Tobacco use and associated factors among school students in Dubai, 2010: intervention study

Tobacco smoking is an emerging problem among adolescents in the United Arab Emirates [UAE]. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of current tobacco use and its associated factors among school students in Dubai Emirate and to determine the impact of an intervention programme on knowledge and attitudes towards tobacco use. A school-based intervention programme was carried out among 2457 students aged 10-20 years and data were collected with a self-administered questionnaire. Of the students, 14.6% were tobacco users, mostly cigarettes [11.2%] and waterpipes [2.2%]. The most common self-reported reasons for smoking were for the experience [29.4%], for stress relief [22.5%] and because their peers smoked [21.9%]. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that the predictors of tobacco use were: male, higher age, UAE national, higher school level, government school, low knowledge about tobacco and family history of smoking. There were significant improvements in knowledge and attitudes scores after the health education intervention programme

Enhancement of dissolution and the anti-inflammatory effect of nimesulide, using liquisolid compact for oral application

Nimesulide is a poorly soluble drug, the rate of its oral absorption is often controlled by the dissolution rate in the gastrointestinal tract. There are several techniques to enhance the dissolution of poorly soluble drugs. Among them the technique of liquisolid compacts which is a promising one. The liquisolid compacts were prepared using 20 mg nimesulide, Avicel PH102 as a carrier, and Aerosil 200 as a coating material in a ratio of 20:1, as well as AC-DI-SOL as a disintegrant in a concentration of 5% from the total weight of the compact. The liquids used include PEG400, PG, and a mixture of these solvents with Tween 80. From the results obtained it is concluded that the suitable loading factor [Lf] is 0.2 which gave good flowability and compressibility. Friability, hardness, disintegration time and the dissolution rate were carried out. All the liquisolid compacts showed higher dissolution rate than the conventional tablets. The liquisolid compacts containing the PEG400 showed the highest dissolution rate than the other preparations. The effect of different concentrations of drug on the dissolution rate was studied, and it was observed that 20% of drug gave the maximum dissolution rate, and no significant increase of the dissolution rate with increasing the drug concentration. Conventional tablets and liquisolid compacts containing PG and PEG400 were tested for their anti-inflammatory effects using paw oedema test. liquisolid compacts exhibited a pronounced inhibition of swelling than that of conventional tablets. In conclusion liquisolid compact of nimesulide can be used as a technique to improve the dissolution rate and the anti-inflammatory effect of nimesulide

Chemopreventive effect of green tea on 9, 12 dimethyibenz-[a]-Anthracene [DMBA]-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

Oral cancer prevention using naturally occurring substances that could be included in diet consumed by humans, is gaining attention. Investigating the chemopreventive effect of green tea, through assessment of mutant p53 immunoexpression, in the hamster buccal pouch epithelium-induced carcinogenesis. Forty-five hamsters were divided into 3 groups. Group A was served as controls. In group B, left pouches of hamsters were painted with 0.5% Dimethylbenz-[a]-anthracene [DMBA], 3 times/week for 6 weeks. Hamsters of group C were given Epigallocatechin Gallate [EGCG]; five animals were sacrificed [Group C3], the remaining 20 were divided into 2 groups; group C1 was given EGCG and DBMA and group C2 was given DBMA only. All pouches were surgically excised, fixed, processed for H and E and mutant p53 immunohistochemical staining. Mutant p53 immunoexpression score was highly significant in group B, compared to group C1 which was given EGCG only. Administration of EGCG, before and in combination with the carcinogen [group C1] resulted in significantly decreased expression of mutant p53 parallel to decreased grades of dysplasia. Administration of EGCG alone for 2 weeks [group C3] showed negative mutant p53 expression. EGCG proved to be a chemopreventive and/or protective agent; through suppressing and/or retarding malignant transformation, reducing cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. The apoptosis may be possibly through preventing p53 mutations

