Mucoadhesive dosage form of lidocaine hydrochloride: I. Mucoadhesive and physicochemical characterization.

The aim of this study was to characterize a buccal mucoadhesive film using lidocaine and its hydrochloride salt (LDHCL) as a model drug. Buccal films were developed using carbopol 971P as a mucoadhesive polymer, and glycerol as a plasticizer. Scanning Electron Microscope, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier Transform Infra Red techniques were used to characterize the mucoadhesive films.

Susceptibility of Enterococcus faecalis biofilm to antibiotics and calcium hydroxide.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial efficacy of six groups of antibiotics and calcium hydroxide against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm in a membrane filter model. Two-day-old E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) biofilm was exposed to ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, erythr omycin, oxytetracycline, vancomycin, vancomycin followed by gentamicin, Ca(OH)(2), and phosphate-buffered saline (control).

Potential mucoadhesive dosage form of lidocaine hydrochloride: II. In vitro and in vivo evaluation.

The aim of this study was to develop a controlled release buccal mucoadhesive delivery system for systemic delivery of lidocaine hydrochloride as a model drug. In vitro release and buccal permeation as well as in vivo permeation of LDHCL patches were evaluated. The drug release and the permeability of the drug through porcine buccal mucosa were evaluated using Franz diffusion cell.

Prevalence of sexual problems and its association with social, psychological and physical factors among men in a Malaysian population: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Sexual problems are common in the general population. Studies have shown that most of these sexual problems are related to their social lives, medical illnesses, and psychological status. Among the sexual problems in men, premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most frequent, yet it is the least well-understood of the sexual dysfunctions of men.

Endogenous Candida endophthalmitis.

Intraocular Candida infections, although uncommon, represent an important clinical problem owing to the potential for visual loss, which can be bilateral. Candida chorioretinitis and endophthalmitis are complications of systemic candidiasis with extension of the fungal pathogens to the uvea and retina. Early diagnosis and prompt management significantly affect the visual prognosis for these patients.

The results of a worksite health promotion programme in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The worksite is one of the key channels for the delivery of interventions to reduce chronic diseases among adult populations. It provides easy and regular access to a relatively stable population and it encourages sustained peer support. This paper reports a 2-year follow-up of the impact of a worksite health promotion programme on serum cholesterol and dietary changes among employees in a city in Malaysia.

Neonatal hepatoblastoma: two cases posing a diagnostic dilemma, with a review of the literature.

Hepatoblastoma accounts for less than 1% of all pediatric malignancies. However, it remains the most common malignant tumor of the liver in newborns. Less than 10% of hepatoblastoma cases are diagnosed in the neonatal period.

Prevalence of differentiated thyroid cancer in 810 cases of surgically treated goiter in Yemen.

Background: In 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested that severe iodine deficiency exists in Yemen. Therefore, we looked at the prevalence of differentiated thyroid goiter in 810 cases consecutively treated by surgery for goiter.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 810 surgically operated cases of goiter over a 5-year period (1999-2003).

Common causes of child mortality in Sana'a, Yemen.

Objective: To study the common causes of child mortality at Al-Thawrah Hospital, Sana'a, Yemen.

Methods: A retrospective study of 639 children aged 0-14 years, who died in the hospital within a 4 year period. This study was carried out at the Al-Thawrah Hospital, Sana'a, Yemen, between January 2000 and December 2003.

Etiology and presentation of acute bacterial meningitis in children at Al-Thawrah Hospital, Sana'a, Yemen.

Background: This study was carried out to determine the etiology and management outcome of acute bacterial meningitis among children presenting at Al-Thawrah hospital, Sana'a, Yemen.

Methods: This study was carried out from 01/01/2001 to 23/08/2002. It initially included 77 children of all ages (newborn to 12 years), who attended pediatric emergency with fever, convulsions and altered sensorium.

Streptococcus pneumoniae: an old bug with significant maternal-newborn implications.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an uncommon organism identified in neonatal bacteremia, but when it occurs, it has serious implications for both the infant and the mother. Despite the similarities in the manifestations between group B streptococcus and S. pneumoniae sepsis, the latter appears to be more virulent and of marked severity, resulting in significant neonatal mortality.

Lactic acid-induced modifications in films of Eudragit RL and RS aqueous dispersions.

Eudragit RL (ERL) and RS (ERS) are polymethacrylate co-polymers, used in film coating of sustained release dosage forms, possessing some hydrophilic properties due to the presence of quaternary ammonium groups (QAG), where ERL contains more of such groups, hence more permeable, than ERS. However, because these groups ionize in solution, they undergo electrostatic interaction with negatively charged species. This phenomenon was utilized in this study to introduce modification in the film properties of ERL and ERS by interaction with lactic acid (LA).

Isolation and characterization of gram-positive cyanophycin-degrading bacteria-kinetic studies on cyanophycin depolymerase activity in aerobic bacteria.

This study is the first report on the extracellular degradation of cyanophycin (CGP) by Gram-positive bacteria. Three different Gram-positive bacteria were isolated from forest soil that were able to utilize CGP as the sole carbon source for growth. The isolates were assigned to species of the genera Bacillus and Micromonospora.

Sperm velocity and morphology, female characteristics, and the hypo-osmotic swelling test as predictors of fertilization potential: experience from the IVF model.

Objective: To determine, among the following variables, the predictors of sperm fertilization potential of a given semen sample: sperm count, eight sperm velocity characteristics determined by computer-assisted semen analysis, the sperm morphology score determined by strict criteria, and the hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test, using the IVF model.

Design: Data from 58 couples attending the assisted conception unit for conventional IVF treatment were analyzed retrospectively by simple linear regression and multiple stepwise regression analysis, taking the fertilization rate as the dependent factor.

Results: The mean sperm velocity and the strict sperm morphology assessment were the only parameters showing significant correlation with the fertilization rate.

Impact of technical difficulties, choice of catheter, and the presence of blood on the success of embryo transfer--experience from a single provider.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of technical difficulties, choice of catheter, and the presence of blood during embryo transfer on the results of in vitro fertilization and ICSI.

Methods: A cohort of 784 consecutive cycles in 655 in vitro fertilization and ICSI patients were studied.

Results: Negotiating the cervix, using the volsellum, presence of blood on the catheter wall or on the cervix did not affect the results.

Ultrasound measurement of the uterocervical angle before embryo transfer: a prospective controlled study.

Background: The study aim was to determine whether moulding the embryo transfer catheter according to the uterocervical angle measured by ultrasound could improve pregnancy and implantation rates.

Methods: Patients were alternately allocated to one of two groups. In the ultrasound-guided group (n = 320), the catheter was moulded according to the uterocervical angle measured by abdominal ultrasound.

Formulation of an oral dosage form utilizing the properties of cubic liquid crystalline phases of glyceryl monooleate.

Glyceryl monooleate is a Food and Drug Administration-approved food additive which has the ability to form various liquid crystalline phases in the presence of various amounts of water. The unique properties of the cubic liquid crystalline phase that result upon the presence of excess body fluids at body temperature were utilized to formulate an oral dosage form containing furosemide as the model drug. The aim was to develop a formula, which has both bioadhesive and sustained release properties of the resultant cubic phase, so that increasing gastric residence time to improve bioavailability of the drug and at the same time obtaining a sustained action.

Analysis of birth weight data from the Malaysian Family Life Survey II.

An analysis of birth weight was undertaken on secondary data derived from the Malaysian Family Life Survey II. A total of 1629 last singleton live birth infants was analysed with the aim of identifying from the variables available potential risk factors for low birth weight. Univariate and subsequently multivariate analyses were carried out for this purpose.