Plagiarism in medical scientific research

Plagiarism is defined as "the practice of taking someone else's words, work or ideas and passing them off as one's own". It is probably the most common form of scientific dishonesty found in research articles. The aim of this review is to present a comprehensive account about plagiarism to raise awareness of all aspects of plagiarism. The key words "plagiarism", "types", "detection" and "consequences" were used to retrieve articles from the MEDLINE database. About five hundred articles were retrieved. Articles were divided into subgroups, with each group covering an aspect of plagiarism. Main findings and updates were summarized for each topic. The main reason behind plagiarism was found to be a lack of knowledge about the subject. When coupled with insufficient time, immature writing skills and the pressure on researchers to get their work published in good journals, authors take unacknowledged pieces of others' work and commit plagiarism. In the past, it was difficult to detect plagiarism; however, in recent years, many plagiarism-detection services and software programs have become available. The present article details how journals use these services and software as a helpful tool to check for plagiarism in submitted manuscripts. Within academia, plagiarism is an offense that can be devastating. Plagiarism is the most common problem in research writing. The cornerstone in preventing this problem from getting worse is to raise awareness about how to cope with this growing problem of research misconduct

effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on the healing experimental skin wound in diabetic adult male albino rats

Impairment of wound healing in diabetic patients is an important clinical problem. Various studies have suggested that using regenerative medical therapy could be a good solution. Mesenchymal stem cells are nonhematopoietic progenitor cells that have high differentiation potential and could be isolated from bone marrow and other tissues. The aim of this study was to assess the role of stem cells in the healing of diabetic skin wounds of male albino rats. Forty-two male albino rats were used in this study. Seven of them of an average weight of 50-70 g were used for extraction of bone marrow. The rest of the rats were of an average weight of 150-200 g and were used as animal models. The animals were divided into four groups: group I, comprising rats from which the bone marrow was extracted; group II, which formed the control group; group III, comprising diabetic wounded rats; and group IV, in which wounded diabetic rats were treated with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Diabetes was induced in rats by means of a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Wounds of groups III and IV were examined after 3 and 7 days. Skin specimens were processed and stained with H and E and Masson's trichrome. Re-epithelization with complete closure of the wound was noted in the stem cell-treated group after 7 days. There was a significant increase in the number of hair follicles/high-power field and increase in the collagen content of the dermis in the stem cell-treated groups compared with the untreated groups. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells can be effectively used in the treatment of diabetic wounds

Actiology of end-stage renal disease among adult Sudanese patients

Very limited data are available public awareness for the causes of End Stage Renal Diseases [ESRD]. Public awareness of the cause of [ESRD] helps both the nephrologists, patients and their families to anticipate problems during renal replacement therapy and helps to plan preventive measures for the community. To find out the major preventable causes of ESRD among adult Sudanese patients on regular haemodialysis [HD] at three haemodialysis centres. This is a prospective, descriptive study. Diabetes, hypertension and history of urinary tract obstruction were taken to determine the causes of ESRD. Interventions like renal biopsies were not taken and cases like nephritis are labelled as others. The population examined was one hundred patients on regular HD. We found that the leading cause of ESRD were hypertension in 43, diabetes mellitus in 18 obstructive uropathy in two and other causes [nephritis] in 37 patients. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive uropathy are the major noncommunicable preventable diseases that cause ESRD

Physical, mental, emotional and social health status of adolescents and youths in Benghazi, Libya

Adolescence and youth are stages of life that offer great opportunities for reduction of future health needs. A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the physical, mental, emotional and social health status of adolescents and youths attending 2 large universities in Benghazi city, Libya, and to determine variables associated with their health status. Stratified sampling was used to select 383 students aged 17-24 years and data were collected by face-to-face interview and self-administered questionnaires. Major health problems were depression/anxiety and pain/discomfort, and these were suffered by significantly more females than males. Mental health was at the transitional stage in Dabrowski's emotional development theory [spontaneous multilevel disintegration]. Females had higher levels of emotional development. Regular physical activity was practised by 34.7% overall [25.8% of women] and 17.2% were smokers. The main social activity was visiting family members

