Acute effects of cigarette smoking on the cardiac diastolic functions

Smoking is an independent risk factor for coronary heart diseases and it increases all causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. To assess the acute effect of cigarette smoking on ventricular diastolic functions [LV and RV] in healthy, young, and slim smokers. Thirty volunteers who had recently commenced smoking [less than one year] and who smoked 1-2 cigarettes per day, underwent ECG, 2D and M-mode echocardiography, standard Doppler echocardiography, pulsed TDI [tissue Doppler imaging] on septal and lateral side of mitral annulus and lateral tricuspid annulus. Vp values were measured. The investigator asked them to hold smoking for at least two days after which echocardiographic examination was conducted before smoking one cigarette and the second examination conducted immediately after smoking one cigarette containing at least 0.4 mg of nicotine. Doppler findings over the mitral valve showed the E wave was significantly reduced from 82.7 +/- 10.4 to 74.6 +/- 10.4 after smoking; the A wave increased; the E/A ratio was reduced from 1.5 +/- 0.3 to 1.2 +/- 0.2; the E' septal significantly decreased [15.3 +/- 2.4 vs. 11.2 +/- 1.1] after smoking, and the E/E' ratio increased from 5.5 +/- 1.1 to 6.7 +/- 1.1. Doppler findings over the tricuspid valve showed the E wave was reduced from 60.6 +/- 9.7 to 52.7 +/- 9.6; the A wave increased from 42.2 +/- 6.5 to 50.1 +/- 6.6; and the E/A ratio decreased [1.45 +/- 0.25 vs. 1.06 +/- 0.19]. The E' significantly decreased from 14.1 +/- 1.8 to 10.9 +/- 2.4, while the A' increased [10.2 +/- 2.4 vs. 12.7 +/- 3.6] after smoking; and the IVRT of the RV was significantly prolonged from 62.9 +/- 7.5 to 68.7 +/- 7.9 after smoking. The Vp was markedly reduced from 67.8 +/- 8 to 55.2 +/- 3.5 after smoking. These findings reflected on the LV filling pressure [LVFvp] which increased from 9.8 +/- 1.4 to 10.5 +/- 1.3 after smoking. All changes were statistically significant at P < 0.001. Our study reveals that cigarette smoking can result in significant acute alteration in the diastolic functions of both ventricles

Carcinogenic heterocyclic amines formation and its relation with marinating process and cooking methods of chicken meat and fish

Common cooking procedures such as broiling, frying [flam-grilling], heat processing and pyrolysis of protein-rich foods induce the formation of potent mutagenic and carcinogenic heterocyclic aromatic amines [HAAs]. This research was conducted to study the effect of marinating, cooking method and cooking time on HAAs formation. Four types of HAAs [IQ, MeIQx, PhIP and A alpha C] were determined in cooked marinated and non- marinated chicken legs and fish. Chicken legs samples with and without skin were cooked by [oven-broiled] for 30, 40 and 50min, fish samples were cooked by [oven-broiled] for 30 and 40min or fried for 10min. marinating periods were 2 and 4h. for chicken and 1h. for fish. The solid- phase extraction and HPLC method was used to analyse pooled samples for HAAs content. The obtained results indicates that skinless chicken samples had a lower value of cooking loss% than samples with the skin. Marinating resulted in a considerable decrease in cooking loss% for broiled chicken samples either with or without skin. HAAs [IQ, MeIQx, PhIP and A alpha C] increased in mass with longer cooking time. The highest amount of HAAs formed in oven-broiled chicken legs was PhIP followed by MeIQx; IQ and A alpha C. A large decrease in PhIP amount was found after marinating. A alpha C was found in low quantity in marinated chicken samples and be detected after 4h marinating. Fish samples marinated for 1h lead to a decrease in cooking loss% in both oven- broiling and fried fish. Formation of IQ and MeIQx were increased in fried fish samples. But PhIP amount was decreased compared with oven-broiled samples. A alpha C type of HAAs was not detected in fried fish, while it was found in slight amount in oven-broiled fish samples. It could be concluded that cooked fish contained less amount of HAAs than chicken. HAAs formation increased with increasing cooking time. Marinating process reduces the formation of most HAAs especially PhIP. Grilled or fried chicken and fish consumption may be confounded with other healthy aspects of diet such as higher consumption of fruit, vegetables, fiber and lower intake of fat without increasing the cooking time

