Cytogenetic and biochemical competency of chamomile essential oil against gamma-rays induced mutagenic effects in mice

Background: Chamomile essential oil [CEO] hauls out from Matricaria chamomilla L., is a well-known anti-oxidant. Oxidative stress induces clastogenic and biochemical disorders after gamma-irradiation of animals

Materials and Methods: Mice were divided into five groups. Control group received vehicle only.CEO-treated group received CEO. Irradiated group received vehicle and exposed to gamma-rays. Pre-treated group received CEO half h before gamma-rays exposure. Post-treated group received CEO half hour after gamma-rays exposure. Peripheral-blood micronucleus [PMN], bone-marrow micronucleus [BMN], frequency of chromosomal aberrations [CAs], reduced glutathione [GSH], malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [PGx] and myeloperoxidase [MPO], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] parameters were assessed

Results: In irradiated mice group, PMN score, BMN occurrence and CAs were increased when compared with control mice group. In addition, significant increases in levels of liver lipid peroxidation [LP]; expressed as MDA and TNF-alpha. In addition, activities of liver MPO and LDH were found. Besides, significant decreases in content of GSH, activities of SOD and PGx in liver tissues were recognized. CEO treatment [1.0 g/kg body weight] before- and after-irradiation ameliorated all these biochemical indices, as well as cytogenetic alterations induced by gamma-rays when compared with irradiated group, indicating that pre- or post-treatment with CEO significantly attenuates the acute hazards caused by gamma-rays exposure

Conclusion: The data suggest that CEO possesses a radioprotective potential against gamma-radiation induced cytogenetic and biochemical damages in mice

Antioxidant and antimutagenic properties of calcium sennosides in ?-Irradiated human blood cultures

Background: calcium sennosides are the main active metabolites of sennas, which have a powerful interest to phytochemical and pharmacological research, due to their brilliant medicinal values. It is well known in folk medicine for their laxative and purgative uses

Materials and Methods: this experiment aimed to assess cytogenetic [micronucleus assay and chromosomal aberration study] and biochemical effects of calcium sennosides at a working dose [24 or 48 mg/ml] on suppressing radiation hazards in human blood cultures. Biochemical investigations include superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin-8 [IL-8], cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2] and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] levels. The treatment periods were 48 and 72 hrs post-irradiation at a dose of 3 Gy. Triple blood cultures for each blood sample were set Up

Results: ionizing radiation exposure induced significant increase in micronuclei [MN] frequencies in both mono- and bi- nucleated cells, and all types of chromosome aberrations, beside significant decrease in SOD and CAT activities. While TNF-alpha, IL-8, COX-2 and LDH levels were significantly increased after irradiation. Treatment with calcium sennosides exhibited decreased of micronuclei and chromosome aberration numbers and enhancement in the level of SOD and CAT activities. In addition, a significant amelioration in IL-8, TNF-alpha, COX-2 levels and LDH activity were scored

Conclusion: present results revealed the antimutagenic and the anti-inflammatory effects of sennosides against oxidative stress induced by gamma-irradiation

Wheat germ oil attenuates gamma radiation-induced skeletal muscles damage in rats

Muscular strength is important in sport as well as in daily activities. Exposure to ionizing radiation is thought to increase oxidative stress and damage muscle tissue. Wheat germ oil is a natural unrefined vegetable oil. It is an excellent source of vitamin E, octacosanol, linoleic and linolenic essential fatty acids, which may be beneficial in neutralizing the free oxygen radicals. The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of wheat germ oil, on radiation-induced oxidative damage in rat's skeletal muscle. Wheat germ oil was supplemented orally via gavages to rats at a dose of 54 mg/ kg body weight/day for 14 successive days pre- and 7 post-exposure to 5 Gy [one shot dose] of whole body gamma irradiation. Animals were sacrificed 7, 14 and 21 days post radiation exposure. The results revealed that whole body gamma-irradiation of rats induces oxidative stress in skeletal muscles obvious by significant elevation in the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TEARS] associated with significant decreases in the content of reduced glutathione [GSH], as well as decreases in superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT] and glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px] activities. Irradiated rats showed, also, significant decreases in creatine phosphokinase [CPK], glutamate dehydrogenase [GDH] and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G-6-PD] activities. Furthermore, total iron, total copper and total calcium levels were significantly increased in skeletal muscles of irradiated rats group compared to control group. Wheat germ oil treated-irradiated rats showed significantly less severe damage and remarkable improvement in all the measured parameters, compared to irradiated rats. It could be concluded that wheat germ oil by attenuating radiation-induced oxidative stress might play a role in maintaining skeletal muscle integrity

