Cyberchondria Severity, Health Anxiety, And Health Locus Of Control: The Mediation Role Of Covid-19 Anxiety

@#The current study investigates the relationship among Cyberchondria severity level, health anxiety and health locus of control as a direct response for COVID-19 anxiety among Arab people in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) and the Gulf States. The study employed four main scales; The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale Syndrome (CASS), Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS). Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI) and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control – Form C (MHLC-C). The study sample consists of 573 respondents from 15 Arab countries; 243 (42.4%) males and 330 (57.6%) females. Results of the study showed that there are no statistically significant differences between the study participants in the study variables; cyberchondria severity levels, health anxiety, and health locus of control during COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, findings revealed that cyberchondria severity was positively elated o health anxiety (r=0.14, p.03). The mediation simple model revealed that high levels of COVID-19 anxiety syndrome symptoms lead to increased levels of health anxiety, whereas, COVID-19 anxiety and health anxiety cannot mediate the relationship between cyberchondria and health locus of control. Based on the study results, it is recommended that individuals form different Arab countries differ in their COVID-19 anxiety syndrome symptoms which may lead to heightened levels of internet use to seek health information and health anxiety. Also, individuals are characterized by external locus of control, they view that protection from COVID-19 infection depends mainly on the external health systems and other experienced physicians.

Evaluation of antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of aegle marmelos l. correa fruit extractdn the diabetic rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus is regarded as a serious chronic disease that carries a high risk for considerable complications

The use of natural plant products for management of diabetes is increasing due to their minimal side-effects and economical aspects. Aegle marmelos L. Correa [A. marmelos], family Rutaceae is highly reputed medicinal plant commonly known as bael. A. marmelos fruit is widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus

Aim of the work: This study was aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of A. marmelos fruit ethanolic extract against alloxan-induced diabetes in male rats

Material and Methods: Twenty five male albino rats with an average body weight 180-195g were divided into two main groups; first group: control [n=5] and the second group: diabetic rats [n=20], which were divided equally to four subgroups as follows: diabetic untreated rats , diabetic rats which were treated with 125 mg/kg/day A. marmelos fruit extract; diabetic rats which were treated with 250 mg/kg/day A. marmelos fruit extract and diabetic rats treated with 500 mg/kg/day A. marmelos fruit extract. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitonial injection of alloxan [120 mg/kg]

Results: Phytochemical screening of A. marmelos fruit extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, sterols and triterpenoids. Results of the biological study reported that alloxan-induced diabetic group exhibited hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, elevation in malondialdehyde [MDA] level accompanied with weight loss and reduction in high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] level, reduced glutathione [GSH] level and superoxide dismutase [SOD] enzyme activity when compared to control group. Treatment with A. marmelos fruit extract at the three dose levels reported improvement in the biological evaluation, lipid profile, glucose, insulin, MDA and GSH levels and SOD enzyme activity when compared to the diabetic group

The improvement was most pronounced in 500 mg/kg A.marmelos treated group.Conclusion: It could be concluded that A. marmelos fruit extract had hypoglycemic activity; this effect may be attributed to its antioxidant activity and its high content of active constituents which was proved in this study. Therefore, it could be recommended that A.marmelos fruit may be useful as a healthy food and in the development of antidiabetic drugs

Sphincter saving surgeries for locally advanced low rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation

