Reducing ultrasound in diagnosing deep vein thrombosis by using clinical scores and D-dimer testing

Background: To reduce unnecessary venous ultrasound examination in cases suspected to have deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in emergency department by using D dimer and wells score. venous duplex is widely used to diagnose DVT increasing burden on ultrasound in overcrowded emergency department. Authors can decrease this burden by using clinical probability scores and D dimer.Methods: This is prospective study done on 50 consecutive patients suspected to have DVT represented to emergency department of   Menoufia University Hospital during the period from June 2018 to June 2019. Full history, physical examination, assessment of clinical probability score, d dimer level and results of venous duplex collection.Results: According to wells score, the majority of cases diagnosed as DVT were of high probability group 13(68.4%), 5 patients with moderate probability and only one patient with low probability was diagnosed as DVT. The mean of D dimer level in cases diagnosed as DVT is (4173.6±2173.1) and in cases without DVT is (927.4±1064.6). Using wells score and D dimer together, sensitivity is 100%, Specificity is 94%. PPV is 90%, and NPV is 100% in predicting DVT. All cases with negative d dimer and low risk probability do not have DVT.Conclusions: Based on this result, using wells score and d dimer level in early work up of patients suspected to have DVT will decrease overusing and cost of venous duplex.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Ameliorate Aluminum Chloride-Induced Hepato-Renal Oxidative Stress And Inflammation In Rats

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on Aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced hepato-renal injury.  Methods: Animals were divided into, I-control group; rats received saline, II-AlCl3 group; animals received 100 mg AlCl3/kg body weight, III-ZnO NPs group; rats received 10 mg ZnO NPs/kg body weight, and IV group ZnO NPs+AlCl3. All rats were administered their respective doses daily for 6 w. Hepatorenal function parameters in sera; aminotransferases, bilirubin, urea, and creatinine were estimated. Lipid peroxide level and nitrite\nitrate ratio, glutathione content, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase, superoxide dismutase activities and interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α levels were determined in both tissues. The histopathological and the immunohistochemical investigations of nuclear factor-kB expression were carried out.  Results: ZnO NPs treatment to AlCl3-intoxicated rats significantly reduced Al accumulation (at p<0.05) in the hepatorenal tissue and increased zinc accumulation (at p<0.05) in liver and kidney, respectively, with respect to AlCl3-group, thus inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation parameters represented by lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels (at p<0.05) compared to AlCl3 group and elevated antioxidant parameters (at p<0.05), compared to AlCl3 treated group, while suppressed interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α levels (at p<0.05) and the nuclear factor-kB activation in liver and kidney, especially in the kidney if compared to AlCl3-treated group. Hepatorenal function indices indicated significant decreases compared to AlCl3 group (at p<0.05). Conclusion: Results indicated the ameliorative effect of ZnO NPs on aluminum-induced hepato-renal damage.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of interleukin-23 and cyclooxygenase-2 in the muscles of mice infected with Trichinella spiralis

@#The course of Trichinella (T.) spiralis infection includes intestinal and muscle phases. The aims of this work were to evaluate IL-23 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) by immunohistochemistry in the muscles of T. spiralis infected mice in a time-course study and to correlate their level with the serum levels of IL-23, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 cytokines. The mice were divided into an un-infected control group (UC) (10 mice) and 5 infected mouse groups (each 10 mice/group. Each mouse was infected with 200 T. spiralis larvae) and sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 post-infection (dpi). IL-23 showed weak expression (+1) on the 21st dpi, then it became moderately expressed (+2) on the 28th dpi and on day 35 pi, the immunoreactivity was strong (+3). COX-2 expressed weakly on 14 dpi, while the other mouse groups (21, 28 and 35) showed strong (+3) expression. IL-23 serum concentrations increased gradually in a significant pattern, in comparison to that of UC mice, from the 21st dpi to the end of the experiment. IFN-γ increased gradually and was significantly higher than those of UC mice from the 7th dpi, reached its maximum level on the 21st dpi, after which it decreased non-significantly. IL-4 up-regulated significantly in all infected groups in comparison to UC mice achieving its highest level on the 21st dpi and decreased after that. IL-10 increased significantly on the 7th dpi, but dropped at the 14th dpi, then reached its peak on the 21st dpi, and decreased again on the 28th and 35th dpi. In conclusion, T. spiralis infection caused increased expression of IL-23 and COX-2 in the muscle of infected mice, the effect being strongest on the 35th day. Also, the infection induced a mixed Th1/Th2 profile with a predominance of Th2 at the early muscle phase, after which the immune repose became mainly Th2.

