Extraction of chitin from edible crab shells of Callinectes sapidus and comparison with market purchased chitin / Extração de quitina de cascas de caranguejo comestíveis de Callinectes sapidus e comparação com quitina adquirida no mercado

Chitin and its derived products have immense economic value due to their vital role in various biological activities as well as biomedical and industrial application. Insects, microorganism and crustaceans are the main supply of chitin but the crustaceans shell like shrimp, krill, lobsters and crabs are the main commercial sources. Chitin content of an individual varies depending on the structures possessing the polymer and the species. In this study edible crabs’ shells (Callinectes sapidus) were demineralized and deproteinized resulting in 13.8% (dry weight) chitin recovery from chitin wastes. FTIR and XRD analyses of the experimental crude as well as purified chitins revealed that both were much comparable to the commercially purchased controls. The acid pretreatment ceded 54g of colloidal chitin that resulted in 1080% of the crude chitin. The colloidal chitin was exploited for isolation of eighty five chitinolytic bacterial isolates from different sources. Zone of clearance was displayed by the thirty five isolates (41.17%) succeeding their growth at pH 7 on colloidal chitin agar medium. Maximum chitinolytic activity i.e. 301.55 U/ml was exhibited by isolate JF70 when cultivated in extracted chitin containing both carbon and nitrogen. The study showed wastes of blue crabs can be utilized for extraction of chitin and isolation of chitinolytic bacteria that can be used to degrade chitin waste, resolve environmental pollution as well as industrial purpose.

A quitina e seus produtos derivados têm imenso valor econômico devido ao seu papel vital em várias atividades biológicas, bem como em aplicações biomédicas e industriais. Insetos, microrganismos e crustáceos são o principal suprimento de quitina, mas a casca dos crustáceos como camarão, krill, lagosta e caranguejo são as principais fontes comerciais. O conteúdo de quitina de um indivíduo varia dependendo das estruturas que possuem o polímero e da espécie. Neste estudo, as cascas de caranguejos comestíveis (Callinectes sapidus) foram desmineralizadas e desproteinizadas, resultando em 13,8% (peso seco) de recuperação de quitina a partir de resíduos de quitina. As análises de FTIR e XRD do bruto experimental, bem como das quitinas purificadas, revelaram que ambas eram muito comparáveis aos controles adquiridos comercialmente. O pré-tratamento com ácido cedeu 54 g de quitina coloidal que resultou em 1.080% da quitina bruta. A quitina coloidal foi analisada para isolamento de 85 isolados bacterianos quitinolíticos de diferentes fontes. A zona de eliminação foi exibida pelos 35 isolados (41,17%) que sucederam seu crescimento a pH 7 em meio de ágar de quitina coloidal. A atividade quitinolítica máxima, ou seja, 301,55 U / ml, foi exibida pelo isolado JF70 quando cultivado em quitina extraída contendo carbono e nitrogênio. O estudo mostrou que resíduos de caranguejos azuis podem ser utilizados para extração de quitina e isolamento de bactérias quitinolíticas que podem ser usadas para degradar resíduos de quitina, resolver a poluição ambiental e também para fins industriais.

Consequential study on different levels of C/N ratios used in biofloc-based aquaculture system / Estudo consequente sobre diferentes níveis de proporções C/N utilizadas no sistema de aquicultura à base de biofloc

Biofloc technology is much highlighted these days because of its tremendous effects on aquaculture. Microbes were enriched on cheapest organic carbon source i. e., powdered banana peels and were incorporated in different aquaria rearing grass carp fingerlings under different C/N treatments (10:1, 15:1 and 20:1) and 10% water daily water exchange. The initial growth of fingerlings was recorded. The experiment was settled in triplicates for 60 days and run parallel to control group provided with commercial feed and daily water exchange. Its effect was evaluated by measuring the growth of fingerlings and water parameters of each aquarium. The average % gain in weight and length of fingerlings was obtained significantly highest (28.12 ± 0.30g and 17.29 ± 0.46cm respectively) in aquaria containing pure powdered banana peels with 10% water exchange and C/N ratio was adjusted at 20: 1 (T3) than other treatments and control. Ammonia and other water parameters were also under control in T3 than other experimental and control groups. By all counts, it was concluded that the highest C/N ratio in biofloc system had the potential to increment C. idella growth rate by reducing toxicity and could be used as fish meal substitute.

