Prognostic factors for bronchoscopic electrocautery and/or argon plasma coagulation in patients with central aifway obstruction

Significant portions of central airway stenosis patients present with unresectable disease. Using bronchotherapeutic procedures to maintain a patent airway and improve clinical symptoms and quality of life is a well-known armamentarium technique. To assess the contribution of different physiological and pathological prognostic factors on the yield of endobronchial therapies [argon plasma coagulation [APC] and electrocautery] in patients with central airway obstruction whether derived from malignant or non-malignant etiology. Twenty nine patients with central airway obstruction, 21 males arid eight females, were recruited in the study. All the studied patients were categorized into malignant and non-malignant groups with different pathological varieties. Interventional bronchoscopic procedures were performed under general anesthesia. The flexible bronchoscope was either passed via an endotra-cheal tube or through the rigid bronchoscope. Collected data included patient demographics, evaluation of performance scale and quality of life status, evaluation of dyspnea, cough and hemoptysis scores before the interventional bronchoscopy and 1 day after the last session. Also the collected data included; length, size, localization and bronchoscopic appearance of the lesion. Duration of symptoms, duration of mechanical ventilation and the presence of collapse prior to the intervention were all recorded. Number of sessions and type of bronchoscopic modalities used were recorded. Spiromet-ric pulmonary function tests were done before and 1 day after the last session. Complete recanalization was achieved in [17/29] 58.6% of patients, while incomplete or partial recanalization was achieved in [12/29] 41.4% of patients. Using linear regression analysis ofindependent factors affecting patient outcome; it was found that the length of lesion followed by presence of collapse, duration of symptoms and lastly lesion localization whether localized or diffuse [P < 0.0005], [P < 0.011], [P < 0.02] and [P < 0.039] were the most independent factors affecting patient outcome. For favorable outcome, selection of patients with central airway obstructing lesions candidates for bronchoscopic argon plasma coagulation and/or electrocautery should rely on several factors including; age, duration of symptoms, performance scale, co-morbidities, pre-therapeutic FEV1%, presence of lung collapse, and length of the obstructing lesion, moreover its shape and localization

Influence of subclinical mastitis on some reproductive parameters in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows

Over a period of one year [Nov., 2007-Oct., 2008] a total of 1757 Holstein-Friesian cows belonging to a commercial dairy farm in Giza-Egypt were included in this investigation. Somatic cell count [SCC] as a measure of subclinical mastitis was recorded for three times in three consecutive months. Bacteriological examination was also done for milk sample. Reproductive data including days to first insemination, number of inseminations per conception [S/C] and days open [DO] were individually recorded, also the percentage of cows conceived by 305 days in milking [DIM] and percentage of culled cows for reproductive failure were recorded. The obtained data were recorded .The animal status [parity and reproductive status] as well as the establishment and degrees of affection were also considered. The obtained results were recorded and statistically analyzed. Results revealed that, the incidence of subclinical mastitis was 31.75 and 23.79% of the total lactating non pregnant and lactating pregnant cows, respectively. Among cases of subclinical mastitis, 75% were bacteriolo-gically positive. Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis and Streptococcus dysgalactiae were the prevalent isolates. The adverse effects of subclinical mastitis on the reproductive performances in dairy herd included prolonged days to first insemination; Days open; increased number of inseminations per conception and culling rate for infertility. The establishment of subclinical mastitis during the interval to first insemination prolonged this stage while, the establishment from the first insemination to the fertile one prolonged the days open and increase the number of inseminations per conception.lt could be concluded that, subclinical mastitis was associated with unfavourable effects on reproductive performance of dairy cows. Therefore, the appropriate management of lactating dairy cows to minimize the incidence of mastitis should increase the profitability of dairy herds not only by improving milk quality, reducing the use of antibiotics, reducing the amount of milk discarded, and reducing involuntary culling, but also by improving reproductive performance

Novel coumarins of potential adrenergic antagonistic activity

A series of 1-[8-methyl-4-phenyl-coumarin-7-yloxy]-3-[substituted amino] propan-2-ol [10-18], 1-[substituted coumarinyloxy]-3-[substituted-amino] propane [19-35], and 6 or 7 [[3.t.butyl-5-oxazolidinyl] methoxy substituted coumarins [36-39] were prepared to study the effect of change of structure on the beta- adrenergic antagonistic activity. The preliminary pharmacological tests were carried out, the results were given and a conclusion was drawn

