Investigation of The Effect of Curcumin on Oxidative Stress, Local Inflammatory Response, COX-2 Expression, and Microvessel Density in Trichinella Spiralis Induced Enteritis, Myositis and Myocarditis in Mice.

Background: Curcumin exerts anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that have proven to be of value in the management of several parasitic infections. Objective: Investigation of the value of curcumin in the management of trichinosis either alone or as an adjuvant to albendazole. Methods: Animals received either curcumin 150 mg/kg, curcumin 300 mg/kg, albendazole 50 mg/ kg or combined curcumin 150mg/kg and albendazole 50 mg/kg and were compared with control infected and non-infected mice. Estimation of intestinal and muscular parasitic load and blood malondialdehyde level, in addition to the histopathological examination of small intestine, skeletal muscle tissue and heart was performed. Also, assessment of the local expression of cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme (COX-2) and CD34 in these samples was done by immunohistochemistry. Results: Curcumin was found efficient in reducing parasitic load. It also lowered serum MDA level, local COX-2 and CD34 expression. An evident anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin was observed in intestinal, skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle histopathological sections. Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-angiogenic effects of curcumin can help to improve trichinellosis-induced pathology. Curcumin can therefore be of value as an adjuvant therapy to conventional antiparasitic agents and can also produce promising results when used alone at higher doses.

Utilization of potato peels and sugar beet pulp with and without enzyme supplementation in broiler chicken diets: effects on performance, serum biochemical indices and carcass traits.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of including potato peels (PP) and sugar beet pulp (SBP), as unconventional feeds, with and without enzyme in broiler diets from 1 to 42 days of age by observing the growth performance, blood parameters and carcass characteristics. A total of 150, 1-day old, chicks were randomly assigned into five groups, each with 30 chicks. Birds in group 1 were fed on the control diet. Chicks in groups 2 and 3 were offered diets containing PP and SBP at the rate of 15% and 7.5%, respectively, while those in groups 4 and 5 were fed the same diets but with adding an enzyme mixture. Using the unconventional feeds in the diets was found to decrease the body weight (BW). However, the feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion did not differ from the control in PP at the grower period, but decreased in SBP throughout the experiment. Addition of enzyme greatly improved the BW in PP and SBP to a degree that it surpasses the control and also increased the feed intake and conversion. The total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol serum levels were decreased in all tested groups. Carcass yield was not affected by treatments, but the carcass fat content was reduced using the unconventional feeds with or without enzyme. In conclusion, PP can be used at a rate of 15% in the grower diets of broilers. Furthermore, 15% PP or 7.5% SBP can be included in starter and grower diets, but with the addition of enzymes. This can help in solving the problem of current shortage and rising costs of conventional feeds.

Can video aids increase the validity of patient consent?

The objective of this study is to identify the value of using video to communicate and share information with patients, and assess the role of video in aiding decision-making and consent in urogynaecological surgery. The patients with the need for urogynaecological surgery who were seen in Weston Hospital from November 2003 to December 2008 were offered a video of the proposed procedure to watch prior to decision-making and consenting. Patients were then sent a questionnaire assessing the role of the video in their understanding of the need for and method of the procedure, and the impact of this on their decision-making. A total of 96 questionnaires were sent out, and 71 forms were returned and analysed. Our study shows that women's understanding of the method and purpose of their operation was significantly increased by using the video.

How are anterior repairs carried out in the UK?

The objective of this study was to evaluate how anterior repairs are carried out in the UK and how they differ from published recommended common practice. Postal questionnaires were sent within the first week of May 2005, to 300 consultant gynaecologists in the UK. The surveyed gynaecologists were randomly selected from the RCOG register of Fellows and Members. The questionnaire included questions regarding preoperative assessment, common operative techniques, postoperative management and follow-up. A total of 145 (48%) responses were returned; 110 (37%) consultant gynaecologists completed the survey and 35 (11%) incomplete questionnaires were returned by consultants who currently do not undertake pelvic reconstruction surgery. The results showed a wide variation in management approach and surgical techniques of anterior vaginal wall prolapse between gynaecologists. There appears to be no consensus as how an anterior repair is carried out in UK.

Incidence of upper genital tract occlusion following microwave endometrial ablation (MEA).

The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of occlusion of the upper genital tract following microwave endometrial ablation (MEA) in women treated for therapy-resistant menorrhagia. A total of 35 women were recruited between January 1997 and January 2005, Royal United Hospital Bath, to have interval hysterosalpingogram (HSG) post-MEA. After a successful MEA, either with general or local anaesthesia, 35 HSGs were performed 3 or more months later. Complete occlusion of the upper genital tract was found in 30 women (85.7%) and incomplete occlusion with tubal patency persisted in 5 (14.3%).