Evaluation of possible mechanisms of Cordia dichotoma fruits for hyperlipidemia controlling in Wistar albino rats

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant capacity of aqueous extract from Cordia dichotoma (C. dichotoma) fruits in-vitro and their effect on nutritional parameters in rats fed on high-fat diet. Methods: In-vitro antioxidant capacity of C. dichotoma extract were evaluated and compared to two standard materials, ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene. Metabolic experiments were set out using rats fed on high-fat diet. The extract was tested with two dosages: 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg body weight/ day for four weeks. Lipid constituents of diet and faeces and lipid profile of serum and liver were determined. Results: The administration of the C. dichotoma extract with two dosages caused a significant improvement in the lipid metabolism of rats, compared to the hyperlipidemic control which showed significant disturbance in lipid profile. C. dichotoma extract reduced total body weight gain and total feed intake, and enhanced the fresh and dry weight of faecal excretion. The superior effect was recorded with the high dosage of extract. C. dichotoma minimized fat and cholesterol intake significantly and maximized those in faecal excretions in comparison with hyperlipidemic control values, and low dosage was better than the high one. C. dichotoma extract at two dosages normalized the lipid profile of the serum and liver compared with hyperlipidemic control. Conclusions: The protective effect of C. dichotoma extract against hyperlipidemia may be attributed to the reduced ability of an animal to ingest and absorb fat and cholesterol, and enhanced ability to get rid of them in faecal excretion.

Production, characterization and biological activities of acidic exopolysaccharide from marine Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 3MS 2017

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate in-vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor abilities against human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) and human prostate cancer (PC3) as well as the suppressor effect of bacterial exopolysaccharide (BAEPS) on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC).@*METHODS@#In-vitro antioxidants characters of BAEPS were determined using various methods, while anti-inflammatory activity was estimated against cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2). In-vitro study, anticancer against MCF7 and PC3 were assessed by the mitochondrial dependent reduction of yellow MTT. In in-vivo study against EAC progression, mice were inoculated with EAC cells and then were orally administered BAEPS at 200 mg/kg after 24 h (equals to 0.10 of determined LD)/10 d.@*RESULTS@#BAEPS was acidic exopolysaccharide contained uronic acid (12.3%) and sulfate (22.8%) with constitution of glucose, galactose and glucuronic acid in a molar ratio 1.6:1.0:0.9, respectively, with a molecular mass of 3.76 × 10 g/mol. BAEPS appeared potent antioxidant characters as free radical scavenging, oxygen reactive species scavenging and metal chelation, while its reducing power was low. BAEPS showed selective anti-inflammatory activity against COX-2 than COX-1, COX-2 selective. BAEPS exhibited potent and selective effect to breast cell cancer MCF7, the death percentage was 65.20% with IC = 70 μg/mL and IC = 127.40 μg/mL. BAEPS decreased counted viable EAC cells and induced non-viable cells. BAEPS improved all assessed hematological parameters. These improvements were reflected in the increasing median survival time and significant increment (P < 0.05) in life span.@*CONCLUSIONS@#BAEPS has anti-tumor activity with a good margin of safety. The anti-tumor activity of BAEPS may be due to its content from sulfated groups and uronic acids and they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Production, characterization and biological activities of acidic exopolysaccharide from marine Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 3MS 2017

Objective To evaluate in-vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor abilities against human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) and human prostate cancer (PC3) as well as the suppressor effect of bacterial exopolysaccharide (BAEPS) on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). Methods In-vitro antioxidants characters of BAEPS were determined using various methods, while anti-inflammatory activity was estimated against cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2). In-vitro study, anticancer against MCF7 and PC3 were assessed by the mitochondrial dependent reduction of yellow MTT. In in-vivo study against EAC progression, mice were inoculated with EAC cells and then were orally administered BAEPS at 200 mg/kg after 24 h (equals to 0.10 of determined LD

Evaluation of hypolipidemic Marrubium vulgare effect in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in mice

