Showing papers by "King Saud University published in 1996"
TL;DR: Treatment of asthenospermic patients with oral Vitamin E significantly decreased the MDA concentration in spermatozoa and improved sperm motility, and nine of the 52 treated patients successfully impregnated their spouses.
Abstract: Asthenospermia is the main factor of male infertility among patients consulting the Asir Infertility Center in Abha, Saudi Arabia. Lipid peroxidation occurring in both the seminal plasma and spermatozoa was estimated by malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. Spermatozoal MDA concentration was higher in men with decreased sperm motility. The MDA concentration in the seminal plasma exhibited no relationship with sperm concentration, sperm motility, the number of immotile spermatozoa, or even the absence of spermatozoa. The MDA concentration in sperm pellet suspensions of asthenospermic and oligoasthenospermic patients was almost twice that of the normospermic males. The MDA concentration in the sperm pellet suspension from normospermic or oligospermic patients was about 10% that in the seminal plasma. However, the MDA concentration in the sperm pellet suspension of asthenospermic or oligoasthenospermic patients was about 15% that in the seminal plasma. Treatment of asthenospermic patients with oral Vitamin E significantly decreased the MDA concentration in spermatozoa and improved sperm motility. Eleven out of the 52 treated patients (21%) impregnated their spouses; nine of the spouses successfully ended with normal term deliveries, whereas the other two aborted in the first trimester. No pregnancies were reported in the spouses of the placebo-treated patients.
577 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive set of experimental data were generated regarding the effects of collated fibrillated polypropylene fibers at relatively low volume fractions (below 0.3%) on the compressive, flexural and impact properties of concrete materials with different binder compositions.
Abstract: A comprehensive set of experimental data were generated regarding the effects of collated fibrillated polypropylene fibers at relatively low volume fractions (below 0.3%) on the compressive, flexural and impact properties of concrete materials with different binder compositions. Statistical analysis of results produced reliable conclusions on the mechanical properties of polypropylene fiber reinforced, concrete and also on the interaction of fibers and pozzolanic admixtures in deciding these properties. Polypropylene fibers were observed to have no statistically significant effects on compressive or flexural strength of concrete, while flexural toughness and impact resistance showed an increase in the presence of polypropylene fibers. Positive interactions were also detected between fibers and pozzolans.
350 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an optimal inventory lot-sizing model is developed for deteriorating items with general continuous time-varying demand over a finite planning horizon and under three replenishment policies, where the deterioration rate is assumed to be a constant fraction of the on-hand inventory.
Abstract: In this paper, optimal inventory lot-sizing models are developed for deteriorating items with general continuous time-varying demand over a finite planning horizon and under three replenishment policies The deterioration rate is assumed to be a constant fraction of the on-hand inventory Shortages are permitted and are completely backordered The proposed solution procedures are shown to generate global minimum replenishment schedules for both general increasing and decreasing demand patterns An extensive empirical comparison using randomly generated linear and exponential demands revealed that the replenishment policy which starts with shortages in every cycle is the least cost policy and the replenishment policy which prohibits shortages in the last cycle exhibited the best service level effectiveness An optimal procedure for the same problem with trended inventory subject to a single constraint on the minimum service level (maximum fraction of time the inventory system is out of stock during the planning horizon) is also proposed in this paper
258 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the physicochemical characteristics and fatty acid composition of crude oil and lipoxygenase activity of six varieties of pumpkin and melon seeds were investigated and data obtained for the iodine value,...
Abstract: Physicochemical characteristics and fatty acid composition of crude oil and lipoxygenase activity of six varieties of pumpkin and melon seeds were investigated. Data obtained for the iodine value, ...
151 citations
TL;DR: A modified version of the field equations of general relativity is obtained on relaxing the covariant energy-momentum conservation condition as discussed by the authors, which introduces a single arbitrary constant and does not appear to upset the successes of the general relativity in or outside cosmology.
Abstract: A modified version of the field equations of general relativity is obtained on relaxing the covariant energy-momentum conservation condition. This introduces a single arbitrary constant and does not appear to upset the successes of general relativity in or outside cosmology. The matter-dominated cosmological model, based on the generalized field equations, is discussed. It is shown to provide more room for consistency with the observational data.
145 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the influence of gamma irradiation and post-irradiation storage up to 20 days at 2 ± 2°C on some chemical criteria of tilapia and Spanish mackerel were studied.