Prevalence of cesarean section on demand in Assiut Governorate, Egypt

Background: The current study aims to evaluate the prevalence of CS on demand in Women's health hospital, Assiut University and Abnob Central Hospital in Assiut Governorate, Egypt.Methods: A cross sectional study conducted in Assiut Women Health Hospital and Abnob central hospital from January 2017 to December 2017. The total number of cesarean section done was 180 cases and the number of CS on demand was 64 (35.6%). The demographic data were collected by one of the study investigators. Women were asked about the causes of requesting CS before surgery.Results: The study group was 64 women with age ranging from 18-40 years old, 40 primipara and 24 multipara. Of those 24 women, 21 of them previously delivered vaginally and only 3 women delivered by emergency CS. Twenty- six women had a history of previous abortion. Fear of pain was the main cause for CS on demand in the whole study participants (57.8%). In primipara, the main cause for requesting CS is fear of pain in 62.5% of participants followed by fear on the baby in 45 % of women. On the other hand, in multipara, the main cause for CS on demand was bad history of previous experience (60%) followed by fear of pain in 50% of cases. There was statistical significant difference between both groups in only two causes; fear of pelvic floor injuries (50% in multipara vs. 20% in primipara, p=0.02) and bad history of previous experience (60% in multipara vs. 0% in primipara, p=0.001). Other causes were not statistically different.Conclusions: The incidence of cesarean sections performed on request without medical indications is rising. The reasons for this are not only for perceived medical benefit, but also due to social, cultural, and psychological factors.

Antidiarrheal and protein conservative activities of Psidium guajava in diarrheal rats / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Psidium guajava occurs worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas. It has been used to treat inflammation, diabetes, fever, hypertension and ulcers. However, its antidiarrheal and protein conservative activities still need to be investigated.@*METHODS@#Fifty-four male rats were divided into normal and diarrheal rats. The normal rats were divided into 4 groups: control, low-dose P. guajava leaf extract (50 mg/kg), high-dose P. guajava leaf extract (100 mg/kg) and gallic acid. Treatments were administrated orally in 1 mL saline for a 1-month period. The diarrheal rats were divided into 5 groups: desmopressin (0.2 mg/kg) drug, low-dose P. guajava leaf extract (50 mg/kg), high-dose P. guajava leaf extract (100 mg/kg), gallic acid and an untreated control. Doses were given daily for a 1-month period while the untreated control received no treatment.@*RESULTS@#Diarrhea was responsible for an observed decline in kidney weight and serum sodium, potassium and chloride. Further, diarrhea was positively correlated with a significant increase in urine volume, and excretion of electrolytes, serum urea, creatinine and uric acid in the urine. In contrast, there was a proportional increase in the lipid peroxidation value in diarrhea and a significant decline was observed in serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione levels in diarrhea. Also, diarrhea inhibited blood proteins. The oral intake of P. guajava leaf extract by diarrheal rats restored all of these parameters to near normal levels. High-dose P. guajava leaf extract was more effective than the same compound at a low dose.@*CONCLUSION@#P. guajava leaf extract elicited antidiarrheal and protein conservative effects.

