T-lymphocytes subsets variation in breast cancer Egyptian patients

In this work, we investigate T-lymphocytes subsets in breast cancer patients among Egyptian populations to evaluate the immune response towards cancer and understanding their behavior towards tumor and normal cell growth before the influence of chemotheraputic agents under simple immune system response At first stage of disease. T cells are capable of in vivo expansion and provide protection for the immune effector cells re-populating the host. Survival of these cells and long-term memory development in patients with malignancy are necessary for improving clinical benefits of immunotherapy. By measuring CD4 and CD8 we recognized that no change in the helper T cells and Cytotoxic cells in these patients who were prepared to receive chemotherapeutic agents at the first stage and in the control group. T cells have been found with either deficient or normal functional activity in both groups these heterogeneous results greatly confuse the role played by CD4 T cells and CD8 responses. Immunological measures of white blood cell, lymphocyte, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ counts, 40 patients were divided into a control group [15] and patients group [25]. Total T-cell, helper T-cell and suppressor T-cell counts which [P<0.05], as well as control T-cell function [P < 0.05] when compared with normative data, were found some significant increase CD4 cells and CD4/CD8 ratio in cell count most of cases no changes to the total leukocyte lymphocyte CD3+and CD8+ count. Our study points out that immune response began to defend against tumor cells after a brief period of tumor stimulation but is still not sufficient to induce strong immune response. These data invite us to focus on period which immune system needs to respond which may help in deciding the possibility of immune therapy and determine when immune therapy can start

Response of mucous-secreting cells of the gills and intestine to stress during induced spawning of gray mullet, Mugil cephalus

Introduction: An excess of mucus has been observed in the water during induction of mullet spawning. Few data are available on the physiology of mullets during the induced spawning, especially data on the response of mucous-secreting cells in the gills and intestine

Aim of the work: The aims of the present studies were to evaluate the effects of stress on the mucous-secreting cells in the gills and intestine during induced spawning of Mugil cephalus [Teleostei]

Materials and methods: Quantification of possible cell hyperplasia [or depletion] and the chemical composition of the mucous cells during induction of M. cephalus spawning was carried out using histochemical techniques

Results: The majority of mucous cells were concentrated at the edge of the gill filaments. The mucous cell density in the gills was significantly increased during spawning, but it was significantly decreased during preoviposition mortality. However, the mucous cell density in the mucosal layer of the intestine was significantly decreased during spawning and at preoviposition mortality. The size of mucous cells in both the gills and the intestine was significantly decreased during spawning and at preoviposition mortality, whereas its size was significantly increased in the gills after spawning. Two types of glycoproteins [GPs] [acid and neutral] were identified in the mucous cells of the gill and intestine epithelium of M. cephalus. During induction of spawning, the amount of GPs in the mucous cells altered. The amount of each variety of the carbohydrate [intensity of reaction] differed at the different stages during spawning. In general, the secretion of acidic mucous was increased during spawning

Conclusion: The decrease in the GP contents in mucous cells of M. cephalus, as a result of their hypersecretion in response to stress early during handling and acclimation, decreased the production of mucus and reduced its protective role against desiccation of gill and intestine tissue when the ion concentration changed in water during acclimation and induced spawning. This may be considered one of the possible reasons for mortality. Therefore, caution must be exercised not only in acclimation of fish but also in minimization of exposure of fish to stress during induction of spawning

Assessment of regulatory T lymphocytes in different clinical presentation of chronic hepatitis C virus infection

