Hypothermic effect in rats of NAJA nigricollis venom: role of acetylcholine.

O. H. Osman, A. O. A. Elkhawad and M. Ismail. Hypothermic effect in rats of Naja nigricollis venom: role of acetylcholine. Toxicon15, 75–80, 1977.—Naja nigricollis venom produced a hypothermic effect when it was injected intraperitoneally into rats, while N. naja, N. nivea and N. melanoleuca venoms were ineffective. Similarly, when injected into the preoptic area and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, N. nigricollis venom produced a greater fall in body temperature. This hypothermic response was not modified by pretreatment with bromolysergic acid diethylamide, p-chlorophenylalanine, haloperidol, phentolamine, pimozide, or α-methyl-p-tyrosine. However, it was significantly antagonized by either central or peripheral hyoscine pretreatment. It is suggested that N. nigricollis venom may act by causing the release of acetylcholine in the hypothalamus which then mediates the hypothermia.     

Physiological instability is linked to mortality in primary central nervous system lymphoma: A case–control fMRI study

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an aggressive brain disease where lymphocytes invade along perivascular spaces of arteries and veins. The invasion markedly changes (peri)vascular structures but its effect on physiological brain pulsations has not been previously studied. Using physiological magnetic resonance encephalography (MREG_BOLD) scanning, this study aims to quantify the extent to which (peri)vascular PCNSL involvement alters the stability of physiological brain pulsations mediated by cerebral vasculature. Clinical implications and relevance were explored. In this study, 21 PCNSL patients (median 67y; 38% females) and 30 healthy age‐matched controls (median 63y; 73% females) were scanned for MREG_BOLD signal during 2018–2021. Motion effects were removed. Voxel‐by‐voxel Coefficient of Variation (CV) maps of MREG_BOLD signal was calculated to examine the stability of physiological brain pulsations. Group‐level differences in CV were examined using nonparametric covariate‐adjusted tests. Subject‐level CV alterations were examined against control population Z‐score maps wherein clusters of increased CV values were detected. Spatial distributions of clusters and findings from routine clinical neuroimaging were compared [contrast‐enhanced, diffusion‐weighted, fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) data]. Whole‐brain mean CV was linked to short‐term mortality with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity, as all deceased patients revealed higher values (n = 5, median 0.055) than surviving patients (n = 16, median 0.028) (p < .0001). After adjusting for medication, head motion, and age, patients revealed higher CV values (group median 0.035) than healthy controls (group median 0.024) around arterial territories (p ≤ .001). Abnormal clusters (median 1.10 × 10⁵mm³) extended spatially beyond FLAIR lesions (median 0.62 × 10⁵mm³) with differences in volumes (p = .0055).     

维医沙疗与其他区域沙疗的沙子特性对比研究

维医沙疗的机理与沙子特性存在必然联系,本文对比研究了维医沙疗与其他区域沙疗的沙子特性。研究结果表明吐鲁番沙疗中心沙子中磁矿含量较多,比重较大,沙子的颗粒较为均匀,磁矿石微粒较大,并具有较强磁性,呈现出灰黑色。本研究结果对进一步探讨维医沙疗机理提供了科学依据。     

Giant adrenal cyst in a pregnant woman: a case report

In this case report, a rare example of a pregnant woman with a huge adrenal cyst is reported. No other published reports were found to have an outcome like the present case. A 27-year-old primiparous patient admitted to our clinic with complaints of gaining weight, abdominal distension and dyspnea. On physical examination abdominal distension was prominent. She weighed 78 kg. At abdominal ultrasonography, there was an 11 week, single live fetus within the uterine cavity. There was also an approximately 30 x 40 cm sized cyst. The origin of the cyst could not be detected by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. It was suspected to originate from the ovaries. Tumor markers and other laboratory tests were normal. Laparotomy was planned. During laparotomy, it was observed that there was a huge, thin capsulated cystic lesion filling the abdomen. The uterus and bilateral ovaries were normal. Eleven liters of yellow-colored fluid was drained from the cyst. At exploration, the cyst capsule was originating from a right adrenal lodge and was extirpated. The postoperative weight of the patient decreased to 67 kg. On the third postoperative day, the patient was discharged without any problems. The pathology result of the patient was reported as an epithelial adrenal cyst. The patient did not have any problems on antenatal follow up and had a cesarean delivery at term for cephalopelvic disproportion. A 3500 g, healthy female fetus was delivered.     

