Research Article
Mar 02, 2018
Heavy Metals in Semen of Oligospermic Patients without Known Etiologic Factors
Environmental contaminants, heavy metals and pesticides, could be a cause for oligoasthenospermia. Analyses of the five heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Ni, and Cu) have showed values that are above the normal range in oligospermic patients in a selected group. We used blood values to ascertain reference values for heavy metal concentrations, as there is a lack of baseline values for seminal plasma in previously published papers. Three recent research projects in the same area of southern Italy (“Land of fires” in Campania and Sicily) have shown correlation between environmental pollution from heavy metals and oligospermia. At the Zygote Center in Salerno (Campania, Italy), a group comprising 200 couples with fertility problems was monitored over a 2-year period. A group of eight oligospermic men was selected according to the following criteria: (1) absence of genetic factors; (2) absence of cryptorchidism, epididymitis, and varicocele. The patient sample group is small, because selection criteria are very strict. Tests were conducted on a group of 20 normospermic patients, as a control sample. A specific amount of seminal fluid was first centrifuged and then analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, which is used to determine the presence of heavy metals. Subsequently, the High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry technique was applied to detect a panel of 500 pesticides. Traces of heavy metals in seminal plasma have been found in 4 out of 8 in the sample group and in 2 of the control patients. The difference was statistically significant. No pesticides were found either in control or in oligospermic patients
Research Article
Feb 14, 2018
Uterine Rupture among Women who Gave Birth at Nekemte Referral Hospital: Case Control Study
Background: Uterine rupture is an obstetrics complication which is still both clinical dilemma and broader public health problem in developing countries. Objectives: This study is aimed to establish the magnitude of uterine rupture, predisposing factors, maternal and fetal outcomes, and surgical options of management of uterine rupture at Nekemte referral hospital which is located in western Ethiopia. Methods: Case control study was conducted on 54 mothers with uterine rupture and 108 mothers for whom cesarean section was done for mechanical reasons or previous scar who were managed in the Obstetrics and Gynecologic ward of the hospital from July 2015 to July 2016. Data were collected from two groups by accessing medical records. Statistical Package for Social Sciences windows version 20 was used for data analysis. The association between uterine rupture and different variables were assessed by using odds ratio (OR) along with 95%CI. Results: A total of 3,808 deliveries were conducted during the study period. There were 3206 vaginal deliveries, 548 cesarean deliveries and 54 uterine rupture cases. This makes 1 uterine rupture to happen in 70.5 deliveries. Majority, 87%, of uterine rupture occurred in unscarred uterus. The predisposing factors for uterine rupture were parity ≥ 5 (OR=4.37, 95% CI: 1.05, 18.23), lack of antenatal care (OR=7, 95% CI: 1.81, 27.02), lack of formal education (OR=2.38, 95% CI: 1.08, 5.26), household income less than 100 United States’ Dollar (OR=14.08, 95% CI: 3.25, 62.5), previous home delivery (OR=9.10, 95% CI: 3.92, 21.11), and intrapartal follow up at health center or private clinics (OR=24.14, 95% CI: 5.60, 104.15). Uterine rupture caries more maternal (1.85% vs. 0%) and neonatal mortalities (96.3% vs. 3.7%) when compared to mothers delivered by cesarean section. Conclusion: Magnitude of uterine rupture was high in the study area. It carries more maternal and perinatal complications. There were numerous modifiable predisposing factors.
