Evaluation of fertility and embryo implantation in rats after the oral administration of Salvia officinalis (sage) extract / Evaluación de la fertilidad y la implantación de embriones en ratas después de la administración oral de extracto de Salvia officinalis (salvia)

SUMMARY: In Saudi Arabia, it is widely believed that women with reproductive problems can use the extract of the sage plant as a tea drink. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of this herb on the fertility of female rats and embryo implantation. Forty-eight Wistar virgin female rats were divided into four groups at random, with 12 rats in each group. The control group received distilled water orally. The three treatment groups received different concentrations of sage extract: 15, 60, or 100 mg/kg for 14 days before mating, then mated with a male and sacrificed on the 7th day of gestation, the uterine horns removed, and photographed. The total body weight of mothers, weight of uteri and ovaries and number of fetuses were determined. Ovarian and uteri tissues were cut into 5 µ sections and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Serum FSH, LH were determined by the ELISA method. The present study showed that low dose of sage (15 mg/kg) have no effects on serum concentration levels of FSH and LH hormones, also has no effect on the number of growing follicles. The present study showed a significant differences (P≤0.05) in body weight, ovary and uterus weight in the groups treated with high doses of Salvia officinalis as compared to control group. Also a significant differences (P≤0.05) found in FSH, LH hormones. Histological study showed overall histomorphological structural configurations including growing and matured graafian follicular countable changes, besides a number of corpora lutea and regressed follicles in the treated groups with high doses of Salvia officinalis as compared to control group. The researchers concluded that the extract of the sage plant with high doses can stimulate the growth graafian follicles and improve fertility in female rats.

RESUMEN: En Arabia Saudita, se cree ampliamente que las mujeres con problemas reproductivos pueden usar el extracto de la planta de salvia como bebida de té. Este estudio se realizó para investigar los efectos de esta hierba sobre la fertilidad de las ratas hembra y la implantación del embrión. Se dividieron cuarenta y ocho ratas hembra vírgenes Wistar en cuatro grupos al azar, con 12 ratas en cada grupo. El grupo control recibió agua destilada por vía oral. Los tres grupos de tratamiento recibieron diferentes concentraciones de extracto de salvia: 15, 60 o 100 mg/kg durante 14 días antes del apareamiento, luego se aparearon con un macho y se sacrificaron el día 7 de gestación, se extrajeron los cuernos uterinos y se fotografiaron. Se determinó el peso corporal total de las madres, el peso del útero y los ovarios y el número de fetos. Los tejidos ováricos y uterinos se cortaron en secciones de 5 µ y se tiñeron con hematoxilina y eosina. FSH sérica, LH se determinaron por el método ELISA. El presente estudio mostró que dosis bajas de salvia (15 mg/kg) no tienen efectos sobre los niveles de concentración sérica de las hormonas FSH y LH, tampoco tienen efecto sobre el número de folículos en crecimiento. El presente estudio mostró diferencias significativas (P≤0,05) en el peso corporal, peso de ovario y útero en los grupos tratados con altas dosis de Salvia officinalis en comparación con el grupo control. También se encontraron diferencias significativas (P≤0,05) en las hormonas FSH, LH. El estudio histológico mostró configuraciones estructurales histomorfológicas generales que incluyen cambios contables en los folículos maduros (de Graaf) y en crecimiento, además de una cantidad de cuerpos lúteos y folículos en regresión en los grupos tratados con altas dosis de Salvia officinalis en comparación con el grupo de control. Los investigadores concluyeron que el extracto de la planta de salvia en altas dosis puede estimular el crecimiento de los folículos maduros y mejorar la fertilidad en ratas hembra.

