Barriers to breast cancer screening among a sample of Egyptian females

Breast cancer [BC] is usually diagnosed in late stages in countries with limited resources. Early detection of BC is likely to improve the outcome of the disease for women in these areas. The aim of this study was to understand the possible personal, economic, and systems barriers to BC screening in a sample of Egyptian women. A cross-sectional study was conducted in family health centers representing the seven districts of Alexandria governorate, Egypt. A total of 612 women were randomly selected from the chosen centers. In this sample of Egyptian women, the most frequently identified potential barriers to BC screening were the following: 81.8% would not seek care until they were ill, 77% were unwilling to have a mammogram until it was recommended by the doctor, 71.4% blamed the, lack of privacy, 69.2% thought that medical checkups were not worthwhile, and 64.6% blamed the cost of services. The study further revealed that women of lower education, women in the lower income category, women who did not do paid work, those who had poor knowledge of the risks of BC, and women with no family history of BC were more likely to perceive different screening barriers compared with their counterparts. Many potential personal, economic, and health system barriers were identified. Addressing these barriers by increasing the awareness of BC and dealing with the misconceptions that the women have can help the policy makers to design more culturally relevant strategies to motivate women to utilize screening services

Determination of flavonoid and phenolic acid contents of clover, cotton and citrus floral honeys

Authentic samples of clover, cotton and citrus honeys were selected and extracted from their hives placed in clover, citrus, and cotton farms. Their botanical origin was assured then they were extracted and analyzed for flavonoids and phenolic acids content. Results showed that the lowest percentage of authentic samples was found in cotton honey. Moreover, 93.00% +/- 3.00 of pollen grains found in clover honey samples were for clover, 16.25% +/- 3.18 of pollen grains found in cotton honey samples were for cotton and 32.50% +/- 10.60 of pollen grains found in citrus honey samples were for citrus species. In addition, the flavonone hesperetin was found only in citrus honey samples with a mean content of 1.08 +/- 0.36 mg/100 g honey whereas, the flavanol quercetin was found in the three floral honeys. The phenolic acids [cinnamic acid and p-hydroxy benzoic acid] were detected in the three floral honeys with different quantities. It is recommended to use honey as a healthy alternative to sugar; also, to use hesperetin as a floral marker of citrus honey

Leukotrienes and essential fatty acids patterns in children with severe protein energy malnutrition

The objective of this study is to investigate the roles of leukotrienes [LTs] and essential fatty acids [EFA] in the pathophysiology of severe protein energy malnutrition [PEM]. Plasma cysteinyl LTs [LTC[4], LTD[4], LTE[4]] and plasma EFA levels were measured by ELISA and gas liquid chromatography after plasma extraction respectively, in 40 severely malnourished children with kwashiorkor [n=20] and marasmus [n=20]. Ten well nourished children of matching age served as control. The cysteinyl LTs level was significantly higher in kwashiorkor group than in marasmic or control groups [p<0.05]. The plasma fatty acid patterns in malnourished children indicated changes characteristic of EFA deficiency, with lower linoleic acid [LA], alpha-linolenic acid [alpha LNA], arachidonic acid [AA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] levels, accompanied by significantly higher oleic acid levels in both malnourished groups. The lowest values of LA and alpha-LNA were detected in marasmic group and the lowest levels of AA and DHA were in kwashiorkor group [p<0.05]. There was an inverse correlation between AA and LTs levels in children with kwashiorkor. Clinical problems associated with kwashiorkor such as hair and skin changes, edema, psychomotor alteration and hepatomegaly were significantly correlated directly with LTs and in versely with AA levels. The findings of this study suggest that cysteinyl LTs and EFA deficiency are involved in the pathophysiology of PEM particularly kwashiorkor and that severe PEM is associated with impaired FA desaturation and elongation pathways

Chemical quality and stability of some products sweetened with commercial fructose

The present investigation was carried out to assess the chemical properties and the organoleptic quality of products sweetened by substituting sucrose with different ratios of high fructose corn syrup. The results revealed that replacement of sucrose with HFCS up to 50% showed no significant difference in the product color, flavor, texture and the overall acceptability. The panelist preference and the chemical properties of the products were better in case of lower replacement concentrations than the higher concentrations. It also gave the products some technological advantages, especially the absence of crystallization at refrigeration temperature. The combination of sucrose and HFCS not only add economic advantage by reducing the cost of the product, but also reduced the energy obtained from the same amount of the product prepared from sucrose alone

Iodine deficiency disorders among primary-school children in Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt

The prevalence of iodine deficiency in primary-school children in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate was assessed. A total of 2250 primary-school children aged 8-10 years were selected by a two-stage cluster sampling technique. The results revealed that the prevelance rate of goitre was 27.1% and it was significantly higher in females [29.2%] than males [25.1%]. The median urinary iodine level was 6.7 micro g/dl and 3.9 micro g/dl for grade 1 and grade 2 goitre respectively. It was concluded that iodine deficiency is a public health problem of moderate severity in primary-school children in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate. This necessitates an intervention programme through salt iodization

effect of home Freezing and thawing practices on the nutritional value of poultry

This study investigated the effect of home freezing and thawing practices on the organoleptic and nutritional constituents of chicken meat. The data revealed that as the storage time increased, there were gradual decrease in the organoleptic characters until the 20th week where the odour started to be unacceptable and there were a decrease in the protein, ash and moisture content. The data showed, also, that carcasses thawed at room temperature lost more solids in the drip than those thawed in the refrigerator and

