Recent Articles

Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent worldwide and certain groups as elderly persons women and institutionalized persons are particularly prone to severe deficiency. Objective: To identify the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and its relation to cardiovascular risk among elderly diabetic female patients. Method: A cross sectional study conducted from the first of October 2014 to the end of March, 2016, where 163 elderly diabetic females who attended Ain shams university hospital at that time were included. They underwent careful history taking, body mass index calculation, blood pressure measurement and Serum 25(OH) D measurement, assessment of insulin secretion including fasting serum C-peptide and CPI measurement in addition to assessment of glycemic control by fasting blood sugar estimation. The level of 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) was measured. Results: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25OHD level

Posterior perforation of gastric and duodenal ulcers is uncommon and frequently misdiagnosed due to nonspecific clinical exam findings. The need for surgical treatment has recently been questioned in patients with contained perforations due to the success of nonoperative management and the morbidity and mortality associated with surgical intervention. We present a clinically stable 65-year-old morbidly obese female transferred to our institution with radiographic evidence of posterior perforation of a duodenal ulcer with a large associated abscess cavity. A fenestrated 9.5 French nasal feeding tube was directed over a guide-wire into the abscess cavity under endoscopic/fluoroscopic guidance and used for decompression. The patient was managed conservatively and repeat computed tomography (CT) demonstrated resolution of the cavity. She was discharged to home after an uncomplicated 10-day hospital course. Contained posterior peptic/duodenal ulcer perforations associated with an abscess cavity can be successfully managed conservatively in patients that are hemodynamically stable and without overt signs of peritonitis. Natural orifice drainage of the cavity, gastric decompression, antibiotics, PPI administration, and nutritional support can avoid the morbidity and mortality associated with traditional surgical management.

Extract of the leaf for the detection of the phytochemicals were obtained by soaking 100g of the sample in 250ml ethanol for forty-eight hours with frequent agitation. The phytochemical screening of Swietenia macrophylla showed that tannin, phenol, flavonoid, terpenoids and alkaloids are present in the leaf extract. Quantitative determination of the detected secondary metabolites was carried out to know their percentages in the S. macrophylla leaves.The quantitative estimation of phytochemicals revealed that the various phytochemical constituents present in the leaf extract. In leaf extract of Swietenia macrophylla, the alkaloid content was 0.045 (9%), flavonoids content was 0.062 (12.4%), phenol content was 0.032 (6.4%) and tannin content was 0.043 (8.6%).

The root of Cnidoscolus carumbium was soaked in water for 48 hours and filtered. The residue was oven dried at 800C for 4hrs. Further extraction process was done on the residue by soxhlet extraction method using different organic solvent mixtures of 500cm3 of hexane, acetone and methanol in the ratio 3:1:1 mixture. Proximate analysis for roots revealed Moisture content (19.1%), Fiber (17.7%), Crude protein (2.2%), Ash (15.5%), crude fat (1.0%), and carbohydrate (44.5%), indicating high nutritional value. The result for the extraction shows the presence of phytochemicals such as saponin, alkaloid, steroid flavonoid, phenol, tannin, cardiac glycosides, terpenoid and phlobatanin due to the solvent mixture possessing wide polarity thereby enabling the extraction of all the phytochemicals.

The review article focus on the effect of homeopathy on male infertility based on sperm count, hormone values and general health. The variables ‘sperm density’, ‘percentage of sperm with good progressive motility’ and ‘density of sperm with good propulsive motility’ improved, especially in cases of oligoasthenozoospermia. The general health of patients improved significantly. The following factors emerged as positive predictors of therapy success: no exposure to noxious substances at the workplace and no previous inflammatory genital diseases. The rate of improvement in sperm count through homeopathic therapy is comparable to the improvement achieved by conventional therapy,

In India more than 62 million diabetic individuals currently diagnosed with the disease. The prevalence of diabetes is more in India and is increasing rapidly. Herbal formulations are preferred due to lesser side effects and low cost. A list of medicinal plants with proven antidiabetic and related beneficial effects of herbal drug used in treatment of diabetes is compiled.

More than 70% of our planet’s surface is covered with sea/salty water. Even the world’s oldest, most revered and holiest texts, the Vedas, term the Ocean as ‘Ratnakar’, or the bestower of immense riches. From pre-historic times the ocean/marine world has been a source of inspiration, awe & adventure for Mankind. Contemporary science discovered potent bioactive, chemical compounds from marine organisms not before 1950s, for the first time. At present, several potent cytotoxic and anticancer drug leads, from secondary metabolites biosynthesized in Marine invertebrates, have been identified, characterised and some of them have even been synthesized. In order to tackle the problem of supply, even artificial culture of Marine organisms has been successfully attempted. Some of such vital aspects are discussed here.

Despite the importance of cognitive stimulation to counteract the cognitive decline associated with age, there is contradictory evidence about the benefits of cognitive training programs that are carried out through new technologies, and little evidence about those programs conducted at home. This research examines the effectiveness of a computerized cognitive stimulation program in adults 65 years old and over who are users of a home care service. The sample consisted of 43 participants (88% women) and an average age of 81.4 years. A quasi-experimental research design with a control group was carried out, where the experimental group completed a 15-session training (Kwido-Mementia). The results showed that the training program improves cognitive functions; both visuospatial memory capacity and perceptual reasoning skills. The computerized cognitive training proves to be an effective tool, not only to prevent deterioration, but also to improve the cognitive abilities of people 65 years old and over. The work contributes to clarify, in part, the existing controversy in the literature regarding the usefulness of cognitive training programs based on new technologies and provides positive evidence, contrary to what other studies indicate regarding the programs carried out at home.

Background: Reports dating 1932, (86 years prior) emphasise the role of iron deficiency in hair loss. However, blood tests sometimes show normal iron levels in these patients. Should we still include iron in our treatment or conclude that iron has no role in hair loss management? In an attempt to review the dilemma we have come across studies recommending intermittent iron therapy, which as a low dose supplement, can be utilized even in the absence of overt deficiencies. A clinical comparison of hair loss patients having normal haemoglobin is presented with standard 2% minoxidil treatment versus intermittent iron therapy once in three days and comprehensive iron therapy along with intermittent once in three days, inclusion of other hair nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, calcium, aminoacids and omega 3. Objective: Review the role of iron in hair loss management. Understand why hair loss patients sometimes present with normal iron reports. Evaluate if intermittent iron therapy can help in hair loss management. Evaluate if by the same analogy, inclusion of other intermittent hair nutrients along with iron therapy can deliver better hair growth in addition to controlling hair loss. Method: Sixty women volunteers having hair loss despite normal haemoglobin, were enlisted for this prospective study. Three groups of twenty women each were created. Treatment group I, received standard hair loss treatment with 2% minoxidil. Iron therapy group II, received intermittent iron therapy and the nutrition group III, received intermittent iron with intermittent inclusion of antioxidants, vitamins, calcium, aminoacids and omega 3 which are known to benefit hair loss management. Results were evaluated with global photography, trichoscopy counts for hair density and hair calibre. Observations: Minoxidil 2% group I had reduction in hair fall after 10 weeks. This group at the end of 6 months had 9% improvement in density, with 17% non responders and…