Hepatobiliary diseases in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic findings

This study describes ultrasonographic observations of five hepatobiliary diseases in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Fifty buffalo, including 20 clinically normal and 30 hepatobiliary diseased buffalo were enrolled in the study. Complete clinical, radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations and laboratory analyses were conducted. Focal parenchymal lesions including liver abscess (n = 12) and hepatic cyst (n = 6), diffuse parenchymal lesion (hepatobiliary cirrhosis, n = 5) and obstruction of hepatobiliary passages including cholestasis (n = 4), and hepatocholelithiasis (n = 3) were successfully imaged by ultrasonography. Hepatic abscess imaged as a hypoechoic to echogenic circumscribed mass of various diameters with a distinct echogenic capsule. Hepatic cyst imaged as a pear-shaped sac with a bright echogenic margin, anechoic content, and distal acoustic enhancement. In hepatobiliary fibrosis, the liver showed linear bands of increasing echogenicity with less distinct imaging of the portal vasculature. Cholestasis was imaged as dilatation of the gallbladder (GB) with wall thickening and homogeneous or heterogeneous contents. Hepatocholelithiasis imaged as an echoic structure within the hepatic parenchyma, or within and around the GB and bile duct, with more echogenicity of the hepatic parenchyma than normal. Ultrasonography can be an efficient rapid, noninvasive tool for screening of common hepatobiliary diseases in buffalo under field conditions.

Epidemiology of diabetes mellitus in Oman results from two decades of research

This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of diabetes mellitus over the past two decades in Oman, particularly in terms of its prevalence and incidence. In addition, the study sought to estimate the future incidence of diabetes in Oman. Three national and three regional surveys conducted between 1991 and 2010 were analysed to obtain the age-adjusted prevalence and undiagnosed proportion of type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] among Omani subjects aged >/=20 years. Diabetes mellitus registers and published studies were used to determine incidence rates of both type 1 diabetes mellitus [T1DM] and T2DM in Oman. Linear regression was used to determine trends and projections for diabetes in 2050. The age-adjusted prevalence of T2DM in Oman varied from 10.4% to 21.1%, while the highest prevalence of impaired fasting glucose was found in males [35.1%]. In comparison to men, higher incidence rates of T2DM were found in women [2.7 cases compared to 2.3 cases per 1,000 person-years, respectively]. No significant trends were observed for the prevalence or incidence of T2DM in both genders. Undiagnosed T2DM was more common in men [range: 33-68%] than women [range: 27-53%]. The results of this study show that by 2050, there will be an estimated 350,000 people with T2DM living in Oman [a 174% increase compared to estimates for 2015]. Health authorities need to prioritise diabetes prevention and control in order to prevent or delay long-term complications and avert a potential epidemic of diabetes in Oman

Portal vein thrombosis and haematemesis in chronic liver disease. Are P-selectin and PSGL-1 clues?

Bleeding and thrombotic complications are common problems in patients with chronic liver disease [CLD]. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the level of soluble P [sP]-selectin, and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 [PSGL-1] [CD162] expression on neutrophils among patients with CLD and to clarify the role of their interaction, by measuring the platelet leucocyte aggregates, on the clinical outcome of the haemostatic balance in those patients. We also investigated the hypothesis that the balance between platelet activation and endothelial biological function is impaired. sP-selectin and thrombomodulin [TM] levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and flowcytometric detection of CD162 was performed. Platelet-leucocyte aggregation [PLA] in whole blood was measured as positive for CD41a and CD45 in 66 CLD patients divided into the portal vein thrombosis group [PVT] [n = 25], the haematemesis group [n = 21] and the haemostatically stable group [n = 20]. sP-selectin was significantly elevated in all patient groups. Decreased surface expression of CD162 on neutrophils was detected in all patients' groups. PLA was statistically significantly increased in the PVT group. TM was statistically significantly increased in the PVT, haematemesis and haemostatically stable groups. PLA may play a role in the unique PVT outcome of the haemostatic balance in a group of patients whose credentials of hyperdynamic portal circulation predispose them to bleeding rather than thrombosis. Consequently, P-selectin-targeted therapy may be used to prevent this complication

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection: prevalence of cryoglobulinemia and renal affection in the Egyptian patients

