Efficacy of transforaminal epidural magnesium administration when combined with a local anaesthetic and steroid in the management of lower limb radicular pain.

Background: Lower limb radicular pain resulting from a herniated intervertebral disc is a cause of functional disability and could lead to increased consumption of opioids. We evaluated the efficacy of epidural magnesium combined with a local anaesthetic and steroid in the management of this pain.

Methods: This was a prospective, case-control, randomized, double-blind study.

Antiemetics added to phenylephrine infusion during cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To estimate whether the addition of metoclopramide or its combination with ondansetron to a prophylactic phenylephrine infusion provides improved intraoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis compared with phenylephrine infusion alone.

Methods: Women scheduled for elective cesarean delivery were randomized to one of three groups: placebo (placebo plus placebo); metoclopramide (metoclopramide 10 mg plus placebo); or combination (metoclopramide 10 mg plus ondansetron 4 mg). The first study drug was administered before spinal placement and the second was administered after cord clamping.

Predictors of cardiac hepatopathy in patients with right heart failure.

Background: Some patients with right heart failure develop cardiac hepatopathy (CH). The pathophysiology of CH is thought to be secondary to hepatic venous congestion and arterial ischemia. We sought to define the clinical and hemodynamic characteristics associated with CH.

Impact of intraoperative dexmedetomidine on postoperative analgesia following gynecologic surgery.

Objective: To assess the impact of intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion on postoperative analgesia in women undergoing major open and laparoscopic gynecologic surgery under general anesthesia.

Research Design And Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent major open and laparoscopic gynecologic surgery under general anesthesia from January 2007 to October 2008. Patients who received intraoperative opioids with a dexmedetomidine infusion were compared to those who received opioids alone.

Left ventricular torsional mechanics in uncomplicated pregnancy.

Background: Alterations in left ventricular (LV) twist (torsion) and untwist have been described for a variety of physiologic and pathologic conditions. Little information is available regarding changes in these parameters during normal pregnancy.

Hypothesis: Pregnancy is associated with significant changes in LV torsional mechanics.

Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in the setting of sexual intercourse following the use of cocaine and sildenafil.

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) in the setting of sexual intercourse following the concomitant use of cocaine, alcohol, and sildenafil has not been previously reported. We present a case of a middle-aged patient with no previous history of angina pectoris or coronary artery disease who presents with severe ischemic chest pain and an MI induced by cocaine, alcohol, sildenafil, and sexual intercourse.

Impact of intravenous lidocaine infusion on postoperative analgesia and recovery from surgery: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Postoperative pain continues to be inadequately managed. While opioids remain the mainstay for postoperative analgesia, their use can be associated with adverse effects, including ileus, which can prolong hospital stay. A number of studies have investigated the use of perioperative intravenous lidocaine infusion for improving postoperative analgesia and enhancing recovery of bowel function.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans LtxC is required for leukotoxin activity and initial interaction between toxin and host cells.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is a human pathogen that produces the RTX toxin (repeats in toxin), leukotoxin (LtxA). Based on other RTX toxin systems, the product of ltxC, the first gene of the ltx operon, is predicted to be involved in fatty acid modification of LtxA. To determine the function of ltxC in A.

Some physiological studies on fungi isolated from poultry feedstuffs.

A total of 506 isolates of mesophilic, thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi isolated from the poultry feed ingredients included soybean meals, ground maize, cottonseed cake, wheat bran and fish meal, on glucose-Czapek's agar, Littman oxgall agar at 28 degrees C and yeast starch agar (YPSs) at 45 degrees C, were screened for their ability to produce hydrolytic protease enzyme on solid media. Most of the fungal isolates were able to produce such enzymes but with variable capabilities. The highest proteolytic activity was exhibited by some isolates of Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus flavus, Thermoascus thermophilus and Rhizopus chizopodifarmis.

Cytological effects of fungal metabolites produced by fungi isolated from Egyptian poultry feedstuffs.

The cytogenetic effects of fungal metabolites produced by 113 strains belonging to 36 fungal species and isolated form 5 substrates of commercial poultry feedstuffs were tested for their effect on the growing root meristems of Allium cepa. The fungal metabolites of Paecilomyces canescens, Aspergillus fumigatus, Syncephalastrum racemosum, Aspergillus terreus and Mucor hiemalis strongly suppressed cell division. Metabolites from other strains had less effect on cell division but permitted the appearance of several abnormalities through different mitotic stages.

Fungal flora of poultry feedstuff ingredients.

One hundred and ten samples representing five types of poultry feed ingredients were mycologically examined. These samples included soybean meal, ground maize, cotton-seed cake, wheat bran and fish meal (22 samples each). Among the 73 mesophilic fungal species, Aspergillus flavus, A.

Production of Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone by Isolates of Fusarium graminearum Schw.

Production of deoxynivalenol (DON) on rice, corn, wheat, and barley grains by Fusarium graminearum Schw. NRRL 5883 was investigated. Highest yields (91.

