Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Novel 2-Phenylindole Linked Imidazolothiazole, Thiazolo-s-triazine and Imidazolyl-Sugar Systems

Novel functionalized 2-phenylindole derivatives, their derived imidazolethione and 1,2,4-triazinethione weresynthesized. The bicyclic compounds thiazoloimidazole and thiazolotriazine compounds in addition to their arylidinederivatives 5-8 were synthesized. Furthermore, a thioglycoside, as well as sugar hydrazone derivatives of theimidazolylindole system, were prepared. Some of the prepared compounds were screened against four cancer celllines and compounds 2, 3a and 10 showed high cytotoxic activities. The imidazolylindol-3-one derivatives 3a showedsignificant cytotoxic effect superior to the reference drug, doxorubicin, against breast adenocarcinoma cell line.

Patterns of brain injuries associated with maxillofacial fractures and its fate in emergency Egyptian polytrauma patients / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>PURPOSE</b>Maxillofacial injuries are commonly encountered in the practice of emergency medicine. More than 50% of patients with these injuries have multisystem trauma that requires coordinated management between emergency physicians and surgical specialists in oral and maxillofacial surgery, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, and trauma surgery. The aim of this study is to identify the patterns of brain injuries associated with maxillofacial trauma and its outcome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This descriptive study (cross-sectional) was carried out among 90 polytrauma patients with maxillofacial fractures attending the Emergency Department at Suez Canal university Hospital and fulfilling our inclusion and exclusion criteria.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>This study demonstrates the relation between type of maxillofacial fracture and type of traumatic brain injuries in which the majority of patients with epidural hemorrhage presented with mid face fractures (60%), while the minority of them presented with upper and lower face fractures (20% for each of them). The majority of patients with subdural hemorrhage were associated with mid face fractures (75%), the majority of patients with brain contusions associated with mid face fractures (75%), and all of the patients presented by pneumocephalus were associated with mid face fractures (100%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results of this study confirm the value of quick diagnosis and early intervention, which is fundamental to prevent morbidity as well as mortality especially with regards to prevention of traumatic brain injury as even a short duration of hypoxia and edema will lead to significant permanent neurological deficits.</p>

Assessment of the physiological changes induced by sodium nitrite, annatto or mono sodium glutamate in male albino rats

Background: food additives are added to most junk and fast foods, especially those for kids. Sodium nitrite is an inorganic salt with widespread applications in the food industry as a color fixative and preservative in meat and fish. Annatto extract is a natural food color obtained from the outer coatings of the seeds of the Annatto tree [Bixa orellana L.]. Monosodium glutamate [MSG], the sodium salt of amino acid glutamate, is a food additive that popularly used all over the world as "flavor enhancer"

Aim of the work: this study was aimed to determine the hazardous effects of sodium nitrite, annatto and monosodium glutamate on some physiological parameters in male albino rats

Materials and methods: this study had been done on fourty male albino rats with an average body weight 100-145 g. The animals were divided into four groups; Group 1: control [untreated group], Group 2: sodium nitrite treated group, Group 3: annatto treated group and Group 4: monosodium glutamate treated group. Blood samples were collected, sera were separated and used for estimation of some biochemical parameters [liver enzymes, kidney functions, glucose, protein profile and lipid profile] and hormonal levels [testosterone, T3 [triiodothyronine] and T4 [thyroxine]]

Results: the biochemical results showed an increase in the activities of liver enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase [ASAT] and alanine aminotransferase [ALAT]], and the levels of glucose, kidney functions [urea, and creatinine], lipid profile [total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein [LDL-C]] and thyroid hormones [thyroxin [T4] and triiodothyronine [T3]] in all treated groups when compared to the control group. A drop in protein profile [total protein, albumin, globulin and A/G ratio], testosterone hormone and HDL level were observed in the treated groups as compared to the control rats

Conclusion: it could be concluded that some food additives like sodium nitrite, annatto, and monosodium glutamate have extreme effects on liver and kidney functions, protein and lipid profiles and also on thyroid and testosterone hormones. So, it is recommended to minimize the use of these additives to protect young children and mature people from these destructive effects

Adverse effects of two kinds of food additive mixtures [flavor enhancer, food preservative or food coloring agent] on physiological parameters in young male albino rats