Assessment of musculoskeletal ultrasound guided injection of the new regenerative medicine techniques (neural prolotherapy and platelet rich plasma) impact versus well established techniques (steroid injection) in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic rheumatic disease characterized by symmetrical, often erosive and deforming poly-arthritis with extra-articular manifestations in 10­20% of patients, especially those with high titers of rheumatoid factor. Extra articular pathology includes bursitis, tendonitis and neuritis, which results from entrapment, nerve ischemia due to vasculitis or drugs used to treat this condition. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compression neuropathy associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Aim of the Work: To evaluate the efficacy of Neural Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma in treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to rheumatoid arthritis. Patients and Methods: Ninety patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) that were all fulfilling the 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for RA. All were over the age of sixteen years at time of diagnosis, complaining of burning pain or paresthesia in the median nerve distribution of the hand. They were recruited from Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department at Al-Hussein and Sayed Galal University Hospitals during the period from December 2018 to July 2019. Results: Neural Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) have improved all measured parameters like visual analogue scale (VAS), nerve conduction studies and neuromuscular ultrasonography parameters in carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion: Neural Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma proved to be effective treatments of carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to rheumatoid arthritis

Épidémiologie de la cataracte en stratégies avancées

But. Identifier les caractéristiques épidémiologiques de la cataracte diagnostiquée en stratégie avancée. Méthodologie. Nous avons mené une étude transversale descriptive documentaire dans la région du Centre au Cameroun. Etaient inclus tous les sujets présentant une cataracte diagnostiquée lors de nos stratégies avancées. Les variables étudiées étaient: l'âge, le genre, le type de déficience visuelle. Résultats. Le nombre total de patients examinés était de 3754 dont 193 ont présenté une cataracte, soit prévalence de la cataracte de 5,14 %. L'âge médian de la population était de 70 ans (min 12 ans et max 103 ans) ; il était de 70,5 ans chez les femmes et de 70 ans pour les hommes (P= 0,47). Le nombre d'yeux ayant présenté une cataracte était de 323 dont 164 yeux droits (50,77 %) et 159 yeux gauches (49,23 %). Un pourcentage de 54,80 % des yeux atteints de cataracte avaient une cécité. Conclusion. Les activités de stratégies avancées dans la région du Centre du Cameroun que nous avons menées ont été efficaces dans le dépistage des cas de cataracte dans nos communautés. Les patients âgés en sont les premières victimes et la cécité est fréquente chez ces derniers

Morphological Studies on the Gills of Puffer Fish (Lagocephalus sceleratus, Gmelin, 1789) / Estudios Morfológicos en Branquias del Pez Globo (Lagocephalus sceleratus, Gmelin, 1789)

In the present study, we focused on the morphology of L. sceleratus gills using gross anatomy, scanning electron microscopy as well as light microscopy. Results of this study revealed that the gill openings appeared as simple slits anterior to the pectoral fin without distinct opercular cover. The gill system consisted of three pairs of gill arches carrying two rows of gill rakers on its concave border and gill filaments on its convex border. SEM showed that all surfaces of the gill arch were characterized by the presence of the longitudinal ridges with many taste buds in addition to many spines around the rakers. Histologically, the gill arch was composed of curved bar of hyaline cartilage with slightly elevated area corresponding to the sites of gill rakers. Each filament was formed of a thin central cartilaginous core surrounded by peripheral cartilaginous matrix and covered by primary epithelial layer with abundant mucous cells. The chloride cells appeared mainly near to the base of secondary lamellae. Each gill filament gave rise to a very large number of secondary lamellae on both sides. The epithelial lining of the secondary lamellae comprised epithelial pavement cells, few mucous cells and pillar cells. The latter interposed the enriched blood capillaries. These findings suggest that L. sceleratus gills have characteristic morphological features that are related to adaptive functions for feeding habits, osmoregulation and respiratory mechanism with in their living environment.

