ABSTRACT
Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience caused by actual or potential tissue damage. This damage is nature's warning that something is not well within the body. This condition causes loss of workforce and also affects the patients family members in socio-economical and psychological terms. There is an increase in knowledge regarding pain management in recent years. These developments in pain management may provide different opportunities to the patient and their families to lead a more comfortable and productive life. Managing pain is not about making it disappear rather it is about keeping it under control. The aim is not to stop pain in its stride, but to avert the damage caused by it. Prolonged pain is demoralising and debilitating and should be controlled as fast as possible and with all possible means. For this reason in addition to pharmacological treatment now a days non pharmacological treatment options are on rise
ABSTRACT
Campylobacter species are a major cause of human diarrhoeal disease worldwide. In Lebanon, the true prevalence of Campylobacter infections and the species distribution in childhood diarrhoea are not known. This study in 2010 investigated the prevalence of Campylobacter species and its possible etiologic role in childhood diarrhoea in north Lebanon. A total of 90 stool samples from children [aged 1 month to 10 years] presenting with diarrhoea were collected from 5 hospitals. A polymerase chain reaction technique [PCR] was used for each sample for the amplification of all Campylobacter species followed by 5 PCR reactions for the amplification of C. jejuni, C. hyointestinalis, C. coli, C. fetusand C. upsaliensis. Of the 90 samples, 10 were positive for Campylobacter species [11.1%]: 1 for C .coli, 1 for C. jejuni, 2 for both C. jejuni and C. coli, and 6 could not be identified to the species level with the available primers. Campylobacter species is frequently associated with childhood diarrhoea in north Lebanon but Campylobacter infection may be significantly underdiagnosed because the search for Campylobacteria not part of the routine stool culture
Subject(s)
Diarrhea , Prevalence , Campylobacter , Child , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Campylobacter jejuni , Campylobacter hyointestinalis , Campylobacter coli , Campylobacter fetus , Campylobacter upsaliensisABSTRACT
Heat stress was shown to cause impairments in hepatocytes and result in oxidative damage, which can lead to cytotoxicity; thus, we carried out this study to investigate the age tolerance to oxidative stress caused by heat stress in young and old female Wistar rats and whether this effect varied with different postexposure periods. Heat stress-induced injury in hepatic cells was evaluated in young [6 months] and old [24 months] female Wistar rats by exposing them at an ambient temperature of 42[degree sign]C for 1 h. Livers were harvested at several time points [6, 24, and 72 h] after application of the heat stress protocol. The level of DNA damage assessed using the comet assay, percentage of fragmented DNA, quantitative changes in nucleic acid and protein contents, activity of liver enzyme marker, level of superoxide dismutase, and lipid peroxidation were determined. The results showed that exposure to heat stress significantly increased the oxidative DNA damage, percentage of DNA fragmentation, and activities of liver enzyme marker and stimulated the process of lipid peroxidation in liver cells of young and old rats. Further, it decreased total nucleic acid and protein contents and superoxide dismutase activities. In addition, it was observed that the damage from heat stress was more serious in old animals than in young ones and they needed more time to return to control values. It was concluded that aging and heat exposure instigate oxidative stress, which can contribute to cellular dysfunction and age-related reductions in stress tolerance
ABSTRACT
More than 20 million people in Bangladesh are considered at risk of developing visceral leishmaniasis (VL). A community-based active surveillance was conducted in eight randomly selected villages in a highly endemic area of Bangladesh from 2006 to 2008. A total of 6,761 individuals living in 1,550 mud-walled houses were included in the active surveillance. Rapid rK39 dipstick tests were conducted throughout the study period to facilitate the case diagnosis. Individuals with previous or current clinical leishmaniasis were identified on the basis of the case definition of the VL elimination program. Untreated cases of suspected VL were referred to the hospital for treatment. Socioeconomic and environmental information including bed net use was also collected. In 2006, the annual incidence of clinical leishmaniasis in the study area was 141.9 cases per 10,000 population, which was significantly increased by the following year owing to community-based active surveillance for case detection and reporting. However, early case detection and early referral for treatment led to a significant decrease in incidence in 2008. This study suggests that community-based active surveillance using a simple diagnostic tool might play a role in achieving the goal of the VL elimination program.
