Muslims Responses to Pandemics: Lessons from the Best Generation

The world is currently suffering from another episode of respiratory disease pandemic as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) spares no continent. The disease which is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, has so far claimed many lives in multiple countries, including Muslim majority nations like Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. The situation has become a significant public health concern with several measures being carried out in an attempt to break the chain of the virus transmission.  These include the introduction of movement control order and total lock down across the world. The closure of places of worship including mosques have raised concerns and inconvenience to Muslims. Pandemics are not unprecedented in the history of mankind as several documented outbreaks like the plague pandemic in the mid fourteenth century also known as ‘the Black Death’, caused a demographic decline in both Muslim and Christian countries which led to millions of lives loss worldwide. We attempt to identify the parallels between the current COVID-19 pandemic with the experiences of previous Muslim generations, and draw lessons on general and practical responses to pandemics  with special reference to the generation of the Prophet’s companion.&nbsp

Effect of Trihoney (A Mixture of Trigona, Mellifera and Tualang) on Male Reproductive Hormones and Insulin Resistance in Hypercholesterolaemic Rabbits

Introduction: Hypercholesterolaemia affects Sertoli and Leydig cells secretory functions, impairs steroidhormone biosynthesis, and disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The use of honey in previousstudies resulted in an improvement of male reproductive hormonal disturbances. This study aimed toinvestigate the protective effects of Trihoney on hypercholesterolemia-induced male reproductive hormonalchanges in male rabbits and compare its effects with atorvastatin. Materials and methods: Forty-eight maleNew Zealand white rabbits were assigned into 6 groups as follows; Control: commercial pellet; CH:commercial pellet with 0.6 g/kg/day Trihoney; HCD: 1% cholesterol diet; DH1: 1% cholesterol diet with 0.3g/kg/day Trihoney; DH2: 1% cholesterol diet with 0.6 g/kg/day Trihoney and DAt: 1% cholesterol diet with2mg/kg/day atorvastatin. After 12 weeks, the rabbits were sacrificed and blood samples were collected foranalysis of hormones and pro-inflammatory cytokines and calculation of HOMA-IR. The testes werehomogenized for intra-testicular testosterone measurement. Results: Serum testosterone reducedsignificantly in HCD (p<0.05) and DAt (p<0.05) groups. Likewise, intra-testicular testosterone reducedsignificantly in HCD (p<0.01) and DAt (p<0.01) groups. Serum FSH increased significantly in HCD (p<0.001)and DAt (p<0.01). Trihoney particularly at the dose of 0.6 g/kg/day improved serum and intra-testiculartestosterone (p<0.05) and FSH (p<0.05). Trihoney and atorvastatin improved serum pro-inflammatorycytokines. Trihoney and atorvastatin did not affect HOMA-IR. Conclusion: Trihoney attenuated thedetrimental effects of hypercholesterolaemia on male reproductive hormones which probably through alocal effect on testicular tissue and Trihoney anti-inflammatory effect independent of insulin resistance.Atorvastatin did not counteract the impact of hypercholesterolaemia on the reproductive hormones

Male Infertility: Evaluation and Treatment

Globally, 48.5 million couples are suffering from infertility. One of six couples in United Kingdom is categorized as infertile. In developing countries, infertility affects one of four couples. Male infertility constitutes about 40-50% of the incidence. A minimum of 30 million men worldwide are infertile. Mortality rate is higher in men with impaired semen quality than those who have normal semen quality. The initial evaluation of a male partner of an infertile couple should be done if there is a delay in the pregnancy in the female partner for one year or more from unprotected sexual intercourse. It can be done earlier if there is a predisposing factor for infertility. Identification of the underlying aetiology of infertility is the guide for treatment course which could be medical, surgical or through assisted reproductive technology. The aim of this review is to highligh the main courses of evaluation and treatment of male infertility

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Muslims Responses to Pandemics: Lessons from the Best Generation

The world is currently suffering from another episode of respiratory disease pandemic as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) spares no continent. The disease which is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, has so far claimed many lives in multiple countries, including Muslim majority nations like Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. The situation has become a significant public health concern with several measures being carried out in an attempt to break the chain of the virus transmission.  These include the introduction of movement control order and total lock down across the world. The closure of places of worship including mosques have raised concerns and inconvenience to Muslims. Pandemics are not unprecedented in the history of mankind as several documented outbreaks like the plague pandemic in the mid fourteenth century also known as ‘the Black Death’, caused a demographic decline in both Muslim and Christian countries which led to millions of lives loss worldwide. We attempt to identify the parallels between the current COVID-19 pandemic with the experiences of previous Muslim generations, and draw lessons on general and practical responses to pandemics  with special reference to the generation of the Prophet’s companion. </jats:p

Effect of Trihoney (A Mixture of Trigona, Mellifera and Tualang) on Male Reproductive Hormones and Insulin Resistance in Hypercholesterolaemic Rabbits

Introduction: Hypercholesterolaemia affects Sertoli and Leydig cells secretory functions, impairs steroidhormone biosynthesis, and disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The use of honey in previousstudies resulted in an improvement of male reproductive hormonal disturbances. This study aimed toinvestigate the protective effects of Trihoney on hypercholesterolemia-induced male reproductive hormonalchanges in male rabbits and compare its effects with atorvastatin. Materials and methods: Forty-eight maleNew Zealand white rabbits were assigned into 6 groups as follows; Control: commercial pellet; CH:commercial pellet with 0.6 g/kg/day Trihoney; HCD: 1% cholesterol diet; DH1: 1% cholesterol diet with 0.3g/kg/day Trihoney; DH2: 1% cholesterol diet with 0.6 g/kg/day Trihoney and DAt: 1% cholesterol diet with2mg/kg/day atorvastatin. After 12 weeks, the rabbits were sacrificed and blood samples were collected foranalysis of hormones and pro-inflammatory cytokines and calculation of HOMA-IR. The testes werehomogenized for intra-testicular testosterone measurement. Results: Serum testosterone reducedsignificantly in HCD (p&lt;0.05) and DAt (p&lt;0.05) groups. Likewise, intra-testicular testosterone reducedsignificantly in HCD (p&lt;0.01) and DAt (p&lt;0.01) groups. Serum FSH increased significantly in HCD (p&lt;0.001)and DAt (p&lt;0.01). Trihoney particularly at the dose of 0.6 g/kg/day improved serum and intra-testiculartestosterone (p&lt;0.05) and FSH (p&lt;0.05). Trihoney and atorvastatin improved serum pro-inflammatorycytokines. Trihoney and atorvastatin did not affect HOMA-IR. Conclusion: Trihoney attenuated thedetrimental effects of hypercholesterolaemia on male reproductive hormones which probably through alocal effect on testicular tissue and Trihoney anti-inflammatory effect independent of insulin resistance.Atorvastatin did not counteract the impact of hypercholesterolaemia on the reproductive hormones.</jats:p

Male Infertility: Evaluation and Treatment

Globally, 48.5 million couples are suffering from infertility. One of six couples in United Kingdom is categorized as infertile. In developing countries, infertility affects one of four couples. Male infertility constitutes about 40-50% of the incidence. A minimum of 30 million men worldwide are infertile. Mortality rate is higher in men with impaired semen quality than those who have normal semen quality. The initial evaluation of a male partner of an infertile couple should be done if there is a delay in the pregnancy in the female partner for one year or more from unprotected sexual intercourse. It can be done earlier if there is a predisposing factor for infertility. Identification of the underlying aetiology of infertility is the guide for treatment course which could be medical, surgical or through assisted reproductive technology. The aim of this review is to highligh the main courses of evaluation and treatment of male infertility.</jats:p