Chronic administration of the antiretroviral nevirapine increases body weight, food, and water intake in albino Wistar rats

Abstract Background: Nevirapine (NVP) is an antiretroviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in the blood. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of chronic administration of NVP on body weight, food, and water intake using apparently healthy albino Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty adult albino Wistar rats (50-125 g body weight) were used for the study. Rats in the control group (n=10) were fed normal rodent chow, whereas the NVP group (n=10) were fed by gavage NVP (0.4 mg/kg body weight) two times daily (07.00 h and 18.00 h) in addition to normal rodent chow for 12 weeks. All animals were allowed free access to clean drinking water. Results: Results showed that the mean daily food and water intake in the NVP group were significantly higher (p<0.001) when compared with the control group, respectively. The mean change in body weight in the NVP group was significantly higher (p<0.001) than the control group. Conclusions: These results suggest that chronic administration of NVP may increase body weight in rats, probably due to its stimulatory effects on food and water intake.     

Voiceless Arabic vowels recognition using facial EMG

This work attempts to recognize the Arabic vowels based on facial electromyograph (EMG) signals, to be used for people with speech impairment and for human computer interface. Vowels were selected since they are the most difficult letters to recognize by people in Arabic language. Twenty subjects (7 females and 13 males) were asked to pronounce three Arabic vowels continuously in a random order. Facial EMG signals were recorded over three channels from the three main facial muscles that are responsible for speech. The EMG signals are then pre-processed to eliminate noise and interference signals. Segmentation procedure was implemented to extract the time event that corresponds to each vowel based on a moving standard deviation window. The accuracy of the segmentation procedure was found to be 94%. The recognition of the vowels was carried out by extracting features from the EMG in three domains: the temporal, the spectral, and the time frequency using the wavelet packet transform. Classification of the extracted features was then finally performed using different classification methods implemented in the WEKA software. The random forest classifier with time frequency features showed the best performance with an accuracy of 77% evaluated using a 10-fold cross-validation.     

Novel potential nonsedating H1 antagonists related to the gauche rotamer of PROS-NH-histamine

On the basis of the most stable stereorotameric (R) forms of ^πNH-histamine (2), the trans (1-TR) and gauche (1-GR) forms have both been reported to be involved in potentiation of H₁-receptors. Apart from the known classic models of H₁-antagonists that mostly belong to 1-TR, a new topographic receptor map for 1-GR has been postulated. Twenty-seven new compounds pertaining to novel nonclassic molecular models related to 1-GR have been postulated as potential nonsedating, less toxic H₁-antagonists. Representative members of the new agents were investigated for H₁-blocking activity by using isolated segments from guinea pig ileum. Many of the tested new compounds exhibited activities comparable to that of acrivastine as a reference nonsedating drug. The C log P values of the new agents were lower than that of acrivastine (4.34), which might indicate decreased tendency to cross the blood–brain barrier. The most pronounced activity was displayed by the 5-substituted aminomethylenepyrimidine-2,4,6-triones (21, 23) since they displayed nearly equal 50% inhibition concentrations (IC₅₀) (6.12 × 10⁻⁶ M) and lower C log P values.     

MammoGrid--a prototype distributed mammographic database for Europe

This paper describes the prototype for a Europe-wide distributed database of mammograms entitled MammoGrid, which was developed as part of an EU-funded project. The MammoGrid database appears to the user to be a single database, but the mammograms that comprise it are in fact retained and curated in the centres that generated them. Linked to each image is a potentially large and expandable set of patient information, known as metadata. Transmission of mammograms and metadata is secure, and a data acquisition system has been developed to upload and download mammograms from the distributed database, and then annotate them, rewriting the annotations to the database. The user can be anywhere in the world, but access rights can be applied. The paper aims to raise awareness among radiologists of the potential of emerging "grid" technology ("the second-generation Internet").     

Hypospadias mimicking female genitalia on early second trimester sonographic examination

Female fetal sex was assigned based on downward direction of the genital tubercle at 14 weeks' gestation. Subsequently, amniocentesis performed due to the finding of an echogenic focus in the left ventricle revealed a male karyotype. Sonographic examination at 22 weeks' gestation revealed a markedly curved penile shaft. Power Doppler at that time demonstrated a urine jet emanating from the penile base, verifying the diagnosis of penoscrotal hypospadias. We therefore suggest that female fetal sex assignment should be based on the demonstration of the 2 or 4 parallel lines representing the labial folds and not only upon the demonstration of the downward direction of the genital tubercle.     

Keeping it in the family: Use of the grandmother,mother, and child technique to navigate complex anatomy during Coronary sinus Reducer Implantation

The Coronary Sinus Reducer® (CSR) is an emerging therapy for refractory angina recommended once no further pharmacologic or coronary revascularization options are available. We present the case of a 72-year-old man who underwent CSR implantation. Complex coronary sinus anatomy necessitated an innovative “grandmother, mother, and child” catheter approach.     

Management of resistant halo nevi

Background: Halo nevus (HN) is a rare dermatologic disorder characterized by typical whitish rim surrounding an existing melanocytic nevus resembling halo. It is a cosmetic problem that may be linked to vitiligo, and it is advised to remove these nevi in order to avoid development of vitiligo.

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the cosmetic outcome after nevus removal and leukoderma dermabrasion with epithelial graft followed by narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy as management of resistant halo nevi and avoidance of development of vitiligo.

Patients and Methods: Ten patients with persisting halo nevi were selected as candidates in this study. Superficial dermabrasion was carried out using proper diamond fraises on depigmented rim and then punch biopsy probes with suitable size were used to harvest the nevus. Thiersch graft was prepared and applied on the dermabraded depigmented area. After 1 week of the procedure, patients were exposed to NB-UVB twice weekly and were followed up for 3 months.

Results: Repigmentation was noticed in 2 weeks and was nearly fully accomplished in all 10 patients within the 3-month period. No other vitiligo lesions developed during this period in all patients except for one case.

Conclusion: Excision of Sutton’s nevus with combined dermabrasion and Thiersch grafting followed by phototherapy is a good aesthetic maneuver in treating halo nevi and helps in avoiding further vitiligo depigmentation.