[Effect of methanol extracts of artemisia persica on kinetic growth of S. aureus and B. subtilis bacteria]

Artemisia persica is a common species in South East Iran and A. persica is the only species in this genus and the species name persica means from Iran. Artemisia persica have been used in traditional medicine to treat various infections and inflammations. It is an effective remedy for S. aureus and B. subtilis bacterial infection. The selected methanol extracts were screened against two strain of bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis at seven different extracts concentrations [5, 25, 100, 150, 200, 300 and 400 micro g/ml] using disc diffusion and wheel assay methods. The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations [MIC, MBC and Death kinetic] of the active extracts were tested using MH broth-dilution methods. For standard strains of S. aureus the extracts for MIC were range 100 mg/ml and MBC range were 150-200 micro g/ml. For B. subtilis standard strain the MIC extracts range were150-200 micro g/ml and MBC were 400 micro g/ml, Kinetic of death were 4 hours for B. subtilis compared to 5 hours for S. aureus. These results suggest that extracts of Artemisia persica may have the antibacterial activity against some pathogenic bacteria. It has an antibacterial action and inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and it may be attributed to its content of the artemisinin, tannins, saponin, alfa- pinene and camphor. From this study it can be concluded that many extracts possess antibacterial activity Plant extracts have been used for many pharmaceuticals, alternative medicine and natural therapies

Evaluation of the role of D-dimer in the diagnosis of suspected pulmonary embolism

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of D-dimer in the diagnosis of suspected pulmonary embolism [RE]

Patients and Methods: This study entailed 40 subjects representing group I; 15 patients clinically suspected as PE and have positive V/Q scan, group II; 15 patients clinically suspected as RE and have negative V/Q scan, and group III; 10 normal volunteers. All participants were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, radiological examination, V/Q scan, and assessment of D-dimer level using an agglutination immunological assay

Results: The sensitivity of D-dimer as a diagnostic marker of pulmonary embolism was 93.3%, specificity 60%, positive predictive value 70%, negative predictive value 90%, and accuracy 76.7%. The sensitivity of D-dimer as a diagnostic marker of pulmonary embolism and/or DVT was 94.4%, specificity 75%, positive predictive value 85%, negative predictive value 90%, and accuracy 86.7%. The results of D-dimer in control group was negative in all subjects

Conclusions: D-dimer had a definite place in the diagnostic procedure for suspected acute pulmonary embolism; when the concentration is below 500 microg/L, the diagnosis can be ruled out. D-dimer had a better specificity in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism when there are no co-morbid conditions as thrombosed piles or recent surgery

Induced mutation and in vitro techniques as a method to induce salt tolerance in basmati rice [oryza sativa L.]

Embryogenic callus of indica rice [Oryza sativa L.] cv. Basmati 370 induced on MS medium containing 9.05 micro M 2, 4-D was irradiated at 50 Gy of gamma rays of 60Co for creating genetic variability against salinity. Irradiated and non-irradiated calluses were screened in vitro through three consecutive proliferation phases at 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 10.0 d/Sm electrical conductivity of NaCl. Growth value and number of adapted mutagenized callus was more than that of non-mutagenized callus. Salinity levels beyond 6 d/Sm and 8 d/Sm were lethal to growth and adaptation of non-irradiated and irradiated callus respectively. NaCl adapted irradiated callus showed 2.0%-4.75% regeneration frequency on MS regeneration medium containing 5.37 M NAA and 9.29 micro M Kinetin. Non-mutagenized salt adapted callus did not show any regeneration. From gamma ray mutagenized cultures, 2 putative lines [M2 generation] with moderate salt tolerance were obtained at seedling stage. The results suggest that in vitro technique in connection with gamma rays may be used as a versatile approach to improve the level of salt tolerance in Basmati rice for saline environment