Background: food additives are substances used in food industry in order to improve the food's taste, appearance by preserving its flavor and preventing it from souring. Food additives are added to the most junk and fast foods, especially food for kids

Aim of the work: this work was aimed to investigate the adverse effects of some food additives on the biochemical parameters in addition to study the side effects of these food additives in male albino rats

Materials and Methods: this study was performed on twenty four young male albino rats with an average 120-145 g body weight. Animals were divided into four groups [6 /cage]; Group I [Control untreated group], Group II [administered orally with sodium nitrite [0.1 mg/kg b.wt./day] and annatto [0.065 mg/kg b.wt./day]], Group III [administered orally with sodium nitrite [0.1 mg/kg b.wt./day] and monosodium glutamate [MSG] [15 mg/kg b.wt./day]] and Group IV [administered orally with annatto [0.065 mg/kg b.wt./day] and monosodium glutamate [15 mg/kg b.wt./day]]. Blood samples were collected on the last day of experiment, for biochemical estimations which included levels of serum glucose, total protein [TP], albumin, creatinine, urea, testosterone , thyroid hormones [T3 and T4], activities of AST and ALT in addition to lipid profile

Results: showed marked elevation in levels of fasting glucose, activities of AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG] and high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], VLDL and ratios of TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C [risk factors] as well as albumin / globulin ratio and serum thyroid hormones [T3 and T4] accompanied with marked decline in levels of serum total proteins, albumin, globulin, albumin/ creatinine ratio, testosterone and HDL-C in all treated groups in comparison to the control group. There was a significant reduction in the body weight in groups that received [NaNO2 with annatto] and [MSG with NaNO2] while treated rats with [MSG and annatto] showed a significant increase in body weight as compared to control rats

Conclusion: Due to the harmful effects of food additives, the use of these compounds must be limited as it resulted in a vehement disturbance in the biochemical and physiological parameters that was grievously pronounced on many hormones

Effects of some food additives on some biochemical parameters in young male albino rats and the ameliorative role of royal jelly

Background: the use of food additives is one of the most important problems in the human health nutrition field. Food additives are widely used for various purposes; including preservation, coloring, and sweetening, however, the physiological and biochemical changes may be produced

Aim of the work: was to investigate the protective role of royal jelly [RJ] against abnormalities in metabolic biochemical parameters that induced by these food additives in male albino rats

Materials and Methods: thirty young male albino rats with an average body weight 120-140 g were divided into three groups [10/cage]; Group I: served as normal control group, Group II: rats orally administrated with the mixture which consists of sodium nitrite [NaNO2 0.1 mg/kg b.wt./ day], annatto [0.065 mg/kg b.wt./day] and monosodium glutamate [MSG 15 mg/kg b.wt./day] and Group III: rats orally administrated with the previous mixture and then orally administrated with royal jelly [14.28 mg/kg b.wt./day soluble in maize oil]. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for biochemical estimations which including levels of serum glucose, creatinine, urea, testosterone, thyroid hormones [T3 and T4], activities of AST and ALT, total protein [TP], albumin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein [HDL-c] and low-density lipoprotein [LDL-c]

Results: the present study showed marked elevation in levels of fasting blood glucose, activities of AST, ALT, levels of serum urea, creatinine, TC, TG, LDL-c, VLDLand ratios of TC/HDL-c and LDL-c/HDL-c [risk factors] as well as albumin /globulin ratio and serum thyroid hormones [T3andT4] accompanied with significant reduction in the body weight, serum total proteins, albumin, globulin, albumin/creatinine, testosterone and HDL-C concentrations in the group that administrated with the mixture which consists of [NaNO2, MSG and annatto] as compared to control rats. While administration with royal jelly significantly ameliorated the disturbed biochemical parameters and showed significant improvement in most of these parameters

Conclusion: it could be concluded that royal jelly offers a therapeutic advantage that minimizes the metabolic abnormalities and biochemical changes which induced by these food additives

First report of MIRU-VNTR genotyping of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates from Egypt

