Elemental Analysis of Basella alba, Spinacia oleracea, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.), Ipomoea aquatica, Colocasia esculenta, Amaranthus dubius, and Raphanus sativus Vegetables Using the PIXE Technique in a Saline Region of Bangladesh, Rampal Area.

Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method was used in this present research to identify the elements present in selected vegetable samples to show the possible influence in the metal absorption by the vegetables grown in a saline region of Rampal area of Munshiganj District, Bangladesh. The data acquisition setup is calibrated using a 2.5-MeV proton beam in the current ranges of 5nA to 15nA. The detector was used to measure the X-rays emitted during the irradiation. Data acquisition system MAESTRO-32 was used to measure the spectrum picks, and concentration calculation has been done by GUPIX/DAN-32 software. The purpose of this study is to determine the concentration of heavy and trace elements in these samples and to give current information on their safety for consumption. The result shows that K, Ca, and Fe have the highest concentrations, while lead exhibits the lowest but alarming rates compared to reference materials. The findings were likened to IAEA-V-10, IAEA-359, SRM 1515 (apple leaf), and SRM 1573a (tomato leaf). The outcomes of the present investigation demonstrate that these samples are not devoid of health risks in intake.

Family Physicians' satisfaction with factors affecting the dynamism of the urban family physician program in the Fars and Mazandaran provinces of Iran.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A successful family physician program needs ongoing and full cooperation between people and the organizations in charge. Ensuring the satisfaction of family physicians through improvement of the underlying factors could motivate them to provide high-quality services. This study aimed to determine the family physicians' satisfaction level with the factors affecting the dynamism of the urban family physicians program in the Fars and Mazandaran provinces of Iran. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was carried out in urban areas in the Fars and Mazandaran provinces in 2016. The sample consisted of 143 and 96 family physicians, respectively, in Fars and Mazandaran provinces and was selected using the stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaire and included both sociodemographic variables and factors assessing the family physicians' satisfaction levels. Each factor was scored based on a Likert scale from 0 to 5 points, and any satisfaction level higher than 3 out of 5 was equated with being satisfied. RESULTS: The overall satisfaction levels among family physicians in Fars and Mazandaran provinces were 2.77±0.53 and 3.37±0.56, respectively, revealing a statistically significant difference between provinces (p<0.001). Moreover, the mean satisfaction scores for the performances of healthcare centers, insurance companies, specialists, healthcare workers, and the population covered were 2.78±0.1, 2.54±0.9, 2.52±0.8, 4.24±0.07, and 2.96±0.8, respectively. The family physicians' levels of satisfaction were significantly correlated with population size (p=0.02, r= -0.106), and willingness to stay in an urban family physician program (p<0.001, r= +0.398). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that family physicians exhibited a low level of satisfaction with the urban family physician program. Given the direct association between family physicians' satisfaction levels and retention in the program, it is expected that family physicians will no longer stay in the program, and it is likely to have subsequent executive problems.

Antibacterial properties of essential oils and methanol extracts of sweet basil Ocimum basilicum occurring in Bangladesh.

The antibacterial potential of essential oils and methanol extracts of sweet basil Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae) was evaluated for controlling the growth range of food-borne pathogenic bacteria. Essential oils extracted by hydrodistillation from the leaves and stems were analyzed by GC-MS. Fifty-seven compounds representing 94.9 and 96.1% of the total leaf and stem oils, respectively, were identified, of which methyl chavicol (36.7 and 29.9%), gitoxigenin (9.3 and 10.2%), trimethoquinol (10.3 and 8.4%), beta-guaiene (3.7 and 4.1%), aciphyllene (3.4 and 3.0%), alizarin (3.2 and 4.4%), naphthaline (2.2 and 3.8%), (-)-caryophyllene (2.0 and 1.9%), and mequinol (1.6 and 1.8%) were the major compounds. The essential oils (10 microL/disc of 1:5, v/v dilution with methanol) and methanol extracts (300 microg/disc) of O. basilicum displayed a great potential of antibacterial activity against Bacillius cereus, B. subtilis, B. megaterium, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Shigella boydii, S. dysenteriae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. mimicus, and Salmonella typhi with their respective zones of inhibition of 11.2-21.1 mm and MIC values of 62.5-500 microg/mL. The results of this study suggest that the natural products derived from O. basilicum may have potential use in the food and/or pharmaceutical industries as antimicrobial agents.