Pelvic fracture urethral injuries in children and adults

We attempted to identify the particular features of pelvic fracture urethral injuries in children compared to adults. A total of 43 boys, 2 to 15 years old, with pelvic fracture, were studied prospectively. This is a subset of a series of 203 consecutive male patients, 2-80 years old, with fracture of the bony pelvis. All patients underwent radiographic examination of the pelvis while retrograde urethrography was performed in 194 patients. The most common types, of pelvic fracture in children were Malgaigne's [32.6%] and straddle [23.2%] fractures. Urethral injury was found in 13 children [30%] in the form of stretching of an intact posterior urethra in 1 case [8%], partial rupture in 3 [23%], and complete rupture in 9 [69%]. In 3 of the partial rupture cases, injury involved the prostatic urethra or bladder neck. Whereas the more serious fractures, were more common in children [56 versus 24%], the less serious fractures were more common in older patient [76 versus 44%] [p < 0.05]. In children, associated urethral injury is more frequent [30 versus 24%], more likely to be a complete rupture [69 vs 42%], and with a higher incidence of prostatic displacement [22.2 versus 18.7%] than in adults. Injury of the prostatic urethra or bladder neck is peculiar to the children group

Molecular diagnosis of helicobacter pylori in patients with chronic liver disease.

Fifty individuals were included in this study; 30 patients [group I] were diagnosed as liver cirrhosis and were subjected to injection sclerotherapy with follow up and 20 individuals with matched age and sex serving as normal controls [group II]. Beside the routine laboratory investigations, HP IgG, PCR for HP ure A and ure C were determined in the mucosal biopsy of both groups and PCR for HP ure A in the liver biopsy obtained from 18 patients of group I whose prothrombin time allowed the performance of liver biopsy. HP IgG was detected in 29 out of 30 liver cirrhosis patients and the highest incidence of HP IgG was found in patients over the age of 30 years and in those with gastric and duodenal erosions rather than peptic ulcer, while HP IgG was detected in 17 out of 20 cases of the control group. HP urec C was detected in 13 out of 30 gastric mucosal biopsy samples and HP urec A was detected in 23 out of 30 gastric mucosal biopsy samples. Concomitant HP urec A and C were detected in 9 out of 30 gastric mucosal biopsy samples. HP urec A was detected in all liver biopsy samples

Short term effects of prone position in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory failure

A major goal in treating patients with acute respiratory failure [ARF] is to provide adequate delivery of oxygen. Current supportive therapies, including mechanical ventilation, positive end expiratory pressure [PEEP] and administration of high concentrations of oxygen. often entail a substantial risk to these patients. Several studies have revealed that improvement in oxygenation can be achieved by placing patients in the prone position. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short term effects of prone position on oxygenation and lung mechanics in patients with ARF requiring mechanical ventilation, The present study was conducted, on 30 patients with ARF admitted to the Critical care Medicine Department of Alexandria Main university Hospital. They were differentiated into 3 groups namely: ARDS group. COPD+ARDS group and COPD+ ACRF group All patients tolerated turning from supine to prone position rcmarkahjyremarkably well. There were significant increase in arterial oxygen tension [PaO2] when patients were turned prone. This improvement of PaO2 remained so until the patients were returned supine again. There was no significant retduction of the arterial carbon dioxide tension [PaCo2] throughout the study except when the patient were returned supine. A constant improvement in arterial oxygen saturation [SaO2] was observed throughout the study. The hypoxemic index [PaCO2/FiO2] improved significantly with prone positnnung and remained so in some patients [n=16] when they were returned supine. Twenty four patients were responders [achieved <20 mmHg increase of PaO2/FiO2] while, the other 6 patients were nan responders [achieved 20 mmHg increase of PaO2/FiO2]. Peak inspiratory pressure [P. I. P.] and plateau pressure [Ppl] were reduced significantly throughout the study. Dynamic lung compliance and static compliance showed significant increases throughout the study. Airway resistance as well as auto PEEP were reduced significantly. Prone positioning is a simple and safe procedure to improve oxygenation and lung mechanics in many critically ill patients with ARl, allowing for reduction of FiO2 and/or PEEP

Distal splenorenal shunt. reassessment of rationale from Egyptian perspective

Selective distal splenorenal shunt [DSRS] occupied an important role in the management of bleeding esophageal varices. This role, however, has been challenged by the introduction of new therapies over the past two decades. This encouraged us to reassess our experience with DSRS in order to evaluate its role in the management of portal hypertension at the present time. The results presented in this paper as well as the reported results of the new modalities support the important role of DSRS in the management of variceal bleeding in appropriately selected Egyptian patients

