microbiology of vaginal discharge and the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in a cohort of non-pregnant women in Kuwait

To examine the microbiology of vaginal discharge and to estimate the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and its association with sexually transmitted infections in a cohort of non-pregnant women in Kuwait. Retrospective study conducted during a six-month period [November 2009 - April 2010]. The gynecology outpatient clinic at the South Ardyia Health Unit, Farwania, Kuwait. Retrospective evaluation of medical records of 668 women, who attended the gynecology outpatient clinic at the South Ardyia Clinic, Farwania, Kuwait complaining of vaginal discharge during the study period. Retrospective review of the files for complaints, history, clinical examination and investigations of the vaginal discharge. A retrospective microbiological study of the infective etiology of vaginal discharge, the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and its association with sexually transmitted infections. Microbiological causes of vaginal discharge accounted for 43.4% of cases. The commonest causes were bacterial vaginosis [prevalence = 18.9%] and candida infections [prevalence = 11.8%]. There was no significant association of bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections. Bacterial vaginosis is the commonest microbiological cause of vaginal discharge. Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted disease

Viral hepatitis E outbreak in Al Sodr city, Baghdad, Iraq

Hepatitis E virus [HEV] is a major cause of acute hepatitis in many developing countries. This study describes an outbreak of HEV infection in Al-Sadr city, Baghdad. Blood samples obtained from patients with jaundice attending 19 primary health care centres in Al-Sadr city during a 6-month period in 2005 were tested for HEV. HEV [IgM] antibodies were detected in 38.1% of 268 patients. The association of HEV infection with unacceptable residual chlorine concentrations and/or bacteriologically unsafe water samples was significant. High rates of HEV infection, low chlorine concentrations and unsafe water were reported in June. Gross disruption of sanitation and water supplies was the most likely contributing factor

Synthesis of certain substituted pyrrolidines as analgesics

The synthesis of a series of N-[[2R]-1-ethyl or propyl-2-[4-methoxybenzyl]-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-N-phenyl acetamide or propionamide [la-d] was achieved, where R, R=methyl or ethyl with the aim to evaluate their analgesic activity. The adopted synthetic pathway of these compounds was illustrated Dieckmann cyclization of 2-[acyl-[2-ethoxycarboryl-ethyl]-amino]-3-[4-methoxy-phenyl]-propionic acid ethyl ester [7a, b] afforded [R]-ethyl 1-acetyl or propionyl-5-[4-methoxybenzyl]-4-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylate [6a and 6b], followed by deethoxycarboxylation. The target compounds 1a-d were synthesized Screening of the analgesic profile of the synthesized compounds showed that compounds 1b and 1c at dose level of 0.13mmol/kg. I p. exhibited the highest analgesic activity compared with morphine hydrochloride [0.004 mmol/kg. i.p]

Chemosystematic studies of some species of the genus potamogeton L. in Egypt

Morphological, anatomical and a phytochemical studies were conducted on four out of seven potamogeton L. species recorded in the flora of Egypt. The stem anatomy referred to the presence of three types of steles and three types of endodermis. The chemical investigation revealed the presence of eleven flavonoid compounds, the distribution of which was traced in the studied species to evaluate the interspecific affinity through this parameter It was found that the chemical data in this work justify the classification of ascherson and graebner [1907] as regards the assignment of the four studied species to their sections. A key based on a combination of the anatomical and chemical characters was suggested for species delimitation

Flavonoids of Lotus hebranicus and ulceroprotective effect of Lotus hebranicus and Lotus corniculatus

From the aerial parts of Lotus hebranicus L. Hochst ex Brand a total of seven flavonoid compounds were isolated and identified as: Kaempferol- 3-0- sophoroside -7-0-rhamnoside, kaempferol-3-0-sophoroside, isorhamnetin-3-0-glucoside-7-0-rhamnoside kaempferol-3,7-di-0-rhamnoside, kaempferol-7-0-rhamnoside, isorhamnetin and kaempferol. A study of toxicological and ulceroprotective effects was performed for both Lotus hebranicus L. Hochst ex Brand and Lotus corniculatus L

