Pulmonary effects of ozone therapy at different doses combined with antibioticotherapy in experimental sepsis model

Abstract Purpose This experimental sepsis model created with Escherichia coli aimed to investigate the histopathological effects of two different doses of ozone combined with antibiotherapy on lung tissue. Methods Rats were divided into 5 groups. Then sepsis was induced intraperitoneally in the first 4 groups. The 1st group was treated with cefepime, the 2nd and 3rd groups were treated with cefepime combined with ozone at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg and 1.1 mg/kg. Lung tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and assessed under light microscope and scored between 0-4 in terms of histopathological findings. Results In the comparisons between Group 1 and Group 4 in terms of cellular damage (p=0.030), inflammation (p=0.000) and overall score (p=0.007), statistically significant positive effects were observed in favor of Group 1. In the comparisons of Groups 2 and 3 with Group 4, only positive effects were observed in terms of inflammation (p=0.020, p=0.012, respectively). Conclusion Although negative histopathological effects of ozone on tissue injury were detected, it was noteworthy that the increase in the ozone dose reduced the number of damaged parameters.

Laparoscopic treatment of hydatid cyst of liver: local experience

Background: Hydatid cyst disease remains a real health problem in many parts of the world. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment of liver hydatid disease. Laparoscopic hydatid surgery [LHS] is gaining acceptance all over the world with promising early results

Objective: To present our experience of laparoscopic management of liver hydatid disease in our locality

Patients and Methods: All patients presented with liver hydatid disease to our department in Al-Jumhori Teaching Hospital were planned to undergo laparoscopic hydatid surgery [LHS]. The diagnosis was made by abdominal ultrasonography and/or computed tomography. Surgical treatment was decided for cysts larger than 4 cm. Exclusions from laparoscopic intervention were for patients with; multiple cysts [>3 cysts], complicated cysts, cysts at risky site, recurrent hydatid, and those who refused the laparoscopic approach

Results: From Sep 2001 to Jan 2013, 70 patients with hydatid liver disease were presented for surgical treatment. LHS was performed in 46 patients; 15 were males and 31 were females. Their mean age was 35 years [SD +/- 14]. In 31 cases the cysts were in the right lobe, in 5 cases were in the left lobe and in 8 cases were in both lobes of liver. In one patient, there were 2 cysts in liver and one cyst in spleen. In 9 patients [19%] the operation was converted to open surgery. The mean operative time was 75 minutes [range, 40 - 120 minutes]. The mean length of hospital stay was 3 days [range, 3-8 days]. Pus collection in the residual cavity was occurred in two patients, who were managed by laparotomy and drainage. Recurrence was detected in one patient 10 years after the LHS [2.3%]. There was no mortality

Conclusion: This study highlighted that laparoscopic approach for hepatic hydatid surgery is a safe and effective method in selected patients

[Study and evaluation the influence of HPMC combination with different polymers in ketoprofen controlled release matrix tablets]

The controlled release of the drug is performed by trying to achieve to zero order kinetic mechanism from the dosage form. Zero-order kinetic mechanism means that drug release is separated from amount of the drug in a delivery system [the rate of released drug is constant during the time]. HPMC is Hydrophilic swellable polymer and widely used to control the release of drugs from matrix formulations, the release of drugs from their matrices depends on percentage of polymer in the matrices and its viscosity. In this study we investigate the applicability of HPMC combination with different polymers [PEG6000, Sodium alginate, Xanthan gum and PVA] for controlling the release of ketoprofen from matrix tablets. In drug release profiles, an initial rapid burst occurs in the first hour for matrices that consist of HPMC, then the release decrease during the time, it is not a suitable for Zero-order kinetic mechanism, but the initial rapid burst did not occur in the first hour for matrices that consist of HPMC combination with different polymers or HPMC polymers with various viscosities. The release during the time differs according to the type of studied polymer and the percentage of the two polymers and viscosity of the interested HPMC within the matrix. The kinetics of ketoprofen release was analyzed using different drug release models [zero order, first order, Higuchi, Korsmeyer and Peppas, Hixon and crowel], Zero order and Korsmeyer and Peppas equations were suitable for most of dissolution data from matrix tablets [0.95< R[2] <0.99]. The value of correlation factor R[2] according to zero order increases in combinations comparison to formulas that consist of HPMC alone

[In vitro study of the antibacterial activity of volatile oil extracted from Thymus syriacus]

