Accuracy of ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detection of rotator cuff tears in district general hospital

Background: Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) represent a significant proportion of shoulder diseases, hence they are a frequent cause of patient visits in shoulder clinics. However, the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears is controversial. Investigation of cuff tears is based on ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Both modalities have been in use for decades, and their advantages and limitations are known. A recent Cochrane review of the subject suggested that US and MRI both performed well with respect to full thickness rotator cuff tears (FTT). However, they were less accurate with respect to partial thickness tears (PTT). The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of US and MRI in diagnosing rotator cuff tears. Material/Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 255 patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy. Of them, 125 patients had preoperative US, and 130 had preoperative MRI. The imaging results were compared with arthroscopic findings for patient. Results: After calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive prediction value (PPV), and negative prediction value, we found no statistically significant difference between US and MRI in detection of rotator cuff tears of any type (RCT) or FTT. However, US is more specific in detecting PTT compared to MRI (P=0.00008) but with no significant difference in other parameters. Conclusions: We concluded that US and MRI both have similar accuracy in diagnosing RCT of any sort and FTT. However, US is more specific than MRI in detecting PTT. In our institute, we now recommend US as the investigation of choice for diagnosing rotator cuff tears

Socio-Economic Impact of Touristic Development on Surrounding Local Communities- Case Study Delta Egypt

Tourism has become an important economic sector and a primary contributing driver of the economy in many parts of the world. The study area is a secluded area in northern Delta Egypt, directly on the Mediterranean Sea. In this research, we try to investigate how tourist development affects the local community, and how the local community takes advantage of the different opportunities offered by the development. Also, we try to answer the question of what makes some people better use the development than others. It is a qualitative interpretive inductive research based on naturalistic narrative methodology. This is achieved through semi-structured interviews with resort administrators, resort workers, local community members, and development beneficiaries. We monitor and document this change and try to identify the reasons behind the different levels of effect it has on people, and why some of them can take good advantage of the change and some don’t. Whether it is different levels of education, rationality, entrepreneur mentality, social class, social relations, or unequal distribution of chances. The interviews were conducted between August 2021 and September 2022. Throughout the narrative, we get a better understanding of the dynamic between different stakeholders

In vitro anti-cholinesterase and anti-oxidant activity of three standardised polyherbal products used for memory enhancing in ethnomedicine of South-East Nigeria

Background: Polyherbal standardised extracts used in ethnomedicine of Eastern Nigeria for memory improvements were evaluated for anti-cholinesterases and anti-oxidant properties. Methods: Anti-cholinesterase, anti-oxidant, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents were established using standard procedures. Results: The three polyherbal extracts exhibited significant concentration dependent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity (P = 0.001). The highest AChE inhibition was observed with the Neocare Herbal Tea (NHT) with 99.7% (IC50 = 324 μg/mL); whereas the Herbalin Complex Tea (HCT) and Phytoblis Herbal Tea (PHT) exhibited 73.8% (IC50 = 0.2 μg/mL) and 60.6% (IC50 = 0.7 μg/mL) inhibition, respectively, relative to eserine at 100% inhibition (IC50 = 0.9 μg/mL) at 200 μg/mL. The order of percentage increase in inhibition of AChE was NHT > HCT > PHT; while the order of decrease in potency was HCT > PHT > NHT. Radical scavenging activities of HCT, NHT and PHT were 82.13% (IC50 = 0.08 μg/mL), 77.43% (IC50 = 0.01 μg/mL) and 76.28% (IC50 = 0.3 μg/mL), respectively, at 1 mg/mL concentrations. The reducing power revealed a dose-dependent effect, with NHT > PHT > HCT. The order of total phenolics content in the extracts were PHT > HCT > NHT, and for total flavonoids content: PHT > NHT > HCT. Conclusion: The three polyherbal standardised products possess significant acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity and secondary metabolites that could collectively contribute to their memory-enhancing effects

Alleviation of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatocellular damage and oxidative stress with a leaf extract of Glyphae brevis (Tiliaceae)

