Phytochemical investigation of the n-hexane-extracted oil from four umbelliferous vegetables using GC/MS analysis in the context of antibacterial activity.

Umbelliferous (Apiaceae) vegetables are widely consumed worldwide for their nutritive and health benefits. The main goal of the current study is to explore the compositional heterogeneity in four dried umbelliferous vegetables viz, celery, coriander, dill, and parsley targeting their volatile profile using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 133 volatile metabolites were detected belonging to 12 classes. Aromatic hydrocarbons were detected as the major components of the analyzed vegetables accounting ca. 64.0, 62.4, 59.5, and 47.8% in parsley, dill, celery, and coriander, respectively. Aliphatic hydrocarbons were detected at ca. 6.39, 8.21, 6.16, and 6.79% in parsley, dill, celery, and coriander, respectively. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of various health benefits were detected in parsley and represented by roughanic acid and α-linolenic acid at 4.99 and 0.47%, respectively. Myristicin and frambinone were detected only in parsley at 0.45 and 0.56%. Investigation of antibacterial activity of umbelliferous vegetables n-hexane extract revealed a moderate antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with higher activity for celery and dill against Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zone 20.3 mm compared to 24.3 mm of the standard antibacterial drug.

The use of instructional videos to compensate for flexible physiology learning during the pandemic of COVID 19.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at using instructional videos in physiology created by students to improve the process of learning Physiology especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic which enforced the lectures to be online. Additionally, it allowed students to visualize and understand clinical scenarios and the physiological reasons behind them while assessing how much they stand to gain from the experience. METHODS: This study is a project to implement FAIMER, ASU MENA-FRI Institute, Cairo, Egypt. In a foundation course for first-year medical students, the instructor utilized a variety of instructional methods including lecture, small group discussion, individual assignments, and reflection. Students were randomly allocated into 18 groups, then a topic in their physiology curriculum was chosen and they formulated a related case scenario, thereafter a video was made by themselves. This intervention was rewarded by activity mark in their course. Post-project questionnaire was used, and an external reviewer evaluated the videos presented by students. This study obtained IRB approval from the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams Medical Ethics committee. RESULTS: the project helped students to improve their skills in problem-solving, teamwork, active learning, communication, planning, and time management. In addition, it also increased their confidence in their abilities to learn, face unexpected challenges, and achieve goals, while considering new life opportunities, those which became an option when the students searched by themselves and learned more about the different angles of medicine. CONCLUSION: Compared to the traditional lecture format that focuses on memorizing definitions and theoretical structures, instructional videos can be regarded as an innovative teaching tool and a unique medical education method that allowed students to participate more in the learning process even if their lectures were online. This article proposes an active learning method in undergraduate medical education which compensate for limited face-to-face attended during the pandemic.

Colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer in Egypt: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines advocate for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in adults who are at risk by using direct visualization methods such as colonoscopy. However, in Egypt, there is a paucity of data regarding the current practice of colonoscopy screening. Moreover, more information is needed about the knowledge and attitudes of potential participants regarding the procedure and possible barriers that can limit their participation. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study using an interview-based survey of patients aged 45 years or above who presented to outpatient clinics of nine university hospitals throughout Egypt. Participants were surveyed to assess their compliance with CRC colonoscopy screening guidelines, their knowledge of and attitude towards colonoscopy screening, and their perspective on potential barriers to colonoscopy screening. RESULTS: A total of 1,453 participants responded to our survey in the nine study centers. Only a minority of participants (2.3%) were referred for CRC screening. Referral rates were higher among those who knew someone with a history of CRC (5.3% vs 1.5%, p < 0.001) or had a discussion with their physician about CRC (25.8% vs 0.7%, p < 0.001). Few responders (3.2%) had good knowledge regarding CRC screening. After introducing the concept of CRC screening to all participants, most patients (66.7%) showed a positive attitude towards having the procedure. Financial burden and fear of results were the two most frequently cited barriers to undergoing CRC screening (81.1%; and 60.1%, respecteively). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the positive attitude, there is insufficient knowledge about CRC screening among eligible participants in Egypt. This has probably contributed to low compliance with current CRC screening guidelines and needs to be addressed at the national level.

