In Vitro Study of Antimicrobial Activity in Marine Algae Caulerpa Taxifolia and Caulerpa Racemosa (C. Agardh).

The present study was carried out to investigate its antimicrobial potentiality of the algae such as Caulerpa taxifolia, Caulerpa racemosa (C. Agardh) were studied against both Gram-positive, Gram- negative and fungal pathogens. For microbiological testing of the different crude algal extracts (Hexane, Chloroform, Methanol and water) was determined by the well diffusion method.The zone of inhibition was measured for all the Crude extracts revealed a wide range of antimicrobial activity against tested pathogens. The overall antimicrobial activity assessed from the above results indicates the presence of active constituents in the extractions of Seaweeds which can be exploited for the production of lead molecules which are use of in pharmaceutical industry.

Plasma antioxidant vitamins in brain tumors.

Plasma levels of vitamins A, E and C were analyzed in 102 patients with different types of brain tumors. A follow-up study was done with 27 postoperative patients. On comparison with plasma from normal individuals, vitamin A and E were decreased, but the decrease was statistically insignificant. Vitamin C levels remained in the normal range. In a comparative study of preoperative and postoperative cases, plasma vitamin A levels in postoperative glioma patients were significantly higher than those in the pre-operative state. There was no significant difference in the plasma level of vitamins C and E. The results of the present study suggest that the plasma antioxidant vitamins are not altered effectively in brain tumor cases.

Primary hypertrophic colonopathy.

We report a 45-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman who presented with features of intermittent intestinal obstruction. Barium enema revealed narrowing at the pelvic-rectal junction in the man, and from the pelvic colon to the anal verge in the woman. Histology of the resected sections showed marked hypertrophy of the muscularis propria in both cases, with normal mucosa, submucosa and myenteric plexus. Both patients are asymptomatic at 4 years' and 2 years' follow up. This entity of primary hypertrophic colonopathy may be a variant of primary visceral myopathy.

Primary melanocarcinoma of stomach.

Melanomas of the gastrointestinal tract are infrequent. Among primary melanomas, melanoma of the stomach is a rarity. We report a patient with primary melanocarcinoma of the stomach.

Marked perisplenitis in gastric carcinoma.

We report a patient with gastric carcinoma with marked perisplentis, on gross appearance resembling secondary deposit. On sectioning, the spleen showed a solitary metastasis in the red pulp.

Respiratory effects of occupational exposure to asbestos.

Ventilatory capacities of 73 Libyan men working in the Asbestos-Cement Pipe factory in Jenzur, a residential area near Tripoli, Libya and those of 73 age-matched healthy Libyan men unexposed to asbestos were determined. The mean values of forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) for men unexposed to asbestos were 3.89 +/- 0.084 and 3.64 +/- 0.082 liters respectively. The respective values for men exposed to asbestos were 3.62 +/- 0.082 and 3.29 +/- 0.097 liters. Thus, there has been a significant decrease in the ventilatory function of the men exposed to asbestos as compared with age-matched unexposed counterparts.

Oxytocin induces intimate behaviors.

After decades of classic research on its secretion from the neurohypophysis and its potential effects in the uterus and the gland, oxytocin has, in the last 15 years, been proven to be centrally distributed neuropeptide with a broad spectrum of behavioral effects. Of particular interest are reports of potent effects of oxytocin on many reproductive and social behaviors such as maternal behavior, female sexual receptivity (lordosis), penile erection, male mounting behavior and side by side contact. The nonapeptides promote a large number of key behavioral interactions between conspecifics than any other class of neuropeptides. Nonapeptides may trigger the appropriate intraspecific affiliative behavior under broad range of reproductive and social conditions.

Blood pressure levels in diabetes mellitus.