Surgical management of the piriformis syndrome: a report of twenty two cases

The diagnosis of Piriformis syndrome has been ill defined to many orthopaedic surgeons, and commonly misdiagnosed. We present the diagnosis, surgical treatment and outcome of twenty two patients with piriformis syndrome between October 1995 and February 2002. The mean age was 56 years [range 28-90]. Only 2 patients [9%] gave a history of trauma to the ipsilateral buttock. All the patients complained of deep buttock pain, which radiated to the ankle, the calf, or the thigh. The symptoms were chronic with a mean of 70 months [range 12-192]. There was associated neurosensory loss in 11 patients [50%]. Buttock tenderness and symptoms were exacerbated by passive stretching and active contraction of the piriformis muscle. Pre-operative nerve conduction studies were positive in 11 of 20 patients [55%]. Every patient had surgical division of the piriformis tendon at the greater trochanter. Abnormal anatomy was identified in 6 cases [29%]. After a mean follow up of 52 months [range 11-86], seven [35%] of patients were cured, 3 [15%] were better, 8 [40%] were no different, 2 [10%] were worse than preoperatively and 2 had died of unrelated causes. Seventy five percent of patients said that with hindsight they would undergo surgery again. Surgery for piriformis syndrome in this selected group of patients led to an improvement or resolution of chronic symptoms in 50% of patients with minimal associated morbidity

Compression arthrodesis of the subtalar joint using two parallel lag screws

Thirteen subtalar fusions in 12 patients were included in this study. In situ arthrodesis was done in 11 fusions and distraction arthrodesis with bone block graft was done in two cases. Stabilization of the fusion was done by two parallel lag screws, one from the talar neck down to the calcaneus and the second from the tuberosity of the calcaneus to the talar body. They exert maximum compression on the subtalar joint, hence postoperative plaster cast was not needed. All cases reached union within 12 weeks. The results of the study showed that the use of two parallel lag screws fixation is a reliable technique for compression arthrodesis of the subtalar joint

The impact of continuous supplementation vitamin B compounds against radiation in jury in rats

The influence of treatment of rats with vitamin B-compounds [daily successive doses of 168 micro g vitamin B1; 84 micro g vitamin B2; 84 micro g vitamin B6; 84 ng vitamin B12; 504 micro g nicotinamide and 214 micro g calcium Pantothenate for a period of 4 weeks] on certain biochemical parameters was examined. The variations in glycogen content and glucose-6 phosphatase activity in the liver as well as glucose, epinephrine and norepinephrine levels in the serum were indices selected in this study. No significant changes in the levels of all the studied parameters were recorded along the experimental period after treatment. Whole body gamma irradiation of rats at fractionated doses up to 8 Gy [4 equal fractions; 2 Gy weekly] caused significant increases in the liver glycogen, 1 and 7 days post exposure to the last radiation fraction followed by significant decreases, 14 and 30 days post irradiation . The activity of liver glucose-6- phosphatase and serum glucose level significantly increased 1,7 and 14 days post irradiation followed by a significant decrease after 30 days. The level of serum epinephrine significantly increased 1 and 7 days post irradiation. Conversely, the level of norepinephrine significantly decreased 1,7, and 14 days post irradiation. In rats treated with vitamin B compounds and exposed to fractionated gamma irradiation at the same above mentioned doses, certain amelioration in the radiation induced changes in the studied parameters was observed

