Exploring the linkages between social media use, self-esteem, and academic performance among nursing students in Saudi Arabia: A descriptive correlational study.

Background: The prevalence of social media influence in education makes it necessary to investigate how it might affect nursing students' academic achievement and sense of self. To our knowledge, the associations between academic performance, self-esteem, and social media usage among nursing students from Saudi Arabia remain understudied. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationships between academic performance, self-esteem, and the utilization of social media platforms by Saudi Arabian nursing students. Methods: This descriptive correlational study employed a convenience sample of 220 nursing students (response rate 95.2%). An online survey with questions about demographics, students' academic performance, social media usage, and self-esteem was used for data collection from 1 March to May 2023. Pearson correlation coefficients, independent t-tests, Analysis of Variance, and hierarchical regression were used for data analysis. Results: Social media use had an average score of 3.60 ± 0.66, self-esteem was 2.13 ± 0.27, and academic performance was 3.95 ± 0.58. The students' academic performance related positively to the utilization of social media platforms (r = 0.210, p <0.01). There were statistically positive correlations between academic purpose and social motives domains of utilizing social media and academic performance (r = 0.304, p <0.01; r = 0.208, p <0.01) respectively. The amount of time students spent on social media was not related to their self-esteem (r = 0.047, p >0.05). The students' self-esteem was unrelated to their academic achievement (r = 0.059, p >0.05). Conclusions: Utilizing social media channels can assist nursing students in improving their academic achievement. Therefore, nursing educators and decision-makers in nursing education have the opportunity to establish collaborative learning environments by integrating social media. This approach aims to improve communication, enhance the learning experience, and ultimately improve the academic achievements of nursing students.

Female sexual function after repair of uterovaginal prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of repair of uterovaginal prolapse using sacrospinous hysteropexy on female sexual function. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Urogynecology Clinic of the Suez Canal University Hospital from May 2014 to April 2019. Twenty-seven women with a diagnosis of uterovaginal prolapse and wishing to preserve their uteri were recruited. Sacrospinous ligament fixation was done. Sexual symptoms were assessed using the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire just before and 6 months after the operation. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 36.5 ± 4 years. Sacrospinous hysteropexy only was performed for three women. Additional procedures included anterior colporrhaphy (12), posterior colporrhaphy (9), and perineorrhaphy (15). There was a significant improvement in pre- and postoperative patients' orgasm (3.1 ± [0.8] vs. 3.7 ± [1.1]; p value = 0.03) and satisfaction (3.4 ± [0.6] vs. 4.2 ± [0.8]; p value < 0.001) while there was worsening of pain (4.3 ± [1.5] vs. 3.2 ± [1.6]; p value = 0.017). There was insignificant improvement in the other three domains as well as total score of FSFI, with all patients having sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Sacrospinous hysteropexy was associated with significant improvement orgasm and satisfaction domains of FSFI and significant worsening of pain.

Vaginal length and sexual function after vertical versus horizontal closure of the vaginal cuff after abdominal hysterectomy: a randomised clinical trial.

This randomised clinical trial aimed to evaluate the vaginal length and female sexual function after vertical and horizontal closure of the vaginal cuff after abdominal hysterectomy. The patients were allocated into two groups, vertical closure and horizontal closure groups. The vaginal length was determined using transperineal ultrasound, once preoperative and again 3 months after the operation. Female sexual function was determined using an Arabic validated female sexual function index questionnaire. Both techniques resulted in a significant shortening of the vaginal length (p-value .001). There was a significant improvement in sexual function in the vertical closure group rather than the horizontal closure one. We concluded that there was no significant difference in the vaginal length after vertical or horizontal closure of the vaginal cuff. However, female sexual function improved significantly in the vertical closure group.Trial registration number: PACTR201909573801168.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Conflicting results exist regarding the effect of different techniques of vaginal length closure on vaginal length and sexual function after hysterectomy.What do the results of this study add? There was no significant difference in the vaginal length after vertical or horizontal closure of the vaginal cuff. However, female sexual function improved significantly in the vertical closure group. This study is considered to be the first one to evaluate the correlation between the vaginal length and the female sexual function.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The correlation between vaginal length and female sexual function needs to be evaluated in a multicenter study, recruiting larger number of sexually active women.