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis [MAP] is the causative agent of Johne's disease, an economically important disease in ruminants worldwide. It was first isolated in Egypt in 2005. Since then, the pathogen has been detected in different Egyptian provinces. In order to trace the source of infection, genotyping using simple methods of high discriminatory power such as mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeats [MIRU-VNTR] were carried out in different countries. Until now there is no published information about MIRU-VNTR genotyping of MAP isolates in Egypt. To address that point, 100 faecal samples were collected and cultivated from 3 different suspected dairy farms. Fourteen isolates belonging to one farm were identified as MAP and subjected to genotyping using 8 different MIRU-VNTR loci PCRs. Two different genotypes were recognized based on size polymorphism observed in one locus [VNTR-7] that was confirmed by sequencing. Our work provides a preliminary basis of constructing a MIRU-VNTR genotyping database of MAP in Egypt

potential protective effect of stem cell enhancer on chronic bisphenol-a treated female albino rats

Background: The xenoestrogen, bisphenol-A [BPA], is a worldwide food contaminant with endocrine disruptor activity that is incorporated in many plastic industries. The exposure of humans to such substances starts early during the fetal life, postnatal life and extends throughout the life of the individual. Many agencies raised warnings against the excessive use of these substances

Aim of the work: The present study was designed to determine if the usage of stem cell enhancer [SE] moderates the physiological changes occasioned by exposure to BPA in the female albino rats

Materials and Methods: This study was performed on thirty female albino rats with an average 100-120 g body weight. The animals were divided into three groups; Group I [Control untreated-group], Group II [bisphenol­A treated group] and Group III [treated group orally supplied with bisphenol ­A then treated with stem cell Enhancer [SE]]. Serum was separated and used for estimation of hormonal levels [estradiol, progesterone, prolactin [PRL], follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH] and luteinizing hormone [LH]], some biochemical parameters [liver enzymes, kidney function, glucose and lipid profile] and CA-125 and CA 15-3 tumor markers

Results: The biochemical results showed marked significant increase [P<0.01] in the enzyme activities [aspartate aminotransferase [ASAT], alanine aminotransferase [ALAT] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]], urea and creatinine in bisphenol­A treated group when compared to the control group. These parameters were significantly reduced in the group treated with stem cell enhancer as compared to bisphenol ­A treated group. Decline in the concentration of lipid profile with increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL- C] levels in the stem cell treated group as compared to bisphenol-A group were observed. There was a significant elevation in prolactin, FSH and tumor marker levels concomitant with a significant reduction in LH levels in bisphenol-A treated group compared to the control group. These results were changed to values very close to control by using the stem cell enhancer

Conclusion: It could be concluded that bisphenol-A has dangerous effects on liver and kidney functions as well as on lipid profile, female hormones and tumor markers level. So, we recommended minimizing the utililizing of this compound and the use of some protective materials as stem cell enhancer to protect people from its hazardous effects

Evaluation of real time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme immunoassay in diagnosis of clostridium difficile infection

Background: Clostridium difficile infection [CDI] is the most common cause of antibiotic associated diarrhea [AAD]. Rapid diagnosis of CDI is essential to prevent hospital spread of infection

Objectives: The aim of this work were to determine the prevalence of CDI among cases of AAD in Zagazig University Hospitals, identify risk factors, and evaluate real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and enzyme immunoassay [EIA], against toxigenic culture [TC]

Methodology: Stools were collected from 150 patients with AAD

Results: They were tested for TC, toxin A/B EIA, and C. difficile tcdA/tcdB genes. Thirty four toxigenic C. difficile isolates were obtained [22.7%] out of the 150 patients and those patients were considered positive for CDI. On the other hand, 6 non-toxigenic C. difficile isolates were obtained [4%], while culture of the remaining 110 patients [73.3%] did not yield C. difficile. The later 116 patients [77.3%] were considered negative for CDI. Analysis of risk factors revealed that advanced age, prolonged hospitalization, long duration of antibiotic intake, potentiated penicillins, 3rd generation cephalosporins, antibiotic combined therapy, liver cirrhosis, malignancy, proton pump inhibitors, enteral tube feeding, and cancer chemotherapy were significantly associated with CDI. Sensitivitiy, specificitiy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of real-time PCR against TC were all 100%, however, values of EIA were 79.4%, 100%, 100%, 94.3%, 95.3%, respectively

Conclusions: CDI is an underappreciated nosocomial infection predisposed by many risk factors. Real-time PCR proved superior diagnostic performance to toxin A/B EIA

Polymorphism of toll like receptors 2 and 4 genes and the risk of bronchial asthma

Background: Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic inflammatory respiratory disorders affecting many people all over the world