Evaluation of the relationship between mercury exposure and oxidative DNA lesions in workers occupationally expose to mercury

Evaluation of antioxidant status by measuring the activities of superoxidase dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and the concentrations of total reduced glutathione and protein-bound thiols in the serum, also, measuring urinary 8-hydroxy-2- deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG]; which is used as biomarker of oxidative DNA damage in the mercury exposed persons was the objective of this study. The study was carried out on 40 workers exposed to mercury on the job in collaboration with National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Samples were collected in December 2008 from workers at fluorescent lamps and dry batteries factories. Urinary 8-hydroxy-2- deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG] was measured used as biomarker of oxidative DNA damage in the mercury exposed persons. The antioxidant status was assessed by measuring the activities of superoxidase dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and the concentrations of total reduced glutathione and protein-bound thiols were also evaluated in the serum. In this study, urinary 8-OHdG which is a metabolite of oxidized DNA was used to evaluate whether mercury exposure led to oxidative damage to DNA. The activities of serum GSH-Px and superoxide dismutase [SOD] and the concentrations of GSH and total protein-bound thiol were also investigated to clarify the relation-ship between body mercury status and oxidative stress. Forty subjects were chosen to participate in this study from workers exposed to mercury on the job. Ten healthy subjects, matching in age, sex and socio-economic status were chosen as a control group. There was increase in 8-OHdG concentrations in urine which means that DNA damage had occurred. The mercury exposed workers had significantly higher serum concentrations of GSH and protein-bound thiols than did the control groups. Serum and urinary mercury a concentration in the exposed group was more than 40 fold higher than in the controls. Measurement of urinary 8-hydroxy-2- deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG] could be useful for evaluating in vivo oxidative DNA damage in the mercury- exposed populations

Comparative study between two different flap designs on peri-implant interproxirnal crestal bone loss around a single implant in the pre-loading stage

Today, one of the most challenging aspects of esthetic implant modalities is to obtain a predictable pen-implant papilla in the esthetic zone starting with the facts about the morphology of periimplant tissues, to various parameters influencing papilla reconstruction around implants. This prospective study investigates the interproximal alveolar crestal bone loss occurring after placement of mandibular single posterior implant using two different flap designs. Ten patients were included in this study [6 females and 4 males] with missing posterior mandibular teeth, their age ranged between twenty to forty years. The designed flap was performed with a conventional wide type flap on the distal side of the implant and records obtained from this side were referred to as group I, while the mesial side of the same implant was performed with a limited or a papillary preserved flap and records obtained from this side were referred to as group II. Each patient was evaluated clinically and radiographically at immediate, 1.5, 3 and 6 months post-operatively. There was high rate of crestal bone loss in group one with widely mobilized flap compared with that in group two of limited flap design through out the follow up periods. The use of a limited flap design [papillary preserved flap] for single-tooth implants is indicated to avoid possible loss of interdental papillae and to minimize interproximal crestal bone loss with subsequent implant exposure. During application of the conventional flap, it is better to insert the implant 1mm beneath the cortex by about to compensate the amount of bone loss during healing stage

Design and synthesis of some substituted acridine derivatives of anticipated antitumor activity

Four series of new acridine derivatives of anticipated antitumor activity have been designed and synthesized. The first series belongs to 4-substituted phenylhydrazinocarbonylmethyl 9-oxo-9,10-dihydroacridine-4-carboxylate 10a-h. The second series consists of phenylhydrazinocarbonylmethyl 9-[4-substituted phenyl]aminoacridine-4-carboxylate 12a-k, while the third series comprises 4-substituted phenylcarbonylmethyl 9-[4-substituted phenyl]aminoacridine-4-carboxylate 15a-k. The fourth one belongs to phenylcarbamoylmethyl 9-[4-substituted phenyl]aminoacridine-4- carboxylate 17a-j. The chemical structure of synthesized compounds was elucidated by spectral data and elemental analysis. Seventeen selected compounds [10a, 10g, 10h, 12at 12d, 12g, 12h, 12k, 15a, 15c, 15g, 15h, 15k, 17a, 17f, 17g and 17j] were tested against breast cancer cell line [MCF7] and eight compounds [12g, 12h, 12k, 15g, 15h, 17f, 17g, 17j] were found to exhibit significant antitumor activity