The association between mixed cryoglobulinema [MC], chronic hepatitis C virus [CHC], and renal insufficiency was documented. This paper aimed to determine the prevalence of cryoglobulinemia [CG], and renal affection drug-naive Egyptian patients suffering from CHC-in a cross-sectional study So, 53 patients with CHC and 20 healthy controls were included. Parameters investigated covered; HCV antibodies, HCV RNA, liver profile [AST, ALT, serum albumin, total bilirubin, prothrombin time], renal profile [urea, uric acid, creatinine clearance, urinary albumin], CG, C3, .C4, and three MDRD equations to calculate the GFR. The results showed that CG was found in all patients, but none in controls. The renal markers showed that none of the patients suffered frank nephropathy, but were at increased risk for developing kidney disease

Effect of Sm[3+] ions on the transport and sublattice magnetization of perovskite system

PEROVSKITE compounds [La[1-x] Sm[x]] 0.7 Ca[0.3] MnO[3] ]

Biotechnological application of bacterial alkaline thermostable enzymes in bio-detergent industry

This is an investigation concerned on the production of alkaline thermostable microbial enzymes for application in biodetergent technology. Bacillus licheniformis- B42 and Geobacillus stearothermophilus -B78 were selected and identified among one hundred and fifty-three thermophilic bacterial isolates with respect to their ability to produce alpha-amylases, cellulases, proteases and lipases grown on some agro-industrial wastes at 55 degree C and at pH 9 for application in biodetergent technology. Productivity of four alkaline thermostable enzymes by both selected strains using slaughter house wastes [SHW] as best substrate for proteases and lipases and potato peel [PP] as best substrate for alpha-amylases and cellulases. The enzymatic level more affected by incubation temperature, pH, SHW and PP concentrations, inoculum size, incubation period, carbon, nitrogen, metal inducer and vitamins sources, under shaking conditions. Four alkaline thermostable enzymes were produced under all optimal nutritional and environmental conditions and purification by column chromatography on Sephadex G200 and G100, respectively were performed. Purification of four produced alkaline thermostable enzymes steps resulted in raising the purification fold to 17.04,15.24, 411.9 and 27.33 times in comparable with crude enzymes for alpha-amylase. cellulase, protease and lipase, respectively. The wash performing analysis of the four enzymes revealed that, it could effectively remove a variety of stains such as blood, apple, chocolate, mango, strawberry, salad and pomegranate by treatment at 55 degree C for 15 min when alkaliphilic-thermostable crude/purified enzymes were added separately or in combination with or without detergent [Rabso] as an Egyptian local detergent product. The crude enzymes of these two bacterial strains proved to be potentially candidates for the application in the detergent technology

Selection and characterization of bacteria esolated from petroleum refining effluents with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHS] removal capacities and its conditions

In this study, we evaluated the effect of different nutritional and environmental conditions on the percentages removal of PAHs present in petroleum refining effluent samples from the corrugated plate interceptor [API] of Cairo Oil Refining Co. [CORC], Egypt Two hundred twelve and two hundred forty two bacterial strains were isolated from six petroleum refinery oil polluted effluents samples collected from CORC in summer and winter seasons, respectively which were selected due to their growing capacity in the presence of oil as sole carbon source. From these strains four bacterial strains were further selected on the basis of their relatively good growing on hydrocarbon utilizing media, culture characteristics and capacity to biodegrade PAHs. These bacterial isolates were identified on the basis of cell shape, cell arrangement, relation to oxygen and nutritional and biochemical characteristics. The four bacterial strains were found to belong to Pseudomonas oleovorans-W7DAFO22, Enterobacter cloacae-S7DAF122, Pseudomonas stutzeri-S8API12 and Enterobacter aerogenes-W5OA31.They were capable to grow on the mineral salts media amended with crude oil as sole carbon source. Our results show that these strains can remove the PAHs by different percentages [%] at different pH values [4-9], NaCl concentrations [1-10%] and different nitrogenous and phosphorous sources. In conclusion, current sequence information provides the basis for a robust tool to estimate the PAHs degradation potential of different petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sites undergoing in situ bioremediation

performance in pre-clinical assessment a good predictor of the final doctor of medicine grade?

To investigate if any correlation exists between students' grades on their final doctor of Medicine [MD] assessment and their overall preclinical grade point average [GPA] and its component parts. Student data available from the Deanship of Admissions and Registration were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficient was obtained to assess the degree of linear relationship between performance in the preclinical and the MD assessment of 529 students who graduated from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud, Oman from June 1998 to June 2005. Simple and multiple regression analyses were performed to evaluate individual and combined impact of the preclinical courses' grades on MD grades. Preclinical GPA correlated highly with MD GPA [r=0.641]. The science component taught early in the preclinical phase correlated more strongly [r=0.457] than student electives [r=0.246]. This correlation was better in the "good" English group. Students' performance, however, was best in electives, but worst in English. Most students who had low MD GPA [<2.0] had also preclinical and science GPA of <2.5. The students with low GPA were found to spend longer in the medical program. Restricting progression to the clinical phase to those students whose preclinical GPA is >/= 2.5, and limiting the credit hour requirement of electives by the College seems to be justified

