Studies on some factors affecting metacercarial inefctions in African sharp-tooth catfish [claris gariepinus] in Assiut Governorate

This work aims to study the effect of some environmental and biological factors on spread encysted metacorcarse [EMC] in catfish [Claris gariepinus] at Assuit, Egypt. Out of 240 African carfish were examined, the total prevalence of encysted metacercarie was 56.3%. The high prevalence was observed in young fish [<300 gm] with prevalence 59.2 and, while the highest infection rate was recorded in lengths [25-35 cm.] at a rate of 62.3%. the maximum infestation rate was appeared In summer [78.3%], while the lowest one was detected in spring [36.7%]. Males had slightly higher prevlance rate [57.5%] than females [54.9%]. Two types of E.M.C were detected in present work: Cynodipiostonum E.M.C. [macroscopic cyts]. Prohemistomum E.M.C. [microscopic cyst]. Cynodipiostonum E.M.C. was detected in muscular tissue only and their prevalence was 2.5%. while Prohemistomum E.M.C. was detected in muscular tissue, liver, kidney and gills of examined fish and their prevalence was 53.8%, 26.2%, 9.2% and 7.5% respectively. Present study reflects the sensitivity of different metacercariae in infection in African catfish the factors tested

Investigation of breast cancer risk factors in northern states of Sudan using logistic regression analysis

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancers and leading cause of death among women worldwide. In Sudan breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and its incidence has been raising for the past two decades. To investigate whether the breast risk factors of northern states [Northern and River Nile] are different from other states in Sudan. A case-control study was conducted in Radiation and Isotopes Centre Khartoum RICK targeting the breast cancer patients who came to get treatment or follow-up during 2010. A total of 60 breast cancer patients from northern states and 60 control breast cancer patients from other Sudan states were interviewed using purposively designed questionnaires. Logistic regression has been used for modeling the probability that a breast cancer could be developed as a function of risk factors. This study showed that risk factors of breast cancer do not differ significantly between northern states [Northern and River Nile] and other Sudan states except the education level, are the patient alive, disease history and lactation. There is no difference between risk factors of breast cancer in all Sudanese states; all Sudanese women are exposed to breast cancer with matching risk factors

[Health hazards due to shortage of water during summer season in port Sudan town December 2006- December 2008]

PortSudan, the harbour of Sudan is facing a serious problem concerning shortage of water supply. The Town is supplying ships with fresh water against the need of PortSudan town. It has been noticed that the peek of shortage of water supply happens in summer season [66%]. Also the big need to water in summer leads certain practices which affect the quality of water in the town. There are problems of distribution of water through tankers and donkey cars, improper pipe line distribution, as well as different ways of storing water in houses. Bacteriological and chemical tests results revealed pollution with E. coli in shallow wells in Arbaat and open takers in the town as well as during the method of water transpiration and storing in houses. Diseases associated with water shortage in summer showed an abnormal high level on gastroenteritis, diarrhea, hepatitis, dysenteries, poor personal hygiene and even food poisoning. The study recommended that still there is great hope for Nile water to reach PortSudan. However bottle fresh water from North Sudan with subsidized price to fill the gab of shortage of drinking water is carried out in town

Formulation and characterization of biodegradable chitosan films for topical application of terbinafine Hcl

Chitosan biodegradable films containing terbinafine HCI [Tr.HCl] were evaluated for their potential drug delivery at a controlled rate. Terbinafine HCI could be loaded at 1.8% w/w of polymer in films, which were translucent and flexible. The effect of drug loading and nature of plasticizers on the in-vitro release of Tr.HCl have been examined, Physicochemical characterization of Tr.HCl via thermal, spectroscopic, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy techniques revealed information on the solid-state properties of Tr.HCl as well as chitosan in films. While chitosan was in an amorphous form, Tr.HCl seemed to be present in crystalline form in the films. It was found that the release rate of the drug was directly proportional to drug concentraton. Also medicated chitosan films plasticized with water- soluble plasticizers as glycerol triacetate [GTA], propylene glycol [PG], and polyethylene glycol 400 [PEG 400], produced fast release in comparison with water insoluble plasticizers as glycerol tributyrate [GTB], dimethylphthalate [DMPH], and diethyl phthalate [DEPH]. The characterizations of chitosan films conducted by IR, X-ray, and DSC, showed that no interaction occurred between Tr.HCl and chitosan polymer. The minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] of the drug against Candida albicans was investigated. Results showed that MIC of Tr.HCl was 1.4 micro g/ml. The inhibition zone diameter of Tr.HCl chitosan films was higher than that of Tr.HCl normal dressing. Also antifungal activity of Tr.HCl was enhanced in plasticized chitosan films. The results were promising for topical formulation of Tr.HCl in biodegradable chitosan films and have the potential to be used as a novel drug delivery

Quinine therapy in severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria during pregnancy in Sudan