Kala-azar [visceral leishmaniasis] in children

Clinical presentations of kala-azar [visceral leishmaniasis] are varied in children and adults. This may at Least initially mimic many tropical and hepatobilliary diseases. This paper is an attempt to see the clinical presentations of kala-azar in children. Eleven cases are analyzed, retrospectively admitted in a pediatric unit of a tertiary care hospital in the southern part of Bangladesh. Fever 91%, Jaundice 55%, splenomegaly 100%, hepatomegaly 91% are common findings. Presence of jaundice and ascites may mimic chronic liver disease which is suspected in 36% in this series. Awareness regarding these uncommon features will help in diagnosis

Expression of MIB-1 in prostatic carcinoma: An immunohistochemical study

Immunohistochemical assessment of MIB-1 expression in prostatic carcinoma as a proliferation marker and the correlation between the immunohistochemical findings and the most important prognostic factors of prostatic carcinoma. The specimens of 60 cases of prostatic carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. The study material included 20 [33%] radical prostatectomy specimens, 10 [17%] specimens from transurethral resection of the prostate [TURF] and 30 [50%] specimens of transrectal ultnasonography [TRUS]-guided biopsies. The archival formalin-fixed paraffin- embedded blocks were collected and immunohistochemically stained for Ki-67 [MIB-1]. The results of the immunohistochemical staining were correlated with Gleason score, tumor stage, Mostofi-WHO nuclear grade, perineural infiltration and pre-operative PSA level. There was a statistically significant correlation between MIB- I immunoneactivity and increasing Gleason score and Mostofi-WHO nuclear grade. MIB-1 positivity was significantly higher in patients with tumor stage C and in cases with a pre-operative PSA >10 ng/ml. Cases with evidence of perineural invasion showed a higher percentage of moderate and marked MIB- 1 immunoreactivity than cases without perineural invasion, but this difference was not statistically significant. The proliferative index measured by the expression of the Ki-67 protein [using the Ki-67 antibody clone MIB-1] correlated significantly with most of the well established prognostic factors in prostatic carcinoma. MIB-1 expression could serve as a prognostic factor in prostatic carcinoma using standardized immunohistochemical methods

Orofacial tumours; complexity and outcome

The anatomic, physiologic and aesthetic complexity of the head and neck poses significant challenges to the management of all neoplasm arising in this compact region. The oral cavity is the most common site for malignancies of the head and neck region [about 30%] with the tongue and floor of mouth, are the most frequent primary site. The primary objective of a reconstructive effort is an aesthetic result that approaches a normal appearance. Functional consideration, including oral competence, articulation, speech, and the role of the lip in mastication, must be kept in mind during reconstruction of the large lip defects. The aim of this work is to study the different available surgical techniques for reconstruction of orofacial area after tumour excision and to address the outcome of surgery, aesthetic result and recurrence after surgery. This prospective study included 75 patients with different orofacial tumours, who were admitted at both Plastic and General Surgery Departments, Sohag University Hospital, Egypt, in the period from Mars 2004 to October 2006. The age of the patients ranged from 7 months to 83 years, 40 patients [53.33%] were females and 35 patients [46.66%] were males. The aesthetic and functional results were evaluated by patients questionnaires, photographing and physical examination. The overall aesthetic and functional results were excellent in 65.41%, very good in 14.66%, good in 17.33% and fair in 2.6% of the cases respectively. The local and regional flaps are ideal methods for reconstruction of facial defects because they give excellent color and texture match. Distant flaps have a great role in reconstruction of large facial defect. Although split or full thickness grafts proved to be an easy, simple and fast technique of reconstruction, however the aesthetic results are usually unsatisfactory

