Potency of composts and their teas applied to sandy soil on controlling damping - off disease and peanut growth and yield

I N A greenhouse trial, peanut seeds [Arachis hypogaea] were sown in a potted sandy soil amended with tea-deprived plant residues compost [TDPC], tea-deprived cattle manure compost [TDCC], teas of such composts [PRCT and CMCT] or intact forms of those composts [IPRC and ICMC]. Half of the experimental treatments were infected with the fungus Rhizoctonia solani which induces damping- off disease. Fungicide "Rhizolex" was used for the unamended infected pots. The following results were obtained: 1-The organic treatments exerted significant reductions of pre-and post-emergence damping - off disease and increased the healthy survival of peanut plants, as compared with the un-composted control of the fungal infected pots. Nevertheless, the fungicide treatment surpassed those of compost forms in such concern. 2-Nodulation status of peanut roots was severely injured by disease incidence, but improved by the introduced organics. 3-Aspects of plant growth, crop yield and its components, as well as major biochemical constituents of peanut pods and straw increased with application of compost variables, generally in both the uninfected and infected treatments. 4-Differences between the particular forms of plant residues compost and animal manure compost were mostly insignificant, concerning their effect on the experimental measures. 5-The positive action of the applied compost forms revealed the order: ICMC = IPRC > IPRC>TDCC = TDPC> CMCT> PRCT. Such order reflected the extent of potency of mature composts, in general, and their intact forms, in particular, as plant growth stimulators and natural biocontrol agents

Evaluation and clinical correlation of bone marrow angiogensis and level of serum angiogenic factors in acute leukemia

In this study serum angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], hepatocyte growth factor [HGF] and tumour necrosis factor a [TNF a]] and cellular angiogenic factors [VEOF and VEGF-R2] were studied in 50 newly diagnosed acute leukemia patients, they were 24 ALL and 26 AML patients. The correlations of the studied angiogenic factors to each other and to the patients' survival and disease outcome were studied. During the follow-up period of 6 months, 22 patients died and 28 patients remained alive from whom 11 patients were refractory and 17 patients achieved complete remission. On comparison between pretreatment concentration levels of measured serum angiogenic factors [VEOF, TNF-alpha and HOF] in ALL, AML and the control group, all the comparisons were statistically significant [p<0.0001, <0.0001 and 0.02 1 respectively]. All serum markers were higher in AML group than control group, but only VEOF showed statistically significant elevation [p<0.0001], while in ALL patients, all markers were significantly higher than control group [p=0.01]. When comparing ALL and AML cases according to cellular angiogenic factors detected by immunocytochemistry, cellular VEGF-R2 was slightly higher in ALL group, while cellular VEGF was slightly higher in AML group. The comparisons were statistically non-significant for both angiogenic factors. As regards response to therapy, in ALL, cases with high sVEGF showed a statistically significant lower rate of complete remission than cases with low sVEGF [p=0.041]. The same results were obtained for AML but the comparison did not reach a significant level [p=0.082]. Serum VEOF was the only reliable marker to predict relapse in ALL [p=0.009] and AML [p=0.049]. On comparing serum VEGF to the outcome in ALL, high sVEGF cases showed a statistically significant higher rate of death than low sVEGF cases [prO.05], while in AML, the same results were obtained but the comparison did not reach a significant level. As regards the survival time, cases with low sVEGF level showed higher mean survival and 6-month survival than cases with high sVEGF level p=0.03]. A significant negative correlation was detected between serum VEGF and serum TNF-a [correlation coefficient [r]=-0.642, p<0.0001]. Conclusion: Serum angiogenic factors [VEGF, TNF-alpha and HOF] are markedly increased in cases of acute leukemia compared to normal controls. Cases with high sVEGF showed higher rate of death than cases with low sVEGF, so its targeting may provide a potent novel therapeutic approach in acute leukemias. VEGF may also be useful as a new prognostic factor and a predictor of relapse in different types of acute leukemia. Further studies with larger number of patients and longer duration of follow-up are recommended to throw more light on the significance of other angiogenic factors in relation to acute leukemia

