Effect of heavy cigarette and water pipe smoking on antioxidants and lipids in Sudanese male smokers: a case-control study

Background: Tobacco smoking is a source of many toxins such as free radicals, mutagenic substances as well as cause for developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), particularly atherosclerosis. This study aims to assess the impact of smoking on antioxidants in Sudanese male smokers. Methods: Cases were 85 and 48 men who smoke cigarettes (CS) and water pipe (WPS) respectively and they were compared with matching 50 non-smoking controls. Blood samples were collected and following parameters: Glutathione peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase, Total cholesterol, Triglyceride, LDL, HDL, Paraoxinase, and Malondialdehyde were measured. Results: There were no significant differences in biochemical parameters between light CS and WPS compared to controls. In heavy smokers of both WPS and CS, the TC, TG, LDL, and MDA were higher than controls (p>0.05), GPx, SOD, HDL, and PON were lower in smokers than controls (p>0.05). In both groups of smokers, HDL, GPx, SOD, and PON were inversely correlated with duration of smoking (p>0.05), also, HDL was positively correlated with SOD and GPx (p>0.05). Moreover, GPx and SOD were correlated with each other in both groups of smokers (p>0.05). Conclusion: In Sudanese male smokers' biochemical profile disturbances suggest that heavy smoking was leading to developing CVD, particularly WPS

Early prediction of acute kidney injury in patients with acute on chronic liver failure by measuring kidney injury Molecule-1 level in Urine at Zagazig University Hospitals

Background and study aim: Some of patients with decompensated cirrhosis will exhibit newly developed acute liver failure. This condition is called acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common with ACLF. Kidney injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1) is an ideal biomarker of AKI. The aim of this study was to evaluate role of KIM-1 in prediction of AKI in ACLF patients. Patients and Methods: Eighty four patients were included in this study. They were selected from hospitalized patients with acute decompensated cirrhosis. They were allocated into two groups; group I: patients with no acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), group II: patients with ACLF. Results: KIM-1 was significantly higher in the ACLF (group II). KLM-1 median was 2.4 in group I vs 7.35 in group II with p value <0.001. We found that at cut off value of ≥0.5 KLM-1 can predict the presence of AKI with sensitivity of 85.7%, specificity 88.1%, positive predictive value 87.8%, negative predictive value 86%, accuracy 86.9% and AUC= 0.867 p <0.001. Conclusion: KLM-1 rises significantly in patients with ACLF. KLM-1 can be reliable in prediction of the presence of acute kidney injury in decompensated cirrhosis

Patients risk factors as predictors of surgical wound infection following open heart surgery

Background: Median sternotomy wound infections are infrequent yet potentially fatal complication following cardiac surgery. The reported incidence of sternal infections ranges from 0.9 to 20%, and the incidence of mediastinitis is 1­2% in most studies. Several studies have examined and identified possible causes and risk factors associated with sternal infections. They include patient-related risk factors, and procedure-related factors. Aim of the study is the assessment of the patient's risk factors related to incidence of infection. Patients and Methods: ninety-eight cardiac surgery patients operated via median sternotomy were included in the study and the role of patient related factors (age, gender, obesity and diabetes mellitus) in the incidence of postoperative superficial and deep sternal wound infection was accessed. Results: Sternal wound infection (SWI) developed in 18 patients (18.36%). 15 patients (15.3%) had superficial SWI while 3 patients (3.06%) had deep SWI. The most common causative organism in our study was staph. aureus especially MRSA.Conclusion: Patient-related risk factors such as age, gender, obesity and diabetes mellitus are important risk factors in the development sternal wound infection

Left ventricular function as an independent prognostic factor for coronary artery bypass surgery

Background : Studies have suggested that patients with severe impairment of left ventricular function had a poor outcome following CABG surgery. Objectives: Evaluation of the role of pre-operative left ventricular function on the early post-operative mortality and morbidity following CABG. Patients and methods: This study was carried out from August 2016 to January 2017 including 40 patients undergoing CABG surgery. Patients were divided into two equal groups each containing 20 patients. Group A contained 20 patients with pre-operative ejection fraction > 50%, while group B contained 20 patients with pre-operative ejection fraction < 50%. Results: Mortality was 2 patients in group A (10%) compared to 5 patients in group B (25%) (P value = 0.031). The mean ICU stay in group A was 3.29 ± 1.49 days compared to 4.22 ± 1.98 days in group B (P value = 0.028). Pre-operative renal dysfunction improved in 2 patients (10%) from group A, compared to 1 patient (5%) in group B (P value = 0.555). Conclusion: Left ventricular function as an independent factor is a good prognostic factor regarding the early postoperative outcome in coronary artery bypass grafting including mortality, operative times, ICU stay and hospital stay

