Spectrophotometric determination of tizanidine and orphenadrine via ion pair complex formation using eosin Y

A simple, sensitive and rapid spectrophotometric method was developed and validated for the determination of two skeletal muscle relaxants namely, tizanidine hydrochloride (I) and orphenadrine citrate (II) in pharmaceutical formulations. The proposed method is based on the formation of a binary complex between the studied drugs and eosin Y in aqueous buffered medium (pH 3.5). Under the optimum conditions, the binary complex showed absorption maxima at 545 nm for tizanidine and 542 nm for orphenadrine. The calibration plots were rectilinear over concentration range of 0.5-8 μg/mL and 1-12 μg/mL with limits of detection of 0.1 μg/mL and 0.3 μg/mL for tizanidine and orphenadrine respectively. The different experimental parameters affecting the development and stability of the complex were studied and optimized. The method was successfully applied for determination of the studied drugs in their dosage forms; and to the content uniformity test of tizanidine in tablets

Gynecological and Related Morbidities among Ever-MarriedOmaniWomen

To assess the prevalence and correlates of gynecologic and related morbidity in Omani women, a nationally representative sample of Omani women selected by a multi-stage, stratified probability sampling procedure was selected (total = 364). Questionnaire interview, physical and gynecological examination, and laboratory investigations were used to elicit information. The prevalence of lower reproductive tract infections was 22.4%, upper reproductive tract infections 2.7%, and cervical dysplasia was very rare. Genital prolapse was present in 10%, 11% had a urinary infection, 27% were anaemic, 23% were hypertensive, and 54% were either overweight or obese. The predictors of common morbidities were assessed using regression analysis according to a pre-specified conceptual model. (Afr J Reprod Health 2004; 8[3]:188-197

Nonatonic Obstetric Haemorrhage: Effectiveness of the Nonpneumatic Antishock Garment in Egypt

The study aims to determine if the nonpneumatic antishock garment (NASG), a first aid compression device, decreases severe adverse outcomes from nonatonic obstetric haemorrhage. Women with nonatonic aetiologies (434), blood loss > 1000 mL, and signs of shock were eligible. Women received standard care during the preintervention phase (226) and standard care plus application of the garment in the NASG phase (208). Blood loss and extreme adverse outcomes (EAO-mortality and severe morbidity) were measured. Women who used the NASG had more estimated blood loss on admission. Mean measured blood loss was 370 mL in the preintervention phase and 258 mL in the NASG phase (P < 0.0001). EAO decreased with use of the garment (2.9% versus 4.4%, (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.24–1.76)). In conclusion, using the NASG improved maternal outcomes despite the worse condition on study entry. These findings should be tested in larger studies

Volatiles profiling and bioactivities of <i>Cupressus</i> spp. leaf and cone essential oils as analyzed via chemometrics tools

<p><i>Cupressus</i> is a genus of considerable medicinal value worldwide. The present work aims at assessing essential oil compositional differences within <i>Cupressus</i> in the context of its different genotypes and organs. Volatiles profiling was determined via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled to chemometrics. A total of 75 volatile components were identified. Monoterpene hydrocarbons amounted for the major volatile class, with α-pinene and 3-carene most abundant in <i>Cupressus sempervirens</i> versus sabinene and terpinen-4-ol in <i>Cupressus macrocarpa</i>. Multivariate data analyses revealed that α-pinene, sabinene, terpinen-4-ol and 3-carene are the most significant for species classification. The five examined essential oils exhibited potential insecticidal and anticholinesterase effects, with C. <i>sempervirens</i> var. pyramidalis cone oil being the most potent for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect. The oil also exhibited potential fumigant toxicity toward <i>Sitophilus oryzae</i> and <i>Tribolium castaneum</i>.  The results of the orthogonal partial least-square discriminant analysis revealed that α-pinene is the key bioactive component in <i>Cupressus oil</i>.</p

Chemical composition, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities of the essential oils of <i>Conyza linifolia</i> and <i>Chenopodium ambrosioides</i>

<div><p>Two essential oil-containing plants growing wildly in Egypt: <i>Conyza linifolia</i> (Willd.) Täckh. (Asteraceae) and <i>Chenopodium ambrosioides</i> L. (Chenopodiaceae) were subjected to essential oil analysis and biological investigation. The essential oils from both plants were prepared by hydrodistillation, and GC/MS was employed for volatiles profiling. This study is the first to perform GC/MS analysis of <i>C. linifolia</i> essential oil growing in Egypt. <i>C. linifolia</i> essential oil contained mainly sesquiterpenes, while that of <i>C. ambrosioides</i> was rich in monoterpenes. Ascaridole, previously identified as the major component of the latter, was found at much lower levels. In addition, the oils were investigated for their antimicrobial activity against two Gram positive and two Gram negative bacteria, and one fungus. The insecticidal activities of both oils, including mosquitocidal and pesticidal potentials, were also evaluated. The results of biological activities encourage further investigation of the two oils as antimicrobial and insecticidal agents of natural origin.</p></div

Use of the Non-Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment (NASG) for Life-Threatening Obstetric Hemorrhage: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Egypt and Nigeria

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of a non-pneumatic anti-shock garment (NASG) for obstetric hemorrhage in tertiary hospitals in Egypt and Nigeria. METHODS: We combined published data from pre-intervention/NASG-intervention clinical trials with costs from study sites. For each country, we used observed proportions of initial shock level (mild: mean arterial pressure [MAP] >60 mmHg; severe: MAP ≤60 mmHg) to define a standard population of 1,000 women presenting in shock. We examined three intervention scenarios: no women in shock receive the NASG, only women in severe shock receive the NASG, and all women in shock receive the NASG. Clinical data included frequencies of adverse health outcomes (mortality, severe morbidity, severe anemia), and interventions to manage bleeding (uterotonics, blood transfusions, hysterectomies). Costs (in 2010 international dollars) included the NASG, training, and clinical interventions. We compared costs and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) across the intervention scenarios. RESULTS: For 1000 women presenting in shock, providing the NASG to those in severe shock results in decreased mortality and morbidity, which averts 357 DALYs in Egypt and 2,063 DALYs in Nigeria. Differences in use of interventions result in net savings of $9,489 in Egypt (primarily due to reduced transfusions) and net costs of$6,460 in Nigeria, with a cost per DALY averted of $3.13. Results of providing the NASG for women in mild shock has smaller and uncertain effects due to few clinical events in this data set. CONCLUSION: Using the NASG for women in severe shock resulted in markedly improved health outcomes (2–2.9 DALYs averted per woman, primarily due to reduced mortality), with net savings or extremely low cost per DALY averted. This suggests that in resource-limited settings, the NASG is a very cost-effective intervention for women in severe hypovolemic shock. The effects of the NASG for mild shock are less certain