Prevalence of venous thrombo-embolism in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of venous thrombo-embolism in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD

Subjects and methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 105 patients hospitalized with exacerbations of COPD. Clinical and hematological parameters on admission were collected. Multislice computed tomographic pulmonary angiography [CTPA] and ultrasonographic examination of lower limbs, for pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis respectively were done. Wells and Geneva scores were calculated

Results: This study was conducted on 105 COPD patients with acute exacerbations. All of them were males with mean age 49.3 + 8.43. Pulmonary embolism was found in 28.6% of COPD patients who were definitely diagnosed by CTPA while DVT was found in 26.7% of positive cases of pulmonary embolism detected by venous duplex. Wells and Geneva scores were calculated, high probability Wells score was found in 83.3% while Geneva score was likely in 90% of COPD patients proved to have pulmonary embolism. D-dimer and CBC were done; D-dimer was found negative in 90.0% in patients proven not to have pulmonary embolism while was positive in 100% of the diagnosed patients. Regarding CBC; polcythemia was found in 73.3% of diagnosed cases

Conclusion: VTE appeared to be a common problem in COPD patients with exacerbations. The role of CTPA is the cornerstone in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. DVT of lower limbs was not essential in all cases of proven pulmonary embolism. Serum D-dimer, Wells criteria and Geneva score are useful bedside criteria that may help to assess the occurrence of VTE in such patients

Nebulized magnesium sulphate versus nebulized sallbutomol in acute bronchial asthma

The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of nebulized magnesium sulphate as a bronchodilator in acute asthma as compared to nebulized salbutamol. This was a randomized controlled study conducted in El-Giza Chest Hospital Emergency Department between January 2010 and June 2011. Randomization was achieved by closed envelope technique. This study involved 48 known bronchial asthma patients presenting with acute or subacute exacerbations. Patients were divided into Control group [A] and Study group [B]. Initial assessment of all patients included history, clinical examination [auscultation, respiratory rate [RR], heart rate [HR] and working of accessory muscles]. In addition to measurement of peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR] and oxygen saturation [SO2]. Patients received standard treatment for their acute attacks in the form of Sodium hydrocortisone hemisuccinate 100 mg every 6 hours, Supplemental oxygen and nebulized bronchodilator which was salbutamol in group [A] in the form of 4 doses of nebulized solution 0.5 gm% [each dose 1 ml containing 5 mg salbutamol] twenty minutes apart and Magnesium sulphate in group [B] in the form of 4 doses of nebulized solution 10 gm% [each dose 1 ml containing 100 mg magnesium sulphate] twenty minutes apart. Reassessment of the patients was performed after 2 hours to detect improvement. The percent change in PEFR in Group A was significantly higher than that in Group B [58.90% and 13.92% respectively, p value 0.00]. There was a statistically significant reduction in the final mean HR in Group B compared to Group A [85 bpm and 96.1 bpm respectively, p value 0.011]. There was a significant reduction in mean final RR in Group A compared to Group B [22.17 bpm. and 25 bpm respectively, p value 0.002].There was a significant increase in oxygen saturation [SO2] in both groups. The use of MgSO4 by nebulization in patients with acute asthma attacks results in improvement of clinical condition, increase in peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR], reduction in heart rate [HR], reduction in respiratory rate [RR] and improvement in oxygen saturation [SO2]. The increase in PEFR [bronchodilatory effect] was significantly less than that achieved in patients receiving the usual treatment with Short acting beta 2 agonists, e.g. salbutamol, when either agents were used alone

Role of quantiferon TB gold assays in monitoring the efficacy of antituberculosis therapy