Incisional negative pressure wound therapy (INPWT) for coronary artery bypass grafting patients

Background: Surgical site infections are major complications of coronary artery bypass grafting using bilateral internal thoracic arteries. In this study we reviewed the results of using INPWT for high risk patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using bilateral internal mammary arteries. Patients and methods: From January 2013 to December 2016, patients with coronary artery bypass grafting using bilateral mammary arteries were enrolled in this study. Patients were from Kasr El-Einy, Beni-Suef and Fayoum University Hospitals. The total number was 427 patients, where INPWT was used in 161 patient, and conventional sterilized dressing was done in 266 patients. 2 groups were matched for statistical analysis, the first group was the control and the second group was where INPWT was used. Results: The results related to sternal wound infections were similarly attributed to the conventional group (10.9%) and the INPWT group (10.2%) (P=1.00). Patients treated with INPWT had less rate of infection than those with conventional dressing (5.5% versus 10.2%, P= 0.210), this difference was not statistically significant. Interaction tests also showed comparable results for SSI (surgical site infections) among patients with or without significant co-morbidities. Conclusion: This study suggests that the use of INPWT did not decrease the incidence of sternal wound infections in patients who had CABG surgery using bilateral internal mammary harvesting (BIMA). A larger randomized study is needed to evaluate the efficacy of this technique

Vestibular assessment in chronic noise exposure subjects

Background: The damaging effect of noise on vestibular disturbance is well known, first described in 1890 by Haberman in tinkers with occupational hearing loss. Others have reported vestibular disturbances and abnormalities, such as balance disorders, dizziness, vertigo, and even spontaneous nystagmus in workers exposed to various kinds of occupational noise. Objective: To evaluate vestibular function in subjects with chronic noise exposure.Subjects and methods: Eighty subjects were included in the study, divided into 2 groups: 60 subjects exposed to noise in laundry with mean age 41.53±11.15 (study group) and 20 subjects not exposed to noise with mean age 38.60±6.48 (Control group). All subjects underwent audiovestibular evaluations (puretone audiometry, tympanometry, vedionystagmography, and posturography).Results: This study demonstrated elevated hearing threshold at audiometric frequencies 2-8 KHz (pv <0.001) and speech discrimination (pv <0.001). in addition, marked caloric weakness and reduced SOT composite scores (pv = <0.001), reduced SOT equilibrium scores in noise exposure subjects (pv<0.001), reduced SOT sensory scores in VEST and PREF (Pv <0.001). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between duration of exposure and auditory and vestibular implications. Conclusion: this study revealed apparent effect of noise on auditory and vestibular system

Assessment of musculoskeletal ultrasound guided injection of the new regenerative medicine techniques (neural prolotherapy and platelet rich plasma) impact versus well established techniques (steroid injection) in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic rheumatic disease characterized by symmetrical, often erosive and deforming poly-arthritis with extra-articular manifestations in 10­20% of patients, especially those with high titers of rheumatoid factor. Extra articular pathology includes bursitis, tendonitis and neuritis, which results from entrapment, nerve ischemia due to vasculitis or drugs used to treat this condition. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compression neuropathy associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Aim of the Work: To evaluate the efficacy of Neural Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma in treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to rheumatoid arthritis. Patients and Methods: Ninety patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) that were all fulfilling the 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for RA. All were over the age of sixteen years at time of diagnosis, complaining of burning pain or paresthesia in the median nerve distribution of the hand. They were recruited from Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department at Al-Hussein and Sayed Galal University Hospitals during the period from December 2018 to July 2019. Results: Neural Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) have improved all measured parameters like visual analogue scale (VAS), nerve conduction studies and neuromuscular ultrasonography parameters in carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion: Neural Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma proved to be effective treatments of carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to rheumatoid arthritis

Estimation of the prophylactic effect of the egyptian propolis extract against aluminum silicate toxicity on some organs of albino rats growth performance and histochemical studies

