Prepartum behaviors as early indicators for postpartum energy associated biomarkers status in Holstein dairy cows.

Our main aim was to investigate the predictive value of prepartum behaviors such as total daily rumination (TDR), total daily activity (TDA) and dry matter intake (DMI) as early indicators to detect cows at risk for hyperketonemia (HYK), hypoglycemia (HYG) or high non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) status in the first (wk1) and second week (wk2) postpartum. In a case control study, 64 Holstein cows were enrolled 3 weeks before the expected time of calving and monitored until 15 days in milk (DIM). Postpartum blood samples were taken at D3 and D6 for wk1 and at D12 and D15 for wk2 to measure beta-hydroxybutyrate, NEFA and glucose concentration. Ear-mounted accelerometers were used to measure TDR and TDA. DMI and milk yield were obtained from farm records. Relationships between the average daily rate of change in prepartum TDR (ΔTDR), TDA (ΔTDA), and DMI (ΔDMI) with postpartum HYK, HYG and NEFA status in wk1 and wk2 post-partum were evaluated using linear regression models. Models were adjusted for potential confounding variables, and covariates retained in the final models were determined by backward selection. No evidence was found to support the premise that prepartum ΔTDR, ΔTDA or ΔDMI predicted postpartum HYK, HYG or NEFA status in wk1 or in wk2. Overall, prepartum ΔTDR, ΔTDA and ΔDMI were not effective predictors of HYK, HYG or NEFA status in the first 2 weeks postpartum.

MHD dissipative Powell-Eyring fluid flow due to a stretching sheet with convective boundary conditions and slip velocity.

The novelty and motivation of this research can be emphasized by examining how the heat transfer mechanism of a non-Newtonian Powell-Eyring fluid, which flows because of a stretched sheet, is affected by factors like viscous dissipation, the slip velocity phenomenon, and Joule heating. In addition, the investigation delves into the heat transfer behavior of the fluid flow when it comes into contact with a convectively heated stretched surface that is influenced by varying fluid properties. This analysis also takes into account the influence of changing fluid characteristics and the presence of magnetic field. The numerical solutions of modelled equations that governing the problem are detected using the shooting technique. Also, in order to confirm the validity of the present investigation, a proper comparison with certain published works as a particular case of the present model is presented, and a perfect agreement is noted. With the use of diagrams and tables, the flow problem's effective parameters are thoroughly discussed. Likewise, through a tabular representation, the values of the local Nusselt number and the skin-friction coefficient are computed and analyzed. Many significant conclusions can be drawn from numerical results. Most importantly, the local Nusselt number rises monotonically with both the surface convection parameter and the slip velocity parameter, but the local skin-friction coefficient has the opposite trend. The results indicate that the nanofluid temperature is enhanced by factors such as the surface convection parameter, magnetic field, and viscous dissipation. On the other hand, the slip velocity phenomenon leads to the opposite effect.

Perinatal sacroiliitis diagnostic challenges.

Lumbo-pelvic pain is a common and non-specific problem during pregnancy and postpartum. Although perinatal pyogenic sacroiliitis is uncommon during this time, it might be difficult to distinguish from reactive sacroiliitis in women who are experiencing significant lower back and pelvic girdle pain, as the symptoms and signs are not clear and the tests are not definitive. A 34-year-old primigravida went to the emergency department with severe lower back pain radiating to the right gluteal region and down to the back of the right thigh. This pain began 12 days prior to her presentation and eventually worsened to the point that she could not stand or walk. Her vital signs were within normal ranges, and she was experiencing a fever. Apart from a slight widening of the symphysis pubis, her pelvic and lumbo-sacral pain X-rays revealed no important findings. With the clinical impression of right lumbo-pelvic pain, the patient was admitted for pain management and further inquiries. Despite the fact that the antibiotherapy was prescribed to treat a urinary tract infection, the significant recovery of the patient's symptoms, even in the absence of a definitive culture of aspirate from the right sacroiliac joint, supported the diagnosis of pyogenic sacroiliitis.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma mimicking chronic osteomyelitis of the ankle joint: A case report.

Lymphoma is the seventh most common type of malignancy in both males and females. It may develop in any location where lymphomatous tissue exists. Although extranodal presentation in the lower limb and pelvis are uncommon, it could present with diverse manifestations. We report an unusual case of primary extranodal large B-cell lymphoma of the ankle joint initially presumed to be a chronic osteomyelitis. This case report discusses the impact of imaging studies on decision-making and highlights the need to consider malignancy in chronic infections.

