Gastrointestinal transit in mice treated with various extracts of date (Phoenix dactylifera L.).

Dates are commonly consumed, especially in the Middle East, but their effect on gastrointestinal transit (GIT) has not been quantified. The effect of water and ethanol extracts from date flesh and date pits on the GIT in mice was studied. Fasted unanaesthetized male mice received by gavage either the vehicle (0.02 m/kg), or the extracts at doses of 0.01, 0.02 or 0.04 ml/kg. Two separate groups received either clonidine (1 mg/kg) or yohimbine (2 mg/kg). Two hours later, all animals were given a test meal containing charcoal and gum arabic in water. Thirty min thereafter, they were killed and the distance the charcoal column had traveled along the small intestine was measured. Compared with the control, the animals that received the ethanol and water extracts of both date flesh and pits emptied, in a dose-dependent manner, more of their gastrointestinal content. The increase in the GIT ranged from 4 to 22%. However, water extract from dialyzed date flesh induced a dose-dependent decrease in GIT that ranged from 4 to 24%. Clonidine exerted a significant decrease (68%), and yohimbine a significant increase (30%) in the GIT. Depending on the method of extraction, the date extracts may exert an increase or a decrease in GIT.     

Structure and Behavior in Hydrophilic Matrix Sustained Release Dosage Forms: 4. Studies of Water Mobility and Diffusion Coefficients in the Gel Layer of HPMC Tablets Using NMR Imaging

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to characterise the water mobility in the gel layer of hydrating HPMC tablets. Water mobility in the gel layer of different HPMCs was studied. Methods. NMR imaging, a non-invasive technique, has been used to measure the spatial distribution of self-diffusion coefficient (SDC) and T₂ relaxation times across the gel layer. Results. It has been shown that there is a water mobility gradient across the gel layer of HPMC tablets. Although SDC and T₂ relaxation times in the outer parts of the gel layer approached that of free water, in the inner parts they decreased progressively. Water mobility and SDC in the gel layer of different HPMCs appeared to vary with degree of substitution of the polymer and the lowest values were obtained across the gel layer of K4M tablets. Conclusions. Water mobility varies across the gel layer of hydrating HPMC tablets and it is dependent on the degree of substitution of the polymer.     

Nodus migrans: the case of the migrating knot.

Flow-directed pulmonary artery catheters provide important information regarding intravascular volume status, cardiac function and vascular resistance. We describe an unusual complication of pulmonary artery catheterization in which a knot formed at the distal end was torn away from the catheter body and migrated from its original position in the right subclavian vein to a distal branch of the right pulmonary artery. Careful attention to insertion and withdrawal techniques could prevent this potentially serious complication.     

Locked intramedullary nailing for complex non-union of the tibia

Ten patients with complex non-union of the tibia were treated by locked intramedullary nailing. These patients had scarred skin as a result of initial severe open fractures, multiple debridement or fasciotomies with external fixators and skin grafts applied. Seven of the patients also had previous osteomyelitis or pin track infections. Fully pain-free walking was achieved in all patients and radiological union in nine patients without the need for a bone graft. Four patients developed infection after nailing, of which three resolved with treatment.     

Abdominal Stab Wounds in Children: an 18-Year Experience

Objective: Evaluation of the diagnosis, management, and the role of selective treatment in children with abdominal stab wounds. Patients and Methods: 59 children (56 male and three female) were included in the study. The patients' median age was 11.8 years (range, 5–14 years). Time between injury and admission was about 3 h. Laparotomy was performed in 44 patients (74%). Solid organ injury was detected in 32 of these patients (73%) and could not be observed in twelve (27%). 15 patients (26%) were treated conservatively, and only one (6.6%) underwent laparotomy during the follow-up. The stomach was the most frequently injured organ (ten patients), followed by the intestines (nine patients). Types of surgical treatment were as follows: primary suture in 28 patients, resection-anastomosis in three, and osteotomy in two. Results: Some prognostic factors such as presence of abdominal organ evisceration and pneumoperitoneum were not significantly correlated with intraabdominal organ injury, whereas some other risk factors such as acute abdomen on admission (p < 0.002) or abdominal clinical and hemodynamic findings (p < 0.001) showed significant correlation with intraabdominal organ injury. The relative risk (odds ratio) of developing an intraabdominal organ injury was > 2 for patients with signs of an acute abdomen on admission. Postoperative complications were observed in five patients with organ injuries. None of our patients died. Conclusions: Conservative treatment can be safely performed in most children with abdominal stab injuries. Signs of major internal hemorrhage or generalized peritonitis are an absolute indication for emergency operation for abdominal stab wounds. Peritoneal penetrations, free air on the abdominal X-ray, and omental or intestinal evisceration are poor indicators of significant organ injuries, and patients presenting these signs shold be closely followed up for developing acute abdominal symptoms. Received: November 2, 2001; revision accepted: February 15, 2002     

The use of autogenous costal cartilage graft in septorhinoplasty

INTRODUCTION: Reconstructive septorhinoplasty in complex nasal deformities often requires harvesting a large amount of tissue for grafting. Autogenous septal cartilage has generally been considered the gold standard grafting material. The aim of this paper was to report our experience with the use of costal cartilage grafts in cases with significant structural deformities and insufficient septal cartilage. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. PATIENTS: Between 1998 and 2006, 37 patients underwent septorhinoplasty using costal cartilage as the primary source for grafting. Twenty-two men and 14 women with a median age of 42 were enrolled in the study. Patient demographics, indications for surgery, and immediate and late complications were reviewed. The follow-up range was 3 to 72 months. CONCLUSIONS: Autogenous costal cartilage graft is a viable option in reconstructive septorhinoplasty. We advocate the use of this graft in septorhinoplasty cases requiring a large volume of tissue and insufficient septal cartilage.     

Laboratory and field efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis var. Israelensis and Bacillus sphaericus against Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Culex quinquefasciatus in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Two wettable powders (Bactimos and Vectobac) and one flowable concentrate (Teknar) of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (B.t.i.) and primary powders of Bacillus sphaericus isolates 1593 and 2362 were evaluated (laboratory) against field-collected larvae of Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Culex quinquefasciatus in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Bactimos, Vectobac and a Corn-cob B.t.i. formulation (ABG-6138G) were field tested against Cx. quinquefasciatus and An. gambiae s.l. The isolates of B. sphaericus were also tested against An. gambiae s.l. in artificial ponds. Both wettable powders of B.t.i. showed superior activity than the flowable concentrate formulation against An. gambiae s.l. in the laboratory. Culex quinquefasciatus was more susceptible (3-4X) to B.t.i. (Bactimos) than An. gambiae s.l. The isolates of B. sphaericus were more effective (2-3X) against both mosquito species than Bactimos. In a ditch and two channels, Bactimos, Vectobac and ABG-6138G at 0.65, 1.5 and 5.6 kg/ha, respectively, gave 91-100% control of Cx. quinquefasciatus within 3 days of treatment. The same formulations at rates ranging from 0.25 to 5.6 kg/ha, produced 82-97% control of An. gambiae s.l. in rainwater pools 24 h after treatment. Isolates 1593 and 2362 at 0.12 and 0.24 kg/ha gave excellent control of An. gambiae s.l. in artificial ponds.