Lactic acid as a predictor for erythrocyte transfusion in healthy preterm infants with anemia of prematurity

Up till now there is no guidelines for blood transfusion in healthy preterm infants. In this study we try to show if blood lactate measurement may be used as in index for transfusion in those preterms. The present study included 33 healthy preterm infants, received no medications except for theophyline and prophylactic antibiotics, required no intravenous fluids or oxygen therapy. They were divided into two groups, [group I] included 23 babies, given once transfusion according to the decision of physician in charge. The main indications for transfusion were Hb below 8 gm/dl, Hct value below 30% and poor weight gain. The remaining 10 babies were not transfused [group II] and used as a control to measure normal blood lactate. The infants in the two groups were subjected to thorough history, clinical examination and selective laboratory investigations including CBC and blood lactate measurement. The results of group I were compared with each other before and after transfusion and with that obtained from group II. Comparing data of group I with that of group II, significant increase in blood lactate and decrease in Hb, Hct and body weight were detected in group I before blood transfusion. Pre and post transfusion data were compared in group I, there were significant decrease in blood lactate levels and significant increase in Hb, Hct and body weight, after transfusion. Blood lactate had a high specificity 100% and sensitivity 91.3%. We can conclude that measurement of blood lactate level as an indicator of early tissue hypoxia could identify otherwise healthy preterm infants who might benefit from blood transfusion. Thus, it may prevent unnecessary transfusion

Effect of deferoxamine of gentamicin-induced acute renal failure in albino rats

The effect of the iron chelator, deferoxamine, on gentamicin- induced acute renal failure was examined in albino rats. Rats treated with gentamicin alone [100 mg/kg body weight/day by subcutaneous route for 8 consecutive days] developed acute renal failure [plasma urea 171.2 +/- 34.5 mg/dl and creatinine 3.11 +/- 0.53 mg/dl] compared with saline treated controls [plasma urea 39 +/- 13.7 and creatinine 0.26 +/- 0.1 ms/dl]. In contrast, rats treated with gentamicin and deferoxamine [100 mg/kg body weight/day by intraperitoneal route in 2 divided doses] had significantly lower plasma urea and creatinine levels [62.2 +/- 16.3 mg/dl and 0.72 +/- 0.21 mg/dl, respectively] compared with gentamicin only-treated rats. In addition, malondialdehyde content in renal cortical tissue was significantly lower in rats treated with gentamicin plus deferoxamine [2.05 +/- 0.12 nmol/mg protein] when compared with gentamicin only-treated rats [3.7 +/- 0.27 nmol/mg protein]

study on the ages of union of epiphyses at the elbow, wrist, hand, knee, ankle, and foot regions in a sample of Egyptian population in the East of Delta on the beginning of the 21st century

In the present work, 765 X-ray photographs for males and 450 for females from a sample of clinically healthy Egyptian population in the east of Delta, in the age range of 9-25 years, were examined for epiphyseal union in the regions of the elbow, wrist, hand, knee, ankle, and foot. The epiphysis was considered united if there was complete obliteration of the diaphyseo-epiphyseal space, and non- united if there was no or partial obliteration of diaphyseo- epiphyseal space. The results showed that epiphyseal union occurs over a range of 4-6 years in males and 4-5 years in females, and the union was 1-2 years earlier in females than in males. Comparison of results of the present study with results of other studies performed earlier or in other localities demonstrated the existence of differences in age timing and sequence of union of the studied epiphyses. The differences were more marked on comparing the present study with a study performed on Bengalis than with a study performed on Caucasians. This raises the importance of developing and updating the standards of ages of epiphyseal union for each locality to achieve more accuracy of age estimation by examining bone epiphyses. Examining more than one epiphysis for age estimation is also recommended

Effect of desferoxamine and urine alkalinization on myoglobin-induced kidney injury in albino rats

