Work-related hand injuries treated at a tertiary care hospital

The hands are known to be the most commonly injured body parts in traumatic occupational injuries. They can be disabling, leading to major adverse social and economic consequences for the worker and for his or her family. The aim of the study was to describe work-related hand injuries and their potential risk factors and also investigate lines of management in relation to the type of injury. Patients who presented to the emergency room of a tertiary hospital over a 6-month period with occupational hand injuries were interviewed using a predesigned questionnaire. It included questions pertaining to the sociodemographic, occupational, and medical aspects related to the injury. A total of 163 patients were interviewed. More than 50% had injuries from cuts. Almost 60% of work-related hand injuries occurred in the absence of machines. The most common causes of hand injuries mentioned by workers were lack of concentration [68.7%], wearing no or ill-fitting gloves [63.2%], and a defect in the work place [51.5%]. On examination, fingers were the most affected site [66.7%]. About half of the cases were managed in the emergency room, 28.8% were managed with minor procedures, and 21.9% were managed with major procedures. Work-related hand injuries have multifactorial causes; lack of concentration was the most common in this study. Injuries from cuts were the most common and fingers were the most affected part. Modifications of the possible risk factors may reduce the incidence of acute hand injury at work

Decreased nerve conduction velocity in football players

Lower limbs nerves are exposed to mechanical injuries in the football players and the purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of football on the lower leg nerves. Nerve conduction studies were done on 35 male college students [20 football players, 15 non active] during 2006 to 2007 in the Shiraz rehabilitation faculty. Standard nerve conduction techniques using to evaluate dominant and non dominant lower limb nerves. The motor latency of deep peroneal and tibial nerves of dominant leg of football players and sensory latency of superficial peroneal, tibial and compound nerve action potential of tibial nerve of both leg in football players were significantly prolonged [p<0.05]. Motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity of tibial and common peroneal in football players were significant delayed [p<0.05]. It is concluded that football is sport with high contact and it causes sub-clinical neuropathies due to nerve entrapment

Chemokines: small molecules participate in diabetes

Chemokines are small protein molecules involved in cell signaling processes. They play a crucial role in many physiological and pathological processes. Chemokines are functionally classified into two categories; inflammatory/inducible and constitutive. Their biologic functional differences are the result of their receptors structural differences. Recently some studies were performed about the chemokines changes in diabetes. Inflammatory mechanisms have an important role in diabetes. Inthisreviewarticle we searched the keywordschemokines, diabetes, diabetes pathogenesis, and type1 and 2diabetes in Persianresources, PubMed andfamousEnglish-language websitesthrough advanced searchenginesand found the newest studies about the roleof chemokinesin thepathogenesisof diabetes. The results of the studies showed that diabetes and its disorders enhance the activation of immune cells and the expression of cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, SDF-1, INF-gamma, TGF-beta, MCP-1, IP-10, TNF-alpha, and RANTES; most of them have impact on the pathogenesis of diabetes. Comparison and analysis of the results obtained from our research and the results of performed studies in the world and Iran shows that chemokines, like other protein molecules involved in the pathogenesis and etiology of diabetes, play a role in this process

Assessment of the antischistosomal activity of ginger [zingiber officinale] against schistosoma mansoni harbored in C57BL/6 mice

