Incidence of autism in high risk neonatal follow up.

Objective: To detect autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cases within the High Risk Neonatal Follow up Program (HRNFP), as an indicator of the prevalence of ASD and associated risk factors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Methods: We conducted this retrospective medical chart review in a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, KSA. All patients admitted to the HRNFP were seen at 3 years corrected age between January 2012 and December 2013.

Norfloxacin-loaded collagen/chitosan scaffolds for skin reconstruction: Preparation, evaluation and in-vivo wound healing assessment.

Biomaterial scaffolds are versatile tools as drug carrier for treatment of wounds. A series of norfloxacin-loaded scaffolds were synthesized for treatment of wounds by combining collagen with two different types of chitosan using freeze-drying technique. Subsequently, scaffolds were screened in terms of morphology, water absorption and retention capacity, biodegradation, ex-vivo bioadhesive strength, in-vitro drug release biological compatibility, X-ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry as well as in-vivo evaluation.

Heat shock protein-70 and hypoxia inducible factor-1α in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients complicated with retinopathy.

Purpose: To elucidate the role of heat shock protein-70 (HSP70) and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients.

Design And Methods: A comparative study was done on the serum level of both HSP70 and HIF-1α in 50 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) without DR, 50 patients with T2DM and DR and 70 healthy control subjects.

Results: HSP70 and HIF-1α were significantly increased in T2DM patients compared to controls and increased in patients with T2DM & DR compared to T2DM patients without DR (p < 0.

Perioperative Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus Levels in Live Donors For Liver Transplant.

Objectives: The increased number of liver transplants in Egypt has increased the focus on perioperative complications in live donors. An important but not yet well-investigated complication is electrolyte disturbances, which are common in such patients, need intervention, and affect the outcome. We retrospectively analyzed data of perioperative calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus levels in live liver donors at our center.

A Novel Method for Preparing Surface-Modified Fluocinolone Acetonide Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles for Ocular Use: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluations.

Our objective was to prepare nanoparticulate system using a simple yet attractive innovated method as an ophthalmic delivery system for fluocinolone acetonide to improve its ocular bioavailability. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles were prepared by adopting thin film hydration method using PLGA/poloxamer 407 in weight ratios of 1:5 and 1:10. PLGA was used in 75/25 and 50/50 copolymer molar ratio of DL-lactide/glycolide.

Injectable nanoamorphous calcium phosphate based in situ gel systems for the treatment of periapical lesions.

Nonsurgical local treatment of a periapical lesion arising from trauma or bacterial infection is a promising innovative approach. The present study investigated the feasibility of developing injectable amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles (ACP NPs) and ACP NPs loaded with an anti-inflammatory drug; ibuprofen (IBU-ACP NPs) in the form of thermoreversible in situ gels to treat periapical lesions with the stimulation of bone formation. NPs were produced by a spray-drying technique.

Spirulina platensis Lacks Antitumor Effect against Solid Ehrlich Carcinoma in Female Mice.

Spirulina is a blue-green alga used as a dietary supplement. It has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties. This study was designed to evaluate the antitumor effect of spirulina (200 and 800 mg/kg) against a murine model of solid Ehrlich carcinoma compared to a standard chemotherapeutic drug, 5-fluorouracil (20 mg/kg).

Alpha-lipoic acid treatment of acetaminophen-induced rat liver damage.

Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is a well-tolerated analgesic and antipyretic drug when used at therapeutic doses. Overdoses, however, cause oxidative stress, which leads to acute liver failure. Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant that has proven effective for ameliorating many pathological conditions caused by oxidative stress.

A new combination of sitagliptin and furosemide protects against remote myocardial injury induced by renal ischemia/reperfusion in rats.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with high mortality resulting from extra-renal organ damage, particularly the heart. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitor, against renal and remote cardiac damage induced by ischemia/reperfusion (IR), a leading cause of AKI. In this attempt, we compared the effects of sitagliptin to furosemide, a loop diuretic.

Evaluation of serum PIVKA-II and MIF as diagnostic markers for HCV/HBV induced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Viral hepatitis is the most significant predisposing factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver cancer grows silently with mild or no symptoms until the disease is advanced and with little hope of cure. Early recognition of the onset of HCC would help to select more effective therapies for patients leading to a better prognosis and life span.

Sudanese community pharmacy practice and its readiness for change to patient care.

Objectives: This study aims to describe the current state of Sudanese community pharmacy practice and explore the capacity of existing community pharmacies to foster the change to pharmaceutical care (PC) and to assess attitude and knowledge of community pharmacists regarding PC and identify barriers.

Methods: A structured, self-administered, piloted questionnaire was distributed to the pharmacists in charge of 274, randomly selected, community pharmacies in Khartoum state. The questionnaire included six domains: demographic characteristics, organizational structure of community pharmacies, current activities of community pharmacists, their attitudes and knowledge regarding PC, and potential barriers.

Ursodeoxycholic acid ameliorates fructose-induced metabolic syndrome in rats.

