Sulaiman Md Dom

Ultrasound exposure during pregnancy affects rabbit foetal parathyroid hormone (PTH) level

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in parathyroid hormone (PTH) level of rabbit foetal bodies exposed to ultrasound at different gestational stages. A total of 9 pregnant rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were insonated for 60 minutes at the middle of 1(st), 2(nd) and 3(rd) gestational stages for group A (n=14 newborns), group B (n=7 newborns) and group C (n=24 newborns) respectively. Seven pregnant rabbits with 41 newborns severed as negative control group. Blood samples were withdrawn from each newborn rabbits for Parathyroid Hormone-Intact (PTH-I) test. Results of the independent samples t-test implied statistically significant differences (P<0.05) between the control group and the 1(st) stage (P=0.001), the 2(nd) stage (P<0.001) and the 3(rd) stage group (P<0.001). This in-vivo study revealed diagnostic ultrasound heating has the potential of affecting foetal PTH level. This study observed significantly low PTH level for all the treated groups. A further study should be instituted to determine whether this finding in rabbit may also occur in human by means of clinical trials.

Prenatal ultrasound heating impacts on fluctuations in haematological analysis of Oryctolagus cuniculus

Prenatal Ultrasound (US) is commonly used as a routine procedure on pregnant women. It is generally perceived as a safe procedure due to the use of non-ionizing radiation. However, the neurotoxicity of diagnostic prenatal US was detected to have a correlation with high susceptibility to early developing fetus. This research involved in vivo experimental model by using 3(rd) trimester pregnant Oryctolagus cuniculus and exposing them to US exposures for 30, 60, and 90 minutes at their gestational day (GD) 28-29. The output power and intensities, spatial peak temporal average intensity (ISPTA) of US were varied from 0.4 to 0.7 W and 0.13 to 0.19 W/cm(2) respectively were tested initially in free-field, water. Haematological analysis was carried out to detect any changes in blood constituents. Statistically significant differences were detected in red blood cell (RBC) count (P<0.001), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration (P<0.001) and also platelet (PLT) count (P<0.001) in newborn of Oryctolagus cuniculus. These findings indicate the possibility of US heating in causing defects on studied animal.

Improvement of spatial learning and memory, cortical gyrification patterns and brain oxidative stress markers in diabetic rats treated with Ficus deltoidea leaf extract and vitexin

Despite the fact that Ficus deltoidea and vitexin played important roles in controlling hyperglycemia, an effective mitigation strategy dealing with cognitive deficit observed in diabetes, little is known about its neuroprotective effects. The study is aimed to determine changes in behavioral, gyrification patterns and brain oxidative stress markers in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats following F. deltoidea and vitexin treatments. Diabetic rats were treated orally with metformin, methanolic extract of F. deltoidea leaves and vitexin for eight weeks. Morris water maze (MWM) test was performed to evaluate learning and memory functions. The patterns of cortical gyrification were subsequently visualized using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Quantification of brain oxidative stress biomarkers, insulin, amylin as well as serum testosterone were measured using a spectrophotometer. The brain fatty acid composition was determined using gas chromatography (GC). Biochemical variation in brain was estimated using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Results showed that oral administration of F. deltoidea extract and vitexin to diabetic rats attenuated learning and memory impairment, along with several clusters of improved gyrification. Both treatments also caused a significant increase in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) values, as well as a significant reduction of TBARS. Strikingly, improvement of cortical gyrification, spatial learning and memory are supported by serum testosterone levels, fatty acid composition of brain and FT-IR spectra.

Reliability of diaphragmatic mobility assessment: A systematic review

1 Neuro-Musculoskeletal and Pain Research Unit, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand 2 Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre of Physiotherapy, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor, Bandar Puncak Alam, Puncak Alam, Malaysia 3 Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre of Medical Imaging, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor, Bandar Puncak Alam, Puncak Alam, Malaysia 4 Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha University, Chennai, India

Investigation of Total Faulty Breathing Scale (TFBS) Using Visual Observation and Videogrammetry Methods

Background: Breathing pattern is one parameter that is currently proposed to be affected even in healthy subjects. However, most of the assessment techniques available for assessing breathing pattern have not been systematically evaluated. In this context, Total Faulty Breathing Scale (TFBS) is one of the assessment tools which can be used simply to assess breathing pattern. However, clinical applicability has not yet been established. The objective of this study was to investigate breathing pattern using TFBS on visual observation and video recording methods. Method: This was a cross-sectional study which was carried out on 24 healthy male subjects. The assessment of scoring system was carried out by an experienced physiotherapist using TFBS for both visual and videogrammetry methods. Results: The results of the study showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the score between visual and videogrammetry methods (p > 0.05). This signifies that TFBS of scoring can be used to assess the breathing pattern. Conclusions: Both visual and video recording methods can be used interchangeably for assessing breathing pattern using TFBS. This breathing scale is a potential tool for assessment of faulty breathing patterns in clinical practice.

Evaluation of the thermal effects of prenatal ultrasound on hematological analysis of young Oryctolagus cuniculus.

Elevated temperatures can induce changes in red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (PLT) counts. Ultrasound heating during obstetric scans has the potential to increase body temperature owing to the phenomenon of absorption. We conducted a study to determine the thermal effects of prenatal ultrasound on RBCs, hemoglobin concentration (Hb), WBCs and PLTs in young rabbits. We selected 69 rabbits that were 1 month of age and 73 that were 5 months of age, and allocated them to four groups. The control group consisted of four pregnant does that were allowed to have a full term delivery without any ultrasound exposure. The experimental groups were subjected to one-time ultrasound exposure for 30, 60 and 90 min in the middle of each gestational stage accordingly. RBCs and Hb showed significant reductions in the experimental groups of 1- and 5-month-old rabbits (P<0.05). In addition, WBCs and PLTs yielded significant differences in the 1-month group that were not observed in the 5-month group (P>0.05). The highest values recorded were those of the WBCs of 1-month-old subjects that received 90 min of exposure at the second stage of gestation. The PLTs were the lowest values recorded in 1-month-old subjects following 90 min of ultrasound exposure at the third stage of gestation. These findings suggest that hematological fluctuations during the early stages of postnatal life persisted until 1 month of age and recovered thereafter, as the subjects progressed into adulthood. Therefore, ultrasound heating can cause significant, yet reversible effects on the hematological parameters of rabbits.

Diagnostic ultrasound exposure during pregnancy potentially affects rabbit fetal parathyroid hormone level

Prenatal hyperparathyroidism (HPT) is one of the true emergency cases and capable of causing serious problems to the mother as well as the unborn baby. This in-vivo study was aimed to investigate the changes in parathyroid hormone (PTH) level of rabbit fetal bodies exposed to diagnostic ultrasound during pregnancy for varying duration of time. As compared to that of control, significantly low PTH levels were observed in the groups exposed for 30 and 60 minutes during pregnancy. This ultrasound heating effect could trigger further studies to look for any adverse effects and/or clinical benefits in human during fetal stage.