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This study explores a sustainable approach for synthesizing silver nanocomposites (AgNCs) with enhanced antimicrobial and bioactivity using safe Lactobacillus strains and a whey-based medium (WBM). WBM effectively supported the growth of Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Lactobacillus acidophilus, triggering a stress response that led to AgNCs formation. The synthesized AgNCs were characterized using advanced spectroscopic and imaging techniques such as UVâvisible, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-Edx). Lb acidophilus-synthesized AgNCs in WBM (had DLS size average 817.2-974.3 ± PDI = 0.441 nm with an average of metal core size 13.32 ± 3.55 nm) exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria such as Escherichia coli (16.47 ± 2.19 nm), Bacillus cereus (15.31 ± 0.43 nm), Clostridium perfringens (25.95 ± 0.03 mm), Enterococcus faecalis (32.34 ± 0.07 mm), Listeria monocytogenes (23.33 ± 0.05 mm), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (13.20 ± 1.76 mm), and filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus brasiliensis (33.46 ± 0.01 mm). In addition, Lb acidophilus-synthesized AgNCs in WBM exhibit remarkable free radical scavenging abilities, suggesting their potential as bioavailable antioxidants. These findings highlight the dual functionality of these biogenic AgNCs, making them promising candidates for applications in both medicine and nutrition.
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Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Nanocompuestos , Plata , Suero Lácteo , Nanocompuestos/química , Plata/química , Plata/farmacología , Suero Lácteo/química , Suero Lácteo/metabolismo , Lactobacillus acidophilus/efectos de los fármacos , Lactobacillus acidophilus/metabolismo , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Antibacterianos/química , Antibacterianos/biosíntesis , Nanopartículas del Metal/química , Lactobacillus/metabolismo , Antiinfecciosos/farmacología , Antiinfecciosos/química , Espectroscopía Infrarroja por Transformada de FourierRESUMEN
Recent earthquakes worldwide have led to significant loss of life and structural damage to infrastructure, especially road bridges. Existing bridge monitoring systems have limitations, including restricted detection capabilities, subjectivity, human error, labor-intensive inspections, limited access to remote areas, and high costs. Aging infrastructures pose a critical concern for organizations and government funding policies, showing signs of decay and impending structural failure. To address these challenges, this research proposes an IoT-based bridge health status monitoring and warning system that is wireless, low-cost, durable, and user-friendly. The proposed system builds upon engineering standards and guidelines to classify bridge health status into categories ranging from excellent to collapse condition. It incorporates deflection, vibration, temperature, humidity, and infrared sensors, combined with IoT and a fuzzy logic algorithm. The primary objective is to reduce bridge maintenance costs, extend lifespans, and enhance transportation safety through an early warning system via a mobile application. Additionally, a Google Maps interface has been developed to display bridge conditions along with real-time traffic video. To validate the proposed system, a 3-D prototype model was constructed and tested. Practical testing of the fuzzy logic algorithm aligned with the simulation outcomes, demonstrating expected accuracy in determining bridge health status.
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The mechanical properties of cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloys produced through selective laser melting (SLM) can be enhanced by the application of the post-heat treatment, but it is still unclear how long the heat treatment should last and how the cooling rate affects the tensile properties and hardness of the alloy. Aim of this study - investigate the effects of heat treatment for one hour and six hours, respectively, at 1150 C, and three cooling conditions (AC, FC, and WC), on the tensile strength, elongation, and hardness of SLM Co-Cr alloy specimens. Thirty-five Dumbbell shaped specimens (50×12×2 mm) (ISO 6892-1:2016), and thirty-five rectangular-shaped specimens (34×13×1.5 mm) ISO (22674:2016) were manufactured and divided into seven groups, based on the use of heat or cold and the duration of both. Tensile strength and Vickers hardness tests were performed on the specimens. When it comes to tensile strength, the (FC1) group took the bottom spot with a score of (991.21 MPa) while the control group came out on top, boasting an impressive (1362.41 MPa). When it came to elongation, the control group had the lowest score (4%), while the best-treated group scored (17%). The lowest and highest value of tensile strength was similarly affected. Water-quenched groups showed better tensile properties and hardness than other groups. As a result, increasing the cooling rate is an effective way to improve the ductility and hardness of the SLM Co-Cr alloy.