ABSTRACT
The descriptive study utilized hair lead analysis measure past lead exposure in car radiator repairers and printing shop workers. Hair samples and questionnaires were taken from 163 workers at 7 car radiator repair businesses and 21 printing shops in Khon Kaen, Northeast Thailand. Hair samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP). Hair lead (PbH) content of all radiator repairers (n = 15) showed severe past exposure (\>25 mg/kg), Observation of work practices in the repair shops revealed the source of contamination. The radiator repair industry is a high risk activity for lead exposure. In the printing shops (n = 148) hair lead levels randiator repair industry is a high risk activity for lead exposure. In the printing shops (n= 148) hair lead levels ranged from 0.6 to 307 mg/kg. There were 64 workers over normal limit for hair lead content (normal level is 25 mg/kg. These 14 workers had heterogeneous jobs within the printing shop. Explanations for the findings were researched by evaluating each worker according to their primary work task and whether they responded positively to confounding variables in the question naire such as living on work premises, eating in the workplace. Conclusive answers could not be found in all cases but certain work activities and hygiene practices within the industry increase the likelighood of lead contamination.
ABSTRACT
Plants have been used for medicinal purposes from the time immemorial. Medicinal plants are an indispensable source of new chemical substances with potential therapeutic effects. Their chemical compounds may serve as lead for the development of new drugs. In the present communication a review of the plants exhibiting antiulcer activity is presented
Subject(s)
Peptic Ulcer/prevention & control , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Phytotherapy , Peptic Ulcer/drug therapy , Plant ExtractsABSTRACT
Bromuconazole, is a triazole fungicide used in enclosed commercial greenhouses was evaluated for its potential toxic effects in rat liver. Sprague-Dawley male rats were treated orally at daily doses of 36.5 and 18.25 mg/kg b. wt [1/10 and 1/20 LD[50], respectively] Bromuconazole for 3 months. Measurements include potential DNA fingerprinting using random amplified polymorphic DNA [RAPD-PCR] analysis, total nucleic acids content, total protein as well as histopathological alteration in the liver were performed. The results revealed that, Bromuconazole fungicide had genotoxic and toxicopathological effects in rat liver. The genotoxic effects were indicated by appearance of some changes in polymorphism band patterns including deletion of stable bands or insertion of new bands. The effects on the liver were also manifested by different histopathological lesions including severe necrobiotic and proliferative changes with the appearance of hepatoma at high dose. In addition, the liver tissue DNA, RNA and protein contents were significantly increased with increasing the dose of Bromuconazole. Using of Bromuconazole fungicide should be reconsidered due to its possible cytotoxic. clastogenic and mutagenic effects
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Triazoles/adverse effects , Mutagenicity Tests , Liver/pathology , Histology , Environmental Exposure , RatsABSTRACT
Abundant literature is available on the association of blood groups to various diseases. It was thus hypothesized that similar linkage may also exist between blood groups and Hypertension, which prompted me to work on this project. This study was carried out from June 2001 to September 2003 on 1304 subjects out of which 756 were male and 548 were females. Age ranged from 18-65 years. The blood groups and blood pressure were determined in PMRC Research Center KMC Peshawar, by using standard methods. Out of 1304 subjects distribution of blood groups was such that blood group B [30.1%]> O [29.7%] >A [28.5%]>AB [10.1%]. No significant difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was found among the all groups. However significant differences existed between the two sexes within blood group B and O for systolic BP and A and O groups for diastolic BP. Significant differences in systolic BP were found between A+ve and O+ve phenotypes only. A-ve males had lower systol ic BP than O-ve males. Substantially more conspicuous Rh factor associated differences became evident among the ABO phenotypes. Nearly similar trends were evident for systolic and diastolic blood pressure as age of both genders of the A, B and AB phenotypes advanced. Statistically significant [P<0.05] increase above the age of 16-20 years group was noticed at least as far as the 41-50 years age groups. Especially highly significant increase in systolic and diastolic Blood pressure in Group A [both males and females] and in Group B and AB [females only] was noticed. It is advisable that the males having blood group O-ve and females having AB-ve should be aware of their blood pressure and maintain it with in the normal limits especially by changing their lifestyle
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , ABO Blood-Group System , Rh-Hr Blood-Group System , Blood PressureABSTRACT
Petroleum ether, chloroform and alcoholic extracts of lichen Parmelia perlata showed inhibitory activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria namely Streptococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively and fungus Malassezia furfur
ABSTRACT
