One year clinical evaluation of fracture and marginal integrety of milled biohpp polyetheretherketon (PEEK) versus zirconia veneered single crowns / Avaliação clínica de um ano de fratura e integredade marginal de coroas fresadas à base de biohpp polieteretercetona (PEEK) versus coroas estratificadas de zircônia unitárias (ensaio clínico controlado randomizado)

Objectives: To compare the clinical performance of milled PEEK-based single crowns to zirconia veneered single crowns through evaluation of restoration fracture, margin adaptation, and patient satisfaction. Material and Method: Twenty-four full coverage crowns were fabricated for posterior teeth. The patients were divided into two groups according to crowns' material: Group 1(control group) patients received Zr veneered crowns and Group2 (intervention group) patients received Bio HPP crowns. The preparations were standardized with supra-gingival, chamfer finish line for all teeth. The try-in and provisionalization were performed using CAD/CAM (CAM5-S1) machine with software (Exocad). The restorations were veneered according to manufactures instructions. The restoration surfaces were treated according to the manufacture instructions for each material. Self-adhesive resin cement (by BISCO) was used for both groups for crowns cementation. Fracture, margin integrity and biocompatibility (shade and function) were also evaluated during each recall visit using questionnaire to determine patient satisfaction. These measurements were repeated after two, four, six, eight, ten and twelve months respectively. Results: Fisher's Exact test was used to compare between the two groups; There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P-value = 1.000, Effect size = 0.478) for each time period, respectively. Conclusions: Both Zr veneered and Bio HPP crowns revealed successful clinical performance from the clinical performance aspect and patient satisfaction. No significant difference was recorded between the two materials; regarding the clinical performance and patient satisfaction. Therefore, careful checking of the surface of the veneering material one-year post-cementation is recommended (AU)

Objetivo: Comparar o desempenho clínico de coroas unitárias fresadas à base de PEEK com coroas unitárias estratificadas de zircônia por meio da avaliação da fratura da restauração, adaptação marginal e satisfação do paciente. Material e Métodos: Vinte e quatro coroas totais posteriores foram confeccionadas. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com o material das coroas: os pacientes do Grupo 1 (grupo controle) receberam coroas estratificadas de Zr e os pacientes do Grupo 2 (grupo de intervenção) receberam coroas BioHPP. Os preparos foram padronizados com linha de término supragengival e chanfro para todos os dentes. O try-in e a provisionalização foram realizados em máquina CAD / CAM (CAM5-S1) com software (Exocad). As restaurações foram estratificadas de acordo com as instruções do fabricante. As superfícies da restauração foram tratadas de acordo com as instruções do fabricante de cada material. O cimento resinoso autoadesivo (BISCO) foi utilizado para a cimentação das coroas em ambos os grupos. Fratura, integridade marginal e biocompatibilidade (tonalidade e função) também foram avaliadas durante cada consulta de retorno usando um questionário para determinar a satisfação do paciente. Essas medições foram repetidas após dois, quatro, seis, oito, dez e doze meses, respectivamente. Resultados: o teste exato de Fisher foi usado para comparação entre os dois grupos; não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os dois grupos (P-valor = 1,000, tamanho do efeito = 0,478) para cada período de tempo, respectivamente. Conclusão: As coroas estratificadas de Zr e BioHPP revelaram um desempenho clínico bem-sucedido do ponto de vista do desempenho clínico e da satisfação do paciente. Nenhuma diferença significativa foi registrada entre os dois materiais; quanto ao desempenho clínico e satisfação do paciente. Portanto, recomenda-se a verificação cuidadosa da superfície do material de estratificação após um ano de cimentação.(AU)

Pain assessment after short course versus long course palliative radiation of painful bony metastasis

Background: the most common cause of pain in cancer patients is bone metastases. Objective: to evaluate the different fractionation schedules