CD4CD25[+] regulatory T lymphocytes are a subset of circulating CD4 T cells with suppressive properties. CD4CD25[+] regulatory T cells suppress HCV-specific T cell responses and it has been suggested that they may play a role in viral persistence. Our aim was to assess the frequency of regulatory T cells in the different clinical presentation of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in Egyptian population. Peripheral blood CD4[+]CD25[+] regulatory T cells from patients with chronic HCV [n=20], patients with HCV related liver cirrhosis [n=20], patients with HCV related-HCC [[n=20], and from normal control subjects [n20], were analyzed by flow cytometry. A higher frequency of CD4CD25 regulatory T cells were found in chronic HCV [3 +/- 0.9%], Hey related liver cirrhosis [3 +/- 0.8%], HCV related-HCC [3.9 +/- 1.6%], when compared with normal controls [2.3 +/- 0.8%]. No statistical significant differences were found when comparing HCV related cirrhotic patients with chronic HCV infected patients [p=0.95]. Meanwhile, a significant increase was detected when comparing HCV related HCC patients with chronic HCV patients [p=0.047]. Our results indicated the presence of higher than normal frequency of peripheral blood CD4CD25 regulatory T cell among Egyptian patients with different clinical presentation of chronic hepatitis C virus infection and in particular HCC

Prognostic value of MYB [6q23] deletion in sample of Egyptian B-cell patients

To assess the incidence and prognostic significance of MYB gene [6q23] deletion among a sample of Egyptian B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia [B-CLL] patients and to con elate it with other established prognostic factors This study was conducted on 63 newly diagnosed Egyptian B-CLL patients attending Am Shams University Hospitals. Fluorescence in situ hybridization [FISH] using locus specific identifier MYB [6q23] probe was applied on peripheral blood/bone marrow samples and was correlated with different established prognostic factors. Follow up was done through a period of 48 months to evaluate disease outcome. 6 patients had MYB deletion. All of them showed lymphocyte doubling time [LDT] more than 12 months and were CD38 positive. 83 3% of patients were good responders to therapy and none of these I atents died. B-CLL patients who were positive for MYB [6q23] deletion represent a cytogenetic entity associated with CD38 positivity and LDT>12 months They were considered as an intermediate risk group

Management of discoid lateral meniscus tears

Is to report my experience in diagnosis and management of discoid lateral meniscus and to correlate the clinical and radiological evaluation with the arthroscopic finding. Retrospective study of a group of patients with a recorded data of discoid lateral meniscus. Of 52 patients mean 35.46 +/- 6.15 [11-52] years had a collected data between December 2001 to January 2008, the study include patients clinical status, its pre and post follow up radiological finding and arthroscopic picture of the type of discoid lateral meniscus including the shape of tear and associated cartilaginous changes at the lateral compartment. Pain was the most presenting symptom seen in all patients followed by snapping in 52% of patients. OA changes at the lateral compartment were seen in x-ray films in 56% of cases, with no significant changes at the postoperative follow up. MRI failed to diagnose shape of tear in 56% of reports. According to Watanabe et al classification I found 35 [67%] complete, and 13 [25%] incomplete, and 4 [8%] Wrisberg- ligament type of discoid lateral meniscus. The horizontal cleavage tear was the most common tear seen in 20 [38%] of cases. And as regard I keuchi's grading system I got 65% of patients with satisfactory results and 35% with fair results at the postoperative follow up. The most common type of tear was the complete type, which tear commonly with horizontal cleavage. No significant changes at pre and post x- ray at follow up, but there is significant correlation between the presence of pain and cartilaginous changes at the lateral joint area

effect of low energy laser as an adjunct to nerve mobilization technique for sciatica

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of low energy laser therapy when it is combined with nerve mobilization technique in cases of patient with sciatica due to lumbar disc lesion. Sciatica is a common clinical problem causing pain and functional disability. Conservative treatment is a common line to avoid surgery. There are many studies that supporting the efficacy of either Laser alone or the use of nerve mobilization as a method of pain relief in sciatica, but up till now combination of both technique did not exist. Thirty patients [16 females and 14 males] diagnosed as LBP with sciatica due to prolapsed lumbar disc participated in our prospective study. They were randomly assigned into two groups. Patients were referred to physiotherapy department for 3 sessions a week for one month. A true Laser therapy combined with nerve mobilization were applied for group A and sham Laser and nerve mobilization in group B. Pain, self reported functional disability and physical performance test battery were recorded for each patient before and after the program of treatment. Both groups achieved improvement in pain, functional disability and physical performance test. Moreover group A achieved a significant improvement in pain and functional disability in relation to the group [B] with p- value < 0.05. Addition of laser to nerve mobilization technique as conservative methods for patient with sciatica showed a clear significant improvement in decrease of pain and disability

