Case-control study to evaluate risk factors for acute hepatitis B virus infection in Egypt

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection is a significant health problem in Egypt. To better define risk factors associated with HBV transmission, we conducted a case-control study among patients admitted with acute hepatitis to an infectious disease hospital in Cairo. A total of 60 cases and 120 controls were interviewed about various exposures within 6 months prior to admission. Univariate analysis revealed HBV case-patients were more likely to report providing injections to relatives or friends, injecting drug use, exposure to a household contact with hepatitis, exposure to invasive medical procedures and being in the military. Efforts should be made to implement strict infection control standards in Egypt

Sentinel surveillance for patients with acute hepatitis in Egypt, 2001-04

Viral hepatitis is a major problem in Egypt. To define the epidemiology of the disease, sentinel surveillance was established in 5 hospitals in diverse areas of the country in 2001. Data were completed for patients meeting the case definition for viral hepatitis. Of a total of 5909 patients evaluated, 4189 [70.9%] showed positive antibody markers for hepatitis. Out of those, 40.2% had evidence of hepatitis A virus [HAV] infection, 30.0% hepatitis B virus [HBV] and 29.8% hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection. This surveillance system was useful in identifying the variable endemicity of acute HAV infection in different regions and for better understanding the epidemiology of HBV and HCV infection

Critical care of gynecological and obstetric patients: a decade of surgical intensive care experience

Despite the emergence of therapeutic advances, the morbidity and mortality still occur in the obstetric patients, although intensive care utilization by obstetric and gynecological patient, are still rare compared to the general population. Majority of obstetric patients needed the intensive care therapy compared to gynecological patients. The aim of our study was to know the indications for the intensive care admission by obstetric and gynecological patients, length of stay and outcome of these patients. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all obstetric and gynecological patients admitted to our Surgical and Trauma Intensive Care Units [SICU and TICU] from February 1995 to March 2005. Indication for admission, nationality, age, and length of stay in ICU, severity of disease and outcome of these patients were recorded. Data analyzed with SPSS program. A total of 182 patients were admitted to the SICU of the Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatar, from the Women's Hospital. 159 [87%] patients were obstetric patients and 23 [13%] patients gynecological patients, 126 [69.6%] patients were admitted post Lower Segment Caesarean Section [LSCS]. The most common indication for admission was 73 [39.3%] patients obstetric hemorrhage and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation [DIC], and then 44 [25.3%] patients of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. The major anesthesia related indication was scoline apnea, 21[11.6%]. Total three obstetric patients died, two due to severe sepsis and multi-organ failure and one due to cerebral sinus thrombosis, giving mortality rate of 1.66%. Intensive care therapy required by gynecological and obstetric patient is less than the general population. The commonest indication for admission was obstetric hemorrhage, DIC, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The mortality was due to septic shock with multi-organ failure, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

UV-vis and IR spectroscopic studies of some 4-arylhydrazo-2-phenyl-2-oxazoline-5-one derivatives

The absorption spectra of some 4-arylhydrazo-2-phenyl-2-oxazoline-5-one derivatives, have been studied in organic solvents of different polarity. The diagnostic IR spectral bands are assigned and discussed in relation to molecular structure and hydrogen bond existing in the stable compounds in the hydrazo form. The presence of electron withdrawing group in the phenyl ring facilitates the charge migration and hence the proton transfer, thus the azohydrazo form may appear in these compounds, but the major compounds were in the hydrazo form. The fact that these compounds show evidence for intramolecular hydrogen bonding is in favor of the hydrazone structure, this fact excludes the possibility of azo structure. The electronic absorption bands are assigned to the corresponding electronic transitions and the effect of solvent parameters on the charge transfer energy [ECT] is investigated. Four absorbance bands appeared for hydrazones in the range 443-221 nm, the first band has Amax within the range 222-237 nm corresponding to the medium energy transition of the phenyl group e [1]La-[1]A]. The second band with [lambda]max at 243-257 nm is attributed to the low energy mm transition of the phenyl rings representing the [[1]Lb-[1]A] electronic state. The third band at 278-314 nm lies within the energy region for the mm excitation of the electrons of the hydrazo groups. The last band in the visible which has [lambda]max within the range 422-443 nm is considered as being due to an intramolecular charge transfer involving the whole molecule. Finally, the substitution effect was also studied

Phytochemical and biological investigation of Monsonia Nivea decne.webb. growing in Egypt