El objetivo fue estudiar la morfología de las branquias de Sceleratus L. desde la anatomía macroscópica, microscopía electrónica de barrido, así como la microscopía de luz. Los resultados revelaron que las aberturas branquiales aparecían como simples rendijas por delante de la aleta pectoral sin una cubierta opercular distinta. El sistema branquial consistió en tres pares de arcos branquiales con dos filas de branquiespinas en sus filamentos branquiales frontales y cóncavos en el margen. La microscopía de barrido mostró que todas las superficies del arco branquial se caracterizaron por la presencia de crestas longitudinales con muchas papilas gustativas, además de una cantidad importante de espinas alrededor de los rastrillos. Histológicamente, el arco branquial se compone de una barra curva de cartílago hialino con una zona ligeramente elevada, correspondiente a los sitios de branquiespinas. Cada filamento se formó por un delgado núcleo central cartilaginoso rodeado de matriz cartilaginosa periférica y cubierto por una capa epitelial primaria con abundantes células mucosas. Las células de cloruro aparecieron principalmente cerca a la base de laminillas secundaria. Cada filamento de las branquias en ambos lados dio origen a un gran número de laminillas secundarias. El revestimiento epitelial de laminillas secundarias estaba formado de células epiteliales, algunas células mucosas y células sostenedoras. Estos hallazgos sugieren que las branquias de L. sceleratus tienen características morfológicas que están relacionadas con las funciones de adaptación de los hábitos de alimentación, la osmorregulación y el mecanismo respiratorio de acuerdo a su entorno.

General public knowledge and practices about the common cold

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and practices of the general public about the common cold in Taif, KSA

Methods: A pre-validated questionnaire was developed and administered to 1700 respondents using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. A total of 1487 completed and valid questionnaires were successfully obtained. All data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 22.0 at an alpha value of 0.05

Results: The majority of respondents demonstrated poor knowledge about the common cold. Forty percent of respondents believed that there was no difference between the common cold and the flu. Sixty-six percent of participants believed that antibiotics would cure the common cold. Only 24% believed that coughing and direct contact with patients suffering from the common cold would spread this illness. A small number of participants, after catching the common cold, took precautionary measures such as avoiding contact with other people

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the general public has poor knowledge about the common cold, which is reflected in their routine practices towards illness management. Healthcare policy makers should consider these findings in developing plans for improving public knowledge and practices

Pharmacokinetics interaction of dapoxetine with different doses of green tea extract in male healthy volunteers using midazolam as CYP3A4 enzyme probe.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetics interaction of dapoxetine with different doses of green tea extract in healthy volunteers using midazolam (CYP3A4 probe).Method and materials: Twelve healthy males were included in a random three-way crossover study. Each volunteer received dapoxetine 60 mg and midazolam 7.5 mg concurrently after drinking 250 ml of water, 250 ml of fresh extract of 2 gram of green tea or 250 ml of fresh extract of 4 gram of green tea with one week washout period. Plasma samples were analyzed for dapoxetine and midazolam using HPLC.Results: The co-administration of dapoxetine with 4 gm green tea extract significantly increased dapoxetine AUC∞ (from 3218.74 μg.hr/L to 4207.65 μg.hr/L, P< 0.05) and dapoxetine Cmax (from 433.1 μg/L to 601.1 μg/L,P< 0.05) with a decrease in CL and t1/2 only after administration of 4 gm green tea extract. There was a significant increase in midazolam AUC∞ (from 41.123 μg.hr/L to 58.55 μg.hr/L, P< 0.05) and midazolam Cmax (from 36.07 μg/L to 53.53 μg/L,P< 0.05) with a decrease in CL and t1/2only after administration of 4 gm green tea extract. However, the intake of 2 gram green tea extract showed no significant change in either dapoxetine or midazolam AUC or Cmax (p≥0.05). Conclusion: High dose of green tea intake increases dapoxetine bioavailability by the inhibiting CYP3A4 enzyme as indicated by the change in midazolam pharmacokinetic. Taking high dose of green tea with dapoxetine should be avoided. However, normal dose of green tea is safe for dapoxetine co-administration.

Utilization of blackboard among undergraduate medical students: where we are from the reality?

This study aimed to evaluate undergraduate medical students' perceptions to Blackboard [Bb] utilization learning management systems in terms of benefits and difficulties. The study was conducted at the College of Medicine, King Saud University. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the students. The questionnaire consisted of three parts including demographic information, utilization of Bb and difficulties while using Bb. A total of 808 questionnaires were distributed with 42% response rate. Among the participants, 224 [65.7%] were male and 116 [34.3%] were female students. Of them, 78.1% reported "disagreement and strong disagreement" on "Bb usefulness in communicating with the instructor". However, 74.1% students reported "disagreed and strongly disagreed" on "Bb usefulness in communicating with other students", whereas majority of the students [71.8%] did not use multimedia available in Bb system. Also, 61% students agreed that there is a "lack of formal training" on the use of Bb in the college, and 37.2% students agreed that the using "Bb system is a time consuming". However, 39.2% students did not know about the Bb systems add any additional burden on the students. The disagreement trend of male and female students concerned with the Bb utility and difficulties were almost same. The finding of the study showed a poor utilization of Bb learning features. Students faced technical difficulties while using Bb. The findings of this study indicate the need of compulsory students training of any newly introduced learning management systems including Bb in the educational institute