Rectal cancer accounts for the largest distribution within one anatomical region of the large bowel, with approximately one third of all CRC located within the rectum. The Golden standard treatment of primary rectal cancer is curative surgical resection; however, affine balance remains between disease cure and restoration of gastrointestinal continuity. Combined modality has proven efficacy in many malignant tumors with advantage of organ preservation. Forty nine [49] patients with low rectal carcinoma were included in a prospective study, between Jan 2007 and Jan 2012. Preoperative chemoradiation was administrated to all patients and subjected to different techniques of sphincter saving surgery. Stage I and Stage IV disease at diagnosis were excluded from the study. Forty nine patients were included in the study. 27 [55%] patients were male and 22 [45%] were female the age range from 23 years to 70 years with the median age 46 years. The main presenting symptoms were bleeding per rectum and tenesmus. Stage II 18 patients [36.7%,], stage III 31 patients [63.3%. Complete clinical and pathological response in 3 patients [6%], and complete clinical response with only microscopically residual carcinoma in 20 patients [41%], partial response in 18 patients [36.7%], and no significant response in 8 patients [16%] 7 from 8 were mucoid carcinoma. Low anterior resection [LAR] in 22 patients [44.9%], Hartman 's procedure in 4 patients [8.1%], Coloanal pull-through [COP] was done in 19 patients [38.9%] and perineal colostomy in 4 patients [8.1%]. For patients with cola-anal pull-through technique complete dehiscent and retraction observed in 2 cases, Major leakage in one case, stenosis in 4 cases. There is tendency of colorectal cancers to affect younger groups. Most patients presented in advanced stage. Neadjuvant chemo radiation is an excellent tool in sphincter saving surgery. Coloanal pull- through technique is not wide spread technique for low rectal cancer with good oncological safety and acceptable functional outcome

Comparison of pancreatic remnant reconstruction methods after pancreatoduodenectomy

Surgery remains the main-stay therapy for periampullary carcinoma [PC] and provides the only chance of cure. Improvements of surgical technique, increased surgical experience and advances in anesthesia, intensive care and parenteral nutrition have substantially decreased surgical complications and increased the survival. We evaluate the safety and feasibility of 3 reconstruction methods of pancreatic remnant after Pancreatoduodenectomy [PD] such as Telescoping, Duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy or pancreaticogastrortomy. This is Comparative prospective study of reconstruction methods of pancreatic remnant after PD was conducted on periampullary carcinoma patients admitted to South Egypt Cancer Institute from Nov.2008 to July 2012. Forty -one patients with periampullary carcinoma consisted of 23 men and 18 women with age ranged between 17-70 years, with a median age of 56 years. Characteristics of patients in the three groups were compared with Chi-square test. A variable was analysed with the Logistic Regression test. Survival rate was analyzed by use Kaplan-Meier test. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. 9 patients underwent duct-to-mucosa PJ, 17 patients Telescoping of pancreas into the jejunum and 15 patients PG, 30 stenting of pancreatic duct. There was a significant difference between 3 variable methods of reconstruction in leakage rate, operative time, technical difficulty and between stenting and non stenting pancreatic duct. Duct-to-mucosa PJ was least leakage rate, least post operative complication but associated with the longer reconstructive time and same resection time and it was the somewhat difficult. Duct-t-mucosa-PJ safe, least leakage, least blood loss; however PG is associated with more functional deterioration

Role of multislice computed tomography in evaluation of colo-rectal neoplasm

Computed tomographic [CT] colonography is a noninvasive, rapidly evolving technique that has been shown in some studies to be comparable with conventional colonoscopy for the screening of colorectal cancer. The addition of intravenous contrast material to CT colonography can aid differentiation of true colonic masses from pseudolesions such as residual stool and improves the depiction of enhancing masses that might otherwise be obscured by residual colonic fluid. The aim of this study is to assess the role of multi detector computed tomographic colonography in staging of colo-rectal neoplasm and detection of synchronous lesons such as adenomatous polyp. The study included fifty-five patients with suspected colo-rectal neoplasm and underwent MDCT colonography and fibro-optic colonoscopy on the same day. The MDCT colonography with IV contrast media has 94% accuracy for identifying tumor wall invasion by colorectal carcinoma and 71% accuracy for identifying regional lymph nodes involvement and the sensitivity of both MDCT colonography and fibro-optic colonoscopy equal in detection of polyps more than 5 mms. The contrast enhanced MDCT colonography is an excellent investigating tool in staging of colo-rectal neoplasm in detection of synchronous adenomatous polyps more than 5 mms

Cardiac events and cardiac T2[*] in Egyptian children and young adults with beta-thalassemia major taking deferoxamine

