Screening the efficacy of some traditional herbal drugs for treatment of hymenolepis diminuta infection in rats

Hymenolepis nana [human infecting tapeworm] and H. diminuta [rodent infecting tapeworm] are currently incriminated to be the cause of non-specific bowel disturbances. They are in most instances resistant to the available anticestodal compounds due to misuse of drugs and probably adaptation of the parasites to the commercially available drugs Our objective is to study the toxicity and curative efficacy of different medicinal plants that are candidate for the treatment of tapeworm infections in man. Four medicinal plants were tested for their ability to treat Hymenolepis diminuta tapeworm infection in rats. These plants are Amaranthus viridis, Cucurbita maxima, Hagenia abyssinica and Balanites aegyptiaca. Selection of these plants was based on ethnobotanical information. The evaluation of the efficiency of these medicinal plants was based on the controlled test design, modified from Moskey and Harwood10: Following pre-infection screening, and life cycle establishment rats were grouped to six experimental groups for each plant. Stool specimens were collected from all groups, the mean of eggs counts per gram of faeces were counted. The reduction percentage of eggs per gram [EPG] was calculated and time to clear eggs was compared with that of Niclosamide. Niclosamide drug was used in this study as a control treatment14. There were no signs of toxic effect on the rats due to administration of any of the tested medicinal plants. Amaranthus viridis leavs exhibited a very weak efficacy. It did not reduce eggs in either water or food significantly as compared to the untreated control group [p>0.05]. The deparasitization activity of this plant [35%] was not significant. Similarly, Balanites aegyptiaca seeds were not effective in treatment of the infection in rats. Egg counts and deparasitization in food and water, were not significantly [p>0.05] different from those of the untreated control group. On the other hand, Cucurbita maxima and Hagenia abyssinica seeds were very effective in the treatment of Hymenolepis diminuta infection in rats. Egg reduction [100%] was highly significant [p<0.01] in food and water as compared to that of the untreated control group of rats [zero%]. C. maxima seeds in food deparasitized 80% of the worms, while Hagenia abyssinica deparasitized 100%. Our conclusion was that Hagenia abyssinica was the most active plant of this group in the treatment of Hymenolepis diminuta infection in rats

Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with poor glycaemic control have lower quality of life scores as measured by the Short Form-36

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>This study aimed to compare the quality of life based on the Short Form-36 (SF-36) between two different groups of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with glycaemic control: those with a glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level at or below 7.5 percent and those above 7.5 percent.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this cross-sectional study, a generic SF-36 questionnaire was self-administered to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Based on the HbA1c level, the mean SF-36 scale scores were compared. The analysis of covariance was used to obtain the adjusted mean scores of the SF-36 scales while controlling for age and duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>150 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were analysed. There were 63 (42 percent) women and 87 (58 percent) men, and their mean HbA1c level was 8.9 percent (SD 2.4 percent). When comparing the two groups of patients with different HbA1c levels, the adjusted means of four scales: physical health functioning, general health, social functioning and mental health, differed significantly between the two. The SF-36 scale scores in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were also lower than those of the SF-36 norms for the Malaysian population.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with poor glycaemic control had lower mean SF-36 scores in physical functioning, general health, social functioning and mental health, and the SF-36 scores in these patients were also lower than the SF-36 norms of the Malaysian population.</p>

Clinical and biochemical parameters of children and adolescents applying pesticides