Maternal Obesity and Malnutrition in Rats Differentially Affect Glucose Sensing in the Muscles and Adipose Tissues in the Offspring.

The altered maternal/fetal metabolism appears to be associated with a diabetogenic effect in the adult offspring even in the absence of genetic predisposition. Aim: The study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal obesity and malnutrition on the peripheral glucose sensing and mitochondria biogenesis in F1 offspring. Effect of postnatal diet was also evaluated. Methods: Three groups of female Wistar rats were used (control, obese and malnourished). After the pregnancy and delivery the offspring were weaned to control diet or high-caloric (HCD) diet and followed up for 30 weeks. Every 5 weeks OGTT was constructed and serum and tissues were obtained for assessment of glucose homeostasis parameters, mTFA, mtDNA, UCP2, insulin receptor (IR), phospho-insulin receptor (Phosho-IR) and GLUT4. Results: The results indicated that maternal obesity impair glucose tolerance and sensing in the offspring from the 15th week of age even under control diet and the situation is worse under HCD these defects were preceded by significant decline in mtDNA copy number in muscle and adipose tissues as early as 5th week of age. The offspring of malnourished mothers show normal and even better glucose tolerance and sensing and normal mtDNA copy number under control diet, while those offspring under HCD show impaired glucose sensing and tolerance only at older age than obese group. Conclusion: maternal obesity and malnutrition differentially affect glucose sensing and tolerance, mtDNA copy number and the expression of genes involved in the mitochondrial biogenesis and function in the muscles and adipose tissues in the F1 offspring with the postnatal feeding appearing to play a central role in these differential effects. The male F1 offspring appear to be more sensitive for fetal diabetogenic programming than female offspring.

Uronephrological outcomes of patients with neural tube defects

To review the uronephrological outcomes of myelomeningocele [MMC] patients attending a Spina Bifida Clinic. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients from the combined Spina Bifida Clinic, at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between 1999 and 2009 who had at least one year of follow-up with us. We examined their demographic data, uronephrological status at presentation, most recent follow-up, and the rate of surgical intervention. During the 10-year period, 188 patients were actively followed-up. The mean age at presentation was 5.3 years +/- 3.6 SD. At their last follow-up, 109 patients [58%] were using clean intermittent catheterization, 44[23%] had received BotoxR injections, and 26 [14%] had undergone bladder reconstruction. Most [66%] patients were older than 3 years when they presented to us; this group had a significantly higher rate of surgical intervention [BotoxR or reconstruction] compared with those who came to us earlier [p=0.003 for patients receiving BotoxR injections, and p=0.025 for patients undergoing bladder reconstruction].Our multidisciplinary Spina Bifida Clinic is an integral part of MCC management to reach a safe urological outcome. Early presentations to our clinic resulted in a lesser need for surgical intercession compared with those who presented at more than 3 years old.

General public knowledge, preferred dosage forms, and beliefs toward medicines in western Saudi Arabia

To measure general public knowledge, source of knowledge, preferred dosage forms, and beliefs toward medicines. A cross-sectional study design using convenience-sampling technique was used. A pre-validated questionnaire was designed and distributed to the general public through face-to-face interviews. All data were analyzed, and p-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. The study took place in the Clinical Pharmacy Department, Taif University, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between August 2012 and February 2013. Nine hundred participants successfully responded to this study. Males represented two-thirds of the respondents [66.8%]. In addition, 52% of respondents were of high education level. Modern [74.2%] and alternative medicines [88.7%] were understood by most respondents. Tablets [69.6%] and capsules [37.6%] represented the highest preferred dosage forms. In addition, physicians [66.6%] and pharmacists [46.2%] were the main sources of information regarding medicines. In terms of beliefs, respondents showed wrong beliefs in many statements used in this study. There is a need to improve public knowledge and beliefs toward medicines as well as utilizing public preferred dosage forms. In addition, pharmacists should play a major role in these programs since they are experts on medicines and play a more active role in patient education and counseling

