Public knowledge of oral cancer and modelling of demographic background factors affecting this knowledge in Khartoum State, Sudan

Objectives: knowledge of oral cancer affects early detection and diagnosis of this disease. This study aimed to assess the current level of public knowledge of oral cancer in Khartoum State, Sudan, and examine how demographic background factors affect this knowledge

Methods: this cross-sectional study involved 501 participants recruited by systematic random sampling from the outpatient records of three major hospitals in Khartoum State between November 2012 and February 2013. A pretested structured questionnaire was designed to measure knowledge levels. A logistic regression model was utilised with demographic background variables as independent variables and knowledge of oral cancer as the dependent variable. A path analysis was conducted to build a structural model

Results: of the 501 participants, 42.5% had no knowledge of oral cancer, while 5.4%, 39.9% and 12.2% had low, moderate and high knowledge levels, respectively. Logistic regression modelling showed that age, place of residence and education levels were significantly associated with knowledge levels [P = 0.009, 0.017 and <0.001, respectively]. According to the structural model, age and place of residence had a prominent direct effect on knowledge, while age and residence also had a prominent indirect effect mediated through education levels

Conclusion: education levels had the most prominent positive effect on knowledge of oral cancer among outpatients at major hospitals in Khartoum State. Moreover, education levels were found to mediate the effect of other background variables

Association of overweight and obesity with decline in academic performance among female high-school students, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between overweight/obesity and future academic performance among high-school students in Saudi Arabia. This was a retrospective cohort study of 257 12th grade female students in Alabna [Ministry of Defence] high schools in Riyadh during 2013/14. Overweight/obesity was based on weight and height at 10th grade. Decline in academic performance was defined as a reduction by > 1 standard deviation in marks between 10th and 12th grades. One hundred and five students were overweight/obese and 30 had declined academic performance. Self-esteem scale was similar in both groups. In a multiple logistic regression model adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, study-related lifestyle and self-esteem, overweight/obesity was associated with declining academic performance. Other independent associates included paternal and maternal education, and living outside governmentally provided housing. We report a negative independent association between overweight/obesity and subsequent academic performance among female high-school students in Saudi Arabia. The results highlight the need for community and school programmes to target overweight/obesity among high-school students

Relation between visfatin, insulin resistance and androgen levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome with and without clinical hyperandrogenism running title: visfatin and polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Polycyhc ovary syndrome PCOS is the most common cause of infertility due to anovulation. PCOS patients are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Controversial results were reported regarding levels of visfatin among PCOS patients

Objectives: the aim of the present study was to investigate serum visfatin, testosterone and insulin resistance and the association between these parameters in PCOS patients with and without clinical hyperandrogenism

Subjects and Methods: A total of forty PCOS patients and twenty age BMI-matched overweight healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study. PCOS patients were further divided according to the presence or the absence of clinical hyperandrogenism. Serum visfatin, testosterone, insulin and glucose were measured and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] was calculated

Results: PCOS patients had higher levels of visfatin, testosterone and HOMA-IR compared with the controls. Positive correlation was seen between insulin and testosterone in PCOS patients. PCOS patients with clinical hyperandrogenism had relatively higher levels of visfatin, testosterone and HOMA-IR compared with those without clinical hyperandrogenism. Furthermore, serum visfatin positively correlated with serum insulin and testosterone in PCOS patients with clinical hyperandrogenism, but not in those without clinical hvperandrogenism

Conclusion: There are strong relationships between visfatin and hyperinsulinemia, and hyperandrogenism. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the molecular mechanism behind these relationships

Insulin resistance and cognitive impairment in type II diabetes mellitus

Background: Type II Diabetes mellitus [DM] is a metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose because of the insulin resistance. Significant 1 more interest has been dedicated to the effect of type II diabetes on the brain. Along with cerebrovascular disease, type II diabetes is implicated in the development of other neurological co-morbidities

Aim of the work: To study cognitive functions in type II DM and the effect of insulin resistance on it

