Impact of stoma care education in minimizing the incidence of Stoma Skin Complications

Objective: To evaluate a structured patient education program on minimizing skin complications in ostomy patients

Design: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Setting: Surgical Ward and Outpatient Clinic, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Method: One hundred adult stoma patients, divided into two groups [study and control, fifty each] were included in the study from October 2014 and completed in April 2015. A designed stoma care educational program was given to study group before discharge. Peristomal skin area was assessed after hospital discharge one week, three weeks and six weeks, for the study and control group

Result: The study found a significant decrease in peristomal skin complications in the study group [P-value .028] and significant increase of stoma skin complications in the control group [P-value .000]. Highly statistically significant difference between the study and control group of skin assessment around the stoma of patients six weeks postoperatively [P-value .028]

Conclusion: Complications of stoma could be due to the lack of knowledge of stoma-care. Patients with stoma who attended the structured patient education program have less peristomal skin complications compared to those who did not attend. Educational program aimed to increase the knowledge of stoma-care is recommended

Incidence of influenza virus-associated severe acute respiratory infection in Damanhour district, Egypt, 2013

The epidemiology, seasonality and risk factors for influenza virus infection remains poorly defined in countries such as Egypt. Between 1 January and 31 December 2013, we used surveillance data on patients hospitalized with severe acute respiratory infection in three Egyptian government hospitals in Damanhour district to estimate the incidence rate of laboratory-confirmed seasonal influenza. Samples were taken from 1727 of 1856 patients; of these, 19% were influenza virus positive. The overall incidence of influenza virus-associated SARI during the study period was estimated to be 44 cases per 100 000 person-years [95% CI: 39-48]. The highest incidence of 166 cases per 100 000 person year [95% CI: 125-220] was observed in children aged 2 to 4 years. The incidence of influenza-virus associated SARI cases in pregnant women was estimated to be 17.3 cases per 100 000 person-years [95% CI: 6-54]. Majority of influenza virus-associated SARI occurred in autumn and early winter, and influenza A[H3N2] virus predominated. This was the first ever description of the epidemiology of seasonal influenza in Egypt. However, additional works are needed for greater understanding of influenza burden in Egypt

Functional and prognostic relevance of -173 G/C gene polymorphism of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in sepsis patients in Egyptian intensive care units

This study aimed to evaluate the association of plasma MIF level and -173 G/C single nucleotide polymorphism of the MIF gene with the occurrence, severity and mortality of sepsis patients. A study was conducted in adult surgical intensive care units of Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt on 25 patients with sepsis, 27 with severe sepsis and 28 controls. Gram-negative bacilli were the most common isolates in both severe sepsis [63.0%] and sepsis [56.0%] patients. A highly statistically significant difference was found in MIF levels between sepsis cases and controls and a statistically significant difference as regards MIF level in different genotypes of the studied groups. MIF level was significantly associated with mortality in sepsis cases. High MIF levels and MIF -173G/C gene polymorphism are powerful predictors of the severity of sepsis and its outcome

Lactulose and donepezil ameliorate thioacetamide-induced hepatic encephalopathy in rats

Hepatic encephalopathy [HE] is neuropsychological complication that is common in patients with acute or chronic liver disease as well as in porto-systemic shunting of blood flow. The pathophysiology of this disease is quite complex, as it involves overproduction and reduced metabolism of various neurotoxins, particularly ammonia. Thioacetamide [TAA]-induced HE is a reliable model of HE in which rats were given thioacetamide [TAA] 200mg/kg orally for 2 consecutive days. The TAA group showed lower motor activity than the normal group by using open field and forced swimming tests. Oxidative stress conditions were manifested by free radical production, lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione and nitric oxide contents. Alterations in the metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitters have been proposed to be involved in the development of the HE associated with experimental and human liver failure. Pretreatment with lactulose or donepezil could counteract these effects. The protective effect of both lactulose and donepezil can be attributed to their antioxidant and neuromodulatory potential

Ameliorative Effect of Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells on Injured Liver of Mice Infected with Schistosoma mansoni