Bee Pollen and Bread as a Super-Food: A Comparative Review of Their Metabolome Composition and Quality Assessment in the Context of Best Recovery Conditions.

Recently, functional foods have been a subject of great interest in dietetics owing not only to their nutritional value but rather their myriad of health benefits. Moreover, an increase in consumers' demands for such valuable foods warrants the development in not only production but rather tools of quality and nutrient assessment. Bee products, viz., pollen (BP) and bread, are normally harvested from the flowering plants with the aid of bees. BP is further subjected to a fermentation process in bee hives to produce the more valuable and bioavailable BB. Owing to their nutritional and medicinal properties, bee products are considered as an important food supplements rich in macro-, micro-, and phytonutrients. Bee products are rich in carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins, fatty acids, and minerals in addition to a myriad of phytonutrients such as phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, volatiles, and carotenoids. Moreover, unsaturated fatty acids (USFAs) of improved lipid profile such as linoleic, linolenic, and oleic were identified in BP and BB. This work aims to present a holistic overview of BP and BB in the context of their composition and analysis, and to highlight optimized extraction techniques to maximize their value and future applications in nutraceuticals.

Phytochemical and biological diversity of triterpenoid saponins from family Sapotaceae: A comprehensive review.

Sapotaceae is a flowering plants family reported for its richness in triterpenoid saponins. Sapotaceae comprises a large number of fruit-producing plants of nutritional and medicinal value. Different species of family Sapotaceae received a considerable interest owing to their rich triterpenoid saponins content of a myriad pharmacological effects and health benefits. Several databases were searched for collecting papers for this review in the scope of phytochemistry, bioactivity and record of triterpenoid saponins from family Sapotacese such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus and Reaxys from 1990 till now. Triterpenoid saponins reported from Sapotaceae plants are mostly of protobassic acid, 16-α-hydroxyprotobassic acid, bayogenin, and oleanolic acid derivatives with both monodesmosidic and/or bidesmosidic attached sugar side chains. Besides, the most frequently attached sugar units are glucose, glucoronic acid, apiose, xylose, rhamnose, and arabinose. The reported health effects of Sapotaceae plants in folk medicine in relation to their bioactive saponins were also reviewed with special attention to anti-inflammatory, antiulcer activity, antimicrobial activity, cytotoxic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. This review aims to present a holistic compile on the phytochemical and biological diversity of triterpenoid saponins reported from family Sapotaceae with future perspectives.

Production of isoquinoline alkaloids from the in vitro conserved Fumaria parviflora and their in vitro wound healing activity.

Fumaria parviflora Lam. is a rare herbaceous annual plant, with a well-known richness of isoquinoline alkaloids. It is threaten due to expansion on construction in the Mediterranean coastal region. We established callus culture protocol aiming at in vitro conservation of this plant. Murashige and Skoog medium fortified with a combination of 0.5 mg/l 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 1 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) showed optimal callus initiation. UPLC-MS/MS profiling revealed that calli induced on the tested media were able to produce isoquinoline alkaloids. Eight alkaloids were isolated from aerial parts of the cultivated plant and their cytotoxicity against Human skin fibroblast (HF) and wound healing activity using in vitro scratch assay were determined. Structural similarity between the isolated alkaloids enabled structure activity relationship (SAR) study. Sanguinarine displayed the potent activity compared to the other alkaloids. Iminium ion and methylenedioxy potentiated the activity.

ANTIPARASITIC ACTIVITY OF SILVER AND COPPER OXIDE NANOPARTICLES AGAINST ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA AND CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM CYSTS.