This study aimed to determine the chemical composition and antibacterial activity screening of the volatile oil of Thymus Syriacus. The aerial parts of Thymus Syriacus were collected from the summit of Prophet Abel [a place in the countryside of Damascus], which were done in different stages of the plant growth, before and during blossom stage. Every single sample was divided into two sections: In the first section the plant materials was dried and later extracted using water distillation method, whereas in the second section the volatile oil extracted from water distillation method, whereas in the second section the volatile oil extracted from fresh-green plant material with the former extraction method. The output of the extracted oil was determined in the four collected samples of plant material [fresh-green sample before blossoming, fresh-green sample during blossoming, dry sample before blossoming, and dry sample during blossoming] and the extracted volatile oils were analyzed using gas chromatography GC. The antibacterial activities of the extracted volatile oils in Thymus Syriacus samples were screened against two gram negative bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, and against three gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus luteus. Disk diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial activity and the minimum inhibitory concentrations [MICs] of the active volatile oils were tested using agar dilution method, and broth dilution method; and the minimum bactericidal concentrations [MBCs] were tested using broth dilution method. Results showed that, the percentage of the volatile oil in the aerial plant parts almost doubled at the beginning of the blossoming stage when compared with the results during the pre-blossoming stage and drying of the plant materials made rather insignificant rise in the percentage. The main compound of the volatile oil in Thymus Syriacus was no more than the compound of Carvacrol [74%] and the composition of volatile oils was the same in all tested samples, and their antibacterial activities were similar likewise. Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive among the bacterial strains, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most resistant bacteria. In addition, the minimum inhibitory concentrations [MICs] using broth dilution method were: Escherichia coli: 1.25 microlitre/ mililitre and Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus: 0.3 microlitre/ mililitre, Micrococcus luteus: 0.6 microlitre/ mililitre. In conclusion, this study insure the antibacterial activity of the volatile oil of Thymus Syriacus, which can be acted and used for medical purposes, and as additive preservatives in food

Sonographic, hysteroscopic, and pathologic findings in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding

Abnormal uterine bleeding AUB is the cause of gynecological referral in about 50% of perimenopausal women. The main aim in investigating this condition is to exclude focal, premalignant, or malignant endometrial disease. This is achieved via sonographic, hysteroscopic, and pathologic examinations. To evaluate the sonographic, hysteroscopic, and pathologic findings in women with AUB in a new one stop clinic. Prospective, observational study of 240 premenopausal and 55 postmenopausal consecutive patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. All patients 35 years or more with AUB not related to pregnancy were included. Exclusion criteria included active pelvic infection, severe cardiopulmonary co morbidity, cervical cancer, and initiation of contraception within the last 3 months. All the patients had vaginal sonographic examination, office hysteroscopy, and endometrial biopsy on one stop bases. Diagnostic indices of the different methods. Endometrial biopsy was the gold standard for diagnosing hyperplasia or cancer and combined hysteroscopy and biopsy 'was the gold standard for focal lesion and global endometrial disease. For focal lesion vaginal ultrasound had 42% sensitivity, 87% specificity, 3.2 positive predictive value, and 0.67% negative predictive value. Office hysteroscopy had corresponding figures of 91%, 100%, 91, and 0.09 respectively. Endometrial biopsy had corresponding figures of 17%, 100%, 17, and 0.83 respectively. Office hysteroscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing endometrial focal lesions and combined VUS and EB failed to detect more than 50% of them. This makes that 14% of patients wrongly diagnosed of being free of endometrial focal lesion. So, OH should be included in the initial evaluation of patients with AUB

Distribution of different metals in coastal waters of Alexandria, Egypt

Seasonal variation of some heavy metals [Fe, MN, Cu, Cd, Pb, Co, Ni, Cr, Sn and Al] are estimated at surface and bottom waters from 10 stations at near-shore, Alexandria coast during 2004. Salinity [16.20-39.10] and pH values [alkaline side] were also measured. The concentrations of heavy metals are at high levels in regions receiving different effluents from wastes of El-Mex region. A comparative study between the different stations was carried out to evaluate the effect of sewage, agricultural and industrial wastes discharged into some regions of Alexandria coast. Different statistical treatments were carried out to calculate the correlation coefficients between metals and the annual average variation

[Anti-inflammatory effect of capparis spinosa in experimental animals]

