Burnout among physicians and nursing staff working in the emergency hospital of Tanta University, Egypt

Little is known about professional burnout among health-care workers in Egypt. The current study aimed to reveal the extent of burnout among physicians and nursing staff working in the emergency hospital of Tanta University and to identify some of its determinants. A cross-sectional study was carried out on all physicians [n = 266] and a systematic random sample of nurses [n = 284]. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and its subscales. Most of the participants [66.0%]had a moderate level of burnout and 24.9% of them had high burnout. Multivariate analysis of variables affecting burnout showed that age, sex, frequency of exposure to work-related violence, years of experience, work burden, supervision and work activities were significant predictors of burnout among the respondents. The authors recommend health education interventions during pre-employment training programmes for prevention of burnout syndrome and periodic screening for early detection and management of burnout

Precision in perforator based anterior tibial artery adipofacial flap by the use of color duplex

Anterior tibial artery adipofacial flap is a pedicled perforator flap raised from the dorsum of the foot which enables reconstruction of a variety of local defects around the ankle without microvascular anastomosis and with minimal donor-site morbidity. The problem with this flap is that it is technically demanding as extreme care should be taken while dissecting and locating the perforator[s] needed for survival of flap. The possibility to miss or injure such perforator[s] is high. In an attempt for decreasing this possibility the color Doppler ultrasound was used as a method of identification preoperatively where the possible site of perforator[s] was compared with actual site intraoperatively. Ten patients [8 males, 2 females] suffering from soft tissue defect either on the medial or lateral malleolar region were included in the study. The study was carried out between August 2005 and August 2008. All patients had preoperative color Doppler ultrasound with marking of possible site of perforators in an area about 4x5cm in the lower anteromedial part of leg. All patients had anterior tibial artery adipofacial flap and STSG for coverage of defect. Intraoperative location of perforator[s] needed for flap was identified and compared with preoperative marking. All flaps survived completely except one where there was loss of distal 1/3 of it. The accuracy of color Doppler ultrasound in detecting exact site of perforator was 80%. The color Doppler ultrasound can accurately identify the perforator[s] and help in increase success rate of this flap and in addition can provide three dimensional information about perforators in this area which may be of great value in supermicrosurgery

effect of commiphora molmol [Myrrh] in treatment of trichomoniasis vaginalis infection

Trichomoniasis vaginalis is now an important worldwide health problem. Metronidazole has so far been used in treatment, but the metronidazole-resistant strains and unpleasant adverse effects have been developed. Myrrh is one of the oldest known medicinal plants used by the ancient Egyptians for medical purposes and for mummification. Commiphora molmol [Myrrh] proved safe for male reproductive organ which is the main habitat of T. vaginalis and this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the herbal against T. vaginalis in females. In the present study, 33 metronidazole-resistant T. vaginalis females were treated with a combined course of metronidazole and tinidazole. Those still resistant to the combined treatment were given C. molmol. Also, natural plant extract purified from pomegranate [Punica granatum, Roman] was in-vitro investigated for its efficacy against T. vaginalis on Diamond media. The anti-T. vaginalis activity of both P. granatum [in-vitro] and C. molmol [in-vivo] extracts gave promising results. The anti-T. vaginalis activity of P. granatum and C. molmol showed promising results indicating to sources of new anti-Ttrichomonas agents

Sport practice among private secondary-school students in Dubai in 2004

A study was made of sport practice and of knowledge, attitude and practice towards sport among 1475 private secondary-school students in Dubai, United Arab Emirates [UAE] in 2004. UAE students practised sport more than non-UAE students [33.9% versus 18.7% had good levels of activity] but there was no significant difference in positive attitudes towards sport practice [87.1% and 86.2% respectively]. A good level of sport [vigorous exercise >/= 3 times per week for 20 min] was higher among males [26.0%] than females [14.7%]. There was a significant association between overweight and obesity as well as tobacco smoking and low levels of sport practice. Health education intervention is needed to improve sport practice among young people

Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural assessment of folliculostellate cells in rabbit pituitary gland at different ages