Radical excision and grafting with pedicular fixation for the treatment of tuberculous kyphosis

In the last four years, twenty-five cases of tuberculous spondylitis with kyphotic deformity were treated by radical excision operation and transpedicular screw fixation [TPSF]. In eighteen cases, one stage approach, lateral rachotomy, radical excision of the lesion, strut iliac bone graft and TPSF were done. In the remaining seven cases, two stages produced was done. In the first stage, left thoracotomy, anterior radical excision and iliac bone graft were carried out, followed by posterior TPSF as a second stage two weeks later. Before surgery, nine cases were paraplegic, while the remaining sixteen cases were neurologically free. The maximum preoperative angle of kyphosis was 70 degrees, while the minimum was 30 with a mean of 52 degrees. An average correction of 28 degrees of the kyphotic angle was achieved immediately after surgery. A mean loss of 14 degrees of the obtained correction was noticed after an average of 31 months follow up with solid bony fusion of the spinal lesions. All but one of the paraplegic patients showed full neurological recovery. This approach combining internal fixation with debridement-fusion of the spine proved to be effective in correction of tuberculous kyphosis, avoiding increase of the kyphotic deformity and providing sufficient rest and protection during healing of the tuberculous spinal lesion

Transpedicular screw fixation in injuries of the dorsolumbar spine

80 cases of dorsolumbar spinal fractures were treated during the period from August 1989 to December 1991. All fractures were fixed by pedicular screws and plates after reduction of the fracture. The parameters of follow up were: Back pain and tenderness, union, rang of motion, radiological deformities and neurological improvement. Accordingly, the study achieved overall 85% excellent and good results. The recorded complications included dural tear, difficult reduction, screw failure and superficial infection

Early versus delayed skin coverage for traumatic skin defects

The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of early and delayed skin coverage in traumatic skin loss. The study included 77 patients with age ranged from 3 to 65 years. Skin loss was associated with fracture in 54 cases [70%]. The majority of cases had skin loss of 10-50 cm2. Skin coverage by split thickness skin graft or flap was performed early in 40 cases and delayed in 37 cases. The success rate was almost the same in the two groups [80% in the early covered cases and 76% in the delayed covered cases]. However, the rate of complications was higher in the delayed covered group [31%] than in the early covered group [18%]. The rates of infection, osteomyelitis and delayed union were also higher in the delayed covered group

Osteosynthesis of fresh humeral shaft fractures, indications and results

Seventeen patients with humeral shaft fractures were operated upon by open reduction and internal fixation using the standard A.O. plating techniques. The indications for open reduction and internal fixation [ORIF] had been discussed. The approach for plating technique in different level of humeral shaft fracture had been described. Narrow D. C.P. was mostly used which was combined with bone grafting whenever needed. The patients followed up until fracture union. The overall result was excellent in 10 patients, good in 4, fair in 2, and poor in one patient who had an associated brachial artery injury. There was no delayed or nonunion, however, there was one case of deep infection which passed uneventual

Treatment of lower cervical spine injuries by anterior fusion and plating

This study analyzed 39 patients with lower cervical spine injuries treated by anterior fusion and plating. The average age of patient was 38.5 years,23 patients had predominantly discoligamentous injuries and were treated by unisegmental fusion and plating. 15 patients had predominantly crushed bodies and were treated by bisegmental anterior fusion and plating. 6 patients were neurologically free while 18 were completely quadriplegics and 15 patients were incompletely quadriplegics. There are no relevant complications except screw loosening in two patients with no clinical significance

New salvage procedure for the management of malignant bone tumors: preliminary report on 3 cases