Evaluation of the different technique for repair of distal hypospadias

Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital anomalies occurring in approximately 1:520 to 1:300 live births [Baskin, 2000]. Hypospadias in boys, may be defined classically as an association of the penis: 1. An abnormal ventral opening of the urethral meatus, 2. An abnormal ventral curvature of the penis [chordee]; 3. An abnormal distribution of the foreskin, with a hood present dorsally and deficient foreskin ventrally [Mouriquand et al, 1950]. The aim of this work was to adequately describe the abnormal anatomy met with distal hypospadias cases and to evaluate the results of repair of distal hypospadias comparing the results of the different techniques of repair to be aware about the most suitable technique. This study was done on 40 patients with distal hypospadias in the age range 6 months to 12 years in the period from October 2004 to October 2005 in Plastic Surgery Department, Sohag university Hospital. Full history, clinical examination and routine investigations was done for every patients. We used three operative procedures: a-Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty [Snodgrass] [TIP], be-Meatal based flap [Mathieu] repair, and c-Meatal advancement and glanuloplsty incorporated technique [MAGPI]. Pin hole meatus was the commonest finding to be present in association with hypospadias in this study [12.5%]. Edema is the most common complication in the early postoperative period; represent, 83% in Mathieu, 80% in TIP75% in MGAPL. As regard the chronic complication, fistula is the most important complication of hyospadius repair, it was recorded in 4 out of 20 cases with TIP repair, 3 out of 12 cases with Mathieu repair and one case out of 8 cases with MAGPI repair

Role of some inflammatory markers in recent ischemic stroke

The onset of cerebral ischemia triggers a cascade of pro-inflammatory molecular and cellular events. Clinical studies suggest that the strength of this acute response is important in early and late clinical outcomes, early clinical worsening, and extent of brain damage. The aim of this work was to estimate the. role of some inflammatory markers in recent ischemic stroke, and to correlate these inflammatory markers with the short term outcome. Twenty sex patients presented with recent history of hemiplegia within 24 hours were included. The patient group was planned to contain 13 patients with the age between 20 and <40years and 13 patients with the age between 40 and 60 years. 15 subjects, [age and sex matched to the patients] were included in the study as control Neurological deficits were rated by Scandinavian Stroke Scale. Clinical assessments and serum levels of the inflammatory markers, Neopterin C -Reactive Protein [CRP], Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], Complement 4 [C-4], Interleukin-8 [IL-8], and Neopterin, were done at the time of admission, day 3, and day 7 from the stroke onset. Serum levels of neopterin started to increase from the 3 rd day and remained high to the end of the first week from the onset of the stroke. The increase was more obvious in the young aged patients. Serum levels of IL-8, raised rapidly in the acute phase of the stroke and then gradually decreased through the first wee and but still higher than the base line of the total patients and control. Serum levels of TNF-alpha and CRP had rapid significant increase from the first day to reach maximum levels in the 3 rd day and still significantly high till the end of the first week Serum CRP levels were higher in the old age group while serum C4 levels decreased from the 1 st day then gradually increased to reach maximum levels in the 7 th day, but still significantly lower than the control group. Also, there were statistically positive correlations between serum levels of neopterin and C-4 in the 3 rd sample with the Scandinavian scale in the 3 rd assessment. Brain ischemia induced an inflammatory cascade by the increase in serum levels of neopterin, IL-8, TNF-alpha, CRP and decrease in C4. This inflammatory response continued through the first week by the increase in the levels of complement -4. The inflammatory response was more obvious in the young aged patients. There were positive correlations between serum levels of neopterin, and C-4 with the short-term outcome of the stroke patients

