75 research outputs found
Inhaled nitric oxide for acute asthma
No full text[No abstract available]Chipps BE, 2005, J PEDIATR, V147, P288, DOI 10.1016-j.jpeds.2005.04.052; DUPUY PM, 1992, J CLIN INVEST, V90, P421, DOI 10.1172-JCI115877; Nakagawa TA, 2000, J PEDIATR, V137, P119, DOI 10.1067-mpd.2000.106232; Rishani R, 1999, PEDIATR PULM, V28, P451, DOI 10.1002-(SICI)1099-0496(199912)28:6451::AID-PPUL123.0.CO;2-022
The economic geology of the quartz sands as raw materials for the glass industry in Lebanon - Layla Khalaf
No full textThesis (M.S.)-- American University of Beirut, Dept. of Geology, 1986.;"Advisor: Mohamad Khawlie, Associate Professor, Geology- Member of Committee: M. Mroueh Nizar Aker, Lecturer, Geology."Bibliography: leaves 115-118.The mineral industry of Lebanon is quite important to the economy, and its glass industry is a prominent one. The white quartz sands, the main raw materials for this industry, however, are not yet properly evaluated. The major glass manufacturing center
Evaluation of heavy metals content in dietary supplements in Lebanon
No full textAbstract Background The consumption of dietary supplements is widely spread and on the rise. These dietary supplements are generally used without prescriptions, proper counseling or any awareness of their health risk. The current study aimed at analyzing the metals in 33 samples of imported dietary supplements highly consumed by the Lebanese population, using 3 different techniques, to ensure the safety and increase the awareness of the citizen to benefit from these dietary supplements. Results Some samples had levels of metals above their maximum allowable levels (Fe: 24%, Zn: 33%, Mn: 27%, Se: 15%, Mo: 12% of samples), but did not pose any health risk because they were below permitted daily exposure limit and recommended daily allowance except for Fe in 6% of the samples. On the other hand, 34% of the samples had Cu levels above allowable limit where 18% of them were above their permitted daily exposure and recommended daily allowance. In contrast, all samples had concentration of Cr, Hg, and Pb below allowable limits and daily exposure. Whereas, 30% of analyzed samples had levels of Cd above allowable levels, and were statistically correlated with Ca, and Zn essential minerals. Similarly 62% of the samples had levels of As above allowable limits and As levels were associated with Fe and Mn essential minerals. Conclusion Dietary supplements consumed as essential nutrients for their Ca, Zn, Fe and Mn content should be monitored for toxic metal levels due to their natural geochemical association with these essential metals to provide citizens the safe allowable amounts.</p
Hepatoprotective activity of Centaurium erythraea on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats
No full textThe methanol extract of the leaves of Centaurium erythraea L. (Gentianaceae) was evaluated for hepatoprotective activity against acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity in rats. An oral dose of 300 mg/kg/day for 6 days or a single dose of 900 mg/kg for 1 day exhibited a significant protective effect by lowering serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The activity of the extract was supported by histopathological examination of liver sections. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.PublishedN/
Cytochrome P450 2D6 polymorphism in white Lebanese population
No full textObjective: Genetic, environmental, physiological and pathophysiological factors contribute to the interindividual variability in drug metabolism and response. Among the different cytochromes responsible for drug disposition, cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is a polymorphic enzyme accountable for the clearance of 25% to 30% of medications used including cardiovascular and neuroactive drugs. Severe clinical implications can result from CYP2D6 polymorphism, hence the significance of studying the incidence of different phenotypes in the white Lebanese population.
Methods: A 30-mg dose of dextromethorphan hydrobromide was administered to 156 volunteers. Urine samples were collected 8 hours after dextromethorphan administration then stored at -80[degrees]C until analysis for dextromethorphan levels and its metabolites using a sensitive, simple high-performance liquid chromatography assay.
Results: The distribution frequency histogram of CYP2D6 metabolic ratios (MRs) showed a bimodal distribution with a gap between the metabolic ratios of 0.14 and 0.31 corresponding to log MR between -0.85 and -0.51. This gap correlates well with the antimode of MR=0.3 reported by previous studies in white populations. Sixteen subjects were classified as poor metabolizers accounting for 10.25% of the whole population sample with metabolic ratios ranging from 0.31 to 25.77; in contrast, 140 (89.75%) volunteers were found to be extensive metabolizers exhibiting MRs between 0.000439 and 0.139.
