Does oregano protect against testicular toxicity produced by ethylene glycol in adult male albino rat? / ¿El orégano protege contra la toxicidad testicular producida por etilenglicol en ratas macho albinas adultas?

SUMMARY: Origanum vulgare Linn has traditionally been used as a diuretic and antispasmodic. Therefore, we investigated the active extract of Origanum vulgare for possible andrological effect and preventive effects against testicular damage using ethylene glycol rat model of testicular damage, to rationalize its medicinal use. Male Wistar rats received lithogenic treatment comprising of 0.75 % ethylene glycol injection twice with one day interval, then in drinking water, active extract of Origanum vulgare treatment (20 mg/kg) was given for 3 weeks to prevent toxic damage including loss of body weight gain and appetite, Following oral administration of EGME, a rapid decrease in testis weight associated with testicular cell damage was observed. Origanum vulgare treatment (20 mg/kg) prevented as well as reversed toxic changes including loss of body weight gain.

RESUMEN: Origanum vulgare Linn se ha usado tradicionalmente como diurético y antiespasmódico. Por lo tanto, investigamos el extracto activo de Origanum vulgare por su posible efecto andrológico y efectos preventivos contra el daño testicular utilizando el modelo de rata de etilenglicol de daño testicular. El objetivo del estudio fue racionalizar su uso medicinal. Su utilizaron ratas Wistar macho que recibieron un tratamiento litogénico de una inyección de etilenglicol al 0,75 %, dos veces con un intervalo de un día, y luego se administró en agua potable. Se administró el extracto activo del tratamiento con Origanum vulgare (20 mg / kg) durante 3 semanas con el objetivo de prevenir el daño tóxico, la pérdida de peso corporal y el apetito. Tras la administración oral de EGME, se observó una rápida disminución del peso de los testículos asociada al daño de las células testiculares. El tratamiento con Origanum vulgare (20 mg / kg) logró prevenir y revertir las alteraciones tóxicas, incluyendo la pérdida de peso corporal.

Histomorphological study of placenta in gestational diabetes mellitus / Estudio histomorfológico de la placenta en diabetes mellitus gestacional

Evidence from the literature shows that well-controlled glucose levels during pregnancy are usually associated with normal placental morphology. The aim of this study was to identify the lacental changes attributed to maternal hyperglycemia. A total of 20 placentae were selected for study from a tertiary care medical center in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia. Out of 20, 10 placentae were from patients diagnosed with GDM based on IADSPG criteria, and 10 placentae were from patients with normal pregnancies without GDM. The morphometric measurements were recorded. The mean weight of GDM placentae were more than the normal placentae. Upon histopathology, significant changes such as syncytial knots, cytotrophoblastic cell proliferation, fibrinoid necrosis, stromal fibrosis, and hyalinized villi were observed in GDM placentae. GDM produces significant morphological alterations in the placentae, which might affect the developing fetus.

La evidencia de la literatura muestra que niveles de glucosa bien controlados durante el embarazo generalmente se asocian con una morfología placentaria normal. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar los cambios placentarios atribuidos a la hiperglucemia materna. Un total de 20 placentas fueron seleccionadas para un estudio en un centro médico de atención terciaria en la ciudad de La Meca, Arabia Saudita. De 20 placentas, 10 de estas fueron de pacientes diagnosticadas con diabetes mellitus gestacional (DMG) según los criterios de IADSPG, y 10 placentas fueron de pacientes con embarazos normales sin DMG. Las mediciones morfométricas fueron registradas. El peso medio de las placentas GDM fue mayor que la placenta normal. Tras la histopatología, se observaron cambios significativos tales como nudos sincitiales, proliferación celular citotrofoblástica, necrosis fibrinoide, fibrosis estromal y vellosidades hialinizadas en placenta con DMG. La DMG produce alteraciones morfológicas significativas en las placentas, que pueden afectar al desarrollo del feto.