Cardiac events and death are not uncommon in adults with beta-thalassemia [beta-TM] taking deferoxamine [DFO] monotherapy because of poor compliance and possibly the less effectiveness of DFO in controlling cardiac iron overload. We sought to assess compliance with DFO, the percentage of shift to other iron chelators, and the occurrence of cardiac siderosis, and cardiac events and death in beta-TM patients on DFO monotherapy. Prospective, observational, 10-year follow-up of patients attending Ain Shams Thalassemia Unit, Cairo, Egypt. For all beta-TM patients aged 2-1 8 years attending the unit during January 1998 and taking DFO, we recorded all cardiac events [whether fatal or not] during January 2008. All patients still on DFO monotherapy and with a normal EKG and not showing symptoms or signs suggestive of heart failure [HF] were evaluated for cardiac siderosis byT2[*]. Of 412 patients, only 126 [31%] were still taking DFO monotherapy [only 43% of those were compliant], 136 were taking combined DFO and deferiprone [DFP], 72 were taking DFP and 32 were taking deferasirox [DFX]. Twenty-one were lost follow-up and 25 died [10 cardiac]. Eight of ten cardiac deaths and 12 of 15 non-cardiac deaths were in the DFO monotherapy group. Those taking DFO monotherapy with no HF and left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] by T2[*] >56% had a median age of 19 years and 56% were males; cardiac T2[*] was <20 ms in 30 [22%]; 10-20 ms in 20 [14.7%] and <10 ms in 10 [7.3%]. LVEF ranged from 58%-76% [median 64%]. Forty percent of T2* patients <10 ms were compliant with DFO. Fifty-eight percent of patients on DFO monotherapy were noncompliant, but even compliance did not prevent severe cardiac siderosis and most cardiac events [whether fatal or not] that occurred in the DFO monotherapy group

Role of delayed phase multi-detector row helical CT [MDH CT] in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]

This study was carried out on 36 patients: 26 men, 10 women; mean age +/- SD [45.5 +/- 6.4 and 44 +/- 5.9] years respectively with suspected HCC after ultrasonographic examination underwent MDH CT of the liver. A quadruple-phase protocol that included unenhanced, hepatic arterial, portal venous and delayed venous phases was performed. A total number of 62 biopsy-approved HCC lesions were included in this study, 58 lesions were sonographically detected, and extra 4 lesions were detected only after triphasic MDCT scanning. Images were interpreted regarding the size, homogeneity, pattern of enhancement hypervascularity and washout, capsule, abnormal internal vessels, calcifications, fat and central scar. Most of the HCCs were hypervascular [91.9%] exhibiting mosaic pattern of enhancement on the hepatic arterial and portal venous phases [82.45%, and 78.94% respectively]. Portal venous phase washout accounted for 70.17% of hypervascular HCCs, capsulated lesions accounted for 27.1%; 37.5% of these capsules were identified on the delayed venous phase only. The dual-phase MDH CT detected 57 [91.9%] out of the 62 lesions compared with the triple-phase MDH CT where 59 [95.16%] lesions were detected. 2 HCC [3.38%] were seen only in the delayed venous phase as hypo attenuating nodules

new modified technique for concentrating intestinal parasites

The present study evaluated the diagnostic performance of a modification of the formol ethyl acetate concentration technique, with the addition of 25% acetic acid as compared with formol ethyl acetate concentration technique [FEA] and fecal parasite concentrator kit Fresh fecal material, free of ova and parasites, was pooled in a ratio of 1:4 with 10% buffered formalin to prepare a standardized specimen. Sufficient volumes of formalin-fixed suspension of Giardia lamblia cysts, Entamoeba histolytica cysts, Cryptosporidium oocysts; Ascaris lumbricoides ova, Necator americanus, Taenia spp. and Hymenolepis nana were used to seed individually 3-ml portions of the fecal specimen. The 3-ml samples were split in three parts, one processed by FEA, a second part with FPC and the third part by the modified FAEA; six smears from each sediment were examined by light microscopy. FAEA technique gave the clearest sediments and the highest numbers in most of the parasites. FAEA resulted in a higher percent-tage of H. nana, Taenia spp., N. americanus, and G. lamblia per one ml of stool compared with FEA method. When compared with FPC, the same results were achieved in addition to E. histolytica

