Association of rotating night shift with lipid profile among nurses in an Egyptian tertiary university hospital

The main objective was to identify whether night shift nurses are more prone to dyslipidaemia than day shift nurses. One hundred and fifty female nurses aged 20-49 years were recruited from Ain Shams University Hospitals, Egypt, from January to March 2016: 64 day shift and 86 night shift. Diet type was assessed by interview questionnaire and job satisfaction was assessed using the job satisfaction survey. Triglyceride [TG], low-density lipoprotein [LDL] and high-density lipoprotein [HDL] were measured in all nurses. The predictors of high TG level were ages 30-39 and >/= 40 years and night shift. The only predictor of high LDL level [> 130 mg/dl] was age >/= 40 years. An unhealthy diet and night shift were predictors of risky HDL levels. Seventy nurses were unsatisfied with their jobs, and 137 ate a semi-healthy diet. The findings emphasize that night shift nurses are at risk of abnormal lipid profile, therefore an occupational programme to help nurses cope with their employment conditions is necessary

Anomalous coronary artery in a transplanted heart: a rare incidental diagnosis

Coronary artery anomaly is a rare postoperative coronary angiographic finding in heart transplant recipients. We report a case of anomalous origin of the right coronary artery in an asymptomatic 70-year-old heart transplant patient. Most coronary artery anomalies are benign, but surgical treatment may be necessary in major coronary artery anomalies that are known to have adverse outcomes

Paradoxical coronary artery embolism - a rare cause of myocardial infarction

Paradoxical coronary artery embolism is a rare, but often an underdiagnosed cause of acute myocardial infarction. It should be considered in patient who presents with chest pain and otherwise having a low risk profile for atherosclerosis coronary artery disease. We describe a case of paradoxical coronary artery embolism causing ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in a patient with upper extremity venous thrombosis. Echocardiography demonstrated a patent foramen ovale [PFO] with bidirectional shunt. In addition to treatment of acute coronary event closure of the PFO should be considered to prevent a recurrence

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of health-care personnel towards waste disposal management at Ain Shams university hospitals, Cairo

This study assessed knowledge, attitudes and practices of health-care providers towards waste management at Ain Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt. In this cross-sectional study 110 physicians, 151 nurses and 89 housekeepers were interviewed using a pre-designed questionnaire. Housekeepers were significantly more knowledgeable than physicians or nurses about hospital policies and systems for waste disposal, but less so about specific details of disposal. Housekeepers also had the highest overall scores for attitudes to waste disposal among the 3 groups. Significantly more nurses had satisfactory practice scores [84.0%] than did physicians [67.3%] [housekeepers were not assessed]. Training and duration of work experience were not significantly associated with knowledge, attitude and practice scores, except for nurses with longer work experience, who were more likely to have satisfactory knowledge about waste disposal than less experienced nurses

[Related of knowledge and attitude with medication control of tuberculosis patients reffering to ahwaz anti T.B center]

Although directly observed treatment [DOT] strategy had decreased TB mortality, but, in developing countries, TB is yet the leading cause of preventable deaths. The most important reason for inefficiency of treatment is noncompliance on the part of the patient, That it caused not only increasing of probability of recurrence and multi drug resistance, but also formation of prejudicial personal, social, psychological and economical effects. This was a descriptive- analytical study that carried out to assess quality of adherence to tuberculosis drug regimen and its relation to knowledge and attitude factors in patient's reffered to health centers of Ahwaz. The sample size included 167 patients in course of TB treatment that selected randomly and based on aim. A questionnaire, observation, sputum smear, potts - cozart test [for detect of isoniazide metabolites in urine] was used to data collection. Reability of questionnaire was determined by alpha-cronbach correlation method [alpha=0.81]. Showed that 52.7 percent of patient had good adherence to drug regimen, 35.3% had midscore adherence and 12% had poor. In the case of relation between adherence and knowledge and attitude factors showed that statistical meaningful relation found between adherence and knowledge [P=0.017], attitude [P=0.0001]. Results showed that some factors such as cognition, attitude were effective on quality of adherence. It seems that it is required to containing a compiled and continious education for patients in treatment protocols. This is resulted in increasing of knowledge of patients and their family and promote of their attitude about disease and treatment

[Adverse reactions to antibiotics: a retrospective study of three years in the regional pharmacovigilance center of Sfax]