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridemic activities of four Marrbium vulgare herb extracts using Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in mice.@*METHODS@#Hyperlipidemia was developed by intraperitoneal injection of Triton (200 mg/kg body weight). The animals were divided into main four groups of eight mice each: normal control group, hyperlipidemic control group, hyperlipidemic plus tween-40 control and treated group. The fourth one was divided into four subgroups, petroleum ether extract group, chloroform extract group, ethyl acetate extract group and methanol extract treated group each of them contains two sub-sub group for treating animals with two doses at 0.1 and 0.25 LD50.@*RESULTS@#After 7 h and 24 h of treatment, the intragastric administration of all extracts caused a significant decrease of plasma total cholesterol. Triglyceride levels were also significantly lowered by all extracts while petroleum ether produced the lowest decreasing level. Similar results were observed for LDL-cholesterol concentrations. Furthermore, more polar extracts (methanol and ethyl acetate)-soluble fractions showed a significant ameliorative action on elevated atherogenic index (AI) and LDL/HDL-C ratios, while these atherogenic markers were not statistically suppressed by the chloroform and petroleum ether-soluble extract.@*CONCLUSION@#The findings indicated that Marrubium may contain polar products able to lower plasma lipid concentrations and might be beneficial in treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

Evaluation of hypolipidemic Marrubium vulgare effect in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in mice

Objective To evaluate the hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridemic activities of four Marrbium vulgare herb extracts using Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in mice. Methods Hyperlipidemia was developed by intraperitoneal injection of Triton (200 mg/kg body weight). The animals were divided into main four groups of eight mice each: normal control group, hyperlipidemic control group, hyperlipidemic plus tween-40 control and treated group. The fourth one was divided into four subgroups, petroleum ether extract group, chloroform extract group, ethyl acetate extract group and methanol extract treated group each of them contains two sub-sub group for treating animals with two doses at 0.1 and 0.25 LD

Polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity of some wild Saudi Arabian Asteraceae plants

OBJECTIVE@#To study the antioxidant properties of crude extract of different Asteraceae plants.@*METHODS@#The antioxidant properties of six extracts were evaluated using different antioxidant tests, including free radical scavenging, reducing power, metal chelation, superoxide anion radical scavenging, total antioxidant capacity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation activities.@*RESULTS@#Picris cyanocarpa (P. cyanocarpa) and Anthemis deserti (A. deserti) had powerful antioxidant properties as radical scavenger, reducing agent and superoxide anion radical scavenger while Achillia fragrantissima (A. fragrantissima) and Artemissia monosperma (A. monosperma) were the most efficient as ion chelator (100% at 100, 200 and 400 μg/mL) A. fragrantissima and Rhantarium appoposum (R. appoposum) showed 100% inhibition on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion at 200 and 400 μg/mL, while butylatedhydroxy toluene and ascorbic acid showed 100 and 95% inhibition percentage at 400 μg/mL, respectively. Those various antioxidant activities were compared to standard antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyl toluene and ascorbic acid.@*CONCLUSIONS@#In most tests P. cyanocarpa and A. deserti had powerful antioxidant properties as radical scavenger, reducing agent and superoxide anion radical scavenger.

Assessment of the protective role of vitamine E in atrazine toxicity on the testis of adult albino rats: a histological and biochemical study

Atrazine [ATZ] is one of the most commonly used herbicides that adversely affect the reproductive system in rats. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of vitamin E [Vit E] on subchronic exposure to ATZ in testicular tissue. Fifty adult male albino rats were divided into five groups: the negative control group; the positive control group, which received 1 ml of corn oil/day, orally; the Vit E group, which received Vit E at 100 mg/kg/day, orally; the ATZ group, which received ATZ at 300 mg/kg/day, orally; and the ATZ+Vit E group, which received both ATZ and Vit E at the previously mentioned doses. Treatments were given for 6 days/week for 45 days. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken to measure serum testosterone level. Semen analysis and estimation of oxidative stress markers catalase, superoxide dismutase, and tissue malondialdehyde were carried out. The testes were processed for light and electron microscopic examination. An immunohistochemical study was performed for detection of Bcl2. ATZ caused a decrease in serum testosterone level and in superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities, whereas malondialdehyde content increased. There was also a decrease in sperm count, viability, and motility in comparison with the control groups. Light microscopic examination of seminiferous tubules revealed degeneration of the germinal epithelium. The lumen contained sloughed cells and homogenous acidophilic material. Ultrastructurally, there was separation of the germinal epithelial cells with small dense nuclei and phagocytic remnants. Sertoli and Leydig cells were also affected. Bcl-2 immunolocalization revealed weak reaction in the cytoplasm of the germinal epithelial cells and Leydig cells. Concomitant use of Vit E caused partial improvement. ATZ induced detrimental effects in the testicular tissue that were attenuated by concomitant administration of vitamin E

