Breastfeeding knowledge and attitude among Saudi women in Central Saudi Arabia

To study the knowledge and attitude of Saudi women towards breastfeeding. A cross-sectional study conducted in 3 major hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the period 7 July - 22 July 2009. Eight hundred and forty-eight women in the post-natal and post-cesarean section wards were included in the study along with women attending antenatal clinics. An Arabic questionnaire was generated and completed by women. Of the 848 participating women, 61.5% fell within the age groups between 21-30 years. Most women [49.8%] have a college or higher education. Only 55.8% of women have previously received breastfeeding education, and approximately 54.2% of women received breastfeeding education when they were in the hospital for delivery. Approximately 48.5% preferred mixed feeding, followed by exclusive breastfeeding [36.8%]. The most important reasons for discontinuing breastfeeding were: baby was ill [38.2%], a health professional asked mother not to breastfeed for medical reasons [61.1%], mother was sick or needed to take medicine [71.8%], and finally the use of contraception that interferes with milk supply [32.8%]. We found that breastfeeding during the first few months of life was not optimal. The percentage of exclusive breastfeeding was low despite high level of their education. Mixed feeding was the predominant mode of feeding, which raised the need for targeted breastfeeding education. Health care providers should be encouraged to continuously educate women on the benefits of breastfeeding

trial to protect rabbits against psoroptes cuniculi mites by immunization with psoroptes extract

This study based on the evaluation and characterization of the immune response induced by Psoroptes cuniculi mite extract. For this purpose, eight rabbits wee used and divided into two groups. The first group composed of five rabbits was immunized subcutaneously with Psoroptes cuniculi extract emulsified with freund's adjuvant on day 0,14 and 28. The second group composed of three rabbits considered as control. All rabbits were challenged on day 35 post-immunization by placing live mites in external auditory canal. No clinical signs of Psoroptes mange were observed among immunized rabbits. Although few eggs were detected at third week post-challenge in immunized rabbits, but no developmental stages of mites were observed until the termination of the experiment. Analysis of with Psoroptes cuniculi antigen by SDS-PAGE revealed that there were 3 polypeptide bands with molecular weights 154.54 and 32 KDa. Immunoblot using hyper-immune sera from immunized rabbits recognized a polypeptide band with molecular weight 54 KDa

Parasitological, haematological and biochemical studies on naturally infected goat with theileria species in Egypt

The prevalence of theileria infection was investigated in 65 goats with suspected symptoms of theilerioses from a private farm in Giza Governorate. In addition, a total of 51 blood samples were collected from apparently healthy goats from private farms and ruing slaughtering at El-Bassatine abattoir. The incidence of theileria infection in the farm was 86.1% while, the incidence in the apparently healthy goats was 43.1%. Ring form of theileria species was detected in infected erythrocytes. Macroschizonts and microshizonts were detected in the lymphocytes with different shapes of chromatin materials. Haematological studies revealed significant decline in haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and red blood cell count. Total leucocyte count showed significant leucopenia in diseased animals. Examination of serum revealed significant rises in levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phophatase, urea, creatinine and cholesterol. Concentration of serum total protein, albumin and globulin showed significant decrease in theileria infected animals as compared with the healthy control goats. Levels of serum iron, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium and calcium showed also significant decline as compared with healthy goats. No changes were observed in serum sodium and triglycerides levels of goats with theilerioses. Therefore, it is important to put in consideration the great economical losses caused by theilerioses in such important small ruminants

GLC determination of essential oils of cumin and fennel affected by different drying methods and salinity treatment

Gas liquid chromatography was used for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the essential oil constituents of cumin and fennel fruits grown under different salt-strees treatments. The effect of extraction and drying methods of microencapsulation are also investigated. Distillation method was more efficient than organic solvent method in extraction of Volatile oil. The data revealed that the yield of oil in both cumin and fennel increased with increasing in salinity levels up to 4000 ppm, and 6000 ppm, then a sharp decrease was observed with increasing the salinity to 8000 ppm. The data also showed that lyophilization drying method is the most effective method for microencapsulated oil, in which most of the components of the oil, as well as their ratios were nearly like the original oil

lipid and flavonoidal constituents of lepidium sativum [L.] growing in Egypt and their biological activity