Appraisal of El-Minia university experience in the management of complications of vascular access for hemodialysis

This thesis has demonstrated an experience with vascular access procedures performed over the past three years at El-Menia University Hospital in patients with ESRD. The complications that occurred with these procedures have been reviewed in an effort to determine how they might have been prevented and also how they could be best managed once they are encountered. Of 250 consecutive patients with ESRD who underwent vascular access surgery for hemodialysis, 88 patients developed 108 complications that required medical and /or surgical intervention. 247 patients had autogenous arteriovenous fistula and three patients had exp and ed polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. The complications included 8 hemorrhages, 18 infections, 58 thrombosis, 5 venous hypertension, 3 steal phenomena, 8 venous aneurysms and 8 arterial aneurysms. Twenty-three complications were corrected and the overall failure rate was 34%. Details of management, lessons learned and recommendations were presented

Infant sleep position and risk for sudden infant death syndrome: Knowledge and practice of health professionals and care givers

This study was undertaken on physicians, nurses and mothers to assess their knowledge about infant sleep position and its relation to sudden infant death syndrome [SIDS], as well as to identify mothers' characteristics associated with infants being placed to sleep in the prone position. It was found that 20% of physicians and 23% of the nurses were not aware of SIDS compared to 86% of mothers. Physician's awareness was significantly related to their postgraduate degree, years of experience, specialty, and place of work. About 43% of physician and 36% of nurses mentioned that SIDS is not related to infant sleep position. A high proportion of physicians [71%] and nurses [70%] recognized prone position as the most sound to put infant for sleep. Moreover, 43% of physicians and 48% of nurses indicated that it is not important to discuss infant sleep position with the mothers. Physicians holding postgraduate degrees and those with long experience were significantly more aware of the sound sleep position. Slightly less than one-fourth of mothers [24%] put their infants prone to sleep. Such practice was significantly less encountered among mothers who had less education, lived in overcrowded houses and those who believed that prone position is dangerous. This study points out that professionals working with children need to expand their knowledge about SIDS and its relation to infant sleep position. The results of this study could be used to identify the direction of future efforts to encourage supine sleeping position

Early respiratory physiological impairment in progressive systemic sclerosis and ankylosing spondylitis

Respiratory physiological parameters [pulmonary function tests, diffusing capacity, mouth occlusion pressure, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures as well as abdomino-thoracic movements] were studied in 10 patients of progressive systemic sclerosis [PSS] and 10 patients of ankylosing spondylitis [AS]. All patients were studied before the development of any respiratory symptomatology and even before the appearance of any roentgenographic abnormalities. Patients of both PSS and AS showed a restrictive pulmonary dysfunction with evidence of small airway obstruction and alveolar capillary block. They also showed an increase in respiratory centre activity, and impaired respiratory muscle performance, but their abdomino-thoracic synchronized movements were normal. In addition to the previous findings, patients of AS showed an increase in RV and RV/TLC ratio reflecting an obstructive pulmonary dysfunction and air trapping in addition to the predominant restrictive dysfunction

Study of some respiratory physiological parameters in patients with chronic renal failure during hemodialysis

Twenty non smoker patients with chronic renal failure on maintenance hemodialysis were studied. Forced vital capacity [FVC] and peak expiratory flow [PEF] decreased significantly after 30 minutes from the start of dialysis followed by insidious increase to levels close to predialysis values at the end of dialysis. Maximal expiratory pressure [PE max] did not show any significant change throughout the dialysis. Serum bicarbonate, base excess and arterial pH increased throughout the dialysis specially after 60 minutes from the start of dialysis till its end. Arterial PCO2 showed minimal changes. However, there was a significant increase after 30 minutes as well as throughout the dialysis. The possible roles of uremic pulmonary edema, peribronchial edema, release of bronchoconstrictor mediators secondary to bioincompatibility of the dialyser membrane, uremic myopathy as well as the possible role of hypoventilation occurring as a compensation for CO2 loss through the dialyser were discussed in explanation for the previously mentioned results