Spontaneous empyema in cases with cirrhosis

Spontaneous bacterial empyema is an infection of a preexisting hydrothorax in a cirrhotic patient that cannot be attributed to chest condition. It is associated with a bad prognosis and mortality rate may reach over 20%. Infection is usually by enteric bacteria which reach pleural cavity by hematogenous spread; though transfer through bowel wall can occur. The aim of the present work is to study spontaneous bacterial empyema in cirrhotic patients with hepatic hydrothorax and its relation to ascetic fluid. The present study was performed on 40 patients with hepatic hydrothorax from Tropical Medicine Dept. Tanta University. All patients were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination, routine laboratory investigations, abdominal US. Tuberculin testing and ZN examination of sputum were done to exclude TB. Examination of pleural fluid of all cases was done including Adenosine Deaminase [ADA] and LDH. Pleural fluid was examined bacteriologically for Gram stain and Ziehl Neelsen staining. Cultures were done using the conventional method and modified method. According to these data, cases were further divided into two groups: group I: thirteen patients [13] with cirrhosis, hepatic hydrothorax with Spontaneous bacterial empyema. Group II: Twenty seven patients [27] with cirrhosis and hepatic hydrothorax. Ascitic fluid analysis macroscopically, biochemically and bacteriologically was done for all cases. There were no significant differences as regards child score, hemoglobin, white cell count, Serum bilirubin and transaminases, but there was a significant deterioration of renal function in group I compared to group II. Comparison of pleural and ascitic fluid in the two groups proved significant differences as regards total leucocytes, PMN, LDH and pH in group I compared to group II. Main bacterial pathogen in pleural fluid was E. coli followed by Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Culture was negative in 46.2% of ascitic fluid and 30.7% in pleural fluid. Spontaneous bacterial empyema is a relatively common complication of cirrhotic patients with hydrothorax. Diagnostic thoracocentesis is mandatory in cases with hepatic hydrothorax regardless the presence or absence of ascites. E. coli is the most common pathogen, and hematogenous spread may play a main role. Modified method of culture is the method of choice to increase sensitivity

Using cotton seed flour as a new source of protein and its effect on nutritive value and sensory characteristics of biscuit and bread

The major nutritional problem in most of the developing countries is protein- energy malnutrition. Nutritionally cotton seed flour [CSF] is low in fat and contains a substantial amount of high biological value protein. The present research was conducted to study the effect of fortification of both biscuit and bread with cotton seed flour. Cotton seed flour was added to wheat flour [extract 72%] at three levels 10%, 20%, and 30%. Fortified and unfortified samples of biscuit and bread were evaluated chemically, nutritionally and sensory. Results revealed that protein and minerals contents of both Fortified biscuit and bread increased by increasing level of fortification. The percentage increase of total protein for biscuit was 35.2%, 70.4% and 103.7% at levels 10%, 20% and 30% cotton seed flour [CSF] respectively, while percentage increase for bread were 51.5%, 113.0% and 154.9%. Calcium [Ca], Phosphorous [P], Iron [Fe] and Zinc [Zn] contents for fortified biscuit [at level 30% CSF] increased by 355.6%, 133.5% 67.3% and 119.2% respectively, while the values for bread were 145.6%, 191.6%, 90.6% and 140% at the same level of fortification [30%]. Also biological value [B.V] and protein efficiency ratio [PER] for fortified biscuit and bread were increased by increasing the level of CSF. All given sensory scores of the fortified biscuit and bread samples were fairly decreased with increasing the percentage of CSF, except for biscuit's colour. The differences between control [unfortified] and fortified biscuit samples were not significant [P >/= 0.05]. In conclusion, addition of [CSF] to wheat flour led to increase of biscuit and bread content of total protein, mineral and amino acids. Also there was an improvement in product colour [biscuit]. The investigator advice mass production of CSF to supplement wheat flour so to help crossing the gap between production and consumption of wheat