Conclusions: The findings demonstrated the presence of a high proportion of CYP2D6 poor metabolizers in the white Lebanese population and hence the significance of potential clinical implications in these subjects.PublishedN/
The role of methanolic extract of Quercus infectoria bark in lipemia, glycemia, gastric ulcer and bacterial growth
No full textNowadays, the surge of consumption of herbal supplements is encouraged by several factors, including the common belief that all herbal products are relatively safe and effective. The present investigation explores the effects of methanolic extract of Quercus infectoria bark upon rat blood lipid profile, glycemia, inflammation, gastric ulcer and bacterial growth. After one month of chronic extract (0.5% w/v) intake via drinking water, there was a significant increase in serum HDL-cholesterol level. This was accompanied with an increase in both serum glucose and insulin levels. No significant changes were observed in other lipid parameters studied. Liver enzyme activities as well as urea and creatinine levels were not negatively affected. Extract at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight exhibited substantial anti-inflammatory effects in cases of acute and chronic inflammation induced by carrageenan and formalin respectively. Pre-treatment of fasted rats with the extract (100 and 500 mg/kg body weight) also demonstrated significant protection against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer. Antibacterial activity against Proteus mirabilis, Citrobacter braaki, and Staphylococcus aureus methicillin resistant and sensitive was also noticed. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the methanolic extract of Q. infectoria bark provides an inexpensive and powerful source of herbal supplement used to treat various conditions.PublishedN/
A reappraisal of the clinical efficacy of nebulized flunisolide in pediatric asthma: The Italian experience
No full textFlunisolide (FLU) is a synthetic corticosteroid with potent topical anti-inflammatory activity. Its oral bioavailability is poor (6.7percent). After gastrointestinal and lung absorption, the drug undergoes rapid and extensive first-pass metabolism by the liver to an inactive 6β-hydroxylated metabolite. Plasma half-life is estimated to be 3.9 to 4.6 hours. FLU has a low volume of distribution at steady state and a short terminal half-life after inhalation (96 L and 1.6 hour, respectively). FLU, like budesonide, has a short pulmonary residence time and it is hypothesized that it may undergo esterification in the cell due to the presence of a free hydroxyl group at C21. Nebulization may offer important advantages over other inhalation methods. Nebulizers allow drug delivery in very young children through passive inhalation, depending less on patient coordination and cooperation. Comparative studies indicate that FLU is nebulized to a better advantage than beclomethasone dipropionate and budesonide. This is attributed to its elevated water solubility. The aim of this article is to outline the factors that influence drug nebulization and the pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics of FLU compared to other inhaled corticosteroids. In addition, we report a series of clinical data regarding the efficacy of nebulized FLU with focus on the Italian experience. Overall, the physicochemical characteristics and pharmacokinetic profile of FLU favor its use for nebulization. Clinical data indicate that nebulized FLU is effective in asthma treatment in infants and children. Side effects were not reported at the commonly used doses. 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The Potential Role of Daucus carota Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts on Inflammation and Gastric Ulcers in Rats
No full textDaucus carota (DC) is among commonly used plants in folk medicine in Lebanon and the region. The present investigation was undertaken to examine the effects of the aqueous and extracts of Daucus carota umbels against acute and chronic inflammation, gastric ulcer and antibacterial activity on rats. The effects of DC aqueous extract (DCAE) on glycemia, lipemia, hepatic, renal and pancreatic function were also examined. Results on acute inflammation showed that the aqueous and methanolic extracts (DCME) produced maximum anti-inflammatory activity at doses of 400 and 140 mg/kg body weight with 90.9 and 58.6 % inhibition, respectively. In chronic inflammation, the same doses showed maximum anti-inflammatory activity with 58 and 44.1 % inhibition, respectively. DCME showed significant protection against ethanol induced gastric ulcer with a curative ratio of 46.8 and 68.7%, respectively, at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight. None of the extracts showed significant antibacterial activity. DCAE intake (250 mg/kg body weight) for one month period did not show adverse effects on lipemia, glycemia, hepatic and liver function except for a slight decrease in HDL cholesterol (p<0.05). In conclusion, both DCAE and DCME exhibited promising anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic potentials while showing no negative influence on liver, kidney and pancreas function.PublishedN/
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