new validated HPTLC method for quantitative determination of 1, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid in Inula crithmoides roots

1, 5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid [1, 5-DCQA], a potent HIV-1 integrase inhibitor, is currently undergoing an evaluation as a promising novel HIV therapeutic agent. This work aims at developing an accurate, rapid, repeatable and robust HPTLC method for the determination of 1, 5-DCQA in its natural sources. 1, 5-DCQA is the major component of the n-butanol fraction, the most biologically active hepatoprotective fraction, of Inula crithmoides roots extract. Thus, it will be of interest to evaluate the plant roots as a potential source of 1, 5-DCQA using a fully validated HPTLC method. The percentage of 1, 5-DCQA in the studied plant [0.035% w/w] was found to be approximately similar to those previously determined in other antioxidant herbal drugs, in which 1, 5-DCQA is the main phenolic constituent. The results obtained showed that the described HPTLC method is suitable for routine use in quality control of herbal raw material, extracts and pharmaceutical preparations containing 1, 5-DCQA. No HPTLC method has been reported in literature for the determination of 1, 5-DCQA in medicinal plants

Post appendectomy adhesive small intestinal obstruction, is conservative treatment of value

This study was a trial to predict which has to be done, to give a chance for conservative treatment or to operate immediately in patients presented with post-appendectomy adhesive intestinal obstruction. This is a hospital based retrospective study. The files of patients admitted to the Suez Canal University Hospital for adhesive intestinal obstruction from 1996 to 2006 were retrieved and studies. Fifty seven patients with post-appendectomy adhesive small intestinal obstruction were admitted in that period. Forty nine [86%] patients were operated upon; forty one of them [83.7%] had complete obstruction with single band adhesion, twenty seven [55%] patients had complicated obstruction needed intestinal resection, the other 22 [45%] patients had simple adhesiolysis. Eight [14%] patients improved with conservative treatment. No mortalities were encountered but 20 [74%] patients of those who had intestinal resection developed significant postoperative wound infection. Post-appendectomy adhesive small intestinal obstruction is a serious, unpredictable complication. It is usually complete obstruction caused by tight single band adhesion with unexpected spontaneous resolution. Early operative intervention is recommended strongly with post-appendectomy adhesive intestinal obstruction. Clinical assessment is of weak value in differentiating between simple and complicated obstruction

Effect of heavy smoking on the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract

This study was conducted on 30 individuals; their ages ranged between 20 and 60 years. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A composed of 15 individuals who were heavy smokers, i.e. they used to smoke at least 20 cigarettes per day for at least 10 years duration, and group B [control]composed of 15 individuals who were non-smokers. 73% of smokers had postnasal discharge, hyperemia of mucosa of nasopharynx and lymphoid tissue aggregation on the posterior pharyngeal wall in contrast to 13.3%, 13.3% and 20% in non-smokers, respectively. In the present work, the histopathological examination of nasal biopsies showed a high percentage of pathological abnormalities among the smokers group including squamous metaplasia of respiration epithelium [73.3%], thickening of basement membrane [53.3%], edema of submucosa [40%], patchy fibrosis of submucosa [60%], congested blood vessels [66.7%], seromucinous gland hyperplasia [60%], lymphocyte [66.7%], plasma cells [66.7%] and mast cellinfiltration [36.7%]. These findings were less among non-smokers, i.e. 0%, 26.7%, 0%, 2%, 26.7% 6.7%, 26.7% 13.3% and 26.7%, respectively. Smokers had a statistically significant higher percentage of all abnormalities, except thickening of basement membrane where the difference was not statistically significant