Flavonoids of retama raetam, and in vitro antitumor screening of two isoflavones

From the aerial parts of Retama raefam ten flavonoids were isolated and identified as saponarin, genistein 8-C-glucoside, genistein 5-O- methylether, genistein 5,4'-di-O-methylether, alpuminoisoflavone, ephedroidin, luteolin, apigenin and two new flavones, luteolin 4'-O- neohesperidoside and 5,4'-dihydroxy- [3",4''- dihydro- [3",4"-dihdroxy] -2",2"dimethylpyrano [5",6":7,8]-flavone[1]. In vitro antitumor screening of genistein-5-O-methylether and genistein-8-C-glucoside were carried out on sixty human tumor cell lines

Morphological and immunohistochemical study of the non- ampullated part of the ductus deferens of the camel [camelus dromedarius] [with one table and 16 figures]

Gross, light and scanning electron microscopic and immunohistochemical morphology of the non-ampullated part of the ductus deferens of sexually mature dromedary camels were studied with special reference to the changes and modifications occurring throughout its entire length. This part was subdivided into three anatomical regional segments; proximal tortuous [scrotal], middle less tortuous [inguinal] and distal straight [abdominal] segments. It characterized by simple and low folded mucosa. It lined by pseudo stratified ciliated columnar epithelium with a thin lamina propria-submusosa. By scanning electron microscope, stereocilia of epithelial cells were tall and branched in the proximal segment tall, non-branched stereocilia in the middle segment and thick short microvilli in the distal segment. The muscular coat arranged in two layers; the inner layer was circular, while the outer layer was longitudinal. The intramural nerve fibers of the ductus deferens form plexuses in subepithelial tissue and in the muscular coat in addition larger nerve bundles in the serosa. Immunohistochemical reaction to protein gene product-9.5 [PGP-9.5] was used to demonstrate the general innervation pattern. The adrenergic and the cholinergic innervation were demonstrated using by immunohistochemical reactions to DPH and ChAT. These structural variations along the length of the vas deferens suggest that it performs functions other than just as a passageway for spermatozoa

Ear configuration as a tool for identification and age determination in camel fetuses [with one table, 4 figures and 3 plates]

This study was conducted on 150 camel fetuses representing the whole prenatal life. The age was represented by months and crown vertebral rump length [CVRL], where they aged from 2.4 to 12.02 months and 2.8 cm to 108 cm CVRL. Several morphological measurements Head length [HL], Interear distance [IED], IED/HL%, Ear length [EL], Ear width [EW], ear-eye distance and ear-mouth distance were carried out. The results revealed that at age 2.4 months [2.8 cm CVRL] first branchial groove [the premordium of external ear] appeared as a growth of mesenchymal tissue surrounding oval opening. At 2.66 - 2.78 months [5.2 - 6.5 cm CVRL] the mesenchymal tissue increased in size to form, two longitudinal folds, rostal and caudal. At 2.91 - 3.55 [8.0 - 15.0 cm CVRL] the caudal fold gradually increased in size forming triangular flap covering almost the external ear opening. At 3.64 - 4.01 months [16 - 20 cm CVRL] the fold reflected caudally. Morphological and biometric studies were followed on ear till full term fetuses where the external ear reached nearly its mature form

Chemical constituents and biological activity of some Egyptian members of the leguminosae

Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried Out for the three plants under investigation: Colutea istria, Alhagi graecorum and Astragalus vogelii Sixteen flavonoidal compounds were isolated and identified as:quercetin-3-glucoside; quercetin-3-gentiobioside; quercetin-3,7-diglucoside; isorhamnetm-3-gentiobioside; isorhamnetin-3-rutinoside;kaempferide-3,7-diglucoside; 2',4,4'trihydroxychalcone; 2',4,4',6' tetrahydroxychalcone; formononetin; daidzein; calycosin; cladrin; rhamnocitrin-3-neohesperidoside; rhamnocitrin-3-glucoside; thamnocitrin-3-galactoside and rhamnocitrin aglycone. The volatile constituents were analysed by GC/MS spectrometry, the effect of the alcoholic extracts on the brine shrimp and the antimicrobial activity were carried out

Influence of storage on chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of coriander [coriandrum sativum L.] Honey