Retrospective review of visual outcome in operated lens subluxation

To describe the visual outcome of patients with lens subluxation [LS], including ectopia lentis [EL] due to genetic causes, who underwent surgical correction using standard selection criteria and surgical techniques in order to assess effectiveness of current LS therapy. This is a retrospective review of 17 sequential patients with LS who underwent lens aspiration between 2000 and 2012 through an anterior [limbal] or posterior [pars plana] approach at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Snellen visual acuity was converted to the logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution [logMAR] equivalent for statistical analysis. All statistical comparisons were performed by t-test. This series consisted of 28 eyes with causes of LS including Marfan syndrome [12 eyes], familial EL [5 eyes], homocystinuria [4 eyes], sickle cell anemia [2 eyes], and trauma [6 eyes]. Mean visual acuity [VA] for the entire group increased from 20/200 before surgery to 20/70 after surgery [p >/= 0.01]. Post-operative VA was >/= 20/60 in all eyes that did not have complicating factors such as amblyopia, retinal detachment, and/or other ocular abnormalities. Visual outcome of limbal and pars plana approaches was statistically similar [p >/= 0.29]. Patients with genetic causes of EL had a significantly better visual outcome than other patients [p >/= 0.01]; out of these, patients with Marfan syndrome had a better visual outcome than other patients with genetic abnormalities [p >/= 0.02]. Accepted surgical criteria and techniques improved visual outcome in patients with LS. Patients with Marfan syndrome and others genetic abnormalities without ocular complications had best visual outcomes

Non-viral microbial keratitis in children

Microbial [non-viral] keratitis is a serious vision-threatening condition. The management of microbial keratitis in children is particularly complicated by the children's inability to cooperate during examinations and the lack of information prior to presentation. Predisposing factors vary according to geographical location and age. Corneal trauma is the leading cause for microbial keratitis in children, followed by systemic and ocular disease. Etiologic agents are most frequently Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria commonly found in contact lens-related microbial keratitis. Mycotic keratitis is a major risk factor in tropical weather conditions, particularly when associated with agricultural trauma. Early diagnosis, intensive drug treatment, and timely planned surgical intervention may effectively improve the outcome of pediatric microbial keratitis

Polymethyl methacrylate intraocular lens opacification 20 years after cataract surgery: a case report in a tertiary eye hospital in Saudi Arabia

Snowflake degeneration is a slow progressive opacification of polymethyl methacrylate [PMMA] intraocular lenses [IOLs]. This late postoperative complication can occur a decade or later after implantation. The deposits are composed of IOL materials that tend to aggregate centrally. There is a relative paucity of the literature on snowflake degeneration of IOLs. Symptoms can range from mild visual disturbance to significant loss of visual acuity. In cases of opacification after IOL implantation, the different diagnosis should include snowflake degeneration to prevent surgical intervention such as lens exchange or explantation unless clinically warranted. We report a case of late optical opacification of a PMMA IOL, the clinical diagnosis and treatment that increased best corrected vision

Outcomes of 3 hours part-time occlusion treatment combined with near activities among children with unilateral amblyopia

To evaluate the outcome of part-time occlusion therapy with or without near activities in monocular amblyopic patients. One hundred and thirty patients who prescribed daily occlusion therapy [part-time occlusion] were followed-up for a 12-week period. The study was carried out in the Pediatric Ophthalmology and Orthoptics Clinics of King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the period from January to November 2010. Sixty-five patients were recommended to undertake the 3 hours of near visual activities [such as reading a book during patching] while the other 65 patients were not advised to do any near activity. Main outcome measures were best corrected visual acuity [VA] for both groups and line improvement. The total line of VA improved from baseline by an average of 6.7 +/- 2.37 line log MAR [logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution] units in the group of patching with near activities and by an average of 5.3 +/- 2.04 line log MAR units in the group of patching without near activities. All type of amblyopia [strabismic, anisometropic, and mixed types of amblyopia] improved significantly after patching with near activities. Both moderate and severe amblyopia improved significantly in the group of near activities compared with the group without near activities. Performing near activities while patching in the treatment of anisometropic, stabismic, or combined amblyopia improves the VA outcome more than patching alone

Long term visual outcomes in laser treated threshold retinopathy of prematurity in Central Saudi Arabia