A prospective study was carried out in an area of unstable malaria transmission in central Sudan to determine the efficacy and toxicity of quinine in pregnancy. Thirty-three pregnant women with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria at mean 28.8 weeks gestational age were treated with quinine for 7 days. The mean body temperature on presentation for 3 patients who delivered prematurely was significantly higher than for those who delivered at term [39.2 +/- 0.7 degrees C versus 38.7 +/- 1.3 degrees C]. There were no significant difference between the 2 groups in other clinical or biochemical parameters. There were no clinically detectable congenital malformations and no auditory, visual or other neurological deficits in the babies at birth or 6 months later. Quinine may be safe in the treatment of severe falciparum malaria during pregnancy

Clinical and therapeutic aspects of typhoid fever in Upper Egypt

This study included 160 patients [97 males and 63 females, their ages ranged from 3 to 45 years with a mean of 14.66 +/- 7.62 SD] suspected clinically to be typhoid or paratyphoid fevers. They were classified into two groups: Group I, included 93 patients who were blood culture-positive for salmonella and group II, included 67 patients who were culture-negative for salmonella. The criteria of inclusion included patients presenting with fever five days or more with apparent toxemia, headache, coated tongue and with or without splenomegaly. The patients were subjected to full clinical history, general examination, abdominal examination, routine investigations [abdominal ultrasonography, chest X-ray, ECG, urinalysis and stool analysis, complete blood picture, liver function tests and kidney function tests] as well as investigations for the diagnosis of enteric fever, Widal and modified Widal tests to all patients. Serum chloramphenicol level was estimated in 43 patients in group I and in 29 patients in group II and no statistical significant difference was found in the mean level between the two groups. Concerning therapy in the two groups, the response to chloramphenicol was significantly higher in group II in comparison with group I. On the other hand, the resistance to chloramphenicol was significantly higher in group I compared with group II. The responses to antibiotics other than chloramphenicol were similar in the two groups

Biochemical impacts of some organophosphorus insecticides on cabbage plants

The side effect of certain organophosphorus pesticides on some biochemical aspects of cabbage plants was studied. At growth period of two months, the field grown plants were treated with the pesticides malathion, pirimiphos methyl and prothiofos. The investigated insecticides were used at the recommended doses and the spray was repeated three times at interval of one month. After each spray, randomized samples were taken after 0, one and two weeks of application and biochemically analyzed. The obtained results could be summarized as follows: 1-Chlorophyll analysis showed no significant variation after the first application. While continuous reduction was recorded after the second and third treatment. 2- Sugars and carbohydrates content were deplated in the treated cabbage leaves after the consequent application with the studied pesticidal chemicals. Malathion induced the maximum decline followed by prothiofos and pirimiphos-methyl. 3- Free amino acids exhibited different responses as far as the individual impact of the used chemicals was considered. Total proteins content showed an increase after the first application in response to both malathion and prothiofos. However, all the used pesticides decreased proteins content of the treated cabbage leaves after the second and third application. 4- Elemental analysis revealed that N was declined after the second and third spray in particular as a function of the sprayed materials. On the other hand P content was enhanced in the treated cabbage leaves in response to all the studied pesticides. K recorded no fixed trend after the different applications with respect to the influence of the individual chemicals

Drug-excipients physicochemical in compatibility studies involving temazepam, medazepam and lorazepam

Differential scanning calorimetry [DSC] was mainly employed to predict the physicochemical incompatibility of 3 benzodiazepines, viz. temazepam, medazepam and lorazepam, with some common pharmaceutical excipients. The 3 drugs were found to be compatible with Avicel, Ac- Di-Sol, lactose, HPMC, dibasic calcium phosphate, starch, PVP and magnesium stearate. However, interactions of the benzodiazepines with PEG and stearic acid were detected and well confirmed utilizing TLC technique in addition to DSC

Epidural anesthesia alters stress response to surgery in children

The endocrinal response to surgical stress in lower abdomen and lower limb operations in 30 children, has been studied. Children were randomly allocated in one of two groups, each contained 15 children [N = 15]. Group 1 "control" received general anesthesia, while group 2 "epidural" received lumbar epidural blockade, in addition to light general anesthesia. Plasma cortisol and blood glucose levels have been estimated after induction of general anesthesia [control sample C], one, two and three hours later [1Hr, Hrs. and 3Hrs.]. It was found that plasma cortisol and blood glucose levels have significantly increased in group 1 "control" after one, two and three hours from start of surgery. On the other hand, in group 2 "epidural", the blockade of neurogenic impulses from site of surgery succeeded in attenuating these responses as evidenced by significantly lower plasma cortisol levels after two and three hours from the start of surgery compared to control value. Epidural anesthesia also succeeded in attenuating the hyperglycemic response to surgical stress as evidenced by a blood glucose level significantly lower in epidural group than control group at all intervals except for control sample. Therefore, epidural anesthesia can be considered a valuable technique to minimize the catabolic consequences of surgical stress in children. This can be of special value in high-risk children with poor nutritional status