Serotonin syndrome: An often-neglected medical emergency.

Optimum serotonin level in the serotonergic synapses of the central nervous system (CNS) is related to mood, behavior, and sleep. Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a rare yet very dangerous adverse effect resulting from increased serotonin in CNS. The diagnosis of SS is based on the presence of clinical symptoms, which can include agitation, confusion, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, dilated pupils, muscle rigidity, tremors, sweating, and diarrhea.

Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated With Vitamin B12 Deficiency: An Autobiographical Case Report.

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin. Among its many functions is its crucial role as a coenzyme in a step of normal synthesis of myelin. Likewise, it is a vital coenzyme in the synthesis of neurotransmitters.

Histological Changes in Renal, Hepatic and Cardiac Tissues of Wistar Rats after 6 Weeks Treatment with Bipyridine Gold (III) Complex with Dithiocarbamate Ligands.

Bipyridine gold (III) dithiocarbamate compounds are Gold-III complexes with promising cytotoxic properties. In this study, the subacute toxicity of a Gold (III) complex with dithiocarbamate ligand was evaluated. In the acute toxicity component, an initial LD (38.

Association Between FeNO, Total Blood IgE, Peripheral Blood Eosinophil and Inflammatory Cytokines in Partly Controlled Asthma.

Background: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a convenient to use biomarker of airway inflammation. However, the mutual relationship between FeNO, peripheral blood eosinophil, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and inflammatory cytokines showed some controversy.

Objective: This study was carried out to determine the accuracy of peripheral blood eosinophil and total IgE to detect eosinophilic airway inflammation as determined by two FeNO cutoff points.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Ramadan Fasting and Related Determinants in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes at a Saudi Diabetes Clinic.

Objective: This study was carried out in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice about fasting during Ramadan and to identify the sociodemographic determinants of the knowledge, attitude and practice.

Methods: A total of 107 T2DM patients were interviewed at a diabetes clinic in the Eastern Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire containing knowledge, attitude and practice questions about fasting during Ramadan was used to collect data.

Determinants of energy drinks consumption among the students of a Saudi University.

Background: Energy drinks contain stimulants mainly caffeine. The use of these drinks by university students is on the rise despite concerns about their safety. This study identified the determinants of the consumption of energy drinks in a cohort of Saudi university students.

Effect of Zamzam water on blood methemoglobin level in young rats.

Background: Methemoglobin (MetHb) level in blood indicates exposure to nitrogenous compounds. Acquired methemoglobinemia as a result of exposure to nitrates in drinking water is primarily an issue for infants. The amount of nitrates in Zamzam water is said to be on the high side.

Biological alterations in renal and hepatic tissues by a novel gold (III) anti-cancerous compound.

Objectives: Newer organo-metallic, specifically gold (III) complexes with multiple ligands are currently being formulated with primary focus of having increased anti-cancerous properties and decreased cytotoxicity. In this study, histological toxicity profile of a newly formulated anti-cancerous gold (III) compound [trans-(±)-1,2-(DACH)Au]Cl Bis(trans-1,2-Diaminocyclohexane) was investigated by evaluation of kidney and liver tissues of rats treated by the compound.

Materials And Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study.

Effect of Nigella sativa supplementation on lung function and inflammatory mediatorsin partly controlled asthma: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Nigella sativa and its derivatives have been reported to have anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator effects, but the effects have been evaluated in only a few clinical studies.

Objectives: To determine the effect of N sativa supplementation on inflammation of the airways and limitation of airflow in partly controlled asthma patients.

Design: Single-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study.

Effect of Nigella sativa supplementation over a one-year period on lipid levels, blood pressure and heart rate in type-2 diabetic patients receiving oral hypoglycemic agents: nonrandomized clinical trial.

Background: Diabetic patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia are at a high risk of cardiovascular complications.

Objectives: To determine the effect of Nigella sativa supplementation on the lipid profile, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate in persons with type 2 diabetes on oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA).

Design: Single-blind, nonrandomized.

Role of Various Potassium Channels in Caffeine-induced Aortic Relaxation in Rats.

Background: Studies done on caffeine-induced changes in aortic rings have demonstrated inconclusive results. Moreover, the role of various potassium channels in caffeine-induced effects has not been explored so far. The present study was designed to explore the direct effects of caffeine on rat aortic rings and the role of various potassium channels in those changes/effects.

