Household Overcrowding in Iran, a Low-middle-income Country: How Major of a Public Health Concern Is It? / 예방의학회지

Objectives@#Household overcrowding (HC) can contribute to both physical and mental disorders among the members of overcrowded households. This study aimed to measure the status of HC and its main determinants across the provinces of Iran. @*Methods@#Data from 39 864 households from the 2016 Iranian Household Income and Expenditures Survey were used in this study. The Equivalized Crowding Index (ECI) and HC index were applied to measure the overcrowding of households. Regression models were estimated to show the relationships between different variables and the ECI. @*Results@#The overall, urban, and rural prevalence of HC was 8.2%, 6.3%, and 10.1%, respectively. The highest prevalence of HC was found in Sistan and Baluchestan Province (28.7%), while the lowest was found in Guilan Province (1.8%). The number of men in the household, rural residency, the average age of household members, yearly income, and the household wealth index were identified as the main determinants of the ECI and HC. @*Conclusions@#The study demonstrated that the ECI and HC were higher in regions near the borders of Iran than in other regions. Therefore, health promotion and empowerment strategies are required to avoid the negative consequences of HC, and screening programs are needed to identify at-risk families.

Systematic review and evidence based guidance on the surgical antibiotic guidelines adherence

Background: antibiotic administration is an essential element for any surgical operation success, even if a prior infection was not detected. This is due to the fact that antimicrobial agents do not only act as therapy to treat preexisting infection but also as a prophylaxis which is given preoperatively to reduce the incidence of surgical site infection and as an adjunct to operative treatment which is given in the setting of operative management of infections such as secondary peritonitis or necrotizing fasciitis. Prophylactic antibiotics are also used as primary therapy when operation is not performed, such as for cellulitis, or postoperative pneumonia which indicates the significance of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis and the great importance of adhering to the right treatment protocol and guidelines

Aim of the Study: a systematic review was performed to evaluate the adherence to clinical guidelines for surgical antibiotic prophylaxis

Methods: of which fifteen studies were retrieved that fulfilled most of the inclusion requirements of being randomized controlled clinical trials

Results: 952 articles were retrieved from database, of which 15 studies were selected for selected for synthesis. 5 outcome of interest were identified, on top of which were the administration of antibiotic at the correct time and adequate discontinuation of antibiotic which ranged from 0.3% to 100%

Conclusion: the assessed studies addressed a gap in the adherence to guidelines for surgical antibiotic prophylaxis and more rigor approaches to leverage the guidelines

Durazo technique is beneficial in Egyptian liver transplant programs

For nearly four decades, the American people have partnered with the people of Egyptto promote an environment where all groups in Egyptian society - including women and minorities - can lead healthy, productive lives. USAID's program in Egypt, helped scientists and researchers collaborate with American universities aiming to learn about modern Americans cientific innovations. I was lucky that I have collaborated with one of the most premier USA universities in Hepatology and Liver surgery; UCLA, where I can apply all the liver new techniques I have learned in UCLA in Egypt. Durazo technique is one of very interesting method-post liver transplant, would decrease morbidities and mortalities not only in USA and Egypt, but also Globally

value of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging 3 tesla in detection and staging of bladder carcinoma

Background: To evaluate the value of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging [DWMRI] in detection and T- staging of bladder carcinoma and correlation with histopathological staging

Patients and Methods: An analytic prospective study was conducted at the MRI units of Al-yarmook teaching hospital in the period from January of 2015 to December 2015, 42patients [36 male and 6 female] presented with hematuria [40 patients] and 2 patients presented with pelvic pain were enrolled prospectively, they underwent conventional magnetic imaging [MRI] and diffusion weighted MRI using 3 tesla MR units [Achieva; Philips medical systems, the Netherlands]. Diffusion weighted images were obtained using a single shot echo planar imaging sequence EPI with b value 0,500 sec/mm [2]. ADC value map was reconstructed and mean ADC value were measured in 42 patients .and histological examination was done to all patients

Results: Correlation between standard MR staging of bladder carcinoma and histopathological results revealed that 17 patients [40%] had the same T -staging while 17 patients [40%] over staged. DWI and ADC values were able to declare the cause of overstating by discrimination between tumoral tissue and peritumoral inflammation. Statistically significant difference is found between ADC value of bladder tumor and those of urine

