Prophylactic effects of thymoquinone against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in Sprague-Dawley rats.

This study is conducted to investigate the prophylactic effect of thymoquinone (TQ), the major active ingredient of Nigella sativa seeds, against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Forty rats were divided into four even groups. The first group served as control. The second, third and fourth groups received CCl4, CCl4 and TQ, and TQ only, respectively for 5 weeks. CCl4 (2 ml/kg b.w.) was given orally by gastric tube twice a week on Sunday and Thursday. TQ (20 mg/kg b.w.) was given daily in corn oil by gastric tube. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed, and blood samples and liver specimens were obtained for biochemical analysis and morphological examination, respectively. Control and TQ-treated rats showed normal serum activity for alanine (ALT) and aspartate (AST) aminotransferases, and normal liver histology. Treatment of rats with CCl4 significantly increased serum activity of ALT and AST aminotransferases compared to control rats. Histopathologically, livers from CCl4-treated rats showed dilatation of blood sinusoids and portal blood vessels, Kupffer cell activation, vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes, focal areas of necrosis and mild hepatic fibrosis. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), CCl4 caused clear lesions in the liver including dilatation of endoplasmic reticula, increased extracellular matrix and formation of abundant fatty globules and numerous autophagosomes in hepatocytes. On the other hand, co-administration of TQ with CCl4 significantly decreased serum ALT and AST activities, and attenuated most of CCl4-induced hepatic pathological changes. The present study indicates that TQ has the potential to attenuate CCl4-induced hepatic damage in SD rats.

Aminoglycoside Resistance Patterns of Certain Gram Negative Uropathogens Recovered from Hospitalized Egyptian Patients.

Aims: To determine resistance rates and patterns of certain uropathogens, including E. coli, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas spp., isolated from hospitalized urinary tract infections patients, to aminoglycoside antibiotics and to detect the most prevalent plasmidmediated aminoglycoside modifying enzymes (AMEs). Methods: Uropathogenic isolates (150) were recovered from urine specimens of hospitalized UTI patients in Cairo, Egypt and identified by conventional methods. The recovered uropathogens (E. coli, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas spp.) were tested for their susceptibility to gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, neomycin, netilmicin, and kanamycin by disc diffusion method. Plasmid-mediated aminoglycoside resistance was determined by transformation experiments as well as by using plasmids as templates for PCR screening of the AMEs-coding genes aph(3')-I, aac(6')-I, aac(3)-I, aac(3)-II and ant(2'')-I in all resistant isolates. Results: Of a total of 150 uropathogenic clinical isolates, 110 isolates were of the above mentioned genera and were selected for the current study. Sixty three isolates (57.2%) were resistant to at least one aminoglycoside antibiotic. Highest and lowest resistance rates were observed to kanamycin (53.6%) and amikacin (7.2%), respectively. The resistance rates to gentamicin, neomycin, tobramycin and netilmicin were 33.6%, 24.5%, 23.6% and 14.5%, respectively. AMEs-coding genes were detected on the plasmids of 93.6% of resistant isolates with prevalence rates of 53.9% for ant(2'')-I, 38% for both aac(6')-I and aac(3)-II and 33.3% for aph(3')-I, while aac(3)-I gene was not detected in any of the tested resistant isolates. Double and triple combinations of AMEs-coding genes were detected in ich49.2% of resistant isolates. Conclusion: A high prevalence of plasmid-mediated resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics in Gram negative uropathogens from hospitalized patients was observed. Uropathogens may represent potential reservoirs of panaminoglycoside resistance in hospitals, having on their plasmids combinations of AMEs-coding genes. Good infection control measures in Egyptian hospitals together with periodic screening of prevalence rates of different resistance genes are required.

determination of 25-OH vitamin [D2/D3] in human serum by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with comparison to IDS enzyme immunoassay

