Formulation and evaluation of some selected timolol maleate ophthalmic preparations

The purpose of this study was to prepare and evaluate certain Timolol maleate [TM] polymeric formulations including viscous solutions, hydrogels and in-situ gels aiming to improve its ocular bioavailability and decrease its side effects. In this study, Chitosan [CS], hydroxyehtylcellulose [HEC], hydroxypropylmethylcellulose [HPMC] and sodium carboxymethylcellulose [NaCMC] were used to prepare TM viscous solutions and hydrogels. In-situ gels of Gelrite and Pluronic F-127 [Pl F-127] were prepared at different concentrations. Mucoadhesives namely CS or HEC were incorporated to Pl F-127 to produce mucoadhesive/insitu gel. The prepared formulations were evaluated for their in-vitro drug release, viscosity, gelation temperature and mucoadhesive force. The selected TM formulations were tested for their effect on intraocular pressure [IOP] and systemic side effects based on blood pressure [BP], heart rate [HR] and respiration rate [RR]. The results revealed that, TM in situ-gels F25 [containing Pl F-127 20% and CS 1.5% w/w] and F31[containing Gelrite 0.6% w/w] showed reasonable in-vitro results, and a marked IOP lowering activity without systemic side effects compared to TM marketed eye drops

Effect of corticosteroid therapy on doppler study of umbilical and middle cerebral arteries and fetal outcome in woman at risk of preterm labour

To investigate the effects of maternal steroid administration on umbilical and fetal middle cerebral artery flow velocity waveforms and fetal out-come. Sixty Pregnant Women with singleton healthy fetuses "without fetoplacental insufficiency" complaining from threatened preterm delivery at 30-36Wks were treated using steroid therapy. There was a significant decrease in umbilical artery and foetal middle cerebral artery pulsatility indices with decrease in UA/MCA P.I ratio at day 3, day 5 after treatment, with no changes at day 7 after steroid administration and also, no significant changes in foetal heart rate. Betamethasone therapy given to the mother to avoid complications of premature fetus e.g. R.D.S., there was transient significant effect on foetal middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery "decreased PI at day 3 and day 5" after steroid administration; The effects were disappeared or declined at day 7, with no significant changes in foetal heart rate during the courses of therapy

Synthesis, spectral and magnetic studies of binuclear Mn [II], Co [II] and Cu [II] complexes with hydrazone ligands derived from 1,4-dihydrazinophthalazine

Binuclear Mn[II], Co[II], Ni[II] and Cu[II] complexes of some hydrazone derivatives were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, conductance measurements and IR spectra. The hydrazones behaved as monoanionic bidentate ligands. Electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements of the solid complexes indicated tetrahedral geometry around Co[II] and Mn[II] ions, octahedral geometry around Ni[II] and square planar the Cu[II] ion

Evaluation of different techniques used for diagnosis of chlamydia pneumoniae infection

Chlamydia pneumoniae is a common respiratory tract pathogen. Serological methods currently used for the diagnosis of C. pneumoniae infection lack specificity, give ambiguous results from a single serum sample and often provide only a retrospective diagnosis. Many studies were undertaken to assess whether polymerase chain reaction [PCR] could be a useful addition to the serological techniques routinely practiced for diagnosis. This study investigated 100 patients with a diagnosis of acute respiratory tract infection. Nasopharyngeal swab [NPS] obtained from these 100 patients were evaluated by PCR- enzyme immunoassay [PCR - EIA] for the presence of C pneumoniae DNA and by direct immunofluorescence [DIF] and staining by Giemsa stain for detection of its antigens. Serological determination of IgG antibodies against C. pneumoniae were performed by means of an enzyme linked immunosorbant assay [rELISA]. Seventeen patients [17 percent] were positive by both PCR and rELISA, while 5 patients [5 percent] were positive by rELISA and negative by PCR. By using DIP test, 13 patients [13 percent] were positive. There were 8 patients [8 percent] positive by Giemsa staining. Better definition of the serological criteria and improved performance of the PCR technique, are necessary to confirm the etiological role of C. pneumoniae in acute and chronic respiratory infections

Spectroscopic studies of new asymmetrical Schiff base compounds derived from 7-formyl-8-hydroxyquinoline with aliphatic and aromatic diamines and beta-diketones

The electronic absorption spectra of some new assyrnmetrical Schiff bases derived from 7-formyl-8-hydroxyquinoline[FHQ] with different diamines and beta-diketones are investigated in organic solvents of varying polarities. The important bands in the IR spectra of the compounds as well as the main signals of the [1]H NMR spectra are discussed in relation to molecular structure. Mass spectra and the mechanism leading to different fragment ions of the compounds are also discussed