Postpartum endometritis after uterine cleaning versus no cleaning in cesarean sections: Randomized clinical trial.

AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the rates of postpartum endometritis due to uterine cleaning and no cleaning in patients delivered by elective cesarean section. METHODS: This was a randomized clinical trial conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia, from June 2019 to November 2019. We recruited patients undergoing cesarean delivery aged 18-45 years with singleton pregnancy, intact membranes, either first or repeated delivery, without labor pains. Patients were allocated into two groups, uterine cleaning (336 patients) and no cleaning (312 patients). The main outcome measure was the occurrence of postpartum endometritis. RESULTS: Both groups were matched in their demographic characters. Twelve patients (3.6%) developed endometritis in the cleaning group versus one patient (0.3%) in the other one. Estimated blood loss was 754.35 ± 247.13 and 730.36 ± 232.77 for the cleaning and no cleaning groups, respectively, with a P value of 0.201. Septic wound infection (21 patients, 6.3%) was predominant in the cleaning group. CONCLUSION: Uterine cleaning after delivery of the placenta during CS can be omitted as a surgical step during the operation. It was associated with increased rates of postpartum endometritis and blood loss.

Sofosbuvir-containing regimens are safe and effective in the treatment of HCV patients with moderate to severe renal impairment.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of sofosbuvir (SOF)-based regimens in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment; a subject which has been questioned by many investigators with conflicting results. METHODS: This is a real-life multicentre retrospective cohort study on 4944 chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 ) who received SOF-based therapy in specialized treatment centres affiliated to the National Committee for the Control of Viral Hepatitis in Egypt. The efficacy and safety of SOF-based regimens was assessed. RESULTS: Week 12 virological response rates were 97.5%, 96.7%, 85.7% and 80% in the total cohort, patients with eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 , patients with associated hepatic decompensation and patients on dialysis respectively. Various treatment regimens did not statistically affect the response rates. Treatment experience, cirrhosis and diabetes were predictors of treatment failure on multivariate analysis. Serious adverse events occurred in 0.1% of cases. Forty patients (0.8%) discontinued treatment. CONCLUSION: Sofosbuvir-based regimens are effective and safe for treating patients with chronic HCV and moderate to severe CKD, and in those with associated hepatic decompensation.

Late suture site complications of sacrospinous ligament fixation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the late suture- related complications of sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) as a treatment for uterovaginal prolapse and their impact on the quality of life. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTINGS: The Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Suez Canal University Hospitals, Ismailia, Egypt from January 2014 to June 2018. PATIENTS: We recruited sixty women with uterovaginal prolapse. INTERVENTIONS: Patients underwent SSLF using the Capio suture recapturing device with non-absorbable suture material (0 braided Polyester). Postoperative visits were at six weeks then at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after the procedure. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Outcome measures were the rate and timing of suture- related and the quality of life using the pelvic floor impact questionnaire-7 at 24 months postoperatively. The mean age of the studied population was 45.7 ± 9.8 years. Suture- related complications occurred in 55% (33/60) of patients, with vaginal discharge the most commonly reported symptom. Most of them presented in the 1st year after the procedure 72.7% (24/33), and 25% (15/60) had suture removal. However, there was a significant improvement in patients' quality of life. CONCLUSION: Sacrospinous ligament fixation has a positive impact on the quality of life, yet associated with significant but prominent suture- related complications.

Prevalence and risk factors for domestic violence among infertile Egyptian women: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Domestic violence (DV) is an important social and public health problem affecting women globally. This study aims to assess the prevalence and risk factors of DV among infertile Egyptian women. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study included infertile women attending the outpatient gynaecological clinic in a tertiary University hospital was carried out between September 2017 and October 2018. After obtaining ethical approval, 304 infertile women were enrolled in the study and investigated using an interview questionnaire of Infertile Women's Exposure to Violence Determination Scale (IWEVDS). The questionnaire was examined for accuracy after translation into the Arabic language. Results: The infertile women's reported DV resulted in an average total score on the IWEVDS of 73 ± 17. The top three domains with the highest scales were DV, punishment and exposure to traditional practices domains with scale 20.84 ± 7.67, 18.25 ± 4.15 and 14.63 ± 3.18 points, respectively. Using Multivariable linear regression analysis, we found that the best-fitting predictors for this scale were the wife's age (p = .001), residency (p = .033), previous intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (p = .016), divorce threatens (p = .022) and fear from husband (p = .026). Conclusions: Infertile Egyptian women are at an increased risk of DV. The most common forms of DV are psychological violence and verbal abuse.

