Background: Tobacco smoking is a major health issue worldwide. In addition to several health problems, smoking can also cause buccal cavity ulcers and buccal cavity cancer in case of chronic smoking. Tobacco smoking may also lead to deranged morphology of red blood cells (RBCs), which results in reduced oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.Aim: (a) To investigate and compare the changes in the RBC morphology of smokers and nonsmokers. (b) To investigate and compare the normal buccal flora of smokers and nonsmokers.Methodology: A total of 81 men were included in the study. Study population was divided into two groups: group 1; smokers (n = 50) and group 2; nonsmokers, which served as control (n = 31). After informed written consent from the study participants, a 5 mL of venous blood was drawn under sterile conditions for complete blood analysis and RBC morphology. Samples from buccal cavity were collected by cotton swab and cultured in sterile petri dishes to identify the bacterial growth. Data of RBC morphology and buccal microbiota were compared between smokers and nonsmokers.Results: Buccal microflora results showed heavy growth in smokers compared with nonsmokers. Mean values of RBCs, Platelets, WBCs, HGB (hemoglobin), and MCV (mean corpuscular volume) did not differ between smokers and nonsmokers. Mean red cell distribution (RDW) width significantly was lower in smokers than nonsmokers. Macrocytic RBCs was more in smokers (60%) compared with nonsmokers (4%).Conclusions: Our results showed an increase in the percentage of macrocytic RBCs and a decrease in the red cell distribution width (RDW) in smokers compared with nonsmokers. Buccal Microflora was significantly higher in smoker group in contrast to nonsmoker group.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema is an important inflammatory chronic skin disease that brings many complications in its management and treatment. Although several chemical agents are used for treatment, the search for better anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents of plant origin has been ongoing, since natural compounds, it is commonly believed, are less dangerous than synthetic ones. Therefore, the present study explored a medicinal plant—Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.—for its anti-inflammatory activity alone and in combination with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), diclofenac. The plant extract was used to make a cream formulation for treating atopic dermatitis and as an antibacterial agent against Staphylococcus aures, the major infectious agent associated with AD. The phytochemical analysis of the E. prostrata extract showed the presence of various phytochemicals, including flavonoids, Tannin, saponin, terpenoids, glycosides, phenol, alkaloids, quinone, and protein. The GC-MS profiling of methanolic E. prostrata extract was performed predicted the presence of twenty important phytochemicals, including 2-[5-(2-Hydroxypropyl) oxolan-2-yl]propanoic acid, dl-Menthol, dodecane, undecane, 4,7-dimethyl-, dodecane, 2,6,10-trimethyl-, decane, 2,3,5,8-tetramethyl-, cholest-5-en-3-ol, (3.alpha.)-, TMS derivative, cyclopropane carboxylic acid, 1-hydroxy-, (2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenyl) ester, alpha.-farnesene, propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-ethyl-1-propyl-1,3-propanediyl ester, diethyl phthalate, corticosterone, 2-methylpropionate, hentriacontan-13-ol, O-TMS, phthalic acid, 2,4-dimethylpent-3-yl dodecyl ester, hexasiloxane, 1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7,9,9,11,11-dodecamethyl-, acetic acid, 4-t-butyl-4-hydroxy-1,5-dimethyl-hex-2-ynyl ester, octadecane, 2-methyl- octacosane, 1-iodo-, nonacosane, and eicosyl isopropyl ether. Using an egg albumin denaturation inhibition assay, the anti-inflammatory activities of E. prostrata alone and in combination with diclofenac were investigated, and they showed 93% and 99% denaturation inhibition at 5 mg concentration of E. prostrata in alone and combination with diclofenac, respectively. Heat-induced haemolysis showed 2.5% and 2.4% of haemolysis at 5 mg of E. prostrata alone and in combination with diclofenac, respectively. An MTT assay performed using L₉₂₉ cells proved that the extract has no cytotoxic effect. The plant extract displayed potential antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus; the growth was inhibited at 1 mg/mL of E. prostrata extract. Thus, based on this evidence, the authors suggest that E. prostrata extract should be studied further for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities and topical application in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Phytocompounds from Saudi Medicinal Plant Ziziphus nummularia against Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) Causing Atopic Dermatitis (AD)

Variation in the morphology of the extensor pollicis longus muscle is very rare. The muscle is considered as one of the deep group of dorsal forearm muscles. It passes through the dorsal radiocarpal ligament in a detached compartment. It inserts at the base of the distal phalanx of the thumb. The muscle might have double tendons where they run either in one, or in separate compartments. In this study, we report an extremely rare condition for a 38-year-old male where some of the tendon fibers split at the base of the proximal phalanx and the two tendons insert at the sides of the base of the distal phalanx. We also noticed a high range of hyperextension where the action was painless and showed no sign of discomfort. We believe that the way the tendons get inserted might have a role in this wide range of extension.

The anatomical variations of superior mesenteric artery branches are common. In this study we reported an extra ordinary morphology and branching of superior mesenteric artery, during our routine dissection of a 38-year-old Sudanese male cadaver, where the superior mesenteric artery forms an arch over the confluence of inferior vena cava and left renal vein. Other variations observed were: 1) The superior mesenteric artery shares the same origin of celiac trunk; 2) The unusual origin of right hepatic artery. We think that the knowledge of these variations plays an important role in conducting and planning of radiological and surgical procedures especially in Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic(HPB) Surgery. Morphology and branching patterns of this artery is anecdotic, which makes this case the most unique. The anatomical variations of superior mesenteric artery branches are common. In this study we reported an extra ordinary morphology and branching of superior mesenteric artery, during our routine dissection of a 38-year-old Sudanese male cadaver, where the superior mesenteric artery forms an arch over the confluence of inferior vena cava and left renal vein. Other variations observed were: 1) The superior mesenteric artery shares the same origin of celiac trunk; 2) The unusual origin of right hepatic artery. We think that the knowledge of these variations plays an important role in conducting and planning of radiological and surgical procedures especially in Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic(HPB) Surgery. Morphology and branching patterns of this artery is anecdotic, which makes this case the most unique.

Asthma, the respiratory disorder associated with bronchial hyper-responsiveness, affected 300 million people across the globe, with a prevalence of 4.05% in Saudi Arabia and causing 61.6% of hospital emergency room annual visits. Increased side effects of conventional drugs demand the necessity for the development of natural drugs. In this study, an herbal composite from Bacopa monnieri and Euphorbia hirta was prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. In vitro bacterial inhibition and anti-asthmatic activity were evaluated using animal models. Ethanolic herbal composite (EHC) showed significant anti-pathogenic activities. GC-MS analysis identified potential bioactive compounds and FT-IR analysis revealed functional groups corresponding to plant composites. The EHC increased the preconvulsive time against 1% histamine aerosol compared to control animals. In sensitized + EHC-treated animals, total leukocyte, eosinophil, lymphocyte, neutrophil, and monocyte counts were found to be reduced as compared to sensitized and control groups. EHC decreased malondialdehyde and bicarbonate levels denoting the reduced oxidative burden and increased the antioxidant activity by increased intracellular glutathione (GSH) level. The EHC-treated group showed decreased inflammatory cell infiltration compared to the sensitized. A significant anti-asthmatic effect was observed in the EHC-treated group ( P < 0.05). Thus, herbal composites are used in the treatment of asthma and can be used as an alternative to commercially available pharmaceutical drugs.