Predictors of adherence to antihypertensive medication in northern United Arab Emirates

This study aimed to assess the predictors of non-adherence to antihypertensive medications in northern United Arab Emirates. In a cross-sectional, multicentre study in Ajman Emirate, 250 patients with hypertension were randomly selected from outpatient clinics. Participants answered an interview questionnaire about sociodemographic and clinical data and completed the Morisky medication adherence scale. Non-adherence to antihypertensive medication was reported by 45.6% of patients. Sociodemographic predictors of non-adherence were sex and number of children. Therapy-related predictors of adherence were hospital admissions, number and cost of medications, medication perceived effectiveness and use of traditional remedies. Patient-related predictors of non-adherence were forgetfulness, method of identifying medication and poor awareness of hypertension complications. Health-care-related predictors were regular follow up at clinics, education and counselling, frequency of changing medication by physicians and awareness of physicians' instructions

Macro- and micromorphology of the root, stem leaf, infloresence and fruit of Euphorbia peplus L. growing in Egypt

Euphorbia peplus L. belongs to Family Euphorbiaceae which includes about 283 genera with almost 7500 species. They are distributed all over the world mainly tropical countries. Some species of the genus Euphorbia showed antiviral and anticancer activities. It was reported to be used in folkloric medicine as purgative and in treatment of skin diseases, gonorrhea, liver disorders, chest diseases, and gout. Some phytochemical studies have been carried out abroad on different species. The authors carried out phytochemical and biological studies on the studied plant and here in we undertake macro- and micromorphological studies with the aim of finding out the diagnostic features by which the plant could be identified in both entire and powdered forms

Macro- and micromorphology of the leaves, stems and flowers of Chrysanthemum carinatum L.

The genus Chrysanthemum L. is sometimes called Ismelia, it comprises about 150 species native to tropical and temperate North and South America. Chrysanthemum carinatum L. is known as Painted daisy, German flag and Tricolor Chrysanthemum. Some species of genus Chrysanthemum are used medicinally to cure influenza symptoms, liver and menstrual disorders and have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects

Prevalence and etiology of nosocomial diarrhoea in children < 5 years in Tikrit teaching hospital

A cross-sectional hospital-based study was carried out at Tikrit teaching hospital, Iraq, from October 2004 to September 2005, to identify the prevalence and etiology of nosocomial infectious diarrhoea among children under 5 years of age. Of 259 children admitted to the paediatric ward for reasons other than diarrhoea and hospitalized for more than 3 days, clinical and laboratory analysis of stool samples showed nosocomial diarrhoea in 84 children [32.4%]. The most common causative agents were enteropathogenic Escherichia coli [25.9%], Clostridium difficile [21.0%] and rotavirus [18.5%]. Single infectious agents caused 63.1% of the cases, while mixed infections were detected in 16.7%; in 20.2% of children the cause remained unknown

Imidazole alkaloids from the indopacific sponge Pericharax heteroraphis

Chemical investigation of the sponge Pericharax heteroraphis [Polejeff] collected in Indonesia, has led to the isolation of three imidazole alkaloids, preclathridine-A [1], leucettamine-B [2] and leucettamine-A [3]. The structures of the isolated compounds were unambiguously established by [1]D and [2]D NMR and mass data. This is the first report of this class of compounds from the P. heteroraphis sponge. Investigation of the antimicrobial activities of the isolated compounds showed that leucettamin-A [3] was active against the gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and the fungus Cladosporium herbarum, while other compounds were inactive

Influence of some temperature regimes on biological performance of Telenomus busseolae Gahan. [Hymenoptera: Scelionidae]

The life cycle of the egg parasitoid Telenomus busseolae was studied under control condition, in order to determine the optimum requirement for mass rearing of this species. The developmental periods of the parasitoid was greatly influenced by temperature. The longest life span [43 days] was recorded at 18°C while the shortest one was 12 days at 32°C. The optimum temperature for the development of this parasitoid ranged between 23-27°C. The highest parasitism percent was 96.6% recorded at 26 +/- 1°C. The upper developmental threshold was 35.4 °C and the lower was 12.8 °C. Results indicated that the preoviposition period was very short [few hours]. Females laid most of its eggs [87%] during the first two days of its life span. The average of egg laying period was about 18 days. Female laid an average of 125 eggs [90-131] during its life span. Postoviposition period averaged about two days and the mean period of oviposition and longevity for female were 11 and 17 days respectively. The sex ratio ranged between 1:1.5 to 1:4.23 male : female

Effect of light deprivation and sex on the strategy selection of rats in radial maze