Two cases of osteosarcoma and another of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lower end of the femur proved by biopsy were treated by wide resection of the tumor and knee joint. The resulting gap was closed primary bringing the end of the remaining femur and tibia into contact application of external fixator frame and compressing the bones together. In one of the osteosarcoma cases the bones were allowed to unite, followed by cortectomy and gradual lengthening. Chemotherapy was given to the osteosarcoma cases in courses starting preoperatively. In the malignant fibrous histiocytoma cases and in the other case of osteosarcoma distraction osteogenesis was started 3 weeks following resection. Adjuvant chemotherapy was also started at the same time in the malignant fibrous histiocytoma case

Serum fructosamine in children with acute viral hepatitis

In order to assess the value of serum fructosamine as an index of the glycemic status of the children with acute viral hepatitis, this study was carried out on 82 children whose age ranged between 3 and 11 years. They were divided into 2 groups; the 1st included 52 cases with acute viral hepatitis A, and the 2nd was of 30 healthy children as controls. Both cases and controls were subjected to thorough history, complete clinical examination, liver function tests, and determination of fasting blood glucose and serum fructosamine. The liver functions were significantly impaired in children with acute hepatitis than controls. Serum fructosamine and fasting blood glucose were significantly higher in cases than controls. Meanwhile, serum fructosamine levels of cases with viral hepatitis correlated positively with fasting blood glucose levels. Determination of serum fructosamine level in cases of acute viral hepatitis has significant value in assessment of their glycemic status

Anterior stabilisation by bone graft and plate for fracture dislocation of cervical spine

In fracture-dislocation of the cervical spine, there is associated injury of the stabilizing posterior elements. Anterior inter-body bone block as suggested by Robinson and Cloward did not provide stability of the injured segment. Additional fixation by H-plate was employed over the past year in ten cases. Cervical collar fixation was enforced for two months. All cases had neurological involvement before surgery. In none, the neurological deficit increased, while in seven cases partial or marked improvement occurred. Satisfactory radiological appearance with restoration of the spinal canal was achieved in all cases

Plating of femoral shaft fractures

67 femoral shaft fractures were treated by AO plating at Assiut University Hospital, Orthopaedic Department in the period from 1984 to 1987, 63 patients could be followed. There were 61 males and 6 females. Age ranged from15 to 70 years, Average of 33.8 years, twenty nine patients [43.2%] were between 15-30 years. There were 3 open fractures grade 1. 19 patients sustained other injuries with the femoral shaft and 7 cases required operations other than the femoral plating. Five types of fractures could be identified. 51 fractures [76.1%] were fixed within 3 weeks of injury. 16 fractures [23.8%] were fixed more than 3 weeks after injury. Primary cancellous graft was added in 26 fractures [38.9%]. The fixation was done with an AO broad DC in every case. The smallest one had 8 holes and the longest 18 holes obtaining at least a hold on 8 cortices on either side of the fracture. Additional interfragmentary screws were employed when ever necessary. One graft was used liberally mainly in cases with comminution of medial cortical deficiency. The shortest period for union was 2 months and the longest was 22 months [an average of 5.79 months], and 48 patients [85%] achieved union within the first 6 months. Healing time was found to be longer in comminuted fractures than in two fragment fractures and it was found to be earlier when the reduction was perfect than when it was approximate. The complications, were only one patient died on the tenth post operative day because of pulmonary embolism and 7 patients developed local complications [11.11%]. The infection was in one case [1.58%]. The overall results were graded; excellent in 59 patients [93.6%] and good in 4 patients [6.3%] fair and poor results in none of patients