Patients and Methods: this is a prospective cross sectional study conducted at Ain-Shams University Hospitals and Nasser Institute Cancer Centre, to assess the equivalence of two fractionation regimens [20 Gy over 5 fractions versus 30 Gy over 10 fractions] as regard pain relief in painful bony metastases. Over 6 months fifty patients were assigned to either fraction arms using consecutive sampling

Results: both fractionation regimens were effective at palliating pain from bone metastases. Pain score was consistently going down from week 0 to week 12, although maximum benefit was reached earlier in the shorter arm [at week 8], both comparison groups leveled a favourable response at week 12. At 3 months, the observed overall response rate was 88% versus 84% and complete response rate was achieved in 44% versus 36% in both short- and long fractionation course respectively, with no statistical difference was found in terms of pain relief. With the median time to pain progression was 79.0 days for the short arm versus 77.0 days for the protracted arm

Conclusion: lower dose of radiotherapy may provide equivalent outcomes to higher ones in palliating bone pain. So, the the surrounding normal tissue role in pain process caused by bone metastases as well as the effect of radiation in this environment has to be furtherly investigated, which may lead to pain control augmentation

retrospective analysis of epidemiology prognostic factor and response of treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma

Background: malignant pleural mesothelioma [MPM] represents a common malignant disease. It is an aggressive tumor arising from the mesothelial cells lining the pleura. There is an extremely poor prognosis and a vast majority of MPM patients are diagnosed in an advanced stage. Rapid progression of the disease, no effective therapeutic approach and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy resulted in a median survival time of less than 12 months

Aim of the Work: this study aimed to analyze the clinic pathological profile, the various prognostic factors and treatment response of malignant mesothelioma patients in our center in terms of overall survival and progression free survival

Patients and Methods: this retrospective was conducted on Malignant Mesothelioma patients who presented to the Department of Clinical Oncology, Ain Shams University from 1 January, 2011 to 31 December, 2014

Results: the mean age of the included patients were 61.04 years with male predominance 50.6% and female 49.1%. Occupational risk was documented in only 11.1% of included patients; most patients live in the industrial environment [67.9%] and the rest in non industrial environment [32.1%]. All patients had negative family history of cancer. All patients had negative surgical history, 66.7% of patients had positive history of asbestos exposure. The commonest co morbidity among the studied patients were HTN as it was accounted for 24.7% of the included patients followed by diabetes mellitus in 16% of patients on the other hand, only 3.7% of patients had no co morbidity. Dyspnea was the commonest symptoms [77.8%] among the included patients, followed by cough [33.3%] and chest pain in 12.3%, the other symptoms with lower presentation included hemoptysis and anemia. P.S 1[28.4%] was recorded among the included patients and 53.1% patients had P.S 2 while, rest of patients 18.5% had P.S3. Patients were diagnosed by CT chest and pleural biopsy either US guided or CT guided, chest X ray, thoracoscopic biopsy, FNAC and open pleural biopsy. The results also showed that the median PFS among the included patients was 2 months. Median OAS was 6.1 months

Conclusion: best survival data in patients with MPM were currently reported from groups using multimodality treatment including MCR achieved either by EPP or extrapleural decortication for patients qualifying as far as tumor stage and functional reserve were concerned. In general, several treatment combinations have been applied ranging from systemic [neo- or adjuvant] to localized chemotherapy, neo- or adjuvant radiotherapy and others

Recommendations: The choice of the surgical procedure should be tailored according to tumor stage, performance status, and institutional experience. Morbidity and mortality of these treatment approaches have been reduced at experienced centers indicating that this complex treatment should be performed at dedicated high volume mesothelioma centers