Cardiac toxicity in breast cancer patients

To asses cardiac toxicity post radiotherapy in left cancer breast patients with different fractionations. This is a prospective randomized study conducted at Kasr El-Ainy Center of Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine [NEMROCK]. Cardiological assessment using RTOG toxicity criteria was done for left sided breast cancer patients after at least five years of conformal radiation therapy. There were two arms of radiation, conventional [50Gy/25sttt/5 Ws] and hypofractionation [42.5 Gy 716 fractions /3 1/5 weeks]. Thirty patients were included in each arm. After a median follow up of 62 months [range 60 to 72], cardiac dysfunction developed more in the conventional arm but was insignificant [P value =0.36]. Grade I and II toxicity was 83.3 vs 70% and grade III was 3.3% in the hypofractionated arm only. The rate of local-regional tumor relapse at 5 years was similar [3.3%]. Hypofractionated radiotherapy decreased cardiac toxicity though not statistically significant, however it is more cost effective and time consuming

Effects of perinatal nicotine exposure on the development of albino rat's alveoli with special reference to the role of the vascular endothelial growth factor

Nicotine is one of the most toxic and addictive agents in cigarette smoke. Maternal cigarette smoking may affect lung development and maturation of the fetus. Recently, it has been reported that blood vessels promote alveolar growth during development and contribute toward the maintenance of alveolar structures throughout postnatal life. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of perinatal nicotine exposure on the histological structures of the developing alveoli of offspring with special reference to the role of vascular endothelial growth factors [VEGF]. Ten healthy pregnant rats were divided equally into control [I] and treated [II] groups. Rats of group II were subjected to a daily subcutaneous injection of 1 mg/kg of nicotine from the seventh day of gestation until the end of the experiment. Their offspring were subdivided into two subgroups at 2 and 21 postnatal days. At the time of sacrifice, all rats were anesthetized with ether and lung samples were processed for light and electron microscopic examination. Also, an immunohistochemical study was carried out for VEGF. The alveolar diameter, thickening of interalveolar septa, number of vacuolated interstitial cells, and the surface area of VEGF immunoexpression were determined and analyzed statistically. In the nicotine-exposed groups, widening in alveoli and thinning of interalveolar septa in the offspring were observed. Also, the same offspring showed a reduction in VEGF immunoexpression. All these results were confirmed statistically especially at 3 weeks of age or at the time of weaning. Also, swelling in pneumocyte type I and deformed blood air barriers with a subsequent statistical increase in the number of vacuolated interstitial cells [pneumocyte type II] were observed. In the current work, it was found that perinatal exposure to nicotine altered lung development, an effect that may be mediated by decreased VEGF. Thus, avoidance of maternal smoking during pregnancy and lactation is highly recommended

