Identified in a recent S. mansoni genome sequencing and analysis study, our report is the first to measure nSMase enzymatic activity in Triton X-100-solubilized surface membrane (Sup 1) and whole worm soluble (SWAP) molecules of male and female Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium. Neutral, but no acidic, sphingomyelinase activity was readily detectable by the Amplex Red Sphingomyelinase Assay, and increased with incubation time and protein amount. Like nSMase family members, the schistosome nSMase activity was significantly (P < 0.05 - < 0.0001) enhanced by unsaturated fatty acids and phosphatidyl serine and significantly (P < 0.01) decreased following exposure to the nSMase specific inhibitor GW4869. Peptides based on the published sequence of S. mansoni putative nSMase and used in a multiple antigen peptide form induced the generation of specific antibodies, which readily bound to the immunogen and to the cognate protein in Sup 1 and SWAP. Immunofluorescence studies suggested the parasite nSMase is located in the worm tegument and gut lining. Studies using RNA interference are in progress to define nSMase role in larval and adult worm surface membrane antigen exposure and unsaturated fatty acid-mediated attrition.

Background: Obesity is very common worldwide and is related to critical morbidity and mortality. It has a large number of impacts on the human body. Constipation has a prevalence from 4% to 29% in various parts of the world and is considered to be a major health problem, with an estimated incidence of 5% in males and 15% in females. There is a strong association between obesity and constipation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of physical activity and a low-calorie diet on constipation in middle-aged obese women.

Methods: This study included 125 obese women (age 20-40 years) who had chronic constipation. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A included 62 women who received a suggested protocol of physical activity, a low-calorie diet, and the routine standard care for constipation, whereas Group B included 63 women who received only the standard medical care for constipation and a low-calorie diet. Both groups followed the program for 12 weeks. Changes in the Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC-SYM) and Patient Assessment Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) scores, and in the body mass index (BMI) were recorded in study subjects, both at baseline and at the end of the study program.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the baseline characteristics of patients in the two groups. After 12 weeks of intervention, both groups showed significant intra-group differences ( < 0.05) in all of the measured variables, except the BMI which showed a nonsignificant difference ( > 0.05) in Group B. Between-groups comparison showed significant differences ( < 0.05) in all of the measured parameters in favor of Group A.

Conclusion: Physical activity and weight reduction improve PAC-SYM and PAC-QOL scores in middle-aged, premenopausal women with constipation in the short term (up to 12 weeks).

Background: Alfuzosin is recently co-formulated with solifenacin for relieving two coincident urological diseases, namely; benign prostate hyperplasia and overactive bladder. Objective: Herein, green, simple and rapid spectrophotometric methods were firstly developed for simultaneous determination of the two cited drugs in their co-formulated pharmaceutical capsule. Methods: Alfuzosin, which is the major component in the dosage form, was directly assayed at its extended wavelength at 330.0 nm. The challenging spectrum of the minor component, solifenacin, was resolved by five spectrophotometric methods, namely; dual wavelength (DW) at 210.0 & 230.0 nm, first derivative (1D) at 222.0 nm, ratio difference (RD) at 217.0 - 271.0 nm , derivative ratio (1DD) at 223.0 and mean centering of ratio spectra (MC) at 217.0 nm. Results: The Proposed methods were successfully validated as per ICH guidelines. Alfuzosin showed linearity over the range of 4.0 - 70.0 μg/mL, while that of solifenacin were 4.0 - 50.0 μg/mL for DW, 2.0 - 70.0 μg/mL for 1D and RD methods, 1.0 - 70.0 μg/mL for 1DD and 4.0 - 70.0 μg/mL for MC method. Statistical comparison with their official ones showed no noticeable differences. The methods showed good applicability for assaying drugs in their newly combination. Besides eco-scale, the greenness profile of the methods was assessed and compared with the reported spectrophotometric one via the newest metric tool; green analytical procedure index (GAPI). Conclusions: The proposed methods are superior in not only being smart, accurate, selective, robust and time-saving, but also in using distilled water as an eco-friendly and cheap solvent

Purpose to investigate the effect of Kinesio® Tex Taping on pain and physical tolerance post laporoscopic abdominal surgery. Subjects& Methods: 65 Patients with recent abdominal surgeries were recruited and randomly divided into 2 groups: the study group (n= 32), received kinesiology taping applied immediately postoperatively and changed every 48 hours until the 8th day postoperatively in addition to the standard postoperative care. While the control group (n= 33) received the standard postoperative care only. The measurements of pain numerical rating scale, visual analogue scale, and 2 minutes’ walk test were taken after the first, third and eighth days. While, patient’s global impression of change was taken only at the eighth day. Results: both study and control groups revealed a highly significant differences of the first 3 parameters between the first& third and third & eight days (P< 0.05). Between groups, the first day showed that there was non-significant difference. The third and eighth days showed highly significant differences (P< 0.05). Patient’s global impression of change showed a highly significant difference between the study and control groups on the eight’s day (P< 0.005). Conclusion: the data suggest that the kinesio taping is very effective in treating postoperative abdominal pain.