Serum ANCA versus endoscopic histopathological findings in diagnosis of patients with ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis [UC] is defined as continuous idiopathic inflammation of colonic mucosa that begins in the rectal area and may extend through the entire large bowel. The diagnosis of UC depends on clinical picture, stool analysis, endoscopie appearance and histopathological assessment of endoscopic biopsy. The aim of this work was to assess the value of pANCA in the diagnosis of UC as a non-invasive diagnostic tool versus the endoscopie and histoapathological examinations This study included seventy patients which were grouped into three groups: Group [I]: Included 20 patients with UC [13 males and 7 females with mean age of 28, 7 +/- 9.83 years], Group[II]: Included 20 patients with nonspecific colitis [8 males and 12 females with mean age of 40.4 +/- 10.8 years] and Group[III] that Included 30 subjects with normal lower endoscopy as control group [18 males and 12 females with mean of age 27l +/- 6.llyears]. All patients were subjected to thorough history taking. full clinical examination, urine analysis. stool examination and culture, ESR, CRP, complete blood picture. serum iron, liver function tests, renal function tests, abdominal plain X-ray, abdominal ultrasound, lower endoscopic and histopathological examinations, pANCA detection by ELISA and confirmed by IF technique Perinuclear anti nuetrophil cytoplasmic antibodies [pANCA] detected by ELISA were positive in 75% of UC patients and in 10% of non specific colitis patients while all control group subjects were negative. pANCA detected by ELISA had 75% sensitivity. 95% specificity, 88.2°/a positive predictive value and 90.5% negative predictive value for ulcerative colitis patients pANCA detected by IF technique were positive in 85% of UC patients and 25% of non specific colitis patients while none of control group was positive. pANCA by I had 85% sensitivity, 90% specificity. 77.3% positive predictive value and 93.7% negative predictive value for ulcerative colitis patients Conclusion pANCA is a beneficial senomarker detected in 75%-85% of patients with ulcerative colitis. pANCA detected by ELISA technique has high specificity and relatively low sensitivity for ulcerative colitis. Combined ELISA and IF technique for detection of pANCA may add higher sensitivity for pANCA as a seromaker for diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and can be used as a non invasive tool for diagnosis of ulcerative colitis especially when lower cndoscopy is contraindieated

Blood count profile in chronic active hepatitis [C] Egyptian patients

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] is one of the most important causes of chronic hepatitis globally, and particularly in Egypt. Abnormal blood counts have been noted in clinics among patients with HCV infection. The present work is a case control study conducted in Damanhour Medical National Institute [DMNI] to evaluate the frequency and severity of peripheral blood cell abnormalities in HCV- infected Egyptian patients. Two groups of individuals were randomly selected, group 1 comprised 100 patients suffering from chronic active hepatitis C with positive RNA PCR, and group 2 comprised 100 healthy persons and represented the control group. Low neutrophil and platelet counts, but not anemia were noticed in the first group and were significantly different when compared to the control group [<2.1x10[9]/L in 27% of patients versus 10% of controls and <175x10[9]/L in patients versus 11% of controls respectively at p<0.01]. Obesity, advanced age and anti HCV seropositivity were independently associated with neutropenia, while advanced age and female gender and anti HCV seropositivity were associated with thrombocytopenia among HCV infected patients

Ramadan fasting: relation to atherogenic risk among obese muslims

Increased platelet aggregation as well as changes in coagulation factors have an important effect on the occurrence of atherogenicity and cardiovascular diseases. Fasting in general has been used in medicine for medical purposes when other measures fail. Since Ramadan fasting is different from total fasting, the present work was conducted to study the effect of Ramadan fasting on lipid pattern, some blood coagulation parameters, blood pressure and body mass index [BMI] - as atherosclerotic risk factors - in one hundred and three apparently healthy obese volunteers [15 men and 88 women] aged 15-52 years. The study comprised an initial visit for assessment V1 [before Ramadan] and three other follow up visits: V2 [at the end of Ramadan], V3 [4 weeks after Ramadan] and V4 [8 weeks after Ramadan], Targets were subjected to an interview questionnaire, complete physical and clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, dietary profile, and laboratory assay of complete blood picture [CBC], fasting serum glucose level [FSG], serum lipid pattern: total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], high density lipoproteins [HDL-c] and low density lipoprotein [LDL-c], lipoprotein a Lp [a], apolipoprotein A1 [APA], and apolipoprotein B [APB] levels; bleeding [BT] and clotting time [CT], prothrombin time [PT], activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT], fibrinogen and plasma factor VII activity. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi squared, Fisher exact, Student t test, paired t test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Statistical significance was defined at P<0.05. The study showed that by the end of Ramadan fasting, there was a significant improvement in the mean levels of hemoglobin [Hb], TC, TG, HDL-c, LDL-c, TC/HDL, LDL/HDL, Lp [a], APA, APB, PT and systolic [SBP] and diastolic blood pressure [DBP] that persisted for four weeks after fasting [P<0.05]. Ramadan fasting has not adversely affected leucocytic count or coagulation parameters [P>0.05]. There was also a significant association between dietary intake, SBP, DBP, weight, BMI, percent body fat and waist, fibrinogen and factor VII activity and TC, TG, HDL-c, LDL-c, LDL/HDL, Lp [a] and APB [P<0.05]. The model of Ramadan fasting could be followed as a behavior modification program to control or prevent atherogenicity because of its positive impact on the lipid pattern, blood count and coagulation parameters

