Antifungal Effect of Henna (Lawsonia inermis) Extract on Pathogenic Fungi

The study aimed at undertaking preliminary phytochemical studies and antifungal activities of Lawsonia inermis leaf extracts against clinical Candida isolates from female patients attending Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) Lafia, Nasarawa State. HVS (High Vaginal Swab) samples were collected from 185 subjects and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Microbial culture and isolations were done on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), Blood agar, Potato dextrose agar (PDA) and Sabouraud dextrose broth. Identification of clinical isolates was done following standard guideline for Candida identification including microscopic, cultural and biochemical characteristics (sugar utilization and fermentation). Antifungal susceptibility tests of the plant extracts at different concentrations were carried out against Candida isolates. Distilled water and ketoconazole drug served as negative and positive control respectively. Zones of inhibitions, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of the extracts were determined. Data were analysed on the Minitab 16.0 software for descriptive (mean with standard error) and inferential statistics and Chi Square at 95% confidence limit. In conclusion, L.inermis leaf has been shown to have antifungal properties since it contained quality phytochemicals in sufficient quantity that may be explored in the synthesis of drugs against some species of Candida. This finding is crucial in the management and control of candidiasis in the study.

Treatment of Diabetic Condition in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Wister Rats Using Food Blends Such as Unripe Plantain, Soybean and Ginger

Aims: To investigate the effect of food blends (plantain, soybean and ginger) on the blood glucose, lipid profile and haematological indices on streptozotocininduced diabetic rats.Methodology: A total of 35 rats of mean body weight 219.07g separated into7 groups (5 per group) where inducedby a single intraperitoneal (I.P) injection of streptozotocin(0.1g dissolved in 5mlof freshly prepared sodium citrate buffer 0.1M, pH 4.5) at a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight after fasting for 12hoursand fed with flours/blends. The flours were produced from plant materials for different treatments/blends (blend A=100% unripe plantain, B=80% unripe plantain, 14% soybean, 6% ginger, C=70% unripe plantain, 26% soybean, 4%ginger, D= 60% unripe plantain, 38% soybean, 2% ginger, E= 50% unripe plantain, 50% soybean) and the phytochemicals and minerals content were determined.Blood glucose was determined at 5 days interval for 25days.Diabetes was confirmed inrats with blood glucose concentrations >200mg/dl. After 25 daysrats were anaesthetized with chloroform vapour and blood samples collected by cardiac puncture for haematology and lipidprofile determination.Results:The results showed that unripe plantain, soya beans and ginger in adequate proportion(C=70% unripe plantain, 26% soybean, 4%ginger or D= 60% unripe plantain, 38% soybean, 2% ginger) could help to reduce blood glucose, improve haematological parameters and lipid profile. Significant reduction was observed in the blood glucose level of rats fed blends C and D from 286 to 85mg/dl and 307 to 90mg/dl respectively at the end of experiment. These results also demonstrated that the inclusion of ginger at 6% causes rise in blood glucose level. Total cholesterol (TC) increased in all the blends. However, the lowest concentration of TC was observed in blends C and D. The highest packed cell volume (60%) and Haemoglobin (20g/dl) level observed in rats fed blend C was significantly higher than the normal control fed conventional feeds. The increase in packed cell volume (PCV) (50%) and Hb (17g/dl) in diabetic rats demonstrated that the formulated blend C was able to raise PCV and Hb above 50% and 17g/dl (Normal controlNC) respectively. Significant increase (P<0.05) in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) was also observed in all the blends with blend C having the least (4.0mg/dl) close to NC (2.0mg/dl). Conclusion:From the results it is evident that blend C will manage and improve the health status of diabetic patients

review on antibacterial properties of extracts from psidium spp and effect of the extraction solvent

The vast potential of plants has bioactive compounds that could be effective or inhibitory to microorganisms. Several experiments aimed at understanding the plant composition and its safe usage in the modern world have been conducted due to their traditional importance in herbal medicine. Psidiumsppis a phyto-therapeutic plant believed to have active components that helps to manage and/ or treat different disease conditions such as vomiting, fever, diarrhea, dysentery, ulcer etc. Thus, understanding of the antimicrobial nature via research on their extracts will further explain their role in the history of herbal medicine and application in modern world. After application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, a systematic review composed of sixteen published research articles of twenty trials from different parts of Psidiumspp extract against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were appraised. The outcome was evaluated via zones of inhibition with consideration to the extraction solvent and the plant part. Analysis of the available data showed that the choice of solvent [95% C.I] affected the amount of composition extracted in the order of methanol, aqueous, acetone and ethanol while the plants part also varied in terms of their bioactive properties to inhibit the target organism in order of leaf, fruit, stem bark, twig and seed. Due to the ability of these extracts to inhibit the target organisms, it can therefore be deduced that concentration of the active components of Psidiumspp can be used as an alternative to treat diseases related to E. coli and S.aureus

impact of [admit no bed] and long boarding times in the emergency department on stroke outcome