The technique of stem cells or hepatocytes transplantation has recently improved in order to bridge the time before whole-organ liver transplantation. In the present study, unfractionated bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) were harvested from the tibial and femoral marrow compartments of male mice, which were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) with and without hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and then transplanted into Schistosoma mansoni-infected female mice on their 8th week post-infection. Mice were sacrificed monthly until the third month of bone marrow transplantation, serum was collected, and albumin concentration, ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were assayed. On the other hand, immunohistopathological and immunohistochemical changes of granuloma size and number, collagen content, and cells expressing OV-6 were detected for identification of liver fibrosis. BMSCs were shown to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. Serum ALT, AST, and ALP were markedly reduced in the group of mice treated with BMSCs than in the untreated control group. Also, granuloma showed a marked decrease in size and number as compared to the BMSCs untreated group. Collagen content showed marked decrease after the third month of treatment with BMSCs. On the other hand, the expression of OV-6 increased detecting the presence of newly formed hepatocytes after BMSCs treatment. BMSCs with or without HGF infusion significantly enhanced hepatic regeneration in S. mansoni-induced fibrotic liver model and have pathologic and immunohistopathologic therapeutic effects. Also, this new therapeutic trend could generate new hepatocytes to improve the overall liver functions.

Epidemiological characterization of P. aeruginosa isolates of intensive care units in Egypt and Saudi Arabia

This study aimed to characterize Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in 2 intensive care units in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. P. aeruginosa isolates from patients' and staff hands and environmental samples were typed using antibiotyping and ERIC-PCR. In Egypt, isolates from suction apparatus tubing and drainage containers [A7] and AV tubing [A8] were linked to those from patients who had these antibiotypes. In Saudi Arabia, isolates from suction apparatus tubing [A6] and AV tubing [A7] were linked to patients with the same antibiotypes. In Egypt, patients' isolates had ERIC VII, VIII and IX patterns linked to suction apparatus tubing, AV machine tubes and drainage containers. In Saudi Arabia, patients' isolates had ERIC VIII and XI patterns linked to suction apparatus tubing and AV machines. In Egypt and Saudi Arabia, ERIC typing gave higher discriminatory indices [0.801 and 0.785 respectively] than the antibiotyping [0.7123 and 0.728 respectively]. ERIC was superior to antibiotyping and should be used in tracing sources of infection

Counseling and depression among diabetic patients

To determine the level of depression in diabetic patients and investigate the effect of a counseling program on the level of depression. A pre-post experimental study was conducted at the outpatient medical clinics of the Health Insurance Hospital affiliated to the Ministry of Health, Mansoura, Egypt. The study was carried out between June 2011 and September 2011. One hundred and twenty type II diabetic patients were recruited in this study. We used 2 tools for data collection: a] A structured interview questionnaire including socio-demographic and disease related data. b] The Zung self-rating depression scale. We classified the subjects into 2 equal groups of 60 patients each [group A - control and group B - experimental]. Both groups were interviewed after 3 months to assess the level of depression. On initial assessment, depression was found in approximately 57.5% of the control group, and severe depression in 32.5%. On second assessment, the depression rate in the control group increased to 67.5%, while the severe depression rate decreased to 25%. In the experimental group, at initial assessment, it was noticed that the percentage of subjects with no depressions increase to be 39.7% instead of 27%, also, the level of mild and severe depression decrease to be 56.1% post assessment instead of 58.4% and 14.6%.Counseling, as a nursing intervention, is helpful in reducing the level of depression among diabetic patients

Evaluation of the beneficial efficacy of curcumin on experimental lung fibrosis of adult male albino rats: a light and electron microscopic study