Background: the liver is a critical organ because it contains most of the accumulated metals where toxic effects can expected. Also, the lung is directly affected by receiving aluminum as aluminum silicate. Exposure of aluminum leads to production of free radicals that damage living organs and tissues. Aim of the work: this study aimed to evaluate the nucleic acid content in liver, lung and cerebellum tissues intoxicated by aluminum silicate (AlS) and the possible ameliorative effect of propolis extract (PP). Material and methods: Forty male albino rats (weighting 100-120 grams) were categorized randomly into four groups, ten rats on each group (n=10). The 1st group considered as the healthy control group. The 2nd group received 200 ml PP/kg b.wt., day after day by stomach gavage. The 3rd group was injected intraperitoneally by 20 mg AlS/kg b.wt., twice weekly. The 4th group was treated with AlS in addition to PP as the same doses as in the 2nd and 3rd groups. After two months for each group. Liver, lung and cerebellum organs were harvested. Results: decreased body weight gain of rats was realized with weakly stained nucleic acids contents in liver, lung and cerebellum tissues that intoxicated by AlS. While, using the supplemented treatment (PP) at the same time with the induction of AlS compound showed an ameliorative effect on the nucleic acid contents. Conclusion: propolis has anti-oxidant by inhibiting AlS toxicity on nucleic acids in the different experimental organs of rats

Correlation between dyslipidiemia and the severity of coronary artery disease using SYNTAX scoring system

Background: the relationship between hyperlipidiemia and an increased risk of coronary heart disease has been well documented and has served as a motivating factor for research into lipoproteins structure, function and metabolism. Many epidemiological studies have revealed that chronically elevated lipid and cholesterol levels are associated with an increased incidence of atherosclerosis. Dyslipidemia together with hypertension and diabetes is major modifiable risk factors for atherosclerotic disease and the subsequent development of cardiovascular events. Dyslipidemia is known to be an independent predictor for cardiovascular events, other risk factors including family history, hypertension, tobacco use, age, sex and diabetes also have been found to be associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). This cross-sectional study was aimed to investigate the association of Dyslipidemia as an atherosclerosis predictor and its relationship to the severity of CAD using SYNTAX score. Patients and Methods: the current study included 535 patients who presented during 2015 with chest pain to Dar Al Fouad Hospital, experiencing symptoms of CAD or evidence of CAD by noninvasive testing were enrolled, a fasting blood sample was extracted and assessed for lipids profile. Patients underwent coronary angiography either using femoral or radial approach, and the resulting angiographic study was used to calculate the SYNTAX score of each patient. Patients were divided in to two group i.e. CAD and Non-CAD group. The CAD group was further divided into three sub-groups according to the SYNTAX score into low risk, intermediate risk and high risk group. Results: in this study, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-C levels were positively associated with sever CAD and higher number of diseased vessels. Higher HCL-C levels were also found in subjects with normal coronaries. Conclusion: there was no significant proportionate, linear relation between the SYNTAX score and the levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol or LDL-C

Copro-antigen versus classical microscopy as diagnostic tool for giardia lamblia infection in Egyptian patients

Background: Giardia lamblia, a flagellate protozoa, is a one of the most common causes of non-viral (parasitic) diarrheal illness in humans. Laboratory diagnosis mainly consists of direct microscopic examination of stool specimen for trophozoites and cysts. However, due to intermittent fecal excretion of the parasite, the patient may be misdiagnosed, continue excreting the parasite and infecting others. Therefore, other methods of diagnosis should be looked for, which overcome the drawbacks of microscopy when used alone for diagnosis. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of coproantigen detection by ELISA test in comparison to direct microscopy in the diagnosis of G. lamblia in stool specimens from patients with diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients and methods: stool samples were collected form 250 child included in the present study (150 symptomatic and 100 apparently healthy as a control group) aged between 1-10 years old, and subjected for direct microscopic examination and ELISA test for copro-antigen detection. Results: out of 250 stool samples, 53 specimens (21.2%) were positive for Giardia by direct microscopy, while 68 specimens (27.2%) were positive by ELISA test. Conclusion: ELISA test for copro-antigen detection in stool samples is a rapid and effective method with high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of giardiasis in stool specimens even when the parasitic count is low, thus reducing the chances of missing even in the asymptomatic cases

Reducing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Using "VAP Prevention Bundle"