Effect of excess iodide on the structure of the thyroid gland of prepubertal male albino rats: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Excessive iodine intake is emerging as a new healthcare-related concern. Excess iodine is associated with a spectrum of effects on the thyroid. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of excess potassium iodide [KI] on the histological and immunohistochemical structure of the thyroid gland and evaluate the biochemical changes in thyroid hormones. Forty prepubertal male albino rats aged between 4 and 6 weeks were classified into two equal groups: group 1 [the control group], which was given distilled water, and group 2 [the KI-treated group], which was further subdivided into two equal subgroups. Subgroup 1a was given 0.1 mg KI/kg/day for 4 successive weeks and subgroup 1b was given 0.1 mg KI/kg/day for 8 successive weeks. At the end of the period, the animals were anesthetized and blood samples were collected for measurement of serum T3, T4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Thyroid glands were dissected out and processed for examination using light and electron microscopes. For light microscopic examination, the sections were stained with H and E and immunohistochemical analysis was carried out for localization of Fas. H and E-stained sections of the KI-treated subgroups showed highly significantly enlarged follicular cavities that were distended with vacuolated colloid. Most of the follicles were lined with flattened follicular cells with flattened nuclei. Follicular epithelial height was highly significantly decreased. Ultrastructurally, follicular cells showed dilatation of the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial swelling, many electron-lucent zones, and collagen fibers in the interstitial spaces. Also, most of the nuclei were heterochromatic. Immunohistochemically, there was a highly significant increase in staining for Fas in the follicular cells of the treated subgroups. Biochemical assessment detected a nonsignificant decrease in T3 and T4 and a highly significant increase in the thyroid-stimulating hormone levels of the treated group. Excessive iodine intake affects thyroid structure and function. Hence, public iodine intake should be regulated to make sure that it is within optimal levels. Proper monitoring of the salt iodization program is essential. Also, drugs with high iodine content should be administered with caution

Primary mediastinal pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma: a case report

To report a rare case of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma which occurred in the mediastinum of a 34-year-old man. A young male labourer presented with dyspnoea on exertion. A large mediastinal mass was detected on chest CT scan. The chest surgeons advised against open biopsy. His alpha-fetoprotein was 22,000 IU/l; based on this the diagnosis of a germ cell tumour was made and the patient was treated with a bleomycin/etoposide/cisplatin regimen. He left for his native country where an open biopsy from the mediastinum was taken and reported as pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma. He was given five courses of chemotherapy with doxorubicin, etoposide, and ifosfamide with mesna protection without much relief. The inoperable disease occupied the whole of the right chest and mediastinum. The enormous size of the radiation field made radiotherapy prohibitive. Finally, the patient opted for symptomatic treatment and left for his native place. This case is presented because of its difficulty in management and rarity

Histological and immunohistochemical studies on the cerebellar cortex of adult male albino rats treated with griseofulvin

Griseofulvin was the first oral anti-fungal drug available for treatment of dermatophytosis. Neurological side effects including neuropathies, confusion, vertigo, eyesight disorders and fatigue may occur due to its use. Twenty adult male albino rats, each weighing 100-150 gm were used to study the toxic effects of griseofulvin administration on the histological structure of cerebellar cortex. They were classified equally into four groups. The first group: was used as a negative control group, the second group: was used as a positive control group, each rat was given 1 mL olive oil orally daily for 12 weeks, the third group: each rat was given griseofulvin orally [dissolved in olive oil in a dose of 2500 mg/kg body weight [1/20 of LD 50]for 6 weeks and the fourth group: each rat was given griseofulvin orally [dissolved in olive oil in a dose of 2500 mg/kg body weight [1/20 of LD 50] for 12 weeks. At the time of sacrifice all the animals were anaesthetized with ether inhalation and their cerebelli were carefully dissected and processed for paraffin sections then stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Weelecks procedure and modified aldehyde thionine technique to study the general structures. Immunohistochemical stain with astroglial marker antibody Glial Fibrillary Acid Protein was also used. In griseofulvin-treated animals of the third group, there was distortion of some Purkinje cells with loss of their dendritic arbirization and they were separated from each other. In treated animals of the fourth group, some Purkinje cells were more distorted and separated by wide spaces. The molecular layer appeared with scattered cells and less abundant nerve fibers in between. Immunohistochemically, tile treated animals of the third group showed Glial Fibrillary Acid Protein positive astrocytes in the molecular and granular layers. In the fourth group, there were Glial Fibrillary Acid Protein more positive astrocytes. The results of the current study revealed that, administration of griseofulvin for a long time induced adverse effects on the histological structure of the cerebellar cortex of adult male albino rats

Acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation versus occlusal splint therapy in the management of temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome

The aim of this study was to evaluate the acupuncture therapy as well as the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS] versus the occlusal splint therapy in the management of temporomandibular disorders [TMDs]. According to the treatment regimen, the selected patients were divided into four groups, each comprising eight patients. Group I and IV received acupuncture and occlusal splint therapies respectively as sole mode of treatment, while group II and III received combination therapy of acupuncture of TENS with splint therapy alternatively. Both subjective and objective evaluations were carried out for each patient at the pre-treatment stage and on regular recall visits up to nine months from the end of treatment. The results of this study showed a varying degree of success of the selected treatment approaches between the four groups being in favor to the combination therapy

New onset diabetes mellitus after renal transplantation: impact of immunosuppresssive and antihypertensive therapy

The purpose of the present study was to assess the influence of immunosuppresssive and antihypertensive therapy in the diabetic state after renal transplantation especially impaired fasting glucose [IGF], and impaired glucose tolerance [IGT]. A total of 67 consecutive renal transplant recipients without previously known diabetes underwent a 75gm oral glucose tolerance test [OGTT] 3 months after renal transplantation. BMI, daily prednisolone dose, creatinine clearance, hypertension, number of antihypertensive agents and the use of diuretics or 3 blockers were POSITIVELY associated with, impaired glucose tolerance [IGT], namely impaired fasting glucose [IGF], and abnormal glucose tolerance [ACT] [p<0.05]. After multiple regression analysis, BMI [p<0.001], daily prednisolone dose [p<0.001], cytomegalovirus infection [p<0.03], and triglycerides [p<0.034], were shown to be independent predictors of posttransplant ACT. Increasing daily prednisolone dose is an independent predictor of impaired fasting glucose after renal transplantation. Hypertension and the use of diuretics and beta blockers may also deteriorate glucose tolerance [CT] in this group of patients

Cord blood activin A level as index of fetal hypoxia

Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic cerebral injury is a major determinant of neurologic morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period and later in childhood. Activin-A is a growth factor involved in cell growth and differentiation, neuronal survival, early embryonic development and erythropoiesis. Hypoxemia is a specific trigger for increasing activin-A in fetal lamb circulation. We evaluated the effects of asphyxia on cord blood activin-A levels. The study was carried out on 30 newborns who suffered from perinatal asphyxia and who selected from El-Minia university hospital from January 2005 through June 2005 in addition to 30 newborns of the same age and sex matched as a control group. Blood samples were obtained from the umbilical artery and vein for blood gas analysis, complete blood count with determination of nucleated red blood cells [nRBCs] and measurement of free activin-A. In this study, the arterial cord blood mean values of PH, PaO[2] and base deficit were lower and PaCO2 was higher in asphyxiated group than the control group. Newborns with clinical signs of perinatal asphyxia had higher activin-A levels, which were correlated with indices of hypoxia such as lower pH suggesting that hypoxia is a trigger to stimulate activin-A secretion. It was found that the mean value of activin-A was higher in arterial than in the venous cord blood in both asphyxiated and control groups suggesting that the fetus is the main source of activin-A. Nucleated RBCs were increased in asphyxiated group. The level of nRBCs per 100 WBCs correlated with asphyxia. The correlation found suggests that hypoxia is one of the common stimulus for increased erythropoiesis and activin-A release. intrauterine hypoxia is one of the common factors responsible for increasing activin-A levels in fetal circulation. The strong correlation between activin-A and clinical and biochemical signs of fetal and neonatal hypoxia lead us to suggest that activin-A is a possible indicator of intrauterine hypoxia

IL-10 and IL-12 in the cord blood of preterm newborns with respiratory distress syndrome