This study was conducted to assess the effect of ginger [Zingiber officinale] aqueous extract, on the oxidative status, antioxidant defense system and liver pathology of Schistosoma mansoni -infected C57BL/6 mice. Ginger at dose level of 500 mg/kg body weight was orally administered, daily for five weeks from the 5[th] week post-infection. Result showed that S. mansoni-infected mice exhibited a suppression of liver antioxidant capacity, and depleted reduced glutathione content [GSH], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and catalase [CAT] activities. In addition, the hepatic lipid peroxidation was deleteriously elevated in S. mansoni-infected mice. The hepatic total protein [TP], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST] activities were profoundly decreased due to their release from necrotic liver cells into blood of S. mansoni-infected mice. Concomitantly, histopathologiacl and histochemical data indicated severe hepatic cell necrosis and multigranulomas with different sizes and collagenous fiber contents indicated in both acute and chronic infection. Hepatic sinusoidal dilation, cytoplasmic degeneration, total protein pattern depletion as well as intravascular and perivascular inflammatory infiltration were also observed. The treatment of S. mansoni-infected mice with ginger extract succeeded to suppress oxidative stress by enhancing antioxidant defense system and decreasing lipid peroxidation. In addition ginger treatment markedly minimized the structural abnormalities where the size of granulomas and collagenous fiber were significantly reduced. The histochemical profile of TP level was partially restored. It could be concluded that oxidative damage and pathologic changes of liver may be improved partially by ginger treatment via suppression of the oxidative stress and enhancement of antioxidant defense system

Role of TC99M MIBI inevaluation of skeletal malignancy

The aim of our study is to assess the value of 99mTc-hexakis-2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile [MIBI] scintigraphy to detect viable boney tumor in patients with clinical and radiological features of primary or metastatic skeletal tumors. This is a prospective study included thirty six patients with different bone malignancies [17 cases with primary lesions and 19 cases with metastatic boney lesions]. All patients were subjected to Tc99m MDP bone scan [BS] and Tc99m MIBI scans. Planar whole body scintigraphy was performed 2 hours after intravenous injection of 20-30 mCi of Tc99m MDP, and after 1 to 2 weeks a Tc-99m MIBI scan was performed using 15-20 mCi and planar imaging was done 15 min post injection. Thirty of 36 patients represented by bone lesions in BS showed increased MIBI uptake, with sensitivity 83.3%. In cases of primary bone tumors 3 patients out of 17 showed no tracer uptake in MIBI scan and also 3 patients of metastatic bone lesions out of 19 showed no tracer uptake in MIBI scan. The MIBI scan can detect more 41 sites of tracer uptake in these patients not seen in Bs. Tc-99m MDP bone and Tc-99m MIBI scans are complementary to each other. The sensitivity of detection of malignant bone tumor is more for combined BS and MIBI than each one alone

common mutation in methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene, inflammation and atherosclerosis in chronic renal failure

Accelerated atherosclerosis is the major cause of mortality in patients on chronic haemodialysis [HD]. Inflammation and endothelial activation or dysfunction might be the major factors leading to high cardiovascular mortality rate in HD patients. Also, C667T mutation of methyltetrahydrofolate reductase [MTHFR] might be associated with accelerated athcrosclerosis. The present study was designed to clarify the role of inflammation, endothelial activation or dysfunction and genotyping of MTHFR enzyme which affect the level or homocysteine and their relation to carotid artery intima-media thickness [CIMT] as an indicator of atherosclerosis. Forty four [44] chronic haemodialysis [HD] patients and 40 healthy subjects were included in the study. Serum highly sensitive C reactive protein [hs-CRP] and IL-6 were measured as inflammatory markers, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [sVCAM-1] was measured as a marker of endothelial activation and dysfunction. Common carotid intimal media thickness [CC-IMT] was assessed by carotid artery ultrasonography. genotyping of MTHFR enzyme which affect the level of homocysteine was analyzed by PCR RFLIP technique. Chronic HD patients had elevated levels of inflammatory markers [hs-CRP and IL-6], enhanced endothelial activation or dysfunction demonstrated by elevated VCAM-1 as compared by healthy controls. Haemodialysis patients had significantly higher CC-IMT levels. There is a significant positive correlation between inflammatory cytokines [hs-CRP and IL-6], and each with VCAM-1 and CC-IMT There is no difference in the genotype of C667T MTHFR found between patients and controls, but this mutation especially the TT genotype is associated with development of atherosclerosis as indicated by the increase of CC-IMT

Detection of ascitic fluid infections in patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites

