Therapeutic trial of effective erythropoietin suppression in children affected with beta-thalassemia major: a three-year follow-up

A Three-year follow up study was conducted on 45 regularly transfused beta-thalassemic children; 23 of them were also given captopril therapy [6.25-12.5mg b.i.d.]. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of captopril in inducing more effective suppression of erythropoiesis. Twenty age and sex matched controls were included at the end of study. All thalassemics were evaluated for their blood pressure [BP], hemoglobin [Hb], blood urea, serum creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, reticulocytic index [RI], serum ferritin, serum erythropoietin [sEpo] and serum transferrin receptors [s Tfr]; at the start and at the end of the study. Results showed that subjects given captopril, after 3 years therapy, had lower sEpo, sTfr and RI [31, 9, and 1.41 versus 60 mU/ml, 16 microg/ml, 2.3 respectively]; less incidence of splenomegaly [39 versus 77%]; higher height velocity and weight values; compared to thalassemics without captopril therapy [P<0.05]. Captopril used in regularly transfused beta-thalassemics could induce better suppression of endogenous erythropoiesis with reasonable cost, fair compliance and no side effects

Predictive value of faecal helicobacter antigen detection in diagnosis and post eradication follow up of patients with helicobacter pylori infection

This study was carried out in its first stage - on 50 dyspeptic patients [Group A] who were positive for H. pylon infection in two simultaneously done tests: biopsy unease test [HUT test] and serological test for - anti H. pylon lgG, and 15 patients [Group B] with negative both tests. All subjects were tested for the presence of H. pylori antigen in their stools using a novel test [premier platinum Hp SA test]. 48 patients of group A were positive while 14 of group B were negative with a sensitivity and specificity 96% and 93.3% respectively. In the second stage of this study; the 48 patients with positive Hp SA test received a triple therapy of Omepazole 20 mg, Tinidazole 500 mg and Calrithromycin 250 mg in a bid dosage for one week. Omeprazole 20 mg daily was given for further 3 weeks as a consolidation therapy. After at least 4 weeks or more both HUT test and Hp SA test were repeated. 8 patients were still positive for both tests while 40 patients were negative for HUT test; 37 of them were negative for Hp SA test with a sensitivity and specificity 100% and 92.5% respectively. Comparison between the results of Hp SA test before eradication therapy revealed non statistically significant difference between the sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value of the test. However; the positive predictive value of the test was significantly higher during initial estimation than during post eradication assessment [P <0.05]. So, we concluded that Hp SA is a test with a high sensitivity and specificity in comparison to biopsy urease test either for the first diagnosis of H. pylori infection or for post-eradication assessment of treatment. It is easy to be done in any laboratory. Collection of faecal specimen is easy either in the elderlies or children and who refuse gastroscopy on when this is not available

Some biological effects of the insecticide carbaryl on mice

Two groups of male Swiss albino mice were studied. The first group was treated daily with 1/10 LD50 of insecticide carbaryl for 2 weeks. The second group was treated with corn oil as a control. Five animals from each group were decapitated 1 hour, 24 hours, 1, 3 and 5 weeks after the last dose. Hematological parameters [hemoglobin level [Hb], hematocrit value [Ht] red blood cells count [RBCs] and white blood cells count [WBCs]] were measured in blood while the hormones [thyroxine, testosterone and cortisol] were assayed in serum. No significant changes were recorded in Hb, Ht and RBCs. Only WBCs significantly increased 3 and 5 weeks after the last dose. Thyroxine level increased in treated animals with a peak 24 hours after the last dose, while testosterone level decreased. On the other hand, cortisol level did not show significant changes. The brain AChE activity decreased sharply after 1 hour, while kidney ALP increased gradually. Carbaryl caused a pronounced direct suppressive effect on cellular immunity and humoral immunity. The suppressive effect of carbaryl on immune response was time dependent

Prostaglandin E2 in cancer of head and neck

Plasma PGE2 was measured in fourteen patients with head and neck carcinoma andin another fourteen healthy subjects. The former group had a significantlyhigher level than the latter. There was a significant correlation betweengrade of the tumor and PGE2 level. Also, bone invasion and PGE2 level inplasma showed a significant correlation. These results were discussed in viewof previous studies and the possible clinical application was highlighted. The biological roles played by prostaglandins [PGs] were illustrated for arelatively short time

Fecal alpha-1-antitrypsin concentration in patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis

Using fecal alpha-1-antitrypsin [FA-1-AT] as an endogenous marker of enteric protein loss, measurements on random non-dried stool samples were carried out in 20 normal healthy subjects and 30 patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis [SHF]; 12 of them had intestinal polyposis [IP] and better hepatic functions than the others. FA1-AT concentrations were significantly higher in schistosomal patients with or without IP than in normal subjects, Excluding those with IP, increased enteric protein loss was detected in 11 patients [61.1%] with SHF and there were definite relationship between FA-1-AT conentraion and serum albumin level [r = 0.475], prothrombin activity [r = --0.625], Child-Pugh score [r = 0.614] and the presence of ascites. On the other hand, patients with IP had significantly higher FA-1-AT concentration and serum albumin level than other schistosomal patients. This excessive enteric protein loss did not correlate with serum albumin level or severity of liver disease. The cause-and-effect relationship between enteric protein loss and hypoalbuminemia has been discussed in the light of these findings. It can be concluded that protein-losing enteropathy [PLE] in patients with SHF appears to represent a paraphenomenon associated with the progress of liver disease and only becomes of major clinical significance when the hepatic synthetic activity is compromised. Determination of FA-1-AT concentration proved to be an inexpensive, rapid, convenient, non isotopic screening test that eases diagnosis of PLE

Changes in amino-acids and ammonia associated with transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP]

The plasma levels of some amino-acids and ammonia were determined pre and postoperatively in 15 old male patients underwent transurethral prostatic resection [TURP] under subarachnoid block. Glycine 1.5% was used as the irrigant solution. TURP was associated with a significant rise in plasma levels of glycine and serine, a significant drop in alanine, glutamic acid and proline levels. There were no significant changes in threonine and aspartic acid. Following TURP, plasma ammonia showed a significant increase. This increase was within the physiological range and was not associated with toxic manifestations