Cognitive impairment after ischemic stroke: frequency and pattern

To focus on cognitive impairment as indicator of intellectual decline, three months after ischemic stroke, as regards its prevalence and the factors that may affect it. A total of 60 consecutive patients with first-ever ischemic stroke were enrolled. The cognitive function was assessed three months after stroke using a battery of neuropsychological tests. Beside global cognitive function, six major cognitive domains; visual memory, verbal memory, language, orientation, abstract reasoning and visuospatial ability were evaluated. The functional abilities were measured using Barthel Index [BI] for Activity of daily Living. The relationship between cognitive function and demographic data, CT findings and BI was examined. Cognitive impairment was found in 35% of the patients 3 months after ischemic stroke. In comparison to controls, patients had significant cognitive impairment. There was significant impairment of memory and abstract with advancing age. The performance of male patients was significantly better than female patients as regards visual and verbal memory. Patients with left hemispheric infarction had significant impairment in language while right hemispheric infarction was associated with visuospatial neglect. The larger the size of infarct, the more was the impairment of memory, orientation, language and reasoning. Multiinfarcts significantly affected memory, orientation and language. Posterior cerebral artery occlusion significantly affected visual and verbal memory. There was significant relationship between disability BI score and all cognitive domains but neglect. The first-ever ischemic stroke is associated with significant cognitive impairment which occurs in 35% of poststroke patients, three months after stroke. Age, sex, involved hemisphere, size of infarct, single or multiinfarcts, occluded cerebral artery and severity of functional disability may predict cognitive impairment, at least in one domain, after ischemic stroke

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: presentation and neuroradiological detection

To study the presentation and the results of the different radiological tools; computed tomography [CT] brain scan, magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], magnetic resonance angiography [MRA] and cerebral angiography [CA] in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage [SAH] resulting from ruptured cerebral aneurysms. Consecutive patients with CT proved diagnosis of SAH were subjected to thorough history taking, general, neurological examination and laboratory investigation. After exclusion and deaths, 13 patients underwent MRA and CA beside CT and MRI. CA detected 11 aneurysms in 11 patients, arterio-venous malformation in one patient and in one patient there was no apparent cause. Among our 11 patients with aneurysmal SAH, females and age group of 31-50 years predominated. Smoking was present in 45.5%, hypertension in 27.3% and history of recurrent headache in 63.6%. With the onset of SAH, headache with neck stiffness was the most common presentation [63.6%]. Disturbed consciousness was found in 45.5%, seizures in 18.2% and focal signs in 9.1%. 36.4% of the patients had grade II and 27.3% had grade III in Hunt and Hess scale. Radiological assessment revealed that 7 patients had pure SAH, 3 patients had intracerebral hemorrhage [ICH] and one patient had intraventricular hemorrhage [IVH] in association with SAH. 63.6% of the aneurysms in our patients were small and no giant aneurysms were found. The most common site of aneurysms was middle cerebral artery [MCA] accounted for 36.4%. Anterior cerebral artery [ACA] and anterior communicating artery [ACoA] accounted for 18.2% each. Internal carotid artery [ICA] and posterior communicating artery [PCoA] accounted for 27.3%. In comparison to the CA, as the golden standard method, MRA detected 10 aneurysms out of 11, and missed one small aneurysm, with a sensitivity of 90.9% in detection of aneurysms. Ruptured intracranial aneurysms accounted for about 85% of causes of SAH. History of recurrent headache, smoking, hypertension and female gender may be predictors of aneurysmal rupture in the 4[th] and 5[th] decades. 36.4% of SAH may be associated with ICH or IVH. Headache is the most common presentation of rupture aneurysm while less than half of the patients presented with altered consciousness. About tow thirds of aneurysms are small sized. Intracranial aneurysms located in the anterior cerebral circulation mostly in MCA. MRA is a rapid, non invasive technique and can be used to detect intracranial aneurysms with high sensitivity of 90.9%, with excellent correlation with the gold standard, invasive, CA

Association between hypertension and C-reactive protein in acute phase of ischemic stroke