The primary agricultural product in Egypt is the cotton crop. Children and adolescents work seasonally in the cotton fields applying pesticides. To examine the effect of pesticide exposure on clinical and biochemical parameters in children and adolescents applying pesticides. Male children currently applying pesticides and aged between 9 and 19 years [n = 50] were recruited for this study. They were asked to complete work, health, and exposure questionnaires; examined for any medical and neurological problems with particular attention to sensory and motor functions including cranial nerves, sensory and motor system, and reflexes. From each participant, a blood sample was taken to measure acetylcholinesterase activity, and liver and kidney functions. Children who have never worked in agriculture [n = 50], matched on age, education, and socioeconomic status were also studied and served as controls. More neuromuscular disorders were identified in pesticide applicators than controls. A significant lower level of acetylcholinesterase was found in the applicator group compared to the controls. There was also a significant difference in hematological, renal and hepatic indices in the exposed children compared to the control children. Working more days in the current season and also working more years as a pesticide applicator were both associated with an increase in the prevalence of neuromuscular abnormalities and significant changes in the laboratory tests. Children and adolescent pesticide applicators working in farms of Egypt are at risk of developing serious health problems similar to those of adults

use of [ELISA] for diagnosis and epidemiology of brucella infection in some farm animals in Assiut governorate

The prevalence of brucella infection among different species of farm animals in Assiut Governorate was estimated by using Rose Bengal plate test [RBPT], Buffered acidified plate antigen test [BAPAT], Tube agglutination test [TAT], Rivanol test [Riv. T.] and Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. A total number of 197 cattle blood samples were examined serologically. Brucellosis incidence all over Assiut Governorate was 3.6%. On the other hand, slaughter houses revealed the highest infection rate [7.1%] followed by private flocks [1.6%]. While governmental farms did not record any infection rates in this study. A significant correlation between sexually mature animals and the rate of infection was observed. The incidence of brucellosis among cattle was varied according to sex from 0.00% in males to 6% in females. Seroprevalence of brucella infection among 129 sheep blood samples was 11.6% all over the governorate. A highest attack rate [50%] was observed among the age group 2.3-2.6 years. The incidence of brucella infection was 12.2% in ewes while no positive cases were recorded in rams. The serological examination of 32 buffaloes' sera did not detect any positive reactors. The role of these animals in transmitting infection to humans was discussed. The public health hazard from detecting brucella antibodies in 7.3% of the composite milk from 41 dairy cows was also clarified

Inhibiting effect of some dyes on corrosion of aluminum and aluminum-alloys in hydrochloric acid

The inhibiting effect of some dyes [fast blue R.R. salt, fast blue B.B. salt, fuchsine base, crystal violet and rhodamine G 6] on the corrosion of pure aluminum and two types of its alloy [Al-Mg-Mn and Al-Mg] in 0.5M HCI has been studied using potentiodynamic polarization method and open-circuit potential measurement.Comparison of the inhibitive efficiencies of different dyes in 0.5M HCI for pure Al has shown the following order Crystal violet

Genetic improvement of trichoderma reesei for cellulose Enzymes production through mutation breeding

The possibility of inducing genetic variability in the fungus Trichoderma reesei which produces cellulases upon treatment with different mutagenesis was investigated. The fungal strain NRRL-12368 was treated with UV-light, NTG, and combined treatment with both of them or combined treatment with UV-lightNaNO2. The results indicated that the treatment with UV-light induced 183colonies, 48 of them are morphological variants and 6 are auxotrophic mutants. When the NTG mutagen was applied, 48 colonies were isolated, 20 of them are morphological variants and only one is auxotrophic mutant. Using the combination between UV and NTG, 64 colonies were obtained, 24 of them are morphological variants and only one is auxotrophic. The combination between UV and NaNO2 gave 49 colonies, 11 of them are morphological variants and one is auxotrophic mutant. These mutants were evaluated for their productivity concerning the three cellulase enzymes FPase, CMCase and beta-glucosidase. Some mutants overyielded the parental strain in the cellulases production. The mutant S26 produced 180%, 102% and 31.6% FPase, CMCase and beta-glucosidase more than the original strain, respectively. No relationship can be found between the requirements of auxotrophic mutants and their cellulase activities, since some mutants lost their enzymes activity, some others produced one or more of these enzymes, whereas two mutants produced the three enzymes more than their parental strain

