Effect of laser acupuncture on monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis in adolescent females: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is prevalent in children and adolescents and affects their social life later. Therefore, the objective of this study was to ascertain laser acupuncture (LA) therapy's effect on NE in adolescent females. METHODS: Sixty adolescent females diagnosed with chronic monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) were randomly divided into two equal groups: The intervention group (received LA and desmopressin) and the control group (received desmopressin only) (n = 30 each). Treatment was delivered and LA was used three times a week for 12 successive weeks. Abdominal ultrasonography and voiding calendar were used to assess bladder capacity and maximum voiding volume (MVV), respectively. The frequency of bed wetness was assessed throughout the trial period in a diary. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were reported in the intervention group. Bladder capacity significantly increased in the intervention group (LA and desmopressin) than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest the beneficial influences of LA on MNE, despite the very poor quality of the literature's available evidence.

In vitro efficacy of Boswellia carterii resin extracts formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate against Tetranychus urticae and phytopathogenic fungi.

Contemporary agriculture heavily relies on pesticides for pest eradication and disease management. Consequently, current study was carried out to assess the acaricidal/antifungal efficacy of emulsifiable concentrate (10 % EC) derived from Boswellia carterii (B. carterii) against adult females of Tetranychus urticae (T. urticae), and five fungal pathogens. The meticulous examination of the chemical constitution of the crude extracts derived from the resin of B. carterii was conducted through the employment of the venerable technique known as Gas-Liquid Chromatography (GLC). The formulated petroleum-ether extract (FPEE) and formulated ethyl-acetate extract (FEAE) of B. carterii at a concentration of 10 mg ml-1 exhibited notable antioxidant activity with rates of 62.0 % and 90.8 %, respectively. In vitro, the FEAE exhibited potent inhibition against all the tested phytopathogenic fungi at different concentrations, whereas FPEE showed comparatively less efficacy. Interestingly, at 4000 ppm concentration, FEAE completely ceased the mycelial growth compared with the control. Moreover, following a span of 72 h of intervention, FPEE exhibited a greater degree of toxicity towards mature females of the T. urticae. This was evidenced by the LC50 value of 422.52 parts per million (ppm) for FPEE, which surpassed the LC50 value of 539.50 ppm observed for FEAE. In summary, the present study indicates that B. carterii resin formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate (10 % EC) can offer a natural and effective alternative for integrated pest management, thereby reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides and offering a more environmentally sustainable strategy for pest control.

Territorial Post-Revascularization Remodeling of Chronic Coronary Syndromes: Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking Study.

BACKGROUND: MRI feature-tracking (MRI-FT) can accurately assess ventricular myocardial deformation and regional function and may be a better predictor of mortality than ejection fraction and infarct extension. However, role of MRI-FT in assessing coronary revascularization is unclear. PURPOSE: To assess coronary revascularization effect on territorial left ventricle (LV) function of chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) patients by MRI-FT. STUDY TYPE: Prospective. SUBJECTS: 50 CCS patients (age: 62.22 ± 8.70 years) scheduled for elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and 30 healthy controls (age: 35.33 ± 11.57 years). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 1.5T with balanced steady-state free precession cine sequence. ASSESSMENT: Global and segmental peak systolic longitudinal, circumferential, and radial myocardial strains were quantified in both patient and healthy control groups by an experienced operator using dedicated software. Patients were studied both pre-PCI and 6-month post-PCI and LV territorial myocardial strain values were calculated by averaging the segmental values of each revascularized territory. STATISTICAL TESTS: Student's t-test, paired t-test, Mann Whitney test, and Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Significance was judged at the 5% level. RESULTS: Territorial longitudinal strain showed significant 6-month post-PCI improvement in the left anterior descending (LAD) and right coronary artery (RCA) territories, but there was not in the left circumflex (LCX) territory (LAD: mean - 11.41% ± 3.45% pre, -13.01% ± 3.53% post; RCA: mean - 11.11% ± 2.65% pre, -13.25% ± 2.81% post; and LCX: mean - 15.43% ± 3.97% pre, -16.17% ± 4.38% post, P = 0.215). Territorial circumferential strain showed significant post-PCI improvement in all revascularized territories (LAD: mean - 13.73% ± 6.56% pre, -16.98% ± 6.01% post; LCX: mean - 13.23% ± 4.23% pre, -16.34% ± 3.45% post; and RCA: mean - 11.24% ± 3.36% pre, -13.80% ± 3.51% post). Territorial radial strain showed no significant post-PCI improvement (LAD: mean 22.73% ± 12.38% pre, 21.79% ± 11.55% post, P = 0.541; LCX: mean 27.73% ± 7.95% pre, 29.0% ± 7.25% post, P = 0.264; and RCA: mean 36.68% ± 11.10% pre, 31.75% ± 10.95% post, P = 0.208). DATA CONCLUSION: Territorial LV systolic function was significantly improved by coronary revascularization in CCS patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 4.

A comparative study of novel ruthenium(III) and iron(III) complexes containing uracil; docking and biological studies.