Research Article
Jan 27, 2018
Evaluation of Seminal Plasma Antioxidants and Serum Male Hormones Status in Infertile Patients with ... Unbalanced Chromosomal Abnormalities
Background: Male infertility appears to be a major clinical problem among men of reproductive age in all societies. Idiopathic male infertility is considered to be a multifactorial disorder affected by genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. Oxidative stress seems to stand out as one of the underlying mechanisms. In this context, we aimed to evaluate seminal plasma antioxidants SOD (superoxide dismutase), GPx (glutathione peroxidase), CAT (catalase) and zinc levels, hormone levels, and semen parameters in fertile donors and patients with unbalanced chromosomal abnormalities. Methods: Semen samples from 119 patients with unbalanced chromosomal abnormalities and 30 fertile men were analyzed according to World Health Organization guidelines (2010). All patients underwent a measurement of testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Seminal plasma antioxidants activities of SOD, GPx, CAT and zinc concentration were measured using colorimetric methods. Results and conclusion: Hormonal analysis showed statistically significant increase of FSH and LH levels in all patients (p<0.001). However, a significant decrease of serum testosterone level was observed in patients compared to fertile group (p<0.05). Seminal antioxidant system evaluation revealed a significant decrease of CAT, GPx, SOD and zinc activities in infertile group compared to fertile group (p<0.05). Our study showed that patients with unbalanced chromosomal abnormalities had significant alterations of antioxidant system and a significant perturbation of hormonal levels which interfere with fertility. These alterations may be due to a loss or derangement of chromosomal segments containing genes involved in the regulation of these systems.
Research Article
Jan 09, 2018
Prevalence of Intestinal Schistosomiasis among Basic School Children in White Nile Sugar Scheme a N ... ew Irrigated Project, White Nile State, Sudan
Intestinal Schistosomiasis is one of the most public health problems caused by blood-dwelling flukes in the world especially where irrigated Schemes established with bad sanitation. The objective is to determine the prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis among school children in White Nile State-El Qeteena Locality, Sudan. A school-based descriptive study design was conducted among basic school children at White Nile sugar scheme, El Qeteena locality during the period December 2014 to April 2015. A standardized administered questionnaire was developed, then pre-tested and used for data collection and stool examination was done for a total of 480 school children were selected. The collected data through the questionnaire and the checklist were analyzed using the SPSS. The overall prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis was 25.6%. The highest prevalence of S. mansoni was reported in the age group (9-12) years 47.2% followed by the group over 12 years (31.7%). The overall prevalence of (15.4%) for female and (84.6%) for the male. Inadequate numbers of latrines with bad sanitation were the main risk factors associated with the disease transmission. On the basis of the results and according to the statistical analysis there was a relation between environmental sanitation and the prevalence of infection. The intestinal schistosomiasis infection is important health problem among school children and further control program must be done in the area of the study.
Research Article
Dec 18, 2017
Evaluation of Antigonorrhea Activity and Cytotoxicity of Helichrysum caespititium (DC) Harv. Whole ... Plant Extracts
Over 80% of African population depends on traditional knowledge for their well-being, and especially on plants as medicines. Although Helichrysum caespititium is among plants that are commonly used by traditional healers in Africa, its biological activities are still not scientifi cally proven and reported. The primary objective of this study is to assess the antigonorrhea activity and cytotoxicity of H. caespititium whole plant. The plant material was subjected to a serial exhaustive extraction to obtain different solvent extracts using n-hexane, dichloromethane, methanol, and water. The antigonorrhea activity of the four plant extracts (n-hexane, dichloromethane, methanol, and water extracts) against 2008 WHO Neisseria gonorrhea reference strains and the toxicity of the extracts against rat liver cells were investigated. All four H. caespititium extracts showed good activity against the four 2008 WHO N. gonorrhea strains (F, O, N, G strains) under study in the range of 0.037 to 0.33 mg/ml. n-Hexane extract was observed to be the most potent against all the four strains with a lowest Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) value of 0.037 0.0 mg/ml against G strain, which was comparable to gentamicin (standard 1) and more active compared to amoxicillin (standard 2), and also the most less toxic of all with LC50 value of 428.77 4.76 μg/ml followed by water extract (394.36 5.41 μg/ml) and methanol (357 2.81 μg/ml). The results justify the usage of H. caespititium in the traditional medicine against gonorrhea infections