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Duración de la Terapia , Calor , Humanos , Dureza , Aleaciones de Cromo , Rayos Láser , Ensayo de Materiales , Propiedades de SuperficieRESUMEN
Visually impaired people face many challenges that limit their ability to perform daily tasks and interact with the surrounding world. Navigating around places is one of the biggest challenges that face visually impaired people, especially those with complete loss of vision. As the Internet of Things (IoT) concept starts to play a major role in smart cities applications, visually impaired people can be one of the benefitted clients. In this paper, we propose a smart IoT-based mobile sensors unit that can be attached to an off-the-shelf cane, hereafter a smart cane, to facilitate independent movement for visually impaired people. The proposed mobile sensors unit consists of a six-axis accelerometer/gyro, ultrasonic sensors, GPS sensor, cameras, a digital motion processor and a single credit-card-sized single-board microcomputer. The unit is used to collect information about the cane user and the surrounding obstacles while on the move. An embedded machine learning algorithm is developed and stored in the microcomputer memory to identify the detected obstacles and alarm the user about their nature. In addition, in case of emergencies such as a cane fall, the unit alerts the cane user and their guardian. Moreover, a mobile application is developed to be used by the guardian to track the cane user via Google Maps using a mobile handset to ensure safety. To validate the system, a prototype was developed and tested.
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Internet de las Cosas , Auxiliares Sensoriales , Personas con Daño Visual , Bastones , Humanos , Aprendizaje AutomáticoRESUMEN
Typically acute deterioration in sick people is preceded by subtle changes in the physiological parameters such as pulse and blood pressure. The Modified Early Warning Score is a scoring system developed to assist hospital staff in gauging these physiological changes and identifying patients in need of urgent medical care to avoid catastrophic deterioration. This work discusses the design and implementation of an equivalent warning system that utilizes fuzzy logic techniques to categorize patients' status. The system is implemented and tested in Rashid Centre for Diabetes and Research in UAE. Results are compared with those obtained using the Modified Early Warning System that is currently used in practice. We demonstrate that the implemented system provides reliable results that are in agreement with the current Modified Early Warning Score system, with the added benefit of a scoring scheme that provides a better insight into the status or medical condition of each patient.
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Puntuación de Alerta Temprana , Lógica Difusa , Estado de Salud , Adulto , Anciano , Presión Sanguínea , Femenino , Frecuencia Cardíaca , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Monitoreo Fisiológico/métodos , Dispositivo de Identificación por Radiofrecuencia/métodos , Triaje/métodos , Emiratos Árabes UnidosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: We studied the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs7903146, rs12255372 and rs4506565 in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) susceptibility gene, transcription factor 7 like 2 (TCF7L2) with T2DM among the population of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a case-control study, blood samples were collected from 359 T2DM patients and 351 age and sex-matched normoglycemic controls. Genotyping was done by allele specific PCR assay. RESULTS: Our results revealed a strong association between risk T alleles in variants rs12255372 (OR: G/T=1.4233; T/T=2.0395) and rs4506565 (OR: A/T=1.6066; T/T=3.1301) and T2DM among the Saudi population of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. This is the first time that this association has been identified in a Saudi population. However, a common variant, rs7903146, often found to be associated with T2DM in other populations failed to demonstrate any association to T2DM with the present population. These data further strengthens the hypothesis that Saudi populations might carry a distinct risk allele in T2DM susceptibility gene TCF7L2. CONCLUSIONS: The present results confirm that rs12255372 and rs4506565 variants of TCF7L2 show an association, but not rs7903146, with T2DM for the Saudi population of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/sangre , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/genética , Hiperglucemia/genética , Proteína 2 Similar al Factor de Transcripción 7/genética , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/epidemiología , Femenino , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Genotipo , Técnicas de Genotipaje , Humanos , Hiperglucemia/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple , Arabia Saudita/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels in sickle cell anemia patients vary. We genotyped polymorphisms in the erythroid-specific enhancer of BCL11A to see if they might account for the very high HbF associated with the Arab-Indian (AI) haplotype and Benin haplotype of sickle cell anemia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Six BCL112A enhancer SNPs and their haplotypes were studied in Saudi Arabs from the Eastern Province and Indian patients with AI haplotype (HbF ~20%), African Americans (HbF ~7%), and Saudi Arabs from the Southwestern Province (HbF ~12%). Four SNPs (rs1427407, rs6706648, rs6738440, and rs7606173) and their haplotypes were consistently associated with HbF levels. The distributions of haplotypes differ in the 3 cohorts but not their genetic effects: the haplotype TCAG was associated with the lowest HbF level and the haplotype GTAC was associated with the highest HbF level and differences in HbF levels between carriers of these haplotypes in all cohorts were approximately 6%. CONCLUSIONS: Common HbF BCL11A enhancer haplotypes in patients with African origin and AI sickle cell anemia have similar effects on HbF but they do not explain their differences in HbF.