A tecnologia Biofloc é muito destacada hoje em dia por causa de seus tremendos efeitos na aquicultura. Os micróbios foram enriquecidos com a fonte de carbono orgânico mais barata, i. e., cascas de banana em pó, e foram incorporadas em diferentes aquários de criação de alevinos de carpa-capim sob diferentes tratamentos C/N (10: 1, 15: 1 e 20: 1) e 10% de troca diária de água. O crescimento inicial dos alevinos foi registrado. O experimento foi resolvido em triplicatas por 60 dias e executado paralelamente ao grupo controle fornecido com ração comercial e troca diária de água. Seu efeito foi avaliado medindo o crescimento dos alevinos e os parâmetros da água de cada aquário. O% de ganho médio em peso e comprimento dos alevinos foi obtido significativamente mais alto (28,12 ± 0,30g e 17,29 ± 0,46 cm respectivamente) em aquários contendo cascas de banana em pó puro com 10% de troca de água e a relação C/N foi ajustada em 20: 1 (T3) do que outros tratamentos e controle. A amônia e outros parâmetros da água também estavam sob controle no T3 mais do que nos outros grupos experimentais e de controle. Por todas as contagens, concluiu-se que a maior razão C/N no sistema de bioflocos tem o potencial de incrementar a taxa de crescimento de C. idella reduzindo a toxicidade e pode ser usada como substituto da farinha de peixe.

Extraction of chitin from edible crab shells of Callinectes sapidus and comparison with market purchased chitin

Abstract Chitin and its derived products have immense economic value due to their vital role in various biological activities as well as biomedical and industrial application. Insects, microorganism and crustaceans are the main supply of chitin but the crustaceans shell like shrimp, krill, lobsters and crabs are the main commercial sources. Chitin content of an individual varies depending on the structures possessing the polymer and the species. In this study edible crabs shells (Callinectes sapidus) were demineralized and deproteinized resulting in 13.8% (dry weight) chitin recovery from chitin wastes. FTIR and XRD analyses of the experimental crude as well as purified chitins revealed that both were much comparable to the commercially purchased controls. The acid pretreatment ceded 54g of colloidal chitin that resulted in 1080% of the crude chitin. The colloidal chitin was exploited for isolation of eighty five chitinolytic bacterial isolates from different sources. Zone of clearance was displayed by the thirty five isolates (41.17%) succeeding their growth at pH 7 on colloidal chitin agar medium. Maximum chitinolytic activity i.e. 301.55 U/ml was exhibited by isolate JF70 when cultivated in extracted chitin containing both carbon and nitrogen. The study showed wastes of blue crabs can be utilized for extraction of chitin and isolation of chitinolytic bacteria that can be used to degrade chitin waste, resolve environmental pollution as well as industrial purpose.

Resumo A quitina e seus produtos derivados têm imenso valor econômico devido ao seu papel vital em várias atividades biológicas, bem como em aplicações biomédicas e industriais. Insetos, microrganismos e crustáceos são o principal suprimento de quitina, mas a casca dos crustáceos como camarão, krill, lagosta e caranguejo são as principais fontes comerciais. O conteúdo de quitina de um indivíduo varia dependendo das estruturas que possuem o polímero e da espécie. Neste estudo, as cascas de caranguejos comestíveis (Callinectes sapidus) foram desmineralizadas e desproteinizadas, resultando em 13,8% (peso seco) de recuperação de quitina a partir de resíduos de quitina. As análises de FTIR e XRD do bruto experimental, bem como das quitinas purificadas, revelaram que ambas eram muito comparáveis aos controles adquiridos comercialmente. O pré-tratamento com ácido cedeu 54 g de quitina coloidal que resultou em 1.080% da quitina bruta. A quitina coloidal foi analisada para isolamento de 85 isolados bacterianos quitinolíticos de diferentes fontes. A zona de eliminação foi exibida pelos 35 isolados (41,17%) que sucederam seu crescimento a pH 7 em meio de ágar de quitina coloidal. A atividade quitinolítica máxima, ou seja, 301,55 U / ml, foi exibida pelo isolado JF70 quando cultivado em quitina extraída contendo carbono e nitrogênio. O estudo mostrou que resíduos de caranguejos azuis podem ser utilizados para extração de quitina e isolamento de bactérias quitinolíticas que podem ser usadas para degradar resíduos de quitina, resolver a poluição ambiental e também para fins industriais.