Nanoparticles (NPs) have received more attention as antiparasitic agents. In the present study, silver and copper nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The antiparasitic activity of Ag and CuO nanoparticles were tested against two of the most environmentally spread parasites in Egypt (Entamoeba histolytica and Cryptosporidium parvum). The average sizes of synthesized Ag NPs and CuO NPs were 9 & 29 nm respectively and a significant reduction for cysts viability (p > 0.05) was observed for CuO NPs against E. histolytica cysts and Ag NPs against C. parvum oocysts. Moreover, LC50-3h of CuO NPs for E. histolytica and C. parvum were 0.13 and 0.72 mg/l, while Ag NPs recorded 0.34 and 0.54 mg/l respectively. Accordingly, these NPs could be suggested as a new nanoform agent for safe and effective treatment of E. histolytica and C. parvum parasites.

Serological versus antigen detection methods for Giardia duodenalis diagnosis.

Giardiasis constitutes an important public health problem in the world. Contamination of the water with fecal materials including viruses and pathogenic protozoa still represents an environmental health hazard, especially in rural areas. The survey study evaluated the relation between seropositivity and some risk factors. Moreover, the study compared between the serological IgG and IgM level and antigen detection methods for the diagnosis of giardiasis. The results indicate that sex distribution and age were the mean risk factors for seroprevelence. In this study, sera samples were employed in sandwich ELISA assay, to detect circulating Giardia antigens. None of the negative control serum samples gave a positive reaction, but cross reaction was encountered with 3 case of Cryptosporidium. The specificity of the assay was 94.830/a. On the other hand, the sensitivity of the Giardia patient's sera was 94.12% which was higher than that of IgG (86.25%) and IgM (87.50%) secretion measurements. In conclusion, antigen detection methods give better and earlier diagnosis for giardiasis can be performed quickly and do not require an experienced and skilled morphologist.

Occult otologic fistulas as a cause of recurrent meningitis.

OBJECTIVE: Occult perilymph fistulas may be the cause of unexplained non-epidemic meningitis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: To review the case reports of 5 patients (3 females and 2 males aged 4-56) presenting with unexplained meningitis. All had sensorineural hearing loss of variable duration. RESULTS: All patients were submitted to CT, MRI and MRI cisternography. All underwent exploratory tympanotomy to seal the fistula. In all patients the fistula could be located and sealed. All had no further attacks of meningitis and those who had serviceable hearing did not show any further deterioration. CONCLUSION: In any case of recurrent meningitis an occult perilymph leak should be sought. A high degree of suspicion should exist if there are auditory or vestibular symptoms. Detecting and sealing of the defect will protect the patient against further attacks and deterioration of hearing.

Difference in the susceptibility to certain molluscicides and Schistosoma mansoni infection of three forms Egyptian Biomphalaria glabrata.

The first generation of 3 morphologically different forms of B. glabrata collected from Giza were compared for LC50 values susceptibility to bayluscide and copper sulphate (chemical molluscicides) and Anagallis arvensis and Calendula micrantha (plant molluscicides) and to Schistosoma mansoni infection. Form (2) as juvenile and adult were less sensitive to C. micrantha and A. arvensis. Form (3) as juvenile and form (1) as adult were least sensitive to CuSO4. Approximately the same susceptibility to bayluscide was observed in the 3 forms either as juvenile or adult. The sublethal concentrations of the molluscicides on B. glabrata 3 forms showed no significant difference in the growth or survival rate in between. Form (2) was significantly higher in the egg lying capacity. The total protein concentration was not affected except in certain cases where the increase was primarily due to the increase in the globulin concentrations which indicate with the marked increase observed in the urea concentration and marked increase or inhibition in the activity of either AST or ALT that the digestive gland of the 3 forms of snails is seriously affected by molluscicides. The 3 forms of B. glabrata showed low susceptibility to infection with the local strain of S. mansoni.

Functional septal surgery: computer simulated surgery.

Septal surgery is one of the most commonly performed nasal surgeries. It aims at restoring nasal patency and symmetrical air passages. However classical surgery may narrow the originally wider side necessitating additional surgery at the level of the turbinates. This study was performed to demonstrate that properly targeted and tailored surgery with limited interference at the level of specific areas may not only be enough but it may also more efficacious than more extensive surgery. The coronal CT scans of 16 patients with septal deviation were transferred to a computer and the cross-sectional areas (CSA) of both passages calculated before and after various simulations of septal surgery. In 8/16 cases the more limited surgery resulted in a wider total CSA and also more symmetrical right and left passages. This is more physiological both in terms of function and subjective feeling by the patients. We suggest that for all patients planned to undergo septal surgery a pre-operative coronal CT should be studied and the surgery planned to achieve the most optimal result rather than remove indiscriminately all deviated elements.

