MetS and cardiovascular risk factors among Palestinians of East Jerusalem

In a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2005, we determined the prevalence metabolic syndrome [MetS] and other atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors among a sample of 342 Palestinians >/= 20 years in East Jerusalem. Participants were interviewed and anthropometric measurements and blood testing were done. MetS was found in 115 [33.6%] participants, with no significant difference between the sexes. The prevalence of obesity, diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors was also high, with central obesity and obesity [BMI >/= 30 kg/m[2]] being significantly higher in women [P < 0.01]. With the exception of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and haemoglobin, there was a significantly higher prevalence of atherosclerotic markers among the MetS group

Bone densitometry and immunohistochemical evaluation of animal jaw defects treated with resorbable bioactive glass

Purpose: This study was aimed to evaluate the healing of animal jaw defects treated with resorbable bioactive glass [RBG] by using bone densitometry and immunohistochemical expression of fibronectin [FN]

Materials and Methods: 20 guinea pigs randomly allocated into equal 4 groups were used in this study. In each animal, a full thickness surgical defect involving the cortex and spongiosa was made at the anterior mandible, inferior to the lower central incisors. The left surgical defect was left empty as a control side and the right was loosely packed with RBG as a study side. Animals were sacrificed at 1 week, and 1, 2 and 3 months postoperatively, whereby specimens were prepared for evaluation with bone densitometry scanning and immunohistochemistry

Results: On gross examination, no local tissue reaction was observed. The material was compatible, non-toxic, and not recognized as foreign in all animals. Although the defects filled with RBC contained the greatest amount of bone trabeculae, bone densitometry scanning revealed no statistically significant difference between groups [P>0.05] at the different intervals of the study

Conclusion: Despite the difference in healing of animal jaw defects was not dramatic between the control and study sides. RBG may be of value in large bony defects, whereby it acts as a scaffold for bone tissue ingrowth and organization, with subsequent dissolution of the scaffold material through the processes of biodegradation and bone remodeling

Diclazuril interaction with avoparcin and virginiamycin as growth promoters in growing rabbits

The effect of feeding avoparcin and virginiamycin [10 ppm] alone or in combination with diclazuril [1 ppm] to growing rabbits for 10 successive weeks on absolute body weight, body gain and feed efficiency were studied. Moreover, their effects on blood picture and the activity of AST, ALT as well as urea and creatinine levels were also investigated, In addition, the residual pattern of avoparcin and virginiamycin were also demonstrated using the microbiological assay technique. Avoparcin or Virginiamycin supplementation with the basal ration significantly increased the absolute body weight [5.7 or 8.8%], amount of feed consumed [3.2 or 1.6%] as well as plucked weight. Avoparcin was found to be compatible with diclazuril as their combination induced large improvement in the body weights [10.6%]; and the amount of feed consumed [6.2%]. Combination of diclazuril with virginiamycin did not after the absolute body weight and the weight gain, but increased the amount of feed consumed [4.5%] as compared with group fed virginiamycin alone. Avoparcin or virginiamycin alone and combination of diclazuril with avoparcin significantly increased R.B.Cs count, hemoglobin content and PCV. Combination of diclazuril with avoparcin increased the activity of AST and ALT and that with virginiamycin increased AST and ALT activity as well as urea and creatinine levels. No residues of either avoparcin or virginiamycin were detected at the end of the experiment in organs and tissues of rabbits fed 10 ppm for 10 successive weeks. In conclusion, Feeding avoparcin or virginiamycin to growing rabbits at 10 ppm stimulates growth, feed efficiency and blood picture. Diclazuril [1ppm] was found to be more compatible with avoparcin than viginiamycin