Optimal management of umbilical cord prolapse.

Umbilical cord prolapse (UCP) is an uncommon obstetric emergency that can have significant neonatal morbidity and/or mortality. It is diagnosed by seeing/palpating the prolapsed cord outside or within the vagina in addition to abnormal fetal heart rate patterns. Women at higher risk of UCP include multiparas with malpresentation. Other risk factors include polyhydramnios and multiple pregnancies. Iatrogenic UCP (up to 50% of cases) can occur in procedures such as amniotomy, fetal blood sampling, and insertion of a cervical ripening balloon. The perinatal outcome largely depends on the location where the prolapse occurred and the gestational age/birthweight of the fetus. When UCP is diagnosed, delivery should be expedited. Usually, cesarean section is the delivery mode of choice, but vaginal/instrumental delivery could be tried if deemed quicker, particularly in the second stage of labor. Diagnosis-to-delivery interval should ideally be less than 30 minutes; however, if it is expected to be lengthy, measures to relieve cord compression should be attempted. Manual elevation of the presenting part and Vago's method (bladder filling) are the most commonly used maneuvers. Care should be given not to cause cord spasm with excessive manipulation. Simulation training has been shown to improve/maintain all aspects of management and documentation. Prompt diagnosis and interventions and the positive impact of neonatal management have significantly improved the neonatal outcome.

Bupropion attenuates morphine tolerance and dependence: Possible role of glutamate, norepinephrine, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: Morphine - the main pillar of nociceptive pain management - systemic use is associated with development of tolerance and dependence. Tolerance and dependence lay a heavy burden in clinical pain management settings. An added weight to this dilemma is that effective, safe, and tolerable solution to this problem is still beyond reach. Antidepressants were reported as possible alleviators of opioid tolerance and dependence. One of the increasingly used antidepressant in clinical practice is bupropion given its high safety and tolerability profile. METHODS: The study was performed on male Balb-c mice weighing 20-30g. Hot plate test was used for assessment of bupropion (5mg/kg, ip) possible analgesic activity and enhancement of morphine acute analgesia (1 and 5mg/kg, sc). Repeated morphine (5mg/kg, sc) administration for 9days developed tolerance and dependence, bupropion (5mg/kg, ip) was concurrently administered to evaluate its potential to modulate these processes. We also biochemically analyzed bupropion effect on these phenomena through modulation of neurotransmitters (glutamate and norepinephrine), inflammatory status (nitric oxide), and pro-antioxidant balance (malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione). RESULTS: Bupropion was devoid of intrinsic analgesic activity and did not enhance morphine acute analgesia. However, bupropion significantly attenuated morphine tolerance and dependence development and abstinence syndrome with corresponding suppression of morphine induced changes in glutamate, norepinephrine, inflammatory status, and prooxidant-antioxidant balance. CONCLUSION: Bupropion efficacy in attenuation of morphine tolerance and dependence with its high safety and tolerability profile provide an alternative option to conventional agents e.g., ketamine and clonidine to modulate these phenomena.

Fluoxetine uses in nociceptive pain management: a promising adjuvant to opioid analgesics.