Abstract: Influence of gamma irradiation (1.5–10 kGy) and post-irradiation storage up to 20 days at 2 ± 2°C on some chemical criteria of tilapia and Spanish mackerel were studied. Total volatile basic nitrogen formation was lower in irradiated fish than in the unirradiated. Irradiation also caused a larger increase in thiobarbituric acid values which continued gradually during storage. Some fatty acids decreased by irradiation treatments at all doses. Thiamin loss was more severe at higher doses (≥4.5 kGy), whereas riboflavin was not affected. Alpha and gamma tocopherols of tilapia and alpha, beta, gamma, and delta tocopherols, in Spanish mackerel, decreased with increased dose and continued to decrease during 20-day post-irradiation storage.
144 citations
TL;DR: The antispasmodic activity was determined on a rabbit intestine preparation using acetylcholine as agonist, the results proving that cardamom oil exerts its anti-inflammatory action through muscarinic receptor blockage.
136 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of chloride and sulphate contamination on electrical resistivity of concrete was evaluated and it was shown that both moisture, chloride and sulfate contamination had little influence on electrical resistance.
134 citations
TL;DR: The presentation of three baby boys who presented within the first weeks of life with massive enteric protein loss, secretory diarrhoea, and intolerance of enteral feeds suggests that enterocyte heparan sulphate is important in normal small intestinal function.
129 citations
TL;DR: Performance of calves was not significantly affected by treatments, although body weight increased most during weeks 7–9 for calves fed the mixed lactobacilli and in weeks 10–12 for calves feeding L. acidophilus 27SC.
117 citations
TL;DR: The results showed that soft-drink consumption in the sample far exceeded that found in Western populations and that professional and self-administered dental care were generally scant, and there was a strong indication of an increasing caries prevalence.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate some aspects of the oral health of male Saudi military inductees with special reference to soft-drink consumption, dental erosion, caries and fluorosis prevalences; a second aim of the study was to develop a system for assessing dental erosion. The material comprised a random selection of 95 individuals with a mean age of 20.9 years (range, 19-25 years). A questionnaire survey was made of each individual's dietary and oral hygiene habits and general and oral health, in addition to clinical, study cast, radiographic, and photographic examinations. The results showed that soft-drink consumption in the sample (x = 247 1/year) far exceeded that found in Western populations and that professional and self-administered dental care were generally scant. Twenty-eight percent of the maxillary anterior teeth showed pronounced dental erosion. Fluorosis was a common finding, and the number of untreated carious cavities was high. DMFT (mean = 10.0; DT = 7.7; MT = 0.5; FT = 1.8) and DMFS (mean = 18.3; DS = 12.6; MS = 2.5; FS = 3.2) were higher than those of comparable Western populations and showed an approximately threefold increase over a period of about 18 years as compared with that previously reported in a similar Saudi sample. In view of the high frequencies of dental erosion, untreated carious cavities, and fluorosis reported here and the strong indication of an increasing caries prevalence, the need for serious recognition of the implications in the planning of future dental health care program is stressed.
TL;DR: Different experimental designs to evaluate bond strengths at the metal-ceramic interface are described and a predictive experimental design should minimize variables and result in the least residual interfacial stresses.
Abstract: Despite the popularity of metal-ceramic restorations, the bonding mechanism remains the subject of theoretical discussion. Different experimental designs to evaluate bond strengths at the metal-ceramic interface are described. The effects of various stresses with each design are also discussed. A predictive experimental design should minimize variables and result in the least residual interfacial stresses. Dentists and dental technicians should benefit from comparisons of existing tests, and the discussion encourages introduction of more comprehensive approaches.
TL;DR: Simulation results clearly indicate that the optimal stocking policy is, in general, more cost-effective than the Barlow-Proschan policy.
TL;DR: Certain series of 2-thiohydantoin derivatives, carrying various substituents at position 5, showed potential selectivity against leukemia cell lines and derivatization of these compounds, deduced from the obtained tentative structure activity relationships, may lead to more potent agents.