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is one of the major types of potentially lethal lung diseases. Curcumin, a natural phenolic compound of Curcuma longa Linn, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. It is a potent inhibitor of reactive oxygen-generating enzymes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the beneficial efficacy on curcumin on experimental lung fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride [CCl [4]] on adult male albino rats. A total of 32 adult male albino rats were divided into four groups. Group I [four rats] was the control group. Group II [eight rats] was further subdivided into two equal subgroups; subgroup IIA was given corn oil [1 mg/kg orally] and subgroup IIB was given curcumin [100mg/kg orally, daily]. Group III [10 rats] was given CCl[4] [1ml/kg twice a week by intraperitoneal route] and group IV [10 rats] was given curcumin 1 week before and concomitantly with CCl[4] injection. Half of the rats of each group were sacrificed after 2 weeks [subgroup A, for short-term study] and the other half were sacrificed after 5 weeks [subgroup B, for long-term study] Lung tissues were processed for light microscope [L/M] and electron microscope [E/M] studies. Moreover, morphometric study was carried out. Subgroup IIIA [short-term study] showed a nonsignificant increase in the mean area percentage of collagen fibers and a nonsignificant decrease in the number of type II pneumocytes. Lung sections revealed local areas of interstitial inflammatory reaction, intra-alveolar hemorrhage, edema, and congestion of pulmonary vessels. Subgroup IIIB [long-term study] revealed a highly significant increase in the mean area percentage of collagen fibers and a significant decrease in the number of type II pneumocytes. Lung sections showed diffuse interstitial inflammatory reaction, foci of necrotic alveolar walls, and diffuse interstitial accumulation of collagen. E/M examination revealed degenerative changes and necrosis of type I and II pneumocytes. The alveolar macrophages showed signs of activation. For 2 weeks the curcumin-supplemented group [subgroup VIA] showed an improvement in their histological findings, as revealed by the significant increase in the number of type II pneumocytes that appeared activated. Type I pneumocytes appeared healthy. After 5 weeks [subgroup VIB], there was more improvement as revealed by the highly significant decrease in the mean are percentage of collagen fibers, highly significant increase in the number of type II pneumocytes, and very minimal inflammatory reaction. Curcumin has an ameliorating effect against lung damage induced by CCI[4]. Thus, this study introduces curcumin as one of the natural herbal remedies that could act as a potential preventive agent against interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Addition of this compound to the food of those individuals who are vulnerable to interstitial pulmonary fibrosis is recommended

Role of MRI in characterization of occult breast lesions in high risk population

To evaluate the diagnostic validity of breast MRI in discriminating benign from malignant lesions in women with occult breast lesions who are at a high risk of developing breast cancer, with histopathologic findings and/or follow up used as the reference standard. Contrast-enhanced bilateral breast MRI was performed on 100 women at high risk of developing breast cancer with indeterminate imaging findings by mammography and/or ultrasonography. Lesions detected by MRI that could represent potential malignancies in both breasts were evaluated. Morphologic assessment and kinetic analysis [contrast enhancement and time/intensity curves] were performed on each lesion using dedicated postprocessing and display software. Functional MR tools were used in about 60% of cases to help in the differential diagnosis between malignant and benign of suspicious lesions detected at conventional MRI. Among 100 patients included in the study12% of the patients were finally diagnosed as free of any pathology, 56% had benign findings, while 31% of the patients were malignant. [24 IDC, 4 Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, 1 Medullary carcinoma, 1 Mucinous carcinoma and 1 DCIS.] The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of CE-MRI, were 100%, 93%, 86%, and 100% respectively. Overall accuracy of MRI breast was 95%. Breast MRI is highly effective in detection and characterization of occult breast lesions in high risk population, with excellent sensitivity and high specificity. Development of functional MRI tools contributed to the improving validity of this modality

Ochronosis: report of two familial cases

Ochronosis of alkaptonuria is a rare hereditary autosomal recessive disease in wich there is an absence of homogentisic acid oxidase resulting in accumulation of homogentisic acid in tissues. To report a new case of alkaptonuria. A 49-year-old man had been followed for 4 years for chronic lombalgia and arthropaty of two knees. He is married to his cousin and father of 4 girls. His parents are also cousins. The clinical examination has found a cutanuous pigmentation and a lumbar stiffness. At biological checking, creatininemia was at 190 micro mol/L and there are not inflammatory indicators. The radiography have shown a discal dorsolumbar calcifications, anterior inter somatic bridges and bilateral arthritis of knees without articular chondrocalcinosis. The diagnosis of ochronosis have been suspected and confirmed by the blackness of urine and the dosage of alkaptonuria. The patient has been treated symptomatiquely. Familial investigation have revealed that his daughter suffred from the same disease with the notion of blackness of urine. She is 12 year old and she's asymptomatic on the osteoarticular level. Alkaptonuria causes a degenerative arthropaty wich can endanger functional prognosis. Early diagnosis and scanning of this innate error of metabolism by genetic study play a fundamental interest, especially for molecular and genetic advisement