Patients knowledge for tuberculosis and its treatment [Sudanese study]

This sectional study was carried out in various healthy units in big Omdurman city. The study aimed to measure patients knowledge for tuberculosis and its treatment. Random sectional samples of one thousand patients were taken. The results illustrated low average of knowledge for tuberculosis and its treatment, 36.2% of questioned patients have sufficient knowledge. It was noticed that knowledge for disease reversibly correlated with age of patient. Males [38.7%] have more knowledge for disease than females [31.4%]. This knowledge increases as education level of patient increases. Patients, who were diagnosed and treated in healthy units followed national program of tuberculosis control [34.5%], had more knowledge for tuberculosis and its treatment, than those were treated in healthy units which are not followed that national program. The study recommends by increasing the applied area of the national program to include all public and private healthy units, and it recommends also by educational healthy programs aimed to increase knowledge level for tuberculosis and its treatments of all patients

Impact of neutrophil apoptosis on haemostatic activation in chronic liver disease patients

Recent studies suggest the impact of apoptosis on the mechanisms leading to hypercoagulability. We aimed to clarify the potential role of neutrophil apoptosis in neutropenia and hypercoagulable state encountered in chronic liver disease patients. This study was conducted on fifteen normal controls and fourty five patients with chronic liver disease classified according to modified Child Pugh classification into, Child A, B and C groups [15 cases each]. Studied Haemostatic parameters include, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, tissue factor, protein C antigen, protein S antigen, and markers of haemostatic activation [prothrombin fragment 1+2, thrombus precursor protein and D-dimer]. Flowcytometric study was done for quantitative assay of neutrophil apoptotic subpopulations to detect the percentage of early and late apoptotic, and necrotic neutrophils using AnnexinV-FITC/Propidium iodide dye. Semiquantitative assay of apoptotic neutrophils showing DNA fragmentation was performed on neutrophil culture using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling [TUNEL] test. In addition to enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for soluble Fas [APO-1/CD95] in culture supernatant. The results revealed a rise in the neutrophil apoptotic and necrotic markers with progression of the disease, and they were inversely correlated with the absolute neutrophil count. The apoptotic neutrophil cells showed a significant positive correlation with several haemostatic parameters [tissue factor, prothrombin fragment 1+2, thrombus precursor protein and Ddimer], which further incriminate the apoptotic mechanisms in the hypercoagulable state encountered in this clinical setting. Enhanced neutrophil apoptosis and necrosis in patients with chronic liver disease may explain in part the mechanism of neutropenia in these patients and may be one of the important factors which drive the haemostatic balance towards the hypercoagulable state

Knowledge of tuberculosis: a survey among tuberculosis patients in Omdurman, Sudan

A cross-sectional study was conducted in different health settings in Greater Omdurman Province with the objective of measuring the patients' knowledge about tuberculosis and its treatment. One thousand tuberculosis patients were randomly selected. Results revealed general unawareness with the disease and its treatment among the interviewees. Only 36.2% of them had satisfactory knowledge about tuberculosis and its treatment. The level of this knowledge was inversely proportional with respondent's age. Males [38.7%] were more knowledgeable than females [31.4%]. The level of satisfactory knowledge increased with increasing educational level. Respondents treated at health facilities implementing the ational Tuberculosis Programme guidelines [34.5%] were more knowledgeable compared to those treated at general hospitals and private clinics where there is no commitment to the uidelines [23.1%]. Increasing coverage of programme implementation to include general hospitals and private sector, the designing of special health educational programmes and interventions directed toward tuberculosis patients to increase their general awareness about the disease and its treatment were recommended

Studies on thiosemicarbazone 2-hydroxy -1-naphthal-dehyde complexes

The complexes of Thiosemicarbazone 2-Hydroxy-1-Naphthaldehyde with Cu, Pd, and Ru transition metals were prepared. The prepared complexes were characterized by, elemental analyses, IR, H NMR, electronic spectra, thermogravimetric analyses, TGA and magnetic moment. The antimicrobial activity of all the prepared compounds against gram-positive, gram -negative and fungi was studied. From these studies, it has been obtained that the ligand is obtained to the metal through O, N and S. But to Palladium in [Pd [H[2]L[2]] C[12] only through N and O