Adverse reactions to antibiotics constitute a real public health problem. In this work, the frequency, types, predisposing factors and severity of adverse reactions to antibiotics have been analysed. Our retrospective study gathers all adverse reactions to antibiotics produced by spontaneous reporting to the regional pharmacovigilance center in Sfax in the south of Tunisia, for a period of three years. Among 249 cases of drug adverse effects, 82 [32.93%] were related to antibiotics. The age ranged from 5 to 86 years. There were 55 women and 27 men. Seventy [85.36%] adverse reactions to antibiotics among 82 were immune-allergic. In 60 cases [73.17%] patients had medical history of atopy, drug allergy, autoimmunie diseases or chronic conditions requiring poly-medication. 54 patients [65.85%] were taking 3 or more medications. Severe forms have been observed in 12 patients among 82 [14.63%]. Poly-therapy, chronic illness and advanced age are factors favouring the occurrence of adverse reactions to antibiotics. Our results have highlighted the increased risk in patients with a history of allergy to an antibiotic to develop an allergy to another antibiotic

[Acute cholestatic hepatitis induced by amoxycillin-clavulanic acid combination]

Cholestatic hepatitis associated with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is probably underestimated. The time interval between stopping treatment and the first manifestations may hinder diagnosis. We report a case of cholestatic hepatitis induced by the association amoxicillin-calvulanic acid. A 15-year-old man without significant past medical history received a six-day-course of amoxicillin-calvulanic acid for acute bronchitis. Nine days after completing his treatment, he developed a jaunadice with fever. The biological tests showed conjugated bilirubin of 23 mg/dl without hepatic cytolysis. Extrahepatic obstruction and viral causes were excluded. The clinical symptoms resolved within ten days. The mechanism of amoxicillin-clavulanic- acid- induced hepatitis is probably immunoallergic. Clavulanic acid component of the combination is most likely the cause of hepatitis. Symptoms may appear even a few weeks after stopping the drug. So practitioners should think about this risk, if such symptoms appear even after stopping the drug

Dracunculiasis an incidental diagnosis in a Saudi female

Dracunculiasis is a disabling, and economically crippling parasitic infestation transmitted by drinking contaminated water. Although the disease has been eradicated from most parts of the world, it is still endemic in some tropical African countries. Here we report a 65-year-old female from the southern region of Saudi Arabia with radiological evidence of heavy load of guinea worms. This case could represent the local reemergence of the disease

unusual presentation of postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis

Ovarian vein thrombosis is a rare but potentially serious complication following childbirth. The majority of patients present during the first week postpartum, with fever and right lower quadrant abdominal pain. We report an unusual case of postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis who presented with fever, low backache, and painful thighs. A high index of suspicion is crucial to diagnose and treat this condition in order to avoid serious consequences

Protective Effect of vitamin E in renal transplantation

This work studied the effect of vitamin E as antioxidant and an oxygen free radicals scavenger on preventing and treating renal dysfunction induced by Cy-A in experimental rats. Five groups of male albino rats [ten each] were used; the first group served as controls, the second received vitamin E, the third received vitamin E prior to Cy-A treatment, the fourth received Cy-A and the fifth received Cy-A then vitamin E. The study revealed that Cy-A induced deterioration in renal function as manifested by a significant increase of plasma urea and creatinine levels as well as a significant increase of urinary excretion of creatinine, retinol binding protein [RBP] and thromboxane B2 [TxB2]. On the other hand, there was an association between the enhanced production of lipid peroxidation and increase excretion of thromboxane B2 [TxB2] and also cortical synthesis of endothelin. Treatment with vitamin E minimized the effects of Cy-A on kidney functions, especially if it was given prior to Cy-A. Vitamin E also decreased the synthesis of lipid peroxidation and endothelin by the cortical tissues and decreased the urinary excretion of thromboxane B2

Microbiological study of chronic blepharitis

One hundred forty cases of chronic blepharitis were studied, as well as 25 normal controls. They were all evaluated ophthalmologically, microbiologically and dermatologically. It was found that blepharitis can be classified, depending on the cause, into five main groups: seborrheic, ifective, mixed seborrheic-infective, meibomian and unclassified group, A significant role was found for external irritants, prolonged exposure to strong sun, unhygienic surroundings, insufficient sleep and ocular cosmetic. It was also found that bacteria and fungi have no primary role in the pathogenesis of chronic blepharitis

Hyperbilirubinemia in preterm infants and neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age

This survey generating the hypothesis that mild to moderate hyperbilirubinemia is causally related to impaired neurodevelopmental outcome. The data demonstrated that mild to moderate hyperbilirubinemia in preterm infants is associated with impaired neurodevelopmental outcome specially cerebral palsy. A linear increase of serum total bilirubin concentration will increase the risk of handicap in preterm infants. Increase of serum total bilirubin concentration in preterm infants will increase the risk of impaired cerebral electrical activity and change in electroencephalographic patterns

role of tea drinking in infants anemia

To evaluate the effect of tea drinking on the occurrence of microcytic anemia in infants, 98 healthy infants who underwent routine blood counts at the age of 6-12 months were studied. An overall high frequency of anemia [Hb < 11 gm/dl-83.7%], microcytosis [MCV < 70 mu3-14.3%] and microcytic anemia [14.3%] was found in the whole group. The percentage of tea drinking infants with microcytic anemia [19.4%] was significantly higher than that of the non-tea drinkers [5.6%]. The daily amount of tea drinking was 40-500 ml [median = 150 ml]. The tea drinkers had significantly lower mean level of hemoglobin [9.5 or - 0.8 gm/dl] than that of the non-tea drinkers [10.6 or - 1.3 gm/dl], and significantly lower mean level of mean corpuscular volume [72.6 or - 4.3 mum3] than that of the non-tea drinkers [81.6 or - 9.9 mum3]. Based on these findings, giving tea to infants is not recommended, however, giving foods rich in vitamin C should be encouraged

