Combating effects of Azadirachta indica leaves extract on biochemical and neuropsychological decline observed in diabetes.

Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorder effecting health of wide number of population and cause neuropsychological decline. In the present study, effect of AI leaves extract on neuropsychological behaviors was observed in diabetic rat's model. Rats were divided into 4 groups as control (saline treated healthy rats), positive control (pioglitazone treated diabetic rats), diabetic control (untreated diabetic rats) and AI leaves extract treated diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by giving 35% fructose for 6 weeks and a single dose of Streptozotocin (40 mg/kg). After 3 weeks of treatment behavioral and biochemical analysis were done. Behavioral results revealed that induction of type 2 diabetes produced anxiety, depression, decreased motor activity and impaired recognition memory in rats. Treatment with AI leaves extract in diabetic rats significantly decreased anxiety, depression, increased motor activity, enhanced recognition memory. Biochemical investigation revealed that AI leaves extract treat diabetes via improving the levels of fasting insulin and HbA1c and a significant decrease in CK and SGPT levels were observed in AI leaves treated diabetic rats. So, AI besides treating diabetes, helps in lowering the risk of co-occurring diabetic diseases and found effective in lowering neuropsychological decline observed in type 2 diabetes.

The body-space relations of research(ed) on bodies: The experiences of becoming participant researchers.

This paper heeds calls for reflections on how the research field is defined through embodied socio-spatial presence and immediacy. Focusing on classroom "body-training" observations that were part of a larger qualitative research project, and on the field notes and reflections of three researchers, we explore the transition from observer-researchers to participant-researchers. That is, we explore how, by researching others, we unexpectedly became researched on as our own bodies became instruments in the research process and were used to elicit knowledge on embodied learning, body-mapping and corporeal trace. As a methodological intervention, conducting research through the body, the positioning of bodies and body-to-body interaction, can tell us much about the often ignored embodied and emotional dimensions of the research field. But, in addition, it can elucidate the power relations between, and the fluidity of, researcher and researched positions in the jolting of secured researcher identity. Here we detail how different researchers performed different embodied and emotional subjectivities in different training research spaces. We explore how ontological anxieties of our own placed bodies, based around constructed notions of femininity, religion and researcher professionalism, shape this immediate body-to-body encounter and the subsequent research process.

Association of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism with primary glaucoma in Saudi population.

BACKGROUND: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), a critical enzyme in folate metabolism is involved in DNA synthesis, DNA repair and DNA methylation. The functional polymorphism of MTHFR gene, C677T has been shown to impact various diseases and implicated as a risk factor for the development of various neurodegenerative disorders including glaucoma. METHODS: We investigated MTHFR C677T genotypes and alleles frequencies in primary glaucoma [primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG)] patients and matched healthy controls in a case-control study. Two hundred ten primary glaucoma cases were studied for MTHFR C677T polymorphism and compared with 280 controls taken from the healthy population, employing the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique (PCR-RFLP). The MTHFR gene was amplified using specific primers. The PCR products (294 bp) was subsequently digested with HinfI (New England Biolabs) at 37 °C for 12 h, separated by electrophoresis on 2 % agarose gels, and visualized with ethidium bromide staining. The restriction digestion yielded 168 and 126 bp fragments for TT, 294, 168 and 126 bp fragments for CT and undigested PCR product 294 bp indicating CC genotype. RESULTS: We found the frequency of the genotypes and alleles of MTHFR C677T differ significantly between cases and controls. The frequencies of allele T and genotype CT were significantly higher while the frequencies of allele C and genotype CC were lower in primary glaucoma patients as compared to controls (p <0.05). Upon stratification of our results into POAG and PACG, significantly higher frequencies of allele T (19.44 %) and genotype CT (38.89 %) were found in POAG patients compared to controls (12.5 % and 25 % respectively). The frequencies of alleles and genotypes were almost similar in PACG and controls (p = 0.8). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the allele T and genotype CT of MTHFR C677T polymorphism are significantly associated with POAG while allele C and CC genotype may be protective for it. We conclude that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism increases the risk for POAG development in Saudi population and can be a genetic marker however, further studies are needed with multiple-ethnic populations affected with POAG to strengthen these findings.