To examine and test the possible association between boarding time and stroke patients' outcome. This study is a retrospective review of stroke patients presenting to the Emergency Department [ED] of King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 2007-2010. We excluded thrombolysis cases and those deemed critically ill. We collected time of stroke onset, ED arrival, decision to admit, and arrival to ward. Boarding time [BT] was defined as time of arrival to ward minus time of decision to admit. Primary outcome [PO] was defined as a composite of mortality, and/or any of post-stroke complications. We included 300 patients with a mean age +/- standard deviation of 69 +/- 12 years, and 66.3% were men. The PO occurred in 37.7%. There was no association between BT and PO [odds ratio [OR] =0.9, p=0.3[, or any of the secondary outcomes, such as, death [OR=0.97, p=0.5], severe disability [OR=0.97, p=0.3], pneumonia [OR=1, p=0.9], urinary tract infection [OR=1,p=0.9], or neurological deterioration [OR=0.8,p=0.1]. Multivariate analysis included gender, age, stroke severity, subtype, hypertension, diabetes, coronary disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure [HF], onset to ED, BT and ED wait time; only moderate to severe stroke, HF, and previous stroke predicted poor outcome. Although [admit no bed] was not associated with adverse effects, the results should be interpreted with caution, and early admission to the stroke unit should be encouraged

Prevalence of renal impairment in decompensated heart failure patients at King Hussein medical center

To determine prevalence of renal impairment associated with chronic heart failure, defined as cardiorenal syndrome, in patients treated at King Hussein Medical Center. This retrospective review was carried out at King Hussein Medical Center between first of January 2005 and the first of January 2007. All heart failure patients who were admitted because of decompensated heart failure state were included. Medical records were reviewed and data was obtained regarding age, sex, body weight, serum creatinine, echocardiography findings, use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors as well as diuretics, and any documentation of atrial fibrillation in the medical records. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated for all patients. Five hundred patients met the inclusion criteria. The male to female ratio was 3:2 and their average age was 61 years [ +/- 9.1 years]. Two hundred and ten patients [42%] had moderate to severe left ventricular dysfunction [ejection fraction below 35%], and 290 [58%] were having mild left ventricular dysfunction [ejection fraction more than 35%]. Four hundred [80%] of heart failure patients were on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and diuretics. Two hundred patients had documented atrial fibrillation in their medical records. Estimated glomerular filtration rate above 90ml/min was found in 350 patients [70%], a rate between 60-90ml/min was found in 70 patients [14%], a rate between 30-59 ml/mm was found in 45 patients [9%], and a rate below 30 ml/mm was detected in 35 patients [7%]. The average age of patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate below 90ml/min was 68 years +/- 4 years with a male to female ratio of 3:2 and 65% of them were having moderate to severe left ventricular impairment. Seventy five percent of patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate below 90ml/min were having documented atrial fibrillation in their medical records. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and diuretics were used in 80% of those with estimated glomerular filtration rate below 90ml/min. Among the decompensated heart failure patients included in the study, 15 [3%] died during hospitalization and 10 of them [66%] were having estimated glomerular filtration rate below 30ml/min. In patients undergoing intensive treatment for heart failure, renal dysfunction is common and clinically significant. Better understanding of the causes and prevention of renal dysfunction during heart failure therapy may lead to better outcomes in the future

Overview of exercise stress testing

Exercise stress testing is a non-invasive, safe and affordable screening test for coronary artery disease [CAD], provided there is careful patient selection for better predictive value. Patients at moderate risk for CAD are best served with this kind of screening, with the exception of females during their reproductive period, when a high incidence of false positive results has been reported. Patients with a high pretest probability for CAD should undergo stress testing combined with cardiac imaging or cardiac catheterization directly. Data from the test, other than ECG changes, should be taken into consideration when interpreting the exercise stress test since it has a strong prognostic value, i.e. workload, heart rate rise and recovery and blood pressure changes. Only a low-level exercise stress test can be performed early post myocardial infarction [first week], and a full exercise test should be delayed 4 to 6 weeks post uncomplicated myocardial infarction. The ECG interpretation with myocardial perfusion imaging follows the same criteria, but the sensitivity is much lower and the specificity is high enough to overrule the imaging part