Complicated fungal sinusitis. Clinical and therapeutic aspects.

Fungal infections of the sinuses are becoming more common and increasing number of cases are being reported in immunocompetent patients. Unfortunately a significant number of cases present with a complication. In this review of 140 patients with fungal sinusitis, 16 (11.4%) presented with an extrasinus, orbital or intracranial complication. The different fungal types, presentation and therapeutic approaches are discussed. This emphasizes the need for vigilance in dealing with patients with atypical sinus disease and to suspect fungal infections pre- and intraoperatively. Combined surgical and long term medical treatments are usually needed to prevent recurrences and spread of the infection.

Radial artery for myocardial revascularization: long-term clinical and angiographic results.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the long-term clinical and angiographic results of the radial artery (RA) as a graft in coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: One hundred sixty-four patients had a RA graft from July 1992 to July 1994. In 128 (group A) the RA was connected end to side (115) or end to end (13) to the left internal mammary artery. In 36 (group B) the proximal anastomosis was on the ascending aorta. RESULTS: Early mortality was 1.8% (group A 1.6% and group B 2.8%). Eight-year survival was 83.2%+/-3.2% (group A 82.1%+/-3.8% and group B 86.7%+/-6.2%, p = not significant [NS]), and event free survival was 80.1%+/-3.5% (group A 79.9%+/-4.4% and group B 80.2%+/-7.3%, p = NS). Sixty-one patients (37.2%) had an early angiography within 90 days from the operation. Patency rate of RA distal anastomoses were 98.9% (88 of 89), 98.7% in group A (77 of 78), 100% in group B (11 of 11; p = NS). After a mean of 48+/-27 months (6 to 96), 72 patients (51.1% of the survivors) had a new angiography. Patency rate of RA distal anastomoses was 95.6% (87 of 91), 93.8% in group A (61 of 65) and 100% in group B (26 of 26; p = NS). All the intermediate RA-LIMA anastomoses were patent at the early and late control. Patency rate for RA and IMAs was similar both early (88 of 89 versus 82 of 82; p = NS) and after 48+/-27 months (87 of 91 versus 93 of 93; p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term clinical results after RA grafting are satisfying. Angiographic patency rate, both early and after 48 months, is higher than 90% and is similar to that obtained with internal mammary arteries. The site of the proximal anastomosis does not influence early and late patency.

Bioactivity of Anagallis arvensis and Calendula micrantha plants, treated with ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium sulphate fertilizers, on Biomphalaria alexandrina.

The survival rate of B. alexandrina snails maintained in aqueous solutions of the two tested plants (Calendula micrantha and Anagallis arvensis) decreased gradually with time until the 9th week and 10th week where the survival rate was zero in the high concentration of A. arvensis and C. micrantha, respectively, meanwhile, the survival rate of the control was 20%. Also, the two plants caused reduction in hatchability of snails egg masses. Thus, the percent of hatching in A. arvensis (82 ppm) was 46% and in C. micrantha was 72% compared with control (97.29%). Both plants reduced the infection rate of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails with Schistosoma mansoni miracidia to 41.17% and 61.9%, respectively, compared with control (90%). C. micrantha caused much higher reduction in snail infection rate than A. arvensis. The prepatent period was significantly prolonged in snails maintained at higher concentration of both plants. The cercarial output (expressed as mean number/snail) revealed that, A. arevensis caused a significant reduction in cercarial production than control. While, high concentration (120 ppm) of C. micrantha caused a significant elevation in the mean number of cercariae/snail. However, the total number of cercariae produced by all snails in each group showed a reverse relation with the tested concentrations in both plants.

Simple clinical system for the prediction of recurrence of nasal polypi.