To assess the long term visual outcomes and refractive status of patients who underwent diode laser for threshold retinopathy of prematurity [ROP] and to investigate the risk factors leading to poor visual outcomes. Fifty-seven patients [114 eyes] with threshold ROP who underwent laser therapy were contacted for reassessment. A chart review was performed for all patients to collect data on visual acuity, retinal status and strabismus. A favorable visual outcome was defined as <20/160 [Snellen acuity] for young adults [cooperative patients], and CSM for children [uncooperative patients] while unfavorable visual outcome was defined as <20/160 or

Childhood microbial keratitis

To evaluate risk factors for pediatric microbial keratitis and to describe the clinical picture, microbial spectrum, treatment modalities, posttreatment sequelae, and visual outcome in cases with pediatric microbial keratitis. All cases of microbial keratitis that occurred in children 16 years or younger who had an initial examination between January 2000 and December 2010 at a tertiary referral eye hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were identified. A retrospective review of medical records was conducted using a computer-based diagnosis code. Demographic data, predisposing factors, clinical course, microbial culture results, and visual outcomes were recorded. Sixty-eight eyes were included in this study. Predisposing factors were identified in 63 eyes [92.6%]. All patients had unilateral microbial keratitis. The mean +/- SD age was 4.5 +/- 4.8 years and 57.4% were male. Trauma was the leading cause [27 eyes [39.7%]], followed by systemic diseases [14 eyes [20.6%]], contact lens wear [11 eyes [16.1%]], and ocular diseases [11 eyes [16.1%]]. Corneal scraping was performed in all cases. Five patients needed general anesthesia to carry out the corneal scraping. Thirty-four [50.0%] eyes showed positive cultures. Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 67.8% and gram-negative bacteria for 38.2% of isolates. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most commonly isolated organism [8 eyes [25.8%]], followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis [7 eyes [22.7%]]. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most commonly isolated gram-negative [6 eyes [17.6%]] organism. One eye had corneal perforation and required surgical intervention. Forty-five of 68 eyes [66.2%] had a best-corrected visual acuity evaluation at the last follow-up and 28 eyes [62.2%] of them had a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Children with suspected microbial keratitis require comprehensive evaluation and management. Early recognition, identifying the predisposing factors and etiological microbial organisms, and instituting appropriate treatment measures have a crucial role in outcome. Ocular trauma was the leading cause of childhood microbial keratitis in our study

Pattern of diseases among visitors to Mina health centers during the Hajj season, 1429 H [2008 G]

While performing the Hajj, hajjis face different risks related to the environment, their behaviors and their health conditions that can result in a variety of diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of diseases among pilgrims seeking medical services in Mina primary health care centers [PHCCs] during the Hajj season in 1429 [2008]. This is a descriptive study based on the medical records of a random sample of 4136 patients who attended 13 randomly selected Mina PHCCs from 8 to 12 Dhu-Alhijja, 1429 H [6-10 December 2008]. The majority of the patients were men [70.7%], and most of the patients were between 45 and 64 years of age [42.8%]. One-fifth [20.2%] of the patients suffered from multiple diseases. Respiratory diseases were the most common [60.8%], followed by musculoskeletal [17.6%], skin [15.0%] and gastrointestinal [13.1%] diseases. Diabetes, asthma and hypertension each constituted less than 3% of the total diseases. Respiratory diseases were the most common independent of nationality or the day of visit, while the frequency of the other diseases varied according to nationality and the day of visit. The most frequently prescribed drugs were analgesics, antipyretics, antibiotics and cough syrups. This study describes the pattern of diseases among pilgrims attending Mina PHCCs, which may aid in providing the best possible health care services to pilgrims. 2011 King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

One month outcome of ocular related emergencies in a tertiary hospital in Central Saudi Arabia