Six compounds were isolated from Monsonia nivea Decne. Webb. [Geraniaceae] growing in Egypt. The compounds are sterol, triterpene and flavonoid in nature. These compounds were identified as alpha-amyrin, beta-sitosterol, ursolic acid, apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside and rutin. The structures of the isolated compounds were confirmed by different spectroscopic methods. The anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and the DNA-binding activities [as an indicator for anti-tumor activity] were carried out for the extracts and some pure compounds

comparison study in the management of ectopic pregnancy between state of Qatar and Kingdom of Bahrain

Ectopic pregnancy is of increasing concern to gynecologists since it is a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in reproductive age women. It occurs when the conceptus implants in an abnormal position other than the uterus. Although the incidence of ectopic pregnancy during the 20 years studied increased five-folds, the risk of death from ectopic pregnancy declined by 90%. This decline might be related to the increase awareness of this condition that accompanied improved diagnostic technology and thus improved management and care. However, ectopic pregnancy remains the leading cause of maternal mortality in first trimenster. This study was to evaluate the management of ectopic pregnancy in the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Bahrain in a time period from January 1, 2000 to August 31, 2003. Statistical analysis showed high incidence of ectopic pregnancy with increase in age and abortion. Etiological factors including contraceptive usage, infertility treatment and previous ectopic pregnancy were shown to increases ectopic pregnancy rates. In the Kingdom of Bahrain, management of ectopic pregnancy was carried by surgical salpingectomy and Laparoctomy and to a lesser extend medical Methotrexate management was also carried on. While in the State of Qatar it was the opposite as Methotrexate was mainly used rather than the surgical treatment. It is recommended that further investigations are needed to enhance this data and to prove the benefits of medical management over the surgical management

Synthesis of some new pyranoquinoline derivatives of potential antineoplastic activity

Few reports concerning the antineoplastic activity of certain pyranoquinolines have been reviewed. In the present work, synthesis of some pyranoquinoline derivatives as antitumour agents is described. The key intermediate 10-amino-3-oxo- pyrano[3,2-t] quinoline-9-carbonitrile III was prepared. Acylation of the amino compound III afforded the corresponding amides IV, while its reaction. with certain aromatic aldehydes gave the 10-arylidineamino derivatives V. Also, the reaction of III with triethylorthofonnate yielded the ethoxymethyleneamino derivative VI, which when subjected to a substitution reaction with hydrazine hydrate or methylamine, afforded compounds VII and VIII, respectively. Reaction of the aminonitrile derivative with carbon disulfide yielded the tetracyclic structure pyranopyrimidoquinoline IX. Additionally, heating 6-aminocoumarin I with arylidine derivatives afforded pyranoquinoline-9-carbonitriles X and 9-carboxylates XI. The nitrilo derivative XII was prepared from the reaction of I with ethyl ethoxymethylene cyanoacetate, which upon alkylation with 2-chloroethanol yielded the key compound XIII. Acylation and alkylation of this compound, in addition to its chlorination and subsequent reaction of the chloro intermediate with various amines ended up with the desired compounds XIV, XV, XVI and XVII

Assessment of the prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders in New Valley, Aswan and Kafr El-Sheikh Governorates of Egypt

Iodine Deficiency is an international public health problem, manifested by an array of disorders that have serious social, private and economic costs to society. This is part of the national survey on assessment of Iodine Deficiency Disorders [IDD] in Egypt. It was done to assess prevalence of IDD in New Valley, Aswan and Kafr El-Sheikh [KES] governorates during 1993-1995. It was conducted on a sample of 4050 primary school children chosen from different zones of the three governorates using the two stage cluster sampling technique. Assessment of goitre prevalence was done clinically and biochemically by determination of urinary iodine concentration. Determination of iodine content of food, drinking water, cooking salt and soil was also done using HPLC. Goitre prevalence varied greatly in the 3 governorates [82.3% in New Valley, 17.5% in Aswan and 27.1% in KES]. In New Valley IDD constitutes a severe public health problem. It was more prevalent in rural than urban areas of New Valley. In Aswan IDD is a mild problem while in KES a moderate problem. Prevalence of goitre was higher in females than males in most zones of the 3 governorates Azharya school students reported persistently higher goitre levels than other usual governmental school students. Total median urinary iodine level was 8.9 mg/dl in New Valley, 10.8 in Aswan and 15.1 in KES. Goitre prevalence was inversely related to urinary levels. There was good agreement between clinical and biochemical indicators used in assessing goitre prevalence. Deficient iodine intake can be considered the main etiologic factor for this state of IDD which is confirmed by low urinary iodine excretion and substantiated by the low iodine content of water and locally consumed food items. Also the role of environment goitrogens - specially in New Valley - malnutrition and poor sanitary and socioeconomic conditions cannot be ignored. Main control measures recommended were use of oral iodized oil in New Valley and iodized salt programme for the whole country