method for purification of plant viruses belonging to different virus groups

A method for isolation and purification of plant viruses was described. The method involved use of organic solvents, differential centrifugation and density gradient centrifugation on step and linear caesium sulphate gradients with which a sucrose cushion was used. The method was found suitable for purification of a range of plant viruses belonging to different virus groups and representing the different shapes reported for plant viruses. The plant viruses purified through this method included Potato virus Y [PVY], Tobacco etch virus [TEV], Alfalfa mosaic virus [AMV], Cucumber mosaic virus [CMV], Tobacco mosaic virus [TMV] and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus [TYLCV]. Both the step and linear gradients of caesium sulphate gave similar results in isolation and purification of these viruses and no appreciable differences were observed between them when either of which was used

Hirschisprung's disease: Factors Affecting the Outcome at The National Ribat University Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan, 2007 to 2011

Hirschsprung's disease [HSD] remains the most frequent cause of child intestinal obstruction. to evaluate the effect of different factors at the final outcome, postoperative complications and the hospital stay of children with HSD. It is a retro-prospective analytical observational hospital based study, involving all the cases presented initially to the Paediatric Surgery Centre at the National Ribat University Hospital and confirmed to be a case of HSD. The data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed by the software SPSS version 17. Sixty four patients were involved in this study with male to female ratio of 5:1. The mean age at the first time of presentation was 9 days and the bulk of the patients seen from the center of Sudan. The emergency presentation accounted for 21.9% of the cases with the delayed passage of meconium and constipation as the main presenting symptoms. Complications occur mainly at day 13 post operatively with colostomy prolapse as the commonest type of complications. The age of the patients at the time of Pull Through Procedure [PTP] was range between 7 to 72 months and the mean body weight found to be 11.94 kg. Complications following PTP occur in 18.8% of the cases, with wound infection accounting for 15.6% of the cases. The total duration of hospital stay post operatively after reversal of colostomy was found to range between 6 and 60 days with a mean of 8.77 days and SD of [+/-] 6.657. The average hospital frequency of HSD in our study is compared to that encountered in European countries and Northern American countries. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for better outcome. Emergency presentation, age and the weight at Pull Through Operation and at the time of closure of colostomy, significantly affect the outcome and prolong the hospital stay

Congenital lower limb biphasic synovial sarcoma in a male newborn - Khartoum teaching hospital: a case report

Synovial sarcoma is a malignant mesenchymal neoplasm which commonly occurs in extremities of adults. We report on a 12-days-old boy who presented to the department of paediatric surgery at Khartoum teaching hospital with a biphasic synovial sarcoma in the lateral aspect of his left ankle. The tumor was treated with total excision and adjuvant chemotherapy.Histopathologic examination of the excised tumor revealed a biphasic synovial sarcoma. There was no evidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis of the tumor at follow-up examination 24 months postoperatively

Experience with penile circular fasciocutaneous flap in the treatment of long anterior urethral strictures

To evaluate our experience with penile circular fasciocutaneous flap urethroplasty for the repair of long penile and bulbar strictures. Between February 2003 and April 2005, a total of 21 circumcised patients with a mean age of 39 [range 11 - 79] years underwent penile circular fasciocutaneous flap urethroplasty for urethral strictures involving the penile and bulbar tracts. The average stricture length was 7 cm. Follow-up included retrograde urethrography at 3 weeks, 3 months and 12 to 18 months, and thereafter when needed, and evaluation of the urinary flow. The mean follow-up was 25.6 months [range 7 to 44 months]. The clinical outcome was defined as success when the patient had a good urinary stream, a post void residual urine 20 ml/sec, a normal and smooth caliber of the urethra as shown on retrograde urethrography and no urinary tract infection. Our initial success rate was 86% [18/21 patients]. An immediate successful outcome was achieved in 15/21 [71%] patients. Three patients had an unsatisfactory urinary stream in the immediate post-operative period which resolved after a single dilation or optical urethrotomy. With a mean follow-up of 26 months 2 patients developed a stricture at the proximal site of the repaired urethra necessitating resection and re-anastomosis. One patient with lichen sclerosus developed recurrence of the stricture and was subjected to suprapubic cystostomy, then further staged reconstruction was done. Immediate post-operative complications were encountered in 4 patients in the form of secondary hemorrhage, ischemia and sloughing of the penile skin, urethrocutaneous fistula which closed spontaneously and a decreased sensation at the lower limb in one patient each. Circular fasciocutaneous flap urethroplasty is a highly effective single-stage method of reconstructing long urethral strictures. It provides ample tissue for urethral substitution

