Destructive Adsorption of Diazinon Pesticide by Activated Carbon Nanofibers Containing Al2O3 and MgO Nanoparticles

We report the destructive adsorption of Diazinon pesticide by porous webs of activated carbon nanofibers containing Al₂O₃ and MgO nanoparticles. The results show that, the presence of Al₂O₃ and MgO nanoparticles in the activated carbon nanofibers increases the amount of destructively adsorbed Diazinon pesticide by activated carbon nanofibers. Moreover, type, amount, and specific surface area of metal oxide nanoparticles affect the adsorption rate as well as the total destructively adsorbed Diazinon. Liquid chromatography proved the degradation of Diazinon by chemical reaction with Al₂O₃ and MgO nanoparticles. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry showed that the main product of reaction between Diazinon and the metal oxides is 2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinol with less toxicity than Diazinon.     

Tissue factor antisense deoxyoligonucleotide prevents monocrotaline/LPS hepatotoxicity in mice

Tissue factor (TF) is a membranous glycoprotein that functions as a receptor for coagulation factor VII/VIIa and activates the coagulation system when blood vessels or tissues are damaged. TF was upregulated in our monocrotaline (MCT)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) hepatotoxicity model. We tested the hypothesis that TF‐dependent fibrin deposition and lipid peroxidation in the form of oxidized low‐density‐lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) accumulation contribute to liver inflammation induced by MCT/LPS in mice. In the present study, we blocked TF using antisense oligodeoxynucleotides against mouse TF (TF‐ASO). TF‐ASO (5.6 mg kg^?1) was given i.v. to ND4 male mice 30 min after administration of MCT (200 mg kg^?1) p.o. followed after 3.5 h by LPS i.p. (6 mg kg^?1). Blood alanine aminotransferase (ALT), TF, ox‐LDL, platelets, hematocrit and keratinocyte‐derived chemokine (KC) levels were evaluated in different treatment groups. Fibrin deposition and ox‐LDL accumulation were also analyzed in the liver sections using immunofluorescent staining. The results showed that TF‐ASO significantly restored blood ALT, hematocrit and KC levels, distorted after MCT/LPS co‐treatment, as well as preventing the accumulation of ox‐LDL and the deposition of fibrin in the liver tissues, and thereby inhibited liver injury caused by MCT/LPS. In a separate experiment, TF‐ASO administration significantly prolonged animal survival. The current study demonstrates that TF is associated with MCT/LPS‐induced liver injury. Administration of TF‐ASO successfully prevented this type of liver injury. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Belief Rule Based Expert System to Assess Tuberculosis under Uncertainty

The primary diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB) is usually carried out by looking at the various signs and symptoms of a patient. However, these signs and symptoms cannot be measured with 100 % certainty since they are associated with various types of uncertainties such as vagueness, imprecision, randomness, ignorance and incompleteness. Consequently, traditional primary diagnosis, based on these signs and symptoms, which is carried out by the physicians, cannot deliver reliable results. Therefore, this article presents the design, development and applications of a Belief Rule Based Expert System (BRBES) with the ability to handle various types of uncertainties to diagnose TB. The knowledge base of this system is constructed by taking experts’ suggestions and by analyzing historical data of TB patients. The experiments, carried out, by taking the data of 100 patients demonstrate that the BRBES’s generated results are more reliable than that of human expert as well as fuzzy rule based expert system.     

Pharmacological activity of Mentha longifolia and its phytoconstituents

Current paper reviews the pharmacological activities, therapeutic indications and phytochemicals of M. longifolia. This herb has been consumed traditionally for the treatment of various diseases, including gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory disorders, infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases, as well as menstrual disorders. In the modern era, various pharmacological activities have been confirmed for M. longifolia, such as anti-parasitic, antimicrobial, anti-insect, antimutagenic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, keratoprotective, hepatoprotective, anti-diarrhea, and spasmolytic effects. The plant showed therapeutic benefits in irritable bowel syndrome, amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea, and oxidative stress-associated diseases as well. A vast variety of natural components such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, cinnamates, ceramides, sesquiterpenes, terpenes, and terpenoids have been suggested to be responsible for the pharmacological action of M. longifolia. These natural products can be considered as novel medicinal sources for developing new drugs. Further investigations to explore therapeutic efficacy, tolerability, and pharmaceutical properties of M. longifolia phytochemical agents are recommended.     