Patients with schistosoma haematobium display immune response may alter the outcome of HCV in-patients with concomitant HCV and schistosoma haematobium. This study was aimed at evaluation of the effect of immune response to schistosoma haematobium on the outcome of HCV in-patients with concomitant infection [HCV and schistosoma haematobium]. This study was conducted on 70 subjects 59 of them were infected with HCV and/or schistosomiasis selected form the outpatient clinic of El-Minya University Hospital while the remaining eleven subjects were healthy control volunteers with no history and negative serology to both HCV and schistosomiasis. The patients were grouped into three groups. Group [I] it included 24 patients with concomitant HCV and schistosomal infections. Group [II] it included 19 patients with schistosoma haematobium infection. Group [III] it included 16 patients with HCV infection alone and control group. It included 11 healthy subjects. All groups were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, abdominal ultrasonography and rectal snip were done for all groups and liver biopsy was done for HCV +ve patients. Routine laboratory investigations and ELISA assessed hepatitis markers [A, B, C] antibodies and Special investigations, CD3, CD4, CD8, and estimation of CD[4]/CD[8] ratio and detection of ant-bilharzial antibody titer. Absolute CD4 was highly significant higher in group 3 when compared to control group [p- value < 0.001] and was highly significant lower in group 1 when compared to control group [p- value < 0.001]. As regard to absolute CD4 between different groups of patient it was high in group 3 then less in group 2 and much lower in group 1 and these differences were highly significant [p- value <0.001]. Absolute CD8 was highly significant higher in group 3 when compared to control group [p- value < 0.001] and was highly significant lower in group 1 when compared to control group [p- value < 0.001]. As regard to absolute CD8 between different groups of patient it was high in group 3 then less in group 2 and much lower in group 1 and these differences were highly significant [p- value <0.001]. Absolute CD4 / CD8 ratio was highly significant lower in group 1, 2 and 3 when compared to control group [p-value < 0.001] and was highly significant lower in group 1 when compared to group 3 [p- value < 0.001]. As regard to absolute CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD4/ CD8 ratio absolute CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio were higher in-patients treated with praziquantel versus those not receiving this medication. While CD8 was higher in-patients not received this medications versus those received the medications. This study has documented that schistosoma haematobium display a suppressive effect on the immune system so that a concomitant infection with HCV will present with a more protracted disease with severe sequel and adverse complications. Also this study has documented that CD4, CD8, and CD4/CD8 ratio may be good indicators of the disease activity. It is recommended that strict control and treatment of schistosomiasis may ameliorate the problem of HCV induced chronic liver disease in Egypt
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Hepacivirus , CD4 Antigens , CD8 Antigens , CD3 Complex , Rectum , Biopsy , Liver , Histology , Liver Diseases/immunology , Chronic DiseaseABSTRACT
Aims and Objects: The present study was carried out to find the possibility of association of lipid profile with ABO/Rh blood groups and other anthropometric co- variables as cardiovascular risk. Material and A community-based investigation was carried out on lipid profiles and blood groups of selected population of rural and urban areas of Peshawar. NWFP on total of 1304 subjects out of which 548 were females and 756 were males. Age ranged from 16-75 years. Due emphasis was laid in the study on anthropometric parameters [age, height, body weight and body mass index] blood pressure and dietary parameters. Blood grouping revealed distribution of various blood groups in the order of their predominance being B>O>A>AB. The Rh- positive subjects were 94.6% of the total. Sex wise analysis of anthropometric data, blood pressure including pulse rate and lipid profiles prior to partitioning by Rh factor revealed only sporadic significant differences among the various ABO blood phenotypes. When the ABO phenotypes were partitioned according to Rh factor and gender, substantially more significant Rh factor associated differences were seen among the ABO phenotypes. Most of the lipid profile parameters for the sample do not provide enough evidence of hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular risk. The A and A B Phenotypes show lesser long term risk if any. The B and 0 phenotypes have relatively higher tendency of adverse lipid/lipoprotein metabolism and hence invite greater attention from therapeutic point of view. There is no evidence of predisposition of phenotype A as a co marker of risk of cardiovascular disorders
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , ABO Blood-Group System , Rh-Hr Blood-Group System , Lipids , Anthropometry , Body Height , Body Weight , Lipoproteins , HyperlipidemiasABSTRACT
Five fungicides such as rovral, bavistin, cupravit, dithane M-45 and thiovit were tested against conidial germination of Fusarium oxysporum. Dithane M-45 was the most effective against the fungus. Rests of the fungicides were more or less effective in the inhibition of conidial germination after 5~30 minutes immersion in 500~2500 ppm concentration. Five plant extracts(leaf extracts of Ocimum sanctum, Lantana camera, Calotropis procera, Azadirachta indica and Vinca rosea) found to be more or less effective against the fungus. 'Dhup' somke have good inhibitory effect on conidial germination of F. oxysporum.