Consequential study on different levels of C/N ratios used in biofloc-based aquaculture system

Abstract Biofloc technology is much highlighted these days because of its tremendous effects on aquaculture. Microbes were enriched on cheapest organic carbon source i. e., powdered banana peels and were incorporated in different aquaria rearing grass carp fingerlings under different C/N treatments (10:1, 15:1 and 20:1) and 10% water daily water exchange. The initial growth of fingerlings was recorded. The experiment was settled in triplicates for 60 days and run parallel to control group provided with commercial feed and daily water exchange. Its effect was evaluated by measuring the growth of fingerlings and water parameters of each aquarium. The average % gain in weight and length of fingerlings was obtained significantly highest (28.12 ± 0.30g and 17.29 ± 0.46cm respectively) in aquaria containing pure powdered banana peels with 10% water exchange and C/N ratio was adjusted at 20: 1 (T3) than other treatments and control. Ammonia and other water parameters were also under control in T3 than other experimental and control groups. By all counts, it was concluded that the highest C/N ratio in biofloc system had the potential to increment C. idella growth rate by reducing toxicity and could be used as fish meal substitute.

Resumo A tecnologia Biofloc é muito destacada hoje em dia por causa de seus tremendos efeitos na aquicultura. Os micróbios foram enriquecidos com a fonte de carbono orgânico mais barata, i. e., cascas de banana em pó, e foram incorporadas em diferentes aquários de criação de alevinos de carpa-capim sob diferentes tratamentos C/N (10: 1, 15: 1 e 20: 1) e 10% de troca diária de água. O crescimento inicial dos alevinos foi registrado. O experimento foi resolvido em triplicatas por 60 dias e executado paralelamente ao grupo controle fornecido com ração comercial e troca diária de água. Seu efeito foi avaliado medindo o crescimento dos alevinos e os parâmetros da água de cada aquário. O% de ganho médio em peso e comprimento dos alevinos foi obtido significativamente mais alto (28,12 ± 0,30g e 17,29 ± 0,46 cm respectivamente) em aquários contendo cascas de banana em pó puro com 10% de troca de água e a relação C/N foi ajustada em 20: 1 (T3) do que outros tratamentos e controle. A amônia e outros parâmetros da água também estavam sob controle no T3 mais do que nos outros grupos experimentais e de controle. Por todas as contagens, concluiu-se que a maior razão C/N no sistema de bioflocos tem o potencial de incrementar a taxa de crescimento de C. idella reduzindo a toxicidade e pode ser usada como substituto da farinha de peixe.

The role of radiation treatment in the management of inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions: a revisit

Inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions are a common group of diseases among the elderly, worldwide. They are characterized by articular degenerative changes accompanied with often debilitating pain. Treatments often involve life-long analgesic therapy or joint replacement in extreme cases. The aim of this current review is to look at the role of radiation treatment with the hope of further study into the effectiveness of radiation treatment in reducing pain, eliminate or reduce the need for life-long analgesic therapy and thereby avoiding the analgesics’ side effects. Extensive literature search was done on PubMed and other available data base and the findings are presented and discussed. Literature showed that many countries in Europe, especially Germany use radiation routinely for the treatment of many degenerative disorders including osteoarthritis with good results and few side effects. A pilot study is therefore recommended with a view to establish the effectiveness or otherwise of this treatment method in patients.

The Impact Of Physicochemical Characteristics On Therapeutic Efficacy Of Anticancer Nanomaterials: A Review

Cancer is a global leading cause of death which suffers from treatment failures mainly due to intensive toxicity and lack of effectiveness of conventional drugs. The application of nanotechnology in cancer treatment promises to overcome the limitations of conventional drugs/drug delivery systems and improve their therapeutic efficacy. Materials at the nano scale possess novel properties that have an impact on their biological behaviour. The physiological interactions of nanomedicines in the body, which differ from those of conventional medicines, may provide benefits in pharmaceutical and/or clinical applications including, improvements in solubility, stability, efficacy, reduction of side effects, prevention and treatment of diseases. This paper discusses the unique characteristics and distinguished advantages of nanomaterials as anticancer drug carriers. Physicochemical properties of nanomaterials are critical parameters to their clinical translation. Hence, the impact of the main physicochemical properties on the efficacy of anitcancer nanomaterials, which are found to effective for cancer treatment and/or diagnosis, are presented. It is important to have reliable and robust characterization techniques that could enable relate physicochemical properties of nanomaterials with their in vivo behaviour. Brief explanation of the different techniques that can be used for studying the different physicochemical characteristics of nanomaterials is given. An important consideration, to achieve fast and successful development of nanotechnology-based anticancer drug products, is assessment and optimization of physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties at the early stage. Obviously this requires collaboration among the different discovery and development scientists.