Radiological and histological tissue reaction to different kinds of ACL graft

A retrospective study of tissue reaction had been evaluated to three different kinds of grafts used to reconstruct ACL deficient knee. The grafts had been implanted using a modified over the top technique. An artificial ligament of Trevira band was inserted in the first group of patients, while augmented combined graft of semitendinosus and gracilis tendons+ Trevira ligament was implanted in the second group and pure autogenous graft was used in the 3rd group. As a routine for post operative evaluation a radiological changes was noticed at the tibial tunnel at one and half month, 6 months and one year after operation, histological study [intra-articular synovial biopsy and graft tunnel junction biopsy] was obtained from only cases available for second look arthroscopy due to certain reason and covered by patients consent. Early and late radiological finding at the tibial tunnel in cases of artificial ligament showed: neither opacification nor sclerosis, while in cases of augmented ligament, a late opacification and sclerosis was a common finding, in contrary opacification was regularly noticed as early radiological changes in patients with pure autageonous graft. Histological study at the ligament bone tunnel interface showed only weak fibrous tissue heeling in patients with artificial ligament, while it showed feature nearly of chondral enthesis with poorly developed fibrocartilage layer in augmented and pure autogenous graft group. The synovial study showed in most of the cases no reaction, Grade [0] in autogenous graft, but in artificial or augmented grafts Grade 1 and 2 were often seen. In conclusion, the presence of artificial ligament as a replacement for ACL alone initiate chronic synovitis and needs a permanent extra tunnel fixation device, while augmented and pure autogenous graft derived a tissue reaction in the tunnel that makes grafts more independent for their outside fixation device

Ictal electroencephalography [EEG] findings as predictors of neurodevelopment outcome of neonatal seizures

Neonatal electroencephalography has been found to be a good predictive factor of the neurodevelopmental outcome. The aim of this study was to identify if the electrical ictal findings present on the electroencephalography [EEG] recordings are related to the outcome of newborns with neonatal seizures. The study based on prospective evaluation of newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University of Tanta between may 2004 and June 2006. Forty subjects were enrolled in the study on basis of the following inclusion criteria: presence on the first EEG of at least I seizure, neurodevelopmental follow-up until 18 months of corrected age, and performance of several ultrasound brain scans during the neonatal period and of at least I cerebral MRI within the first year of life. For each seizure, the following were considered: onset topography, morphology of the epileptiform discharges, spread of the discharge, number of electro graphic regions of seizure onset, number of seizures per hour, duration of the seizures, and the Ictal Fraction [=total duration of the seizures/duration of the EEG recording x hour]. At the last follow-up, the unfavorable neurodevelopmental outcome seems significantly related to the moderate/severe background activity abnormalities .006], to spread of ictal discharge to the contralateral hemisphere [p=.02], and to the Ictal Fraction, when it exceeds 10 minutes. [p=.036]. In conclusion, the analysis of the propagation of the iotal discharge and of the ictal Fraction might suggest significant prognostic information since the first hours of life

Serum leukotriene B4 level in children with active rheumatic arthritis

The possible association of leukotriene 84 [LTB4]-like activity with the development of active rheumatic arthritis was studied in 25 children with the disease and in 15 normal subjects. Serum LTB4like activity was found to be significantly higher in the active stage of the disease when compared with the values obtained during the inactive stage and from healthy children. No correlation was found between LTB4-activity and other laboratory parameters, e.g. hemoglobin level, white cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Quality of life of children with epilepsy questionnaire [QOL-CEQ]: parents form reliability, validity and sensitivity