Effect of propolis extract as natural substance on lowering blood sugar and cholesterol level in hyperglycaemic rats

The present work was conducted to study the effect of propolis extract on lowering blood sugar and cholesterol level in alloxan diabetic rats. Various nutritional and biochemical parameters were estimated. Propolis extract was added to the diet of rats at three levels [0.25%, 0.5% and 1.0%] for 4 weeks. The obtained results indicated that the addition of propolis extract to the diet of rats produced a positive effect on body weight gain [BWG] and feed efficiency ratio [FER]. The values of cholesterol, triglycerides [TG] and very low-density lipoprotein- cholesterol [VLDL-c] significantly increased for positive control [+] compared with negative control [-], but HDL-c was significantly lower. Addition of propolis extract resulted in a significant reduction in cholesterol, TC, VLDL-c, aspartate amino transferase [AST] and alanine amino transferase [ALT] except the 0.25% propolis group for AST. The percentage decrease in cholesterol value was from about 45.9% to 64.7%, while percentage increase in HDL value was from about 37.5 to 91.3%. Glucose level in control [+] was 311.5 +/- 75.3 1 mg/dl vs 128.5 +/- 26.13 mg/dl for control [-]

Potential effect of chromium on serum insulin and blood glucose levels in nondiabetic, diabetic and in glibenclamide pretreated diabetic rats

Nowadays, there is increasing data supporting the idea that inadequate dietary chromium may be responsible in part of impaired glucose tolerance resulting in hyperglycemia, glucosuria and insulin resistance. Therefore the present study is designed to elucidate potential effect of chromium in glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. Fifty male albino rats weighing 120 +/- 20 gm were used in this study. The animals were classified into three groups, each group was used to conduct one experiment. It was found that in the first experiment, chromium produced a significant decrease in blood glucose but did not produce significant changes in serum insulin level, while in the second group, chromium produced a significant decrease in blood glucose level accompanied by a significant increase in serum insulin level with obvious regeneration of beta cells of pancreas. In the third group, chromium produced a significant decrease in blood glucose as well as significant increase in serum insulin level. Also in concomitant administration of chromium with glibenclamide, produced high significant decrease in blood glucose level and increase in serum insulin level and the histopathological picture of beta cells appear to be more or less normal. Chromium decreases blood glucose and increases serum insulin level in alloxan induced diabetic rats as well as potentiates the hypoglycemic and hyperinsulinemic effect of glibenclamide. These effects may be due to the increment of responsivens of insulin receptors, also may be related to a cell protecting effect of chromium especially on beta cells of pancreas

Potential effect of omiprazole on skeletal muscle contraction in experimental animals

Omeprazole is widely used as an antiulcer and anesthetic premeditation. Recently, it was reported that, omeprazole potentiates the effect of neuromuscular blockers. So, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of omeprazole on skeletal muscle contraction and a potential interaction between omeprazole and some neuromuscular blockers namely gallamine [non depolarizing] and succinylcholine [depolarizing]. This study revealed that omeprazole I.V. [4-32 mg/kg] produced a significant [> 0.05] decrease in amplitude of contraction of indirect electrically stimulated rat's gastrocnemius muscle. Omeprazole 10 mg/kg I.V. intensified the relaxant effect in tone of indirect electrically stimulated rat's gastrocnemius muscle, produced by gallamine 0.4 mg/kg I.V. and succinycholine 0.1 mg/kg. The present study also, revealed that omeprazole produced a significant [> 0.05] decrease in amplitude of contraction of toad's rectus muscle induced by acetylcholine. Meanwhile, omeprazole failed to affect potassium chloride [KCI] induced toad's rectus muscle contraction. Omeprazole 0.02 mg/ml augmented the inhibitory effect produced by gallamine 4 micro g/ml and succinylcholine 1 micro g/ml on toad's rectus muscle contraction inducted by acetylcholine. In conclusion, omeprazole has a skeletal muscle relaxant effect at human therapeutic doses, also potentiates the effects produced by gallamine and succinylcholine on rat's gastrocnemius