Nutritional and Biochemical Studies on Roasted and Irradiated Sesame Seeds [Sesamum Indicium L.]

The main objectives of the present work are to study the effect of treated sesame seeds [Sesamum Indicium L] with roasting at 180°C for 15 min. and exposure to gamma irradiation at dose level of 2.5, 5 and 10 KGy on the antinutritional factors as well as evaluation of some biochemical analysis. In the present study groups of 10 rats were assigned to receive one of six experimental diets [i.e. raw roasted and irradiated sesame seeds up to 10 KGy diet, along side casein diet]. The statistical analysis indicated that there were significant results [p<0.05] decreased in the trypsin inhibitors, tannins of roasting and irradiated sesame seeds. There were no significant differences in the phenol compounds of sesame seeds processed compared with raw samples. The obtained data showed that the level of total serum protein and albumin were significantly lowered in rats fed raw sesame seeds [5.24 and 4.15 g dl[-1]] as compared with those fed casein diet [6.03 g dl[-1]]. Moreover, the rises of total serum protein of irradiation processing of sesame seeds up to 10 KGy was successful due to reducing the antinutritional factors by increasing irradiation process. With respect to the total serum albumin in rats fed irradiated sesame seeds at 5 and 10 KGy was close to that rats fed casein diet, followed with significant [p<0.05] decrease in the group of rats received in their diets irradiated sesame seeds at 2.5 KGy roasting and raw samples when compared with those fed casein diet. The statistical analysis showed that there were no significant variation in the liver enzymes [ALT and AST] between rats fed dry heated sesame seeds and those fed raw samples. But the level of liver enzymes [ALT and AST] decreased when rats fed sesame seeds irradiated up to 10 KGy as compared with rats fed raw seeds. Results showed significant decrease in total cholesterol, Triacylglycerol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] and the results reflected increase in the high density lipoprotein [HDL-C] for rats received dry heated and irradiated [up to 10 KGy] sesame seeds when compared with those fed raw samples

Quality changes during refrigerated storage of rabbit meat

Rabbit meat obtained from 18 New Zealand white rabbits were subjected to refrigerated storage at 3 +/- 1°C and examined after 1, 5, 7, 10 and 12 days for pH value, cooking loss%, sensory properties, aerobic mesophilic count [AMC], psychrophilic count, lactic acid bacteria count [LAB] and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances [TBARS]. PH revealed a variation in its value throughout the storage period. Cooking loss% was significantly increased [P < 0.05] throughout storage period, while storage significantly decreased sensory prosperities. A significant increase [P < 0.05] was detected among all microbial counts and TBARS throughout the storage period. Data obtained suggest that rabbit meat should be rejected at the 10[th] day of refrigerated storage due to significant alterations in sensory attributes and unacceptable microbial counts

Effect of rosiglitazone [PPAR-yligand] on cyclosporine induced chronic nephrotoxicity in rats: histological, immunohistochemical and biochemical study