The effects of both the aqueous and methanol extracts of Capparis spinosa on inflammation were investigated. Anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema method. The change in oedema volume of the rat hind paw was measured using caliper. Tow extracts have shown dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect and dexamethasone [0.5 mg/Kg] was used as a standard drug. The aqueous extract was more potent than methanolic with tow doses 250 and 500 mg/Kg. These data indicate that anti-inflammatory efficacy depends on concentrations of effective compounds in plant extracts which affect mediators of inflammation

[Chemical screening and antioxidant activities of many medicinal plants used in the common medicine in Syria]

The plant materials [24 plants] were collected, dried and grounded. The grounded materials were extracted by ethanol 80% and evaporated. The alkaloid content was investigated in the plants, extracts. The following extracts showed the presence of alkaloids: the aerial parts of Acanthus syriacus L. [Acanthaceae], the aerial parts of Anagalis arvensis L. [Primulaceae], the seeds of Lathyrus sativus L. [Lathyraceae], aerial and underground parts of Anabasis aphilla L, [Chenopodiaceae], and the aerial part of Spincia oleracea L., [Chenopodiaceae]. To investigate the presence of phenolic compounds the extracts were treated with alkali [alkali medium]. The phenolic compounds were to be noticed in the aerial parts of the following plants: Achillea millefolium L. [Compositae], Lavandula stoecha L. [Lamiaceae], Centauria centaurium L. [Compositae], and Ruta graveolens L. [Rutaceae]. The phenolic content and the antioxidant activities of the dried alcoholic extracts [80% ethanol] and the aqueous extracts were determined. The following alcoholic extracts showed a good antioxidant activity: The aerial parts of Sanguisorba officinalis L. [Rosaceae], the aerial parts of Alhagi maurorum Med. [Leguminosae], the aerial parts of Acanthus syriacus L., [Acanthaceae], the aerial parts of Posopis stephanina [Leguminosae], the roots of Ferula harmonii Boiss.[Umbelliferae], the aerial and underground parts of Spincia oleraceae [Chenopodiaceae]

Possible antischistosomal activity of the crude saponins of Anagallis arvensis on Schistosoma mansoni

This study was carried out to evaluate the antischistosomal efficacy of the crude saponins isolated from Anugalfis amemis [a medicinal local plant] in albino mice experimentally infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Animals were divided into 2 major groups according to the route of drug administration. The first group was orally given the saponins, while the latter one was administered the crude saponins subcutaneously.Different doses of the saponins were used at different intervals of infection. Animals were sacrificed 8 weeks after the infection. Data obtained from some experimental subgroups showed that significant reduction in total number of worm burden was recorded. The worm reduction was variable according to the dose, time, duration and pathway of administration and it ranges from 1.15-100%. This study gave preliminary promising results that help in finding a new, safe and effective chemotherapeutic drug; however, it needs more comprehensive follow-up study

Characteristics of diabetic patients and pattern of diabetic complications

The objective of our study was to elucidate and establish the basic characteristics of diabetic patients in Pakistani population and to determine the prevalence of micro and macrovascular complications in them. This was an observational study conducted in the diabetic clinic of Mayo Hospital, affiliated with King Edward Medical College Lahore. Six hundred and seventy patients attending diabetic clinic in the year 1996-97 were studied. We determined the basic characteristics of patients and diabetic complication on history, physical examination and investigations. A total of 670 patients [174 males and 496 females] were studied. Most of the patient's ages at the onset of diabetes ranged from 36-55 years, with the mean value of 41.1 t 13.5 years. Female to male ratio was 2.5:1. Fifty-four% of patients were overweight [BMI >25 kg/m2] and history of diabetes in first degree relatives was obtained in 46.7% of patients. Ninety one% had NIDDM and 9% IDDM. Out of the total, 22.3% had retinopathy, 14.6% had nephropathy while sensory and motor neuropathy was present in 40.6% and 29.1% respectively. History of angina pectoris was present in 16.4%, myocardial infarction in 5.5%, cerebrovascular accident in 5.8%, and 3.7% had peripheral vascular disease. Approximately 53% of the patients were hypertensive [systolic > 140 or diastolic >90]. Out of 112 patients with an early onset of disease [< 40 years] 8 had experienced ketoacidosis compared to 9 out of 503 [1.8"/0] who had late onset diabetes. Two hundred eighty nine [42.9%] patients required hospitalization, either for the control of diabetes or for the management of its complications. Seventy five% of the patients had at least one complication attributable to diabetes mellitus. We conclude that NIDDM is highly prevalent in our society with seventy five% of patients presenting with one or more complications. Needless to say that more attention given to good metabolic control can reduce the prevalence of diabetic Complications