Histological study on the effect of nicotine administration on the bone of adult male albino rat and the possible protective role of vitamin E

Cigarette smoking is one of the major problems affecting the health of humans. Many studies have been conducted on different organs of the body, but only a few have been conducted on the effect of cigarette smoking on bone. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant supplement that might alleviate these hazardous effects on bone. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of nicotine on bone and whether the addition of vitamin E could protect the bone against nicotine-induced effects. Forty-five animals were used and divided into three groups comprising 15 animals each. Group I served as the control group. Animals in group II received nicotine. Animals in group III received nicotine in addition to vitamin E. At the end of the experiment the animals were sacrificed and the femur bone specimens were dissected and processed. The specimens were subjected to histological study: H and E and scanning electron microscopy. Evaluation of bone mineral density using energy dispersive X-ray was also carried out. Statistical analysis was carried out for all data recorded. Animals of group II showed thinning out of compact bone and trabeculae of cancellous bone of the proximal end of the femur. An increase in adipocytes in adjacent bone marrow was also detected. Cracking and microfracture of bone were apparent, as well as irregular endosteal pores. There was decrease in calcium content in the bone. Group III showed improvement in the morphology of bone and mineral content. Statistical analysis confirmed these results. We concluded that nicotine has hazardous effects on bone, and vitamin E has a protective role against nicotine

Coagulation profiles in hypothyroid and hyperthyroid female patients in Sudan

To evaluate disturbances in the coagulation system in female patients with thyroid disorders in order to assess the effects of thyroid diseases on coagulation parameters. This study was conducted in Khartoum state, the national capital of Sudan from February 2007 and February 2008 The study included 30 patients with clinical hypothyroidism, and 30 patients with sub- clinical hypothyroidism [21 of them were recruited before starting the treatment]. Also, the study included 30 patients with clinical hyperthyroidism, 30 with sub-clinical hyperthyroidism, [37 of them were recruited before starting the treatment] and 30 normal individuals as the control group. Prothrombin time [PT], activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen level, and platelets count were performed in patients and control samples. A significantly decrease in PT was observed in hypothyroid patients, and hyperthyroid patients compared to the control group. Activated thromboplastin time was significantly decreased only in hyperthyroid patients, compared to the control group. Moreover, fibrinogen level was significantly increased in hyperthyroid patients compared to hypothyroid patients. The study concluded that minor coagulation abnormalities were observed in both subclinical hypo- and hyperthyroidism compared to clinical hypo- and hyperthyroidism. Platelets count was also slightly decreased in both types of the disease. There was no significant effect of the treatment and age of such patients on the measured parameters. The study recommended to screen female patients with hypo- and hyperthyroidism for coagulation defect, to avoid the risk of such complications

Chromatographic methods for the separation and determination of paracetamol and tramadol

Two chromatographic methods have been developed for the separation and determination of paracetamol [P] and tramadol [T]. The methods are applicable for the determination of both drugs either separately or in mixture. The first method is TLC scanning method in which the two drugs were separated on silica gel plate using methanol: water: glacial acetic acid 50: 50: 25 v/v as a developing system and spots were detected by UV scanning at 250nm for paracetamol and 275nm in case of tramadol. The calibration curve was found linear from 3 to 15 micro g/spot and from 14 to 80 micro g/spot in case of paracetamol and tramadol, respectively. The method was applied for the determination of both drugs in pure form with mean percent recoveries of 100.34 +/- l. 124 and 100.59 +/- 1.104 for paracetamol and tramadol, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the determination of both drugs in laboratory prepared mixture. The second method is an HPLC method in which the two drugs were separated on Hypersil MOS CIS [200x4.6mm] column using a mixture of 0.5M solution of potassium dihydrogen phosphate pH 3.3 and methanol 35:65 as a mobile phase. Detection was carried out by ultraviolet detection at 280nm. Linear relationship between the peak areas and concentrations were given over a range of 10-360 micro g/ml and from 20 to 360 micro g/ml for paracetamol and tramadol, respectively. The HPLC method was applied for the determination of both drugs in pure form with mean percent recoveries of 100.43 +/- 0.84 and 100.19 +/- 0.78 for paracetamol and tramadol, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of both drugs in laboratory prepared mixture. The validity of TLC method and HPLC method was assessed applying the standard addition technique for the determination of paracetamol and tramadol in acetamadol tablets. Statistical comparison between the reference methods and the proposed methods showed no significant difference

Anepidemiological study of cancer larynx in Alexandria

The purpose of this work is to study the pattern of cancer larynx in Alexandria and to investigate some factors associated with its occurrence. All cases of cancer larynx admitted to Alexandria major hospitals [Main University Hospital and Gamal Abdel-Nassr Health Insurance Hospital] during 1994 were included in the study. For each case a control matched for age and sex was chosen from patients admitted to the same hospital for causes unrelated to cancer larynx. A questionnaire was completed by interview with the patient or his/her companion to collect the data concerning basic epidemiologic data, medical history, habits and exposures. Majority of cases occurred among males [84%]. The peak of occurrence was observed in elderly persons [65-74 years]. Supraglottic cancer larynx constituted 84% of all cases in men and 78% in women. The risk of cancer larynx was 12 times higher among smokers [OR = 12.27], 8 times among those who drink alcohol [OR = 8.75], 4 times in those with history of voice strain [OR = 4.28] and 2.5 times in those with low and very low social standards [OR = 2.55]. Exposure to wood dust increased the risk of cancer larynx 5 times. After controlling confounders by using multivariate logistic regression low social class, smoking, exposure to wood dust and voice strain remained significant risk factors [OR = 2.09, 10.6, 3.8 and 2.4, respectively], but the effect of alcohol intake was deleted. No exposure for irradiation of neck for thyroid, oil, leather, textile materials or precancerous lesions was found among cases or controls. In conclusion, cancer larynx is disease of old age and low social class. Smoking, alcohol intake, wood dust and voice strain increase the risk of occurrence of cancer larynx

epidemiological study on consanguineous marriage among urban population in Alexandria

The study was carried out using a cross- sectional approach, involving interviews with 500 households randomly selected from three urban areas in Alexandria [Bab Sharki, El Gomrok and Karmouz]. A questionnaire interview was conducted with married females in these households to determine prevalence of consanguineous marriages and to study knowledge of married females about causes and effects of consanguineous marriages. Prevalence of consanguineous marriages among 500 married females was 22.8% with the highest frequency among marriage between first cousins [15.8%]. Average inbreeding coefficient up to the marriage between second cousins equals to 0.01172. The linear trend of consanguineous marriages throughout the last 50 years was statistically significant. Age at marriage was younger in consanguineous marriages than non consanguineous marriages.Longstanding familiarity and sharing same traditions and customs with male relatives were the main causes of consanguineous marriages. The majority of the studied females [42.2%] reported that consanguineous marriage is harmful while 29.6% reported that it has no effect on offsprings