socio-demography and clinical profile of vitiligo in Sudan

Vitiligo is a chronic skin disease that causes loss of pigment, resulting in irregular pale patches of skin. The precise cause of vitiligo is complex and not fully understood. There is some evidence suggesting it is caused by a combination of auto-immune, genetic, and environmental factors. The population incidence worldwide is considered to be between 0.1% and 2%. The disease has different clinical types but generally, it consists of areas of macular depigmentation, commonly on extensor aspects of extremities, on the face or neck, and in skin folds. Age of onset is often in young adulthood and the condition tends to progress gradually with lesions enlarging and extending until a quiescent state is reached. To define the socio-demography and clinical profile of vitiligo in Sudan. This study is a cross-sectional, clinico-epidemiological and hospital-based study, done in Khartoum Dermatologic Hospital [KDH]. The data were collected between June 2007 and November 2007. The total number of patients with vitiligo in the study was 113. Male patients were 47 [42%]. Children were 13 [11%], adults were 90 [80%] and elderlies were 10 [9%]. The mean age of onset of the disease was found to be 11.5 yrs in 22.5% of the patients. Patients with acute [< 1 yr] disease were 6 [5.4%], while those with chronic [>/= 1 yr] disease were 107 [94.6%]. The most commonly affected tribe was Algaa/'liyeen tribe [27%]. The commonest precipitating factor for vitiligo has been found to be emotional disturbances [in 27% of patients]. Commonest symptom of the disease was depigmented patch/es [64.8%]. Severe [>/= 10%] involvement of skin surface area was found in 59% of patients, while mild [<10%] involvment was found in 41% Koebner sign was found to be present in 42% of patients. The disease was active in 47.3% of patients. The bilaterally symmetrical pattern of distribution was the commonest pattern [in 85%]. The commonest clinical type of vitiligo was the generalized type [82.3%]. 35% of patients with vitiligo had positive family history. The clinical profile of vitiligo in Sudan was not so different from that found worldwide

Teenage cigarette smokers with schistosoma mansoni: Effect of multifacet management on hepatic and bronchio-alveolar disposition

Schitosomiasis and cigarette smoking are among the common health hazards in young Egyptians worthy of concern. The present study aims to investigate the influence of cigarette smoking and management strategy on serum and branchioalveolar lavage [BAL] parameters in teenage male cases with and without S.mansoni. Certain indices of immuno-inflammatory response, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, vasoactive mechanisms and anti-oxidant defense capacity would be evaluated. The study included forty selected cigarette smoker male cases [mean age 15.9 +/- 2.6 years] who were sub-classified equally into two groups involving cases with S.mansoni [G I] and without S.mansoni [G II]. Ten age-matched non Schistosomal individuals non-smokers were included as a control [G Ill]. Biochemical assessment of serum and BAL included the evaluation of cotinine, total thiols, ceruloplasmin, uric acid, lipid peroxidation product, interleukin-5, eotaxin, RANTES, surfactant proteins A and D, procollagen Ill, trace elements and hepatocyte growth factor. Management strategy was evaluated after six months of quitting smoking and treatment with praziquantel, Nigella sativa, Garlic extract and antioxidants. The result showed that alterations in assessed parameters were greatly influenced by cigarette smoking more profoundly in cases with S mansoni. The management strategy identified the alleviation of reactive oxygen species [ROS] determinants on immuno-inflammatory response with beneficial outcome in assessed parameters. In conclusion, the proposed strategy for management of smoking in teenagers especially those with liver disposition was effective and identified the greater benefits of early intervention alongside smoking cessation

