Prophylactic effect of the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac in experimental schistosomiasis mansoni

SummaryObjectivesThis study was a trial to demonstrate the prophylactic effect of diclofenac, a widely used anti-inflammatory drug (diclofenac potassium, CAS-15307-81-0, Ciba Geigy, 334.2) in experimental schistosomiasis mansoni. Two different dose regimens were used to explore the effects upon worm load, tissue egg load, and hepatic granuloma size.MethodsIn this study, a group of 50 Swiss albino mice was used. This group was divided into five subgroups: subgroup I constituted infected untreated control mice; subgroup II, infected mice given 0.5mg diclofenac orally 24h post infection, then sacrificed three weeks later; subgroup III, infected mice given 0.5mg diclofenac orally six weeks post infection and sacrificed one week later; subgroup IV, infected mice administered 1mg diclofenac orally 24h post infection and sacrificed three weeks later; and subgroup V, infected mice given 1mg of the drug orally six weeks post infection and sacrificed one week later.ResultsMice given the high dose regimen (1mg orally/mouse) 24h post infection, then sacrificed three weeks later, demonstrated a significant reduction in the immature worms recovered, compared to the untreated controls. Animals receiving the high dose of the drug six weeks post infection, then sacrificed one week later, revealed a drop in the number of mature worms and in the tissue egg load (hepatic and intestinal), and the smallest hepatic granuloma measurement compared to the untreated controls. These findings were less conspicuous in animals given the low dose regimen.ConclusionDiclofenac could be used successfully as a preventive agent against schistosomiasis mansoni infection in endemic areas

Using Studio-Based Learning for Enhancing EFL Preservice Teachers’ Pedagogical Knowledge and Investigating the Effect on their Pedagogical Content Knowledge

This research utilized a studio-based learning classroom to enhance students/teachers’ pedagogical knowledge and investigated the effect of this treatment on their pedagogical content knowledge. Participants of the research were pre-tested and divided into an experimental group (n=38) and a control group (n=38). The research employed a pre/post pedagogical knowledge test and an analytic pedagogical content knowledge rubric. The experiment lasted for 2 months during which the experimental group members were trained in a collaborative studio classroom on classroom management and lesson planning. Traditional lectures on the same topics were delivered to the control group. Upon the completion of the experiment, the participants were post-tested. When statistical analysis was done, it was found that a significant difference existed between the mean scores of the experimental and control groups on the post- administration of both the test and the rubric. Moreover, the proposed studio-based learning classroom was found to be of a large effect size on enhancing the pedagogical knowledge of the targeted topics of the experimental group. So, it was concluded that it had a greater effect size in enhancing the targeted pedagogical knowledge topics for the experimental group than the traditional lecturing for the control group. It seemed also that a positive correlation existed between enhancing students/teachers’ pedagogical knowledge and developing their pedagogical content knowledge. So, the research recommended that: (1) As students’ pedagogical knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge are not less important than their content knowledge, they should be given more attention in Egyptian EFL faculties of education. (2) Developing EFL prospective teachers' pedagogical knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge via studio-based learning is worthwhile and requires more investigation. Keywords: Pedagogical knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, studio-based learning, EFL students/teachers’ preparation

The Effect of Developmentally Supportive Care Training Program on Nurses' Performance and Behavioral Responses of Newborn Infants

Developmental care is a strategy used in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to help reduce the amount of stress that a newborn infant is exposed to. Developmental care helps NICUs to be more "baby friendly”. The aim of the current study was to examine the effect of developmentally supportive care training program on nurses' performance during tub bath provided for neonates in NICU, and to explore the effect of developmentally supportive care training program on behavioral responses of newborn infants during tub bath in NICU. The study adopts a quasi-experimental research design.  The study was conducted in the NICU at Benha Specialized Pediatric Hospital. The data were collected using structured interview sheet, newborn assessment sheet, Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale developed by Brazleton and Nugent (1973) and an observational checklist to evaluate the nurses’ performance during tub bath. Apparently, the study results evident that there was highly statistically significance differences between the means of the total scores of nurses’ performance regarding tub bath for newborn infants before and after application of developmentally supportive care program (DSC). Moreover, the means of NBAS items were all significantly improved among newborn infants and they exhibited less stress and greater comfort during tub bath after application of DSC program. The study recommended that collaboration and continuing education of the staff in the NICU are vital to improve the quality of care provided for newborn infants. Keywords: Developmentally supportive care-Nurses’ performance- Behavioral responses of neonate

