Regional Left Ventricular Function Analysis By 128-Row Multi-Detector Computed ‎Tomography in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Purpose: The aim of this study was to estimate the role of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the evaluation of LV regionalwall motion abnormalities (RWMA) in subjects complaining of coronary artery heart disease (CAD) and to compare MDCT data with twodimension standard echocardiography (2DSE) as the standard reference. Patients and Methods: Sixty subjects with supposed coronaryartery heart disease were submitted to retrospective gating contrast-enhanced MDCT. 10 phases of the cardiac cycle were performed todetect end-systolic and end-diastolic phases at LV short-axis view. LV Regional wall motion was assessed qualitatively (visually in cinemode) and quantitatively (measuring the percentage of systolic wall thickening on static end-diastolic and end-systolic images) on cardiacshort-axis view and long-axis views using a 17-segment model. 2DSE was performed within two weeks before MDCT. Results: Goodsegmental agreement was found between echocardiography and MDCT (k=0.7; p < 0.001), MDCT detected 720 (98.7%) of 729 segmentsthat showed normal motility, 172 (74.7%) of 230 segments showed hypokinesia and 49 (80.3%) of 61 segments showed akinesia ordyskinesia. Regarding the diagnostic performance, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MDCT reached 80.4%, 97.4%, and 93.5%,respectively, assuming 2DSE as the gold standard. Conclusion: Evaluation of regional left ventricular function by using MDCT is a precisemethod, with good agreement with 2D ECG.

Study of plasma amino acid levels in children with autism: an Egyptian sample

The aetiology of autism is unclear and autistic symptoms had been attributed to an abnormal functional imbalance in neurotransmitter amines such as dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin. To study plasma essential and non-essential amino acid levels, protein electrophoresis, serum ammonia, and urea in autistic children in comparison with controls. Twenty autistic children were compared to twenty healthy age and sex matched normal children serving as control, where serum amino acids, urea, ammonia and protein electrophoresis were estimated. As regards essential amino acid levels, autistic children had significant lower plasma levels of leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, methionine and cystine than controls [P < 0.05],while there was no statistical difference in the level of tryptophan, valine, threonine, arginine, lysine and histidine [P > 0.05]. In non-essential amino acid levels, phosphoserine was significantly raised in autistic children than in controls [.P < 0.05]. Autistic children had lower level of hydroxyproline, serine and tyrosine than controls [P < 0.05]. On the other hand there was no significant difference in levels of taurin, asparagine, alanine, citrulline, GABA, glycine, glutamic acid, and ornithine [P > 0.05]. There was no significant difference between cases and controls as regards the levels of urea, ammonia, total proteins, albumin and globulins [alpha 1, alpha 2, beta and gamma] [P > 0.05]. Autistic children had lower levels of some plasma amino acids except for glycine and glutamic acids and phosphoserine were increased with normal serum levels of urea, ammonia, total proteins, albumin and globulins [alpha 1, alpha 2, beta and gamma]

Effect of epidermal growth factor on adrenaline induced effects in isolated rabbit heart

Acute psychological stressors induce damage in organs as heart. Catecholamines are responsible for acute stress effects. Adrenaline, through 1-adrenergic receptors; stimulates EOF release to the blood. Because plasma catecholamine concentration is high during the stress and afterwards, organs are exposed to combined effects of both catecholamines and EGF. Intermale fighting [IF stress model] does not raise plasma creatine kinase [CK] activity ,while increases plasma transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] activities, So the heart is protected. EGF may protect the heart against the harmful effects of epinephrine. The present research studied EGF administration on adrenaline induced effects in the rabbit heart [invitro] of 8 groups of male white New Zealand rabbits. Heart tissues were excised and incubated. revealed a significant decrease in heart rate, contractility and coronary flow rate in Epidermal growth factor gp. A non significant change in heart rate and coronary flow rate and heart contractility after infusion of alpha blocker and adrenaline.While a significant decrease in heart rate, heart contractility and coronary flow rate in either adrenaline with beta Blocker group and or EGF with adrenaline and a blocker group. EGF with adrenaline and beta Blocker group produced a significant increase in heart rate, heart contractility and coronary flow rate. In spite of EGF positive effects on heart properties, it interfered with the adrenaline positive effects through Beta receptors

Plasma protein glycation status in Pakistan type 2 diabetic patients with or without nephropathy.

