Impaired expression of sex hormone receptors in male reproductive organs of diabetic rat in response to oral antidiabetic drugs

Introduction. Few oral antidiabetic drugs have been evaluated for their reproductive complication. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of metformin, pioglitazone and sitagliptin on the structure of male reproductive system through an immunohistopathological study. Material and methods. Sprague-Dawley male rats were injected with streptozotocin. The diabetic rats were divided into four groups (n = 8/each group); diabetic control, metformin-, pioglitazone- and sitagliptin-treated groups in addition to a normal control group (n = 8). At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for biochemical assessment. Testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle were dissected and processed for histopathological examination using routine and immune-staining. Results. All drugs significantly (p < 0.05) decreased fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides and malondialdehyde compared to the diabetic control group. Metformin has induced the least pathologic changes on the structure of the testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle among the studied drugs. Metformin succeeded to restore weights of testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle as well as testosterone hormone level back to values of the NC group while the pioglitazone and sitagliptin failed to do that. A significant reduction (p < 0.05) in testicular ERa and ERb immunoexpression of pioglitazone-treated group as well as suppression of ERb and AR immunoreactivity in in epididymus and seminal vesicles of pioglitazone- and sitagliptin-treated rats were observed compared to the control animals. Conclusions. Histological structure as well ER and AR expression in the system organs were negatively and significantly affected with all studied drugs. Metformin has the least effect on the structure of the studied male reproductive organs. Thus, pioglitazone and sitagliptin treatment should be avoided in young male diabetic patients

Medicine as a career choice: a cross-sectional study on undergraduate medical students at King Abdulaziz University

Background: During the last 15 years large number medical schools have been launched in Saudi Arabia in order to compensate for the shortage of Saudi physicians. Till now the reasons for choosing the medical profession by Saudi students were not thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to investigate the reasons for study medicine at King Abdulaziz University (KAU); and if there is any difference in these reasons between the junior and senior medical student.  Factors helping in profession selection as well as the future specialty selection were also investigated.Methods: This comparative cross section study was conducted at KAU during the year 2014-2015 using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to all the 2nd and 6th year medical students.Results: Like to help patients, interest in medical field and being prestigious career were the commonest causes of choosing the medical profession among the 2nd year students and they were significantly rated higher ( 0.031, 0.001, 0.028) in 2nd year students compared to the 6th year. Getting a high GPA was rated significantly higher (p=0.01) by the 6th year students than the 2nd year students. Publications and internet sources was the significant (p=0.001) helpful factors rated by the 2nd year students. Surgery, Pediatric and Internal medicine were the commonest future specialties that had been chosen by both 2nd and 6th year students.Conclusions: Comprehensive and structured programs directed to the secondary school and preparatory university year students to guide them to the proper career with the highlight of Medicine as one of the profession strongly needed in Saudi Arabia.

Assessment of adaptation measures against flooding in the city of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dhaka is one of the world’s largest megacities with a high rate of urbanization. Due to the setting of greater Dhaka in a deltaic plain, it is extremely prone to detrimental flooding. Risks associated with flood are expected to increase in the coming years because of the global climate change impacts as well as the high rate of urbanization the city is facing. The low lying part of Dhaka (Dhaka East) faces most severe risk of flooding. Traditionally, this part has been efficiently storing the excess water caused by excessive rainfall and the canals connected to the rivers gradually drained the water to the rivers. But the alarmingly increasing population of Dhaka is leading towards the encroachment of these water retention areas because of the land scarcity. The natural drainage for the city is not performing well and the area is still unprotected from flooding, which causes major threats to its inhabitants. This situation increases the urgency to effectively adapt to current floods caused by climate variability and to the impacts of future climate changes. The government is planning several adaptive measures to protect the area whereas a systematic framework to analyze and assess them is lacking. The objective of the paper is to develop an integrated framework for the assessment of various (current and potential) adaptation measures aimed at protecting vulnerable areas from flooding. The study firstly assesses current and future risks from flooding in the most sensitive region of the city. Subsequently, the study identifies, analyses and assesses adaptive initiatives and measures to address flood risks in the Eastern fringe area. Adaptation assessment is conducted within the framework of Multi Criteria Analysis methodology which allows both normative judgment and technical expertise in the assessment process. Based on the assessment and analysis, adaptive measures are prioritized to enable more effective action. Such a participatory integrated assessment of adaptation options is a new approach in flood management in least developed countries and in Bangladesh in particular. A framework for prioritization of adaptation measures is lacking in the decision making process in Bangladesh which could immensely assist in informed and structured decisions while developing adaptation strategies

Effects of maternal age on the expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers in the components of human umbilical cord