Effect of Dry Needling on Post Natal Low Back Pain

Background: Low back pain is considered one of the most common problems which occurs during pregnancy and may be persistent for months after delivery. It can be disabling and can limit function of mother after delivery.  Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of dry needling on post-natal low back pain. Methods: This study included 50 multiparous women who had experienced low back discomfort (for at least 3 months) after giving birth. Their body mass index did not exceed 30 kg/m2, the parity ranged from 2 to 4 times, while the type of birth was normal labor. Their ages ranged from 25 to 35 years old. After being randomly distributed into two groups of similar size, The study group: which included 25 patients, received dry needling on the lower back for 20 minutes, three times per week for six weeks, Additionally, each patient completed an exercise program consisting of abdominal, back, and pelvic floor strengthening exercises as well as postural correction exercises for 60 minutes, three times weekly for a period of six weeks. The control group: which included 25 patients, only completed an exercise program for 60 minutes, three times weekly for a period of six weeks. The pain levels of all women in both groups were assessed using a pressure algometry device and a visual analogue scale before as well as after treatment program. Results: there was a statistically highly significant decrease in visual analogue scale and significant increase in pressure algometry in the study group when comparing both groups (A&B) together. Conclusion: dry needling was an effective method to alleviate post-natal low back pain

Body image disturbance and surgical decision making in egyptian post menopausal breast cancer patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In most developing countries, as in Egypt; postmenopausal breast cancer cases are offered a radical form of surgery relying on their unawareness of the subsequent body image disturbance. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of breast cancer surgical choice; Breast Conservative Therapy (BCT) versus Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM); on body image perception among Egyptian postmenopausal cases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred postmenopausal women with breast cancer were divided into 2 groups, one group underwent BCT and the other underwent MRM. Pre- and post-operative assessments of body image distress were done using four scales; Breast Impact of Treatment Scale (BITS), Impact of Event Scale (IES), Situational Discomfort Scale (SDS), and Body Satisfaction Scale (BSS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Preoperative assessment showed no statistical significant difference regarding cognitive, affective, behavioral and evaluative components of body image between both studied groups. While in postoperative assessment, women in MRM group showed higher levels of body image distress among cognitive, affective and behavioral aspects.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Body image is an important factor for postmenopausal women with breast cancer in developing countries where that concept is widely ignored. We should not deprive those cases from their right of less mutilating option of treatment as BCT.</p

Effect of medical and nursing teaching program on awareness and adherence among elderly patients with chronic heart failure in Assiut, Egypt

Introduction Heart failure (HF) among geriatric population is an eminent problem, and patient awareness of the disease and subsequent adherence to the treatment may decrease the burden of this serious problem. Objective The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of medical as well as nursing teaching program on awareness and adherence among elderly patients with chronic HF. Patients and methods The study was carried out in the Internal Medicine Department of Assiut University Hospital. Total coverage sample of elderly patients included 100 patients from both sexes, and their age ranged from 60 to 75 year. The study was carried out in the Internal Medicine Department of Assiut University Hospital. Overall, three tools were used in this study: (a) patient interviewing sheet (pretest and post-test) tool consisting of two parts regarding demographic characteristic and medical data, (b) Atlanta HF knowledge test, and (c) adherence questionnaire. Results The main results yielded by the study proved a highly statistically significant difference between pretest and post-test regarding awareness and adherence for patients. Conclusion and recommendations This study concluded that the medical and nursing teaching program was effective for awareness and adherence of the patients. More follow-up studies are needed to improve awareness and adherence for older adult patients with chronic HF to prevent complications

Effect of ultrasound fat cavitation versus faradic stimulation on abdominal adiposity during postnatal period section

Background and Purpose: This study examines the effects of ultrasonic fat cavitation versus faradic stimulation on postnatal abdominal obesity. Subjects and Methods: It was a randomized controlled trial. Overall, 40 patients complaining of abdominal adiposity postnatal, aged 25-35 years, were randomized into two equal groups. The control group (A) received sessions of abdominal ultrasonic cavitation treatment three times per week with a frequency of 40 kHz, a power of 45 W, and a duration of 30 minutes, in addition to a balanced diet programme consisting of between 1000kcal and 1200kcal per day for six weeks. The study group (B) received faradic stimulation treatment sessions focusing on their abdomen area three times per week with a duration of 30 minutes, in addition to a healthy diet plan which ranged from 1000kcal to 1200kcal/day for six weeks. Tape measurement was used to assess waist circumference; a digital calliper was used to determine fat thickness, while body analysis was used to evaluate fat percentage in both groups before and after the treatment.&nbsp