Research Article
Dec 18, 2017
Prevalence of Postural Dysfunction among Female College Students—A Qualitative Analysis
In the present day, proper posture is considered to be a state of musculoskeletal balance involving minimal body stress or strain. Modern life and the rise in a sedentary lifestyle have had a negative effect on most of the human motor behavior. This study included 804 female subjects, who were photographed in the sagittal and frontal planes. The common postural misalignments analyzed were swayback, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, forward head, rounded shoulder, and pronated foot. The results showed that older women had greater incidence of forward head, thoracic kyphosis, and pronated foot. The abnormalities were probably related to prolonged sitting and reduced fl exibility
Research Article
Nov 30, 2017
Prognostic Factors in Liver Cirrhosis Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Introduction and aim: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB) remains one of the frequent problems in medical practice, that especially on patient with hepatic cirrhosis, has a major significance due to its determined mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to analyze the upper gastrointestinal bleeding in liver cirrhotic patients and to assed the different parameters as possible prognostic factors for mortality in those patients. Material and methods: We have made a retrospective study on 647 patients with liver cirrhosis patients hospitalized for UGB episode in a 5 years period in Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinic of the Emergency Clinical County Hospital Timisoara. The liver cirrhosis diagnostic of the patients included in the study was determined by clinical exam together with paraclinical tests (laboratory and imagistic), or by histological exam. Results: The studied group included 647 hepatic cirrhosis patients, hospitalized for upper digestive hemorrhage (352 men-54.4% and 295 women -45.5%), aged between 16 and 84 years with an average age of 54.5 ± 26.1 years old. Almost 70% of the patients (n=447) had variceal hemorrhage; 83% (n=369) of these, bled because of the esophageal varices rupture and 17% (n=78) because of the gastric ones. Almost 70% of the cases had active bleeding during endoscopy and 20% had hemorrhagic shock. Death rate was 17%. We evaluated the possible predictive factors for early mortality and rebleeding in patients with variceal hemorrhage, by dividing the batch of 647 patients into 2 categories as follows: Patients without rebleeding (N=289) vs. patients who rebleed (N=158) and Survivors (N=370) vs. deceased (N=77), we tried to identify possible risk factors for prediction of rebleeding and early mortality by analyzing the following parameters: the degree ofhepatic insufficiency (Child-Pugh classification and MELD score, albumin, cholinesterase, bilirubin), the severity of bleeding (anemia, hemorrhagic shock,), endoscopic parameters (variceal grade, active bleeding at endoscopy), coagulation disorders (platelets count and INR), etiology of cirrhosis, decompensation of the underlying disease (vascular, parenchymatous). Conclusion: MELD score, serum albumin level, encephalopathy, severe anemia and rebleeding are prognostic factors for mortality and the predictive factors for rebleeding in cirrhotic patients with variceal hemorrhage are MELD score and large ascites.
Research Article
Nov 15, 2017
Polymorphisms of BCL2 Gene in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients in Pakistan and Screening of Ph ... ytochemicals to Overcome its Expression
Leukemia is a third fatal disease in developing countries. According to Punjab cancer registry 2014 report, leukemia incidence in Pakistan is 18.8%. Many treatments are available for leukemia now days but still there is a mortality rate measured. BCL2 controls cell apoptosis but when overexpressed due to the presence of promoter region single nucleotide polymorphism 938C>A, it causes anticancer drug resistance and represses apoptosis of malfunctioned cells resulting in immature leucocytes. The aim of the present study was genotyping of promoter region SNP in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients of Pakistan and screening of naturally occurring phytochemical to identify BCL2 active site targeting compounds to control its expression. Study was performed on 104 cases taking similar control size showing allelic frequency C=0.466 and A=0.534 in cases, indicating an association with the disease by having chi-square p-value 0.0032. Screening of 90 phytochemicals was performed out of which one compound was selected as a lead compound based upon drug likeliness properties, binding with protein, and natural existence that may cause the least harm to human body and greater effect on leukemia cells. The information provided by this research can be used to make new-targeted drugs to control leukemia by inhibiting the mutated proteins.