Presentation of colorectal cancer in Khartoum teaching hospital

To determine the age and gender distribution in Sudanese patients with colorectal cancer, as seen in Khartoum Teaching Hospital, and to study its emergency presentation. This retrospective study was conducted in Khartoum Teaching Hospital [Sudan]. Two hundred and seventy seven [277] patients who presented in the period 1[st] January 2000 to 31[st] December 2006 were included. Data were collected from their hospital records and analyzed using SPSS computer program. More than 100 [34.5%] of the study population [n=277] were below the age of 40 years, and 17.3% were below 30 years. The male to female ratio was 1.5:1. Intestinal obstruction was the most common cause of emergency presentation of colorectal cancer [94%]. Colorectal cancer in this study was found in young age groups. Intestinal obstruction is the main mode of its emergency presentation

Accelerated stability study and microbiological tests on new oral matrix delivery systems for diclofenac sodium

An accelerated stability study was performed on diclofenac sodium controlled release matrix tablets [MT20,MT33,MT34,MT33p,MT34p] containing natural gums, semi-synthetic gum, Eudragit L100,and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose [HPMC]. Drug content was found to be in the range of 90-105% in all the five matrix formulas. Applying out of stability trend rules [OOT], the best formula was found to be MT33 which contained Guar gum 15%, and gum Arabic 15%. No changes in physical appearance, or organoleptic properties were observed. Microbiological tests for the five matrix tablets were evaluated. No growth [bacteria or fungi] was detected, in preserved or non-preserved formulas despite of the gum content in these controlled release tablets

6-Acetyl-3-O-acetyl-7, 4' - dimethoxy-5-hydroxy3', 5'- dimethoxyflavanone from the Bark of Khaya senegalensis

The flavanone: 6-acetyl -3-O-acety-7, 4'-diethoxy-5-hydroxy -3', 5'-dimethoxyflavanone is reported for the first time from the bark of Khaya senegalensis growing in the Sudan its structure was deduced from UV, MS, and NMR spectral analysis

Clinical significance of anigogenic marker in Egyptian bladder cancer patients

Vascular Endothelial growth factor [VEGF] is a principle growth factor mediating angiogenesis. The high expression of VEOF within bladder tumors is associated with a poor prognosis. We determined tissue, plasma and urinary levels of VEGF in patients with bladder cancer to study their correlation with the classical clinicopathological factors and to assess its potential role in the evaluation of bladder cancer patients. Materials and VEGF was measured by enzymeimmunoassay in the tissue, plasma and urine of 100 bladder cancer patients and in corresponding 40 healthy volunteers. Tumor tissue samples were standardized to the protein content and urine samples were normalized for creatinine content. Tissue, plasma and urinary VEGF levels were significantly elevated in bladder cancer patients compared to healthy controls [p < 0.001]. The highest VEGF levels were noted in patients with invasive and poorly differentiated bladder cancer compared to those with superficial and well or moderately differentiated individuals followed by healthy controls. Similarly, we detected the same observation in patients with lymph node metastases signifying that VEGF increases with tumor progression. Also, VEGF levels for schistosomal bladder cancer patients were elevated compared to non-schistosomal patients [although they were insignificantly different] and healthy controls as they correlated significantly together suggesting that bilharziasis may participate in angiogenie switch. VEGF sensitivity was superior to urine cytology and combined sensitivity between them was the highest [100%] when urine cytology combined with plasma or urinary VEGE Tissue, plasma and urinary VEGF were significantly correlated together implying that the tumor is the source of plasma and urinary VEGF. Our study demonstrates that strongly expressed VEGF may be relevant for diagnosis of bladder cancer patients, and it is implicated in the pathogenesis of bladder cancer progression. Quantification of urinary VEGF may provide a novel noninvasive marker for the early detection of bladder cancer as well a therapy target