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Anemia de Células Falciformes/genética , Proteínas Portadoras/genética , Hemoglobina Fetal/genética , Proteínas Nucleares/genética , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple , Adolescente , Adulto , Negro o Afroamericano/genética , Árabes/genética , Pueblo Asiatico/genética , Niño , Femenino , Genotipo , Haplotipos , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Proteínas Represoras , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
ORCTL3 is a member of a group of genes, the so-called anticancer genes, that cause tumour-specific cell death. We show that this activity is triggered in isogenic renal cells upon their transformation independently of the cells' proliferation status. For its cell death effect ORCTL3 targets the enzyme stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) in fatty acid metabolism. This is caused by transmembrane domains 3 and 4, which are more efficacious in vitro than a low molecular weight drug against SCD1, and critically depend on their expression level. SCD1 is found upregulated upon renal cell transformation indicating that its activity, while not impacting proliferation, represents a critical bottleneck for tumourigenesis. An adenovirus expressing ORCTL3 leads to growth inhibition of renal tumours in vivo and to substantial destruction of patients' kidney tumour cells ex vivo. Our results indicate fatty acid metabolism as a target for tumour-specific apoptosis in renal tumours and suggest ORCTL3 as a means to accomplish this.
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Apoptosis , Neoplasias Renales/terapia , Transportadores de Anión Orgánico/genética , Estearoil-CoA Desaturasa/fisiología , Adenoviridae/genética , Animales , Transformación Celular Neoplásica , Células Cultivadas , Estrés del Retículo Endoplásmico , Femenino , Humanos , Neoplasias Renales/patología , Ratones , Transportadores de Anión Orgánico/fisiología , Estructura Terciaria de ProteínaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) causes Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman's disease in immunocompromised patients including allograft recipients. Detection of KSHV DNA in blood, as well as host genetic polymorphisms has been found to be associated with an increased risk for KS. We investigated an association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) gene region and KSHV viremia in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: In total, 152 KTR who have survived kidney transplantation for at least 6 months were included in the study. KSHV viremia was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genotyping of SNPs in the VEGFA region was performed by PCR and direct sequencing, as well as by restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: KSHV DNA was detected in 28.9% (n = 44) of the study population. The A-allele at position C172A VEGFA gene promoter region was found to be associated with KSHV viremia (odd ratio [OR] = 4.8, P = 0.005). In addition, the G-allele at position C+405G in the 5'-untranslated region was associated with KSHV viremia in women, but not in men (OR = 3.98, P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an association of VEGFA polymorphisms with KSHV viremia among KTR in this study population. A limitation of our study is that the results can only be predicated for patients 6 months after kidney transplantation and should be validated in another cohort with larger sample size.
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Infecciones por Herpesviridae/genética , Herpesvirus Humano 8/aislamiento & purificación , Huésped Inmunocomprometido/genética , Trasplante de Riñón/efectos adversos , Factor A de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/genética , Viremia/genética , Regiones no Traducidas 5' , Adulto , Aloinjertos , Femenino , Genotipo , Infecciones por Herpesviridae/virología , Humanos , Masculino , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas , Arabia Saudita , Factores Sexuales , Viremia/inmunología , Viremia/virologíaRESUMEN
Culture-dependent detection of gastroenteric bacteria is labour-intensive and does not provide results in a clinically relevant time frame. Several commercially available multiplex molecular panels are now available which may be more sensitive and could potentially provide rapid results. We compared the diagnostic accuracy, turnaround time and ease of use of three such molecular panels: the RIDA®GENE Bacterial Stool and EHEC/EPEC Panels (R-Biopharm AG, Darmstadt, Germany), the FTD® Bacterial Gastroenteritis Panel (Fast Track Diagnostics, Junglinster, Luxembourg) and the BD MAX™ Enteric Bacterial Panel (Becton Dickinson GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany). The results from 116 retrospective selected and 318 prospective unselected stool samples were compared with conventional culture-based techniques using a gold standard for a positive test of either culture or agreement in two of the three molecular panels. For most targets, the molecular panels were more sensitive than culture, detecting an additional 13 cases that culture missed. The laboratory turnaround time was under 3 h for all molecular panels, compared with 66.5 h for culture. The BD MAX™ panel was the fastest, easiest to use and most flexible.