The proper assessment of the status of vitamin D requires the accurate measurement of both 25-OH vitamin D2 and 25- OH vitamin D3, which collectively constitute 25-OH vitamin D, the best indicator of vitamin D status. Currently, numerous assay methods are available for 25-OH vitamin D measurement but their comparability is uncertain. We employed isotope dilution liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry [ID-LC-MS/MS] to quantify 25-OH vitamin D2 and 25-OH vitamin D3 in human serum. Hexadeuterium labeled 25-OH vitamin D3 internal standard was added to calibrators, controls prepared in 6% bovine serum albumin in phosphate buffered saline, and patients' sera. Zinc sulphate was added to release 25-OH vitamin D metabolites for vitamin D binding protein, followed by a precipitation step with the addition of acetonitrile. Subsequent online phase extraction by trap column followed by chromatographic separation on a C-8 column using a water/acetonitrile gradient was employed. Detection was performed using Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization [AP-CI] in a Multiple Reaction Monitoring [MRM] mode. The method was linear from 4 to 70 ng/mL. The intra and inter-day CV% were

Toxopathological studies on the effect of heavy metals emitted from superphosphate factory on the reproductive performance of male goats

The present study was designed to evaluate toxopathological effects of heavy metals emitted from superphosphate factory on the reproductive performance of male goats. Thirty male goats were selected from Gaz. El-Akrad area adjacent to factory [group 1] and five male goats from Dairut area [group 2] served as control. Serum samples were used for determination of cadmium, fluorine, testosterone and prostatic acid phosphatase. Tissue specimens were obtained from testes, epididymis and prostate for histopathological examination. It was observed that the level of cadmium and fluorine was significantly increased in the serum of exposed group when compared with control group. It was observed that the mean level of testosterone in group 1 was extremely significantly decreased while the level of prostatic acid phosphatase was significantly increased when compared with control group. Histopathological findings in the testicle of male goat of the group 1 revealed testicular degeneration with formation of spermatid giant cells. Congestion of the blood vessel, edema and fibrosis of the interstitial tissue with formation of sperm granuloma were noticed. The epididymis showed edema, fibrosis and necrosis of the epididymal tubules. The prostate gland showed edema, fibrosis and hyperplasia. Our results strongly suggest that cadmium and fluorine intoxication produces adverse effects on sexual fertility with hormonal and pathological alterations in male goats

Prevalence of smoking among high school students in Riyadh areas

The current study was performed to reveal a recent estimation of smoking problem among high school students in Riyadh, the capital city of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA] and three of its main territories: Derehiah, Al Kharj and Al Majmah . Also to identify possible risk factors related to family life and personal aspects. The study was conducted in randomly selected schools including both high and low socioeconomic areas. 927 high school students [471 male, 456 females] were used with the mean age 16.5 +/- 1.3. During the study year 2009-2010. The students were recruited using two-stage stratified random sampling. The study instrument used was a validated structured questionnaire included questions about the smoking characteristics, motives for starting smoking and family and personal related risk factors. The questionnaire revealed a total prevalence of smoking percentage among high school students of 29.88%. There were no socioeconomic difference regarding the percentage of smoking students in Riyadh and the three main territories areas included. As regards smoking initiation the mean age was 14.4 +/- 1.9 for boys while 14.9 +/- 1.6 for girls. While a rate of 43.3%, indicated to have initiated smoking before the age of 14. Generally, around 23% of the students consume 6-10 cigarettes per day, where almost 22% are boys and about 24% are girls. On the other hand, those adolescents who are consuming 16-20 gained a similar percentage of 21.5% whereas 17% are boys and 23.39% are girls. An alarming proportion of 28% in boys and a less low 11.29% in girls said that they smoke more than 20 cigarettes per day [p< .05]. Friends were the main motive for starting smoking in boys and girls representing 40.1% followed by family negligence or problems representing 36% and 32.5% respectively. Curiosity and more pocket money were also detected as risk factors and is significantly predominant in boys 15%, 10% than girls 6.3%, 2.8% respectively. In addition, having smokers in the family or favorite teacher in schools and not being involved in sport activities increase significantly the incidence of smoking. In conclusion, the study determined some personal and family- related factors contributing to smoking problem. Clearly, efficacious interventions by coordinated efforts of the family, school and government are needed to develop effective strategies and programs to prevent increasing epidemic of smoking initiation among youth

