In vitro effect of Nigella sativa oil on adult Toxocara vitulorum.

Since the integrity of Toxocara vitulorum cuticle is essential for the nutritive and protective functions, light and scanning electron microscopic studies were undertaken to assess, for the first time, whether the Nigella sativa oil (NSO) had any effect on the cuticle of adult T. vitulorum following incubation in vitro. Differences in response to NSO action were observed, depending on the used concentration. After 24 h incubation with 0.5 mg mL(-1) NSO, the cuticle of the anterior end of worms appeared to be slightly more swollen than normal. This swelling became pronounced and so severe, with lips showed wrinkled cuticular surface and deformed sensory papillae on increasing the concentration to 1.0 mg mL(-1). With the higher concentration of 1.5 mg mL(-1), extensive and severe disorganization of the cuticle and body musculature was observed. Structural alterations in the cuticle as observed in the present investigation were thus, clear indication of nematocidal activity of NSO that could offer a suitable and cheaper alternative for the more expensive anthelmintics.

Effects of Mirazid(®) and myrrh volatile oil on adult Fasciola gigantica under laboratory conditions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Mirazid(®) and myrrh volatile oil on adult Fasciola gigantica (F. gigantica ) under laboratory conditions. METHODS: The effects of oleoresin extract of myrrh (Mirazid(®)) and myrrh volatile oil on the surface morphology of adult F. gigantica following treatment in vitro had been determined by scanning electron microscopy. The results were compared with those observed in the fluke tegument following incubation in triclabendazole sulphoxide (TCBZ-SO), active form, (Fasinex(®), Ciba-Geigy). RESULTS: Observations of the efficacy of Mirazid(®) oleoresin extract and myrrh volatile oil indicated that both products showed dose-dependent anthelmintic efficacy. The anterior half of the fluke was consistently more severely affected than the posterior half. The surface changes induced by Mirazid(®) oleoresin extract were less severe than those observed after exposure to either myrrh volatile oil or TCBZ-SO. Flukes showed swelling after these treatments, but its level and blebbing were much greater with myrrh volatile oil; in which patches of tegumental sloughing were observed in the apical cone and the posterior mid-body region of flukes. This was not observed after treatment with Mirazid(®) oleoresin extract. CONCLUSIONS: The comparatively more disruption, observed in myrrh volatile oil exposed specimens, compared to that exposed to Mirazid(®) oleoresin extract might suggest that the anthelmintic activity of Mirazid(®) oleo resin extract was attributed to its content of volatile oil. So, increasing the concentration of myrrh volatile oil in Mirazid(®) might possibly help to developing its anthelmintic activity.

The distally based peroneal island flap.

A distally based island septocutaneous flap supplied by distal perforators of the peroneal vessels is described for repair of soft tissue defects of the lower third of the leg. The flap can be rotated up to 180 degrees on the axis of the pedicle vessels. A series of 10 patients is presented. 7 had uneventful reconstructions, 2 had partial necrosis of the tip of the flap but reconstruction was satisfactory, and one had necrosis of the distal third of the flap resulting in a recurrent leg ulcer.

The venous island flap: is it purely venous?

Histological study of the pedicles of long and short saphenous and cephalic venous flaps in fresh human cadavers and two clinical cases showed that one or two arterioles and multiple capillaries were present in the perivenous areolar tissue. This challenges the concept that these flaps are purely venous.

Distally based medial island septocutaneous flap for repair of soft-tissue defects of the lower leg.

A medial island septocutaneous flap, based on the lower septocutaneous vessels from the posterior tibial artery and vein, has been designed. This flap was rotated 90 degrees in 5 cases and 180 degrees in 2 cases to cover soft-tissue defects on the lower third of the leg.