Comparison of miltefosine and meglumine antimoniate for the treatment of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) by a randomized clinical trial in Iran.

This study was a randomized, open label comparison that was designed to determine efficacy and safety of miltefosine as the first oral drug for the treatment of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major in comparison with meglumine antimoniate. Complete clinical response was defined as 100% re-epithelialization of the lesion. Definitions of lesion cure and failure were based on both clinical and parasitological criteria two weeks after the end of treatment and clinical recovery three months after this period. Of 32 patients enrolled for miltefosine treatment 28 patients completed treatment, of which 26 were cured at three months, corresponding to a cure rate of 92.9% on a per protocol analysis, and 81.3% according to intention to treat analysis. There was one failure (3.1%), one relapse (3.1%) and four dropouts due to lack of tolerability (12.5%) during the first week of treatment. Of 31 patients who received intramuscular meglumine antimoniate (20mgSb(5)/kg body weight daily for 14 days) 25 were cured (83.3% on a per protocol basis, 80.6% on intention to treat basis), five failed (16.1%) and one was lost (3.2%) at 3-month follow-up. At 6-month follow-up after the end of treatment, no relapse was observed. Both regimens were tolerated but averages of nausea (32.2%) and vomiting (21.5%) were observed in patients during two weeks after initiation of miltefosine treatment. Other gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and total adverse events were not statistically different in the two groups during one to four weeks after therapy initiation. No relevant changes were observed in levels of liver enzymes, creatinine and hematological tests before and after end of treatment in both groups. In conclusion, miltefosine is apparently at least as good as meglumine antimoniate for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. major in Iran, based on parasitological as well as clinical criteria two weeks, three months, and six months after end of treatment.

Vesico-ureteric reflux in adults with neuropathic bladders treated with Polydimethylsiloxane (Macroplastique).

OBJECTIVE: To establish the efficacy of Macroplastique in treating vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) in adults with neuropathic bladder dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients (12 male and three female), age range 19 to 80 years (mean age 38) were included in this study. Diagnosis was confirmed by videourodynamics. In seven patients reflux was present bilaterally. Twenty-two refluxing ureters were treated. Twelve patients had detrusor hyper-reflexia, two had areflexic bladders and one had loss of bladder wall compliance. According to the International Grading System, 10 ureters had grade IV reflux, five had grade III reflux, five had grade II reflux, and two had grade I reflux. Macroplastique (0.5-1.5 ml) was injected submucosally under each ureteric orifice to convert the opening to a slit like shape. The patients were followed up from 9 to 68 months. RESULTS: VUR was completely resolved in 72.7% (16) ureters following a single injection and in a further 4.5% (1) ureter following a second injection. 9.1% (2) ureters were improved and treatment failed in 13.7% (3) ureters. Two patients showed a recurrence of reflux 1 and 4 years after primary injection and subsequently had a curative second injection. Most of the patients in whom VUR was cured or improved showed a reduction in laboratory proven urinary infection rates. CONCLUSION: Macroplastique produced an excellent result (86% with complete resolution or improvement of reflux) in treating VUR in adult neuropathic bladders. This is comparable to larger studies carried out on the paediatric population. This is an easy procedure, which avoids major surgery and can be performed as a day case. In cases of failure or recurrence, repeat injection or open surgery can be undertaken without any added complications.

Richter's hernia: a rare presentation of abdominal tuberculosis.

Intestinal obstruction due to Richter's hernia has not been reported in abdominal tuberculosis. This 21-year-old man with abdominal tuberculosis presented with small gut obstruction due to Richter's hernia associated with ascites and patent right processus vaginalis (PV). He underwent laparotomy with reduction of Richter's hernia and closure of the PV at the right deep inguinal ring.