Cyclosporine A [CsA] is the first choice immuno-suppressant used for prevention of allograft rejection. However CsA therapy is associated with nephrotoxicity. Rosiglitazone [RGZ] is used as anti-diabetic drug. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effect in non diabetic renal diseases. Of this work was to investigate whether the renal dysfunction and the histological changes induced by CsA in rats could be modified by concomitant administration of RGZ. Forty adult male albino rats were classified into 4 equal groups; GI served as control, received saline orally daily. G II received olive oil orally daily [vehicle for C5A]. G III was given CsA orally [15 mg/kg/day]. G IV was given RGZ orally [3mg/kg/day] and CsA as in Gill. The period of the study was 28 days. The body weight [B.W] and the systolic blood pressure [SBP] were recorded for each rat. Urine creatinine, blood urea nitrogen [BUN], serum creatinine [SC] and creatinine clearance [CCI] were calculated. Rats were sacrificed and both kidneys were removed; one was processed for detection of malondialdehyde [MDA] and the other was processed to prepare paraffin blocks. Sections were stained with HandE, Masson's Trichome and PAS stains. Other sections were processed for immuno-histochemical demonstration of caspase-3. Revealed a significant increase in SBS, BUN, SC and tissue MDA and significant decrease in BW and CCL of CsA-treated rats [G III]. Histological examination revealed tubular cell atrophy, glomeruloscierosis, focal interstitial fibrosis, inflammatory cell reaction, vascular congestion and arteriolar hyalinosis. Also, strong PAS reaction and immune expression of caspase-3 were detected. Administration of RGZ with CsA [GIV] resulted in significant improvement of renal functions and morphology compared to Cs A-treated group. That RGZ has a protective effect in nephrotoxicity induced by CsA administration. It is postulated therefore that PPAR-y ligands were important for prevention of CsA nephrotoxicity. However, their usefulness in human need to be verified

possible beneficial effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonist [Losartan] in experimental-hepatic fibrosis in albino rats. histological immunohistochemical and biochemical study

Hepatic fibrosis is a histological change caused by liver inliammation and characterized by accuix of extracellular matrix protein [ECM]. Losartan is one class of drugs that inhibit the action of angiotensin II [A' H at its receptors. It has been used as antihypertensive in human. Was to clarify the beneficial effect of losartan in experimental liver fibrosis by bile duct li-z. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four equal groups; GI [control], Gil operated], Gill [bile duct ligated, BDL] and G VI received losartan at a dose of 5 mg/kg daily after BDL. After fc weeks, blood samples were collected for estimation of serum bilirubin [SB], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspare aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and serum hyaluronic acid [SHA]. Rats were sacrificed and th livers were processed for estimation of hydroxyproline and for histological study. Paraffin sections were stained b H and F, Masson's trichrome and other sections were stained immunohistochemically for desmin. Revealed elevated liver enzymes, serum and tissue fibrosis markers [hyaluronic acid and hydrox-cr together with dramatic histological changes in liver sections of G III [BDL]. Administration of Losartan after BDL C-V showed improvement of biochemical analysis of liver enzymes, fibrosis markers and amelioration of the his o1oria changes of hepatic tissues. Moderate expression of desmin from hepatic stellate cells [HSCs] was also evident Fr this study. That losartan has a benifical effect in liver fibrosis induced by BDL. However, further study for its usefulness in human hepatic fibrosis is recommended

Biochemical changes among workers occupationally exposed to vibration

With the increasing interaction between workers and mechanical tools, vibration at critical frequencies and acceleration has become an important source of injury. Exposure to occupational vibration has its adverse effects on musculoskeletal, nervous and cardiovascular systems. Certain biochemical changes may occur. Some psychological and physiological disorders were observed. The present study aimed to study biochemical changes among workers occupationally exposed to vibration. The study included a total number of 165 workers [104 exposed to vibration and 61 as a comparison group]. Exposed workers were selected from Mousahama El-Behera, Zahran and Lecico companies in Alexandria. They were exposed to Whole - Body Vibration [WBV] [n=77] or Hand -Arm Vibration [HAV] [n=27]. Non-exposed workers [n=61] were selected from the same companies. Biochemical changes including hematological changes, coagulation profile, lipid profile, liver and cardiac enzymes, some of trace elements and urinary catecholamine were studied among exposed and control subjects. Significant changes in the levels of tested biochemical parameters were observed among workers exposed to WBV, HAV and control subjects. It can be concluded that workers exposed to occupational vibrations may develop certain occupational diseases, that might be related to the vibration itself