Subjects and methods: In the present study, cognitive function tests were done for 37 subjects; control [n= 17], type II DM [n= 20]. These tests include mini mental state examination [MMSE], Wechsler adult intelligence scale [WAIS], Wechsler memory scale [WMS] and Cognitive Event related potential [P300]. Circulating levels of glycosylated haemoglobin [HbA[1c]] and insulin were determined in venous blood samples of both groups

Results: MMSE was significantly lower in type II DM than control group [p-value = 0.034]. However no significant difference between type II DM and control group in WAIS and WMS except in visual reproduction [p-value = 0.048]. P300 latency was significantly longer in type II DM than controls [p- value 0.0001]. P300 amplitude was decreased significantly in type II DM than controls [p-value= 0.0001]. HbA[1c] and insulin was significantly higher in type II DM than controls [p-value= 0.0001]

Conclusion: type II DM is associated with cognitive impairment which may be due to insulin resistance

Effects of iron chelating therapy and / or HBV-vaccination on beta-thalassemia major patients

Thalassemia is a genetic inherited blood disorder in which the body makes abnormal hemoglobin with excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to anemia. For many years, hepatitis B virus was a major problem for patients with thalassemia substantially contracted from blood transfusions. The development of effective vaccine has further reduced the magnitude of the problem of hepatitis B. Iron chelators are used to remove excess iron that accumulates due to repeated blood transfusion. To compare thalassemic patients either have or haven't HCV with healthy persons as regards biochemical indices taking in consideration effect of vaccination against HBV or not and using iron chelating therapy or not by the studied persons. A case control study in which 40 thalassemic, blood transfusion dependent patients were chosen randomly to act as a case group from thalassemic patients attending the VACSERA Company. The cases [40 patients] they were classified to patients having HCV, patients were HBV vaccinated, other non vaccinated, using iron chelating therapyor don't use it. Another 10 healthy and non thalassemic persons were chosen randomly among persons attending the same company as a control group to be matched with the case group. 50% of studied thalassemic patients had HCV seropositivity. Biochemical blood indices which were found to be significantly elevated among thalassemic patients than controls were ALT, AST, ALP, GGT and LDH enzymes in addition to serum iron, ferritin and globulin mostly in HBV non-vaccinated and iron chelating therapy non dependent patients while, other biochemical indices which were significantly decreased among thalassemic patients compared to controls included: total cholesterol, total protein, albumin and albumin/globulin ratio mostly in HBV vaccinated and iron chelating non dependent patients. This study illustrated the effectiveness of iron chelators agentsand the importance of vaccination for reduction of morbidity and mortality

Impact of anemia on diastolic function among a sample of Egyptian patients with type 2 diabetes

Anaemia which is common in patients with diabetes has an established role in heart failure. Whether or not anaemia contribute to an increased risk of cardiac dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes, needs to be evaluated. Aim of the work: to investigate the effect of anaemia as a risk factor on the abnormal diastolic function in type 2 diabetes. Seventy diabetic patients from Diabetes Clinic, Ain Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt were investigated for control of blood glucose, haemoglobin level, creatinine clearance and albuminuria. Transthoracic echocardiography and tissue Doppler were performed to study parameters diagnosing diastolic dysfunction. 71.4% of the patients were anaemic. Diastolic dysfunction was more prominent in the anaemic patients as they showed significantly higher LAA, E/A, E/E' [0.35 +/- 0.06 cm2, 1.29 +/- 0.63, 8.7 +/- 0.4, respectively] compared to the non anaemic patients [0.32 +/- 0.06 cm2, p,0.05, 0.99 +/- 0.51, p<0.05, 6.86 +/- 0.18, p<0.001, respectively]. By multivariate analysis haemoglobin showed independent association with E/A even after adjustment for age, BMI, BP, albuminuria and creatinine clearance. Decreased haemoglobin level is a potent independent risk factor of diastolic dysfunction among type 2 diabetic patients. Thus maintenance of haemoglobin level in these patients within normal range improves the degree of cardiac

Computed verification of radiation and light field size superimposition on cobalt-60 machine