Some aspects of the use of oral contraceptives as growth-promoting agents in poultry

There are now several hormone and hormone-like agents that can improve the rate of growth and efficiency of feed use of farm animals. Feeding chickens with oral contraceptive steroids at the dose used by some poultry growers in Egypt has led to the formation of high estrogen residues in the muscles and the liver compared with controls. Electron microscopy of the livers of treated chickens revealed changes at the ultrastructural level. These alterations involve both the nucleus and cytoplasmic organelles, and are similar to those induced by 7, 12 dimethylbenz [a] anthracene in chickens. It is concluded that the use of oral contraceptive steroids in chickens as anabolic agent is a specific risk to chickens and probably to the consumer

effect of processing operation and conditions on the quality of canned guava juice

This study investigated the changes that take place in the chemical composition and microbiological quality of Guava fruit as a result of the processing procedures involved in the manufacturing of canned Guava juice. The most apparent chemical change was in the level of vitamin C which suffered a significant loss throughout processing operations. The procedures of processing also added more contaminants to the original bacterial load of the Guava fruit. However, the final pasteurization process caused 99.01% inhibition to the bacterial count and complete destruction to coliforms. Storage of the canned Guava juice for 6 months at room temperature and 5°C caused a decrease in both vitamin C and sugar contents. The decrease was more pronounced in samples kept at room temperature than at 5°C. The bacterial count increased from 8.3 x 10[2]/ml to 1.3 x 10[4] and 6 x 10[4] cells/ml at 5°C and room temperature respectively

development of new carbonated beverages using natural flavour extracts [Karkade, Tamarind, Carob]

Flavour extracts from Tamarind, Karkade and Carob were prepared and then incorporated into developmental work for the creation of new carbonated beverages using natural instead of artificial flavours. Nine formulae were prepared on an industrial scale and assessed by an expert panel of fifteen. Three formulae, one of each flavour was settled upon as the most suitable for production due to consumers' preference

study of the chemical composition and protein pattern of local processed meat products

The present study was carried out to assess the quality of different locally manufactured meat products available in Alexandria Markets. The obtained results indicated that fresh samples [home processed] showed higher protein and moisture content and lower fat content than commercially manufactured samples. In the mean time these parameters greatly differ according to the manufacturing company. It was also noticed that the addition of soya protein results in the improvement of the quality of these products. Twenty six commercial meat products samples showed higher fat contents than the Egyptian limits. As regard the residual free nitrites and nitrates, their levels were within the Egyptian limits, although some products showed higher levels than the International limits

Studies on the use of roselle [Hibiscus sabdarifa L] pigments as food colorant

Since the banning of Amaranth, Ponceau 5 X and Ponceau 4R form use as a food colorant, world side interest in the use of natural red colors n food products has increased. This study investigated the use of Roselles color in both gelatin and beverage mixes. The degradation of Roselle pigments were followed both subjectively using a visual panel of fifteen, judge and objectively using spectrophotometric color measurement for ten weeks at 5C, 20C and 40 C. Loss of color and appearance of brown pigments associates with non enzymatic browning reaction were observed when samples were stored at 40C

investigation into the chemical composition of roselle seeds [hibiscus sabdarifa L]

Unextracted and extracted Roselle seeds [Hibiscus sabdarifa L.] were analyzed for determining moisture, crude protein, fat extract nitrogen tree extract, crude fiber, ash, calcium. Phosphorus and sulfur. these analyses were carried out to establish the quality indices for Roselle seed oil. Similarly, the iodine number, saponification number, Reichert-Meissel and Potenske values were also obtained due to the importance of such constants in identifying any possible oil adulteration

study on the chemical composition of carob pods [ceratonia siliqua]

This investigation was carried out to determine the chemical composition of the carob pods with the possible use of such wasted products in the food industry. The carob fruit is used for beverage production or instead of cocoa powder and the seeds of the fruits are used as germ meal for animal feed. The pods were analyzed for their moisture, ash, total fat, total sugars and reducing sugars. Analysis of the pectins and cellulose, hemicellulose and polyphenols were also carried out. Also, the protein contents of the pods were investigated. Carob pods were found to contain a high sugar content and low protein and fat content

Comparison of the frying performance of cotton seed oil, corn oil and soya oil sold in Egypt

Market samples of cotton seed, corn and soya oil were obtained at random. The oils were used for frying potato chips at half hour intervals for a period of 5 hours/day for four consecutive days. analysis showed that during frying the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids as shown by changes in iodine value was less in cotton seed than in corn or soya bean oil. It was also shown that the rate of change in acid value was higher in cotton seed oil and that polymer formation was least in cotton seed oil in comparison to soya oil and corn oil

Assessment of the level of nitrate and nitrates in local and imported meat products

This study investigated the levels of nitrate and nitrite salts present in both local and imported meat products, in an effort to throw some light, and draw attention to the amount of these salts ingested by the average Egyptian consumer. Samples were collected at random from six districts of Alexandria during the summer and winter season. Levels differed from one product to another, but the most alarming finding was that most local meat products contained nitrites and nitrates in levels well above those specified by international limits. Imported meat products were found to be within both international and Egyptian limits. Also it was noticed that during the summer season more nitrate and nitrite were added to local meat products

Chemical composition of animal bile

The crude bile salt percent, moisture content, total solid percent, nitrogen and crude protein content in bile salts and dehydrated bile obtained from the gall bladder of sheep, cattle, old and calf buffaloes were analyzed