Sexual behavior, semen characteristics and plasma testosterone level of purebred native Egyptian bulls with emphasis on variations due to seasons and months of the year

The present study utilized 6 sexually mature native Egyptian bulls raised in the National Research Center Farm, nearby Cairo. Bulls were used for collection of a single semen ejaculate / week for a period of one year using artificial vagina. Sexual behavior was measured in term of reaction time and number of mounts per ejaculate. Semen samples were immediately examined after collection for physical, microscopical and chemical properties. Jugular blood samples were collected once in the middle of each month from each bull for assaying testosterone value [Radioimmunoassay]. Results obtained from collection of 312 ejaculates revealed that native Egyptian bulls have reaction time of 41.22 sec and number of mounts per ejaculate of 1.31 with the best parameters during autumn and the poorest parameters during winter. Ejaculate volume [ml.], sperm cell concentration [X10[6] /ml] averaged 3.39, 1181.96 and 4051.180 with the highest values during autumn and the lowest values during spring. Mass motility [0-5] averaged 3.66 with the best value during spring and the lowest during winter. Individual motility and alive sperm percentage were 76.11 and 88.0%, respectively with the highest values during autumn and the lowest values during winter. Sperm abnormalities averaged 12.63% with the best percentage during summer and the highest value during winter. Initial seminal fructose and citric acid concentrations averaged 764.32 and 384.34 mg/dl, respectively with the highest concentrations during autumn and the lowest values during winter and summer, respectively. Sodium and potassium ion concentrations were 180.60 and 108.03 Meq/1, respectively with the highest values during autumn and February, and winter and February, while the lowest values were obtained during spring and June, summer and September, respectively. Plasma testosterone value averaged 4.07 ng/ml with the highest value was obtained during autumn and the lowest value during spring. In conclusion, native Egyptian bulls showed sexual behavior, semen characteristics and plasma testosterone values comparable to those parameters of universal breeds, however, highly significant seasonal and monthly variations were evident with the best results obtained during autumn season and during November and December

Effect of ejaculation on plasma testosterone level of purebred native Egyptian bulls with emphasis on correlations with sexual behavior and semen characteristics

This is study was performed on 6 purebred mature native Egyptian bulls raised in the National Research Centre Experimental Farm nearby Cairo. To investigate the effect of ejaculation on plasma testosterone profile, blood samples were collected before [2 and 1 hr], during and after [1/2, 1, 11/2 and 2 hr] semen collection by means of an artificial vagina. Sexual behavior was evaluated in terms of the reaction time and number of mounts / successful ejaculate. Semen samples were examined and results were correlated with testosterone levels. Testosterone levels were assayed using the radioimmunoassay technique and data were statistically analyzed. Plasma testosterone value [ng/ml] averaged 4.07 +/- 0.43 in purebred native Egyptian bulls. Values obviously decreased after [3.64 +/- 0.17] than before [4.58 +/- 0.23] semen collection. Ejaculation induced more variations in testosterone levels during autumn and less variations during spring. Moreover, correlation coefficients between plasma testosterone level and sexual behavior and semen characteristics of native bulls were recorded. In conclusion, purebred native Egyptian bulls have a comparable blood plasma testosterone level to the universal breeds with obvious individual, monthly and seasonal variations

Hospital Maternal Mortality. Analysis of cause and contributing factors

This is a retrospective hospital based study of 72 maternal deaths reported at Kassala New Hospital [Eastern Sudan] in the period from 1/1/1997 to 31/12/1998. The objective of this study is to analyze and determine the cause and contributing factors of these deaths. 41.7% of these were due to direct obstetrical causes. The hospital maternal mortality ratio was found to be 2351 per 100,000 live birth. Complicated malaria [30.2%] and severe anaemia [20.8%] were the leading causes. Puerperal sepsis [11.1%]was the leading cause of direct obstetrical deaths followed by haemorrhage [9.7%] and obstructed labour [8.3%]. Delay in seeking care was found in 87.5% of cases, failure to refer cases by health visitors, midwives and doctors in 64.7% and delay in receiving optimum care in index hospital in 11.1%