The study was conducted at the Radiation and Isotopes Center of Khartoum [RICK] during the period April 2009- August 2009. The aim of the study was to verify the superimposition of light and radiation field size on Cobalt-60 machine using image processing technique. The portal films used in the test were scanned using digitizer scanner. Then they analyzed using Interactive Digital Language [IDL] program to show the superimposition, in which more concentration was made on field center and borders, provided that the analysis included the four borders of the two fields. Both the standard deviation and the mean methods were used in the analysis process. For all score variations in this study t-test had been performed. P-value was calculated to show if there was any significant impact of each light and radiation field size variation. The result was as follows [10.0 X10.0cm], Medical physicist score was [10.3 +/- 0.11608 X 10.3 +/- 0.099861 cm] and the field size that calculates by computerized score using IDL program was [9.9 +/- 0.036049 X 9.9 +/- 0.01123 cm]. This indicates that the was within the acceptable limits for the automatic reading, as compared with the manual reading in which the penumbra was [8mm] which was very high and risky for the treatment process

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Saudi Arabia: clinical presentation and diagnostic delay

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is commonly advanced at diagnosis. In this study we evaluated the clinical presentation, diagnostic delay and factors affecting delay in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Data were collected prospectively for 307 newly diagnosed patients, including detailed demographic data, disease history, health care consultations and referral process. Diagnostic delay was classified as patient, professional and overall. Neck lump and nasal obstruction were the commonest presenting symptoms. There was a significant association between delay time of >/= 3 months and advanced stage. Patient's age and otological symptoms were associated with increased overall delay time. Advanced clinical stage at diagnosis was associated with paitents' sociodemographic characteristics

Lymphocyte apoptosis in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus

Beta cell apoptosis has been associated with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM] onset in newly diagnosed diabetic patients. There is an emerging evidence that T cell-induced apoptosis is a dominant effector mechanism in diabetes mellitus type 1 [DM1]. Pancreatic/3-cells derived from newly diagnosed type 1 diabetics were found to have increased cell surface expression of Fas [CD95] compared to/3-cells from healthy subjects. The study investigates the spontaneous lymphocyte apoptosis via CD95 molecule expression to demonstrate activation induced cell death in children with high risk of DM1 and in type 1 diabetics under insulin therapy. This study comprised 90 children and adolescents, divided into 3 groups. GO] comprised 40 type-1 diabetics, their ages ranging from 8.0 to 17.0 years and disease duration between 2.0 and 12.0 years. G[2] [prediabetics] included 30 euglycaemic subjects who were first degree, relatives of type 1 diabetics, with normal fasting blood glucose and positive, first phase insulin release [FPIR] and/or positive islet cell [ICA] or glutamic acid decarboxylase [GAD] antibodies. G[3] comprised 20 healthy, age and sex matched subjects with no clinical or laboratory signs or family history of type-1DM Patients were subjected to clinical evaluation with special emphasis on signs suggestive of microvascular complications. The study measurements included random blood sugar [RBS], glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1], urinary microalbumin assay and flow cytometric assessment of apoptosis by measuring CD95 percentage expression on CD3 lymphocytes. The percentage of CD95 positive T-lymphocytes was significantly higher in prediabetics than in type-1diabetics and controls [57.687 +/- 6.68, 45.01 +/- 6. 648,16.75 +/- 4.98% respectively; p<0. 001]. CD3 positive bnphocytes were significantly lower in prediabetics than type-1 diabetics controls [52.93 +/- 11.64, 66.23 +/- 7.04, 63.910 +/- 3.4% respectively, p<0.001]. The percentage of CD95 on T-lymphocytes could not be Correspondence: correlated with age, insulin dose and RBS, but HbA1 was positively correlated with both CD3 lymphocytes and CD95% expression. Complicated type-1 diabetics showed higher CD95% expression compared to non-complicated patients. Peripheral blood lymphocytes with CD95 antigen expression re increased in prediabetics. As CD95 is an important receptor for activation-induced cell death, CD95 mediated apoptosis could play a j potential role in the pathogenesis of DM1