Rice bran oil ameliorates hepatic insulin resistance in fructose fed-rats

Background: Insulin resistance is a pathological condition characterized by inadequate peripheral tissue metabolic response to circulating insulin. High dietary fructose causes insulin resistance syndrome, primarily due to simultaneous induction of genes involved in glucose, lipid and mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. Rice bran oil [RBO] is a rich source of antioxidants which contribute to higher oxidative stability and longer shelf life than other edible oils

Aim of the work: The current study investigated the effects of the daily intake of RBO on insulin resistant rat liver, as a central organ in carbohydrate metabolism

Materials and methods: Rats were allocated in 5 groups. Animals in groups 1 and 2 received standard diet and standard diet containing RBO, respectively. Group 3: animals fed high fructose diet [HFD], which was categorized into: rats fed HFD either for one month [HFD1] or for 2 months [HFD2]. Group 4, rats were fed HFD containing RBO for one month [HFD1+RBO], while rats in group 5 were fed HFD for 30 days then RBO was added to the diet for another 30 days [HFD2+RBO]

Results and conclusion: addition of RBO to this model improved insulin sensitivity in liver

Vocabulary development of down syndrome educable children using the video clip children songs

Introduction: Mental disability considers one of the human problems that most societies are suffering from, as it is not limited only on specific social level, but it also includes all economic and cultural levels, Down syndrome considers one of the basic pattern of mental disability characterized by mental shortness and poorness. Hence, it is necessary that we search in impact of using songs with children of Down syndrome who are educable and examine the extent those children songs help enriching those children language vocabulary

Problem: The study problem is defined in the following main inquiry "What is the effectiveness of using the video clip children songs in developing the educable children of Down syndrome language vocabulary?"

Significance: The study is beneficial for all those are dealing with children of Down syndrome, particularly parents, professionals, and trainers, helping them to select the appropriate songs that increase children vocabulary

Objectives: Identifying the most popular and effective children songs may acquire the Down syndrome children language vocabulary. Study Population and Sample: A sample of 30 Male/ Female children is selected from mental education schools in Cairo governorate, aged [6-12] year olds, divided into two equal groups, the control and the experimental

Tools: The Achievement Test [by researcher], and The video clip of Children Songs Program, for developing vocabulary [by researcher]

Results: Regarding the first hypothesis that says There are significant statistical differences between the control and the experimental group, in favor of the experimental group; denoting the effectiveness of the video clip children songs in developing vocabulary, Regarding the second hypothesis of study, the results demonstrate that no significant statistical differences exist between males and females post use of the video children songs with the down syndrome educable children

Effects of Bilberry on Deoxyribonucleic Acid Damage and Oxidant-Antioxidant Balance in the Lens, Induced by Ultraviolet Radiation

Background: This study investigated the possible protective effects of bilberry extract after exposing rat eyes to ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. Methods: Four groups of rats were included in this study, each consisting of 10 Wistar rats. The first group acted as the control, and the second group was exposed to UV-B, 5 KJ/m2 (λm = 300 nm), for 15 minutes. The third group was orally administered bilberry extract (160 mg twice per day) for two weeks before exposure to the UV-B, while the fourth group was administered the same dose of bilberry extract for two weeks before euthanisation. A comet assay was used to examine DNA damage, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT), activities were measured in the lens. Results: After exposing the rats to UV-B radiation, the mean percentage tail DNA and tail moment were significantly increased (P < 0.001) when compared to the control group. In the same context, the lens tissue MDA levels and CAT activity were also significantly increased (P < 0.001). The supplementation of the bilberry extract was found to improve the comet assay parameters and enzymatic activity of the rat lens tissue. Conclusion: The administration of bilberry led to a decrease in the oxidative stress in the lens tissues and DNA damage induced by UV-B radiation in the lenses of Wistar rats.

Assessment of knowledge and practice of primary school personnel towards communicable diseases among school age students in El-Minia city