The influence of storage on the antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of coriander honey was investigated. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans were used for antimicrobial assay of the fresh and stored coriander honey. It was clear that fresh or stored crude coriander honey showed a higher antibacterial activity if compared with n-hexane extract. It was obvious that fresh coriander honey and its n- hexane extract were effective against different examined pathogens. Staphylococcus aureus was the most affected bacteria by both fresh and stored coriander honey as well as their n-hexane extracts. The stored honey extracted with n- hexane showed the highest antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Comparative gas chromatography - mass spectrometry [GC/MS] study of the fresh and stored Coriander honey revealed that the storage produced a significant decrease in the amounts of mono-, sesqui- and diterpens, fatty acid octyl esters, antibacterial, antifungal activity and produced a significant increase in the amounts of fatty acid ethyl esters. 1- hydroxylinalool, benzenemethanol 3,4- dimethoxy and oleic acid showed the highest significant concentration. Few fatty acids, fatty acid esters and alkanols, alkanals and alkanones are also present

chemosystematics of Egyptian onopordum species [compositae]

From the leaves and stems of Onopordum alexandrinum, 11 flavonoid compounds were isolated and identified as apigenin, luteolin, chrysoeriol and their 7-galactosides and 7-glucosides together with the 7-diglucosides of apigenin and chrysoeriol

Antibiotic ear drops after tympanostomy tube insertion. Do they reduce postoperative otorrhea?

Post-operative otorrhea [POO] is the most common complication of tympanostomy tube [TT] insertion. Many otolaryngologists used to use prophylactic antibiotic ear drops to minimize the risk of POO. This study was designed to evaluate the value of prophylactic use of ear drops in decreasing POO. A total of 200 TTs were inserted in 100 children suffering from a clinically and audiologically confirmed chronic otitis media with effusion [OME]. Four drops of a solution consisting of polymyxin B sulfate, neomycin sulfate, sulfonamide and hydrocortisone were placed in the right ear after TT insertion. The left ear served as a control in all patients Fifty patients received drops only once after the surgery [group A] while the other 50 patients [group B] continued to use drops t.d.s for 3days. In group A, POO occurred only in 6 percent in right ears compared to 20 percent in the control left ears, a difference that was statistically significant [P <0.05]. This was the case also in group B where POO occurred in 6 percent and 22 percent in right and left ears, respectively [P < 0.05]. No difference was noted in POO incidence between ears receiving ear drops once [6 percent] and those continued a 3-day course [6 percent]. POO in left control ears showed a higher incidence when middle ear effusion was mucoid [28.3 percent] than when it was thin or absent [10 percent and 17.6 percent, respectively]. The difference between POO from mucoid effusion ears and those of thin effusion was statistically significant [P < 0.05]. It can be concluded that the use of ear drops once post- operatively reduces the incidence of POO with no remarkable difference from a 3-days course. Middle ears with mucoid effusion show higher incidence of POO than those with serous effusion

Dose distribution in thorax using measured and calculation algorithm method

In This study a trial has been done to verify the treatment planning algorithm implemented on the theraplan TP-11 system. To achieve this goal the thorax part of a humanoid [Rando] Phantom is used. The thorax part is irradiated using 10 Mev electron beam from varian accelerator and the dose distribution is monitored by Lif [700] TLD. The experimental results are compared with the results of the algorithm of the theraplan TP-11 System. The study revealed that the results due to the algorithm at the penumbral region of the radiation field, [area under rib and area between ribs] can vary and read as much as 23%. A discussion of the results is also presented

Histological studies on the effect of the androgenic hormone [dehydro-epiandrosterone] on the heart of male rabbit

Twenty adult male rabbits of an average weight 1.5 kg were used to study the histological changes in the heart after repeated injections of the therapeutic and double the therapeutic doses of the androgenic hormone [dehydro-epiandrosterone] every other day for one month. The androgenic hormone elicited an apparent marked increase in the average diameter of the cardiac muscle fibers, an increase in their glycogen content, marked widening and congestion of the blood capillaries between them and thickening of the epicardium. In addition, there was an increase in the perivascular collagenous fibers. These changes were more pronounced in animals that received double the therapeutic dose. In animals that received the therapeutic dose, the average diameter of the cardiac muscle fibers was 33 microns compared to that of the control animals which was 16 microns. This represented an increase of 106% of the normal value. While, in animals that received double the therapeutic dose, the average diameter of the cardiac muscle fibers was 50 microns that represented an increase of 213% of the normal value. It can be concluded that it is not recommended to use anabolic steroid hormones by athletes, because it produced a marked widening and congestion of the blood capillaries of the heart