The flavonoidal constituents isolated from the chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of aqueous alcoholic extract of Lepidium sativum [L.] were identified as querectin, querectin -7- O-glucoside, isorhamnetin -3-O- rhamnoside, 3'- methoxy luteolin7-O-glucoside, isorhamnetin -3-O- glucoside as well as a phenolic acid, ferulic acid using PC, TLC, UV, [1-] H- NMR and MS analysis. The study of the lipid fractions of herb and seeds, resulted in the identification of the unsaponifiable materials as well as the fatty acid mixture s. GLC analysis of the unsaponifiable materials or the herb revealed the presence of a hydrocarbon mixture [n - C[4] to n - C[18]] in addition to beta-sitosterol and beta-amyrin. GLC analysis of fatty acid methyl esters of the herb revealed the presence of 7 fatty acids in which linoleic acid [60.0 %] was the main acid. Also the GLC analysis or the unsaponifiable fraction of the seeds revealed the presence of hydrocarbon mixture [n-C[-14] to n-C[-18]], in addition to beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol and beta-amyrin. GLC analysis of the fatty acid fraction revealed the presence of 6 fatty acids in which linolenic acid [85.0 %] was the main acid. Acute toxicity studies of pet. ether and alcoholic extract of aerial parts of the plant, showed that the alcoholic extract is more safe than that of pet.ether extract and both extracts have a hepatoprotective activity on liver at the same concentration [50 microg/ml] The different extracts of seeds and herbs of Lepidium sativum showed a moderate effect against the White fly [Bemisia tabaci]. The total lipid of the seeds and in particular unsape fraction showed significant activity against the pest, which gave 77 % mortality on the adult stage

Phytochemical investigation of salicornia fruticosa [L.] and their biological activity

The lipid content of Salicornia fruticosa [L.] grown in Egypt was studied. A series of hydrocarbons ranging from C[13]-C[31], in addition to cholesterol, stigmasterol and the triterpenoid alpha-amyrin were identified. The GLC of the fatty alcohol fraction revealed the presence of 8 fatty alcohols, also the analysis of the fatty acid fraction revealed the presence of 11 fatty acids in which palmitic acid [32.4%] represent the main component. The flavonoidal constituents isolated from the chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of the aqueous alcoholic extract of S. fruticosa were identified as apigenin, isorhamnetin, isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside, acacetin and apigenin-7-O-galactoside. The crude protein of the plant was found to be 14.75%. The analysis of the amino acids revealed the presence of 14 amino acids. The mucilage hydrolysate of the aerial parts of S. fruticosa was found to contain xylose, manose, galactose and glucose using PC. The radical scavenging effects of the extracts and isolated compounds on DPPH free radical were studied, n-butanol and ethyl acetate extracts showed strong antioxidant activity, also the isolated flavonoidal compounds showed high antioxidant activity compared to Trolox [standard antioxidant compound]. The different extracts and isolated compounds of the plant exhibited no cytotoxic activity against Ehrlich-ascitis carcinoma cell line at the tested concentrations

Purohit technique of vaginal hysterectomy in nulliparous women: is it a matter waste of time?

To ease intraoperative access to parauterine space at vaginal hysterectomy, we choose the purohit technique of vaginal hysterectomy using a right angle forceps, electrocautery and 10 mm telescope with light source, to evaluate the role of parity. The study comprised a total of 30 women without prolapse who requested hysterectomy for different benign diseases of the uterus between April 2001 and March 2003. They were grouped to two distinct groups according to parity; group 1 [G1] 14 nuillparous and group 2 [G2] 16 parous women. Exclusion criteria included uterine size above 16 weeks, known pelvic endometriosis and early stages of organ confined malignancy. We compared vaginal hysterectomy success, failure and safety according to parity. Safety was measured from intra and postoperative complications, duration of operation and hospital stay. The overall complication rate showed no significant difference between the two groups as regard to intraoperative and postoperative complications. The mean operative time was significantly longer in nulliparous group [99 SD +/- 55.6 vs 72 SD +/- 32.8 minutes, p<0.05]. However the mean hospital stay showed no significant difference between the two groups [in nulliparous group 6.42 +/- 4.52 and 6.22 +/- 3.92 in parous groups]. The success rate was 85.7% [12/14] in nulliparous group and 87.5% [14/16] in parous group. So, it could be concluded that, using this technique nulliparity was not an obstacle to the vaginal route and, purohit technique of vaginal hysterectomy is not a waste of time in nulliparous women

