Effect of near-total thyroidectomy on thyroid orbitopathy due to toxic goiter

The relative merit of operation in the treatment of Graves' ophthalmopathy as well as the extent of surgical resection is still a matter of debate. This work aimed at reporting the assessment of the impact of near-total thyroidectomy on the course of ophthalmopathy including exophthalmos. A total of 20 patients, with thyrotoxic goiters suffering from mild to moderate exophthalmos were enrolled onto this prospective study. Preoperative evaluation of ophthalmopathy was accomplished through the NOSPECS classification, MRI scanning for measuring the extraocular muscle diameters and measurement of the exophthalmos using Hertel's exophthalmometer. Six months postoperatively, ophthalmopathy including exophthalmos was re-evaluated using the same parameters mentioned before. Clinical activity evaluation, exophthalmometry and extraocular muscles measurement by MRI revealed that the majority of the cases experienced improvement of their ophthalmopathy [65%]. This improvement was statistically significant In addition, no major postoperative complications were observed. However, the study, unlike a number of reported retrospective ones, failed to specify any statistically significant prognostic factors affecting the course of ophthalmopathy possibly due to the limited number of cases in general In addition, all of the cases were of relatively young age and thyrotoxic, and the majority were females and non-smoking. Beside the fact that near-total thyroidectomy adds the advantages of total thyroidectomy [no recurrence] to those of subtotal thy-roidectomy [low incidence of temporary and permanent hypoparathyroidism], it has a significant positive impact on thyroid-associated orbitopathy

Macro- and micromorphology of leaf and stem of Nitraria retusa

The macro- and micromorphology of the leaf and stem of Nitraria retusa [Forssk.] Asch. are presented

Evaluation of the Egyptian crop of silybum marianum l gaertn

The Egyptian crop of Silybum marianum L. Gaertn. as well as its variety S. marianum var. albiflora Eig. was assessed with the aim of evaluating its content of the antihepatotoxic flavolignans collectively known as silymarin substance. Qualitatively, using TLC and HPLC, the flavolignans content was proved to be identical in composition with that of the imported silymarin substance, Legalon, which is marked by a local drug company. The highest content of the Egyptian Silybum marianum total flavolignans is present in the fruits of the ripe unopened capitulae [4.204% w/w]. Such high yield of the active constituents in the fruits of this very common wild plant and in conjunction with the reported high content of the fruit edible oil [more than 30% w/w] proved the value of the Egyptian crop as a potential source

Macro and micromorphology of leaf and stem of nitraria retusa

The macro- and micromorphology of the leaf and stem of Nitraria retusa [Forssk.] Asch. are studied in order to demonstrate the diagnostic features of these organs by which they could be identified and characterized in the entire and powdered forms

Alkaloids of glaucium arabicum

Protopine, allocryptopine, 13-oxoallocryptopine, and trans-cana-dinemethochloride dihydrate were isolated from the fruits of Glaucium arabicum Fres. and their structures were established by spectroscopic techniques. The present isolation of 13-Oxoallocryptopine represents the first report of this oxoprotopine alkaloid in genus Glaucium

Indication of in-vitro culture of Convolvulus arvensis [L]

The induced callus of convolvulus arvensis [L.] was found to have low growth rate. The exogenous growth regulators had a pronounced effect on the callus growth. The cellular composition of the induced callus was found to be normal parenchyma and few vessel segments. Coumarins [umbelliferone and scopolotin] and sterols [mainly B-sitosterol] were found to be the main accumulated secondary metabolites

Macro- and micromorphology of Gallium sinaicum boiss

The macro-and micromorphology of the stem, leaf and root of Gallium sinaicum boiss [Rubiaceae] are presented with the aim of finding their diagnostic characters by which the plant can be easily identified

Iridoid glucosides from aerial parts of Veronica persica poir in Lam growing in Egypt

From the ethyl acetate extract of the aerial parts of veronica persica poir. in Lam., aucubin, catalpol, veronicoside, amphicoside, catalposide, verproside and 6-o-veratroylcatalpol were isolated and their structures were established by chemical, chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. Veronica persica poir in Lam. can be differentiated from the other closely related Veronica species of group Agrestis by its content of catalpol esters of benzoic acid derivatives

Coumarins of roots of Pituranthos triradiatus growing in Egypt

From the petroleum ether and diethyl ether extracts of the roots of Pituranthos triradiatus [Hochst ex boiss] Aschers et Schweinf [Umbelliferae], trans marmin, marmesin, umbelliferone, xanthotoxol, bergapten, imperatorin, isoimperatorin and isopimpinellin were isolated and their structures were established from their physico-chemical properties and spectral data. The first four compounds are reported for the first time in genus Pituranthos vis