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], an acute phase reactant, is an indicator of underlying systemic inflammation and a novel marker for atherothrombotic disease. This study was designed to evaluate serum levels of hs-CRP in acute ischemia stroke and its relation to stroke severity in the first 24 hours. Also, this study aimed to asses the relationship between hs-CRP levels and blood pressure [BP] in the acute phase of ischemic stroke. Sixty patients were recruited in three groups. Twenty patients with first ever ischemic stroke and history of hypertension were selected to represent group I. Group II included 20 patients with the first ever stroke, with no history of hypertension, with normal BP on regular measurements prior to stroke and presented with acute rise of BP. Twenty hypertensive patients with no history of stroke or ischemic heart diseases represented group III. For comparison, 20 healthy volunteers were included as control group. All subjects were submitted to detailed history taking, thorough general and neurological examination with paying special attention to BP. Stroke severity was assessed using the Canadian Neurological Scale [CANS]. The infarcts size was evaluated in CT and/or MRI. Serum levels of hs-CRP were measured using end point CRP-turbidoemetric assay. Serum levels of hs-CRP were significantly higher among patients of group I [t = 6.01, p<0.001], group II [t = 6.39, p<0.001] and group III [t = 2.91, p<0.01] in comparison with controls. The highest significant elevation was observed among stroke patients with acute rise of BP while; the modest was among patients with isolated hypertension. CRP levels showed significant negative correlation with the CANS score [r = -0.72, p<0.001], and significant positive correlation with the size of brain infarcts [r = 0.68, p<0.001]. There was highly significant positive correlation between hs-CRP levels and BP components; systolic BP [SBP], diastolic BP [DBF], mean arterial pressure [MAP] and pulse pressure [PP] in all patient groups. However, when displaying the multivariate adjusted logistic regression model assessing the association between all BP components and odds of having elevated CRP levels, only 10 mmHg rise in SBP significantly persisted to increase the odds of having an elevated CRP by 76% [odds ratio, 3.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.97-5.35; P<0.001]. Ischemic stroke can trigger an acute phase response expressed by elevation of circulating hs-CRP serum levels which may correlate with the size of infarcts and the severity of stroke. In the acute phase of ischemic stroke, hypertension, more specifically acute rise of BP, is associated with increased levels of hs-CRP which may correlate with BP components most prominent with SBP

Study of the expression of survivin and mutant p53 in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common malignancy in children with a yearly incidence of 31/1000000 children younger than 15 years old. The peak incidence of childhood ALL is between 3 and 6 years of age with male predominance. The relative frequency of pediatric ALL in the NCI-Cairo University is 35.5% for the years 2003-2004. In this study survivin and mutant p53 expressions were studied in 64 newly diagnosed pediatric ALL patients. Their associations to the different prognostic factors of ALL and their association to each other were studied. In this study, 21 out of 64 ALL cases [32.8%] showed positive expression of survivin [17 patients were moderately positive, 2 patients were strong positive and 2 patients were weak positive] and 24 out of 64 studied ALL cases [37.5%] demonstrated positive expression of p53 [20 patients were strong positive, 3 patients were moderately positive and 1 patient was weak positive]. On comparing survivin expression with the different prognostic factors of ALL, the results were statistically significant as regards the percentage of blasts in the peripheral blood [p-value = 0.0068], and the percentage of blasts in the bone marrow [p-value = 0.05]. As regards LDH, ALP, and uric acid serum concentrations, no statistically significant differences were found [p-value = 0.154, 0.52 and 0.41 respectively]. No significant association was found between survivin expression and hepatosplenomegaly. As regards p53 expression compared with the different prognostic factors no statistically significant results were found. According to immunophenotyping [IPT], survivin was positive in 5 out of 14 cases [35.7%] of proB-ALL, 0% [0/11] C-ALL, 29.2% [7/24] preB-ALL, 75% [6/8] mature B-ALL and 42.9%[3/7] T-ALL. The results were statistically significant [p-value = 0.046], while p53 was positive in 4 out of 14 cases [28.5%] of proB-ALL, 36.4% [4/11] C-ALL, 41.6% [10/24] preB-ALL, 50% [4/8] mature B-ALL and 28.6% [2/7] T-ALL. The results were statistically non significant. No significant correlation was found between survivin and p53 expression in the studied ALL cases [p-value = 0.872]. In this study, a total of 23 patients successfully completed induction phase. All of them achieved complete remission. Two patients developed isolated bone marrow relapse at a median period of 7.5 months. The disease free survival for the 23 patients was 89.6% at a median of 11 months. The DFS for P53 positive [12/23] and p53 negative [11/23] patients was 91.7% and 90.9% respectively [p= 0.90]. The DFS for survivin positive [11/23] and survivin negative [12/23] patients was 85.7% and 93.7% respectively [p=0.49]. In conclusion, we could not find any association between p53 and survivin expressions and the different prognostic factors of pediatric ALL patients, [the only statistically significant results were obtained when comparing the blast count% in both the peripheral blood, and the bone marrow between survivin positive and survivin negative cases]. As regards the comparison of survivin expression and phenotyping of the studied patients, it was not expressed in C-ALL cases which are known to have a good prognosis. Further we could not decide whether positive p53 or survivin in ALL patients had an impact on DFS. Further studies with larger number of patients and longer duration of follow up are recommended to throw more light on the significance of p53 and survivin in relation to ALL patients