Ascitic fluid infections [AFIs] are the frequent complications of advanced liver disease. Bacterial translocation is considered a key step in the pathogenesis of gut-derived bacterial infections; mainly spontaneous bacterial peritonitis [SBP] in cirrhotic patients. Bacterial DNA [bactDNA] in ascitic fluid and serum has been suggested as a surrogate marker for bacterial translocation. We attempted at the isolation and identification of bacteria in ascitic fluid in cirrhotic patients and the assessment of polymerase chain reaction [PCR] in ascitic fluid and serum. Fifty cirrhotic patients having ascites with no signs of infection were included. Ascitic fluid cultures were obtained from patients. Ascitic fluid and serum were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR for the universal amplification of a region of the 16S ribosomal RNA [16S rRNA] gene to detect bactDNA. Bacteria were isolated from 9 [18%] of the ascitic fluid samples, and were mainly Gram-positive bacteria. BactDNA was detected simultaneously in the ascitic fluid and serum of 17 [34%] patients and in the ascitic fluid of only 2 patients. In a single patient with positive ascitic fluid culture no bactDNA was detected in ascitic fluid or serum. By considering AFIs as a positive ascitic fluid culture and/or the presence of bactDNA in the ascitic fluid and/or serum, ascitic fluid culture could detect 9 out of 20 patients with AFIs [45%], PCR of ascitic fluid could detect 19 out of 20 [95%] while PCR of serum could detect 17 out of 20 [85%]. In 10 patients with culture negative non-neutrocytic ascites [CNNNA] bactDNA could be detected in serum and ascitic fluid. AFI can be caused by Gram positive as well as Gram negative organisms. A substantial percentage of cases with CNNNA show bactDNA in serum and ascitic fluid. PCR of ascitic fluid should, therefore, be used in the diagnostic workup of suspected cases of ascitic fluid infections

Comparison of Bispectra Index [BIS] and AEPEX monitoring systems in coronary bypass surgery

Spontaneous recall of events during general anesthesia is called awareness. Awareness during the operation is common in coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG], especially in urgent cases and in patients with unstable hemodynamic condition before the operation. A standard method for the measurement of the depth of anesthesia [DoA] has not yet been introduced. A variety of techniques have been used for monitoring DoA like electroencephalography [EEG], monitoring muscle movement in the distal esophagus, and new methods of auditory evoked potentials [AEPs] and bispectra index [BIS]. Recently, a more sensitive method, called aepEX which is a modified form of AEPs, has been used for the monitoring and controlling of DoA. This study was designed to compare the sensitivity of the aepEX system with the BIS system for DoA monitoring using current clinical and paraclinical methods. In this prospective, controlled trial, 36 patients who were candidates for CABG were enrolled in the study. All the patients underwent a standard induction method for anesthesia with remifentanil, atracurium, and midazolam. Before anesthesia, both aepEX and BIS monitoring systems were controlled simultaneously in each patient. These systems had no effect on each other. Finally, all data about DoA, clinical data of awareness including BP, tear secretion, hemodynamic information, and demographic characteristics were collected and analyzed. This study compared the monitoring techniques for DoA, BIS, and aepEX. Results of this study were diagrams for the comparison of BIS and aepEX in different stages during CABG. According to these diagrams, essential analysis could be done about the quality of these two systems in DoA. Our data demonstrated that the aepEX monitoring system had greater sensitivity in all the stages of anesthesia compared to the BIS system

