OBJECTIVEToxic metal ions have been implicated in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). Metallothionines (MT) and plant flavonoids have been reported in the intervention against oxidative damage. We investigated the effect of zinc induced MT and green tea polyphenol (GTP) in reducing the oxidative responses induced by nickel and platinum.

METHODSZinc (10 mg/kg b. wt, sc) was administered to rats twice at a gap of 24 hrs and GTP (10 mg/100 mL in drinking water) was fed ad libitum for 8 days. Nickel chloride (150 umol/kgb.wt, ip) and cisplatin (50 mumol/kg b.wt, sc) was administered to rats 24 h after Zn or GTP pre-treatment. Animals of all the groups were sacrificed 16 hrs after treatment and biochemical markers for toxicity were monitored.

RESULTSZinc or GTP pre-treatment caused significant protection against nickel or cisplatin enhanced mortality in rats, and reduction in lipid peroxidation and NO.

CONCLUSIONIt is proposed that inhibition of ROS and NO by GTP and zinc may prove useful as a selective pharmacological agent in the amelioration of metal toxicity.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Biomarkers ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Flavonoids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Metallothionein ; metabolism ; Mortality ; Nickel ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Phenols ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Polyphenols ; Rats ; Tea ; chemistry ; Time Factors ; Zinc ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

A novel strain of coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019. It is the causative agent of a respiratory disease known as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). On 12th March 2020, it was declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. The aim of the study was to study the impact of MCO in terms of the academic performance and finance on the student population and to measure the level of knowledge, attitude and practice towards prevention of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) among a private university students in Malaysia. On 22nd April until 30th April 2020, a cross-sectional study using a convenient sampling method was conducted among 401 students using a self-administered online questionnaire survey. It was found that 272 (67.8%) of the respondents had a less negative impact of MCO while 129 (32.3%) of the respondent had a more negative impact of MCO. The findings show also 229 respondents (57.1%) have adequate knowledge. As for the attitude, about 237 respondents (59.1%) have an adequate attitude and only 191 respondents (47.6%) have adequate practice towards the prevention of COVID-19. There was a significant relationship between knowledge, attitude, and practice with family income, a significant relationship between knowledge and practice, a significant relationship between knowledge and attitude, a sig. relationship between knowledge, attitude, practice with university faculties, the relationship between knowledge and source of information. The MCO showed significant association with knowledge level and with practice, also MCO was less negatively impact on the medical faculty students with p-value 0.004. The MCO was more negatively impacting those with less family income. The study findings concluded that the majority of the participants had a fair level of knowledge, attitude, and a lesser level of good practice towards the prevention of COVID-19. However, the COVID-19 is still considered a global pandemic and has not resolved yet. Therefore, to minimize the risk of future COVID-19 cases current efforts to educate the public towards knowledge, attitude, and practice towards prevention of COVID-19 in public health should be done.

Introduction: Ankle arthrodesis using the Ilizarov technique provides high union rate with the added benefits of early weight-bearing, and the unique advantage of its ability to promote regeneration of soft tissue around the bone, including skin, muscle and neuro-vascular structures, and its versatility to allow correction of the position of the foot by adjusting the frame post-operatively as needed. We describe our experience with this technique and the functional outcomes in our patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in 20 ankle fusion cases using the Ilizarov method between the years 2007 and 2017. We defined success in treatment by loss of preoperative symptoms and radiological union on plain radiographs of the ankle. Results: Fusion was achieved in all patients (100%). Immediate post-operative ambulation was with full weight bearing (FWB) in 16 (83%) of the participants and non-weight bearing (NWB) in 3 patients (17%). Postprocedure 11 patients (67%) of the participants who were full weight bearing required some form of support for walking for 2-3 weeks. Post-operatively three patients had pin tract infection requiring intravenous antibiotics. Radiological union took range of 6-12 weeks, mean union time was 8 weeks. Only one patient required bone grafting due to bone loss. Average follow-up period was 10-45 months. Conclusion: The Ilizarov technique has a high union rate and leads to general favourable clinical outcome and may be considered for any ankle arthrodesis but is especially useful in complex cases such as for revisions, soft-tissue compromise, infection and in patients with risk for non-union. Early weight bearing is an extra benefit.

Diabetic foot requires careful attention and coordinated management by a dedicated team. Screening, prevention, adequate assessment, and appropriate referral are crucial to prevent complications. Multimodal treatment and rehabilitation are recommended to ensure a better quality of life and reduction of amputation rate in people with diabetic foot.