Pam3CSK4 enhances adaptive immune responses to recombinant Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin expressing Plasmodium falciparum C-terminus merozoite surface protein-1

Objective: To determine the effects of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) agonist, Pam3CSK4, on cellular and humoral immune response against recombinant Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin (rBCG) expressing the C-terminus of merozoite surface protein-1 of Plasmodium falciparum. Methods: Six groups of mice (n=6 per group) received intraperitoneal phosphate buffered saline T80 (PBS-T80), BCG or rBCG in the presence or absence of Pam3CSK4. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was carried out to measure serum total IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b production. Spleens were also harvested and splenocytes were co-cultured with rBCG antigen for in vitro determination of IL-4 and IFN-γ via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The production of total IgG and the isotype IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b was significantly higher in rBCG-immunised mice than in the BCG and PBS-T80-immunised mice, and Pam3CSK4 further enhanced their productions. A similar pattern was also observed in IFN-γ production. Moreover, there was no significant difference in IL-4 production in all groups either in the presence or absence of Pam3CSK4. Conclusions: We present evidence of the adjuvant effects of TLR-2 agonist in enhancing the production of total IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, as well as IFN-γ in response to rBCG. However, the presence or absence of Pam3CSK4 had no effect on IL-4 production.

Adjuvant activity of Pasteurella multocida A strain, Pasteurella multocida B strain and Salmonella typhimurium bacterial DNA on cellular and humoral immunity responses against Pasteurella multocida specific strain infections in Balb/c mice

Objective:To evaluate the effects of Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) vaccines on the expression and release of antibodies, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-12 by serum.Methods:Balb/c mice were immunized with two formalin and iron inactivated vaccine doses within 2 weeks. The vaccines were adjuvant with P. multocida A strain, P. multocida B strain and Salmonella typhimurium bacterial DNA (AbDNA, BbDNA and SbDNA for short, respectively). The animals were challenged 4 weeks after immunization. Blood of mice was collected to detect the change of specific antibody, IL-6, and IL-12 using ELISA.Results:The specific antibody and interleukins in the immunized group increased significantly compared to the control mice after vaccination and challenge (P<0.05). The highest release of these cytokines was obtained by P. multocida inactivated with iron and adjuvant with AbDNA at a concentration of 25 μg/mL. The antibody titer peak was 0.447 in mice vaccinated with iron-killed whole-cell antigen adjunct with AbDNA. The time-courses of release showed that bacterial DNA was able to stimulate IL-6 and IL-12 production more than alum (P<0.05).Conclusions:Our findings introduce that bacterial DNA is capable of releasing an immunological response with several cytokines. These indicate that bacterial DNA entrapped with killed P. multocida antigen is a new and effective adjuvant to enhance specific immunity and resistance of animal against the infectious pathogen, which could simplify the development of highly promising strong adjuvant.

Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of legionella pneumophila isolated from water lines of dental settings

Aims: the goal of the present study was to determine the in vitro antibiotics susceptibility of the L. pneumophila isolated from water of dental units

Methods and Results: Ninety dental units were screened at five teaching dental clinics in Najaf city during February to April 2016. Ninety four water samples were collected from air/water syringe, high-speed hand piece and water bottles of dental units, Totally 9 [9.5%] isolates of Legionella pneumophila were obtained using based charcoal yeast extract [BCYE] culture media and more confirmed by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay, The antibiotic susceptibility patterns of 16 antibiotics were studied by disk diffusion test. Present study revealed that all L. pneumophila isolates [100%] recorded fully resistant for ten tested antibiotics. At the same time over 75% isolates were resistant to amoxicillin and tetracycline. Except [55-66%] of isolates exhibited a partial susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, doxycycline and chloramphenicol. Eight [88.8%] of them were extensive resistant [XDR] isolates as well as, Amikacin was highly effective drug

Conclusions: We conclude that, high occurrence of XDR L. pneumophila isolates in contaminated water of dental units in Najaf hospital settings, which has been reported as an etiological agents for hospital-acquired respiratory tract infection

Significance and impact of study: Statistical analysis showed that may considered significant result [P < 0.05] of extensive drug resistance [XDR] isolates

Does serum albumin level affect the healing outcomes of simple diaphyseal tibial fractures?