Objectives: To study the association between single nucleotide polymorphism in genes of TLR2 and TLR4 and the risk of bronchial asthma

Methodology: This study was carried out on 40 patients suffering from bronchial asthma and 20 healthy subjects as a control group during the period from May 2014 to March 2015.The patients were chosen from the Chest Department of Benha University Hospital. Skin prick test [SPT] was done to assess atopic state. Blood samples were taken for detection of TLR gene polymorphism by Polymerase chain reaction -Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism [PCR-RFLP]

Results: Statistical data for the genotypic frequencies in TLR2Arg753Gln revealed that the homozygous [GG] genotype has increased frequency among the controls [80%] as compared to the asthmatic patients [30%]The heterozygous [AG] genotype was more prevalent among the asthmatic patients [62.5%] as compared to the controls [15%] with OR =9.4, 95% CI [2.4-37.7] and significant P-value. Also, the homozygous mutant [AA] genotype has increased trend in the asthmatic patients [7.5%] than in the control subjects [5%], with OR = 0. 6, 95% CI [0.1-6.7] and non-significant P-value Statistical data for the genotypic frequencies in TLR4Asp299Glyrevealed that the homozygous [AA] genotype has increased frequency among the controls [70%] as compared to the asthmatics [20%]. The heterozygous [AG] genotype was more prevalent among the asthmatic patients [65%] as compared to the controls [30%] with OR =4.3, 95% CI [1.4-13.8] and significant P-value

Conclusion: The major allele in TLR 2 and 4 polymorphisms [GG genotype of TLR2 and AA genotype of TLR4] might be generally associated with a protective effect against bronchial asthma

Microbiological profile of acute retropharyngeal abscesses in children: analysis of 26 Egyptian patients

Objectives: this work aims to describe our experience in a tertiary centre for the diagnosis of acute retropharyngeal abscesses in children as regards the diagnosis, microbiological analysis and their management

Methodology: A prospective study that included 26 patients suffering from acute retropharyngeal abscess in children was done for a period of about 3 years from September 2011 to July 2014 on pediatric patients. CT was used for diagnosis of the abscess. Twenty patients were underwent surgical drainage of the abscess. Pus was aspirated from all patients and used for microbiological analysis. Data for clinical presentation, X-ray, CT scan findings, bacteriological profile and management of the cases were collected

Results: 26 patients were investigated in this study. Males were more commonly affected than females. Their ages ranged from 8month to 12 years [mean +/- 5.45 years]. The most common symptoms at time of investigation were fever followed by dysphagia/odynophagia and neck swelling. The most common clinical sign was cervical lymphadenopathy. Positive microbial cultures were detected in 84.6%. Polymicrobial growth was recorded in 34.6%. The most common isolated organism was MRSA [38.5%] followed by Staphylococcus aureus [26.9%] and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [19.2%]

Conclusion: The used antibiotics in the retropharyngeal abscesses to be used should cover mainly Gram positive bacteria especially MRSA. This may substitute surgical intervention in many cases. MRSA found to be a rising causative agent of acute retropharyngeal abscess in children in our locality. Obtaining samples may be difficult for microbiological culture. Antibiotics should be prescribed immediately according to the antibiotic guide in each locality to reduce the morbidity rate of the acute retropharyngeal abscess

Allergy-immunology glossary

Interleukin-5 [IL5] is a Th2 homodimeric cytokine involved in the differentiation, maturation, migration, development, survival, trafficking and effector function of blood and local tissue eosinophils, in addition to basophils and mast cells. IL 5 and IL-5R drive allergic and inflammatory immune responses characterizing numerous diseases, such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, hyper-eosi nophilic syndrome, Churg-Strauss syndrome and eosinophilic nasal polyposis. IL-5 has been proposed as a potential molecular target in the treatment of these diseases. In studies of asthmatics, anti-IL-5 showed minimal efficacy in patients with moderate, controlled asthma. In patients with severe, refractory asthma associated with eosinophilia, however, clinical trials have demonstrated significant reductions in asthma exacerbations. IL-6 is a pleotropic cytokine that, together with TNF-alpha and IL-lp, has been traditionally considered as a biomarker of ongoing inflammation more than as a regulatory cytokine with potential to modulate the immune response. Specifically, IL-6 has been shown to promote Th2 differentiation of CD4+ T cells while suppressing Thl differentiation through independent pathways, IL-6 can also modulate the intensity of the immune response by inhibiting T regulatory [Treg] cell development. Some studies suggest that IL'6 synergizes with IL4 [3 to promote Thl 7 differentiation. Thus, IL6 may be a key factor in determining the balance of CD4+ T cells in becoming Treg or inflammatory Thl 7 cells

