Is Helicobacter pylori infections in immunocompromised children a risk factor for cancer?

The frequency of Helicobacter pylori in children with malignancy was evaluate in the present study. Among 51 children included in the study, 29 children were in malignancy group [79.3% of them having positive one step diagnostic test], while 22 children were control group [54.5% of them having positive one step diagnostic test].h.pylori infection was significantly higher in the malignancy group comparedto the control group [P<0.05]; 44.8% having positive culture for H.pylori, while only 18.2% of control having positive culture for H.pylori. the results showing that there is no significant association between H.pylori and the type of cancer with P > 0.05. And there is a significant association between H.pylori and age more than 5 years with p< 0.05 which is statistically significant among patient groups. The results also showed that there is no significant association between H.pylori and sex among both patient and control groups with P> 0.05.

Role of MRI in characterization of occult breast lesions in high risk population

To evaluate the diagnostic validity of breast MRI in discriminating benign from malignant lesions in women with occult breast lesions who are at a high risk of developing breast cancer, with histopathologic findings and/or follow up used as the reference standard. Contrast-enhanced bilateral breast MRI was performed on 100 women at high risk of developing breast cancer with indeterminate imaging findings by mammography and/or ultrasonography. Lesions detected by MRI that could represent potential malignancies in both breasts were evaluated. Morphologic assessment and kinetic analysis [contrast enhancement and time/intensity curves] were performed on each lesion using dedicated postprocessing and display software. Functional MR tools were used in about 60% of cases to help in the differential diagnosis between malignant and benign of suspicious lesions detected at conventional MRI. Among 100 patients included in the study12% of the patients were finally diagnosed as free of any pathology, 56% had benign findings, while 31% of the patients were malignant. [24 IDC, 4 Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, 1 Medullary carcinoma, 1 Mucinous carcinoma and 1 DCIS.] The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of CE-MRI, were 100%, 93%, 86%, and 100% respectively. Overall accuracy of MRI breast was 95%. Breast MRI is highly effective in detection and characterization of occult breast lesions in high risk population, with excellent sensitivity and high specificity. Development of functional MRI tools contributed to the improving validity of this modality

Time trends and geographical distribution of childhood leukaemia in Basrah, Iraq, from 2004 to 2009

This study aimed to assess the incidence and trend of childhood leukaemia in Basrah. This was a hospital-based cancer registry study carried out at the Pediatric Oncology Ward, Maternity and Children's Hospital and other institutes in Basrah, Iraq. All children with leukaemia, aged 0 to 14 years diagnosed and registered in Basrah from January 2004 to December 2009 were included in the study. Their records were retrieved and studied. The pattern of childhood leukaemia by year of diagnosis, age at diagnosis, morphological subtypes, and geographical distribution was analysed. Rates of childhood leukaemia over time were calculated for six years using standard linear regression. The total number of cases of childhood leukaemia was 181. The number of cases ranged from 21 in year 1, to 31 in the final year reaching a peak of 39 in 2006. Leukaemia rates did not change over the study period [test fro trend was not significant, P =0.81]. The trend line shows a shift towards younger children [less than 5 years]. The commonest types of leukaemia were acute lymphoblastic leukaemia [ALL], then acute myeloid leukaemia [AML] and finally chronic myeloid leukaemia [CML]. Annual rates of childhood leukaemia in Basrah were similar to those in other countries with a trend towards younger children. This raises the question about the effect of environmental catastrophes in the alteration of some specific rates of childhood leukaemia, rather than the overall incidence rate. There is a need for further epidemiological studies to understand the aetiology of childhood leukaemia in Basrah

Serum sialic acid and its lipid and protein bounds as possible biomarkers of acute myocardial infarction in Erbil city

Myocardial infarction [MI] usually occurs when coronary blood flow decreases abruptly after a thrombotic occlusion of a coronary artery previously affected by atherosclerosis. Sialic acid [SA] is attached to non reducing residues of the carbohydrate chains of glycoproteins and glycolipids. An elevation in serum TSA, LBSA and PBSA concentrations has been observed in a number of pathological conditions .The aim of the study was to determine the serum TSA and its LBSA and PBSA in patients with acute myocardial infarction [AMI]. Serum TSA, LBSA and PBSA concentrations were evaluated by UV/VIS spectrophotometry in [100] apparently healthy individuals and [100] newly diagnosed AMI patients. The mean levels of serum TSA, LBSA and PBSA in AMI patients were significantly higher [P<0.05] than those of apparently healthy individuals. The results indicate that the serum values of TSA, LBSA and PBSA appeared to be of a value in diagnosis of AMI

Tuberous Sclerosis With Chorea.

Here, we report a case of tuberous sclerosis with mulberry lesion of retina and chorea. The mulberry lesion of retina is considered to be the characteristic retinal lesion of this neurocutaneous syndrome.However, presence of chorea in tuberous sclerosis is a rarity.