Introduction. Although the human umbilical cord (UC) has been previously considered a medical waste, its use as a main source of fetal stem cells for regenerative medicine applications has increased over the past few years. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the maternal age on the expression of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) markers CD105 and CD29 in the different areas of human UC. Material and methods. In this comparative cross sectional study, one hundred term UCs from five maternal age groups (20–45 years) were collected after delivery from healthy mothers and were processed to assess both immuno- and gene expression of CD105 and CD29 surface antigen markers using immunohistochemical and RT-PCR techniques. Results. The immunoexpression of CD105 and CD29 in the amniotic membrane (AM) and Wharton’s jelly (WJ), the umbilical artery (UA) and the umbilical vein (UV) showed significant negative correlation with the maternal age (p < 0.001). Reduced amount of cells as well as the studied MSC markers and their gene expression levels were documented in older age mothers. CD105-positive MSCs were more abundant in the UA, whereas CD29-positive MSCs were more abundant in the AM and WJ. Conclusion. The decreased expression of CD105 and CD29 MSCs markers with age suggests that selective isolation of MSCs from Wharton’s jelly, umbilical artery or umbilical vein of younger mothers should be recommended

Specialty selection satisfaction and regret among medical school postgraduates and faculty at King Abdulaziz University

Background: In the field of medicine, specialty selection is a life-altering decision that plays a crucial role in career satisfaction, and in turn patient-care. This study explores the significant factors affecting specialty selection satisfaction and regret from the perspective of medical postgraduates and faculty in King Abdulaziz University (KAU).  Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on a sample of 172 medical school postgraduates and faculty working at KAU using self-administered questionnaire.Results: The majority of the participants were residents (51.7%), The analysis showed that 11% of the participants regret their choice of specialty. The results showed that the level of satisfaction increases as the academic degree of the participants increase. Among the significant factors affected specialty selection satisfaction and regret were; income (P = 0.003), long length of training (P = 0.027), vast options of sub-specialties (P = 0.001) and interesting and exciting field.Conclusion: These results identify the essential factors that have a potential impact on specialty satisfaction and regret among medical school postgraduates and faculty. This highlights the importance of career counseling for the proper specialty selection

How does the new developed curriculum affect the perception of medical graduates at King Abdulaziz University about professionalism?

Background: In 2007 Faculty of Medicine (FOM), King Abdulaziz University (KAU) reoriented the medical curriculum and integrated professionalism. This study was conducted to assess the perception of professionalism attitudes by medical graduates who graduated from the new curriculum that incorporated the professionalism module and compare it to those who did not.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at the teaching hospital of the FOM, KAU using a modified version of the well-constructed questionnairedesigned to assess the student’s attitudes toward professionalism was distributed to all interns in the academic year of 2013-2014. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version 16.Results: Higher mean scores with significant differences in all aspects of professionalism were observed in interns graduated from the new curriculum when compared to those of the old one and was previously reported by Eldeek et al., (2012). The importance of adhering to high ethical and moral behavior and the need of humanity in the efficacy of the medical practice were the most significant attributes with effect size of 0.64 and 0.58 respectively. Studying in the clinical years represented the first helpful source of the participant to develop their perception about professionalism. Conclusion: The new developed curriculum at the FOM succeeded to improve the graduate perception about professionalism.

The spread of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in Victorian school children in 2009:iImplications for revised pandemic planning

Background Victoria was the first state in Australia to experience community transmission of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. We undertook a descriptive epidemiological analysis of the first 1,000 notified cases to describe the epidemic associated with school children and explore implications for school closure and antiviral distribution policy in revised pandemic plans. Methods Records of the first 1,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 notified to the Victorian Government Department of Health between 20 May and 5 June 2009 were extracted from the state’s notifiable infectious diseases database. Descriptive analyses were conducted on case demographics, symptoms, case treatment, prophylaxis of contacts and distribution of cases in schools. Results Two-thirds of the first 1,000 cases were school-aged (5–17 years) with cases in 203 schools, particularly along the north and western peripheries of the metropolitan area. Cases in one school accounted for nearly 8% of all cases but the school was not closed until nine days after symptom onset of the first identified case. Amongst all cases, cough (85%) was the most commonly reported symptom followed by fever (68%) although this was significantly higher in primary school children (76%). The risk of hospitalisation was 2%. The median time between illness onset and notification of laboratory confirmation was four days, with only 10% of cases notified within two days of onset and thus eligible for oseltamivir treatment. Nearly 6,000 contacts were followed up for prophylaxis. Conclusions With a generally mild clinical course and widespread transmission before its detection, limited and short-term school closures appeared to have minimal impact on influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 transmission. Antiviral treatment could rarely be delivered to cases within 48 hours of symptom onset. These scenarios and lessons learned from them need to be incorporated into revisions of pandemic plans

Brain-derived Neurotropic factor (BDNF) mediates the protective effect of Cucurbita pepo L. on salivary glands of rats exposed to chronic stress evident by structural, biochemical and molecular study