study on prevalence of drug resistance in drug default pulmonary tuberculosis

The emergence of resistance to drugs used to treat tuberculosis [TB], and particularly multidrug-resistant TB [MDR-TB], has become a significant public health problem in a number of countries and an obstacle to effective global TB control. This is a prospective randomized cross sectional study to estimate the magnitude of MDR tuberculosis in two hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan. 111 patients who had defaulted their tuberculosis treatment on previous occasions and had presented to the hospital with several symptoms were studied. All patients provided sputum, which was examined for the presence of acid fast bacilli [AFB] by Ziehl- Neelsen stain. Sputa were also sent to the reference laboratory for mycobacterial culture and drug susceptibility testing. All culture positive sputa had drug sensitivity tested to the first line anti-TB drugs used in Sudan namely Streptomycin, Isoniazid, Rifampicin and Ethambutol. Out of the 111 patients, 297% [n=33] were AFB sputum smear positive and 40.5% [n=45] were sputum culture positive for mycobacterium. Sensitivity testing revealed that 48.9% [n=22] were resistant to Streptomycin, 62.2% [n=28] were resistant to Isoniazid, 55.6 [n=25] were resistant to Rifampicin and 37.8% [n=17] were resistant to Ethambutol. 42% [n19] of the patients were resistant to Rifampicin and Isoniazid only, while 26.6% [n=12] were resistant to all the first line drugs [Streptomycin, Isoniazid, Rifampicin and Ethambutol] this study showed that the prevalence of MDR tuberculosis among the defaulters in Kartoum is much higher than what was reported previously. This study highlights the extent of the problem of drug resistance in Khartoum and emphasizes the need for proper treatment and strengthening of the short course direct observed therapy strategy

Phytochemical and cytotoxicity investigations of salvadora persica bark extracts

Salvadora persica is an evergreen shrub or small tree to 6-7m. Fruits have a sweet, agreeable, aromatic, slightly pungent and peppery taste. It has many biological activities such as antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal activities. This study aims to evaluate cytotoxic effect of Salvadora persica, meswak, [Salvadoraceae] extracts and isolate main compounds from the most effective extract on different human cell lines. Extracts from meswak sticks and bark, aqueous alcoholic [crude], petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts were tested for their cytotoxic activities on human hepatocellular carcinoma, breast, lung and colon carcinoma cell lines. Cell viability was assessed by the mitochondria! dependent reduction of yellow MTT [3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] to purple formazan. In addition, two triterpenes were isolated from the petroleum ether extract, most active extract, partitioned from aqueous alcoholic crude extract using thin layer and column chromatographic technique. Elucidation of the chemical structure of two triterpenes was established based on their spectroscopic data [MS, [1]HNMR, [13]CNMRand IR]. The petroleum ether extract is the most potent evaluated extract. It presented IC[50]=43.6 microg/ml against human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line-HepG2, IC[50]=44.3 microg/ml against human breast carcinoma cell line-MCF7, 19.87 microg/ml against lung carcinoma cell line-A549 and 10.2 microg/ml against colon carcinoma cell linc-HCT116, however the other extracts showed weak activities. Ursolic was more effective than olcanolie acid against HepG2, MCF7 and HCT116 [IC[50]= 26.32, 18.73 and 20.4microg/mL, respectively] while oleanolic was potent against A549 [IC[50]= 19.5microg/mL]. petroleum ether extract and ursolic acid showed cytotoxic activity against all tested human cell lines. Petroleum ether extract was superior against HCT116 and A549 while ursolic acid was efficient against HepG2 and MCF7

Postnatal development of the albino rat renal cortex [histological study]

Renal development involves 2 basic processes: morphologic formation and acquisition of function. The aim of the present study was to obtain histological information about the postnatal development of the filtration barrier and to throw more light upon the concomitant developmental changes of the convoluted tubules in albino rat's renal cortex. Ten pregnant female rats were utilized. Fifteen of their off springs were taken and divided into 3 groups: Group A: studied at the 2[nd] day postnatal. Group B: studied at the 10[th] day postnatal. Group C: studied at the 21[st] day postnatal. Kidneys were removed then 5 micro m thick paraffin sections were obtained and stained with haematoxylin and eosin stain for light microscope study. Renal cortex was cut into minute pieces and prepared for electron microscope study. Light microscope examination of 2 days renal cortex exhibited two cortical zones. The subcapsular zone contained immature forms of the renal developmental stages; the juxtamedullary zone contained mature renal corpuscles. While, electron microscope examination showed podocytes with flat cytoplasmic sheets and foot processes. Endothelial cells had few fenestrations. The filtration barriers revealed double basement membrane. The lining cells of proximal tubules had few short apical microvilli, mitochondria randomly oriented and few basal infoldings. Also, those of distal convoluted tubules appeared with randomly oriented mitochondria and some basal infoldings. The light microscope examination of 10 days renal cortex showed disappearance of all immature forms and maturing glomeruli were observed. Electron microscope examination showed podocytes with its primary processes and foot processes. The endothelial cells showed numerous fenestrations. The filtration barriers revealed fused basement membranes with presence of outpockets. The lining cells of proximal tubules had numerous tall tightly packed apical microvilli. Mitochondria appeared lodged in the basal infoldings in both proximal and distal tubules. The light microscope examination of 21 days renal cortex revealed mature renal corpuscles with lobulated glomeruli. Electron microscope examination demonstrated mature glomeruli showing podocytes with numerous foot processes. The filtration barrier showed regular basement membrane with no outpockets. The endothelial cells appeared attenuated with numerous fenestrations. Proximal and distal tubules showed mature picture. It has been proposed that adult renal diseases may be determined by events that occurred during fetal development. Therefore, results of studies on renal development in experimental models need to be interpreted and correlated carefully with the concomitant functional changes

