effect of low energy laser as an adjunct to nerve mobilization technique for sciatica

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of low energy laser therapy when it is combined with nerve mobilization technique in cases of patient with sciatica due to lumbar disc lesion. Sciatica is a common clinical problem causing pain and functional disability. Conservative treatment is a common line to avoid surgery. There are many studies that supporting the efficacy of either Laser alone or the use of nerve mobilization as a method of pain relief in sciatica, but up till now combination of both technique did not exist. Thirty patients [16 females and 14 males] diagnosed as LBP with sciatica due to prolapsed lumbar disc participated in our prospective study. They were randomly assigned into two groups. Patients were referred to physiotherapy department for 3 sessions a week for one month. A true Laser therapy combined with nerve mobilization were applied for group A and sham Laser and nerve mobilization in group B. Pain, self reported functional disability and physical performance test battery were recorded for each patient before and after the program of treatment. Both groups achieved improvement in pain, functional disability and physical performance test. Moreover group A achieved a significant improvement in pain and functional disability in relation to the group [B] with p- value < 0.05. Addition of laser to nerve mobilization technique as conservative methods for patient with sciatica showed a clear significant improvement in decrease of pain and disability

Post-mortem estimation of thyroid hormones in blood and vitreous humor combined with the histopathological examination of the thyroid gland

In forensic medicine, the study of thyroid function and disease is important in cases of sudden death. The aim of the current study was to investigate the possibility of diagnosing post-mortem thyroid hormonal abnormalities and to compare the thyroid hormone levels [both in blood and vitreous humor] with the histopathological appearance of the thyroid gland. Thirty forensic autopsy cases of both sexes were included in this study. Thyroid hormones [T3 and T4] were analyzed in the femoral blood as well as in the vitreous humor of both eyes for every case in addition to the histopathological examination of both thyroid lobes. Serum T4 was found to be a better indicator than serum T3 for assessing the thyroid status and was matching better than serum T3 with the histopathological pattern. The serum T3 was positively correlated to the serum T4. The serum and vitreous T3 and T 4 levels were positively correlated to each other. The postmortem estimation of the thyroid hormones was helpful in the diagnosis of sudden unexpected death. Measurements of post-mortem T3 and T4 in serum were better indicators than vitreous T3 and T4 and, serum T4 is more valuable than serum T3 for the assessment of the thyroid status. Postmortem T3 and T4 levels in serum and vitreous are moderately comparable to the postmortem histopathological appearances

Inhibition of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity by ascorbic acid and pyridoxal hydrochloride

This study was undertaken to compare the capability of blockade of gentamicin nephrotoxicity by either ascorbic acid [vitamin C] or pyridoxal hydrochloride [vitamin B6] and to evaluate whether their combination has a better protective effect than either alone, as manifested by changes in the serum urea and creatinine levels as well as the histological renal changes. For this purpose, 70 male Wister albino rats were equally divided into 7 groups. A negative control group receiving distilled water, a positive control group receiving vitamin C alone, a positive control group receiving vitamin B6, rats receiving gentamicin alone, rats receiving gentalicin as well as vitamin C, rats receiving gentamicin in addition to vitamin B6, and finally rats receiving gentamicin, vitamin C and vitamin B6. Our results showed that, vitamin B6 plays a better role in the protection against gentamicin nephrotoxicity than vitamin C, moreover, the combination of these two vitamins produced a better protection than either vitamin alone. Strict adherence to the prescribed dose of the aminoglycoside preparations especially gentamicin is required. In addition, a combination of vitamin C and vitamin B6 could provide adequate protection against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxitiy

Adverse health effects of gasoline in service station workers

In the present study, the possible relationship between occupational exposure to gasoline and renal, hepatic as well as immunological alterations were investigated. 42 gasoline station workers were compared to 20 administrative workers [controls] regarding their renal functions [urea, creatinine and urinary microalbumin], hepatic functions [total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase -ALT-, aspartate aminotransferase -AST- and serum albumin] and immunological assessment [serum immunoglobulin levels, chemotaxis, phagocytosis and lymphocyte blastogenesis]. The results obtained show a significant increase of urinary microalbumin in the exposed workers, compared to matched unexposed controls. However, no significant changes were recorded in the serum urea or creatinine levels in the exposed group. Serum ALT and AST were significantly higher in exposed in relation to non-exposed workers, meanwhile, no significant differences were observed as regards the serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase between the comparable groups. Moreover, our results show that gasoline exposed workers exhibited significant decrease in the tested immunological parameters as compared to the control group. These data point to significant impairment in renal, hepatic and immunological functions by gasoline exposure