Multilocus genetic analysis of cryptosporidium isolates from Saudi Arabia

A total of 35 Cryptosporidium positive samples were collected from children in Jeddah city. The samples were microscopically examined with Ziehl Neelsen [ZN] and Auramin phenol [AP] staining methods. Cryptosporidium antigen was detected in the faecal samples by using the Cryptosporidium ELISA kit. Cryptosporidium sp. were identified by targeting an 840 bp of the hyper-variable region of the 18S rRNA gene and about 550 of the first domain [N terminal] of the COWP gene. The subgenotypic identification of C. parvum and C. hominis isolates was done by targeting the sporozoite antigen gp 15/45 760 gene. Four sp. were identified; C. hominis 13/35 [37%], C. parvum 15/35 [42.9%], C. meleagridis 1/35[2.9%] and C. muris 1/35 [2.9%]. One isolate was a mixed infection of C. parvum and C. hominis

Predictors of cerebral blood flow velocity in children undergoing open heart surgery for congenital heart diseases

Background: The use of TCD during paediatric cardiac surgery can help in early detection of cerebral blood flow velocity. The aim of this study was to describe the changes in cerebral blood flow velocity and to explore the relationship of such changes with different haemdynamic and cardiopulmonary bypass parameters in children undergoing open heart surgery

Methods: Sixteen patients from 1-12 years undergoing correction for congenital heart defects were included in this study. Two-channel transcranial Doppler system [Multi-Dop T[2] / DWL, Elektronische System GmbHGermany] were used for measuring mean cerebral blood flow velocity in middle cerebral artery after induction [basal], after sternotomy, during aortic cannulation, during stable CPB [10 min. after start of bypass], during rewarming, after weaning from CPB and after skin closure. Concomitant measurements of mean arterial blood pressure, arterial CO[2], haematorcrite, temperature and arterial oxygen tension were recorded with cerebral blood flow velocity. One way analysis of variance was used to study the changes in cerebral blood flow velocity and multiple regression analysis to predict different factors that can affect cerebral blood flow velocity

Results: A significant reduction in mean cerebral blood flow velocity was detected during stable CPB, during rewarming and after CPB compared with base line value. Before CPB, cerebral blood flow was directly dependent on the age and PaCO[2], while during rewarming it was only directly dependent on mean arterial blood pressure [P = 0.036]. However, an inverse association was found between PaO[2] and CBFV after CPB

Conclusion: These results suggest that cerebral blood flow velocity was reduced during hypothermic CPB, and it was only affected by mean arterial blood pressure during rewarming

Echocardiographic study of the effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors on the left ventricular systolic function in children with rheumatic mitral regurgitation

Quantitative Echo-doppler can detect easily mitral regurgitation but flow convergence Echo method provides an alternate for the calculation of the effective regurgitant orifice area [EROA]. Angiotensin convening enzyme inhibitors [A CEI] can decrease the mitral regurgitation by peripheral vasodilatation leading to decrease of the after-load. Study of the left ventricular systolic function and quantification of mitral regurgitation by Echo- cardiographic measurements. Assesment of the effect of ACEI on these measurements. 50 patients with mitral regurgitation: 35 with symptomatic regurgitation [GI] and 15 without symptoms [GII] were studied. GI patients were then subdivided into 2 subgroups according to drug intake before and after giving Captopril for one month for the symptomatic patients. The groups were studied by history, clinical examination, E.C.G., X-ray, some laboratory investigations [E.S.R.-A.S.O.T- C.R.P- and C.B.C] and mainly by two-dimension and color Doppler Echocardiography together with quantitative assessment of mitral regurgitant severity by measuring mitral regurgitant volume, regurgitant fraction and effective regurgitant orifice area of the mitral valve with the proximal isovelocity surface area method of the flow convergence region. Our results showed that left ventricular systolic functions [Stroke volume and ejection fraction] increased after A.C.E.I. therapy in both Group1-A and Group1-B together with reduction of the left ventricular end systolic and end diastolic diameters denoting improvement in left ventricular systolic function. As regard mitral regurgitation severity:- Mitral regurgitant volume, regurgitant fraction and effective regurgitant orifice area., all were reduced significantly after A.C.E.I. therapy. A.C.E.I. in children with mitral regurgitation improve significantly left ventricular systolic functions and reduces the severity of mitral regurgitation even if patients were taking previously lanoxine

