantly decreased GJ volume, acidity and MC; while it significantly increased GJ pH and PC and GM nitrates in OE group compared with both CF and OF groups. E induced ulcerative lesions achieving an UI of 9.66 in OE group. Administration of P significantly increased GJ volume, pH and MC and significantly decreased GJ acidity, and PC and GM nitrates in OP group compared with both CF and OF groups. No ulcerative lesions were observed in OP group. CRS significantly increased GJ acidity and PC and GM peroxides; while it reduced significantly GJ volume, pH and MC and GM nitrates in SF group compared with CF group. CRS induced ulceration in all rats achieving an UI of 18.3 in SF group. Ovariectomy before exposure to CRS significantly decreased GJ pH and PC and GM nitrates; while it significantly increased GJ volume, acidity and MC and GM peroxides in OSF group compared with SF group. Although GM lesions were noted in OSF achieving an UI of 13.3, ovriectomy exhibited protection against CRS-induced GM ulceration and the PI was 27.34. Administration of E significantly decreased GI volume, acidity and MC and GM peroxides; while it significantly increased GJ pH and PC and GM nitrates in OSE group compared with OSF group. E aggravated GM lesions in OSE group achieving an UI of 20.9 and PI of - 56.9. On the other hand, giving P significantly decreased GJ acidity and PC and significantly increased GJ volume, pH and MC in OSP group compared with OSF group. P imparted a protective effect against CRS GM lesions achieving an UI of 9.5 and PI of 12.6 in OSP

In conclusion, a gender difference in CRS-induced GM ulcer development has been found in the present work, being more predominant in male than in female albino rats. The male sex hormone; T is absolutely ulcerogenic and orchidectomy offered protection. The female sex hormone; P was absolutely protective, while E potentiated some aggressive factors and enhanced other protective mechanisms with the net effect being ulcerogenic. Ovariectomy offered gastric protection against CRS-induced ulceration. It is therefore, probable that the protective effect of P can restraint the ulcerogenic effect of E to some extent and therefore lower the gastric UI in females than in males