Abstract: Certain series of 2-thiohydantoin derivatives, carrying various substituents at position 5 such as 5-bromo-2-thienylmethylene, 5-(2-carboxyphenylthio)-2-thienylmethylene and 2-methylene-4H-thieno[2,3-b][1]benzothiopyran-4-one, were evaluated for their antitumor activity. Compound 5-(5-bromo-2-thienylmethylene)-3-morpholinomethyl-2-(2,3,4,6 -tetra-O-acetyl -beta-D-glucopyranosylthio)hydantoin proved to possess a broad spectrum antitumor activity against a wide range of different human cell lines of nine tumor subpanels causing both cytostatic and cytotoxic effects, resulting in full panel median growth inhibition (GI50) and total growth inhibition (TGI), with a median lethal concentration (LC50) at 15.1, 41.7 and 83.2 microM, respectively. On the other hand, compound 5-(5-bromo-2-thienylmethylene)-2-thiohydantoin and compound 5-(5-bromo-2-thienylmethylene)-3-phenyl-2- (2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-thio)hydantoin showed potential selectivity against leukemia cell lines. Further derivatization of these compounds, deduced from the obtained tentative structure-activity relationships, may lead to more potent agents.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that the recent observational data on Hubble's constant and the age of the universe are consistent with a recently proposed cosmological model based on general relativity with non-vanishing divergence for the energy-momentum tensor.
TL;DR: The ethanol extract of the dried ripe fruit of Foeniculum vulgare showed diuretic, analgesic, antipyretic activities and it enhanced bile secretion and it inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and showed a marked mitodepressive effect.
Abstract: The ethanol extract of the dried ripe fruit of Foeniculum vulgare (500 mg/kg) was tested for diuretic, analgesic, antipyretic, antimicrobial, cytotoxic activities and its effect on bile secretion in rats. Also, the acute toxicity after 0.5, 1 and 3 g/kg was investigated in mice. The extract showed diuretic, analgesic, antipyretic activities and it enhanced bile secretion. As an antimicrobial agent, the extract inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and showed a marked mitodepressive effect. At a dose of 3 g/kg, it caused piloerection and it depressed locomotor activity but caused no deaths when administered acutely to mice.
TL;DR: In this article, the safety and efficacy of single oral-dose azithromycin with a 7-week topical tetracycline ointment course in the treatment of active trachoma was compared.
TL;DR: It is found that birth palsy in newborns delivered by Caesarean section is extremely rare (1% of all birth palsY cases), and the differentiation between brachial plexus injury caused by forcible delivery and congenital upper limb palsy from other causes is discussed.
Abstract: The hand surgeon is frequently involved in the medicolegal assessment of birth palsy cases. Although brachial plexus injury has been reported in newborns delivered by Caesarean section, it is difficult to determine if these cases are due to excessive force when delivering the infant from the uterus or whether the palsy is related to other factors. We have studied our series of 16 cases of obstetrical brachial plexus palsy with special attention to the newborn baby delivered by Caesarean section. We have reviewed the English literature over the last decade and found that birth palsy in newborns delivered by Caesarean section is extremely rare (1% of all birth palsy cases). The differentiation between brachial plexus injury caused by forcible delivery and congenital upper limb palsy from other causes is discussed.
TL;DR: A second-generation method of genotyping hepatitis C virus (HCV) was developed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with sense as well as antisense primers deduced from the core gene to allow clear differentiation of genotype I/1a from II/1b which was not always accomplished by the previous method.
TL;DR: A series of 2,4-disubstituted thiazole derivatives bearing N-n-butyl or N-cyclohexylthioureido synthon at position 2 and N-substitized thiosemicarbazone moiety at position 4 have been synthesized and tested for antitumor activity using the National Cancer Institute's in-vitro-disease-oriented antitumour screen as mentioned in this paper.
TL;DR: An incidence of 16% paradoxical worsening of tuberculous effusion following the start of anti-tuberculous treatment has been documented, which resulted in respiratory distress necessitating therapeutic re-aspiration in six of 10 patients.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a method for finding the optimal replenishment schedule for the production lot size model with deteriorating items, where demand and production are allowed to vary with time in an arbitrary way and in which shortages are allowed.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: This review highlights some important aspects of the physicochemical properties of amphotericin B and their utilisation in its quantitative determination in biological fluids and attempts to reduce its toxic effects to host cells and to improve its therapeutic index.
Abstract: Amphotericin B is the most important clinically and best defined chemically of the macrolide heptaene antibiotics. A fermentation product of the soil actinomycetes Streptomyces nodosus, amphotericin B binds selectively to ergosterol in the cell membrane of susceptible fungi, inducing changes in permeability that can produce lethal cell injury. Available since 1960, amphotericin B remains the treatment of choice for most serious systemic fungal infections. This review highlights some important aspects of the physicochemical properties of amphotericin B and their utilisation in its quantitative determination in biological fluids. Its mechanism of action is re-appraised in the light of recent results with regard to its effects on the physical and functional properties of synthetic and natural membranes. Attempts to reduce its toxic effects to host cells and to improve its therapeutic index are evaluated. In addition, the therapeutic values of amphotericin B, apart from its antibiotic activity, are discussed.