Esterogenic effect of zearalenone on the uterine acetyl cholinesterase in female rats.

A single dose of zearalenone (10 micrograms/g LBW) was injected intraperitoneally to Wistar Albino rats at the age of 50-100 days. The uterine acetyl cholinesterase enzyme was significantly increased in the treated animals compared to that in the controls. Therefore, zearalenone would be considered as an esterogenic effector for increasing the uterine acetyl cholinesterase which enhances uterine relaxation and subsequently improves its function for pregnancy in prematured-animals.

The role of copper(I)-nicotinic acid complex on kojic acid biosynthesis by Aspergillus flavus.

Addition of cooper-monovalent-nicotinic acid complex to a synthetic medium specific for kojic acid production by Aspergillus flavus enhanced the production by about 47%. The substance is proposed to act via a biochemical utilization of the copper(I)-B3 complex in a manner similar to that of the naturally utilized nicotinic acid. NAD and NADP like carriers with higher reactivity have been predicted.

Production of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone by isolates of Fusarium graminearum Schw.

The production of deoxynivalenol (DONI) on rice, corn, wheat, and barley grains by Fusarium graminearum Schw. NRRL 5883 was investigated. Highest yields (91.

The effect of aflatoxin B1 on the utilization of serum calcium.

The mathematical analysis for plasma disappearance curve of aflatoxicosed animals, subsequently injected with 45Ca was determined. The analysis showed that the three main compartments of the calcium pool (plasma, bone and the labile calcium pool on the surface of bone and soft tissues) had been affected. Specifically, the fractional rate constant for migration of 45Ca from plasma pool to the labile pool had been diminished to its third value.

Aflatoxin and aflatoxicosis: V. The kinetic behaviour of dietary aflatoxins in colostrum drawn from cows postpartum.

This work was conducted in order to study the kinetic behaviour of dietary aflatoxins in the colostrum of a pregnant cow exposed to contaminated feeds for a short period. In this study, two pregnant cows received a single dose of dietary aflatoxins in the form of rice powder contained 31.20 ppm aflatoxin B and 19.

Fungal flora of Egyptian baladi bread with special reference to the mutagenic effects of their toxic metabolites.

The fungal flora of wheat flour and baladi bread in upper Egypt were investigated. Most of the isolated fungal species belong to the genus Aspergillus. The presence of non heat resistant fungi of the both flat surfaces of baladi bread, came from contamination after baking and from improper handling at homes.

Fate of aflatoxin B-1 in fermented dairy products.

Polyacrylamide gel electropheresis and thin layer chromatography (TLC) were applied to detect the fate of aflatoxin B-1 in milk fermented with an active culture of Streptococcus lactis (ATCC-11454). TLC analysis revealed the formation of two fluorescent metabolites (B2a and R0) in fermented milk. Electropheretic analysis of both casein and whey protein showed fluorescent bands in the region of Kappa-casien and immunoglobulin which are glycoproteins in nature.

Mutagenic effects of aflatoxin B-1 and G-1 on the Egyptian cotton leaf-worm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.).

The aim of this study was to test infertility of the Egyptian cotton leaf-worm, Spodoptera littoralis. Three concentrations, 0.8, 1.

Effect of aflatoxin B-1 on the proteolytic activity of some lactic-acid bacteria.

The proteolytic activity of five (ATCC) strains of lactic acid bacteria were investigated in the presence of different concentrations of aflatoxin B-1. The presented data revealed that aflatoxin in milk can affect the lactic acid bacteria which are used in the manufacture of dairy products. Such effect depends on toxin concentration and the species of lactic acid bacteria.

Rapid, economical qualitative method for separation of aflatoxins B-1, B-2 & G-1, G-2 by dry column chromatography.

A good correlation of four components of aflatoxins was accomplished by using the dry column chromatography method. The decolorization process of interfering substances, by 0.01 N KOH and defatting the extract with petroleum ether yields a clean residue for DCC separation.

Binding of aflatoxin B1, G1 and M to plasma albumin.

The aflatoxins B1, G1 and their metabolites exist in the systemic blood as protein conjugate. This conjugation is specific to plasma albumin and proceeds enzymatically by liver and kidney cells. The aflatoxin-albumin conjugate is permanent and the conjugation is an irreversible one.

The potential value of silage in detoxifying aflatoxin B1.

Serial concentrations of aflatoxin B1 ranging from 200 to 1500 p.p.b.

Aflatoxin and aflatoxicosis. III. Effect of dietary aflatoxin on the morphology of buffalo bull spermatozoa.

The main aim of this study was to determine the effect of aflatoxin on male reproduction by exposure to fodders contaminated by moulds producing toxins as a natural environmental contaminants. Semen was collected from three normal healthy buffalo bulls every ten days for one month before adding the toxin and examined for livability percentages. Moldy rice containing aflatoxin B and G was incorporated into the ration of the studied bulls in a daily amount of 2.