Adjuvant tamoxifen versus radiation therapy after conservative surgery for elderly and frail patients with low risk breast cancer

Fourty seven postmenopausal women with primary early breast cancer were submitted to lumpectomy and axillary dissection. Twenty two patients received postoperative radiation therapy [Group A] and 25 patients were treated postoperatively with the antiestrogen tamoxifen only [group B]. The relapse-free-survival [RFS] was 95% and 100% for groups A and B, respectively, at 18 months, while at 22 months the RFS rate was 91% and 96% for both groups, respectively. At 32 months, the RFS rate was 86% and 84% for both groups, respectively. The difference was statistically insignificant. It was concluded that conservative breast surgery in elderly and frail patients presented with early breast cancer could be followed by postoperative tamoxifen with an almost equal results in maintaining a solid RFS as that achieved with postoperative radiotherapy provided they are low risk, having T1 or T2 tumors. No status and low pathology grade

comparative phase III study using epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil [FEC] versus adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil [FAC] in advanced breast cancer patients

From January 1987 to April 1990, 40 patients with advanced breast cancer who either had failed non-anthracycline treatment or had no prior chemotherapy were randomised according to treatment with either epirubicin or doxorubicin in a combination chemotherapy regimen with 5-flourouracil and cyclophosphamide [FEC or FAC]. Cyclophosphamide was given in a dose of 500mg/m2 on day 1, 5-flourouracil was given in a dose of 500mg/m2 on days 1 and 8. Doxorubicin was given in a dose of 50mg/m2 on day 1 [regimen A] while epirubicin was given in two doses; 50mg/m2 [regimen B] and 75mg/m2 [regimen C] also on day 1. Cycles were repeated every 3weeks until disease progression or to cumulative doses of 550mg/m2 for doxorubicin and at least 700mg/m2 for epirubicin. The study was a comparative prospective for the overall response rate; time to progression; toxicities and dose-dependence of epirubicin. All patients were comparable in age; menopausal state; performance status; histopathology; previous treatment; site of disease and disease-free interval. As for efficacy, there was no significant difference between doxorubicin and epirubicin given in equimolar conventional doses, where the overall response rate [CR+PR] was 57% for FAC and 50% for FEC-50. The mean time to progression was 41 weeks and 39 weeks, respectively. Although high dose epirubicin [ArmC] gives an overall response rate 75% with 53 weeks mean time to disease progression, yet statistically it has no significant difference when compared to FEC-50 [ArmB]. The mean survival time for the three arms was 77 weeks for FAC; 73 weeks for FEC-50 and 111 weeks for FEC-75. As for toxicity, given in equal doses, epirubicin was less toxic than doxorubicin. Although FEC-50 was better tolerated than FEC-75, yet there was no statistical significant difference between both regimens. In its different doses ,epirubicin was less cardiotoxic than doxorubicin. Two patients under FEC developed congestive heart failure [CHF] at cumulative doses 490mg/m2 and 600 mg/m2. Although some patients treated with epirubicin [Arms B and C] received a cumulative dose reaching 1000mg/m2, yet no one developed CHF. These results indicate that epirubicin given in equimolar dose to doxorubicin is equally effective and less toxic than its parent drug. Epirubicin in higher dose proved to be well tolerated by patients and could be given to a higher cumulative dose without increasing the hematological or cardiac toxicity and meanwhile could attain a higher efficacy in patients with advanced breast cancer

Management of spontaneous umbilical hernia disruption in the cirrhotic patient

A total of 43 cases of umbilical hernia disruption [39 cases from a review of the literature and four from out hospitals] have been reported in cirrhotic patients with ascites. Umbilical hernia disruption is an unusual but potentially fatal complication of ascites. Operative management of the ruptured, leaking, or ulcerated hernia is clearly indicated-but not necessarily on an emergent basis. The timing of operation depends on the patient's general condition and the degree of hepatic reserve. Repair may be performed urgently or may be delayed in order to correct coagulation defects and fluid and electrolyte abnormalities