TL;DR: EAT-26 was found to be highly sensitive and reasonably specific, like some other studies in non-Western populations, it yielded a high false positive rate and a low positive predictive value.
Abstract: Objectives: To assess the validity of the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) in Arabic as a screening instrument in nonclinical populations. Methods: A representative sample of Grade 7–12 female students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was selected randomly but proportional to various social classes. The girls were independently assessed by the EAT-26 and a structured clinical interview. Results: One hundred twenty-nine subjects were included. Twenty-five were identified by EAT-26 as having abnormal eating attitudes. One case was identified as anorexia nervosa by the interview and no cases of bulimia were found. Discussion: EAT-26 was found to be highly sensitive and reasonably specific. Like some other studies in non-Western populations, it yielded a high false positive rate and a low positive predictive value. Because of its low cost and practicality, EAT-26 might be a useful tool in screening large populations for eating disorders. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
TL;DR: The growth of four strains of Streptococcus thermophilus and three strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp.
TL;DR: The efficacy of three different intralesional schedules with sodium stibogluconate have been investigated for treating cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Abstract: Background. Various therapeutic modalities have been used for treating cutaneous leishmaniasis. Intralesional pentavalent antimonial injection is one of the effective therapeutic modalities. In this study, the efficacy of three different intralesional schedules with sodium stibogluconate have been investigated.
Methods. Ninety-six patients with 129 lesions were entered into the study, all with confirmed diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The lesions were treated with three different schedules, including daily, alternate day, and weekly interlesional injections of sodium stibogluconate. The clinical response was then compared to arrive at the most effective schedule.
Results. The clinical responses (complete and partial cure) were 67%, 97%, and 91% for the daily, alternate-day, and weekly schedules, respectively. Lesions with either partial cure or failure of treatment were injected weekly with the same medication until complete cure had been achieved. The final overall success rate of complete cure was 99.2%.
Conclusions. Alternate day or weekly intralesional treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with sodium stibogluconate are more effective than daily treatments.
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of a gel-forming soil conditioner (Jalma) on the soil water retention relationship (ψ-θ), soil water diffusivity (D(θ)), and saturated hydraulic conductivity (KS) was investigated on a sandy soil.
TL;DR: The relationship of Gantzer’s muscle (the accessory head of flexor pollicis longus; FPL) to the median nerve and its anterior interosseous branch is debated.
Abstract: The relationship of Gantzer's muscle (the accessory head of flexor pollicis longus; FPL) to the median nerve and its anterior interosseous branch is debated. In an anatomical study of 25 limbs, the incidence, origin, insertion, nerve supply and relations of Gantzer's muscle have been documented. The muscle was found in 13 of the 25 (52%) limbs and was supplied by the anterior interosseous nerve. It arose from the medial humeral epicondyle in 85% and had a dual origin from the epicondyle and coronoid process in the rest. Its insertion was to the ulnar part of FPL and its tendon. Gantzer's muscle always lay posterior to both the median and anterior interosseous nerves. Anatomical variations in which Gantzer's muscle may contribute to median nerve compression in pronator syndrome are discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, the inventory replenishment problem over a fixed planning horizon for items with linearly time-varying demand and under inflationary conditions is dealt with, and the authors develop models and optimal solution procedures with and without shortages.
TL;DR: In this article, a distributed SPICE-model for a solar cell is worked out, which is based on the I-V characteristics, the small signal impedance, and the open-circuit voltage decay measurements.
Abstract: In this paper, a distributed SPICE-model for a solar cell is worked out. Special attention is paid to the problems of nonhomogeneous current distribution and the effective series resistance. Elaborate experimental techniques have been used to determine the model parameters. They are based on the I-V characteristics, the small signal impedance, and the open-circuit voltage decay measurements. The SPICE simulation results are compared with the measured static and dynamic characteristics of a solar cell. We found satisfactory agreement concerning the static characteristics, whereas there is discrepancy in the dynamic characteristics. This is because the SPICE-model of a p-n junction diode contains only one time constant. It is found that two time constants are necessary for accurate description of the dynamic performance. The techniques and methodologies developed here are applicable to other junction diodes operating at high frequencies or under transient conditions.