Articles

The main focus of this study concentrates on evaluating the quality of groundwater in and around the zone of pattamadai where the production of the mat in this region is a landmark industry, which is using dyes in a larger volume. The primary work starts with the collection of water samples from 13 boreholes and 13 hand-dug wells in different time intervals in the month of March 2021, which is a dry season. As per standards the water quality parameters have been evaluated and observed to be within the range. All the physico-chemical parameters for the samples have been studied for boreholes and hand-dug wells as all the values are observed to be within the range and are highlighted in the results.

Aim: To determine the correlation between mammographic features of breast cancer with molecular subtypes and to calculate the predictive value of these features. Materials and method: This is a retrospective study of breast cancer patients presenting between January 2017 and December 2021, who underwent mammography of the breast followed by true cut biopsy and immunohistochemical staining of the tissue sample. Breast carcinoma patients without preoperative mammograms, those unable to undergo histopathological and IHC examinations and h/o prior cancer treatment were excluded. On mammography, size, shape, margins, density, the presence or absence of suspicious calcifications and associated features were noted. Results: Irregular-shaped tumors with spiculated margins were likely to be luminal A/B subtypes of breast cancer. Tumors with a round or oval shape with circumscribed margins were highly suggestive of Triple negative breast cancer. Tumors with suspicious calcifications were likely to be HER2 enriched. Conclusion: Mammographic features such as irregular or round shape, circumscribed or noncircumscribed margins and suspicious calcifications are strongly correlated in predicting the molecular subtypes of breast cancer and thus may further expand the role of conventional breast imaging.

A 25 years old pregnant woman had a painful labor in her 38th week of pregnancy. Because of a previous delivery by a cesarean section, she underwent a second cesarean section. Her past medical and family history was unimportant. We performed the surgery under spinal anesthesia. The surgery was uneventful and the baby was in a good health. After 9 hours of surgery, she complained of painless swelling in the parotid glands. Physical examination and laboratories were normal. We started rehydration with normal saline and one dose of hydrocortisone (100 mg IV route). Close monitoring showed no problems in swallowing or any purulent discharge. Two days later, we had a complete resolution of the swelling. We discharged the woman with her child with no complaints. Our case is one of the rare cases of anesthesia mumps after spinal anesthesia. Physicians should be careful in considering such rare cases. Early diagnosis and management is the key.

Jatropha dioica sesse ex cerv is a specie native to Mexico and Texas, commonly known as “sangre de drago“, its name is due to its colorless juice turning dark at exposure to the wind. This mini-review aims to collect information about the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Jatropha dioica. The phytochemicals identified are diterpenes, (citlalitrione, jatrophone and riolozatrione), β-sitosterol, oxalic acid and ellagic acid. The stems, whole plant, or the root of J. dioica in traditional medicine are used to avoid hair loss, as an antibacterial, and antiviral, to strengthen teeth, and to heal some injuries among others uses. Among the biological activities attributed to Jatropha dioica are found in antiviral activity, antifungal, antimicrobial, chemopreventive, anti-hyperglycemic and cytotoxic. However, the little information about the chemical composition of this species and the scarce scientific studies validating its pharmacological properties make J. dioica an interesting species to study.

Renal impairment is one of the most severe non-communicable diseases around the world. Especially patients with diagnosed/newly diagnosed renal impairment who needed surgery are more focused on preoperative and postoperative preparation. Serum creatinine is the prime biochemical marker for assessing renal function and the level of impairment is widely measured by this marker as well as Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR). Objective: Factors responsible for fluctuating serum creatinine during preoperative and postoperative periods and minimizing the process of serum creatinine is the ultimate goal of this study. Method: 37 patients participated in this cross-sectional study who were previously diagnosed/newly diagnosed. They were admitted to different tertiary-level hospitals for emergency or elective surgery. 15 patients were admitted in the renal function impairment stage and 22 were admitted as normal patients’. Values of creatinine at the pre-admission stage and 2nd/3rd post-admission follow-up were compared. Results: 0.41 was the average of 22 patients’ creatinine between pre-admission and 2nd/3rd follow-up. The responsible factor like prolonged staying, immobilization, co-morbidities, different preoperative antibiotics and NSAIDs were also inducers for creatinine elevation. After postoperative hemodialysis rapid decrease of creatinine is seen in normal patients but this decrease is very much minor in CKD-diagnosed patients. 

Chronic foot and heel pain is a clinical dilemma that Pain Physicians often encounter in their daily practice. In the younger active patients, this is often attributed to plantar fasciitis but other rarer etiologies should also be considered. In patients who present with pain over the medial calcaneus, entrapment neuropathy of the inferior calcaneal nerve, the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve (FBLPN), also known as “Baxter’s nerve” must be considered [1,2]. Initially described in 1984 by Baxter and Thigpen, it is often overlooked as a cause of medial heel pain, particularly in athletes, where it may coexist with plantar fasciitis [3]. The nerve has a tortuous course in the foot and can be entrapped as it passes through the fascia of the abductor hallucis, travels in close proximity to a plantar spur or the medial calcaneal tuberosity, or gets enmeshed in scar tissue from prior surgery [1,3].