Incidence of chromosome abnormalities in the Sultanate of Oman

To evaluate the cytogenetic findings in Omani children referred for suspected chromosomal anomalies that caused a variety of clinical disorders. Secondly, to study the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in these patients and to compare our results with those reported elsewhere. We performed chromosomal analysis on 1800 consecutive pediatric patients referred to the Cytogenetics section between June 1999 and May 2004 at Central Public Health Laboratories, Sultanate of Oman. Indication for referrals for exclusion of chromosomal rearrangements was multiple congenital anomalies, dysmorphic features, unclassified mental retardation, developmental delay, growth, and endocrine disorders. We carried out the lymphocyte culture according to standard methods. We found various types of chromosomal anomalies in 510 [28.3%] children and showed abnormal karyotypes in the form of trisomy 21 [391; 21.7%], trisomy 18 [32; 1.8%], trisomy 13 [20; 1.1%], sex chromosome aberrations [50; 2.8%] and other types of abnormalities [17; 0.95%]. There was a considerable phenotypic-cytogenetic heterogeneity. We found a high rate of chromosomal abnormalities in the present study, and we observed variations in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations reported by different investigators. The higher incidence of the chromosomal abnormalities demonstrates the importance of cytogenetic evaluation in patients with dysmorphic features and congenital anomalies. Our findings suggest that chromosome analysis is a useful tool in the investigation of children with genetic disorders of unknown origin for confirmation of clinical diagnosis and proper medical care followed by genetic counseling and management

role of hyperbaric oxygen in managing ankle sprain

To confirm the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in acute ankle sprain. This study was conducted at Princess Haya Al-Hussein Hospital's Hyperbaric chamber/Aqaba-Jordan, on 36 patients, treated in the Emergency Department. They had been divided according to the type of treatment into A, B and C. Group A had been treated at one absolute atmospheric pressure [1 ATA], group B at 2 ATA, and group C at 2.5 ATA. All groups received seven hyperbaric sessions, as outpatients in 5 consecutive days, twice a day for two days followed by once a day for the remaining three days, for a 90 minute-session. All patients with acute ankle sprain with no history of recurrent attacks, had been treated at 2.5 ATA [gtoup C] were completely free of pain and of swelling by the end of the last session. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the best choice for the rapid recovery of acute ankle sprain

Efeitos das cardioplegias sangüíneas hipotérmica e normotérmica nos substratos intracelulares em pacientes com corações hipertróficos / The effect of cold and warm blood cardioplegia on intracellular substrates in patients with hypertrophic hearts

OBJETIVOS: As cardioplegias sangüíneas normotérmica e hipotérmica, administradas de maneira anterógrada e intermitente, têm demonstrado serem eficientes na proteção miocárdica em cirurgias de revascularização miocárdica. Entretanto, pouco se conhece da eficiência dessas técnicas em corações hipertróficos. Dessa maneira, foram estudados seus efeitos nos substratos intracelulares miocárdicos em pacientes portadores de estenose aórtica, submetidos a cirurgia de troca valvar aórtica. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: A concentração intracelular miocárdica dos substratos (ATP, lactato, glutamato, aspartato e alanina) foi medida em biópsias de ventrículo esquerdo de 20 pacientes submetidos a troca valvar aórtica, usando, como método de proteção miocárdica, cardioplegia sangüínea normotérmica (n=10) ou hipotérmica (n=10), administradas de forma anterógrada e intermitente. As biópsias foram retiradas 5 minutos após o início da circulação extracorpórea (controle), 30 minutos após o pinçamento aórtico (isquemia) e 20 minutos após o despinçamento (reperfusão). RESULTADOS: Não houve alterações significantes na concentração intracelular dos substratos nas amostras coletadas durante o período isquêmico, em comparação ao controle. Na reperfusão, entretanto, houve significante queda nos valores de ATP e aminoácidos em ambos os grupos, em relação ao grupo controle. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados sugerem que ambos os protocolos de proteção miocárdica empregados não foram eficientes na proteção miocárdica de corações hipertróficos.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis and basal cell carcinoma in a patient from Al Baha, Saudi Arabia

While cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] is a protozoal parasite of the skin, basal cell carcinoma [BCC] is a malignant tumour of the skin. In this paper, we report the identification of cutaneous leishmaniasis and basal cell carcinoma in one patient, in the same site and same lesion. This raised the possibility that CL. is a predisposing factor for BCC

brief note on phlebotomine sandflies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

A total of 294 specimens were collected and identified as three species of the genus Phlebotomus and four species of the genus Sergentomyia. Promastigotes in the foregut of two females P. papatasi were demonstrated