Implications of fructose in liver tumours of the Egyptian toad

Environmental factors play an important role in the etiology of several types of cancer; this discovery has led to a great deal of interest in the role of diet in cancer etiology. It is well known that some factories which produce jams and juices use fructose rather than glucose or sucrose to sweeten their products. This study demonstrates that fructose insignificantly enhances the incidence of liver tumours in Egyptian toads previously injected with 7,12-dimethylbenz [a]-anthracene

Prospective study for safety and efficacy of vaginal examination and membrane stripping at term

One hundred gravid women were included in the study. They were 38 weeks gestation with no medical, surgical or obstetric problems. These women divided equally into 2 groups, the study and the control group. Both groups were matched for age, parity, gestational age and initial Bishop score. All patients had a full examination included the gentle cervico-vaginal examination to assess the initial Bishop score and 30 minutes cardiotocogram. Traumatic vaginal examination was done every week for the control group to assess their Bishop score. The study group underwent weekly stripping of the membranes. The stripped group delivered significantly earlier than the control group [7.8 + 0.58 vs. 14.7 +/- 0.88 days, P <0.001]. Post term deliveries were less frequent in the study group than in the control group [3 vs. 1, P <0.004]. Less frequency of cesarean section in the stripping group than in the control group. Complications were statistically significant minimal with satisfactory fetal and maternal outcome in the study group

Combined laparoscopy and hysteroscopy in the investigation of infertility

100 women with primary or secondary infertility were included in this study. On hysteroscopic examination there were 18 cases with intrauterine abnormalities [18%], 5 patients with intrauterine adhesions, 4 with submucous myoma, one with endometrial polyp, 5 with uterine malformation and 3 cases with polypoid endometrium. Hysteroscopy, compared to HSG, revealed more abnormalities of the uterine cavity. There was complete agreement between both methods in 86 cases [86%], while the findings were different in 14 cases [14%]. Laparoscopic examination revealed 41 cases with pelvic abnormalities with incidence of 41.1%. There was complete agreement between HSG and laparoscopy in 70 cases [70.7%]. Laparoscopy was found superior to HSG in the detection of pelvic adhesions as 27 cases [27.2%] were diagnosed by diagnostic laparoscopy, while only 10 cases [10.1%] were suspected by HSG. On combined hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, it was found that, laparoscopy revealed abnormalities in 41%. This increased to 46% when hysteroscopy was added

Synthesis and some reactions of pyrimidinone derivatives

2-hydroxy and 2-mercaptopyrimidinones [I and II] and 2-chloropyrimidinone [VI] were synthesized from a ternary mixture of ethyl-cyanoacetate, 4-[N, N-dimethylamino] benzaldehyde, urea or thiourea and a quaternary mixture of ethyl cyanoacetate, 4-[N-N- dimethylamino] benzaldehyde, urea, PCI5/POCI3, respectively. 2-Hydroxypyrimidinone [I] reacts with hydrazines to give the corresponding hydrazide [IIIa and b], [I] also reacts with hydroxylamine, urea and thiourea to give the corresponding amino derivatives [IV] reacts with active methylene compounds in sodium ethoxide to afford [VIIa-g]. [VI] also reacts with amines to give the N-substituted pyrimidinone derivatives [VIIa-e]. Treatment of [VI] with hydrazines and thiourea gave the pyrazoline derivatives [IXa and b] and thione derivative [X], respectively

Steroid receptors changes in some target tissues of the female one-humped camel: 1-during various ovarian stages

The changes in estrogen and progesterone receptors binding capacity in tissue cytosol, has been measured in different parts of the reproductive tract of the female one-humped camel, during the different ovarian activities. The collected samples included the ovary, oviduct and uterus. The concentration of estrogen receptor [ER] in the cytosol of the reproductive tract reached a high value during the small follicular phase and significantly decreased as the follicle matures. On the other h and, there was significant rise during the stages of inactive ovary and Corpus albican. Regarding the progesterone receptor [PR], the results revealed its maximum level in the uterus and oviduct during the medium follicular phase, inactive ovary and Corpus albicans. While, in the ovary, the maximum value was obtained during the stages of cystic ovary and small follicle