Conclusion: Diffusion weighted MR imaging at 3 tesla is new and good imaging modalities for detection and staging of bladder carcinoma, without using contrast media, so can used in patient with renal impairment or contrast media allergy

Modulating heat shock proteins 70 and 90 expression by low power laser irradiation [635nm and 780nm] in jurkat E6.1 T-lymphocyte leukemia cell line

Heat shock proteins [HSPs] are molecular chaperones involved in protein folding, stability and turnover, and due to their role in cancer progression, the effect of low power laser irradiation [LPLI] on the expression of HSP70 and HSP90 in Jurkat E6.1 T-lymphocyte leukemia [JELT] cell line was investigated in vitro. JETL cells were irradiated with LPLI at 635nm and 780m wavelengths [energy density 9.174 J/cm[2], and assessed for the expression of HSP70 and HSP90 by flow cytometry after 24, 48 and 72 incubation time periods [ITPs]. At 24 hours ITP post-irradiation, control cultures showed that 10.7% of cells expressed HSP70, while LPLI cultures at 635nm and 780nm manifested a higher expression [32.1and 21.3%, respectively], and the difference was significant [P

Radical Antegrade modular Pancreato-Splenectomy [ramps] procedure with celiac trunk resection case report

Carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas considered one of the most challenging tumors due its retroperitoneal location and neighboring major blood vessels. Therefore, it is often presents at an advanced stage and is deemed unresectable in the majority of patients. The traditional approach of left-to-right Pancreato-Splenectomy is associated with a high positive tangential margin rate, is not based on the described lymph node drainage of the organ, and is associated with high recurrence rate. In 2003, Strasberg SM described a novel approach for resection of this part of the pancreas called Radical Antegrade Modular Pancreato-Splenectomy [RAMPS] which was introduced to obtain a higher rate of negative tangential margins and a higher lymph node count. This is a case report of pancreatic tumor with celiac trunk invasion treated by the new RAMPS procedure with celiac trunk resection. Patient discharged home on fifth postoperative day, follow up reveals recurrence free survival one year later

Managements of patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction: prospective study

Gastric outlet obstruction is the clinical and pathophysiological consequence of any disease process that produces a mechanical impediment to gastric emptying. It classified into benign and malignant group. Distal gastric cancer form 35% of cases with malignant gastric outlet obstruction. To study the causes of malignant gastric obstruction and how to treat them, in addition the application of gastric outlet obstruction score in our patient pre- and post-treatment. Between January-2012 to January-2014, a prospective study involves all patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction in the surgical department in the gastrointestinal and Hepatology teaching hospital. A total of 51 cases of malignant gastric outlet obstruction were enrolled in the research, with mean age 53.21 +/- 14.6 years. There were 30 male patients [58.8%] with male to female ratio = 1.4:1. Non-bilious vomiting was present in [100%] of cases. antropyloric region was found in [47.1%] patients. Regarding GOOS, there were improvement in all patients [p value =0.048]. Distal gastrectomy done in 19.6% of patients and gastrojujenostomy performed in 80.3% of patients. Gastric adenocarcinoma found in 15.7%, in 47.05% of patients was found to have metastatic adenocarcinoma. Gastric outlet obstruction poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to general surgeons. In recent years malignant cause become more. Gastric outlet obstruction score has a role in management of patients. Distal gastrectomy is the treatment of choice in resectable cases, while gastrojujenostomy can be used in advanced cases