cytogenetic study on leukemic Egyptian children

This study included forty newly diagnosed children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL]. On admission blood samples were taken from each patient for cytogenetic analysis by G-banding and it was successful in 37/40 patients [Gr. A] Normal karyotype was present in 20 cases [54.1%] out of 37.On the other hand numerical and structural aberrations were seen in 13 cases [35.1%] and 3 cases [8.1%] respectively; while both aberrations were detected in only one case [2.7%]. The study of the Giemsa banded chromosomes of the hyperdiploid cases showed that chromosome 21 was mostly added, followed by chromosomes [6,10 and X],chromosomes [4 and 14], number [15,17,and 18], [5 and 8], chromosome 16, and finally chromosomes [9 and 20] in that descending frequency. Hyperdiploid ALL have good prognosis on remission therapy as indicated by their chromosomal analysis. Hypodiploid karyotype was present in four cases of [Gr. A] one male and 3 females who showed poor prognosis and short duration of survival. Tetraploidy was encountered in only two male cases .One case died during his treatment period and other one showed bad prognosis as indicated by his blood analysis after treatment. Translocation t [4;l 1] [q21;q23] was found in one female and one male patients [5.4%]. The female died 3 weeks after diagnosis, while the male patient showed poor prognosis after one month of conventional chemotherapy. Another translocation t [l;19] [q23;p13] was found in 2 male patients [5.4%], they were alive after one month of treatment and they showed good prognosis during the remission induction stage. These findings imply that the accurate identification of chromosomal abnormalities in ALL patients is essential for diagnosis and may be of great value in predicting the prognosis of such cases. After 4 weeks of chemotherapeutic treatment, second blood samples from 32 cases [Gr. B] were cytogenetically normal. The remaining eight cases showed: four of them died 2 weeks after diagnosis [one teraploidy male; two hypoploid females; and one translocation [4; 11] female]; one case discontinued [hypodiploid male]; and three cases failed to remission induction [one hyper-diploid female, one tetraploid male, and one translocation [4;11] male]

Biochemical study on normal and leukemic Egyptian children

Leukemia is the most common malignancy of childhood [33%] where Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia [ALL] is the most common type in children. is to study the effect of ALL on complete blood count [CBC] and on some important biochemical parameters as total protein, albomin, globulin, uric acid, lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], erythrocyte superoxide dismutase [eryth. SOD] and erythrocyte glucose-6 -phosphate dehydrogenase[eryth. G-6-PD]. Also to measure total DNA and RNA content in all the samples. Moreover to carry out a comparative study of these parameters before and after treatment in contrast to control group. This study included forty newly diagnosed children with [ALL] in National Cancer Institute [NCI], Cairo University. Blood samples on admission [Gr. IIA] and after 4 weeks of chemotherapeutic treatment [Gr. IIB] were analyzed. Four cases died 2 weeks from diagnosis, one case discontinued, and one case failed to remission induction. CBC revealed a significant remarkable decrease in the hemoglobin content, RBCs and platelet count in [Gr. IIA] and these parameters were improved in [Gr. IIB]. A significantly marked elevation in WBCs and blast cells were recorded in [Gr. IIA]. On remission they returned to their normal level in [Gr. IIB]. Total DNA and RNA contents revealed a significant remarkable elevation in [Gr. IIA], while after 4 weeks of treatment they returned to normal level [Gr. IIB]. G-6-PDH showed significant increase in [Gr. IIA] while SOD activity showed high significant decline in [Gr. IIA]. After treatment both G- 6-PD and SOD showed significant improvement [Gr. IIB]. One month of chemotherapeutic treatment is not enough to achieve complete hematological remission for Egyptian [ALL] children in contrast to European reports. Biochemical parameters returned to their normal level, yet G-6-PD and SOD activities were improved largely. Also measurement of G-6-PD and SOD activities and DNA and RNA contents are useful markers to follow up ALL children after chemotherapeutic treatment