Hypersensitivity to aeroallergens in patients with recurrent vulvovaginitis of undetermined etiology

AIM: Recent findings show that the vaginal mucosa can develop an allergic response to environmental allergens and there is a strong association between atopy and some recurrent vulvovaginal infections. In this study, we investigated prospectively the rate of atopy in patients with recurrent vulvovaginitis of undetermined etiology (RVV). MATERIAL AND METHODS: After being investigated by a gynecologist, 35 patients with RVV who were considered as undetermined etiology formed the study group. The control group consisted of 150 healthy females. Study and control groups were investigated for atopy by means of skin prick test for common aeroallergens. Associated allergic disease and familial atopy history of the subjects were recorded. RESULTS: The rate of atopy (11/35; 31.4% vs 9/150; 6%) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the study group than in the controls. Familial history of atopy was significantly more frequent in the study group than in the controls (10/35; 28.6% vs 8/150; 5.3%, P < 0.05). RVV in atopics is more associated with seasonal rhinitis than in nonatopics (5/11; 45.4% vs 2/24; 8.3%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We concluded that a significant number of RVV is associated with atopy. Although the exact mechanism(s) of this relationship remains to be investigated atopy might be a causative and/or contributing factor in the pathogenesis of RVV.     

Microstructural Evolution,Tensile Failure,Fatigue Behavior and Wear Properties of Al2O3 Reinforced Al2014 Alloy T6 Heat Treated Metal Composites

The paper focused on an experimental study on the microstructural, mechanical, and wear characteristics of 15 wt.% alumina (Al₂O₃) particulates with an average particle size of 20 µm, reinforced in Al2014 alloy matrix composite as-cast and heat-treated samples. The metal matrix composite (MMC)samples were produced via a novel two-stage stir-casting technique. The fabricated composite samples were subjected to evaluate hardness, tensile strength, fatigue behavior and wear properties for both as cast and T6 heat-treated test samples. The Al2014 alloy and Al2014-15 wt.% Al₂O₃ MMCs were in solution for 1 h at a temperature of 525 °C, quenched instantly in cold water, and then artificially aged for 10 h at a temperature of 175 °C. SEM and X-ray diffraction analyses were used to investigate the microstructure and dispersion of the reinforced Al₂O₃ particles in the composite and the base alloy Al2014. The obtained results indicated that the hardness, tensile and fatigue strength and wear resistance increased when an amount of Al₂O₃ particles was added, compared to the as-cast Al2014 alloy and it was observed that after subjecting the same composite samples to heat treatment, there was further enhancement in the mechanical and wear properties in the Al2014 matrix alloy and Al2014-15 wt.% Al₂O₃ composite samples.     

Prevalence and correlates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the elderly in Qatar: A cross-sectional study

Older individuals are more vulnerable to severe coronavirus disease 2019 and medical complications. Vaccination stands as an efficient and safe vanguard against infection. However, negative attitudes and perceptions pertaining to available vaccines might hinder community inoculation. The aim of this study was to assess vaccine hesitancy and its psychosocial determinants among the elderly in Qatar.We conducted a cross-sectional study between October 15 and November 15, 2020, using a composite online survey including the Vaccine Attitudes Examination Scale in addition to questions on sociodemographic correlates and the role of healthcare professionals.The vaccine hesitancy rate was 19.5%. The main reasons for willingness to vaccinate included understanding the nature of disease and role of vaccination, in addition to information provided by physicians. Fears mainly centered around vaccine safety. Vaccine hesitators were more likely to be non-Qatari and having received the influenza vaccine at least once. Gender, marital status, socioeconomic status, educational level, and having completed childhood vaccinations were not associated with vaccine hesitancy.Efforts should be directed toward raising awareness of vaccine efficacy and safety profiles. Physicians should additionally be educated about their pivotal role in advocating vaccine acceptance. We recommend reassessing vaccine hesitancy and its associated factors following a year of campaigning and vaccine administration to identify and target vulnerable groups.