Distal airways bacterial colonization and inflammatory pattern in children with different chronic lung diseases: a bronchoscopic study

Children with chronic lung diseases are vulnerable to develop bacterial colonization of their distal airways. However, this diagnosis is based usually on nonspecific samples, such as gastric lavage or sputum cultures. The aim of this study was to assess applicability of fibro-optic bronchoscope technique to determine distal airway microbial colonization and inflammation in children with chronic lung diseases compared to conventional methods. Bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage fluid [BALF], sputum and blood samples were collected from 10 healthy children and 30 patients with chronic lung diseases [with different diagnoses]. All samples were subjected to microbiological assessment [direct films, cultures, and antibiogram test], cytology assessment and biochemical assessment of Lactic dehydrogenase enzyme [LDH] and Alkaline phosphatase enzyme [ALP] levels as indicators for ongoing pulmonary damage. Distal airway bacterial colonization by potentially pathogenic microorganisms [PPMs] was defined in 73% of children with the most common organism Staphylococcus aureus followed by E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Citrobacter freundii. BALF analysis was superior to sputum [OR=5.5; 95%CI: 1.6-19.7, P=0.004] and blood samples [OR=38.5; 95%CI: 6.4-302, P=0.0001] analyses as they missed detection of many organisms. Antibiogram analysis revealed that most of gram negative organisms were highly sensitive to imepenem, tobramycin, ceftriaxone, garamycin, and amikin. Most of gram positive organisms were highly sensitive to vancomycin, dalacin and oxacillin. All patients [even if not colonized] visualized ongoing distal airways inflammation and had higher levels of inflammatory markers and cellular loads in comparison to healthy controls. BAL fluid sampling is a safe, technically simple procedure in children and has a significant diagnostic value compared to sputum or blood markers for distal airways bacterial colonization and inflammation

High versus standard dose prophylactic cranial irradiation for patients with limited sm allcell lung cancer incomplete remission

Small cell lung cancer [SCLC] accounts for approximately 20% of all patients with lung cancer. Limited-disease [LD] is considered potentially curable. The role of prophylactic cranial irradiation [PCI] in those patients who achieved a complete cure [CR] to induction therapy remains uncertain. Eligible patients were randomized to receive either high dose PCI [20 patients received 2.4 Gy once daily in 10 fractions for a total dose of 24 Gy] or a standard dose PCI [25 patients were treated with 2 Gy once daily in 18 fractions for a total dose of 36 Gy, while there was another group [15 patents] who refused PCI. Results: The results confirmed the observable reduction of brain metastases with the high dose PCI compared to the standard dose PCI and also for those who did not receive PCI [16%, 35%, and 53% respectively]. Also this result confirmed the loss of significant survival advantage between those who receive PI and those who did not. No evidence of consistent difference regarding neurological and cognitive impairment between patients given or not PCI