Cytotoxic genes from traditional Chinese medicine inhibit tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Little effort has been made to study the protein-encoding genes isolated from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) drugs, and the delivery of these genes into malignant cells through recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors has not been attempted.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We synthesized the cDNAs of five known cytotoxic proteins isolated from TCM drugs and the FLAG epitope-tagged cDNAs were subcloned into a rAAV plasmid vector. The protein expression was confirmed by Western blot assay. Various cancer cell lines were transfected with the above plasmids and cell growth was monitored both in vitro and in vivo. The best cytotoxic gene was further packaged into rAAV vectors, under the control of a liver cancer-specific promoter. The liver tumor growth was then monitored following intratumor administration of the rAAV vectors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression plasmids, encoding individual potential cytotoxic genes tagged with FLAG epitope, were successfully generated and sequenced. Among these genes, trichosanthin (TCS) gene yielded the most promising results for the inhibition of cancer cell growth in vitro. The over-expressed TCS functioned as a type I ribosome-inactivating protein, followed by inducing apoptosis that is associated with the Bcl-PARP signaling pathway. Furthermore, intratumor injection of rAAV vectors containing the TCS gene significantly inhibited the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma tumors in a murine xenograft model.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our studies suggest that the use of TCM cytotoxic genes is a useful therapeutic strategy for treating human cancers in general, and liver tumors in particular.</p>

Ectopic pregnancy in Al-Wahda teaching hospital, 2008-2009

To describe the pattern of ectopic pregnancy in Al-Wahda Teaching Hospital. This study is a prospective, descriptive, hospital- based study involving all patients, who diagnosed and managed surgically as ectopic pregnancy, during the period May 2008- May 2009, in Al- Wahda hospital. Forty patients with confirmed diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy were enrolled in the study, giving the rate of ectopic pregnancy of 7/1000 deliveries. The common age group affected was 20-30 years 62,0%. Parous women 75.5% were affected more than nullipara 25%. On presentation, the main clinical feature w£s abdominal pain 97.5%, followed by abnormal vaginal bleeding 75%; and missed period 65%. while the commonest signs were abdominal tenderness 90% and adnexal tenderness 82.5%. Regarding the intra-operative findings; ruptured of tubal pregnancy was the common clinical form of ectopic pregnancy 56.4%, followed by an intact tubal pregnancy 28.2% then tubal abortion 17.9%. The site of ectopic pregnancies was in the fallopian tube 97.5% and ovarian pregnancy 2.5%. The ampullar part of the tube was affected in 58.9%, followed by the Fimbria 20.5%, the isthmus, and interstitial 15.4% and 2.6% respectively. The rate of ectopic pregnancy in Al-Wahda hospital was 7/1000 deliveries, which is still a major health problem, affecting mainly young women ageing 20-30 years. On the other hand, the high percentage of ruptured ectopic in this study, indicate that the diagnosis and the interventions are delayed, so a high index of suspicion is necessary in women presenting abdominal pain, and vaginal bleeding, and requires prompt recognition and early intervention

normal anthropometric measurements for healthy full term newborns in Hilla City/Iraq

To establish the normal anthropometric measurements [weight, length, occipto frontal circumference, chest circumference, mid arm circumference and mid thigh circumference] for appropriately grown full term newborns in Hilla city-Babil-Iraq. A descriptive, observational study was carried out enrolling 2051 singleton neonates who were delivered in Babylon gynecology and children teaching hospital during the period from 1st April to 25th of October 2009. The data and measurements were done on the first day of life with exclusion of newborns of mothers with high risk, complicated pregnancies, complicated labor and prematurity. The included measurements were weight, length, occipto frontal circumference, chest circumference, mid-arm circumference and mid-thigh circumference. The studied variables were gender, residence, parity, mode of delivery, ante natal care and socioeconomic state. The data analyzed by SPSS [version 15] program for mean, standard deviation, range, p-value and correlation coefficient. Males had a significantly higher occipto frontal circumference and chest circumference than females while females had a significantly higher mid-arm circumference than males with no significant difference in weight, length and mid-thigh circumference. A significantly higher weight, chest circumference and mid-thigh circumference in urban than rural neonates with no significant difference in length, occipto frontal circumference and mid-arm circumference. A higher occipto frontal circumference, chest circumference and mid-thigh circumference in neonates of primipara mothers but higher length and mid-arm circumference in neonates of multipara mothers with no significant difference in weight. A significantly higher weight and occipto frontal circumference in neonates of mothers with regular ante natal care than neonates of mothers with irregular antenatal care. A higher length, mid-thigh circumference and chest circumference in neonates of mothers from high socioeconomic status group than neonates of those from other socioeconomic state groups. This study establishes local normal values for anthropometric measurements [weight, length, occipto frontal circumference, chest circumference, mid-arm circumference and mid-thigh circumference] for healthy, full term newborn in Hilla city. A significant degree of correlation between all the studied measurements [except occipto frontal circumference which correlated with weight and mid-arm circumference only] and the best correlation between weight-mid-thigh circumference followed by mid-arm circumference and chest circumference