During the early postnatal age environmental signals underlie development of sensory systems. The visual system is considered as an appropriate system for evaluation of the role of sensory experience in postnatal development of sensory systems Light [LR-control] and dark reared [DR] 40 days old rats were used for adjacent arms tasks. The animals were subjected to two trials each day on a radial arm maze. The experiments were performed in 3 stages. In the first stage, the rats had to search the maze with while all arms were baited. During the second and third stages, only 4 adjacent arms were baited, however, in the third stage the place of the adjacent arms was changed between the daily trials. The findings were considered for 1- the number of correct entries and 2- selection of the adjacent arms. Our results indicated that both the LR and DR animals equally entered correct arms. In the adjacent arms task, however, the control group significantly outperformed the DR animals. Concerning sex dependency of the tasks while, at least partly, the LR males and females differently searched the maze the DR group represented no sex differences in their performances These findings suggest that the lack of visual experience is likely to influence the strategy selection and sex differences as well. Also the difference between performances of the LR and DR animals is probably due to the males rather than females behavior

Heavy metal pollutants in surficial sediments from different coastal sites in aden governorate, Yemen

Concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Mn and Fe in surficial sediments [<63 [j,m] from the shores in Aden Governorate were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. The obtained concentration data show significant regional variations concerning both the total and leachable metals in sediments. Total metal concentrations of Cd and Pb were greatest in sediments from Labor Island; Cu, Cr, and Fe occurred in the highest levels in Bandar Fuqum sediments, while maximum levels of Mn, Co, and Ni were observed in sediments from Sahel Abyan and Fuqum. Labile, easily extractable species of metals such as Cd and Pb, are similar to their total concentrations, and additionally Cu, Zn, Cr, and Fe were found in the highest concentrations in sediments from Labor Island. Sediments from Sahel Abyan and Khawr Bir Ahmed were characterized by a maximum accumulation of bioavailable species of Co and Mn, respectively. The linear regression slopes for metals correlated were < 1, this explains the slow enrichment of these metals in the sediments, and attributes their geological nature

serine protease from germinated wheat seeds

A simple method for the purification of a serine endoprotease from wheat Triticum aestivum [cv. Giza 164] has been developed. It consists of ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The molecular mass of the enzyme was 58 kDa by SDS/PAGE under reducing conditions and 57 kDa by gel filtration on a Sepharose 6B column. The enzyme had isoelectric point and pH optimum at 4.2 and 4.5, respectively. The substrate specificity of the enzyme was studied by the use of synthesized and natural substrates, azocasein, azoalbumin, hemoglobin, casein, gelatin and egg albumin. The enzyme appears to prefer azocasein with a Km of 2 mg azocasein/ml. The enzyme had a temperature optimum at 50°C with heat stability up to 40°C. While Co[2+] and Mg[2+] accelerated the enzyme activity by 54% and 56%, respectively, Ca[2+] and Ni[2+] had very little effect. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by PMSF [phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride], but not by the other protease inhibitors, suggesting that the enzyme is a serine protease. From these results it can be concluded that the T. aestivum serine protease may be suitable for food processing

Management of acute pancreatitis: an experience at Mayo hospital, Lahore

This is a retrospective as well as prospective study of 46 patients with acute pancreaitis who were managed in North Surgical Unit of Mayo Hospital, Lahore. This study was carried out with special emphasis on need of surgical treatment and its outcome. No age group or sex was found immune to this disease. It was more common in 3rd to 4th decade of life and female sex. The commonest etiology is gall stones [54%] followed by alcohol [8%] and idiopathic [15%]. Pain epigastrium is a constant symptom. Judicious use of serum amylase urinary amylase and ultrasonography can help in early diagnosis of the acute pancreatitis. Complications are best diagnosed on CT scan. Majority of patients were treated successfully by conservative measures [44%] but developed complications which carried high morbidity and mortality. Surgical treatment of associated gall stones has prevented recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis. Hence cholecystectomy for associated gall stones is recommended during same admission for mild to moderate pancretitis after resolution of symptoms

Histopathological differences in oral mucosa of chewing and Opposite sides due to Takhzeen Al-Qat

To determine the histopathologic differences in biopsies taken from the oral mucosa at the side of qat chewing and the opposite side. This study was done on 40 biopsies taken from the oral mucosa at the chewng side n=20 [Group I], and from the opposite side n=20 [Group II]. Biopsies were prepared and stained by the routine H and E method and then evaluated. Acanthosis, abnormal rate ridges, inflammatory infiltration, intracellular edema and keratosis [HK] were reported in 100%, 95%, 70% and 50% of GI. And in 60%, 30%, 25%, 70%, and 10% GII, respectively. These histopathologic differences statistically were significant P < 0.002. Clear histopathologic differences were found between chewing and opposite sides. All changes were innocuous as no atypia moderate or severe epithelial dysplasia found

Assessment of Il-8 and TNF-alpha in serum and BAL of patients with COPD and lung cancer