Reliability of combined hysteroscopy and laparoscopy for management of cornual ectopic pregnancy

Active surgical treatment in the form of hysteroscopy under laparoscopic control was carried out on 15 women with diagnosed cornual ectopic pregnancy over 3 years period. The mean age of the patients was 26.2 years and most of cases were suffering from acute abdomen and vaginal bleeding after a period of amenorrhoea. Transvaginal ultrasound examination revealed an empty uterus, gestational sac separated <1cm from the most lateral edge of the uterine cavity and thin myometrial layer surrounding the sac. Color Doppler mapping of cornual region showed a vascular ring at the periphery. Serial beta hCG quantitative levels were static. General physical and abdominal examinations as well as laboratory profile of all cases were within normal. Patients were scheduled for operation within hours from their attendance, in all cases hysteroscopic management was done by using a small suction cannula for complete removal of the conceptus, avoiding the need for forceps or curette. Performing the procedure under laparoscopic control and injecting vasopressin minimised the risks of bleeding and rupture. The average operation time was 60 minutes and hospital stay ranged from [1-2] days. All patients tolerated the surgical procedure without complication. Based on the preceding results it would appear that this procedure is expeditious and showed immediate evidence of success or failure

Sonographic fetal measurements and umbilical artery doppler velocity for the prediction of gestational age and fetal outcome

Serially performed real time and color Doppler duplex sonographic fetal measurements were conducted on 100 uncomplicated pregnant Egyptian women attending in the antenatal outpatient clinic in EL-Zahraa University Hospital. This current prospective longitudinal study was designed to define the confidence limits and characteristics of growth for different fetal biometric measurements e.g.; biparietal diameter [BPD], binocular diameter, cerebellar measurements, femur length, humerus length, cardiac circumference, pulmonary artery and aortic artery diameters. Also flow velocity waveforms and the ratio of peak systolic to end diastolic [S/D] blood flow velocities in the umbilical artery with Doppler ultrasound in relation to the gestational age was measured in an attempt to predict fetal age, well being, and outcome. These variables were studied longitudinally from 20 to 40 weeks gestation and were found to be significantly increased with advanced gestational age with a decreasing non-variable, non-fluctuating S/D ratio of the umbilical artery. Also, these parameters were found to be highly correlated with each other and with gestational age, and from simple linear regression of.these variables an equation was deduced to calculate the expected GA per weeks if only one parameter is available. Furthermore, the normative data established in the present study may be helpful in the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart, skeletal defects among their discordant circumference and diameters of the great vessels and long bones. Also, the analysis of the S/D ratio and RI for the umbilical artery may be of a benefit in the antenatal care to ensure fetal well-being and outcome

Evaluation of selective oestrogen receptor modulators [raloxifene] on bone mineral density, serum lipids and uterine endometrium in early postmenopausal women

This study was to evaluate the effect of the second generation selective oestrogen receptor modulator [SERMs], raloxifene, on bone mineral density, serum lipid concentrations, and endometrial thickness in 100 postmenopausal women. The women were divided into two equal groups of 50 women each, and were randomly assigned to receive 60 mg of raloxifene or placebo daily for 24 months. This study revealed that women receiving [SERMs], raloxifene had significant increases from base-line values in bone mineral density of the lumbar spine, hip, and. total body, whereas those receiving placebo had decreases in bone mineral density. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased in the raloxifene group, whereas serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides did not change. Endometrial thickness were comparable in the raloxifene and placebo groups at all times during the study. The proportion of women receiving raloxifene who reported hot flashes or vaginal bleeding were not different from that in women receiving placebo. Selective oestrogen receptor modulator [SERMs] Raloxifen at a dose 60mg per/day increases bone mineral density, lowers serum concentration of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, while has no effect on the endometrium or the breast

