Spectrophotometric Determination of Certain Antiepileptic's in Tablets Using Vanillin Reagent

A selective and new spectrophotometric method is described for determination of three antiepileptic drugs; namely lamotrigine (LAM), gabapentin (GAB), and oxcarbazepine (OXC) in drug substances and in drug products using vanillin reagent as the chromogenic agent. The method is based on a coupling reaction between the cited drugs and vanillin reagent in acidic condition. Under optimized conditions, the yellow colored products were measured at 405, 396, and 400 nm respectively. Beer’s law was obeyed at (0.4 – 10), (0.1-10), and (0.5-11) μg/mL, and  the calculated molar absorptivity values are 2.52 x 104, 1.74 x 104, and 2.54 x 104 L/mol/cm for LAM, GAB, and OXC respectively. Sandell sensitivity, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were calculated. No interference was observed from common additives found in drug products. The presented method was validated according to ICH guidelines. Statistical comparison of the results was performed using Student's t-test and F-ratio at 95% confidence level, and there was no significant difference between the reference and proposed method with regard to accuracy and precision. The method offers the advantages of rapidity, simplicity and sensitivity and low cost and can be easily applied to resource poor settings without the need for expensive instrumentation and reagents

Anastatica Hierochuntica L. Used As an Alternative of Conjugated Estrogen (Premarin) in Rabbit Females

There are risks and benefits with all medicines and estrogen replacement is no exception. In fact, estrogen replacement is one of the most controversial topics in Endocrinology. Anastatica hierochuntica L. is a popular treatment  for the management of female reproductive disorders. The present research highlights the effect of  aqueous extract of plant against conjugated estrogen(Premarin) in rabbits. Femal oryciolagus cuniculus rabbits were divided into four groups: the 1 st group, rabbits were orally administered  (using a feeding solution )with daily dose(5 mL distilled water)for two months, the 2nd group, the rabbits were treated with conjugated estrogen (50 µg/kg b.w, body weight )for one month. The 3rd  group, the rabbits were treated with aqueose extract of plant(100mg/mL) for one month and group 4th the rabbits were treated with aqueous extract of plant(100mg/mL) for two  months  . The level of estrogen evaluated in blood. The findings of the study indicated that the administration of conjugated estrogen (50µg/kg b. w) induced a significant increase in estrogen. The result suggests that aqueous extract of Anastatica hierochuntica L. may increased leve of estrogen

Adsorption Study of Symmetrical Schiff Base Ligand 4,4’-[hydrazine-1,2-diylidenebis(methan- 1-yl-1-ylidene) bis (2-methoxyphenol)] on Granulated Initiated Calcined Iraqi Montmorillonite via Columnar Method

The adsorption ability of Iraqi initiated calcined granulated montmorillonite to adsorb Symmetrical Schiff Base Ligand 4,4’-[hydrazine-1, 2-diylidenebis (methan-1-yl-1-ylidene)) bis (2-methoxyphenol)] derived from condensation reaction of hydrazine hydrate and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, from aqueous solutions has been investigated through columnar method.The ligand (H2L) adsorption found to be dependent on adsorbent dosage, initial concentration and contact time.All columnar experiments were carried out at three different pH values (5.5, 7and 8) using buffer solutions at flow rate of (3 drops/ min.),at room temperature (25±2)°C. The experimental isotherm data were analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin equations. The monolayer adsorption capacity is 5.7347 mg ligand (L) per 1g calcined Montmorillonite. The experiments showed that highest removal rate 75.70 % for ligand (L) at pH 7.The kinetic data for the adsorption process obeyed pseudo-second-order rate equations. Key words: Adsorption Study, Schiff base Ligand, Iraqi Montmorillonite,Columnar Method., Calcined

Comparison Study of Axial Behavior of RPC-CFRP Short Columns

In this paper, the axial behaviors of reactive powder     concrete (RPC) short  columns confined with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) were   investigated. All the specimens have square cross section of 100 mm × 100   mm and length of 400 mm with aspect ratio 4. The experimental work consists   of three groups. The first group consists of six specimens of RPC with 2% micro steel fiber, without ordinary reinforcing steel and confining by zero, one and two layer of CFRP respectively. The second group consists of six    specimens of RPC with 2% micro steel fiber and minimum ordinary reinforcing  steel and confining by zero, one and two layers of CFRP respectively. The third  group consists of four specimens of RPC without micro steel fiber and ordinary  reinforcing steel and confining by one and two layers of CFRP respectively.  Experimental data for strength, longitudinal and lateral displacement and  failure mode were obtained for each test. The toughness (area under the curve) for each test was obtained by using numerical integration. The RPC columns confined with CFRP showed stiffer behavior compared with RPC columns without CFRP. The ultimate load of the RPC columns with 2% micro steel  fiber + two layers of CFRP + minimum ordinary reinforcement were more than that of the RPC columns with 2% micro steel fiber + minimum ordinary   reinforcement and without CFRP by about 1.333. 