Cell-mediated immunity in recent-onset type 1 diabetic children

The ability to suppress an immune response makes regulatory T-cells [T-reg] an attractive candidate as a novel therapeutic agent for treating autoimmune diseases. The mechanisms involved in maintenance of peripheral tolerance include a specialized subset of regulatory-T-cells [T-reg] within the T-cell population. The CD4[+] CD25[+] T-cells may be, important in modulating the risk for autoimmunity. Auto-reactive cytotoxic-cells recognize peptide epitopes displayed on the beta cells surface in the context of HLA class] molecules. A population of CD8[+] regulatory T-cells characterized by expression of CD25 and FOXP3 have been identified and induced in the human peripheral blood cells. The regulatory activity of these cells is on autologous, antigen-reactive CD4[+] T-cells in a cell contact-dependent manner. These findings provide an evidence for a new mechanism for induction of immune regulation in human. This study was aiming to assess the cellular immune parameters including the percentage of CD4[+], CD8[+], CD4[+]/CD8[+] ratio,CD4[+]CD25[+], CD8[+] CD25[+] lymphocytes, which may have its application in developing immune therapy based tools for halting disease progression. This study was conducted on 20 children of recent onset type 1 diabetes [disease duration 0.05] between the two groups. A significant inverse correlation was found between CD4[+] CD25[+] T-cells and HbA1c percentage among patients group [p<0.05].Also a significant difference in the percentage of CD4[+] CD25[+] T-cells was found when patients with HbA1c<8%w ere compared to those with HbA1c >/= 8% [the latter group had significantly lower percentage of CD4[+] CD8[+] T-cells]. Type 1 diabetes is characterised at its onset by a lowered percentage of CD8[+] and CD8[+] CD25[+] T-cells in peripheral blood, a normal percentage of CD4[+] and CD4[+] CD25[+] T-cells. There may be an inverse correlation between percentage of CD4[+] CD25[+] T-cells at disease onset and HbA1c level after three months. These data support the hypothesis that a defect in function or deficiency in number of T-regulatory cells may affect the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes

Determination of some antipsychotic drugs through spectrophotometric, TLC-densitometric and HPLC methods

Three sensitive, accurate and rapid methods were suggested for the determination of the suggested drugs in pure form and in pharmaceutical preparation. The first method was based on the determination of sulpiride and tiapride by charge transfer complex formation with each of 2,3 dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone [DDQ], 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane [TCNQ] and Iodine [12] and measuring the formed coloured complexes spectrophotometrically at 463 nm, 842 nm and 360 nm. Respectively for both drugs. All the experimental conditions affecting the reactions such as type of solvent, reagent concentrations, time, and temperature were studied and optimized. Beer's law was obeyed over the concentration range of 20-100 microgram/L for sulpiride with mean percentage accuracies of 100,00 +/- 0.06. 99.98 +/- 0.053 and 100.02 +/- 0.056 and 20 - 140 microgram/L for tiapride with aa reagents with mean percentage accuracies of 99.99 +/- 0.073, 99.97 +/- 0.051 and 100.04 +/- 0.076. The stoichiometry of the reaction was assessed by applying the molar ratio and continuous varation methods and found to be 1: 1. The second method was based on the determination of sulpiride and tiapride and veralipride by thin layer chromatography [TLC] method using developing system of acetonitrile: water: glacial acetic acid [10: 10: 1 v/v/v] followed by densitometric measurements of the spots of intact drugs at 290 nm. The determination was carried out on silica gel 60F254. The limits of Beer's law were 5-60, 10-60, and 5-60 microgram/spot for sulpiride, tiapride and veralipride, respectively. The third method was based on the determination of the drugs by high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC] methods using Luna CN 150x4.6 mm column. Buffer [0.1% heptanes sulphonic acid sodium salt + 0.1 ml of triethylamine + 1 ml of glacial acetic acid dissolved in 100 ml water]: methanol in ratio 35: 65 was used as mobile phase and the detection was at 244 nm with flow rate 1.5 ml/min using theophylline as an internal standard