The impact of antituberculous treatment on [IFN]-gamma response to mycobacterial tuberculosis antigens have been widely investigated but the results have been controversial. To evaluate the role of Quantiferon TB gold assays as one of the interferon-gamma release assays [IGRAs] for monitoring the efficacy of antituberculosis therapy in patients with active disease. Thirty patients with active pulmonary TB were enrolled in this cross-sectional study where they were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, chest X-ray, direct smear examination of sputum samples for AFB using Ziehl-Neelson stain performed on three visits; up on enrollment, 2 and 6 months later. Lowenstein Jensen medium cultures of sputum samples were done for isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosison first visit. All patients in the study group were subjected to QuantiFERON-TB Gold estimation on the three visits. The mean sensitivity and specificity of QFT-G test was 85.9% and 62.6% respectively. Using [2] analysis, there was a statistically significant association between QFT-G results and culture results upon enrollment and Acid fast bacilli positivity on second and third visits. Studying the changes in QFT-G results throughout the whole study period revealed a statistically significant decrease in number of QFT-G positive cases from 24/29 patients [82.8%] at first visit to 4/25 patients [16%] at the third visit. All 21/25 patients [84%] who became QFT-G negative at the end of the study had a complete clinical and microbiological recovery of the TB disease. The analysis of QFT-G assay results showed that in the majority of our TB patients there was a correlation between clinical treatment outcome and changes of IFN-gamma response to M. tuberculosis-specific antigens

Diagnostic value of ultrasound guided biopsy in patients with malignant pleural effusion

To study the diagnostic value of ultrasound guided biopsy in patients with malignant pleural effusion. This study involved 40 patients with malignant pleural effusion of indeterminate aetiology. All patients had a contrast CT chest performed and were divided into 3 Groups according to their radiologic appearance: GROUP 1: 10 patients having pleural effusion only. GROUP 2: 15 patients having pleural effusion and pleural thickening. GROUP 3: 15 patients having pleural effusion and pleural mass lesions. All 3 groups of patients underwent ultrasound examination in the Radiology department. In patients of Groups 2 and 3, ultrasound fluid aspiration and ultrasound guided core biopsy of the pleura were attempted. Patients of all 3 Groups performed Medical thoracoscopy in the interventional pulmonology unit. In Group 1 patients, US guided biopsy was contraindicated and could not be performed due to absence of pleural thickness, nodulation or masses. Thoracoscopy was performed in them all with a sensitivity reaching 90%. In Group 2, a malignant aetiology was reached in 5/10 cases whom had adequate tissue retrieval [sensitivity 50%]. In Group 3, 12/15 patients were diagnosed by US guided biopsy [sensitivity 80%]. The mean sensitivity of US guided biopsy in both Groups was 65%. Thoracoscopy was then performed successfully in all of patients in Groups 2 and 3 with a diagnostic sensitivity of 100% each. The mean diagnostic sensitivity of thoracoscopy for all 3 Groups was 96.7%. The US guided pleural biopsy with a Tru-cut needle is simple, safe and well tolerated. It is especially useful for patients with pleural tumour, thickened pleura, small amounts of pleural effusion or loculated pleural effusion

Synthesis of some new 2-[[E]-2-furan-2-yl-vinyl]- 3H- quinazolin-4-one derivatives of expected biological activity

A new series of 2-[[E]-2-furan-2-yl-vinyl]-3H-quinazolin-4-ones incorporated into diverse N, O and S heterocyclic moieties of bioavailability as.5-oxo-4,5-dihydropyrazole 4, 3,5-dimethylpyrazole 5, 5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole 6, substituted thiazolidinones 8 and 1,3,4-thiadiazole 10, were synthesized by cyclization of the starting quinazolinone acid hydrazide 3 or the acid hydrazide Schiff bases 7 using ethyl acetoacetate, acety I acetone, ammoniumthiocyanate, thioglycolic acid and/or phosphorus pentasulphide, respectively. Other related derivatives such as quinazoline thiosemi - carbazides II and 1,3,4-oxadiazoles 12 were also synthesized. The acid hydrazide 3 showed moderate antimicrobial activity While the starting benzoic acid ethyl ester 2 showed promising anti-inflammatory activity but has no effect on liver carcinoma [HePG2] or brain carcinoma [U251] cell lines

Dyeing of cotton fabrics using some natural dyes part II: some studies on dyeing properties of cotton fabrics using chelidonium majus [Roots]