Molecular detection of Human Papillomavirus genotype-16&-18 in tissues from patients with prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background: High oncogenic-risk genotypes of human Papillomavirus (HPV) infect a wide range of human cells, including prostate tissue that give rise to benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic adenocarcinomas. Objectives: This study aimed to detect DNA of HPV genotype-16 &18 using in situ hybridization technique in prostatic tissues from benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic adenocarcinomas, and elucidate the association between these HPV genotypes and prostatic carcinogenesis. Patients and methods: Forty-eight (48) formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded prostatic tissue blocks were obtained ,among them (28) tissue biopsies from prostatic carcinoma with different grades and (20) benign prostate hyperplastic tissue blocks as well as (10) apparently normal prostate tissue autopsies which were collected from the archives of Forensic Medicine Institute / Baghdad and used as prostate healthy control groups. Detection and genotyping of HPV was done by highly sensitive in situ hybridization technique. Results: The signals of in situ hybridization reactions of both HPV-16 and HPV-18 in prostate cancer cases in the present study was 25% (7 / 28) whereas in BPH, HPV-16 was detected in 45 %( 9 /20) and HPV-18 was presented in 35 %( 7/ 20). Neither HPV-16 nor HPV-18 was detected in the apparently healthy control group.The percentages of HPV 16 and HPV18 were increasing with advancing of grade of prostate cancer. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the oncogenic HPV-16 might contribute to the development of subset of prostate tumors. In addition, HPV16&18 might have a crucial role in progression of the prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasi

Association between Type 2 diabetes mellitus and TCF7L2 and FTO gene variants among upper Egyptian population

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder caused by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental variables. T2DM is associated with transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) and fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) genetic polymorphism.Objectives: The goal of this study was to examine the common genetic risk factors of T2DM and related metabolic traits in Upper Egyptian population, in attempt to understand the genetic structure of T2DM in the Egyptian community.Methods and Materials: This case control study included 250 participants, 124 T2DM patients and 126 non-diabetics. Using mutagenically separated polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR), genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs7903146 of TCF7L2 and rs17817449 of FTO genes was carried out.Results: T allele of TCF7L2 variant rs7903146 confers a risk for T2DM (allelic OR=1.97, 95% CI: (1.34 to 2.88) p =<0.001). The minor G allele of FTO rs17817449 polymorphism was significantly higher in diabetics than controls (allelic OR=1.87, 95% CI=1.30 to 2.68, p<0.001). Genotype risk was evident under both recessive and dominant modes of inheritance (OR=3.18, CI (1.35-7.45), P =0.008, OR= 2.04, CI (1.23-3.38), p=0.006) for TCF7L2 and (OR= 2.55, CI (1.28 -5.09), p=0.008 and OR= 2.14, CI (1.25-3.63), p= 0.005) for FTO respectivelyConclusion: TCF7L2 rs7903146 and FTO rs17817449 variant conferred risk for T2DM in Upper Egyptian population. The study noted the interaction between certain biological and environmental risk factors including BMI, age, and sex and the conferred genetic risk

Agronomical, physiological and molecular evaluation reveals superior salt-tolerance in bread wheat through salt-induced priming approach

Salt stress significantly limit wheat crop productivity worldwide. Exposure to non-lethal levels of salt stress, referred to as "salt-priming", allows plants to persist subsequent lethal conditions; the priming effect continues even after an extended salt stress-free period. This study attempted to evaluate the effectiveness of the salt-induced priming approach to cope with the toxic effects of long-term salinity stress in wheat. After 22 days of gradual salt acclamation to reach 250 mM NaCl, plants were recovered for eight days and finally shocked with 250 mM NaCl (priming+shock) for 7 days. After that, physiological parameters and gene expression of six salt-responsive genes were assessed. Additionally, 120 days after germination (at the end of the season), agronomic traits were recorded. Analysis of the agronomical traits revealed higher productivity in the salt-pretreated group (priming+shock) plants than the non-pretreated (shock only). Consistently, salt-pretreated plants maintained higher photosynthetic pigments level and decreased proline and MDA content than non-pretreated, suggesting enhanced salt tolerance. Moreover, salt-pretreated plants sustained high expressional levels of salt-responsive genes (TaNHX1, TaSOS1, TaSOS4, TaHKT1, TaHKT2, and TaAKT1) comparing with non-pretreated, indicating a vital role in ion homeostasis and conferring salt tolerance. Ultimately, this finding could facilitate novel smart approaches to improve wheat productivity under salt stress

Health promotion, disease prevention and periodic health checks: perceptions and practice among family physicians in Eastern Mediterranean region

Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify the current practices and perceptions of family physicians regarding health promotion, disease prevention including periodic screening and health checks in Eastern Mediterranean Region. Methods: A multi-country cross-sectional study was conducted in six countries of EMR, from September 2014 to March 2015. Family Physicians who were currently practicing in different countries of EMR were invited to participate in the study through email. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was entered and analyzed on SPSS 19 and logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: A total of 100 physicians’ data was included in the final analysis. The majority were female physicians (76%): 63% were 25 to 35 years of age. Approximately 53% of Family physicians always recommend periodic screening and health checks to their patients. The common screening question asked to patients in medical history was related to their blood pressure (86%). Almost all (99%) of the Family physicians believe they should conduct periodic health checks. Those who had postgraduate training in Family Medicine (OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.39-1.67) and attended CME sessions regularly (OR: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01-0.93), are more likely to recommend periodic screening and health checks to their patients. Conclusion: Periodic screening and health check is an important strategy to prevent disease and maintain health. It is an underutilized practice and a great need exists for its implementation in family practice

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Relationship between cube and cylinder compressive strengths of mortar used for ferrocement

In this paper the relationship between cylinder and cube compressive strengths of ferrocement and the influence of wire mesh on such relationship was fairly studied. Different mortar mixes having different compressive strengths were attempted, and for this purpose a total of 108 specimens were tested in the laboratory.&nbsp; The influence of wire mesh on mortar compressive strength was found to be not important, except in cubes reinforced with wire mesh perpendicular to direction of loading. Strength enhancement was due to the difference in mode of failure of specimens. The size of specimen seem to have an influence on compressive strength of mortar contain wire mesh. In general, the ratio of cylinder to cube mortar specimen is close to 0.94, this ratio can be used for the design of thin ferrocement sections. For thick sections, it is better to take the effect of any wire mesh perpendicular to the direction of loading. This paper gives an equation for calculating cylinder compressive strength for this case