Study of reaction mechanism between piroxicam and tenoxicam drugs with iodate and N-bromosuccinamide oxidants and their microdetermination by spectrophotometric and potentiometric measurements

Piroxicam [Pir] and tenoxicam [Ten] are specified as nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are used in the symptomatic management of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and in short term management of soft-tissue injury. Therefore, their reactions with oxidants, Iodate and N-bromosuccinamide [NBS] are suggested, discussed and used for microdeterminations of these essential biomedical drugs. A sensitive Spectrophotometric method has been suggested and used in comparison with a potentiometric one to follow these reactions mechanisms aiming to apply them in microdetermination of piroxicam [Pir] and tenoxicam [Ten]. No interference from excipients was observed in both techniques. The Spectrophotometric procedure was better than the potentiometric one, because of the sensitivity of the former to detect lower concentration ranges [50 to 1100 micro g ml[-1]] of the pure standard drugs and the detection of high concentration range [300 to 3980 micro g ml[-1]] by the latter. The high molar absorptivity [e = 0.25-0.29 x 10[3] L.mol[-1] cm[-1]] and Sandell sensitivity [1.2 - 13 micro g cm[-2]] refer to the high selectivity of the Spectrophotometric method. The between -day precision of the potentiometric procedure refers to the greater stability and good reliability of this procedure in high concentration [% recovery = 99 to 102%]. These procedures were applied for successful microdetermination of Pir and Ten in many pharmaceutical preparations, such as tablets and capsules. The values of SD [0.03 to 0.6 for five replicates] and RSD [0.6 to 1.2%] refer to reproducibility and precision of the applied procedures. The results of analyses of these drugs were compared with those obtained by the application of the official method using Ringbom, t-test and f-test. These results gave t- value of 2.776 and f-value of 6.31 at 95% confidence level. The obtained results also refer to the robustness of the proposed procedures

Chromatographic methods for the separation and determination of paracetamol and tramadol

Two chromatographic methods have been developed for the separation and determination of paracetamol [P] and tramadol [T]. The methods are applicable for the determination of both drugs either separately or in mixture. The first method is TLC scanning method in which the two drugs were separated on silica gel plate using methanol: water: glacial acetic acid 50: 50: 25 v/v as a developing system and spots were detected by UV scanning at 250nm for paracetamol and 275nm in case of tramadol. The calibration curve was found linear from 3 to 15 micro g/spot and from 14 to 80 micro g/spot in case of paracetamol and tramadol, respectively. The method was applied for the determination of both drugs in pure form with mean percent recoveries of 100.34 +/- l. 124 and 100.59 +/- 1.104 for paracetamol and tramadol, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the determination of both drugs in laboratory prepared mixture. The second method is an HPLC method in which the two drugs were separated on Hypersil MOS CIS [200x4.6mm] column using a mixture of 0.5M solution of potassium dihydrogen phosphate pH 3.3 and methanol 35:65 as a mobile phase. Detection was carried out by ultraviolet detection at 280nm. Linear relationship between the peak areas and concentrations were given over a range of 10-360 micro g/ml and from 20 to 360 micro g/ml for paracetamol and tramadol, respectively. The HPLC method was applied for the determination of both drugs in pure form with mean percent recoveries of 100.43 +/- 0.84 and 100.19 +/- 0.78 for paracetamol and tramadol, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of both drugs in laboratory prepared mixture. The validity of TLC method and HPLC method was assessed applying the standard addition technique for the determination of paracetamol and tramadol in acetamadol tablets. Statistical comparison between the reference methods and the proposed methods showed no significant difference

Disturbance of some coagulation and fibrinolytic factors in essential hypertension