Therapeutic efficacy of seaweed extract (Ulva Fasciata Delile) against invasive candidiasis in mice.

Candida is the most frequent common causes of invasive fungal infections and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Most of available antifungal agents have side effects. This opened up new avenues to investigate the antifungal efficacy of active extracts from marine algae. So the aim of this study was to evaluate the protective and the curative effect of Ulva fasciata extract against an invasive candidiasis in mice and to study its underlying mechanism. The active ingredients of Ulva fasciata extract were evaluated using HPLC and GC/MS. Fifty mice were included in current work, and the level of inflammatory markers; Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-12, Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined using ELISA kits. Hematological, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters were determined using commercial kits. Moreover, the histopathological examinations were carried on liver, kidney and spleen for all groups. The results obtained showed that treatment with U. fasciata either before or after Candida infection significantly improved the hematological, biochemical alterations and antioxidant status caused by this infection. Furthermore, the U. fasciata reduced histopathological changes induced by Candida as well as it could increase the expression of IL-12 and IFN-γ while minimized the expression of TNF-α and IL-4 in all infected mice compared to infected untreated mice. These data propose that U. fasciata can ameliorate inflammatory reactions related to Candida albicans cytotoxicity via its ability to augment cellular antioxidant defenses by its active compounds.

Therapeutic efficacy of seaweed extract (Ulva Fasciata Delile) against invasive candidiasis in mice

@#Candida is the most frequent common causes of invasive fungal infections and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Most of available antifungal agents have side effects. This opened up new avenues to investigate the antifungal efficacy of active extracts from marine algae. So the aim of this study was to evaluate the protective and the curative effect of Ulva fasciata extract against an invasive candidiasis in mice and to study its underlying mechanism. The active ingredients of Ulva fasciata extract were evaluated using HPLC and GC/MS. Fifty mice were included in current work, and the level of inflammatory markers; Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-12, Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined using ELISA kits. Hematological, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters were determined using commercial kits. Moreover, the histopathological examinations were carried on liver, kidney and spleen for all groups. The results obtained showed that treatment with U. fasciata either before or after Candida infection significantly improved the hematological, biochemical alterations and antioxidant status caused by this infection. Furthermore, the U. fasciata reduced histopathological changes induced by Candida as well as it could increase the expression of IL-12 and IFN-γ while minimized the expression of TNF-α and IL-4 in all infected mice compared to infected untreated mice. These data propose that U. fasciata can ameliorate inflammatory reactions related to Candida albicans cytotoxicity via its ability to augment cellular antioxidant defenses by its active compounds.

The efficacy of using exogenous enzymes cocktail on production, egg quality, egg nutrients and blood metabolites of laying hens fed distiller's dried grains with solubles.

An experiment was performed using 120 Hisex Brown laying hens for evaluating the effects of different inclusion levels of corn distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) as a replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with or without enzyme cocktail on performance, egg quality, egg nutrients and blood metabolites in laying hens through 22-42 weeks of age. A 4 × 2 factorial design experiment was performed including four substitution levels of DDGS (0, 250, 500 and 750 g/kg respectively) and two enzyme cocktail levels (0 and 250 mg/kg diet). The used enzyme in this study "Gallazyme" composed of xylanase, Trichoderma longibrachiatum (600 units/g), protease, Bacillus subtilis (8,000 units/g) and amylase and Bacillus amyloliquofaciens (800 units/g). The control diet showed the best feed efficiency followed by the intermediate levels of DDGS. The lowest value of feed efficiency was found in the group fed the highest level of DDGS. Enzyme addition improved feed efficiency and decreased laying rate. Increasing DDGS levels was associated with albumin and shell thickness increases. Dietary DDGS depressed all egg components except the organic matter which maximised in enzyme-treated groups. Increasing DDGS level was accompanied by increase in yolk cholesterol and total lipids. No significant impacts were detected with enzymes supplementation on yolk lipids profile. Excepting serum calcium and phosphorous, all serum constituents increased with increasing level of DDGS. Using enzyme markedly depressed serum ammonia by 15.02% and increased calcium by 6.44% compared with enzyme-free diets. Interaction between DDGS and enzyme was significant on most of studied parameters. It could be concluded that using enzyme cocktail in DDGS-based diets may improve feed efficiency and egg quality, in addition to lowering blood ammonia and increasing blood calcium. It is recommended to substitute SBM by DDGS up to 500 g/kg diet.