efficacy of tramadol used with ketamine or morphine in pain control after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Sufficient analgesia after coronary artery bypass graft surgery [CABG] is important to prevent postoperative complications. One of these analgesic techniques is patient controlled analgesia [PCA], in which the patient has self-controlled administration of anesthetics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect and side effects of tramadol used with ketamine or morphine for post-CABG surgery analgesia. In this prospective, controlled randomized study, we selected 150 patients who were candidates for CABG. The inclusion criteria were adult patients aged 30-60 with coronary artery disease, candidates for CABG, elective surgery, surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass, and ASA II and III. The patients with uncontrolled and significant underlying diseases [diabetes, liver and kidney disease and clotting disorders], excessive obesity and weight over 115 kg, and non-consenting patients were excluded. The patients were divided into three groups of 50 each. At the end of surgery, all the patients were transferred to the post-surgical intensive care unit, where they were extubated. PCA was commenced when the patients were able to communicate. The first group was provided with 100mg of tramadol with normal saline, the second group 50mg of tramadol plus 20mg of morphine, and the third group 50mg of tramadol plus 50mg of ketamine. During the use of the PCA pump, the patients were observed for respiratory depression [respiratory rate and SPO[2], PaCO[2] every two hours during the first 8 hours and then every 4 hours]. The severity of pain was evaluated with the visual analog scale [VAS] method, where zero was no pain and ten was severe pain. The VAS results were recorded 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 hours after awareness and extubation and recording the base VAS of the patients. The average respiratory rate was 14 in all the three groups and respiratory depression was not seen in any of them. At the third hour, the VAS was similar in all the groups [p value<0.05]. The decrease in VAS at 6, 12, and 18 hours was significant and the minimum VAS was seen in the second group [tramadol + morphine]. PCA is a safe and appropriate method for analgesia after CABG. It seems that the combination of tramadol plus morphine can be an effective solution for analgesia after CABG with fewer respiratory complications than other combinations

Intraoperative magnesium sulfate can reduce narcotic requirement after coronary bypass surgery

Narcotics are the most common drugs used after cardiac surgery and their side effects, including respiratory depression, hemodynamic instability, nausea and vomiting, and itching are dose dependent. Magnesium is both an N Methyl D Aspartate [NMDA]-receptor and a calcium-receptor antagonist and can modify the important mechanisms of nociception. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of magnesium sulfate on the pain score and reducing narcotic requirement in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery [CABG] patients. This randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial recruited 185 patients [105 male and 80 female] undergoing elective CABG. Mean age was 58 +/- 11 years [range 24 to 79 years]. The patients were divided into two groups randomly: Group I received magnesium sulfate as an IV infusion [80 mg/kg] during a one-hour period post induction and Group 2 received the same volume of normal saline as a placebo. During the postoperative period, the patients' morphine requirement and pain score [visual analogue seale scaled as 0 to 10, 0=no pain and 10= worst possible pain] at 6[th], 12[th], 18[th], and 24[th] hours were recorded and documented. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the baseline data. In the magnesium sulfate group, only 30 [32%] patients needed morphine sulfate, whereas 75 [83%] patients in the placebo group required some doses of morphine sulfate [p value < 0.001]. The odds ratio showed that magnesium sulfate could strongly prevent the need for opioid analgesics for pain control. The intraoperative use of magnesium sulfate can reduce the need for opioids post CABG

Spectrophotometric and potentiometric methods for the determination of cefprozil, dropropizine and tizanidine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations

Two simple, accurate spectrophotometric and potentiometric methods were developed for the determination of cefprozil, dropropizine and tizanidine hydrochloride in their pharmaceutical preparations. The spectrophotometric method is based on the selective oxidation of cefprozil or tizanidine with N-bromosuccinimide in an alkaline medium to given an intense yellow product with a maximum absorption at 396 or 384 nm, respectively. The reaction conditions were studied and optimized. The reaction obeyed Beer's law over the concentration range 5-40 and 10-80 micro g mI[-1] for cefprozil and tizanidine hydrochloride, respectively. The potentiometric method involves the direct titration of cefprozil and dropropizine with N-bromosuccinimide in sulphuric acid medium and the end point is determined potentiometrically using platinum electrode. Cefprozil and dropropizine can be determined quantitatively in the concentration range of 0.13-1.30 and 0.118-1.180 mg with recovery values of 98.46-100.77 and 99.58-100.85% and relative standard deviations 0.39-0.54 and 0.52-0.87% for cefprozil and dropropizine, respectively. The proposed methods are applied for the determination of these drugs in pure forms and in pharmaceutical preparations