Toxic effects of five insecticides and their mixture on male albino rats

Five insecticides namely; abamectin, carbosulfan, fenpropathrin, methomyl and profenofos were given by gavages to male albino rats. These insecticides were administered daily for 28 days with doses equaled 1/20 LD 50 either singly or in a mixture of all the insecticides together. The study revealed significant decreases in body and kidneys weights, while increases in liver weights in all the treatments. Most of the treatments induced significant elevations in serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST], while caused decreases in acetylcholinesterase [AChE] activities. Fenpropathrin and the mixture induced significant increase in total protein content of the serum, while the other treatments induced significant decreases. Creatinine concentrations recorded significant elevations in fenpropathrin and methomyl treatments, while significant decrease in case of Profenofos. Degenerative changes and granularity of hepatocytes with Kupffer cells activation were observed in the treatments with the mixture or and methomyl. Shrinking in Bowman's capsule and degenerative changes of epithelium lining renal tubules were observed in rats treated with the mixture. Moreover, necrotic changes associated with desquamation of epithelium lining tubules were shown in rats treated with the mixture, fenpropathrin and methomyl. From the biochemical data, the joint action was estimated for the mixture composed of the five insecticides. The mixture interacts antagonistically with most of the measured biochemical parameters

Histological study on the effect of heat stress on cardiac muscle of adult male albino rats and the possible role of mast cells

Heat stress causes serious physiological dysfunction that may result in heat related diseases. The cardiovascular system has been considered the primary target of heart stress. The mechanism of heat stress- induced myocardial damage remains unclear. Recent findings indicate that mast cells are not only necessary for allergic reaction, but they also involved in a variety of neuro inflammatory diseases especially those worsened by stress. This work was aimed to study the effect of heat stress on the myocardium of rats and to clarify the possible role of mast cells in this process. This study was performed on 30 adult male albino rats, divided into three equal main groups [10 rats/ each]; the first main group was control, divided into two equal subgroups [5 rats/ each], the first subgroup [A] was negative control, the second subgroup [B] received 1 ml sterile saline I.P daily for 15 days. The second main group was heat-stressed group which was exposed to heat stress [39°C for 2 hours daily] and the third main group was mast cell stabilized group that received 10 mg/kg/b.w of doxantrazole followed by exposure to heat stress [the same as the second main group], half an hour after drug intake. All rats were sacrificed after 15 days and heart sections were processed. Paraffin sections were stained with H and E, masson trichrom [M.T] and toluidine blue for histological study. Other sections were processed for immuno histochemical demonstration of actin and caspase- 3. Other very small pieces of heart sections were processed for electron microscopic study [E.M]. The cardiac muscle of stressed second group revealed focal areas of necrosis, areas of vaculations with loss of characteristic striations and mononuclear cell infiltration. Congestion and extravasation of blood with odema fluid between cardiac muscle fibers were evident. Excessive collagen fibers deposition was also seen. Decreased reaction for actin and strong+ve reaction for caspase-3 in the affected fibers were demonstrated. Moreover hyperplasia and activation with degranulation of mast cells were documented in C.T endomesium. On ultrastructural level, the same group showed disorganized and fragmented microfilaments and mitochondrial changes. Moreover, degranulated mast cells were documented in the C.T endomesium. On the other hand, non of these changes were observed in cardiac muscles of mast cell stabilized group with the exception of slight congestion and minimal fibrosis in the interstitium and perivascular areas at light microscopic level. It is concluded that heat stress induced histological and ultra structural changes in myocardium and these changes could be mast cell mediated. Such study provided further support for the role of mast cells in stress induced myocardial damage and therefore it might provide a novel medical strategy and therapeutic target in management of heat stress induced cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, stress exposure should be avoided or minimized as much as possible to seek for good health

Hormonal regulation of leptin secretion from isolated adipose tissue of male rats