Formulation and evaluation of famotidine sublingual tablets

Formulation of famotidine, rapidly disintegrated sublingual tablets, by direct compression was carried out. Fifteen tablets formulae were made in order to obtain suitable non-friable formulae, with disintegration time less than one minute and average crushing strength of 2-4 kg/cm2. The excipients used in the different formulae are Avicel pH 101, sorbitol, mannitol, lactose anhydrous, Ac-Di-Sol, magnesium strearate and saccharin sodium. The formulae prepared were tested for the effect of certain excipients on the hardness, friability and disintegration time. Tablets of 20 mg famotidine from the formulated and commercial oral dosage forms were administered to five healthy volunteers participated in the studs using a balanced cross-over design. Comparison of the mean urinary excretion, rats obtained after administration of both dosage forms indicated that in both cases, the rime taken to reach peak occurred at a mid point of 1.5 hours. Comparison of the cumulative amounts excreted in the urine after administration of famotidine in the two different dosage forms, resealed that about 5.49 +/- 1.06 mg of the administered dose [20 mg] was recovered unchanged in the urine during 12 hours following sublingual tablets administration. This value was found to be higher than that excreted after administration of Pepcid [R] oral tablets [4.6 +/- 0.65 mg] during the same period of time. Statistical analysis of the difference at P = 0.05, revealed nun-significant difference in the urinary excretion rate obtained of the two different dosage forms. On the other hand, a significant difference was found to exist in the total cumulative amount of famotidine excreted in the urine at 2 and 6 hours from both dosage forms. The results also indicated that there was no significant difference in AUC [0-12] between the two dosage forms

Toxic effect of 2,3,7,8,-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin [TCDD] on the lungs' alveolar epithelium of rats and the protective effect of vitamine E. a histological study

2, 3, 7, 8,-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin [TCDD] has been classified as a known human carcinogen, and the epidemiologic studies identi5 the lung as one of the target organs. Few experimental studies have attempted to characterize pulmonary effects of TCDD exposure. Objective: Based on the theory of dioxin as a cause of oxidative stress, this work was designed to study the effect of chronic exposure to 2, 3, 7, 8,-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin [TCDD] on the alveolar epithelium of rats and the use of the antioxidant; vitamin F to ameliorate this effect. Methods: Male Sprague Dawely rats were administered TCDD at a daily dose of 125 ng/kg body weight for 16 weeks. Another group of animals were co-administered TCDD [125 ng/kg body weight] and vitamin E in a daily dose of2Q mg/kg body weight for 16 weeks. Results: Administration of TCDD alone showed alteration in the lungs' alveolar architecture with marked thickening of the interalveolar septa, edema, cellular infiltration both peribronchiolar and perivascular together with vascular congestion and interstitial hemorrhage. Type II pneumocyte cells formed the predominant lining cells of the alveoli. Co-administration of TCDD and vitamin F showed considerable degree of preservation of the lung alveolar architecture. Most of the alveoli were patent lined with the two types of pneumocytes with type I predominance. Conclusion: The results established that prolonged gavage administration of TCDD to male Sprague Dawely rats can induce lung lesions, both proliferative and degenerative. In this work TCDD were unable to induce neoplastic changes, suggesting that additional factors are necessary for tumor induction. Alpha-tocopherol [vitamin F] effectively protected lung tissues against dioxin toxicity and this was attributed to its antioxidant properties

toxic effects of monomeric acrylamide on the testis of male albino rats, histological and ultrastructural study

Acrylamide [AA] is a reactive vinyl monomer used world wide to synthesize polyacrylamide [PAA] products. Although modern industrial techniques, designed to limit levels of monomeric AA in PAA, have resulted in decreased number of cases of AA acute toxicity, recent findings of moderate levels of AA in heated protein-rich foods and higher contents in carbohydrate-rich foods, have refocused worldwide attention on the health hazards of AA. this study was carried out to evaluate the toxic effects of acute and prolonged repeated monomeric AA exposure on the structure of the testis of albino rats and its potential reversibility. this study was conducted on 40 adult male albino rats weighing from 150-200 gm each. Animals were divided into three groups: Group I: 8 rats served as a control group. Group II: [16 rats] received one single dose of AA [25 mg/ kg bw] dissolved in water orally through gastric gavage. Group III: [16 rats] received AA dissolved in water in a dose of 20pg/ kg bw daily administered through gastric gavage for three months. All groups were subdivided into 2 subgroups: Subgroup [a]: were sacrificed one week after the end of exposure, Subgroup [b]: were sacrificed six weeks after the end of exposure. examination of testis of rats receiving one single toxic dose of AA and sacrificed after one week revealed moderate degenerative changes in spermatogenic cells with spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa being the most vulnerable. Spermatogonia and Sertoli cells were resistant and showed mild affection. Leydig cells were nearly not affected. Rat testis of this group examined after six weeks withdrawal revealed considerable improvement in testicular tissue. More seriously was the prolonged very low dosage of AA [subgroup IIIa]. This caused severe and persistent damage affecting most somniferous tubules and interstitial Leydig cells. Nearly all spermatogenic cells spermatogonia and Sertoli cells were severely damaged. These changes were persistent even after six weeks withdrawal, This was attributed to the damaging effect on testicular stem cells, nursing Sertoli cells and the hormone secreting Leydig cells. Serious attention and close supervision must be paid towards exposure and especially of children to chronic acrylamide toxicity due to increasing population trends for consumption of fried potatoes, fried chicken, hamburgers and other forms of junk foods that proved to contain considerable amounts of acrylamide