To investigate the number and characteristics of patients attending the Accident/Emergency [A/E] Department of a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, and to determine their route of referral, and pattern of ocular emergency cases. A retrospective study was carried out using the records and history of all patients attending the A/E at King Abdulaziz University Hospital [KAUH] in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in July 2010. Data collected included time of arrival, age, gender, source of referral, principal diagnosis, attending doctor, action taken, and discharge plan. A total of 1,412 patients were recruited in our study with an average daily attendance of 47 patients. A total of 863 [61%] patients were male, and their mean age was 28.2 years. The most frequent diagnosis in patients was trauma [382, 27%], followed by conjunctivitis [211, 14.9%], lids and lacrimal system [133, 9.4%], retina problems [51, 3.6%], glaucoma [30, 2.1%], neuro-ophthalmology [22, 1.6%], keratitis [20, 1.4%], uveitis [10, 0.7%], and episcleritis [5, 0.35%]. Most cases [77.5%] seen were self-referrals. Additionally, 712 [50.4%] of cases were considered as non-emergency, which are visiting the A/E for dry eye, chalazion, blepharitis, and allergy. Most cases seen at our ophthalmic A/E had non-urgent conditions that could be managed satisfactorily by trained ophthalmic assistants under supervision of an ophthalmologist

Unilateral amblyopia: optical coherence tomography findings

This study was performed to measure the macular and the retinal nerve fiber layer [RNFL] thicknesses using optical coherence tomography [OCT] in patients with unilateral amblyopia. Measurement of the Retinal nerve fiber layer and Macular Retinal Layer thickness for both amblyopic and normal fellow eyes by [OCT] was carried out at king Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ninety-three patients with unilateral amblyopia between the ages of 5 years and 12 years were included. The macular retinal thickness and the RNFL thickness were measured using OCT. The mean macular retinal thickness was 259.3 microm and 255.6 microm, and the mean RNFL thickness was 112.16 microm and 106 microm, in the amblyopic eye and the normal eye, respectively. OCT assessment of RNFL thickness revealed a significantly thicker RNFL in amblyopic eye [P < 0.0001], but no statistically significant difference was found in macular retinal thickness [P = 0.195]. The amblyopic process may involve the RNFL, but not the macula. However, further evaluation is needed

Adjuvant effects of saponins on animal immune responses / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Vaccines require optimal adjuvants including immunopotentiator and delivery systems to offer long term protection from infectious diseases in animals and man. Initially it was believed that adjuvants are responsible for promoting strong and sustainable antibody responses. Now it has been shown that adjuvants influence the isotype and avidity of antibody and also affect the properties of cell-mediated immunity. Mostly oil emulsions, lipopolysaccharides, polymers, saponins, liposomes, cytokines, ISCOMs (immunostimulating complexes), Freund's complete adjuvant, Freund's incomplete adjuvant, alums, bacterial toxins etc., are common adjuvants under investigation. Saponin based adjuvants have the ability to stimulate the cell mediated immune system as well as to enhance antibody production and have the advantage that only a low dose is needed for adjuvant activity. In the present study the importance of adjuvants, their role and the effect of saponin in immune system is reviewed.

Improvement of the efficacy of influenza vaccination (H5N1) in chicken by using extract of Cochinchina momordica seed (ECMS) / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Seeds of a Chinese traditional medicine plant, Cochinchina momordica were used in the present study for the improvement of influenza vaccine (H5N1) in chicken. Crude extraction from Cochinchina momordica seed (ECMS) was obtained by ethanol extraction method. In experiment No. 1, two weeks old chickens were immunized with influenza vaccine (H5N1) alone or combined with ECMS (5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 microg/dose). Serum IgG antibody levels (by ELISA) as well as effects on daily weight gain were measured on 0, 7, 14 and 28th day after immunization. Results revealed that all ECMS groups numerically increased the antibody levels while 10 and 20 microg/dose groups significantly (P<0.05) enhanced total IgG antibody on day 28, when compared with control. Average daily weight gain was also significantly higher in 20 microg/dose ECMS group. Adjuvant effect was also confirmed in experiment No. 2 when chickens were immunized with 20 microg/dose ECMS and antibody titer was measured through hemagglutination inhibition (HI). It is concluded that ECMS has potential to improve the immune responses and deserve further study as an adjuvant.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in Jordanian female children with acute hemolytic crises