Studies on the use of Aloe vera extract as a contraceptive in female rats

Background: The study on the natural herbal contraception has become one of the main interests of modern contraceptive studies. Herbs have been used by women since the beginning of time in an attempt to control their fertility. The development of new fertility regulating drugs derived from medicinal plants is an attractive proposition, Aloe Vera is a durable plant belonging to Sousanian family

Aim of the work: This work was assessed to evaluate the probable contraceptive effect of the aqueous extract of Aloe vera plant and its effect on the some vital organs in the female albino rats

Materials and Methods: This study was performed on twenty female albino rats with an average 120-140g body weight. The animals were divided into two groups [5 /cage]; Group I [Control untreated group] and Group II [Aloe vera group that supplied orally with 7 mg/kg body wt/day of the plant extract for 30 +/- 2 days].Results A prolonged proestrus and estrus phases of the estrous cycle were observed in the Aloe vera group .The mean serum level of estrogen [estradiol] was significantly increased in the Aloe vera group as compared to the control group [P<0.01] while non significant difference was found for serum level of progesterone and the tumor markers, CA15-3 and CA-125.The results also showed a marked decline [p<0.01] in levels of the serum calcium, creatinine, urea, total proteins, albumin, globulin and ratio of TC/HDL accompanied with a marked elevation [p<0.01] in the serum phosphorus, total lipid, TC, TG, HDL and LDL levels in the Aloe vera group in comparison with those of control group. However, levels of uric acid, AST, ALT, GGT, VLDL and ratios of LDL/HDL [risk factors] and A/G were approximately as that of the control group

Conclusion: It could be concluded that Aloe vera can be used as a contraceptive drug that can increase the estrogen level due to its phytoestrogen components such as beta sitosterol and without deleterious effects on the other vital organ [liver and kidney], however it's use is to be restricted with women suffering from low ca++level as well as osteoporosis

prevalence of chlamydia trachomatis infection among Saudi women attending the infertility clinic in central Saudi Arabia

To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis [C. trachomatis] infection among Saudi women, its clinical presentation, and its association to infertility. This study was conducted between October 2012 and July 2013 at King Khalid University Hospital and King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Female patients aged between 19 and 46 years old with infertility problems seen at both hospitals were recruited to join the study. A separate group of female patients without infertility problems was also recruited from both hospitals to serve as controls for the study. Endocervical swabs were collected from both groups of patients, and samples were analyzed using real time polymerase chain reaction. There was a statistically significantly greater prevalence of C. trachomatis infection in infertile women [n=8, 8.0%] compared with the fertile group of women [n=1, 1.0%]. The C. trachomatis infection was significantly correlated to infertility. A significant association between infertility and increased prevalence of C. trachomatis infection is shown in this study, thus, we suggest that screening for Chlamydial infection to be part of the routine investigation for infertility

Allergy-immunology glossary

Mast cells VEGF is a highly specific mitogen for vascular endothelial cells. Five VEGF isoforms are generated as a result of alternative splicing from a single VEGF gene. The expression of VEGF is potentiated in response to hypoxia, by activated oncogenes, and by a variety of cytokines. VEGF induces endothelial cell proliferation, promotes cell migration, and inhibits apoptosis. In vivo VEGF induces angiogenesis as well as permeabilization of blood vessels, and plays a central role in the regulation of vasculogenesis. Deregulated VEGF expression contributes to the development of solid tumors and to several additional diseases by promoting tumor angiogenesis. Consequently, inhibition of VEGF signaling abrogates the development of a wide variety of tumors. The various VEGF forms bind to two tyrosine-kinase receptors, VEGFR-1 [flt-1] and VEGFR-2 [KDR/flk-1], which are expressed almost exclusively in endothelial cells Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] New blood vessel formation regulated by a number of protein factors elaborated by cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems.3 Excessive angiogenesis occurs in diseases such as cancer, diabetic blindness, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis. Insufficient angiogenesis occurs in diseases such as coronary artery disease, stroke, and chronic wounds. Angiogenic growth factors [GF] include angiogenin, angiopoietin-1, VEGF, fibroblast GF, follistatin, proliferin, transforming GFs and others. Angiogenic inhibitors include angioarrestin, angiostatin [plasminogen fragment], chondromodulin, CD59 complement fragment, heparinases, human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG], interleukin-12, platelet factor-4 [PF4], thrombospondin-1 and -2, vasostatin, etc[4]