.png){kind=logo}
Research Article
Oct 18, 2017
Free Radical Scavenging and Antibacterial Activities of Helichrysum caespititium (DC) Harv. Extracts
Helichrysum caespititium is a medicinal plant used in the Kingdom of Lesotho to treat head, chest colds, and during circumcision rites. The aim of this study is to evaluate the free radical scavenging capability of fi ve extracts (n-hexane, dichloromethane, acetone, methanol, and water extracts) of H. caespititium against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and their reducing power and their antibacterial activities. Qualitative and quantitative free radical scavenging activities of the extracts were evaluated using bioautography antioxidant assay, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (RNS) free radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide (ROS) free scavenging, and reducing power assays. In addition, the extracts were tested against 14 bacterial strains that are both Gram positive and Gram negative suspended in Mueller-Hinton Broth. Qualitative antioxidant evaluation of all the extracts by DPPH showed that all fi ve extracts exhibit some antioxidant compounds, and the quantitative results provided the DPPH scavenging activity of 94.38% at 0.4 and 0.5 mg/ml for acetone extract (IC50 5 0.055 mg/ml), 91.2% inhibition of hydrogen peroxide at 0.5 mg/ml for water extract (IC50 5 0.075 mg/ml), and a reducing power of 62.3% at 0.4 mg/ml for n-hexane extract (IC50 5 0.092 mg/ml). The reducing power of n-hexane and the DPPH scavenging ability of acetone extracts were better than ascorbic acid, but less than butylated hydroxytoluene. Ascorbic acid was a slightly better scavenging hydrogen peroxide compared to water extract, both at 0.4 and 0.5 mg/ml. All the bacteria both Gram positive and Gram negative were susceptible to all the extracts, and the minimum inhibitory concentration values of the extracts were below 0.4 mg/ml. These fi ndings justify the utilization of the whole plant in the traditional sector as antibacterial, and the plant could be a better remedy against a broad range of bacteria as well as a good crude natural antioxidant agent.
.png){kind=logo}
Research Article
Jul 14, 2017
Antioxidant and Postprandial Glucose-lowering Potential of the Hydroethanolic Extract of Nypa fruti ... cans Seed Mesocarp
Postprandial hyperglycemia and oxidative stress are implicated in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. An alternative treatment should target both conditions. The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and postprandial glucose-lowering potential of a polyphenolic rich extract of Nypa fruticans nuts. Hydroethanolic extract (HEE) was prepared; polyphenol and fl avonoid content was determined. In vitro antioxidant activity was done through molybdenum (VI) reduction and ABTS and DPPH radical-scavenging capacities. The glucose-lowering potential of the extract was evaluated through in vitro glucose-binding capacity, the regulatory ability of the extract on the pancreas of normal Wistar rats (oral glucose tolerance test), and digestion of carbohydrates (starch and sucrose) by normal Wistar rats. Starch (1 g/kg of the body weight (BW) and sucrose (2 g/kg BW) solution were used as substrates for alpha amylase and invertase inhibition test, respectively. Acarbose (3 mg/kg BW) was used as the reference. Polyphenolic-rich extract (400 mg/kg BW) was administered to treated rats. Results showed that HEE of N. fruticans nuts has antioxidant activity through the scavenging of ABTS (EC50 of 1.75 mg/mL) and DPPH (2.96 mg/mL) radicals and the reduction of Mo (VI). The extract signifi cantly reduced glucose concentrations at t 30 compared to glibenclamide, but glibenclamide maintained lower glycemia than the extract thereafter to the end of the study. From the administration of sucrose, the extract maintained lower plasma glucose levels compared to acarbose throughout the study. However, no inhibition was observed in glycemia following starch administration in HEE-treated group as glycemia remained higher compared to the acarbose group throughout the study. Thus, N. fruticans seed mesocarp is a rich source of dietary polyphenols with a strong antioxidant capacity. Its HEE has glucose-lowering potential and possible inhibitory action on the last phase of carbohydrate digestion.