Role of non invasive biomarkers in the assessment of liver condition in chronic hepatitis C Egyptian patients and if they correlate with the severity of liver affection

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] is considered the most common etiology of chronic liver disease in Egypt. Anti-HCV-positive patients are more likely to have elevated liver enzymes, liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension and spleen enlargement. Schistosomal liver disease in Egypt is commonly associated with HCV infection. Concurrent infection results in much more severe liver affection than that seen in either disease alone. Chronic hepatitis C is a slowly progressive inflammatory disease that can lead to cirrhosis with all its complications. Thus, repeated assessment of liver condition is always required. Assessment of liver damage has been primarily done by liver function tests as well as by histological evaluation. Meanwhile, assessment of liver affection is mainly done by liver biopsy with histological analysis which always remains the "reference standard" used by physicians to assess the presence as well as the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver diseases and also to determine the appropriate management. However, many physicians are cautious to perform liver biopsy because of the relative risks associated with this procedure, particularly in patients with coagulation abnormalities. Among the possible alternatives, imaging is informative mainly for cirrhosis but not for lesser stages of fibrosis. In addition, it is nonquantitative and thus cannot track progression. Unfortunately, there are few reliable noninvasive methods for detecting liver fibrosis and its progression. Thus, a noninvasive test detecting hepatic fibrosis has become a priority in the context of hepatitis C evaluation and treatment. Therefore, identifying hepatic biomarkers that correlate with the severity of the liver pathology is an important issue in the follow up of such cases. Few serum markers such as hyaluronic acid, ferritin, and soluble interleukin-2 receptor [sIL-2R] have been reported to be useful in detecting fibrosis in liver disease. The aim of this study is to clarify the diagnostic value of serum hyaluronic acid, ferritin, and soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels as non-invasive biomarkers in the assessment of the liver condition in chronic hepatitis C Egyptian patients with and without concurrent Bilharzial affection and moreover, to evaluate whether their serum levels correlate with the histological severity of the related liver injury. One hundred and twenty Egyptian subjects were included in this study. They were divided into three main groups. Group A [n=30] included patients with chronic hepatitis C and with liver fibrosis as assessed by abdominal ultrasonography, Group B [n = 60] included patients with chronic hepatitis C and with liver cirrhosis and/or history of antibilharzial treatment and positive rectal snips for bilharzial ova, and Group C [n = 30] included apparently normal age and sex-matched subjects taken as a control group. Group B was further subdivided into two subgroups according to liver cirrhosis staging as performed by abdominal ultrasonography, where Subgroup B1 [n = 30] included patients with early cirrhotic changes while Subgroup B2 [n = 30] included patients with advanced cirrhotic changes. Patients were diagnosed as having hepatitis C by detecting HCV antibodies using a third generation enzyme immunoassay, ELISA. Biochemical blood tests were carried out to evaluate liver functions in the form of serum transaminases [AST and ALT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], gamma glutamate [GGT], total bilirubin, as well as serum albumin. In addition, serum hyaluronic acid, ferritin, as well as sIL-2R levels were measured by EL1SA. Our study detected impaired liver functions in all patient groups compared to the controls. Liver functions were also detected to be more impaired in each of subgroup B1 early cirrhosis as well as in B2 advanced cirrhosis patients compared to group A fibrosis patients and this was statistically significant. Meanwhile, our study also demonstrated statistically significant difference on comparing both subgroups B1 and B2 together showing more impairment in subgroup. B2 advanced cirrhosis patients. The above findings denote that as the liver condition progresses from fibrosis to early then to advanced cirrhosis, the liver enzymes as well as the bilirubin concentrations increase progressively and the serum albumin concentrations decrease progressively, thus indicating more deterioration in liver functions and more liver injury. Not only this, but also our study detected more deterioration in liver functions occurring in the presence of bilharzial infection concurrent with hepatitis C infection than without it. This was shown clearly from comparing group B patients, whether subgroup B1 or B2, with history of bilharziasis to group A patients without, denoting that concurrent bilharzial infection adds more to the liver affection. As regarding the hepatic biomarkers, namely, serum hyaluronic acid, ferritin, and sIL-2R, our study detected statistically increased serum levels in each of the patient groups compared to the controls. A progressive increase in their serum levels was detected as the liver condition progressively deteriorates. Meanwhile, more serum level elevations occurred with the presence of bilharzial infection concurrent with hepatitis C infection than without it. In addition, our study reported that in advanced cirrhosis subgroup B2 patients; there was a significant positive correlation detected between each of serum hyaluronic acid, ferritin, and sIL-2R and each of ALT and GGT serum levels. A positive correlation was also detected between serum hyaluronic acid and ALP. Meanwhile, a significant negative correlation was detected between each of the above three biomarkers and serum albumin level. In conclusion, our study reported that in chronic hepatitis C Egyptian patients, as the liver affection progresses, the liver functions deteriorate progressively, thus indicating more liver injury. Not only this, but also more deterioration in liver functions was detected in the presence of concurrent bilharzial infection than without it. As regarding the serum biomarkers: serum hyaluronic acid, ferritin, and sIL-2R, a progressive increase in their serum levels was detected as the liver condition progressively deteriorates. In addition, more elevations occurred in the presence of concurrent bilharzial infection. Moreover, our study detected that in advanced cirrhosis, these biomarkers correlate significantly with the liver functions denoting not only their diagnostic value as non-invasive biomarkers in the assessment of the liver condition, but also that their levels correlate with the histological severity of the related liver injury, and thus can be used in the prognostic follow up to assess the degree of liver pathological progression especially when liver biopsy is contraindicated, thus, protecting the patient from its hazards especially in cases of hepatic coagulopathy which is well known to occur in this category of patients