Hypertension is an established risk factor for acute coronary events. Growing evidence is now apparent that hypertension is accompanied by hypercoagulable and/or hypofibrinoltic state, both of which can be the cause of several cardiovascular risk factors noticed with hypertension. To show the relationship between hypertension and some components of fibrinolytic and coaguIation systems . In this study, the plasma levels of fibrinogen, FVII, D-dimer, t-PA and PAI-I were studied in three groups of male persons. A hypertensive group of patients [16], complicated hypertensive group [16] and a group of normotensive persons [16] were included in this work Patients were selected from outpatient clinic of Cardiology Department, Assiut University Hospital, during the period from December 2001 until December 2002. The mean plasma levels of fibrinogen, FFVII, t-PA, PAZ-I and D dimer before treatment of the hypertensive and complicated hypertensive groups were significantly higher than that of the normotensive group .The mean plasma levels of these factors [except FVII] in the complicated hypertensive group were significantly higher than that of the hypertensive group. After treatment of these groups, the mean plasma levels of all factors decreased significant and there was no significant difference between the two groups. It is clear from this study that there are disturbances in the levels of coagulation and fibrinolytic factors in hypertensive patients particularly in the complicated hypertensive patients. This indicates severity of disturbance of these factors in hypertensive patients making them risk factors for the development of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, etc

Evaluation of medical waste incinerators in Alexandria

Medical establishments play important roles in different activities by using of modern technology to serve the humans and the environment through different departments in the establishment and its firms. Medical wastes are considered as a hazardous waste because they contain toxic materials, infectious, or non-infectious wastes and they are considered as a hazard to millions of patients, health care workers, and visitors. Treatment processes for medical wastes comprise autoclaving, microwaving, chemical disinfection, irradiation, plasma system, and incineration. Incineration is a thermal process, which destroys most of the waste including microorganisms. Combustion process must be under controlled conditions to convert wastes containing hazardous materials into mineral residues and gases. Hospital waste incinerators may emit a number of pollutants depending on the waste being incinerated. These pollutants include particulate matter, acid gases, toxic metals, and toxic organic compounds products of incomplete combustion, e.g., dioxins, furans, and carbon monoxide, as well as sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides. So, there should be a reduction of emissions of most of these pollutants by air pollution control devices. This study was conducted in 51 medical establishments [ME] in Alexandria. To evaluate its incinerators. It was found that only 31.4% of total ME have their own incinerators to treat their medical waste. Also, the incinerators conditions were poor with incomplete combustion. So, the study recommend handling of all medical wastes of ME in Alexandria by the company which is responsible now for management of domestic solid wastes of the city

Assessment of combustion products of medical waste incinerators in Alexandria

The emissions and ashes from medical waste incinerators might perform a threat to the environment and the public health. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the emissions and ashes of six medical wastes incinerators in six hospitals in Alexandria. Five air pollutants were sampled and analyzed in the emissions comprising smoke, lead, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.Ash samples were analyzed for bacterial count, volatile substances, lead and cadmium. Shape and color of ash were observed visually. The results of the present study have revealed that all the average values of gases in the six incinerators were within the limits stated in Egyptian environmental law, where as carbonaceous particulate [smoke] averages of the six incinerators have exceeded the maximum allowable limit in the law. On the other hand, lead concentration in emissions were far below the maximum allowable limit in the law. Incinerator No6 emissions have been significantly higher in CO, NO 2, SO 2 and smoke concentration than the other five incinerators P<0.001, P<0.0006, P<0.0001, and P<0.002 respectively. There was no significant variation in bacterial count of ash samples at 20°C and 37°C between the six studied incinerators. Volatile substance percentage of ash samples in the six incinerators were much higher than the recommended percentage. There was a highly significant variation between the six incinerators [p<0.005]. Lead and cadmium concentrations in ash samples were much higher than those in developed countries, meanwhile, more or less as those in developing countries. It is recommended to state specific realistic emissions limits for medical waste incinerators and to substitute sporadic incinerators in hospitals by two central incinerators in proper places outside the city