This study was performed on nine male Balady rabbits classified into three groups [three animals each]; young [3-months old], adult [6-8 months old] and old [20-months old]. At the time of scarification, the pituitary glands were dissected and processed for light and electron microscopy examinations. The immunohistochemical reaction to S-100 protein revealed a significant decline in the localization of the folliculostellate [FS] cells positively immunolabelled in the pars distalis of the old rabbit pituitary compared with the young and adult animals. By electron microscope, FS cells were found with clear cytoplasm, devoid of secretory granules and had long narrow processes, that intermingled with neighboring cells. They appeared in a close contact with all types of secretory cells, especially gonadotrophs. Cellular junctions sealed were detected either between the FS and hormone- secreting cells or linking two FS cells. Adult rabbit anterior pituitary showed FS cells with prominent RER. Many FS cells from the old rabbit pituitary showed dispersed heterochromatic nuclei and distorted mitochondria, vacuolated cytoplasm were often seen with numerous microvilli on their borders. Remarkable changes appeared with age in the different types of endocrine cells including vacuolated cytoplasm and dilated granular endoplasmic reticulum

Clinical and bacteriological evaluation of the effect of estrogen supplementation on the periodontium of postmenopausal women

Sixty postmenopausal females with marginal periodontitis who were on maintenance periodontal therapy were selected for this study. Thirty of these cases were on estrogen replacement therapy for the management of their menopausal symptoms. The other 30 served as a control group and have not received any hormonal medication. Clinical and bacteriological assessment for both groups included gingival index, plaque index, probing depth, attachment level and counts of certain selected periopathogens, were recorded and subjected to statistical analysis using Student-t test. On comparing both groups, the results indicated that the mean of the gingival index was significantly lower in the estrogen group, and the difference was statistically significant. On the other hand, slightly lower values of the plaque index, probing depth and attachment levels were observed for the estrogen group, but the difference from the control did not have any statistical significance. Also, nonstatistically significant differences were observed on comparing the mean values of the bacteriological counts for the estrogen group with their controls. The results suggested that, estrogen supplementation in postmenopausal women results in less gingival inflammation when compared to an age matched control group

Light and electron [SEM and TEM] microscope study of the fourth ventricle ependymal lining in rabbit

The ependymal structure of the floor of the fourth ventricle of adult rabbit was investigated using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Eight adult healthy male rabbits were anaesthetized with ether and sacrificed. Small pieces of the floor of fourth ventricle were taken. They were processed for preparation of paraffin sections, stained with Hx and E and examined by L/M. Other minute pieces of them were processed for scanning and transmission electron microscope study. The ependymal cells of the fourth ventricle were seen forming a single row of cuboidal cells with prominent rounded nuclei. Scanning electron microscope showed that the floor of the fourth ventricle exhibited different zones separated by prominent grooves. The ependymal cells exhibited a dense netweek of long cilia. These cilia gradually decreased towards the median sulcus where the ependymal cells were devoid of cilia, but instead they had microvilli on their luminal surfaces. Also pit-like holes appeared in the ependymal lining along the median sulcus, globular supra-ependymal surface projections were noticed. The transmission electron microscope showed that the cells apart from the median sulcus had long and profuse network of interwoven microvilli and cilia over their luminal surface. The cell bodies exhibited supranuelear Golgi complexes, few electron dense granules and multivesiculated bodies. These features suggested a secretory and/or absorptive role

Gelatin production from Egyptian fish-waste

Fish gelatin could be produced from local Egyptian fish waste. For the production of skin gelatin, prefreezing and thawing cycles, followed by the acid processing gave gelatin with the best viscosity [42.2 c.p.], whilst, for gel strength it was 375 g/cm[2]. Prefreezing and thawing cycles followed by steam extraction under 1 kg/cm[2] gave the best result for gel strength [380 g/cm[2]], and more yield up to 40%. Prefreezing and thawing cycles, followed by steam extraction under 3 kg/cm[2], gave the highest yield [45%], but the physical properties were much lower than the previous methods. Tried methods for the production of gelatin from fish bones showed similar trends, but steam extraction under 3 kg/cm[2], gave gelatin sols with very low physical properties, and no setting or gelation occured. Viscosity fell down to 12.2.c.p. Chemical analysis of fish skin gelatin showed that prefreezing-thawing cycles, followed by steam extraction under 3 kg/cm[2], gave gelatin of more concentrated nitrogen [17.83%], more protein [98.22%], and more hydroxyproline [6.36% g dry protein]. Also ash percentage [0.6%] and P[2]O[5] [0.07%], both, point to a high purification process. Again chemical analysis of fish bone gelatin showed similar trends. Since fish wastage comprises about 66% of the whole fish weight. On the collection of fish waste, fish gelatins should be produced, and may be mixed as supplementation of amino acids, particularly lysine, to cereal products for low income groups, used for confectionary and sweet products, and also for manufacture of photographic processes