Aims: to quantify the serum albumin level and its correlation with fracture healing progression and outcomes in adult Patients

Settings and Design: a prospective cohort study at an institutional trauma center

Materials and Methods: a total of 50 adult patients with simple, fresh traumatic diaphyseal fractures of both bones of the leg managed conservatively were included in the study. Serum albumin was measured initially and at the 6[th] week postfracture. The clinico-radiological follow-up was done to analyze the fracture healing progression and their final outcomes, which were correlated with the quantified serum albumin level of the patients

Statistical Analysis Used: student t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test and Pearson correlation coefficient

Results: as per the last clinico-radiological follow-up at the 24[th] week, patients were grouped into two groups: Group I [normal union n = 38] and Group II [impaired healing n = 12]. The mean serum albumin levels were significantly higher in Group I when compared to Group II. The association between the serum albumin level at baseline and at the 6[th] week was moderate. The best cut-off measure of serum albumin level was 3.45 g/dL, both at baseline and at the 6[th] week after fracture to predict the healing outcome. The correlation of serum albumin levels with fracture healing outcomes was statistically significant

Conclusion: serum albumin is moderately associated with the baseline and 6[th]-week values and showed a positive correlation with the bony healing progression and may provide an early predictor of the healing outcomes of simple diaphyseal tibial fractures

24 Hours chronomics of ambulatory blood pressure and its relation with circadian rhythm of 6-sulfatoxy melatonin in night shift health care workers.

Background: Night shift workers have altered circadian pattern of blood pressure/heart rate and hormones like melatonin and cortisol. Due to this variation, night shift worker suffers from various cardiovascular disorders and hormonal disturbances. Methods: The Present study was aimed to investigate the effects of rotating night shift on 24 hours chronomics of BP/HR and its relation with 6-sulfatoxy melatonin levels. 62 healthy nursing professionals, aged 20-40 year, performing day and night shift duties were recruited. Each month scheduled to continuous 9 days night shift (12 hours in regular 9 nights, from 20:00 to 08:00); after 9 days night shift they perform remaining duties in day shift and 4 days off in each month. Results: Ambulatory BP and HR were recorded at every 30 min intervals in day time and each hour in night time synchronically with circadian pattern of 6 sulfatoxy melatonin during shift duties. Highly Significant difference was found in double amplitude (2DA) of blood pressure between night and day shift (p<0.001). In night shift, hyperbaric index (HBI) of mean systolic blood pressure was found to be increased at 00-03 am (midnight) while during day shift, peak was found at 06-09 am. Peak melatonin was to be found in early morning as compared to mid night in both the shift. Conclusions: The present study concluded that the desynchronization was appeared during night shift and entrainment of circadian rhythm in the day shift.

Topical Anaesthesia for Pain Relief during High Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Carcinoma of the Cervix

Purpose: To determine the clinical efficacy of a local anaesthetic spray of 10 xylocaine in reducing pain and discomfort in patients undergoing high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy. Patients and Method: Ninety two consenting patients diagnosed with cervical cancer and planned for HDR as part of their treatment were enrolled for the study. Each patient had three sessions of brachytherapy following the standard procedures. In the first session all the patients had brachytherapy in the usual manner with conscious Sedation with parenteral diazepam and pentazocine. For the second and third sessions; they had treatment sessions using conscious sedation and 10 xylocaine spray and a control session using conscious sedation and a placebo spray with 0.9 normal saline (NS) respectively. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used in assessing pain during each of the procedure. Results: Only 80 patients completed the study. Their age ranged from 28-70 years with a median age of 54 years. The pre-treatment VAS median scores in the treatment and the control sessions were similar at 0.275 and 0.200. However; the post-procedure median VAS scores were increased to 6.3 in the control group and 3.2 in the xylocaine-treated group (P 0.0001). The haemodynamic status including the blood pressure (BP) and pulse rates (PR) were similar pre and post procedure in both groups. Conclusion: Topical xylocaine spray is efficacious in reducing pain and discomfort in HDR Brachytherapy without any appreciable adverse effect

Prognostic role of serum interleukin-18 in Egyptian patients with hepatitis c virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma treated by radiofrequency ablation.