Os isoflavonóides e o perfil lipêmico em mulheres na pós-menopausa: ensaio clínico aleatório / The isoflavones and the lipid profile in post-menopausal women: randomized clinical trial

O objetivo do presente estudo foi o de determinar os efeitos das isoflavonas sobre o perfil lipídico em mulheres na pós-menopausa. Pacientes e métodos: ensaio clínico aleatório, duplo-cego, comparando o uso de terapia de reposição hormonal convencional (TH) e o de isoflavonas, de acordo com as regras do Consort-Statement. Foram avaliadas 126 voluntárias saudáveis, com idade entre 40 e 76 anos, atendidas no Ambulatório de Ginecologia do Hospital Universitário Regional do Norte do Paraná, da Universidade Estadual de Londrina. As participantes foram, aleatoriamente, divididas em dois grupos de 63 indivíduos cada um. O primeiro fez uso de isoflavona 100 mg e o segundo (controle) de 2 mg de estradiol e 1 mg de acetato de norestiterona. Foram analisados colesterol total, HDL, LDL, triglicérides, estradiol, FSH e LH antes e após o tratamento, em dois e seis meses. Foi utilizada a análise de variância de medidas repetidas. Resultados: não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos quanto ao colesterol total, HDL, LDL e triglicérides. Quando os grupos foram analisados individualmente, o controle apresentou diferenças estatisticamente significantes, mostrando uma melhora na diminuição do colesterol total e frações (p < 0,0001) e triglicérides (p = 0,006). Conclusão: o uso de 100 mg de isoflavona parece não ser efetivo na redução do colesterol total, frações e triglicérides quando comparado à terapia de reposição hormonal convencional.

[A] serum procalcitonin level may predict bacteremia in adult patients presenting with acute fever

Inspite of the high morbidity and mortality of bacteremia, in many instances clinical examination may not find a focus of infection nor can reliably identify cases of bacteremia. Moreover, laboratory parameters, such as C-reactive protein [CRP] level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], and white blood cell [WBC] count lack accuracy for early diagnosis of bacteremic infection. The ability of serum procalcitonin [PCT] levels to differentiate bacteremic from nonbacteremic episode in patients admitted for community-acquired infection was assessed. We determined serum PCT and CRP levels, ESR and WBC count in 101 adult patients. Serum PCT levels were measured by immunoluminometric assay: "BRAHMS Diagnostica, Berlin". CRP levels were determined by rate nephelometry. WBC count was determined in whole blood by an automated technique and ESR was performed by conventional Westergren method. According to results of blood cultures 23 [22.8%] patients were bacteremic and 78 [77.2%] patients constituted the nonbacteremic group. PCT and CRP levels, ESRs and WBC counts were significantly higher [P< 0.001] in the bacteremic than in the nonbacteremic group. Assay of serum CRP as well as ESRs and WBC counts showed a zone of overlapping values between the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curves were plotted for PCT and CRP serum levels to determine the optimal cut off points that maximized the sum of the sensitivity and specificity of each test. The best cut off value for PCT was 1microg/l which was associated with a negative predictive value [NPV] of 97.1%. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROCC] was 0.98 for PCT which was significantly higher [P< 0.05] than that for CRP [0.89]. In comparison to CRP, ESR and WBC count, PCT at the cut off value 1microg/l could be a more effective predictor of bacteremia in patients admitted with community-acquired fever

[B] serum procalcitonin level may discriminate bacterial and viral meningitis in children