The pre-treated cotton fabric with tannic acid [60g/l] was dyed in a bath containing natural colouring matter extracted from vegetable plants Chelidonium majus [roots]. Factors affecting dyeing properties such as concentration of colouring matter as well as pH values, time and temperature of dyeing bath were studied. It was found that the most suitable dyeing properties are obtained when colouring matter is obtained from 18 g Chelidonium majus [roots]/100 ml water using 5g/l sodium chloride, L.R 1:50, pH 6, dyeing was continued for 30 min at 70°C. Environmentally friendly mordants such as copper sulphate, ferrous sulphate, stannous chloride and alum were added using three mordanting methods: [pre-simultaneous - post] mordanting methods and overall fastness properties of dyed mordanted fabrics were assessed. In the recent years, growing interest in the revival of natural dyes has been manifested. This interest is the result of a worldwide movement to protect the environment for indiscriminate exploitation and pollution by industries. Natural dyes are considered to be complementary and not conflictive with the use of manufactured dyes in the textile industry as a whole. Chelidonium majus is an erect plant from 2-4 feet and is native to temperate Europe and Asia. Leaves are deeply pinnatifid, crenate or lobed, flowers are yellow medium sized, in a small peduncled umbel, sepals 2, petals 4; stamens many ovary of 2 carpels, fruit is a cylindrical capsule 1-2 inch long. It belongs to papaveraceae family[1]. The present work was carried out to optimize the conditions for dyeing cotton with natural colouring matter derived from Chelidonium majus [roots]. The evaluation of [K/S, L, a, b, delta E] for different dyed mordanted and/or dyed washed fabrics. Estimation of metal ions [ppm] of the dyed mordanted cotton samples [pre-treated with 60 g/l tannic acid] was carried out[9-2]

Synthesis of some new 4-[P-heterocyclo-substituted aniline] -2,7-dimethyl-l,8-naphthyridines of expected antimicrobial activity

The reaction of 4-chloro-2,7-dimethyl-l,8-naphthyridine [1] with benzocaine and/or aminophenol gives the corresponding ethyl naphthyridineaminobenzoate derivative 2a and/or p-hydroxy-anilinonaphthyridine derivative 2b depending upon the nature of the reactants used. The reaction of compound 2a with hydrazine hydrate gives the corresponding acid hydrazide 3 which was allowed to react with CS[2] at different conditions giving the oxadiazole 4 and / or the dithiocarbazate 5, and with a beta-diketone and a [3-dikctoester to give the corresponding pyrazole 9 and/or the pyrazolone 10. As well as, the reaction of the acid hydrazide 3 with different aromatic aldehydes afforded the Schiff bases 11a-d. which upon cyclization with thioglycolic acid afforded the thiazolidinones 12. On the other hand, the reaction of 1 with different amines, afforded 4-substituted 1,8-naphthyridines 13a-c, which gave the 2,7- distyrylnaphthyridines 14a-d upon reaction with different aromatic aldehydes. Moreover, reaction of 1 with p-hydroxy- acetophenone and/or p-aminophenol gave the corresponding 4-[p-acetylphenoxy] and/or 4-[p-aminophenoxy]-1,8-naphthyndine derivatives 15a and/or 15b, respectively. Reaction of 15a with different aldehydes afforded the chalcones 16a-d, 2-[lH] oxopyridines 17a-f, 2-[lH]iminopyndmes 19a,b, 2-[lH] thioxopyndincs 20a-c, while reaction of 15b with aromatic aldehydes gave the 1,8-naphthyridine-p-phenoxy Schiff bases 21a-c and other related compounds have been synthesized. Furthermore, some 1,8-naphthyridine Mannich bases 24a-d were produced by treatment of 2b with p-formaldchyde and secondary amines. In addition, reaction of 4 with ethanolic solution of paraformaldehyde and the appropriate secondary amine, afforded the corresponding 1,3,4-oxadiazole Mannich bases 25a-c. Some of the new compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity

New antimicrobial 9-[p-heterocyclo-substituted anilino]-tetrahydroacridines

The chemistry of tetrahydroacridines is of continuous interest, as they are associated with pharmacological activities[1-9]. Some members of this class of compounds are used as memory-enhancing agents for treating Alzheimer disease [1, 2] acetylcholine esterase inhibitors[3-5], DNA-binding agents[6], antimicrobial agents[7] and as amoebicides[7-9]. The present work deals with the synthesis of a new series of 9-[p-[4-aryl- 3-cyano-2-iminopyridin-6-yl] anilino]-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroacridines [3] and their 2-oxo-[or thioxo]-pyridinylanilino derivatives 4 and 5, besides other related products 7-12 to be evaluated against bacteria and fungi. Synthesis was achieved by allowing 9-chloro-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroacridine [1][10] to react with p-aminoacetophenone to give the 9-[p-acetylanilino] derivative 2. The one pot reaction of 2 with malononitrile, ammonium acetate and the appropriate aromatic aldehyde afforded the corresponding 9-[p-[4-aryl-3-cyano-2-iminopyridin-6-yl]-anilino]-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroacridines [3a-e], respectively [Route a]. Similarly, reaction of 2 with ethyl cyanoacetate, ammonium acetate and the appropriate aromatic aldehyde in n-butanol afforded the corresponding 9-[p-[4-aryl-3-cyano-2[1H]-oxo-pyridin-6-yl] anilino]-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroacridines [4a-d], respectively. On the other hand, the reaction of an ethanolic mixture of 2 with substituted arylmethylene cyanothioacetanilides [5][11, 12] in the presence of ammonium acetate gave the corresponding 3-cyano-4-arylpyridin-2[1H]-thiones [6a-d], respectively [Route a]. Also reaction of 1 with ethyl-p-aminobenzoate gave the corresponding ethyl-p-[1, 2, 3, 4-tetra-hydroacridin-9-yl] aminobenzoate [7] which upon reaction with hydrazine hydrate afforded the corresponding acid hydrazide 8. [Route b]. In addition, acetylation of 2 was accomplished by heating it with ethyl acetate in the presence of sodium metal to give p-[[1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroacridin-9-yl]amino]acetylacetophenone [9]. Bromination of 2 afforded 9-[p-bromo-acetyl anilino]-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroacridine [10] which upon reaction with thiourea gave the corresponding 9-[p-[2-aminothiazol-4-yl]aniline-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroacridine [11] was hydrobromide salt, while reaction of 10 with malononitrile afforded p-[1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroacridin-9-yl]amino-benzoylmethyl malononitrile [12] [Route c]

Microbiological assessment of sludge treatment at the 6[th] October wastewater treatment plant, Giza, Egypt

This study was carried out to assess the sludge treatment processes applied at the 6[th] October wastewater treatment plant [WWTP], Giza, Egypt. The applied processes included aerobic digestion followed by gravity thickening, filter-pressing and drying beds [in emergency cases]. Bacteriological, virological and parasitological evaluation was carried out. Results showed that aerobic digestion removed two log units of total and faecal coliforms and one log unit of Escherichia coli [E. coli] and feacal streptococci. The removal percentages of coliphage and enteroviruses after aerobic digestion were 97.0 and 58.3%, resectively. The salmonellae disappeared from sludge after aerobic digestion. Qualitative and quantitative decrease in helminth ova [Ascaris, Trichuris, Trichostrongylus, Taenia and Hymenoleois] was observed after aerobic digestion and thickening stages. An average decreae of 4 log units for total and faecal coliforms, 3 log units for each of faecal streptococci and coliphage and 2 log units for E. coli through sludge treatment process was observed. Enteroviruses, helminth ova and enteric protozoa were completely eliminated from sludge after 6 months in drying beds. The loads of faecal coliform, E coli, faecal streptococci and coliphage in the dried sludge were 6.5 x 10[2], 1.6 x10[2], 4.5 x 10[2], 4.56 x 10[2] cfu and 8.5 x 10[1] pfu/g, respectively. Microbiological quality of the final treated sludge complied with the regulations of Untied States Environmental Protection Agency

Novel 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydronaphth-2-yl heterocycles of possible biological activity

2-cyclocondensation 2 underwent with different alpha-cyanocinnamonitriles to give the corresponding poly substituted pyran derivatives 3[a-d] which upon treatment with carbon disulphide gave the pyranopyrimidindithione derivatives 4[a-c]. Also, treatment of 2 with different aldehydes afforded the corresponding cinnamonitrile derivatives 5[a,b] which upon reaction with 3-methyl-1- phenylpyrazol-5-one gave the corresponding pyranopyrazole derivatives 6[a,b]. Moreover imidazo [2,3-b] thiazoles 8[a,c]; 1,2,3- thia- or 1,2,3- selena-diazoles 10[a,b]; thiazolidinones 16[a,b] and benzoxazin-4-one derivatives 18[a,b] derivatives were synthesized starting with 2-acetyltetralin. Compounds 3[c],11[b],12 were tested as antibilharzial agents and compounds 6[a],8[a] as antileukemia agents in experimental animals. Some of these compounds showed moderate activity