Distribution of arylamine N acetyltransferase 2 [NAT2] genotypes among Omanis

To determine the genotypes of arylamine N-acetyltransferase [NAT2] among 127 unrelated apparently healthy Omanis. Identify the most common known polymorphisms of NAT*2 gene namely, G191A, C282T, C341T, C481T, G590A, A803G and G857A using PCR-RFLP analysis. Eleven allele variants [3 alternative] and 30 different genotypes were determined. The commonest alleles were found to be NAT*5B, NAT2*6A and NAT*4 with corresponding frequencies of 0.362, 0.248 and 0.189 respectively. The overall frequency of rapid acetylator alleles was 0.25. A new allele variant containing G590A, C282T and T341C polymorphisms was found in one subject [was named NAT2*5J]. The commonest genotypes were found to be 5B/5B, 5B/6A, 4/5B, 4/6A with frequencies 0.165, 0.157, 0.118, 0.110 and 0.079 respectively

Effect of L-arginine on the blood levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9, caspase-3 and some liver functions in cadmium chloride-induced hepatic inflammation in rats

The intent of the present work was to study the changes of some hepatic parameters upon exposure to cadmium and to study the role of L-arginine in that experimental model of hepatocellular injury. The study was conducted on thirty two adult male albino rats that were divided into four groups, a control group, a cadmium [Cd] treated group [0.1mg/kg b.w] subcutaneously for 30 days, a cadmium and saline treated group and a cadmium and L-arginine treated group [100mg/kg b.w orally] for 30 days. Cadmium significantly [P<0.05] increased the mean values of the measured parameters, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate amino transferase [AST], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-a], interleukin-6 [IL-6], hepatic caspase-3 activity and serum matrix metallo-proteinase-9 [MMP-9], compared to control and to [cadmium and L-arginine]- treated rats. Concomitant administration of L-arginine with cadmium prevented the occuranee of these changes. Mean while the reduction of MMP-9 mean values, induced by L-arginine, did not return to basal control value. It was concluded that Cd-hepatocellular dysfunction, in that model, is induced through the activation of apoptosis and increased MMP-9 activity. It was also concluded that L-arginine, through the release of NO, induced a partial hepato-protective effect possibly due to the interaction of other mechanisms which may modulate MMP-9 activity

Early experience in stereotactic radiosurgery of metastatic brain tumours in Egypt

The results of two prospective randomized studies 1, 2 indicate survival advantages for patients with single brain metastases treated with surgery and radiotherapy compared with radiotherapy alone. Radiosurgery - a minimally invasive technique that uses multiple convergent beams to deliver a high dose of radiation to a small volume precisely localized stereotactically - can serve as a surgical alternative. The biological and physical characteristics of metastases [radiographically discrete, small, spherical, non- invasive] render them ideal targets for radiosurgery, with the potential advantages of reduced morbidity, short hospitalization and reduced health care costs. At Mansoura we treated [10] patients with brain metastases, [7] had single lesions and [3] had multiple lesions [up to 5]. The age ranged between 51 and 68ys. The primary lesion was known in [8] cases. Each received a dose of 20 Gy to the tumor edge and a supplementary whole brain dose of 2000 cGy divided over 10 fractions. All patients, except one, tolerated the treatment well and were discharged from hospital within 3 days on average. One case who had five lesions developed hydrocephalus that was shunted, he died a few days later. Nine Patients showed subsequent radiological evidence of tumor shrinkage and central tumor necrosis. The peritumoural edema subsequently subsided and most patients became steroid independent within 3 months of radiosurgery .We acknowledge the small number of cases and short period of follow up that negate any statistical significance. However our limited experience shows that stereotactic radiosurgery is a safe alternative to open surgery, particularly for lesions in deep location, near eloquent cortex and for multiple lesions. Surgical resection would be more advantageous for metastatic lesion of size greater than 35 mm in diameter with significant edema and mass effect, particularly if there is significant mass effect on fourth ventricle

Is epithelial membrane antigen a better prognostic factor than keratin proteins in colorectal carcinoma?: a comparative immunohistochemical study