Effect of diclofenac sodium on increased menstrual blood loss associated with intrauterine contraception

The menstrual blood loss [MBL] was quantitatively estimated prior to IUD insertion in 50 females attending the family planning clinic. After insertion, the MBL was re-estimated monthly for 6 months and then after the 11th and 12th month post-insertion. Diclofenac sodium oral tablets [50 mg] were given at the onset of menses and for 5 consecutive days at the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 12th month after IUD insertion. The MBL increased significantly after the unmedicated post-insertion cycles. With the medicated cycles, the MBL decreased significantly when compared to the preceding unmedicated ones. A beneficial effect on IUD-induced pain observed, no effect was found on the intermenstrual spotting. Side effects of medication were mild and did not necessitate withdrawal from the study

Inhibition and acceleration of Aluminium and Aluminium-Magnesium corrosion in Hydrochloric acid

The inhibition of the corrosion of aluminium and A1-Mg alloys in 0.1 M HCI was investigated with regard to the chemical species [complexes, compounds] possibly formed with aluminium ions. As a basis for comparison, some inhibitors such as sodium chromate, citrate and acetate were used. Inhibition efficiencies were measured for 14 days immersion with linear polorization measurements. Only chromate gave nearly complete protection for A1 and A1-Mg alloys. Citrate gave accelerated corrosion at certain concentration. These results are interprated in the term of the species that are formed with the aluminium ions

Studies on some B-aroyl- [4 [1,3-disubstituted-2-pyrazolin-5-one]] propionic acids

Baroylarcylic acids [I] react with 1, 3-disubstituted-2-pyrazolin-5-ones in dry benzene to give the adducts II. Estrification of lid with diazomethane gives the corresponding methyl ester [III]. Reactions of II with hydrazine hydrate and phenylhydrazine afford the corresponding pyridazinones [V and VI]. Dehydration of II yield the butenolides [VII]. The reactions of pyrida-zinones V with anisaldehyde, ethyl bromoacetate, diethyl sulfate and Grignard reagents are also described. The in vitro antibacterial screening reveals substantial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria for compounds lie and lid; while compounds IIa, IIb and Vb are inactive

Pulse wave velocity in females receiving contraceptive pills

This study was done on 38 females receiving oral contraceptive pills for 3 to over 10 years, and 20 normal control females not receiving pills. The arterial pulse was velocity was measured in the aorta and femoral artery using a transducer recording the pressure pulse and simultaneous electrocardiography. The aortic pulse wave velocity was found to be increased in pill users for than 5 years, indicating early atherosclerotic changes

Capillary permeability in patients with cardiac ischemia

74 patients with varying degree of ischaemic heart disease and 41 normal control subjects were studied for determining their capillary permeability. They were examined by various clinical and laboratory means. Assessment of their capillary permeability was performed by measuring the rate of disappearance of intravenously injected RISA from the circulation, Also digital tip blood flow and pulse wave velocity were measured for most of the members of both groups. Various associated diseases and complications of ischaemic heart disease were found in 82.4 percent of the patients. Capillary permeability was decreased in all patients with ischaemic heart disease except for those having associated C.O.P.D., diabetes, and hypertension in whom normal capillary permeability was found and was increased in cases of associated C.O.P.D. complicated with cardiac failure in whom the capillary permeability was increased above normal. The finger tip blood flow and pulse wave velocity were increased in all groups of ischaemic heart disease. The possible factors contributing to the decreased capillary permeability and its relation to increased digital blood flow and pulse wave velocity have been discussed. The decreased capillary permeability and hardening of the aorta - as shown by increased pulse wave velocity-tin cases of ischaemic heart disease add to whatever difficulty these patient might suffer from as a complication of their disease