New 4-substituted phenoxy quinolines of possible antimierobial activity

New series of semicarbazone and substituted thiosemicarbazones [3a-d], 7-chloro-4-[p-[4-aryl-3-cyano-2-oxo[1H] pyridin-6-yl] phenoxy] quinolines [4a-f], 7-chloro-4-[p-[4-aryl-3-cyano-2-imino[1H] pyridin-6-yl] phenoxy]quinolines [5a-e] and 7-chloro-4-[p-[4-aryl-3-cyano-2-thioxo [1H] pyridin-6-yl] phenoxy] quinoline [6a-c], were synthesized for the purpose of antimicrobial evaluation against Gram +ve, Gram -ve bacteria, yeast and fungi

Synthesis of some new 4-methylquinolines of possible biological activity

Some new 4,8-dimethyl-2 [p-[3-cyano-2-thioxo-4-arylpyridin-6-yl] anilinoquinolines [3a-d] and 7-chloro-4-methyl-2-[4-hydroxy] anilinoquinolines Mannich bases [5,6a-c] were synthesized for the purpose of antimicrobial evaluation against bacteria, yeast, and fungi. Some representative examples showed activity against these microorganisms

Synthesis of some novel tetracyclic diazepines of biological interest

The synthesis of certain 7, 8, 9, 10-tetrahydro-4H-s-triazolo [3, 4-c][1] benzothieno [2, 3-e][1, 4]-diazepine derivatives VIIIa, b, IX, Xa-c, XIIa-c, XIIIa-d and a tetrazole analogue XIV was described

Synthesis and preliminary pharmacological evaluation of some thienodiazepine derivatives as sedatives and anticonvulsants

The synthesis of some new thienodiazepines, Va-c, VIa-f and VIIa-f was described. Compounds Va and Vc, in addition to Ia-c, IIa-c and III, prepared in an earlier study, were subjected to preliminary pharmacological evaluation as sedatives and anticonvulsants

Synthesis and the effect of some new 2 [1H] pyridinthiones on biomphalaria alexandrina snails enzymes

Some new 6-[6-[1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl]] 3-cyano-4-aryl-2 [1H] pyridinthiones [IIa-h] were synthesized by the reaction of 6-acetyltetralin with alpha-, beta-unsaturated nitrites [Ia-h]. Some of the new pyridinthiones showed considerable inhibitory effect on aspartate and alanine aminotransferase [AST and ALT] in bilharzia snails Biomphalaria alexandrina, while they increased the activity of lactate dehydrogenase in these snails

effect of feeding and lighting regimens on some behavioral patterns and performance of broiler chicks

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of feeding and lighting regimens on behavior and performance of broiler chicks. A sample of 150 Arbor Acres were used and divided into 3 equal groups, each of 50 chicks. The 1st group [G.1] received a continuous lighting and ad. libitum feeding acts as control, the 2nd group [G.2] permitted ad. libitum feeding with only day light, while the 3rd group [G.3] received a continuous lighting with intermittent feeding [three time daily, each of 2 hours]. The results obtained indicated that there was a significant [p <0.05] increase in the food-searching behaviors as feeding frequency, feed bout, and ground pecking by birds with intermittent feeding [G.3], while there was no effect of light regimen on these patterns. There was no significant difference in the final body weight gain between groups although birds in groups 2 and 3 consumed significantly [p <0.05] less food [3629.6, 3405 and 3420 g] and convert their feeding more efficiently [0.412, 0.423 and 0.421] than those in control group. Regarding the rest and comfort behaviors, there was no significant effect of feeding or lighting regimens except that the resting and ground scratch% were significantly [p <0.05] higher in group 3 than other groups. There was no significant effect of both treatments on agonistic behaviors except on fight and feather pecking patterns as their occurrences were higher between birds in group 3 than in the other two groups [1 and 2]