The metabolic syndrome (MS) is characterized by insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension. It is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and type-2 diabetes. Consumption of fructose is linked to increased prevalence of MS.

Acute hemiplegia as a rare presentation of infantile Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) usually presents in a symmetrical ascending fashion of weakness. We present a 6-month-old male infant who presented to our emergency room with acute left-sided limb weakness and head lag 3 days after a febrile upper respiratory tract infection. A diagnosis of GBS was established by confirming high cerebrospinal fluid protein, motor nerve reduced amplitude, and prolonged conductions, and MRI T2 high signal intensity affecting the ventral roots of the spinal cord.

Possible role of nitric oxide in hepatic injury secondary to renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Hepatic injury secondary to renal I/R injury has been documented in several studies. This study aimed to investigate the role of NO in hepatic injury secondary to renal I/R in rat model. Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 48) were divided into 4 equal groups; sham-operated, I/R injury group (45 min of bilateral renal ischemia), L-arginine group (I/R with 300 mg/kg L-arginine, 20 min before ischemia), L-NAME group (I/R with 50 mg/kg L-NAME, 20 min before ischemia).

Dental students' knowledge and attitudes toward patients with epilepsy.

Background: Inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes toward epilepsy can affect the provision of health services for patients with epilepsy.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy among clinical dental students in Jordan.

Method: The study was conducted using a 21-item questionnaire to assess professional experience with epilepsy, knowledge about epilepsy, social tolerance, and willingness to care for patients with epilepsy among dental students at the University of Jordan.

Antifibrotic activity of hesperidin against dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

Hepatic fibrosis is a significant health problem that may progress to cirrhosis and cancer. It may be caused by viruses or chemicals such as dimethylnitrosamine, which is used as a preservative in processed meats and industrial products. The present study was designed to investigate the antifibrotic effect of hesperidin (100 or 200 mg/kg, a flavanone glycoside with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities) against liver fibrosis in rats compared to silymarin (100 mg/kg).

The role of Sudanese community pharmacists in patients' self-care.

Objectives: To describe the current and potential roles of Sudanese community pharmacists in responding to symptoms (RTS) and chronic diseases management (CDM) and identify perceived barriers.

Settings: Community pharmacies in Khartoum State.

Method: A structured, self-administered, piloted questionnaire was conducted of pharmacists in charge of 274, randomly selected, community pharmacies.

Nonopioid versus opioid based general anesthesia technique for bariatric surgery: A randomized double-blind study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of giving general anesthesia without the use of any opioids either systemic or intraperitoneal in bariatric surgery.

Methods: Prospective randomized controlled trial. Obese patients (body mass index >50 Kg/m(2)) undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies were recruited and provided an informed signed consent.

Limbic encephalitis in a child: an atypical presentation.

Background: Limbic encephalitis is a rare disorder with a generally subacute onset evolving over days to weeks. Patients present with a variable combination of memory loss, seizures, and psychiatric disturbance, and it is not rare for patients to be initially misdiagnosed.

Patient: We describe a previously healthy 12-year-old boy who developed his first seizures at 8 years of age.

Warburg effect increases steady-state ROS condition in cancer cells through decreasing their antioxidant capacities (anticancer effects of 3-bromopyruvate through antagonizing Warburg effect).

Cancer cells undergo an increased steady-state ROS condition compared to normal cells. Among the major metabolic differences between cancer cells and normal cells is the dependence of cancer cells on glycolysis as a major source of energy even in the presence of oxygen (Warburg effect). In Warburg effect, glucose is catabolized to lactate that is extruded through monocarboxylate transporters to the microenvironment of cancer cells, while in normal cells, glucose is metabolized into pyruvate that is not extruded.

Mental health problems and sociodemographic correlates in elderly medical inpatients in a university hospital in egypt.

Background. Depression and cognitive impairment are two common mental and public health problems especially among elderly. In this study, we determined the prevalence of these problems and their associations with sociodemographic factors among hospitalized elderly in Egypt.

The Conyza triloba extracts with high chlorophyll content and free radical scavenging activity had anticancer activity in cell lines.

The discovery of anticancer agents paradigm has been shifted to natural resources to overcome the toxicity of many synthetic agents at early clinical stages. In the present study, the antimutagenic, anticancer, phytochemistry, and free radical scavenging activities of five extracts of Conyza triloba were investigated. Extracts II (water : methanol), III (methylene chloride), and IV (methylene chloride : methanol) had the highest chlorophyll content and the highest superoxide scavenging, and metal chelating activities comparable to that of trolox.

Enhancement of human oral bioavailability and in vitro antitumor activity of rosuvastatin via spray dried self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system.

The purpose of this study was to develop spray dried self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) tablets of rosuvastatin using mannitol as a carrier. SNEDDS were prepared using Capryol 90, poloxamer 407 and Transcutol P or triacetin as oil, surfactant and cosurfactants, respectively. The prepared systems were characterized and their cytotoxicity was evaluated using Caco-2 cell lines.