Research Article
Jul 04, 2017
Clinical Features, Endoscopic Management and Outcome of Patients with Non-variceal Upper Digestive ... Bleeding by Dieulafoy Lesion
Aim and background: Dieulafoy lesion (DL) represents a rare, but important cause of major upper digestive bleeding, especially in elders. The aim of the study consists in identifying the clinico-biological and endoscopic features and the outcome of these patients. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the patients admitted with non-variceal upper digestive bleeding (UDB) in the Department of Gastroenterology, of the Emergency County Hospital Timisoara, from 2003 to 2014. Out of the total number of cases we selected the patients with endoscopic diagnosis of Dieulafoy lesion. In these patients we analyzed the demographic, clinico-biological and endoscopic data, compared to the control group that encountered the rest of the patients with UDB. Results: Out of 2104 patients with non-variceal UDB, 31/2104 (1.5%) presented DL, 19/31(61.3%) male and 12/31(38.7%) female, mean age 63 ± 12.83. Diabetes mellitus was present in 35.5% cases. The mean value of hemoglobin was significantly lower in Dieulafoy group 7 ± 2.69 vs. 8 ± 3.28 in the control group, p=0.05, thus a significantly larger number of blood units per patient were needed in this group (p<0.0001). Re-bleebing was encountered significantly more often in Dieulafoy vs. control group: 7/31(22.6%) vs. 173/2074 (8.34%), p=0.03; surgery was needed in 3/31(9.7%) Dieulafoy patients. Endoscopic haemostasis was achieved most frequently by using combined treatment. The use of anticoagulants had a significant influence in the development of DL (p=0.019). Conclusion: DL may cause massive bleeding and is associated with a high rate of re-bleeding. Patients present comorbidities, diabetes mellitus being mostly associated with this condition. Anticoagulants represent risk factors highly associated with DL.
.png){kind=logo}
Research Article
Jun 27, 2017
Evaluation of Angiogenic Potential of 1-Monocaproin Using Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay
1-Monocaproin, a 1-monoacylglycerol, was synthesized with the reaction of glycidol by chromium-caproic fatty acid complexes and was found to be amphiphilic in nature. Synthesized 1-monocaproin was characterized by thin-layer chromatography, and the residual chromium was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF)-mediated angiogenesis pathways are being targeted for the development of novel drugs suitable for inhibition or stimulation of angiogenesis in various pathologies. In the chicken egg Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, 1-monocaproin exhibited VEGF-induced neovascularization in a dose-dependent manner. Synthesized 1-monocaproin was found to show the angiogenic effect at a dose concentration equivalent to VEGF at 1,000 ppm. The results thus suggest that 1-monocaproin should be considered as a useful drug candidature targeting angiogenesis in coronary artery disease, stroke, and postsurgical therapy.
