Optimisation of the MAGAT gel dosimeter compositions

Background: an effective polymer gel dosimeter can be fabricated by varying the composition of its chemical components

Materials and Methods: the MAGAT gel dosimeter formulations that used different compositions of Methacrylic acid [MAA] and gelatin were extensively investigated in the present study according to the R2-dose response and R2-dose sensitivity. The irradiation of MAGAT gel was performed by 6-MV photon beam at a dose range 1 to 10 Gy and was imaged by 1.5T Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI]. The dose response of MAGAT gel dosimeter was obtained from spin-spin relaxation rate [R2] of MRI signal

Results: the MAGAT gel dosimeter composed of 5% gelatin and 6% MAA gave the highest sensitivity [1.1180 s[-1]Gy[-1]]

Conclusion: understanding the effects of the compositional changes will help to clarify the mechanisms involved in the dose response of the MAGAT gel dosimeter

Chemical and biological investigation of kigelia pinnata

The crude ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Kigelia pinnata was evaluated for its antioxidant, cytotoxic and antinociceptive activities. The antioxidant property of the ethanol extract of Kigelia pinnata was assessed by 1, l-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl [DPPH] free radical scavenging assay. The extract showed potential antioxidant activity [IC[50] about 110 micro g/ml], which was comparable to standard drug ascorbic acid [IC [50] at about 3.16 micro g/ml]. Brine Shrimp lethality bioassay indicated its cytotoxic property [LC[50] 100 micro g/ml]. Moreover, it produced significant [P < 0.001] writhing inhibition in acetic acid induced writhing in mice at the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight respectively, which was comparable to the standard drug diclofenac sodium. The results tend to suggest the antioxidant, cytotoxic and antinociceptive activities of the crude ethanolic extract of Kigelia pinnata

Study of antinociceptive and antioxidant activities of [Hyptis capitata, Litsea glutinosa and Vernonia patula three medicinal plants of Bangladesh

A number of Bangladeshi medicinal plants have been reported to possess antinociceptive and antioxidant activities. Many of which have been used in the preparations of the Unani and Ayurvedic traditional medicine. As a part of our on-going research for exploring the bioactivities of Bangladeshi medicinal plants. Bala [llyptis capitata], Kukur-Chita [Litsea glutinosa], and Bonmulo [Vernonia patula] have been studied for their antinociceptive and antioxidant activity together with the phytochemicals namely, alkaloids, flavonoids. steroids, and tannins. Except for L. glutinosa, the ethanolic extracts of V. patula and H. capitata significantly reduced the acetic acid induced writhing in mice. In DPPH free radical scavenging assay all the extracts showed mild to moderate activity, in which IC[50] of H. capitata and V. patula were > 100 micro g/ml and that of L. glutinosa was > 500 micro g/ml. All the extracts showed positive tests with Dragendorffs. Braemer's, and Liebermann-Burchardt's reagent but gave negative result with Shinoda's reagents, except for V. patula

Serum levels of folate, vitamin B12, iron [ferritin] in children in the Gezira State - Central Sudan

In a nutritional study carried out on school children in Gezira, Central Sudan. We took blood samples from 92 randomly selected school children [50 males and 42 females] aged between 8> and 15 years. Specimens were separated by centrifugation at 3000 r/m.and sera were sent frozen at minus 20 Celsius to Leeds General Infirmary, United Kingdom. All specimens were tested for HIV and proved to negative. Over there levels of folate, vitamin B12, applying radioimmunoassay method, were measured. All children did not show vitamin B12 deficiency. Folate deficiency was found in 5.6% of children. Serum ferritin was also measured by a radioactive isotope technique in 89 children [49 males and 40 females]. The deficiency was reported in 11.2%. This study relied on laboratory findings explain nutritional deficiency in Gezira children. Some recommendations were presented to correct these health problems

Evaluation of triple screening test in prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome

To evaluate the triple screening test [using AFP, beta-HCG and uE3] in prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome through comparing the results of the test with the outcome of pregnancy. We will also compare these results with the results of the double test [using AFP and beta-HCG] or MSAFP test to evaluate the value of combining beta-HCG, alpha-fetoprotein [AFP] and unconjugated estriol with maternal age in this three-analyte maternal serum screening program for Down syndrome. This study was conducted on 50 pregnant women, 35 years or older. Their gestational age ranged from 14th to 19th week of pregnancy detected through 1st day of last menstrual period. Blood samples were taken from them for measurement of alpha-fetoprotein, HCG and unconjugated estriol. Risk ratio was calculated for Down syndrome detection using three protocols: MSAFP alone, MSAFP and HCG, MSAFP, HCG, and unconjugated estriol [triple test] using Prisca software [DPC, France]. The [cut-off] median MoM values in pregnancies with Down syndrome were 0.73 [AFP], 2.02 [beta-HCG] and 0.74 [uE3]. After labour, the newborns of selected women for the study were evaluated clinically for diagnosis of Down syndrome. The results of all tests done before labour are compared with the clinical evidence of cases to evaluate them. The detection rate of triple test, double test, MSAFP test was 75%, 50%, 25% respectively. The false positive rate was 40%, 75% and 94% respectively. The correlation coefficient between each test and actual outcome of pregnancy was 0.626 for triple, 0.267 for double and 0.146 for MSAFP test. Using cut-off value 1:190 kept the same detection rate for triple test and lowered the false positive rate to 25%. Triple screening test using AFP, HCG and uE3 has the upper hand over MSAFP and double test in detection of Down syndrome as it has the highest detection rate and lowest false positive rate. The value of correlation coefficient means that other factors or analytes need to be added to improve the detective power of the tests. It is strongly recommended to lower the cut-off value to be 1:190 instead of 1:270. These results need to be evaluated on a more large scale

Thirty five years survival of a judget hip prosthesis

Hip reconstruction and hip replacement are comparatively a recent innovation in the history of orthopaedics. Resection with false or pseudo joint was already pioneered by Schmaltz [1817] Anthony white [1821] Pock [1861] Blenke [1899] and Girdlestone [1945]. During the process of evolution resection and replacement of femoral head continued in this century. One such prosthesis made entirely of PMA [polymethylmethacrylate] was used by Judet Brothers in 1946-47. The early implants broke very often and were replaced by a steel rod

Anxiety disorders among imprisoned drug addicts

This study aimed at evaluating the relationship between anxiety state/trait and addiction, in groups of deviants and control groups. A sample of 169 subjects were selected at random and were divided into four comparable groups; study group, addictive prisoners; non addictive prisoners; hospitalized drug addicts; normal people [i.e. with no history of drug misuse]. All four groups received the Arabic version of the state/trait anxiety inventory. Significant levels of anxiety state/trait were found in the two imprisoned groups. No direct correlation was confirmed between anxiety and drug abuse. Findings indicated that imprisonment was the most prevailing factor correlated to anxiety state/trait