The development of respiratory distress syndrome [RDS] is closely related to fetal immaturity, although the participation of inflammatory mechanisms also seems to be likely. In this study, we investigated the possible role of IL-10 and IL-12 in preterm newborns with RDS, a disease that is also related to gestational age. the cord blood levels of IL-10 and IL-12 were assessed in 60 preterm infants, 30 of them developed RDS and they were taken as cases, and the other 30 were not distressed and used as a control group. The results showed that IL-10 was higher and IL-12 was lower in preterm infants with RDS than those without RDS. IL-10 manifested negative correlation with gestational age and birth weight, while IL-12 manifested no correlation with gestational age or birth weight. There was no correlation between IL-10 and IL-12 either in cases or controls. Five cases died from RDS, these cases had significant higher IL-10 levels and lower IL-12 levels than presenting twins. We concluded from these findings that IL-12 and IL-10 can be used as indicators for the risk of developing RDS in the born preterm. IL-10 and IL-12 levels in cord blood most probably indicate functional immaturity of the preterm

Effect of two impression techniques on some properties of silicone impression materials

Putty-wash impression technique is commonly used with addition and condensation silicone impression materials. It can be made either as a one-step or a two-step procedure. The aim of the present study was to compare between the two techniques regarding their effect on some properties of silicone impression materials. To evaluate their effect on dimensional accuracy and undercut reproduction impressions were made for a master model using the two techniques and stone casts were poured. The dimensions of the stone casts were compared to those of the master cast. Split moulds attached to the universal testing machine were used to evaluate the putty wash bond strength. The results revealed that the one-step technique was significantly more accurate with condensation silicones while the accuracy of addition silicones was not significantly affected by the impression technique. Both techniques provided the same accuracy of undercut reproduction. Addition silicones exhibited greater putty-wash bond strength than condensation silicones. The one-step technique yielded higher bond strength with addition silicones while the two-step technique provided greater bond strength with condensation materials. Contamination of the putty surface with saliva markedly reduced the bond strength while contamination with residual monomer resulted in a stronger adhesive junction

Plasma and hepatic tissue endothelin-1 levels in cirrhotic patients with and without bleeding varices

Bleeding from varices is the most lethal event in cirrhotic patients. Bleeding esophageal varices contributed to 51.6% of causes of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage among Egyptians. The potent vasoconstrictive peptide, endothelin [ET] has been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of portal hypertension. So, the present study was designed to determine levels of both circulating ET-1 and hepatic tissue ET-1 in cirrhotic patients with and without bleeding varices. Patients suffering from liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension and upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to esophageal and/or gastric varices were included in the study. Patients who had liver cirrhosis but had never bled before were studied as a comparative group. All patients were classifed according to modified Child's classification. Esophago-gastro-dudenoscopy was done to all patients. Liver biopsy was done whenever possible. Material was divided for both histopathological examinations [using hematoxin and eosin stain] and detection of hepatic tissue ET-1. ELIZA determined plasma and tissue ET-1. Seventy-five subjects were included in this study [fifty bleeders from varices and 15 non-bleeders]. Age of patients ranged between 28 and 67 years with a mean of 45.1 +/- 8.5 years. Fifty-two were males and thirteen were females. Ten healthy controls with a mean age of 41.6 +/- 13.8 years had also been studied. They were 8 males and 2 females. There was a statistically significant increase in the level of plasma ET-1 in bleeder group [12.90 +/- 5.51] when compared to the non-bleeder group [7.50 +/- 2.52] [p< 0.05]. In the same time, there was a statistically significant increase in the level of hepatic tissue ET-1 in bleeder group [77.6 +/-14.03] when compared to the non-bleeder group [52 +/-10.56] [p< 0.05]. Plasma endothelin-1 level showed significant correlation with parameters of hepatic function. In conclusion, results demonstrated that plasma and hepatic tissue ET-1 might play an important role in the genesis of bleeding varices seen in advanced liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension

Evaluation of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and neutrophil count in term neonates born to mothers with pregnancy induced hypertension