Evaluation of a primary health care programme in a rural village in Giza, Egypt

This paper provides detailed analysis of health problems of a cohort of 250 children born in a rural village, El Kata, in Giza, Egypt. During this longitudinal study, morbidity in children under 2 years of age was measured for a 6 month-period before and for 18 month-period the introduction of a primary health care [PHC] programme. Measurements of morbidity showed a lower prevalence of diarrhea, severe cough, conjunctivitis, fever and skin infection after the introduction of the PHC programme. Introduction of the PHC programme had no significant effect on nutritional status or on vaccine coverage. Significant improvement in the health of children in El Kata study area have taken place during the past 2 years

Epilepsy, phenytoin and serum IgA concentrations in some Egyptian children

A study was conducted on 30 epileptic Egyptian children divided into two groups: Group 1 [15 patients without any anticonvulsant treatment] and group 2 [15 patients receiving phenytoin regularly for a duration of 4 months to 7.6 years]. A group of 10 normal children of the same age and social level were used as controls. Serum concentration of IgA was significantly decreased in the phenytoin treated epileptic children as well as in the untreated epileptics in comparison with controls. It was suggested that phenytoin treatment suppresses the normal serum IgA and that epilepsy may be a contributing factor. Further investigations in this direction may give an indication of the etiology of epilepsy or its pathogenesis

Study of the DPT adverse reactions in some Egyptian children

A prospective study of adverse effects of 728 doses of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and whole cell pertussis vaccine [DPT] was performed in 226 children observed longitudinally from 2 months to 18 months of age. Compliance for completing a clinical observation form in 48 hours following injections was > 99%. Fever, local reactions or adverse adverse behavioral effects were described in association with > 95% of DPT closes. No conclusion, hypotonic hyporesponsive episode, encephalopathy or temperature > 40.5C occurred. Local inflammatory effects occurred maximally in the first 6 hours following vaccine but fever peaked later. There was no interrelationship between occurrence of local reactions and fever. These data suggest that age of the infants has a major effect on the type and rate of adverse clinical events

Ascaris: Skin test and eosinophils

In the present study, skin testing, stool analysis and differential leucocytic count were performed for 115 children [4-12 years]. Children were either: infected with Ascaris. Healthy, low socio economic-class. Healthy, high socio-economic class. 4.6% of infested children gave a positive skin reaction to Ascaris, compared to 42% of the controls. All infested children had eosinophilia ranging from 2% up to 28%

IgA in saliva and serum of infants with acute diarrhea

Diarrhea is known to be one of the most important causes of infant morbidity and mortality in Egypt. The study included 27 infants suffering from acute diarrhea and 10 healthy infants who served as controls. Their ages ranged between 6 to 12 months. All infants were subjected to full clinical examination and estimation of IgA in saliva and serum. A total of 74 samples were analyzed for IgA concentration by single radial immunodiffusion technique. The results were statistically analyzed and revealed that IgA has significantly increased in saliva and serum of infants with acute diarrhea. Moreover, the statistical correlation between salivary and serum IgA was highly significant [P<0.001] in both groups. We concluded that saliva is a good marker of intestinal immunity. We suggest that saliva rather than serum could be used to monitor the immune responses

Variation in levels of immunoglobulins in breast milk

In this longitudinal study, we aimed to determine the concentrations of the major immunoglobulins, namely IgA, IgM and IgG in colostrum [2-4 days] and in mature milk at 4-8 weeks and at 5-6 months of lactating mothers. In this regard sixteen lactating mothers were recruited from a poor urban district in Giza and 3 milk samples were collected from each mother over a period of 6 months. The analysis was performed by single radial immunodiffusion technique. The data revealed that immunoglobulin concentrations were higher in colostrum compared to mature milk [P<0.001]. Also IgA was the predominant immunoglobulin throughout the stages of lactation while IgG was present in the least concentration. No significant correlation was found between the age of the mother and immunoglobulin concentrations, while weak significant correlation was found between the parity of the mother and IgM in colostrum [P<0.05]. We concluded that passive immunity provided to the infants by immunoglobulins [especially IgA] in breast milk is particularly important during the early neonatal period