Leptin, the product of ob gene expression mainly by the white adipose tissue cells, is a plasma protein hormone appears to act as a key signaling factor for regulating body weight participating in regulation of energy homeostasis. The escalating interest in leptin study is due to its intimate relation to the worldwide prevalent problem of obesity which reached epidemic proportion.Now it's confirmed that one of the main mechanisms of obesity is decreased leptin action. Leptin seems to play dual role in human physiology being subjected to dual control [Caro et al, 1996] under chronic conditions of steady state energy balance, leptin is a static index of the amount of fat stored in the adipocytes, while under non steady state of energy balance situations leptin may be actively regulated by hormonal or nutritional changes

Retroviral gene transfer into hematopoietic stem cells derived from murine bone marrow and human umbilical cord blood

Both bone marrow [BM] and umbilical cord blood [UCB] CD,; cells represent an attractive source to approach gene therapy for treatment of many disorders that affect gastrointestinal tract [GIT], urinary bladder and liver which lead to different diseases and finally malignancies. Hematotoxicity is a major and frequently dose-limiting side effect of cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. Methylguanine-DNA-methyItransferase [MGMT] gene transfer into stem cells was considered as an efficient method for protection against hematotoxicity caused by chemotherapeutic drugs. In the present study a retroviral [RV] vector containing plasmids of both MGMT and eGFP [enhanced green fluorescent protein] was transfected, under the control of 1 alpha-promotor, into stem cells derived from murine BM and human UCB CD[34] cells. The retrovira1 gene transfer rate into both types of stem cells was detected by Flow cytometry at different concentrations of RV supernatant dilutions after 24 hours and 48 hours. The percentage positivity of transduction rate after 24 hours was 94.4% when RV supematant was added undiluted to hUCB CD[34] stem cells and at 1:10, 1:100, 1:1000 dilutions, the positivity rate was 88.7%, 33.6%, 6.6% respectively. When the RV supernatant was added undiluted to mBM stein cells, the percentage positivity of transduction rate was 78.6%, and at 1:10, 1:100, 1:1000 dilutions, the positivity rate was 72.8%, 31%, 6.3% respectively. After 48 hours, percentage positivity of undiluted RV supernatant was 96%, when transduced into hUCB CD[34] stem cells, and at dilutions 1:10, 1:100, 1:1000, the percentage was 91.2%, 35%, 6.9% respectively. The positivity of gene transfer into mBM stem cells was 82.3% when RV supernatant was added undiluted, and at dilutions 1:10, 1:100, 1:1000 the percentage positivity was 75.4%, 32.6%, 6.7% respectively. DNA detection by PCR has been performed to estimate both types of stem cells after gene transfer. Generally, these results conclude that gene therapy can be fulfilled by transducing a retroviral vector carrying special characters inside either bone marrow or umbilical cord blood stem cells. So it can be used for curing different diseases and malignancies

Trends and determinants among cardiac disabled workers in Alexandria

The present study was designed to investigate the trend and determinant factors among cardiac disabled workers presented in the years 2003-2005 at Health Insurance Committee for disability rating in Alexandria and to compare the currently used system with others. A retrospective study was conducted to review complete records for those below the age 65 years. The available data were coded to include age, gender, job title, disabling symptoms, presence or absence of abnormal findings in resting electrocardiogram and chest X-ray. Extra-investigations were considered by the committee in some cases including echocardiography, cardiac stress test and coronary angiography. Therapeutic interventions were coded and etiological diagnosis was classified into ischemic heart disease [IHD], rheumatic heart disease [RHD], hypertension [HT] and cardiomyopathies [CM]. The functional diagnosis was reported as presence or absence of heart failure and disability was rated as partial or total. Results revealed that rates of disabling dyspnoea, CM and heart failure were significantly increasing from year to year [p=0.038, 0.039 and 0.023 respectively]. The most common etiological diagnosis for the presented cases was IHD with high rates ranging from 69.7% to 73.6% across the 3 years. Logistic regression with total disability as the dependent variable showed that heart failure and additional information by echocardiography were the independent determinants [p= 0.020 and 0.004 respectively]. Simplified comparison between current cardiac disability rating system and American medical Association impairment classification was given. The present disability rating system lack standardization and quantification. It is recommended to integrate the metabolic equivalent [METs] measurement with the current system. Also to emphasize cardiovascular preventive programs to control cardiac disability