There is no adequate measure of health-related quality of life [HRQOL] for children with epilepsy. The aim of this study was to develop an epilepsy-specific HRQOL questionnaire for children, covering five domains: physical function, emotional well-being, cognitive function, social function, and behavior. Second, we aimed to demonstrate its reliability, validity, and sensitivity to differences in epilepsy severity. The subjects were guardians of children with epilepsy, whose syndrome had been defined by using history, examination and EEC monitoring. Each family completed the developed epilepsy-specific HRQOL scale for children and two standard, generic measures of HRQOL. The results indicated that each of the scales of the questionnaire had good internal consistency and reliability. Furthermore, each scale correlated more highly with theoretically similar scales on established, generic health measures than with theoretically dissimilar scales [construct validity]. The sensitivity of the questionnaire to differences in epilepsy severity also was demonstrated. As seizure severity increased, HRQOL subscale scores decreased, independent of age, gender, age of seizure onset, and IQ. Further, there was a negative relation between the number of antiepileptic medications taken and measures of memory and language performance, which was independent of age, gender, age of seizure onset, IQ, and seizure severity. This study demonstrated that the newly developed HRQOL questionnaire is a reliable and valid measure and is sensitive to differences in epilepsy. These results indicate that this new questionnaire may be a viable and valuable medical or surgical outcome measure for children with epilepsy

Sleep disordered breathing in different endocrinal diseases

Sleep-disordered breathing [SDB] is an extremely common condition that compromises the vital functions of respiration and circulation. As currently defined, obstructive sleep apnea [OSA] is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, whereas the currently available treatments are associated with either limited efficacy and/or poor compliance. An improvement in the understanding of the nature and pathophysiology of the disorder may lead to novel treatments. The objectives of the present study are to detect apnea /hypopnea as an indicator of SDB in patients with some endocrinal diseases, namely diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, acromegaly and Cushing for early management and better quality of life. We studied sixty-five patients with different endocrinal diseases [group A]. They were further subdivided into: group 1 [25 patients with diabetes mellitus], group 2 [16 patients with hypothyroidism], group 3 [12 patients with acromegaly] and group 4 [12 patients with Cushing disease]. All groups were subjected to full clinical and neurological assessment, sleep history, laboratory investigations, and an overnight polysomnographic [PSG] study. Twenty healthy subjects were selected as a control group [group B]. Respiratory disturbance index [RDI] was significantly higher in all patients groups compared to control group. HbA1c, FBS, as well as 2hr PP correlated positively with RDI in group [1]. No significant correlation was observed between RDI and serum TSH, T3 and T4 levels in group [2]. Acromegalic patients with SDB had significantly higher growth hormone [GH] level which correlated positively with RDI in group [3]. No significant correlation was observed between RDI, serum ACTH and 24 hours urinary cortisol levels in group [4]. There are complex interactions between OSA and neuroendocrine function. Understanding this complex relation may lead to more effective, better tolerated treatment for sleepiness and SDB. It is increasingly important that in patients presented to sleep laboratory, careful medical evaluation should be done to all cases presented with sleepiness and had manifestation of sleep apnea to exclude different endocrinal diseases

Effect of Nigella sativa oil on the hamster lymphocytes secondary to DMBA-induced carcinogenesis

This study was designed to evaluate the possible role of Nigella sativa L. [NS] oil, as immuno-stimulatory agent against DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch [HBP] carcinogenesis. This study was carried-out on eighty-five male golden Syrian hamsters divided into nine main groups. In animals of DMBA-treated groups, the left buccal pouches were painted with 0.5% DMBA, 3 times/week. Animals of NS-treated groups were given 5 mgs /day of NS oil orally. Other groups were given both NS and DMBA at the same time, 3 times/week. Before animals sacrificing, blood samples were withdrawn from the orbital sinus. Both buccal pouches were surgically excised, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formaline, and processed for H and E stain. Topical application of DMBA in HBP induced immunosuppression through reduction of lymphocytes production and produced different grades of epithelial dysplasia. Administration of NS oil, significantly enhanced the immune system through increased lymphocytes production, and inhibited development of advanced dysplastic changes. These findings suggest that NS oil is a potential retarding agent of DMBA-induced HBP carcinogenesis possibly through enhancing the cell-mediated immune system