Acute and chronic stresses affect the salivary glands, representing the source of plasma BDNF during stressful conditions. Pumpkin is a medicinal plant with an evident antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and potential antidepressant effects. Objective: To assess the structural and biochemical effects induced by exposure to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) on salivary glands of albino rats, and to evaluate the role of pumpkin extract (Pump) in ameliorating this effect. Methodology: Four groups (n=10 each) of male albino rats were included in this study: the control, CUMS, Fluoxetine-treated and Pump-treated. The corticosterone, the pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the oxidant/antioxidant profile were all assessed in the serum. The level of BDNF mRNA was measured in the salivary glands using qRT-PCR. Histopathological changes of the salivary glands were also assessed. Results: The depressive-like status was confirmed behaviorally and biochemically. Exposure to CUMS significantly up-regulated (p<0.001) the level of serum corticosterone. CUMS induced degenerative changes in the secretory and ductal elements of the salivary glands evident by increased apoptosis. Both Fluoxetine and Pumpkin significantly up-regulated (p<0.001) BDNF expression in the salivary glands and ameliorated the CUMS-induced histopathological and biochemical alterations in the salivary glands. Pumpkin significantly (p<0.001) increased the serum levels of antioxidant enzymes SOD, GPX and CAT, and reduced the serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6. Conclusion: Pumpkin ameliorates the depressive-like status induced in rats following exposure to chronic stress through exerting a promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-depressant-like effects. The pumpkin, subsequently, improved stress-induced structural changes in the salivary glands that might be due to up-regulation of BDNF expression in the glands

Cinnamon and ginger extracts attenuate diabetes-induced inflammatory testicular injury in rats and modulating SIRT1 expression

The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of simultaneous administration of Zingiber officinale (ginger) and Cinnamomum cassia (cinnamon) extracts in mitigating testicular changes associated with diabetes mellitus in rats and to investigate its molecular mode of action. After induction of diabetes using streptozotocin, 36 male rats were divided to six groups namely control, diabetic, metformin-treated, cinnamon-treated, ginger-treated and combined, each group having 6 rats. Fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, testosterone was measured. Expression of inflammatory mediators; tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) was assessed in the testicular tissue. Histopathological changes in the testis were observed and spermatogenesis and apoptosis were assessed immunohistochemically. The histological and biochemical studies of the untreated group confirmed structural changes in testes induced by diabetes. Oral administration of ginger and cinnamon increased insulin level significantly increased while the blood glucose level significantly decreased in diabetic rats, improving structural testicular changes considerably. Joint intake of ginger and cinnamon increased antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects markedly improving the testicular injury compared to the administration of either of them. SIRT1 expression in the testis significantly increased in ginger plus cinnamon-treated rats. These results indicate that when administrated together, ginger and cinnamon synergistically enhanced antioxidant, antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects and induced antihyperglycemic effect comparable to metformin. The combination of ginger and cinnamon also upregulated SIRT1 in the testis

Assessment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm-forming capacities from drinking water in water vending machine

The establishment of P. aeruginosa with biofilm formation in water vending machines may cause serious health issues to the consumers and its emergence has led to the public’s concern. This study aimed to assess the quality of water vending machines and to evaluate the biological contaminant P. aeruginosa in biofilm capacities. The qualities of the drinking water from a total of fifteen (n = 15) water vending machines at Kota Samarahan were evaluated based on physical and chemical parameters including pH value, turbidity, total of carbon (TOC), total dissolved solid (TDS) and total suspended solid (TSS). The colonies Enterobacteriaceae has been morphology characterized through biochemical tests and P. aeruginosa bacteria was identify through the PCR method. The results of the physical and chemical parameters complies with the authority standard including turbidity values found in conformance with values were lower than 0.1 NTU. Morphological analysis with a total of 66.7% (n = 10) was detected with the presence of Enterobacteriaceae, and a total of 40% (n = 6) of the isolates were found to be P. aeruginosa. This study extended by assessing the potential strength of biofilm formation. The microtiter assay performed in a 96-well polystyrene microtiter plate showed that 83.33% (n = 5) of the bacterial isolates have moderate potential as biofilm producers, while only 16.67% (n = 1) isolates were non-adherent and showed no potential in producing biofilm. The highest OD isolates found occupying moderate biofilm strength was (mean = 0.217) and the lowest moderate biofilm strength was (mean = 0.136). In conclusion, the significance and impact of the study displayed the qualities of water vending machines complies with Food Act 1983, Regulation 360C and Malaysian Drinking Water Quality, Ministry of Health 1983. However, the presence of biological contaminants may raise consumer concerns. This study had successfully assessed the potential strength of P. aeruginosa biofilm collected from water vending machines. Further microbiological assessments should be perform continuously to predict and eliminate any future risks related to water vending machines