Novel benzo-O-pyrone analogues as antimicrobial agents

New cyclic analogues derived from 8-allyl-7-hydroxy-4- methyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one have been synthesized. Ten of the new compounds were screened for antibacterial as well as antifungal activity. The results were presented

Post extraction alveolar bone healing in insulin dependent diabetic patients

25 IDDM patients had been evaluated for alveolar bone healing after extraction according to changes in radiographic density of healing bony socket over 1, 2, 4 and 6 months intervals. The results showed that healing of post extraction alveolar bone of well controlled IDDM was highly significantly faster than other groups as detected by the outcome of bone density changes in the 3 experimental groups. Also, Grey scale level as an advanced tool can be considered as an accurate and convenient method for analyzing alveolar bony changes

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of novel pyranobenzoxazoles and pyranobenzoxanzinediones

The synthesis of 4,7-dimethylcoumarin containing a fused oxazole or oxazine-3,2-dione ring was described. The intended compounds were prepared from the key intermediate 4,7-dimethyl-6-hydroxy-5-aminocoumarin I. The antimicrobial activity of seven of the synthesized compounds was evaluated, and some of them were active

Factors affecting c3 in intestinal schistosomiasis

Complement component C3 was investigated in sera of a group of schistosomal patients free from obvious nephritis. C3 was studied in relation to S. mansoni egg count, presence of HBsAg, and liver functions. C3 level was low in schistosomal patients than normal individuals. Levels were low in both HBsAg -ve and HBsAg + ve schistosomal patients. No significant difference was found between HBsAg -ve and HBsAg +ve in one hand, and between patients with egg counts more than 400 and those with egg counts less than 400 eggs/1 gr as regards level of C3 on the other hand. Presence of ascites did not affect C3 concentration. Positive correlation was found with Serum albumin, but not with prothrombin concentration serum alkaline phosphatase or serum transaminases

Evaluation of short-term feeding with high protein diet in malnourished children

A new formulated diet was tried in the treatment of thirty-two Egyptian children aged 6-24 months, suffering from protein energy malnutrition admitted to the pediatric ward of Banha University Hospital. It was concluded that this formulated [mainly vegetable] protein-rich diet which was well balanced in other nutritional constitutions succeeded in improving the biochemical parameters of the malnourished children and brought them to recovery. Being of a low cost may provide an economical means in solving a major health problem in developing countries

Nutritional status of some elderly in Egypt

In the present study, the nutritional status of 100 elderly people from Cairo Governorate of both sexes aging from 60 to 93 years, was investigated. Results obtained showed that all subjects had an adequate level for most of the nutrients intake except for calcium and vitamin A as compared by recommended dietary allowances. Mean of body mass index [BMI] was 30.14 +/- 6.8 kg/m2 for elderly women and 26.1 +/- 5.2 kg/m2 for elderly men. Body fat percentage [BF%] from bioelectrical impedance was 42.1 +/- 5.9% for women and 37.73 +/- 11.4% for men. There was significant difference between the mean values of the fat free mass [FFM], which calculated from bioelectrical impedance between women and men, mean [FFM] was 37.91 +/- 0.4 kg for women and 31.67 +/- 5.86 kg for men. No significant difference was found in blood levels of hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose between women and men, while serum cholesterol was high in women than men. Lower serum calcium level was noticed in women. Blood pressure was higher in women than in men

Histochemical studies in endemic liver diseases

Twenty patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis [HSS] were included in this study. They were divided into early [group I], moderate [group II] and advanced [group Ill] according to the stage of schistosomal hepatosplenic affection. Five control cases were also included. All cases were submitted to full clinical examination and laboratory investigations and liver biopsy. Biopsies taken from the liver were examined histopathologically and histochemically. A fall of serum albumin and a rise of globulin levels were detected with the progress of the stages of HSS. There were increases in SGOT, SGPT levels which correlated with the degree of hepatic affection. Histopathological examination revealed extensive fibrosis affecting portal tracts of all orders, with inflammatory cellular infiltrate in all groups. Some cases in group II and group III showed patchy non specific hepatocytic degenerative changes in the form of feathery ballooning degeneration. Group III demonstrated a picture of active cirrhosis in association with bilharzial affection. Histochemical changes in the liver showed decreased glycogen content in the liver cells in all groups except for specimens with fatty changes in groups II and III which revealed increased glycogen content due to cellular damage.The fibrous tissue showed P.A.S. reaction. Alkaline phosphatase demonstrated increased enzymatic activity in both the cytoplasm and the nuclei of the liver cells in group II, while in group III there was increased enzymatic activity in the cells lining the blood sinusoids but the activity was decreased in the cytoplasm and the nuclei of the liver cells

comparative phase III study using epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil [FEC] versus adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil [FAC] in advanced breast cancer patients