effect of an educational program in improving venous catheter management practice in pediatric Cairo university hospital ICUs

Intravascular catheter related blood stream infection [BSI] is an important cause of illness and excess medical cost. In our hospital, the rate of peripheral venous catheter insertion [cannula] is 61.7% at the intensive care units, and the blood stream infection rate was 35.1% at the beginning of the study. This study was designed to conduct infection control practice training [mainly for cannula insertion practice] at neonatal and pediatric intensive care units of Cairo university pediatric hospital, with evaluation of results before and after the study. The pretest found major problems concerning the proper use of alcohol based product for hand hygiene or during skin preparation for cannula Insertion. Also shortage of infection control knowledge and medical supply [cannula device, soap, alcohol, and sterile dressing] was obvious. A significant improvement after training program was observed regarding proper cannula insertion practice [mainly hand hygiene, skin preparation, and no touch method for cannula insertion], [p value = 0.001]. The blood stream infection rate dropped from 35.1% at pre-implementation period to 23.1% at the post implementation period, with a significant decrease of blood isolates which cause intravascular catheter associated blood stream infection [Coagulase negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureues, Candida, and Enterococci] P value 0.004. The significant improvement of cannula insertion practice, together with the decrease of blood isolates related to catheter associated BSI, and the drop of BSI rate after the training pro gram point to the importance of the infection control education program targeted to specific problems

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

Evaluation and monitoring of infection control practices

This work was done to evaluate the impact of infection control practices implementation on intravenous fluid [IVF], medication contamination and neonatal sepsis at NICUs. The study was designed to conduct an infection control practice training course at six private neonatal intensive care units at three governorates with evaluation of the results before and after the study. Samples of all available in-use intravenous fluid bottles and previously used bottles, opened medication ampoules and blood samples from the clinically suspected infants were collected and cultured to detectthe organisms and their sensitivity to antimicrobial agents before and one month later after the training course. Also, infection control practice observation tool was designed and used for evaluation of the infection control practice at each NICU before the study and one month later. The results showed that K. pneumonia, K. terrigena and Enterobacter spp. were the commonest types of organisms at the pre-training visit; while, at the post-training visit, K. pneumonia and coagulase negative Staph. were the commonest types of organisms. At the pre-training visit, the IVF contamination rates was 62%, the medication contamination rate was 16.1% and the blood infection rate was 64.8%. At the post-training visit, IVF contamination rate dropped to 32%, medication contamination rate dropped to 0% and the blood infection rate to 50%. There was a significant reduction in both IVF and medication contamination frequency. The mean score of infection control practices concerning the training aspects was significantly increased at the post-training visit at the six NICUs. A significant positive correlation was found between infection control practice score in the six NICUs and the negative IV fluid [free samples]. In conclusion, surveillance of nosocomial infections in NICUs and successful strategies to decrease infections, such as infection control practice and optimal antibiotic use, are warranted. The significant decrease in contamination rate of IV fluids and medications and positive blood culture results after the training practice point to the importance of microbiological culture of in-use IV fluids, which could be a helpful adjunct to epidemiologic studies to directly assess the effectiveness of infection control practices related to IV fluid preparation and use, also, point to the significance of proper health hygiene in nosocomial infection control

Pain as a fifth vital sign in a standardized pain flow sheet: impact on patient-reported pain experience after cardiovascular surgery