Screening for preclinical chloroquine maculopathy using microperimetry and spectral domain optical coherence tomography

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of microperimetry and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in screening of preclinical chloroquine maculopathy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Study design This is a cross-sectional comparative study. Patients and methods The study included 20 eyes of RA patients treated with chloroquine for more than 1 year (Group A), and 20 eyes of RA patients not treated by chloroquine (Group B). All patients were subjected to full ophthalmological examination, imaging with SD-OCT, and microperimetry. The study group ranged in age from 40 to 65 years with normal fundus. Results The mean central foveal thickness was found to be thin both in Group A (178.25±33.27 μm) and Group B (180.15±36.56 μm), with a statistically nonsignificant difference between the two groups (P=0.864). The mean parafoveal thickness was thinner than normal in both groups in all quadrants (P0.05) in all quadrants. The mean test score perimetry and the mean foveal sensitivity were decreased in Group A (11.12±4.11 and 11.73±3.92, respectively) compared with Group B (12.86±2.14 and 13.10±2.48, respectively), but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.104 and 0.194, respectively). Conclusion Retinal thinning in the form of foveal and parafoveal thinning was detected by SD-OCT in patients of both groups, whereas decreased macular sensitivity was detected in the chloroquine group only with normal macular sensitivity in the nonchloroquine group as detected by microperimetry

Possible association of primary open-angle glaucoma with thyroid dysfunction and oxidative stress

Background Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Thyroid dysfunction and oxidative stress can be associated with POAG. Purpose The aim of this study was to determine whether thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism) is associated with glaucoma in Egyptian patients and to evaluate the level of oxidative stress (OS) markers in the serum of POAG patients. It also aimed to investigate the relationship between the OS markers and thyroid hormones in those patients. Patients and methods The study included 60 patients with POAG who were compared with 20 normal controls. Serum samples from the POAG patients and controls were examined for thyroid hormones [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)] using the ELISA technique. The OS markers [hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH)] were also determined using colorimetric methods. Results There were no significant differences in the levels of T4 and TSH in the patients (3.14±2.25 ng/dl and 2.43±1.37 u/l, respectively) compared with the controls (3.35±1.88 ng/dl and 1.76±0.99 u/l, respectively) (P=0.245 and 0.064, respectively). However, there was a significant decrease in the T3 level in the POAG patients (2.88±0.54 pg/ml) compared with the controls (3.35±0.6 pg/ml) (P=0.029). In addition, there was a significant increase in the levels of H2O2 (2.83±1.66 mM/l), NO (54.64±29.21 umol/l), and MDA (164.12±96.5 nmol/ml) in the patients compared with the controls (0.83±0.55 mMol/l, 22.49±6.37 umol/l, and 44.36±12.59 nmol/ml, respectively) (P<0.001). There was also a significant decrease in the level of GSH in patients (54.32±32.1 mg/dl) compared with controls (103.99±45.52 mg/dl), (P<0.001). A significant negative correlation was detected between TSH and T4 (r=−0.41, P= 0.001), TSH and MDA (r=−0.27, P=0.04), T3 and H2O2 (r=−0.05, P=0.05), and T4 and NO (r=−0.35, P=0.01). Conclusion There was no association between POAG and thyroid dysfunction. However, the POAG patients are susceptible to OS and damage, as they had elevated serum levels of H2O2, NO, and MDA and reduced levels of GSH. Since the thyroid hormone level was associated with the OS markers, antioxidant therapy may be beneficial and may help to regulate the intraocular pressure and protect the trabecular meshwork cells from OS in those patients

Histopathological evaluation of insulin-DMSO formula designed for direct nose-to-brain delivery

The combination of insulin and DMSO is a patented (Publication No US8987199B2), noninvasive, pharmaceutically strategized preparation for direct noseto-brain delivery (DN2BD) suggested for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although its main ingredients have been individually researched, no histopathological investigations have been conducted to address this combination effect on the CNS and nasal tissues in animals. The present work was, therefore, designed to investigate the potential histopathological changes induced by this new pharmaceutical combination using a newly developed refractory staining method. The findings presented herein showed no signs of treatment-related lesions or behavioral changes in Sprague Dawley rats following a three-month successive treatment with two strengths of the formula