Structural and biological studies were conducted on the novel complexes [Fe(U)2(H2O)2]Cl3 (FeU) and [Ru(U)2(H2O)2]Cl3 (RuU) (U = 5,6-Diamino-1,3-dimethylpyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione) to develop an anticancer drug candidate. The two complexes have been synthesized and characterized. Based on our findings, these complexes have octahedral geometry. The DNA-binding study proved that both complexes coordinated with CT-DNA. The docking study confirmed the potency of both complexes in downregulating the topoisomerase I protein through their high binding affinity. Biological studies have established that both complexes can act as potent anticancer agents against three cancer cell lines. RuU or FeU complexes induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells by increasing caspase9 protein and inhibiting proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) activity. In addition, both complexes down-regulate topoisomerase I expression in breast cancer cells. Therefore, the RuU and FeU complexes' anticancer activities were mediated via both apoptosis induction and topoisomerase I down-regulation. In conclusion, both complexes have dual anticancer activity pathways that may be responsible for the selective cytotoxicity of the complexes. This makes them more suitable for the development of novel cancer treatment strategies.

Whole-body vibration versus supervised aerobic exercise on hormonal parameters and inflammatory status in women with premenstrual syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) and aerobic exercise on the hormonal profile and inflammatory status in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). METHODS: A prospective, randomized, pre-post-test, single-blind, controlled trial was conducted in 105 women diagnosed with PMS. They were randomized into three equal groups. All women received magnesium and vitamin B complex supplementation once daily. WBV training was added three times per week to the WBV group. The aerobic exercise group added aerobic exercise three times per week, while the control group received no additional intervention. The Premenstrual Syndrome Questionnaire (PMSQ) was used to assess PMS symptoms. Blood analysis was performed to measure hormone assays (estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and cortisol) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein at the start and after the end of the treatment program. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between WBV and aerobic exercise according to PMSQ and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P = 0.99 and P = 0.98, respectively), but there was a statistically significant difference between both groups in cortisol, progesterone, prolactin, and estradiol (P = 0.001), with more favor given to the WBV group. CONCLUSION: WBV and aerobic exercise have positive effects on women with PMS, with more favor given to WBV.

Evaluation of the Fungicidal Effect of Some Commercial Disinfectant and Sterilizer Agents Formulated as Soluble Liquid against Sclerotium rolfsii Infected Tomato Plant.

Globally, root rot disease of tomato plants caused by Sclerotium rolfsii is a severe disease leading to the death of infected plants. The effect of some commercial antiseptics and disinfectant agents, such as chloroxylenol (10%), phenic (10%) and formulated phenol (7%) on the control of root rot pathogen and its impact on growth and chemical constituents of tomato seedlings cv. Castle Rock were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The antifungal activity was measured in vitro following the poisoned food technique at different concentrations of 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 µL/L. Disinfectant agents and atrio (80%) were tested in vivo by soaking 20-day-old tomato seedlings in four concentrations of 125, 250, 500 and 1000 µL/100 mL water for 5 min and thereafter planting in soil infested by S. rolfsii. Fresh and dry weight, shoot and root length, and chemical constituents of tomato seedlings infected by S. rolfsii were investigated at 35 days after planting (DAP). Experimental results indicated that chloroxylenol (10%) was the most effective on fungus in vitro, recorded an effective concentration (EC50 = 1347.74 µL/L) followed by phenic (10%) (EC50 = 1370.52 µL/L) and formulated phenol (7%) (EC50 = 1553.59 µL/L). In vivo, atrio (80%) and disinfectant agents at different concentrations significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced disease incidence, increased shoot and root lengths and increased dry and fresh weight. Additionally, it significantly increased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total carotenoids, total carbohydrates, total proteins, and total phenols. The highest reduction of root rot incidence and increase tomato growth parameters, as well as chemical compositions, were recorded on tomato seedlings treated with atrio (80%) as well as formulated phenol (7%) at different concentrations, followed by chloroxylenol (10%) at 125 and 250 µL/100 mL, whereas phenic (10%) was found to be the least effective treatment. Therefore, the application of formulated phenol (7%) could be commercially used to control tomato root rot diseases and increase the quality and quantity of tomato plants since it is promising against the pathogen, safe, and less expensive than fungicides.

A longitudinal study of amniotic fluid index in normal pregnancy in Nigerian women.

OBJECTIVE: To establish normal reference values of amniotic fluid index by week of gestation for normal pregnancies in our population. METHOD: A longitudinal prospective assessment of amniotic fluid index in healthy pregnant women carrying singleton pregnancies. The subjects were recruited at 20 or 22 weeks of gestation and concluded at 40 or 42 weeks of gestation. The numeral data were analyzed on an IBM Personal System 2 computer with statistical and graphical packages. RESULT: from a mean of 17.18 cm at 20 weeks gestation, the amniotic fluid index rose progressively to a peak of 20.39 cm at 26 weeks gestation. It then gradually declined to a mean of 8.37 cm at 42 weeks gestation. CONCLUSION: Gestational age specific values of amniotic fluid index should be used and the 5th and 95th percentiles taken as lower and upper limits of normal, respectively.

Paediatric and teenage gynaecological disorders in northern Nigeria.

A retrospective analysis of 206 paediatric and teenage gynaecological disorders seen at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital from January 1984 to December 1993 is presented. The age range was from birth to 19 years, with 94% aged between 12 and 19 years. Abortions constituted the most common gynaecological disorder seen (37.4%), followed by traumatic injury to the genitalia (30.6%). Other frequently seen disorders included ovarian cysts (4.9%), cryptomenorrhoea (4.4%), labial agglutination (3%), ruptured ectopic pregnancy (3%) and hydatidiform mole (1.4%). Management was based on usual, standard gynaecological practice.