Lithium clearance and sodium lithium counter transport in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Our study was conducted on 24 insulin dependent diabetic patients in comparison to 10 normal healthy control subjects. the group of the patients were classified according to the results obtained into 3 groups. The list was eight diabetic patients without nephropathy, the second was eight diabetic patients with nephropathy and the third was eight diabetic hypertensive patients, Both diabetics and control were subjected to full clinical examination and laboratory investigations [plasma lithium, lithium clearance, fractional Iithium clearance [FcLi] and sodium-lithium counter transport [Na [+] /Li [+] CT]. The results showed mild elevation of serum sodium in IDDM groups compared to control. FcLi showed a highly reduction in IDDM groups compared to control group. Na [+] /Li [+] CT showed a statistically significant elevation in IDDM groups compared to control group

Risk factors and early prognosis in stroke

Stroke is still a common disabling and devastating disorder in spite of new post stroke treatment strategies. In this prospective study of 100 CT scan confirmed cases, we identified the risk factors and assessed the immediate prognosis. Analysis of the data showed ischaemic stroke to be 61%, cerebral hemorrhage 34% and subarachnoid hemorrhage 5%. The most likely stroke prone age in both sexes was 60-70 years. Hypertension [58%], ischaemic heart disease [35%], smoking [27%] and diabetes mellitus [18%] were most commonly associated with increased risk for stroke. Overall stroke related in hospital mortality in this series was 17%. 60% patients of subarachnoid hemorrhage, 23% of cerebral hemorrhage and 9.8% of cerebral infarction died of their diseases. Immediate functional outcome was better in cases of cerebral infarction

Snakebite: Prospective study of fifty cases in Bahawalpur Region

A prospective study of fifty cases of snakebite was undertaken. Vasculotoxic was the commonest variety [60%]. Majority of the cases seen was in summer season. Tourniquet and pressure bandage application was the commonest pre-medical treatment remedies. Adult males while working especially watering the land were the commonest victims. Lower limb was the common site bitten by snakes. All the patients were found frightened after bite. Fang marks [84%], pain, swelling and bleeding from the bitten site [64%] were the other common clinical features. Multiple site bleeding [20%], tetanus, acute renal failure and shock were the complications encountered in this series. Mortality rate seen in this study was 10%. The common laboratory abnormalities noted in this study were disturbed bleeding profile like increased PT, A.P.T.T., Bleeding time, clotting time and thrombocytopenia

Antimicrobial flavonoids from solanum dobium fres

Two flavonoids compounds were isolated from Solanum dobium Fers [Solanaceae]. One major compound was identified as astragalin [kampferol-3-O-glucoside], and a minor compound that was tentatively identified as quercetin-3-glycoside. The antimicrobial activities of the 2 compounds were tested against 12 microorganisms [7 bacteria, 2 fungi and 3 C and ida of different strains]. The major compound was found to possess a pronounced antibacterial activity as presented by the minimum inhibitory concentration showing activity 4 times as that of streptomycin and double that of tobramycin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa UM 60690. It displayed double activity of streptomycin against both Salmonella typhi UM 26049 and Flavobacterium meningosepticum UM 260494. In addition, the isolated astragalin showed a significant 2-4 times antic and idal activity as compared with nystatin against C and ida intermedia ATCC 5159, C and ida albicans Um 050494, and C and ida lipolytica ATCC 8661. However, this compound did not show any significant antifungal activity. The isolated minor flavonoid showed significant antic and idal, antifungal as well as moderate antibacterial activity