Expression of p53 following Nigella sativa Oil treatment in DMBA-induced :hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

This study was designed to evaluate the possible role of Nigella sativa L. [NS] oil, as chemopreventive agent against DMBA- induced hamster buccal pouch [HBP] carcinogenesis. This study was carried-out on eighty-five male golden Syrian hamsters divided into nine main groups. In animals of DMBA-treated groups the left buccal pouches were painted with 0.5% DMBA, 3 times/week. Animals of NS-treated groups, were given 5 mgs/day of NS oil orally. Other groups were given both NS and DMBA at the same time, 3 times/week for 6 weeks. The animals were sacrificed by inhalation of high dose of ether. Both buccal pouches were surgically excised fixed in 10% neutral buffered formaline, and processed for H and E and p53 immunohistochemical stains. Topical application of DMBA in HBP, produced different grades of epithelial dysplasia, and over-expression of mutant p53. Administration of NS oil, inhibited the development of advanced dysplastic changes, and decreased expression of mutant p53. These findings suggest that NS oil is a potential retarding agent of DMBA-induced HBP carcinogenesis through down-regulating mutant p53 expression

Collimator selection for high quality brain SPECT imaging

Different Types of collimators have been introduced in the practical usage of the gamma camera. The choice of the collimator depends firstly on the energy of the isotope, the required resolution sensitivity of the applied scan, and finally the size of the organ to be imaged. In the present study the fan-beam collimator was studied versus the parallel-hole collimator to clarify the importance of their properties in imaging of particular organs with the gamma camera. The study was done on a [Axis] dual head SPECT gamma camera provided with both parallel-hole and fan-beam collimators. The important part of this study was the clinical part at which the selected patients were coming for evaluation of the treatment response for brain tumors and detection of residual lesions or recurrence following surgical or radiotherapy treatment. Thirty patients with brain tumors of various histopathologic types including medalloblastoma, astrocytoma, glioblastoma multiformis and oligodenderoma were subjected to brain SPECT imaging. Three tests were done on each patient's reconstructed image: The ratio between the lesion average counts [total count I number of pixels] to the background average counts, the contrast of the lesion in each clinical case and the area of the lesion is also compared between the two collimators for the same patient's lesion. In conclusion fan beam is an accurate and good tool for imaging and assessment of the treatment response as well as planning in the radiotherapy unit

Stem cell transplantation in hematological disorders: a developing country experience-impact of cost considerations

To describe the experience in setting up a bone marrow transplant program at Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Sixteen patients were transplanted at Ain Shams University Bone Marrow Transplantation unit from March 2005 to January 2008. Sixteen patients were transplanted with a median age of 25 years. Indications for transplantation were chronic myeloid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, aplastic anemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and aggressive lymphoma. Seven donors and 6 patients were positive for cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin G [IgG] antibody [Ab] pretransplant. Only one patient was positive for toxoplasma IgG Ab and another had a high titre for toxoplasma IgM Ab pretransplant. Two donors and 2 recipients were positive for hepatitis B antibody markers; however, none were positive for hepatitis B virus DNA by polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. None of the patients or donors were positive for hepatitis C virus via PCR pre-transplant. Acute graft versus host disease [GVHD] was seen in 3 patients, while chronic GVHD was seen in 5 patients. Primary cause of death was recurrence in 2 patients and graft failure in one patient. Thirteen are alive and disease free with a median follow-up of 20 months. Although our unit is a relatively new unit, these results are comparable to those achieved in the Western world and cost a mean of US$250,000

Chromosomal aberrations in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: diagnostic and prognostic implications