prevalence of hypertension among diabetic in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Diabetes [DM] is a chronic noncommunicable disease that requires medical care and self-management education to reduce the risk .of its long-term complications. The present study aimed at studying the prevalence of hypertension among diabetic patients in Primary Health Care [PHC] in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. The risk factors as obesity, lack of physical exercise, smoking, food restriction among patients with diabetes and hypertension were done. The present study was conducted in two matched groups: 150 diabetic and 150 non-diabetic patients attending the outpatient clinic of PHC. They were selected in the same age, sex, socio-economic status. They were coming to the PHC to be treated for another disease in the same period. Patients were interviewed using questionnaire sheet covering all relevant data as socio -demographic characteristics, medical history,present clinical status and disease related knowledge, and practice questions . The collected data was analyzed and the results showed that hypertension was significantly more prevalent among the diabetic cases [24.7%] comparing with the non-diabetic [13.3%]. The prevalence of DM and hypertension in Riyadh, KSA, had alarmingly worsened. Most of the diabetic cases had low level of self-care practices and lack of knowledge concerning food to be regulated, about food restriction ,ideal body weight, foot care, doing investigation and exercise which might adversely affect the course of the disease. In conclusion, the diabetic patients are in need for a program of health education concerning self management and care to minimize the hazards and complications of DM and hypertension

Energy intake and expenditure of obese and non-obese urban Bangladeshi children.

A case control study was conducted in Dhaka city to measure the energy intake and expenditure among 220 obese children of 4-10 years age group and 220 randomly selected age and sex matched controls. A 24 hour dietary recall was used to assess the energy intake. Data on energy expenditure was obtained by 24 hour physical activity recall. The mean energy intake of obese children (2056 +/- 751 kcal/d) was found to be significantly higher (P<0.001) compared to the non obese (1508 +/- 529 kcal/d). No sex difference was found in both obese and non obese groups. Mean energy expenditure of the obese children (1868 +/- 313 kcal/d vs 1495 +/- 200 kcal/d) was significantly higher than the non-obese (P<0.001). Of the obese, boys expended more energy than the girls (P=0.01). Furthermore, physical activity level (1.40 +/- 0.09 vs 1.35 +/- 0.14) was significantly higher among the non obese than their obese counterpart (P<0.001). However, energy balance was significantly higher among the obese (P<0.001). Dose response of energy balance shows the estimated relative risk of obesity increases with higher level of energy balance (P<0.001). The findings of this study revealed that energy balance as a result of higher energy intake and lower energy expenditure was one of the important risk factors for the development of obesity among the children of Dhaka city. Thus, appropriate interventions like behavioural change regarding food habits and physical activities are recommended.

Bioelectrical impedance measurements at various frequencies to estimate human body compositions.

Bioelectrical impedance analyses (BIA) operating at various frequencies were used to estimate body composition parameters and compared with the biochemically determined parameters by using isotopic dilution method in 22 healthy adult (30-50 years old) male human subjects. BIA instruments, operating at 50,100 KHz and 5 to 500 KHz range, were used to measure body compositions, namely total body water (TBW), fat free mass (FFM), and fat mass (FM). TBW of these subjects was also determined by deuterium dilution method. BIA methods measured at 100 KHz and using multifrequencies appear to be more accurate than at 50 KHz when compared with isotopic dilution method as standard. This accuracy could be attributed due to measurements made at higher frequencies that falls in the region where current passes through both extra- and intracellularly, thereby giving an appropriate measure of TBW. All the subjects participated in this study belong socioeconomically to the middle class and do not apparently look obese or fatty. However, the mean of their body fat, as estimated by the standard deuterium dilution method, was about 30% which is suggestive of an unapparent obesity prevailing in this class of people in Bangladesh.