mode of feeding and its impact on visual and neural maturation at 6 months of age

The role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the function of the brain and retina is an area of active research. Docosahexaenoic acid was reported to exert a beneficial effect on neuronal maturation and visual development in breastfed infants. The formation of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [LC-PUFAs] from the parent essential patty acids in early life is limited, thus infants are dependent on the exogenous provision of LC-PUFAs from human milk or supplemented formula. The objective of this analytical cross sectional study is to further delineate the mode of feeding and its impact on visual and neural maturation of term infants at 6 months of age, and to assess the influence of various socioeconomic and demographic factors upon this process. This work was conducted on 40 infants [26 males and 14 females], their ages ranged from 22 to 26 weeks with a mean of 23.88 +/- 1.5 weeks. They were recruited from the general, neonatal, and breastfeeding clinics at Center for Social and Preventive Medicine [CSPM], Cairo University. Proper history taking, thorough clinical examination, and neurophysiologic studies including flash visual evoked potential [FVEP], and brain stem auditory evoked potential [BAEP] were done for all infants. According to their mode of feeding, infants were divided into 2 groups: Group A, consisted of 20 infants with exclusive breastfeeding, and Group B, consisted of 20 infants with complementary feeding. Results revealed that the visual and neural functions were relatively more mature in the exclusively breastfed infants when compared to the complementary-fed infants, although the differences didn't reach statistically significant levels in the majority of test results. In addition, better results in favor of the first and second birth orders were obtained in most test results, but again they didn't reach statistically significant differences in most tests. There were no or weak relevant associations between the results of the neurophysiologic studies and baseline characteristics of our infants. In conclusion, FVEP and BAEP were more mature in exclusively breastfed infants relative to complementary-fed infants at B months of age, and thus exploring the advantage of breast milk In earlier development and maturation of visual and neural functions than complementary feds during early life. Our results support the World Health Assembly resolution, 2002 of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life

Effect of parsley on both healthy rats and those suffering from acute renal failure

The Present work was conducted to study the effect of parsley on both health rats and those suffering from acute renal failure [ARF] on the nutritional value, the relative ratio of organs to body weight, blood lipid parameters, kidney and liver functions. Thirty male albino rats [Sprague - Dawaley strain] weighting [200 +/- 5 g] divided into three main groups. The first main group [5 rats] fed on basal diet [control negative group]. The second main group [10 rats] divided to two subgroups and fed on basal diets containing 2% and 5% dried parsley. The third main group [15 rats] injected subcutaneous with glycerol [50%, W/v in saline solution] 10 ml/ kg body weight to induce acute renal failure [ARF] and divided into three subgroups, the first fed on basal diet as a [control positive], while second and third subgroups fed on basal diet containing 2% and 5% dried parsley, respectively. The result revealed that, feeding rats, which suffering from ARF on basal diet containing dried parsley [2% and 5%] resulted in improvement on the nutritional value as well as healthy groups, organs weight/body weight relative ratio, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-c], high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-c], very low density lipoprotein cholesterol [VLDL-c], uric acid, urea nitrogen, aspartate amino transferase [AST] and alanine amino transferase [ALT] than the control positive group. It was concluded that parsley at high concentration 5% realized the best effect on lipid profile, kidney and liver functions

Farm animals' fascioliasis in Ezbat El-Bakly [tamyia center] Al-Fayoum governorate