Treatment of tibial shaft fractures with Kuntscher intramedullary nailing

This study had been carried out at Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt and El-Razi Hospital Kuwait, between the year 1987 and 1989. 60 tibial shaft fractures were included in 56 patients who were treated with Kuntscher intramedullary nailing. There were 14 females and 42 males [75%]. Their ages ranged from 17 years to 65 years, average [38 year]. The majority of the patients were between 21 and 40 years [average 36.2 years]. The patients were followed-up until months]. The majority of these tibial fractures [70%] were caused by motor car accidents. There were 43 closed and 17 open fractures. The majority of open fractures were Grade 1 in 8 cases [13.3%]. In the 60 tibial fractures there were 10 with double fracture making a total of 70 fracture level. Primary railing i.o on some day in [16], early nailing i.e within the 1st week [21], and delayed nailing i.e after 1st week [18]. The average time for radiological union was 18.25 weeks for fractures of junction of upper 1/3rd and middle 1/3rd, but was 18.77 weeks for middle 1/3rd and 21 weeks for junction of middle and lowest 1/3rd and was 17.78 weeks in lower 1/3rd. Closed fractures healed in 17.45 weeks, 15 patients healed within 24.2 weeks. Cases without reaming of medullary canal took longer time to heal [20.7 w] than nails fixed after reaming [17.2 w]. The bigger the diameter of the nail the rapid healing time i.e less than 11 mm the healing time [21 w], more than [11 to 13] the healing time [16.7 w]. The complication were: infection of open fracture [17.6%] and 2.3% infection in closed fractures, delayed union in 18 cases [30.3%].There was no non-union, 20% of cases healed with shortening varying between less than 1 cm and 3 cm. 16.4% patients showed mild to moderate limitation of movements of knee joint. 53% of patients complained of knee irritation and pain in kneeling. The final assessment in reaming group were excellent in 63.6%, fair 27.3% and poor 9.1% but in group without reaming showed excellent in 48.5%, fair in 48.5% and poor in 3%

Iliotibial band reconstruction for anteromedial knee instability

Sixty two patients of anteromedial instability were treated by using the illiotibial band as a reconstructive procedure of combined extra-articular and intra-articular technique with medial capsulo-ligamentous repair. The age of the patients ranged from 18 to 40 years [average 28 y.]. 55 patients were injuried during sports and 7 in road traffic accidents. The average time between operation and accident was 2.5 years. The aneromedial instability was diagnosed by anterior drawer sign, Lachman test and pivot-shift sign and evaluated using the anterior drawer test with external rotation of 30 degrees to measure both anterior and medial instability [1 + in 7, 2+ in 10, 3+ in 20 and 4+ in 25]. They were followed up for thirty months. Results were graded according to Kennedy et al [1974], it was excellent in 14 patients [22.5%]. Good in 33 patients [53.22%], fair results in 18 patients [12.9%] and poor results in 7 cases [11.29%]. Complications occurred in 5 cases, 2 patients with vastus lateralis herniation, 2 patients developed knee stiffness and one case developed wound haematoma in the thigh region with superficial infection. The illiotibial band reconstruction with medial capsulo-ligamentous repair was satisfactory and simple repair for anteromedial instability of the knee. The indication for surgery should be limited to the unpredictable episodes of instability that occur frequently during the course of everyday activity and do not improve with rehabilitation exercises

Resection of lateral calcaneal prominences and subtalar fusion in old fractures of calcaneum

In Orthopaedic Department Assiut University hospital, twenty patients with average age fractures of calcaneum. Subtalar degenerative arthritis and peroneal tendinitis due to compression by the lateral bulge formation of the calcaneum were found in all cases. Tarsal tunnel syndrome was significant in 2 cases of them and planar calcaneal prominences was also observed in another 2 cases. All cases were managed by conservative measures which failed to relieve their complaint due to persistence of pain on weight bearing. Diagnosis was based on the location of the ender point, radiological views and conduction velocity studies were helpful in cases of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Resection of the lateral bulge and subtalar fusion. Below knee plaster cast was kept for 3 months and we got fusion in all cases, except one at time of cast removal. In all except two patients the pain on weight bearing is markedly reduced. In he first of these two, the lateral bulge was incompletely removed, and the second developed non-union