Transmesenteric hernia: A rare cause of bowel ischaemia in adults

INTRODUCTIONTransmesenteric herniae are a rare cause of bowel ischaemia in adults with few reported cases in published literature.PRESENTATION OF CASEWe report a rare case of a 26-year-old female with spontaneous transmesenteric hernia of jejunum and proximal ileum due to a congenital mesenteric defect resulting in bowel gangrene, presenting initially with no haemodynamic or biochemical abnormalities. The hernia was reduced, small bowel resected and primary side to side anastomosis performed, following which the patient made a good recovery and was discharged 5 days later.DISCUSSIONThe insidious onset of transmesenteric herniae and lack of specific radiological or laboratory investigations reaffirms the importance of surgeons maintaining a high index of suspicion for this critical surgical emergency.CONCLUSIONClose monitoring of the patient's general condition in cases of non-specific abdominal pain is essential to identify the rare deteriorating patient for early surgical intervention and optimal outcome.     

Bedouin Women’s Gender Preferences When Choosing Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Patients’ preferences in choosing obstetricians/gynecologists are widely investigated, but studies among traditional populations are lacking. Bedouins comprise a traditional Arab Muslim society in the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia), The Levant (Syria, Jordan and Israel) and North Africa (Egypt). Most of the Bedouins in Israel populate several villages, mostly in the southern part of the country. This cross-sectional study compared 200 Bedouin and 200 Jewish women who responded to an anonymous questionnaire. Queried on gender alone, more Bedouin responders preferred female obstetricians/gynecologists (59.5 vs. 33% Jewish responders, p value <0.0001). Bedouin women preferred a female obstetrician/gynecologist for intimate procedures [feeling more comfortable (66.3%) and believing that females were more gentle (50%)]. However, they and the Jewish participants ranked ability, experience and knowledge as the top 3 qualities of an obstetrician/gynecologist, putting reputation in 4th place and gender in 5th place. Bedouin women strongly preferred female obstetricians/gynecologists, although professional skills were an important factor in their choice of caregiver. The ideal obstetrician/gynecologist for Bedouin women would be a skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced female.     

Mitigative role of garlic and vitamin E against cytotoxic,genotoxic, and apoptotic effects of lead acetate and mercury chloride on WI-38 cells

Background

Lead acetate (Led) and mercury chloride (Mer) represent important ecological and public health concerns due to their hazardous toxicities. Naturally found products play a vital role in chemopreventive agent innovation. The current study aimed to assess the modifying effect of garlic (Gar) and/or vitamin E (Vit E) against the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) Led and/or Mer-induced cytotoxic, genotoxic and apoptotic effects.

Fe3O4@Au core–shell hybrid nanocomposite for MRI-guided magnetic targeted photo-chemotherapy

Lasers in Medical Science - The combination of multiple therapeutic and diagnostic functions is fast becoming a key feature in the area of clinical oncology. The advent of nanotechnology promises...     

Methanolic extract of Chlorella vulgaris protects against sodium nitrite-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats

The current study aimed to investigate the protective potential of Chlorella Vulgaris (CV) extract against the reproductive dysfunction induced by sodium nitrite toxicity. Forty-five male Wistar albino rats were assigned into five groups (n = 9). Control group received normal saline orally for 3 months, CV-treated: administered CV extract (70 mg/kg.BW) orally for 3 months, sodium nitrite-treated: received sodium nitrite (80 mg/kg.BW) orally for 3 months, co-treated: simultaneously received CV along with sodium nitrite treatment, orally, daily for 3 months, and CV-pre-treated: pre-treated with CV extract for 4 weeks followed by simultaneous treatment with sodium nitrite and CV extract for additional 8 weeks. Treatment with sodium nitrite significantly decreased serum testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations, sperm count, motility, and viability. Besides, it decreased testicular superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities while increased malondialdehyde concentration. This effect of sodium nitrite was associated with degenerative, necrotic, vascular, and inflammatory changes in testicular tissues. Treatment of sodium nitrite-intoxicated rats with CV in co-treated and pre-treated groups significantly prevented sodium nitrite-induced alterations of sperm parameters, hormonal concentrations, testicular oxidative–antioxidant status, and histological architecture. This study indicates that CV extract ameliorates the reproductive dysfunction induced by sodium nitrite toxicity via improving reproductive hormonal levels and testicular antioxidant activities.     

Recent Advances in Polymer Nanocomposites Based on Polyethylene and Polyvinylchloride for Power Cables

Polymer nanocomposites used in underground cables have been of great interest to researchers over the past 10 years. Their preparation and the dispersion of the nanoparticles through the polymer host matrix are the key factors leading to their enhanced dielectric properties. Their important dielectric properties are breakdown strength, permittivity, conductivity, dielectric loss, space charge accumulation, tracking, and erosion, and partial discharge. An overview of recent advances in polymer nanocomposites based on LDPE, HDPE, XLPE, and PVC is presented, focusing on their preparation and electrical properties.