Histochemical and surface ultrastructural characteristics of the nasal cavity of laughing dove.

Ten apparently healthy, adult laughing doves were used to document detailed histological, histochemical and surface ultrastructural features of the nasal cavity and to investigate the structure-function relationship of the nasal cavity in this species. We observed that the nasal cavity of the laughing dove was composed of three main regions: nasal vestibule, respiratory and olfactory. Each region presented a characteristic epithelial lining. The epithelium varied along the nasal vestibule from keratinized stratified squamous rostrally to non-keratinized stratified squamous in the middle and stratified cuboidal in the caudal region of the nasal vestibule. The respiratory region was lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium and was initially devoid of both goblet cells and cilia, but cilia then appeared and increased gradually in number close to the olfactory region. The caudal part of the respiratory region presented a stratified cuboidal epithelium. Strong alcianophilic, intra-epithelial mucous glands were identified, starting at the caudal region of the nasal vestibule and extended into the respiratory region. The olfactory region was lined with a pseudostratified epithelium that consisted of three different cell types: olfactory, support cells and basal cells. In conclusion, the current investigation presents new information concerning the histological, histochemical and ultrastructural features of the laughing dove's nasal cavity. Furthermore, the findings of this study may prove to be a valuable contribution to the avian histology and pathology literature.

Development of the New Zealand White Rabbit Eye: I. Pre- and Postnatal Development of Eye Tunics.

The New Zealand white (NZW) rabbit has been and is right now regularly utilized in ophthalmic surgery evaluation. Inside NZW rabbit eye, the visibility of ocular structures throughout surgical procedure is fantastic. Younger rabbits are used in different ages for the evaluation of ophthalmic surgery. Complete studies of ocular development in the NZW rabbits have not been reported previously. The aim of the present investigation was to describe the major landmarks and the time course of the pre- and post-natal development of the complete eye tunics of the NZW rabbit to give a superb model as well as a fruitful area for further ophthalmological investigations. Serial histological sections of NZW rabbit prenatal (E13-E28) and post-natal (P1-P14) stages were examined, respectively. The eye of the NZW rabbit developed in a similar manner to that of the human and domestic animals eyes; the principal differences were at the time of occurrence of certain developmental events, absence of pigmentation which represent an exploited benefit for ophthalmic surgery, remarkable Bowman's membrane at E25, poor developed ciliary stroma and juvenile retinal layer until P9. In human, the basic morphogenetic processes of the development of eye tunics are completed towards the end of the first half of gestation period. However, the latter represents the beginning stage of the development of eye tunics in the rabbit. Thus, allowing various extensive ophthalmic researches to be performed.

The antiproliferative effect of Origanum majorana on human hepatocarcinoma cell line: suppression of NF-κB.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancer types with a high prevalence and itis the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the antiproliferative effect of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Origanum majorana leaf on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line through incubation of various concentrations of origanum majorana extracts with HepG2 and at different time intervals. The effects of aqueous and ethanol extracts of O. majorana L. on HepG2 cell viability, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) gene expression were examined. The results of the cell viability assays showed that aqueous and ethanol extracts exhibited a highly significant inhibitory effect on HepG2 cell proliferation which was evidenced by a reduction in viable cell count. The results were confirmed by microscopical examination of cell morphology. Furthermore, the O. majorana L. extracts suppressed the activity of NF-kB gene expression of HepG2 cells compared to the control.The conclusions from this study suggest that marjoram extracts exhibit anti-proliferative effect against HCC through suppressing the activity of NF-kB gene expression and high antioxidant activity.

Clinical versus Pathologic staging of Renal Tumors: Role of Multi-Detector CT Urography.