From January 1987 to April 1990, 40 patients with advanced breast cancer who either had failed non-anthracycline treatment or had no prior chemotherapy were randomised according to treatment with either epirubicin or doxorubicin in a combination chemotherapy regimen with 5-flourouracil and cyclophosphamide [FEC or FAC]. Cyclophosphamide was given in a dose of 500mg/m2 on day 1, 5-flourouracil was given in a dose of 500mg/m2 on days 1 and 8. Doxorubicin was given in a dose of 50mg/m2 on day 1 [regimen A] while epirubicin was given in two doses; 50mg/m2 [regimen B] and 75mg/m2 [regimen C] also on day 1. Cycles were repeated every 3weeks until disease progression or to cumulative doses of 550mg/m2 for doxorubicin and at least 700mg/m2 for epirubicin. The study was a comparative prospective for the overall response rate; time to progression; toxicities and dose-dependence of epirubicin. All patients were comparable in age; menopausal state; performance status; histopathology; previous treatment; site of disease and disease-free interval. As for efficacy, there was no significant difference between doxorubicin and epirubicin given in equimolar conventional doses, where the overall response rate [CR+PR] was 57% for FAC and 50% for FEC-50. The mean time to progression was 41 weeks and 39 weeks, respectively. Although high dose epirubicin [ArmC] gives an overall response rate 75% with 53 weeks mean time to disease progression, yet statistically it has no significant difference when compared to FEC-50 [ArmB]. The mean survival time for the three arms was 77 weeks for FAC; 73 weeks for FEC-50 and 111 weeks for FEC-75. As for toxicity, given in equal doses, epirubicin was less toxic than doxorubicin. Although FEC-50 was better tolerated than FEC-75, yet there was no statistical significant difference between both regimens. In its different doses ,epirubicin was less cardiotoxic than doxorubicin. Two patients under FEC developed congestive heart failure [CHF] at cumulative doses 490mg/m2 and 600 mg/m2. Although some patients treated with epirubicin [Arms B and C] received a cumulative dose reaching 1000mg/m2, yet no one developed CHF. These results indicate that epirubicin given in equimolar dose to doxorubicin is equally effective and less toxic than its parent drug. Epirubicin in higher dose proved to be well tolerated by patients and could be given to a higher cumulative dose without increasing the hematological or cardiac toxicity and meanwhile could attain a higher efficacy in patients with advanced breast cancer

Nutritional quality of low-cost food supplements for infant feeding

In the present study seven baby food-mixtures were formulated, processed using low-cost extrusion and drum drying techniques. The new food mixtures were constituted from the available dietary staples of relatively low-cost. They were chemically and biologically evaluated and showed to be rich sources of proteins and have high levels of essential amino acids. The protein quality evaluation denote high values for NPR and PER

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of pyrano [2,3-e] benzoxazol-8- [H] -ones

Synthesis often pyrano [2,3 -e]benzoxazole -[H]-ones belonging to coumarinyl class of antimicrobial agents was described with use of 8- amino -7-hydroxy-4-methyl-coumarin as the starting material A study of antimicrobial activity of these compounds has revealed that N- methyl -1-,2-dihydri-2-oxo-6-methlpyrano [2,3-e] benzoxazole-8[H]-one was the most favorable compound

Novel oxazolocoumarins as antimicrobial agents

The synthesis of new coumarins containing an oxazole ring fused to the 6,7 or 7,8 positions is described. The linear and angular 2- substituted-mercapto-pyrano-benzoxazoles and 2 substituted- amino- pyrano-benzoxazoles were prepared from vic-amino-hydroxy- coumarins. The antimicrobial examination of these compounds revealed that the angular 2-n-butyl-amino-6-methylpyrano [2,3-e] benzoxazole-8 [H]-one is the most promising antibacterial agent

bacterial inter-relationship between tubotympanic type of chronic suppurative otitis media and chronic maxillary sinusitis

A bacteriological study was performed in 22 patients suffering simultaneously from chronic maxillary sinusitis [CMS] together with chronic suppurative otitis media of tubotympanic type [TCSOM]. It implied a comparison between the bacterial findings of 27 middle ear specimens and 33 sinus aspirates collected aseptically from the studied patients. The aim was to determine the bacterial interrelationship between TCSOM and the associated CMS. The results demonstrated a bacterial interrelationship, existing partially or completely, between the two chronically infected organs in 50% of cases