Screening for common mental disorders and substance abuse among temporary hired cleaners in Egyptian governmental hospitals, Zagazig city, Sharqia governorate

Informal employment is common in developing countries, including Egypt. This type of employment may have significant consequences on mental health. To determine the prevalence and risk factors of common mental disorders and substance abuse among temporary hired hospital cleaners. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 242 adult temporary cleaners and 209 permanent cleaners working in 4 governmental hospitals in Zagazig City, Sharqia Governorate, Egypt. All participants were invited to complete a structured questionnaire through a semi-structured interview which included the self-reporting questionnaire 20 items [SRQ-20] and the work stress scale. Assessment of drug use included urine-based screening tests for common substances abused. The prevalence of job stress, common mental disorders and substance abuse, particularly tramadol and cannabis [Bango], was significantly higher in the studied temporary cleaners compared to permanent cleaners. Risk factors associated with increased susceptibility of the temporary cleaners to common mental disorders were family history of substance abuse, high crowding index, history of physical illness, low educational level, and smoking; while being unmarried, male sex, family history of mental disorder, age > =40 years, smoking, and length of service > =8 years, were associated with substance abuse among the same group. Temporary hired hospital cleaners suffered from impaired mental health more than permanent cleaners. Therefore, expanding the coverage of current laws and occupational safety and health standards to cover workers in the informal sector especially in developing countries is recommended

Effect of different types of cryoprotectants on developmental capacity of vitrified-thawed immature buffalo oocytes

The study aimed to determine the effects of different types of cryoprotectants on developmental capacity of vitrified-thawed immature buffalo oocytes. The vitrification solution [VS] consisted of Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline [DPBS] supplemented with 0.5 M sucrose, 0.4% bovine serum albumin [BSA] and different types of molar [M] concentrations of the cryoprotectants which composed of either glycerol [G], ethylene glycol [EG] or dimesthyl sulfoxide [DMSO] in order to determine the best type of vitrification cryoprotectants. The concentrations tested were 4 M, 7 M and 7M concentration of G, EG and DMSO, respectively. Cumulus oocyte complexes [COCs] were obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries. Oocytes were vitrified immediately after collection .The COCs were pre-equilibrated in 50% of the VS for 3-5 min, then kept in VS for 1 min and loaded in pre-sterilized 0.25 ml straws for 7-10 days of storage in liquid nitrogen. The straws were thawed in warm water at 37°C for 10 seconds and COCs were evaluated for morphological damage. Morphologically normal COCs were cultured in vitro and evaluated for maturation. Oocytes were fertilized with frozen-thawed semen capacitated in Brackett and Oliphant [BO] medium contained heparin and caffeine and evaluated for cleavage and embryonic development. The results revealed that the proportion of buffalo oocytes found to be morphologically normal was significantly [p<0.05] higher in EG and DMSO than those obtained in G [85.0 and 83.33 vs 65.0%, respectively]. Among the damaged oocytes, cracking of zona pellucida was the most frequent abnormality observed. A significantly higher [p<0.05] percentage of maturation and cleavage rates derived from vitrified -thawed immature oocyte in EG and DMSO than those obtained in G [47.05, 46.67%; 28.57, 25.71 vs 30.76% and 10.0%, respectively]. A similar trend was observed in blastocyst stage produced in vitro. However, in vitro developmental competence was higher for vitrified-thawed fresh oocytes [control] than those obtained from all groups of cryoprotectants. that 7M solution of EG or DMSO could be used for vitrification of immature buffalo oocytes for their subsequent utilization in the in vitro maturation, fertilization and embryo production

Impact of PGF2 alpha administration on progesterone pattern during and after PMSG treatment in buffaloes

Thirteen buffalo-cows and 6 heifers were subjected for superovulatory treatment using 3000 iu PMSG [Gestyl], 25 mg PGF2-alpha [Lutalyse] were injected 48 hours after PMSG treatment and at day eight of the estrous cycle after superovulatory treatments. Ovarian and progesterone changes were studied in buffalo-cows and heifers during and after superovulatory treatments. 84.6% and 83.3% of buffalo-cows and heifers exhibited estrous within 2.46 +/- 0.78 and 2.4 +/- 1.14 days, respectively, following treatment with lutalyse. Whereas, the intervals averaged 3.27 +/- 1.05 and 3.4 +/- 1.14 days when treated at day 8 after superovulation in buffalo-cows and heifers, respectively. Plasma progesterone concentrations averaged 3.74 +/- 1.53 and 1.28 +/- 0.91 ng/ml before treatment with lutalyse in buffalo-cows and heifers, respectively, followed by significant decline 24 hours after treatment in both buffalo-cows and heifers [1.12 +/- 0.71 and 0.74 +/- 0.38 ng/ml, p <0.01] and reached the lowest concentration 72 hours after treatment [0.20 +/- 0.09 and 0.24 +/- 0.24 ng/ml, respectively]. A marked elevation in plasma progesterone concentration following superovulatory treatment in buffalo-cows [15.02 +/- 10.44 ng/ml] and heifers [17.87 +/- 10.72 ng/ml] was recorded

Results of treatment of open joint injuries with special reference to suction irrigation

Forty nine cases of open joint injuries were treated and followed up. Male to female ratio was 4: 1. Motor vehicular and fall from a height were the major causative mechanism. The knee and ankle were the mostly affected joints. The cases were classified into types 1, 2, 3 depending on wound size, contamination and osseous injury. There were 17 cases type 1, 20 cases type 2, and 12 type 3. The initial treatment included resuscitation, debridement with minimal internal fixation, whenever possible and systemic use of antibiotics. Suction- irrigation was used in 14 knee cases of type 2 and 3 injuries. The final results were satisfactory in 41 patients and bad in 8 patients. Deep infection developed in 5 patients. Suction-irrigation gave better results than debridement alone in cases of type 2 and 3 knee joint injuries. The severity of injury was also a risk factor. It is recommended that thorough debridement, fixation of large osteochondral fragments, systemic use of antibiotics and use of suction-irrigation in some severe injuries are prerequisites to obtain good functional results