Cytogenetic analysis in ALL is often hampered by poor chromosome morphology, few malignant metaphases, undetectable chromosomal rearrangements due to regions of a similar size and banding pattern and sometimes only normal metaphases derived from normal cells are found after cell culture. Structural as well as numerical aberrations may therefore remain undetected using conventional G-banding. The application of modern molecular cytogenetic techniques including a broad set of fluorescence in situ hybridization [FISH] has greatly improved the detection rate of genetic changes in ALL. The present study was designed to estimate the incidences of different genetic subgroups in childhood ALL with abnormalities involving BCR/ABL, MLL, TEL/AML1 rearrangements, and p16 deletions using FISH technique and conventional cytogenetic analysis. We tried to demonstrate the usefulness of FISH technique. This study was conducted on BM and/or BP from 48 patients with childhood ALL. Their age range from 2-13 years mean age was 6.7 years. Patients were followed-up for 18 months [range 14-28 months]. Morphological, cytochemical, immunophenotyping, cytogenetic and FISH analysis were performed for every patient. FISH was performed with probes for BCR/ABL, MLL, TEL/AML1 rearrangements, and p16 deletions for each case of childhood ALL. Numerical and/or structural aberrations were identified in 52.1% of all cases by conventional G-banding alone. Numerical and/or structural aberrations were identified in 75% of all cases by the combination of conventional G-banding and interphase FISH. Gene rearrangements were disclosed by FISH in 11 [47.8%] of 23 patients who showed a normal banded karyotype or no mitotic cell in G-banding. The most common gene rearrangement was p16 deletion [21.27%] and the incidences of others were 15.9% for TEL/AML1, 12.1% for MLL, and 5% for BCR/ABL rearrangement. p16 homozygous deletions were observed in sex cases [12.7%] and hemizygous deletions in four cases [8.5%]. One case had both in two different cell populations. p16 deletions were significantly more common among T-lineage ALL [T-ALL] patients than among precursor-B ALL patients. TEL/AML1 translocations were found in seven [7/44] [15.9%]. Three out of the seven cases show culture failure and none of the remaining cases showed t [12; 21] in G-banding analysis. All those seven patients were pre-B cell lineage according to standard immunophenotyping. One patient showed the loss of one AML1 signal in addition to the TEL/AML1 fusion. MLL rearrangements [11q23 abnormalities] was detected in 5/41 [12.1%] by combined conventional cytogenetic analysis and by FISH. Two different types of MLL gene rearrangements were observed in FISH analysis; translocation and deletion. One had split signal of the MLL gene caused by a translocation between chromosome 6 and 11 t [6; 11], detected by conventional cytogenetics. Amplification of MLL gene was observed in one case [2.27%] Four of five cases with MLL translocations showed no chromosome abnormality involving 11q23 in G-banding analysis. All cases with MLL gene rearrangement were pre-B cell lineage according to standard immunophenotyping. BCR/ABL rearrangement: t [9; 22] [q34; q11] was detected by conventional cytogenetic and by FISH in one case. Another one displayed BCR/ABL1 fusion signal by FISH only. FISH can overcome some limitations of conventional cytogenetic and molecular-genetic analyses and due to high sensitivity specific chromosomal aberrations in mitoses and/or interphase nuclei can be detected. FISH analysis using DNA probes specific for p16 deletion, TEL/AML1, MLL, and BCR/ABL gene rearrangements is a powerful tool for leukemia diagnosis and risk stratification and it should be used as a routine procedure for all patients with newly diagnosed ALL as well as for monitoring of treatment effect in children with ALL

influence of microwave irradiation on sleep disorders and electrical activity of rats' brain

Twenty four female rats divided into two groups [each group consists of twelve rats] were used in this study in a real exposure experiment in the point of maximum field of the cellular base station radiation field. Five epidural electrodes were implanted in the skull of the first group of rats, two in the frontal region [right and left hemispheres], two in the occipital region [right and left hemispheres], and one in a reference point in the nose. The first group was exposed to microwave radiation and EEG was recorded weekly [monoplolar and bipolar] on the same day and at same time of week for eight weeks. The rats of the second group were exposed at the same place of the maximum field intensity as the first group, and the neurotransmitter serotonin was assayed weekly

