Protective and therapeutic effects of cannabis plant extract on liver cancer induced by dimethylnitrosamine in mice

Hepatocellular carcinomas will emerge as a major form of malignancy in the coming decades. When these tumors are in advanced stages, few therapeutic options are available. Therefore, it is essential to search for new treatment modalities to fight this disease. Evaluate the possible protective and therapeutic effects of Cannabis extract on dimethylnitrosamine [DMNA]-induced hepatocarcinogenicity in mice. Seventy-five male mice were divided into five groups of 15 each: group I mice received corn oil only as the control group; group II mice were injected intraperitoneally with DMNA [10 microg/kg body weight] weekly for 12 weeks; group III mice were pretreated orally with cannabis extract [0.5 ml/kg body weight] every other day for two weeks before the injection of DMNA, and continued until the end of the experiment [12 weeks]; group IV mice were treated orally with cannabis extract every other day simultaneously with DMNA injection and continued until the end of the experiment; group V mice were treated orally with cannabis extract every other day after receiving the last intraperitoneal injection of DMNA. A real time PCR was used to quantify telomerase reverse transcriptase and caspase-8 m-RNA expression level

Effect of aerobic regular exercise training on blood pressure control for patients with hypertension

Hypertension affects over 26.3% of the Egyptian population and is considered one of the most significant risk factors for morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease, chronic renal failure, and stroke. Lifestyle modification especially physical exercise is a mainstay in the management of blood pressure control. We sought to assess the effect of graded walking exercise on blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Our study comprised 40 hypertensive patients with mild to moderate hypertension divided into 2 equal groups. Group I [experimental group] patients were given pharmacological medications and encouraged to graded walking exercise program and followed-up by the researchers over a period of eight weeks. Group II [control group] patients were given standard pharmacological medications only. The results showed insignificant difference between GI and GII in their weight and BMI on 2[nd], 6[th], and 8[th] weeks comparing with 1[st] week. A non-significant improvement between GI and GII was found in heart rate as a short term effects through walking exercises, [t = 2.03, p = 0.05]. Comparing between group I and group II regarding the benefits of walking program exercises on heart rate, systolic, and, diastolic blood pressure; a statistical significant difference was observed on 4[th], 6[th], and 8[th] weeks in relation to heart rate [p value = 0.00, 0.005, and 0.00], respectively, systolic blood pressure [p value = 0.00, 0.006, and 0.00], respectively, and diastolic blood pressure [p value = 0.009, 0.024, and 0.002] respectively. The results of the study strongly support the beneficial effect of aerobic regular exercise in reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate in hypertensive patients with pharmacologic treatment. Special attention should be paid to aerobic exercise for hypertensive patients and should be integral component of hypertension education program

biochemical, cognitive, and psychiatric effects of anticholinergics benzhexol hydrochloride and biperiden hydrochloride in schizophrenic patients

It is estimated that 45 million people suffer from schizophrenia around the world; it is among the top ten leading causes of disability. By 2050, this number will have grown to approximately 71 million people. Mental illnesses contribute more to the global burden of disease than all cancers combined. The present study has been planned to evaluate the effect of anticholinergic parkinol [benzhexol hydrochloride] and akineton [biperiden hydrochloride] on erythrocyte acetyl cholinesterase [AChE] activity and serum activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase [GOT], alanine transaminase [ALT], aspartate transaminase [AST], and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] in schizophrenic patients treated with haloperidol, and also to study the effect of the previously mentioned two anticholinergics on both the cognitive functions and psychiatric symptoms in such patients. The study was carried out on 30 male schizophrenic patients who were divided into two main groups [group 1 and group 2] each of 15 patients of comparable age. The present results revealed that the total score of [PANSS] showed a significant decrease in all studied groups. The total score of [MMSE] showed a significant increase in all studied groups. The AChE activity didn't show any significant difference in all comparisons in all studied groups. In our study, there was a significant elevation of serum GGT, ALT, AST and ALP levels in some groups of treated patients as compared to pretreatment groups. The results obtained in our study showed a significant increase in serum GGT, ALT, AST, and ALP levels in groups treated with either [haloperidol + benzhexol hydrochloride] or [haloperidol + biperiden hydrochloride] as compared to the corresponding levels in groups treated with haloperidol only, respectively. From all results we can concluded that the biochemical parameters used in this study are useful in detecting any side effects of antipsychotic and anticholinergic drugs on liver functions. The treatment with [haloperidol + benzhexol hydrochloride] and [haloperidol + biperiden hydrochloride] are effective in decreasing the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia

Reprocessing competency of gastrointestine endoscopes, the gap between basic principles and actual practice in endoscopey units in Alexandria University

Endoscopy is a major diagnostic and therapeutic modality in the care of patients with disease of the gastro-intestinal tract. Ethically, we are obligated to do the right thing. However, is it fair that the first patient receives a properly cleaned/processed device and subsequent patients may not? All patients have the right to receive the same standard of care. The society of gastroenterology nurses associates [SGNA] presents a standards to be used for all settings where gastrointestinal endoscopy is practiced. The purpose of the study is 1- To assess the endoscopy nurses practice as regard principle of disinfection and sterillization as an infection control in gastrointestinal endoscopy units. 2- To identify the difference between the standard of infection control practice and the actual nurses practice. Nursing practice evaluation sheet includes endoscope reprocessing competency sheet and observational competency checklist were used. It was found that a huge gap exists between what is generally recommended for reprocessing endoscopes and clinical practice and what is practiced

Effect of three different methods in rewarming hypothermic postoperative patients

Hypothermia refers to core body temperature less than 36°C. It was reported that 60 to 80% of all postoperative patients suffered from hypothermia. Hypothermia has a profound effect on every body system and may result in life threatening problems if not recognized and treated promptly. The nurse has an important role in rewarming surgical patients immediately postoperatively. Many researchers found that there are different methods to warm surgical patients immediately postoperatively as radiation using infrared lamps, forced air warmer, and warmed blanket. Comparing between three different nursing methods in rewarming patients after major abdominal surgery. The study was carried out in surgical wards and recovery rooms at Alexandria Main University Hospital. A convenient sample of 60 adult patients was selected and assigned randomly to one of three experimental warming methods. Group I was assigned to extrablanket, group II was assigned to radiation, and group III was assigned to forced air warmer. In postoperative period, all patients in the three different groups were assessed every 5 minutes for core body temperature using tympanic thermometer until return to baseline temperature. The study revealed that the patients warmed with forced air warmer returned to baseline temperature in a shorter period than those who were warmed by the use of radiation or extrablanket. Statistically significant difference was found between the three groups. Rewarming is a priority in the immediate care of postoperative surgical patients because hypothermia may augment the risk of adverse outcome. Therefore, the importance of the use of forced air warmer, radiation using infrared heat lamps, or extrablanket should be emphasized in the postoperative period

Immunological studies on mice vaccinated with irradiated cercaria and IL-12 against schistosoma mansoni infection

Protective immunity against Schistosoma mansoni infection correlates with increased levels of IgE and blood eosinophilia which are considered as markers of anti-parasitic cell-mediated immunity. IL-5 participates as well in the induction and regulation of IgE and eosinophilia, consequently in the development of acquired immunity. Swiss Webster female mice were subcutaneously injected with either 50 micro g of gamma-irradiated cercarial homogenate [400 Gy] twice weekly for three weeks alone or plus a single dose of IL-12 [0.8 ng/Kg]. The efficiency of immunization regimens were assessed 45 days post infection with 100 live cercariae/mouse by the number of worm burden, ova count, production of IL-5, eosinophils, and IgE levels in the vaccinated groups compared with the non-immunized group. The results demonstrated a significant reduction of ova count in the livers of vaccinated groups [57.19 and 40.13%] and worm couples compared with the non -immunized group. Furthermore, a decrease of IL-5 level as well as eosinopenia was recorded in both vaccinated groups. Scanning electron microscope [SEM] of adult worms recovered from the immunized groups revealed marked damage on the tegumental surface in males rather than females as well as constrictions and intensive corrugation of intertubercles