School age children are the parents, workers, leaders and decision makers of tomorrow and their future success depends in good measure on achievement of their educational goal today. Communicable diseases [CD] are the leading cause of killer of children and young adults. It accounts for over half the total burden of disease in poor counties with high mortality rates. In particular, they cause over 13 million deaths each year, and account for one out of every two children's deaths. In addition, a small number of infectious diseases are responsible for 90% of deaths: pneumonia, AIDS, diarrhea, tuberculosis, malaria and measles Person with infectious diseases may exhibit a broad spectrum of disease that rang from inapparent infection to severe and fatal disease and increase spread of infection to large number of people thus increase economic burden. The aim of this study is to assess knowledge and practices of school personnel towards communicable diseases among school students. Study subjects were distributed among the following schools: Elekhssass, Shallaby, Eltagrebia, Elfoly, Elmontazha, Elsalah, Houda Shaghrawy, Saaed Zaglol, Taric Ebn Ziaed, Othman Ebn A fan, Elsaedia and Omar Ebn Elkhtab. In El-Minia city 2008; subjects of this study are consist of a sample size which include 525 primary school personnel [471 teachers, 42 workers and 12 school nurses], the schools selected randomly after excluding of private schools and schools with special needs. The tools used included two types; a]-structured assessment questionnaire, and b]-observational checklist. There are statistical significant differences were found among awareness of school personnel about infection and [CD]. Also, statistical significant differences were found among awareness of school personnel about measures used to prevent spread of infection among students. There are statistical significant differences were found among school personnel related to the sources of getting information. There are statistical significant differences were found between school teachers and nurses when they find communicable diseases among students. There are statistical significant differences were found between school teachers and nurses toward health education. All school personnel weren't completely oriented to [CD] that affect their students, lack of inservice training program for the school personnel, and unavailability of health insurance guide books, and all school workers hadn't any protective clothes during work time. Recommendations; all school districts should provide initial inservices training program about [CD] for all staff, and an annual update for the all

Evaluation of the results of fine needle aspiration biopsy from nodular thyroid diseases and the effect of thyroxine suppressive therapy on benign thyroid nodules

This work was intended to evaluate the result of fine needle aspiration biopsy from nodular thyroid diseases and to study the effect of thyroxin suppressive therapy on benign nodules. The study included 40 patients with thyroid nodules [gP1] and 10 control subjects matched for age and sex [gP2]. Subjects were selected from those attending the endocrinology and surgery outpatient clinics of Alexandria Main University Hospital. All subjects and control were subjected to the following: thorough history taking, complete physical examination, estimation of ultrasensitive TSH [ELISA] basal, 3 and 6 months after thyroxin therapy, FT[4] [Automated Chemiluminescent System], FT[3] [Automated Chemiluminescence System]. Thyroid ultrasound was performed for all patients for the detection of solid or cystic nodules, solitary or multiple nodules, for confirming the presence of retrostenal extension and for calculation of the volume of nodules according to the following formula: Volume of nodule = length x width x thickness x 0.48. NAB from thyroid nodules was done. Patients fulfilling the following criteria have been subjected to thyroxine suppressive therapy:[1] Solid nodule on ultrasound, [2] benign colloid nodules confirmed by FNAB, [3] euthyroid or hypothyroid patients confirmed by FT[3], FT[4], TSH, [4] no contraindication to thyroxine therapy. The dose of levo-thyroxine which is adjusted to obtain a modest suppression of TSH to between 0.1 and 0.5 mlU/L was 1.7 +/- 0.9 micro g /Kg/day. The follow up of patients was performed at 3 and 6 months as regards the nodule volume by ultrasound and measurements of TSH. After history taking 3 patients had history of head and neck irradiation, 12 patients had family history of goiter and 13 patients had pressure manifestations. Ultrasound examination revealed 13 patients with solitary nodule and 27 patients with multiple nodules. There were no significant correlations between thyroid nodule volume and the measured hormones, also no significant correlations were found between volume of thyroid nodule and TSH 3 and 6 months after treatment. FNAB was performed for all patients and revealed that 22 patients had colIoid nodules, 2 patients had papillary carcinoma, 5 patients had lymphocytic thyroiditis, 5 patients had follicular proliferative lesions and the rest 6 patients had thyroid cyst. Thyroidectomy was performed for fifteen patients [2 with papillary carcinoma, 5 with follicular proliferative lesions, 6 with cysts and 2 with huge colloid goiter] and histopathological examination was done and compared to FNAB results to assess the sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy. Twenty three patients took thyroxine suppressive therapy for 6 months and nodule volume measured by ultrasound revealed non significant progressive decrease in volume while the TSH was significantly decreased after 3 months and 6 months. FNAB is reliable, sensitive and specific, it should be performed on all patients with palpable thyroid nodules. - Suppression of the nodular thyroid with thyroxine is not beneficial in most patients thus its use should be discouraged. - Long term controlled studies of thyroxine suppressive therapy are needed to answer the debate about suppressive therapy