Role of fine-needle aspiration cytology in evaluating thyroid nodules: A retrospective study from a tertiary care center of Western region,Saudi Arabia

Objectives:To evaluate the accuracy and efficacy of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in diagnosing thyroid nodules, correlating it with the histopathological findings.Methods:A retrospective evaluation of 314 patients was undertaken at a tertiary referral center of King Abdullah Medical City (KAMC), Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between 2010-2019. Patients who presented with thyroid swellings underwent ultrasonography and FNAC. If indicated, surgery was performed. The FNAC findings were compared to the final histopathological reports.Results:The findings for FNAC from our data set of 314 patients showed a sensitivity value of 79.8%, specificity of 82.1%, accuracy of 74.8%, positive predictive value of 74.8%, and negative predictive value of 85.9%.Conclusion:Our study showed that FNAC has high sensitivity and specificity in the initial evaluation of patients with thyroid nodules. When guided by ultrasonography, the accuracy can be markedly improved. Molecular markers once widely available can improve the diagnostic power of FNAC to be no less than the histopathologic evaluation of thyroid tissue.     

Long-term survivor of brain metastases from malignant melanoma

Malignant melanoma is notorious for distant metastases. Median survival for stage IV melanoma is 6-10 months and 5 year survival is less than 5%. Median survival for melanoma with brain metastases is even lower i.e. 2 to 9 months. Here a case is reported who was treated for melanoma of sole of left foot with ipsilateral inguinal adenopathy and brain metastases in 2001 and is still surviving disease-free after a lapse of 8 years.     

Assessing the Need for Anesthesia and Sedation Services in Kuwaiti Dental Practice

The objective of this study was to examine the public health relevance of the prevalence of dental fear in Kuwait and the resultant barrier that it creates regarding access to dental care. The study analysis demonstrated a high prevalence of dental fear and anxiety in the Kuwaiti population and a perceived need for anesthesia services by dental care providers. The telephone survey of the general population showed nearly 35% of respondents reported being somewhat nervous, very nervous, or terrified about going to the dentist. In addition, about 36% of the population postponed their dental treatment because of fear. Respondents showed a preference to receive sedation and anesthesia services as a means of anxiety relief, and they were willing to go to the dentist more often when such services were available. People with high fear and anxiety preferred to receive some type of medication to relieve their anxiety. In conclusion, the significance and importance of the need for anesthesia services to enhance the public health of dental patients in Kuwait has been demonstrated, and improvements are needed in anesthesia and sedation training of Kuwaiti dental care providers.     

Chronic gastritis and Helicobacter pylori: a histopathological study of gastric mucosal biopsies

The aim of this study was to observe the histological features of chronic gastritis and associated effects due to Helicobacter pylori infection in 176 randomly selected antral biopsy specimens of chronic gastritis cases. The specimens were reviewed for the presence or absence of H.pylori. The activity (neutrophilic infiltration) of gastritis and the presence or absence of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) were also noted. Chi-square test (Pearson value) was used to analyze categorical variables. H.pylori was detected in 110 (62.5%) cases of chronic gastritis. There was a significant association between H.pylori infection and activity of chronic gastritis (p=0.002). Lymphoid aggregates were significantly more frequently noted in H.pylori-positive patients (68.2%) vs. H.pylori negative group (47%), (p=0.005). It is concluded that H.pylori is significantly associated with active chronic gastritis and with formation of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), which may develop into gastric lymphoma (MALT type).     

Ruptured AAA: open surgical management

Ruptured abdominal aorta aneurysm (rAAA) is the 13th leading cause of death in the United States. Despite many advances in the field of vascular surgery, the improvement in mortality rates of rAAA have been very modest. Although endovascular repair has surpassed open repair for elective AAA repair in the United States, open rAAA repair remains the most common therapy for this devastating vascular emergency. In this article, we discuss open surgical management for rAAA. We also describe a fast-track algorithm we have developed at the University of Massachusetts where open and endovascular repairs play equally important roles in management of rAAA.