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Bacterias/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones Bacterianas/diagnóstico , Pruebas Diagnósticas de Rutina/métodos , Gastroenteritis/diagnóstico , Técnicas de Diagnóstico Molecular/métodos , Adulto , Bacterias/genética , Infecciones Bacterianas/microbiología , Estudios de Cohortes , Heces/microbiología , Femenino , Gastroenteritis/microbiología , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Factores de Tiempo , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Live-attenuated (LA), and inactivated adjuvant (IA) camelpox virus (CMLV) vaccines are produced in several countries worldwide. A tissue culture attenuated CMLV isolated (Jouf-78) is used to produce an LA vaccine in Saudi Arabia (Hafez et al., 1992). DNA extracts from the Saudi LA vaccine were used as positive controls for a routine ATIP PCR produced fragments longer than 881 bp. PCR-amplified ATIP sequences were similar to vaccinia virus (VACV) Lister strain. PCR and sequence analysis of two extracellular enveloped virus (EEV)-specific (A33R and B5R), and two intracellular mature virus (IMV) (L1R and A27L) othrologue genes from the vaccine DNA extracts confirmed the finding. CMLV sequences were not detected in vaccine DNA extracts. A VACV Lister strain imported from Switzerland was used in control experiments during initial testing of the Saudi LA vaccine. High antigenic similarity between VACV and CMLV, and a possible contamination event during production may have caused this issue. Environmental and health impact studies were recommended because early VACV vaccines produced in some European countries contained nonhighly attenuated strains that were not adequately screened for adventitious agents.
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Orthopoxvirus/inmunología , Virus Vaccinia/aislamiento & purificación , Vacunas Virales/química , Secuencia de Bases , Cartilla de ADN , Reacción en Cadena de la PolimerasaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine the lipid profile complete blood count and other biochemical parameters in normotensive and hypertensive individuals. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based epidemiological household survey. SETTING: Population sample of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Hypertensive individuals had significantly higher mean levels of glucose, Tc, LDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides and HBAIc, compared to normotensive individuals while there were no significant difference in the mean levels of Apo AI and Apo B. Within the same group there were variations in the levels of certain parameters between male and female. While the mean levels of haemoglobin, WBC and platelets were significantly higher in the hypertensive group compared to normotensive, there were no significant differences between these two groups in the levels of RBC, MCV, HCT, MCH and MCHC. However, the mean levels haemoglobin, RBC count and HCT were significantly higher in male compared to female within the same group with no significant difference in levels of WBC, MCV, MCH and MCHC. Furthermore, the mean concentration of platelets was significantly higher in females compared to male within the same group. Hypertensive individuals had significantly higher serum sodium, chloride and calcium levels but a significantly lower potassium level when compared to normotensive with no siginificant differences between male and female within the same group. CONCLUSION: The lipid and electrolyte profile of hypertensive individuals differ from that of normotensive individuals in this population. This study has contributed towards establishing the normal values for a number of parameters involved in the aetiology of cardiovascular diseases in the population of Eastern province.
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Encuestas Epidemiológicas , Hipertensión/diagnóstico , Hipertensión/epidemiología , Adolescente , Adulto , Biomarcadores , Calcio/sangre , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Cloruros/sangre , Estudios Transversales , Composición Familiar , Femenino , Humanos , Hipertensión/fisiopatología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Medición de Riesgo , Factores de Riesgo , Arabia Saudita/epidemiología , Sodio/sangreRESUMEN
This paper presents a remote healthcare patient monitoring system, called the Virtual Eye (VI), that utilises the World Wide Web infrastructure to monitor, collect, analyse and record patients' health status. The data is stored in the hospital database and can be accessed from anywhere through the internet. When a patient is in an alarming situation, the VI sends SMS messages to the mobile of the designated health personnel via the public GSM network. The novelty of the system lies in its security and its ability to use both the internet and the GSM network as communication media. Doctors can access the database server to compare the patient's current status with his/her medical history. It can be used by one physician to monitor a group of patients simultaneously, or by a group of physicians who all monitor the same patient. It allows plug-and-play of multivendor off-the-shelf hardware devices, thus avoiding proprietary standards.