Impact of Cesarean-pregnancy interval on maternal obstetric outcome

To evaluate the impact of Cesarean Pregnancy Interval [CPI] [The time in months between the prior cesarean delivery and the next pregnancy] on the maternal obstetrics outcomes. Prospective descriptive study. Assuit University Women's Health Center. Five hundred pregnant women with uncomplicated previous one or more lower segment transverse cesarean delivery were recruited for this study. They were divided into groups according to CPI and compared with in respect to maternal obstetric outcomes. Clinical assessment of all the participants was carried out at ante partum, intra partum and postpartum period. Ante partum maternal and fetal monitoring included, blood pressure, pulse rate, scar tenderness, vaginal bleeding, fetal heart rate, progress of labor and final maternal outcome. The mean interval of CPI with in all groups was [21.82 +/- 15.92] months and the majority of cases were among the CPI of 24-<60 months [171 women, 34.2%]. Cesarean section was carried out in [445/500. 89%], 37 women delivered vaginally [7.4%], 17 had abortions [3.4%] and one case laparotomy for ectopic pregnancy [0.2%]. For patients who underwent repeated cesarean section, the intraoperative assessment revealed that the uterine scar dehiscence was significantly higher among CPI of < 12 months. [P value=0.012] and on other hand the rate of adhesions was significantly higher among CPI of >/= 12 months, [P value= 0.006], and secondary to that the maternal hospital stay was significantly higher among those with CPI of >/= 60 months [3.5 days]. No reported cases of hysterectomy or maternal death among the studied women. Cesarean pregnancy Interval of less than 12 months was associated with the higher risk of uterine scar dehiscence and CPI more than 12 months was associated with increased rate for adhesions

Peripherally inserted central catheter bloodstream infection surveillance rates in an acute care setting in Saudi Arabia

Peripherally inserted central venous catheters [PICCs] are alternatives to short-term central venous catheters and provide intravenous access in the acute hospital setting. In this study, we describe the rate of PICC-associated bloodstream infections [BSI]. Prospective cohort study using data on PICC lines reviewed from January to December 2009. The infection control team was responsible for prospective BSI case findings. The infection rate was calculated per 1000 device-days. During the study period, 92 PICC lines were inserted with a total of 3336 device-days of prospective surveillance. The most frequent reasons for the insertion of the PICC lines were chemotherapy [n=19, 20.7%], intravenous antimicrobial therapy [n=34, 37%], and for patients in the medical intensive care unit [ICU] [n=16, 17.4%]. The overall BSI rate was 4.5/1000 PICC days. The PICC line-associated BSI rates for a specific indication were as follows: chemotherapy 6.6/1000 device-days, intravenous antimicrobial therapy 1.2/1000 device-days, medical ICU 7.3/1000 device-days, surgical ICU 4.6/1000 device-days, and total parental nutrition patients 2.4/1000 device-days [P<.001]. The rates were not adjusted for patient severity of illness. Our data suggest that underlying conditions and indications for the PICC line use may play an important role in the development of BSI

Curcumin protects against testicular damage and genotoxicity induced by acrylamide in male albino mice

Acrylamide is a chemical used in many industries. Although it is found to be harmful, human are exposed to varying amounts of it in the diet, especially fried food. Curcumin is a herbal agent used in medicine and proved to be protective against many harmful agents. This study was undertaken to assess the protective effect of curcumin against the reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity induced by acrylamide in male albino mice. Twenty-eight male albino mice were divided into four groups: group 1 [control group], group 2 [curcumin group], group 3 [acrylamide group], and group 4 [curcumin + acrylamide group]. Both curcumin and acrylamide were given through oral intubation for 5 days. Seventy-two hours after the last administration, blood samples were taken for random amplified polymorphism DNA PCR [RAPD PCR] analysis and testes were used for both light and transmission electron microscopic examination. Sperm smears were also performed and their results were statistically analyzed to detect any sperm abnormalities. Acrylamide resulted in atrophy and exfoliation of the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules with thickening of their basement membranes. There was also a significant increase in the percentage of abnormal sperms, compared with the control group. Transmission electron microscopic examination confirmed these results. Genotoxicity was also detected as genomic template stability was lower than that of the control group. The use of curcumin produced a significant protection against the all of the above-mentioned changes. Curcumin is effective in protection against reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity induced in male albino mice by the use of acrylamide