A comprehensive study was carried out to assess the microbiological, nutritional, biochemical and essential oil characteristics of three Egyptian traditional cultivars seeds, namely, cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and coriander (Coriandum sativum) spices as well as basil whole herb (Ocimum basilicum) collected from different Egyptian export centers as being ready for export. The found values for humidity in dry seeds of cumin (7.4%) and coriander (6.4%), as well as total ash and ash insoluble in acid (in cumin 7.7% and 0.74%, but in coriander 5.3% and 0.55%, respectively), were lower than the maximum limits indicated by the Egyptian Specification Standards (ES) and by International Standards Organization (ISO) for cumin and coriander seeds. Analysis of essential minerals in seed spices and herbs indicated that they were rich in K, Ca, Na, Fe and Zn. The total bacterial count was low content in seeds of cumin and coriander as well as fresh whole basil herb. The microbiological load in all tested seed spices and herbs was found lower than those indicated by the ES and ISO for cumin and coriander seeds. Yields in hydro-distilled essential oils (EOs) were the highest in cumin seeds (3.762%), while both coriander and basil herbs had lower amounts (0.285% and 0.686%, respectively). EOs contents were found higher than the maximum limits for cumin (1.5% - 2.5% on a dry weight basis), but within the limits for coriander (0.1% - 0.5% on a dry weight basis) as indicated by the ES and ISO for cumin and coriander seed oils. Gas chromatography of extracted EOs from seeds of cumin and coriander as well as basil herbs indicated the presence of 41, 35 and 47 compounds, respectively, where cumin aldehyde was the major component in cumin volatiles but was linalool in volatiles of both coriander seeds and basil herbs. EOs of basil herbs grown in Egypt were of the high linalool chemotype which was characterized by high contents of linalool and relatively lower amounts of eugenol. However, the major compounds in the three tested EOs from seeds or herbs grown in Egypt are in accordance with literature reports from different parts of the world. Volatile oil components in EOs of the three tested Egyptian spices and herbs were classified into groups, based on the relative area (%). The proportion of the major and the other main components in EOs from seeds of cumin and coriander cultivars were within the ranges indicated by both the ES and ISO for cumin seed oils (cumin aldehyde between 15% - 46%) and for coriander seed oils (linalool between 65% - 78%). The aim of the present work was to Assessment study certain commonly used Egyptian spices and herbal products for characterizing their physical, biochemical and microbiological properties.

In our study, we aimed to show that alternative iron salts containing different additives are safe to use in patients who have type 1 hypersensitivity reactions to iron drugs and need iron replacement therapy.Materials and methods: Between January 2022 and June 2022, patients who had previously developed type 1 hypersensitivity reactions with iron preparations and needed iron replacement were included in the study. The study was designed retrospectively. Skin tests were first performed on patients to demonstrate a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction. If skin tests were negative and there was no history of life-threatening anaphylaxis, oral provocation tests were continued. If the absence of variability in symptoms and perimeter values, the drug allergy test was considered negative. Results: Twenty-two patients were included in the study. Twenty-one of the patients were female and one was male. Iron deficiency anemia was found in nine patients, and low iron stores in thirteen patients without anemia were found. Type 1 hypersensitivity reaction developed with Iron 3 Carboxymaltose in 7 patients, Iron 2 Sulfate in 5 patients, Iron 2 Glycine in 4 patients, Iron 3 Hydroxy Polymaltose in 4 patients, Iron 2 Fumarate in 1 patient and Iron 3 Hydroxide Sucrose in 1 patient. Allergy tests with all alternative iron drugs containing additional additives were negative.Conclusion: If patients with allergic reactions cannot be referred to allergy clinics, we think that oral iron salts with different additives can be used after the first dose is given in the hospital under general anaphylaxis precautions. We show that oral iron salts containing different additives can be safely used.

A growing number of synthetic plastics derived from fossil fuels are produced, and improper plastic waste management has caused a lot of pollution problems. There are many microplastics in the environment, and they disintegrate slowly in soil and water. The properties of microplastics (MPs) include long residence times, high stability, high fragmentation potential, and the ability to adsorb other contaminants. Invertebrates and planktonic organisms are easily able to accumulate microplastics in aquatic species. Therefore, microplastics (MPs) must be removed from the water and other media. This paper aims to review the occurrence, raw polymers and additives, and remediation methods for removing microplastics from the environment. Several methods are available for removing contaminants, including sorption, filtration and chemical treatments. Various removal methods are discussed along with their methods, efficiency and advantages.

Objectives: To examine the effect of dietary supplements on diabetic risk progression, blood glucose level, and lipid profiles.Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted at Rajavithi hospital, Thailand. Participants with prediabetes were randomly allocated to three arms of dietary supplements: placebo (PL) or curcumin plus fish oil and vitamin D (CFD), or curcumin plus fish oil (CF) for 24 weeks. Primary outcomes were the progression of glycemic status and the progression to overt diabetes at 24-week and 36-week follow-ups. Secondary outcomes were changes in glycemic profiles (fasting plasma glucose, 75 g OGTT 2-h plasma glucose or HbA1C), body weight, BMI and lipid profiles.Results: A total of forty-seven participants (PL, n = 16; CFD, n = 15; CF, n = 16) were included in the study. At the 24-week follow-up, the participants with worsening glycemic status in the intervention groups were lower, CFD, CF and Placebo, 14.29%, 13.33% and 31.25%, respectively. However, the primary outcome, progression of glycemic status, was statistically different, with p - value = 0.046 (p < 0.05) when excluding previous diabetes in the study. As well as the incidence of type 2 diabetes at 24-week follow-up was not statistically different between the three groups, 14.29%, 13.33%, and 12.5%, p - value = 0.699 (p < 0.05) in CFD, CF, PL group, respectively. The secondary outcomes also failed to demonstrate the effect of dietary supplements on blood glucose, lipid profiles, weight, BMI and blood chemistry.Conclusion: The combined dietary supplements which contained curcumin-fish oil-vitamin D,could lower the glycemic status progression in prediabetes at six months follow-up and were well-tolerated among the participants.