The objective of this study was to estimate the cord blood levels of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor [G-CSF] in term infants born to mothers suffering from pregnancy induced hypertension [PIH] and to study its relation with neonatal neutrophil count and maternal mean arterial blood pressure. G-CSF in the PIH group was significantly lower than the control group, while neutrophil count was not different in the PIH and control groups. Only two infants in the PIH group had marked neutropenia. No definite correlations were found between maternal mean arterial blood pressure and fetal neutrophil count or fetal G-CSF. Also, fetal neutrophil count was not correlated with fetal G-CSF

Risk and preventative measures for postoperative acute renal failure [ARF]: a prospective controlled study

The extracorporeal circulation used during open heart surgery is associated with a significant decline in renal blood flow that can result in tubular injury. Although this complication is uncommon, it carries a poor prognosis. Although many experimental trials have highlighted the significant value of some pharmaceuticals in prevention of post ischaemic renal tubular injuries, few clinical trials are found. We aimed in this study to evaluate the efficacy of 4 drugs in the prevention of acute tubular necrosis [ATN] following open heart surgery. Patients received either diltiazem, captopreil, allopurinol or the antioxidant formula antox [n = 20 per agent], 20 control cases received placebo. Groups were matched in age, gender, type of cardiac disease, preoperative cardiac and kidney function and type of surgery. AII patients received the appointed agent for 1- week pre- and post- operative. Each group included 6 cases that underwent coronary bypass, 8 value replacements or repair and 6 total correction of congenital defects. In order to ascertain risk factors each case underwent a comprehensive history taking, clinical examination, 12 lead ECG, chest X-ray, echocardiography, arterial blood gas analysis, complete blood count, fasting and 2 hours post prandial [PP] blood sugar, coagulation profile, liver function tests, blood urea nitrogen [BUN], serum creatinine [Sc], creatinine clearance [CC], urine analysis and urine albumin/creatinine ratio [Alb/cr]. The total operation, total pump and ischaemic times were recorded for each case intra-operative as well as the use of any inotropes, vasopressors or diuretics and the occurrence of haematuria or haemoglobinuria. AII kidney function tests were repeated on the 1st, 4th and 7th post operative days. AII groups showed a postoperative significant increase in BUN, Sc, and Alb/cr and a significant decrease in CC; these changes were least with diltiazem. A highly significant correlation between preoperative Alb/cr and postoperative Sc was found for the population as whole [p<0.001]. ATN occurred only in coronary artery bypass graft, aortic valve, multiple valve and total correction of Fallot's IV patients. The incidence of ATN, duration of oliguria and need for dialysis were least with diltiazem, [P=0.05]. No single mortality was reported in either the diltiazem or allopurinol groups. In conclusion, prophylactic administration of diltiazem, to high risk patients help reduce mortality, incidence and duration of ATN, the need for dialysis and costs of hospital stay, Allopurinol is a good alternative in patients with poor left ventricular function

Microscopic observation of broth cultures: a rapid and efficient method for detection and drug susceptibility testing of mycobacterium in sputum of children

We tried to develop a new, efficient, rapid, reliable and inexpensive method that permits mycobacteria detection and drug susceptibility for children and adolescents with pulmonary tuberculosis. Sputum samples were cultured by using [1]. the microscopic observation broth-drug susceptibility [MODS] method; [2]. radiometric culture technique by using BACTEC system; and [3]. culture on Lowenstein Jensen medium [LJ], in addition to Ziehl-Neelsen staining of sputum. Patients underwent tuberculin skin test. The results proved that the sensitivity of the different diagnostic tests was: MODS 79.3%, BACTEC 96.5%, and culture on LJ medium 55%. Specificity was high for BACTEC, MODS, and LJ medium as none of the 18 control sputum samples were positive by any method. The mean time of detection of mycobacteria was: MODS 10.4 +/- 3.79 days, BACTEC 9.1 +/- 3.1 days, and LJ medium 38.5 +/- 10.3 days. The mean time for doing susceptibility testing was: MODS 10.7 +/- 3.86 days, BACTEC 9.6 +/- 3.1 days, and LJ medium 38.9 +/- 10.6 days. Cost per sample for detection and susceptibility respectively was: MODS 2.7 and 17.5 L.E., BACTEC 25 and 77.5 L.E. and LJ 1.7 and 12.5 L.E. For diagnosis of tuberculosis, MODS method is a rapid, cheap, easy and efficient method for detection and performing susceptibility tests in Egypt