12-year experience with primary cardiac tumors

We report our experience with 117 patients with primary cardiac tumors who underwent surgery at our institute [a referral center] between March 1995 and February 2006.The patients comprised 47 men and 70 women with a mean age of 44.97 years [range: 2.5- 81 years]. The predominant symptom was dyspnea on exertion and palpitation. In all the patients, echocardiography was the main diagnostic tool, but magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and CT scan and coronary angiography were also performed if indicated. Most of the tumors were found in the left atrium [LA] [77.77%], but the other chambers were also involved with lesser prevalence [right atrium: 7.5%, left ventricle: 5.1%, and right ventricle: 2.5%]. Involvement of multiple chambers was found in 8 [6.8%] patients.All the patients survived the surgical procedure and were discharged from hospital. Follow-up ranged from 1-10 years [mean: 2.4 years]. The most prevalent tumor was myxoma [104 cases], followed by sarcoma [4 cases] and fibroma [2 cases]. Four patients had secondary [metastatic] cardiac tumors [two Hodgkin lymphoma, one renal cell carcinoma, and one osteosarcoma] and were consequently excluded from the study

Effects of schistosoma mansoni experimental infection on some inorganic elements in the snail host biomphalaria alexandrina

The alteration in the concentrations of metallic ion Pb, Zn, K, Na, Co. Fe, and Cu in the soft parts of the Biomphalaria alexandrina snails shedding Schistosoma mansoni cercariae was detected by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Six elements Pb, Zn, K, Na, Co, and Cu were found to be present at significantly higher concentrations in cercariae-shedding snails compared with uninfected snails. The concentration of Fe ion showed non-significant decrease in the tissues of cercariae-shedding snails. Variation in the present results compared with related previous studies lead to the suggestion that the effect of trematode parasitism on fresh-water snails should not be considered universal and might be varies according to the trematode-snail combination, the organs or the tissues analyzed and the analytical method used

Isoenzyme electrophetic characterization of leishmania major, the causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in north and west Saudi Arabia

Several expeditions were carried out to four localities [Al-Madinah Almonawarah, Tabouk region, Al-Jouf and Northern Frontiers regions] in Northern and Western Saudi Arabia for sampling zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis [ZCL] cases from patients and rodents. Biopsy samples were collected from 51 patients complaining of skin lesions, most of which [40 or 78.4%] proved to be ZCL. Amastigotes were detected in 33 patients [64.7%], but only 30 [58.9%] gave successful growth of promastigotes in the culture media. The positive cases were Saudis 14 [35%] and non-Saudis 26 [65%].Five species of rodents were caught, Meriories libycus, Psammomys obesus, Rattus rattus, Jaculus jaculus and Hystrix indica. The first species was the most dominant [90%] in which Leishmania parasites were detected. The Leishmania isolates from man and rodents were identified by isoenzyme electrophoresis and proved to be Zymodeme LON-4

Prophylactic and curative effects of oat bran [Avena sativa] against hyperlipidaemia in albino rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypolipidaemic effect of oat bran in albino rats. To achieve this goal, two main experiments included 56 female Swiss rats were conducted. The first was Prophylactic experiment comprised of 24 rats in three groups as follows: Group 1: negative control, fed on normal diet, Group 2: positive control received hyperlipidaemic diet [HL-D] and Group 3: received daily HL-D along with oat bran at a dose of 2.70 g kg[-1] b.w. for 8 weeks. The second was Curative experiment comprised of 32 rats. Eight rats served as negative control [Group 1], and the other rats were subjected to the induction of experimental hyperlipidaemia for 4 weeks. Then the hyperlipidaemic rats were divided randomly into equal three groups as follows: Group 2: Hyperlipidaemic rats served as positive control for 4 weeks. Group 3: Hyperlipidaemic rats received oat bran at a daily dose of 2.70 g kg[-1] b.w. for 4 weeks Group 4: Hyperlipidaemic rats received a daily p.o dose of 3.6 mg kg[-1] b.w of simvastatin as reference drug for the same period. The results revealed that HLD supplementation increased plasma lipid profile [triglycerides, total cholesterol [T.C] and LDL], risk ratio [T.C/HDL and LDL/HDL], liver cholesterol, serum enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]]. However, a daily administration of oat bran with HL-D was significantly able to suppress the lipotropic effects of HL-D in plasma and liver in both experiments. This study concluded that oat bran supplemented diet is an effective hypolipidaemic agent