Aim: The aim of this study is to identify the prognostic value of serum interleukin (IL)-18 level in hepatitis C virus (HCV) -related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Tropical Medicine department and HCC unit in Ain Shams University Hospitals. It included 35 patients with HCV associated HCC fit for radio frequency ablation and 20 healthy control subjects. Serum IL-18 level was measured for all participants at the beginning of the study. Patients were followed-up for 1 year then serum IL-18 re-measured at the end of the follow-up period. Results: Pre-intervention serum IL-18 level was significantly higher in patients than healthy control subjects and was associated with bad clinical, laboratory or radiological prognosis. Post follow-up mean value of IL-18 level was significantly lower than pre-intervention level. Conclusion: Higher pre-intervention serum IL-18 level in HCV -related HCC patients level was associated with bad prognosis either clinically, laboratory or radiologically.

Microbiological criteria of some meat products

A total of two hundred of meat product samples [Beef burger, Luncheon, Pasterma and Sausage] were collected randomly from different retail shops at Alexandria province and examined for their microbiological criteria. All the examined samples found to be contaminated with different types of microorganisms with the mean values of 8.20×10[2], 6.29×10[2], 5.40×10[2] and 8.28×10[2], respectively for total aerobic bacterial counts; total 5.57×10[2], 4.96×10[2], 5.83×10[2] and 7.64×10[2], respectively for Psychotrophic bacterial count; 5.27×10[2],4.65×10[2], 3.74×10[2] and 7.47×10[2], respectively for total Enterobactericeae count; 2.92×10[2], 3.50×10[2], 4.19×10[2] and 7.64×10[2], respectively for total Coliforms count and at last 4.7×10[2], 1.21×10[2], 1.22×10[2] and 1.00×10[2], respectively for total Yeast and Mold count. The incidence of identified Staphylococcus aureus was 68, 80, 60 and 88%, respectively and the incidence of identified Salmonella spp was 20, 26, 6 and 40%, respectively, while the incidence of identified Yersinia enterocolitica was 46, 40, 54 and 34, respectively

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis [IPH] inafour year old boy

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis [IPH] is a rare disorder characterized by the occurrence of episodes of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage [DAH]. We report four years old male child who presented with repeated attacks of life threatening condition, IPH was diagnosed on the base of clinical features and laboratory findings, and the patient responded well to oral prednisolone and was symptom free after 8 months of treatment

Factors affecting hearing aids efficiency in children with hearing loss at South Sinai

Hearing loss can cause significant educational and social problems. The prevalence of hearing loss in Egypt equals 16.02%. The present study was done to evaluate the role of factors affecting rehabilitative interventions in children using hearing aids. Data including type of hearing aid, mode of use [binaurally/ monaurally] and time of fitting were studied. The impact of social variables as the educational level of parents, family size and availability of water supply, electricity and sewage were also studied. Twenty nine children and adolescents, aged 3.5-18 years were studied. They were complaining of hearing loss and already fitted with hearing aid[s]. All children were subjected to otoscopy, tympanometry and pure tone audiometry. Children were living at different cities in South Sinai [Ras Sidre, Abu Redeis, El-Tur and Nuwaibaa]. These children were recruited from two special schools for deaf and hard of hearing through an expanded health program at South Sinai. The results reflected the demographic nature of these areas of consanguineous marriage and herido-familial type of hearing loss. The study showed that there was no significant relationship between consistency of hearing aid use and the mode of its use whether monaural or binaural on language acquisition and scholastic achievement. Among all the social factors that were studied only the parental education had a significant relationship with level of scholastic achievement [p= 0.007]. The study referred to the importance of early detection of hearing loss in children and the importance of proper fitting of hearing aid. It emphasized the importance of mainstreaming with the availability of qualified professionals and improved service provision. Also it high lightened the importance of parental education with hope of upgrading the social, educational and cultural level of population

Relationship between hemoglobin level and feeding pattern in apparently healthy children below two years