Biochemical versus radiological studies for early detection of steroid-induced bone depletion in children

To examine the early effects of the usual dose of prednisone treatment [1-2mg/kg / day] for about one month on bone depletion in different pediatric diseases. Bone mineral density [BMD] was measured using quantitative computed tomography [QCT]. Bone formation was quantified by measurement of serum osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, calcium and phosphorus. Bone resorption was measured by urinary excretion of calcium, phosphorus and hydroxyproline. BMD was significantly reduced in the steroid treated group [P < 0.05]. As regards bone formation parameters, only osteocalcin was significantly reduced [P < 0.05] while other parameters were not different. Urinary hydroxyproline and phosphorus as parameters of bone resorption were significantly elevated [P < 0.01 and < 0.05 respectively] with no change in urinary calcium excretion. No correlation has been found between BMD and any of the laboratory markers. One month treatment with prednisone in the usual dose is associated with some degree of bone depletion and although osteocalcin and hydroxyproline values were significantly different in the steroid treated group, yet they are weak substitutes for radiological studies [bone densitometry] in monitoring bone density in these patients

Evaluation of the routine hepatitis B immunization programme in Palestine, 1996

The objectives of this study were to evaluate routine hepatitis B immunization in Palestine. Blood samples of 119 children [89 fully immunized and 30 non-immunized] were analysed. The protective antibody levels among immunized children were greater than the non-immunized children. Antibody levels among the immunized children were lower in the older age group [> 36 months], but no sex differences in antibody level were apparent. Thus, hepatitis B immunization had an excellent impact on preventing hepatitis B transmission [85% preventive]. The non-responders constituted 14.6% of the sample, which is higher than other studies

Evaluation of some trace elements in patients with acute myocardial infarction

To evaluate the role of sonic trace elements in acute myocardial infarction [AMI] we studied 60 patients with AMI within the first 24 hours and 20 well matched healthy volunteers. AU were subjected to though history taking, clinical examination, plain chest x-ray, resting ECG, Echo-Doppler and laboratoy analysis .The laboratoy tests included the serum 'level of iron, copper, zinc, selenium, magnesium, eythrocytic glutathion peroxidase[EGP], cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides and risk ratio. The patients were followed up during their hospital course for development of complications. The study pointed out a statistically significant increases in serum levels of Iron and copper while statistically significant decreases in serum levels of zinc, magnesium, selenium and EGP in AMI-patients when compared to the control group. The AMI-patients showed a significant positive correlation between the level of serum copper and that of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C and risk ratio, while there was a significant negative correlation to HDL-C. Also, a significant positive correlation between the serum level of zinc and that of cholesterol, LDL-C and risk ratio. However, there was no significant difference between the serum levels of the trace elements and the development of in-hospital complications. the increased serum levels of iron and copper while the decreased that of selenium and zinc play a role in the occurrence of IHD, but has no role in the development of in-hospital complications

Urinary 5-hydroxy-3 indole acetic acid in infantile colic

This study included 21 cases with infantile colic and 14 apparently healthy controls, with age ranged from 143 +/- 147 days for cases and 300 +/- 248 days for controls. Urinary level of 5-hydroxy-3 indole acetic acid [5-OHIAA], a metabolite of serotonin, was studied in the 21 infants with infantile colic and the 14 control subjects. Urinary 5-OHIAA level was significantly higher in colicky infants than in the control group, but no significant difference was found regards the type of feeding pattern and the use of spasmolytics [natural and drugs]