Gujjar lung: a disease mimicking miliary tuberculosis

Gujjar lung is a chronic lung disease caused due to the long-term exposure to pinewood smoke inhalation in Gujjar community and the people residing at the hilly regions of the Indian sub-continent. This is characterized clinically by progressive cough and dyspnea, distinct radiological patterns and pathological features of anthracotic nodules and fibrosis. A typical case with miliary mottling on chest radiograph is presented and the relevant literature reviewed

Spectrophotometric determination of certain drugs using ammonium cerium [IV] sulfate and p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde

A spectrophotometric method for the determination of acetylcysteine, captopril carbimazole propylthiouracel and thiopental sodium is described. The method was based on the oxidation of the studied drugs with excess ammonium cerium [IV] sulfate. Followed by measuring the excess unreacted ammonium cerium [IV] sulfate, through reaction with p-DMAB into the corresponding p-dimethylaminobenzoquinone, which has a red colour can be measured at 464 nm. The decrease in the absorption intensity at 464 nm caused by the presence of the investigated drugs is directly proportional to their concentration. Investigations were carried out to study all variables and a validation study for the proposed procedure according to USP 2002 was also performed. Beer's law was obeyed in the range of 1-40 micro.g/ml. The detection limit ranged from 0.22-1.22 micro g/ml, while the quantitation limit ranged from 0.73-4.06 micro g/ml. The proposed method was successfully applied for the analysis of the studied drugs in pharmaceutical preparations with good recoveries in the range of 98.12-100.02%. Results were compared with those obtained from the pharmacopoeial or reported methods

Oxidized diphenylamine as a spectrophotometrec reagent for the determination of some pharmaceutical thiols and thioamides

Oxidized diphenylamine is newly utilized as a redox spectrophotometric reagent for the determination of six pharmaceutically important thiol and thioamide drugs named: acetylcystiene, captopril, carbimazole, propylthiouracil, thiopental sodium, and tiopronin. The method is based on measurement of the decrease in absorption intensity of the oxidized diphenylamine [diphenylbenzidine violet, lambda max = 580 nm] reagent as a result of the reduction effect of the analysed drugs This reagent was instantaneously prepared by the oxidation of diphenylamine using ferric sulphate in sulphuric acid medium. The molar ratio of the chromogen reagent was determined to be 2:1; diphenylamine: iron [III]. The decrease in colour intensity was found to be quantitatively dependent on drug concentration. Experimental variables including reagent concentration, acid type and concentration, dilution solvent, reaction time, temperature and stability were studied and optimized. Validation parameters including linearity range, detection and quantitation limits, precision, selectivity and robustness were evaluated. The proposed method was found to be simple, sensitive and accurate one indicated by the studied validation parameters. Good recoveries [98.0 +/- 0.14 - 100%, +/- 0.98] were obtained by the suggested method and it was applied for the determination of the studied drugs in many pharmaceutical dosage forms available in the local market. Good agreement, indicated by acceptable t- and F- tests, was found between results obtained by the suggested method and those obtained by the reported or pharmacopoeial methods

Inhibitory effects of some substrate level analogues on salp-activity in B-thalassaemia

Higher levels of SALP-activity was recorded in serum of patients with a-thalassaemia in comparison with normal control Subjects at specific PH and temp. Both kinetic constant, Km and Vmax has been determined. Inhibitory effects of three substrate analogues, L-Phe, Adenosine, and inorganic phosphate were investigated. Types and degree of inhibition were determined together with values of Ki [inhibitory constant] using Dixons plot

Preliminary results of anterior decompression and stabilization for vertebral body metastasis

In this study, 25 cases of vertebral body metastases were treated, their age average was 54 years [range 41-69 years]. Nineteen cases had neurological deficits due to vertebral collapse. Six cases were neurologically free and had severe back pain due to vertebral collapse and instability not responding to the conservative treatment. The primary lesion could be detected in 19 cases. There were five cervical lesions, thirteen thoracic and seven lumbar lesions. All cases were treated by anterior decompression, reconstruction by bone cement in 22 cases and bone graft in 3. Anterior AO plate fixation was done for 19 cases. In the other six cases, transpedicular fixation had to be used in another stage. Three cases died within the first month after surgery. A marked pain relief occurred in 20 patents, neurological improvement by at least one Frankel grade occurred in 13 patients and the ambulatory status was improved from 40% of the patients preoperatively to 64% after surgery. The average survival time at the last follow up was 14.4 [0.25-39] months

Occcipito - cervical plating and fusion for complex atlanto - axial instabilities