Fluoxetine, a commonly prescribed antidepressant, use in nociceptive pain management represents one of the unsettled issues of fluoxetine therapeutics. By reviewing the literature about fluoxetine's possible roles in this setting, those could be solitary antinociceptive effect, enhancement of acute morphine analgesia, blocking morphine tolerance development, and blocking dependence development and associated abstinence syndrome. In this study, we examined those four alleged roles of fluoxetine. Moreover, as effective alleviation of morphine tolerance, dependence, and abstinence syndrome represents one of the most challenging medical needs, we biochemically analyzed fluoxetine effect on these phenomena. Fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, IP) was examined in hot plate test for assessment of possible analgesic activity and enhancement of morphine acute analgesia (1 and 5 mg/kg, SC). Repeated morphine (5 mg/kg, SC) administration for 9 days developed tolerance and dependence; fluoxetine was co-administered to evaluate its potential to modulate these processes. We also determined concomitant changes in neurotransmitters (glutamate and noradrenaline), inflammatory status, and prooxidant-antioxidant balance. Our results indicated that fluoxetine did not possess significant analgesia solely and did not enhance acute morphine analgesia. However, fluoxetine administration with morphine significantly attenuated tolerance and dependence development and abstinence syndrome with corresponding suppression of morphine-induced changes in neurotransmitters (glutamate and noradrenaline), inflammatory status, and prooxidant-antioxidant balance. These biochemical results may reflect both direct and indirect effects of fluoxetine. Our conclusion is that despite fluoxetine possesses low - if any - analgesic activity, it significantly adds to opioids not via enhancing analgesic activity but through modulation of tolerance and dependence development.

Uses of fluoxetine in nociceptive pain management: A literature overview.

Fluoxetine is one of the top ten prescribed antidepressants. Other therapeutic applications were approved for fluoxetine including, anxiety disorders, bulimia nervosa, and premature ejaculation. However, the role of fluoxetine in nociceptive pain management is still unclear. In this review, we discuss an overview of five possible roles of fluoxetine in pain management: intrinsic antinociceptive effect, enhancement of acute opioid analgesia, attenuation of tolerance development to opioid analgesia, attenuation of dependence development and abstinence syndrome, and attenuation of opioid induced hyperalgesia. Conflicting data were reported about fluoxetine intrinsic anti-nociceptive effect in preclinical and clinical studies except for inflammatory pain. Similar controversy was described in preclinical and clinical studies which explored the possible enhancement of opioid analgesia by fluoxetine co-administration. However, fluoxetine was found to have a promising effect on opioid tolerance and dependence in animal and human studies. Regarding opioid induced hyperalgesia, no studies examined fluoxetine effects in this regard. Our literature review revealed that, the most likely beneficial use of fluoxetine in nociceptive pain management is for alleviation of inflammatory pain and attenuation of opioid tolerance and dependence. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and corticosteroids carry many adverse effects and toxicities. Effective alleviation of opioid tolerance and dependence represents a huge health burden and growing unmet medical need. Moreover, most agents used to attenuate these phenomena are either experimental or poorly tolerable drugs which limit their transitional value. Fluoxetine offers an effective, safe, and tolerable alternative for management of both inflammatory pain and opioid tolerance and dependence presently available to clinicians.

Bladder function after sacrospinous hysteropexy and vaginal wall repair in women with uterovaginal prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of repair of uterovaginal prolapse using sacrospinous hysteropexy and vaginal wall repair on the bladder function. STUDY DESIGN: The study was conducted at the urogynecology clinic of Suez Canal University Hospitals, Ismailia from January 2014 to March 2016. This study included women with a diagnosis of uterovaginal prolapse and wishing to preserve their uteri. Bladder function was evaluated through assessment of urological symptoms using a standardized questionnaire - the urogenital distress inventory (UDI-6) - in addition to urodynamic studies just before and six-months after the sacrospinous hysteropexy ±â€¯associated vaginal wall repair operation. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients completed the study with a mean age of 36.5 ±â€¯4 years. Only 3 women had sacrospinous hysteropexy with no additional procedures. Other procedures included anterior colporrhaphy (12), posterior colporrhaphy (9) and perineorrhaphy (15). Based on UDI-6, there was no significant difference between the pre- and post-operative symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) [8/27 (29.6%) vs. 9/27 (33.3%) respectively; p value = 0.7]. The pre- and post-operative symptoms of urge urinary incontinence were also insignificantly different [13/27 (48.1%) vs. 15/27 (55.5%); p value = 0.5]. The total score of UDI-6 increased from 24.5 ±â€¯(14.2) to 32.8 ±â€¯(29.4) which was not statistically significant (p value = 0.12). Urodynamically, voiding dysfunction was found less frequently after the operation, however the difference was statistically insignificant [9/27 (33.3%) vs. 8/27 (29.6%); p value = 0.7]. CONCLUSION: Sacrospinous hysteropexy and associated vaginal wall repair do not affect the bladder function either subjectively or objectively.