Effects of chronic cigarette smoking on behavior, EEG power spectrum, EEG activation ratio and visual evoked potential of freely moving rats

The present study was carried out to determine the effects of chronic tobacco smoking on behaviour, EEG power spectrum, EEG activation ratio and visual evoked potential [VEP] of freely moving rats. Simultaneous EEG records from the 4 electrodes were carried out one week later [as recovery and raining period] by means of differential recording of 12 channel EEG machine [Braintronix]. Sixty seconds EEG free of artifact were recorded after a tobacco smoking period of 15 min [0.01 mg/200 g] via inhalation route. FFT analysis was carried out for each actual trace to obtain power spectrum density for the recorded 60s period. Chronic Tobacco smoking over a period of 30 days of continuously daily single dose [0.01 mg/200 of rat per day] resulted in arousal increments as some behavioural activation [slight locomotor activation, periods of sniffing]. Also, there was less stimulant effects in the right than left hemisphere. Chronic Tobacco smoking over a period of 30 days of continuously daily single dose [0.01 mg/200 g or rat per day] resulted in Arousal increments as some behavioural activation [slight locomotor activation, periods of sniffing]. Also, there was less stimulant effects in the right than left hemisphere. Chronic Tobacco smoking resulted in decreases in percentage of relative power of delta-1, delta-2, theta-1, theta-2 and alpha-1 and increased percentage of relative power of alpha-2, beta-1 and beta-2 of brain waves. Hemispheric asymmetries were also assessed. When VEP analysis was done there were no differences between tobacco exposed and the unexposed condition. Also, there was a frequency shift of about 0.75 Hz in the alpha-1 frequency toward the higher frequency

Modeling and simulation of EEG signals for diagnosis of epilepsy

AR [autoregressive modeling] and ARMA [autoregressive moving average modeling] are very popular in modeling processes, in the present work they were used to simulate the EEG [brain activity] to investigate which of them is better for simulating the brain activity. Two groups were investigated; control group and Epileptic group [patients suffer from brain disorder and convulsions], it was found that AR model is efficient to simulate the brain activity, because of its stability and its coefficients of variation fluctuate in a limited range. ARMA model showed higher values for the calculated variation coefficient of model parameter. The coefficient of variation was reached 182% for 80% of the model coefficients. This variation was obvious over the studied time intervals. In addition, ARMA model needs more time of computation, therefore AR model is preferred to simulate the brain activity

Medication non-compliance and oxidant-induced adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs in children

Poor compliance with prescribed medications and their side effects are significant health problems in chronic disease states as epilepsy. This work aimed to study medication non compliance of epileptic children and the possible role of free radical injury in antiepileptic drugs side effects. The study was done on eighty-two epileptic children subjected to history taking, clinical examination and they were given antiepileptic drugs with follow-up for one year. Thirty healthy, age and sex matched children were studied as a control group. Complete blood count, liver and renal function tests were performed for all patients at the beginning and the end of study. Therapeutic drug monitoring for antiepileptic drugs given was performed for all patients. Nitric oxide [NO], superoxide dismutase [SOD] and malondialdehyde [MDA] were measured for all patients who developed any drug side effects, thirty patients without drug side effects chosen randomly, and control group. Unsatisfactory compliance was reported in 51% of cases. Serum levels of antiepileptic drugs were not matched with seizure outcome. Complicated regimens were associated with unsatisfactory compliance [P<0.05]. NO, MDA and SOD were significantly higher in both patients groups receiving antiepileptic drugs with or without side effects compared to control group. Also, these parameters were significantly higher in patients who developed side effects compared to patients without side effects to antiepileptic drugs [P<0.05]. It could be concluded that simple antiepileptic drug regimens are needed, focusing on drug compliance is essential by depending not only on drug levels but also on regular follow-up of patients and good physician- patients relation. Role of oxidant injury in producing antiepileptic drugs side effects is suspected and should be confirmed by further studies