ABSTRACT
The habit of khat chewing represents a major socio-economic problem in many countries but research into its hepato-renal toxic effects has produced contradictory results. To evaluate the subacute effects of Khat [Catha edulis] extract on hepatic and renal functions in white albino rats. Randomized experimental animal study. Physiology laboratory, medical school of King Khalid University. Twenty white albino rats aged between 14 and 16 weeks were included in the study. The rats were assigned randomly into two groups, ten each. Treated rats received orally administered hydro-ethanol extract of Catha edulis for four weeks. Control rats received corresponding amounts of normal saline. There was statistically significant increase in the activities of hepatic enzymes in treated rats compared to the control group. In addition, serum urea, bilirubin and phosphorus concentrations were significantly increased compared to a decreased serum total protein and albumin concentrations. Oral administration of the extract induced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in hepatic and renal tissues as shown by significant increases in lipid peroxidation biomarkers thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] and significant decreases in levels of superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT] and glutathione [GSH]. Histological examination of Catha edulis treated rats revealed marked hepato-renal pathological changes compared to the control group. These results indicate that orally administered Catha edulis extract exerts severe hepato-nephro toxicity and the mechanism of this damage may be related to oxidation, increased lipid peroxidation, and generation of free radicals inside these tissues
ABSTRACT
To determine the frequency of neural tube defects among patients who were delivered at Prince Rashid Bin Al-Hassan Military Hospital and to discuss possible ways to reduce them. This descriptive review study of 11,852 medical records was conducted over a period of two years between the 1[st] of August 2005 and end of July 2007 at Prince Rashid Bin-Al-Hassan Military Hospital in Irbid-Jordan. During the study period, there were 17 cases of neural tube defects [1.4/1000 births], of these there were five cases of spina bifida [0.42/1000 births], three cases of encephalocele [0.25/1000 births], and nine cases of anencephaly [0.76/1000 births]. The overall female to male ratio was 1: 0.89. The most common neural tube defect was anencephaly [52.9%], and the commonest site of spina bifida was the lumbosacral region in 2/5 [40%]. One case of encephalocele was associated with malformations while four cases [80%] of spina bifida were associated with other malformations. The frequency of neural tube defects is high and probably on the decreasing in Jordan. We may be able to reduce such defects by recommending women of childbearing age to take daily Folic acid [400mcg] for at least three months before they become pregnant and throughout the first trimester
ABSTRACT
To describe the different anesthetic techniques used for cesarean section at the Royal Medical Services Hospitals. We retrospectively reviewed the anesthetic techniques used for Cesarean sections performed between 1[st] of January to the 31[st] of December 2007 at Royal Medical Services Hospitals. Data collection aimed at anesthetic techniques used for scheduled and non-scheduled Cesarean sections. Out of a total of 5,314 Cesarean sections performed in the year 2007 at our institution, 81.6% were performed under general anesthesia, 18.3% under spinal anesthesia, and 0.1% under epidural anesthesia. General anesthesia still predominated in our hospitals, the percentage of general anesthesia performed by different hospitals varied from 41% to 96%. This review of anesthetic techniques used for Cesarean section shows an overuse of general anesthesia and low use of regional anesthesia. There is a need to adjust clinical practice at the Royal Medical Services Hospitals in accordance with recent scientific data