.png){kind=logo}
Research Article
Jan 04, 2017
Expression Signature of MicroRNA-155 and its Association with Response to Treatment within Differen ... t Subtypes of B-Cell Malignancies
Objectives: Emerging evidence suggests that microRNAs could serve as non-invasive biomarkers for cancer patients. However, they are mostly not fully investigated as biomarkers in the classification, progression and prognosis of different cancers. Our study was designed to explore the microRNA-155 (miR-155) expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with various subtypes of B-cell malignancies. Also, we aimed to correlate between miR-155 expression levels and the diverse clinico-pathologic features as well as the prognostic fate of these patients after treatment completion. Subjects and methods: Using whole blood samples from 53 patients with B-cell malignancies and 15 apparently healthy subjects, miR-155 was extracted and profiled by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). The B-cell malignancies patients were including 22 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 15 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), 9 follicular lymphoma patients (FL) and 7 subjects with burkitt′s lymphoma (BL). The samples were withdrawn before starting chemotherapy in addition to after completing their therapeutic courses by 6 months. Subsequently, the patients were further sub-grouped into those with partial remission, complete remission, resistant disease and relapse. Results: We found that miR-155 expression levels differentiate lymphoma entities from normal subjects (p ≤ 0.001) and its expression fold changes distinguish B-cell lymphoma subtypes from each other’s (p<0.05). In addition, miR-155 was significantly correlated with age and LDH levels. The receiver operating curve (ROC) was employed to identify the diagnostic outcomes of miR-155 in discriminating B-cell malignancies entities from each other’s (AUC=0.957 for DLBCL vs. CLL+FL and AUC=1.000 for CLL vs. FL). Otherwise, when BL was versus healthy controls the AUC was equal to 0.552. As well, we demonstrated an association between elevated miR-155 expression levels and poor response to treatment with increased cases of relapse, partial remission or resistance to treatment. Conclusions: This study suggests that miR-155 has an expression profile that differs according to B-cell malignancies subtype. Besides, miR-155 expression levels may modulate the patient’s response to treatment. These results support a role for miR-155 to provide helpful diagnostic/prognostic information in B-cell malignancies and may highlight novel pathways to be targeted for therapeutics in the future.
.png){kind=logo}
Research Article
Dec 17, 2016
Site Predilection of Occupational Musculoskeletal Complaints among Dental Practitioners in Chennai ... City
Dentists are at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders due to occupational health hazards. In India, even though the population is high, there is still a lack of awareness about the prevalence of work- related musculoskeletal disorders among dentists in this rapidly growing occupational sector. Identifying the common sites of ailment and comparing them with the contributing factors associated with these musculoskeletal symptoms can help to develop ergonomic recommendations for the dental profession in Chennai city. This study was aimed at investigating the common sites of ailment and comparing them with the contributing factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders among dentists in the city. Using stratified sampling method, 297 dentists were selected and given questionnaire based on the type of ailment, common sites of ailment, duration of ailments, treatment modalities, and effectiveness of therapy. The dentists reported that the most common sites of ailment were shoulder (n 5 106/297) neck (n 5 78/297), and lower back (n 5 67/297). This study revealed the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among the various age groups of dentists is common in the shoulder and neck regions. Dentists should implement right ergonomic designing in their dental clinics along with regular exercise and relaxation techniques, which help them to combat stress, thus improving the quality of life, resulting in consistent long-lasting work efficiency.
.png){kind=logo}
Research Article
Dec 16, 2016
Topical Binahong (Anredera cordifolia) Leaf Extract Increases Interleukin-6 and VEGF (Vascular Endo ... thelial Growth Factor) during Burn Wound Healing in Wistar Rats Infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Burn injuries still remain a major problem. It leads to nosocomial infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the most common bacteria that infects burn injuries, due to its long duration of hospitalization. Previous research found that the extract of Anredera cordifolia, locally known as “binahong” in Indonesia, is effective in burns healing. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and VEGF are substances that are important in healing process. This study aims to determine how topical Anredera cordifolia leaf extract accelerates burn wound healing, increases IL-6 level, and increases VEGF production in rats with Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected burn injuries. This is an experimental study with the Posttest Only Control Group Design, involving a total of 32 samples of wistar rats with infected burn wounds. The treatment group received 2 ml of the topical extract of Anredera Cordifolia leaf while the control group received 2 ml of topical tetracycline 3%. The analysis of plasma IL-6 level was done on day 3, the VEGF analysis was done on day 5, and the observation of wound closure was done on days 3, 5, and 7. Independent t-Test was performed to obtain the mean difference of IL-6 and VEGF in control and treatment groups. The treatment group was found to have faster wound healing. Plasma IL-6 and VEGF in the treatment group was significantly higher than those in the control group (IL-6 p 5 0.001, and VEGF p 5 0.001). The application of topical Anredera cordifolia leaf extract accelerates burn wound healing, increases IL-6 level, and increases VEGF production in burns infected by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