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Sistemas de Información , Monitoreo Fisiológico , Telemedicina , Bases de Datos como Asunto , Humanos , Internet , JordaniaRESUMEN
This paper describes the design and implementation of a Cyber Medical Center (CMC) using web technology. The intention is to overcome the inefficiency of the traditional filing system for patients' medical records, which are considered to be time and space consuming. Another objective is to enhance the interaction between the user - the patient in this case - and the medical center personnel - the doctors and staff. This task is achieved by developing a cyber medical center interfaced with the Internet to provide direct public access. The traditional filing system is replaced by a database system for maintaining the electronic medical records of all patients in the medical center. The doctors or staff can either view the medical records or update them through the Intranet/Internet. This system has been successfully developed, implemented and tested on the Intranet platform. It will be available in a university medical center for practical use.
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Registro Médico Coordinado , Sistemas de Registros Médicos Computarizados , Simulación por Computador , InternetRESUMEN
Ischemic renal disease (IRD) is a frequent cause of end-stage renal disease. Its prevalence is mainly known from autopsy or retrospective arteriographic studies. This prospective study was conducted in 115 subjects selected from 732 patients with advanced chronic renal failure (CRF). Only patients with clinical features suggestive of IRD were selected for this study. In addition to detailed clinical and laboratory evaluation, captopril renal scintigraphy was performed in selected cases. All subjects underwent renal arteriography and all were followed up for 18.4 +/- 11.4 months. Renovascular disease was seen in 15 patients and significant bilateral renal artery disease leading to IRD was observed in 13 (11.3%). Hence the prevalence of IRD in the advanced CRF patients was 1.7%. The majority of patients with IRD (8 [61%]) were above 46 years of age and there were more men than women (10:3). Atherosclerotic renovascular disease was the most common (10 [77%]), even though arthritis (1 [7.6%]), and fibromuscular dysplasia (2 [15.3%]) were also observed. Serum creatinine at time of presentation was significantly higher in patients with IRD (784 +/- 292, p = 0.043) compared to those who did not have IRD (359 +/- 126). Corrective procedures were performed in 5 patients. After treatment the improvement in serum creatinine in patients with IRD at 3 and 6 months (166 +/- 32 and 173 +/- 47, respectively) was significantly different (p < or = 0.05) compared to those who were not treated (610 +/- 194 and 645 +/- 220, respectively). Hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease were more prevalent in patients who had IRD compared to those with renal failure. The incidence of diabetes mellitus were similar in both groups. This study denotes a lower prevalence of IRD in the advanced CRF population; they had more severe renal failure at presentation but specific corrective treatment delayed progression of renal disease significantly.
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Isquemia/complicaciones , Isquemia/epidemiología , Enfermedades Renales/complicaciones , Enfermedades Renales/epidemiología , Fallo Renal Crónico/epidemiología , Fallo Renal Crónico/etiología , Adulto , Anciano , Angiografía , Femenino , Humanos , Isquemia/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Renales/diagnóstico , Fallo Renal Crónico/diagnóstico , Kuwait/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Estudios Prospectivos , Renografía por Radioisótopo , Arteria Renal/diagnóstico por imagen , Índice de Severidad de la EnfermedadRESUMEN
A rapid increase in the rate of cholecystectomy was reported in eastern Saudi Arabia between 1977 and 1986. The aim of this study was to determine whether the rate of cholecystectomy in the same region was still rising after the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. From 1987 to 1995 a total of 24 hospitals in eastern Saudi Arabia were surveyed using a questionnaire. During the 9-year study period, the rate of total cholecystectomy (open and laparoscopic) increased by 91%. Whereas the cholecystectomy rate decreased by 4% per annum from 1987 to 1990, it increased by 63.7% from 1991 to 1995 after the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The increase in the rates of cholecystectomy was observed in all age groups and both sexes. Cholecystectomy was, however, most frequent among the age group 45-64 years followed by the age group 25-44 years. Young and female patients were more likely to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy than the open procedure. The rise in cholecystectomy rate deserves further evaluation with regard to the following: reasons for the increased rate of cholecystectomy, cholecystectomy-related morbidity and mortality, and the total costs of cholecystectomy.