INTRODUCTION: Our ability to diagnose renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has increased in the past 30 years as a result of the extensive application of imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) remains the most appropriate imaging modality for the diagnosis and staging of RCC. The aim of this work was to compare the findings of MDCT with surgical pathology to determine the accuracy of delineating tumor size, localization, organ confinement, lymph node metastases, and the extent of tumor thrombus in the renal vein and inferior vena cava. METHODS: The clinical, surgical, and anatomo-pathologic records of 99 patients treated by nephrectomy (radical or partial) for solid renal tumors at Theodor Bilharz Research Institute and Nasser Institute from 2005 to 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. All cases were staged pre-operatively with abdominal MDCT (pre- and post-contrast enhancement) in addition to the routine biochemical, hematological, and radiological work-up. The tumors' histologic types were determined according to the WHO classification of renal tumors in adults in 2004, and staging was updated to the TNM 2010 system. Data were analyzed using the t-test. RESULTS: The mean age was 52 (range 21-73). Seventy-eight patients were males, and 21 patients were females (Male/Female ratio: 3.7:1). There were no significant differences in the mean tumor size between radiographic and pathologic assessments in different tumor stages. The overall incidence of lymph node invasion in surgical specimens was 76%, whereas MDCT showed a positive incidence in 68.4% of cases (false negative result in 7 cases, 7.6%). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that MDCT urography is an accurate method to estimate renal tumor size, lymph node, vascular and visceral metastases preoperatively. Also, preoperative staging of renal tumors with MDCT represents a valuable and accurate tool.

Targeting heme oxygenase-1 in early diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common microvascular diabetic complications. This study was designed to evaluate the possible protective effect and underlying mechanisms of HO-1 induction in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced early DN in rats. The diabetic rats were divided into three groups: STZ-diabetic, cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP)-treated diabetic, and zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP)-treated diabetic groups. Compared to the STZ-diabetic group, CoPP-induced HO-1 upregulation improved the diabetic state and renal functional parameters, suppressed the renal proinflammatory marker, NF-κB, abrogated the elevated renal hydroxyprolin, and decreased the enhanced renal nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity with parallel reduction of urinary oxidative stress markers. On the contrary, treatment with ZnPP abrogated HO-1 levels, aggravated the diabetic condition with further increases in renal oxidative stress, fibrotic and inflammatory markers, and exacerbated renal dysfunction in diabetic animals. These findings suggest that the reduced diabetic renal injury upon HO-1 induction implicates the role of HO-1 induction as a potential treatment for DN.

Health stimulating properties of the most popular soft cheese in Egypt Kariesh made using skimmed milk UF-retentate and probiotics.

BACKGROUND: Soft skimmed-milk cheese Kariesh is the most popular soft cheese in Egypt. In the past, Karish cheese was traditionally produced by the random fermentation of milk speared its cream layer by the gravity force. Recently, its production has been carried out by several manufacturing procedures using, ultrafiltration (UF) - skimmed milk retentate, certain bacterial cultures, enzymatic coagulation, etc. Therefore, the biological and nutritional evaluations are required. The present study was conducted to evaluate the properties of such cheese coagulated using different procedures involving probiotic strains with emphasis on some chemical and biological attributes. METHODS: Kariesh cheeses were manufactured without whey drainage from UF cow's skimmed milk concentrate coagulated either by 3% yoghurt bacterial starter culture (YC), 3% probiotic starter culture (ABT type) or 2.5% glucono delta lactone (GDL) added whether separately or incorporated with rennet (0.05ml/kg) to achieve the acidic-enzymatic coagulation in comparison with those made conventionally using unconcentrated milk coagulated either by 2% of YC or ABT added whether separately or incorporated with rennet (0.25 ml/kg). Due to the fact that whey is naturally needed to drain in the conventional (C) procedure, the use of GDL as coagulant was eliminated. RESULTS: The obtained results indicated that the application of UF-technique in Kariesh cheese industry was associated with significant increments in the values of protein, ash and pH. Moreover, the electrophoretical patterns of UF-Kariesh cheese obtained with the incorporation between YC, ABT or GDL and rennet were distinguished with the presence of the band of glycomacropeptide, which is normally lost in the whey through the C-procedure. Furthermore, the food intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), food efficiency ratio (FER),triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoproteins (HDL), total, as well as ionized Ca of blood and the count of lactic acid bacteria of feces of rats were significantly heightened, while low density lipoprotein (LDL) level was lowered as they fed on UF-cheeses, especially when coagulated using ABT, those caused the strongest persistence against the rat colon tumor, which was induced by the injection with 1,2 di-methyl hydrazine. The use of ABT led to raise the dry matter (DM) and ash of Kariesh cheese. Also, the FI, BWG, FER, TG, total, as well as ionized Ca of blood and the count of lactic acid bacteria of feces of rats were significantly increased, while TC, HDL and LDL of blood, as well as coliform count of feces of rats were significantly declined. The incorporation of enzymatic with acidic coagulation in Kariesh cheese manufacture increased significantly the values of ash and pH. However, the cheese figures of DM, protein and titratable acidity were decreased. Also, the values of FI, BWG, FER, TC, HDL, LDL and feces LAB of rats were lowered. Whilst, the values of TG, total as well as ionized Ca and feces coliform of rats were increased.