Eleven patients with complex atlanto-axial instabilities were treated by occipito-cervical plating and fusion. This prospective study was done between 1997 and 2001. The indications for this operation included: 6 cases with non union fracture odontoid with dislocation of the atlanto-axial joint, 2 with old dislocation of the atlanto-axial joint, and 3 cases with pathological destruction of the body and/or the posterior elements of the second cervical vertebra [TB, metastasis, and pseudomalginant fibrous tumor]. All the patients were males. The age ranged between 18 and 49 years and the average was 35 years. All the patients had cervical cord compression symptoms and signs. All patients had skull traction before surgery for 7-10 days. Occiptocervical fusion with autogenous iliac bone graft and plating were done using a contoured small AO plate and cancellous 3.5 screws. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. All the patients had some neurological improvement and all showed fusion except the patient with bone secondaries who died 11 months after surgery. All the patients were satisfied with the results of surgery

effect of cervical plating on multiple - level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

The study was conducted on 20 patients who had cervical plates and 20 had fusion without plates. There were no significant differences preoperatively among patients treated with or without plates. At the final follow-up ranged from 18 to 48 months [average 22 months], the pseudo-arthrosis rates were 5% in patients with plating and 15% in patients without plating. There was no correlation between pseudo- arthrosis and age, sex or level of surgery. The average loss of the gained intraoperative correction of cervical lordosis was 0.5 in the instrumented group compared with 1.3 in the patients without plates. The amount of graft collapse in the patients with plates was 0.8 mm compared with 1.6 mm in the patients without plates, the difference was significant. Accelerated degenerative changes at levels adjacent to fusion were seen in 20% of patients with plating compared with 15% in patients without plating. The overall result was excellent to good in 90% of the patients with plating compared with 80% in the group without plating based on Odom's criteria

Ovarian activity of barki ewes in relation to plane of nutrition

The present investigation aimed to improve the ovarian activity of Barki breed by means of nutritional management. Three groups of Barki ewes were fed on maintenance ration, maintenance besides nitrogenous supplement and maintenance besides carbonesious supplement. The results revealed significant increases in live body weight and daily gain in supplemented groups than in maintenance one. In the same time, the estrous cycles were superior with regular rhythm in both supplemented groups. Plasma progesterone concentrations showed significant higher figures in ewes fed maintenance than in supplemented ewes

Gestation and lambing of barki ewes in relation to plane of nutrition

The present investigation aimed to improve the reproductive and productive efficiency of Barki ewes managed under different planes of nutrition. The experiment was carried out on 3 groups of Barki ewes fed on maintenance ration, maintenance beside nitrogenous supplement and maintenance beside carbonesious supplement for 3 months premating. The results revealed that the level of supplementation had a non significant effect on both the gestation length and the sex of the off spring. On the contrary, progesterone concentration showed significant decrease in the supplemented 2 groups [2.36 +/- 0.95 and 2.59 +/- 0.76 ng/ml]. Lambing rates averaged 90, 100 and 100% in the 3 groups, respectively, without twinning. Sex ratio of newly born averaged 1.5, 0.67 and 0.67, respectively, and lamb birth weight was significantly heavier in nitrogenous supplemented ewes [3.50 +/- 10.17 kg] than in carbonesious supplemented ones [3.20 +/- 0.17 kg] or in control group [2.95 +/- 0.21 kg]

Evaluation of systemic administration of doxycycline as an adjunct to mechanical debridement in non insulin dependent diabetic patients

The present study was designed to test the value of systemic administration of vibramycin [doxycycline] in conjunction with other therapeutic measures in the treatment of marginal periodontitis in diabetics. Twenty diabetic patients [NIDDM] were divided into two groups. In the first group, the patients mechanical debridement was only performed, while in the second group they were instructed to use 100 mg of doxycycline together with professional mechanical debridement. Clinical parameters [plaque index, gingival index, periodontal pocket depth and attachment levels assessment] were recorded at the time of initial examination and two weeks after administration of doxycycline and/or after mechanical debridement. Histological examination was also performed at the beginning of the study, after control of diabetes, two weeks after both types of treatment modalities and two weeks after stoppage of the drug. The results of the present study revealed that adjunctive treatment by doxycycline gave better gingival index p <0.001 and plaque index p <0.001, than that of mechanical debridement alone in diabetics. Histological results showed a picture of almost healthy gingiva after adjunctive administration of doxycycline

Retained placenta in an imported friesian herd under Egyptian conditions

The present study was carried out on 342 imported Friesian cattle to investigate the problem of placental retention with emphasis on some reproductive performance and blood constituents. Blood samples were collected from cows which retained their foetal membranes for more than 24 hours after birth as well as normal parturient cows. Results indicated that retained placenta occurred in 16.72% of cases, predominate in primipara [34.10%] and during the hot season of the year [55.55%]. Significant decrease in plasma magnesium [P < 0.01]; Inorg. phosphorus and iron levels [P < 0.05] and increase in plasma progesterone values were detected in cases with retained placenta as compared to normal parturient cows. Moreover, the retained placenta causes delayed first post partum heat, calving interval with a reduction in fertility and a decrease in milk yiels