Spectrophotometric determination of levodopa, carbidopa and alpha-methyldopa

The dopamine derivatives participate in the regulation of a wide variety of physiological functions in human body and in medication life. A sensitive spectrophotometric method is developed for the determination of levodopa [LD], carbidopa [CD] and alpha methyldopa [MD]. It proposed on the bases of metal complex formation of these compounds with copper tetramine then coupling with 4-aminoantipyrine. The optimum conditions [pH, time, ratio and sequence of addition] are established. The method permits the determination of LD, CD and MD as a rectlinear relation in calibration curve over a concentration range 19.72 to 69.02, 13.79 to 63.34 and 31.24 to 98.94 micro g ml -1, respectively. The obtained data of SD [0.174 to 0.59], CV [0.68 to 1.16%] and correlation coefficient [0.995 to 0.999] reflect the reliability, reproducibility and accuracy of this procedure. The method is applicable to the assay of LD and MD in pharmaceutical drugs [Levocare and Aldomet respectively], and the results are in a good agreement with those obtained by the official method. The method was simple, rapid, reproducible and accurate to follow of medication of schizophrenic patient

Role of plasma vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, human angiogenin and caspase-3 activity in breast cancer metastasis

To assess the role of sVCAM-1 [soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule - 1], human ANG [angiogenin] and active caspase-3 in the process of development of metastasis in female breast cancer patients and to find out the interrelations among them. Subjects and 25 female patients with early stages breast cancer [GI], 25 female patients with the late stages breast cancer [GII] and 25 apparently healthy volunteers [GIII] were studied. Plasma VCAM-1 and ANG were estimated by ELISA while PMNL [polymorphnuclear leucocyte] caspase-3 activity was estimated by colorimetric method. Plasma VCAM- 1 level was significantly increased in GI than Gill as well as between GII and GIII. As regard plasma ANG level, there was a statistically significant increase in GI than GIII as well as between GII and GIII and between GI and GII. There was a significant increase in PMNL caspase-3 activity in GII than GIII as well as in GII than GI. VCAM-1 plays an important role in breast cancer development and metastasis. ANG could be used as a tumour marker for the assessment of prognosis in breast cancer. There is an immune defects among patients with breast cancer and neutrophil apoptosis could be a feature of neoplasia and identifies a potential new target for apoptosis used therapy in breast cancer

Meal skipping pattern among male students in a Saudi university campus

The objective of this study was to describe meal consumption pattern of male students in King Saud University Campus and to identify some demographic associates of meal skipping. Data were collected from a sample of 325 male students selected through stratified random sampling technique according to room accommodation [single or double] and systematic random within the stratum. Self administered pre-coded questionnaire was used for data collection. The majority of the sample [82.8%] skipped breakfast, 47.4% skipped the lunch, and 13.3% skipped the dinner. Only 7% of the students satisfied the daily requirement of fruits and vegetables. Type of college [health-related Vs not related], room accommodation, home region and marital status were not statistically associated with meal pattern [P>0.05]. Only the academic level was statistically associated with meal pattern [P<0.05]. Results of the study recommend initiation of a health education program concentrating on importance of regular intake of meals and sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables in KSU Campus

Environmental compliance of some industries in Alexandria

Industrial development plays an important role in the national economic and socio - economic growth, in Alexandria governorate, the second largest industrial zone in Egypt. Industrialization in the past has created a measurable environmental negative impact emanating from the used technologies when the environmental dimension was not proper integrated at all stages of planning, operation or emissions pollution control. As a result a wide myriad of pollutants have reached the environment causing economic loss to the pollution process as well as an unacceptable working environmental conditions. In addition Egypt is currently one of the Euromediterranean countries who will be an active member of the free trade zone between the Mediterranean sea north and south countries. The Egyptian industries have to comply with the national environmental laws as mandate for them to export or import from other countries in the region. As well the products has to be processed with cleaner technologies where all types of emissions have to be controlled and wastes minimized. In order for industries to achieve the environmental compliance with the Egyptian law they have to adopt the integrated environmental management scheme. Adoption of the integrated environmental management scheme dictates the top management commitment to the system, the selection of skilled environmental staff to conduct the required environmental process audit to assess the gabs of compliance with the mandates of blue law.The conduct of monitoring programs and continous training for the different levels of working staff to issue their commitment to the adoption of the system. This paper is aiming at the actual assessment of the different industrial plants including large, medium and small scale industries in the governorate. Case studies conducted to evaluate the adoption of the full integrated management system are also reported as supported by EPAP World Bank project