Nutritional and functional assessment of hospitalized elderly: impact of sociodemographic variables.

Background. This work was constructed in order to assess the nutritional and functional status in hospitalized elderly and to study the associations between them and sociodemographic variables. Methods. 200 elderly patients (>65 years old) admitted to Internal Medicine and Neurology Departments in nonemergency conditions were included. Comprehensive geriatric assessments, including nutritional and functional assessments, were done according to nutritional checklist and Barthel index, respectively. Information was gathered from the patients, from the ward nurse responsible for the patient, and from family members who were reviewed. Results. According to the nutritional checklist, 56% of participants were at high risk, 18% were at moderate risk of malnutrition, and 26% had good nutrition. There was a high nutritional risk in patients with low income and good nutrition in patients with moderate income. Also, there was a high nutritional risk in rural residents (61.9%) in comparison with urban residents (25%). Barthel index score was significantly lower in those at high risk of malnutrition compared to those at moderate risk and those with good nutrition. Conclusions. Hospitalized elderly are exposed to malnutrition, and malnourished hospitalized patients are candidates for functional impairment. Significant associations are noticed between both nutritional and functional status and specific sociodemographic variables.

Mental health problems and sociodemographic correlates in elderly medical inpatients in a university hospital in egypt.

Background. Depression and cognitive impairment are two common mental and public health problems especially among elderly. In this study, we determined the prevalence of these problems and their associations with sociodemographic factors among hospitalized elderly in Egypt. To achieve this, 200 elderly medical inpatients were included in this cross-sectional study. Methods. Comprehensive geriatric assessment was done for every participant. Sociodemographic variables were assessed by interviews with patients and their family members. Depressive symptoms were screened for by the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and the presence of depressive symptoms was defined as a GDS score of ≥6. Cognitive impairment was assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) Scale, and cognitive impairment was defined as a MMSE score of ≤23 out of a total score of 30. Results. The prevalence of both depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment was 72% and 30%, respectively. Significant associations were noticed between each of depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment, and low income and advancing age (P < 0.01), respectively. Other associations were insignificant. Conclusions. The findings of this study may be an alarm for health authorities and staffs involved in elderly care to increase their awareness of social and mental health problems among the elderly.

Efficiency of yeast in enhancement of the oxidative defense system in salt-stressed flax seedlings.

The combined effects of yeast (1 ppm) and salinity on germination, seedling growth, metabolite accumulation and antioxidant defense system of flax (Linum usitatissimum) seeds grown at 100, 200 and 300 mM NaCl were studied. In this investigation, the germination was completely inhibited at 300 mM NaCl. Moreover, salinity induced marked increases in lipid peroxidation product (MDA), soluble carbohydrates as well as the reduced glutathione which were concomitant with sharp decrease in total phenols and ascorbic acid contents in 12-day-old flax seedlings. Furthermore, NaCl treatments increased the activities of some antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase; SOD, peroxidase; POX and polyphenol oxidase; PPO). On the other hand, yeast treatments under salinity stress restored the membrane integrity and improved seedling growth. The results suggested that yeast treatments mitigated salinity stress via accumulation of some osmoprotectants such as free amino acids particularly proline which associated with elevating the defense system in terms of ascorbic acid, glutathione and total phenol contents. Yeast treatments also stimulated the activities of some antioxidant enzymes, preventing membrane peroxidation resulting in high capacity for germination and improved seedling growth under sever salt stress.