Microemulsion preservation needed or not

The aim of this work was to investigate is there is a need for microemulsions preservation or not. Two oil in water microemulsions with the same water/surfactant/co-surfactant [saturated polyglycolysed C8-C10 glycerides and polyglycerol isostearate], but differing in the oil phase [dipelargonate propylene glycol and isopropyl myristate] were prepared. Three different preservatives [methyl paraban, propyl paraban and sorbic acid] were added in two different concentrations to the prepared microemulsions. Challenge test [according to US Pharmacopoeia] was done for both plain microemulsion and microemulsion containing different preservatives. The results showed that there is no need for microemulsion preservation

Significance of subchorionic hemorrhage in cases of threatened abortion

In this work, cases of threatened abortion were prospectively studied to detect the prevalence and significance of subchorionic hemorrhage in cases of threatened abortion. The study showed that 20% of the cases had threatened abortion and there was no significant correlation between the subchorionic hemorrhage and the pregnancy outcome and if it is met accidentally during ultrasonography for cases of threatened abortion, it may not alter the outcome of pregnancy

Ultrasonographic fetal biometrical measurements as a predicator of gestational age

Ultrasonographic examinations were performed to 189 pregnant Egyptian wome in Al-Zahraa and Said Galal University Hospital. Sonograhic identification and measurements of head and abdominal circumference. Liver. Kidney, femur and foot length were preformed between 20 and 40 weeks gestation. A highly significant correlation was found between the previous fetal biometrical parameters and gestational age and also between each other. An equation from each parameter was concluded by using simple linear regression to calculate the expected gestational age per week. A general equation was deduced from all previous fetal parameters to predict the gestational age

recent approach to the surgical treatment of reflux oesophagitis

The rationale of combining proximal gastric vagotomy with Nissen fundoplication in the treatment of reflux oesophagitis due to hiatus hernia is discussed. This was applied to 20 cases over the period of 7 years at Al-Azhar university hospitals 1983-1992. The results were reported with follow up for about 2 years, patients were completely relieved and one had been significantly improved

Femoral hernia in children

A series of 10 femoral herniae in children were diagnosed at Al-Azhar university Hospitals. Seven cases were misdiagnosed as inguinal herniae. The sex incidence, female-male was 5:5. 9 cases occurred in children between 7-11 years. One case presented as intestinal obstruction due to Richter's herniae. All cases has done herniorraphy

Volvulus of the caecum

Five cases of volvulus of the cecum were diagnosed at Al-Azhar University Hospitals during period of seven years. Treatment was derotation and ileostomy in situ. This operation was recommended for cases with viable intestine [two cases]

recent simple method for treatment of pilonidal sinus

A total of 20 patients with chronic pilonidal sinus disease were treated between 1982-1991 at Al-Azhar University Hospitals. A simple method by which the sinus was excised and primary closure was done, where 15 cases healed out without complications and 5 cases have got sepsis and recurrences

Hemorrhoidectomy without pain or discomfort

One hundred and twenty patients were operated upon for their piles. General anesthesia was given to all patients. Half the cases were given in addition caudal anesthesia at the beginning of the operation, and the other half did not have any local anesthesia. The amount of analgesics, general comfort after the operation, and the number of postoperative days, where first bowel opened, were recorded and compared in both series of the study

Abdominal exploration

Exploration of the abdomen of 1180 patients was done during the period 1984-1992 at Al-Azhar University Hospitals and El-Nile Insurance Hospital. Routine examination was done to all abdominal organs where many alternative conditions were found, also many incidental findings were discovered. Results were tabled out and follow up was carried for long periods