Effect of bowel preparation for colonoscopy or barium enema on serum carcino-embryonic antigen level

Carcino-embryonic antigen [CEA] is probably the foremost oncofetal antigen known. CEA was first thought to be a specific indicator for the presence of colorectal carcinoma, but it was found elevated in many benign conditions and other many causes. Of the study was to assess the effect of bowel preparation on CEA levels in patients undergoing colonoscopy or barium enema. The study included forty patients divided into two groups undergoing bowel preparation for colonoscopy and barium enema for different indications, excluding those with cancer colon and inflammatory bowel disease. CEA was measured before and after bowel preparation but before colonoscopy or radiology using ELISA technique. The cases were presented with bleeding pre rectum, diarrhoea, constipation and chronic abdominal pain. The mean level of CEA in patients prepared for colonoscopy was 4.8 +/- 5.20 ng/dl and was 6.6 +/- 6.28 ng/dl before and after preparation respectively, while in patients prepared for barium enema, the mean of CEA was 3.15 +/- 4.04 ng/dl and 11.62 +/- 10.10 ng/dl before and after preparation respectively. There was an increase in the level of CEA after bowel preparation in both groups, with more significant rise in patients prepared for barium enema group. The rise of CEA after bowel preparation is one of false positive causes of rise in serum CEA

Evaluation of transforming growth factor alpha [TGFn] and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TGFn] in children with acute hepatitis

The present study included 60 children who were recruited from Pediatric Department of National Liver Institute [NLI], Menoufiya University and 20 apparently healthy children from the relatives of patients as a control group. Their ages ranged from 2 to 15 years, they were 49 males and 31 females. The studied children were divided according to their diagnosis into groups each of 20; Group [I] acute hepatitis, Group [II] acute fulminant hepatitis [F. H], Group [III] chronic hepatitis and Group [IV] control group. The mean level of both transforming growth factor alpha [TGF I] and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF I] were higher in group II [32.74 +/- 9.98 pg/mL and 116.41 +/- 49.70 pg/ml, respectively] more than the other groups and the difference was statistically highly significant [[P<0.001] and [<0.05], respectively]. The mean of level of [TGFD in FH survivors was [29.23 +/- 5.51pg/mL] compared to deceased ones [20.93 +/- 4.60 pg/mL] but the difference was statistically insignificant [p>0.05]. On the other hand the mean of [TNFI] in the deceased cases was 132.76 +/- 48.81pg/mL compared to 117.93 +/- 19.15pg/mL in survivors but the difference was statistically insignificant [P > 0.05]. Case fatality rate for all FH cases was 80%. In conclusion, the levels of both TGFI and TNFI are significantly higher in fulminant hepatitis more than acute hepatitis cases but with no significance in the progress of the disease. Further studies is recommended to uncover predictors that can differentiate between acute hepatitis and fulminant hepatitis and the progress of the disease

immunomodulatory effects of nigella sativa oil in protein malnourished mice

The present study aims at evaluating the immunomodulatory effects of Nigella sativa oil [NSO] in protein malnourished mice. Protein malnutrition [PM] was induced by keeping mice at nourishment with standard synthetic diet containing 8% casein content, while normally fed mice received 20% casein diet. NSO was given daily by the oral route, along two weeks in two dose levels [50mg/kg and 100 mg/kg]. It was found to restore the PM reduced relative weights of thymus, liver and spleen, as well as the induced decrease in total leucocytic count [TLC] which was expressed in reductions of lymphocytes and eosinophils count. Moreover, NSO could counteract the PM induced lowering in opsonophagocytic activity as indicated by lowering the phagocytosis percent as well as phagocytic and opsonophagocytic indices. In addition, the PM caused decline in both serum IgG and IgM, where only that of IgG was alleviated under the influence of NSO. The used high dose of NSO could correct the PM induced reduction in bone marrow lymphocytes count. The obtained data indicate that NSO possesses immunomodulatory actions and that it may be regarded as a candidate drug for counteracting the adverse immunological consequences that are induced by PM