Nigella sativa: A potential natural protective agent against cardiac dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: To study the effect of Nigella sativa supplementation on cardiac functions in Type 2 diabetic patients treated with oral hypoglycemic agents.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A number of reported beneficial effects of N.

Effect of energy drink intake before exercise on indices of physical performance in untrained females.

Objectives: To determine the effect of energy drink consumption before exercise on indices of physical performance in untrained females.

Methods: This single blind placebo controlled experimental study was carried out at the Physiology Department, University of Dammam, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from September 2011 to May 2012, on 32 healthy female students, in a crossover design. They were given either a standardized energy drink or the placebo 45 minutes before the exercise.

Nigella sativa improves glycemic control and ameliorates oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: placebo controlled participant blinded clinical trial.

Background And Objective: Oxidative stress plays an important role in pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and its complications. Our previous study has shown glucose lowering effect produced by 3 months supplementation of Nigella sativa (NS) in combination with oral hypoglycemic drugs among type 2 diabetics. This study explored the long term glucose lowering effect (over one year) of NS in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on oral hypoglycemic drugs and to study its effect on redox status of such patients.

Determinants of misconceptions about diabetes among Saudi diabetic patients attending diabetes clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To identify the determinants of misconceptions about diabetes in patients registered with a diabetes clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional survey was carried out at a diabetes clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia, from January to December 2012. A total of 200 diabetic patients were interviewed using a questionnaire comprising 36 popular misconceptions.

Diffuse scattering from hemispherical nanoparticles at the air-silicon interface.

There has been much recent interest in the application of plasmonics to improve the efficiency of silicon solar cells. In this paper we use finite difference time domain calculations to investigate the placement of hemispherical gold nanoparticles on the rear surface of a silicon solar cell. The results indicate that nanoparticles protruding into the silicon, rather than into air, have a larger scattering efficiency and diffuse scattering into the semiconductor.

Effect of fasting after exercise on blood lactate clearance in untrained male volunteers.

Objectives: To determine the effect of fasting immediately after exercise on blood lactate clearance.

Methods: This study was conducted at College of Medicine, Dammam University, KSA. Untrained male volunteers (n = 26) between 18-23 years of age were divided into two equal groups; fasting and non-fasting.

Energy drinks consumption pattern, perceived benefits and associated adverse effects amongst students of University of Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Background: There are safety concerns about energy drinks alongside marketing claims of physiological and behavioural benefits. There is no scientific data about usage of energy drinks in Saudi Arabia. This study determined consumption patterns of energy drinks as well as perceived benefits and side effects amongst students at a Saudi university.

Scattering of light into silicon by spherical and hemispherical silver nanoparticles.

The interaction of light with noble metal nanoparticles deposited onto the top surface of a semiconductor has been investigated using the finite-difference time-domain method. The scattering is calculated for spherical and hemispherical silver nanoparticles placed in a periodic two-dimensional array on the upper surface of a semi-infinite silicon substrate. The results show that the contact area between hemispherical particles and the silicon significantly reduces the forward scattering.

Correlation of eosinophil derived neurotoxin with airway resistance in asthmatics.

Objective: To determine the correlation of EDN with lung function tests (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75%) in asthmatics and to compare these with matched controls.

Methods: This study was carried out at Army Medical College & Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Forty four asthmatic patients and equal number of matching controls were selected.

Variable response to inhaled nitric oxide in postoperative patients of mitral stenosis with pulmonary hypertension.

Background: This study was carried out to determine the vasodilator response of inhaled nitric oxide in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) after valve replacement surgery for mitral valve disease.

Method: This Quesi experimental study was carried out at the intensive care unit of Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) in collaboration with Department of Physiology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi from March 2004 to February 2006. Thirty patients with systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure (PAP) > 50 mmHg on pre-operative echocardiography were inducted.

Frequency and characteristics of skin cancers diagnosed at Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad Pakistan from 1995-2003.

Background: Our histopathology laboratory serves mountainous area of Hazara Division in Northern Pakistan. This study is an analysis of the records of skin cancers reported over a nine years period to develop local statistics about frequency and characteristics of skin cancers.

Methods: Data from 1995-2003 record of cancers reported by Department of Pathology, Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad were analysed to calculate cumulative and year wise frequency of skin cancers and their major types.