Background and study aim : Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a serious health care- associated infection, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. It also prolongs hospital stay and drives up hospital costs. Measures employed for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia in developing countries are scarcely reported. The aim of the current work is to assess the efficacy of our designed "VAP prevention bundle" in reducing VAP rates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Patients and Methods: This prospective before-and-after study was conducted at Zagazig university hospital NICU; all neonates who had mechanical ventilation during the period from January 2013 to March 2014 for ≥48 hours were eligible after parental consent. VAP rates were evaluated before (phase-I) and after (phase-II) full implementation of the comprehensive preventive measures specifically designed by our infection control team. Results: Out of 143 mechanically ventilated neonates, 73 patients developed VAP (51%) throughout the study period (2500 mechanical ventilation days). The rate of VAP was significantly reduced from 67.8% (42/62) corresponding to 36.4 VAP episodes/1000 mechanical ventilation days (MV days) in phase-I to 38.2% (31/81) corresponding to 23 VAP/1000 MV days (RR 0.565, 95% confidence interval 0.408- 0.782, p= 0.0006) after VAP prevention bundle implementation (phase-II). Parallel significant reduction in MV days/case were documented in the post-intervention period (21.50±7.6 days in phase-I versus 10.36 ± 5.2 days in phase-II, p= 0.000). There were trends toward reduction in NICU length of stay (23.9±10.3 versus 22.8±9.6 days, p=0.56) and overall mortality (25% versus 17.3%, p=0.215) between the two phases which didn't reach statistical significance. The commonest micro-organisms isolated throughout the study were gram-negative bacteria (63/66, 95.5%) particularly Klebsilla pneumonia (55/66, 83.4%). Conclusion: The implementation of our multifaceted infection control bundle has resulted in a significant reduction of VAP rates, length of stay and hospital cost in our NICU. These rates are still far behind the internationally acknowledged ones

Tension-Free Vaginal Tape Versus Transobturator Tape for Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence

The transobturator tape (TOT) is based on a similar principle as the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT); but introduced through the obturator foramen. The aim of this study was to compare these slings as surgical procedures for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women. Patients and Methods This is a retrospective case-control study including female patients with SUI; either due to urethral hypermobility or intrinsic sphincter deficiency. Thirty patients were treated with TVT (group 1) and 30 were treated with TOT (group 2). The parameters studied were: pre-operative clinical data; operative data and surgical outcome. Results The post-operative complications in group 1 consisted of bladder perforation in one patient (3.3); urinary retention in 3 (10) and de novo urgency in 3 (10). The post-operative complications in group 2 consisted of vaginal xposure in 2 patients (6.7); de novo urgency in 2 (6.7) and transient urinary retention in one (3.3). In the TVT group; objective cure was achieved in 27/30 patients (90); while 3 patients (10) reported subjective cure; failure was not encountered. In the TOT group; objective cure was achieved in 24/30 patients (80) and subjective cure in 4 patients (13.3); and it failed in 2 patients (6.7). Conclusion TVT and TOT are effective procedures for the treatment of female SUI; with comparable results regarding operative time; hospital stay and the risk of complications

Detection of serum prostate specific antigen in lactating, pregnant, and advanced breast cancer Sudanese Women

Introduction: Although prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the most valuable tumor marker for the diagnosis and management of prostate carcinoma; it is widely accepted that PSA is not prostate specific. Objectives: The aim of this study is to address the possibility of using the PSA as marker for the sex assignment in different categories and relevance of this test in women problems. Method: We have evaluated the measurement of serum total PSA for differentiation between Sudanese women with advanced breast cancer (n= 10); and those are lactating (n=10); pregnant (n=10) compared with 20 healthy women as control group. Serum total PSA (TPSA) was measured using immuno-radiometric assay (IRMA). Results: In this study the mean age was significantly higher advanced breast cancer groups compared with lactating group (P0.01). The mean serum PSA levels in the healthy control women examined (nsignificant high level of total PSA in serum of advanced breast cancer compared with the normal group (P 0.05). Conclusion: These results indicated the possible use of total PSA to distinguish between healthy women and/or women with advanced breast cancer

Urological Injuries during Pelvic Surgery in Women; Gezira; Central Sudan

Injuries to the ureter and bladder are common in female pelvic surgery; sometimes extremely common to be considered as traditional. This is a retrospective study conducted in Gezira Hospital for Renal Disease and Surgery; Medani Teaching Hospital and Medani Maternity Hospital; #ad Medani; Sudan. #e included $paetents 'ith urological injuries follo'ing obstetrical gynecology interveneton in the previous ( years. The interaoperaetve injuries consettuted; -.; 'hile the remote injuries 'ere 6+7(.6 -.. #e conclude that the urological injuries are common complications during pelvic surgery; associated mainly 'ith abdominal hysterectomies and Cesarean section

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sudan: an update

Cutaneous leishmaniasis due to L.major is now endemic in many parts of the northern Sudan. In this up-date we discuss the clinical manifestations of cutaneous leishmaniasis; its diagnosis and treatment. The most common clinical forms are nodular; noduloulcerative and ulcerative lesions. Less common forms are sporotrichoid lesions; leishmanial dactylitis; leishmanial cheilitis; mycetoma- and residivans-like types. In a suspected case the diagnosis is made by demonstration of leishmania parasites in slit smears or biopsy; isolation of the parasite by culture in appropriate media and by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers. The majority of lesions heal spontaneously. Criteria for local or systemic treatment are given