Showing papers by "University of Jordan published in 1997"

Cardiac manifestations of acute carbamate and organophosphate poisoning.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To study the frequency, extent, and pathogenesis of the cardiac complications accompanying organophosphate and carbamate poisoning. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: A medical intensive care unit (MICU) of a general hospital. SUBJECTS: 46 adult patients admitted over a five year period with a diagnosis of organophosphate or carbamate poisoning. RESULTS: Cardiac complications developed in 31 patients (67%). These were: non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, 20 (43%); cardiac arrhythmias, 11 (24%); electrocardiographic abnormalities including prolonged Q-Tc interval, 31 (67%); ST-T changes, 19 (41%); and conduction defects, 4 (9%). Sinus tachycardia occurred in 16 patients (35%) and sinus bradycardia in 13 (28%). Hypertension developed in 10 patients (22%) and hypotension in eight (17%). Eight patients (17%) needed respiratory support because of respiratory depression. Although more than two thirds of the patients (67%) had a prolonged Q-Tc interval, none had polymorphic ventricular tachycardia of the torsade de pointes type. Two patients died from ventricular fibrillation, an in hospital mortality of 4%. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac complications often accompany poisoning with these compounds, particularly during the first few hours. Hypoxaemia, acidosis, and electrolyte derangements are major predisposing factors. Intensive supportive treatment in intensive or coronary care facilities with administration of atropine in adequate doses early in the course of the illness will reduce the mortality.

Removal of Lead and Nickel Ions Using Zeolite Tuff

Abstract: The capacity of Jordanian zeolite tuff for the removal of lead and nickel ions from aqueous solutions has been investigated under different conditions, namely zeolite particle size, initial solution pH, initial metal ion concentration, slurry concentration and solution temperature. Equilibrium data obtained have been found to fit both the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. It has been found that this zeolite (phillipsite) tuff is an efficient ion exchanger for removing both lead and nickel ions. Its removal capability is considerably higher for lead ions than for nickel ions under all conditions tested; however, the actual exchange capacities are far below the theoretical values. The finer the zeolite particles used, the higher the metal exchange capacity. An initial solution pH of 4·0 is favourable for obtaining high metal removal. © 1997 SCI.

Determination of the kinetic parameters during continuous cultivation of the lipase-producing thermophile Bacillus sp. IHI-91 on olive oil

Abstract: A thermostable lipase was produced in continuous cultivation of a newly isolated thermophilic Bacillus sp. strain IHI-91 growing optimally at 65 degrees C. Lipase activity decreased with increasing dilution rate while lipase productivity showed a maximum of 340 U l-1 h-1 at a condition rate of 0.4 h-1. Lipase productivity was increased by 50% compared to data from batch fermentations. Up to 70% of the total lipase activity measured was associated to cells and by-products or residual substrate. Kinetic and stoichiometric parameters for the utilisation of olive oil were determined. The maximal biomass output method led to a saturation constant Ks of 0.88 g/l. Both batch growth data and a washout experiment yielded a maximal specific growth rate, mu max, of 1.0 h-1. Oxygen uptake rates of up to 2.9 g l-1 h-1 were calculated and the yield coefficient, Y X/O, was determined to be 0.29 g dry cell weight/g O2. From an overall material balance the yield coefficient, Y X/S, was estimated to be 0.60 g dry cell weight/g olive oil.

Cultural meanings of childbirth: Muslim women living in Jordan.

Abstract: This descriptive, ethnographic study focuses on the experience of childbirth for Muslim women living in Jordan. Thirty-two childbearing women were interviewed in the early postpartum weeks. The audiotaped interviews were transcribed and translated. Themes were identified from the rich, narrative data. Motivations for having children, as well as what constitutes the motherhood feeling, were described. Themes also included the importance of relying on God or Allah for support in childbearing and child rearing. A strong sense of the spiritual dimensions of giving birth within women's traditional, religious, and cultural context was identified. Findings from this study provide insight into the meanings of childbirth for Muslim women living in Jordan. These meanings assist nurses in providing culturally competent care.

Synthesis and properties of a copper selective chelating resin containing a salicylaldoxime group

Abstract: A chelating ion-exchange phenol-formaldehyde polymer, poly(salicylaldoxime 3,5-diylmethylene) was synthesized and characterized. The sorption properties of the chelate-forming resin towards various divalent ions (Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Ni 2+ , Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ ) were studied by a static batch equilibration technique as a function of pH and contact time. The resin exhibited high selectivity towards Cu 2+ ions and showed fast rates of metal ion uptake, particularly for Cu 2+ which experienced >90% uptake in less than 1 h. In a dynamic column operation, it was demonstrated that the resin can be used for effective removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions.

The clinical patterns of arthritis in children with familial Mediterranean fever.