Effect of a new antidote on changes in pancreas in paracetamol toxicity. [a histological study]

Acetaminophen is a widely used analgesic antipyretic agent. Toxic doses ofthe drug have been shown to produce pancreatitis. The present study wasconducted to evaluate the effect of a new antidote [diltiazem] onacetaminophen induced pancreatic toxicity in mice. This study was carried outon 24 mice divided into three equal groups: Control group, intoxicated groupreceiving a single toxic dose of paracetamol [500 mg/kg] intraperitoneally anda protected group receiving diltiazem eight hours after receiving the sametoxic dose of paracetamol. The animals were sacrificed two hours after theend of the experiment. Histological and ultrastructural studies revealed analteration in the pancreatic structure after acetaminophen intoxication in theform of degeneration of acini, dilatation of ducts, congestion, loss ofelastic tissue of blood vessels and degranulation of beta cells. Calciumchannel blocker [diltiazem] produced a significant protective effect on thepancreas, which appeared more or less normal in structure

Occurrence of some food poisoning microorganisms in rabbit carcasses

Fivety random samples of rabbit meat and liver [25 of each] were collected from different rabbit processing plants at Kalyobia Governorate for demonstration of food poisoning microorganisms. The obtained results revealed that the mean values and incidences of microorganisms isolated from rabbit meat and liver were 5.32x10[2] +/- 1.16x10[2] [8%] and 8.78x10[2] +/- 1.90x10[2]/g [16%], 9.11x10[3] +/- 2.63x10[3] /g [48%] and 1.41x10[4] +/- 0.27x10[4] /g [68%], 7.18x10[2] +/- 1.76x10[2] /g [44%] and 4.55x10 +/- 0.83x10 [2]/g [32%] 1.35x10[2]/g +/- 0.24x10[2] [16%] and 2.63x10[2] +/- 0.69x10[2]/g [20%]for E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens and Bacillus cereus, respectively. Enteropathogenic E. coli isolates isolated from rabbit meat were serologi-cally identified as 0,[111]:K [58] [B14] while O [26]:K[60] [B6] and O[124]:.K[72] [B[17]] these serotypes were isolated from rabbit liver. Moreover, Yersinia enterocolitica was isolated from examined rabbit meat and liver samples 8% and 4%, respectively. However, Salmonella organisms could not be isolated from all examined samples. The public health significance of isolated microorganisms as well as suggestive hygienic measures to improve the quality of rabbit carcasses were discussed

Effect of temperature, medium, metals and ligand structure on the stability of metal complexes of certain schiff base ligands derived frome ninhydrin and isatin with some substituted hyrazines

Stability constants of Ni2+, Co2+, Cd2+, and Mn2+ complexes with some Schiff base ligands of isatin-semi and thiosemicarbazones, isatin S-methylhydrazine carbodithioate and ninhydrinsemi and thiosemi- carbazones have been determined potentiometrically in different media containing ratios of aquo-organic solvents [ethanol, acetone, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, dimethyl formamide] at ionic strength u=0.04 mol. dm-3 KCl at different temperatures. The acid dissociation constants of the ligands have been also determined under identical conditions. The results obtained are discussed in terms of the molecular structure of the ligands. The solvent characteristics as well as the nature of central metal ion. It has been found that the stability constant values increase with increasing the organic solvent in the reaction medium and decrease at higher temperatures. Thermodynamic functions [delta G, delta H, delta S] were evaluated and discussed