Subject(s)
Azadirachta , Calotropis , Fungi , Fusarium , Germination , Immersion , Lantana , Ocimum , Piper betle , Piper , Plant Extracts , Plants , Smoke , VincaABSTRACT
Twenty plant extracts were tested against mycelial growth, sclerotium formatiom and dry weight of mycelium with sclerotia of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. The highest(90 mm) mycelial growth was measured in Adhatoda vasica, Tegetes erecta, Allium cepa, and Curcuma longa. The lowest(25 mm) was in Azadirachta indica. No mycelial growth was found in any concentration of cow, buffalo, and goat urine. The highest(90 mm) and the lowest(15 mm) mycelial growth were measured in Biomil and Urea, respectively. No mycelial growth was observed in Zinc. The highest(60 mm) and the lowest(2 mm) mycelial growth were recorded in Macuprex(Dodine; 65% WP) and Boron(100% Boric acid and 17% Boron) respectively. Mycelial growth was totally inhibited in Rovral(Iprodione; 50% WP).
Subject(s)
Social Justice , Azadirachta , Buffaloes , Curcuma , Fertilizers , Goats , Mycelium , Onions , Plant Extracts , Plants , Urea , ZincABSTRACT
Effect of ethanolic extracts of Lawsonia inermis, Azadirachta indica, Vinca rosea, Tagetes patula, Ocimum sanctum, Colocasia antiquorum, Adhatoda vasica, Moringa oleifera, Datura metel and Curcuma longa leaf on conidial germination, mycelial growth and sporulation of Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and A. fumigatus were examined. The conidial germination of A. flavus and A. fumigatus were most inhibited by the extract of L. inermis, while that of A. niger was inhibited by A. indica. Other tested plant extracts have a good effect on conidial germination on the selected fungi. The highest mycelial growth of A. flavus (37 mm) was found in V. rosea, but in case of A. niger and A. fumigatus it (38 and 39 mm) was found in D. metel. The lowest (4, 9 and 6 mm) respectively mycelial growth of these fungi found in L. inermis. The highest sporulation (75 x 10(4)/ml) of A. flavus was counted in V. rosea, but in case of A. niger and A. fumigatus those (45 x 10(4) and 55 x 10(4)/ml) were in D. metel and the lowest (5 x 10(4), 12 x 10(4) and 9 x 10(4)/ml) respectively sporulation of these fungi counted in L. inermis plant extract medium.
Subject(s)
Social Justice , Aspergillus flavus , Azadirachta , Catharanthus , Colocasia , Curcuma , Datura metel , Ethanol , Fungi , Germination , Lawsonia Plant , Moringa oleifera , Niger , Ocimum , Plant Extracts , Plants , Poultry , TagetesABSTRACT
Mesenteric vasculitis is a rare diagnosis. Although it has been described more than a century ago, clinicians still face difficulties in making an early diagnosis. We report a case who presented with symptoms of severe rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and abdominal pain and subsequently twice developed intestinal perforation within a period of one week. Laparotomy on both occasions disclosed multiple subserosal small bowel ulcers, histopathology of which was reported as polyarteritis nodosa. While early surgical intervention might be life saving in a localised small bowel vasculitis, its efficacy in progressive involvement of multiple segments is doubtful
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Mesentery/pathology , Arthritis, Rheumatoid , Abdominal Pain , Intestinal Perforation , Intestine, Small , Polyarteritis NodosaSubject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Aged , Creatine Kinase/blood , Electrocardiography , Risk Factors , Anti-Arrhythmia Agents , PrognosisABSTRACT
Monoclonal antibody to LeuM1, a granulocyte-related differentiation antigen, represents a highly effective reagent for detection of diagnostic [Reed-Sternberg] cells and variants in paraffin-embedded tissues of Hodgkin's disease. The [Reed Sternberg] cell in all the cases of Hodgkin's disease except lymphocyte predominance variety revealed positive intracytoplasmic/paranuclear granular staining with LeuM1 marker. The R-S cells in lymphocyte predominance variety contain probably sialylated LeuM1 antigen. All the cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and reactive lymphadenitis showed no staining with LeuM1 monoclonal antibody. Therefore this antibody represents a potentially helpful diagnostic discriminant in the assessment of Hodgkin's disease and its distinction from non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and morphologically similar reactive lymphoid lesions