The means of correct training: embodied regulation in training for body work among mothers.

In the main, the literature on body work has focused on the workplace, overlooking the spaces and places of training for work. Drawing on tutors' understandings of teaching and mothers' varied experiences of training for body work in areas of health, beauty and social care, this paper explores the learning environment as a liminal space. For many mothers, it is a space that sits at the nexus of home, work and leisure and is where the individual moves from student to practitioner/worker. These transitions require gender and maternal identities, among others, to be negotiated and regulated. By conceptualising body work as the interaction between bodies and the (self)disciplining of one's own body, this paper discusses various regulatory processes of learning, from embedding and embodying of 'professional' knowledge and identities to the repressing of cultural norms and behaviour. In so doing, the paper also considers how students struggle with, and occasionally resist and subvert, regulatory norms, imbuing the learning environment with their own meaning and sense of self. With this focus, we highlight the resonance of the body work concept for drawing together a wide range of subject areas, and suggest the closer the work with the body the more urgent the need for regulation of one's own body and the more fine-tuned the embodied discipline.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase C677T Gene Polymorphism as Risk Factor for Psoriasis in Saudis.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) has been linked with the etiopathogenesis of psoriasis with inconsistent results. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism was evaluated in 106 Saudi psoriasis vulgaris patients and 280 matched healthy controls using PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length plymorphism) technique. The cardiovascular risk factors were also compared in cases and controls. Allele T and genotypes CT and TT were found to be increased while allele C and genotype CC significantly decreased in psoriasis patients as compared with controls (P < .001). These results showed that the T-allele and T-containing genotypes (TT, CT) of MTHFR C677T are significantly linked with psoriasis susceptibility while C-allele and CC genotype are protective for it. Body mass index, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein, known markers for cardiovascular diseases, were found to be significantly elevated in the patient group as compared with the controls. It is concluded that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism increases psoriasis risk in Saudi patients.

Safety and efficacy of oral versus vaginal misoprostol use for induction of labour at term.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of Misoprostol through oral and vaginal routes for induction of labour at term. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Unit-IV), Liaquat University Hospital, Jamshoro, Pakistan, from January to December 2004. METHODOLOGY: Eighty term patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected for induction of labour with (50 microg) Misoprostol, either by oral or vaginal route. The patients were allocated in two groups-A and B, using non-probability convenient sampling technique. The dose was repeated at an interval of 6 hours upto maximum dose of 150 microg. Improvement in Bishop's score, analgesic requirements, route of delivery, maternal complications, neonatal outcomes were noted. RESULTS: The commonest indication in group-A was premature rupture of membranes in 16 patients (40%) and in 8 (20%) patients of group-B. Mean improvement in Bishop's score after 6 hours was greater in group-A (3.6 +/- 3.09) than group-B (3.3 +/- 3.45, p=0.70). Induction to delivery interval was less in group-A (6.7 +/- 4.4 hours) than group-B (7.5 +/- 4.3 hours, p=0.41). Oxytocin augmentation was required more in group-B as compared to group-A. Normal vaginal deliveries were achieved in 95% of group-A and in 80% of group-B. The dose of 50 microg was effective in 31(77.5%) patients of group-A as compared to 24 (60.0%) patients of group-B, while 100 microg was needed in 6 (15.0%) patients of group-A as compared to 13 (32.5%) patients in group-B. There was no significant difference between both the groups with regard to analgesic requirement, instrumental delivery, maternal complications and neonatal outcome. CONCLUSION: Safety and efficacy was comparable between low-dose vaginal and oral Misoprostol uses for induction of labour. However, oral route was better with respect to treatment interval, number of doses required and route of delivery. Both routes of administration can alternatively be used for induction of labour in developing countries where cost of drug does matter.

The Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Nonreceptor 22 (PTPN22) R620W Functional Polymorphism in Psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a complex autoimmune disease caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. PTPN22 gene polymorphism has been reported to affect psoriasis susceptibility; however, no data are available for Middle Eastern populations. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of PTPN22 (1858C/T) R620W polymorphism with psoriasis in a Saudi cohort. METHODS: Saudi subjects (n = 306) including patients with psoriasis (n = 106) and matched controls (n = 200) were studied for PTPN22 variants using tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction method. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes of PTPN22 (1858C/T) polymorphism were compared between patients and controls. RESULTS: The frequency of CT genotype of PTPN22 (1858C/T) polymorphism was significantly higher, whereas that of CC genotype was lower in patients with psoriasis than in controls (P < .001, relative risk [RR] = 7.151). The homozygous genotype TT was absent in both the patients and healthy controls. The frequency of allele T encoding tryptophan (W) was significantly increased (P < .001, RR = 5.76), whereas that of allele C encoding arginine (R) decreased in psoriasis cases as compared with controls (P < .001, RR = 0.173) indicating that individuals carrying allele T are more susceptible to psoriasis than noncarriers. CONCLUSIONS: PTPN22 (1858C/T) polymorphism is positively associated with susceptibility of psoriasis in Saudis and can be developed as biomarker for evaluating psoriasis risk. However, further studies on PTPN22 polymorphism in larger samples from different geographical areas and ethnicity are warranted.

Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms in Saudi Patients With Atopic Dermatitis: A Case-Control Study.

The cause of atopic dermatitis (AD) is multifactorial and a number of genes including cytokines have been involved. We genotyped 315 subjects for polymorphisms in TNF-α and TNF-ß and IL-10 genes. Patients had significantly higher frequency of GA genotype of TNF-α (-308 G/A) than healthy controls. Patients with AD and controls had similar distribution of A and G alleles. Genotype AA was found in 7.11% of controls while completely absent in cases. The frequencies of genotypes GG and AA of TNF-ß (+252 A/G) polymorphism were higher whereas the frequency of genotype GA was significantly lower in patients than the controls. The frequencies of genotypes GG and AA of IL-10 (1082 G/A) polymorphism were significantly increased whereas genotype GA was decreased in patients than the controls. It is concluded that TNF-α (-308 G/A), TNF-ß (+252 A/G), and IL-10 (-1082 G/A) polymorphisms are linked with the susceptibility of AD in Saudis and can be a risk factor.

Tumor necrosis factor-α and -ß genetic polymorphisms as a risk factor in Saudi patients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is one of the most common devastating psychiatric disorders that negatively affects the quality of life and psychosocial functions. Its etiology involves the interplay of complex polygenic influences and environmental risk factors. Inflammatory markers are well-known etiological factors for psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of proinflammatory cytokine genes, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (-308G/A) and TNF-ß (+252A/G) polymorphisms with schizophrenia susceptibility. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: TNF-α and TNF-ß genes were amplified using amplification refractory mutation system primers in 180 schizophrenia patients and 200 healthy matched controls recruited from the Psychiatry Clinic of Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes of TNF-α (-308G/A) and TNF-ß (+252A/G) polymorphisms in patients were compared with those in controls. RESULTS: The frequencies of TNF-α (-308) allele A and genotype GA were significantly higher, while those of allele G and genotype GG were lower in schizophrenia patients as compared to controls, indicating that genotype GA and allele A of TNF-α (-308G/A) may increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, while genotype GG and allele G may reduce it. On the other hand, the distribution of alleles and genotypes of TNF-ß (+252A/G) polymorphism does not differ significantly in patients from controls; however, the frequency of genotype GG of TNF-ß (+252A/G) was significantly higher in male patients than in female patients. The distribution of TNF-α (-308G/A) and TNF-ß (+252A/G) polymorphisms was almost similar in schizophrenia patients with negative or positive symptoms. CONCLUSION: TNF-α (-308G/A) and TNF-ß (+252G/A) polymorphisms may increase the susceptibility to schizophrenia in Saudi patients and could be a potential risk factor for its etiopathogenesis. However, further studies are warranted involving a larger sample size to strengthen our findings.