Reproductive characteristics of native bucks at different ages

This study was devoted to evaluate reproductive parameters in native Egyptian bucks. Attention was also directed to evaluate variation of plasma testosterone levels and semen quality as well as correlate between the influence of age and physical body status [body weight, height, crown rump "CR" length and girth] as well as testis length and width in addition to scrotum circumference "SC" of bucks and their reproductive performance. Semen was collected twice a week for 12 successive weeks during the spring season 2006. Semen volume, sperm concentration, mass and progressive forward motility, percentage of live sperm in addition to percent of abnormal sperm as well as total number of live-normal sperm were also evaluated. The obtained data showed that semen volume, sperm motility, percent of live sperm and abnormal sperm, testicular size, scrotum circumferences, libido and testosterone hormone differed significantly [P <0.002] in bucks according to changes in physical conditions. Therefore, it was concluded from the present study that the optimal native bucks expected to be used for either natural service or artificial insemination should be of age >/= 2 years, body weight >/= 35.83 kg, CR >/= 63.16 cm, testis length >/= 12.40 cm, testis width >/= 5.30 cm, SC >/= 22.50 cm, body height > /=70.83 cm, girth >/= 75.33 cm, libido index [MPD] >/= 2.66 concomitant with serum testosterone level >/= 2.30 ng/ml

Evaluation of biliary dyskinesia in diabetic patients with and without autonomic neuropathy and factors affecting it

Diabetes mellitus is known as one of the factors causing the cholesterol gallstone. Though the pathophysiologic mechanisms of this phenomenon are unclear, hypotheses such as reduced gallbladder motility were presented to explain the higher incidence of gallstones in diabetes. The aim of our study was to study gall bladder motor function in diabetic patients with and without autonomic neuropathy to reach the pathogenesis of gallbladder dysfunction in diabetic patients and to correlate GB dyskinesia with demographic features [Age, sex, BMI Body Mass index and waist to hip ratio], duration of illness, fasting and two hours post-prandial blood glucose levels, lipogram and type of antihyperglycemic drugs. Our study included fifty persons, 30 type 2 diabetic patients divided into two groups, group [A] included 15 patients with autonomic neuropathy and group [B] included 15 patients without autonomic neuropathy, and 20 age matched healthy persons. All studied groups were subjected to the following: Careful history and clinical examination, measurement of body weight, height, and BMI. Measurement of waist circumference and hip circumference, calculation of waist/hip ratio and assessment of Cardiovascular autonomic function by the bedside tests of Ewing et al. [1985], which are: Heart rate response to standing, heart rate response to Valsalva maneuver, heart rate response to deep breathing, systolic blood pressure response to standing, diastolic blood pressure response to sustained hand grip. Fasting and two hours post-prandial blood glucose levels with follow up for 3 months, liver function tests, lipogram, blood urea and serum creatinine. Abdominal ultrasonograhy and Tc99m hepato-immuno-diacetate hepatobiliary scintigraphy after 6 hours fasting and 30 minutes after fatty meals for 30 minutes to measure the gallbladder ejection fraction. The results of our study revealed that GBEF was lower in type 2 diabetic patients in comparison with the control group. It was also found that GREF was lower in diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy than in those without. In our study we discovered that GBEF was lower in type 2 diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy than in those without and there is inverse correlation between GBEF and fasting and after two hours blood glucose levels. We did not find any correlation between the duration of diabetes mellitus and GBEF probably because of the small sample of patients with long duration and no correlation was found between GBEF and demographic features or lipogram. Furthermore, we did not find a significant correlation between GBEF and the type of antihyperglycemic drugs