Spectroscopic studies of some new azino compounds

The electronic absorption spectra of some new azino compounds derived from hydrazine and different aldehyde and ketones are investigated in organic solvents of varying polarities. The important bands in the IR spectra and the main 1H NMR signals are assigned and discussed in relation to molecular structure. Although work on the absorption spectra of azino compounds has been reported in the literature [1-3], a series of new azino compounds derived from hydrazine and different aldehyde and ketones was prepared and in order to throw more light on their structures, these compounds were subjected to elemental analysis, spectroscopic studies and Uv-visible spectral behavior in organic solvents of varied polarity. The study included also the assignment of IR bands and 1H NMR signals by considering the effect of molecular structure on the spectral behavior

Prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders among school children in Egypt

A rapid assessment study was carried out to locate regions with high prevalence of I.D.D. where intervention is needed. The WHO grading system was used in classification of thyroid size. A sample of school children from the three education levels in the majority of the Egyptian governorates, covering age group from 6-18 years and representing three per thousand of the total number of schoolers were chosen randomly for the study. The overall prevalence of goiter in the examined sample was 6.7%. The prevalence of goiter had been found to increase with the increase in age as indicated by the educational level from primary, preparatory to secondary schools [5.2%, 6.4% and 7.8 respectively]. The highest prevalence of goiter 38% was found in the New Valley followed by Souhag governorate [14.8%]. All other governorates have a prevalence less than 10%. Menofia, Beheria and Port Said governorates presented the lowest prevalence. Urban and rural areas showed nearly no variation [6.9% for rural, 6.1% for urbans]. Females showed higher figures than males [8.6%, 4.6%] with nearly a ratio of 2:1. This study can point that the location, sources of water and fish consumption can have the major effect on the prevalence of I.D.D. The higher prevalence among females than males is a question that needs to be answered

Bacteriological and immunological studies of chronic maxillary sinusitis in adults

The bacterial finding of 83 maxillary sinuses in 60 patients with chronic maxillary sinusitis. Together with 9 non-inflamed sinuses. Were reported Employing an intraoperative techniqne and simultaneous collection of 3 different types of specimens in the present intevtigation made possible comparison of their bacterial characteristics. The results indicated that intraoperative culture of antral mucosa seems to provide the most reliable finding of bacterial flora in chronic maxillary sinusitis. The anaerobic bacteria were never found in the mucosal culture of non-inflamed sinus. The anaerobes appeared to invade the sinus cavity following the sealing of the ostium through the lymphtic or venous system and maintain the inflammatory process. Microbiological analysis of the results between the infected and non-inflamed sinuses established anaerobic bacteria as the most important pathogen in chronic maxillary sinusitis. The predominant anaerobes recovered in descending order of frequency were propionibacterium acnes. Bacteroides melaninogenicus. Veillonella parvula. Peptostreptococcus magnus and Bacteroides intermedius. There was a lower frequency of anaerobic culture in sinus secretion samples when compared to high frequency demonstrated in sinus mucosa samples when compared to high frequency demonstrated in sinus mucosa samples [14% and 75% respectively]. Statistical analysis of the results of mucosal culture of inflamed and control materials demonstrated that those aerobic and facultative bacteria recovered in the inflamed sinus appeared to be the normal inhabitants of non-inflamed sinus mucosa. The presence of normal flora in the normal healthy sinus mucosa may explain the chain of events that follows the occlusion of the ostium. These aerobic bacteria may become pathogenic and play a role in the pathogenesis of sinusitis. The mean level of secretory IgA was elevated in patients with purulent sinus wash. Than in patients with mucopurulent and serous wash. This means that as the inflammatory process in the maxillary sinus is advanced towards the purulent type with sinus mucosal damage. There is a concomitant increase of secretory IgA

Bacterial aetiology of empyema with special reference to mycoplasma

One hundred patients with empyema were selected and subjected to history, careful examination and laboratory investigation. Seven cases showed positive isolation with mycoplasma 31%, 22%, 3% of cases were affected with staphylococci, klebsiella and pneumococci. Culture and sensitivity tests to antibiotic showed that the erythromycin and tetracyclin were the drug of choice in managing cases of mycoplasma

Hydantoia and thiohydantoia derivatives as potential antimicrobial agents: Part I

Several hydantoin and 2-thio analog derivatives have been prepared. Condensation of 3-methyl-2,4imidazolidine-dione [IA] with aromatic aldehydes afforded the corresponding arylidene derivatives. Coupling of 3-methyl-2-thioxo-4- imidazolidinone [IB] with diazonium salts yielded the expected 5-aryl- hydrazone derivatives. In addition, Mannich reaction of [IB] with formaldehyde and certain secondary amines gave the desired products. However, attempts to condense [IA] with formaldehyde and secondary amines under the Mannich conditions were abortive and the same hydantoin also failed to couple with aryl diazonium salts. Five compounds have been screened against selected bacteria and some of them were found to possess moderate to fairly good antibacterial activity