There is an increasing evidence for the role of cytokines, especially interlukin-8 [IL-8] and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] in the pathogenesis of many chest diseases especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and to some extent lung cancer. Tins study was conducted on three groups comprising 70 smoker subjects; 25 patients [21 males and 4 female] with mild to moderate degree of COPD, 25 patients [21 males and 4 females] with lung cancer and 20 asymptomatic control subject [17 males and 3 females], All subjects were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, radiological assessment, pulmonary function testing, tissue diagnosis of lung cancer, blood sampling and bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL] for assessment of TNF-alpha and IL-8 levels both in scrum and BAL fluid using the enzyme linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA] method. There was a highly significant [P < 0.05] elevation in both serum and BAL levels of IL-8 in COPD and lung cancer patients compared to the healthy control subjects but the difference between the COPD and lung cancer patients was insignificant [P > 0.05], Also, there was a highly significant elevation in both serum and BAL levels of TNF-alpha in COPD and lung cancer patients compared to the control group and the serum as well as the BAL levels of TNF-alpha were significantly higher in lung cancer patients compared to the COPD ones. The BAL levels of IL-8 and TNF-alpha were always significantly higher than the serum levels of the same cytokine in the same group of patients or control subjects. This study concludes that IL-8 and TNF-a levels are increased both in BAL and serum of COPD and lung cancer patients and their assessment may add to the understanding of the ongoing pathogenic inflammatory processes occurring in the smoker's airways till the development of COPD or lung cancer

Production of acidophilus and bifidus butter milks from buffaloes' milk

Acidophilus and bifidus buttermilks were prepared by mixing acidophilus and bifidus milks with cultured buttermilk at different ratios. Titratable acidity, acetaldehyde, diacetyl, lactic acid bacterial count and sensory evaluation were determined when fresh and 3, 7, and 14 days of storage at 6. Acidity and acetaldehyde were higher in acidophilus and bifidus milks than cultured buttermilk and acidophilus or bifidus buttermilks all through storage period. Diacetyl content was higher in cultured buttermilk than that in the other products. Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifid bacterium bifidum and mesophilic lactic culture counts increased during the first three days of storage, then decreased up to 14 days of storage. Sensory evaluation showed that scores of fresh and stored acidophilus and bifidus buttermilks increased as the proportion of acidophilus and bifidus increased to 30%. Acceptable and palatable fermented dairy products as a dietary adjuncts with effective therapeutic action, can be made by mixing acidophilus or bifidus milk with cultured butter milk by 2:8 or 3:7, respectively

role of psychotropic bacteria in raw milk on stability of milk proteins to UHT treatment

The effects of psychrotrophs growth on proteins of raw skim milk and the response of milk proteins to UHT-treatment were studied. 4 psychrotrophs isolated from raw milk attacked raw skim milk proteins. k and B-caseins were most susceptible although some of the isolates also attacked the whey proteins. Growth of psychrotrophs in raw skim milk predisposed the proteins to deleterious effects of UHT-treatment. Ultrahigh temperature had little effect on raw skim milk caseins while, decreased alpha-lactalbumin and B-lactoglobulin by 22% and 36%, respectively. Milk that had undergone proteolysis exhibited decreased detectable k-, B-, and alpha S-caseins but increased loss of B- lactoglobulin as a result of UHT-treatment. Milk suffering extensive k-casein degradation coagulated during UHT-treatment. Coagulation during or shortly after heating increased with severity of heat treatment and size of psychrotrophs population

Rhinomanometry evaluation of the effects of adeno tonsillar hypertrophy on the nasal airflow before and after adenotonsillectomy

Adeno tonsillar hypertrophy is a common disorder in children resulting in nasopharyngal obstruction with resultant mouth breathing and or snoring. At present upper airway obstruction due to hypertrophy of the tonsils and adenoids with consequent hypoventillation and cor pulmonale has come to be called the cardiopulmonary syndrome. This study comprised 100 children complaining of long standing nasal obstruction due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Adeno tonsillectomy was performed and the nasal airway resistance was measured by doing anterior rhinomanometry one week before and one month after surgery. Statistical evaluation of the results showed that the nasal airway resistance was high before the operation and decreased significantly after the operation. It was concluded that the operation of adeno tonsillectomy was very highly effective in reduction of the nasal resistance and relieving symptoms of upper airway obstruction

Study of effect of age on the caloric test results in patients complaining of balance disorders

60 patients [38 males and 22 females, with ages between 13-85years] suffering balance disorders were divided according to their ages into 2 groups: group 1 [non-aged group] composed of 30 patients their ages ranged between 13-45 years with a mean of 32.7 years and group 2[aged group] composed of 30 patients their ages between 46-85 years with a mean of 67.7 years. Every group was further subdivided according to history, physical examination and diagnostic test into 2 subgroups based on whether patients were complaining of true vertigo or non-vertiginous disequilibrium. All patients have been studied by the caloric test to find out the effect of age on the caloric response. According to our results, we concluded that there is no effect of age on the caloric response whatever the cause of dizziness