BackgroundGlyphae brevis leaf is reported in ethnomedicine as a treatment for hepatitis and jaundice; however, no studies have hitherto investigated the mechanistic basis of these claims.MethodsA hepato-protective role of G. brevis hydromethanolic (GBH) leaf extract was established against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity. Twenty-four hours after a CCl4 challenge, rats were sacrificed and serum hematological indices, lipid profile, and biochemical parameters were determined. The antioxidant enzymes parameters (glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase) and lipid peroxidation product (thiobarbituric reactive substances) levels in liver homogenates were evaluated. Changes in the liver cyto-architecture of different treatment groups were also investigated.ResultsThe GBH extract produced no significant impact on weight and hematological indices. Intoxication with CCl4 significantly (

Eotaxin, RANTES and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels in allergic rhinitis

AbstractObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to estimate the levels of eotaxin, RANTES and tumor necrosing factor-∞ in allergic rhinitis and their relation to disease severity.Study designProspective study.SettingMansoura University Hospital.Patients and methodsTwenty nine patients suffering from allergic rhinitis were included in this study (19 patients with allergic rhinitis and 10 patients control group). The patients underwent estimation of eotaxin, RANTES, TNF-∞ in the nasal wash using Elisa technique. The patients were divided according to the disease severity into mild allergic rhinitis, severe allergic rhinitis and control groups.ResultsThe mean values of eotaxin, RANTES, TNF-∞ in severe allergic rhinitis (33.6±11.07pg/ml, 72.17±87.61pg/ml, 25.47±4.04pg/ml) were statistically higher than in mild allergic rhinitis (9.80±6.79pg/ml, 10.50±6.90pg/ml, 12.99±3.27pg/ml) and the mean values of all these parameters were higher in both groups compared to control group (0.6±0.69pg/ml, 0.65±0.74pg/ml, 0.63±0.54pg/ml).ConclusionThis study suggests the role of local chemokines in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis as well as their possible relation to the severity of the disease which may direct the attention to therapeutic trials against these locally produced chemokines

New spectrophotometric microdetermination of carbapenem antibiotics derivatives in pharmaceutical formulations

AbstractA new sensitive spectrophotometric method was developed to determine three carbapenem antibiotics: imipenem, meropenem and ertapenem. The proposed method was based on the formation of the coloured tris(o-phenanthroline)-iron(II) complex (ferroin) [Phen] or Fe (II)-2,2″-bipyridyl complex [Bip] in the reaction of the tested drugs with the corresponding iron (III)-complexes in an acetate pH 4 buffer. The formed coloured complexes showed maximum absorbance at 510 and 520nm for [Phen] and [Bip], respectively. The reaction conditions, including the pH, reagent concentration, reaction time, temperature and stability of the formed coloured species, were optimized to achieve the highest sensitivity. Linear calibration curves were obtained in the concentration ranges from 0.2 to 10, 0.5 to 10 and 0.5 to 10μgmL−1 for the aforementioned drugs in the same order. The developed method was successfully applied to determine the investigated carbapenems in their pharmaceutical formulations with average recoveries of 100.8, 99.8 and 99.4% for the Phen method and 98.9, 101.7 and 100.6% for the Bip method for imipenem, meropenem and ertapenem, respectively. A statistical comparison of the results with the reference method showed good concurrence and indicated no significant difference in accuracy or precision

Experimental Investigation of RC Exterior Beam Column Connection with Eccentric Beam Subjected to Reversible Quasi Static Loads

Insufficiency of the Beam Column Joint (BCJ) caused structures failures particularly in case of the earthquakes. In most of the buildings, the beam center line was not aligned with the column center line. So, the effect of the eccentricity of the beam was studied in this article. Behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) eccentric beam-column joint under reversible cyclic loading was investigated experimentally. The experimental program is one specimen. The specimen consisted of column and beam. The column divided into symmetry two parts (upper and lower parts). The beam fixed in middle of the column and it was free end. The main parameter was the effect of the eccentricity of the beam center line about the column center on behaviour of RC BCJ. The specimen was tested under reversible ten cycles. The horizontal displacement for the column and the vertical deflection at free end of the beam were recorded at each cycle. The crack pattern of the tested specimen was studied at every cycle in details. It was noticed that the eccentricity of the beam has concentrated more stresses on the joint side close to the eccentricity. The failure took place at the joint due to its weakness