Evaluation of Banana Hypersensitivity Among a Group of Atopic Egyptian Children: Relation to Parental/Self Reports

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency of banana sensitization and allergy among a group of atopic Egyptian children in relation to parental/self reports. METHODS: This is a case-control study included 2 groups of allergic children with and without history of banana allergy, each included 40 patients. They were subjected to skin prick test (SPT) using commercial banana allergen extract and prick-prick test (PPT) using raw banana, in addition to measuring the serum banana-specific IgE. Oral banana challenge was performed in suspected cases. RESULTS: Banana allergy was diagnosed in 3 (7.5%) patients based on positive history of allergy on exposure to banana, positive SPT/PPT and elevated banana-specific IgE. The 3 patients had bronchial asthma with exacerbation upon banana exposure. The PPT results conform with those of SPT both in diagnosis of banana allergy and in the skin reactivity to banana. Serum banana-specific IgE was detectable in the whole studied sample with higher serum level among those without history of banana allergy (P=0.005). Oral banana challenge was negative for 20 patients with history of banana allergy and positive serum banana-specific IgE but negative SPT and PPT. CONCLUSIONS: Self/parental reports of banana allergy is high while the actual banana allergy is uncommon. The PPT seems as reliable as SPT in diagnosis of banana allergy unlike specific IgE which reflects sensitization rather than allergy. Oral food challenge remains the most helpful tool for diagnosis of food allergy in suspected cases.

Post-discharge surveillance of wound infections by telephone calls method in a Sudanese teaching hospital

Surveillance of wound infections has been shown to be a powerful preventive tool, and feedback to the clinical staff reduces wound infection rates. The main objectives of this study were to identify the applicability of telephone calls as a method of post-discharge wound infection surveillance, and to identify patients and procedures characteristics associated with loss for follow-up after hospital discharge. This was a prospective cohort study conducted in Khartoum Teaching Hospital, Sudan. Patients, aged >18 years admitted for elective clean and clean-contaminated surgery during March 1[st] to 31[st] October 2010 were recruited. 1-month surveillance of wound infections was conducted with telephone interviews. Overall 3656 patients were operated on. Of them 1769 [48.4%] were eligible [mean age 37.8+14 years; females, n=1472 [83.3%]]. The performed surgical interventions were 1814. Of these 1277 [70.4%] were clean-contaminated and 537 [29.6%] were clean. Patients who successfully completed the follow-up were 1387 [78.4%], while 368 [20.8%] were lost, and 14 [0.8%] died. The percentage of male patients [85.3%] who successfully completed the follow-up was significantly higher than females [77.8%]; [P=0.002]. Wound infection was detected in 15 [0.8%] cases during hospital stay and 110 [6.2%] others after hospital discharge. The majority of wound infections in the current study appeared in post-discharge period; this emphasis the need for establishment of surveillance program in the hospital. Surveillance of wound infections using telephone calls is applicable in this setting and can be used as an alternative method to clinic-based diagnosis of wound infections

Macro- and micromorphological study of lagenaria siceraria [molina] standl.

Macro- and micromorphological study of Lagenaria siceraria [Molina] Standl., was carried out with the aim off finding out the characteristic features of the different organs of the plant in both entire and powdered forms

Ongoing deterioration of the nutritional status of Palestinian preschool children in Gaza under the Israeli siege

This cross-sectional, community-based, household survey was carried out in Gaza City, Palestine during the first half of 2009 to study the nutritional status of Palestinian preschool children aged 2-5 years under blockade. The response rate was 95.2% from a total sample of 770. The majority [94.4%] of households faced difficulties accessing food, the main cause was the siege and the shortage of food products; and the majority [85.5%] were food insecure households. Just over 50% of the preschoolers were anaemic, 26.8% of those who had a stool test had parasitic infections, and 15.0 were stunted. Food insecurity was the first predictor of stunting and underweight, and malnutrition indicators indicate the worst situation in the Gaza Strip for several decades