The heterogeneous nature of tumour antigen expression may require the selection of monoclonal antibodies on an individual tumour to allow its adequate localization. Epithelial Membrane Antigen [EMA] and Cytokeratins [CK] expressions are not previously been compared in colorectal cancer patients. Sections of colorectal cancer [n= 32] were examined by monoclonal antibodies to EMA; CK. In the normal mucosa adjacent to the tumours, EMA was weakly expressed in 8 cases [25%], and negative in 24 cases [75%] recording mean weighted score of 0.43[ +/- 0.84]. CK expression was positive in the normal mucosa in all cases [100%] recording mean weighted score of 10.4 [ +/- 2.01]. This indicates that EMA is more specific marker than CK in colorectal carcinomas [80% and 50% respectively]. All primary colorectal cancers expressed EMA [100%] while 30 of 32 expressed CK [93.7%]. These results suggest that EMA is more sensitive than CK expression for colorectal cancer. The mean weighted score of EMA staining density was 6.4 [ +/- 4.2] in all grades while it recorded 6.8 [ +/- 4.5] for CK staining density. These results showed no significant difference between EMA and CK expression in all grades of differentiation of the tumours, and highly significant differences in their expression in the normal mucosa when compared with that in the malignant tissue [P<0.005]. Regarding tumour staging; the mean weighted score of EMA staining density was 8.57 [ +/- 4.07] in Dukes stage A; it recorded 4.75[ +/- 4.55] in stage B7 and 6.29[ +/- 4.07] in stage B2. The mean weighted score of CK staining density was 4.14 [ +/- 4.33], 5.87 [ +/- 4.35] and 8.35[ +/- 4.22] respectively. There were no significant differences in EMA expression in the different stages of colorectal carcinoma while CK expression in stages A and B1 and stage B2 was significantly different. EMA expression is negatively correlated with the tumour grade of differentiation and stage, while CK expression was negatively correlated with the tumour grade of differentiation and positively correlated with the stage of colorectal cancer. The combinations of monoctonal antibodies directed against distinct tumour - associated antigens such as EMA and CK may overcome the problem of heterogeneity of antigen expression and improve both the immunolocalization and potential for targeted therapy of monoclonal antibodies to patients with colorectal cancer. These findings lead us to recommend the selection of both Cytokeratins and Epithelial Membrane Antigen as prognostic factors in colorectal carcinoma. Thus selecting monoclonal antibodies markers based on tumour biopsies allow improved tumour localization for imaging or therapy in patients with colorectal cancer

Physicochemical study of some metal-3 alpha-acetylethylidenehydrazino] 5,6-diphenyl-1, 2, 4 triazine complexes

A series of metal complexes of Mn2+, Fe3+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions with 3-[alpha-acetylethylidenehydrazino] -5.6-diphenyl-1, 2, 4 triazine [AHDT] as a Schiff base have been synthesized and characterized by an elemental analysis, pH-metric titration and electronic and IR absorption spectra. The studies proved that two types of complexes were formed [1: 1 and 1: 2] [M: L] in 75% [v/v] dioxane-water solution. The infrared and electronic spectra of the formed complexes were recorded in the region 200-600 nm and 200-4000 cm-1. The new bands that appeared in the complex spectra were assigned. The effect of complex formation on the frequency of the active vibrational bands was also studied. The infrared energy changes of the complexes were calculated in a new line of calculation, spectrophotometrically, to give a clear insight about the stability of the complex and the nature of the intermolecular forces

use of bone substitute covered with Etick patch after multiple extraction to preserve the ridge for immediate fixed restoration

The aim of this study was to test the applicability of using bovine-derived hydroxyapatite combined with Etick patch for GTR in immediate extraction sites for alveolar ridge preservation and augmentation. From this study it was concluded that bovine-derived hydroxyapatite could be used as a bone substitute that could fill the sockets immediately for localized alveolar ridge preservation and augmentation. Guided tissue regeneration membrane increases the rate of bone deposition in the sockets filled by HA and prevented HA granules from migration. It also preserved the contour of the alveolar ridges in areas that over filled with HA for localized ridge augmentation. Combination of HA grafted in the extraction sockets and covered with guided tissue regeneration membrane gave us a chance to contour the alveolar ridge either vertically or horizontally as the membrane produced abarrier effect for sufficient time to allow for regeneration of bone and also the physical characteristics of adaptability and consistency of the membrane allow for a tent effect over HA grafted material

Evaluation of the possibility of prophylactic and therapeutic effects of praziquantel in adjuvant arthritic rats

This work was designed to study the effect of praziquantel [an antibilharzial drug] on adjuvant arthritis in rats in comparison with indomethacin. An animal model of adjuvant arthritis was adopted in rats by intradermal injection of Freund's adjuvant. Oral administration of praziquantel in adjuvant arthritic rats at a dose of 187 mg/kg/week for four weeks as a prophylactic or therapeutic regimen resulted in a significant anti-inflammatory effect which was more or less similar to indomethacin. It was concluded that the administration of praziquantel could be used for the treatment of rheumatic diseases and it could prevent the progress of the rheumatic disease