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of Spondias mombin leaf and stem extracts against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity

Objective Spondias mombin L. is a tree used in folk medicine in Nigeria for the treatment of hepatitis. This study was carried out to comparatively evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of S. mombin leaf and stem (SML and SMS) methanolic extracts in a rat model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods Forty-two rats were distributed into seven groups. Groups A and B received water; groups C and D received 500 and 1000 mg/kg SML extract, respectively; groups E and F received 500 and 1000 mg/kg SMS extract, respectively; and group G received 100 mg/kg silymarin. Water, the two extracts, and silymarin were administered daily by oral gavage for 7 days. Hepatotoxicity was induced in groups B to G by the administration of CCl4 once on the seventh day. After 48 h, rats were sacrificed, and tissues and serum samples were examined for histological and biochemical indices of hepatotoxicity. Results Administration of CCl4 resulted in liver injury with significant elevation in the hepatocellular injury markers alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), and conjugated bilirubin (CBIL), associated with a significant reduction in total circulatory protein. Pretreatment with SML and SMS extracts at both doses significantly ameliorated liver injury; lowered ALT, AST, ALP, TBIL, and CBIL levels; elevated cellular glutathione levels as well as catalase and superoxide dismutase activities; and decreased the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Conclusion This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the potential therapeutic benefit of S. mombin in xenobiotic-induced hepatotoxicity

Role of oxidative stress in antituberculous drugs (individuals and combined) cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells

Hepatotoxicity is a common side and toxic effect of Antituberculous (Anti-TB) drugs with reported higher incidence with anti-TB combinations. Oxidative stress was shown to have a role. This study examined oxidative stress effects of the first line Anti-TB drugs; Rifampicin (RIF), isoniazid (INH) and pyrazinamide PZA (individually and combined) on HepG2 cells. MTT assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) was used to study the cytotoxic effect of the tested Anti-TB drugs. The effect of anti-TB drugs on total glutathione HepG2 cells and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROSs) were studied (individually and in combinations). Furthermore, the protective effect of the antioxidant reduced glutathione was assayed. The data revealed that the tested anti-TB were cytotoxic to HepG2 cells. RIF was the most potent. The tested drugs in their estimated IC50s, to different extents, enhanced significantly (P<0.0001) ROSs production and decreased total glutathione (P <0.0001). Furthermore, 48 hours pre-treatment with INH (3mM) significantly increased ROS production and decreased glutathione with RIF (0.1mM) (P <0.01 and P <0.05 respectively) and PZA (10 mM) (P <0.01 and P <0.05 respectively). Combined RIF (0.1mM) and INH (3mM) significantly decreased total glutathione (P<0.05 for each) and increased ROSs production (P<0.05) in HepG2 cells (P<0.05 for each). Interestingly, reduced glutathione (GSH) significantly decreased the cytotoxicity of RIF and INH (P=0.005 and 0.015, respectively). These data showed that oxidative stress play a crucial role in anti-TB induced hepatotoxicity, which can be alleviated by inclusion of antioxidant in therapy, though there is need of clinical trials. Moreover, combined anti-TB therapy should be considered as a risk factor with any other oxidative liver injuries

The Effectiveness of Producing a Blended Learning Environment Based on the Programming of an Educational Robot to Develop Problem-solving Skills in Science for Intermediate School Students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The goal of this research is to measure the effectiveness of producing a Blended learning environment based on the programming of an educational robot to develop problem-solving skills in science for intermediate school students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The research sample was randomly selected from sixty (60) students in the second year. The researcher used the experimental method with a quasi-experimental design (the design of the control group - experimental with a pre and post-test) Where the experimental group is taught through a blended learning environment based on the programming of the educational robot The control group is taught traditionally