Acute childhood meningitis is a life threatening condition often leaving the survivors with neurological impairments. Latex agglutination test is negative in early meningitis cases and is unreliable in the detection of St. pneumoniae, Staphylococci, H. influenzae and Enteric bacilli. Antibiotic treatment should not be deferred until awaiting the result of CSF cultures, nor aggressive antimicrobials should be given unnecessarily in cases of viral meningitis. Procalcitonin [PCT] is a potentially sensititve and rapid marker for invasive bacterial infections but remains low in viral infections. We aimed to assess the reliability of serum PCT in differentiating bacterial from viral meningitis in children. We measured serum PCT and C-reactive protein [CRP] levels and cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] total protein [TP], and absolute neutrophil count [ANC] in fifty children admitted for meningitis. Bacterial cultures of CSF were positive in 17 children [group of bacterial meningitis] and 33 patients were diagnosed as acute viral meningitis. Serum PCT levels were measured by immunoluminometric assay: "BRAHMS Diagnostica, Berlin". CRP levels were determined by rate nephelometry. PCT and CRP levels and CSF ANC and TP were significantly higher [P< 0.001] in the group of bacterial meningitis than the group of viral meningitis. Assay of serum CRP and CSF proteins and cells showed a zone of overlapping values between the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curves were plotted for serum PCT and CRP levels to determine the optimal cut off points that maximized the sum of the sensitivity and specificity of each test. A serum PCT level of 2microg/l was retained as the diagnostic threshold since at this value both the sensitivity and negative predictive value [NPV] were 100%. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROCC] was 1.0 for PCT which was significantly higher than that for CRP [0.93; P< 0.05]. These data suggest that serum PCT at the cut off value 2microg/l might be discriminant of bacterial and viral meningitis in children

Limited experience in the early management of fractured penis

To review the effect of early surgical exploration and repair, of penile fractures, on the overall prognosis of these injuries and the maintenance of erectile function. This was a retrospective study in which we reviewed a total of 16 patients with penile fracture who presented over a period of 36 months. Associated urethral injuries were found in 3 out of the 16 patients [18.75%]. All patients were treated by early surgical repair within 24 hours from the time of injury.They were discharged in good condition and were followed up, both clinically and pharmacocavernosographically, in the outpatient department with excellent results. We recommend early surgical exploration and repair of these injuries because of the excellent results, shorter hospitalization, less morbidity and earlier return to full sexual activity

Analysis of novel troponin T cut off values that improve early risk stratification of patients with suspected myocardial ischemia

TroponinT [TnT] is accepted as a sensitive and specific marker of myocyte necrosis. A consensus recommendation developed by a joint committee of the European Society of Cardiology/American College of Cardiology [JESC/ ACC] that a TnT level above the 99[th] percentile of a reference control population [i.e., TnT >0.01 micro g/1] at a coefficient of variation [cv] of /= 0.1 micro g/1], which the manufacturer continues to recommend, as minor elevations of troponin are associated with increased cardiovascular risk in selected patients with acute coronary syndromes [ACSs]. Therefore, the accepted cut off level of TnT as a sensitive evidence of ischemic cardiac damage is currently under debate. This level is likely to be between 0.03 and 0.1 micro g/1. We evaluated TnT as a risk stratification tool in 235 unselected patients presenting with symptoms of myocardial ischemia [MIS]. We compared a 99[th] percentile MI cut off limit for TnT [at 0.06 micro g/1] determined by constructing a receiver operator curve [ROC] for the patient cohort, in whom ST segment elevation ACS was excluded, to the standard MI cut off value of 0.1 micro g/1 in assessing cardiovascular risk. We also assessed the prognostic significance of detectable TnT values below this 99[th] percentile MI cut off, but above the upper reference limit of healthy controls [i.e., TnT >0.01-<0.03 micro g/1] and of CKMB/total CK ratio [MB%]. TnT was estimated by An electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, CK was assayed by a trichromatic rate technique, and CKMB was measured by mass immunoassay. The diagnosis of ACS was more frequent in groups with higher TnT concentrations: 3.3% with normal TnT [TnT<0.03 micro g/1], 16.7% [p<0.01] with TnT values between 0.03 micro g/1 and the 99[th] percentile MI cut off, 70.6% [p<0.001] with detectable TnT between the 99[th] percentile MI cut off and the standard MI cut off [0.06 and 0.099 micro g/1], and 81.6% [p<0.001] with TnT values >/= 0. 1 micro g/1. The 30 day cardiovascular event rate, likewise, increased progressively with increasing TnT values: 0.8% with normal TnT. 3.3% with detectable TnT below the 99[th] percentile MI limit, 11.8% [p<0.01] with TnT concentrations between 0.06 and 0.099 micro g/1, and 13.2% [p <0.01] with TnT detectable above the standard MI cut off value [>/= 0. 1 micro g/1]. In conclusion: using a MI cut off value for TnT from a reference cohort with suspected MIS including patients with non-ST segment elevation ACS [NSTE-ACS] improves risk stratification but further studies are required to ascertain the exact cut off