The study objective is to determine the mode of inheritance in Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase [G6PD]-deficient female children who have a history of acute hemolytic crises. Also, it aims to study the relationship between the type of inheritance and the severity of hemolysis, and to determine the factors incriminated in provoking hemolytic crises on them. The study included 40 female children with confirmed diagnosis of G6PD deficiency who were admitted to Princess Rahma Teaching Hospital with acute hemolytic crisis between June 2002 and April 2005. G6PD enzyme levels were studied in their mothers and in thirty-seven fathers to determine the mode of inheritance. In addition, 45 unaffected volunteers were evaluated as a control group. The results showed that 65% were heterozygous females and 35% were homozygous for G6PD deficiency. The mean G6PD level for homozygous females was 4.79 +/- 2.67 mU/10[9] RBCs compared to 54.1 +/- 23.2 mU/10[9] RBCs in heterozygous females. In 92.5% of children there was a history of fava beans ingestion before crisis. The mean time for appearance of symptoms after ingestion of fava beans was 10.57 +/- 4.99 hours compared to 23.77 +/- 5.23 hours in heterozygous females, and the duration of hemolytic crises was higher in homozygous females: 78 +/- 12.2 hours compared to 53 +/- 10 hours in heterozygous females. Two breast-feed infants gave history of fava beans ingestion by their mothers before crisis. This study demonstrated that females with G6PD activity level of less than 10% are usually homozygous females with rapid onset of symptoms and longer duration of hemolytic crisis following exposure to triggering factors, especially uncooked green beans, whose metabolites may be excreted in breast milk

Importance of ticks and their chemical and immunological control in livestock / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

The medical and economic importance of ticks has long been recognized due to their ability to transmit diseases to humans and animals. Ticks cause great economic losses to livestock, and adversely affect livestock hosts in several ways. Loss of blood is a direct effect of ticks acting as potential vector for haemo-protozoa and helminth parasites. Blood sucking by large numbers of ticks causes reduction in live weight and anemia among domestic animals, while their bites also reduce the quality of hides. However, major losses caused by ticks are due to their ability to transmit protozoan, rickettsial and viral diseases of livestock, which are of great economic importance world-wide. There are quite a few methods for controlling ticks, but every method has certain shortcomings. The present review is focused on ticks importance and their control.

Study of cellulolytic soil fungi and two nova species and new medium / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

This study is aimed at identifying and determining the percentage of occurrence frequency of cellulose decomposing soil fungi. The soil samples were inoculated into culture plates prepared in Sabouraud medium under sterilized conditions and incubated at 30 degrees C for 4 to 7 d. The identified fungal species were incubated in self-designed cellulose medium for testing their cellulolytic ability. Forty-two species, including 2 nova species, representing sixteen genera showed growth and sporulation in the cellulose medium. Most of the isolated species were from genus Aspergillus and Penicillium. Aspergillus niger and Mucor hiemalis showed highest occurrence frequency (45% and 36% respectively), as these species were collected from about 80% of soil samples. Being agar free and cheaper, the new fungal medium designed showed results equivalent to Sabouraud medium.

Panic disorder: Review of current status

Panic disorder [PD] is a common and typically disabling psychiatric condition that has a considerable impact on the quality of life. It impairs the social, family and working lives of sufferers at a time when they should make the greatest contribution to society. It leads to over-utilization of medical facilities in futile efforts to find physical causes for their symptoms. Frequent comorbid psychiatric conditions, most notably depression and other anxiety disorders complicate the clinical presentation, exacerbating individual disability and increasing the economic burden to society. The development of antidepressants with specific serotonergic activity has facilitated effective drug treatment of the disorder. This article briefly reviews the etiology, diagnosis and pharmacotherapy of PD

Studies on adult mosquito vectors of Japanese encephalitis in a pig farm in Selangor, Malaysia.

Mosquito collections were carried out for a period of one year from January to December 1992 in a pig farm in Sungai Pelek, Selangor, Malaysia. A total of 41,022 mosquitos belonging to 52 species and 20 genera were collected. Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. gelidus, the important vectors, comprised 63% of all mosquitos collected. Both these species were collected in large numbers during the wet months of May and December. The other predominant species in that area were Cx. fuscocephala, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. sitiens, Aedes butleri, and Armigeres subalbatus.