Protective effect of citicoline against aluminum-induced cognitive impairments in rats.

The potential protective effect of citicoline on aluminum chloride-induced cognitive deficits was investigated in rats. In a Morris water maze, administration of aluminum chloride to rats for 90 days resulted in increased escape latency to reach the platform and decreased swimming speed in acquisition trials. Similarly, in probe trials, the time required to reach the hidden platform was increased and the time spent in the target quadrant was reduced. Also, administration of aluminum chloride to rats for 90 days increased the reference and working memory errors and time required to end the task in the radial arm maze. In addition, this treatment decreased the step-through latency in the passive avoidance test. Concurrently, treatment of rats with aluminum chloride for 90 days increased hippocampal glutamate, malondialdehyde, and nitrite levels and decreased intracellular reduced glutathione level. In the citicoline-treated group, aluminum chloride-induced learning and memory impairments as assessed by the Morris water maze, radial arm maze, and passive avoidance tests were inhibited. At the same time, treatment of rats with citicoline prevented the biochemical alterations induced by aluminum chloride in the hippocampus. It can be concluded that elevation of hippocampal glutamate level with consequent oxidative stress and nitric oxide (NO) overproduction may play an important role in aluminum-induced cognitive impairments. Also, our results suggest, for the first time, that citicoline can protect against the development of these cognitive deficits through inhibition of aluminum-induced elevation of glutamate level, oxidative stress, and NO overproduction in the hippocampus.

Rupture of the pregnant uterus - a 20-year review.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the incidence, causative factors, maternal and foetal outcomes and subsequent fertility in cases of uterine rupture in scarred and unscarred uteri. METHODS: A 20 years' retrospective review was carried out where relevant data were collected from the medical records. Outcome measures included labour characteristics, operative procedures, maternal and perinatal outcome in addition to subsequent fertility. RESULTS: Forty-nine cases of complete uterine rupture were identified. Women in the unscarred group were older, had higher parity and heavier babies (p values < 0.05). Alternatively, the scarred group cases were associated with more silent rupture discovered at time of surgery, recession of the presenting part and more visceral involvement in particularly the urinary bladder. Admission to NICU and birth asphyxia were more frequent in the scarred group while stillbirth and early neonatal death were more common in the unscarred one. Twenty-four out of 49 cases had repair with no bilateral tubal ligation and out of these, 13 patients subsequently conceived and had 22 babies. CONCLUSION: Physicians should be vigilant to the risk factors and clinical presentations of uterine rupture during pregnancy. Cautious attempts to repair the ruptured uterus should be tried for patients' wellbeing and to help maintain fertility.

Maternal serum interleukin-6 in the management of patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of maternal serum interleukin-6 for the detection of subclinical chorioamnionitis and in the prediction of the latency period in patients with preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM). METHODS: The study group included 60 patients at 24-34 weeks of gestation complaining of PPROM. Laboratory investigations included serial measurements of IL-6, TLC and CRP. Conservative management was carried out till 36 weeks unless delivery was indicated beforehand. The main outcome measures were the latency period and the occurrence of subclinical chorioamnionitis. RESULTS: The mean gestational age at presentation was 30.9 weeks and 35.2 weeks at delivery. The mean IL-6 level at presentation was 4.7 pg/ml. There was no correlation between IL-6 at presentation and the latency period. In addition, those diagnosed as having subclinical chorioamnionitis by placental histopathology had significantly higher levels of IL-6 at delivery. Taking IL-6 level cutoff point of 8.5 pg/ml, histological chorioamnionitis, RDS and NICU admission were significantly higher above that level while neonatal birth weight, Apgar scores at one and five minutes were significantly lower. CONCLUSION: Maternal serum IL-6 at the time of PPROM has no correlation to the latency period while IL-6 levels at the time of delivery have significant correlation to the subclinical chorioamnionitis and neonatal outcome measures.