Anemia is still one of the most common problems in the world even in developed countries, but its evaluation is still underestimated especially in developing countries like ours, so it needs further planning, screening and management. This study was done in 12 primary health care centers PHCC in Erbil city - Kurdistan region/Iraq during period for 1st Feb - 31st Jul 2008. The main objectives were to determine the hemoglobin value in our children, to estimate the prevalence of anemia and correlating it with feeding pattern .This prospective study was conducted in 500 apparently healthy children collected randomly, visiting the vaccination centers routinely during 5 months period. Feeding pattern were studied in relation to hemoglobin [Hb] level only. From total 500 children conducted in this study, the mean Hb. of them was 10.4 g/dl. Those with normal Hb were 196 [39.2%], while 304 [60.4%] of them were anemic. Those with mild anemia were 145 [29.0%] and 159 [31.8%] of them had moderate anemia. The sex had no effect on Hb level. The anemia was lesser in children below one year Children on breast feeding had lower percent of anemia [51.9%], those on exclusive breast feeding only 6 [33.4%] while those on adult milk [74.9%] of them were anemic. There was a high prevalence of anemia among the investigated children and less common in children with breast feeding

Seroprevalence of anti-rubella igm antibody among pregnant and child bearing women in diyala province

Rubella infections acquired postnatally are usually mild, but maternal infection during pregnancy is associated with considerable risk of intrauterine fetal infection with multi-system damage.Detection of anti-rubella IgM specific antibodies among pregnant and childbearing women in Baquba city and to explore the effects of certain demographic factors. The present study was conducted in Baquba-Diyala province during the period from April/2007 to September/2008. Ninety pregnant women were chosen from those attending the primary health care centers in Baquba. They include 30 [33.3%] pregnant women who had previous abortions with a mean age 27.2 +/- 5.3 years, and 60 [66, 7%] pregnant women without previous abortion with mean age 23.7+/- 5.1 years. Additionally, 94 non-pregnant childbearing women were enrolled as a control group. Of those, 37[39.4%] had previous abortions with mean age 33.5 +/- 7.8 years, and 57 [60.6%] without abortion, the mean age was 30.7+/-7.8 years. Certain demographic factors were collected by personal interview. Anti-rubella IgM specific antibody was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA]. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS computer assisted processing. P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. The results revealed that 3[5%] of pregnant women without previous abortion and 8[26.7%] of pregnant women who had previous abortions were seropositive for anti-rubella IgM antibody. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant [p= 0.003].Whereas, the IgM seropositivity was insignificantly higher in childbearing women without previous abortion compared to childbearing women who had previous abortions [4.6% vs 16.2%], [p=0.33]. Furthermore, the IgM seropositivity among childbearing women without previous abortion was significantly higher compared to pregnant women without previous abortion [24.6% vs 5%], [p=0.003].The presence of life births, time of gestation, and the levels of education significantly affect the seropositivity rate of IgM. Prenatal screening for anti-rubella IgM antibody is an important tool to identify active infection and to provide obstetric management to avoid the risk of congenital rubella syndrome

lipid profile in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Erbil Governorate

Diabetes Mellitus is the most common endocrine-metabolic disease in children. Diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia frequently develop atherosclerosis which is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum lipids total serum cholesterol, total serum triglyceride [TGs], High density lipoprotein [HDL-C], Low density lipoprotein [LDL-C] and very low density lipoprotein [VLDL-C] in children with type-1 diabetes mellitus in comparison with controls, and to determine the relationship of lipid profile with gender, body mass index [BMI] and duration of diabetes among patients. In this case-control study, the lipid profiles of 52 patients aged 6-18 years [27 males 25 females] with established type 1 diabetes were compared with those of 52 healthy controls of the same age and gender from the first of December 2007 to the 29[th] of February 2008. The lipid profiles of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus showed the following values, the mean total serum cholesterol 175 +/- 55 mg/dl, total serum TGs 140 +/- 135 mg/dl, HDL-C 59 +/- 19 mg/dl, LDL-C 93 +/- 51 mg/dl and that of VLDL-C 23 +/- 13 mg/dl, whereas for the controls they were 136 +/- 34 mg/dl, 74 +/- 25 mg/dl, 53 +/- 15 mg/dl, 68 +/- 30 mg/dl and 15 +/- 5 mg/dl respectively. The abnormalities in lipid profile regarding total serum cholesterol, total serum TGs, LDL-C and VLDL-C showed that they were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in control group, while HDL-C although it was higher among diabetic patients, but it was not statistically significant. Total serum TGs was significantly increased with the duration of diabetes