Study of angiogenic factors: Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and basic fibroblast growth factor [bFGF] in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] is one of the most commonmalignancies in the world. Hepatocellular carcinoma is characterized by high vascularity, so tumor angiogenesis nowadays has been considered to be a strong prognostic factor in patients with HCC .The pre-therapeutic serum vascular endothelial growth factor[VEGF] and basic fibroblast growth factor [bFGF] levels in the HCC patients appear to reflect the disease's potential activity of vascular invasion and metastasis. The pre-therapeutic serum levels of the angiogenic factors VEGF and bFGF were detected in the sera of HCC patients to find new markers to be used for diagnosis of HCC, and were compared with the routinely used tumor markers used for diagnosis of HCC as AFP, CEA, and CA19.9. The relation between the serum levels of VEGF, and bFGF and the clinical characteristics of HCC was also elucidated. On comparing the studied tumor markers among the three studied groups, all the tumor markers were highest in the HCC group, followed the benign liver diseases, and lastly the normal control group [p-value= <0.001 each]. On comparing the studied tumor markers according to different prognostic factors, only AFP showed statistically significant result with the tumor size

study into the expression of the tumor suppressor gene p53 and the oncogene bcl-2 in human breast cancer

In this study, the protein expression of the mutant tumor suppressor gene p53, and oncogene bcl-2 was evaluated in 50 female breast cancer patients using two different techniques, ELISA and western blotting, the relation between these two techniques in relation to protein expression was detected, and the correlations between the expression of these two proteins and the different prognostic parameters of cancer breast were studied. The mean value of bcl-2 in breast cancer patients was statistically significantly higher than those of normal healthy controls using both ELISA and western blotting techniques. A significant positive correlation was found between bcl-2 and both the tumor size and the stage of the tumor which signifies its important role as a prognostic factor in breast cancer. Also over-expression of mutant p53 was detected using both ELISA and western blotting techniques when compared to the normal healthy controls. The only statistically significant correlation between mutant p53 expression and the different prognostic parameters of breast cancer was found to be between p53 the stage of the tumor. When taking predictive cut off levels of bcl-2 at 75U/ml, and mutant p53 at 2.16U/ml, bcl-2 showed the highest sensitivity, specificity anti diagnostic accuracy of [88%, 90%, and 90%] respectively, while mutant P53 showed its highest sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy [80%, 100%, and 85.7%] at the chosen cut offs. When done in either abnormal and both abnormal double combinations with the same cut offs, the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy in the either abnormal combination have improved than either parameter singly, [92%, 100% and 94.29%] respectively, while in both abnormal combination the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy are [64%, 90% and 71.43] respectively. When studying the correlation between the 2 techniques [ELISA and western blotting] used in determination of bcl-2 and P53 expression in breast cancer patients all samples which showed over-expression for mutant P53 and bcl-2 using ELISA technique, also demonstrated over-expression using western blotting technique. The percent of positive expression the mutant P53 and the bcl-2 proteins were higher [76%] and [88%] respectively using western blotting technique when compared to ELISA technique [70%] and [80%] respectively. The results of both techniques were statistically significantly correlated for both P53 and bcl-2. Although western blotting technique has a higher sensitivity compared to ELISA, it has many disadvantages as cost, reproducibility, time consumption and the requirement for high skills

Respiratory and skin disorders among workers in water-based paints industry

In the last few decades, painting industry started to develop new types of paints "water-based paints" to replace "solvent-based ones" which contain large amounts of solvents. Water-based paints involve an. emulsion of acrylic resin, stabilizers [e.g. ammonia] and preservatives [e.g. formaldehyde] dissolved in water; that are more safe than solvent paints. To determine the respiratory and skin disorders which may affect workers in such industry, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 20 male workers in water-based paints factory in Sadat City, Menoufiya Governorate in comparison with an equal number of non exposed subjects as control group. Both groups were matched for age, sex, socioeconomic standards, education, marital status and smoking habit. All individuals were subjected to structured question naire including personal, occupational and medical histories, clinical examination, and spirometric measurements arid skin patch test. The prevalence of respiratory and skin manifestations and positive patch test results was significantly higher in exposed than control group. Also there was a trend of declining in spirometric measure ments [FVC%, FEV1%, FEV1/FVC% arid MEF] reaching a significant level or MEF% among exposed workers than in control ones. Smoking had a synergistic effect with exposure to water-based paints leading to a significant increase in the prevalence of respiratory manifestations and a significant reduction of mean of MEF%among exposed smoking workers than exposed non-smokers [108. 73 +/- 3.5and1 15.0 +/- 4,2% respectively]. There was a significant relationship between the increase in duration of exposure and increase in the prevalence of respiratory and skin manifestation and declining in MEF% among exposed workers in water-based paints industry. Usage of protective equipments was significantly valuable in minimizing the prevalence of skin manifestations [itching from 66,7% to 12..5% and dermatitis from 66.7% to 0%] among exposed personnel. Work in the water-based paints-industry was associated with increased prevalence of respiratory and skin manifestations and reduction of spirometric measurements. It is recommend that: smoking habit must be prohibited in this industry with stress on proper usage of personal protective equipments together with health education for workers in water-based paints about risk of exposure and steps to minimize the resulting disorders