Random pain assessments and the subsequent administration of analgesics may provide inadequate pain management, which is a major health care problem. To improve the quality of pain management, pain should be assessed as the fifth vital signs in a standardized pain flow sheet, because pain assessment is rarely complete, and because health care professionals are poor predictors of patient's pain. Thus the present study was conducted to examine the impact of nurses' use of a standardized pain flowsheet to document pain assessment and pharmacologic management on patient reported pain intensity after cardiac surgery. A pre and post implementation design was used to compare 51 patients from Cardiac Surgical Units in Shark El Madina Hospital /Ministry of Health/ Alexandria and Mansoura University Hospital. For the first [28 patients] in the pre-implementation group, traditional charting of presence or absence of pain was documented in the narrative notes and the pharmacologic management was documented in the medication profile. In the post-implementation group [23 patients], the intensity of pain and pharmacological management were documented on a pain flowsheet. Within 24 hour patients were interviewed regarding pain intensity experienced in the surgical heart unit and at the time of questioning. The distribution of these pain intensity scores was compared. Results revealed that the use of a standardized pain flowsheet to assess pain intensity and document pharmacological intervention improved pain management in post operative cardiovascular patients. Use of this scale helps patients quantify pain intensity and relief and requires the health care member to be accountable for providing effective management of pain

Effect of violence films viewing on serum catecholamines and nitrites in male adolescents

This study is an attempt to determine the physiological effects of violence films viewing [VFV] in teenagers. For this purpose, 100 male teenagers volunteers [11-15 years] participated in this study. They were divided into 2 equal groups. The first group [Group I] was accustomed to VFV, while the second group [Group II] was not accustomed to VFV. Violence films [Natural Born Killer and Scream I "R-rated"] were viewed to participant volunteers for 3 hours. Blood samples were withdrawn before and after VFV [pre and post viewing samples]. Serum catecholamines [epinephrine [E], norepinephrine [N] and dopamine [D]] and nitrites [as an indicator of nitric oxide [NO]] were measured in pre-viewing and post viewing samples so that each participant acted as his own control. Results of the first group clearly revealed that serum catecholamines [E, N and D] levels were significantly increased. While nitrite levels were significantly decreased in post viewing samples compared to, pre- viewing samples. In the second group, serum E and nitrites were significantly increased, while serum N and D were significantly decreased in post viewing samples compared to pre-viewing samples. It is concluded that previous experience with VFV caused an aggressive stress response in group I; while lack of this past experience in group II was reflected as an attenuated stress response

Cardiovascular effects of violence films in male adolescents

In this study, the cardiovascular [CV] effects of violence film viewing [VFV] were studied. For this purpose, two groups of adolescent volunteers participated in this study. The first group [50 males aged 11-15 years] was violent film viewers, whereas the second group [50 males aged 11-15 years] was not accustomed to view violent film. Before included in the study, written consent and clinical examination were done. The CV parameters [blood pressures and ECG parameters] were recorded before and after VFV, so that each participant acted as his own control. These parameters were: Heart rate [HR], systolic and diastolic blood pressure [SBP and DBP], mean pressure [MP], pulse pressure [PP], the durations of P-R interval, QRS, Q-Tc, R-R interval, S-T segment and interval and the voltage of R and T waves. Statistical analysis of data showed that there were a significant increase in HR, SBP, DBP, PP and MP in group I after VFV compared to their control pre-viewing values. There were significant decrease in R wave and T wave voltage, the durations of P-R, QRS, Q-Tc, R-R and ST in group I after VFV compared to their control previewing values. In group II, there were significant decrease in HR. SBP, DBP, PP and MP after VFV compared with their previewing control values. While there were significant increase in R and T waves voltage, durations of P-R, QRS, Q-Tc [Q-T correct], R-R and ST after VFV compared with their control previewing values there. Previous experience with VFV resulted in sympathetic reactions whereas non accustomed to VFV showed parasympathetic reaction. This may be due to aggressive stress response associated with previous experience with VFV in group I while lack of this past experience could lead to less aggressive reactions in group II