Background: Amadori-modified glycated plasma proteins play an important role in diabetic microangiopathy. Many of the pathogenic changes that occur in diabetic nephropathy (DN) may be induced by non-enzymatic glycation (NEG). Objective: The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of DN and non-enzymatic glycation levels in diabetic population. Methodology: One hundred patients with type 2 diabetes and forty healthy control subjects were recruited after consent. Case participants were further divided into two groups as type 2 diabetics with nephropathy (n = 22) and type 2 diabetics without nephropathy (n = 78). Non-fasting plasma glucose (Trinder GOD-PAP method), total plasma proteins (biuret method), Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Westergren’s method), HbA1c (glycohemoglobin spectrophotometry A1c Kit) and non-enzymatic glycation (TBA colorimetric technique) were assayed. Results: Diabetic patients with nephropathy had higher ESR (55.33 ± 24.68 mm/1st hour vs. 46.88 ± 23.95 mm/1st hour vs.12.73 ± 2.34 mm/1st hour), total proteins (15.71 ± 4 g/dL vs.14.01 ± 4 g/dL vs 6.18 ± 1.16 g/dL) and non-enzymatic glycation (1.73 ± 0.48 mol./mol. vs.1.47 ± 0.58 mol./mol. vs. 0.48 ± 0.18 mol./mol.) measurements as compared to those without any similar renal complications and controls. Appreciable correlation existed between hyperglycemia and non-enzymatic glycation. Conclusion: Although the clinical consequences of NEG of circulating proteins remain ambiguous. In diabetic patients, however, extensively glycated species could exhibit significant alterations in function. Present study suggests DN as a frequently prevalent secondary complication of diabetes with a potential link with elevated NEG and glycemic control.

Impact of obesity and body fat distribution on pulmonary function of Egyptian children

Childhood obesity is an emerging global public health challenge. That is because the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents has increased greatly in all parts of the world.[1] Overweight and obese children are at increased risk of a wide range of health conditions including respiratory diseases. A number of studies have reported an inverse relation between respiratory function and various indices of obesity or fat distribution.[2] The aim of this work: was to study the impact of obesity on pulmonary function and to assess the correlation between lung function impairment, degree of obesity and fat distribution in Egyptian children with simple obesity. Patients and method: This study was conducted on thirty children. They were divided into two groups. Group I included 20 children with simple obesity. Group II included 10 healthy normal children as a control group. All children were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination, anthropometric assessment, plane x-ray left hand for bone age assessment, plane x-ray chest and pulmonary function testing including: FVC, FEV1, FEV1 / FVC or FEV1%, PEF maximum, PEF25%, 50% and 75%,: FEF25-75%, MVV. Obese children had statistically significant higher rate of chest symptoms suggestive of bronchial asthma than the control group. They had also statistically significant reductions in FVC, FEV1, PEF, and MVV. They showed also lower values of FEV1/FVC ratio FEF 25%, 50%, 75% and FEF 25-75% when compared with control group but the difference did not reach significant level. BMI had significant negative correlation with FVC, FEV1, PEF max, flow rates [FEF25%, FEF50%, and FEF25-75%] and MVV. Triceps skin fold thickness had significant negative correlation with, FEV1, FEF25%, FEF50%, PEF max, and MVV. MAC was inversely correlated with FEV1, FEF25%, FEF50%, FEF75%, PEF max, and MVV. There was no statistically significant correlation between waist circumference or WHR and all the parameters of pulmonary functions. Obese children have more respiratory symptoms than their normal weight peers. They have significant restrictive pulmonary defect, evident small airways obstruction and a defect in respiratory musculature, week effort and coordination, with increased airway resistance. BMI was inversely correlated with most of pulmonary function abnormalities. So, BMI is recommended to be used as a predictor of pulmonary function in assessment of obese children in epidemiological studies

Evaluation of the anti-ischaemic effect of selective COX-2 inhibitor [rofecoxib] in permanent left middle cerebral artery occlusion [focal cerebral ischemia model] in rats

Cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2] enzyme is induced in the central nervous system after various insults. It has been localized to neurons and in cells associated with the cerebral vasculature where the system is involved in the inflammatory component of the ischaemic cascade. COX-2 is part of the initial reaction that involves the arachidonic acid cascade, which produces molecules that involved in inflammatory response. The present of study evaluated the pharmacological effects of a specific COX-2 inhibitor [rofecoxib], in a permanent focal cerebral ischaemia model in albino rats and its effects were compared to those of calcium channel blocker [nimodipine]. Experiments were carried out on sixty male albino rats. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Rofecoxib and nimodipine were administered 30 minutes after the occlusion of middle cerebral artery [MCA] and then daily IP for successive 6 days during which neurobehavioral evaluation was done. On the 7[th] day of occlusion, the infarction size, was measure and the remote hippocampal cell death were determined. Treatment with either rofecoxib or nimodipine caused significant equal improvement of the neurological score, significant attenuation of the infarction size and hippocampal cell death. While, the decrease of the infarction size was 50% by both drugs, the percentage of reduction of hippocampal degeneration was only 10% by both drugs. This difference in the percentage of improvement of infarction sizes and hippocampal degeneration may be due to presence of the hippocampus in a remote site from MCA blood supply. The present study suggests that COX-2 plays an important role in the ischaemic cascade of events. Furthermore, selective COX-2 inhibitors may be useful in the treatment of ischaemic stroke to improve motor functions