Effects of metformin on serum insulin levels and ovarian steroidogenesis in nonobese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Evidence indicates that nonobese women with polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] are insulin resistant and hyperinsulinemic. This work was conducted to study the hypothesis that hyperinsulinemia stimulates the steroidogenic enzyme P450c17 alpha activity in these patients, with consequent increase in serum androgen levels. We assessed the activity of the cytochrome P450c17 alpha by measuring the response of 17 alpha-hydroxypro- gesterone [17-PROG] to a GnRH agonist [leuprolide] in 30 normal-weight women with PCOS. Fasting and the 2h serum glucose and insulin, and serum levels of sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG], testosterone [TSN], free testosterone [F-TSN], dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate [DHEAS] estradiol [E[2]], progesterone [PGN], 17-PROG, LH, and FSH were measured before and after oral administration of either metformin 500 mg tab [in 18 patients] or a placebo [in 12 patients] t.d.s. for 8 weeks. We also estimated fasting and the 2h serum glucose and insulin, serum SHBG, and sex hormones in 12 normal controls before and after metformin administration. Serum glucose was measured by a hexokinase method and serum insulin was assayed by a double antibody technique. 17-PROG and DHEAS concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay after chromatographic purification. F-TSN and SHBG were measured by a competitive protein binding assay. An electrochemiluminescence immunoassay intended for use on Roche Elecsys 1010/2010 analyzers was used for determination of, TSN, E[2], PGN, LH and FSH. The metformin and placebo groups of PCOS women did not differ in both the fasting and the 2h serum glucose values whether before or after treatment. However, these values in the control group showed a significant decrease [p<0.001] as compared to the metformin group. Metformin administration was associated with significant [p<0.01] decrease both in the fasting and the 2h serum insulin values in the metformin group and the control women but not in the placebo group. Serum SHBG was significantly increased on metformin therapy in PCOS women [p<0.001] but not in the placebo group nor in the controls. The metformin group showed a significant posttreatment decrease in serum TSN, F-TSN, E[2] and DHEAS and a significant increase in Serum PGN both before and after leuprolide administration [p<0.001]. There was a nonsignificant change in serum sex steroids, on treatment, in the placebo group. In the metformin group, the mean basal and peak levels of 17-PROG decreased significantly [p<0.001] after treatment. As for serum LH, the metformin group showed a significant decrease in the mean basal levels [p < 0.05], the early [p < 0.05] and late serum responses [p < 0.001] to leuprolide after metformin treatment. These values for LH and 17-PROG did not change [on treatment] in the placebo group. These findings suggest that Hyperinsulinemia stimulates ovarian cytochrome P450c17 alpha activity in nonobese women with PCOS. They also indicate that decreasing serum insulin with metformin reduces cytochrome P450c 17 alpha activity and ameliorates the hyperandrogenism of these women. Improvement of the endocrine profile of PCOS on metformin therapy was also discussed

biochemical, cognitive, and psychiatric effects of anticholinergics benzhexol hydrochloride and biperiden hydrochloride in schizophrenic patients