role of [99m] Tc-MIBI SPET in predicting and monitoring the chemotherapeutic response in primary lung cancer

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of technetium-99m methoxyisonitrile [MIBI] which is more available and cheaper than PET agents in monitoring the chemotherapeutic response in primary lung cancer. In this study, 37 patients with primary lung cancer underwent 99mTc-MIBI single photon emission tomography [SPET] before chemotherapy and after the 3rd cycle of chemotherapy. SPET images were recorded at 15 minutes [early] and at 3-4 hours [delayed] post- injection of the tracer. From the SPET images, early and delayed tumor/lung ratios [ER and DR] were obtained before and after chemotherapy. CT scan studies before and after chemotherapy were also performed for all patients. According to the changes in tumor size on CT scan taken two weeks after the 3rd cycle of the chemotherapy, patients were divided into two groups, responders [R[+]] and non- responders [R[-]]. The results suggested that 99mTc-MIBI might be used in routine practice not only to detect and evaluate active lesions, but also to predict and monitor the chemotherapeutic response in patients with primary lung cancer, especially when PET is not available

Hair versus urine analysis for monitoring drug abuse among employees

The Importance of the pre-employment drug test is to eliminate substance-abusing job candidates from the pool of prospective employees. By eliminating substance abusers from sensitive jobs before they ever actually enter the workplace, we are protecting the community from the dangers and hassles a drug-abusing employee presents. Hair analysis for unpriscribed drugs is not only effective, dignified, and alternative to urine testing, but also it is more sensitive and more difficult to evade. Because of these characteristics, it can used as a screening test for employees in important jobs as pilots, drivers etc. to be sure of having a drug free employee. The existing and potential advantages of the technique in diagnosing both opiate abuse and other sorts of drug abuse among employees are discussed and compared with urine detecting drug abuse tests. The data showed that hair test is more sensitive in detecting and more important in monitoring drug abuse than urine test. Also it gives the ability to quantify, detect the month of drug use and to measure changes in intake from month to month. This study recommends the use of hair as a biological test for monitoring drug abuse among employees and workers in sensitive jobs