Abstract: We studied the clinical patterns of arthritis in 133 children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) over 5.5 years. Six clinical patterns were noted. The commonest was recurrent monoarticular arthritis as seen in 95 children (71%), mainly affecting the knee and ankle joints. This type followed two different courses: acute ( 1 month). In 18 (14%) children, both knee or ankle joints were simultaneously and symmetrically involved: here too the course was either acute or chronic. Five (4%) children developed symmetric polyarthritis similar to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Six (4%) children developed asymmetric oli-goarticular arthritis similar to acute rheumatic fever (ARF). The small joints of the hands (SJH) were involved in seven (5%) children, and the small joints of the feet in one. One child developed sacroiliitis similar to ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Between attacks, the joints were normal. Overall, outcome was good: residual damage of the hip joint occurred in one patient and of the shoulder in another. Although the clinical presentation and course of FMF arthritis are diverse, delineating these clinical patterns may help with earlier recognition and treatment. The low incidence of residual articular damage in this study may be related to the use of colchicine prophylaxis.

Pharmacological effects of selected flavonoids on rat isolated ileum : Structure-activity relationship

Abstract: 1. Eleven selected flavonoids were studied to evaluate their effects on the rat isolated ileum and to determine their structure-activity relationships. 2. The flavonoids rutin and 3',5,7-trihydroxy-4' methoxyflavone-7-rutinoside, which have a sugar moiety (O-rha-glu), had no significant effect on the ileum, indicating that the presence of sugar substitution reduces the biological activity of the flavonoids. 3. Nine other flavonoids caused inhibition of tonic and phasic contractions of the ileum with the following order of potency from highest to lowest: galangin, quercetin, chrysin, xanthomicrol, flavone, naringenin, fisetin, morin, and flavanone. 4. Flavones were more potent than flavanones, indicating that the double bond at carbon 2-3 increases the potency of the flavonoid. 5. Galangin, quercetin, chrysin, and xanthomicrol, which have hydroxyl substituents on carbon 3 and/or 5, showed higher potency than flavone, indicating that such hydroxyl groups are essential for the activity. 6. Galangin was more potent than quercetin, morin, and fisetin, suggesting that the hydroxyl substituents on ring B attenuate the potency. 7. Quercetin caused more potent relaxation of the ileum than morin, suggesting that the presence of a hydroxyl group at C-2' of ring B attenuates the myolytic activity.

Treatment of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome with cyclosporin A in children.

Abstract: Twenty-two children (15 boys, 7 girls), aged from 1 to 9 years (mean 4.6 years) at the onset of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) received cyclosporin A (CsA) because of steroid toxicity or failure to respond to steroids. CsA was given at an initial dose of 5 mg/kg body weight per day, and adjusted to maintain whole blood trough levels at 60 to 180 ng/ml (HPLC). The duration of treatment ranged between 4 and 33 months. In patients who responded to CsA, treatment was continued for 6-33 months (average 12 months). Treatment was stopped it found to be ineffective after four months. All patients had normal kidney function at the onset of CsA therapy. Of the 22 cases 10 were frequent-relapsing, steroid-responsive patients who suffered serious side effects of steroid therapy. Six steroid-responsive patients were dependent on high-dose prednisolone for maintenance of remission. Twelve patients were steroid-resistant (SRT), eight of them with mesangial hypercellularity (MES), three focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FS-GS), and one minimal change disease (MCD). Seventeen patients (77%) responded favorably to CsA, 13 of them with complete remission, three with partial response (two of whom had MES, and one steroid-resistant FSGS), and one relapsed while on CsA. Only five patients in the whole study group showed no response to CsA, two of them had steroid-resistant FS-GS, both of whom developed renal failure in follow-up, and the other three had MES. In conclusion, therapy with CsA may be helpful in resolving nephrotic syndrome in SRT patients. CsA can be used to maintain remission in frequently relapsing nephrotic children. Patients who respond to CsA may have a lasting remission after the cessation of therapy.

Effect of Eryngium creticum on the haemolytic activities of snake and scorpion venoms

Abstract: Aqueous and ethanol extracts of the fresh and dried leaves and roots of Eryngium creticum were tested for their inhibition against snake and scorpion venoms. The fresh leaf extract gave a higher percentage inhibition of the haemolytic activity of the scorpion venom Leiurus quinquesteiartus compared with the dried leaf extract. Extracts of both fresh and dried roots gave 100% inhibition of the snake and scorpion venoms. However, ethanol extracts of the leaves and roots enhanced RBC haemolysis rather than inhibiting venom activities on red blood cells. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The endemicity of Leishmania tropica (zymodeme MON-137) in the Eira-Yarqa area of Salt District, Jordan.