Myoglobinuric acute renal failure is a known complication of several clinical sittings involving muscle damage. Renal damage has been partially attributed to iron released from myoglobin, which then catalyzes the generation of reactive oxygen species and oxidant tissue injury. To define whether desferrioxamine [iron chelator] and urine alkalinization would confer direct and additive protective effects on myoglobin-induced renal failure, glycerol model of myoglobinuric acute renal failure in albino rats was used. Rhabdomyolysis was induced by injecting hypertonic glycerol solution in saline [50%], at a dose of 8 ml/kg body weight, in the muscles of the hind limbs of rats. Forty adult male rats were randomized into five groups, eight rats/group. The 1st group was injected with glycerol solution, the 2nd with glycerol and intra-peritoneal desferrioxamine at a dose level of 50 mg/kg body weight twice daily, the 3rd with glycerol and given 0.28 molar sodium bicarbonate drinking solution, the 4th with glycerol and desferrioxamine and was given the alkali drinking solution, and the 5th [control group] with normal saline and desferrioxamine and given the alkali drinking solution. The results showed that desferrioxamine and urine alkalinization reduce oxidative stress in renal tissue and protect against functional and structural myoglobinuric renal damage, and both treatment regimens provide additive protective effects

Lead enhances neutrophil apoptosis in albino rats

The present work was conducted to study the effect of lead, after in vivo and in vitro exposure, on neutrophil apoptosis in albino rats. For the in vivo study, adult female albino rats, with body weight range of 150-250 g, were randomized into test and control groups, 20 rats/group. Test groups were treated with lead acetate solution in distilled water by intraperitoneal injection at two dose levels [20 mg/kg body weight or 40 mg/kg body weight for either 4 weeks or 12 weeks for each dose level]. Control groups were treated with distilled water by intraperitoneal injection for either 4 weeks or 12 weeks. For the in vitro study, neutrophil cultures were prepared from 20 rats and each test culture was divided into two subdivisions and incubated for 24 hours with lead acetate at 2 concentrations, 20 or 40 mmol/ml cell culture. Control cultures were prepared from other 20 rats. Apoptosis was assessed morphologically by light microscope using Giemsa stain, fluorescence microscope using acridine orange stain and by assessment of DNA fragmentation by agarose gel electrophoresis

Lead modulates T lymphocyte functions in albino rats

The present work was performed to study the effects of subchronic and chronic in vivo exposure to lead on some parameters of T lymphocyte functions; namely, interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma] production and mitogen blastogenesis in albino rats. Adult female albino rats, with body weight range of 150-250 g, were randomized into test and control groups, 20 rats/group. Test groups were treated with lead acetate solution in distilled water by intraperitoneal injection at two dose levels [20 mg/kg body weight or 40 mg/kg body weight for either 4 weeks or 12 weeks for each dose level]. Control groups were treated with distilled water by intraperitoneal injection for either 4 weeks or 12 weeks. The results showed that lead exerted immunomodulatory effects on the studied immune parameters. It decreased gamma-IFN serum levels and enhanced blastogen transformation of lymphocytes in a dose and time-dependent manner. These results showed that lead differently affects T cell subpopulations. Dysregulation of the immune function may be the end result

Mansoura nomogram of cervical dimensions in normal pregnancy

A nomogram of cervical dimensions during normal pregnancy was established by prospective longitudinal comparative study of total 304 gravida in two groups : normal group [n=204] and high riskgroup [n=100] with clinical diagnosis of cervical incompetence. Normal cases were evaluated by TVS from 10th week to 38th week of pregnancy, high risk cases before and after cerclage,onward till delivery. The mean, standard deviation, minimum, maximum, range, and cut off values for each of the following 5 cervical parameters were obtained: cervical length, internal os diameter, thickness of lower uterine segment, posterior cervical angle and cervical thickness. By discriminant analysis of values for normal pregnant and those for high risk pregnant cases, we derived our sonographic criteria for diagnosis of incompetent cervix which include: cervical length < 25 mm internal os diameter > 6 mm, and posterior cervical angle > 90°. These variables can predict cervical incompetence correctly in 86.4% and exclude it in 88.9% of cases

Latex particle aggultination tests as an adjunct to the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis

A prospective study using a latex particle agglutination test for the detection of bacterial antigens in CSF has been carried out in 90 patients with meningitis. The antigens sought were those of Str. pneumoniae, H. influenzae b, N. meningitidis groups A, C, Y, W, 135, N. meningitidis B, E. coli, Kl. and Str. group B. Eighty-five patients had proven bacterial meningitis and the rest had aseptic meningitis. The bacteria causing meningitis included N. meningitidis [group B in four and groups ACYW 135 in 56], Str. pneumoniae [20 patients] and H. influenzae b [five patients]. The sensitivity and specificity of the tests were as good as those reported from developed countries. With both technical feasibility and good sensitivity and specificity, the Wellcogen agglutination tests seem to be useful and reliable for the rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis, especially in situations where pre-hospital treatment with antibiotics are possible