Experimental sulfur toxicosis in sheep II- pathologic evaluation of neural and extraneural lesions

Two equal groups, 3 of each, of adult female Balady sheep [8-9 months old] were fed a balanced diet with or without elemental sulfur [0.8% in diet] up to the appearance of neurologic signs including coma and animals were going to die [days 25, 26 and 28 of the experiments for the three intoxicated sheep, respectively]. Brain lesions were typical of polioencephalomalacia primarily of the neocortex and to less extent the cerebellar grey matter. The nonneural lesions included constant severe, diffuse periportal necrosis with centrilobular degeneration, pulmonary edema complicated into serofibrinous pneumonia because of germ invaders, nephrotoxic tubulonecrosis with tubular casts, cardiomyocyte degeneration and segmental necrosis as well as lymphocytic cell depletion of spleen white pulps. Both the gastrointestinal tract and skeletal muscles had no lesions. It could be concluded that the noticeable hepatic lesions may augment the toxic effect of dietary sulfur because of impairment of the hepatic detoxification system to the liberated toxic sulfide ions in the rumen

Experimental sulfur toxicosis in sheep I- the prophylactic potential of thiamine

Nine adult female Balady sheep [8-9 months old] were divided into 3 equal groups. Gp.1 was fed on a balanced diet containing 0.8% elemental sulfur, Gp.2 was fed on the same diet with 0.8% sulfur plus 0.025% pure thiamine, and Gp.3 was a control. Feeding on these diets continued until the appearance of neurologic signs which only appeared in GP.1 and started as anorexia and ended up with coma. Three animals from Gp.1 were dying on days 25, 26 and 28 of the experiment. Brain lesions of Gp.1 animals were typical of polioencephalomalacia [PEM] Primarily of the cerebral and to some extent of cerebellar cortices; however, similar lesions were restricted only to the cerebral grey matter in animals of Gp.2 despite absences of any signs of illness. The extraneural lesions were noticed in animals of Gps. 1 and 2 and included periportal necrosis, serofibrinous pneumonia, renal tubulonecrosis, myocardial segmental necrosis and lymphocytic cell depletion of the splenic corpuscles. It was evident that simultaneous supplementation of thiamine [0.025%] with excess sulfur [0.8%] only prevented the appearance of clinical signs associated with PEM despite the occurrence of the classic cerebral lesions. Also, the neural lesions were confined only to the cerebrum; however, the cerebellum was normal. Moreover, administration of thiamine did not prevent the appearance of extraneural lesions

Association of parental history of type 2 diabetes mellitus with leptin levels in Jordanian male youths

To investigate the association between high level serum leptin in male youths in relation to parental history of type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] and body mass index [BMI]. This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Department of Medical Technology, Applied Science University, Amman, Jordan during the period from January to April 2009. One hundred and sixteen Jordanian male nursing students aged 18-24 years were divided into 4 groups according to parental history of T2DM and BMI. Fasting blood samples were measured for blood glucose, lipid profile, and serum leptin. Serum leptin levels in overweight and obese male youth diabetic patients with parental history of T2DM were significantly higher than in those overweight and obese without parental history [p<0.001]. Of the 116 subjects, 83 [71.6%] had a positive parental history of T2DM. Compared with other groups, significant [p<0.001] elevation was observed in the mean cholesterol and triglyceride levels of obese T2DM. No significant differences were detected in high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and blood glucose levels among all study groups. High levels of leptin in overweight and obese Jordanian male youths were more likely associated with a positive parental family history of T2DM than BMI factor