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Colecistectomía Laparoscópica/estadística & datos numéricos , Colecistectomía/estadística & datos numéricos , Colelitiasis/cirugía , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Análisis de Varianza , Distribución de Chi-Cuadrado , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Arabia SauditaRESUMEN
The potential role of sodium sulphate in possible enhancement of the hepatoprotective action of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in paracetamol (PCM) overdose was examined. The effects of sodium sulphate (200 mg/kg) in combination with NAC (400 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally 2 h post-PCM dose, on mortality rate and plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were investigated in mice 24 h after receiving a single oral dose of 400 mg/kg PCM. In addition, the effect on the mortality rate of PCM-treated animals of co-administering 400 mg/kg sodium sulphate with NAC (200 or 400 mg/kg) was also studied. NAC alone caused a marked reduction in the mortality rate of PCM-treated mice and a sharp drop in their plasma AST and ALT activities to near normal values. However, no additional reduction in plasma levels of AST and ALT was observed when sodium sulphate was co-administered with NAC. Similarly, sodium sulphate (200 mg/kg) administered alone to PCM-treated mice had no effect on the high mortality rate or the elevation in plasma AST and ALT activities observed in these animals. Furthermore, increasing the dose of sodium sulphate to 400 mg/kg did not influence the mortality rate. It is therefore concluded that sodium sulphate neither protects against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity nor enhances the hepatoprotective action of N-acetylcysteine.
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Paracetamol, in toxic doses, is associated with extensive liver damage. This represents one of the common causes of morbidity and mortality in drug poisoning cases. This study was undertaken to investigate the possible potentiation of the hepatoprotective action of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) by cimetidine (CMD), an inhibitor of hepatic microsomal oxidative enzymes. The effects of NAC, cimetidine and the two in combination, administered 2 h post-paracetamol dose, on mortality, plasma glutamic oxaloacetic (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic (GPT) transaminase activities and hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were investigated in mice 24 h after treatment with a single oral dose of paracetamol (400 mg/kg). Both NAC and cimetidine caused a partial improvement of survival rate, plasma GOT and GPT activities. In addition, they prevented the depletion of hepatic GSH contents. However, concomitant administration of NAC and cimetidine produced a 100% survival rate and a marked reduction in plasma GOT and GPT activities to within the normal range, while significantly raising hepatic GSH concentrations to values close to those measured in saline-treated control animals. It is therefore concluded that cimetidine and N-acetylcysteine may have an additive hepatoprotective action in the treatment of paracetamol overdose.
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Acetaminofén/toxicidad , Acetilcisteína/farmacología , Analgésicos no Narcóticos/toxicidad , Cimetidina/farmacología , Depuradores de Radicales Libres/farmacología , Antagonistas de los Receptores H2 de la Histamina/farmacología , Hígado/efectos de los fármacos , Acetaminofén/administración & dosificación , Acetilcisteína/administración & dosificación , Acetilcisteína/uso terapéutico , Administración Oral , Alanina Transaminasa/sangre , Analgésicos no Narcóticos/administración & dosificación , Animales , Aspartato Aminotransferasas/sangre , Cimetidina/administración & dosificación , Cimetidina/uso terapéutico , Depuradores de Radicales Libres/administración & dosificación , Depuradores de Radicales Libres/uso terapéutico , Glutatión/metabolismo , Antagonistas de los Receptores H2 de la Histamina/administración & dosificación , Antagonistas de los Receptores H2 de la Histamina/uso terapéutico , Hígado/enzimología , Hígado/patología , Hepatopatías/mortalidad , Hepatopatías/patología , Hepatopatías/prevención & control , Masculino , Ratones , Microsomas Hepáticos/efectos de los fármacos , Microsomas Hepáticos/enzimología , Necrosis , Tasa de SupervivenciaRESUMEN
A total of 29 patients with mycologically and histopathologically proven mycetomas were examined for radiological manifestations from April 1984 to March 1996. Twenty cases were actinomycotic mycetomas, while nine were maduromycotic mycetomas. Plain x-rays of the regions of interest were taken in all the cases and CT scan was performed on five selected cases to compare the findings. Soft tissue changes were observed in all the examined cases, while bony changes were observed in 16 (55.7%). CT scan is useful for showing soft tissue changes, erosion and destruction of bone in cases with an early infection only, which cannot be demonstrated in plain radiographs.