Effect of foliar spray with urea and some micronutrients on mungbean [Vignal radiata [l.] wilczek] growth, yield and seed chemical composition

The objective of the experiments was to study the effect of foliar spray with some nutrients on growth, yield and seed chemical composition of Kawmy-1 variety mung bean [Vigna radiata [L.] Wilczek]. The foliar treatments were urea [1%], and four key micronutrients, Fe [0.5%] Zn [0.1%], Mn [0.2%] and CuSO4 [0.05%]. Micronutrient treatments were spray either alone or combined with urea at early pod-setting. The obtained results showed that foliar spray with either Fe and Zn alone or urea in combination with Zn or Cu gave the tallest plants. Application of urea or Zn increased the number of branches per plant, while the greatest number of leaves per plant was produced from the combined application of urea with Mn, Zn and Cu. The heaviest dry weight of mung bean plants was recorded when the plants were treated with Fe alone or combined with urea

Antimetabolites: a novel synthesis of nonclassical condensed carbocyclic purine analogues

A novel synthesis of condensed carbocyclic purine analogues via reaction of amino-diazoles and amino-triazoles with sodium salts of 2-[hydroxyl-methylene]-1-cycloalkanones was reported and the synthetic potential of the method was demonstrated in this work. The results of the study were given and discussed

Some new naphtalenesulfonyl hydrazones and their antimicrobial activity

In search for new antimicrobial agents fourteen naphthalenesulfonyl hydrazone derivatives were prepared. These compounds were tested for their antimicrobial activity against two strains of Gram-positive bacteria, five strains of Gram-negative bacteria and one strain of yeast. The biological activity of the prepared compounds was discussed

Senile changes of the renal cortex [an E/M study]

In order to clarify the ultrastructural changes in the kidney due to senility, 14 adult male albino rats were used, where they were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of 8 senile rats aged 1 - 1.5 years, whereas the other 6 animals were aged 5 - 6 months and served as a comparative second group. The renal corpuscles of the senile rats exhibited an irregularity both in thickness and arrangement of the feet processes of their podocytes, where they appeared attenuated in some sites and fused together elsewhere. The glomerular basement membrane was thickened, mainly due to the widening of its lamina densa. These glomerular changes might be an indication to the affection of the filtration capacity of the senile kidneys. The senile renal tubular epithelial cells were characterized by their smaller, more electron dense mitochondria, irregularity and increased thickness of their basement membranes. These characters might explain the decreased reabsorptive and secretory functions of the renal tubules described by many authors. The senile proximal convoluted tubules showed an increased number of both in the pinocytotic vesicles and lysosomes which might be related to the possible increased rate of passage of the protein macromolecules through the senile leaky glomerular filtration barrier. The cortical interstitium of the senile kidneys contained hyperactive fibroblasts, which might indicate the early interstitial renal fibrosis. The basement membrane of the endothelium of the small cortical vessels was thickened and lost its elastic tissue content. This could be a sign of early atherosclerotic changes that might be the trigger for the later rise of blood pressure in old age

Histological and histochemical studies on the effects of experimental hyper and hypothyroidism on the heart of the albino rat

In the present study, 15 male albino rats with an average weight 200 g were used. Induced hyperthyroidism was done. Experimental hypothyroidism was done. The resulting histological and histochemical changes were studied. The heart of hyperthyroid animals presented thickening of the epicardium. There was a decrease in the P.A.S. stained material of the cardiac muscle fibers that most probably indicated a decrease in their glycogen content. In hypothyroid animals, the heart revealed thickening of the epicardium and endocardium. They showed an increased P.A.S. stained material that most probably indicated an increase in their glycogen content

Epidemiological study of infectious diarrhea in Sharkia governorate

In the present study it was found that, E.coli was the most prevalent causative pathogen [42%] followed by shigella [12%]. The educational and occupational state of the parents were factors affecting the incidince of infantile diarrhea. The infantile diarrheal cases with non educated mothers, were [86%] and [68%] fathers, while [62%] of infantile diarrheal cases were observed in infants with farmers fathers occupation. Infectious agents isolated from animals were E.coli [51%] and C. jejuni [10%]. Infectious pathogens isolated from birds were E.coli [50%], salmonella [25%] and campylobacter [18%]