Influence of intrapartum chemoprophylaxis on the incidence and identification of vertically transmitted neonatal sepsis

The purpose of the present work was to detect the influence of the use of intrapartum chemoprophylaxis on the incidence of vertically transmitted neonatal sepsis. One hundred and fifty pregnant women at labor with risk factors of delivering an infant with neonatal sepsis were selected from patients attending the labor ward at El Shatby Maternity University hospital. The studied women were divided into two groups according to whether they received intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis or not. For every case, complete sheet was recorded; complete general and local examination was done to detect PROM and chorioamnionitis and maternal high vaginal swab was obtained and cultured for detection of GBS colonization. One hundred and fifty four infants were born to these mothers and were tested for signs of sepsis through clinical examination, complete laboratory investigations including complete blood count, urine GBS latex agglutination test, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood culture, and lumbar puncture in blood culture positive infants. The overall incidence of neonatal sepsis in the present study was 16.9%. Group II infants showed a higher incidence of sepsis. As regards GBS colonization, 30 women [20%] had a positive high vaginal swap for GBS. Two GBS carrier mothers delivered infants who developed neonatal sepsis, but caused by other organisms. GBS Organisms isolated from the septic infants were mainly gram-negative organisms and staphylococci. With the exception of 6 cases of E-coli, all other isolates were ampicillin resistant, giving an ampicillin resistance of 76.9%. Most organisms with the exception of staphylococci showed gentamicin sensitivity that might explain the lower incidence of sepsis in group I

Adaptation of three babesia divergens isolates to continuous culture in rat erythrocytes

Three Babesia divergens isolates were cultured continuously for six months in rat erythrocytes using the candle jar technique. One isolate was already rat-adapted, the other two became adapted to rats through continuous culturing in the rat erythrocytes. Babesia was cultured in rat erythrocytes in RPMI medium supplemented with 20% fetal calf serum. The highest parasitemia was 35% and multi- parasitization of red blood cells was often observed. Cultures of B. divergens remained infective to splenectomized rats. Cultures with high parasitemias contained a large number of extracellular merozoites and when separated from the red blood cells, they retained their infectivity

Prognostic significance of hypercoagulability in acute Ischemic stroke

Considerable evidences suggest an important role for hypercoagulability as a contributor to stroke outcome. The levels of many hemostatic markers change at the onset of stroke, howevere, it is still unsetteled whether those abnormalities pre-existant O. secondary to the acute event. This prospective study was undertaken in order to evaluate the prognostic significance of the hemostatic markers; beta-thromboglobulin [beta TG], fibrinopeptide-A [FPA] and protein-C [PC] activity.40 consecutive ischemic stroke patients were included during the first 48 hours of the onset. Stroke clinical examination scale [SCES] and CT brain scan were assessed. In order to assay the hemostatic markers, blood samples were drawn within 48 hours, after one week and after six weeks of the stroke onset. Plasma were prepared and tested for platelet activation, signed by beta TG and coagulation activation signed by FPA and PC activity. For comparison, 20 patients with nonvascular diseases were tested for these markers. Within 48 hours of the stroke onset significant elevation of betaTG and FPA associated with significant decrease of PC activity was observed in stroke patients compared to the controls. Observable reduction of betaTG and FP A with gradual elevation of PC activity occurred after one week. Further reduction of betaTG and FPA, and increase of PC activity occurred after six weeks of the stroke onset. Moreover, marked activation of the platelet and coagulation system was observed among patients who had severe stroke, extensive infarction as well as those who died during the study in comparison to patients with less severe stroke, small sized infarction and the survivors respectively. In conclusion, marked activation of platelet and coagulation occurs in the acute phase of ischemic stroke with subsequent decreament. The initial changes are more obvious in the patients with extensive infarction and poor prognosis. This may rise the importance of the hemostatic markers; betaTG, FPA and PC activity as prognostic factors rather than factors contributing only, to the thrombotic event

