Prevalence of intestinal parasites and its impact on nutritional status among preschool children living in Damanhur city, El-Behera goveftnorate, Egypt

This cross sectional study was done in Damanhur City, the Capital of El-Behera Governorate to detect the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among preschool aged children and to find out its effect on their nutritional status. Five-hundreds children aged between 2-6 years were enrolled; a detailed questionnaire, complete clinical and anthropometric assessment as well as complete stool analysis and blood picture were done. The study revealed that 51.8% preschool children were infected; Cysts of Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia were found in 16.8%, and 14.8% respectively. In 1.8% of cases, both cysts were found together. Ova of Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, Ancylostoma duodenale and Hyme-nolepis nana were detected in 14%, 3.4%, 5% and 0.2% of cases, respectively. In 0.4% of cases, ova of A. lumbricoides and E. vermicularis were found together. Mixed infections were found in 3.6% of children. Significantly lower weight for age z-score [WAZ] and weight for height z-score [WHZ] were found among infested children compared to non-infested ones [P<0.05]. Moreover, stunting was found in 44.1%, underweight in 39.1% and wasting in 11.5% of infested children. Prevalence of anemia among all studied population was 39%; 48.6% in infested group compared to 28.8% in non-infested children [x=20, P<0.001]. Improper hand washing, and playing in the street bare footed, together with playing with animals and family history of parasitic infestation were considered the independent predictors of parasitic infestation by using binary logistic regression

Percutaneous image-guided radiofrequency ablation of painful bone metastases

To determine the value of radiofrequency ablation [RFA] in alleviating pain in patients with refractory pain secondary to bone metastases. Over 11 months, [from January 2006 to November 2006] 14 patients with painful osteolytic metastases were treated with image-guided radiofrequency ablation. The inclusion criteria were pain score >/= 4 [scale of 0-10] over a 24-hour period not responding to standard treatment such as radiation or opioid analgesics, or patients unfit for radiotherapy. Primary pain assessment and follow- were according to the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form, Worst pain intensity was the primary end point with a 2-units drop considered clinically significant. Follow-up was scheduled one day post procedure, then weekly for one month and thereafter every other week, up to six months. Analgesics used were also recorded at these follow-up intervals. Follow-up contrast enhanced CT was performed one week after the procedure. Complications were monitored. The procedure was technically successful in all patients. Initial pain relief was achieved in 100% of patients [14 of 14]. There was a significant decrease in the VAS [visual analogue scale] score from 7 +/- 2.4 to 1.2 +/- 1.8 Analgesic reduction was achieved in 92.9% [13 out of 14 patients]. The tumor necrosis ratio ranged from 40% to 100% [mean, 67.1% +/- 5.9]. No serious complications were observed. There was transient local pain in most cases. Adverse events were seen in 2 patients, including a second degree skin burn at the grounding pad site in one patient and transient bowel and bladder incontinence following treatment of metastases involving the sacrum in the second patients. RFA is effective and safe for palliation of pain in cases of osteolytic metastases. It provides significant pain relief for patients who have failed standard treatment

effect of adjusting the tone control and venting a hearing aid system in sensorineural hearing loss

Changing the frequency response of a hearing aid can be accomplished by the use of tone control switch or venting the car mould. The results of these modifications are usually supplied by the manufacturer in the form of 2cc cavity data. Real ear measurements differ from 2cc measurements. In this study 32 patients had their real ear measurements evaluated with the effect of the tone control and a 2mm vent in the ear mould calculated singly and in combination, to study their effect and to examine how it varies from the 2cc values. From the results it was concluded that the combination of both methods results in less reduction in gain than each separately, the difference between the real ear measurements and the 2cc coupler measurement may be due to the fact that patients do not use the full gain of their hearing aids and calculations in 2cc coupler are made with gain at the maximum