Glanders outbreak at Tehran Zoo, Iran.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In December 2010 four, lions and one tiger died at the Tehran zoo. Out of all samples, Burkholderia mallei (causative agent of Glanders) was isolated just from ulcer sample of the tiger which was imported to Iran from Russia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One nasal swab from a tiger and fifteen blood samples with anticoagulant belonging to one tiger and fourteen lions (four dead lions and eleven live lions) were collected and were inoculated directly onto the selective media. The isolate was identified by morphological and biochemical and API BBL tests and PCR using specific primers (Bma- IS407-flip). The standard (Razi Type Culture Collection RTCC: 2375) and tiger isolates were inoculated into 2 guinea pigs. All residue solipeds and carnivores were checked by Malleination test and Complement Fixation (CF) Test respectively. RESULTS: One isolate of B. mallei was isolated from tiger's nasal swab. Both of B.mallei strains were recovered from inoculated animals. All of solipeds were negative by malleination test, however, 11 lions including 4 dead and 7 live lions out of 14 lions were positive in CF test for Glanders and all were put down by the authorities. CONCLUSION: Active surveillance of Glanders is essential for solipeds, especially it's more important while being used to feed valuable carnivores like lions and tigers. Therefore, a reliable test like malleination must be carried out twice (first before transferring and one month after quarantine). Both test results should be negative for use for feeding.

Parasitological and biochemical parameters in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice treated with methanol extract from the plants Chenopodium ambrosioides, Conyza dioscorides and Sesbania sesban.

This study aims to detect the antischistosomal properties of the plants' Chenopodium ambrosioides, Conyza dioscorides and Sesbania sesban methanol extract against Schistosoma mansoni in infected mice, including determination of total protein and albumin levels and the activities of alanine and aspartate transaminases (AlT, AsT) and acid and alkaline phosphatases (AcP and AkP) enzymes in the serum of infected treated mice. Male Swiss albino mice were infected with S. mansoni and orally treated with methanol extract of the plants C. ambrosioides (1250 mg/kg/day), C. dioscorides and S. sesban (1000 mg/kg/day from each) for 2 consecutive days 7 weeks post infection (PI). In addition, treatment of mice with the tested dose of each plant extract was successively done (i.e. the 1st extract followed by the 2nd and 3rd one with an hour interval). Parasitological and biochemical parameters were assessed. Nine weeks PI, the reduction rates of worm load/mouse treated with either C. dioscorides (1000 mg/kg), C. ambrosioides (1250 mg/kg) or S. sesban (1000 mg/kg) were 40.9%, 53.7% and 54.4%, respectively. Successive treatment raised the reduction rates of worm load/mouse to 66.3% and the ova/g tissue in liver to 76.9%. Moreover, serum total protein and albumin levels and activities of AlT, Ast, AcP and AkP enzymes of infected treated mice were improved in comparison with those of infected untreated ones. It is concluded that administration of C. dioscorides, C. ambrosioides and S. sesban methanol extract to infected mice exhibited a moderate antischistosomal effect. Successive treatment improved the antischistosomal properties of these plant species, hence ameliorated the liver functions of treated mice that may suggest degenerations of liver granulomas and regenerative changes.

Domestic violence and its impact on married women's health in Eastern Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of domestic violence (DV) in Al-Ahsa, and its impact on married women's health. METHODS: This study is a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted from January to June 2010 in Al-Ahsa oasis in the Eastern province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It included 2000 ever-married women, 15-60 years old, and selected by a 2-stage proportionate cluster random sample. Data was gathered through structured interviews. Univariate and multivariate analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 15. RESULTS: The prevalence of lifetime DV was 39.3%, 35.9% for mental, 17.9% for physical, and 6.9% for sexual violence. Lower rates of recent (within one month prior to the interview) violence were encountered, that is: overall (32.7%); mental (29.1%); physical (22.8%); and sexual (11.8%). Eleven percent of women were beaten, and 7% were kicked on the abdomen during pregnancy. Lifetime violence was significantly associated with perceived bad general health, disease, abortion, hemorrhage, and body mass index. Recent violence increased the number of doctor visits, and the odds of feeling dizzy (OR=1.93), vaginal bleeding (OR=1.83), movement and activity problems, pain, taking drugs (OR=1.95), and stress significantly during the last 4 weeks before the interview. A large proportion of women tolerated violence without seeking help (41.4%). Common reactions included complaining to own family, treating the perpetrator violently, and complaining to a friend. CONCLUSION: We found that DV is prevalent in Al-Ahsa. We recommend awareness programs aiming at educating current and future couples, and proper training of health care providers in assisting the cases of DV.