Abstract: The endemicity of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania tropica was ascertained in a focus of the disease around Eira and Yarqa in Salt District, Jordan. This focus is about 10 km to the east of another focus of CL, where L. major is the causative agent. As CL occurs sporadically in the study area, with nine cases diagnosed between 1993 and 1995, it is probably zoonotic. Each case had one or two lesions and most lesions were on the face. Isoenzymatic electrophoresis showed that all the parasites isolated in the Eira-Yarqa focus and identified to zymodeme level belonged to zymodeme MON-137 and therefore differed from all the L. tropica isolates identified in other regions of Jordan. Eight species of Phlebotomus (P. alexandri, P. major, P. sergenti, P. papatasi, P. perfiliewi, P. jacusieli, P. canaaniticus and P. arabicus), two members of the Sergentomyia dentata group and S. tiberiadis and S. taizi were collected in the focus, using castor-oil traps. The epidemiological significance of the sandflies collected is discussed.

On the contraceptive effect of castor beans

Abstract: Castor beans (Ricinus communis L., Euphorbiaceae) have been used traditionally by women in many countries for birth control. In order to verify the contraceptive effect of castor beans, adult female rabbits were treated orally with chunks of castor beans at the level of 7.5 mg/kg body weight daily for at least ten consecutive days. Mating with proven male rabbits was allowed after the last treatment. Treated and untreated (control) female rabbits were inspected for pregnancy, body weight, and any apparent side effects. The treatment resulted in a 4.3 fold decrease in pregnancy of treated female rabbits compared to the untreated control group. All treated female rabbits experienced transient mild diarrhea and loss of body weight. The inhibitory effect of castor beans on pregnancy was reversible. This observation was detected by remating four females who were treated with castor beans previously. Three of these rabbits became pregnant and delivered at term (after 32 days), whereas the fourth rabbit experien...

Mapping of the Familial Infantile Myasthenia (Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome Type Ia) Gene to Chromosome 17p with Evidence of Genetic Homogeneity

Abstract: Familial infantile myasthenia is an autosomal recessive disorder, recently classified as congenital myasthenic syndrome type Ia. Onset of symptoms is at birth to early childhood with significant myasthenic weakness and possible respiratory distress, followed later in life by symptoms of mild to moderate myasthenia. Thirty-six patients of 12 families, seven of them consanguineous, were used to map the familial infantile myasthenia gene. A combination of linkage search through the genome, DNA pooling and homozygosity mapping were employed resulting in the localisation of this disease locus to the telomeric region of chromosome 17p. A maximum lod score of 9.28 at theta = 0.034 was obtained between the disease locus and marker locus D17S1537. Haplotype analysis showed all families to be consistent with linkage to this region thus providing evidence for genetic homogeneity of familial infantile myasthenia. Multipoint linkage analysis mapped the disease gene in the approximately 4.0 cM interval between marker loci D17S1537 and D17S1298 with a maximum multipoint lod score of 12.07. Haplotype analysis and homozygosity by descent in affected individuals of the consanguineous families revealed results in agreement with the confinement of the familial infantile myasthenia region within the interval between marker loci D17S1537 and D17S1298.

Leeches in the larynx

Abstract: This is a report of two patients with leech inhalation. The first patient presented with severe attacks of inspiratory stridor, cyanosis and cough of five days duration. He had no fever. Indirect laryngoscopy revealed a black, smooth foreign body between the vocal folds. Lateral soft tissue X-ray of the neck revealed shadow involving the glottic and the subglottic areas of the larynx. Laryngoscopy under general anaesthesia showed a living leech. This was removed and the patient improved. The second patient presented with difficulty of breathing, dysphagia, and spitting of blood of two weeks duration. Indirect laryngoscopy revealed a brown foreign body in the larynx. Laryngoscopy under general anaesthesia showed a living leech. This was removed by forceps.

Effect of Varthemia iphionoides on blood glucose level of normal rats and rats with streptozocin-induced diabetes mellitus

Abstract: The use of plants for the treatment of patients with diabetes is common throughout the world. Varthemia iphionoides (Compositae) is widely distributed in Jordan, and its extract has been used in the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus. The present study investigates the effect of an aqueous extract of V iphionoides on blood glucose levels in 12 normal rats and 12 rats with streptozocin-induced diabetes mellitus. The aqueous extract of V iphionoides reduced mean ± SEM blood glucose levels in normoglycemic rats from 95.4 ± 6.2 mg/dL to 75.3 ± 7.9 mg/dL and to 63 ± 10 mg/dL 4 and 24 hours, respectively, after administration of the extract by gastric intubation. No changes in the blood glucose concentration of normoglycemic rats were noticed 1 hour after administration. Significant decreases in the blood glucose levels of the hyperglycemic rats were observed 1, 4, and 24 hours after administration of the plant extract (from 535.8 ± 15.5 mg/dL to 145.7 ± 33.4 mg/dL, 247.5 ± 40.1 mg/dL, and 345.1 ± 65.5 mg/dL, respectively). However, no significant dose-response relationship was observed in the hyperglycemic rats on administration of various doses of the plant extract. Study results show that an aqueous extract of V iphionoides has hypoglycemic properties that should be investigated further.