Levels of fasting plasma glucose, body mass index, serum total lipids, serum total cholesterol, serum triglycerides and blood pressure of 177 Libyan diabetic patients were determined. The respective mean values were 212.4 +/- 5.6 mg/dl, 26.6 +/- 0.45 kg/m2, 825.7 +/- 20.5 mg/dl, 176.4 mg/dl, 144 +/- 5.8 mg/dl and 135.3 +/- 1.7/83 +/- 0.89 mm Hg. The mean levels of all variables except plasma glucose are significantly higher in the female patients than their male counterparts. Correlations were present between blood pressure levels and age/body mass index/serum total lipids. There was a significant correlation between systolic pressure levels and the duration of diabetes. Serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels correlated with diastolic blood pressure levels only.

Serum electrolytes and osmolality in diabetes mellitus.

Fasting plasma glucose levels, serum osmolality and serum concentrations of sodium and potassium were determined in 73 Libyan diabetic patients attending the outpatient clinic of the Diabetes Hospital, Tripoli, Libya. The respective mean values were 234.8 +/- 9.7 mg.dl-1, 288.5 +/- 2 m0sm.L-1, 134.7 +/- 0.8 mEq.L-1 and 4.2 +/- 0.07 mEq.L-1. Statistically significant correlations were present between fasting plasma glucose and serum osmolality as well as the concentrations of serum sodium and potassium. There is is an increase in osmolality and levels of sodium and potassium concentration with an increase in plasma glucose concentration.

Diabetes mellitus in Libya: a retrospective study.

The records of the Diabetes Hospital, Tripoli, Libya for the years 1961-1983 were examined and the available particulars relating to 24,962 diabetic patients (12,486 males + 12,476 females) registered during this period were obtained. The highest number of male and female diabetic patients were in the age group 40-50 years and the highest number of obese diabetic patients also belong to this age group. There was a gradual increase in the number of diabetic patients visiting the Diabetes Hospital with the highest number in 1983. The increase has been both in the type I and type II patients. In 1983, 15% of the diabetic patients belong to type I diabetes. Family history of diabetes appears to be an important factor in the onset and manifestation of type II diabetes. Patients with diabetes in the family have a lower mean body mass index and fasting blood glucose level as compared with those of patients without known case of diabetes in the family. This may be due to greater alertness, early diagnosis of the disease and steps taken to control blood glucose levels and body weight in the case of patients with family history of diabetes.

Secondary diabetic complications and biochemical parameters.

The mean values of body mass index, haemoglobin A1, serum protein, total lipids, triglycerides, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase and beta-glucuronidase and heart rate and blood pressure and blood urea levels of Libyan diabetic patients with secondary complications are significantly higher than those of the patients without secondary complications. However, the mean values of fasting blood glucose, serum cholesterol and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase of patients without complications are higher than those of the patients with secondary complications. The duration of diabetes in patients with secondary complications was 10.2 +/- 1 years while that of patients without complications was 5.2 +/- 0.65 years. The significance of these results is discussed.

Peak expiratory flow rates in Libyan adolescents.

Peak expiratory flow rates of 578 Libyan boys and 527 Libyan girls aged 12 to 21 years were determined. The prediction formulae that best describe the data are as follows: Boys: PEFR = 160 X Stature 1.87 Girls: PEFR = 130 X Stature2.44 Statistically significant correlations were found between peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and standing height, sitting height, body mass index, body surface area and age in both sexes. Stature (standing height) is marginally better as an index of body size in explaining the variability of the ventilatory capacity. The relationship between PEFR and age in girls appears to correlate with the relationship between PEFR and body mass index. The difference in the slope for girls when compared with that for boys is attributed to the obesity/over weight of the girls.

Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels in diabetes mellitus.

The activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) in 72 Libyan diabetic patients were determined. The respective mean values were 24 +/- 1.1 U/L and 23.03 +/- 0.87 U/L. Significant correlations were found between the activities of GOT or GPT and fasting blood glucose, age, body mass index, heart rate and blood pressure levels. The mean values of GOT and GPT in diabetic patients with secondary complications were significantly higher than those without complications. On the other hand, patients with family history of diabetes have higher mean values of GOT and GPT when compared with those without diabetes in the family.