modulatory effects of some drugs with potential influence on oxidative cell damage on experimental ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] where reactive oxygen species [ROS] are produced in excess. There are comparatively low tissue levels of endogenous antioxidants in the colonic mucosa. Oxidative stress occurred in IBD may therefore easily overwhelm the endogenous defenses that regulate ROS production. Our aim was to assess the ability of vitamins C, deferoxamine [Dfx] and amlodipine [Amlo] to inhibit colonic inflammation in dextran sulphate sodium [DSS]-induced colitis in rats. We used thirty mature male albino rats assigned to Group I: normal control. Group II: received DSS+0.5 ml 0.9% normal saline daily. Group III: received DSS+vitamin C 100 mg/kg b.w./day. Group IV: received DSS+amlodipine 3 mg/kg/day. Group V: received DDS+Dfx 300 micro mol/kg/day. Acute colitis was induced by 3% DSS in drinking water for 7 days. Vitamin C, amlodipine, and deferoxamine were administered orally for 7 days before and a further 7 days during treatment with DSS. Rats without colitis received regular drinking water. On day 14 of drug treatment, colons were excised and opened longitudinally. Gross colonic mucosal injury were observed and scored. Colonic wet/dry weight ratios were calculated as an indirect index of the inflammatory reaction. Colonic myeloperoxidase [MPO] activity, glutathione [GSH] and Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were measured. The results of the present study showed that pretreatment of the rats with vitamin C, Amlo and Dfx reduced the gross mucosal injury developed after induction of colitis. These drugs prevented the increase in MPO activity produced in these cases of inflammation. Pretreatment of animals with vitamin C, Amlo or Dfx prevented the depletion of colonic GSH caused by DSS-induced colonic injury. All of the tested drugs were found also to decrease the enhanced lipid per oxidation observed in this model of DSS-induced colitis in rats. It can be concluded that pretreatment with vitamin C, amlodipine and deferoxamine can inhibit the inflammatory process in DSS-induced colitis in rats through their antioxidant properties

study of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist as a marker of early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the serum level of IL- Ira in the blood of high risk neonates [with PROM >24 h.] as a predictor of sepsis before the clinical diagnosis. The study included 29 term neonates [15 males and 14 females, their mean value of gestational ages was 37.65 +/- 1.1 weeks and the birth weight was 2.9 +/- 0.5 kg]. They were subjected to full history, clinical examination and laboratory investigations including complete blood count [CBC], C-reactive protein [CRP], blood culture and quantitative determination of serum IL-Ira levels by ELISA technique. Three consecutive samples were taken from each neonate: The first sample [A] was obtained immediately after delivery, the second sample [B] after 48 hours and the third [C] after 96 hours. The studied neonates were divided into two groups: Group I [septic group] included 15 neonates with proven sepsis and group II [healthy non-septic control group] included 14 neonates. Data suggested that the assessment of IL-Ira may be used as an early diagnostic tool in neonates with a suspicion of sepsis

Comparative study between circular stapled haemorroidectomy, and diathermy haemorroidectomy

In this study, 220 patients were randomized to either stapled hemorrhoidectomy [n = 110] or diathermy hemorrhoidectomy [n = 110]. Each patient received standardized postoperative analgesic and laxative regimens and completed a linear analogue pain score every six hours during the first postoperative day, at the time of the first motion and twice daily until discharge from hospital. Operating time, frequency of postoperative analgesic intake, hospital stay and postoperative complications were also recorded. The mean [range] age was 39.2 [30-63] years in group 1 and 41.1 [32-61] years in group 2. The stapled group had a shorter operating time, less frequent postoperative analgesia intake and shorter hospital stay. The postoperative complications were less frequent in the stapled group

benefit of postoperative radiotherapy in high-risk premenopausal women with breast cancer who receive adjuvant chemotherapy