It is estimated that 45 million people suffer from schizophrenia around the world; it is among the top ten leading causes of disability. By 2050, this number will have grown to approximately 71 million people. Mental illnesses contribute more to the global burden of disease than all cancers combined. The present study has been planned to evaluate the effect of anticholinergic parkinol [benzhexol hydrochloride] and akineton [biperiden hydrochloride] on erythrocyte acetyl cholinesterase [AChE] activity and serum activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase [GOT], alanine transaminase [ALT], aspartate transaminase [AST], and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] in schizophrenic patients treated with haloperidol, and also to study the effect of the previously mentioned two anticholinergics on both the cognitive functions and psychiatric symptoms in such patients. The study was carried out on 30 male schizophrenic patients who were divided into two main groups [group 1 and group 2] each of 15 patients of comparable age. The present results revealed that the total score of [PANSS] showed a significant decrease in all studied groups. The total score of [MMSE] showed a significant increase in all studied groups. The AChE activity didn't show any significant difference in all comparisons in all studied groups. In our study, there was a significant elevation of serum GGT, ALT, AST and ALP levels in some groups of treated patients as compared to pretreatment groups. The results obtained in our study showed a significant increase in serum GGT, ALT, AST, and ALP levels in groups treated with either [haloperidol + benzhexol hydrochloride] or [haloperidol + biperiden hydrochloride] as compared to the corresponding levels in groups treated with haloperidol only, respectively. From all results we can concluded that the biochemical parameters used in this study are useful in detecting any side effects of antipsychotic and anticholinergic drugs on liver functions. The treatment with [haloperidol + benzhexol hydrochloride] and [haloperidol + biperiden hydrochloride] are effective in decreasing the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia

antiganglioside antibodites and C3C rellable markers in predicting the course of guillain-barre syndrome in children?

In Guillain-Barre syndrome [GBS] antibodies to GM1 and the presence of an antecedent Campylobacter jejuni [C jejuni] infection were correlated with a more severe course of the disease. Morever, C jejuni was reported as the most frequent antecedent infection in GBS. On the other hand, Epstein-Barr virus [EBV] was reported as a leading cause of GBS in children. Twenty five patients were studied in the acute phase and at convalescence and 15 normal children were taken as controls. Serum and CSF levels of the immunoglobulins G and M, and complement in addition to the serum levels of antibodies against the ganglioside GM1, C jejuni and EBV and CSF total protein [TP] were examined in patients and controls. Immunoglobulins and C3c and C4 were determined by single radial immunodiffusion technique, while the anti-GM 1 [GM1b and GM1 alpha and IgG and IgM], anti-C jejuni [IgA and IgG] and anti-EBV [IgG and 1gM] antibodies were measured by the ELISA technique. TP was estimated colorimetrically. Significant increases in serum IgM, IgG, C3c and C4 were found in patients at acute illness compared to the controls. In 15 patients at acute illness IgG was detected in the CSF, which was significantly higher than that of th controls. The sera of Twelve cases of them were positive for anti-C jejuni antibodies as well as IgG anti-GMI antibodies and they experienced a more severe course of illness. However, 8 patients at acute illness showed detectable 1gM in their CSF. Five of these patients were positive for 1gM anti-EBV. The sera of the remaining 3 cases were positive for anti-C jejuni antibodies as well as IgM anti-GMI antibodies. These patients ran a mild to moderately severe course of illness. Serum C3c and CSF TP levels were significantly higher in patients either with detectable CSF IgG or IgM than those of the controls, or when the two groups were compared. The incidence of positive serum anti-GM I antibodies is significantly higher in patients than that of controls. Furthermore, the incidence of anti-GM1b and GM1 alpha of the IgG and 1gM types, in particular IgGs is significantly higher in patients compared to controls. Serum 1gM anti-EBV antibodies were detected in 5 patients at acute illness and in none of the controls. However, a high incidence of serum IgG anti-EBV antibodies was detected in both patients and controls. In conclusion axonal cases of GBS which run a severe course have anti-GM 1I antibodies in their sera more frequently of the IgG type. However antecedent EBV infection is more often encountered in less severe cases of the disease in children in whom antiganglioside antibodies are less frequently found. The serum antigangliosides together with C3c levels might be used as biochemical markers for monitoring the disease

effect of oxytocin on hisological structure and mitotic index of spleen in albino mice

The aimed of these research to shed some light on the effects of oxyticin in histological structure for spleer in male albino mice at age of four and five weeke, the animals were injected intra peritonealy at a dose of 0.2 ml. The results showed some histological changes in spleen, the blood vessels demonstrated vasodilation and fractionation which caused hemorrhage. The lymphoid tissue in periarterial lymphatic sheath [PALS] region of splenic nodule and in red pulp was loose and hyperplasia was present represented by blood vessel congestion and increasing in the number of phagocytes, plasma cells and giant cells and also theme was a significant elevation in the value of spleens cells mitotic Index which was seen in red and white pulp