Role of oxidative stress and inducible nitric oxide synthase in morphine-induced tolerance and dependence in mice. Effect of alpha-lipoic acid.

In this study, the possible role of oxidative stress and nitric oxide (NO) synthase isoforms in the development of morphine tolerance and dependence, and effect of alpha-lipoic acid on these parameters were investigated in mice. The development of morphine tolerance as measured by the hot plate test and dependence, as assessed by naloxone-precipitated withdrawal manifestations, produced an increase in brain glutamate and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and NO production as well as a decrease in brain intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) level and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity. Also, the development of these syndromes increased inducible but not neuronal NO synthase mRNA and protein expressions in mice brain. Co-administration of alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) inhibited the development of morphine tolerance and dependence, their associated biochemical alterations, except elevation of brain glutamate level, and their associated increase in brain inducible NO synthase mRNA and protein expressions. The inhibitory effect of α-LA on morphine-induced tolerance and dependence and on naloxone-induced biochemical alterations in morphine-dependent mice was enhanced by concurrent administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist, dizocilpine, the antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine or the selective inducible NO synthase inhibitor, aminoguanidine. On the other hand, this inhibitory effect of α-LA was not changed by concurrent administration of the selective neuronal NO synthase inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole but antagonized by concurrent administration of the NO precursor, L-arginine. These results suggest that α-LA through inhibition of morphine-induced oxidative stress and increase in the expression and activity of inducible NO synthase in the brain can attenuate the development of morphine tolerance and dependence.

Inhibition of brain oxidative stress and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by thymoquinone attenuates the development of morphine tolerance and dependence in mice.

In this study, the effect of thymoquinone on morphine-induced tolerance and dependence in mice was investigated. Repeated administration of thymoquinone along with morphine attenuated the development of morphine tolerance, as measured by the hot plate test, and dependence, as assessed by naloxone-precipitated withdrawal manifestations. Concurrently, morphine-induced progressive increase in brain malondialdehyde (MDA) level and nitric oxide (NO) production as well as progressive decrease in brain intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) level and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were inhibited by co-administration of thymoquinone. Morphine-induced progressive increase in brain glutamate level was not inhibited by concomitant administration of thymoquinone. Similarly, co-administration of thymoquinone inhibited naloxone-induced increase in brain MDA level, NO overproduction and decrease in brain intracellular GSH level and GSH-Px activities but it did not inhibit naloxone-induced elevation of brain glutamate level in morphine-dependent mice. The inhibitory effect of thymoquinone on morphine-induced tolerance and dependence on naloxone-induced biochemical alterations in morphine-dependent mice was enhanced by concurrent i.p. administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist, dizocilpine, the antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine or the NO synthase inhibitor, L-N (G)-nitroarginine methyl ester. On the other hand, this inhibitory effect of thymoquinone was antagonized by concurrent i.p. administration of NO precursor, L-arginine. In addition, concomitant administration of thymoquinone inhibited morphine tolerance and dependence-induced increase in inducible but not in neuronal NO synthase mRNA expression in mice brain. These results demonstrate that inhibition of morphine-induced oxidative stress, increase in the expression of brain inducible NO synthase and NO overproduction by thymoquinone can attenuate the development of morphine tolerance and dependence.

Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Type A Clostridium botulinum in Foods.

A DNA fragment of the type A Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin gene was demonstrated in canned food products with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The fragment, 1340-bp in size, was amplified from green peas, whole kernel corn, green beans, lima beans, black-eyed peas, and turnip greens previously inoculated with type A C. botulinum . The PCR products were identified by agarose gel electrophoresis and also confirmed by dot blot DNA hybridization with a type A specific gene probe. Some inoculated foods were PCR negative but became PCR positive after subculture and overnight incubation in brain heart infusion broth. No PCR amplification products were obtained from uninoculated foods. The procedure was highly sensitive and detected as few as 100 vegetative cells per ml brain heart infusion broth culture.