To continue the study on fascioliasis in Tamyia Center, some farm animals were investigated for natural infection with Fasciola species by stool examination. The results showed 40% infection in sheep, 20% in buffalos, 6.7% in donkeys and zero% in horses. The overall percentage of infection was 25.5. The sheep [total dose 1800 mg] and the donkey [total dose [4500 mg.] were successfully treated with Mirajid R. On the other hand, one buffalo was successfully treated by a total dose 7500mg, the second one did not cured, but the eggs deposited per gm markedly decreased

Trichomoniasis among women with vaginal discharge in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia

During the year of 2003, vaginal discharge specimens were collected from 1767 women aged [15-50] in 6 cardinal hospitals in Jeddah city of Saudi Arabia. The samples were examined for Trichomonas vagincilis, a prevalence rate of 12 [0.7%] were positive. Demographic characters did not show significant relation to the infection rate. All accompanied symptoms were insignificant [P > 0.05] except the vaginal consistency which was significant [P < 0.05]. The studied risk factors were insignificant to the T. vaginalis infection. So, the symptoms were neither reliable to diagnose the vaginal trichomoniasis nor specific underlying factors provoke the infection

Clinicopathological studies on fascioliasis among sheep in Giza province

The present study was carried out on 60 balady sheep of 3-5 years old belonged to several private farms located in Giza province. By clinical and laboratory diagnostic methods, 45 animals were proved to be naturally infested with Fasciola gigantica [infested group], the other 15 were healthy and served as the control group. Some biochemical and haematological parameters were evaluated. The results revealed significant hypoproteinaemia associated with significant hypoalbuminaemia and non significant hyperglobulinaemia were recorded in the infested group. Significant decrease in serum glucose and total cholesterol accompanied with significant increase in serum total bilirubin and both the direct and indirect bilirubin in naturally infested sheep. The enzymatic activities of the infested group showed significant elevation in serum AST, ALT and ALP with non significant alteration in serum level of LDH. The haemogram of the infested sheep showed significant deceased level of RBCs count, PCV and Hb content accompanied with leukocytosis

Cytodiagnosis in dermatology: revisited

This study was performed on 63 patients representing viral dermatoses [35 patients], immunobullous diseases [20 patients] and skin cancer [eight patients]. Two cytological smears were taken from every case and 30 histologic samples were taken from representative cases. Different techniques for cytodiagnosis were described and the findings were illustrated and discussed

Electromyography as an objective index for pelvic floor damage during childbirth

Seventy nulliparous women were investigated by needle electromyography of the pelvic floor muscles to establish whether childbirth causes damage to the pelvic floor muscles and its nerve supply and to establish the neurophysiological parameters to diagnose such conditions. It was found that women with long second stage of labor and heavier babies showed definite evidence of denervation in EMG. However, forceps delivery and perineal tears did not contribute to the degree of denervation. It was concluded that labor [vaginal delivery and cesarean section after trial of labor] causes partial denervation with consequent reinnervation in most women having their first baby. In six women, the damage is serve and associated with urinary and fecal incontinence

Prevalence of hepatitis C in patients with bleeding oesophageal varices: clinical significance and impact on the outcome of sclerotherapy

The aim of the work was to find out the prevalence of hepatitis C in patients with bleeding varices and its clinical significance. 200 patients with bleeding esophageal varices were included. Viral markers for hepatitis B and for hepatitis C were done by ELISA and confirmed by RIBA test for all patients with Anti-HCV positive ELISA. Endoscopic sclerotherapy is done for all patients every week until complete eradication then every 3 months for one year. The prevalence of anti-HCV was 55% and HBsAg 8%, both viruses 5.5%. There was a significant number of patients positive to hepatitis markers categorized under child B and C than in patients negative to hepatitis markers. Moreover, most patients positive to both markers were child B and C mainly. Re-bleeding from esophageal varices was more in patients positive to viral markers when compared to negative patients. Patients with both viruses had the highest rate of re-bleeding