Correlation between lifestyle profile and health related indicators among middle age working women

This study was carried out to describe the lifestyle profile behavior of middle age working women, and examining the association between lifestyle behavior and the presence of health related chronic conditions. This study was carried on 125 non pregnant middle age [30-60 years] working women from 4 different work sites. Among the important studied issues of lifestyle practice assessed using a structured interview questionnaire that modified and revised by the researchers nutritional practice, physical exercise, rest and sleep practice, stress management, health care practice, and health perception. The tool also include other items about demographic characteristics, present health status and health status indicators [Body Mass Index [BMI], blood pressure, and blood analysis for blood glucose, cholesterol and hemoglobin that assessed by the researchers]. The data from the interviews were analyzed using SPSS, yielded frequencies, mean, standard deviation, pearson's product moment correlation and one way analysis of variance [ANOVA]. The findings of this study revealed that the mean age of women was 41.01 +/- 6. The practice of physical exercise was the lowest lower score, only .8% practicing regular exercise, and 68.7% have moderate perception of their health, even the healthy women. Also, a positive correlation was found between higher nutritional score and practicing exercise. About 36.8% have chronic condition, 16% of conditions are detected and referred. WHO categorization of BMI [normal < 25, overweight > or = 25 < 30, obese > or = 30 < 39, morbidly obese > or = 39] was used to assess obesity, 75.2% of participants were found to be obese or morbidly obese, the mean BMI was 33.29 +/- 5.08. There was a positive correlation between BMI and elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Also a positive correlation between elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure and high cholesterol level. In conclusion, lifestyle practice continues to have a significant impact on women's health status. Nursing interventions are essential to enhance health lifestyle practice among middle age working women

Could beta blockers be used in th treatment of cirrhotic ascites? the role of serum-ascites albumin gradient estimation

This study included 30 portal hypertensive cirrhotic ascitic patients assigned into 3 groups of 10 patients each, well matched as regards age and sex. Groups I, II and III were put on diuretics, beta blocker propranolol, and both, respectively, and restudied 1 month latter. Serum-ascites albumin gradient [S-AAG] was found to correlate positively with grade of esophageal varices and portal vein diameter [P <0.001] and the reduction of portal blood flow [P <0.05]. Diuretics with or without beta blockers propranolol gave a good therapeutic response as regards body weight [P <0.001], 24-hour urine output [P <0.001] and sodium excretion [P <0.05], whereas propranolol alone was found to have deleterious effect on ascites. There was a decrease in renal blood flow in the 3 groups which was more by the use of propranolol. It was concluded that S-AAG is a good predictor of portal hypertension and its response to beta blockers. The portal hypotensive effect of beta blockers showed no beneficial effect on ascites for renal hemodynamic changes resulting in less water and sodium excretion

Comparative toxicological study of some antibilharzial drugs

The data obtained in this work could be summarized as follows: 1. The LD 50 of tartar emetic was 49/kg, it produced a significant reduction of haemoglobin content and haematocrite value. It was the most toxic drug to the heart and lungs. Pharmacological studies showed that it produced direct depression on the isolated rabbits, heart, a perasympathomimetic effect manifested on isolated rabbits, intestine and blood pressure of anaesthetized dogs. 2. The LD 50 of astiban was 290 mg/kg. The results of subacute toxicity tests were similar to those obtained with tartar emetic but it was devoid of any toxic effect on heart. Pharmacological studies showed that it produced parasyupathomimetic effect on isolated rabbit's heart. 3. LD 50 of Hycanthone was 57 mg/ kg. No effect on the blood picture of rats was observed it was more toxic to the liver. It produced direct cardiac inhibition on the isolated rabbit's hearts, parasympathomimetic effect on the isolated rabbit's intestine and blood pressure of dog. 4. LD 50 of niridazole was 990 mg/ kg. The results of subacute toxicity tests were similar to those obtained with hycanthone. It is more toxic to brain it produced direct cardiac inhibition on the rabbit's heart and hypotension in dog