[Comparative dissolution study of drugs using protein hdrolysates]

Kneaded mixtures as well as physical mixtures, of an acidic drug, indomethacin, a basic drug vincamine, and a neutral drug, prednisolone, with gelatin and casein hydrolysates were prepared. Their in vitro dissolution profiles were examined. The dissolution of drugs from the kneaded mixtures was significantly increased compared to the drugs alone as well as their physical mixtures. This increase was most prominent for the acidic drug indomethacin. The casein and gelatin hydrolysates enhanced the dissolution of the three drugs by improving the wettability of the drug particles. Solubility also contributes to the enhancement of dissolution of indomethacin and prednisolone. Buffering was an additional reason in case of indomethacin

Comparative dissolution study of drugs using protein hydrolysates

Kneaded mixtures as well as physical mixtures, of an acidic drug, indomethacin, a basic drug, vincamine, and a neutral drug, prednisolone, with gelatin and casein hydrolysates were prepared. Their in-vitro dissolution profiles were examined. The dissolution of drugs from the kneaded mixtures was significantly increased compared to the drugs alone as well as their physical mixtures. This increase was most prominent for the acidic drug indomethacin. The casein and gelatin hydrolysates enhanced the dissolution of the three drugs by improving the wettability of the drug particles. Solubility also contributed to the enhancement of dissolution of indomethacin and prednisolone. Buffering was an additional reason in case of indomethacin

effects of therapeutic plasmapheresis on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Twenty patients with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], who did respond to conventional therapy for a long time were treated with short time therapeutic plasmapheresis [TPP] and immunosuppression. There was marked and dramatic clinical improvement including pericardial and pleural effusion in all patients with SEL after TPP. Also, there was significant reduction in the ESR and the level of antibodies on the RBCs in all patients after TPP compared with that before the procedures. Five patients with SLE had lupus nephritis and nephrotic syndrome with mild impairment in renal functions, all patients had rapid and distinct improvement in clinical and laboratory parameters after TPP. The procedure is very effective in treatment of patients with SLE, so it is recommended to use it beside the drug therapy. TPP is easy and safe. Any side effects or complications among the patients were not reported during the procedures

Effect of oxyethylene chain length of the surfactant on the formation of microemulsion

A series of phase diagrams were established to determine the effect of the oxyethylene chain [OE] length of the surfactants on the formation of the microemulsion. Eumulgin B1 [12-OE], Eumulgin B2 [20-OE] and Eumulgin B3 [30-OE] were selected as surfactants in this study. The cloud point of the surfactant increased with the increase of its oxyethylene chain length. Phase studies have indicated that the configuration of the microemulsion depends on the length of OE chain, while the order of addition of the ingredients has only significant effect in case of Eumulgin B3

Light and electron microscopic studies of isospora chalchidis [Amoudi, 1989] infecting chalchidis ocellatus in Egypt

Oocysts of Isospora chalchidis [Amoudi, 1989] were described from the feces of the skink Chalcides ocellatus in Egypt. Non- sporulated oocysts were spheroidal, measuring 20 [l8.5-21] mum in diameter and contained granulated zygotes. Sporulated oocysts had the same dimensions of the non-sporulated ones and each contained two sporocysts. Sporocysts were ovoid with stieda and sporocyst residual bodies. Sporulation time was 50 hours at room temperature. Merogony and gamogony occurred in the intestinal mucosa. Electron microscopic investigations showed that meronts, merozoites, gamonts and gametes developed in a narrow parasitophorous vacuole within the host- cell nucleus. Nuclei of meronts were surrounded by rough endoplasmic reticulum. Merozoites showed the main characteristics of motile stages of apicomplexa. Macrogametes contained a large nucleus, two types of wall-forming bodies and a large amount of lipid inclusions. Nuclei of microgamonts were peripherally arranged and lacked nucleoli. Microgametes were flagellated