Postoperative radiotherapy has been known to reduce rates of loco regional recurrences in women with breast cancer, but whether it prolongs overall survival is still a controversial subject. This randomized trial was conducted to test the effect of postoperative radiotherapy in high-risk premenopausal women with breast cancer who also received adjuvant systemic chemotherapy. A total of 82 high-risk pre menopausal women with breast cancer were randomly assigned, after modified radical mastectomy to receive either chemotherapy plus radiotherapy or chemotherapy alone. Radiotherapy was given to the chest wall and regional lymph nodes between the third and fourth cycles of FAC chemotherapy [5-Flourouracil. Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide], each cycle was administered every 3 weeks for 6 cycles. The end points were loco regional recurrence, distant metastases, disease free survival and overall survival. After 5 years of follow up, the frequency of loco regional recurrence alone or with distant metastases was 9.5% among the women assigned to radiotherapy plus FAC and 35% among those treated only with FAC [P = 0.005]. The disease free survival was 61.9% among the women who received radiotherapy plus FAC and 40% among those treated only with FAC [P = 0.047]. The overall survival was 73.8% among those given radiotherapy and FAC and 52.5% among those who received FAC alone [P = 0.045]. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that post mastectomy radiation therapy significantly improved disease free survival and overall survival irrespective of tumor size, the number of positive nodes, or the histopathological grade [p0.042 and p=0.014 respectively]. The addition of radiotherapy to adjuvant chemotherapy after modified radical mastectomy reduces locoregional recurrences and prolongs survival in high risk premenopausal women with breast cancer

Flow inejction amperometric determination of some toxic metals at low levels in aqueous solutions

Copper [II], iron [III], antimony [V] and arsenic [V] were determined as bromine, which is liberated through the reaction of the metal ions with acidic bromide solution by flow injection amperometry at a platinum electrode by injecting the sample into an eluent: KBr in H2SO4 for both Cu [II] and Fe [III], or KBr in HCl for both Sb [V] and As [V]. The rectilinearity range is from 10-3 to 10-7 M. Antimony [III] and arsenic [III], that can be oxidized by bromine, were determined on-line by injecting the acidic solutions of the samples into bromate-bromide eluent and observing the decrease in the bromine signal. The determination was also performed by injecting a pre- reacted solution of bromide and Sb [V] or As [V] and monitoring the bromine produced. The method have been applied successfully to commercial tablet forms [for iron], alloys [for copper] or in the bulk powders [iron, antimony and arsenic]. The results obtained were compared statistically with those given by the titrimetric methods

Haemodynamic profile of isoflurane versus total intravenous anaesthsia in patients submitted for closed mitral commissurotomy

This study was conducted on 16 patients submitted to closed mitral commissurotomy surgery. They were randomly classified into two groups eight patients each. The first group recieved thiopentone-for induction and isoflourane-vecronium for maintenance The second group received kjtamine-midazolam for induction and then followed by continuous infusion according to a pharmacokinetics based multistepped decreasing regimen. Arterial cannulation and pulmonary artrey catheter were fixed to measure the haemodynamic variables at 5 time points before and during surgery. Data are collected and analysed statistically to compare both groups and record changes during the course of surgery inside each group. The results showed non significant changes between the two groups regarding the haemodynamic parameters recorded, but the systemic vascular resistance [SVR] was significantly increased in the isoflourane group at post-commissurotomy time point. In conclusion, TIVA with ketamine-midazolam can provide a pattern of haemodynamic stability during mitral valve stenosis surgery comparable to that of isoflurane. Concomitant ad-minsteration of midazolam to ketamine according to the regemin used in this study almost neutralized the cardiovascular effects of ketamine