OBJECTIVE: A trial to determine a simple way to predict recurrence of nasal polypi to determine the need for long term medical therapy. METHODS: Retrospective clinical analysis of the records of 100 patients with nasal polypi and studying various parameters including radiological, intra-operative and bacteriological data. RESULTS: Among the various parameters studied, maxillary antral involvement, and positive bacterial cultures seemed the most predictive criteria of recurrence. Patients without polypoid involvement of the maxillary sinus and/or with negative cultures were less likely to have early recurrence of their disease. CONCLUSION: Using simple clinical criteria, two patient populations could be defined. One in which recurrence is inevitable requiring continuous local steroid therapy after surgery and another group requiring occasional local treatment after an initial short course of local steroid spray.

Studies on the molluscicidal action of some isatin derivatives against Biomphalaria alexandrina in Egypt.

Some compounds selected from the isatin derivatives and their metalleted products were used to study their molluscicidal effect on Biomphalaria alexandrina. The results indicated that some of these compounds showed good results and seem to be promising molluscicides.

Neurohistological changes after facial nerve rerouting.

The present study was devised to examine possible structural changes in the facial nerve after rerouting. Changes were studied in 20 adult guinea pigs using different stains for the different nerve structures. Animals were anesthetized and the facial nerve rerouted. The animals were then separated into two groups, an "early" group killed after 7 days and a "late" groups after 15 days. The rerouted facial nerve was sectioned and stained to determine what structural changes had taken place. In both groups there were marked changes in the axons, Schwann cells and connective tissue elements, as well as a marked cellular infiltrate. Although these latter changes in the late group were slightly less than in the early group, the reticulin network was much thicker and there was greater disruption of the nerve bundles. These findings show that facial nerve rerouting causes significant structural changes that may persist for variable periods after surgery. Any attempts at facial rehabilitation clinically should be delayed to allow enough time for nerve function to recover.

Effect of UV-irradiation, gamma irradiation and praziquantel on infected Biomphalaria alexandrina snails.

Schistosomiasis control represent the main target of many research programme allover the world. Effect of physical (UV- and gamma-irradiation) treatment as well as chemical (PZQ) treatment on infected laboratory bred Biomphalria alexandrina snails have been studied. Gamma irradiation and PZQ-treatment induced high rate of mortality than UV-irradiated and non-treated control snails. The cercarial production was severely reduced as a result of UV-, gamma-irradiation and PZQ-treatment. Pre-patent period was significantly increased in gamma-irradiated and PZQ-treated groups than UV-irradiated and control groups. Gamma irradiation and PZQ-treatment showed severe effects on hermaphrodite gland and cercariae. Trials of experimental infection in swiss albino mice revealed that low rate of infection (9.7% and 1.3%) was induced by cercarial shedding from UV-irradiated and PZQ-treated snails respectively. Whereas, cercarial production of gamma-irradiated snails failed to induce infection in swiss mice.

Inclusion of pethidine in lidocaine for infiltration improves analgesia following tonsillectomy in children.

BACKGROUND: Previous work has demonstrated that pethidine exerts local anaesthetic effects on peripheral nerves in vivo. We examined the effects of infiltration anaesthesia by a combination of pethidine and lidocaine on post-tonsillectomy pain and restlessness in children. METHODS: Eighty children were randomly allocated to receive peritonsillar infiltration postoperatively with 3 ml of lidocaine 2% (1.5 ml on each side) combined with either 0.1 ml pethidine, 10 mg.ml-1, (pethidine group) or 0.1 ml normal saline (control group). Pain and behaviour were assessed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 h postoperatively and on the following morning by the patients and by a nurse blinded to previous treatment. RESULTS: Patients in the pethidine group had lower pain scores than those in the control group at rest as well as swallowing during the whole observation period (P < 0.05). Paracetamol was given to 34/40 children in the control group and to 6/40 children in the pethidine group. The corresponding figures for pethidine administration were 6/40 and 0/40, respectively. Patients in the pethidine group displayed a more rapid return to calm wakefulness than those in the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Inclusion of a low dose of pethidine in lidocaine for tonsillar infiltration improves pain relief after tonsillectomy in children.